Date:  May 4, 2008
Time:  6:30 pm
Place:  Town Office
Present: Selectmen Daniel Donovan, William Condra and Richard Rockwood and  Recording Secretary Peggy Arn

Chairman Donovan called a public hearing on receiving two grants from the New Hampshire Highway Safety Department.  Chief Hautanen then stated that one grant was for a speed patrol that would consist of 88 hours or 22 hour 4 hour patrols.  The amount of the grant would be approximately $5,300.  The second grant would be a DWI patrol that would consist of 15 six hour patrols and would be for $5,400.

Motion:  Chairman Donovan made a motion that the Wilton Police Department accepts the two grants from the NH Safety Department.  Selectman Rockwood seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Chief Hautanen reported that a person they were arresting this weekend, kicked out the back window of the 2008 cruiser.  He had gotten an estimate for replacement at $866.00.  The Chief will seek restitution from this person.

He then reported that one of the part time Officers had given his resignation and he will be looking for a replacement.

Bryan Christiansen, Manager of Government Relations from Comcast Cable attended the meeting.  He informed the Board that the Town’s franchise agreement with Comcast would expire on December 31, 2009.  The Board had been notified in March 2007 that Comcast would be starting the renewal process.  This process of renewal can be accomplished by an informal discussion or through a formal renewal procedure with specific requirements.  He stated that he was meeting with the Board to start the informal renewal process.  That would be by asking for the Board’s requirements of them and also if they had been meeting the needs of the Community.  Selectman Rockwood responded by stating that he was very unhappy with their service and no longer needed it.  Selectman Donovan relayed his problems and what he considered a very poor response to the town after the ice storm.  Mr. Rockwood then stated that he wanted to know what services were given to the town such as internet service to the schools, library and town departments.  Mr. Donovan stated that he would like a copy of all written complaints received by Comcast.

Mr. Christiansen stated that he was sorry that about the problems and that Comcast was striving to do better with client services and they are in the process of working the bugs out of their problems.

Mr. Donovan then asked about the size of the system and was it adequate for Wilton’s needs.  He stated that it is and that if the system is overtaxed, the problem area is corrected.  He then restated that his job is to negotiate the franchise with Wilton.  He is going to look into the questions asked by the Board and report back to the Board.  He will then ask the Board in what direction they wish to proceed, either informally or through the Town Attorney.

Next on the agenda were Water Commissioners Jim Tuttle, Charlie McGettigan and Stanley Schultz, Road Agent Steve Elliott and his employees Brian Adams, Dennis Maki and Ken Pellerin.  Mr. Tuttle initiated the dialogue by stating that the Commissioners are in the process of trying to replace Pennichuck Water with town employees.  They have someone that will take care of the daily requirements of checking the water and the pump station.  The first issue would be who is certified to do the work.  At the present, Charlie and Dennis are the only ones with the necessary certification.  It was agreed that they would keep their certification and they would keep up with the required courses yearly.

The next issue was that or the order in which they would be notified a problem.  It was agreed that the Highway Employees and Road Agent would be on the list but that the order of notification would be agreed upon at a later date.

It was stated that the Highway Department would be responsible for fixing problems and that the Water Department would reimburse them for the use of the equipment and the labor costs.

After the discussion, Dennis Maki stated that he would agree to doing the work, Ken Pellerin was not willing to commit yet and Brian Adams was not interested at all.  The conclusion of the meeting was that the departments would work together and that someone would be available to cover the water system at all times.

Chairman Donovan informed the Board that he had written a revised contract to be entered into with the company Jungle Jim’s and the town for the removal of the debris left behind from the ice storm.  The owner had asked if was possible that he would not have to furnish the bond.  He would also like to get paid as each section is completed.  The Board agreed that this was possible.

Motion:  Selectman Rockwood made a motion that the Board omit the requirement of a bond from the company that will be doing the debris removal as a result of the ice storm.  Selectman Condra seconded the motion.  The motion carried with all in favor.

Selectman Rockwood then stated that he had heard that FEMA was not going to give the town as much money for the debris removal as first thought.  Mr. Elliott then explained the process and that he had first met with a representative from FEMA that he had been subsequently removed from his position and that two new representatives had been sent to Wilton.  He had spent two days with these representatives going over every road in town surveying the damage.  The end result is that the town will receive close to what was first anticipated.

The Board then reviewed the Forest Road issue.  They reviewed the Building Inspectors report on his take on Colby Street Realty plan for repairing the condemned apartments.  He informed the Board that he has observed people working there but no permits have been pulled yet.  The Board then decided that they would issue a work cease and desist order on work that requires a permit under Article 105.1 of the International Building Code.  Ms. Arn will inform Mr. Carmen and ask him to do the necessary paperwork.

Mr. Rockwood stated that he would like to set up a date to have the Recycling member town’s meeting.  He would like to form a committee of member towns to plan for the time when the incinerator is decommissioned.  It was agreed that a meeting would be scheduled for May 21 at 7:00 pm.

The Board agreed that they would start their summer schedule in June.

The Board will hold a special meeting on May 18, 2007 to discuss Bennington Battle Trail maintenance and signs in that area.  Residents on Bennington, Heritage Commission and Conservation Committee members will be invited to attend to discuss the issue.

The Board reviewed a letter from the Town of Milford in reference to the Milford/Wilton/Lyndeborough town line monument.  The Board will ask Dawn Tuomala to attend the meeting next week to further discuss this issue.

The Board reviewed and signed the following:

1 Veterans Exemption
Gauthier Abatement decision documents
Bills and payroll for the week ending May 2, 2009

Correspondence and informational material was reviewed.

The regular meeting was adjourned on a motion at 9:00 pm, with all in favor.

Chairman Donovan them called a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II(a).

Respectfully submitted;

Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary