Members Present: Rick Alpers (RA), Paul Fraser (PF), Steve Favorite (SF), Joe Denning (JD), Town Manager Elizabeth Corrow

Members Absent: Bruce Van Derven (BVD)

Chair Selectman Rick Alpers called the Regular meeting to order at 7:00pm.

Mr. Phil Grandmason from the Senior Housing Project came before the Board to explain the Senior Housing Project. He stated it is a federally funded program that builds an apartment complex for low income seniors. He is currently submitting the application for the Town of Bristol and requested the Board assist with a letter of support. He stated Century 21 has assisted them with locating a site. He explained the apartments are offered to income eligible seniors that are 62 and older. He stated they project would not require any funding from the town and they would work with the planning board through the process. He stated there would be 19 apartments but would have the ability to expand in the future. The apartments would include everything except cable and phone would be up to the tenants. Town Manager Corrow questioned a payment in Lieu of Taxes since it is a non-profit project. Mr. Grandmason agreed there would be a payment. Mr. Alpers stated that had done something similar in the Town of Ashland. Ms. Peg Ryan stated she had been working with Mr. Grandmason to locate a site. She has visited a couple of the Senior Housing Complexes and stated they were beautiful, tastefully done and the residents enjoy living in the apartments.

Mr. Jim Crawford came before the Board to request a sign be hung near the 4 major entrances into the Town of Bristol stating "Home of Field Hockey State Champions and Girls Basketball Runners-Up. Due to the recent accomplishments of the Field Hockey and Basketball team, he feels these signs would give the community a sense of pride. Chairman Rick Alpers questioned whether the funding would come from the Town or from fundraising. Mr. Crawford felt it should be funded by the Town. Mr. Alpers explained the budget process for this year is over, but there may be a way to find some money in the current budget for maybe one or two this year and then they could budget for something like this in the future. Otherwise, it would need to come from fundraising.

Town Manager Corrow stated the board would need to make a motion in order to approve the note. Mr. Alpers questioned whether Ms. Corrow had requested an attorney’s opinion because he thought it was required by the bank to do so. Ms. Corrow stated she would get the attorney’s opinion.

Motion by JD to approve the note for the Central Street Bridge Project; seconded by PF; vote was 4-0.

Mr. Steve Favorite stated he had begun looking at the Town’s current street lighting. He has noticed some areas that need improved lighting and areas that may not need lighting. Mr. Alpers suggested a committee be formed that would be headed by Selectmen Favorite to address the Street Lighting in the Town. Ms. Corrow suggested Mr. Favorite meet with Police and Fire for there input and then start working with the committee. Mr. Alpers suggested posting a notice for volunteers. The board discussed a time frame for a proposal by the committee and agreed they should appoint the committee at their first meeting in May and should make the suggestions for the new lighting by the end of the summer.

Town Manager Corrow suggested forming a Highway Safety Committee. This committee would look at policies for street numbering, signage throughout the town, speed limits and any other aspects of Highway Safety. The members would be the Fire Chief, Police Chief, Highway Superintendent, Public Works Superintendent, Town Manager and the Land Use Officer. The first meeting would be on Wednesday. Motion by PF to form the Highway Safety Committee as discussed; seconded by SF; vote was 4-0.

Mr. Richard Walenda suggested the Highway Safety Committee be formed of residents from the Town of Bristol, since the some of the members suggested are not from Bristol. Mr. Alpers stated the committee is required by Statute. Ms. Corrow stated the members of this committee are professional staff with representation as discussed.

Mr. Walenda questioned why no one was working on getting cell phone towers in Bristol, and Mr. Alpers confirmed Ms. Corrow and Mr. Fraser have been working on the beginning stages of the process and have been in contact with Verizon.

Mr. Lindholm has concern with the local restaurants handicap access. Mr. Alpers stated they would bring it to the Land Use Enforcement Officers attention.

Mr. Lindholm stated there are many missing signs throughout the Town and questioned why they have not been replaced. Ms. Corrow stated she would talk with the Highway Superintendent to ensure they signs get replaced.

Mr. Lindholm stated Wulamat Road needs attention since there is a section of the road that constantly has water and ice on it and now with the flooding there is a significant amount of small stones. He suggested the Highway workers sweep the stones off.

Mr. Lindholm has concern with West Nile and EEE. He questioned whether some Mosquitoes should be trapped and tested with the state since there were cases last year in the south. Ms. Corrow stated the state will test birds that are brought in but someone needs to be hired to trap the mosquitoes. She stated it is not in the budget this year, but will reassess the situation for the next budget season. Mr. Alpers questioned whether there are grants for testing that one could apply for. Mr. Fraser stated if there is a case that is of concern in the area they would take the proper steps in testing whether it is a budgeted item or not, but for now there is no serious concern to do so. Ms. Corrow stated if there are any issues to report them to the Land Use Enforcement officer / Health Officer.

Ms. Corrow stated she has received positive feedback on the new Land Use Enforcement Officer. He is following through with many items as well as beginning to clean things out and update permits. Mr. Alpers questioned the Crescent Street case and Ms. Corrow stated it was currently postponed at the court level, however, they will probably withdraw at this time to ensure the case was dealt with properly while additional documentation is prepared by the new Land Use Enforcement officer.

Hawkensen Equipment, $4,420, new front mounted Rotary Broom for the Highway Department. Previously approved.

Mr. Alpers wanted to ensure there was sufficient cash flow before the items are purchased.

Mr. Alpers also suggested requesting bids on a TAN for precautionary measures.

Mr. Alpers suggested the Deputy Town Clerk be contacted to assist with the July Tax Billing since Raymah will be out over the next couple of months.

Selectmen Denning left early.

Paul Fraser:

Mr. Fraser stated Mr. Max Stamp had approached him regarding the Solar Energy Exemption. Mr. Fraser questioned whether he should write a warrant article for this coming year. The board agreed, and Mr. Fraser will write the warrant article.

Mr. Fraser updated the Board with the progress he has made with the Cell Phone tower. He stated he is actively working with an independent consultant from Verizon to assist in moving forward.

Mr. Fraser questioned the paving schedule for 3A. The road is scheduled to be paved in 2008-2009.

Steve Favorite:

Mr. Favorite stated he went to Grafton County Registry of Deeds to research the Municipal Parking lot at the Hydro plant. He found in 1982 the Town was give rights to the 6000 square foot parcel as a Municipal Parking lot.

Rick Alpers:

Mr. Alpers questioned who would be attending the Chief’s Retirement dinner. Mr. Fraser, Mr. Favorite, Ms. Corrow and himself will all be attending.

Mr. Favorite stated the Highway Department has done an excellent job keeping up with the roads over the last couple of storms. Ms. Corrow also wanted to recognize the various departments. She stated everyone has been working together. She stated the Fire Department helped the Highway department throughout the storms and the Highway department helped the Fire Department take the cab off the rescue saving the town a great deal of money. This teamwork steams from the collaborate effort in the Department Head Meetings. She stated she is very pleased with how departments are working together. Ms. Corrow stated they would be having a little gathering for the Chief next Friday in the morning if any of the Board members wanted to attend.

Mr. Favorite stated he visited the Town Clerk / Tax Collector today and she is doing well. She still has a long recovery but is making progress. Mary has been doing very well keeping the office running smoothly and will be going to training tomorrow in Raymah’s place. Ms. Corrow stated the office will be closed on Thursday mornings since she is open late on those evenings.

Town Manager Corrow gave an update on the Montreal to Boston Cycling Tour to the Board. She stated the steering committee had begun working and there will be another meeting on April 23 with more information for local officials. The steering committee will be holding community forms on May 1^st for the local businesses, non-profit organizations and citizens that would like to be a part of this event. She stated at this point they are trying to get the word out and will be doing a press release next week.

Ms. Corrow stated that if businesses were impacted by flooding and she has a number for them to call if relief is needed.

Mr. Alpers stated he would like to meet Claire Moorehead who is heading the Montreal to Boston Event. Ms. Corrow stated that she would ask Claire to stop in and introduce herself to Mr. Alpers at his office since other members of the board have already been introduced.

Ms. Corrow stated there are a few things left that need to be reconciled before the audit is complete. She is also recommending expending an additional $2,500 approximately from the audit line to convert financial statements to comply with GASB which will not make the town fully compliant due to the need of town asset inventory but it will be an improvement.

Town Manager Corrow stated she had implemented Drug Testing for all CDL and Commercial License holders at the Highway department per recommendation of the Highway manager. Ms. Corrow would also like to implement a Drug Testing Policy for all Town Employees. This would be random as well as a criteria for pre employment. She would like all Town employees to be tested to make it fair to all employees and also does not feel there should be any grandfathering. She stated the start up costs is the expensive part, but once the policy is implemented, the random testing is not very costly. Mr. Fraser questioned whether DOT employees should be tested annually or every other year. Ms. Corrow stated she thinks following DOT regulations would be sufficient which is random drug testing. Mr. Alpers asked what the Department Heads thought and Ms. Corrow stated it was the Highway Department Head that brought the recommendation of testing employees at the highway department to her. Ms. Corrow thinks it is just good policy. She also stated that she does not suspect any current abuse of drugs or alcohol by any employees it is just a matte of good policy. Mr. Alpers suggested they wait for Mr. Denning and Mr. Van Derven to vote on implementing this policy, and he also thinks each department should budget for the testing.

Town Manager Corrow stated she had the Attorney review the current Police Contract and they have updated it. She stated there is a substantial investment in a new police officer; therefore, the contract ensures a commitment from the Officer.

Ms. Corrow discussed the temporary alternate duty policy with the board. She explained if an employee is out they would either be on FMLA, Short-term Disability or workmen compensation. Worker’s comp is used if they were injured on the job. They would need to use their own sick time or comp time if the injury was not work related. She stated she had talked to LGC and most towns do not have temporary alternate duty for non work related injuries. Therefore, she would not advise a policy for temporary alternate duty unless it is a work related injury.

Ms. Corrow questioned how the Board would like to go about meeting with the other Boards and Committees. Mr. Fraser suggested waiting for Mr. Denning on this item since he was the one that brought this idea forward.

Ms. Corrow questioned whether the dates of the June Board meetings could be changed. The Board felt the change would be fine and they would meet on June 7^th and June 21^st and then the November 22^nd meeting would be changed to November 29^th due to the Holiday.

Ms Corrow stated the Route 104 Study is now complete and available online at the Lakes Region Planning Commission’s website.

Mr. Alpers passed out a list he had compiled of the goals from all the Board members and suggested they look them over and will prioritize them next week when Mr. Denning and Mr. Van Derven are back.

Ms. Corrow stated the Downtown Revitalization Committee would be meeting and suggested the board attend.

The board discussed possible dates for Summer Town meeting and would discuss a finalized date at the next meeting.

Town Manager Corrow gave the board a brief overview of the process for the Police Chief and the current status.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Krystal Alpers

Administrative Secretary