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Board of Selectmen
2007 Minutes of Meetings
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Board of Selectmen |
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2007 Minutes of Meetings |
Meetings of the Board of Selectmen usually take place Tuesday evenings at 6:15pm in the Town Hall (but not always every week), and their agenda are usually made available on the preceding Friday. As soon as the agenda is released by the Selectmen's office, it is posted in the Town Hall, Post Office, Tucker Free Library, and this web page - see Agenda.
| Available Meeting Minutes |
Town of Henniker
Board of Selectmen
Approved Minutes
Members Present: Tom Watman, Chairman; Joe Damour; Cordell Johnston; Cheryl Morse; Ron Taylor; Peter Flynn, Town Administrator
Others Present: Lynn Piotrowicz, Ian Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Lia Houk, Leon Parker, Tim Russell, Holly Green, Matt French
Chairman Watman called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Joe Damour MOVED to approve the Consent Agenda. Ron Taylor SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Ian Johnson spoke during public forum to provide a packet of information to Selectmen asking for an investigation into the handling of a zoning complaint he had earlier in the year.
Mr. Johnson said an illegal structure has been erected at 161 Maple Street. He said a construction crew arrived on August 7 to build a 2000 square foot fence that stands eight feet high.
Mr. Johnson said he notified the builders the fence was illegal and they briefly stopped construction.
Mr. Johnson said the builders returned mid-morning with a building permit. He said the fence does not meet the town's setback requirements, and that the permit was approved by the office secretary.
Mr. Johnson said he placed verbal and written complaints, and wondered why they were not acted upon.
Mr. Johnson said planning regulations require a 15 foot setback.
Mr. Johnson said he wants to know why the system failed.
Mr. Johnston said there are a plethora of faults with the paperwork, and said he hopes an investigation will prevent a similar incident from happening to somebody else.
Mr. Watman asked for the Town Administrator's opinion of who should handle the complaint.
Mr. Flynn said he would usually be assigned, but if it is not him it should be a Selectperson. He said he has already checked into some of the facts.
Mr. Watman said the issue should not receive a full discussion until it has been placed on the agenda, so other parties may have an opportunity to state their case.
Mr. Watman asked if the Planning Board should conduct the investigation.
Mr. Flynn said if somebody else were to review the matter it should be the ZBA.
Mr. Damour said if it is an issue of enforcement, Selectmen are charged with enforcing zoning regulations.
Mr. Watman said there are a number of issues to consider. They include whether the fence complies and whether the process of approval was followed in the proper manner.
Cheryl Morse MOVED to have the Town Administrator look into the appropriate procedure and report back to the Board. Joe Damour SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Item 1: Discussion of Town Counsel's opinion regarding placement of building code article
Mr. Flynn confirmed that Mr. Johnston was correct at the last meeting in saying that the question could be voted on either by ballot or at Town Meeting.
Mr. Flynn said town counsel wrote a sample motion. He said the sample was discussed at the last Planning Board meeting and they shared many opinions.
Mr. Flynn said the Planning Board decided by concensus to have the warrant go forth as a zoning issue.
Mr. Watman asked if the Planning Board decided to go ahead with that decision.
Mr. Flynn said it was based on Selectmen's approval.
Mr. Watman asked if consent was needed, or if it could go to the the Planning Board by default.
Mr. Taylor said it could go by default. He said he would prefer to see it as a ballot vote, and so would the Planning Board.
Mr. Flynn read the warrant as it was presented by Town Counsel.
Mr. Johnston said he understood the warrant in the context of a zoning amendment. He asked what it would look like if Selectmen put it forward.
Mr. Flynn said the entire ordinance would then be on the warrant.
Mr. Damour MOVED to refer the issue to the Planning Board to do whatever they desire. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion.
Mr. Johnston said he was worried.
Mr. Watman said they could vote against it, but the Planning Board could still do something.
Mr. Johnston said he is not sure if sending the issue to the Planning Board means anything anyway.
Mr. Johnston said he is opposed to the town's enforcement of the residential building code.
Mr. Taylor said it would only include structural renovations.
Mr. Watman asked if the motion was simply to leave it up to the Planning Board to decide.
Mr. Taylor said the Planning Board could support either the ballot or town meeting process.
Mr. Johnston said he would like to make sure the minutes reflect that by referring the issue to the Planning Board they are not endorsing one way or the other.
Mr. Watman said that was the CONcENSUS position of the board.
The motion was APPROVED unanimously.
Item 2: Joe Damour MOVED to accept the minutes as amended. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Item 3: Review entire Town Municipal Budget and recommend to budget committee
Mr. Watman said they needed to come up with a budget total by the end of the meeting to give everybody enough time to review it before the budget hearing on January 8.
Mr. Watman said there was no need for motions to be seconded.
Mr. Watman said the budget shows an increase of $.79 per thousand.
Mr. Flynn said that number is with a very conservative revenue estimate.
Mr. Watman said he is concerned with the addition of the Red Cross to Community Services. He said that account currently has White Birch, Visiting Nurse Association, and community action programs. He said each of them has a proven track record of serving people in Henniker.
Mr. Watman is concerned this insertion would open the town up to other organizations.
Mr. Watman said it would be proper to eliminate it this year, and suggested that somebody could look at what organizations should be included in the future after the budget process.
Mr. Johnston said he agreed. He said there are a lot of organizations the town might like to give to.
Mrs. Morse also agreed.
Mr. Johnston asked if there should be the same concern for the Hillsborough library program.
Mr. Watman said that program has served Henniker residents in the past.
Tom Watman MOVED to remove the Red Cross from the Community Service budget, Seconded by Cordell Johnston. Motion was APPROVED 4-1. Joe Damour, Tom Watman, Cordell Johnston, Cheryl Morse were in favor. Ron Tayor was opposed.
Cordell Johnston MOVED to apply an additional $100,000 to the fund balance.
Mr. Watman said they had talked about applying $235,276.
Mr. Johnston said they have been conservative in the past several years. He thinks this would provide a good cushion.
Mr. Taylor said they would need to stay within the state guidelines.
Mr. Flynn said it is not a rule.
Mr. Taylor said it is a preference.
Joe Damour suggested AMENDING the motion to say an additional $144,724. He said that would mean they applied the same amount in 2007 and 2008.
Mr. Johnston accepted the amendment.
The motion was APPROVED unanimously.
Mr. Watman MOVED to decrease the amount for a Planning Consultant by $5000. Motion seconded by Cheryl Morse.
Mr. Watman said he is not convinced that 2 months of work warrants a $10,000 increase. He said the increase would be nearly 1/3.
Mr. Taylor said he would err on the other side, because they don't know what issues will come up in the next year. He said he would prefer to keep it in based on the work she has done.
Mr. Watman said he has made no comment about competence. He said it is a question of justification.
Mr. Watman said budget increases are usually justified by some track record.
Mr. Damour said he does not disagree, but is not ready to make a decision. He suggested leaving it in for another couple of months.
Mr. Johnston asked what the agreement was on how much she gets paid.
Mr. Flynn said $50 an hour. He said they budgeted for $37,000, which is about 13 hours a week.
Mr. Flynn said she is keeping office hours, which has brought the level of service up to another level.
Mr. Watman said the Planning Consultant position was sold to the board as something other than it is turning out to be. He said he expected more time than they are getting.
Mr. Flynn said there was a problem of perception on his part. He said he did not realize extra work was being done by the previous consultant at the regional planning office.
Mr. Johnston said last year they budgeted $20,000, and as of last week they had spent $25,000. He said he understood that some of that money was going to the regional planning commission.
Mr. Taylor said right now they are paying two consultants.
Mr. Johnston said it seems hard to project hours from 2 ½ months of experience.
Mr. Damour said projecting the last two months would come to $33,000.
Mr. Watman said the skeptic in him says if somebody is permitted to keep working as long as they want this number could soon reach $50,000.
Mr. Watman said he feels the board was not given good information before the hiring. He said it might be what the town needs, but it is not how it was sold. He said they are not getting good information again.
Mr. Watman said he thinks if it were another town employee they would be looking closer for justifications.
Mr. Watman said he would be willing to revisit the issue later.
The motion was DEFEATED 2-3. Tom Watman and Cordell Johnston voted in favor. Joe Damour, Cheryl Morse, and Ron Taylor were opposed.
Mr. Taylor said they would need to increase the amount for building inspectors if the building code goes through.
Mr. Watman said it would be simpler if the Planning Board voted to make the effective date 2009.
Mr. Taylor said they would have a problem for a year.
Mr. Watman said it would be no more of a problem than it is now.
Mr. Taylor said inspections would become compulsory.
Mr. Watman said it sounds like an unfunded mandate.
Mrs. Morse said it would be without the loophole saying towns do not need to enforce it.
Tom Watman MOVED to reduce $7693 from the police budget for Tasers because the board has not received the information they requested. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion.
Mr. Watman said the board requested safety information from somebody other than the manufacturer. He said the figure could be restored at a later date if the Police Department produces the information.
Mr. Watman said there is no doubt they protect the officers, but he questions what they do to others and wants to make sure the town is protected.
Mr. Damour said they are far safer than guns which are another tool officers have carried for years.
Mrs. Morse said it is such a political hot pot, Selectmen need as much information as they can gather before bringing it to the town. She said in her gut she thinks they are important and valuable.
Mr. Taylor said he prefers the Taser to the gun.
Mr. Watman said there are those who contend the manufacturer's tests are faulty because they claim they were tested at a lower charge than is sometimes used.
Mr. Damour said the motion says the board is not in favor of Tasers.
Mr. Watman said he is opposed because he does not have information.
The motion was DEFEATED 2-3. Tom Watman and Cheryl Morse voted in favor. Joe Damour, Cordell Johnston and Ron Taylor were opposed.
Mr. Taylor asked Lynne Piotrowicz why the library engineering request was withdrawn.
Lynn Piotrowicz said they withdrew the request so they can begin the planning process in a structured manner beginning January 1. She said they will have all their ducks in a line next year.
Joe Damour MOVED to submit the budget to the budget committee as amended. Ron Taylor SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Mr. Watman asked if there were questions or suggestions regarding the warrant articles.
Mr. Damour suggested the warrant establishing a Capital Reserve Fund for bridges not specify which bridge, so it can continue over time.
Item 4: Town Administrator's Report
Mr. Flynn said two police officers need to be provisionally approved in order to attend the Police Academy.
Mr. Watman said board approval is not necessary, and asked Mr. Flynn to add the officer's names to the minutes.
The names of the two officers are Jeffrey Iadonisi and Matthew O’Connor.
Mr. Flynn said the Ramsdell Road Bridge is being painted.
Mr. Flynn said he has received an application for Emergency Management Deputy. He said they have been very active in planning lately.
Item 5: Selectmen's Report
Mr. Taylor gave a report on Planning Board zoning updates.
Mr. Damour said the Boston Post Cane has been officially passed to Clarence Fitch.
Mrs. Morse said the Athletic Committee will be requesting that a warrant request be changed from $10,000 to $20,000, and to change the wording to “construction or purchase.”
Mr. Johnston announced that he will not be running for another term as Selectman.
Mr. Watman said Scott Davison has achieved the status of Roads Scholar II.
Cordell Johnston MOVED to adjourn at 7:45 pm. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Hayden
December 4, 2007
Board of Selectmen
Approved Minutes
Members Present: Tom Watman, Chairman; Joe Damour; Cordell Johnston; Cheryl Morse; Ron Taylor; Peter Flynn, Town Administrator
Others Present: Jim McElroy, Tom French, Stephany Marchut Lavallee, Bob Pennock, Keith Gilbert, John Margeson, Matt Lowe, Ed Weingartner
Chairman Watman called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Watman said one item from the Consent Agenda was removed to be discussed later in the meeting.
Cordell Johnston MOVED to approve the Consent Agenda. Joe Damour SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Item 1: Matt Lowe and Ed Weingartner, HTA Engineering – Discussion re: Ramsdell Road Bridge update and additional request for funding
Mr. Lowe said they are just about done with the structural steel rehab, and the painting will be done next week.
Mr. Lowe said additional deterioration has been found in the steel members and they now believe they require replacement. He said he has been over the details with Mr. Margeson and Mr. Flynn.
Mr. Lowe said they have found 50% connection loss at the bearing members.
Mr. Lowe said the change order reflects $70,000 in additional work. He said the additional $70,000 would put the cost $30,000 above the warrant article voted on at the 2007 Town Meeting.
Mr. Lowe recommended removing items from the contract that can be done at a later date, such as paving and guardrails. He said an additional $45,000 would have to be approved at the 2008 Town Meeting.
Mr. Lowe said he expects the Department of Transportation to contribute 80% of the cost. He said he consulted with engineers at DOT, and they were in concurrance that the additional work needs to be done.
Mr. Flynn said the warrant article would show the total amount for the contract, and will also separate out the 20% the town will be paying.
Mr. Flynn said he is not an engineer, but the problem is pretty obvious from the pictures.
Mr. Margeson said the problems had been hidden, and the bearing mounts are most critical. He said the replacement needs to be done.
Mr. Watman asked what action was needed.
Mr. Flynn said he would draft a warrant article for Selectmen to approve for Town Meeting at the next meeting.
Mrs. Morse asked if the town could get recovery costs for the replaced steel.
Mr. Lowe said all the steel is covered with lead paint. He said the lead paint on the remaining pieces will be removed and repainted next week.
Item 2: James McElroy – presentation of CIP document for Selectmen's approval
Mr. McElroy showed Selectmen a table showing decreases in Capital Expenditures since 2000. He said the trend will continue. He said he has the impression there was a time when improvements were made on postponed and emergency items.
Mr. McElroy said they are currently projecting out two or three years. He said this allows a rational approach to capital spending.
Mr. McElroy said the largest upcoming expenditure is a fire tanker truck that has been anticipated for several years.
Mr. McElroy said there are several new lines including land purchases, revaluation, and bridge improvements. He said the next bridge would be the long one in West Henniker. He said DOT would have money available for it in 2012.
Mrs. Morse pointed out that $90,000 for the Highway Department road repairs has been moved from the CIP to the operations budget.
Mr. McElroy said that line has been replaced with a Highway Department equipment fund.
Mr. Johnston pointed out a math error on a table showing the CIP budget as a proportion of the Total Budget.
Mr. McElroy said he would ask for it to be looked at.
Cheryl Morse MOVED to accept the CIP report as it will be amended. Joe Damour SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Item 3: Joe Damour MOVED to accept the Special Budget Review minutes of November 17, 2007. Cordell Johnston SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Joe Damour MOVED to accept the minutes of November 20, 2007 as amended. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Item 4: Review Submitted Warrant Articles
Fire Chief Keith Gilbert said a fire department committee has been working on the specs for over a year, and said they would tighten up the asking figure as Town Meeting gets closer. He said they are currently expecting it to cost $210,000. He said it will replace a 26 year old tanker. He said the purchase has been planned for the past 10 years.
Mr. Flynn said the board would take action to send the proposal to the budget committee in two weeks.
Mr. Taylor said the Trustees of the Trust Funds have a number of warrant articles with left over money that nobody has authority to expend, and they are just carried over from year to year. He asked if future warrant articles could be written to have the unexpended amount put back into the general fund.
Mr. Flynn said they began putting that wording into warrantarticles last year.
Mr. Watman said they should get a list from the Trustees of the Trust Fund to bring to the town attorney for advice.
Chief Gilbert said they would like the remainder of this warrant article to go back into the Capital Reserve Fund. He said he thought DRA sent wording last year regarding leftover funds from a warrant article.
Mr. Watman asked Mr. Flynn to find the proper wording and the board would go over it at the next meeting.
Mrs. Morse asked what would happen with the old fire truck.
Chief Gilbert said they would select an option from the town policy.
Mr. Flynn said the CIP committee has asked him to see about having funds gained from selling equipment go back into specific budgets.
Mr. Watman said the issue should be separately addressed to the board.
Rescue Chief French said they are asking for the same $40,000 they ask for every year.
Mrs. Morse asked if $40,000 would be enough for their purchase next year.
Chief French said it should be more than enough.
Mr. Johnston asked why ambulance fees are shown in the CIP.
Chief French said he thinks it is just a way to track funds.
Mr. Johnston said they might want to consider where to put that line next year.
Mr. Margeson said they are looking to replace a 1994 pickup truck. He said the truck they purchased last year cost about $2700 less than he is requesting this year. He thinks it is a good number considering inflation.
Mr. Taylor said the unexpended amount will just sit there as long as there is not wording to revert it back.
Mr. Margeson said this line was started last year. He said there are grader and loader purchases coming up in 2012 and 2010. He said the CIP worked out the numbers to keep the overall CIP as flat as possible.
Mr. Flynn said he does not have the new numbers yet.
Mr. Damour said the intent is to spend the grant as they get the money from the state.
Mr. Flynn said this line was established at the 2007 Town Meeting.
Mr. Pennock said the current trailer is 19 years old. He said he has new specs for the trailer and is asking $75,000. He said he has seen the trailer, and it is put together well. He checked with NH Sheetmetal, and they said it is a quality trailer.
Mrs. Morse noted all the repairs Mr. Pennock has done on the current trailer, and said she hopes the newer one will hold up better.
Mr. Pennock said the companies he has spoken to all say this type of steel should get stronger with use.
Mr. Pennock said it would be 42 feet instead of 37 feet, and it would be 10 yards larger to hold several more tons.
Mr. Taylor asked why he needed a tri-axle.
Mr. Pennock said he is not sure if they do, but he said as they grow it is not a bad idea.
Mr. McMurphy said the only field the town owns is the Little League field. He said the soccer fields are all leased or on federal land.
Mr. McMurphy said they are maxing out their space. He said there were 24 baseball and softball teams last year. He said teams can't practice on the little league field.
Mr. McMurphy said the soccer fields are nice, but they are not the town's property. He said there is an involved process if you want to do something with the fields.
Mr. McMurphy said they would like a minimum of $10,000 in case an opportunity to purchase land arises in the future.
Mr. Johnston said he does not object, but thought they rejected this proposal at the last CIP meeting.
Mr. Flynn said it does not prevent someone from coming to the Selectmen with a warrant article. He said it was rejected because the request did not come in a timely basis.
Mr. Watman asked why it did not come in a timely basis.
Mr. McMurphy said they were looking into other possibilities, and this option came up late in the process.
Mr. Damour said he is not sure if it's not appropriate for committee's to come to Selectmen before CIP.
Mr. Flynn said all departments and committees are requested to go to CIP first.
Mr. Damour asked Mr. McMurphy is he has been notified of the processs and timelines by the Selectman’s office. Mr. McMurphy responded by saying that Mr. Flynn had, in fact, advised him of the process well in advance of the CIP and Budget timeline process.
Mr. Watman said the removed item is a request for a pay raise for emergency response personnel to be effective in 2007. He said the increased cost would be about $8000, and there is a surplus of $22,000.
Fire Chief Keith Gilbert said they discussed retention at the monthly fire meeting, and there was a request for a pay increase. He said the increase would be from $5.15 to $8 an hour. He said it is cheap money for what the town is getting.
Chief Gilbert said they are spending less than expected because call volume was flat this year after a 23% increase last year. He said there are also fewer people showing up to the calls.
Mr. Watman asked when the last increase was.
Chief Gilbert said five or six years.
Mr. Watman asked how large the membership is.
Chief Gilbert said they have a roster of 40, and there are 4 opennings.
Mr. Watman asked if the smaller response reflects a problem.
Mr. Gilbert said part of it is timing because day time calls have fewer responders. He also said they sent 5 people through the academy in the previous year, and when they are going through the academy they respond to more calls.
Mr. Johnston said he pulled it from the Consent Agenda because he doesn't think pay raises are appropriate for the consent agenda.
Tom Watman MOVED to approve the request as presented. Joe Damour SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Mr. Flynn said this warrant article has been withdrawn.
Mr. Flynn said a lot of people can't hear during events at the gazebo and hearings at the Community Center.
Mr. Flynn said he is looking for a portable PA with two speakers. He said he is requesting $5000 as he continues to look for the right system. He said there is extra money in the request to uprade the electricity at the Community Center.
Mrs. Lavallee asked if rental of the Community Center space would include the PA.
Mr. Flynn said no.
Mr. Damour said it would be more appropriate in the Selectmen’s operationing budget.
There was a CONCENSUS to move the request to the Selectmen’s operating budget.
Mr. Flynn said this line was begun last year for the possibility of one day expanding the Police Station.
Mr. Watman asked if the budget would be discussed on December 18.
Mr. Flynn said it would be like a mini town meeting.
Mr. Flynn said he received letters from town council and the Local Government Center containing wording for a potential warrant article to enforce the International Building Code. He said the Planning Board could bring the warrant article Selectmen choose to hand it over to them.
Mr. Watman asked if there were any objections to sending the zoning warrant article to the Planning Board.
Mr. Johnston said he would oppose the proposal, but he is not opposed to turning it over to the Planning Board.
Mr. Flynn said the warrant needs to be voted on by at the Town Meeting as prescribed by law.
Mr. Watman said if it is not on the warrant it couldn’t be voted on.
Mr. Johnston said the state adopted International Building code, and any town may vote to enforce it. He said if towns do not enforce it the State Fire Marshall’s office has the authority to.
Mr. Johnston said it could be voted on as an amendment by zoning ordinance, or it could be voted on at town meeting. He said the board should ask the town attorney which it should be.
Mr. Watman said the town attorney gave the same interpretation, but did not say how it should be voted on.
Mr. Johnston said he thinks it would be more appropriate at town meeting.
Mr. Damour said it is his understanding that the town may observe infractions and contact the Fire Marshall’s office for enforcement.
Mr. Taylor said banks could ensure the town is in compliance by not accepting mortgages without inspections.
Mr. McElroy said on 90% of permits people are asking for inspections for mortgage and insurance compliance.
Mr. Watman asked if there was any objection to asking town council for advice.
Mr. Watman said the issue should be formally placed on the agenda so it can be discussed after asking town council for advice.
There was CONCENSUS to request the opinion of town council and to place it on the agenda for discussion.
Mr. Taylor gave an update on Planning Board zoning change proposals.
Mrs. Morse asked if the town could ask PSNH to conduct energy audits on town buildings, especially the community center and grange.
Mr. Damour said the Energy Committee is interested in energy audits, and would probably do the work for Selectmen.
Mrs. Morse said the Athletic Committee is working on finalizing their numbers for smaller basketball hoops, and will have them before the 18th.
Mr. Flynn said he would need them by the 14th.
Mr. Damour said the Water Commission formed a Water Meter Impact Committee. He said they were requesting the Selectmen to appoint a representative for Wastewater so they can make a recommendation in 2009.
Mr. Damour recommended Mr. Johnston as the representative because he would know the RSAs.
Mr. Johnston accepted the appointment.
Mr. Watman said the Road Management Committee would meet next week.
Mr. Watman said the Conservation Commission voted to withdraw from the purchase and sale agreement for the large property along the Contoocook River, and they voted to stop soliciting donations.
Mr. Flynn said there would be Budget meetings on January 8th and 10th, and a regular Selectmen’s meeting on the 15th.
Joe Damour MOVED to adjourn at 7:45 pm. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Hayden
Town of Henniker
Board of Selectmen
Adopted Minutes
Members Present: Tom Watman, Chairman; Cordell Johnston; Cheryl Morse; Ron Taylor; Joe Damour and Peter Flynn, Town Administrator
Others Present: Debbie Damour, Jim McElroy, Jason Fellows, Martha Taylor, Lia Houk, Lance Rickenberg, Nina Morse, Sharon Wason
Chairman Watman called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Joe Damour MOVED to approve the Consent Agenda. Ron Taylor SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Item 1: Ceremonial signing of “Sounding Board Agreement” (Historical Society and Selectmen)
Nina Morse and each of the five Selectmen signed the permanent loan agreement authorizing the sounding board's relocation to the historical society contingent upon responsible preservation.
Mr. Watman asked what happens next.
Mrs. Taylor said the Historical Society is making arrangements to have the sounding board moved.
Mr. Watman said he is sure the Historical Society will do a wonderful job preserving the sounding board, and appreciates their taking care of it.
Item 3: Sharon Wason – Central NH Regional Planning Commission – Discussion on services of the Commission
Sharon Wason said she knows the board is familiar with CNHRPC's circuit riding services and wanted to tell the board about their other services.
Mrs. Wason said she is respnonsible for increasing responsiveness for local communities and they are increasing their technical assistance, among other things.
Mrs. Wason said CNHRPC had a circuit rider in Henniker for many years, and they haven't lost the relationship. She said CNHRPC recently received a grant for the Currier and Ives scenic byway which travels from Salisbury to Route 9 in Henniker.
Mrs. Wason thanked the Town of Henniker for writing a letter of support helping CNHRPC receive grants for Brownfield sites.
Mr. Watman said most of the board is familiar with the work of the CNHRPC.
Mrs. Wason said CNHRPC would love to get aerial photographs of the whole region. She said they are working on new flood maps that could potentially be overlayed on the aerials.
Mr. Watman said he appreciates all CNHRPCs efforts, and said Mr. McElroy speaks highly of the organization.
Item 4: Information regarding E-911 mapping proposal
Mr. Watman said Item 4 is postponed indefinitely.
Item 5: Recommendation for recipient of Boston Post Cane – Martha Taylor
Mrs. Taylor said the board put ads in the paper and Outlook asking to recommend people over age 90. She said they determined Clarence Fitch is the oldest living resident of Henniker.
Mrs. Taylor said she spoke with Mr. Fitch, and he would be honored to accept the Boston Post Cane.
Mrs. Taylor said if the Selectmen accept Mr. Fitch as the Boston Cane Holder he will have his picture taken with it, and then it will be returned to the safe.
Mrs. Taylor said the cane was missing for 15 years at one time, so now it is kept in a safe. She said the passing of the cane has been a tradition since 1909.
Mr. Damour said many towns don't know where their canes are.
Joe Damour MOVED to approve the recommendation made by the Historical Society and authorize the Town Administrator to draft the appropriate proclamations. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Item 2: Public Hearing – Use of Town owned Athletic Equipment - 2nd Reading
Mr. Watman read the proposed policy as follows:
“Town owned property, including uniforms, playing equipment; such as baseballs, basketballs and soccer balls, nets, bats, hoop equipment and all other related equipment in the town's Athletic Committee inventory, cannot be used or rented to any association not associated with a Town or Henniker school district organization”.
Mr. Flynn said the first reading was at the last meeting, and the first draft was longer and more detailed. He said it allowed for rentals by outside organizations with conditions. He said, upon review, the board decided to not allow rentals under any conditions.
Mr. Watman asked if the public had any questions.
Jason Fellows asked if the issue was brought up because it was believed non-town organizations were using the equipment.
Mr. Watman said it was because there are no proper safeguards or rules for use.
Mrs. Morse asked if town owned property covered gym use.
Mr. Johnston said he thinks it means equipment.
Mr. Johnston suggested changing the word “association” on the third line to “person or organization”.
Mr. Watman noted a CONSENSUS to change the wording.
Mr. Johnston suggested changing the final words “a Town or Henniker School District organization” to “the Town of Henniker or the Henniker School District”.
Mr. Watman noted a CONSENSUS to change the wording.
Joe Damour MOVED to wave the third reading. Cordell Johnston SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Joe Damour MOVED to approve the policy as amended. Ron Taylor SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Mr. Watman re-opened the floor to public discussion.
Mr. Fellows said he read in the newspaper about a discussion at the last meeting concerning the Athletic Committee and a “renegade” team. He said he was referred to the town's minutes when he asked about it, and he said the minutes did not mention the discussion.
Mr. Fellows said he is the coach of the “renegade” team. He said they were insured and no participant paid a dime. He said sponsors provided uniforms and umpires volunteered.
Mr. Watman said the board has been pleased to allow Mr. Fellows to clear up any misunderstandings with the newspaper, and said the issue made them discover there were no rules and regulations regarding the town's athletic equipment.
Item 6: Joe Damour MOVED to approve the minutes of November 3, 2007. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Cordell Johnston MOVED to approve the minutes of November 6, 2007 as amended. Joe Damour SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Mr. Johnston said Mr. Fellows did not see a discussion about the Athletic Committee on the web site because the minutes are not put on the web site until they are formally approved. He said they are posted at the town hall until they are formally approved.
Item 7: Warrant Articles
Tax Mapping Warrant Articles
Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund
Fire Rescue Maintenance Fund
Mr. Flynn said 8 to 10 more warrant articles are coming. He said half the warrant articles will be routine, but he wanted the opportunity to discuss the first one.
Mr. Flynn said the town has been discussing updating the tax maps for some time and nothing much has happened. He said he doesn't want it to slip through another year.
Mr. Flynn said the current maps are 20 to 30 years old.
Mr. Flynn said he spoke with two companies, and the smaller firm does most of what the town would like. He said they could use the new information if they ever want to update to GIS. He said this process would bring them into the 21st century.
Mr. Flynn said it would allow them to print booklets with maps and sell them to the public. He said the information would be valuable to the Conservation Commission, assessors, the Planning Board, and the Selectmen's office.
Mr. Flynn said he would like to be authorized to put the specs out for bid between now and town meeting.
Mr. Damour said it ought to include water and sewer maps. He said it could come out of the water and sewer budget, and asked if Mr. Flynn could get a price for those departments too.
Mr. Taylor said the planning board is 100% behind the digitizing of maps. He said they continuously run into problems with the current maps.
Mr. Watman asked if anyone with greater knowledge than the Board of Selectmen has reviewed the specs.
Mr. Flynn said the planning board consultant has. He said he would next solicit the support of the planning board.
Mr. Watman noted a CONCENSUS to authorize the Town Administrator to move forward.
Mr. Johnston asked if it was correct that the revaluation capital reserve warrant was established in 2003.
Mr. Flynn said yes, they never closed it.
Mr. Johnston said he assumed the next revaluation would cost less because it was less than 10 years.
Mr. Flynn said it should cost less, but it would still be in the $100,000 range.
Mrs. Morse said she understands it would have been less with the inventory sheets.
Mr. Damour said there will potentially be less work because the software has been upgraded.
Mr. Watman asked if there would be a warrant article to make what is left of Farrar Road Class VI.
Mr. Damour said they could just wait for it to not be maintained for five years, and allow it to automatically revert to Class VI.
Mr. Johnston said it has already been three years. He said somebody would need to document when it stopped being maintained.
Mr. Flynn said he could get a statement from the highway agent.
Mr. Watman noted a CONSENSUS to authorize the Town Administrator to ask the highway agent for a statement of when Farrar Road was last maintained.
Mr. Watman said the board made a decision after the last town meeting about the dedication of the town report.
