Office of Board of Selectmen 143 Main Street, P.O. Box 310, Belmont, New Hampshire Telephone: (603) Fax: (603)

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1 Office of Board of Selectmen 143 Main Street, P.O. Box 310, Belmont, New Hampshire Telephone: (603) Fax: (603) Selectmen s Meeting Minutes Monday, March 20, 2017, 5:00 p.m. Corner Meeting House Chairman Ruth Mooney called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Also present were Selectman Jon Pike, Selectman Claude Patten Jr., Town Administrator Jeanne Beaudin, Administrative Assistant Cary Lagace, Fire Captain Mike Newhall, Town Clerk/Tax Collector Cynthia DeRoy, Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector Kari Smith, Kevin Sturgeon, Norma Patten, Craig Clairmont, Mary Charnley, Gail Thomas and media member David Carkhuff. Minutes Those present stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Selectman Pike moved the minutes of the meeting held on March 6, 2017 as written. Chairman Mooney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Selectman Patten abstained. Abatements, Manifests, Exemptions & Credits Chairman Mooney moved to approve the abatements, manifests, exemptions and credits; Selectman Pike seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Swearing in of New Town Officials Town Clerk/Tax Collector Cynthia DeRoy gave the oath of office to the following individuals; Norma Patten to Budget Committee, Zoning Board and Cemetery Trustee; Gail Thomas, Library Trustee; Kevin Sturgeon, Planning Board; Craig Clairmont, Budget Committee; Mary Charnley, Library Trustee; Claude Patten, Selectman (who was sworn in Thursday evening March 16 th ). New Business Selectboard Chairman, Vice Chairman and Committee Assignments Selectman Pike moved to have Ruth Mooney as Chairman, Selectman Patten seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Chairman Mooney move to have Jon Pike serve as Vice Chairman, Selectman Patten seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Selectmen s Meeting Minutes Page 1 March 20, 2017

2 The Board agreed to the following assignment of Boards, Commissions and Committee; Planning Board Selectman Pike; Budget Committee Chairman Mooney; Conservation Commission and Heritage Commission Selectman Patten. Selectman Pike indicated that he had heard he was nominated to the Belknap County Economic Development Committee and he had no idea; but if he is on the committee he would like to know so he can attend meetings. TA Beaudin explained that she wasn t aware of such a nomination and Selectman Cormier was the last representative that she was aware of and that was several years ago. She indicated that she would look into it for him. MS Signatures TA Beaudin reviewed with the Board the MS 232 Report of Appropriations for the Department of Revenue based on the Town Meeting vote results. She noted that the total amount of appropriations is $9,830,768. WRBP Advisory Board Request TA Beaudin reviewed with the Board a memo request from the WRBP advisory board regarding studies that have been done regarding the operations & maintenance of the WRBP system. She noted that there are 9 communities that utilize the system that transports sewage to the Franklin facility. The system is owned and operated by the State and the advisory committee works together with the State staff to make recommendations for the system. They have been considering the option of it being owned by the communities that use it to provide a regional authority. Initial studies have shown that there could be a cost savings realized, however the advisory committee is recommending a feasibility study be done to determine for certain. Chairman Mooney asked how old the system is and who has the ultimate responsibility if there is a mishap; TA Beaudin explained that the ultimate responsibility belongs to the communities that utilize it regardless. Selectman Pike asked if the employees work for the State but it is all funded by the participating communities; TA Beaudin confirmed adding that if they were to pursue the ownership being transferred to the communities that fund it, it would be a very long process, perhaps several years. Chairman Mooney noted that 95% of funds for the initial construction of the system where federal. Selectman Pike commented that it is easy for the state to mandate and not regulate. TA Beaudin noted that the advisory board works with the staff to develop the budget or other things however, ultimately the advisory board has no authority. The advisory board is looking for support from each community member representative to further pursue the feasibility study that would be funded from the current WRBP budgets engineering line. Chairman Mooney moved to authorized TA Beaudin to provide input to the committee for support of the feasibility study. Selectman Pike seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Town Clerk/Tax Collector Voting Information Town Clerk/Tax Collector Cynthia DeRoy advised the Board that at last year s Town Meeting vote there where 710 voters that turned out. This year despite the weather delay, 737 voters turned out for Belmont and there where another 99 people from Canterbury that came to vote for the school SB2 vote. Selectmen s Meeting Minutes Page 2 March 20, 2017

