Date:  March 15, 2003
Time:  7:00 pm
Place:  Town Office
Present: Selectmen Jerry Greene, Chair., Robert MacFarland and Daniel Donovan, III
  And Recording Secretary Peggy Arn

1) Town Clerk, Jane Farrell administered the Oath of Office to Daniel Donovan, III as the new member of the Board of Selectmen.
2) Chief Hautanen attended the meeting to inform the Board of the operations at the Police Department.  He had received a request for the Elementary School to hold a car wash in the parking lot at the Police Station.  The Board told him that it was ok with them.  He reported that the satellite dish had been installed for the Primedia Grant and the training program was now available for use in the Police Station.  He reported that the 1999 cruiser has been registered and is being serviced so that it will be ready for use by the department. He has ordered the new server and software, also being paid for by a grant.  Chief Brent is now looking into getting a grant through the state that would pay for officers to conduct speed patrols and DWI stops.  This program would require that some Wilton Police Officers put in extra hours over a two night time period.  The Department would pay them and then the department would be reimbursed by the state.  Mr. Greene suggested that the Budget Committee be contacted if this would result in an overage on the budget.  The Board agreed that he should continue to investigate this grant.  Brent told the Board that he would like to have a computer and monitor in the booking room.  Selectman Greene stated that he would see if he had one that he could donate to the department.
3) Hal Melcher attended the meeting to inform the Board that he is resigning from the NRPC.  He stated that in his year as Wilton’s representative, he has not found the Commission worthwhile.  He had no recommendations as to who might be interested in taking the position.  The Board thanked him for his time and interest over the past year.
4) Town Assessor Richard Rockwood attended the meeting.  He informed the Board that he would like them to find a way to have the Vision software available to him from his office.  He feels that he does not have the space he needs at the town office.  There is not a designated area for him to work and so when he does, he has to use someone’s desk and computer.  Discussion ensued as to what could be done.  It was decided that either the use of PC Anywhere as a means of access to the system or the installation of the software on his computer system would be a solution to the problem.   The Board will investigate and then make a decision.
5) Mr. Rockwood then informed the Board that he needs to receive a raise in his salary.  The Board will take his request under consideration.
6) Mr. Rockwood then said that as a Wilton Resident and Taxpayer, he would request that this Board of Selectmen do their business in the town office and not in the newspapers.  He feels that the town has had enough negative press.
7)  Steve Elliott attended the meeting to get the Board’s approval to cut down some apple trees on Carnival Hill.  He has met with Spencer Brookes of the Conservation Commission and has been instructed as to what trees should be cut.  The Board agreed that he has the authority to cut the trees for Spencer.
8) Steve asked what should be done about all the material that is stored on Mr. Draper’s land.  After a discussion, it was agreed that Mr. Draper should be contacted and that the Highway Department would clean up the land that they have been using for years.
9) Discussion ensued as to the agreement with Heidi Blackmere for an easement to use her land around the town garage.  It was agreed that the agreement should be formalized as soon as possible.
10) Steve informed the Board that the Ducharmes have informed the town that they cannot use their property to turn around when plowing Ring Road.  The Ducharme’s presently have a sub-division before the Planning Board and a turn-around easement on Ring Road is a critical part of that proposed subdivision.  It was agreed that a letter stating this fact should be sent to them.
11) Next on the agenda was Fire Chief Ray Dick.  Ray told the Board that the tanker that was damaged in the accident also needs to have the pump overhauled in order to pass the pump test.  He stated that the tanker is a critical piece of equipment and it is his feeling that it has to be repaired.  The quote for the repairs is $5,700.  After a discussion of the repairs, the Board agreed that it had to be done.  Mr. Dick then asked the Board if he had their approval to order the pages that were approved in this years budget at $395 per unit.  The Board approved.
12) The Fire Chief asked the Board for approval to accept a grant that would consist of 10 mobile radios from the NH Fire/EMS Radio Interoperability Project and sign an agreement with them.  Selectman MacFarland made a motion that the Town of Wilton Fire Department accept 10 mobile radios to be installed in Fire Department equipment from the State of New Hampshire purchased with US Department of Homeland Security funds.  Selectman Donovan seconded the motion; which carried unanimously.
