Town of Bristol
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of 11-02-06
Present: Chairman Rick Alpers (RA), Bruce Van Derven (BVD), Steve Favorite (SF), Paul Fraser (PF), Town Manager Elizabeth Corrow and the administrative secretary. Selectman Joe Denning (JD) was absent from the meeting.
Chairman Rick Alpers called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
7:00 County Commissioner Bill Gabler:
Mr. Gabler gave the Board an overview of the current projects in Grafton county, stating that Grafton is one of the most efficiently run county governments in the state. A brief discussion took place over the need for a new correctional facility, estimated costs and the proposed location. The current facility was built in the 1800’s and has a maximum capacity of 70 inmates, but frequently holds 130-140. Commissioner Gabler also stated that Grafton was the first county to implement a 20-year Master Plan. Several members of the audience asked questions which were answered by Commissioner Gabler.
Purchase Orders:
Three PO’s for work to be done at Kelley Park were reviewed and signed by the BOS. Mr. R. Scott Haskell explained that with the cold weather coming, he had only a few weeks to get the work done before winter sets in. The PO’s include two over-head doors for the maintenance shed and work on two dugouts for the ball field. Motion by PF to approve the three PO’s as presented by Mr. Haskell; seconded by SF; vote was 4-0.
Silver Shores Wetlands Permit Application:
Kane and Sharon Lorah (representing the Silver Shores Association) met with the BOS and Conservation Commission member Mason Westfall about the wetlands application for their dock. Discussion took place over the reasons for changing the location requested from last year’s application and the previous site in front of the Big Catch restaurant. Concerns were expressed over moving the swim line westerly 80 feet (current proposal) and enforcement by the appropriate authorities on people "beaching" their boats in front of the Big Catch. Length of the dock and depth of the water was discussed, as well as the limitations on the swim line. It was agreed upon to place the dock in the location originally agreed upon in the original court settlement, in front of the Big Catch restaurant rather than moving the swim line.
Motion by BVD for the BOS to authorize the placement of a 5-slip boat dock, not to exceed 70 feet in length and consistent with applicable State laws and regulations, on the amended wetlands permit application on behalf of the Silver Shores Association; motion was seconded by SF; vote was unanimous. The Lorahs will resubmit the application with the location agreed upon at tonight’s meeting.
Police Building Committee:
Both Sgt. Lewis and Selectman Steve Favorite updated the BOS on the progress being made by the PD Building Committee. They reported that three firms had been reviewed and their recommendation was the Dennis Myers Co, which was the low bidder at $9,250. It was also emphasized that no particular parcel of land has been selected; but it will, however, be decided upon later during the process (before Town Meeting). Sgt. Lewis felt that the Dennis Myers Co. was the most receptive in addressing the PD’s needs and ideas as well as being able to work within the time frame we have. Motion by BVD to approve the recommendation of the Bristol Police Building Committee to contract with the Dennis Myers Co. (low bidder) for services as listed in the RFP; seconded by PF; vote 4-0. The letter of agreement was signed by the Board Chairman Rick Alpers.
Public Input:
Mr. Bannan asked when the tax rate would be set. Town Manager Corrow explained that it would not be this week as anticipated, but would be delayed due to some concerns with the assessed values. She added that it will be set as soon as possible, but in the meanwhile, we will have to get a TAN (Tax Anticipation Note) to help with the cash flow until the tax bills can go out.
Chairman Alpers agreed with a point brought up by Mr. Bannan that people who register boats should do so here in Bristol. If they register their boats with the Town Clerk here, the money stays in Bristol; however, if they register them through the State of NH, the money goes to the State rather than to the town. Discussion took place over the question of whether or not a message can be printed on the tax bill or sent with the tax bill (regarding the boat registrations). Mr. Bannan stated that he thought the law had changed and you could include such things.
Mr. Walenda felt that 70 feet was too long for the Silver Shores dock. "You’re opening a can of worms." He stated that he felt it shouldn’t be any more than 40 feet long. The Board thanked him for his comments.
Library PO:
The Board reviewed a PO for the purchase of a laptop computer for the library. The Board thanked the library trustees for following the SOP regarding purchase orders. Motion by RA to approve PO #0454 for the Minot-Sleeper Library to purchase a lap top computer from Certified Computer Solutions for $1,793.00 (which includes laptop, installation and software/labor for setup); motion was seconded by PF; vote was 4-0.