Mr. Flynn said he would need clarification about where the dedication would go.
Mr. Damour suggested the dedication be on page 2 and other appreciations would appear before the department report.
Mr. Watman requested the town report be shown to the board at least once before it goes to the printer.
Item 8: Town Administrator's Report
Mr. Flynn said most of the construction is done at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Mr. Flynn said construction at the Ramsdell Road Bridge will stop for the winter. He said they would probably pull out the wood from below before winter. He said the Army Corp of Engineers provided 40 feet of gravel to aid with construction, and the town will need to remove it by August.
Mr. Flynn said the town has exceeded the estimates for land sales.
Mr. Flynn said the Police Station is currently under construction and it is going very well.
Mr. Flynn said Mrs. Morse is currently working on the wording for a policy for fundraising on town property.
Mr. Flynn said nobody took advantage of the town's offer to place house numbers on residents property.
Mr. Flynn said Mr. Watman signed a preliminary audit. He said it is not the final document, but the town is way ahead of schedule. He said Mr. Roy listed all the town properties last year, giving them a head start and saving thousands of dollars instead of hiring a firm to to the GASB report.
Mrs. Morse asked if the culvert at the Oaks has been cleaned yet.
Mr. Flynn said not yet.
Mr. Flynn said the Department of Revenue Administration gives an annual report on assessment practices, and Henniker received a good report.
Item 9: Selectmen's Report
Mrs. Morse said there has been no Athletic Committee meeting since the last board meeting. She said permanent smaller basketball hoops and cheerleader mats will be discussed with a potential request to cover costs in the 2007 budget.
Mr. Johnston said he would like to work on the town financing policies. He said state law requires towns have investment policies that Selectmen review every few years.
Mr. Johnston said Henniker does have a two sentence policy. He said the board ought to give it a more thorough review. He said he would come to the board with a proposal.
Mr. Johnston said he thinks there should also be a policy for depositing receipts daily. He said Russ told him they are being reported daily, but he thinks there should be a policy.
Mr. Watman noted a CONSENSUS to support Mr. Johnston's proposals.
Mr. Taylor said Cindy Marsland finished putting all the businesses in town on the web site. He said it will be updated continuously.
Joe Damour MOVED to adjourn at 7:14 pm. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Hayden
Town of Henniker
Special Selectmen's Meeting
Budget Review Process
Adopted Minutes
Members Present: Tom Watman, Chairman; Joe Damour, Cordell Johnston; Cheryl Morse; Ron Taylor; Peter Flynn, Town Administrator
Others Present: Kim Johnson, Keith Gilbert, John Margeson, Brian Dubreuil, Bob Pennock, Jim McElroy, Becky Field, Jon Evans, Jim Doremus, Bob Stamps, Terry Stamps, Tom French
Chairman Watman called the meeting to order at 8:30 am.
Mr. Watman explained the work session rules that public input would not be allowed. He said questions could be asked at the public budget hearing on February 5.
Item 1: Fire/Rescue – Chiefs Keith Gilbert and Tom French (Mr. French did not arrive until later in the meeting)
Mr. Gilbert said the combined Fire/Rescue budget increased 4%, with the Fire Department portion decreasing 7% and the Rescue portion increasing 10.8%.
Mr. Gilbert said the departments are requesting an hourly increase for on call personnel from $8 an hour to $10 an hour for regulars, and from $10 an hour to $12 an hour for officers. He said the budgeted number would remain the same because he budgeted for more calls than were needed last year. He said he may ask the board to make the change effective for 2007 if there is money in the budget. He said he would know next week.
Mr. Watman said they would certainly be willing to consider the request.
Mr. Taylor asked if he was sure there is enough in the fuel budget.
Mr. Gilbert said he used the numbers provided by Russ Roy, which are actual usage plus 15%.
Mr. Watman said Mr. Roy should give the board a review of his calculations.
Mr. Taylor asked about a line for volunteer wages.
Mr. Gilbert said the Fire Department has, since its inception, paid $.25 for attending monthly events.
Mr. Taylor asked if the Fire Department would be requesting a new computer.
Mr. Gilbert said they would for a big project for HAZMAT requiring every business in town to give information on their hazardous materials. In addition, he said the department could model evacuation routes with the computer and keep a listing of truss roofs in town to know how to approach fires.
Mr. Watman asked why the Building Maintenance line was lowered.
Mr. Gilbert said there was an increase last year for replacing a carpet.
Item 2: Patriotic Purposes – Steve Burritt
Mr. Burritt said the budget was the same as last year, although he said they don't have band numbers yet. He said they would use the same parade route as last year.
Item 3: Town Clerk – Kim Johnson
Miss Johnson said the budget increased by 2%. She said wages are up $2037 but benefits are down $2849 because she is now on a single plan.
Mr. Taylor asked why the positions of deputy and office assistant were each listed under deputy.
Miss Johnson said she could list it as deputy/office assistant.
Mr. Flynn said they don't separate for other departments.
Mr. Flynn noted that Deb Aucoin was listed for more hours than Helga on the detail page.
Miss Johnson said she asked Mr. Roy how to list their proposed hours, since it is uncertain who will work more, and he said the individual hours didn't matter because they are each listed on the same line.
Mr. Flynn said wages will look higher because there are 53 pay days in 2008.
Item 4: Tax Collector – Kim Johnson
Miss Johnson said the only significant increase is $500 for postage.
Item 5: Highway Department – John Margeson
Mr. Margeson said Building and Repairs decreased because last year included funds to replace a furnace.
Mr. Margeson said the fuel number was arrived at by taking last year's usage and adding 10%.
Mr. Watman asked why tires were going up so much.
Mr. Margeson said the trucks are close together in age.
Mr. Johnston asked why benefits were up more than other departments.
Mr. Margeson said they added more family plans.
Mr. Watman asked why they had so much left to expend in building and repairs.
Mr. Margeson said they have not replaced the furnace yet.
Item 6: Highway/Streets – John Margeson
Mr. Taylor asked about guardrails on Old Concord Road.
Mr. Margeson said two vehicles went into the river this year. He said he would bring the issue to the safety committee. He said a price hasn't been secured yet.
Mr. Taylor asked if the Army Corps would be involved.
Mr. Margeson said they would be included.