13) Ray informed the Board that he is also submitting an application for more FEMA funds for other items needed by the Fire Department such as a gas meter, a power pack system and an AED.  This grant is given after the items are purchased and reimbursement requested.  Selectman Greene made a motion that the Board approve and sign the Grant Reimbursement Application from Homeland Security funds in the amount of $17,754.54.  Selectman MacFarland seconded the motion; which carried unanimously.
14) Ray informed the Board that he has applied for another grant to help the Ducharmes build the required firepond for their proposed subdivision.  A representative from RCD and Ray visited the site and will get back to them with recommendations.
15) The Board reviewed a request from the Ambulance for the funding they are to receive from the Town.  Selectman Greene made a motion to issue a check to them for the funds approved by the Budget Committee.  Selectman Mac Farland seconded the motion; which carried unanimously.  Mr. MacFarland stated that they should be told that the Board would like to be informed of the date, time and place of their meetings to insure that the Selectmen representative will be there.
16) The Board received a letter from Monadnock Survey asking for their approval from Chalet Susse to name their private common driveway on Lots C-128-1 and 2, “Summit Way”.  The Board approved their request.
17) High Mowing school petitioned the Board to waive interest that had accrued on property taxes.  Town Assessor Richard Rockwood recommended that they agree to do so because they had been advised not to pay the taxes until their assessment was reviewed.  Their tax increased because of the re-evaluation.  Mr. Rockwood reviewed the new assessment and found it to be correct and they have paid their taxes.  Selectman Greene made a motion to waive the interest on High Mowing’s property taxes for 2003-2004.  Selectman MacFarland seconded the motion.  The motion carried with all in favor.
18) The Board discussed the Town Assessor’s request for a salary increase and decided that the Budget Committee had to be contacted because the budget does not allow for any increase at this time.
19) The Board discussed the agreement between Quinn Bros. Corp., the Water Department and the Town.  The Board members all expressed concerns on the impact the operation would have on the town wells.  They have not had the opportunity to look at any of the ecological studies and they want to make sure that all the suggested safeguards are in place to protect the wells.  Selectman Donovan suggested that the contract be reviewed by the Planning Board.  Selectman Greene suggested that the Board write a “Letter of Intent”.  This letter would state that the Board would like to look at all the data collected before signing the agreement and that they would like to contact the Town Attorney and Attorney Sullivan for further discussion.
20) Chairman Greene informed the Board that he had researched the question of an audit of 2002.  He had spoken to Attorney Little and CPA Sheryl Pratt of Plodzik and Sanderson, who is in charge of our 2003 audit.  Ms. Pratt will include a letter as part of our audit, that they are comfortable with the beginning balances of 2003.  DRA’s requirements are met with the submission of the MS-5 report and Balance Sheet.  The conclusion is that a 2002 audit is not a requirement.
21) Discussion took place in regard to the town purchasing new software for the accounting and payroll functions.  Research will be done to see what software is available that would fit the Town’s requirements and what the cost would be.
22) The Board discussed the on-going project of the Town purchasing a Conservation and Preservation Easement on the Four Corners Farm and the funding agreement with LCHIP for this purpose.  This information included Attorney Little’s comments after review of the Project Agreements.  Spencer Brookes of the Conservation Commission is working with all the involved parties and reports to the Board the progress of the agreements being worked on.
23) The payroll and bills for the week ending March 13, 2003 were reviewed and approved.  The correspondence and informational material was reviewed.  The minutes from the previous meeting were read and signed.
24) One Application for Current Use was reviewed and signed.
25) Two Current Use Exiting Penalties were assessed and signed.
26) The Board signed a representation letter to Plodzik and Sanderson for the 2003 audit of the Town’s books.
27) Selectman MacFarland informed the Board that he had made an arrangement with Monadnock Water that the WJAA would receive one percent of their sales to Wal-Mart.  The Town will send a letter to Monadnock Water to use the Town’s FI number for this contribution.
28) Selectman MacFarland made a motion that Jerry Greene be named Chairman of the Board of Selectman.  Selectman Donovan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
29) The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 on a motion.

Respectfully submitted;

Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary