Date:  November 16, 2009
Time:          6:30 pm
Place:  Town Office
Present: Selectmen Daniel Donovan, III, William Condra and Richard Rockwood and Recoding Secretary Peggy Arn

Chairman Donovan called the meeting to order and stated that he would open the bids for fuel oil for 2010.  Two bids were received.

Fuller Oil Company #2 heating oil fixed:  2.399 with free downside protection, Diesel Rack Plus (floating): +.257 over Boston

Irving Oil Company #2 heating oil: 2.499 per gallon (not fixed), Diesel Fuel: 2.456 per gallon (not fixed)

MOTION:  Selectman Rockwood made a motion accept the bid from Fuller Oil Company.  Selectman Condra seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

MOTION:  Chairman Donovan made a motion to abate the tax on Lot 48.  Selectman Condra seconded the motion, which passed with all in favor.

Chairman Donovan then asked Road Agent Steve Elliott about the fence above the Cooley Park next to the town office building.  Discussion ensued as to how the fence is put in anchored in the ground and if it could be a different height.  The initial intent of the fence and if it is still necessary was discussed.   Steve will look into replacing the fence and will get back to the Board.

Selectman Rockwood then asked about the sidewalk on Park Street beyond Tremont.  He would like to see some kind of repair even though it is a state owned street.  Discussion ensued as to what kind of repairs could be made with material that the Highway Department already has.  Steve stated that he would use asphalt to repair the sidewalk. It would be work that could be done next year so it would be in the new budget.  Discussion ensued as to what account the money for the generator at the elementary school should be charged.  No decision was made at this time.

The next issue that was discussed was the new subdivision on Marden Road.  The Board asked Steve what his recommendation would be for the repairs on Marden Road.  The road is scheduled for repairs in 2017.  All agreed that the off site improvement fee from any subdivision should be increased based on the cost of building roads.   Discussion ensued as to how the road will be impacted by the additional homes.  Mr. Rockwood stated that the amount of traffic would be doubled.  Consideration has to given to the increased cost incurred by the town.  Randy Haight from Meridian attended the meeting to discuss the proposed subdivision on Marden Road.  Mr. Rockwood stated that he felt that $5,000 would be appropriate.  Chairman Donovan stated that he felt that $4,000 would be acceptable.  The fee would be given when an Occupancy Certificate is issued.  Mr. Rockwood stated that he feels that it should be given sooner such as when a building permit is given.  Attorney Little will be consulted to verify which is the correct collection date.

The next item to be discussed was Steve’s resurfacing budget.  He has decreased the budget 10% as a result of an expected 10% decrease in the cost of asphalt.

Next budget to be discussed was the Cemetery Budget.  He will change the Mount Calvary budget to  $5,000.   There will be an increase due to repairs to stones by Medyln Stone.  The overall Cemetery budget has been decreased.

Parks and Recreational budget was increased by 10%.  Steve explained that this has happened because of labor distribution.  The Board was in agreement with his proposed budgets.

Next was the proposed Highway Department.  He stated that he tried to cut his budget 10% but is concerned how realistically this can be done.  Each line item was discussed and Steve gave his reasons for each reduction and what his concerns are.  The Board did not have other recommendations for his budgets.

Building Inspector John Shepardson and Dawn Tuomala attended the meeting to discuss the Building Inspector Department budget and also the fee schedule that is
presently being used.  Ms. Tuomala presented a 2009 Building Fee comparison of surrounding towns.  Discussion ensued as to line items that have to be increased because of State requirements that make it necessary to purchase new building code books.  Discussion was continued as to the Board’s opinion of the fees increase.  The question was when and if the fees be accepted.   The Board feels that they need more time to look into the fees more in dept and work longer
with John as the Building Inspector.  Some of the fees were discussed with no decision being made.  The fee schedule will be discussed at a later date.  The
Board did not have objections to the proposed budget.

Gary Zirpolo and Mark Schultz attended the meeting to discuss the pagers that the ambulance personnel are using at the present.  If  Gary is talking on the pager, the
tones from the two other towns will be received .  Mr. Schultz stated that this is the first that MACC Base was aware of the problem.  He feels that the problem has
happened in the past, but the former Ambulance Director had not reported the problem.  Mr. Schultz stated that one solution could be the use of addition of  20
more pagers.  The other solution would be all three towns be dispatched on MACC Base because the toning cannot be guaranteed.  A meeting will be set up and the Selectmen from Temple and Lyndeborough will be asked to attend to discuss the issue on December 3, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

Selectman Rockwood asked Gary about an idea of having an Automatic External Defibrillator at the Town Office and the Library.  Gary estimated that they would
cost between $750 and $800.  He offered to train staff on the use.  Mr. Rockwood said he felt they should be added to the budget.

Discussion ensued as to the work for the Recycling Center as proposed by Rebecca Balke of  CEI Engineering.  The work would consist of addressing the non-compliance issues with DES and the work for the de-commissioning of the incinerator to be done this year.  The Board agreed to enter into a contract for this work.

Peggy informed the Board of the proposed multi-year contract with Primex for the town’s workmen’s compensation and unemployment insurance.  Because of changing costs, the Board  unanimously agreed to not sign a multi-year contact.  The present contract expires in 2010.  Quotes will be obtained from other companies before signing another contract.

The Board reviewed and signed the bills and payroll for the week ending November 14, 2009.  They also approved a Veteran’s Exemption and one tax abatement.

The Board reviewed a letter from Wilton Main Street Program  Manager Pat Condon, asking if the Board would consider selecting a “Citizen of the Year”.  They would appreciate a Selectman making the award and have the recipient light the Christmas tree on December 5, 2009.  The Board considered candidates and agreed that their choice would be Neal Faiman.  Neal has served the community for years as a member of the Planning Board and Zoning Board.  Chairman Donovan will have a plaque made and present it at the annual Seasons Greetings Downtown Stroll and tree lighting.

The correspondence and informational material was reviewed.

The meeting was adjourned on a motion at 10:30 pm, with all in favor.

Respectfully submitted;

Peggy Arn, Recording Secretary