Page 12--JOURNAL OPINION--July 2, 2014
Selectboard Minutes
EDITOR'S NOTE: Selectboard minutes are printed
here as a public service, at no cost to the town.
Some boards have submitted approved minutes,
while others are unapproved. The Journal Opinion
reserves the right to edit the minutes it receives for
length, to conform with news style, or for legal rea-
sons.
Ryegate
May 12, 2014 (APPROVED)
The meeting was called to order by
chair Andrew Smith at 8:03 p.m.
Members present: Andy Smith, Claudette
Sortino and Paul Keenan; also present:
Richard Fraser, William Hetu, Cheryl
Slayton, Nelson Elder, Marsha Nelson.
Treasurer's Report: The board
viewed bills and signed orders. The clerk
mentioned the age of two of the computers
in the office and the fact that problems
have arisen. The •board told her to look
around for prices.
Road Report: Four bids on truck
bodies were received and reviewed.
Prices for Traditional Dump and Side
Dump mounted/installed: Tenco ($55,308
and $54,008); Osgood ($63,550); Fairfield
($51,230 and $56,725) and Viking
($45,815 and $53,815). Bids include plow,
wing, carbide cutting edges. After
discussion, the board voted to purchase the
Viking side dump body.
Smith signed grant applications for
roadways and structures grants. Nelson is
pricing out portable water pumps. There
was a discussion on chloride either
premixed or mixed by the crew. Nelson
will get a price on the tank set up.
The FEMA closing on 68 Church
Street is May 13. The board voted that
Smith be authorized to sign the documents
as chair selectboard. Sortino reportedthat
she and her husband inspected the
property as is required 24 hours from the
closing.
It was decided not to put a dumpster at
Ticklenaked Pond Beach this summer as it
was being abused and loaded with non-
beach items. A sign saying "Carry In-
Carry Out" will be in place. B&B Septic
will be called for service at the town office.
Sortino reported on neighboring
towns junkyard ordinances. Most follow
the VLCT Model.
There being no further business the
meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Ryegate
May 26, 2014 (APPROVED)
The meeting was called to order by
chair Andrew Smith at 7 p.m. Members
present: Andrew, Claudette Sortino and
Paul Keenan; also present: Richard
Fraser, William Hetu, Richard Hodgson,
Holly McLure, Alice Allen, Nelson Elder,
Cheryl Slayton, Marsha Nelson.
It will be necessary to get three bids on
the demolition of 68 Church Street. Nelson
Elder reminded the group of the possibility
of underground cable, etc on that property.
Treasurer's Report-The board viewed
bills and signed orders. They signed the
Woodsville Ambulance contract for the
following year. They approved ballot clerk
checks and criminal records checks to be
written by the treasurer. The board also
signed the cover sheet for Stantec bills to
be sent to VTrans. The treasurer passed
out balance Sheets through April 30. The
board voted to authorize the Treasurer to
write a check to the cemetery commission
for $8,500, the amount budgeted and voted
on.
Alice Allen was present to ask the
board for their support for the Caledonia
County Conservation study of various
aspects of the Wells River. There will be
more high water events and the study will
help immensely. The board voted to show
support of the Wells River Watershed
effort. Allen also asked for two horse and
rider signs to be positioned on North
Bayley-Hazen Road. Andy smith
suggested the clerk check with VLCT to
make sure the signs are acceptable, and if
so, its fine with the board.
Road Report-Elder has ordered some
replacement signs and has learned they
are no longer making 3 inch letters. The
signs now have 6 inch letters. He is still
trying to get solid prices on chloride. The
crew has been grAing North Bayley-
Hazen. They are hauling sand out of Darcy
Nelson's pit. Richard Fraser asked about
Church Street potholes. To do a patch this
year would be less efficient than to do a
general repair next year. They may be able
to do a shim and then a whole overlay next
year. The board read over a draft letter
regarding hiring of a road crew member.
The board voted to send the letter.
Junkyard Ordinance-Claudette Sortino
explained her feeling on passing an
ordinance. She has contacted a dozen
towns who use the VLCT Model.
Newbury uses a similar one. She has
looked into enforcement and feels the way
to go is through the Judicial Bureau.
Sortino feels we asked the community
their opinion at town meeting and the vote
was in favor. Both William Hetu and
Richard Fraser had questions. Hetu feels
there is a state law that covers this. Paul
Keenan does not feel the ordinance could
be enforced. Andy Smith feels there is no
money in the budget this year to support an
expansion of municipal services such as
this. Sortino feels the board has a
responsibility to fix a situation where a
junkyard exists. Richard Hodgson feels
the vote at town meeting was to have the
board take a look at the feasibility of having
an ordinance. After discussion, Keenan
moved to adopt the junkyard ordinance
based on the VLCT model. Sortino
seconded the motion. Sortino voted yes.
Keenan and Smith voted no. The motion
failed. , ,
Richard Hodgson asked for an update
on the Creamery Road bridge. The bridge
plan is at a standstill because of grant
money, but the scoping study will still hold
in a few years.
The board voted to adjourn at 8:50
p.m.
Bradford
May 22, 2014 (APPROVED)
In Attendance-Board Members
Present: Thomas E. Unkles, Carole P.
Taylor, Daniel A. Perry III, Lisa D.
Sharp, Randy L. Moore; Administrative
Assistant: Danielle Robinson; others
present: Alex Nuti-De Biasi, Robert
Wing, Wayne Godfrey, John Hersh,
Marianne O'Malley, Janet W.
Fatherley, Bruce J. Osgood, Andy
Clark, JeffStiegler
Ted Unkles called the meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m.
Junk Ordinance-The selectboard
received a written complaint from the
neighbors of 893 North Main Street about
the property being in violation of the
Bradford outdoor storage o f junk and junk
vehicles ordinance. The board voted to
send a letter to the owner of the property,
Beneficial New Hampshire Inc. that
states that the junk needs to be removed
from the property, or properly stored
within 30 days from the date of the letter.
The selectboard has received various
complaints about the property at 70 North
Main Street also being in violation of the
junk ordinance. The property owner,
Estate of George Huntington, had the
trash bags removed the day before but the
last two years the selectboard has had to
contact them on the same issue. The
selectboard has asked that a letter be sent
to the property owners at 70 North Main
Street stating that this cannot continue as
a reoccurring issue.
Validation Meeting-Resolution and
Warning: The Bradford Selectboard is
holding a public vote to validate the
Special Town Meeting held on April 29.
The question to be voted upon shall be
"Shall the action taken at the meeting of
this Town held on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in
spite of the fact that the warning was
mistakenly not published in the newspa-
per 15 days prior to the date of the special
town meeting, and any act or action of the
municipal officers or agents pursuant
thereto be readopted, ratified and
confirmed." The defect was the result of
an oversight, and for that purpose a
special meeting is being held on June 12 to
validate the vote at the Special Town
Meeting that was held on April 29.
The board voted to approve the
warning for the special meeting held on
June 12 at the Bradford Academy
building Room 10A. The board reviewed
the draft resolution to validate the special
town meeting held on April 29.
Front Sign-Farmers Market: Iris
Johnson from the Farmers Market asked
the selectboard if the farmers market
could have a sign attached to the building
sign on the front lawn of the Bradford
Academy Building. The selectboard feels
that a non-permanent sign would be more
suitable for this type of seasonal event, as
the white sign out front has the names of
everyone in the building.
The board voted to approve the
orders dated May 23 with the exception of
the TRORC invoice in the amount of
$1,200. This invoice will be paid when the
work is completed for the Town Plan.
Other Business-The board voted to
approve the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee
contract in order to update the Town Plan,
with a maximum amount not to exceed
$1,200.
The selectboard reviewed proposed
changes made to the dog ordinance.
The selectboard approved a request
from the Listers that a second phone to be
installed in the Listers Office.
The board approved the Bradford
Teen Association's request to hold a
BBQ the last day of the Teen Lounge for
the school year and use $100 out of the
BTA events line.
The selectboard signed a letter to the
health officer, for not being able to reach
her and one to Henry Sleeper prohibiting
driving on the sidewalks.
The board approved the fire
department's request topurchase office
supplies in the amount of $884.87.
The board gave permission to the
Treasurer to order a new HP LaserJet
Pro Printer 400 with the automatic duplex
print in the amount of $315.33.
The board voted to go into executive
session for a personnel issue at 7:08 p.m.
and invite Danielle Robinson and Jeffrey
Stiegler.
The board came out of executive
session at 7:28 p.m. and adjourned.
Fairlee
June 2, 2014 (APPROVED)
Present-Board Members: Mary Daly,
chair; David Colby; Town Administrator:
Laurent J. Veilleux; board clerk: Annette
C. Hayward; visitors: FaMee Planning
Commission: Peter Berger; Chair, Jason
Crance, Anthony Gahagan, Russ Collins,
Susanne Pacilio, Smith Reed, Chris
Brimmer; Zoning Administrator, Jason
Bachus, Lynne Fitzhugh, Don Weaver,
Barbara Duncan, Clyde Blake, Cicely
Richardson, Journal Opinion
Mary Daly, board chair, called the
meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Public Comment-Clyde Blake
expressed his appreciation for the efforts
made by Jason Bachus in the town's
policing. Blake felt the efforts have made
Fairlee a safer place.
Town Administrator Report-
Administrative Activities: Sent May 5
minutes to the Journal Opinion and
Cohase Chamber of Commerce and
posted them to the Fairlee home page;
completed the Mountain Road paving
project bid solicitation; completing a town
newsletter to be distributed June 9 or 10;
conducted other routine administrative
duties.
Office Staff Report: Staff meeting
will be held June 3 to finish revising the
personnel policy which will be presented
to the selectboard for review and
approval.
Highway/Road Pgent Report-
Received the signed annual financial plan
from the state; road sweeping was done
May 28 around the Town Hall, Town
Common Road, School Street, Clubhouse
Road and Brennan Road; several roads
were graded.
Police report: jason bachus presented
his monthly activity report for May. There
was further discussion regarding signage
along Route 5.
Water Department Report: Water
mains flushing was conducted during the
week of May 19.
DRB/ZA Report: DRB met May 27
to continue deliberation on the two
applications, from Bonnie Oaks for
setback waivers for single-family dwellings
at 3446 Lake Morey Road.
PC Report: A meeting was held today
at 5:30 p.m. prior to this meeting to finalize
the draft town plan for presentation to the
selectboard.
Beach/Recreation Council Report:
Swim Session registrations that appear on
the calendar have been pushed back one
week due.to school finishing later. The
change has been made on the website
calendar, announcements being put on
listserve and flyers have been posted.
Beach will be set up on June 20 th and
officially opened on the 21 st with
lifeguards on duty. Lifeguard meeting is
scheduled for the second week of June.
Lake Morey/Milfoil Report: Ongoing
preparation for this year's milfoil project.
Received the 2014 milfoil grant agreement
which was signed and returned.
Board Orders: Letter of agreement
for computer assisted mass appraisal cost
tables services.
Correspondence: Memorandum
reviewed foi-rn Melissa Gahagan regarding
the timber trust (Fairlee Town Forest);
U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement memo reviewed; letter of
agreement for computer assisted mass
appraisal (CAMA) cost tables services
presented; memo from Town Treasurer
presented answering a question from
Dave Matthews previous Town Forest
Report concerning the Timber Trust;
notice for the governmental accounting &
auditing symposium to held June 19 in
Montpelier; letter from U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement regarding
arresting and removing illegal aliens.
Draft Town Plan Presentation and
Discussion-Peter Berger, Planning
Commission Chair, presented the
proposed draft town plan to the
selectboard for review and comments.
Berger also outlined the process for
getting the town plan approved from this
point and the plans to present the
information to the public as a step towards
creating a final Fairlee town plan. Berger
explained that after the selectboard
reviews the plan and provides its
comments, a 30-day warned Public
Hearing will tentatively be scheduled for
mid-July. The public hearing will be held
at the Town Hall in the Grange Room
seeking additional public input. As part of
the process, certified copies will be gent to
the abutting towns of West Fairlee,
Thetford, Bradford and also to the Two
Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional
Commission. There will then be another
public hearing warned and held for
additional comments. During this time,
copies will be made available to the public
at the Town Hall, as well as posted on the
Fairlee home page. After gett!ng input
and making any final revisions, the
Selectboard will schedule a Town-wide
vote for acceptance of the Town Plan in
September. Berger stated that everyone
who has been closely involved in this
process is aware of how crucial it is that
the town has an approved town plan. The
planning commission has worked to
create a set of guidelines that will allow
the town to seek out opportunities for
future development, and in the near term,
apply for grants to make much needed
improvements to the Town's
infrastructurel
Mountain Road Paving Project Bid
Solicitation discussion and approval-the
board voted to approve the bid solicitation
for the mountain road paving project
presented to the board,
Meeting Adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
r
Haverhill
June 2, 2014 (UNAPPROVED)
Board Members: Wayne Fortier,
Tom Friel, Lynn Wheeler, Rick Ladd,
Robert Roudebush; Town Manager:
Glenn English; Administrative Assistant/
Finance Officer: Jo Lacaillade;
Selectboard Clerk: Karen Hyde; public:
Darwin Clogston, Nellie Dubois, Carrie
Hughes, Cheryl Towne, Pauline Aldrich,
Don Hammond, Karen Woods, Kathleen
Whittemore, Maryanne Aldrich, Susan
Brown, Mike Simpson, Rev. Clint Brake,
Rev. Jeff Statz, Brad Kennedy, Richard
Morris and Ed Ballam-Journal Opinion
Chair Wayne Fortier called the
meeting to order at 6 p.m.
Scheduled Public Appearance--
Area Churches-Food Bank: Pauline
Aldrich from Tri-County CAP discussed
the food pantry in Woodsville, which CAP
is going to divest itself from. There is a
iroup of churches and people who would
ke to see the food pantry continued in this
area. Pastor Brake, Father Jeff Statz and
Susan Brown, who was standing in for
Bob Rose, were attending to show their
support of a food pantry going into the
Robert E. Clifford Building. Rick Ladd
made a motion to enter into an agreement
to lease 604 square feet of the Robert E.
Clifford Building at $8 a square foot. This
motion did not receive a second. Ladd
then made the motion to enter into an
agreement at $9 a square foot; seconded
by Wayne Fortier and there were three
ayes and two nays The motion passed.
Susan Brown asked to have the
minutes of the meeting reflect that Deb
Page and she had distributed the 250 th
Celebration books to the area schools. •
Cottage Hospital Recognition:
Maryanne Aldrich spoke to the board
about the award that Cottage Hospital
had recently received as being one of the
top 20 Critical Care Facilities in the
country. She commented that the hospital
had also received an efficiency award.
Fortier stated that the board appreciated
everything that the hospital did and does.
He then presented a Proclamation from
Haverhill honoring Cottage Hospital as
one of the top 20 Critical Access
Hospitals in the United States.
Nellie Dubois stated that she had
spoken with TM Glenn English concerning
a resident on Barber Road. She wanted to
know who did building inspections and
issued a certificate of occupancy. Fortier
stated that the board was in the process of
identifying a job description for a Life
Safety Officer.
Traditionally, those duties fall on the
local Fire Chief if the resident happens to
live in one of the three precincts that have
a fire department. If the resident does not
live in a precinct, the fire district will
perform those inspections. Fortier stated
that the Board had been working with the
fire departments to standardize the fees in
a more consistent manner. He stated that
all three fire chiefs were there, but had to
leave for a fire meeting. English clarified
that these controls did not apply to single-
or two-family buildings, which is what
Dubois had concerns about. The controls
Fortier was talking about were multi-
family and commercial buildings.
Dubois then asked about this
particular property's current use status.
