TILTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES Thursday, July 23, 2015

Transcription

1 TILTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES Thursday, July 23, 2015 Present: Selectmen Patricia Consentino, Katherine Dawson, Peter Fogg, Joseph Jesseman, and Jon Scanlon. Others: Captain Ryan Martin, Joyce Fulweiler, Town Administrator, and Jane Alden Guests: Northfield Selectmen: Wayne Crowley, Kevin Waldron, and Robert Southworth; Northfield Town Administrator, Glen Smith; Northfield Resident, Donald Stevens, Tilton Fire Commissioners: Dennis Manning, and Pat Clark; Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid Chief, James Hayes, LRMFA Rene Lefebvre of Andover; and Tilton s Fire Chief, Michael Sitar, Jr. Call to Order/Roll Call: Selectman Consentino called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. Selectman Scanlon arrived at 4:46. Acceptance of Donation: Selectman Consentino made a motion, seconded by Selectman Jesseman, to graciously accept a donation from the Sign Shop in the amount of $150.00, toward the magnetic signs. Selectman Consentino gave kudos to Kelley Sedgley for her less than a 24 hour turn around making the Boston Post Cane, signs in time for the Old Home Day parade. No discussion. All in Favor. Motion passed. Chief s Report: In the Chief s absence, Captain Ryan Martin provided the Board with a copy of his report which contained the following information: - Calls for Service: 394, 5 arrests (several warrants, theft by deception, and a driving after suspension). - Major Crimes: Burglary at Mr. G s, Felony Theft at Dawson s Concrete. - Training: CK, Part time dispatcher received 4 hours training. NB will be in on July 30th for her training. - Fleet: 5A programming rechecked for siren/lightbar controller, seatbelt locked (under warrantee); 3B to Highway for brakes. Expedition siren/light controller not always activating lights, at OME. 3A trunk lid struts replaced. Building: NA - Expenditures: $ for 7 days advertising in the Union Leader and Associated papers for a full time officer. Equipment maintenance for the Expedition, and brakes for the 3B. - Staff: scheduled vacations - Other: Explorers scheduled to be downtown Wednesday & Friday between 10:00am and 2:00pm, and next week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Selectman Dawson asked if they would be available in the evenings, especially to enforce parking. The Captain asked about times. Selectman Dawson noted it should be after Town Hall hours. He mentioned he could possibly do a four hour schedule; 5pm to 9pm, for example. Selectman Consentino suggested also, notifying the neighbors, (Onions, and the Fitness Center), of the change in the parking hours. The Captain confirmed with the Academy that the candidate does have to be fully hired before applying for the upcoming session which begins on August 3rd. Selectman Consentino discussed sitting in on the phone call from the psychologist to confirm the

2 hiring of the new candidate. The Board agreed, for those who could, be at the PD around 3pm, on July 30th - post as a meeting - to confirm the appointment of the new hire. The Captain reported the State was changing the way they fund the highway safety grants; will be based on population. Selectman Dawson commented how this area was deemed the most heavily traveled section of Route 3, in the State. Selectman Consentino suggested talking with Senator Ayotte. She discussed there were loopholes in the laws, why aren t there more federal monies to put more officers on highways...there are bills out there...we should call her...grants according to population, however; the drug trafficking and traffic at Exit 20 is enormous...that should allow us to have the criteria changed. Captain further reported we have to show there is a need, show documentation of stops etc., give them numbers, to justify the need for the money. Approval of Minutes: Selectman Consentino made a motion, seconded by Selectman Jesseman to bring the minutes of July 16, 2015, to the floor for discussion. All in favor. Motion passed. Selectman Jesseman made a motion, seconded by Selectman Fogg, to accept the minutes of July 16, 2015, as corrected, as amended. All in Favor. No further discussion. Motion passed. Minutes accepted. Other: Selectman Consentino read a letter the Board had received this date, from Anna Yasharian, of Riverfront Place, regarding Mill Street Parking Lot. After a brief discussion of how there would be no benefit to the Town of Tilton on any of the matters mentioned Selectman Consentino made a motion, seconded by Selectman Fogg, to politely decline, and Thank Ms. Yasharian for her interest. All in favor. No discussion. Motion passed. Joyce will send the letter. Joint meeting with the Northfield Selectmen, Fire Commissioners, and Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid: Prior to the joint meeting, Selectman Consentino gave a brief history/background of the Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid (LRMFA), to the Board. She explained Tilton has one member, and Northfield has their own member. In 2012 Pat Clark, as a Fire Commissioner, petitioned Belknap County Commissioners and others, to be billed directly from LRMFA instead of out of the county.what they want us to do, is agree to be billed out of the Fire District instead of LRMFA. Tilton would pick up 66% of the bill. Currently, the bill is $31,790, it would increase by $7,318 and it would be a savings of $11,598 to Northfield. In total, we would be $12k higher...this is for every year. If apportionment changes, we would owe more or less. Mike Sitar, Fire Chief of Tilton/Northfield wanted to address this issue, and called the meeting. Tim Pearson, Finance Director, through an , had asked the question, what is the extra cost, which he spelled out very nicely in his . In 2013, it was $31,790.00, going forward, it would be $41, Guests arrived: Selectman Consentino welcomed everyone. Pat Clark, Tilton Fire Commissioner, explained how this matter evolved from the 2014 Fire District meeting. He introduced Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid, Chief Hayes, who explained the content of his letter was an 2

