Attending: Susan Duncan, Rick Alpers & Bruce Van Derven

Absent: Town Administrator Robert Veloski

Susan Duncan called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

Officer Jerry Vogel and Officer Tony LaScola were introduced by Chief Wingate. The Police Chief explained that with the hiring of these two officers, all vacancies for full time officers had been filled and the department would be at full-strength after two of the officers had attended the academy during the upcoming year.

Police Commissioners Carroll Brown Sr. and William Phinney along with Chief Wingate presented their proposed warrant article to the Board of Selectmen. (Commissioner Bob Gray arrived at 7:12 pm after some discussion had taken place.) Chief Wingate explained that he had written an article at the Police Commissions request. He added they are here this evening to ask that the Board include it with this year’s warrant articles in case the school resource officer position doesn’t pass at the polls. Commissioner Phinney stated that he feels that if the resource officer (school) is approved, then this article should be passed over until next year. Commissioner Brown felt the same way that the position could wait one more year as the resource officer would be working for the Town during the summer months when school was not in session. Chief Wingate explained that he felt it should wait for a year to give a better view of department needs now that he has a full staff. He also expects the trend to continue with an increase in calls for service to the PD. Selectman Alpers again stated that he feels there is a need for both, citing the study that was done in 1997-98. Discussion took place over the items identified in the study and what steps had been taken to correct/address those issues. Motion by Bruce Van Derven to include as warrant article as presented by the Police Commission and Police Chief; seconded by Rick Alpers. DISCUSSION: Susan Duncan stated that she appreciates the fact that they are holding off a year on the 9^th officer instead of asking for both positions now. She pointed out that this past year had been a difficult one with the staff shortages and the road construction on Rt. 104. Commissioner Phinney added that most of their calls were in the summer and the school position would help us out there. "As a taxpayer, I think an additional $45K tacked onto their part is a hard pill to swallow. Commissioner Gray stated that this was the first that he had heard of it and that he was under the assumption that they would be asking for both positions. "This is news to me – I didn’t know one had anything to do with the other. This hasn’t been discussed with me." Commissioner Brown stated that "we discussed it between us" and this is what we decided. Commissioner Gray added, "As for me, I feel the 9^th officer is much more important than the resource officer – he’s for the Town of Bristol, nor for the school." Selectman Alpers stated that he was in favor of both positions, but would agree to pass over if that’s what the Police Department wanted to do. The Board chair called for a vote on the previous motion. Vote was 3-0 in favor of placing it on the Town warrant.

Board chairwoman Duncan handed out an information packet on the parcels reviewed by the ad hoc committee. The information gave an overview of what had taken place during the study committee’s research. The findings indicated that the Homeland Cemetery property as well as the PSNH property by Wells Field as two of the more suitable locations for the new PD. Discussion took place over setting up a capital reserve fund and placing approximately $100,000 (suggested amount) into the account which could be used for a down payment, engineering/site studies, etc. Chief Wingate felt that the Homeland Cemetery property was the most suitable and was a good investment for the Town for future development. Commissioner Gray stated that he has some reservations about the land behind the town office building. He added that it makes sense "dollar-wise" but added that there are certainly other properties that would be better suited. He pointed out that the Homeland Cemetery property certainly has enough room for future expansion and the access and visibility are much better. "It’s not really handy to be out back there… but if that’s what comes, then we will have to see what we can do." The Board discussed the fact that they have asked numerous times for an appraised value from the cemetery trustees (Homeland) and were told they would have one soon, but as of yet, have not received one. Mr. Richard Walenda stated that he feels the Police Department should be located at the ‘old glass place’ next to the library. "It’s an excellent spot to keep the hoodlums out of the square, the police will be right there to watch them." The Board asked that the Town Administrator put in another request, but this time in writing for their appraisal report/appraisal value. The Board also discussed setting up a capital reserve account for this land purchase and to begin to set some money aside. They asked if Corey Johnston could come in next week, but it would have to be before Thursday’s public hearing on the budget. The Town Administrator is to contact Chief Wingate and the Police Commission when Mr. Johnston is to give his report to the Board.

Fire Commissioner Doug Williams stated, "The deal with New England Fire Apparatus is not going to happen." He explained that the transfer of plates, agreement for liability, litigation/court in Conn. Vs. New Hampshire, as well as registration issues had all compounded the problem; thus, we need to find another alternative. He stressed that the Fire Commissioners and the Fire Chief have come to a situation that was predictable. "Vehicles are not replaced as they should be – now we’re left with only one vehicle." He explained that the delivery of the new truck was scheduled for the end of March or the first week of April. "If we experience a breakdown of Engine #4, we are at a crisis situation," reported Chief Skantze. He also reported that the pump on Engine #4 needs to be replaced; but it couldn’t be taken out of service at this time. "It’s the only truck we have." Commissioner Williams added that Engine #4 needs pump work and the annual testing/certification which they have postponed. He explained that the Fire Commissioners have identified some options and would like to propose them to the Board for consideration:

Discussion took place over the liability of using another town’s equipment. Commissioner Williams felt that Bristol should not rely on the graciousness of the Town of Hebron and would want to return it as quickly as possible. "I don’t think we should keep it any longer than absolutely necessary." He stated that he wanted to bring it to the Selectboard’s attention and would like to step up the replacement of the ladder truck. "It’s limping along now and won’t pass certification." Chief Skantze added that there are no critical defects in it, but it does need a lot of repairs at this point in time. Board chair Susan Duncan asked if the ladder truck could be used to transport firefighters to scenes even though it would not be used for pumping purposes. Heated debate took over using trucks for transporting firefighters and the fact that there is only one vehicle available for fighting fires. Commissioner Williams added, "The reality is we need to replace it now, not six years from now. Selectman Van Derven summarized what he was hearing as separate issues: Short term safety, short term fiscal (considerations) and the replacement of vehicles. Chief Skantze stated that he felt the rental truck that Ashland is currently using is the best overall piece of equipment. Commissioner Williams added, "We need to face the fact that we need to replace the ladder truck or we will be in the exact same position two years from now." A brief discussion took place on funding the rental vehicle from Lakes Region. The item will be addressed again at the next Selectboard’s meeting on Tuesday, February 7^th at 7:00 pm. The Fire Commissioners will meet again on Wednesday morning at 8:00 am.

