Town of Bristol
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of 05-25-06
Present: Rick Alpers (RA), Joe Denning (JD), Steve Favorite (SF), Paul Fraser (PF), Town Administrator Bob Veloski and the administrative secretary. Selectman Van Derven is on vacation and was not present at the meeting
Board Chairman Rick Alpers called the meeting to order at 6:37pm.
Scheduled meetings:
(6:30 -7:00 work session)
6:30 Public Works Commissioners
7:00 Mike Bannan – Personnel Policy Concerns
7:15 Fire Chief Norm Skantze
8:00 Bruce Wheeler (Beach Commissioner)
8:15 Board discussion/resolution of downtown parking issue
Bristol Public Works Commission:
The Commissioners informed the BOS that they are transferring $250K from water funds and $100K from Sewer funds to their capital reserve funds. They updated the Board in progress being made at the treatment plant and future expansion of sewer service to the lake. Several projects were discussed with the BOS, focusing on the replacement of the water lines in the downtown area. It was stated that some of the pipes date back to 1903 when they were originally installed. Commissioner Burt Williams stated that they have tried several times to get the State to adopt legislation that would allow them to combine funds from the water and sewer capital reserves. He added that it is a possibility that it could be adopted for the Town of Bristol only and that may have a better chance of passing. Reminder of the tour being held on Friday, June 2 of the water/sewer systems and plants. Commissioner Phinney stated that he was concerned with liens that have not been placed on delinquent bills. He informed the Board that the Public Works Commission had had to abate over $100 on a bill that should have gone to lien. The Commissioners stated that the liens were given to the Tax Collector in February and still have not been done. Commissioner Williams stated that he hopes the BOS doesn’t rush into hiring a town manager and hopes that the person chosen has some background in what they are trying to accomplish.
Mr. Mike Bannan:
Mr. Bannan stated that he had several ideas that he would like to throw out for BOS consideration. He suggested that the Town Administrator prepares the policy under the direction of the Board and then send it out to the department heads for review. He stated that they do the "straight-forward, easy stuff" first and that should take care of 90% of it. He added that he feels committees don’t get a lot accomplished and feels the personnel policy is the BOS’s decision not a committee.
Raymah Simpson (Town Clerk/Tax Collector):
Raymah informed the BOS that she would like to enroll in a class to become certified, explaining that the classes consist of a week long class for a period of four years. After completion, she would become certified by the State. She explained that the classes cost $245. The BOS noted that money for such classes had not been included in her training line and then explained that due to the recent flooding, money will have to be cut from the annual budget to cover the costs associated with the flood. No formal Board action was taken on this item.
Public Input:
Mr. Joe Kolito addressed the Board with his concerns regarding the recent repainting of the cross walks in the downtown area. Discussion took place over coming into compliance with State regulations on parking and crosswalks. General parking as well as parking for downtown events was also discussed. The Board pointed out that with the new parking area next to the library and the use of the Masonic Lodge lot, there is actually more parking now than in previous years.
Chief Skantze:
Three PAF’s for three per diem employees were presented for BOS signatures. Effective date is June 1,2006.
Chief Skantze explained that he is putting together an after-incident report which is comprehensive in nature, detailing the EMS services used, events, circumstances and results. Everyone agreed that overall, coordination went very well.
Discussion took place over the removal of the dam. Mr. Walenda felt that it should not have been taken down and just the debris removed. It was explained that the Town was under a State order to breech the dam and it wasn’t a choice. Mr. Gray felt that it was unnecessary for his business to have been shut down for two days.
The Board wished to publicly thank everyone involved in the flooding response… all of the volunteers, workers, businesses, etc. Selectman Denning put forth a proposal from Victor Fields for BOS consideration ("Thank you" event – old home day). Motion by JD to approve the proposal as presented; seconded by PF: vote was 4-0.
Bruce Wheeler:
Mr. Wheeler gave the Board his resignation as beach commissioner and as coordinator of the beach enforcement. The BOS thanked him for his years of service in that capacity.
Downtown Parking discussion:
Generalized discussion took place over the issue. To be placed on next week’s agenda. No formal Board action taken.
TA Items:
Budget Committee question was sent to NHMA for further clarification
New Hampton Bridge – date to be set
Debriefing on flooding – meet with dept heads, EMS, BOS, etc (to be held at the old town hall)
Employment Security met with +100 people on Monday
Masonic Lodge update – still waiting on info from last year.
TA needs authorization for TAN (if necessary) Motion by JD to authorize the Town Administrator to apply for a TAN; seconded by PF: vote was 4-0.
Elem. School meeting moved to 5/30 at 6pm
Reminder of the water/sewer tour 6/2 8 am
Department Head meeting rescheduled due to tour – Chair Rick Alpers stated that he feels the department head meetings should be for the TA and dept heads only, not for budget committee members or Zoning or anyone else. The Board agreed that the TA types minutes that are available to read, but the meetings are for open communication by the department heads, not the general public.
Parking spaces have been repainted.
Health officer is working with Mike Capsalis on sewer/plumbing issues at the former Bungalow Village.
Police Building project (hold until BVD is back from vacation)
Homeland Cemetery – TA is waiting for additional info that had been requested.
Software update
Colonial reenactment will be held tomorrow morning at the elem. School.
Moose Man Marathon will be held as scheduled.
PD is touring the Franklin and Laconia Police Stations on June 5th at 5pm, the BOS is welcome to attend.
Board Items:
PF – Library annex – put up a "municipal parking" sign.
SF – Chamber booth by lake will be used this weekend. Chamber will be moving to the library annex and the info booth will be moved to the transfer station for use there.
JD -- Could TA please order some more of the black caps with the Bristol logo on them (to be used as volunteer/employee recognition/thank you banquet at old home day) The BOS briefly discussed holding an employee luncheon or BBQ/Beach day during the summer. Chairman Alpers said he would rather spend 15 minutes with each employee. (Put on the to-do list)
Bike path meeting tomorrow.
Public Input:
Mr. Walenda commented about several topics: pot holes, hole in the roadway at the transfer station and the cement foundations by Devost Marina he considers an eyesore.
Motion by JD to enter non-public session according to RSA 91-A:3 II (e); seconded by PF. Roll call vote polled by the secretary resulted in all 4 members voting "aye" to enter non-public session. The Board entered non-public session at 9:18 pm.
The Board returned to regular session at 9:32pm.
Motion by JD to enter non-public session according to RSA 91-A:3 II (b); seconded by SF. Roll call vote polled by the secretary resulted in all 4 members voting "aye" to enter non-public session. The Board entered non-public session at 9:32 pm.
The Board returned to regular session at 9:41 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:41 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Angela Mahoney
Administrative Secretary
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Richard Alpers, Chair Steve Favorite
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Joe Denning, Vice Chair Paul Fraser
Selectboard for the Town of Bristol