Date:   April 9, 2007
Time:   7:00 pm
Place:   Town Office
Present: Selectmen Daniel Donovan, III, Chair., Jerry Greene and Richard Rockwood and Recording Secretary Peggy Arn

1) Chairman Donovan called a public hearing to hear comments from the public regarding the expenditure of money from the Conservation Acquisition Fund in accordance with State Statutes governing such funds for the purpose of partially funding a conservation easement up to and not to exceed $45,000.  This easement would be on lots H-015, H-038 and H-041 located on Abbot Hill Road.  Members of the Conservation Commission, Board of Selectmen and concerned residents of Wilton were in attendance.  Conservation Commission Chairman Lynne Draper stated that the Commission had been working with the Wilton Temple Community Farm members for three months looking into different ways to fund the purchase of this land.  The Commission is in favor of this purchase for several reasons.  One is that it is prime agricultural land, it is on Abbot Hill Road and it would prevent this land becoming house lots. The land is approximately 18 acres.  Charles McGettigan stated that he was concerned with the short amount of time that the hearing notice was given and that he was concerned with the cost of the land.  Ken Wilson and Steve Page both expressed opinions that they could not see the advantage for regulars tax payers and how the land would be of use to them.  The question was raised as to how much $45,000 would have on the tax rate.  It was noted that this cost would be a one time payment and not an on going cost.

Discussion ensued as to how the funding had been raised through different sponsors and also the fact that the land is contiguous to other land that is under conservation easement.

David Holder expressed his support of the easement and stated that he was in favor of Wilton preserving land and open space.
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At 7:35 Chairman Donovan adjourned the Public Hearing, with no more comments.

MOTION

The Board discussed the hearing and Selectman Greene made a motion approve the expenditure of money by the Conservation Commission from the Land Acquisition Fund for the purpose of partially funding a conservation easement for an amount, not to exceed $45,000.  This easement would be for property on Abbot Hill Road, Map and Lot Numbers H-015, H-038 and H-041 consisting of 18 acres of prime agricultural land.

     Selectman Donovan seconded the motion and asked if there was any discussion;

Mr. Greene stated that it was his opinion that why would the town have a Conservation Commission if they were not going to support them in their decisions.  Selectman Donovan stated that he though the price of the land was high but that the town’s portion of the purchase is money well spent.
 
Selectman Rockwood abstained from comment.  Chairman Donovan called for a vote.
     The motion carried with 2 voting yes and one abstained.

2) At 7:45 Chairman Donovan called a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II©.

3) Chairman Donovan called the regular Board meeting to order at 8:05.  Sewer Commissioners Stanley Schultz and Charles McGettigan informed the Board that there had been a sewer problem on Route 101which resulted in some sewerage going into the Sougehan River.  The Water Supply and Pollution department was notified of the problem.  Milford was notified and responded with help and also B & D Septic Service was called in.  The backup was unplugged but as a result, Commissioner Schultz stated that he would like to work with the Highway Department and have the catch basins inspected twice a day until a cause for the backup can be found.  They did find pieces of cement and tar material but are not sure where it could have come from.  Selectman Rockwood asked the commissioners how Milford measures and charges for the services at the Milford Wastewater plant.  Mr. McGettigan is going to get back to Mr. Rockwood with an exact method that is used in calculation of usage.

4) At 8:40, Chairman Donovan closed the regular meeting and called a non-public session per RSA 91-A-3,II(a) on a motion, with all in favor.

5) At 9:30 the regular session of the Board was called to order.

6) Chief Hautanen asked the Board if they had discussed his request to use the spare cruiser to go back and forth to his house.  He informed the Board that he had contacted the town’s insurance company and confirmed coverage would be under his personal coverage but that they would cover his deductible and any portion of a claim not covered by his insurance.  He then informed the Board of his reasons for using a cruiser.  After a discussion, Selectman Rockwood stated that he was not in favor of adding something new and because of the gasoline expense.  Selectman Greene stated that he would be in favor of the request.  Chairman Donovan stated that he had reservations but would agree to a six month’s trial.  He would want Brent to keep records of the cost of this using the vehicle.  The cruiser is to be used only for town business and will be available when it is needed.  It was the Board’s decision to grant Brent the use of the cruiser on a 6 months trial basis.

7) Selectman Rockwood reported that he had had a meeting with Lyndeborough and Temple Selectmen’s representative concerning the long term agreement for the town to make the WLT Volunteer Ambulance a town Department.  They discussed issues that would need to be addressed such as any disbursement of assets if one town decided to leave before the contract was completed.  It was agreed that there really would not be any disbursement and if a town leaves before a contract is completed, they would have to pay a percentage of their portion of the budget.  It was agreed that Attorney Silas Little will be contacted to draw up a long term agreement for review by Temple and Lyndeborough Legal Counsel before the year is up.  Selectmen Donovan and Greene agreed with the proposal.

8) Chairman Donovan then asked Peggy if the Department Heads had met and discussed the Personnel Policy.  They have met and Peggy informed them of some of the concerns raised and what the employees would like to see changed.  After a discussion, Mr. Donovan asked that a list of the concerns be made, what the policy is presently and how it could be changed.

9) The Board reviewed and signed several Intent to Excavate for this year and two applications for Current Use.

10) The bills and the payroll for the week ending April 7, 2007 were reviewed and approved..

11) The correspondence and informational material was reviewed.

The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 10:05.

Respectfully Submitted;

Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary