Town of Bristol
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of 4-24-08
Members Present: Don Milbrand (DM), Paul Fraser (PF), Bruce Van Derven (BVD), Joe Denning (JD), Town Manager Elizabeth Corrow
Rick Alpers joined the meeting during non-public session.
Vice chairman Paul Fraser called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00pm.
Police Building Discussion
Town Manager Corrow stated it has been two weeks since the vote to reconsider the Police Building / Town Hall Project. Ms. Corrow stated that once the proposed project failed she has been looking at the current building with the Lieutenant and the Chief to see if there are things that can be done to mitigate the current liability concerns that were mentioned in the report from the Local Government Center. Chief stated there are some relatively simple options to try and temporarily reduce liability. The first item that needs to be addressed is the holding cell issue. The Chief recommended putting a marshal’s cage in the booking room. The major liability is the juvenile holding area. Chief Clark stated the busy time is during the day when school is in session. He explained prisoners are not kept here overnight and transportation by the Sheriff’s office ends at early evening hours, therefore, Bristol has to transport the prisoner to Grafton County. Chief Clark stated they will be having an inspection next week on our holding cells. He would recommend turning the prosecutor’s office into a temporary holding cell for the juveniles. The other concern is the officers need an area out of the booking room so they can get their administrative work done in a professional manor. Mr. Van Derven questioned the egress liability. Chief stated they did put a keyless entry in and should there be funding they need to put some type of a ramp in. Chief stated he needs to understand the financial scope of the board to address the liability issue. Mr. Fraser stated the biggest area of concern is the holding cells, the juvenile booking area, and the egress. The Chief stated he is looking to implement a quick fix to get by temporarily. Mr. Fraser recommended holding a work session on May 1st to discuss possible solutions. The Chief stated he thinks a trailer should be the last approach. Mr. Lloyd Belbin stated he agrees that the citizens need a new police building, land needs to be acquired and a new building needs to be built. He suggested forming a new committee. Mr. Fraser stated a committee has been formed and a plan was brought forward, however, this idea is not new as a new building has been approached previously and turned down. Mr. Van Derven stated on the first committee there was a real estate agent and both committees have scoured all the parcels of land in the town. Mr. Van Derven stated he was also disappointed because he did not get recognized to speak at the reconsideration town meeting. Mr. Van Derven could not understand why the citizens at the reconsideration gave a round of applause to a community member recommending an addition to the current town building for a police station. Mr. Van Derven stated both the former and the current Police Chief stated it would not work. Mr. Van Derven stated the Police Team has made two presentations and suggestions that were booed years ago received a round of applause this year. Mr. Van Derven feels no matter what plan comes forward the town is going to turn it down. Mr. Belbin feels that with the expertise of the former chief and the new chief, the current town office building can not be a police building. Mr. Van Derven stated you don’t need to be a police officer to know how to build a building; some things are a matter of intellect and judgment, not experience. He suggested if citizens have land please call. Mr. Denning questioned if the work session is to make a decision for this year. Mr. Fraser stated we need to move forward and not drop the ball. The liability issues need to be addressed.
Mr. Steven Favorite Approached Board with a Petition
Mr. Favorite stated this came about when he over heard a conversation while on the phone with a town employee yesterday. He stated this is a tax payer request and read the petition. Mr. Favorite stated he overheard rude and uncalled for remarks in the place of business from Mr. Walenda. He also stated Mr. Walenda is a member of the budget committee and should not be doing this. Mr. Favorite does not think it’s fair that employees or citizens need to be involved in this kind of behavior. Mr. Walenda yelled from the audience “you are going to get sued.” Mr. Fraser stated if any litigation is mentioned, there is no further discussion. Mr. Walenda stated his name was mentioned and he has to respond. Mr. Walenda stated Mr. Favorite is a trouble maker and instigator and has no business doing this as he is not a selectman any more. Mr. Fraser thanked Mr. Favorite for input and the Board will recognize the petition and act appropriately. Comments were being made by the public. Lieutenant Lewis asked people to calm down as the Vice-chair will direct the meeting.
Mr. Denning made a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II(c) seconded by Mr. Milbrand: roll call vote taken all members agreed to enter into non-public session. At 7:50 PM the BOS entered a non-public session.
Mr. Alpers arrived.
Motion to return to public session made by Mr. Milbrand, seconded by Mr. Fraser; vote was unanimous.
Select board items –
Mr. Denning stated he went to an archeological study meeting regarding the Central Street Bridge. He stated they are going to take the land that they have identified as having archeological significance and cover it with 6-10 inches of gravel as it turns out there is really nothing significant. Mr. Fraser stated they had found chards of Native American tools. Mr. Denning stated the archeologist will come back one last time for final approval.
Mr. Fraser stated the snow is almost gone and beach permits are available seven days a week, five days here at town hall and two days on the weekends at the beach. Citizens are also asked if they would like a beach permit when doing other business with the town clerks office.
Mr. Fraser stated there is an issue with the utility pole at the Central Street Bridge and PSNH has been asked to address the issue now rather then after the construction is done.
Mr. Denning stated on April 26th the Lions Club will be hosting a rabies clinic at the Fire Department. Dogs have to be licensed by the 30th of April.
Purchase Orders
Belknap Communications - Motorola pagers (10) and 4 yr extended warranties - $4,270. Mr. Denning made a motion to approve the Purchase Order as presented, seconded by Mr. Millbrand; vote was 5-0.
IPS - 4-Scott Seventy Five 4.5 Air Packs with Two 30 Minute Carbon Cylinders - $19,980
Mr. Milbrand made a motion to approve the Purchase Order as presented, seconded by Mr. Denning; vote was 5-0.
Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Joe Denning; seconded by Mr. Don Milbrand; vote was unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm
Respectfully submitted,
Krystal Alpers
Administrative Assistant
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Richard Alpers, Chairman Paul Fraser, Vice Chairman
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Joe Denning Donald Milbrand
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Bruce Van Derven