Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 29, 2010
In attendance: John Halter, Sandra Holland, Arnold Stymest, Harry Power, Richard Betz, Ed Saleski, David Vaillancourt and Jim Coffey.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Halter at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPOINTMENTS:
7:02 P.M. Richard Betz presented the Board with the new/replacement Boston Post cane that had been received from the Town of Peterborough. A pin that will be given to the recipient to keep was also presented. Mr. Betz mentioned that the replacement cane was donated to the Town by Penny & Dick Betz and Bob Englund had made the stand. A discussion followed on who is the oldest Stoddard resident. Dick Betz stated that the oldest they have found is John Davis, age 90, in Munsonville. It was suggested that a presentation take place at Town meeting, or at Old Home Days. Chairman Halter made a motion to accept with thanks gift of the cane, Selectman Holland seconded the motion and it was approved 3-0. The cane will be publically displayed.
The next item Mr. Betz brought to the Board was the preservation of town records, and the return of those that may stored in private homes. Mr. Betz mentioned that the State contact for the recent grant application, Frank C. Mevers, the Director of the Division of Archives and Records Management and the State Archivist, complimented the Town on Chairman Halter's request to place an item on the March 29th BOS agenda which declares that town records in individual homes are town property
At the conclusion of the discussion Chairman Halter moved “to declare that town records that might be identified in various locations within Stoddard are publically owned, if they were created by public officials in the course of their official duties. All town records will be processed in accordance with RSA-33A, Disposition of Municipal Records. Historic town records will be preserved with due care in their current locations, or, if endangered in their current locations, moved to a location deemed more secure. Once Stoddard has centralized office space and records storage for all town officials, all town records will be transferred to this centralized office space to preserve the integrity of the Town’s history (its official records and vital statistics) for the present and for future generations.” Selectman Stymest moved to second the motion and it was approved 3-0.
7:15 P.M. Code Officer Harry Power informed the Board of two violations he had recently received. The first violation was at 111 Turtle Rock Road and involved a house that had the front steps removed and a porch constructed across the entire front of the house. A copy of the letter of violation sent to the owner, Robert Parker, was present to the Board.
The second violation involved waterfront property owned by Kevin & Doreen Scibelli. The problem was caused by the enlargement of decks that encroached on the set back from the lot line, and possibly a right of way. There also appeared to be problems with a Shoreland Protection violation. Mr. Power gave the Board a copy of the notice sent to the owners and also stated that should the State grant a waiver, the owners will still need to go to the ZBA.
7:28 P.M. Police Chief David Vaillancourt presented the police budget request which is up $1,500 to provide for more patrol coverage. The budget also set the hourly rate at $16.00 per hour which was is the same as the 2008-2009 budget. Selectman Holland stated that it looked fine to her and Chairman Halter concurred. Selectman Stymest asked when the administrative assistant position was approved. Both Chairman Halter and Selectman Holland confirmed that it had been approved and was shared with the Fire Department. Selectman Holland asked about the billing for the cost of the prosecutor. Chief Vaillancourt also responded that we had four cases that were handled by the prosecutor. The Board seemed satisfied with the value received.
7:35 P.M. Mr. Vaillancourt then presented the Board with a budget proposal for highways. Jim Coffey will check into costs for Bowlder Road (Sullivan) and for Valley Road. There was a discussion concerning Mr. Vaillancourt's contract and it was agreed that it expires in 2011. The 2010 road improvement project was discussed and it was suggested to reconstruct about one-third of a mile of road on School Street. The project will be to reclaim, improve the base and pave.
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APPROVED/SIGNED:
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The Accounts Payable Manifest was approved.
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The minutes of March 22 were approved.
B. NEW BUSINESS:
A letter from School Principal Mark Taft was read. It thanked the Town, and in particular David Vaillancourt for his help during the past Winter. The Board expressed their appreciation in receiving the letter and to David Vaillancourt. A copy was given to Mr. Vaillancourt.
Other items listed in the agenda were also reviewed with no action taken or required.
OLD BUSINESS
Items listed in the agenda were reviewed with no action taken or required.
Respectfully submitted,
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James Coffey, Interim Administrator