Selectmen’s Meeting
January 18, 2010
Those in attendance: John Halter, Sandra Holland, Arnold Stymest and Jim Coffey.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Halter and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen first signed the manifests. At the request of Treasurer Patricia Putnam a motion was then made by Chairman Halter, seconded by Sandra Holland to transfer $100,000 from the checking account to the savings account. The Selectmen voted in favor of the motion, 3-0.
APPOINTMENTS:
Tax Collector Ellen Mason came in prior to the meeting for the purpose of meeting Interim Administrator, Jim Coffey. This eliminated the need for an appointment.
Harry Power, Compliance Officer, met to discuss the Cross building permit. The permit had not yet been approved and the foundation had been poured. Mr. Power stated that there was an existing two bedroom home on the site with a 450 gallon per day septic system, which is a three bedroom rated system, and the he had spoken recently with Richard deSeve of the NH DES Subsurface bureau. As long as the two dwellings only contain three bedrooms this would be allowable by DES. It was agreed by the Board to approve the permit subject to language to be added that the permit is only for one bedroom, and that two other bedrooms may be added when water and septic is disconnected from the existing house. Chairman Halter brought up the subject of having two dwellings on one lot under the zoning regulations. Mr. Power also stated that a notice of violation would be going to Herbert & Sheila Healy regarding the lot loading for their septic system.
Linda Nicol, accompanied by Maureen Haynes met to discuss the status of their complaint regarding PJD Septic, owned by Paul Dionne. Ms. Nicol wanted to know what approach she should take toward the problem. Chairman Halter explained he had been away and needed to look into the matter. A letter from the Town's attorney regarding the complaint from a DES and zoning perspective was read aloud by Jim Coffey. A copy of the letter was given to Linda Nicol. Mr. Dennis Pellegrino, President of the Hidden Lake Association asked for a copy and one was provided. Maureen Haynes then asked about another document, a letter from Attorney Hockensmith. Compliance Officer Harry Power stated that the permit for the underground tanks in question were not for a Hidden Lake location but for another property. Linda Nicol then asked where were the tanks were installed. Mr. Power stated that the tanks were never installed and therefore DES had never given an approval. Mr. Dionne then stated that he had purchased a five acre parcel on Mill Road for his business, and that he obtained a DES permit prior to going to the ZBA a for site plan review. The review did not go well and Mr. Dionne explained that he then sold the lot and bought property in Swanzey. Maureen Haynes and Linda Nicol wanted letter from DES that no tanks are there [Hidden Lake location]. Mr. Dionne agreed to write a letter that no tanks have been installed.
At 7:40 P.M. Chairman Halter opened the meeting to anyone present (open session). Chairman Halter then thanked Mr. Dionne and Mr. Power for the efforts to resolve the matter.
NEW BUSINESS:
At the request of Jim Coffey, Chairman Halter moved to authorize the purchase of a portable disk drive to perform complete backups of the computers at the Town Hall. This was seconded by Selectman Holland and approved 3-0. Mr. Coffey explained that this will provide a complete mirror image of both computers so that they could be easily be recreated using a replacement computer. The portable disk drive will be stored off-site. Mr. Coffey explained that the cost will be under $200.00, including software.
OLD BUSINESS:
The purchase of five used file cabinets was discussed, and Selectman Holland will get a price and oversee the purchase.
Jim Coffey briefly discussed the benefits of using a fund accounting software designed for local government use.
Chairman Halter asked about payment to Carol Clark for the weeks that she had been taking the minutes. Jim Coffey explained that it would be part of the payroll next week.
OTHER ITEMS/WELFARE:
After a discussion concerning welfare procedures, Chairman Halter, seconded by Selectman Stymest moved to delegate the welfare duties to the Interim Administrator Jim Coffey. The Selectmen will hear appeals from applicants that may disagree with the welfare officer. Mr. Coffey will also prepare a set of revised welfare guidelines for the Board to review.
Mr. Coffey requested a non-public session, under RSA 91A:3 (c) to discuss a call from another town regarding a welfare client. A motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91A:3 (c) was made by Selectman Stymest and seconded by Chairman Halter. A roll call vote was held and all three selectmen voted yes. The Board entered non-public session at 8:56 P.M.
The Board returned to public session at 8:59 P.M. A motion was made by Chairman Halter to seal the minutes. After a second by Selectman Stymest the motion was approved 3-0.
At 9:00 P.M. Chairman Halter, seconded by Selectman Stymest moved to adjourn. The Board voted 3-0 to adjourn
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________
James Coffey, Interim Administrator