Mrs. Morse said Prospect Street looked gorgeous. She asked if any sidewalks were planned for 2008.
Mr. Margeson said they would do Western Ave from the school to the crosswalk at the top of the hill.
Mrs. Morse asked if they would have granite curbing.
Mr. Margeson said yes, and they would keep in line with the five year plan for sidewalks.
Mrs. Morse said there is concern the culvert at the Rosenbleeth’s is caving.
Mr. Margeson said they have noticed and will look at it.
Mr. Watman said last year the Fire Chief had talked about signage at intersections that would be helpful to responders.
Mr. Damour said the signage would say which numbers are in which direction at an intersection.
Mr. Watman said they would ask the Fire Department if they should budget it in.
Mr. Margeson said FEMA will pay in kind for work on Western Avenue by the condos, but the highway department would like to take the opportunity to add sidewalks, and the town will need to raise the additional money.
Mr. Watman asked if it was budgeted.
Mr. Margeson said yes.
Mr. Flynn alerted the board to $90,000 in Road Construction that had never been in the Operating Budget before. He said the CIP committee doesn't think it belongs in the CIP anymore, but the decision is up to the Selectmen.
Mr. Damour said when it was first set up they did not anticipate annual road repairs, but he thinks they need it now. He said if the board decided to continue to maintain roads annually they should budget it.
Mr. Johnston said he thinks it should be in the operating budget.
Mrs. Morse said she hoped moving the money out of CIP wouldn't encourage the CIP committee to add $90,000.
Mr. Flynn said they would not.
Mr. Taylor said it belongs in the operating budget.
Mr. Watman said the Chair ruled a consensus to move Road Construction from the CIP to the Operating Budget.
Item 7: Street Lights – John Margeson
Mr. Margeson said Street Lights would increase 4% in 2008.
Item 8: Athletics – Brian Dubreuil
Mr. Dubreuil said the Athletic Budget increased 30.4%. He said insurance for baseball and softball is a significant expense, and the Athletic committee is proposing to pay umpires. He said they are currently pulling fans from the stands.
Mr. Watman asked if umpires are certified.
Mr. Flynn said they are by the Babe Ruth League.
Mr. Watman asked if they would need to be certified to be paid.
Mr. Dubreuil said he did not know.
Mr. Watman said if certified umpires are paid and others are not, or certified are paid more, maybe people will be compelled to pay their own dues for certification.
Mrs. Morse said the only way to find soccer umpires is to pay college students.
Mr. Watman said he is not opposed, but if you don't pay the certified more, then why bother getting certified.
Mr. Damour asked why the town would pay for certification when people can use that certification in other towns.
Mrs. Morse said it has been cheaper to pay for certifications than pay $75 to $100 for already certified umpires.
Mr. Watman said a lot of people probably figure the town does not need certified umpires.
Mrs. Morse asked if this is the first year they are asking to rent the field house.
Mr. Dubreuil said there was a huge discrepancy between teams because coaches did not know the experience of the players they were drafting. He would like to have an evaluation day.
Mr. Watman asked if there is an inventory of equipment.
Mr. Dubreuil said it is a visual inventory. He said an equipment manager could hopefully keep an inventory.
Mr. Dubreuil said they are hoping for a coache’s clinic at the beginning of the year to teach good habits and a consistency in coaching. He said it costs $20 a coach.
Mr. Watman asked about referee fees for soccer.
Mr. Dubreuil said the home teams needs to find the referees, and they get $10-$15.
Mrs. Morse said that is what they paid in the early 90s.
Mr. Dubreuil said they definitely need new goals with anchors. He said this is the first year field maintenance is coming out of the Athletics budget, because they are not counting on the boosters.
Mr. Damour said $6000 should be more than enough for taxes and leases on soccer fields, rather than the requested $8500.
Mr. Damour asked about $8.97 a month going to PSNH. He thinks it is for a pump to a well that is dry and should be disconnected.
Mrs. Morse said the Basketball/Cheerleading budget asks for permanent shorter hoops for younger players. He said they currently use temporary ones that are time consuming to put up and dangerous.
Mrs. Morse said cheerleaders are having a hard time finding cheer time. She said they have been practicing in the school cafeteria, but there is no way to lock off the cafeteria from the rest of the school, posing a security risk. She said they would like $1000 to purchase practice mats so they can practice in the community center.
Mr. Johnston said the Athletic Committee lists 715 children participating, but said some students play three sports, so the number is really lower.
Item 9: Planning Board – Terry Stamps
Mrs. Stamps said the 23.5% increase is driven by the increased hours from hiring a consultant. She said they also included $2000 for CNHRPCs support on projects.
Mr. Watman noted they have not been spending their legal fees.
Mrs. Stamps said the number is difficult to predict.
Mr. Taylor asked why there was no escrow offset while there had been in past years.
Mr. Damour said the past years reflect Cheshire Oil's escrow account.
Mr. Damour said additional offsetting revenues should be reflected at the Budget Committee meeting.
Item 10: Solid Waste – Bob Pennock
Mr. Pennock said the Solid Waste budget has an increase of 3.2%. He said they need to replace the furnace in the recycling building. He said they would know in a few weeks if there is enough money to replace it this year.
Mrs. Morse asked if the fees for monitors and TV’s were suffic ient.
Mr. Pennock said the fees took care of the one’s dropped off and those that someone finds in the woods or just leaves them at the transfer station.
Mr. Pennock said tipping fees would increase $40,000 in the next two years.
He said that tipping fees went up 50 cents per ton this year and in two years from this month would be $40,000. more for that year than YTD fees and that there would be some sort of a fee increase next November to offset the high cost in two years.. That $40,000 will occur if we send the same weight as this year..
Mrs. Morse asked if Wheelabrator gave public tours. Mr. Pennock said they may give tours only by appointment if a request is received.
Item 11: Parks – Bob Pennock
Mr. Pennock said they did a lot of extra work this year. He said he is putting in for more trees next year.
Mr. Taylor said he is happy with the park.
Item 12: Community Services – Peter Flynn
Mr. Flynn said there is a slight increase in the Community Action Program.
Mr. Flynn introduced Becky Field, from the Granite Chapter of the American Red Cross. She gave an overview of the services available to the Town of Henniker, in response to fires, disaster relief, and training programs.
Mr. Johnston asked if the funding request of $.44 per capita was similar to all towns.
