MINUTES OF HAVERHILL SELECTBOARD REGULAR MEETING

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Board Members Present: Roderick Ladd, David Joslin, Peter Heilemann and Robert Maccini.

Town Manager: Glenn English

Administrative Assistant/Finance Officer: Jo Lacaillade

Members of the Public Present: Byron Charles Jr., Lisa Charles, Byron Charles Sr., Brent Charles, Karla Charles, Wesley Charles, Julie Charles, Marshall Osgood, Rosie Farr, Marion Stapelfeld, Todd Cohen, Joel Godston, Howard Hatch, Edith Celley, Tara Banford, Lynn Wheeler, Mike King, Dr. John Field, Chief Smith, Suzette Smith, Lori Peterson, Martha Trott, Wallace Trott, Robert Martin, Brandon Alling, Alisha Alling, Greg Collins, Don Staplefeld, Ron Fournier, Janet Surette-Mills, Bette Pollock, Ed Ballam-Journal Opinion and others.

Call Meeting to Order:

Chairman Ladd called the meeting to order at 6:05.

Approval of Agenda:

David Joslin made a motion to approve the agenda; the motion was seconded by Bob Maccini and carried unanimously.

Approval of Consent Agenda:

Bob Maccini made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented; seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously.

Public Hearings: None

Scheduled Public Appearances:

Ø Dr. John Field-Ammonoosuc River Erosion Maps: Dr. John Field gave an overview of a project that North Country Council is doing regarding the flow of the Ammonoosuc River and areas of erosion or potential erosion; restrictions to the flow; and other natural causes that change the rivers makeup. He said that the Ammonoosuc River is in pretty good shape but this study outlines the areas of concern. The information and maps, once complete will be incorporated into the Town Flood Plain Ordinance. Chairman Ladd reviewed the services provided to the Town by North Country Council. There is also a booklet in the Town Offices that outlines services provided by NCC.

Ø Appointment and Swearing in of Police Sergeant: Chief Cecil Smith presented Byron Charles Jr. and reviewed his years on the Haverhill Police force. Byron Charles Jr. was sworn in by Town Clerk Bette Pollock as Sergeant of the Haverhill Police Department.

Ø Appointment of Selectboard member to fill vacancy: Chairman Ladd stated that the Board had approached Lynn Wheeler as a possible replacement to fill the vacancy left when Peter Conrad resigned from the Board. She has experience and will be able to hit the ground running. Bob Maccini made a motion to appoint Lynn Wheeler to fill the vacancy on the Selectboard until the next Town Meeting; the motion was whole heartedly seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously. Lynn Wheeler took her place at the Selectmen table.

Ø Presentation of Outstanding Achievement Award: Ed Ballam is receiving this award because he received “Fireman of the Year” award from Twin State Mutual Aid which services 26 communities. He was presented a certificate along with the Town’s appreciation.

Edith Celley was not on the agenda but asked to address the Selectboard regarding a bat issue that has been discovered at Alumni Hall. They will need roughly $800 to correct the problem by placing screening behind some louvers. She is asking if there is any way that the Mildred Page Fund can grant them this necessary funding as their budget does not have the money to do so. The Board discussed the commitment that they had made to Haverhill Historical Society for monies needed for repairs on Pierson Hall and did not feel they could obligate funds in another direction until they have satisfied that commitment.

Town Manager’s Report:

TM English said that they had received official word that the $100,000 grant applied for through Rural Development for the paving of the business park has been denied due to lack of funding in this fiscal year; they are willing to work with the Town to reapply in the next funding cycle.

TM English reviewed information received from the NH DES regarding the dam at Country Land Drive that is owned by the Haverhill Estates Association. The dam has been deemed to have some major deficiencies and the cost for repairs could be significant. The Town is in the process of updating their Hazard Mitigation Plan and this body of water is important to fire control in that area. TM English is trying to ascertain whether private property that is used for fire fighting, would be eligible for Hazard Mitigation grants which are 75/25 which would help the association in being able to undertake this repair.

TM English referred to a draft of the 10-year plan being proposed by the GACIT committee. It is available in the office for those who would like to review it.

Chairman Ladd asked what the status of the alteration of terrain permit was for Center Haverhill. TM English reported that there is a minor adjustment that needs to be made to the map in regards to the contours but it has basically been approved.

New Business:

• Vendor Service Agreement-Dog Boarding: Animal Control Officer Linda Smith gave an overview of the capacity and layout of the Dog Kennel and the improvements that have been done. There will be an open house on November 14^th so that the public can see the facility. She reviewed the fees that are charged for local stray dogs. The vendor service agreement before the Board tonight would be entered into by surrounding Towns to be able to utilize the Town Pound and specifies the fees that are associated with that agreement. The animal control officers have an agreement with the Above The Notch shelter that any dog that the Town is unable to place and is not vicious, elderly or sick they would be willing to come down and pick up. She also has a waiting list of people waiting to adopt. There was a very successful event this past week which was a spay and neuter clinic where pet owners could drop off their dog or cat in the morning, it was taken to a clinic for spaying/neutering and then brought back to the kennel for the owners to pick up at the end of the day. Bob Maccini made a motion to approve the acceptance of the format of the agreement; seconded by Peter Heilemann. There was further discussion regarding sick animals and how they are dealt with; the location of the Above the Notch shelter; and the possibility of kennel cough and what will be done to deal with that. It was noted that the kennel is State licensed and has been inspected and will continue to be on a regular basis. Chairman Ladd asked about insurance coverage for the facility to which TM English responded that it will be covered by the property and liability insurance we currently have. Also discussed was the adoption process being utilized. There was a discussion regarding cost of repairs needed to the Center Haverhill Armory and the utility costs associated with the building. TM English wanted it noted that Linda and George donated a lot of time and solicited lots of donations to get this project done and should be commended for that. Howard Hatch voiced his concerns about the costs of taking in dogs from other Towns and the amount the animal control budget has increased over the years. TM English said that the Town is trying to help offset some of the costs of the kennel by entering into agreements with other Towns and collecting fees for doing so. Mr. Hatch said that that the presentation given earlier in the meeting was a waste of people’s time and money and that in the past 50 years there have only been 2 places on the Ammonoosuc River that were a problem. Chairman Ladd brought the issue of the kennel back to the table and reviewed again that the monies being brought to the Town by entering these agreements will help offset the costs of the kennel. There was a brief discussion as to how the fee charged to the other Towns was determined. A vote was called on the motion to approve the format of the agreement as presented: voting yes was Bob Maccini, Peter Heilemann and David Joslin. Voting no was Lynn Wheeler. Abstaining from the vote was Rick Ladd.

Pending (Old) Business:

Ø Woodsville Armory: Chairman Ladd reviewed the process that will take place regarding public hearings necessary, the review of the Conservation Commission and Planning Board and the time line in making a decision regarding the acceptance of the Woodsville Armory and the agreement that is being proposed for that transfer.

New Business: (cont.)

Ø Budget Update: AA Lacaillade referred to the end of 3^rd quarter budget information that was provided to the Board for their review and any questions they might have. Welfare is one area that is going to be significantly overspent and will need transfers in from other departments. The only other department that appears that it will go over is legal expense. TM English stated that the revenues are good and those projections are being met for the most part. There was a brief discussion as to the timing of the budget committee meetings and TM English stated that the budget committee chairman sets the start time for the budget review. Chairman Ladd said that the problem with the budget committee dealing with it too late is that the Selectboard doesn’t have enough time to review it. TM English suggested that both separate committees could meet concurrently to review it and the Selectboard could make final decisions after the Budget Committee has presented their recommendations.

Commission/Committee Reports: None

Correspondence: None

Comments of the Public: Howard Hatch asked why his offer to house the dog kennel at his farm was not even considered. TM English said that a Request for Proposals was put out and there were none received. He had a conversation with Howard about it but no one responded to the RFP.

Comments of the Town Manager/Administrative Assistant-Finance Officer: None

Comments of Selectboard Members: None

Adjourn Meeting: Peter Heilemann made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Bob Maccini and carried unanimously. Chairman Ladd adjourned the meeting at 7:31 pm.

Minutes transcribed by Jo Lacaillade