Mr. Gerald McGwin addressed the Board, stating that he was fairly new to town and had recently called the ambulance to his residence. He added, "My concern was while being transported, the fellows who picked me up were bantering that the ambulance was held together with duct tape." Some discussion took place on ambulance replacement and recent repairs to both vehicles. He did add, however, that he has a very positive reaction to being a year-round resident of Bristol.

Susan Duncan stated that she would like to have a point of clarification – that the Town was asked to put forward into consideration an ordinance. However, the Board has taken no action on this issue. On today’s radio news broadcast, it was reported that Bristol residents now are required to have bear-proof dumpsters. This is NOT the case! Another correction to be made to the newspaper article in the Citizen is the fact that Mr. Rottenecker is not part of the conservation department, nor did the fish and game department request that the town adopt this ordinance. It was reported by someone in the audience that it was also in today’s Manchester newspaper. The Board wanted the ordinance to be presented at the annual town meeting to let the voters decide. Motion by Bruce Van Derven to include on the warrant, the proposed ‘bear ordinance’ as presented by Mr. Rottenecker (Bristol resident) and Mr. Kneeland of the NH Fish and Game Dept.; motion was seconded by Rick Alpers; vote was 3-0 to approve its inclusion on the ballot.

Mr. Richard Walenda inquired why the Board was against moving (Town Meeting and Voting) to the middle school. He stated he felt it was not fair to discriminate against the handicapped and elderly people who couldn’t walk up and down the hill to the old town hall. Selectwoman Duncan stated that the survey done last year concluded that the majority of people wanted to keep both at the old town hall. Mr. Walenda again stated that it was discrimination. Chair Duncan explained to Mr. Walenda that the building had been inspected by the State and only minor things were found and immediately corrected. Mr. Walenda felt that there wasn’t adequate parking and it kept a lot of people from attending. He furthered his opinion by stating, "The fire department and the police department, they bring in their families and they gang up and vote for each other. That’s not fair. There should be more people there!" Motion by Bruce Van Derven to hold Town voting/meeting at the old town hall again this year; seconded by Rick Alpers. DISCUSSION: Selectman Van Derven stated that he was very torn between the historical precedence but at the same time hears what Mr. Walenda is saying. He added that the survey found a small majority wanted to keep the same, but there were a number of people who stated they did not feel safe there and wanted it moved. Board discussion took place over the survey from last year, options available, etc. Bruce Van Derven stated that he would like to see a questionnaire that was more straightforward and very simple: "Do you prefer voting at the middle school, the high school, town hall or some other building." Another question would be similar for the annual town meeting. Rick Alpers felt that it (old town hall) is the least accessible building for democracy to take place. "Are there other people who don’t come because they don’t feel comfortable there" Are we getting to all the citizens of Bristol? I don’t think we are." Mr. Walenda felt that voting there wasn’t too bad, but thinks the town meeting should be held at the town office building. Discussion took place over possibly changing one or the other to another location. Bruce Van Derven suggested "splitting the baby" and moving one or the other to see if it were better attended. Susan Duncan stated that she was not in favor of moving either because people in the survey said they didn’t want it moved. Rick Alpers added that the survey only went to people who got out to vote and no one else so it only reflected one side of the story. Mr. Walenda suggested that the Board put an advertisement in the local papers if they were going to change the location. Motion was withdrawn by Bruce Van Derven; item was tabled to future meeting.

Mr. Walenda also expressed concerns with the solid waste transfer station, stating that he had seen a van with Massachusetts plates bring 30-40 bags of waste at a time. "That trash didn’t come from Bristol – they bring in a lot of rubbish from out of state. There is no way in the world they could generate 30-40 trash bags in a few weeks, not even a month." There was a brief discussion by the Board, but no formal action taken on this item.

The Board reviewed the current elderly exemption amounts and income/asset levels and compared them to surrounding towns. The number of persons receiving the exemptions, as well as financial impact were reviewed by the Board. Motion by Rick Alpers to increase the exemption amounts to $15,000, $20,000 and $25,000 and to increase the income limits to $20,000 for a single person and $25,000 for a married couple, also increasing the income limit from $35,000 to $40,000; seconded by Susan Duncan: Vote was 2-0.

The Board briefly discussed the direction they wanted to take in making paper recycling mandatory. Both Board members agreed that the Town is not ready for it at this point in time. The Board stressed that educating the general public was a necessary first step in getting cooperation from everyone involved. Susan Duncan pointed out that that recycling saves tax dollars and throwing it all into the trash dumpsters costs a great deal of money to haul it away, adding that by making people aware it this could foster cooperation and more of a recycling effort.

Meeting adjourned at 9:31pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Angela Mahoney

Administrative Secretary