APPROVED TOWN OF PELHAM BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES March 24, 2015 APPROVED March 31, 2015

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1 CALL TO ORDER - approximately 6:30PM PRESENT: ABSENT: APPROVED TOWN OF PELHAM BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES March 24, 2015 APPROVED March 31, 2015 Mr. William McDevitt, Mr. Hal Lynde, Mr. Doug Viger, Mr. Robert Haverty, Mr. Paul Leonard, Town Administrator Brian McCarthy None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MINUTES REVIEW March 3, 2015 (Viger/Lynde) To approve the March 3, 2015 meeting minutes as amended. VOTE: (4-0-1) The motion carried. Mr. Leonard abstained Mr. McDevitt asked the Selectmen to direct their attention to the non-public minutes, which were available for review in the Selectmen s conference room. ANNOUNCEMENTS Board/Committee Open Positions are as follows: o Zoning Board of Adjustment Two for 3 years o Conservation Commission Two for 3 years o Forestry Committee Three for 3 years o Trustees of the Trust Funds One for 3 years All interested parties are to submit applications to the Selectmen s Office by March 31, 2015 March 26, 2015 Special Board of Selectmen meeting at 6PM in Sherburne Hall Kinder Morgan will hold an informational meeting beginning with a 15-minute presentation regarding their proposal March 30, 2015 Concerned Citizens of Pelham meeting at 8PM in Sherburne Hall Meeting regarding Kinder Morgan Pipeline OPEN FORUM No one came forward to address the Board. 1

2 OTHER BUSINESS Town Meeting Results: Fire Department Union Contract Signing Support Staff Union Contract Signing Deputy Fire Chief Employment Agreement Mr. McDevitt stated during the next meeting the Board would review Town Meeting results and discuss what actions they would take going forward. Mr. McCarthy brought forward and circulated the union contracts and employment agreement for Selectmen signature. Energy Reduction Program Selectmen Viger to Speak to Savings and Process Mr. Viger explained during the same time frame last year he received permission from the Board to look at energy expenses, maintenance programs, etc. throughout the Town. This year he scheduled a meeting with an electrical consultant (March 26 th ) to review Town buildings and take an inventory of their lighting. This will help determine what rebates could come from Liberty Utilities by using high efficiency lighting. Based on the findings, Liberty Utilities has reported they would pay up to 50% of the upgrade. Mr. Viger noted he would bring the results of the findings back to the Board for determination how/if they wanted to proceed. Mr. McDevitt questioned if there was an upfront expenditure to replace the lights. Mr. Viger replied Liberty Utilities had several programs that would be reviewed; however, he believed there would be significant paybacks and savings that could be achieved. As part of the analysis Mr. Leonard inquired if consideration or research was being done to review switching energy providers. Mr. McCarthy answered by explaining the Town received their energy contracts through the Nashua Regional Planning Commission ( NRPC ) who bargain regional contracts for towns participating with them. He added they were able to obtain a great deal for electrical rates; working as a region was beneficial. Don Foss Retirement Announcement Mr. McDevitt informed the Board of Selectmen had received a letter of retirement from Highway Road Agent Don Foss, Sr. effective May 31, He then read the letter aloud. Mr. Lynde made a motion to accept, with regret Mr. Foss retirement letter. Mr. Haverty seconded by adding with gratitude for service to the Town. Each of the Selectmen extended well wishes to Mr. Foss, who was known as one of the most knowledgeable road agents in the State. He will be greatly missed. (Lynde/Haverty) To accept, with regret and with gratitude for service to the Town, the letter of retirement from Highway Road Agent Don Foss, Sr VOTE: (5-0-0) The motion carried. 2

3 APPOINTMENT Deb Waters, Forestry Committee Presentation of Forest Management Plan for Kirby-Ivers Forest Forestry members Deb Waters and Chris McCarron presented the forestry management plan for the Kirby-Ivers property. Ms. Waters explained the purpose of maintaining management plans, which were prepared with the following principals: 1) reviewing properties for the protection of wildlife, 2) healthy forests, 3) protection of water, and 4) encouragement of passive recreation. Forestry Member Gayle Plouffe came forward for the discussion. Ms. Waters discussed the process taken when reviewing and evaluating a forest for the purpose of creating a maintenance plan. During this time they take care to ensure boundaries are marked and identifiable prior to any harvest occurring. A copy of the proposed plan was provided to the Selectmen for review. If approved, Mike Powers of Baystate Forestry will perform a timber cruise to identify trees that will need to be taken out to encourage undergrowth to regenerate. Mr. Lynde discussed the types of wood/elements done during a harvest: 1) saw logs, 2) pulp wood, 3) cord wood and 4) wood chips. Mr. Leonard questioned the criteria for which wood processing would be done for particular forests or areas within forests. Mr. Lynde replied the forester assesses an entire lot by reviewing its health and taking things into consideration such as what areas needed protection. Forests are broken out by its tree stand; each of which had particular characteristics. The plan creates a road map for subsequent plans/harvests. Mr. McDevitt noted tree stands are not linked to periods in time. When specific work is done it is reviewed no earlier than ten years later. Mr. Mike Powers of Baystate Forestry came forward to discuss how stands were identified to manage a forest as a whole. Mr. Lynde added within the plan a tree inventory and harvesting layout is created. He spoke of the various aspects that are reviewed within a plan for what would benefit forests, which went beyond simply harvesting trees. Mr. Powers stated revenue is a by-product of the maintenance plans. Most importantly they look at improving the health of a forest or wildlife habitat. Ms. Waters stated revenues went into a forest maintenance account under the jurisdiction of the Forestry Committee. Periodically, the committee asks the voters to take money from the fund to improve properties, train maintenance and create/perform management plans. She noted revenues generated from harvesting were turned back into them for good care. Mr. McDevitt questioned if there was an Ash stand in the forest. He wanted to know if there were concerns about the Emerald Ash Borer or the Asian Long Horned Beetle. Mr. Powers discussed the invasive insects and how forests were monitored. Mr. Leonard inquired how the revenue component of a plan (market value of a harvest) was determined. Mr. Powers explained during the marking and tallying process estimates ranges are created; however, final values weren t determined until after going through a bid process for the various products that are sent out to logging companies and saw mills. He noted they kept the right to reject bids if necessary. Ms. Plouffe spoke of their review and management of fauna to ensure the health of forests. She made note of the management process, which was done in a manner so as to not disturb the forests. 3