Mrs. Fields said yes.
Mr. Damour asked what an adequate enrollment is for health and safety classes.
Mrs.Fields said six. She said she would work with local businesses to see if they would underwrite the classes to make them free.
Mr. Watman said the board would certainly consider the proposal.
Mr. Flynn introduced Judy Fournier of the Fuller Library.
Judy Fournier talked about Project Lift, an adult education program that helps with literacy, tutoring for GREs, adult basic education and English as a second language.
Mr. Watman said the board would certainly consider the proposal.
Mr. Flynn introduced Jon Evans and Jim Doremus from White Birch.
Mr. Doremus said they have been expanding Family Support, Child Family Services, and services such as a flu clinic. He said they have seen a 29% increase in Henniker resident participation.
Mrs. Morse said they are wonderful services.
Item 13: Elections – Peter Flynn
Mr. Flynn said there is a 109% increase because there will be five election days this year instead of the two last year. In addition, there is a clerk raise because of the minimum wage law.
Mr. Johnston said a new law will mean the town will be given two tabletop viewing screens, so the town may be able to save a little on booths.
Mr. Flynn said he would look into it.
Item 14: Town Offices – Peter Flynn
Mr. Flynn said some of the 2.5% increase is because of 53 pay days.
Mr. Flynn said heat at the Grange and Community Center is way up because they've been through their first full year, so they have a better idea of the cost.
Mr. Watman asked how often town reports are bid out.
Mr. Flynn said they are bid annually. He said they have been contracting with a company from Massachussetts, but the distance created some problems this year, so he may find a closer alternative.
Mr. Flynn introduced Bob Stamps to talk about Historical Markers.
Mr. Stamps said of 19 markers in town only 2 are on existing buildings. He said they would like to add several each year, and the process begins with meeting with Selectmen during budget deliberations.
Mr. Stamps said they put together a criteria based on the state's criteria for historic sites.
Mr. Stamps said the first three sites would be the Ocean Born Mary house, the Congregational Church, and the Quaker Meeting House. He said the markers couldn't be exactly the same because iron casting is too expensive.
Mr. Watman asked about the process for deciding.
Mr. Stamps said it started with a small sub-committee reading through historical brochures to help remember. He said they might put articles in newspapers to help.
Mr. Johnston asked if there was a regular plan for maintaining the markers.
Mr. Stamps said he is now in charge of making sure it happens.
Item 1 Revisited: Fire/Rescue – Tom French
Mr. French said it is the largest increase he can remember. He said the purchase of two laptops would help morale, because it would limit the amount of time responders need to spend at the station after a call.
Mr. French said Mick Costello has provided a list of equipment needed for High Angle Rescue, and Mr. French would like to purchase about $1000 a year to meet Mr. Costello's needs.
Mr. Taylor asked if they requested enough for fuel.
Mr. French said he figured a 5% call increase at $3 a gallon.
Item 15: Building Inspections/Code Enforcement – Peter Flynn
Mr. Flynn said the Code budget is down 3.3%, mostly because of a $500 decrease in Forester consulting fees.
Mr. Taylor asked if the board would present to town a warrant to authorize the enforcement of the state building code.
Mr. Flynn said he would make the question as simple as possible if they do.
Item 16: Other business
Mr. Watman gave Selectmen a copy of the Conservation Commission minutes and asked for the board's opinion of whether or not he acted properly.
Mrs. Morse said he fulfilled his responsibility as Selectmen representative.
Joe Damour MOVED to adjourn at 11:11 am. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dave Hayden
Town of Henniker
Board of Selectmen
Adopted Minutes
Members Present: Tom Watman, Chairman; Cordell Johnston; Cheryl Morse; Ron Taylor; Joseph Damour, Peter Flynn, Town Administrator
Others Present: Stephany Marchut Lavallee, Debbie Damour
Chairman Watman called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Joe Damour MOVED to approve the Consent Agenda. Cheryl Morse SECONDED the motion. It was APPROVED unanimously.
Mr. Watman said the Consent Agenda included a motion to rename a section of Farrar Road, deemed to now be a private road, from a point of 350 feet from Old Hillsborough Raod to Morrison Road, to Overhill Road.
Mr. Flynn said there was also a motion to appoint Tim Lamphear to the Athletic Committee and Deb Demelo as Ballot Clerk.
The meeting moved into public session.
Mrs. Lavallee said Henniker Outlook announced Joan O'Connor as the new chair of the Recycling Committee. She asked if there was an update.
Mr. Johnston said there were a couple of meetings in the summer. He said the committee decided they would not present “pay as you throw” to voters in March. He said the decision was made, in part, because Bob Pennock has made clear that he is resistant to the idea.
Mrs. Lavallee asked if there is something else that could be done. She said every town around Henniker is already doing it, and Henniker is usually early on things. She said it is time we take a look.
Mr. Watman said the committee is not all that active and excited.
Mr. Johnston said basically there is Joan on the committee.
Mr. Watman said Mr. Pennock has clearly stated if the board wants him to do pay as you throw he will do it. He also said the Recycling Committee's budget request was sent back, saying if they give a plan for how to use it, it will be cut. He said Selectmen have advertised for members to join the Recycling Committee.
Mrs. Lavallee asked if the Board is prepared to say they favor increased recycling, and are willing to go forward with something. She said she sees cardboard boxes going into the hopper. She asked if the board could apply pressure to increase recycling.
Mr. Watman said there is no board position. He said a consultant provided a report commissioned by the Recycling Committee two years ago. He said the Recycling Committee was to return in one year with a specific proposal. He said they have not brought a proposal for pay as you throw to the board.
Mrs. Lavallee asked if the report is available to the public.
Mr. Johnston said yes, but the board did not find it all that helpful. He said the report gave some statistics, but they were not that helpful, and they struggled to figure out how they applied to Henniker. He said in order to sell the proposal, it is necessary to convince the public it will save money.
Mr. Watman said the process two years ago revealed some local problems that would need to be addressed. He said the Transfer Station is not set up for it, and the board would need recommendations.
Mrs. Lavallee said there needs to be cooperation from the Transfer Station.
Mr. Watman said if Mr. Pennock is opposed, he won't be the only one in town. He said the committee needs to be ready for oppostion. He said Mr. Pennock has acted responsibly.