Selectboard Items:
Steve Favorite:
o
He will be handing out notices to the downtown business/property owners regarding the closure of the one way street by the monument. This will begin next Tuesday (for a trial period) and jersey barriers will be placed at the end so traffic can no longer drive thru and exit in front of the Baptist Church.o
The Newfound voice incorrectly listed the Xmas tree lighting as November 4th instead of the 24th. We will put the correct date on the TV Channel.Rick Alpers -- Two items for non-public.
Paul Fraser
o
Boy Scout troop 50 out of Bridgewater has Eagle Scout Tyler Ford who needs a community service project. There will be several other Eagle Scouts in the near future, following Tyler. Possible projects were discussed by the Board: memorial benches along the bike path, historic signage, videotaping govt. and school events for public broadcasting, etc. Anyone with ideas should forward them to Selectman Fraser.Bruce Van Derven – nothing at this time.
Town Manager Items:
Cemetery bylaws – proposed amendments. The Board would like to see what the changes are as they currently have nothing to compare the new bylaws to.
Central Street Bridge – BOS signed a letter authorizing work to be done in the town’s right of way. Town Manager Corrow stated that she has received a copy of their liability insurance.
CRSW (Concord Regional Solid Waste) – Previously Bob Veloski had been attending the meetings as Bristol’s representative. Town Manager Corrow stated that she feels it should be Mark Bucklin with her as the alternate, as he is the manager of the solid waste department for Bristol. The Board was informed that this change in representative was good until the end of the year, at that time CRSW will send out the forms for 2007.
Overnight parking permit (Downtown area) – BVD asked TM Corrow and the secretary to blend the previous permit application with the newer version. When permits are issued, copies will be given Discussion took place over the parking tickets that were issued during the early hours of November 1st. Manager Corrow stated that she had discussed the situation with the Police Chief and the tickets will be voided. Notices in the newspaper, TV channel, posted signs and warnings will give the proper notice before tickets are issued.
Revised employment application – older version lacked a certification statement saying that the information was correct. New forms will be given to the department heads and here in the town office. A brief discussion took place over the PD’s policy of giving polygraph tests to its officers prior to an offer of employment.
Revised purchasing policy – Hold, not complete yet.
Evaluation Reports – EC reported that the department heads liked the new forms and are eager to use them for their employee’s annual review. Town Manager Corrow stated that she would like to propose a change in the current policy of evaluations being done in November to having them done in January for all employees except department heads. She feels that this is an especially busy time of year for all of the departments in getting budgets prepared and gearing up for the winter season. She also pointed out that it somewhat closes the "gap" between evaluations in November and raises in April. She noted that there appears to be some discrepancies in the pay and salary scales of employees due to changes made within various departments. Her recommendation was to have another pay wage/classification study done. Raises for next year were briefly discussed along with the CPI and past practices. Town Manager Corrow stated that she would like the BOS to decide on a base number and then an amount to be divided up through merit raises (wage pool).
Tax rate & TAN update – Town Manager Corrow reported that we are at least two weeks out. If the assessing issues are resolved, then we can move forward in setting the tax rate. We will, however, need to get a TAN (Tax Anticipation Note) in the meanwhile. We should be getting a Fed-Ex package from Bond Counsel tomorrow with the necessary paperwork.
Freudenburg NOK – EC spoke with Rene Lefebvre and will continue communications via email and phone. She reported that he took some quotes on the reimbursement costs back to his managers. Mr. Lefebvre’s boss is out of the state so it will take some time to get back to her. EC will keep the BOS updated with any progress made.
Budget Discussions – Will be posted as a joint meeting between the BOS and the Budget committee for Mondays beginning the week of November 6th.
Marcia Morris was introduced as the new reporter for the Record Enterprise.
The only other business to be conducted was several non-public issues.
Motion by PF to enter non-public session to discuss personnel matters; seconded by SF; roll call vote resulted in all four members voting "aye" to enter non-public session; the Board entered non-public session at 9:12pm.
The Board returned to public session at 9:27pm and adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Angela Mahoney
Administrative Secretary
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Richard Alpers, Chair Steve Favorite
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Bruce Van Derven Paul Fraser
Selectboard for the Town of Bristol