4 138 (Lynde/Viger) To approve the Forestry Management Plan presented for the Kirby- Ivers Forest Mr. Lynde inquired if there were any parcels that had unknown boundaries. Mr. Waters replied there may be spots, but to her knowledge, there were no larger areas with unknown boundaries. Mr. Lynde asked if the parcels near Peabody Forest were marked. Mr. Powers believed there might be a short section by the Girl Scout lot that needed to be bounded. Ms. Plouffe added that the money in the fund was used to hire surveyors to ensure boundaries were known and marked. OTHER BUSINESS CONTINUED Board of Selectmen Available Assignments Mr. McDevitt stated there was an assignment list for the Selectmen to review and discuss at a later meeting who would be appointed. Board of Selectmen Election of Officers (Haverty/Viger) To appoint Selectmen Lynde as Chairman (Haverty/Viger) To appoint Selectmen McDevitt as Vice Chairman. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR / SELECTMEN REPORTS Mr. McCarthy updated the Board regarding the Willow Street Bridge project. He is seeking a commitment letter from the State; once information is received he will pass it along to the Board. On a separate topic, Planning Director Jeff Gowan brought to his attention a discussion by the Planning Board regarding the use of the New Hampshire Municipal Association ( NHMA ) for legal advice as opposed to contacting Attorney John Rattigan. In the past a review was done regarding legal expenses. It was learned that a lot of the questions previously going to Town Counsel could have been answered by NHMA who offers free legal advice to the Town. From that time all the Department heads were told to go to NHMA first; however, if NHMA was unable to answer questions, or recommended seeking Town Counsel s advice, departments may do so after speaking to Mr. McCarthy. From what he understood, the Planning Board didn t want to deal with NHMA and only wanted to deal with Attorney Rattigan. The reason for such is because the Planning Board only wanted to get advice from an attorney that would represent them in legal matters. Mr. McCarthy suggested to Mr. Gowan that such a request should come from the Planning Board Chairman and directed to the Chairman of the Selectmen. Mr. McDevitt suggested waiting to receive an official request from the Planning Board. 4

5 Mr. Viger provided a summary update regarding the lawsuit dealing with the fire station. There was an impasse at the mediation session and it looked like they would be going to trial in June. He believed a press release would be drafted to summarize the current situation. There was a brief discussion regarding Budget Committee membership. Mr. Viger believed an appointment would be made during their organizational meeting in April. Mr. McCarthy and Finance Director Cindy Kelley will attend the Budget Committee meeting and provide an update of how the budget is to date. Mr. Lynde discussed HB192 that was introduced to help protect towns from utilities trying to use the Department of Revenue Administration ( DRA ) assessment for utilities. He was pleased to announce that the bill passed the House and was now in the Senate. He asked permission to send a letter to the State Senators, similar to the letter that was previously sent to the Representatives. There was no objection to doing so. Mr. Lynde reported that the Energy Facilities Advisory Committee had held several meetings and would meet again at the end of the week. He discussed the items that would be reviewed and questions they would be seeking answers to. Mr. Leonard thanked voters for electing him to the Board. He stated it was a pleasure and honor to serve the Town. Mr. McDevitt informed land use board had open alternate positions. Those interested should fill out an application for appointment. Mr. Lynde recognized the work done by former Selectmen Edmund Gleason. REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION ROLL CALL: (Viger/Lynde) Request for a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II, a & e (Personnel; Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation) Mr. McDevitt-Yes, Mr. Viger-Yes; Mr. Lynde-Yes; Mr. Haverty-Yes; Mr. Leonard-Yes It was noted that when the Board returned, after the non-public session, the Board would not take any other action publicly, except to possibly seal the minutes of the non-public session and to adjourn the meeting. The Board entered into a non-public session at approximately 7:40pm. The Board returned to public session at approximately 8:50pm VOTE: (Haverty/Viger) To seal the minutes of the non-public session indefinitely. (5-0-0) The motion carried. 5

6 ADJOURNMENT (Haverty/Viger) To adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:50pm. Respectfully submitted, Charity A. Landry Recording Secretary 6