English statedthat only the portion with
the building on it was taken out of current
use, but the rest would remain in current
use. English stated that a request had
come in from a resident on Barber Road
asking for permission to build on a private
road. It had gone to the Planning Board
and the only comment there was that it
should be noted in writing that there is no
guarantee that emergency service vehicles
could make it to that structure. He had
received a letter from the Planning Board
pertinent to that fact. The person making
this request had filled out the application,
which English presented to the board.
English stated that Nellie has issues with
alteration of terrain and drainage. He then
stated that there are liabilities on the
applicant to satisfy abutters and damage
to their property. The board voted to
authorize the Permission to Build on a
Private Road application. English stated
that the signed Permission to Build
application would be filed at the Registry
of Deeds. Dubois could come into the
selectboard office to receive a copy of the
signed application.
Town Manager's Report: English
stated that the Town has received an
offer from the Town of Errol for a trailer
that is full of medical supplies to be used
by our region in an emergency, such as
gauzes and bandages. It is a mobile unit
that Errol would llke to relocate as they
have had it fo} a number of years. English
was suggesting that this trailer be housed
in the back field of the Clifford Building
and the only cost to the Town would be
registration and insurance. The Board
wanted to receive the insurance quotes
before making a decision.
Cheryl Towne stated that she wanted
to discuss some issues with the Pike
school. It is no longer a quiet
neighborhood, "screaming all night long"
and the police are there quite frequently.
She is very upset about the school not
paying taxes and she feels that the school
needs to pay their fair share. Fortier
stated that the board understands her
point and they have asked for
documentation of the confirmation of tax
abatement, which they now have and
need time to study. He also stated that
there wasn't much the board could do
other than look into ways of having some
conversation with the organization to see
if they can help defray some of Haverhill
taxpayers' costs for services rendered.
Lynn Wheeler stated that she had
heard from numerous people, not
necessarily from Pike, concerning the
s'ame issue and that there may not be
anything that the board can do. AA Jo
Lacaillade stated that the application is in
the selectboard office for the board to
review.
Pending (Old) Business--Health
Ordinance: English stated that he had
gone to the property in Haverhill Corner
that was discussed at the previous
meeting and took pictures of the property.
There is a refrigerator with rotting food
and debris everywhere. There are two
barns which are totally open to entry and
full of stuff. The property is hazardous
and there is a public health concern with
the rotten meat and the refrigerator.
The Town Attorney suggested that
the Board meet as the Board of Health
and direct English to issue an order to
clean up the refrigerator and secure the
house. The boardvoted for Englishto
contact the Town's Attorney to draft an
order.
Life Safety Officer Job Description:
The Board was going to discuss the
changes to the job description with the
Fire Chiefs, but Brad Kennedy, Don
Hammond and Richard Morris had to
leave at 6:40 as they had another meeting.
There was a discussion of the stipends
paid to the Fire Chiefs for building
inspections and the necessity for
accounting of these stipends. The three
Fire Chiefs and Precinct Commissioners
would be placed first on the June 30
agenda to turther discuss these issues.
New Business--Veterans and Elderly
Exemptions: The board voted to accept
the list of recommended Veterans and
Elderly Exemptions.
Woodsville Ambulance Contract:
The board voted to accept the Woodsville
Ambulance Contract.
Appointment of Health Officer and
Deputy Health Officer: The board voted
to recommend to the state the continuance
of the current Health Officer and Deputy
Health Officer.
Cartographic Mapping Contract: The
board voted to accept the Cartographic
Mapping Contract.
Commission/Committee Reports:
Fortier reported that the first Railroad
Park Concert was well-attended with
about 100 people in attendance. There
was also a chili contest that night.
Correspondence: Fortier stated that
the Board had received correspondence
about the Woodsville Library from Robert
Fillion. The board also received notice
from North Country Council concerning a
public meeting about the Transit Update
Plan. This meeting wilt be June 5 in
Littleon and also June 10 in Haverhill.
Comments of the Public: Darwin
• Clogston stated that rumor had it that the
Page Road culvert had turned into a
bridge. English stated that the replacement
would be a box culvert, which had always
beenplanned.
Comments of the Town Manager/
Administrative Assistant-Finance Officer:
AA Lacaillade stated that the selectboard
had received an application for use of the
Robert E. Clifford Memorial Building on
June 27 for a fundraiser for the Robbins
family. The board voted to accept the
application with the fee waived.
Lacaillade then presented to the
board a welfare lien that the Town holds
on a property in Woodsville and a buyer is
requesting that the Town abate the
interest on that lien. The board voted to
not abate the interest.
Comments of Selectboard Members:
Robert Roudebush commented that Steve
Robbins was now in rehab within the
Concord Hospital complex and would be
there for two weeks.
Fortier adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Offord
June 2, 2014 (APPROVED)
Members present: Tom Steketee,
Anne Duncan Cooley, John Adams;
others present: Sheri Clifford (Town
Administrator)
The meeting was called to order at
7:31 a.m.
The board voted to enter into
nonpublic session for personnel issues at
7:31'a.m. A roll call vote of members
present was taken with a decision in the
affirmative.
The board resumed the regular
meeting at 7:40 a.m.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 a.m.
Orford
June 8, 2014 (APPROVED)
Members present: Tom Steketee,
Anne Duncan Cooley, John Adams
The meeting was called to order at 10
a.m.
The board discussed the possible
revision of the schedule for construction
of the Newcomb Hollow Bridge on
Archertown Road. The town's engineers,
DuBois and King have informed the
board that have been informed by potential
bidders/contractorsthat the State of
Vermont has numerous bridges in
construction in 2014 that have put
demands on fabricators for pre-cast
concrete arches and frames through early
September. Northern New England
fabricators of arches and frames are
committing to delivery of precast
concrete bridges to new project sites by
mid-September or early October.
The engineer, Robert Durfee, said
that because of this, other towns had
allowed a revision in the schedule for
construction of the bridges. The revision
specifies that if paving can not be
completed in the fall of 2014 due to cold
weather, the bridge can be opened with
the road as a a gravel surface, with paving
completed in the spring of 2015.
The board discussed the possibility
that not adopting such a Schedule revision
might result in fewer or no companies
bidding on the project because they would
be unable to obtain the materials in time tO
complete the bridge on time. The board
was also concerned that the bridge might
be closed waiting for the concrete
components while no construction is
happening. The board also discussed
concerns with impact on the school bus,
availability of FEMA funding, and
frustration that the schedule for construc-
tion keeps slipping.
The board voted to amend the bid
documents to revise the schedule for
construction of the bridge to extend the
schedule so if paving can not be
completed in the fall of 2014 due to cold
weather, to open the road on a gravel
surface and complete final paving in the
spring of 2015.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:26
a.m.
Corinth
June 3, 2014 (UNAPPROVED)
Attending: Allen Locke, Chairman;
Chris Groschner; Russ Pazdro; others
attending: Susan Fortunati, Treasurer;
Suzanne Hansen, Financial Assistant to
the board; Joe Hill, First Constable; Lynn
Sciortino, Board Clerk.
The meeting was called to order at
5:02 p.m.
Orders for Payment-The board
reviewed outstanding bills and signed
orders for payment.
Journal Entries-The board reviewed
and approved the May Joumal Entries.
Other Business-The board reviewed
steps the owners of the old East Corinth
store have taken at the request of the
board: construction debris has been
moved out of the town right-of-way, an
open trench next to the front foundation
has been partially back-filled, and orange
warning cones placed next to the
remaining portion of the open trench.
It was reported that Melinda Palmer
will be doing the mowing at the Town Hall
this summer.
NIMS (National Incident
Management System) questionnaire was
reviewed by the board. Parts
had been completed by Joe Truss,
Emergency Management Coordinator
and Nancy Ertle, Town Clerk. The board
voted to have Groschner complete the
questionnaire. The completed form will
be reviewed again at the June 9 meeting
and sent to Two Rivers.
Green Up ills for the trash and tires
($241 total) will be paid from Conservation
Commission funds.
Joe Hill discussed ATV complaints
and recent break-ins. Residents need to
report suspicious
behavior, lock their doors and
consider installing a video surveillance
system.
