To read AGENDAS, click here.

Available Meeting Minutes for 2010:

December 21, 2010

December 7, 2010

November 23, 2010

November 13, 2010

November 9, 2010

October 30, 2010

October 19, 2010

October 5, 2010

September 27, 2010

September 21, 2010

September 7, 2010

August 17, 2010

July 20, 2010

July 13, 2010

June 22, 2010

June 8, 2010

June 1, 2010

May 25, 2010

May 11, 2010

May 4, 2010

April 6,2010

March 16, 2010

March 2, 2010

February 16, 2010

February 11, 2010

February 2, 2010

January 19, 2010

January 5, 2010

 

Members Present:         Leon Parker, Chairman; Thomas Watman, Selectman; Leo Aucoin, Selectman;
Kris Blomback, Selectman; Robert French, Selectman

Town Administrator:    Peter Flynn

Guests:                            Russ Roy, Ryan Murdough, Carl Knapp, Bill McGirr, David Herrick and Mark Michie

Recording Secretary:    Cherry Palmisano

Chairman Parker opened the meeting at 6:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman French seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Passed 4-0-0

Chairman Parker mentioned that the Board received correspondence from the State Fire Marshall complimenting Officer Dennis of the Police Dept. and Firefighters  Mick Costello and Varyl French for the assistance provided during the investigation and follow up prosecution of suspects in the Annis fire last winter.

Special Item: Discussion of Old Concord Road ‘Change Work Order’

Mr. Flynn said that he has spent a large amount of time sorting emails pertaining to the situation and coming up with financial solutions. There are two entities involved; engineer Matt Low from Hoyle Tanner and Associates and the Principals of Hopkinton Forestry and Land Clearing. Mr. Flynn said that he is trying to be diplomatic and after many disagreements, held a meeting yesterday with the principals of Hopkinton Forestry and Land Clearing, Matt Low, and two Selectmen and it seems that they have come to a mutual understanding. They identified two to three line items that HF & LC had sent to them and engineering had questioned which were regarding money and the quantity and quality of materials being used. The issue at the end of the day was the quality of the material being used for the fill. Mr. Flynn said that the options were to use material from the town’s supply for fill or use outside material that was felt to be better suited for the fill by HF & LC. The engineering firm identified that the town’s material would work and a conference call was made to the soil scientist and confirmed that the material coming from the town’s supply would be sufficient for the job. At the end, it was agreed to that HF & LC would go back and work out new numbers that would come back less than the original based on using the town’s supply. Mr. Flynn said that this was discussed for 1.5 hours and both parties were upbeat about the possibility of the estimate falling between what the town felt it could afford. Mr. Flynn said that within hours the emails started again with disagreements on some of the issues. Mr. Flynn said that at this time there is an $11,000 difference in the work order.

Selectman French said there is still a discrepancy between Hoyle Tanner and HF & LC on the number of yards to be removed, which reflects the largest amount of financial change.

Chairman Parker said that they now have a miserable situation on their hands because the Selectmen happily took the lowest bid because it was so much better and it now turns out if they had gone with another contractor it might have cost less. They now have a large hole in the road and the alternative is if they don’t end up with an agreement, they will have to settle with HF & LC and then start with someone else.

A representative from Henniker Forest and Land Clearing, Mr. Mark Michie,  said that Hoyle Tanner is blocking things in squares and not cutting or following the guidelines of a normal construction job. He stated that Hoyle Tanner is asking them to save materials that are not salvageable in the actual construction. What was there was contaminated with bad soils that were backfilled. He feels they are trying to help the town cut costs, have been going back and forth for a week, and are being told what they need to do and with what equipment. HF & LC said that Hoyle Tanner did not account for any of the problems that are being encountered.

Chairman Parker said that during the meeting he came up on the side of Hoyle Tanner.

Mr. Carl Knapp said that the quantity of material needed makes a big difference when you are down that deep.

Chairman Parker said that one way to go forward is to express the willingness to work with HF & LC or to start over.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Watman seconded to approve an amount up to $70,000 and to send HF & LC and Hoyle Tanner back to come up with an agreement.

Chairman Parker said that if they approve the total and they can’t reach an agreement for that price, they would have to pay HF & LC  termination costs, start over, and keep the road closed.

A representative from HF & LC stated that their bid was lower because they are located in town very close to the job. He said that the job was represented to have no contaminated fills and he feels that those bids from other contractors would have been way over because they would have found the same issue.

Chairman Parker said that the dilemma is that there is a limit to how far the town can afford to go.

Selectman Watman said that in assuming that all bidders bid on the same specs and would have all found the same type of conditions, if they were to go back out to others it would appear that they would be tacking onto what they owe HF&LC and it would be unlikely to get a lower bid. Selectman Watman asked if they have sufficient funds to do these things. Mr. Flynn responded that they do. Selectman Watman said they already have someone local who has started and found changing conditions. He urged HF & LC to get the price down to the $70,000 range.

Chairman Parker said that there is a disagreement with material that meets the state standards and he assumes that it can be worked out. Selectman Watman would assume that who ever they deal with will have to carry out the agreement. He said that if they hire someone they should be accountable.

Selectman French said that HF & LC feels that the material meets specs, but does not meet their standards. He feels that the $70,000 is a good compromise.

The motion Passed 5-0-0.

Old Business

Item 1: Review revisions and updates on budgets including a request to the Town Administrator to present a report-reducing budget by $100,000 if mandated.

Chairman Parker stated that Selectman Watman has a motion that has been passed out.

Selectman Watman said that the motion is in response to the bottom line budget and what was included in Mr. Flynn’s $100,000 cut.

Mr. Flynn said that he was directed to come back to the Board with a scenario of where he would recommend that he find $100,000 if in fact the Board decided to cut $100,000 from the budget. He identified lines that could be cut without a significant pinch. Mr. Flynn said that some department heads stepped up and recommended cuts and some had no negative effect on departments. He has identified up to $41,000. Any other cuts would hurt because they would have to dig into the Highway Department budget. He did come up with $100,000 and a separate list of what he felt was reasonable without hurting. Mr. Flynn told the Board that Selectman Watman used the list as a tool and built on it. Mr. Flynn stated that he liked Selectman Watman’s idea for the Bridge Capital Reserve. He said that it is one way to eliminate taking $100,000 out of everyone’s budget and is conditional on the sale of Lot 98. If they don’t get the sale they would not be setting the town back $200,000.

Selectman Watman waived the right to read the whole motion and the following was entered into the minutes for public record with Chairman Parker seconding the motion.

NOTE: This compromise plan would reduce the net budget increase from 14.9% to 4.9% and the estimated tax rate increase from $1.04 per thousand to $0.35 per thousand. The tax rate increase would be 4.8 % instead of 14.6%

Move that the warrant article to provide partial funding for the rebuilding or repair of the Western Avenue Bridge be amended by substituting the following: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) to be added to the already established Bridge Capital Reserve Fund with the funds to come from the sale of Lot 98. No money to be raised by taxation. This fund is established under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for the purpose of funding future repairs to the Town’s bridges and to include engineering and other related costs.

And to add $15,000 to the Highway Equipment Rental account to cover up to three months of rental fees for a Front End Loader. This amount is to be used only upon specific authorization by the Board of Selectmen.

And that $10,000 be added to the salary accounts and that this sum be reserved for grade and step adjustments aimed at reducing the salary discrepancies that exist for Town employee positions (as compared to the average salaries for those positions in comparable communities). The Town Administrator shall make recommendations to the Board for the use of these funds, after his review of grade, step and job description information. Priority shall be given for those positions that are furthest below the average have the lowest pay rates and whose personnel evaluations at the time of this review are satisfactory or better. The report shall be submitted no later than the second regular Board meeting of February 2011.

And make the following reductions in the Operational Budget totaling $51,183.

                  $150      Town Clerk

                  $400      Tax Collector          

               $1,000      Concerts                 

                  $250      Conservation                   

               $1,540      Emergency Management      

               $4,300      Tax maps

             $21,667      Highway

               $5,198      Highway-Streets

               $2,203      Community-Red Cross           

                  $500      Community-CASA

               $4,186      Police Department

               $5,383      Code Enforcement

               $4,406      Solid Waste

Selectman Watman said that he tried to take what he thought he heard at the Board level and came up with a proposal that would satisfy people just enough. He said that the bridge is the single most expensive item being added to the budget and this proposal gives them a chance to show the public that they plan on starting the project and is optimistic that they will close on Lot 98. Selectman Watman said that two members of the Board wanted to buy the loader outright and a couple did not want anything at all. He was worried and tried to build something into the repair budget showing that they were trying to do something. He thought trying to get additional funding into the salary accounts for the lower paid employees whose positions are shown to be lower than other towns was important. Selectman Watman said that he is trying to develop changes in the grades and steps, is looking at job descriptions, and putting priority to funds of those who are paid the lowest. The employees whose reviews showed them performing well got the benefit of any raise.  Selectman Watman said that he feels that a $100,000 cut is too much and his proposal did not get low enough for a zero increase, but did bring the increase down to $0.35 per thousand instead of $1.04 per thousand. Selectman Watman said that he is not positive whether the increase he is proposing is saleable. He is not saying there are not other ways to solve the problem, but this is what he thought could be sold to the public.

Chairman Parker said that the way that Selectman Watman handled the Western Avenue Bridge funding was a smart public move.

Chairman Parker said he would just as well knock out the concerts budget not the $4,300 for the tax maps unless they can vote to do that this year. Selectman Aucoin thinks that they can go forward with the tax maps next year if they are making more revenue next year. Chairman Parker said they are getting a very good bargain and if they could get it started and not worry about it in the budget next year, he would like to. Selectman Watman said that he would vote to purchase the tax maps now if they had the money. If the $4,300 were not spent it would go back to the fund balance to offset taxes. Mr. Flynn said he checked with the Finance Director and they have the money this year to purchase this program and he is disappointed with seeing the tax map program being taking out. Selectman Watman does not want to antagonize services and programs, but if desperate he would go along with cutting concerts, but at the moment he does not think it is politically desirable to cut the concerts. He said that they should discuss the situation with the concert committee before deciding to cut it from the budget.

It was mentioned that Selectman Watman did not cut from White Birch in his proposal, but he did cut the Red Cross.

Chairman Parker mentioned the Highway Department equipment rental. Selectman Watman said that he is torn that the CIP listed it as a higher priority. He can’t see them being willing to confirm, but would prefer a lease purchase. Mr. Carl Knapp told the Board that he has operated the loader and is not in favor of rental equipment for equipment that the town already owns. Chairman Parker asked about the disrepair of the loader and it being described as not having much longer. Mr. Knapp said that getting parts for it is the problem, it ran fine today, but it does need work. Mr. Knapp said that he is not sure what has been presented to the Board, but the first priority of the loader is to load trucks and the second priority is to plow snow. He said that if they choose to replace a loader, he is not so sure they need to replace that loader with all the plow equipment, which is expensive. Mr. Knapp feels that the price of a new loader could be much less expensive if it was not being used to plow snow. Chairman Parker said the way Selectman Watman presented it is that they are setting aside $15,000 if the Hough was to break down. Mr. Knapp said that he would not expend money on rental of equipment that the town owns. Selectman French mentioned a larger bucket and Mr. Knapp said that he would rather the town spend money on a larger capacity bucket with less weight. Mr. Knapp said that it will be slower to load trucks with the loader, but it can be done. Mr. Knapp informed the Board that he has been trying to use all the equipment since he has been with the town.

Selectman Aucoin moved to eliminate the third paragraph of Selectman Watman’s motion.  The motion died for lack of a second.

Selectman Blomback voiced that he is concerned with giving some employees raises and some not. Selectman Watman said that research shows many of the employees are significantly underpaid and with the rising cost of health insurance contributions this could help. Selectman Watman said that they don’t have enough money to give all the employees raises, but felt comfortable helping some employees. Chairman Parker said that the motion is not awarding anyone a raise, but setting aside a small amount of money to make a decision on it. Selectman Blomback said that he felt he received enough information, not all and not all job descriptions, and is very hesitant because the bottom third of the employees would be getting a raise and the top third would not be getting a raise. He would prefer to keep everyone on the current step system and grade level because without having 100% of the information it is a moving target. Selectman Blomback said that the Henniker insurance plan is excellent. Selectman Watman said that it will be difficult and time consuming to get the up to date information on benefits from the towns they are using for comparison.

Selectman Blomback said that he thought the peace offering was to be giving raises to some. Selectman Watman said that leaves the lower paid employees without a raise. Selectman Blomback mentioned long term employees. Russ Roy said they are hoping to change their grades to reclassify the grades and also mentioned the state not having a COLA any more. Mr. Roy said that job descriptions are a very difficult comparison to make and commented on putting employees in a grade that puts them in an average and award steps by merit as they can. Selectman Blomback said one reason why they approved the state pay raise was for keeping long-term employees. Selectman Watman said in rough times he is saying to take care of the poorer people, because we are raising their cost of health insurance but not giving them salary increases. Selectman Watman recognized that they have a responsibility to the taxpayers, to keep equipment up; to the employees, and that the lower paid employees should not be forgotten. Selectman Watman stated that they have some employees that are high quality and are not being paid high enough. Chairman Parker said that he supports what Selectman Watman is proposing. Selectman Watman said he encouraged the Town Administrator and Finance Director to look at step and grade.

Mr. Flynn said that before he knew about Selectman Watman’s motion tonight he went ahead with the revision of steps and grades. Mr. Flynn told the Board that the research in insurance comparisons with other towns is being done. Mr. Flynn stated that they are not doing away with the state’s grade and step system. Selectman Blomback said to a certain degree they are. Mr. Roy commented that it would be very difficult to compare Henniker to the state on steps and grades.

The motion Passed 4-1-0; Selectman Aucoin was opposed.

Item 2: Final voting on budgets for submission to the Budget Committee

Chairman Parker asked if they can agree that the Town Administrator insert these changes into the budget and submit it to the Budget Committee.

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Watman seconded to cut the legal fees budget from $20,000 to $15,000.

Mr. Flynn stated that if anything, they would want to add to this budget because of recent actions. Mr. Roy said they still have one more month of bills to receive and they are already $13,000 over expended.

Passed 4-1-0; Chairman Parker was opposed.

Selectman Aucoin moved, Chairman Parker seconded to cut the concert budget entirely.

Selectman Aucoin feels there is not enough in attendance for the concerts and some members of the public are offended with paying for others entertainment. Selectman Blomback said there are some aspects of the municipal budget that don’t affect all citizens, but he feels that the concert budget, with some modification, is more or less in line with what the town is about. Selectman Blomback said that he might be in favor of cutting this budget slightly and with creating mechanisms for collecting revenue. Selectman Watman asked if the Town Administrator could talk with the concert director to propose cuts. Chairman Parker said to cut the budget and give the concert committee motivation to come up with something else.

The motion Failed 2-3-0; Selectman French, Selectman Watman, and Selectman Blomback were opposed.

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Watman seconded to cut the Athletic budget down to 2008 levels by cutting $5,000.

Selectman Aucoin pointed out that more people use the Athletic Department than the concert budget. Mr. Flynn said that the final bills for athletic equipment are not submitted yet. Wrestling was added to the budget this year and cheerleading was previously submitted with the basketball budget for many years. Selectman Watman said they would have to go into the descriptions of each budget to research equipment purchases. Selectman Blomback said that he made his assumptions on what was presented.

The motion Failed 2-3-0; Selectman French, Selectman Aucoin, and Selectman Watman were opposed.

Selectman Blomback commented on interest rates being historically low and asked if it would be in the town’s best interest to refinance. Russ Roy said it is not possible to refinance because of the bonding.

Selectman Watman moved, Chairman Parker seconded to submit the budget, as submitted tonight, to the Budget Committee for review. Passed 5-0-0

Item 3: Review and adopt minutes of December 7, 2010

Selectman Blomback moved, Chairman Parker seconded to approve the minutes of December 7, 2010 as presented. Passed 5-0-0

OTHER BUSINESS

Item 4: Town Administrators report

1.         Lot 98 purchase proposal – Mr. Flynn said there is still a mid-January date to address the issue of the Class VI road.

2.         Salary and Benefits Survey – Information on the salary and benefits will be on the next agenda.

3.         Energy Committee grant proposal – The grant is moving along and Mr. Flynn has signed the contract.

4.         Safe Routes to School – Mr. Flynn said that there was a meeting held at 7:30 a.m. the other day at the school with twelve people in attendance.

5.         Western Avenue Bridge – This was dealt with in the budget tonight.

6.         Western Avenue Culvert – This is on hold until the spring.

7.         Rock N’ Birch Campground issues - No new update. Will be discussed briefly in non-public, if necessary, otherwise Mr. Flynn is ready to send the agreement.

8.         Athletics for Youth Committee – Study Committee for Recreation Director – The committee has presented Mr. Flynn with their findings and is on the agenda for January 4^th to report to the Selectmen. There will be no request for funding.

9.         Drug and Alcohol Policy for Non-DOT Employees – Mr. Flynn said that the budget has been revised to tie this in at the end of the 2011 budget. There is no hurry to review because it will not be implemented until the end of 2011.

10.     Penalty – Vision – Assessed at $4,700 and they have been notified; the money is being held aside.

11.     Sold Waste Management Committee – This will wait until after January 1^st.

12.     ATV Policy over Class VI roads – Mr. Flynn said that he has spoken with Bob French about getting together with Mr. Morse after the holidays.

13.     Outstanding taxes due – Mr. Flynn informed the Board that he has made a lot of progress and has collected close to $50,000 since the last discussion and several arrangements have been submitted. He is not sure what flexibility he has from the Board, but would like to bring forth agreement forms and is making good progress. Selectman Watman asked about receiving a report and Mr. Flynn responded that he would submit a report on January 4^th.

14.     Soccer Field Lease from USACOE – Mr. Flynn said that this has all been requested and modifications spelled out in a letter to Army Corps.

15.     Additional cut for a $100,000 amount – Was dealt with tonight.

16.     Draft Warrant – Mr. Flynn said that he has a warrant article pertaining to the sale of Stone Hedge, which he made a permanent article until changed at Town Meeting and it is specific to this property.

Mr. Flynn said that the Conservation Commission has not added any additional properties to their list to keep from being sold. Motions were made years ago to accept the recommendations from the Conservation Commission. Selectman Watman said that they would have to go to Town Meeting for authorization to sell any property. Mr. Flynn will bring the list of town owned lots to the board at the next meeting. Selectman Watman said that the lots that the Conservation Commission asked the town to hold off on, were lands in high priority of conservation.

Mr. Flynn discussed a land deeding agreement on behalf of the Sunderland’s land located on Freeman Colby Road.

Mr. Flynn said that a union petition for  the unionization of the Henniker Police Department has been posted publicly.  Mr. Flynn said that he was required to submit this to the Public Employee’s Board in Concord and to the union attorneys. He informed the Board that tomorrow he would be having a meeting with town counsel and the Police Chief.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Watman seconded that if the money is available they contract with Cartographic Associates for the amount required to set up and provide the required Internet service for the new GIS system.

Chairman Parker said that this is not only good service to the public, but will make the clerical positions a lot less demanding. Mr. Flynn said that the Police Department and other departments would also find it helpful. This purchase will not affect the money for the road issue.

The motion Passed 4-1-0; Selectman Aucoin was opposed.

Selectman Blomback commented on the liability insurance and asked if there is any value in increasing the $2,000 deductible for a better rate. Mr. Blomback asked if the Town purchased a policy with higher deductibles, such as  $5,000 or $10,000 would there be a savings in the premium. Mr. Flynn said he would contact the Local Government Center to see if it is an available option.

Item 6: Request for Non-Public – Per RSA 91-A: 3, II, e at 8:10 p.m.

Selectman Aucoin moved, Selectman French seconded to enter into non-public session @ 8:10 p.m. pursuant to the authority granted in RSA 91-A: 3II(e). A roll call vote was taken, Selectman French – yes; Selectman Aucoin – yes; Selectman Blomback – yes; Selectman Watman – yes; Chairman Parker – yes. Passed 5-0-0

Selectman French moved, Selectman Aucoin seconded to adjourn at 8:46 p.m. Passed 5-0-0

Members Present:       Leon Parker, Chairman; Thomas Watman, Selectman; Leo Aucoin, Selectman;
Kris Blomback, Selectman; Robert French, Selectman

Town Administrator:  Peter Flynn

Guests:                          Mike McManus, Nancy DeMoura, Keith DeMoura, MaryEllen Schule, Scott Davison, Martha Sunderland, Thomas Patenaude, Beth Patenaude, Ryan Murdough, Matthew Lowe, Joseph P. Damour, Mary Gilbert, Jim Morse, Bill McGirr, Terri Trier, Jerry Richardson, Jason Michie, Kelley Lochmandy, Tyrone Lochmandy, James Garvey

Recording Secretary:  Cherry Palmisano

Chairman Parker opened the meeting at 6:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Watman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Passed 5-0-0

Chairman Parker announced that included in the Consent Agenda was a resignation from Ben Tokarz, who is leaving the Police Department.

APPOINTMENTS

Item 4: James Garvey – Donation from NEC – Discussion of details

Mr. Garvey said that NEC is proposing to have banners installed on forty lamp posts in town; will not include the lamp posts on the river or at Community Park. The reason for the banners is to promote Henniker. The banners will have the NEC logo on them and will say Henniker, New Hampshire or the “Only Henniker on Earth”. Mr. Garvey said that they would like to have the banners installed in the spring at NEC’s expense. The banners will be 24 in x 36 in. Mr. Garvey said that NEC feels that the banners will give a great look to the town and show a unified look between the town and NEC. In addition to providing the banners, NEC would like to take care of the cleaning of the lamp posts twice a year. Mr. Garvey said that upon approval from the town, they would like to get designs and have them reviewed. The feeling of comfort in town is driving the idea of the banners.

The donation valued at $4,347 falls under the amount of $5,000 and does not require a public hearing.

Selectman Watman asked if they have thought that having a banner on each lamp post might too much. Mr. Garvey said that NEC could to do every other lamppost if that is the preference of the Board. It would be a good starting point and they could discuss it again when he brings the designs to the Board.

Selectman Blomback moved, Chairman Parker seconded to accept the donation of the lamppost banners and the annual maintenance of the lamppost globes from NEC. Passed 5-0-0

Item 2: Public hearing 2^nd Reading – Smoking restriction at Town Hall ball field

Chairman Parker opened the public hearing at 6:30 p.m.

The following would be an addition to Chapter 77:
Section 77-8
Smoking is prohibited on the ground of the Town Hall ball field during times when an organized activity is taking place. The perimeter falls within Depot Hill Road and Circle Street only.

Selectman French asked what the ramifications would be if there was a guilty party. Ryan Murdough hopes that there would not be a violation, but if so, he thinks that the Youth Association would just politely ask the individual to stop smoking.

Mr. Flynn said that the Henniker Athletics for Youth Committee brought this to the Board’s attention. This would be the first time having an ordinance like this. It would require self-policing, but if it becomes a problem they will have to associate a fine with the violation.

Chairman Parker closed the public hearing at 6:34 p.m.

Selectman Aucoin moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to waive the third hearing and accept the ordinance as presented. Passed 5-0-0

Item 1: Joseph Damour-Report of the CIP Committee

Mr. Joe Damour informed the Board that the CIP Committee felt that everything on the list belongs on the list. The list was voted down last year and there is a need for everything on the list.

Medium priority:

·         Fire/Rescue Building Maintenance Capital Reserve      $2,500

·         Police Building Maintenance Capital Reserve               $2,000

·         Western Avenue Bridge Capital Reserve                  $200,000
(for 20% share of construction of bridge)

High priority:

·         Highway loader          $200,000

·         Police SUV                   $28,768

·         Grange roof repair        $20,000

·         Road construction        $90,000

Mr. Flynn told the Board that the items on the list might not be on separate warrant articles. There are no low priorities and all the items on the list are either of medium or high priority. Mr. Flynn said that the process is that the Board will accept the CIP report as presented, then it will become an official document and the Planning Board requires the document every year to keep the impact fees in place.

Selectman Watman asked Mr. Damour if there has been any discussion on the general financing of the Western Avenue Bridge. There has been some talk around town about bonding the 20% of what the town will be responsible to pay for the bridge. Mr. Damour said that the committee discussed it, but they do not know the budget or the impact and they did not feel it was appropriate for the committee to make a decision on the method of funding.

Mr. Damour said that in addition to the list presented, they felt there are other things that should be added to the list.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Watman seconded to accept the Capital Improvements Program Report as presented. Passed 5-0-0

Chairman Parker inquired about the installation of water meters. Mr. Damour said that they are waiting for a vendor to give them information. They may possibly have the need for a water tank, which would take precedence over the meters.

APPOINTMENTS Continued

Item 3: Matt Lowe – Old Concord Road bid award recommendation

Mr. Flynn said they met on Monday, the specs were sent out, and the bids were due in today at 2:00. They opened the bids in public session and immediately sent all the bid quotes to Matt Lowe for review and recommendation.

Mr. Lowe said that they put together a specification and plan package. There were seven contractors that showed interest and attended last week’s mandatory site walk. Four bidders actually submitted bids and the lowest bid they received was $33,600.

·         Hopkinton Forestry $33,600

·         J. Parker & Daughters $50,000

·         Busby Construction $58,795

·         Earth $87,899

Mr. Lowe informed the Board that Hoyle, Tanner Inc. recommends that Hopkinton Forestry be awarded the bid and told to start as soon as possible.

It was discussed that the working conditions due to the weather may not be ideal. Mr. Lowe said that these types of walls have been built in the middle of winter, it is not the easiest thing to do, but can be done. They have stressed with the contractors that the work could be done with heat blankets and testing allowances have been built in to the contract for working in cold weather conditions. A technical engineer will be on site from Hoyle Tanner and Novis Engineering as well; it won’t be a full time effort but will be a comprehensive effort. Mr. Lowe said that they did tell the bidders that the road could be closed as soon as Monday to start the work.

Selectman Watman moved, Chairman Parker seconded that the Board accept the bid from Hopkinton Forestry at the bid price of $33,600 to repair the wall on Old Concord Road.

Mr. Flynn said that they have the funds available to cover the repair.

Selectman French commented on the participation of Hoyle Tanner on-site so that they are not in this position again. Mr. Flynn said that the compacting of the ground was brought up as a concern and will be watched and tested.

Passed 5-0-0

Mr. Flynn will meet with Scott Davison in the morning to handle the traffic signage for the road closure. He will also ask the press to put an official ad in the newspaper.

Mr. Lowe said they need to speak with Hopkinton Forestry to see exactly when they can start; insurance needs to be in place as well.

Item 5: Terri Trier – Request from the SHOT Committee (Spirit of Henniker Organizational Team)

Ms. Terri Trier said that the SHOT Committee wants to continue with their efforts in town. They want to continue the “Gathering on the Green” that follows the Memorial Day parade and their “Music on Main Street” event. The committee works in cooperation with NEC during their parent’s and alumni weekend, which is held the first Saturday in October. They require no money from the town.

Selectman Watman mentioned the owners of Quilted Threads and their complaints with the town regarding the closing of Main Street. Selectman Watman questioned if there is any other location that can be used for the event.

Ms. Trier said that Main Street is a very appropriate location. The event is held from 12-4 pm and did not interfere with any of the restaurants. There were hundreds of people at the event last year and she feels that closing Main Street for six hours is legitimate for the amount of enjoyment that they are bringing to the town.

Ms. Trier said they don’t put up any extra signage for Quilted Threads because they don’t do it for any other business. They don’t feel the business’ complaints are legitimate. There were detour signs and the event is well known in advance.

Selectman Watman wants to make sure they pursued the issues of the business.

Selectman French told the Board that he was contacted by the committee to work with them and he feels that they can continue to minimize the impact the best they can for the Weber’s. Selectman Aucoin would like the opportunity to have the Weber’s voice heard in front of the community. If the event was approved now it gives businesses ten months to communicate.

Ms. Trier would like to have the Board’s authorization to move $700, which was earned under Old Home Days 2008 activities, into their own account. Selectman Watman asked about the expenses to run Old Home Days. Ms. Trier said that the event costs over $5,000. The committee does not have a budget and whatever they raise at one event pays their bills for another event. There is currently $1,800 in the SHOT account. Selectman Watman said that if they can prove poverty he would be in favor of moving the funds, otherwise leave it there. Mr. Flynn said that he inquired about the funds last year and the funds have to stay in Old Home Days because they were raised under Old Home Days. Mr. Flynn will check again with the Department of Revenue.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to grant permission to SHOT to hold “Gathering on the Green” in May 2011 and “Music on Main Street” in October 2011.

Selectman Aucoin wants to give the Weber’s time to talk publically.

Selectman Watman thinks that the committee needs the lead-time now and feels they should reach out to the Weber’s to see if they want to participate. If the event was passed tonight it gives them lead-time to speak to Quilted Threads and other businesses on Main Street. Ms. Trier said they send out notices to all businesses regarding the event, they did not send notice to the business owners about the meeting with the Selectmen tonight. Mr. Flynn said out of courtesy to the Weber’s he sent them notice of tonight’s meeting. Mr. French told Mr. Flynn that he appreciated him doing so.

Passed 4-1-0; Selectman Aucoin was opposed.

OLD BUSINESS

Item 6: ATV on Class VI Roads – Report

Chairman Parker said that Mr. Flynn was asked to do research and come up with proposals for off road vehicles on Class VI roads. Mr. Flynn has two potential options on how to deal with the issues. Chairman Parker said that Martha Sunderland has done an excellent job on the issue.

Martha Sunderland said that her land is in a conservation easement. The easement holder goes out to monitor the land and sees the damage being caused by off road vehicles. Ms. Sunderland stated that people tell her that Henniker allows ATVs on Class VI roads; however, this is not true. She has pictures that show damage to her private property and it is the landowner’s expense to repair.

Chairman Parker said that it is confusing as to what kind of vehicles they are talking about. Ms. Sunderland said if they are registered on the roads they don’t fall under OHRV. Selectman French said once they go off road they fall under OHRV and it is typically those that don’t follow the guidelines that are causing the problems. Ms. Sunderland said that the issue is there are no legal places to ride. Her easement specifically says no vehicles and the problem is that they need to work out something that works, whereby there needs to be places to ride that are legally maintained. Ms. Sunderland said that that the point of her letter was to see if they could discuss better options to see what will work.

Chairman Parker said the problem is irresponsible use.

Selectman French commented on getting clubs together, which will work better at giving them a place to go and they will have better control of the club if there is a place to go.

Jim Morse, Contoocook Valley ATV Riders, told the Board that he is active with the state and they have let their trails get low key. He said that five to six years ago the flood control closed their trails in Weare and it is very hard for them to control usage in the area. Mr. Morse said that Ms. Sunderland’s road was not a road that they asked for permission to ride on, it is an illegal trail. He said that the ATVs don’t really cause a lot of damage on Class VI roads, it is the jeepers that do. They are trying to establish a trail system again. Mr. Morse said that they have talked about a private trail system, limiting it to club members and restricting it to low traffic. He said that the state won’t work with them and with the state comes so many benefits including $2 million blanket coverage for ATV. Selectman French said that they have this coverage for snowmobiles. Mr. Morse said they would both be through the State Trails Bureau. He would love to keep the trails low key, not publicize them, and get permission from landowners. Mr. Morse said they would like to work with the Selectmen. They were under the understanding that with the permission slip they were legal on Class VI roads. Contoocook has a nice trail system and they want to tie into Henniker’s trail system.

Chairman Parker asked when they received permission before did they have an inventory of the specific roads that they want to ride on. Mr. Morse said they want to ride on Chase Road, Craney Pond Road (not sure if possible), Colby, Hoyt School House, Liberty, Mink Hill Road, and Old Warner Road. Mr. Morse said they would like to maintain the snowmobile trail system as much as possible, because there has been serious money into the trails. Mr. Morse said they are looking to see how the Selectmen feel.

Mr. Flynn said that a bonified club must be formed in order for the Selectmen to review; proof of an insurance policy from the Bureau of Trails for ATVs is needed. The designated road system should also be part of the application or a motion made and signed off by the Selectmen and then run by town counsel.

Chairman Parker said that he does not think they can limit access to one group and he would like to specify the roads and the clubs. Mr. Morse said that the Board could state that it is opened up to anyone who has an OHRV sticker. Mr. Morse said that their club would not accept two wheel drive four wheelers or dirt bikes. Selectman French said it might be able to be written up as a bonified trail. Chairman Parker said that opening up without Class VI roads without any control is not the answer.

Mr. Robert Young informed the Board that he spoke with NH Fish and Game and they told him that you can drive on all Class VI roads with permission from the town; the problem is those that go off the roads onto private lands.

Mr. Morse said when he spoke with the state he was told that they never had a lawsuit, the $2 million coverage that the state provides covers lawyer fees, and the Selectmen have the right to grant permission on any road in the town that is not a highway.

Selectman Blomback asked what the Army Corps of Engineers says. Mr. Morse said they do not want the traffic that happens in the Clough Area in Weare.

Chairman Parker commented on giving bonified clubs the opportunity to ride on the trails. Selectman French asked if they are thinking about specific individuals or authorizing the club to build the trails. Chairman Parker said that they only have the authority to allow use or not allow use of Class VI roads. Selectman French said that they should give the club permission to build trails on specified roads. Chairman Parker stated that he is not ready to open up Class VI roads for anyone’s use.

Mr. Morse stated that they have a bonified club that is registered with the Bureau of Trails; this provides everyone who is registered to ride OHRV access. The private landowners can limit riders, but the town cannot stop a registered vehicle from using the Class VI road. Selectman French said the town could also limit access to certain times of the year. Mr. Morse said that ATV usage is closed for mud season through the state organization.

Chairman Parker asked if there was a consensus to have the Town Administrator draft up something on his notes. By consensus, the Board agreed to have Mr. Flynn draft different alternatives than the club members did and specify what roads are involved. Selectman Watman asked if there would be a benefit of setting up a committee of riders and residents that have the responsibility of maintaining the trails. Chairman Parker said he was going to recommend that Mr. Flynn do that. Mr. Flynn said that he would consult with them, but not form a committee. He will also review Warner’s policy.

Chairman Parker said they would revisit the issue when the Town Administrator has something to present in January.

Mr. Morse said the club would have to go through all the trails and post them. The landowner can restrict days and time.

Item 7: Review requests for Warrant Articles:

·         Western Avenue Bridge Capital Reserve

·         Loader/Plow – Scott Davison (purchase or lease)

·         Roof repair at Grange Building – Peter Flynn

·         Police Building Maintenance Reserve

·         Fire Rescue Maintenance Reserve

Mr. Flynn said that he put together an option regarding the possibility of leasing a loader.

Chairman Parker said for the process they need to come to grips with what it is they are going to submit to the Budget Committee.

Selectman Watman suggested to get an overview of all the potential warrant articles before voting to get an idea on the total costs.

Scenario 1 – Review of the operating budget with corrections made to the Executive budget; drug and alcohol testing reduced by 80%, reduction in the Highway Assistant salary, and without any warrant articles taken into consideration.                                                                                                 Estimated tax increase of $.47

Scenario 2 – Includes the warrant articles for the Grange roof and the bridge aid
                                                                                                                        Estimated tax increase of $.53

Scenario 3 – Includes all warrant articles as well as the lease option for the loader.

                                                                                                                      Estimated tax increase of $1.05

Chairman Parker said none of the scenarios take into consideration Lot 98 and there is no fund balance being used in any scenario.

·         The sale of Lot 98 is worth $.66 in tax credit, but is unreal at this time.

·         The Selectmen are trying to maintain $200,000 - $300,000 in the fund balance.

·         They will probably not have a surplus in the budget at the end of the year.

·         All three scenarios project $0 increase for salaries and COLA.

·         All three scenarios include the payroll of 1% and 2% as of July 1, with the current salary level as it is today.

Mr. Flynn said that this year’s step implementation is $4,555 to implement the steps projected for 2010 that were frozen at Town Meeting. Going into 2011 the additional monies needed to carry out the steps for 2011 including 2010 would be $24,000.

Chairman Parker said that based on requests per departments, they are looking at a net increase of $176,500 to be raised by taxation for scenario 1 without warrant articles or salary/step increases. Selectman Watman said that scenario 1 shows a 12% increase after revenues. Selectman Watman said they could have everyone express their goals of what they want to see with the budget; his goal would be no tax increase. Selectman Blomback calculated the increase to be 6%.

Selectman Watman said that the increase on scenario 3, with everything but raises, shows a 14.2% increase.

Selectman Watman asked Chairman Parker if they should make motions and depending on what motions they make, they can ask the Town Administrator and Finance Administrator to put it all together and bring it back for the next meeting. Selectman Blomback said that the numbers that change need to stand out for comparisons. Selectman Blomback asked if the summary documents, that tie everything together, could always be consistent. Mr. Flynn said he created the format today for strictly tax rate increase information.

Below is a summary of the Capital Improvements Program warrant articles:

(A)  $200,000 to be added to the already established Bridge Capital Reserve Fund.

(B)   $200,000 to purchase a new Front End Loader as specified by the Town’s Road Agent and authorize the withdrawal of $60,00 from the already established Capital Reserve Fund for this purpose; the remaining $140,000 to be raised from taxation.

(C)   Authorize the Selectmen to enter into a long-term lease/purchase agreement for a loader/plow in the amount of $200,000 payable over a term of sixty months.

(D)  $22,000 for the purpose of repairing the roof and cupola of Henniker Grange Building.

(E)   $2,000 to be added to the already established Police Building Capital Reserve Fund.

(F)    $2,500 to be added to the already established Fire and Rescue Maintenance Fund.

(G)  Up to $158,056 for road improvements, which reflects the estimated amount of the Town’s share of the State of New Hampshire’s Highway Block Grant. If no revenue is received from the State of NH this amount will not be spent.

Selectman Watman moved, Chairman Parker seconded to approve item (D) as presented; $22,000 for the purpose of repairing the roof and cupola of the Henniker Grange Building. Passed 5-0-0

Selectman Watman moved to delete item (A); there was no second.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to approve taking item (A) to the townspeople for them to vote on; $200,000 to be added to the already established Bridge Capital Reserve Fund.

Selectman Watman thinks it is too much money with too much of an impact and can wait. He commented that the CIP Committee listed it as not of the highest priority. He said it is also a problem because there is no specific proposal to move forward with and no meetings to decide what they are selling. Chairman Parker thinks it is inappropriate for them to decide not to do anything with the bridge and feels that they need to look at the options and come up with alternatives. He will push to replace the old bridge. Selectman Blomback said that in reading the supporting paperwork, the bridge comes before the state in 2014, it is close to 2011 and it is important to have the engineering ready. Selectman Watman asked what written guarantees they have from the state that will occur. Mr. Flynn said there is no guarantee and it is subject to the funds being available. Selectman Aucoin asked what amount of money they need to put forth for an actual drawing to be built. Chairman Parker said that the fund is depleted and they would be settling for $200,000 this year and $200,000 the next year, which will give them the $400,000 needed. Selectman Aucoin thinks they need to propose something to the townspeople. Selectman Watman said if this passes he would make a proposal to cut $200,000 out of the operating budget because he does not think the public can afford it. Chairman Parker said they need a marching order to move forward. The town will get reimbursed 80%.

There will be an opportunity to revisit the total package being sent to the Budget Committee.

The motion Passed 4-1-0; Selectman Watman was opposed.

Selectman Aucoin moved, Selectman French seconded to delete (B) and (C).

Selectman Aucoin said that this loader was scheduled to be sent down the line back in 1995, it was voted not to buy the loader, that summer they leased a 1996, now that loader that was too far gone and went to the Transfer Station, and is now back at the Highway Department in disrepair. Selectman Aucoin said that Henniker is the only town around with two loaders. He thinks they can work with one loader and do not need to increase the fleet. Selectman French said when that loader came to be it had been voted not to buy one and the town went out and leased it. Chairman Parker said that the history is interesting, but irrelevant. The issue now is operationally what they need. The loader issue has been supported to be a good operation. Chairman Parker said that he is not sure that Selectman Aucoin’s suggestion of not being needed is justifiable. Selectman Aucoin said they own a rubber-tired backhoe that can load the trucks, which now sits still in the winter because there are two loaders. Selectman Aucoin said that they are loading six-wheelers and one ten-wheeler and should be assigned to a route local to the department. Selectman Aucoin said that the loader should have been sent to auction years ago. They need to go back to a one-loader town and use the backhoe to its ability.

Scott Davison said that the 1995 is irrelevant; they got the old loader back because the Transfer Station utilizes it in the summer time and they swap the loader in the wintertime. 

Mike McManus said that there has been discontent between individuals and departments, the department is progressing with issues, and he asked to dissolve any issues that there are. He said that there is a new regime and feels that a lot of people have a different perspective now. Chairman Parker said he feels that they have an operation that has been working pretty well with new leadership coming in on Monday and he is sure next year there will be a different presentation. Chairman Parker said that the new employee will start with what is there and keep going. He is concerned with stringing out the current loader and when it breaks down it will not be easy to repair and they will be in a situation because it will be next winter before they can have a new loader. Chairman Parker would like to see the loader kept in for now and see if the new Highway Supervisor says he does not need it.

Selectman Watman said the vote to approve the bridge makes things more difficult, he thinks the loader is a better and more important need than the bridge and is verified by the CIP committee. They only have so much money and they have to cut somewhere. If he has to choose between giving some staff increases because their salaries are falling behind, or a new loader, he will choose the staff increases.

Chairman Parker said that they will revisit these issues four or more times before Town Meeting.

The motion Passed 3-2-0; Selectman Watman and Chairman Parker were opposed.

Selectman Blomback moved, Chairman Parker seconded to approve (E) and (F) as presented; (E) $2,000 to be added to the already established Police Building Capital Reserve Fund and (F) $2,500 to be added to the already established Fire and Rescue Maintenance Fund

Mr. Flynn said that if he had to pick one over the other, the fire one is not needed. Chief Murdough said that the building is in need of a roof on the east side; there is currently $5,930 in the fund. Selectman Watman said he would be opposed because he feels there is sufficient money in the fund to take care of small concerns. That money being proposed could take care of salary increases for some employee’s and can wait without undue harm.

The motion Failed 2-3-0; Selectman Watman, Selectman French, and Selectman Aucoin were opposed.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to include (G) for whatever amount they receive from the state; Up to $158,056 for road improvements, which reflects the estimated amount of the Town’s share of the State of New Hampshire’s Highway Block Grant. If no revenue is received from the State of NH this amount will not be spent. Passed 5-0-0

Item 8: Continued discussion of employee pay scales (Tom Watman motion on floor)

Chairman Parker said that this item was suspended at their last meeting.

The following is the motion that was made by Selectman Watman on November 23, 2010:

Selectman Watman moved, Chairman Parker seconded that based upon the inequities found in current salary comparisons with twelve other communities, the positions listed below will receive salary adjustments for 2011. These positions will receive one-third of their current salary deficit below the average of the comparable.

Selectman Watman said next years cost would be $24,636. The proposal that he made applies $9,876 and would take ten different staff members, which are $1,000 or more below salary, approximately a third of the way closer to the average. The program that the Town Administrator presented for $24,000 is anticipated to go to positions which are approximately $5,000 above that proposal and would call for three of the people farthest behind not to be given any increase. Selectman Watman said the one proposal is to give the steps included in the contract, which would cost $24,000 and the proposal he made would be $9,800 and come from the health insurance savings and would not increase the budget.

Chairman Parker said that he understood Selectman Blomback to ask at the last meeting to compare these positions with other towns and include the benefits. Mr. Flynn said that Selectman Blomback was looking for future action to the step system. Chairman Parker commented that Selectman Watman’s motion does not make up the difference, but it tries to give them something to make up the difference. Selectman Aucoin said that if you compare Henniker’s benefit package cost to the town’s pay scale, our benefit package is worth more. Chairman Parker said that by not giving step increases last year, and not giving them in 2011; they are already destroying the state system. Selectman Blomback said that the state system is in front of them and the town needs to catch up to the state system. Chairman Parker said that the state is not giving any COLAs and did not freeze steps. Mr. Flynn said the state froze COLAs so this year and next year the town will not give COLAs. Selectman Watman commented that they are 4% behind at the moment. Chairman Parker said their salaries were changed in July. Selectman Watman said they received 1% this year; they are 3% behind the state as it stands. Chairman Parker said they held up nine people from getting their step increases. Selectman Aucoin asked if there was a vote to freeze pay increases at Town Meeting. It was discussed that there was a vote to freeze the budget, not specifically pay increases. Selectman Aucoin asked if the step would be automatic and received regardless of performance. Chairman Parker said unless an employee messes up they receive their step; automatically receive the COLA, but not the step because the step is based on performance. Step increases were frozen last year.

Selectman Watman said they promised people back in March that they would make a decision when they knew what funds would be available at the end of the year. Selectman French does not feel they have all the information that Selectman Blomback asked for. Selectman Blomback asked if the $9,876 would be in sync with the State’s COLA. Mr. Flynn said no, this is in addition to that. Mr. Flynn said if the Board approves the $4,500 they would be in sync with the merit steps for 2010 only; COLA is not in sync. It was discussed that Selectman Watman’s motion has nothing to do with the steps. Selectman Watman said that his proposal is based on what they initially decided about staff paying more for their health insurance and he then decided to take some of the savings from the health insurance and spread it out among the employees who were significantly behind. Chairman Parker said problem with the motion is that they are saying we should be paying you more, but we are only going to give you this amount.

Mr. Flynn said if Selectman Watman’s motion was to pass, they could place those employees on a different grade from where they are now. It would be one step higher than that grade to give them that money and put them in a whole new grade that would fit that 1/3 increase very nicely. Chairman Parker asked about benefits. Selectman Blomback asked if the benefits charge is reflective of the health insurance contribution. Mr. Flynn said that every town’s contribution is included in the comparison, with Henniker at the current contribution. Mr. Flynn can make the numbers fit on a new grade.

Chairman Parker amended Selectman Watman’s motion to say that the figures be used by the Town Administrator to fit them into grades and steps to the pay scale as close as possible using the figure  $9,876.

Selectman Watman said that his motion is to help those who are significantly underpaid and cover the increase of their health insurance contribution. Selectman Watman said compared to other communities they have some employees that are underpaid and some who are overpaid, he is trying to be competitive to nearby communities.

The amendment Passed 5-0-0.

Selectman Watman said that they need to make some decision on the salaries to have a package put together for the next meeting and that nothing is final until the very last decision is made before Town Meeting. Selectman French said that if they vote yes they are voting on wage increases. Chairman Parker said that if it is approved it will be effective at the start of the 2011 budget. Selectman Watman said the increase is based on the position and not the employee currently holding the position.

The amended motion Failed 2-3-0; Selectman French, Selectman Aucoin, and Selectman Blomback were opposed. 

Mr. Flynn asked with that gone, should he still do the grade revision with that money. Chairman Parker said the motion died. Selectman French would like to see information brought forth and revisited.

Selectman Watman’s motion was defeated and Mr. Flynn asked whether or not to make people who did not get their step increases in 2010 whole by giving it to them.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Watman seconded to give the employees in the identified positions on the sheet their 2010 step increases amounting to $4,555. Passed 5-0-0

Selectman Watman confirmed that at the moment, the only thing that is being done for salary increases is maintaining the 2% for salary levels for 2011.

Item 9: Review Proposed Budget as presented

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman French seconded that the Town Administrator be asked to bring back a proposal for a reduction of $100,000 from the operating budget. Passed 4-0-1; Selectman Blomback was absent at the time of the vote.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Aucoin seconded that all departmental operational budgets be included in one warrant article.

Selectman Watman thinks that they are doing some harm to some departments because of the order of how the department’s budgets are presented at Town Meeting. Currently the first two to three budgets are the worst. Selectman Watman said they should present all the budgets as one whole package and explain that money can be moved around. All departments would be included in the operational budget with the exception of the Library, Waste Water, and Cogswell Springs. Selectman Watman said that it does involve a change in approach to present it differently. The presentation will be broader but still volunteer all the information. Selectman French said that they need to be prepared to make all the statements.

The warrant is due by February 1, 2011.

Chairman Parker commented that during the budget last year, people were getting antsy and people asked why they didn’t just have one article for all the departments. Historically Henniker has presented each department’s budget separately. Chairman Parker said that Town Meeting is the Legislative body and that is where significant decisions that effect the departments need to be made. By doing what Selectman Watman suggests it does not give people the opportunity to support or not support certain departments. The Board discussed that they could present all the departments together, but allow the department heads to speak/defend their individual budgets.

Passed 4-0-1; Selectman Blomback was absent at the time of the vote.

Chairman Parker asked the Board members if there are any specific guidelines they want to give the Town Administrator. 

It was discussed that included in the Executive Budget is the drug and alcohol testing. It was mentioned that they would not be testing all employees, just selecting at random. Selectman French told the Board that the Rescue Chief made a comment to him that he is not opposed to the testing, but he is worried about perception and being able to maintain a volunteer force. The Rescue Chief is concerned in mandating the testing for volunteers as if they are full time employees and they are not. If an individual has the ability to drive any town owned vehicle then they are subject to random drug testing.

Mr. Flynn informed the Board that there might be a possibility of purchasing the GIS this year.

The Police Department budget has been reduced.

The Highway Streets budget is up $7,700 due to the road construction line.

Item 10: Review and adopt minutes of November 23, 2010

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Watman seconded to approve the minutes of November 23, 2010 as presented. Passed 5-0-0

Item 11: Town Administrator’s report

Mr. Flynn gave a condensed Town Administrator’s report due to the late hour.

1.      Old Concord Road issue – The issue has been dealt with tonight and the contract awarded.

2.      Safe Routes to School – There is a meeting scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on December 16^th.

3.      Crosswalk request Park St/Route 114 – The signs have been put up and not much more can be done with the request.

4.      Rock ‘n’ Birch Campground – Mr. Flynn expects that something will happen this week.

5.      No Smoking policy at Town Hall baseball field – Was acted on tonight.

6.      Outstanding taxes due – Mr. Flynn said that since their discussion five weeks ago regarding this issue lots of people have paid or made agreements to pay their past due taxes and some taxpayers paid in full. They discussed that Stonehenge being in the warrant this year.

Selectman Blomback moved, Chairman Parker seconded to adjourn at 10:15 p.m. Passed 5-0-0

Town of Henniker

Board of Selectmen Meeting

Saturday, November 23, 2010

ADOPTED MINUTES

Henniker Town Hall

 

Members Present:  Leon Parker, Chairman; Thomas Watman, Selectman; Leo Aucoin, Selectman; Kris Blomback, Selectman; Robert French, Selectman

Town Administrator:    Peter Flynn

Guests:                            Tom Weston, Matt Bumford, Cindy Marsland, Pete Fernandes, Michael McManus, Tim Fountain

Recording Secretary:    Cherry Palmisano

Chairman Parker opened the meeting at 6:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Selectman Aucoin moved, Selectman Watman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Passed 5-0-0

APPOINTMENTS

Item 1: Cartographics Demonstration of Software Program

Mr. Flynn said that it was requested, as part of the tax map budget, to have Cartographics come before the Board to demonstrate the GIS automated system. This is a request for next year’s budget, but the funding may be available for this year’s budget depending on the Old Concord Road repair cost.

Tim Fountain, Vice President of Cartographics, told the Board that they serve three hundred clients in New England with maintenance of map data. They provide a variety of municipal mapping, GIS services, parcel data, and assessment information, which can be accessed at www.caigisonline.com.

Mr. Fountain presented an overview of the GIS software and its capabilities. The maps are provided in pdf format and can show as much or as little information as the town wants. The online data can be available to the employees and to the general public, which eliminates traffic into the assessing office to request specific information. The abutters tool allows you to enter a distance surrounding the property and can also be used to obtain possible setbacks. The New Hampshire DOT recently flew over 2/3 of the state and those updated photographs will be available by the end of the year. Mr. Fountain said that Cartographics would not publish any information that the town does not want published. Cartographics can also obtain information from the Regional Planning Commission. The software also links assessments and building data on specific properties. The town will have control of updating all the GIS data, maintaining the property line data, and ownership information. When they set up the site during the review period they give the town a tool to be able to make updates. The town would have the ability to change the data everyday if necessary, but it is typically done monthly. Mr. Fountain said that the software could locate hydrants and water and sewer meters. Should the town wish to use the Vision card online service, this software links to Vision’s service and all the information can be accessed together. Mr. Fountain said there is a one time set up fee of $2,500 and a yearly maintenance fee of $1,800. They contract on a yearly basis. The $1,800 includes 800 mega bytes of information; Henniker would be roughly 400 mega bytes. The town pays $1,000 to have their Vision data accessible online. Mr. Fountain said if the town chooses to have Vision host the tax cards then they would need to pay their yearly fee or Cartographics could host the assessing cards. Mr. Fountain told the Board that a summary report of the information that the town exports, including photos and information but not a sketch of the actual footprint of the building. The property deeds can be scanned or they can link the deeds from the registry. If the town was to decide to sever the relationship with Cartographics then the town keeps the data and Cartographics closes the website. All data is owned by the municipalities.

Mr. Fountain said that they invoice the contract for $2,500 and then Cartographics has 60-90 days to turn the site over to the town. The contract is renewable annually or the town has the option of entering into a three-year agreement. Mr. Fountain said you can add or remove data, but it has to be through Cartographics up to the 800-megabyte limit of data. Information should be added or eliminated during the annual updating timeframe. Mr. Fountain said that he would be more than happy to provide a list of references.

OLD BUSINESS

Chairman Parker said that the Board of Selectmen and Search Committee had conducted all their interviews for the Superintendent of the Transfer Station/Recycling Center.

Item 2: Possible appointment of Superintendent of the Henniker Solid Waste Facility (Transfer Station)

Selectman Aucoin moved, Selectman French seconded to hire William McGirr at grade 21 step 7. Passed 5-0-0

Item 4: 2010 Discussion and review of health insurance proposals

Mr. Flynn told the Board that included in their binders are the motions that Selectman Watman is scheduled to make. Mr. Flynn recommends that the Board support Selectman Watman’s motions. The town gains a net of $18,710 for the buyouts and he can’t imagine the Board not wanting to support that proposal because the town wins in a buyout. The rationale for cash options is that John Stark and the Henniker School System provide health insurance cash buyouts at that rate. Annual buyouts are paid quarterly.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Blomback seconded that the Town of Henniker agrees to make a cash payment to any full-time employee who declines health insurance coverage and can show proof of health insurance coverage at the following rates: family plan $ 4,000, two person plan $3,000 and single plan $2,000.

It was discussed that the LGC would also require proof of other insurance. This would take effect on January 1, 2011. All general changes to the plan have to be done during open enrollment; LGC does have timeframes for certain circumstances for qualifying events.

Passed 5-0-0.

Mr. Flynn said the discussion amongst Selectmen has been the issue of employee contributions for the health insurance plan. Mr. Flynn said that the motion that may be presented keeps the insurance coverage the same but does come up with a formula based on a survey done through other towns. The insurance rates came in with a reduction of 3%.

Currently an employee with a two-person plan is paying $7 per week, which totals $350 annually. The plan being proposed would increase the employee contribution for a two-person plan to $1,700. An employee currently on a family plan is paying $364 annually. The plan being proposed would increase the employee contribution for a family plan to $2,489. Selectman French asked if there is a way to phase in this increase for employees. Russ Roy said that the exact numbers arrived from the surveys completed.

Selectman Watman said that the normal procedure is to present a motion and then hold the discussion.

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman French seconded that the Town of Henniker contribute 94.32% toward the cost of a single member plan, 91.91% towards the cost of a two person plan, and 89.04% toward the cost of a family plan for full-time employees.

Mr. Flynn said that he assumes that it would take effect January 1, 2011. Selectman French is concerned with the change taking place all at once. Mr. Flynn said they could amend the motion to take effect July 1, 2011. It was discussed that all employees currently contribute $7.00 per week towards their health insurance.  At this time the deductions are as follows:

·         Single plan would go from $7.00 to $9.00

·         Two person plan would go from $7.00 to $26.90

·         Family plan would go from $7.00 to $47.86

Selectman French feels that moving the effective date to July 1, 2011 would give the employees more time to prepare. Chairman Parker said that he is curious why they don’t use the same percentage for each plan. Selectman French is concerned with families being hit with a substantial weekly increase.

Selectman Watman said that they took the most recent data available from twelve towns submitted to the Board from Russ Roy. Selectman Watman pointed out that there are a lot of people that feel they are not expecting the employees to pay enough towards the health insurance and would prefer employees pay a higher amount. Selectman Watman feels that the numbers presented are comparable to other towns and would be fair. He understands the burden that would be placed on the employees. Selectman Watman said that his intention was to move incrementally to where they need to head.

Chairman Parker said that the motion does not have a start date.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to amend the motion to take effect on July 1, 2011. Passed 5-0-0

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Watman seconded to amend the motion to make it a uniform 92% across the board for singles, couples and families. Passed 5-0-0

The motion now reads that the Town of Henniker will contribute 92% towards the cost of an employee’s health insurance plan effective July 1, 2011. Passed 5-0-0

Ms. Marsland asked why the public in attendance never had the opportunity to voice their comments.

Chairman Parker said once a motion is made no comments are taken from the public. He said that they went into the discussion, got into making motions, and he should have asked for input and he didn’t.

Ms. Marsland said anything she would have to say at this point would be null and void because the decision has already been made. She said the employees will be getting decreases in their salaries and asked if they will be getting increases in their wages. She voiced concerns with the townspeople wanting to save money and informed the Board that the employee morale is very low.

Michael McManus, a Highway Dept. employee mentioned that the step increase freeze was supposed to be through October 2010. He echoed that morale is low and hopes the Board will go after other areas of the budget instead of the employees, and feels that the townspeople should feel the cut as well as the employees.  He mentioned cutting the town concert program.

Selectman French said that this health insurance change gets the town closer to what other towns are doing with health insurance contributions.

The employee said that all jobs have certain perks and working for a municipality the perk is the health insurance not the wages.

Selectman Watman said it is a horrible situation, no way to have all winners; the three motions represent an attempt to compare Henniker to other comparable towns and make judgments on the comparisons. His third motion tries to make up the difference in salaries that are low compared to comparable towns and return to those positions that are underpaid. Selectman Watman said that he understands that some employees will not be happy. The proposal keeps the insurance plan with the plan that the employees have told him that they are happy with, but have higher contributions. All towns do not have such a good policy. They are trying to treat the employees the best way they can in these times and trying to treat the taxpayers in a good way as well.

Selectman Watman said the Board does have a public forum and items that they hold public hearings on. He said that this is a business meeting and is not always open to the public for discussion. The debate is supposed to be open to the Board members for discussion, if the chair chooses can be open it to the public.

Chairman Parker said that after two or three discussion with the Board regarding step increases, there are different understandings of what the step increases are for. Mr. Flynn has an assignment to revisit the steps. Mr. Flynn said the issue is the available funding for the step increases.

Ms. Marsland asked about the reduction in the Matthew Thornton premiums. Russ Roy said that each year the costs are revisited and the deductions are different. The town provides Matthew Thornton and employees who choose to upgrade to Blue Choice plan can, but they pay the difference in the premium.

Selectman Watman moved, Chairman Parker seconded that based upon the inequities found in current salary comparisons with twelve other communities, the positions listed below will receive salary adjustments for 2011. These positions will receive one-third of their current salary deficit below the average of the comparable.

Selectman Watman said that it is obvious that the town’s salaries have become skewed.

Selectman Blomback asked about the process of the comparable numbers and if the step increases are comparable.

Russ Roy said that the information was derived from the grade, which is the high, and the low of the position and this is the information available from LGC for 2010 salary rates. Russ Roy said that they don’t know the tenure in other towns.

Selectman Watman said that the Highway Superintendent position showed up on several studies as being $14,000 less and they might be offering that position at an additional $12,000. Selectman Watman said that he asked for 1/3 of the difference and said that he is not trying to make up the whole difference. Also the proposal was intended to be funded with the changes to the health insurance plan. There is still some savings out of the whole movement and this brings up some underpaid salaries and makes them more comparable to other towns.

Chairman Parker said that none of the applicants that they interviewed for the Highway Superintendent would take the job without increasing it by $12,000.

Selectman Blomback asked Russ Roy how many other towns in the survey adopted the state contracted pay raises. Mr. Roy said none that he is aware of that follow the state tables.

Selectman Watman said that they either need to take a look at each position and job description or they need to take comparable towns with comparable type positions and try to structure a salary system out of that information. If they are talking about being competitive, they don’t know what they are competitive with. This is an attempt to get the employees and the town into a better position.

Chairman Parker said that they have a definition of a problem and a compromised solution. If they had a more thorough survey he could say that the solution to the problem would cost the town $29,500. He asked Selectman Watman why he chose 1/3 for an increase. Selectman Watman said the feeling that the public would have the same concerns raised by the Board and that 1/3 fit into what they thought they would be saving with the health insurance and still leaving the qualified employees with money.

Selectman Aucoin said that he does not see where it is that far off and asked if they have started talking about which positions are overpaid. Selectman Watman said that if they are going to increase some positions and increase employee contributions to the health insurance, he felt it was not the time to cut the salaries of some positions.  Selectman Aucoin feels that before automatically giving the 1/3 increase, they should bring those individual employees in to discuss their position.

Selectman Blomback asked when comparing the salary to other towns was the health insurance, dental and long and short-term disability analyzed. Mr. Roy said that they were analyzed independently but not included within the wages. Tenure is not part of the position either. Mr. Roy said that everything that is analyzed in low and high and only reported what the town would pay. Selectman Blomback understands what Selectman Watman is trying to do, but he wants to make sure they are comparing apples to apples.

Mr. Roy said that he is concerned with the implementation of this because of the table of wages. Selectively hitting areas that are weak, but unless they are reclassifying they are stepping off the scales that are in place.

Chairman Parker said that wherever that individual is now on that step scale are they talking about adding that increase to the step. Chairman Parker asked if an employee gets this increase, they are in the middle of the scale, do they still get the step increase. Mr. Roy said that his idea was to take that increase and turn it into an hourly amount, and that would increase that grade by that hourly salary.

Selectman French said eventually the higher paid would come down to equal out as time goes on.

Chairman Parker said that he is bothered by the lack of good answers to the questions asked. The exact detail would take years. He supports doing something positive for the employees and feels that this is a step in the right direction.

Selectman French said giving the 1/3 increase at this time would give them time to look into it further.

Selectman Blomback said this would cause havoc with the wage and pay scale. He feels that they are dismantling the whole table and said that they have a great working document.

Selectman Watman said that they are being led around by a salary schedule that has not proven to be competitive. The people in Henniker don’t care about the pay scale in Concord. Selectman Watman believes it would be a good thing if the schedule died and they developed a pay scale on the surrounding town’s averages.

Selectman Watman moved, Chairman Parker seconded to postpone the discussion of this item until the next regular meeting and ask the Town Administrator to look at the previous Wage and Benefit Committee and look into starting a new Wage and Benefit Committee and come up with a charge for that committee within a two year time frame. Passed 5-0-0

It was discussed that with going with the town contribution of 92% towards health insurance effective July 1, 2011 the town would be saving $18,538. They would not be entertaining any other plans.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Blomback seconded that on the basis of the presentation to continue with the low bidder, which is the Local Government Center and the Matthew Thornton program. Passed 5-0-0

Item 3: Possible appointment of Superintendent of Highway Department (Road Agent)

Selectman Aucoin recused himself at 8:29 p.m.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Watman seconded to appoint Carl Knapp to the position of the Superintendent of the Highway Department at grade 28 step 5a with the additional provision of three weeks vacation per year. Passed 4-0-1; Selectman Aucoin was recused.

Selectman Aucoin returned to the meeting at 8:31 p.m.

Item 5: Review and adopt minutes, public and non-public, of November 9, 2010 and November 13, 2010

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Watman seconded to accept the minutes of November 9, 2010 as presented. Passed 5-0-0

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Watman seconded to accept the non-public minutes of November 9, 2010. Passed 5-0-0

Selectman Blomback, Selectman Watman seconded to accept the minutes of the budget work session held on November 13, 2010. Passed 5-0-0

Selectman Blomback, Selectman Watman seconded to accept the non-public minutes of November 13, 2010. Passed 4-0-1; Selectman Aucoin abstained.

NEW BUSINESS

Item 6: Review of 2011 proposed budget as presented

Selectman Watman asked when they will receive the Capital Improvement warrant articles that will cost money. Mr. Flynn acknowledged at the next meeting. Selectman Watman said that usually they like to have the budget cleaned up before Christmas. Chairman Parker is hoping to use the meeting of December 6 to finalize the budget, but it depends on the issue of the salary adjustments. Chairman Parker said since they don’t have capital expenditures and the salaries are pending he would like to take the position that they will deal with the budget in the next two meetings and have it done before Christmas.

Item 7: Tax rate discussion

Chairman Parker said that they signed off in the consent agenda on a different tax rate than what they had previously discussed. Russ Roy said that the goal was to zero out the appropriations on the town side and there was some discussion on whether to throw in some of the fund balance. The bottom line number did go up and the county line was adjusted. The town portion of the tax rate increased $.09 from $29.73 to $29.82 in the consent agenda because of a mistake in the calculation of the county portion. The final figure for the town tax rate is $7.40.

Chairman Parker said that they have a lot of people that only want to talk about the tax rate and not the impact on the taxes. He feels that they need to make some announcement and this press release describes the impact on a home of $250,000 and shows a $3.00 difference on the tax bill for the town portion. Selectman Blomback thinks it is great to have the press release because people focus on the tax rate in general and if they can explain and educate taxpayers before the tax bills go out it is great. Chairman Parker said that it needs to state that this is discussing the 2010 tax rate not the 2011 tax rate. The press release ignores the subject of Lot 98 and the Board is not sure if they should reference it or not. Selectman French feels that they should reference Lot 98. Mr. Flynn thinks they should not include anything on Lot 98.

Russ Roy said that he recalls a discussion at Town Meeting regarding the budget being level funded. He mentioned the fund balance and said that the idea was to identify the components, the impact of the revaluation, and the impact of additional spending. Russ Roy said that DRA said the ideal number to have in the fund balance is 5%-10%. He informed the Board that the budgets are coming in really good and he expects to return the fund balance to the 5%. Russ Roy said that they cannot expend a cent over the bottom line without requesting the over expenditure from DRA. Russ Roy said that the fund balance is representing unspent budgets and unexpected revenues.

Selectman Watman thinks that they should include a simple sentence regarding Lot 98 stating that it was a factor in the tax rate.

Selectman Blomback said that they could state that the revenues of the sale of Lot 98 have not been realized due to permitting issues.

Item 8: First Reading – Smoking policy at the Town Hall field

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman French seconded to approve the smoking ordinance as presented in section 77-8 and move it to a public hearing. Passed 5-0-0

OTHER BUSINESS

Item 9: Mission Statement and discussion of organization of the new Solid Waste Management Committee

Mr. Flynn said he put together a Mission Statement as requested that reads as follows:

The Henniker Solid Waste Management Committee will work under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and key staff persons in an advisory role while the Selectmen consider the cost and benefits of different disposal options for the recyclables and solid waste generated by Henniker citizens. The Committee will utilize the works accomplished by the former Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal Committees and work in an objective manner that promotes collaboration and open communication among leadership, technical staff, and taxpayers alike. 

Chairman Parker said that he was under the impression they would be establishing something that would move on with the Solid Waste Committee and would be making it a long term ongoing committee, this Mission Statement makes it sound like it will only last until they deal with the report from the committee.

Selectman Watman said if they want a permanent committee it should state that it is a standing committee with the direction to report to the Selectmen and would be specifically reworded to list specific things you want them to do.

Selectman Blomback commented that he feels they did everything that this Mission Statement is stating. Mr. Flynn agrees. Selectman Blomback thinks that they should solicit the town’s input at Town Meeting. Selectman Blomback feels that the committee did everything asked of them, submitted a beautiful report, and the decision is now in the Selectmen’s hands.

Selectman Watman said that the only reasonable task is to provide further financial details about Pay As You Throw and Single Stream.

Selectman Blomback suggests that they keep the committee and change the Mission Statement to set them up to survey the townspeople for tabulating the results fairly.

The Board discussed including the survey on the ballot. Mr. Flynn said that having the costs for each option would be difficult.

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Aucoin seconded to have the Town Administrator come up with wordage to poll the townspeople at Town Meeting and by the third week in January come up with the final language. There will be no committee. Passed 5-0-0

Item 10: Town Administrator’s Report

1. Hiring Road Agent and Solid Waste Superintendent – The appointments have been made.
2. Lot 98 Purchase Proposal – The extension deadline is January 15, 2011.
3. Old Concord Road Issue – Hoyle Tanner sent out letters requesting contractor interest and they are working out the specifications.
4. Highway Safety Committee Meeting-Nevins request – Mr. Flynn is in contact with the Hopkinton Town Administrator. The Town of Hopkinton is making progress.
5. Salary and Benefits discussion – Discussion was held tonight.
6. Energy Committee-grant proposal – Still awaiting contract for signatures.
7. Revaluation Schedule – The revaluation is complete.
8. Safe Routes to School – The next meeting is scheduled for December 16^th.
9. Crosswalk request Park St/Route 114 – DOT sent a letter to the town updating their recommendations.
10.  Western Avenue Bridge – The Selectmen have approved $200,000 to be placed on the CIP schedule.
11. Western Avenue Culvert – South side guardrail was installed on November 4^th.

ONGOING

12. Rock n Birch Campground – Town counsel is corresponding with the court.
13. No Smoking Policy at Town Hall Baseball Field – The first reading was held tonight and moved on to public hearing.
14. Old Warner Road Application – There is no new update.
15. Athletics for Youth Committee-Study Committee for Recreation Director – There is no new update.
16. Drug and Alcohol Policy for Non-DOT Employees – Revising budget estimate to include fewer employees.
17. Penalty – Vision – Final assessment of penalty is in the works. They will have the final penalty amount by December 1^st.
18. Salary Comparisons Henniker plus 6 or 7 other towns – Information has been presented tonight.
19. Solid Waste Management Committee – Reviewed and discussed Mission Statement.
20. Health Insurance – The discussion was held tonight.
21. ATV policy over class VI roads – Selectman French mentioned that the $2 million insurance policy reflects snowmobiles but not ATVs.

Mr. Flynn said there are 1,200 residents who will be receiving decreased tax bills and 800 residents who will be receiving increased tax bills.

Selectman Aucoin said he went through the Vision process on his two tax bills. They were reviewed and he was sent a new property assessment.

Chairman Parker mentioned the extension with the court case regarding Rock n Birch Campground and asked if it is still continuing. Mr. Flynn said that the proposed settlement agreement has been submitted to the Court  for final ‘disposition’.

Item 11: Selectmen’s Reports

Selectman Aucoin said that the Athletic Committee is finalizing their budget and is hopeful for a lower budget than last year.

Chairman Parker said that at the Planning Board meeting a strangely laid out plan was brought forth, was accepted as complete, and a site walk scheduled. The Planning Board will be holding public hearings in December.

Selectman French said that he attended the Currier and Ives meeting and students from NEC put on a great presentation on the Currier and Ives Trail.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman French seconded to approve the waiver of the outstanding tax bill for $1,379.78 including interest for Reginald Bourassa due to hardship. Passed 5-0-0

Selectman Aucoin moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to adjourn at 9:34 p.m. Passed 5-0-0

Members Present:         Leon Parker, Chairman; Thomas Watman, Selectman; Leo Aucoin, Selectman;
Kris Blomback, Selectman; Robert French, Selectman

Town Administrator:   Peter Flynn

Guests:                           Chris Woodbury, Tom French, Keith Gilbert, Scott Davison, Laura Hall, Maria White, Jim Crane, Jim Schultz, Pete Fernandes, Brenda Slongwhite, Ken Levesque, Joanne LaHey, Jon Evans and Maria White.

Recording Secretary:    Cherry Palmisano

Chairman Parker opened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Flynn said that last week there were some questions regarding budget items. He informed the Board that he answered those questions in the interoffice memo in the front of their binders. Included in the memo are breakdowns of fuel costs, retirement expenses, the mod factor in worker’s compensation, and the depreciation value of assets. Mr. Flynn also commented that the Water Department does in fact get billed for items that affect their department.

Mr. Flynn informed the Board that he spoke with Anne Gould and the Election budget has been reviewed and he has received a revised budget; the revised budget dropped to the same as last year for $6,770 and reflects the need to purchase ten election booths.

Mr. Flynn said that if he were to make a recommendation on Emergency Management he would eliminate it. He cannot get an answer from the Emergency Management Director and he cannot justify the budget, because no money has been spent from the budget. The Emergency Management Director is a stipend position and she follows up with storms, but there has not been an incident to cause the funds to be used. The money for the wages will come out of the budget and the remainder will go back into the General Fund.

Athletics for Youth Committee

Mr. Chris Woodbury told the Board that they have a couple of new directors this year. His plan for the initial budget was to have a flat line budget of $42,149, which includes the field rental. He then asked all the directors for a 5% reduction to come in at around $40,000. Mr. Woodbury said that the organization is running smoothly with all sports, equipment, and uniforms. They have slowly replaced the basketball uniforms through several years. Mr. Woodbury said that only one of the maintenance expenses is being submitted this year because the Boosters Club took care of one round of fertilizing. They started the year with $2,476 and have a collected a total of $6,200 through fundraising efforts through the end of the soccer season. The money is sitting in an account that was created at Town Meeting two years ago specifically earmarked for the Athletic Committee for ongoing projects or in case they have large capital expenses that are not budgeted for. It was discussed that the recently purchased mats are used for cheerleading and wrestling and are stored at the school. Selectman Watman commended the Athletic Committee for being so well organized and the money being well accounted for. Selectman Aucoin said that the committee meetings are well run and efficient. 

Athletics for Youth Committee Budget Total $42,149

Fire/Rescue

Combined Budget – Chief Gilbert said that there are not a lot of big changes. They have one real full time employee and two part time employees and have shifted some numbers. The overtime has decreased significantly with the two part time employees. They have two excellent people that filled one full time position saving the town $40,000. The dispatch fees have increased. They are dispatched through the Capital Area Mutual Aid Fire Compact and the dispatchers are Concord firefighters. The dispatching fees are based on a formula, which is based on the town’s asset valuation and population and is an agreement they have had for years. There have been significant increases in wages negotiated with the Concord Union for Concord Firefighters resulting in significant increases for the dispatching. Chief Gilbert said that this is money well spent, but it did increase. Their building maintenance went down. They had budgeted $3,000 last year to paint the truck bays and they received donated paint and labor so they did not spend that money. They had an energy audit last year through PSNH and they changed all the lights. Fire/Rescue Combined Budget $285,420

Rescue Budget – Chief French said that he did increase the Rescue budget to help the Town of Bradford, because they are having trouble and looking to do some cost sharing. Chief French said that this would cause relatively low impact onto their call volume. He said that he needs to make sure it is covered in the budget. The Rescue budget did increase but there is a potential for $70,000 in revenue and he had to increase some lines to account for this cost sharing. Chief French said that in case they enter into the cost sharing with Bradford he put $4,000 in his budget to cover a potential $70,000-80,000 in revenue. They will eventually need approval from the Board because it will be an agreement between the two towns. If they enter into the agreement, they would not have the money to fund it, without it being in the budget for next year. Chief French said that he is trying to do the information gathering to be prepared for Town Meeting. Selectman Watman asked if the $4,000 increase is based on a 12-month basis. Chief French said it is to replace items that they use on calls.

Rescue Budget $91,080

Fire Budget – Chief Gilbert said that the largest increase in this budget is in the training line. He would like to change their history of not providing training because of the budget. The department has never supported training other than ‘Firefighter 1’ and they need to provide training for the future. Chief Gilbert told the Board that he budgeted to get three people through Fire fighter 1 and two through Fire fighter 2 and 15 through other training. They have one member who is not certified through Fire fighter 1, but most have arrived to the department trained. Chief Gilbert said that they have a target roster of forty and they are at thirty-six.

The Highway Department bills the Fire Department to do their vehicle maintenance and it is reflected as revenue in the Highway Department budget. Chief Gilbert informed the Board that the FCC has mandated a new rule for radio transmissions to allocate transmissions for all the users. Therefore the communication line is being increased for new pagers and the need to step up his pager replacement program.

Selectman Blomback commented that the budget is increasing, but they think they can increase the department’s revenue through the Bradford exchange. Chief French said that they absolutely can and the towns pay a flat fee just to have the service available and then the billing revenue could be around $30,000 and the cost sharing revenue could be $30,000-40,000. Chief French said that they have always exceeded their projected revenue of $150,000. They do try to be conservative and underestimate their revenues and always exceed what is projected. Historically they have been above the national average for collection fees; they generally keep their rates down. They have an 80-90% collection rate because their rates are not inflated and are collecting what is reasonable. Chief Gilbert said that they do not get much revenue, but if an incident is alcohol related then they ask for restitution. Fire Budget $130,317

Fire/Rescue Budget Total $506,817

Highway Department

Mr. Scott Davison, Assistant Superintendent, told the Board that the largest increase in this budget is the road construction, which was brought back up to $90,000 because it was cut down last year to $40,000. They need a new generator at the garage, the current generator does not cover 220v and the furnace needs to be replaced. The Sewer Department generator was mentioned, but determined that it is too large for the needs of the Highway Garage. They also need new ceiling fans to push the heat back to the floor. He will not be hiring out for contract plowing; he has two 2 men who are dedicated to showing up. They do not run a waste oil furnace because they do not generate enough waste oil. Selectman Aucoin asked if he looked into if the Transfer Station had too much waste oil. Mr. Davison said that the transfer Station has just enough to sustain themselves. The sidewalk line is a substantial increase; $22,683 increases in the budget over last year. Mr. Davison said that he moved $5,000 from the vehicle repairs line to the equipment repairs line because the equipment is older than the vehicles. The tire budget went down; they had to purchase grader tires this year.

Highway Department Budget Total $624,839

Highway Streets

It was discussed that they won’t even touch Western Ave this year. Mr. Davison asked if they could bond the road along with the bridge. Mr. Davison said that salt went up $2.00 per ton. The sidewalk repairs line is for $42,000 for the Western Ave sidewalk and $2,000 to repair a different sidewalk. Selectman Blomback commented on the sidewalk on Western Ave being bonded. Mr. Flynn said this has been in the works for four years and was always going to be in the operating budget and has become a bigger project. Selectman Blomback feels that it is a large repair item. Selectman Watman said he asked Mr. Flynn before the meeting if there was a way to separate the road for pedestrian traffic, because the people down there are not anxious for the $40,000 cost. Selectman Blomback feels this should be a capital expense item. Chairman Parker said the federal money was to replace what was there originally and the sidewalk was not there. Mr. Flynn asked if they would prefer it to be a separate warrant article. Chairman Parker said that it is not a matter of spending it, just a question of where it is recorded.

Highway Streets Budget Total $301,800

Street Lights

No explanation of the budget was given.

Street Lights Budget Total $20,225

Mr. Flynn said that he invited all the people who are involved with the Community Services budget to be present to explain their portion of the budget.

Community Services

CAP Program – Laura Hall, CAP Program Director for eight towns, said that she is responsible for fuel and electrical assistance and Meal on Wheels. She does get some federal funding and the towns support her office. She does provide outreach to each of the towns every two weeks, so if a resident cannot come to Warner for an appointment CAP makes it convenient by coming into town. They also do home visits for the elderly; the other CAP offices do not do home visits. Selectman Blomback said that the way it is worded is that Ms. Hall is requesting $8,016 from the Town of Henniker and in return the Town of Henniker receives $300,000 in services. Ms. Hall said that is correct. The Henniker food pantry receives free food through her; it has a value, and comes through the USDA Commodity. Last year Henniker residents received $165,000 for fuel assistance. Ms. Hall said that there are grants available; the grant that they receive is based on income, family size, and type of housing. There are also supplemental grants. She said last year the grants were doubled. Ms. Hall informed the Board that eight towns contribute to her office based on their size; Warner pays $15,796 to her office. Fuel assistance is a federal program and is a grant that comes into the State of NH and the state disperses it to each CAP agency. She said that we all pay for the electric discount program through supplier line fees; it is a discount program and it has a value. Selectman Blomback said she has a budget of $75,000 and she is a conduit of how the federal government and state office disperse monies. Ms. Hall said that is correct, the $73,368 just runs her office and that is what each town is paying for.

White Birch Community Center – Mr. Jon Evans told the Board that he submitted a letter of request to Mr. Flynn along with a list of services they are providing to seniors using town funding. Their primary business is childcare. Mr. Evans said that they are asking for $50,000, which is the same amount they have asked for the passed four years. Mr. Evans said that they have been trying to respond to what they read last year after Town Meeting regarding the fairness issue with Henniker taxpayers paying for other seniors from out of town who utilize their services. They have been charging minimal fees to some of the participant’s for individual activities, but the $3-$4 fees are not covering their expenses. Mr. Evans informed the Board that to respond to the issue of the unfairness they decided that starting January 31, 2011 they would charge an annual participation fee for out of town residents. This is causing some problems with seniors from out of town because they cannot afford a small annual fee and they are trying to work with the towns to help those seniors with their fees. They can use their documentation from the annual fees to go to the different towns and demonstrate the value that White Birch brings to the seniors. They have been receiving a grant from the United Way for their childcare program for many years this is first year they received a grant for the senior program. Mr. Evans said that they would be continuing to look for other avenues of revenue from residents outside of Henniker.

Mr. Jim Crane said they are trying to broaden the scope of the Board in terms of the business community to increase their fundraising. They are trying to get key residents from Weare and Hillsborough to fundraise in their communities. Selectman Watman said that he appreciates that White Birch has responded to the issue. Mr. Crane said that the data would help them expand their services as well. Mr. Evans said that part of their goal is to broaden their activities so younger seniors can become part of the program. Selectman Blomback asked if they have less attendance in the winter months. It was discussed that the senior’s carpool or the center will pick seniors up. Mr. Evans invited all the Selectmen to the center for a tour. This budget does not fund the childcare program in any way. They have waiting lists for most of their classrooms because the demand is so high.

Red Cross – Maria White, CEO for the American Red Cross NH Region, told the Board that disaster relief and blood relief are their premier services. They are a conduit between military over seas and the community. They provide international tracing for people who are torn apart by war or disasters. Ms. White said that last year they served two families affected by a residential fire in Henniker and held two blood drives, which they collected one hundred-fifteen pints of blood. The American Red Cross provides health and safety classes through employers. They also provide medical careers training, which is done in Concord and requires a fee. Their services cost nothing to the families that need them. The funding request is $.45 per resident, based on the 2009 census data, they do request funding from all the towns in the chapter and throughout the state based on past disasters and population. Ms. White said that they are 96% run by volunteers, but have ten full time staff in Concord. Ms. White said the relationship between the Red Cross and towns is a partnership and they need to explain to the Selectmen what they provide to the towns. They are mandated to perform services by Congress but do not receive state or federal funding and run their budget through what they receive from the towns. Ms. White said that the American Red Cross has been asking for $.45 per resident for many years.

CASA – Joanne LaHey, volunteer with CASA of NH, told the Board that CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. They are a state wide non-profit agency and currently have over four hundred volunteers, operating out of thirty-four courts, serving one hundred sixteen children. They currently have eleven Henniker court cases open; involving fourteen children and each case takes two years. The organization is important because they provide a voice in the courtroom specifically for the children. All their volunteers work on a one on one basis and visit each child’s home a minimum of once a month to help correct situations within the home for the children. The average volunteer is from every walk of life and every profession. The money being requested goes towards administration supplies. Ms. LaHey said that they estimate needing five hundred fifty volunteers and to recruit and train volunteers requires a lot of money. Selectman Watman spoke in support of the CASA program. Ms. LaHey said that due to the nature of their work, names are confidential, and it is extremely difficult to fundraise. They receive 67% of their funding through the state and federal government. Chairman Parker said the requested $500 is a small part of the package. Ms. LaHey said that there are eleven cases currently in Henniker involving eleven guardians. This service equates to five hundred-twenty hours of time at $60 per hour, plus mileage. The $500 requested amount comes directly back into the community to recruit for volunteers. They have an overall budget of $1 to $1.5 million. 

Community Services Budget Total $61,017

Solid Waste

Mr. Pete Fernandes said that they are requesting a budget of $499,955, but expects this number to change because there is a meeting on November 16^th to set the final tipping fee price. The price is currently $65.00 a ton, but it could rise to $66.00 or $67.00 a ton, which could add $4,000-$5,000 to the tipping fee line. Mr. Fernandes said that he tried to go through each line item to compare to what they previously requested against what they spent with the exception of the Park’s landscaping budget, which was cut last year and the landscaping needs to be done. Selectman Aucoin asked about how not having Norton anymore affects the budget. Mr. Fernandes said it came out to be about 51% that was hauling. Norton will not be hauling anything into the Coop this year. The tipping fees are paid up front and then billed out. Demolition currently goes to Rochester. They are looking at the future to start crushing their own glass and they have a dumpster already to do this. They are also looking into separating the construction debris and sending it to another company to reduce costs. Selectman Aucoin asked if putting it out to bid again would help to reduce costs. Mr. Fernandes said that he is thinking about lumber only going into a container; not sure if it is feasible to do this or go to smaller containers and ask the townspeople to separate more. They also need to look at the fees they charge the residents. Selectman Aucoin said they need to get the containers covered as well to help reduce costs. Mr. Fernandes said they are supposed to be covering the containers and they are also looking at covering the bins for the trash.

Solid Waste Budget Total $499,955

Welfare

Mr. Flynn said that this budget has been consistent for many years. Ms. Brenda Slongwhite, Welfare Officer, told the Board that there is 16% of the budget remaining, with most of the money going towards rent. She told the Board she has been working with her clients to get increased services from the state.  Two of the repeat offenders come up for services in January. She provides a ceiling of $700 for a Cremation and a ceiling of $600 for monthly rent. Ms. Slongwhite said that she is trying to empower clients to participate. It was discussed that up to date $67,000 has been paid. Ms. Slongwhite said that in 2009 she helped fifty-seven people. Some people come in for one service and some come in all the time. Selectman Aucoin asked how long rent assistance could go on. Ms. Slongwhite said the state definition says as long as they are in need and the town is required to pay for the necessities of life such as shelter, food, PSNH, fuel, and $30 for an open phone line. Clients have to prove their income and she adds up the allowable expenses. Clients get a voucher for food that goes to the Harvester and she stopped distributing gas vouchers. She also works with Antrim and Deering and has a full time job as a marriage counselor. Ms. Slongwhite told the Board that she requires clients to make an appointment and sanctions them if they miss their appointments. Selectman Blomback asked if there is coordination with the CAP program and responded yes, all the time. She is the safety net, last resort, and she always asks them if they have gone somewhere else to request services. The longest that she has ever had anyone on assistance for rent is a little over two years, and those are the people waiting for their appeal to go through Social Security. When she has found welfare fraud she has filed complaints.

Welfare Budget Total $80,000

Waste Water

Mr. Ken Levesque said that a lot of their lines have been reduced or stayed the same. He did what he could to keep the bottom line down; which matches last year’s bottom line before their subsidy from the State of NH from past projects. They are hoping to get money from the state this year and if that happens it will bring the bottom line down to $482,000 and reduce the total annual bill by $20.00 for each user. Selectman Aucoin asked about Cogswell Springs Waterworks contacting him about meters. Mr. Levesque said he was involved in the process. They were waiting for the costs to come regarding the placement of meters. He said they were ready last year and someone could have made a decision not follow through. Selectman French said there was some federal money for the meters at one time. Mr. Levesque said he never heard, the meters benefit the Water Department but would be equitable for the Waste Water billing process. Mr. Levesque said it might benefit NEC the most. Mr. Levesque said that he reapplied for the NPES permit and it should be coming early in the spring next year. It was discussed that new permits bring new requirements and unfunded mandates. Mr. Levesque said that it could be as simple as monitoring for nutrients, there could be a nitrogen and phosphorus limit. He does testing quarterly from nitrogen (level 2-3) and phosphorus (level 3); he is unsure what the limits would be if they set them. Mr. Levesque invited all the Selectmen to visit the facility.

Waste Water Budget Total $506,111

Code Enforcement/ Building Inspector

Mr. Flynn said that he invited Mr. Schultz to come in to meet all the Selectmen and present his reduced budget. Mr. Jim Schultz said that the budget went from a stipend position to being paid hourly, which is saving the town money. He is also cost sharing with other towns that he works with which has helped to lower the town’s costs. Chairman Parker asked Mr. Schultz if he has run into any problems within the town. Mr. Schultz said that the town has some really good contractors and builders with some very good projects. The projects he has seen have presented no problems. Mr. Schultz suggested that the town might want to address the rates they charge. The practice in other towns is that they charge for residential permits $.15 per square foot and for commercial permits $.30 per square foot; the town is currently charging $.08 per square foot. Mr. Flynn said that Mr. Schultz came to see him about this issue, and the fee schedule is on the table for the near future. Mr. Schultz informed the Board that New Ipswich, which is comparable to Henniker, has $12,000 in revenue up to date this year. Mr. Schultz says that he sees what other town’s charge and it is something for the Town of Henniker to think about.

Code Enforcement Budget Total $13,879

Patriotic

Mr. Flynn said this budget never seems to change and the budget is entirely for the Memorial Day activities. Selectman French said that NEC is going to approach the town about the light poles and flags. Mr. Flynn said that the college will have to do some research, the town does have a donation policy and it would have to be accepted by the town.

Patriotic Budget Total $2,150

Executive

Mr. Flynn said this budget went up $6,600 because of the drug and alcohol testing and the background checks on all new employees. The town would be required to do the testing on everyone eligible for the forestry truck as well. New employees would need a background check and testing and they would have to do the background and testing on all current employees. All CDL drivers are currently required to be tested. Mr. Flynn said that they need to have the funding issue taken care of before proceeding and said that the cost would come down for the following year. Other than that item the budget is flat. Selectmen’s wages come from this line as well. Selectman Watman asked if they want to start this in 2011 wouldn’t it be easier on the 2011 budget to hold over some of the service costs into the 2012 budget. The Board discussed whether it is necessary to test those who drive the forestry truck or just the larger town vehicles. There are less than twenty that are eligible to drive the larger vehicles. Mr. Flynn said this would include police officers that drive emergency vehicles. Selectman Watman said to have Mr. Flynn check to see what variations are possible.

Executive Budget Total $28,017

Town Office

Mr. Flynn said that the Town Office budget is a large budget, but has gone down 3% from the final cut budget last year. Selectman Aucoin asked if they are including raises in the salary line. Selectman Watman said that the budget represents an increase of 1% for everyone for twelve months. Mr. Flynn said that they are not asking for an additional increase. Selectman Watman said that the Board received the instruction to cut the budget by so many dollars last year. There is $500 in the website budget line because they need to pay to have the website. Selectman Blomback asked about committees posting their minutes.

Town Office Budget Total $508,232

Mr. Flynn said that based on all the information the Board has had over the 2 weeks, they are showing $39,785 less than last years budget, which is historical considering the town’s Selectmen’s budget.

The Selectmen have no say in the Water Department budget.

Mr. Flynn said that the 2010 town portion of the tax rate is estimated to increase by $.56. Mr. Flynn said that in reviewing the fund balance with Russ Roy they are proposing to use $272,358 of the fund balance, which is currently $552,765, to get the tax rate to only have an increase of $.56. If the revaluation were not done, there would be no increase. After using $272,358 of the fund balance there will be $280,407 remaining in the fund. Selectman Watman said that when most people left Town Meeting last year they expected that they would have a flat tax rate.

The Board discussed that a factor affecting the budget is the sale of Lot 98.

Selectman Blomback said that the taxpayers are going to focus on their property value. Selectman Blomback provided the following comparison:

$250,000 x $27.28 tax rate = $6,820 per evaluation
$235,000 x $29.73 tax rate = $6,986 post evaluation
Totaling an additional $166 for this year.

It was discussed that most of the difference in their tax bills will be in the school tax rate and that needs to be communicated clearly to the taxpayers. The Board will need to communicate this by focusing on the municipal budget. The sale of Lot 98 would have put the tax rate flat on the town side. 

Chairman Parker said that the figure to focus on is the amount to be raised by taxation.

Mr. Flynn said if they want a flat budget they could increase the fund balance withdrawal by $194,000.

Selectman Watman said the explanation is not going to wash with the public, they are going to look at the tax rate going up or down. The school will have its own trouble, but the town will not be able to justify their issue.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to apply an additional $194,000 of the fund balance to the reduction of the tax rate.

Mr. Flynn said that the number came from an anticipated question to Russ Roy on how much additional fund balance would be needed to bring the tax rate flat.

Selectman Watman is stating that the fund balance is $552,765 and Mr. Flynn has proposed using $272,358 of the fund balance and retaining a balance of $280,407 and now Selectman Watman is proposing to use an additional $194,000 to keep the tax rate flat.

Selectman Watman said that he feels that there is more danger in presenting a $.56 tax rate increase rather than depleting the fund balance amount. It was discussed that it is recommended to have 5-12% in the available fund balance. Selectman French said that he is concerned with the fund balance getting too low. They also need money for Old Concord Road, which is not included in the fund balance.

Selectman Blomback said that there is a net increase of $26.00 on the municipal side and he feels comfortable defending that increase. Selectman Watman told Selectman Blomback that he needs to be prepared to sell his position. Selectman Watman said it would be unfortunate to do because they could walk in to Town Meeting and sell a reasonable budget this year and gain what they lost last year with the public. He understands the concerns with the reserved fund.

Selectman Aucoin said that he sees it as the town walked out of that meeting thinking no one was getting raises, they got raises, everyone knows they got raises, now there is an increase in the tax rate and they might say the 2% increase is due to raises.

Selectman Watman said that there is a lot at stake.

Chairman Parker said that he is going to vote against the motion because he is having trouble arriving at the figures that Mr. Flynn is presenting. He said that he has no problem using a greater number of the fund balance; they have done that in the past. It was discussed that the year before they applied $380,000 from the fund balance.

Chairman Parker said that he couldn’t figure out how to get people to focus on their tax bill and not the tax rate.

Selectman Watman thinks that a lot of people will compare their previous tax bills against the current, but not all will do that, and there will be a lot who will ultimately look at the tax rate and complain.

Selectman French said that it was stated that the tax bill would stay the same, not the tax rate.

Selectman Blomback said that if they approve Selectman Watman’s motion it only takes into account the town portion, not the school.

Chairman Parker said that he is having trouble with taking almost all of the fund balance and mentioned taking less. Selectman Blomback said they should take all that is needed to keep the tax rate flat or take nothing.

Mr. Flynn said that the Old Concord Road expense of $63,000 has been appropriated this year and does not in anyway reflect the $552,765 fund balance, which consists of money left over at the end of last year and unexpected revenue.

They would be taking from the fund balance, with the anticipation that the revenue from the sale of Lot 98 would go into the fund balance. Selectman Watman said that the sale of Lot 98 was going to help restore the fund balance anyway.

Chairman Parker said that they would need to put major emphases on the point of a $0 increase to be raised by taxation.

Selectman Watman amended his motion to read: to increase the amount to be used from the fund balance to what ever is necessary to have a flat tax rate. Selectman Blomback said that he could not second the amendment.

The Board is now voting on applying an additional $194,000 from the currently retained fund balance of $280,407 to the amount to be used to lower the tax rate and leaving $86,000 in the fund balance. Selectman Watman believes that the fund balance will be increased over a period of time regardless of the Lot 98 sale.

Chairman Parker said if they take the heat now, they wouldn’t be talking about such an increase next year.

Selectman Aucoin said at Town Meeting it was clear, based on the sale of Lot 98, that the tax rate would be flat.

Selectman Watman said part of the factor was the sale of Lot 98 and the revaluation staying the same. Chairman Parker said that at the time they did not know what that would be.

Selectman Watman said that unless they are prepared to get up and defend the tax increase, there would be considerable heat at Town Meeting. He feels that they should restore taxpayer confidence.

Chairman Parker said that by Town Meeting people would have their tax bills and they will have a better chance explaining that the tax bill is more important than the change in the tax rate.

The motion Failed 3-2-0. Selectman Blomback, Selectman French, and Chairman Parker were opposed.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to approve the draft tax rate data to be representative of the Board to DRA stating that they will be using $272,358 of the fund balance towards the tax rate. Passed 4-1-0; Selectman Watman was opposed.

Mr. Flynn informed the Board that after the interviews the other night, some people questioned whether it was appropriate to have an exempt position at the Transfer Station.

Chairman Parker said that the selection committee conducted the Transfer Station Superintendent interviews and they are recommending that they interview the two internal candidates. The selection committee all agrees that one of the internal candidates is the appropriate candidate and that it was obvious to them that the two internal candidates are just as qualified as any outsider.

Chairman Parker said that an issue they are having is with the exempt status and not paying overtime because they would be asking either internal candidate to take a cut in pay. Selectman Watman said that he is hearing that the position cannot be exempt. He protested to the Board that this issue was assigned to the Town Administrator months ago and the information came back that it was acceptable to do so. Chairman Parker said that the problem is that it all depends on whom you talk to. Selectman Watman said he knows that in good faith they have been told that it was legal to do. Chairman Parker said from a number of sources there is some protesting that there is a magic percentage that needs to be involved with an exempt position. Chairman Parker said that the state labor department does not care; the lawyer is saying what they did is ok, but it depends on how you read the Department of Labor regulations. Selectman Watman said this came up initially during the policy revisions and they were given the information that it was a good idea to have a department head that was exempt and then they could have certain advantages that they didn’t have before. Mr. Flynn said that the lawyer said that the Highway Department is fine, but the Transfer Station is broken down differently and is a supervising position and now the lawyer’s response is questionable. Mr. Flynn said there are many other towns that do this.

Selectman Aucoin left the meeting at 12:33 p.m.

The Board conducted interviews for the open position of Highway Superintendent.

Motion by Leon Parker made for Non-Public Session per RSA-91-A: 3, II (b) –Interviews

Seconded by Kris Blomback.

Roll Call:  Leon Parker-yes, Kris blomback-yes, Tom Watman-yes and Robert French-yes

Board went into Non-Public at 12:10 pm

Board came out of Non-Public session at 2:20 pm

Kris Blomback moved to adjourn, seconded by Robert French.  Parker, French, Watman and Blomback voted yes. Meeting adjourned at 2:21pm

Present:  Leon Parker, Chairman; Thomas Watman, Selectman; Leo Aucoin, Selectman;
Kris Blomback, Selectman; Robert French, Selectman

Town Administrator:    Peter Flynn

Guests:                            Diane Frechette, Chris Mulleavey, Dennis McComish, Jason Michie, Bill McKean,
Jerry Richardson, Skip McKean, Cindy Marsland, Matthew Low, Ken Levesque,
Ken Koornneif, Kurt Jelineh, Tom French, Mick Costello

Recording Secretary:    Cherry Palmisano

Chairman Parker opened the meeting at 6:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Passed 5-0-0

Chairman Parker announced that included within the Consent Agenda was a letter of resignation from the Solid Waste Committee from John Kjellman. Chairman Parker thanked Mr. Kjellman for his service.

APPOINTMENTS

Item 2: Diane Frechette – Department of Revenue Administration – Discussion on overseeing revaluation

Ms. Diane Frechette, DRA, informed the Board that RSA21J11A obligates DRA to review the assessment process and monitor the update. They randomly select a sample set of properties to ensure accuracy of the data, sales, and building permits. The sales show the quality of the analysis, checks the measuring list and information that comes out of the sale to see if it matches up with what Vision has. They review building permits to make sure that the changes have been taking place. The accuracy of data is a percentage of properties within the whole town and they take care of the quality of data. Ms. Frechette said that the random sampling goes through a software application at their office and randomly picks properties. She sends out yellow postcards to inform homeowners that she will be reviewing their property and also allows them a two week opt out period if a homeowner does not want DRA there. Prior to the field trips that she takes, she stops by the Town Hall and the Police Station to give them a list of properties that she will be visiting along with her information so that they are aware that she is out there. Ms. Frechette said that she started the field visits, building permits, and accuracy of data checks on July 8^th and ended on August 3^rd. When she is out in the field she checks the property record card against what she measures and also takes in mind what is not picked up. Ms. Frechette said that she has to recognize what they pick up to ensure the whole town is equal. She also ensures the inside and outside measurements are what are recorded on the cards. Ms. Frechette said that she got into most of the properties, but it is not mandatory for homeowners to allow them in. She found employees at the Town Hall to be very helpful. Ms. Frechette informed the Board that she did attend most of the informal hearings, which all had light turnouts, and she did do exit surveys with most of the residents when they left the hearing. She reviewed the tax maps as she went through the fieldwork checking acreages. The in-house records, checking on current use and checking with the C1-12 forms for Stewardship still needs to be done. After the field trips she does a number of reports, after she completes the reports they go to Vision and to George Hildum and then the report is given to the Selectmen for review. Vision will be doing a USPAP Report, which helps taxpayers figure out how the appraisal was done. January 1, 2011 is the due date for Vision to get the report to DRA. The assessment review results will conclude with the 2010 ratio study and will bring the completion to May or June of next year. Chairman Parker asked at what point DRA makes judgments on the quality of the work done. Ms. Frechette said it would be included within the report.

Item 1: PUBLIC HEARING – Second Reading – Timber Ordinance revisions

Chairman Parker said that the proposed revisions to the Timber Ordinance are a combination of Chapter 114 and Chapter 65.

Chairman Parker opened the public hearing at 6:32 p.m.

Selectman Blomback said that all the changes have been addressed.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to waive the third reading of the Timber Ordinance and adopt Chapter 114 as presented. Passed 5-0-0 

Chairman Parker closed the public hearing at 6:35 p.m.

Public Forum

Mr. Goss asked the Board who made the ordinance that four wheelers cannot be driven on Class VI roads. Mr. Flynn said that eight years ago an organization came to him and asked for permission to utilize a specific Class VI road for a year and he assumed that because they were asking for permission that permission needed to be granted. Selectman French said there is a state ordinance and to access private land written permission from the landowner is needed. Mr. Flynn said a few weeks ago they gave an individual permission to use a specific Class VI road for a certain period of time. Mr. Goss said that he has to register his vehicle, it is a Class VI road, and Fish and Game is telling them they cannot use the road. He does not understand why he has to register his vehicles and is being told where he can go and where can he ride. Fish and Game charges a fee of $124 to ride on a Class VI road, but Jeeps go up there with no charge. Mr. Goss said that they hunt and fish and have permission from landowners to access the land, but they cannot access the land because the town will not allow them to ride on Class VI roads.

Selectman French said that typically an organization such as an ATV or Snowmobile club would come before the Selectmen to ask for permission.

Chairman Parker said that he is involved in this because he is one of the people on the petition; he asked the Board if they wanted him to recuse himself.

Selectman French said there must be a written permission slip for an organization or individual to use a Class VI road. Chairman Parker would like to avoid opening up Class VI roads. Selectman French asked if it would be wise to give these individuals permission to use the Class VI road. Chairman Parker said they could have the Town Administrator research the use of Class VI roads.

Mr. Goss asked what is the sense of Fish and Game getting you to register if you can not go anywhere with you vehicle. Chairman Parker said that the registration is so that you can go off your own property and access other property that you have been given permission to access.

Selectman French asked about the possibility of establishing a Henniker ATV club. It would blanket everyone involved in that club, if there is no club they would have to give permission to each individual to access Liberty Hill, Colby Hill, and Bradford Road.

Chairman Parker said that this is an issue he is personally involved in. He said that this is not a matter of the Selectmen stating no riding on Class VI roads.

Ms. Cindy Marsland informed the Board that she has spoken to people who live on Class VI roads that have complained about OHRVs riding on and tearing up the roads. Ms. Marsland said that last spring a state agency came to her regarding vehicles going up Bradford Road and into the Barletta property; they were trying to get permission to put up a gate from Rt 114 into that property. She hears a lot about the damage to the roads and the major concern is the abuse from the OHRVs.

Chairman Parker said that the Barletto property has been closed for all uses.

Selectman Aucoin asked if they could give permission to use Liberty Hill and Colby Hill Road for hunting purposes. Mr. Flynn would rather hold off before giving permission until he has chance to review the use of Class VI roads.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman French seconded to put this issue on the agenda for the next meeting and ask the Town Administrator to provide members of the Board the laws that pertain to this situation. 

Chairman Parker said that they need to consider something to deal with their approach to the town-wide situation.

Selectman Watman said that his intent was to not take any action on any request until they get enough information on how it should be done. There could be other groups or individuals trying to do the same thing. He understands the needs, but wants the decision made correctly.

The motion Passed 5-0-0.

Selectman Blomback moved to grant temporary permission for the individuals identified on the list as presented by Mr. Goss to access Liberty Hill and Colby Hill roads until December 15, 2010.

Mr. Flynn said it should be put into writing, including all their names, to have available to present to Fish and Game.

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Aucoin seconded to have the Town Administrator write a letter to give permission to the riders listed in the petition presented by Mr. Goss to use Liberty Hill and Colby Hill until December 15, 2010. Passed 3-1-1; Chairman Parker abstained and Selectman Watman was opposed.

Selectman Watman stated that he is against Chairman Parker abstaining because he participated in the discussion and should not abstain from voting. Selectman Watman feels that Chairman Parker should have recused himself from the discussion if he was not going to vote. He said that a member of the Board is expected to vote unless they were excused for a valid reason.

Chairman Parker asked Selectman Blomback to chair the meeting until the completion of the discussion.

Chairman Parker said that the majority of the Board voted and approved the motion.

Selectman Watman asked Chairman Parker to refer to the copy of the policies and procedures of the Board of Selectmen that he wrote and that were approved by the Board.

Selectman French said that Selectman Watman’s point is well noted.

Selectman Watman said this is not the first rule that has been broken by the Chairman.

Chairman Parker read Section 5-A-5 in the policies and procedures and commented on it stating that any member may demand a roll call vote in any manner and Selectman Watman has repeatedly objected to roll call votes. The policy also states that the clerk shall record the vote by each member and that a Board member can be excused by the Board. Chairman Parker said that he had asked Selectman Blomback to take over and made a motion for the Board to excuse him from voting.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Aucoin seconded to grant permission, from the Board, for him to abstain from the vote taken.

Selectman Watman said that the motion should have made properly before the vote.

Selectman French stated that Chairman Parker did ask before the discussion.

Selectman Watman said that there has to be a good reason to be recused and that Chairman Parker participated in the discussion.

Chairman Parker said that he is asking to be recused because of his personal involvement in the subject.

The motion passed 4-1-0; Selectman Watman was opposed.

Ms. Marsland asked if the Board is going to propose to allow the usage of OHRVs on all Class VI roads or only specific roads. Chairman Parker said they would discuss that when the Town Administrator brings forth the information. The motion they are dealing with only refers to specific roads.

Item 3: Matt Low – Hoyle, Tanner and Associates

a) Overview of Western Avenue Bridge project

Chairman Parker said that Matt Low gave a very good presentation at a meeting at the Community Center that was not very well attended. Since that time they have been made aware of a serious situation on Old Concord Road. Chairman Parker said that Mr. Low would give overview presentation of what he presented on the Western Avenue Bridge.

Mr. Low said they had a meeting that lasted a couple of hours with approximately sixteen people in attendance and there were healthy discussions on the issues. They have been studying the condition of the Western Ave Bridge and ways to move forward. They embarked on the engineering study process with a funding program of 80%-20% with the government. They have been working for over a year to evaluate the condition of the existing bridge and discussing whether to rehabilitate or replace the bridge. Thorough inspections of the bridge have been done. The bridge has been in the location since 1943, the trusses that were moved from Concord date back from 1915, and the floor system was installed in 1943. In 1987 the NH DOT replaced the deck, structural members, and painted. In 2009 they did a weeklong inspection for documenting purposes. Mr. Low said they knew they would be asked what the feasibility is of rebuilding or rehabilitating verse replacing the bridge. Mr. Low said that the steel truss traps a lot of moisture and debris, and the tresses require a tremendous deal of maintenance. They found holes during the inspection and NH DOT advised the town to close the bridge. The lower part of the bridge is extremely deteriorated.

Mr. Low said that they are strongly looking at a replacement bridge and are opposed to rehabilitation. Typically when they look at preserving a historical structure they would like to maintain more than what is possible with the current bridge. Mr. Low stated that most of the structure would need to be replaced to meet the needs of the town because of the condition of the members. He said that they might not get much service life with a rehabilitated bridge verse a replacement bridge.

Mr. Low said they are currently utilizing the Patterson Hill Bridge, which was rehabilitated 10-12 years ago, as a detour; this is the main route through town if I-89 was to be closed down. Mr. Low said that if the Patterson Hill Bridge had been built differently they would not need to replace the Western Avenue Bridge and could have one smaller bridge resulting in lower costs.

Mr. Low said that they looked at replacing the Western Avenue Bridge in the current location with a four span bridge to meet hydraulic requirements, steel beam structure, concrete deck, and without raising the vertical controls on either end of the bridge. They also looked at what bridges might be available if they were to replace the Patterson Hill Bridge and single span and two span structures were presented. They have developed costs for each, they both work, and would both require new abutments on both sides of the river. Mr. Low stated that the NH DOT has this project programmed for 2015 construction funding with the construction money being available to the town in July 2014. There are significant costs ranging from $3.5 million to $6.8 million. The $3.5 project is the Patterson Hill Road alignment.

It was discussed that even with the 80%-20% program, no matter which alternative is chosen; it is a high cost to the town. The project is currently included in state aid and if the project is on the lower end of the price scale it will stay state funding only, if it grows to the higher price scale then the NH DOT will introduce 80% federal money so as not to exhaust all state funding. If the project is funded through the state then the town will have to bankroll 60% of the construction costs until the completion of the project. If the project is federally funded the town will receive funding monthly. More design work needs to be done with the federally funded program and the construction engineering costs go up with federal funding. The NH DOT makes the determination if the project will be funded through the state or federally. Mr. Low said that if funding is an issue to the town, the town could make a request to have the project federally funded. He suspects it will be federally funded. Selectman Blomback asked why a local road would be considered to be federally funded. Mr. Low said that there are funds available for this purpose and the road does not have to be part of a national highway system to receive the funding.

Mr. Low said that they are in a holding pattern and are waiting to hear from the Board.

Chairman Parker said that at the previous public meeting they discussed the problems with the Patterson Hill option because of the intersection and the significant problems on the other end of the bridge. Mr. Low said there is a 20% grade at the other end of the bridge which creates an intersection situation that does not currently exist and brush clearing and grading would need to be done and will need to be considered.

A resident commented on the Patterson Hill Bridge replacement alternative having a span of 150 ft and the Western Avenue Bridge having a span of 330 ft. He asked if it was possible to reduce the span with fill, which would reduce the cost significantly.

Selectman French commented on there only being a difference of $100,000 on the four span verse single span bridge.

Chairman Parker said that his observations would be the additional cost to keep the Western Ave Bridge the way it was with the stop sign.

Chairman Parker said that the Board needs to give Hoyle Tanner a decision on which option to proceed with.

Selectman Aucoin asked Mr. Low if he could forecast the longevity of the Patterson Hill Bridge and Mr. Low responded that he is not sure. Selectman Aucoin asked if they go with a new bridge on Western Ave would they go back and revisit the Patterson Hill Bridge. It was discussed that the intersection at Patterson Hill is dangerous and they can’t limit it to any truck traffic. Mr. Low said that they originally looked at ways to rework the area to create a new intersection and did not work out that well.

They discussed the option, brought up by a resident, to fill and close the gap of the span and mentioned that they would be looking at several years of dealing with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Mr. Low said that it is up to the Board on what is next and how they would like to proceed.

Chairman Parker said that his personal preference is to work towards the replacement of the current bridge in some form.

Selectman French said that he is concerned with extending the project and the costs increasing.

Mr. Low mentioned that the NH Division of Historic Resources asked them to comment and they determine resources and if they want to work with the Town. The next step would be to meet with the Cultural Resources Committee. They cannot force rehabilitation. A lot of time preservation means that there is historical documentation and pictures to keep in a file. They would have to meet with the Cultural Resources Committee several times before a Memorandum of Agreement or Understanding is met.

Chairman Parker asked what if, as a Board, they agree with giving a mandate to keep the bridge from having to be rehabilitated.

Selectman Blomback asked if they priced out making a new truss. Mr. Low said they never priced that out, but it would be a significant cost and would be more maintenance than a conventional structure.

Mr. Low said that the life expectancy of a new bridge is approximately seventy-five years, but would not be maintenance free.

The Board informed Mr. Low that they would need to think through the options.

b) Discussion Re: Old Concord Road construction issues with the retaining wall

Mr. Flynn said that two meetings ago he brought forth information about a possible sinking on Old Concord Road and the fact that there has been a gradual deterioration since a year after it was completed. The wall is not as secure as it should be and is pushing out; caused mostly by water and drainage. He met with the engineering firm that was involved in the design of the whole sidewalk, and they asked for the engineers who designed the wall to be involved. Mr. Flynn along with Chairman Parker met with both engineering firms and they were told that the engineers would come to a Selectmen’s meeting and go over their findings. They need to solve the problem, not point blame, and solve the problem for a price that is not too high.

Chairman Parker said that after looking at the wall he is concerned with the wall falling down. It was discussed that all four engineers involved see it as a dangerous situation. Chairman Parker said that when they met with the engineers they discussed that they do not have time to get the normal bidding process done before it starts snowing. Chairman Parker said that it is up to the Selectmen to make the decision of whether this is an emergency situation to be dealt with now or to take the risk of waiting until next spring and the possibility of the wall caving in. There is the potential to have Old Concord Road closed all winter and not just when there is high water. They need to decide how much risk the town wants to take; every rainstorm there is pressure building behind the wall and moving the wall.

After the Mother’s Day flooding in 2006 is when the problem was first noticed, and significant movement was noticed. Chairman Parker asked if there is something that can be done to reduce the risk for the winter. It was discussed that they could put in temporary curbing to direct the water away. The curbing could be placed right by the face of the guardrail and direct the water down the hill.

Selectman Aucoin said that Old Concord Road has gates and if they cannot fix the situation, it would be an inconvenience, but if they have to shut the gates that is what they will have to do.

Selectman Blomback asked if the engineers could provide them with a reliable temporary fix. Mr. Low said that sheet piling is an alterative, but there is also a risk with pushing it out further with sheet filing. They cannot put weight on top of the wall. There is no sidewalk on the retaining wall side. Selectman Aucoin asked about building an asphalt burm to force the water to dump off further down on State Shed Road. He knows it would be a temporary fix and if it gives way during the winter they would have to close the gate. Selectman Blomback said that he looked at the wall and said it does not look good. He does not think the town has the resources or the manpower to do the repair. He asked if the engineers have a recommendation for manpower for the contractors. It was discussed that the paving depends on the weather and the main thing is to get the top sealed so that the water is not a problem. Selectman Blomback asked if the $62,000 on the worksheet is the final costs. Mr. Low said it does not include the re-grading of the roadway. Mr. Low said that after sending the cost sheet to the town he spoke with Nobise and determined a new number to be around $50,000 based on town labor; a contractor will add on some sort of a premium.

Selectman Watman asked what the current financial analysis is on available funds. Mr. Flynn said they had enough to do the sidewalk project for $20,000 which was put off; he could have a definite answer soon and thinks it could be around $50,000-$60,000.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Blomback seconded that if the Town Administer can find $65,000 in the budget that they can encumber it and then waive the normal bidding procedures and request three bids minimum.

It was discussed that there will be engineers overseeing the project and on site engineering.

Nobise Engineering said that they discussed drainage and keeping the water off the area. They want to improve the profile so that the water does not collect there at all.

It was discussed that if Mr. Flynn can find the $65,000 they will go forward with the project with the engineering firms helping him with the process.

The motion passed 5-0-0.

OLD BUSINESS

Item 4: Bid award for 2011 ambulance

Mr. Tom French informed the Board that after their last meeting he tweaked the specs based on information from four or five bidders to make changes to put bids together based on their budget. They received one bid, which is from a company that they received a truck from before and hoped they did not have to deal with again, and the second company missed the bid. Mr. Flynn indicated that there is a procurement process. Mr. French wants to negotiate with someone that submitted a bid the first time, but did not submit a bid the second time. They are trying to buy the same truck as before. They only have one legal bid and he is not sure what the procurement policy allows him to do. Mr. Flynn said that it allows him to negotiate with any bidder, takes that as a current bidder, not a bidder that bid previously. Mr. French said that they only bid they received was from a company that they had problems with. Chairman Parker said to turn that bid down. Mr. French said that the bid specs asked for line item bids and this company did not give them line items bids; their total was for $210,251 and the town authorized $175,000. There are funds available in a two-year non-lapsing fund. Mr. French said that he has been holding off on doing $6,000 worth of motor work to the engine, has scaled back the use of the truck, and only uses it when they need two trucks. Mr. French said that the urgency is higher than ever and it takes 90-120 days to build the truck. Selectman Watman asked what the shortest period of time would be to rebid and get bids in. Mr. French said the first period they were out to bid for four weeks and the second time they were out for six weeks and only received one bid. Mr. Flynn said three to four weeks would be adequate time. The policy does not set a time. Mr. French said that in his experience he thinks the town can get a better product for lower money by negotiating. The company that they did not receive a bid claimed they didn’t know the bid was sought at that time.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to reject the current bid for the ambulance and authorize negotiations with the two bidders that have submitted bids. Passed 5-0-0

NEW BUSINESS

Item 6: Bid award for Waste Water Treatment Plant generator

Ken Levesque informed the Board that the Waste Water Treatment Plant is in need of an emergency generator. The current generator is thirty-four years old. They will probably put it out to bid to get rid of the current generator. Mr. Levesque said that they received four bids. There were several requests in their bid specs that were not negotiable. The low bidder put stipulations on their bid and that is why he did not go with the lowest bidder. Mr. Levesque said that they have a rolling capital reserve and have the money available to do this project. As of December 2009 they have $262,000 and this is an $82,000 project.

Scherbon Consolidated    $79,000.00

J&D Power Equipment    $81,700.00

Milton CAT                     $87,600.00

Richardson Electric               $99,611

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Aucoin seconded that the Board award the project to J&D Power Equipment for $81,700 for the Henniker Waste Waster generator replacement. Passed 5-0-0

The generator will not be installed until the spring.

Item 5: Review and adopt minutes of October 19, 2010 and October 30, 2010

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Aucoin seconded to approve the minutes of October 19, 2010 as amended. Passed 5-0-0

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman Watman seconded to approve the minutes of October 30, 2010 as presented. Passed 5-0-0

OTHER BUSINESS

Item 7: Town Administrators Report

1. Hiring Road Agent and Solid Waste Superintendent – Mr. Flynn said out of the twenty-one applicants for Road Agent, five were picked for interviews, one backed out, and they ended up interviewing four candidates.
2. Solid Waste Disposal Committee Report – Mr. Flynn said there is nothing to report; there may be a possible Solid Waste Management Committee soon.
3. Lot 98 Purchase Proposal – Extension until January 15, 2011.
4. Old Concord Road issue – The issue was dealt with tonight.
5. Highway Safety Committee Meeting – Mr. Flynn said that this request was from Bob Nevins. He received information today regarding no thru traffic signage. Selectman French said that he was part of the meeting with the Highway Safety Committee. Hopkinton will be patrolling their side for other concerns. This will require joint effort from Hopkinton for posting the road with signage at Rt. 202. Mr. Flynn will get together with Hopkinton to see if they are interested in reducing traffic.
6. Revised Timber Ordinance – This was dealt with tonight.
7. Salary and Benefits Discussion – Mr. Flynn said that there is a lot of information and this will be discussed on November 23^rd.
8. Energy Committee-Grant Proposal – Mr. Flynn said that he received an email today; the contract is being issued and is nearing the end.
9. Revaluation Schedule – Mr. Flynn said that this will be completed on Friday and on Saturday he will be presenting what he thinks the tax rate will be. Vision has all the hearings done and the information is being transferred to other software to get ready for the MS1, which Russ Roy will hand deliver tomorrow.
10. Safe Routes to School – There was a preliminary meeting with a core group of three.

Chairman Parker said that they need to deal with the Road Agent salary.

Selectman Aucoin recused himself from the discussion.

Chairman Parker said he was late for the committee meeting for the reviewing of the applicants for the Road Agent and Mr. Flynn had explained to the committee what salary level they were discussing and that they were discussing a salaried position. Chairman Parker said that they were attacked by committee members saying that no one would take that job for that salary with an exempt basis. They reviewed the applications and have a recommendation to make because none of the people that they selected to interview wanted the job for the salary that is being offered. Mr. Flynn did some work on the salary ranges. Chairman Parker said that if they stay with the salary they are offering they have a candidate that is willing to work for them being an exempt employee. Mr. Flynn has a recommendation that the committee made. Chairman Parker would prefer to match New Boston’s salary, which is $62,000 plus overtime. Selectman Watman said that he is not surprised, for two years he has talked about the salary surveys being lower than their competitors. He is surprised that when the person made the motion to go in this direction he stated that it was obvious that they would be paying as much as they did for the experience that John Margeson had for a new person not having the experience that John Margeson had. Selectman Watman said that his understanding was that candidates were to be brought back to the Board, no less than two and no more than three candidates to come to the Board. Selectman Watman commented that if they are going to increase the pay they should look at what else is out there. He suggests that it would be good to see the best and the strongest of those willing to settle for less and has serious consideration about the implications for salary determinations for the next budget. Selectman Watman stated that this position is not the only one that is significantly underpaid. Chairman Parker said that the advertisement did not mention the pay. Out of the twenty-one applications, the committee selected four for interviews and those four run the range of experience and even the least experienced did not want to work for that price and the other factor was when they threw in the fact that the position was exempt. It was discussed that when looking at a salary range of $62,000-$64,000 the person in the position averaged more than $62,000 in payroll costs for the past three years. The job entails a lot of overtime and if they are taking the overtime pay away, the applicants don’t want the job. Of the three candidates that they have, one has a lot of experience.

Selectman Watman said that it is not necessary to always advertise the price. He said that when they start selecting who will be interviewed, the Town Administrator should discuss the range of the salary. It was discussed that Mr. Flynn did tell the applicants the salary and they said that they weren’t willing to work for that price, but would do the interview in case the town changed the salary.

Selectman Blomback said that the market sets the price, if the position was not advertised with any salary attached, it gives them room to negotiate. There is also the possibility of having an insurance buyout.

Selectman French asked if the other towns have additional benefits added onto that salary; $23,000 for benefits.

Selectman Blomback left the meeting at 8:55 p.m.

Mr. Flynn said that the previous department head did receive overtime. Selectmen French thinks that the numbers are skewed that they voted on. Scenario 1 shows the position being exempt; the person previously in the position was not exempt and received overtime. Selectman Watman said it was based on hiring someone with far less experience so that they could afford it. Chairman Parker said that they are not talking about $60,000 for an exempt employee; they would not be increasing the budget because that is what they spent for John Margeson. Mr. Flynn said that overtime was included in the scenario for all the other guys.

Jen McCourt, member of selection committee, said that the person they interviewed offered the scenario Selectman Blomback suggested.

Selectman Watman is dismayed that the committee would factor in opting out of benefits.

Chairman Parker said that his request to consider a $62,000 salary on an exempt basis, without talking about health insurance, would cost them the same amount as John Margeson did. Chairman Parker said that the implement of a buy out came up because the candidate proposed it. Selectman Watman said if they can find a younger less experienced candidate they could adjust the pay over a 2-3 year period. Selectman Watman said that he thought they could justify $55,000 as part of a 3-4 year approach of catching up this position as well as other positions; he is concerned with next year’s budget. Selectman French asked what if this happens on the Transfer Station side as well. It was discussed that the Transfer Station agrees with the price the town is proposing and will make sure that overtime is minimal.

Chairman Parker said that in the selection process the committee disqualified everyone except four and of the remainder there were people who were younger and not experienced and had the same reaction to the price. He does not see anything that would be gained by advertising again. Selectman Watman said so they can say they looked into younger and less experienced, so that it is worth paying whatever they will need to pay.

Chairman Parker said the number of people being interviewed can be discussed publicly, but the qualifications and pay should be discussed in non-public session. He said that he was anticipating looking at the results of the committee’s findings in non-public session.

Selectman Watman feels that the committee did not follow the Board’s intent in the process. Chairman Parker said that the committee picked three people to be interviewed, interviewed three, and found one that they thought the Board should interview. If the Board wants to interview all three they need to decide. Selectman Watman said that he is interested in comparison, and would like to interview the two that the committee feels are best. It was discussed that the committee has a recommendation of one candidate because of the qualifications. Jen McCourt stated that as a member of the committee, she was looking at cost, but appreciates Selectman Watman wanting to see a comparison. Selectman Watman said that they had a discussion to bring two candidates in front of the Board.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Watman seconded to change the salary offer for the Superintendent of the Highway Department to grade 28, step 5 at $62,460 on an exempt basis.

Selectman Watman said that it is obviously competitive and the candidates should be made aware that this is the maximum salary being offered.

Mr. Flynn thinks that the Board should interview the three candidates.

The motion Passed 2-1-0; Selectman French was opposed.

Chairman Parker would like to call in all three applicants as soon as possible. It was discussed that the interviews will be scheduled Saturday.

Selectman Aucoin returned to the meeting.

11. Crosswalk Request Park St/Route 114 – Mr. Flynn said that the mail he received today from DOT, says that can’t do a lot for crosswalks except cutting shrub. They are putting up permanent crosswalk signs on posts and trying to put up additional signage at the accident site.
12. Western Avenue Bridge – This was dealt with tonight.
13. Western Avenue Culvert – The guardrail has been installed and they are holding funds back for the opposite side guardrail. Mr. Flynn said that they received the permit for the drainage issue for the sidewalk, they have another small retaining wall, and they are waiting for cost estimates.
14. Rock n Birch Campground – This will be dealt with in non-public.
15. No Smoking Policy at Town Hall Baseball Field – Mr. Flynn said that this could be on a future agenda soon.
16. Old Warner Road Application – This is on hold.
17. Athletics for Youth Committee – Study Committee for Recreation Director – There are no new reports.
18. Drug and Alcohol Policy for Non-DOT Employees – Mr. Flynn said that they will have the information for the meeting on the 23^rd; the budget item that will be significant. The Commissioners would have to fund and decide for the Waste Water Department.
19. Penalty-Vision – Vision has been notified and they have contingency money set aside for withdrawal on the final invoice.
20. Salary Comparisons Henniker plus 6 or 7 other towns – Mr. Flynn said that this is currently being done.
21. Solid Waste Management Committee – Mr. Flynn has the directive to prepare a mission statement and he is doing this for the next meeting.
22. Health Insurance – Mr. Flynn said that he put out three RFP’s and had to send each bidder a claim report for the past two years.
23. Employee Benefits and Salary for 2011 – Waiting for BOS to determine.

Item 8: Correspondence

Mr. Flynn said that he received a letter from someone complaining about noise on the river. It was discussed that Jim Schultz is handling this.

Mr. Flynn said that he received a letter from a resident on Chelsea Court complaining that her assessment was not high enough for rebuilding purposes; he will answer her letter.

Mr. Flynn said that he went to a productive CIP meeting with Selectman Aucoin and they asked for permission to put the roof of the Grange on that plan.

Mr. Flynn asked if the Board is interested in funding any money for the Western Avenue Bridge for the CIP, and if so, he would like a number. Chairman Parker said they have four future Town Meetings before the 80% funding from the State is available and they need to have $400,000 available for the design process, so they will need to have $200,000 put in CIP this year. Mr. Flynn said by putting it out there is only to show the need. Chairman Parker said that the Town Meeting is the Legislative body to make decisions and the $200,000 request for the Western Avenue Bridge should go before the voters to put in the CIP. Selectman Aucoin thinks they should put $100,000 into CIP. Selectman Watman said that he does not want to commit to CIP. Mr. Flynn said it would not be a commitment just a guide for CIP to go by. Chairman Parker said that the issue is whether or not they want to fix that bridge, and if they don’t get the next design phase done they will not be able to take advantage of any funding available. Selectman Aucoin said that they need to make the public aware that the Patterson Hill Bridge is not designed for the kind of traffic it has been seeing. Chairman Parker said that he is concerned with the intersection on the other end.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Aucoin seconded to put $200,000 in the Capital Reserve Committee Schedule to move towards the design work for the Western Avenue Bridge.

In order to take advantage of the funding in 2015 they need to have the design work done 18 months before. If the townspeople want to take advantage of the funding in 2015 they will need another $400,000 for engineering the actual design work. The estimated design costs are between $400,000 and $550,000; they currently have $50,000. The federal involvement would give them 80% back.

The motion Passed 4-0-0.

Item 9: Selectmen’s Reports

Selectman Watman informed the Board that it was called to his attention yesterday that they did not interview an internal candidate for one of the positions they are looking to fill. There are no procedures in place for interviewing internal candidates. He is not saying that the person involved would have been a viable candidate. Selectman French said it would be a huge moral issue. Selectman Watman believes this has caused a lot more moral issues and thinks it has hurt the department.

Selectman Watman stated that he does not dislike Chairman Parker in any way, but feels that there are policies in place that need to be followed. He apologized for his earlier behavior and the longevity of his objection.

Chairman Parker apologized as well and said that he does try to follow the rules.

Chairman Parker said there was some discussion amongst the committee members about some of the applicants that they decided not to interview. There was no consideration by the public members of the committee and no inclination to even discuss that individual applying internally. Chairman Parker said that if you give someone the recognition of interviewing him or her and they do not get the job it sometimes leads to a much larger reaction.

Selectman Watman said that the expectation could be that any internal candidate receives an interview with the Town Administrator. He feels that if an employee has been employed for several years it is a blow to morale to not have been given the chance to interview.

By consensus, the Board agreed to recommend to the Town Administration that he handle this type of situation differently in the future.

Selectman Aucoin informed the Board that the Athletic Committee received a preliminary go ahead from the federal government to go ahead with the ball field.

Chairman Parker informed the Board that there is a very positive and strong appreciated ‘thank you’ from Wayne Colby for the Selectmen’s work at the polls. There was a 55% turnout and 1,776 ballots went through the machine.

Chairman Parker said that the Planning Board is preparing and will have a hearing on several zoning ordinance changes to bring before the town.

Mr. Flynn presented the Board with a written legal opinion from the Town Attorney regarding Rock n Birch Campground and asked for their recommendation on how to proceed. 

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Watman seconded that the Board instruct the Town Administrator to inform town counsel to go ahead with the proposed draft agreement as presented. Passed 4-0-0

Item 10: Request for Non-Public – Per RSA 91-A: 3, II

Selectman Watman moved, Chairman Parker seconded to enter into non-public session @ 10:10 p.m. pursuant to the authority granted in RSA 91-A: 3II for legal purposes. A roll call vote was taken, Selectman French – yes; Selectman Aucoin – yes; Selectman Watman – yes; Chairman Parker – yes. Passed 4-0-0

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Watman seconded to adjourn at 10:18 p.m. Passed 4-0-0

Members Present:         Leon Parker, Chairman; Thomas Watman, Selectman; Leo Aucoin, Selectman;
Kris Blomback, Selectman; Robert French, Selectman

Town Administrator:    Peter Flynn

Guests:                            Kimberly Johnson, John Kjellman, Eleanor Kjellman, Jennifer McCourt, Pete Fernandes, Cynthia Marsland, Thomas Patenaude, Lia Houk, Brian Weikal,
Gail Abramowicz, Linda Patterson, Rod Pimentel and Ryan Murdough.

Recording Secretary:    Cherry Palmisano

Chairman Parker opened the meeting at 6:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Aucoin seconded to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of the item dealing with the Webmaster. Passed 5-0-0

APPOINTMENTS

Item 1: John Kjellman-Chair, Solid Waste Disposal Committee: Report of the Committee

Mr. John Kjellman stated that the Solid Waste Disposal Committee held an informational meeting at the Community Center on September 28^th and there were seventy-eight members of the public present. At the meeting they distributed survey forms, of which forty-three were returned. Forty-two percent of the residents voted for no change and to keep things the way there are, while fifty-eight percent of the people said they wanted something different, adding up the various other options. Mr. Kjellman said that it is hard to determine what they would want because there was no clear choice; but a lot of different ideas on what should be done. There is no direct recommendation from the committee, but it was discussed that tipping fees increased significantly last year and will continue to do so and regulations will continue to become stricter. The Transfer Station budget will continue to grow rapidly. Mr. Kjellman said the concern from some committee members was that this is not the time to go to single stream, due to the budget and they should leave things the way they are. There was no detail analysis done of any of the options. Mr. Kjellman feels the original report balances out merits of the options, with the key point being if you want to reduce taxes it is clear to have Pay As You Throw. Pay as you throw is easy and will take a lot of money off the budget; there are other towns going that way. This would be the way to significantly reduce the budget; it does not make a big reduction in the cost to the town, but shifts the cost to individual households. The elderly would save because they have less trash and people throwing away more would pay more. Single stream seems to be popular by the votes and people like not having to separate all their plastics. It would be an estimate of $120,000 to implement single stream recycling and would take three to four years to accumulate the savings to cover that investment. Mr. Kjellman said that the committee supports Pay As You Throw, start planning for single stream, and to start getting real dollar estimates. The investment in truck scales would pay back rather quickly. Mr. Kjellman said another issue for the Board to think about is traditionally all the trash was going to Penacook and Norton and Son decided to haul to Berlin to save instead of pay tipping costs at Penacook. If the Penacook incinerator gets less trash they will most likely raise their rates.

There has been some talk about possibility of licensing commercial haulers; there is an RSA that gives the authority to do so and that might help be able to legally require where they haul their trash. Mr. Kjellman said that across the country they favor incinerators over landfills. The committee feels they did the job they were asked to do. There was good participation at the meetings. Mr. Kjellman and a lot of the members are planning on resigning. Mr. Kjellman feels that the Solid Waste Committee and the Recycling Committee should be combined. A real engineering analysis and economic analysis needs to be done, but Mr. Kjellman said it was beyond the scope of the committee.

Chairman Parker said that he was not at the meetings, but knew there was a lot of heat on what to do with the town’s trash. Chairman Parker said the committee held thirty-nine meetings and commented that he was very impressed with the report and facts that were given to the Selectmen. They are currently in the process of undergoing significant changes at the Transfer Station, because of the reduction in staffing and a new director. They now have a lot of information that can be dealt with by a new leader. The report will allow them to do an even better job going forward.

Mr. Kjellman said that signage to direct where the recycling items go was of great importance to the committee.

Selectman Blomback mentioned regulating commercial haulers and said that he is curious as to why they really care where Norton and Sons takes their trash. He also asked why they would want to interfere by licensing commercial haulers and getting into the marketplace they don’t know about. Mr. Kjellman said the committee discussed it a lot, on one hand to increase recycling at the Transfer Station because there is an economic benefit to do so. He also said that if someone is using Norton and Sons it does not cost the town, it is environmentally unfriendly, but there is no cost.

Selectman Aucoin said that Norton and Son have their own recycling center.

Chairman Parker said that one issue they discussed is that a minority of the town’s trash actually goes to the town facility. In advocating Pay As You Throw that is the only place to enforce.

Mr. Kjellman said that Pay As You Throw might be a reason for licensing commercial haulers. 

Chairman Parker said that sometime, in the not too distant future, there will be new leadership at the Transfer Station and they may get a fresh look from whomever they hire. He is inclined to absorb this during budget season.

Selectman French said that Mr. Kjellman is suggesting combining the Recycling Committee and the Solid Waste Committee. Mr. Kjellman asked that the Board not to shelve this report, but to use it as a basis to move forward and asked them to keep a committee going to keep the issue on the backburner.

Chairman Parker said there has been enough interest and enough expense involved that they have to consider the whole situation. Chairman Parker asked the Town Administrator to take a look at the mission statements of both committees and combine them into one combined mission statement. The Board agreed by consensus. It was determined that the name of the committee would be the Solid Waste Management Committee.

Mrs. Eleanor Kjellman asked what the next process from the Selectmen would be in regards to an action item coming out of the report. She asked if they will they be picking an option to present to the town.

Chairman Parker said that the Board will have some serious discussions during the budget hearings on what really needs to be funded and Mr. Flynn will work with whoever runs the Transfer Station to work towards a proposal.

Mrs. Kjellman asked if there was time in the budget cycle to form a plan for this year. Chairman Parker responded that there is time. Mrs. Kjellman asked if they could have an article to vote on. Chairman Parker said a group of citizens could put a warrant article on the ballot. Mrs. Kjellman asked how a citizen would get a feeling if the Board would dread or welcome an article. Selectman Aucoin thinks it would have to come forth from the citizens. Mrs. Kjellman does not want the report to be filed and forgotten.

Mr. Kjellman said that the committee would like to see something happen quickly. He said that Pay As You Throw had a committee and that is what they worked on and promoted for several years. It will take education, but they have a large mandate for change. The committee would not recommend taking it to the town for a vote this year.

It was mentioned that there was a strong showing for single stream at the meeting, which can be combined with Pay As You Throw and can also be done singly. It was also mentioned that if the Selectmen were so inclined there could be a warrant article to initiate engineering at the Transfer Station to transfer it into a single stream facility.

Chairman Parker said that he is concerned with economically making the change.

Selectman Blomback said that he is detecting that the next step to move in would be single stream and asked if it would be the best option for the town. Mr. Kjellman said that they are seeing that trend in the country.

Item 2: Jennifer McCourt – Request for Extension Re: Sale of Lot 98

Selectman Blomback recused himself at 6:57 pm

Ms. Jennifer McCourt told the Board that DES is going slower than they anticipated. She has an amendment from their attorney requesting an additional ninety days. Ms. McCourt informed the Board that they have all the plans and the conceptual layout of the road done, which exceeded her expectation for wetland impact. They have been trying to get a meeting with DES and met with Alteration of Terrain officials regarding the road and enlisted their help to get a meeting with the Wetlands Bureau, which happened last Friday. They need to comply with new rules which impact the amount of engineering to be done to the Amey Brook crossing. This also adds time, which is why they are requesting an extension. It should take three to four weeks to produce the plans they require, DES then has seventy-five days to review the plans. She is making her best guess at the timeframe.

Selectman Watman said that he is in favor of granting the extension. Selectman Watman said that it was his understanding that there have been DES concerns with the road on the Patenaude property that is going to hook up with this road. Ms. McCourt responded that there have been no problems. It was discussed that the DES Wetlands rules say that if you are going to have an extension they want to see the entire thing, even if it is in conceptual form, therefore a hold was put on this until they could provide this plan. Ms. McCourt informed the Board that they would be combining the Lot 98 permit with the Sayce road permit.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Aucoin seconded to grant the extension regarding the Lot 98 purchase through January 14, 2011.

Selectman Robert French said that Attorney Drescher has requested to move it up by two weeks to close by the end of the year. McCourt said that if they get the permit they would move it up.

Passed 4-0-1; Selectman Blomback was recused.

Chairman Parker asked about the conservation easement and Ms. McCourt informed him that she is still working on that piece.

Selectman Blomback returned to the meeting at 7:05 pm

OLD BUSINESS

Item 3: First Reading: Timber Harvesting Ordinance Revision

Mr. Flynn said that by recommendation the ordinance was condensed to contain the quality of work that was suggested. The revised Timber Harvesting Ordinance is a combination of two ordinances, which Mr. Flynn would like to present, accept as first reading, and be sent on to public hearing.

Selectman Blomback commented on the designation of wetlands and asking loggers for the determination of what are wetlands. He said this is a minor issue, but asked if there is a better way to define “wetlands.”

Ms. Cynthia Marsland said that all the intents to cut and copies of maps go to the Conservation Commission and if they have any questions they contact the landowner or logger directly.

Chairman Parker said that he shares Selectman Blomback’s concerns and said they could insert “designate known or expected wetlands area.” Selectman Blomback would hate for a logger to get into a situation because he did not designate something as wetlands. Ms. Marsland said that another way to identify wetlands is the vegetation that grows there. Selectman Blomback asked if the Conservation Commission has a wetlands master list that can be referenced. Selectman Watman said they do have a general list. When an intent to cut is submitted there is usually some member of the Conservation Commission that is familiar with the land and if they were in doubt they would contact the landowner to view the property. Ms. Marsland said that there has never been a problem. She said that the foresters that do the maps know that if they need to cross a stream they have to file the necessary permits.

Chairman Parker commented on the previous regulations lasting over twenty years.

Ms. Marsland said that the current use laws have a RSA to state what wetlands are and the Conservation Commission has a totally different definition of a wetland. Mr. Flynn said that the Conservation Commission would be the one to follow.

Chairman Parker said that they need to make it clear that they don’t need a scientific study for identifying the wetlands.

Chairman Parker moved, Selectman Watman seconded to move the Timber Harvesting Ordinance to a second reading, and public hearing, and asked to take a look at the paragraph regarding designation of wetlands. Passed 5-0-0

Item 4: Discussion Relative to Employee Benefits, including Health Insurance

Mr. Flynn informed the Board that they are looking into different insurance options for calculating benefits for new employees and pay increases. The information provided by Mr. Flynn tells the Board that there are options available for benefits. He put together comparisons for the benefits as calculated for 2010, compared to 2011, which also shows the savings if the prescription plan was adopted. Mr. Flynn informed the Board that the health insurance company notified them that there will be a 3% reduction in the current plan. Mr. Flynn said that there is also an analysis of COLAs to give them an idea of possible ‘increase’ scenarios on town wages. Selectman Blomback had asked for a five-year history of the total cost of employee benefits. Mr. Flynn recommends going in to discussion to come to a plan at the work session on Saturday, November 13^th. He has started to look at other insurance company plans and will present all the information by the November 13^th work session.

Selectman Aucoin mentioned that the Federal Government is not adding a cost of living increase to social security checks this year.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Blomback seconded that the Town Administrator obtain competitive proposals for health benefits packages from as many organizations/firms that provide such plans to municipalities as possible. The “Request for Proposals” should include cost estimates for the current plan provided to Town Employees; include cost estimates for alternative prescription drug options (as described in the 10/14/10 Report of the Town Administrator) and also an alternative that would include higher employee co-payments or deductibles.

Selectman Watman stated that there is enough time to do the study, and even if it is for no other reason than to see what competition would bring out and to they can tell people they have tried.

Selectman Watman brought up a concern that he stated before at the last wage and benefit study a year ago. He informed the Board that in New London the Town Administrator submitted a lengthy report discussing various salary wages and benefits. One of his concerns has been that somehow, at least outwardly, some positions seem to be paid higher than what they need to pay to be competitive and other positions are not competitive and are paid much lower. He said that he has always thought that Henniker was competitive in salaries and benefits, now he is not so sure. If they have limited funds to give out for salary benefits, this information may help them with the positions that are lower than competitive. Selectman Watman said if they are more than competitive than they have reason to be. Selectman Watman commented that the Town Administrator is being paid at 88% on the competitive salaries scale.

The motion passed 5-0-0.

Chairman Parker said they have discussed the wage and benefits study and he shares some of the concerns and heard a lot of different impressions of what step increases are for, as well as COLAs. Step increases are looked at just as longevity increases and COLA is something you get based on what is going on in the economy and promotions are based on job performance. He thinks they should figure out a rational way and hesitates proposing another wage and benefits study.

Selectman Blomback said he glanced at the New London article and he wonders if in showing the pay, it takes into consideration the longevity of an employee.

Mr. Flynn said he is in his 12^th year of employment with the town and when he started in 1999, he started very low and gradual increase took place each year since.  His ‘pay grade’ was frozen for a year in 2007 as a result of the wage and salary committee report.

Selectman Watman said that he is not trying to say that the statistics are in fact the way it is, but that is what circulates, and Board of Selectmen ought to know where they stand. It isn’t evident that the statistics are just competitive.

Chairman Parker said they probably ought to be looking at the average pay. He said that when looking at a job there is a salary range and grade for a particular position.

Selectman Watman said that at some point in time they need to come to grips, because this is not something that cannot be postponed indefinitely. To be fair they need to know if what they are paying is competitive. Selectman Watman said that they did ask the Finance Officer to report the extremes of the positions that are really high or really low.

Selectman Blomback asked if it is possible to bring back the wage and benefits salary comparisons when Mr. Flynn brings back the next figures. The response was yes.

Selectman Watman said that two other Board members have raised questions about the overtime payments; he shares some of these questions. Selectman Watman would like to ask the Town Administrator or Finance Officer to spell out the overtime policies and how they are implemented.

Item 5: Review and adoption of October 5, 2010 minutes

Selectman Blomback moved, Selectman French seconded to approve the minutes of October 5, 2010. Passed 5-0-0

NEW BUSINESS

Item 6: Discussion and possible action relative to deeding tax delinquent properties

Ms. Kimberly Johnson informed the Board that this is a standard procedure that they go through every year, after the third year of being delinquent, letters go out to property owners and certified letters go out to all the mortgagees. She said there is a deed waiver that the Selectmen can sign that states there is a liability if the town was to take the property. She said that it is not her choice if a property gets taken; it is the Selectmen who make the decision to deed the property. There are thirty-six properties on the list, which is about the same as previous years. No property has ever been deeded to the town in recent years. Chairman Parker said that there are some properties, because of characteristics and attributes that they want to stay away from. There is no cost to the town, the interest will accumulate on the tax lien, and it goes on file with the town.

Selectman Watman asked at what point, if any, these properties will end up on a list to go to Town Meeting to ask the town to sell. He said that there is a potential consequence down the line if they actually take the tax deed than the amount of years they have to catch up is limited before the town can pick it up. Mr. Flynn said after three years of outstanding taxes the town can deed it over. Ms. Johnson said if the town decides to deed it over and decides to sell it within two years the previous owner has the first option to buy the property back.

Selectman Watman said granting the deed waivers is one thing, they can shrink the list, but then they end up with a list that people are not making the tax payments on. He thinks they should adopt a procedure to have someone go out and state the town would like a formal commitment made. He said that if someone is trying to make the payments, they should be given extra leeway into the future. He thinks there needs to be some way to tell the townspeople that they are trying to get people to pay what they can over a certain amount of time.

Mr. Flynn said that he agrees with Selectman Watman’s suggestion because it puts something in writing.

Selectman Aucoin said that he is concerned with once they grant the deed waiver, the property owners are allowed to not pay anything at all.

Selectman Watman is bothered that there is no formal process, because it puts Mr. Flynn into a difficult situation.

There is approximately $175,000 in delinquent taxes. Ms. Johnson needs to send out the certified letters to give property owners thirty days.

Chairman Parker said there is some property on the list that he is in favor of taking, but wants a process to be followed.

It was discussed that the issue with Selectman Watman’s motion is whether or not they send the same letter to the deed waivers on the list. Selectman Watman said that he sees no harm in sending it to them as well.

Selectman Watman moved, Chairman Parker seconded that the Town Administrator contact all property owners (other than those that the Selectmen have agreed to be “Deed Waived”) that have overdue taxes that are eligible for tax deeding via certified mail. The Town Administrator shall offer these property owners the option of establishing a written payment plan for meeting their overdue tax obligations. Such agreements shall be submitted to the Board of Selectmen for review no later than the first regular meeting in December along with the recommendations of the Town Administrator and Tax Collector as to whether they should be accepted rather than the Selectmen obtaining tax deeds on the property. Property owners that do not respond or fail to agree to a payment plan shall also have their tax-deeding status reviewed by the Selectmen at the first regular meeting in December. Passed 5-0-0

Item 7: Town Administrators Report

1. Hiring Road Agent and Solid Waste Superintendent – Mr. Flynn informed the Board that the Road Agent and the Solid Waste Superintendent positions have been advertised. He has received thirty-five applications, of which half of the applicants are not qualified, but there are eight to ten that are pretty good. Selectman French asked if any of the applicants are being disqualified before going to search subcommittee; Mr. Flynn responded no. Mr. Flynn said at the last meeting it was discussed that two Selectmen would be involved in each positions interview. Mr. Flynn suggests that former Selectman be involved in the process. The Board discussed suggestions of individuals to serve on the subcommittees for the interview process. Mr. Flynn feels the committee should be made up of at least five members.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to have two committees made up of five members each to include up two members of the Board of Selectmen and three others being members of the public or a special interest committee with the final selection of Road Agent and Transfer Station Superintendent interview committee membership to be made by the Chairman and or by the Town Administrator. Passed 5-0-0

2. Solid Waste Disposal Committee Report – Selectman Watman mentioned a potential warrant article for single stream and asked if they want to make a motion to get something drafted. Chairman Parker said that they should wait to see who is hired and work on the budget. Selectman Watman said that they might have left the impression that they would consider bringing it to Town Meeting. Chairman Parker said that they don’t have a handle on the cost of the engineering studies. Chairman Parker said that they could give the Town Administrator marching orders for methodology on what an engineering study would cost.
3. Lot 98 Purchase Proposal – This item has been dealt with.
4. Old Concord Road Issue – The process has started to pinpoint what the solution can be.
5. Highway Safety Committee Meeting-Nevins Request – Mr. Flynn informed the Board Chief Murdough has set up a meeting for October 21^st. They are looking in to new crossing signs that would be on posts. The state is recommending putting permanent signs on Rte 114 and Mr. Flynn said he is also looking into that for Western Ave and one or two other locations in town.
6. Salary and Benefits Discussion – This has been discussed.
7. Energy Committee Grant Proposal – Mr. Flynn informed the Board that there was a problem with NEC’s portion of the grant. The college did not appropriately bid out the work in the timeframe allotted. Fortunately the town’s procurement process was in effect, accepted, and recommended from the Selectmen and it was followed to the letter. Mr. Flynn is waiting for a contract to sign to receive a check; the money has been approved.
8. Reevaluation schedule – Mr. Flynn said that a letter went out last week. Vision is setting up next week and the week after for hearing dates for those that wish to question the assessments.
9. Safe Routes to School – Mr. Flynn said that they did get the grant; they are starting to get the schedule set up and trying to get a couple new members. Pat Kilar from the Community School is involved and will be calling a meeting in two weeks for the full committee.
10. Crosswalk Request Park St/Route 114 – It was concluded that a crosswalk cannot be put at Pearl St and the identification will need to be improved. It might be possible to put crosswalks just beyond that point. The D.O.T.  will be coming back to the town with a recommendation.
11. Western Avenue Bridge – There is nothing new to report. Matt Lowe will be coming to the November 9^th Selectmen’s meeting.
12. Rock n Birch Campground – They are working on putting this through to the court; no agreement out of court has been met.
13. No Smoking Policy at Town Hall Baseball Field – Mr. Flynn said that he is going to come up with a simple addition to the park rules that will state that there is no smoking in this section of the park and he will probably recommend a certain perimeter in the park to ban smoking.
14. Old Warner Road Application –Still on hold until the completion of Lot 98.
15. Athletics for Youth Committee-Study Committee for Recreation Director – This group met last week and another meeting is scheduled. Mr. Flynn needs to do a survey with other towns. 
16. Drug and Alcohol Policy for Non-DOT Employees – Mr. Flynn informed the Board that this item is next on his list. He will be meeting with department heads on Friday and will give a copy to each of the two departments it will affect.
17. Penalty-Vision – Mr. Flynn said that Vision has been notified of the $100 per day and the total amount is not known at this time.

The Board of Selectmen will meet on November 9, 2010 instead of November 2, 2010 due to the elections.

Item 8: Selectmen’s Reports

The Board discussed the shifts they will be available for the elections to be held on November 2, 2010.

Selectman Blomback reported that the Hearse house roofing project is finished and they are seeking alternative sources to get the sounding board restored.

Selectman Blomback said that he toured the White Birch Community Center with Jon Evans. He also toured the Waste Water Treatment Plant and commented that the facility is very well taken care of.

The Board discussed the item pulled from the Consent Agenda regarding the Webmaster.

Selectman Watman moved, Selectman Blomback seconded to appoint Nicole Gage as the Webmaster at a prorated shared of $1,000 over the next three months, which is $83.30 per month. Passed 5-0-0

Selectman Watman reported that the Conservation Commission meeting schedule for October 20, 2010 has been postponed.

Selectman Blomback left the meeting at 8:44 p.m.

Selectman Aucoin informed the Board that the Athletic Committee has determined that they will have a flat budget. He said that he has to follow up with Army Corps regarding building a new ball field. The soccer group would like the backstop moved; the plan is to build a whole new field with respect to getting donations. The new ball field would be located on the East side of the driveway. (Section owned by the USACOE)

Selectman French will be meeting Thursday night at the Fire Station with the Highway Safety Committee in reference to the River Road speeding issues.

Selectman French stated that he has been unable to attend any Currier and Ives meetings.

Item 9: Request for possible non-public session under Per RSA 91-A: 3, II, (d) Land Sales

The Board decided that a non-public session was not necessary and held a general discussion regarding the easement of Lot 98.

Selectman French moved, Selectman Watman seconded to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Passed 4-0-0

Selectman Aucoin moved, Chairman Parker seconded to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Passed 4-0-0

Town of Henniker