3 Old Business CAP Program Review Primex Correspondence TA Beaudin noted that at their last meeting the Board reviewed a CAP offer from Primex regarding Workers Compensation and Property Liability asking for commitment to Primex with maximum premium increases of 7% for a time period of July 1, 2018 to June 30, She added that they had asked her to look into commercial and other options. She met with Davis & Towle which has the Lawson group looking into a 5b organization which is what Primex is. They hope to have it in place by the first of the year, but they will initially only have workers compensation and Liability. There is Travelers and Trident which we could get a quote from but it s a very cumbersome process with them wanting 5years of history. TA Beaudin noted that the Town additionally receives a significant amount of training opportunities from Primex that we wouldn t get elsewhere. She recommends staying with Primex as she is not sure the Town would see any savings with commercial insurance. Chairman Mooney read the following resolution: RESOLVED: To hereby accept the offer of the New Hampshire Public Risk Management Exchange (Primex) to enter into its Property & Liability Contribution Assurance Program (CAP) as of the date of the adoption of this resolution, and to be contractually bound to all of the terms and conditions of Primex risk management pool membership during the term of the Property & Liability Contribution Assurance Program (CAP). The coverage provided by Primex in each year of membership shall be as then set forth in the Coverage Documents of Primex. I attest that the foregoing is a true copy of the Resolution of the Governing Board of the Town of Belmont adopted on 3/20/2017. Selectman Pike seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 7 Elaine Drive Paving Request TA Beaudin reviewed with the Board pictures of the pavement area at 7 Elaine Drive. She noted that the road used to be paved and the Board has discussed this area several different times. Mrs. Young keeps requesting that the Town consider repaving this area. It was previously thought that she was requesting to have the whole road paved when in fact she is just asking for the area that was previously paved but has deteriorated. It was noted that there is a high water table in that area that is likely responsible for the continued deterioration. The area has been repaired on many occasions however it doesn t last. There was a brief discussion regarding how to address the issue and Chairman Mooney suggested that the Board hold a workshop to address this road issue and others alike. She intends to review the Road Reconstruction plan to determine where Elaine Drive falls into that. The Board agreed to schedule a workshop to review this road issue and others that issues have been noted on. Road Posting TA Beaudin advised the Board that road posting will take place tomorrow, and asked what their feelings where on posting Wareing Road, Main Street and Shaker Road now that the pit entrance has been moved to Wareing Road. The Board agreed with posting Shaker Road and Wareing Road on the dirt section up to the pit entrance but not posting Main Street. Selectmen s Meeting Minutes Page 3 March 20, 2017

4 Union Contracts TA Beaudin explained to the Board that the union contracts for Units A, B & the Public Works have been signed by the union representatives and are now ready for the Boards signatures. She noted that with the promotion of Captain Newhall to a nonunion position the unions held elections and the new president for the unit A & B unions; police and fire; is Evan Boulanger, Ryan Brown has been chosen as the Chairman of the B unit and Eric Jewell will continue as the Public Works representative. All of them will receive a PDF and hard copy of the executed documents which they have an area that they maintain them for their staff. The union reps again expressed appreciation for the community support and are happy that everyone was able to work so well together. Eagle Scout Court of Honor Invite Chairman Mooney requested that a letter of congratulations be sent to Thomas Hayes from the Board regarding his Eagle Scout court of honor coming up on March 26 th. Tax Collectors Deed TA Beaudin explained that the last batch of tax collectors deeds excluded the one for 79 Concord Street which the notification process was inadvertently delayed, is before the Board tonight for consideration. The property owner, Mike McGuire, had until today to respond to the notifications and he has not. As of today the balance on the account is $12, Selectman Pike moved to accept the Tax Collectors Deed to the property at 79 Concord Street. Selectman Patten seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Police Chief s Cruiser TA Beaudin advised that she discussed the loss of trade value on the police cruiser with Primex and they do not pursue loss of value. She additionally discussed it with Town Counsel and they have not handled such a case and feel that it may require an expert witness which they feel would be too cost in relation to what would be recovered. They did offer to send a letter to the individual with a copy to their insurance that we are making a claim for lost value in hope of producing a settlement. The Board agreed that TA Beaudin should get the information on the individual s insurance and write the owner and insurance company regarding pursuing a claim for loss of trade value will get info and write to owner of vehicle. Non-public Session Chairman Mooney called the non-public session to order at 5:33 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 II (c). Roll call was taken; those present and voting were Ruth Mooney, Jon Pike and Claude Patten Jr. Also present was Town Administrator Beaudin and Administrative Assistant Cary Lagace. Chairman Mooney closed the non-public session at 6:25 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Selectmen s Meeting Minutes Page 4 March 20, 2017

5 Ruth Mooney, Chairman Jon Pike, Vice Chairman Claude Patten Jr., Selectman Selectmen s Meeting Minutes Page 5 March 20, 2017