Town of Stoddard, NH

Minutes of Selectmen’s Meeting

January 4, 2010

Present: Sandra Holland and Arnold Stymest. Absent: John Halter.

Manifests - Selectmen began the meeting approving and signing manifests.

Old Business:

Paul and Pam Dionne – In answer to Paul Dionne’s question what the status of the complaint filed against his business, PJD Septic, Sandra Holland responded that the Selectmen may ask the Department of Environmental Services (DES) to return to the Dionne property and do the inspection they were asked to do.  There is also a question of a possible zoning violation. She said she does not know the history of this case and wants to wait until John Halter returns to discuss it. Paul Dionne said the person from DES will be the same person (Tim Sweatt) if they have someone come back out. Sandra Holland asked if a complaint wasn’t filed by a previous owner. Paul Dionne said that owner has nothing to do with this complaint. He said that complaint was closed. Pam Dionne said since that complaint they have moved the business. Paul asked why the letter from 1996 is being brought up again. Selectman Holland stated that it was part of the history of his property.  He said the only thing they were rinsing was the outside of the toilets and they are no longer doing that at their Hidden Lake property. There is no issue now. Paul Dionne said the State told him only if there was a high volume of water usage would it be a problem. Sandra Holland asked if there was anything with an odor at his property. Paul Dionne said there was not as the units are cleaned elsewhere.The only time there are any units at his house is on the trailer overnight and they are gone within 24 hours. Sandra Holland noted that Dennis Pellegrino, president of the Hidden Lake Association (HLA), had been in to a previous meeting, but she was unsure what his position on this complaint. He had said that the town is the “enforcer”. Sandra said if HLA has stricter rules than the town, it is up to the HLA to enforce them. Harry Power, compliance officer, agreed. Sandra Holland said she wants to let this ride until John Halter returns and there is a full board. She agreed to provide the Dionne’s a copy of the letter from the Stoddard Town Counsel and a copy of her email to Counsel, and also that she would provide same to the Dionne’s Attorney Jeremy Hockensmith.  Paul Dionne said the DES report should be sufficient to put this to rest. He said the town is making the decision, not her (the complainant).  Arnold Stymest said he doesn’t feel there is a big problem here. Sandra Holland agreed but repeated that the board will wait for John Halter to return to reach a decision. Sandra Holland asked the Dionne’s to return on Jan. 18, 2010 and she will also ask Dennis Pellegrino to be present as well and the Selectmen can make a final decision at that time.

Welfare Limits Update – There was a request for rent which exceeded the $1,000 total in a 12-month period. Sandra Holland made a motion to authorize a one-time rental payment for this particular case as an interim measure while the Selectmen review current welfare limits as voted by the Selectmen Dec. 1, 2007. She said they need a full board to review this. Arnold Stymest seconded it. Both voted in favor of the motion.

Loss Prevention Committee Membership – Jim Coffey, interim town administrator, will go online and complete this form. Sandra Holland said the members are as follows: P.J. Lamothe – Fire Department Chief; David Vaillancourt – Police Chief; John Halter – Board of Selectmen Chair; Arnie Antak – Director Emergency Management; and Dick Gariepy – Deputy Director Emergency Management. 

New Business:

Veteran’s Tax Credits – Jim Coffey and the Selectmen discussed an error made regarding the Veteran’s Tax Credit benefit for Pat Putnam, surviving spouse of Roscoe Putnam. Jim Coffey confirmed the information with Linda Kennedy from the Department of Revenue Administration. Sandra Holland agreed that the Office of the Selectmen made an administrative error in this case.  The application had remained in the file since 2005 from the surviving spouse, who applied in 2005 for the second part of the Veteran’s Tax Credit. Sandra Holland made a motion to reinstate Roscoe Putnam’s standard Veteran’s Tax Credit, retroactive to 2005. Arnold Stymest seconded the motion. Both voted in favor of the motion.

Assessment Procedures – Jim Coffey and the Selectmen reviewed a letter from Charles Reese, western district supervisor of the Department of Revenue Administration, property appraisal division. The letter stated he would like to make an appointment to meet with the selectmen to review tax credits, tax exemptions for current use, appraisals/assessments, etc. in regard to compliance. Jim Coffey said it can turn out to be quite a project. The Selectmen asked Jim Coffey to set up an appointment with Mr. Reese to review the documentation. They discussed assessment procedures and said they will explore this further at another time.

Financial Records – Jim Coffey gave the Selectmen a financial statement to review regarding current revenue and expenses. Selectmen reviewed up-to-date finances with Jim Coffey and said they need to track expense vs. revenue on a monthly basis. Selectmen also said for now Pat Putnam, the town treasurer, will be assisting Jim Coffey with AR/AP, payroll and associated financial administration.   

Letter from Charles J. Falcone – Selectmen reviewed a letter from Charles Falcone stating the Selectmen said the Stoddard Rockhoppers Snowmobile Club could not meet at the Stoddard Town Hall. Sandra Holland and Arnold Stymest agreed that is not what the Selectmen said. The Selectmen said the only stipulation stated during the discussion was that town board and committee meetings with elected or appointed memberships take precedence over other meetings at the Town Hall.  Sandra Holland stated that she would contact Bob Fee to see if the misunderstanding could be cleared up.  Several alternatives exist for them to possibly include meeting 2^nd or 4^th Tuesdays, Wednesdays after Yoga, Fridays, or meeting in the multi-purpose room at the School.

Minutes of Dec. 21, 2009 Selectmen’s Meeting – Arnold Stymest made a motion to accept the Dec. 21, 2009 minutes. Sandra Holland seconded the motion. Both Selectmen voted in favor of the motion.

Stoddard Town Government Newsletter – Selectmen discussed the newsletter which is to be published by the Stoddard Planning Board. Arnold Stymest said there is an official town website and he feels this newsletter will be redundant to the town website information. Arnold Stymest moved that the Selectmen approve any newsletter before it is distributed. Sandra Holland seconded the motion. Both approved the motion. Sandra Holland will send an e-mail to Ruth Ward, chair of the Planning Board, and Pat Putnam, secretary of the Planning Board stating that the Selectmen will retain the final authority on newsletter content.

Pay for Interim Coverage -  Arnold Stymest said he would like to compensate Carol Clark while filling in to take minutes at the Selectmen’s meetings on Monday evenings. After discussion, Sandra Holland made a motion to pay Carol Clark a 3-hour minimum @ $60 per night for the past three meetings. Arnold Stymest seconded the motion. Both approved the motion. Payment at $60 per night will continue until the interim position begins taking minutes.

Police reports – Arnold Stymest said the Selectmen haven’t received any police reports for a month or more. He said they were supposed to receive weekly reports. Arnold Stymest said there was a bad accident on Route 9 near Juniper Hill and the state police had to respond as there was no local response. Mr. Stymest said he is not asking for action but wanted it noted in the minutes.

Other business:

Safety Meetings – Sandra Holland noted there are supposed to be quarterly Safety Meetings.

Town Policies – Selectmen discussed standing town policies – reviewing, revising and improving them. At Mr. Coffey’s suggestion, Municipal Resources Inc. will be asked to review the police department’s standard operating procedures and the processes of that office.  If the correct policies are not in place, the town could suffer a large liability.

Arnold Stymest made a motion to dismiss the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Sandra Holland seconded the motion. Both Selectmen voted in favor of the motion.

Respectfully Submitted,

Carol A. Clark