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

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

Chairman Rick Alpers explained the Board has invited the Trustees of the Trust Fund to attend the meeting. Mr. Alpers stated Ms. Betty Seeler has come as the only member of the Trustees of the Trust Fund. He stated one member had recently resigned and the other member had yet to accept the position from the recent election. Ms. Seeler stated they currently have 4 requests and only one signature. Mr. Denning stated the Board of Selectmen are putting forth an effort to begin meeting with all the Boards and Committees so the Board of Selectmen can get a better understanding of the goals and needs of each. Mr. Denning stated Dorcas Gordon had resigned and thanked Neal Martin for attending the meeting, as he was elected by write in votes. He also thanked Ms. Seeler for all her hard work and knowledge she has put forth. Ms. Seeler stated she had reviewed the aspects of a Trustee with Mr. Martin and explained the investments. She stated the current investments are risk free, easily accessible and in one place. Mr. Fraser questioned how the funds were invested and Ms. Seeler stated they are invested in something similar to Mutual Funds. She stated the Department of Revenue Administration is reviewing the articles that are voted on at Town meeting. She stated they have recommended closing two funds that need to be closed out since the monies have been spent on the intended projects. Town Manager Corrow stated they will now attach a copy of the warrant article with a letter when requesting funds. She stated she will write a warrant article for this year to close out the funds that DRA has mentioned. Mr. Alpers then questioned whether Mr. Martin would accept the position since the elections took place over a month ago and he has not made a decision yet. Mr. Martin stated Ms. Seeler has done a wonderful job but feels there are ways to improve the Towns investments. He also stated he wants to make sure all the Trustees are on the same page in making decisions for the funds. Mr. Martin explained an investment plan that he believes is very efficient. Mr. Alpers then questioned whether he would accept the position without his proposed plan in place. He stated in order for such a plan to occur, all the Trustees need to be involved and agree with the investment plan. For any of Mr. Martin’s suggestions to occur he would need to accept the position and work with the current investments and can look at different ways of investing in the future. Mr. Denning agreed with Mr. Alpers and stated Mr. Martin would need to become a Trustee first and then begin looking into new options. Mr. Van Derven read Ms. Dorcas Gordon’s resignation and questioned whether she may postpone her resignation a week which would allow a second signature on the requests as well as time for the board to appoint new members. Mr. Denning stated he spoke with Ms. Gordon and he felt she may be willing to help in the interim. He stated members needed to be appointed before any changes are made. Mr. Fraser stated the members should have some knowledge of investing. Ms. Corrow stated she has been working with Ms. Seeler to find members, but they currently have a pressing issue and needs two signatures. She stated she wants to find qualified people that will help and work with Betty so she does not get discouraged. She stated she will contact Ms. Gordon to deal with the current signature issue and next week figure out who would like to be a member. Mr. Alpers again asked Mr. Martin whether he had made a final decision to be a Trustee and Mr. Martin declined to be appointed. Mr. Martin stated he did not want to cause any problems and felt they should find someone else. Mr. Alpers thanked him for putting the time into researching the different investments. Motion by RA to authorize the Town Manager to make reimbursement requests from the Trustees of the Trust Funds; seconded by SF; vote was 5-0.

Chairman Alpers introduced Commissioner Martha Richards. Ms. Richards reviewed the county budget with the Board. She stated there was an increase in the budget and that was due to many new projects. She stated they are building a new jail, Social Services line has increased, and they are replacing the roof on the county farm and Court Room. She explained many question the need for the county farm and she felt the farm is good because it provides many jobs for the inmates. They are currently trying to find other ways to raise money for the upkeep of the farm. Ms. Richards stated there will be a meeting on May 21^st to allow input on the current budget. Mr. Alpers thanked her for taking the time to meet with the Board.

Town Manager Corrow explained the tenants from the Taste of Italy would like to put outside seating in front of the restaurant along the sidewalk. She stated, after research and consultation with the lawyer, they believe the town has prescription ownership rights over this sidewalk. Therefore, from her understanding, it is up to the Board to allow the outside seating or prohibit it. She stated the Board could grant the request and make the owner make the sidewalk wider or move the sidewalk altogether. Otherwise, if the owner does not agree with the town having prescription, then the owner could challenge this interpretation with their own research to prove otherwise. The Town Manager also questioned whether the owner had given permission for the tenant (Taste of Italy) to request this. The tenant stated the owner did write a letter granting permission and it is in the planning board file. Mr. Fraser confirmed if the town had acquired the sidewalk by prescription then the board can still grant permission to use the sidewalk. Ms. Corrow confirmed. The Board decided to review this issue further and would make a decision next meeting.

The Town Manager recognized Lieutenant Mike Lewis, who was present at the meeting, for his efforts during both the transition and interim period following the announcement of the police chief’s retirement. Specifically, his efforts to review and rewrite the departments standard operating procedures to be adopted when the new chief arrives, his recent application for a grant for a radar trailer, his work on events like the Montreal to Boston event and his efforts on the police building committee. The town manager wanted to publicly thank the lieutenant for his continued efforts. The Selectboard also thanked the Lieutenant.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Krystal Alpers

Administrative Secretary