BOS Minutes 12-27-2005

APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SE= LECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

December 27, 2005

APPROVED – January 10, 2006

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PRESENT:

Mr. Victor Danevich, Mr. Harold Lynde (arrived short= ly after the meeting commenced), Mr. Jean-Guy Bergeron, Mr. Edmund Gleason, = Mr. Tom Domenico (arrived shortly after the meeting commenced), Mr. Tom Gaydos – Town Administrator

Also present:

ABSENT:

Members of the press and general public.

None

MINUTES RE= VIEW

Mr. Domenico arrived.

November 22, 2005

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Gleason/Bergeron) To approve the November 22, 2005 meeting = minutes as amended.

VOTE:

(4-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

The amendments to the minutes were as follows: It was = noted that Mr. Domenico arrived shortly after the meeting commenced; under Purcha= se of Ladder Truck, 8^th sentence – the following words ‘…at the Town Hall Anne= x for the ambulance and then put the ladder truck and one small vehicle in the ma= in bay’ replaced ‘and make the vehicles fit’; page 1 = 211; under the motion to purchase the ladder truck – the words ‘..was absent for the moment’ were replaced with ‘..had not yet arrived’; page 3 – under Article Ka = 211; the words ‘…to be added’ was replaced with ‘..to expend’; page 3 – u= nder Article L – the words ‘were essential’ were deleted from ‘…for a substation (at least for the first year or so) to make things work’; Article M – the word ‘spend’ was repl= aced with the word ‘expend’<= /i>; page 5 – Article V – ‘..for a central fire station and substation..’ was amended to read ‘..for a fire substation= ’; page 5, number 6 – the dollar amount reading $934 was amended to read $934,000; page 6, 1^st paragraph – the word ‘absent’ was amended to read ‘absence’.

OPEN FORUM=

None.

APPOINTMEN= T(S)

Greater Derry-Salem Regional Transit Sue Hovling Proposed Warrant Article

Seni= or Center Director Sue Hovling, Mr. Scott Vogel (Rockingham Regional Planning Commission) and Dr. Srilatha Kodali met with the Selectmen to discuss the proposed warrant article regarding the Greater Derry-Salem Regional Transit. Ms. Hovling said the= y were bringing the article forward because there was renewed interest due to the passage of House Bill 568 (the state gave support to the alliance). The Town’s share would be $3= 500 for the first year (of a three-year pilot program).

Mr. = Danevich asked why the article was being brought forward so late. Mr. Vogel said since last yearR= 17;s Town Meeting they had been working with a number of other aspects of the project, including clearing hurdles to access federal funds; working in the state’s legislature and securing an agreement with the Merrimack Vall= ey Regional Transit Authority to manage the federal funds; due to this, they were getti= ng back to municipalities late with fund requests for 2006. He discussed how the service would= be conducted and said they were able to secure a pilot grant from Endowment For Health and municipal contributions. The grant allows municipal contributions to ramp up over a period of three years to have the opportunity to see how the programs worked (at the = end of the pilot year they could decide whether or not to continue funding).

Mr. Danevich asked if there was any obligation for Pelham to join. Mr. Vogel answered no, but explain= ed that services were based on financial participation. Mr. Danevich asked if there was a = need for the service. Dr. Kodali s= aid she was a physician in Town and outlined some of the services a big percent= age of her clients needed. She be= lieved there was a need for the transit system because of the elderly population in Town and the lack of a transit system.&nbs= p; Ms. Hovling said the transportation system was not just to help peop= le get to medical appointments, but it was also good for social interaction.

Mr. Gleason asked what the yearly expenditure (operating cost) would be. Mr. Vogel said in year one (2006) = the contribution would be $3500; 2007 - $7400; 2008 - $11,600. The figures account for the replac= ement of the funding and cost inflation. Mr. Gleason asked if it was anticipated that the cost would remain stable adjusted for inflation beyond that, or if there would be expansion requiring more capital. Mr. V= ogel said it would be up to the Town to decide if they wanted the service expanded. Mr. Gleason asked i= f the Town had the right to withdraw at the completion of the pilot program. Mr. Vogel believed any of the municipalities would have the right to withdraw. Mr. Gleason asked if the program w= ould require the establishment of a regional board of directors and administrati= on with unionization of drivers etc. Mr. Vogel said there would be a board of directors. He discussed how the board of dire= ctors would conduct the program. Mr. Gleason asked if there was any guarantee in the federal money subsidizing t= he program. Mr. Vogel said Congr= ess just passed a five-year transportation bill; he didn’t anticipate a d= rop in federal funding.

Mr. Domenico said one of the concerns last year was the Town’s location w= ith regard to the services. He wa= nted to know how Pelham would benefit and not be left out of any services. He also wanted to know more inform= ation about what towns were involved. Mr. Vogel noted there were ten towns envisioned for the service area and went o= n to discuss how the system would provide services to such. Mr. Domenico asked if the Town wou= ld be able to view the reports of usage and view the statistics. Mr. Vogel answered yes. A board of directors comprised of representatives who had committed funds last year had already been formed a= nd would look to adopt by laws on January 17, 2006; at such time as additional communities vote to commit funding those towns would appoint board members and join the board. Mr. Vogel said he could provide a = copy of the draft by laws. Mr. Dom= enico wanted more information regarding the contribution percentages. Mr. Vogel said the formula was bas= ed on five population factors (Pelham was in the low to middle range). Mr. Domenico said if the warrant w= as successful this year, he would want to see the funds included in the Senior Center budget next year. =

Mr. = Gaydos pointed out that if the Town didn’t see the benefit, they could stop funding. Mr. Danevich asked i= f it was the recommendation to have a one-year warrant article for $3500 to prov= ide the opportunity to assess the value of the program. Mr. Gaydos felt it was a line item= that needed annual review by the Selectmen and comment by the Senior Center.

Mr. Bergeron asked if the five communities that joined last year did so through warrant articles or line items. Mr. Vogel said four of the five used warrant articles. Mr. Bergeron recalled from last ye= ar that Pelham, even if we didn’t fund the program, would be able to use= the services. Mr. Vogel said ther= e was discussion, but the message from the communities who committed funding was = that the service was limited to those communities who also committed funding. Mr. Bergeron confirmed that if the= Town was successful it could have the service and if it was not as expected, the Town did not have to renew and the service would end. Mr. Vogel answered yes.

Mr. Gleason asked if there were any agencies that the Town currently contribute= d to (i.e. Salvation Army) that would see a reduction in cost because of the ser= vice offsetting the need. Ms. Hovl= ing was unsure. She said the serv= ices that provide transportation picked up their own patients and would not be replaced by the service. Mr. = Vogel said they were asking communities to not fund the program by shifting funds from other providers; the idea was to build on the investments of existing agencies. Ms. Hovling said th= is service was different from that provided by Salem Caregivers. There was further discussion regar= ding proposed service compared to other similar services.

=

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Bergeron) To submit the warrant article for Greater Derry-Salem Regional Transit= - $3500 (for first year of funding of a three-year pilot program).

=

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. = Gaydos will forward to the Budget Committee for consideration and inclusion on the 2006 warrant.

Public Hearing: Purchase of Merriam Prop= erty for Conservation Pursuant to RSA 36-ATax Map 33, L= ot 1-159 & Map 39, Lot 1-159=

Cons= ervation Commission Chairman Bob Yarmo and Conservation Commission member Paul Dadak= met with the Selectmen to open the public hearing for the purchase of the Merri= am property. Mr. Yarmo said they= were presenting the Town with the opportunity to purchase 110 acres (with 20 acr= es of wetland) identified at = 30 Sherburne Road. A purchase and sales agreement has= been executed for $1,000,000; an appraisal has been done at $1,437,000. Mr. Dadak provided more specific i= nformation about the property. He review= ed the package presented to the Selectmen presented for the public hearing, which included a conceptual subdivision plan that proposed 29-lots. The selection criteria were also provided for review.

Mr. Danevich was glad to see the purchase process working. Mr.Yarmo discussed how the criteri= a for purchases were drafted. Mr. D= adak noted that the current owner of the property wanted the land preserved in i= ts natural state. He further dis= cussed the property and the benefits to the Town.= Mr. Yarmo said this was one of the top five parcels designated best = to preserve. He noted that this = was one of the third largest privately owned parcels in Town.

Mr. = Gaydos said there was a request that the property be in conservation, left in its natural state. There was an understanding in the negotiations that there is a sign naming the property. There was also an understanding that the property be included as Town Forest; later in the meeting the Selectmen will be asked to include it on the 2006 Warrant.
Mr. Bergeron thanked the owners for the land and the Conservation Commission for all their work. Mr. Gleason a= lso commended the owners and the Conservation Commission. He felt the Town won with this tra= nsaction. Mr. Yarmo said there were a lot of people supporting the transaction and thanked them.

Ther= e was no public input.   <= /o:p>

=

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Gleason) To purchase the property (Map 33, Lot 1-159 & Map 39, Lot 1-159) for $1,000,000; 110 acres on Sherburne Road (Merriam property). Subject the terms of the Purchase and Sales Agreement (already agreed to).

=

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

The Selectmen signed the paperwork approving t= he purchase. Mr. Yarmo noted tha= t this was the sixth purchase. The experience so far was rewarding.

OTHER BUSINESS

Vacant Trustee Positions<= /b>

Mr. = Gaydos said that Barbara Stadtmiller had resigned (as a Trustee of the Trust Funds) effective at the end of this year. He said at the upcoming election there were three open positions and= any one interested should contact the Selectmen’s Office. Statutorily, the Town needs at lea= st one trustee; if no one runs for the position someone would be found to fill the position for one year.

Continued Post Ho= liday Closure of Transfer Facility

Mr. = Gaydos said under the default budget, the Transfer Station was closed after certain holidays (saving $600 per day). He said between now and the Town Meeting there were two holidays; Martin Luther King’s birthday (January. 16^th), and President’s Day (February 20^th) – the Transfer station would be scheduled = to close on January 17^th and February 21^st. He asked if the Selectmen wanted to close the Transfer Station on the Tuesday after the holidays. The Selectmen discussed if they wa= nted to continue closing the Transfer Station after the holidays. There was no objection. Mr. Gaydos will inform the Superintendent of the Transfer Station of the Selectmen’s decision. <= o:p>

Warrant Article Review - Amended Town Forest Article=

Mr. Danevich said the Selectmen just purchased the Merriam property and asked f= or a motion to amend the Town<= /st1:PlaceType> Forest article to a= dd the property.

=

MOTION:=

(Lynde/Gleason) To reconsider the Town Forest Warrant Article.

=

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Lynde) To modify the Town Forest Warrant Ar= ticle to incorporate the Merriam property (Map 33, Lot 1-159 & Map 39, Lot 1-159).

=

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. Danevich said he had asked Mr. Gaydos to organize the warrant; Mr. Gaydos provided the Selectmen with back up data.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> State statute require warrants be = set up in a certain order: 1) Zoning and Land use Ordinance; 2) Bonding issues by dollar size; and 3) the remaining at the Selectmen’s discretion. Mr. Danevich asked that the Select= men review the list of articles and provide any comments regarding the order wi= thin the next day or so. It was suggested to have the Operating Budget listed first.

Budget Review

Mr. = Gaydos prepared an updated budget for the Selectmen to review. He provided a summary of such.

Priority List Review/Update

The Selectmen reviewed the Selectmen Priority List and discussed the order of t= he items and if there needed to be adjustments. Mr. Bergeron noted that he attende= d a meeting at NRPC on December 14, 2005 where the State Transportation Improvement Amendment w= as discussed. He said every two = years the list comes to the Commission for a vote and noted that the for Pelham, improvements to the two intersections (Main Street/Nashua Road and Old Brid= ge Street/Common Street) was listed as 2007 preliminary design phase didn̵= 7;t move and passed unanimously. = This would be moving to the Legislature in January. There was a brief discussion regar= ding the Campbell Road betterment project; Mr. Gaydos said he could work with the groups to try and come to an agreement. He sugg= ested holding a public hearing to define the project. There was also discussion regardin= g the two million dollars for the Town center project. Mr. Gleason wanted to know what the Town’s obligation would be. Mr. Gaydos said it would be an 80/20 share issue if the Town self-managed the program; the state indicated (once the Town got on the 10-year plan) they w= ould be willing to assume the 20% share and comply with all federal regulations = and eventually come up with a plan (with the caveat being the plan had to be feasible). Mr. Gleason wanted= to an agenda item so the Selectmen could have further discussion. Mr. Danevich told the Selectmen to contact either him or Mr. Gaydos if they had any updates or additional items for the list.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S / SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

Mr. Gaydos, Mr. Domenico, Mr. Bergeron and Mr. Gleason had no report.

Mr. = Lynde said he was nominated and voted in to a committee associated with the New Hampsh= ire Municipal Association. He att= ended his first meeting (December 20^th) where items such as the NHMA budget and the position on pending legislation were discussed. He noted eminent domain was also discussed. He said it also lo= oked like the NH Retirement Board has changed their projected revenue growth rate (return on investment percentage). <= /span>Mr. Gaydos wanted to compare numbers with Mr. Lynde. He said the state mandated that po= lice officers and firefighters are included in retirement, and wanted to know ho= w it fell (under 28,a – unfunded mandate) when a decision was made to incr= ease the Town’s share. =

Mr. Danevich noted that the next Selectmen meeting would be held January 10, 2006. He reminded residents that the Tra= nsfer Station would be closed December 31, 2005. He said= a complaint had been received regarding the Mammoth Road area; however the Selectmen had no way of contacting the resident and asked that they contact the Selectmen’s office.

REQUEST FOR NON-PUBLIC SESSION

MOTION:=

(Bergeron/Lynde) Request for a non-public session pe= r RSA 91-A:3,II,a & c (Personnel; Matters which, if discussed publicly, wou= ld affect adversely the reputation of any person)

=

ROLL CALL:<= /b>

Mr. Danevich-Yes; Mr. Lynde-Yes; Mr. Bergeron-Yes; M= r. Gleason-Yes; Mr. Domenico-Yes

Mr. Danevich noted that when the Board returned, after= the non-public session, the Board would not take any other action publicly, exc= ept to possibly seal the minutes of the non-public session and to adjourn the meeting. The Board entered in= to a non-public session at approximately 8:53 pm.

The Board returned to public session at approximately = 10:00 pm.

=

MOTION:=

(Gleason/Bergeron) To seal the minutes of the non-pu= blic session.

=

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

ADJOURNMEN= T

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Bergeron/Gleason) To adjourn the meeting.

=

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carri= ed.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:00 pm.

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;           Respe= ctfully submitted,

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;           Chari= ty A. L. Willis

   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;           Recor= ding Secretary