3 attempt to provide information on the financial implications of changing the current structure of membership. Chief Hayes further explained how each community is a member, not necessarily the agency providing the service; each community joined as a member, and any assessments for the cost of running LRMFA system; and providing emergency dispatch services, is born by the member community not by the agency providing services. Chief Hayes mentioned there had been a question from the last 5 years - are there different ways it can be down. Why does one community pay one rate, and another community pay another rate - the assessments are based on a single formula...10% portion is divided equally among all member communities; 40% is based on the equalized assessed value of the community, and 50% of the budget is based on the population of the community.another question: why don t we send the bill to the Fire District? Fire District is not a member...the two communities are the respective members, so we send assessments to the communities. Chief Hayes replied, could the Fire District be the member? The Fire District could be the member of the Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid system, effectively; the two respective communities would need to withdraw from the organization, and the Fire District become the singular member, or all three entities could be members - that would need to be figured.,...if the Fire District becomes a member, the assessments would be calculated the same way, based on the element of the communities being protected...take Tilton take Northfield, then combine and that becomes one assessment for the Fire District which protects the two communities as a whole. Questions: Selectman Dawson asked for clarification from Mr. Clark, at the annual meeting the district voted on investigating Chief Sitar interjected, no, it was the year before...mr. Crowley stated it was a Warrant Article at the 2014 Fire District meeting - Selectman Dawson located Article 9. Mr. Clark understood that the Fire District could become a member, the bill would go to the Fire District...assessment would be figure in the same way, both towns would have to pull out - he asked, the vehicle to make that happen would be what?...chief Hayes replied the legal counsel of the three entities is where you would find that answer, as to whether the Selectmen or people, or the Fire District could make that decision Selectman Consentino stated: in 2012 we were billed out of the county..why should the 12 towns be billed out of the county, they took us out of the county...which gave an increase of approximately, $ The town is now bearing an increase of $ , what the Commissioners are asking us now, is to bear approximately $12, more each year, so we can only be billed out of the district.why would the Town of Tilton enter into an agreement, and ask taxpayers to increase their tax dollars...because Fire Commissioners would like to be billed out of Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid, and become one billing center. Pat Clark : we never voted as Fire Commissioners Selectman Consentino : where is it coming from? who put it on the town warrant in 2014? Pat Clark : who put it on the Fired District warrant, it wasn t the Fire District Selectman Consentino...we could use that money as value somewhere else 3

4 Selectman Dawson: it came by petition Selectman Consentino: why would we be asked to increase? by the way, it would be a decrease to Northfield Kevin Waldron : it was a warrant that was petitioned Selectman Consentino: you satisfied the warrant, you came here to talk to us... Donny Stevens: how would you give it up? by warrant article? Selectman Dawson stated the Selectmen would have to chose to put it on the warrant article, it would have to be a vote of the town, not the districts whether the town of Tilton would withdraw, and that s not going to happen. Donny Stevens: does anybody know why it is the way it is now? Selectman Dawson: we choose to have LRMFA to be our dispatch, we could chose not too. Because we are part of Belknap County...that was a county perk but now, its separate communities. Pat Clark asked how many communities were outside of Belknap County. Chief Hayes: 22 towns outside of county, 35 communities in 5 different counties make up the LRMFA system. From 1971, Belknap Counties communities assessment was paid through the county budget.as mutual aid system has grown, and other issues; communities began looking at the assessment formula that Lakes Region uses, the 11 communities provided data to the County, they used a different funding formula...that s why Tilton received a benefit of paying a lower assessment. The four other communities that were paying higher assessments said, enough is enough.the County s position was it s one or none. Kevin Waldron: I don t think there is much of a choice who does the dispatch, how would you opt not to, how would that work? Selectman Dawson noted she had talked with Belknap County - they could make it work, but they were too busy. And you don t know who would come up in the future? There are other possibilities and options that exist. Selectman Jesseman: is there any benefit to Tilton taxpayers, to making this switch. Pat Clark: benefit from the Fire District, we would be the contact for Mutual Aid, the ideal would be to have contact...we're looked upon as if we were a town...for the district.. the district would be taking care of our representatives (Selectman Jesseman: the Chief is our rep now? Selectman Dawson: no, he s our alternate). Pat Clark: #2, dispatch performs service for Fire Department/Fire District and that s what it's there for...it s for the Fire department..it makes sense, for the bill to be born by Fire District...as so often happens, the monies shift.relative to the size of overall budget million, Tilton has 5 million, Northfield 3 plus a $10/11,000 shift from one side of river to the other.were not here to say what should happen, we re here to find how it would happen if people want it, to make it happen...either selectmen or a citizen, by a warrant article, to present to each town and then that would be the first step... Chief Hayes interjected: the District would have to apply for membership Selectman Dawson: in Tilton, we have a partnership, the Chief is the alternate. We recognize the Chief s expertise...he attends meetings which are for the Chiefs...During budgeting season, I may attend, we recognize his expertise and we value him...we re not going to spend $11,000, and lose that, just so the district can be it s own member, we save our taxpayers monies...he s a very valuable resource. 4

5 Donny Stevens : look at the dispatch center budget, not one single elected official spends that money Selectman Consentino: we see their budget.in the past, Brad used to come and explain it to us. Pat Clark: two towns do have control of mutual aide, they have representatives...what would happen if one town pulls out.. the service is for the Fire Department. Selectman Consentino : the service is for the people,for the residents of Tilton and Northfield, not the Fire Department. Pat Clark: it is for the district...we have no control over it, you could pull out,..where would it leave us? Selectman Dawson : someone else would have to dispatch, why would we withdraw? Selectman Jesseman: let s just say - if we did do a warrant article, and the District picks it up...northfield does the same, people tend to vote with their wallets, and the voters in Tilton decide not to withdraw, then what do we do? Pat Clark: you don t go anywhere - as a town, we re voting on this...both town s would have to agree. I just wanted to hear what the process would be like...and if both towns withdraw and allow applications, and there s no other step, assessment would be a combined evaluation.. Selectman Consentino : and Tilton would pick up 66% of it Selectman Dawson : and that s not going to happen. Kevin Waldron: what sense does it make for someone who doesn t have a fire department, or mutual aid association? neither town has a fire department. Selectman Dawson: Yes we do, we buy our services from the district...it s like saying we don t have a water company,...then why are we sending money to the district? Selectman Consentino : are there any others questions or discussion? There was none. At 5:55 p.m. the joint meeting ended, the guests left. Board members about the assessments process. There was discussion among the Town Administrator Report : Joyce Fulweiler reported the following: RM Piper , Cannon Bridge construction moved to Monday, August 3. The contractor is requesting the two boards sign a waiver provision on traffic management plan, as there was not sufficient time to publish in the Echo. There was discussion about putting up variable message boards, changes in the contract and the option of moving the date. Selectman Consentino made a motion, seconded by Selectman Jesseman, to waive the time frame. No discussion, All in Favor. Motion passed. Salmon Run Fence area: could the highway department pick up stones and rocks, and also weed wack along the exterior of the fence. There was also discussion about Selectman Scanlon cutting along the riverside. It was the Board s decision. Doggie pole at the Island: It was suggested to install the unit next to the rules sign. Joyce drew a diagram to place the unit on the right as you leave the island. Joyce had stopped by the Attorney General s office to check on the contract for the trail. She received by , a Temporary Use Agreement which confirmed Lyman could begin. Joyce will contact Lou Barker to obtain an official signed copy by the Bureau of Rails. 5

6 Bids for impound lot due, July 24th. Selectman Dawson confirmed she had extended the date by a week. Bids for road improvements: deadline July 30th Review Public Works Director Job Description. It does not need civil engineer requirement. Mediation session report: handouts RFP for the curbside recycling and municipal solid waste: will supply soon Index of File - will update. Grant document from rural development Highway department follow up: Three applicants so far; Autumn drive has been patched, Lot C handicapped spaces marked; speed bumps on Daniel s Drive installed, no trespassing signs are up for tax deeded properties, and locks; a request for another no parking sign for the School Street handrail noting the parking hours change. Selectman Dawson commented, signage doesn t matter if it s not policed or enforced. It was discussed the PD should notify the neighbors of the new parking signs. It was also discussed that it was illegal to put signs on cars. Selectman Consentino and Dawson talked about the town hall meeting rooms. It was decided any meeting during the day should meet upstairs. Selectman Dawson reported she would have the Manville Road RFP next week. Selectman Scanlon reported there was a hearing Monday evening in Belmont regarding the Aquifer. He suggested the Planning Board and Conservation Commission review the plans as there are some flaws regarding the mapping of wetlands, basin being full, surfaces, trucks over impervious surfaces, drainage etc. Selectman Consentino asked why we hadn t heard from DES. Selectman Scanlon explained we had sent letters of violations being reported, not comments. Selectman Dawson asked why we hadn t contacted our State representatives. She asked if the Water District had applied to have the aquifer reclassified. Selectman Scanlon suggested going over the plans, for actual, factual errors, and bring to the Belmont Planning Board. Jane Alden reported she had spoken with Jeannie Forester, who wasn t aware of the meeting, but she would check into it. Selectman Scanlon stated he plans to attend the meeting on Monday to address why the plans are inadequate...not a proper submitted plan, and the fact we had never been notified. The Board agreed Joyce would call and follow up with NHDES s, Wayne Wheeler and Todd Leedburgh. Selectman Consentino reported she had received a question from a resident regarding the flags on Main Street. There was a suggestion to have American Flags put up in the place of the banners. Selectman Scanlon commented, only on the lighted poles. Selectman Jesseman agreed with Selectman Scanlon. Selectman Dawson agreed if they were maintained properly. Selectman Dawson suggested having a combination of State flags, and Town flags; and put the town flags where there are no lights. Joyce reported there was an agreement/ process with Eversource, to put things on the poles. The Board confirmed the agreement was in place. Selectman Consentino suggested looking at the existing PSNH agreement, that could be updated accordingly. Selectman Fogg suggested patriotic type flags. The Board agreed to get a sampling of designs and prices. 6

7 Non-Public Personnel At 6:54 p.m., Selectman Consentino made a motion, seconded by Selectman Dawson to enter into a Non-Public session as per NH RSA 91-A:3, as it pertains to personnel matters. On a roll call vote, motion adopted unanimously. At 9:16 p.m., Selectman Jesseman made a motion, seconded by Selectman Dawson, to close the Non-Public Session, and seal the minutes, as it pertains to personnel matters, permanently, and those to remain public, public. On a roll call vote, motion adopted unanimously. Adjournment: With no further business to come before the Board, Sel. Jesseman made a motion, seconded by Sel. Dawson to adjourn. All in favor. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.. Selectmen s Minutes of July 23, 2015, Approved: