Date: March 29, 2004
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Town Office
Present: Selectmen Jerry Greene, Chair., Robert MacFarland and Daniel
Donovan, III
And Recording Secretary Peggy Arn
1) The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Chairman Jerry Greene
made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting and call a non-public session
per RSA 91-A:3,II(a) to discuss a personnel issue with Maurice Guay.
Selectman Donovan seconded the motion; which passed unanimously.
2) At 7:10 the regular meeting was called to order. Maurice reported
that he had had a couple of discussions with Fire Department personnel
about burning. Maurice stated that he does have a burn permit from
the state and that he only burns a small amount at a time. Selectman
MacFarland stated that the last time Maurice was burning, he went to Ms.
Egan’s house and there was no ash going on her property. After a
discussion, the Board agreed that Maurice should make the decision when
to burn or to chip.
3) The issue of yearly raises was discussed and all agreed to a 3%
increase for the Recycling Center Employees this year.
4) Chairman Greene informed Maurice that they should set up a Recycling
Committee meeting with the member towns. It was decided that it will
be on April 29, 2004.
5) Steve Elliott informed the Board that he thought that there should
be a fence installed around the emergency generator at the elementary school.
Steve stated that he will have to use Highway budget money. The Board
agreed that it is necessary.
6) The use of land around the town garage was the next issue discussed.
One of Steve’s concern is the use of reclamation material on Mr. Draper’s
land. He suggested that some could be for the parking lot at the
athletic fields at Carnival Hill and some on repairing town roads.
Discussion ensued about the proposed easement from Heidi Heller-Blackmere
to use a portion of her land for the Highway Department. Steve will
contact her to discuss the easement. He also asked Board if he should
contact
Aluminum Castings, who’s lot D-092, is adjacent to the town garage
to see if they could use some of their land. They agreed that he
should do so.
7) Steve informed the Board that he had to order a new pager and that
found out that Arch no longer has a store in New Hampshire so when their
contract is up, he will look for a new pager provider.
8) Steve told the Board that there is a problem with the hydraulic
doors on the new Freightliner truck. The company has made adjustments
but they are still not working properly and the company is even considering
a recall on these trucks for this problem. He will keep the Board
informed of the solution to the problem.
9) Steve gave the Board his recommendation for raises for his employees
and the Board approved them.
10) Chief Hautanen attended the meeting to discuss Police Department
business. First he asked the Board what they would like to do about
the cars that are presently parked on town property next to the Fire Station.
The Board agreed that “No Over Night Parking” signs should be put up.
Brent will contact the owners of the two cars that are parked there now.
11) The Chief reported that he had gotten a quote for the railings
along the walkway to the Police Station for $6,000. Selectman MacFarland
said he would get two more quotes for the railings.
12) The status of grants that the Chief wants to apply for were discussed.
Chairman Green stated that he had not yet talked to the Budget Committee
Chairman to see if the payroll would be covered that would be reimbursed
by these grants.
13) A discussion ensued as to a town wide speed limit of 30 miles per
hour was discussed. It was suggested that the question be included
when a hearing is held on the noise ordinance. The Police Department
could also do a required traffic study and also he will check with other
towns that have recently adopted a town speed limit.
14) Chief Hautanen expressed his concern about MACC Base and suggested
that they start forming a contingency plan. Selectman Greene agreed
but stated that until after Tuesday, they would have a better idea of what
will transpire with the member towns of MACC Base.
15) Chief Hautanen submitted his reviews and recommendations for raises
for the Wilton Police Officers. The Board reviewed them and approved
the requests.
16) Selectman MacFarland asked if the officers are getting their training
and the answer was they are and in the process of being certified for giving
training.
17) Stanley Schultz, the town’s representative to MACC Base was next
on the agenda. He stated that it was his opinion that Lyndeborough
was going to get out of MACC Base along with Mont Vernon and Amherst.
Discussion ensued as to the cost of other dispatch services, such as Keene
or County. It is Mr. Schultz’s understanding that members of the
County dispatch are given a reduced rate and then each town is picking
up a portion of the cost. He does not agree with this system.
He also doesn’t believe that Amherst is going to be able to run it’s own
dispatch service less expensively than being a member of MACC Base.
Several other issues were discussed, such as complaints and how they are
handled and the equipment that is owned by MACC Base. It was agreed
that as long as there are two participating town, there are viable participants.
Chief Hautanen stated that he has had no problems and that he has been
very satisfied with their service. Selectman Greene summed up the
discussion by stating that hopefully, tomorrow after the meeting with other
Selectmen’s, they would know what will happen next year. All agreed
that Wilton would stay with MACC Base.
18) Chairman Greene made the following Motion:
The following persons be appointed to the respective positions for
2004:
Tax Collector: Jane Farrell
Chief of Police: Brent Hautanen
Building Inspector: William Condra
Health Officer: Ingrid Howard
Welfare Officer: Charles McGettigan
Sexton of Cemeteries: Charles McGettigan
Selectman MacFarland seconded the motion; which passed unanimously.
19) Selectman informed the Board that there would be a meeting
at the Town Hall in Milford Tuesday, March 30, at 6:00pm to discuss MACC
Base.
20) Welfare Officer, Charles McGettigan attended the meeting to inform
the Board that he had received a complaint from a welfare application that
had been refused help because he felt it was un-necessary. After
hearing the facts, the Board agreed with Mr. McGettigan’s decision.
21) The Board reviewed the town office employees and gave the yearly
raises.
22) The bills and payroll for the week ending March 27, 2004 were reviewed
and approved. The informational material and correspondence was reviewed.
23) One Notice of Intent to Excavate was approved and signed.
24) One Veterans’ Tax Credit application was approved.
25) The charge for burner inspections has been increased to $35.
As a result, Chairman Greene made a motion to increase the Building Inspectors
portion to $25. Selectman Donovan seconded the motion; which passed
unanimously.
26) The Board discussed the issue of a computer in the tax office that
needs a new mother-board. Compucare submitted a proposal to fix,
up-grade or purchase a new CPU. After a discussion, it was decided
to purchase a new CPU.
The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 10:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted;
Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary