SEL20080506

APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SE= LECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

May 6, 2008

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PRESENT:

Mr. Douglas Viger, Mr. = Robert Haverty, Mr. Victor Danevich, Mr. William McDevitt, Mr. Harold Lynde, Town Administrator Tom Gaydos

Also present:

ABSENT:

Members of the press and general public.

None.

MINUTES REVIEW

April 22, 2008=

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Haverty/McDevitt) To approve the April 22, 2008 meeting mi= nutes as amended.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carri= ed. Mr. Danevich abstained.

The amendments to the min= utes were: spelling of name correction ‘Monette’; page 5, 6^{th
paragraph- 55% was corrected to read 50%, $11,500 was corrected to read $15=
00,
the names Mr. DeCarolis and Mr. Greenwood were replaced with Brian Johnson.=}

OPEN FORUM

None.

OTHER BUSINESS

2008 Highway Paving and Crack Sealing Bid Awards<= /b>

Mr. Gaydos said the Highw= ay Department advertised bids for paving a crack sealing, which were opened pu= blicly at Town Hall. There were four= bids received for paving. The recommendation of the Highway Road Agent was to award the Asphalt, Tac, Cape Cod Berm bid to Continental Paving; the recommendation for crack sealing wa= s to award the bid to Crack Seal, Inc.

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Lynde/Haverty) To award the Highway Paving bid to Continental Paving.

=

VOTE:

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

MOTION:<= o:p>

(Lynde/Haverty) To award the crack seal bid to Crack= Seal, Inc.

=

VOTE:

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

APPOINTMENTS

Pay-As-You-Throw Presentation: Presented by Dave Degler, NHDES Program Coordinator

Transfer Station Superint= endent Bruce Mason and Mr. David Degler of New Hampshire Department of Environment= al Services met with the Selectmen to discuss the Pay-As-You-Throw (‘PAYT’) program. Mr. Degler gave a power point presentation that provided an overview of the PAYT program. He compared Pelham&#= 8217;s current method of trash disposal to the PAYT program and what benefits the = Town might see if it was implemented.

Mr. Danevich noticed that= Hudson did curb-si= de pickup with containers. He sa= id the surrounding towns weren’t part of the list of communities that were involved with PAYT and questioned if Pelham would be ‘blazing the trail’. Mr. Degler said= Hudson did a form = of PAYT by using specific containers. Mr. Danevich felt the program was good and the Town was at a point where they needed to do something. Mr. D= egler said there was no facility to date that went to a PAYT program and went bac= k to another method. Mr. Danevich questioned why the Town wouldn’t continue with the methods being used= if it was cost effective. Mr. Ma= son said the Transfer Station was doing well, but he felt it could do better. Mr. Degler said recycling was a mo= ney maker. Mr. Danevich was inter= ested in the fact that an average family of four would generate approximately two bags of trash per week. Mr. D= egler said a person generated approximately five pounds of trash per day. Mr. Danevich said he was intereste= d to find the most cost effective program for the residents that would have the = best success.

Mr. Viger believed recycl= ing was a more intensive process and wanted to know if the Town would have to incre= ase the number of employees. Mr. = Mason said the Town could do single-stream recycling. Mr. Degler explained that the Town= would have two containers, one for recycling and one for trash. Mr. Viger asked how that process w= ould affect tipping fees. Mr. Maso= n said he would be going to a seminar on single-stream in the near future and woul= d be able to better answer the questions. Mr. Degler said the recyclables would go to a materials recovering facility.

Mr. Lynde said it seemed = with single-stream at the sorting end there would be a sorting cost built in. Mr. Degler said there was new tech= nology that used automated sorting of the mixed recyclables. Mr. Lynde believed a cost benefit analysis was needed for the different approaches. He questioned what amount recycling currently brought in. Mr. Mas= on said last year the Town took in $44,000 which was at a 30% recycling rate.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> He said the program would depend o= n the people and if they wanted to cooperate.&nb= sp; Mr. Lynde said looking at the Town’s current system, if the PA= YT program was implemented, the advantage would be more trash recycled, which would generate more income and reduce tipping fees. Mr. Mason said there would be a re= duced amount of trash to haul, so the hauling and tipping fees would be reduced.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Mr. Lynde discussed the cost savin= gs of recycling paper. He wanted to review the numbers for both income and expenses and look at how it would fit with the system. He said the benefit of recycling was not only monetary, but also a benefit to the future.

Mr. Haverty questioned ho= w to get information to residents to make the program a success. Mr. Degler said people had to be educated why the Town would go to the PAYT method. He believed the big concern was th= at people thought they would be taxed twice.&= nbsp; He said the Enterprise Fund could be set up so residents could see t= hat their taxes would go down because of the solid waste decrease. Mr. Mason said if the Enterprise F= und (Special Revenue Fund) were set up, the Town could probably see a reduction= in the solid waste budget of approximately $300,000 per year.

Mr. McDevitt didn’t= feel the community of Canterbury could be used = to describe Pelham because Canter= bury tended to be a green community. He felt before considering the PAYT program, the Town should educate the publi= c on the savings to be had with recycling.

There was further discuss= ion about the type of bag/receptacle that could be used for trash pick up. Mr. Mason said he could ask representatives from other communities to meet with the Selectmen and discu= ss the programs that they use. <= /p>

Mr. Lynde reiterated that= the cost of the PAYT program and recycling should be reviewed. It was noted that Town Vote was not needed to implement the PAYT program. The revenue fund would need a Town Vote.

Mr. Danevich asked for an electronic copy of the power point presentation so it could be posted on-line. It was noted that th= ere was an informational program about the PAYT program playing on PTV and was = also available on Pelham Web streaming video.&n= bsp;

The Selectmen thanked Mr.= Mason and Mr. Degler for discussing the PAYT program.

E-911 Acceptance of New Address Assignments: Presented by Sue Merritt, E-911 Representative-Mapping and Addressing Unit and Jeff Gowan, Planning Director

Ms. Sue Merritt, E-911 Representative Mapping and Addressing and Planning Director Jeff Gowan met = with the Selectmen to discuss the E-911 project. It was noted that the process had = been going on for a few years and would be implemented using a phased approach.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> The Selectmen’s signature of= the E-911 document would give authority to have the Group A portion of the proj= ect ‘go-live’ on the target date of July 1, 2008. The next phase (Group B) was sched= uled to be implemented July 1, 2009.

MOTION:

(Danevich/McDe= vitt) To have the Selectmen sign acceptance letter dated April 25, 2008 from the Division of Em= ergency Services. =

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Junkyard License Renewals:

Coombs Used Auto Parts – Mr. Gaydos said the Health Inspe= ctor, Code Enforcement Officer and Fire Inspector had reviewed the site and signed off on the check list. Approv= al of the license was recommended.   <= /span>

There was no public input= .         =             &nb= sp;        =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;

MOTION:

(Lynde/McDevit= t) To renew the Junkyard License for Coombs Used Auto Parts from April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. Danevich thanked the = Coombs for their cooperation in working with the Town.

Jack Mansur’s Auto, LLC – Mr. Gaydos said the Health Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer and Fire Inspector had reviewed the site and signed off on the check list. He noted that Mr. Mansur was Certified as a New Hampshire Green Yards and commended Mr. Mansur for meeting those objectives. Approval of the license was recommended.

There was no public input= .

MOTION:

(Lynde/Haverty= ) To renew the Automotive Recycling Yard License for Jack Mansur’s Auto, LLC effective April= 1, 2008 through March = 31, 2009.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Zoning Board of Adjustment Appointment Interview – Kevin O’Sullivan – 3 year term

Mr. Kevin O’Sulliva= n came forward to discuss his application for appointment as a Zoning Board of Adjustment member.

Mr. Lynde asked for an ov= erview of Mr. O’Sullivan’s last term and wanted to know if there was anything he found difficult. = Mr. O’Sullivan said the last three years was a learning experience and fortunate to learn from the other board members. He found it interesting that as th= e market/economy changed during the past couple years, there were different types of applications and uses being requested.&nbs= p; Mr. Lynde said a variance was granted about a year or two ago and on= e of the issues by an abutter was that their property value would be affected. He said that abutter had applied f= or abatement because they felt their property value had been affected. He questioned if the board received sufficient information to rule on an issue of property value. Mr. O’Sullivan believed the = system was designed to hear the opinions of all who were involved so the board cou= ld weigh it when making a decision. Mr. Lynde asked if there was going to be an impact if there was an obligation to vote against a variance.&nbs= p; Mr. O’Sullivan said it was difficult to answer out of context,= but out of principal he would have to vote against it.

Mr. Haverty believed the = members of the zoning board had a dual road; they serve as the protector of the Town and an advocate for property owner and questioned how Mr. O’Sullivan found the balance between the two. Mr. O’Sullivan said every case had its own merits and each boa= rd member brought their own experience forward.

Mr. Viger commended Mr. O’Sullivan for volunteering. <= /span>

Mr. Danevich said he didn= ’t have any questions because he watched a lot of the zoning meetings and was familiar with Mr. O’Sullivan’s participation.

MOTION:

(Danevich/Lynd= e) To appoint Mr. Kevin O’Sullivan for a three year term as a (regular) member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment expiring April 31, 2011.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

Mr. McDevitt asked if the= re were any other applicants. Mr. Gay= dos answered no.

OTHER BUSINESS CON’T….

Endorsements for Chief Walker as Chief Fire Officer

Recommendations for Chief Walker as Executive Fire Officer<= /o:p>

Mr. Viger said a letter, = dated April 14, 2008, from Fire Chief Michael Walker that outlined his recent experience when attending (as a non-enrolled student) in an Executive Fire = Officer class. Chief Walker wrote tha= t he would be applying the learned skills as the years progressed. He also wrote that the courses were free, and the only Town obligation would be the commitment to allow him to attend two weeks per year for the next three years; at graduation he would = be designated Executive Fire Officer. The Chief needed a letter of recommendation from the Selectmen.

The Selectmen discussed t= he request and had varying opinions. They decided to have the Chief provide further information, through = Mr. Gaydos, regarding the courses had how the Fire Department would conduct business in his absence.

Endorsements for Chief Walker as Chief Fire Officer

In a letter dated April 23, 2008 = from Fire Chief Michael Walker, he requested endorsement to attain the professional designation of Chief Fire Officer. <= /span>Mr. Viger asked if Chief Walker needed the endorsement from the Selectmen or fr= om Mr. Gaydos. Mr. Lynde believed endorsement should be from Selectmen.

The Selectmen decided to = wait pending back up information regarding the criteria for the designation.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT /= SELECTMEN’S REPORTS

Mr. Gaydos said he had as= ked the Board to discuss a lengthy non-public personnel issue when it wasn’t = late in the evening. He said the Selectmen indicated that Monday May 12, 2008 would be available late afternoon. He said no other business would be conducted.

Mr. Danevich had no repor= t.

Mr. Haverty provided a su= mmary of the May 5, 2008 Planning Board meeting.   He then apologized for not be= ing able to attend Little League’s Opening Day, but he was feeling under = the weather.

Mr. McDevitt announced th= at May was fine free month at the Pelham Public Library. He said it was also known as Food = for Fines; the food collected would go to the Pelham Food Pantry.

Mr. Lynde said Kirby Town Forest was an area that they hadn’t been able to get into to manage. He said there was going to be an a= ttempt to access the park from the dedicated right-of-way located off Christopher Lane. He said during the process the con= cerns of the abutters would be addressed. Mr. Lynde provided a progress report on Raymond Park. He said JR Gauthier had started wo= rking at the park as of May 5, 2008. The dimensions of the field were b= eing scoped out.

Mr. Viger said the Budget Committee held their organizational meeting on April 24, 2008 and conducted their elections. He said they also appointed a liaison to the School (Dennis Viger) and to the Town (Dan Guimond). He discussed the ro= les of those liaisons. Mr. Viger rem= inded the Selectmen that the budget season was approaching and suggested that the Board come up with a framework of how they would be reviewed. He said he received a memo from the Superintendent of Schools Frank Bass that requested a Selectman meet with t= he School Board to discuss Town/School issues for the upcoming year. Mr. Danevich volunteered to be the Selectmen Representative to meet with the School Board.

There was a brief discuss= ion regarding the budget process and how it would be defined, such as zero-based budgeting, default-based. Mr.= Viger asked Mr. Gaydos to provide a definition of terms so the Board was dealing = with the same definition of terms. The Selectmen would continue the discussion to the next meeting. Mr. McDevitt, who wouldn’t b= e at the next meeting, said the Selectmen had to be conscious of the fact that regardless of levels of service the voters indicated they didn’t want= to spend anymore money; in fact they were willing to forego some services. He said regardless of what service= s the Selectmen were concerned about, he believed the taxpayers were going to be = concerned about what their tax bills would look like. He felt, most critically, the Sele= ctmen should focus on that.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:

(Danevich/Lynd= e) To adjourn the meeting.

VOTE:

(5-0-0) The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:40 pm.

            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =          Respectfully submitted,

            =             &nb= sp;            =                    &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; Charity A. L. Willis

            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =          Recording Secretary