NOTES OF MARCH 20, 2014 SPECIAL RYE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Final Revision B – Provided by the Rye Civic League
Present: Selectmen Jenness and Mills. Not present: Selectman Craig Musselman. Also present: Michael Magnant, Sally King, Jaci Grote (the last two, of the Conservation Commission). Present, but not returning after consultation with counsel: Town Moderator Bob Eaton.
Members of the public present: Peter Crawford
Consultation with counsel (4:00 p.m.)
The meeting was originally noticed for 4:00 p.m. At that time, or shortly thereafter, the above-indicated persons had gathered. Much of the time was devoted to small talk, until at approximately 4:13 p.m. Mr. Magnant and two of the Selectmen went upstairs. None of this appears on the video, which begins after the consultation upstairs had ended. See N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. 91-A:2, I(b) (exempting consultations with legal counsel from being considered public meetings).
As people were gathered, waiting for the meeting to start, Town Administrator Michael Magnant indicated that he had lined up Town Attorney Donovan so that the legal options could be discussed.
Selectman Mills asked whether Bob and Sally could join that discussion.
Bob Eaton suggested that that could create an issue of attorney client privilege.
There was small talk, and after a while, Mr. Magnant suggested that they talk with Attorney Donovan first. Mr. Magnant and Selectmen Jenness and Mills then went upstairs. After a few minutes, one of them came down and asked Sally King and Bob Eaton to join them. Jaci Grote remained downstairs.
The video begins at 5:11:58 p.m.
Meeting (0:00 elapsed)
The meeting was called to order by Selectman Mills and the pledge of allegiance recited. Selectman Mills then asked whether Selectman Jenness had a motion written down.
Selectman Jenness then moved that a Special Town Meeting be called for Friday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. to vote on ratification of the procedurally defective town vote on Article 7. The motion carried unanimously.
Selectman Jenness then moved that the required public hearing be held on April 3 at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Magnant indicated that it needed to be seven days in advance of the Town Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Selectman Jenness then made a motion to authorize Mike Magnant, Town Administrator, to retain Devine, Millimet & Branch P.A. as bond counsel. The motion carried unanimously.
Jaci Grote clarified the times. There was then discussion of whether there would be a conflict with the Junior High School. Mr. Magnant indicated that it might need to be at the Elementary School.
Whereupon the meeting adjourned at 5:15:23 p.m.
