MINUTES
HOLDERNESS BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
November 28, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM.
PRESENT: Chairman Peter Francesco, Vice-Chairman Sam Laverack, Selectmen Barbara Currier, Peter Webster, and Suzanne Peoples, and Town Administrator Walter Johnson.
PAYROLL AND PAYABLES: The Selectmen reviewed and signed payroll and
payables.
The public meeting was moved upstairs to the meeting hall at 6:30 PM.
MINUTES: Mr. Laverack moved, Mrs. Currier seconded, and the vote was unanimous (5-0 in favor) to approve the minutes of November 14, 2005 as revised.
· Identify Wolfburg Farm in Report of Cut – Map 210-32, 33, and 32-1.
· Add Mr. Laverack to Roll Call Vote for non-public session.
NOVEMBER 23 NON-PUBLIC MEETING ACTION: The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted (5-0 in favor) to offer the conditional appointment of Michael Barney of Bridgewater to the Holderness Police Dept. as a Police Officer. The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Non-Public Meeting Minutes of Nov. 23, 2005. Mr. Laverack motioned to accept the minutes, Mrs. Currier seconded, and the vote was unanimous (5-0 in favor).
VILLAGE SIDEWALK PROJECT UPDATE: Town Administrator Walter Johnson reported the fencing is going up this week and the project will be shut down for the winter. In the spring the finish paving and landscaping will be done.
BRIDGE PROJECT UPDATE – SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE: Town Administrator Walter Johnson stated there was nothing new to report.
2006 BUDGET PREPARATION PROCESS UPDATE: Budget work sessions with Department Heads and the Budget Committee will begin on December 5th with Fire Dept. at 6 PM and Police Dept. at 7:15 PM. The Public Works Department and Solid Waste with meet on December 7th at 6:00PM and the Library at 7:30 PM. On the 12th during our regular Selectmen’s meeting the Board will review the Recreation Board budget at 6:30 PM and the Administration Budget would be reviewed at some point during that meeting. Chairman Francesco requested copies of the schedule be distributed to the Selectboard, Dept. Heads, and Budget Committee members.
WELFARE DIRECTOR REPLACEMENT: Town Administrator Walter Johnson reported the advertisement for Welfare Director ran for three weeks. There are a few application and letters of interest. He suggested we wait for another few weeks to see if any other applications come in. After that time, review all applications received, and at that point proceed with the selection process or re advertise.
HOLDERNESS SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER UPDATE: Mr. Peter Hendel from Holderness School met with the Board of Selectmen to review a draft agreement between the Holderness School and the Town of Holderness in regards to a Holderness School Resource Officer. Mr. Hendel stated legal counsel, Linda Johnson Esquire, for the Holderness School drafted the potential formal agreement which has been distributed to Town Administrator Walter Johnson and Police Chief Jake Patridge for review. The Holderness School wants to commit to a three year contract for the position, however some cancellation clause is required. Chief Patridge stated Mr. Barney has accepted the position of Resource Officer. Mr. Webster recommended the agreement be sent to Town Attorney Walter Mitchell for review and
recommendations. Mr. Johnson was asked to send the agreement to Town Attorney Walter Mitchell and to discuss the concerns of Holderness School and the Town of Holderness.
HOLDERNESS 2000: Mr. Webster proposed to have Holderness 2000 meet the following conditions to have the Board place the acceptance of the Holderness 2000 property as a warrant article at March Town Meeting: to have the boundary line adjustment between Holderness 2000 and Curry Place completed and have access to the septic system. After much discussion, Town Administrator Walter Johnson was asked to notify the Holderness 2000 the Holderness Board of Selectmen will place and support a warrant article for 2006 March Town Meeting to accept the Holderness 2000 property conditional on the boundary line adjustment and access to the septic system. Mr. Francesco also asked Mr. Johnson to contact Mr. Webb for the names of the Holderness 2000 board members.
COXBORO ROAD FLOODING PROBLEM: Public Works Director Peter Furmanick reviewed the history of the flooding problems from the beaver pond on the Bartholomew property on Coxboro Road. The Town a hired an outside source, at Mrs. Bartholomew’s request, to install a standpipe to correct the situation. The pipe size is inadequate and Mrs. Bartholomew spoke with Mr. Furmanick about ditching along side the road to help alleviate the flooding. Mrs. Currier asked if this is a safety issue. Mr. Furmanick stated this is a safety issue and it is deteriorating the road. When ask if we have any recourse with the contractor that installed the standpipe Mr. Furmanick replied the contractor has offered to install a larger pipe at material costs. Mr. Furmanick stated winter is
the worst time of year to be working on a long term solution to the flooding problem. After much discussion it is the consensus of the Board and the Road Agent to slowly break the dam and reduce the water level for the winter. Mr. Francesco was asked to speak with Mrs. Bartholomew about the winter plan and options for a permanent solution in the spring.
Also discussed was a letter from Primex, our insurance carrier, stating burning wood at the Highway Garage was not prohibited. They recommended the site be inspected by the Holderness Fire Dept. Mr. Furmanick was authorized to proceed with the installation with inspection and approval by the HFD.
POLICE DEPT. PURCHASE ORDER: A purchase order for a color printer, fax, scanner, and label maker in the amount of $595. This was a budgeted item. Also a purchase order for Riley’s Gun Shop for 2,000 rounds of ammunition and a pair of boots in the amount of $447.30. Town Administrator Walter Johnson was asked to draft a letter to Officer Vogel thanking him for his service to the Town of Holderness.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Town Administrator Walter Johnson reviewed RSA 231:109 in reference to the Coxboro Road flooding issue which can place the liability on the landowner. Mr. Johnson advised the Board of a memo which will be sent to all employees who receive health benefits explaining changes in what is subject to deductibles (outpatient, labs, x-ray and ultrasounds) and of a decrease in premiums of 1.26%. The Medicomp insurance has increased quite a bit. The school insurance group doesn’t come up for renewal until July, 2006. Once the quote is in the Board can review and compare costs and decide if the Town wants to switch over. Dental Insurance has increased 5% and disability is up 2%. The Assessor’s Agent has begun the cycle inspection of
the southern end of Town, approximately 500 properties. Letters will be sent to all property owners to be inspected. This is part of the revaluation certification required every 5 years by the State of New Hampshire. Mr. Johnson stated he will be attending a Current Use Hearing on proposed rule changes for across a body of water in Concord on Friday December 2, 2005.
FINAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PROPERTY SALES RATIO STUDY 2004/2005: Mr. Laverack moved, Mr. Webster seconded and the vote was unanimous (5-0 in favor) to sign the Sales Ratio Worksheets prepared by the assessor’s agent for the NH Dept. of Revenue Administration. The Town overall is in the mid 70% for a ratio, as submitted to the State. This sales study will be reviewed by the State and they will determine the ratio.
SIGNATURE FILE: It was moved, seconded and voted (5-0 in favor) to sign the following items:
· Ambulance Agreement between the Town of Plymouth and the Town of Holderness in the amount of $28,499.82, an increase of 4.6%. Mr. Francesco asked Mr. Johnson to determine where the population figures come from.
· Sewer Warrant in the amount of $439.50 for late payment of sewer bills.
· An annual contract with Cartographics for tax map maintenance in the amount of $2,500 and for GPS data location service for placement of new construction in the amount of $395 +$10 per building.
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ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Laverack moved, and Mrs. Peoples seconded, and the vote was unanimous (5-0 in favor) to adjourn at 8:05PM.
Compiled from taped recording and
Respectfully submitted,
Dee Canavan, Municipal Secretary
Town of Holderness
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