MINUTES OF HAVERHILL SELECTBOARD REGULAR MEETING

Monday July 6, 2009

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

Town Manager: Glenn English

Administrative Assistant/Finance Officer: Jo Lacaillade

Town Assessor: Gary Fournier

Members of the Public Present: Doug Henson, Joel Godston, Annemarie Godston, Howard Hatch, and Ed Ballam from the Journal Opinion.

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 as presented; 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 Peter Heilemann and carried unanimously.

Scheduled Public Appearances: None

Public Hearing(s): None

Town Manager’s Report: Chairman Ladd asked what the status of the life safety inspector position was. TM English said that the job description was sent to each of the Fire Chief’s and he has talked with Mike Lavoie and Brad Kennedy regarding it. They have until the end of the week to get their comments in regarding the job description. He also asked the Board if they have any input. Chairman Ladd reiterated that the agreement entered into with the precincts regarding this states that the Fire Chiefs will work with the Town Manager to develop a job description and that is what is presently happening. The Fire Chiefs are also invited to take part in any interviews.

Pending (Old) Business:

Ø Gerald Movelle-Timber Tax Abatement: As Mr. Movelle was not yet in attendance this item was tabled until later in the meeting.

New Business:

Ø Abatements: Item tabled until later in the meeting as the assessor has not yet arrived.

Ø Purchasing Policy Review: A draft of proposed changes to the Purchase Policy was handed out. Changes include what is considered “local business” and “local advantage”. Peter Heilemann made a motion to accept the introduction of revisions to the Purchase Policy for discussion; seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously. A brief discussion ensued as to what areas would be considered “local”. The item will be placed on the next agenda for action. Suggestions for some changes were made before the item is reviewed at the next meeting.

Ø NH Division of Parks-Strategic & Capital Improvement Plan: Bedell Bridge: Chairman Ladd said he has talked with a lot of people regarding this. This plan has been pulled back by the Commissioner of DRED for review. Chairman Ladd reviewed with the Board a letter that he would like the Selectboard to send regarding this issue strongly supporting keeping the Bedell Bridge State Park in their system. On a motion by Bob Maccini and seconded by David Joslin the Board unanimously approved sending the letter with the changes recommended this evening.

Ø State Budget regarding funding impact to Towns: The loss of State revenue to the Town will amount to approximately $81,473 in the new State budget; that does not include some added expenses that will be passed down to the Town. The Town can either hold a special Town Meeting to reconsider the budget or the revenue difference needed will be added to the tax rate when that is sent. There was discussion as to what areas the Board might be able to make cuts but any decreases to Town Department budgets will result in a reduction of services and also if there were any possibilities that some areas of the revenue might increase. Howard Hatch suggested selling the armory building but it was thought that in these economic times it would not be a prudent move to sell off assets such as the armory. There was further discussion about reductions to outside agencies such as Fire Departments, Libraries and non profits. AA Lacaillade said that in the case of the Fire Departments the taxpayers would still be paying the bill because the amount not collected at the Town end would have to shift down to the Precinct tax because they also have budgets that were approved at Annual Meetings and the monies needed to fund those would be collected in taxes. Howard Hatch stated that the money paid to the fire departments covers areas of coverage outside their districts. TM English was directed to sit down with Department Heads and see what areas might be cut back to see if some or all of that $81,000 plus can be saved and then at the next Selectboard meeting they can discuss further whether to hold the Special Town Meeting. The issue will be placed on the agenda for next meeting. TM English stated as a side note that involves paving that there is an issue with County Road in that the base coat has failed; the Town intends to hold the paving company responsible to repair it so we might save some money out of that budget by the time they do what they need to do to repair it before adding the top coat. There was a brief discussion as to the problem which resulted from a bad mix of the pavement.

Ø Abatements: AA Lacaillade gave the Board an overview of the abatements to be addressed at tonight’s meeting. The Board asked assessor Gary Fournier questions about the abatement for American Tower and Shaws. There was a brief discussion as to the status of New Hampshire Electric’s abatement which is being recommended for denial. Bob Maccini made a motion to approve the abatements as recommended; seconded by David Joslin. There was further discussion regarding the abatements and after some time Peter Heilemann called the question. Voting yes was David Joslin, Peter Heilemann, Bob Maccini and Roderick Ladd; Peter Conrad abstained from the vote as he is representing one of these properties.

Pending (Old) Business: Gerald Movelle Timber Abatement: AA Lacaillade reviewed with the Board the information provided at the previous meeting regarding Mr. Movelle’s request for abatement of timber taxes. The Board had directed her at that time to research all timber reports that included the reductions for storm damage to see if any of them had been assessed doomage. In researching that, there was one storm related timber tax bill that had the doomage assessed for late filing. Bob Maccini felt that a precedent has been set and made a motion to deny the abatement application for Movelle; seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously.

Presentations and Awards: None

Commission/Committee Reports: None

Correspondence: None

Comments of the Public:

Doug Henson asked if the tower was subject to our ordinance. TM English said that the permit to build the tower included language that if it wasn’t used in a certain amount of time it had to be torn down. TM English said that the tower predates the ordinance so it is grandfathered but the tower company provided a bond and the Town could force them to take it down if that is what they wish.

Comments of the Town Manager/Administrative Assistant-Finance Officer:

AA Lacaillade reviewed a pole license that was received from PSNH and Fair Point; Road Agent Sam Clough has already reviewed it an okayed the location. Bob Maccini made a motion to approve the license, seconded by David Joslin and carried unanimously.

Comments of Selectboard Members:

Peter Conrad reported that he and Rick had attended the Good Ole Boys luncheon today where Glenn Hatch addressed the meeting. The pool is fixed and it was all done by donations; HARP has started with record attendance, 75 today and another 15 signed up. Peter said that if there had been a thunderstorm today they do not have an adequate protection for them. They could squish them in a building but the armory needs to be made available in case of emergency. Chairman Ladd said that he talked with the Governor’s Office and the AG’s office trying to obtain this facility for use. There is a process that needs to be followed but it can be done. TM English wanted it noted that there will be additional costs incurred if the building is used for utilities. Bob Maccini made a motion to authorize Rick to get the ball rolling to utilize the Woodsville Armory for emergency use for the HARP program; the motion was seconded by Peter Heilemann and carried unanimously.

Joel Godston wanted to echo what Peter said and state that Glenn Hatch is doing an incredible job with what he does not only with the HARP program but with the whole recreation program that he does year round. The type of program that he provides for a Town this size compares to Towns much bigger; so a great hurrah for what he does.

Adjourn Meeting: Bob Maccini made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Peter Heilemann and carried unanimously. Chairman Ladd adjourned the meeting at 7:35 pm.

Minutes transcribed by Jo Lacaillade