The board discussed town meeting
2014 article 11 (To see if the voters will
vote a sum not to exceed $5,000 to
establish an Emergency Management
Operations Center.) as this article was
deferred to the selectmen for further
review. No decisions were made.
The board discussed the Automated
External Defibrillator (AED) in the Town
Hall office space.
Correspondence-The board received
a letter from Northeast Slopes thanking
the Highway Department for plowing the
parking lot. Theboard agreed;to plow the
parking lot next year. The Road
Commissioner and Highway Crew will be
notified.
The board agreed to renew the
license for the listers to use the Marshall
and Swift cost tables for property
assessments.
The board received a letter from
Washington Electric regarding the
relocation of lines on Cookeville Road.
They referred the matter to the Road
Commissioner for input and will address it
at the June 9 meeting.
Calcium Chloride: The board voted to
sign the contract with Gorman Group for
calcium chloride for controlling dust.
The board received notice ofa VLCT
sponsored symposium on Governmental
Accounting and Auditing to be held June
19. Susan Fortunati and Allen Locke may
attend.
The board received a draft letter from
Sullivan, Powers & Co. outlining
opportunities tostrengthen internal financial
controls. The board will consider for
future adoption drafts of aninvestment
policy and a fraud prevention policy, both
based on VLCT suggested language.
Building Maintenance: Groschner
reported receiving three bids to refinish
the wood floors in the Town Hall.
Discussion followed. Groschner will
gather more information for the Board
and a decision will be made at the June 9
meeting. Groschner is still collecting bids
for the painting project at the Town Hall.
Executive Session-The board voted
to go into executive session at 7:22 p.m. to
discuss personnel. The treasurer and
clerk were asked to attend. The meeting
resumed at 8:35 p.m. with the following
decisions in pay rates and salaries for
town employees for the2015 fiscal year.
Personnel Pay and Policies: The
board voted to approve following rate of
pay for the Town Clerk for hours worked
during the 2015 fiscal year: Nancy Ertle,
Town Clerk $20.83per hour worked with
a maximum expenditure of $26,000 per
year
The board voted to approve the
following salary for the Town Treasurer
for the 2015 fiscal year: Susan FortUnati,
Town Treasurer $27,040 per year
The board voted to approve the
following salaries and rate of pay for the
Highway Department for the 2015 fiscal
year: Frank Roderick, Road Commissioner
$2,400 per year; Joe Blodgett, Road
Foreman $19,80 per hour; Bryan Hart
$17.90 per hour; Nelson LaFrancis
$18.53 per hour William Eastman $15 per
hour; Frank Roderick $15 per hour
• The board voted to approve the rate
of pay for the following Appointed Town
Officers for the 2015 fiscalyear: Karen
Galayda, Administrative Officer $12 per
hour; Marin Haney, Assistant Town
Clerk $12 per hour; Brenda Carter,
Assistant Town Treasurer $12 per hour;
Karen Galayda, Assistant Town Treasurer
$12 per hour; Suzanne Hansen, Financial
Asst. to the Board $12 per hour; Lynn
Sciortino, Slelectboard Clerk $12 per hour
The board voted to approve the
following rate of pay for the Transfer
Station Attendants for the 2015 fiscal
year: Joan Hayward $12 per hour,
William Farr $12 per hour
The board voted to approve the
following rate of pay for the Town
Constables for the 2015 fiscal year:Joe
Hill, First Constable $12 per hour; Chris
Diaz, Second Constable $12 per hour
The board voted to table the rate of
pay for the Listers' Department until the
June 9 meeting of the board.
The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Groton
May 5, 2014 (APPROVED)
Selectboard: Peter Lyon, Gary
Lamberton, Nathan Puffer; Auditors:
Debra Johnson, Martha Crown, Dan
Robinson, Building Committee: Kitty
Diggins, Treasurer: Roberta Dana, Road
Commissioner: Brent Smith, Fire War,
den: Wade Johnson
Kitty Diggins reviewed the RFP for
the Community Building water filtration
system that had been created by Amy
Alexander. Diggins explained that the
plan was to send it out for bid to a
minimum of five vendors with a response
requested by May 30. Nathan Puffer
asked how it would be paid for and
Diggins explained that it would be paid for
out of the building reserve fund. The
board voted to support the RFP as
modified. Diggins wanted to express a
special thank you to Alexander for the
work she did on this RFP.
Diggins also reported in her role as
lister that they are in the process of
completing building inspections and they
all will be done on time.
Debbie Johnson reported that the
Auditors had completed the review of the
bids received for a professional audit for
the Town. The following four bids were
received: Sullivan & Powers-S12,000,
Auditors score of 277; Pace & Hawley-
$7,000, Auditors score 240; Graham &
Graham-S13,800, Auditors score 217;
Batchelder Associates-$14,000 plus re-
quired hiring an attorney, Auditors score
175
The auditors unanimously recom-
mended to the board the hiring of Sullivan
& Powers. The budget to hire a
professional auditor for this year is $7,000
and the board did not support spending an
additional $5,000 for Sullivan & Powers.
Roberta Dana pointed out that she is up
for election next year and a new treasurer
would want an audit completed when they
start. After a general discussion, all
agreed no contract for auditor would be
issued this year (2014) and to plan on
hiring one for the next fiscal year (2015).
In the meantime all agreed that there
were issues that needed to be addressed
that had been identified in prior audits that
had been provided to the town. Dan
Robinson volunteered to coordinate
creating a proposed plan to address these
issues which he would review with the
board at the next meeting.
Wade Johnson provided his feedback
on the proposed burn ordinance and had
suggestions to improve the document to
ensure that it matches the fire warden
manual. Gary Lamberton volunteered to
add the changes suggested by Johnson
and then circulate back for final
comments in preparation for a public
hearing.
Peter Lyon reported that he had
attended a building committee meeting
and Mark Shallberg was there and
expressed an interest in joining the
committee. The board voted to appoint
Shallberg to the building committee.
The noard reviewed a letter from
Linda asking if the Community Building
fee would be waived for a benefit dance.
The board asked if either the requester or
the person benefitting were Groton
residents and were told that they were
not. The board felt that the current fee of
$5 dollars per hour was already a very
good deal and most likely did not cover the
cost of items such as lights and heat. The
board voted to maintain the current fee of
$5 per hour. The board also agreed that
the fees, deposits, and use of the building
needed to be reviewed for potential
updates. It was agreed to ask the building
committee to complete this review.
Brent Smith and Lamberton reported
that two grants had been submitted as
suggested by Shauna Clifford (VAOT
District Project Manager). One grant
was for the Fuller Hill Project and the
other was for the creation of a long range
capital plan. Smith also requested
approval of the current annual financial
plan. The board voted to approve the
annual financial plan as prepared by
Clifford.
Dana reported that the state has
provided their assessment for all the state
buildings in the town and if the board had
any disagreement with the assessments
there is a time frame to file an appeal.
Lamberton provided the results of his
analysis on options for the purchase of
new systems and software for the Town.
Lamberton recommended supporting a
proposal from DakTech Computers for a
total of $4,614. Peter Lyon wanted to
ensure that it included the connection to
NEMRC and cash register for Linda
Nunn. It was agreed to discuss further
when Nunn was available.
The board voted to adjourn at 9:06
p.m.
Hearing scheduled on
bridge replacement
WEST LEBANON--A public
informational meeting has been
scheduled for July 24 at 7 p.m. by the
New Hampshire Department of
Transportation to discuss the
proposed rehabilitation, replacement
andwidening of the 1-89 bridges
over the Connecticut River in
Lebanon and Hartford.
The meeting will be held in the
Kilton Library in West Lebanon.
Plans will be displayed beginning at
6:30 p.m. for anyone interested in
seeing them.
The purpose of this meeting is to
share information about the proposed
project with public officials and
residents and to solicit public input
in order to ensure that project
decisions meet public transportation
needs, commtmity goals and protect
and enhance the environment.
