NOTES OF NOVEMBER 28, 2016 RYE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Final Revision B – Provided by the Rye Civic League
Present (clockwise around table): Town Administrator Michael Magnant, Selectmen Craig Musselman and Priscilla Jenness, Finance Director Cyndi Gillespie. Not present: Selectman Joseph Mills.
Also present and sitting in the audience (or the hall outside): Public Works Director Dennis McCarthy, Police Chief Kevin Walsh, Interim Fire Chief Tom Lambert.
Persons present from the public included: Karen Allen, Victor Azzi, Mae Bradshaw, Peter Crawford, Paul Goldman, Jeanne Moynahan, Ned Paul, John Riley, Peter Reilly, Deb White, Ritchie White, Phil Winslow.
Editor’s
note: For ease in finding particular
sections using the archived video and audio on the Town website, the elapsed
time is indicated. Use the slider and
the elapsed time indicated at the bottom of the video window to fast forward to
the desired section. Videos on the Town website may currently be accessed
at www.town.rye.nh.us by clicking on
“Town Hall Streaming” at the bottom left of the screen. Follow the link for “Town Hall Live
Streaming,” then find the meeting by date under “Previous.”
The video starts
at 6:39:32 p.m. (0:00 elapsed).
Summary
Sealing of minutes (1:02 elapsed)
Following the call to
order and the pledge of allegiance, the motion to seal the minutes of the
non-public session just completed carried unanimously.
Announcements (1:49 elapsed)
The annual Christmas
parade on December 4, 2016 was announced.
Consent Agenda (3:16 elapsed)
Both items (the 2017
meeting schedule and the 2017 holiday schedule) were unanimously approved.
CIP Plan continued public hearing (3:39 elapsed)
CIP Committee Chairman
Mae Bradshaw addressed. The reference to
the Pulpit Rock Tower was removed at the suggestion of Selectman
Musselman. New updates for capital
outlays planned this year have been added for the scanning of town documents
and the statistical update of assessments.
The total cost of the major projects has been adjusted upward to
$12,397,000 due to Recreation and the addition of more culverts by Public
Works, she said.
There was discussion
about the lengthy process to put together the plan. Selectman Musselman suggested that all of the
detail could be done every other year.
Selectman Musselman
repeated his objection from the prior meeting regarding the planned new $3
million Conservation Bond having payments due in 2017. Editor’s
note: Even if the remaining $1.7 million
of the existing Conservation Bond were drawn down and the new 2017 bond
(planned for in the CIP at the behest of the Conservation Commission) also
drawn down, the payments would not start until 2018 or 2019. Selectman Musselman said that they have a
decision to make in January regarding the proposed conservation warrant
article. There is the possibility that
Town Hall, but not the conservation bond, would proceed. He said that he is unsure about the timing of
the Recreation Community Center which the CIP Plan assumes will be bonded in
2018, which seems fast.
Ms. Bradshaw stated
that they take what the departments give them.
However, they came up with the price for the quint because they had been
given a range.
Selectman Musselman
said that both of them would probably slide.
Ms. Bradshaw stated that that is their recommendation.
Selectman Musselman
said that they had done a fine job and noted that minor revisions remain to be
made.
(14:18 elapsed)
Phil Winslow noted the
$295,000 per year School Bond which will be paid off in 2017. There is also a $97,000 Conservation Bond,
which means $392,000 will be off of the tax
rates. The voters can be told that a $3
million Town Hall can be funded with no tax impact, he said.
Peter Crawford
indicated that he had been looking at the School Budget. Indeed there is a $295,000 bond that is being
paid off. However, there is also $92,000
in federal or state assistance that came along with that, so the net is only
$200,000 savings to the School Budget.
Despite all of that savings, they are
projecting a 55 cent increase in next year’s tax rate. Town-wide, there are budgetary problems for
next year that need to be addressed, he said.
Secondly, while the
culverts have now been included, there is no discussion about where the
culverts are. Ms. Bradshaw pointed out
that this information is in an Addendum that is supposed to have been added
in. Selectman Musselman stated that
there is a report that is available, although some of the projects have been
reordered. Mr. Crawford looked at the
Addendum which Ms. Bradshaw showed him and said that it was “terrific.”
Town Administrator
Magnant thanked Ms. Bradshaw for the effort put in by the Committee.
Selectman Jenness moved
that the CIP Plan be accepted as presented pending additional minor
changes. All were in favor.
Minutes (19:18 elapsed)
The minutes of the
October 20, 2016 meeting were unanimously approved with changes. The minutes of the November 9, 2016 meeting
were unanimously approved without changes.
The minutes of the November 14, 2016 meeting were tabled pending further
investigation.
Parsons Creek Watershed Restoration
Committee Final Report (24:48 elapsed)
Peter Reilly and John
Riley, co-chairmen, were present. Peter
Reilly presented. He stated that the
Committee had had monthly meetings. They
came to the conclusion that there was no recognizable pattern to the
contamination data. Experts are needed
to locate monitoring wells, so the decision on these was deferred. There is a “mystery pipe” near Petey’s
Restaurant that will be dug up. It could
be forming a short circuit for contamination.
A number of holding tanks have been identified. Documentation of the pump outs of these is
not occurring. Storm drains can also
form a short circuit, however it was determined that no additional testing is
needed of these.
A public sewer system
was discussed. The problems are not of a
nature that that is required. The
engineering study would cost $90,000 to $130,000. A sewer would be an extreme burden on
taxpayers. The voluntary response to
letters will take a long time. The town
staff is stretched.
There was discussion
about an ordinance requiring a robust septic inspection on transfer of
properties, with discussion of a requirement that these be done in
Massachusetts. Selectman Musselman
pointed out that transfers within a family may be exempt in Massachusetts. Mr. Reilly said that the Town Attorney
believes that an ordinance requiring inspection on transfer is very
doable. Also to be considered is whether
the ordinance should address permitting and enforcement of holding tanks. Also, an additional sampling location,
possibly at Awcomin Marsh, should be considered, he said.
Selectman Jenness said
that the problem has been lived with for many years. She said that the plan will work as it
neither requires something to be done tomorrow while also not postponing action
indefinitely into the future.
Victor Azzi asked about
letters sent to 20 properties where septic issues are suspected, with only one
response. Selectman Musselman said that
these were sent to the 20 most challenged sites. Mr. Azzi asked whether the 20 locations were
public knowledge. Selectman Musselman
said that the letters are public information.
Selectman Musselman
said that a lot of people had responded to the pump-out ordinance by providing
information. The presentation by Mr.
Reilly referred to 227 of 630 property owners in the Parsons Creek Watershed
having responded.
Mr. Azzi asked whether
there would be something that can be voted on in March. Selectman Musselman said that it would not
happen that quickly. New ground is being
plowed. Although the Selectmen can adopt
an ordinance pending Town Meeting approval, such a decision would be
weighty. The earliest date for an
ordinance vote would be March 2018. The
ordinance is probably within the town’s authority, but there is a question of
whether enabling State legislation would be required. The devil is in the details, he said.
Selectman Musselman
pointed out that a couple of failed septic systems had been found and five to
six holding tanks identified. The
holding tanks were approved on a temporary basis by New Hampshire DES, but
without a sunset date. Reporting was
required, but not enforced. The Building
Inspector is checking these out one by one.
So far one of the six has been done.
Selectman Jenness asked
how a temporary holding tank permit could be grandfathered. Selectman Musselman said that there was no
end date. These are decades old, he
said.
Deb White asked about
differentiation between commercial and residential systems. Mr. Reilly indicated that the recommendations
include a suggestion that validation for commercial sites should be more
frequent.
Peter Crawford
expressed surprise that only 227 of 630 property owners in the watershed had
reported to date. He said that he had
reported. Selectman Musselman said that
property owners have three years to report.
Mr. Crawford said that, as he recalls the ordinance, information must be
provided right away as to when the septic tank was last pumped. Editor’s
note: See http://www.town.rye.nh.us/Pages/RyeNH_Building/Pump
Out Ord Final.pdf, paragraph 5(C), which requires that
those property owners who have had their septic tanks pumped out within three
years prior to the effective date of the ordinance provide the building
inspector with documentation. Mr.
Crawford said that it looks like almost two thirds of the properties have not
provided information. Peter Riley noted the short staffing in
the Building Inspector’s office. One of
their recommendations is to provide him with additional help. He referred to fines.
Mr. Crawford said that
he believes that there is a fine in the ordinance. Selectman Musselman agreed, but said that
those having pumped within the past three years have up to two more years to
have their septic tanks pumped. No one
is out of compliance, yet, he said.
Peter Riley disagreed, saying that they are supposed to let the town
know when the septic tank had last been pumped out. If that was not during the past three years
it would have to be pumped out immediately, he said. Selectman Musselman said that he stands
corrected.
Mr. Crawford said that
he understands the short staff, but suggested that letters be sent to the
approximately four hundred people who have not responded. Those should be pretty easy to crank out with
a word processor, he said. Selectman
Musselman said that they would look into that.
Ritchie White asked
whether the Committee would be continuing, as there are still issues to be
addressed, he said. Selectman Musselman
said that the Committee “turns into a pumpkin in March.” The Committee’s recommendation is that a
follow-on Committee be appointed, he said.
Budget Committee membership (57:43 elapsed)
Selectman
Musselman said that the issue had been raised at the last Board of Selectmen
meeting regarding the fact that Mr. Crapo had been appointed as a
representative to the Budget Committee by the Rye Beach Precinct although he is
not a Commissioner of that Precinct. Editor’s note: See the notes of the November 14, 2016
meeting where Peter Crawford raised the issue as to Shawn Crapo, who was
formerly a member-at-large (i.e. elected by all voters of the town), but lost
his bid for reelection in March 2016. In
addition to members-at-large, who are elected by the town voters each March,
the Board of Selectmen, the School District, the Rye Beach Village District,
the Jenness Beach Village District and the Rye Water District, as village
districts wholly within the town, are each entitled to one representative on
the Budget Committee pursuant to N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. (“RSA”) 32:15, I(b). Shawn Crapo’s
father, Randy Crapo, serves on the Budget Committee as a representative of the
Jenness Beach Village District, however, he is a
Commissioner of that District. Although
not stated, Selectman Musselman was referring to Shawn Crapo. There was a question as to whether he
needed to be a precinct commissioner, Selectman Musselman said. “We have a legal opinion from our attorney
that indicates, clearly, that the appointment by the Rye Beach Precinct of
someone who is not a commissioner, as their representative to the Budget
Committee is appropriate. He also noted
that what the Selectmen have been doing is inappropriate.” We have, for a number of years, had an
alternate, but have not taken a vote on that, Selectman Musselman said. He said that, later in the meeting, they
would appoint Selectman Jenness as an alternate to the Budget Committee.
Peter Crawford asked
whether he could obtain a copy of the opinion.
Selectman Musselman said “we don’t give out legal opinions. We never have.” He then corrected himself to say that they
don’t usually give them out.
Mr. Crawford said that
an opinion had been provided with regard to the ZBA about four years
earlier. Selectman Musselman said that
they would pose the question of the Town Attorney. Editor’s
note: In March 2012, Warrant Article 28
passed 1013-296. That provided for
election of ZBA members by the voters rather than appointment by the
Selectmen. Notwithstanding this, shortly
after the election, the Board of Selectmen sought to appoint two members to
three year terms, basing their authority on an opinion from the then (and
current) Town Attorney that they could continue to do so for another year. Mr. Crawford and Mae Bradshaw wrote letters
to the Board of Selectmen disputing this legal position. While the Selectmen appointed one member, the
second member was never appointed. The
appointed member resigned without having even attended a single ZBA meeting
after the 2012 election and the ZBA operated using alternates until after the
March 2013 election.
Town of Rye organizational chart (60:03 elapsed)
Selectman Musselman
said that this has been needed for some time.
Town Administrator
Magnant stated that the chart shows the chain of command, not information
flow. Town Finance Director Cyndi
Gillespie had put it together.
Selectman Jenness
wondered why the Treasurer was isolated.
Ms. Gillespie stated that the Recreation Commissioners, the Town
Clerk/Tax Collector and the Treasurer are elected and do not report to the
Board of Selectmen. Mr. Magnant said
that the Library Trustees, Sewer Commissioners and Cemetery Trustees are also
elected.
Selectman Musselman
asked whether the two assistants to the Town Clerk/Tax Collector come under the
Town. Mr. Magnant said that the Board of
Selectmen is in charge of hiring the staff of the Town Clerk/Tax Collector.
Selectman Musselman
said that the Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Zoning Board of
Adjustment are not addressed. These are
separate but draw on town staff. The
Conservation Commission often acts like they do not have access to town staff,
but they do, he said.
Paul Goldman asked what
the purpose of the organizational chart is.
Selectman Musselman
said that he had raised the question of reporting as to Recreation
Director. She reports to both the
Recreation Commission and the Town Administrator, depending on what the
question is, he said.
Selectman Musselman
said that he would be happy if some information on Boards and Commissions is
added.
Beach cleaning contract renewal (69:24)
Town Administrator Magnant
said that he is looking for the green light.
The contract expires in March 2017 and the State takes time to
respond. Selectman Jenness asked about
the status of the beach cleaning machine.
Public Works Director Dennis McCarthy said that the town requests that necessary parts from the State and the town installs them.
Mr. Magnant stated that
the State is committed to acquiring a new rig in the next three years.
Mr. McCarthy said that
this is a 50/50 deal for the town. We do
their two small beaches, he said.
Selectman Musselman
said that he is in favor.
Town Hall contract bid review process (72:11
elapsed)
Selectman Musselman
said that the design/build proposals are due December 8. Editor’s
note: See the notes of the September 26
and October 12, 2016 meetings. The town
is obtaining, at no cost to the town, design/build proposals for the
construction of a single streamlined Town Hall on the current site. Two options, with costs, will be
provided: renovation of the existing
building with an extension and tear down and rebuild of a replica. The proposals will need to be reviewed in
short order and a decision made on how to proceed with Town Meeting, Selectman
Musselman said. He suggested that an
Adobe pdf file be e-mailed to all previous Town Hall Committee members. Comments could then be returned by e-mail by
December 22. Written responses are
better. In the first two weeks, the
focus should be on the proposals, not which option is preferred. That will be addressed at the next meeting in
January.
There was discussion
about a special Board of Selectmen meeting being needed in January in order to
meet the deadlines for placement of a warrant article and a public
hearing.
Selectman Musselman
said that, at the December 27 Board of Selectmen meeting the proposals and
comments would be discussed. Input is
needed from town staff on the space layout, to be wrapped up by the 22nd. The design is not cast in stone. Before or after March there can be
discussions about moving things around.
Victor Azzi asked
whether there was an indication as to how many proposals would be
received. Selectman Musselman said that
invitations to bid had been sent to the same four firms that were short listed
last time. Two have said that they are
not interested. One team was “trooping
through the building.” They have not
heard from the fourth firm. There may be
only one proposal, he said.
In response to a
question from Mr. Azzi, Selectman Musselman said that he shouldn’t identify the
firm.
Town Finance Director
Cyndi Gillespie said that the timing is tight.
There is a Board of Selectmen meeting on January 9 and January 10 is the
last day to post for a public hearing on a bond which must occur no later than
January 17. That led to discussion on
whether there would be a number on the 10th. Mr. Magnant said that there should be a
number by the 17th. Selectman
Musselman said that they could be working on the warrant article beforehand.
Selectman Musselman
asked about the date for petitioned warrant articles. Ms. Gillespie stated that these are due by
January 10.
NHDES Requirement for Sampling PFCs/PFASs at
Contaminated Sites (82:12 elapsed)
Selectman Musselman
said that everyone in New Hampshire who deals with ground water monitoring
received notice from DES this week that they will require sampling for these
substances at all lined and unlined landfills, starting in 2017 or 2018 at the
latest. There are two sites in Rye that
will require this. A budget addition
will be needed, he said.
Selectman Musselman
said that his firm does the sampling on a pro bono basis. Eastern Analytical analyzes and CMA
interprets the data, he said.
Selectman Musselman
said that the Breakfast Hill landfill was operational from the early 1970s
through the early 1980s and has been monitored for years. There has been some contamination down
gradient. At the request of NHDES a
zoning overlay district was put in place prohibiting private wells in the
affected area. The new sampling will
also need to be done up gradient as these contamination may arise from
atmospheric deposition. If high levels
are found in both directions the landfill may not be the source, he said.
The cost is $1000 per
sample, he said.
He said that the second
site is the Grove Rd. Landfill, which is an old, open burning dump used until
the early 1970s. He said that hits there
are not expected. The wells in the area
have been monitored for over 15 years and no VOCs have been shown. Editor’s
note: VOC refers to volatile organic
compound.
Selectman Musselman said that there are more
wells on each site than are regularly sampled.
He said that his firm monitors 25 sites in various communities. The Rye sites are among the lowest impact in
New Hampshire.
It was ascertained that
the DES letter is dated November 22.
Ritchie White noted a
12 parts per trillion level detected at the Garland
Rd. well. New Jersey is now requiring
treatment when the level reaches 14 parts per trillion. He acknowledged that the EPA and State
standard is 70 parts per trillion.
However, the New Jersey standard must have some basis, he argued. Mr. White suggested testing all of the wells
around the Garland dump.
Selectman Musselman
disagreed. There are not as many
monitoring points there. Rye taxpayers
should not be required to pay for more than DES requires. Contamination can come from atmospheric
deposition, he said.
Mr. White argued that
the wells other than the Garland well would be showing contamination if the
source was airborne.
Selectman Musselman
argued that these other wells are likely bedrock wells and gathering water from
a different source.
Proposed dogs on beach leash requirement (93:18
elapsed)
Police Chief Kevin
Walsh said that he is proposing an ordinance change to require dogs to be
leashed while on the beach during the summer.
The leash could not be longer than six feet. Chief Walsh referred to a complaint by a
woman knocked down into the water by a dog at the beach. Editor’s
note: See the notes of the September 12,
2016 meeting.
Chief Walsh provided
data on the number of dogs observed. On
July 1, from Wallis Sands State Park to Concord Point, 15 unleashed dogs were
observed. On the July 4 weekend there
were 30 dogs observed.
Chief Walsh said that
leashes would be required from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
In response to a
question from Selectman Musselman, Chief Walsh confirmed that there would be no
change to the times when dogs are prohibited from the beach entirely.
Selectman Musselman
suggested that dogs be allowed unleashed on Foss Beach, but not between 9:00
a.m. and 7:00 p.m. when dogs are prohibited on town beaches. Chief Walsh opposed, arguing that there would
be difficulty in educating dog owners when complexity is added.
Selectman Jenness noted
that owners of Labs and Retrievers need to practice throwing balls in the water
and having their dogs retrieve them.
Selectman Musselman
cautioned that the ordinance would be changed at the Deliberative Session so
that leashes can be virtual.
Selectman Musselman
said that, for hundreds of people, taking their dogs to the beach is a major
joy in life.
Selectman Jenness
referred to contamination problems that are dog related.
Selectman Musselman
said that, if the ordinance is changed at the Deliberative Session, the Selectmen
could adopt a leash law in May.
Selectman Musselman
suggested that the proposed ordinance not apply to Foss Beach as an
accommodation.
Selectman Musselman
asked about language referring to a notice of forfeiture. He asked whether that referred to the
dog. Chief Walsh said that he wanted the
Town Attorney to look at this as the Animal Control Officer is not a Police
Officer. A regular officer is needed in
order to issue the ticket. Selectman
Musselman said that the town wants the owners’ money, not their dogs.
There was a brief
discussion about the $1000 fine in Kensington for littering.
Selectman Musselman
said that he has two dogs. He used to
walk them at Odiorne. After that was
prohibited, it took a decade to get him out.
Rescission of Fire Ordinance (120:21 elapsed)
Town Administrator
Magnant said that this was outdated and last revised in 1990. It refers to a Board of Fire Wards. There has not been a Deputy Chief since I
have been here, he said.
Selectman Musselman
suggested that the detailed text not appear on the ballot. He is receiving many complaints about it
being too long, he said.
Possible change to Veterans Tax Benefit (123:26 elapsed)
Town Administrator
Magnant said that there had been a change in the State statute. It would now be possible to offer the tax
benefit to any veteran, not just those having served in a war, he said.
The question arose as
to the cost. Mr. Magnant said that there
are formulas for estimating on the administrators list serve. Our assessor has estimated a cost of $77,000,
he said.
Selectman Jenness
questioned how an estimate could be done as the town has no list of
veterans. Mr. Magnant stated that it is
a complex estimate.
Selectman Musselman
said that they should continue to monitor the situation and find out the
details.
Capital reserves, $255,000 (129:26 elapsed)
Town Finance Director
Cyndi Gillespie referred to a request for a $75,000 addition to the Highway
Capital Equipment Reserve fund.
With regard to the
Employee Leave Fund, Ms. Gillespie reported a liability of $425,515 and a
balance of $117,372, which will be increased to $167,372 next month. Editor’s
note: This increase apparently reflects
the funds voted in March 2016. That
is $45,385 short of the 50 percent recommended, she said.
Selectman Musselman
asked about the time line for use of the funds in relation to employee
ages. Ms. Gillespie stated that the
liability will drop as people leave over the next three years and are replaced
by others with smaller vacation balances.
The motion to approve
$130,000 which also includes $5000 for the Library Maintenance Fund carried
unanimously.
Ms. Gillespie then
addressed the Municipal Buildings Fund.
There will be $63,450 in that fund after the $25,000 voted this year is
transferred in. That has been an annual
amount. However, nothing was pulled out
of the fund this year, she said.
Selectman Musselman
initially said that the issue should be revisited. We may be left with the existing Town Hall
after March. If the warrant article gets
59 or 40 percent there will need to be funds available to do something to this
building, he said.
Ms. Gillespie suggested
a contingent warrant article to set aside money to replace the siding if the
Town Hall warrant article does not pass.
Town Administrator Magnant referred to the need for boiler
replacement. Public Works Director
Dennis McCarthy referred to the need to make the Town Hall ADA compliant. Ms. Gillespie stated that, if $25,000 is
added to the fund, it cannot be spent until the following year. A decision was made to increase the $130,000
just voted to $155,000 to provide $25,000 for the Municipal Buildings fund.
Ms. Gillespie then
stated that it has been probably ten years since money was added to the Records
Restoration Reserve. There is currently
$11,000 in the account.
With respect to the
Fire Truck Reserve, Ms. Gillespie stated that $100,000 was voted to be added
this year, which will bring the balance to $254,000. Interim Fire Chief Tom Lambert stated that a
quint replacement is planned for next year.
A used one would be $450,000 to $500,000, and a new one $800,000, he
said.
After Selectman
Musselman said that continued funding at the $100,000 level is needed, the
approval was increased to $255,000 to reflect the additions for the Municipal
Buildings Fund and the Fire Truck Fund.
Other warrant articles, $325,000 (143:57 elapsed)
In response to a
question from Selectman Musselman, Public Works Director Dennis McCarthy
confirmed that $125,000 should be sufficient to complete the paving of Shoals
View Drive. Editor’s note: See the notes of
the November 14, 2016 meeting and the minutes of the June 7, 2016 site
walk. This road was determined to be a
town road that was never paved, although at one point it was tarred. The residents in the area have sought to have
the road paved due to dust and other issues. The
cost is high due to the need to remove ledge.
There was discussion about using $25,000 in
the Salt Shed Reserve to do a Slat Shed design.
A warrant article will be required.
The balance is $107,000 which has been sitting there for awhile. The $25,000 will be used for design.
There was discussion
about a six wheel dump truck for a cost of $175,000, to be withdrawn from the
capital reserve. That will be presented
on the 27th, Ms. Gillespie said.
There was discussion
about the amount spent on the Wallis Road Culvert. Ms. Gillespie said that the balance is $270,
not $270,000. Mr. McCarthy said that the
amount spent has been within $2000 of the appropriation. He and Ms. Gillespie agreed that the amount
spent had come from the encumbrance which is the reason for discrepancies in
the numbers.
There was also
discussion about the Red Mill Ln. culverts.
Mr. McCarthy said that there was a Red Mill appropriation last year and
one is proposed for this year. Editor’s note: He apparently is referring to 2016 and 2017. Mr. McCarthy said that the warrant article
approved for this year is for $125,000. Editor’s note: 2016 Warrant Article 7 is actually for $150,000
for replacing one or both culverts.
Ms. Gillespie stated that the cost of continuing the Red Mill Ln.
culverts will be in the Capital Outlay account.
Mr. McCarthy stated that they will be going out to bid this week. Selectman Musselman questioned the
figures.
The motion to approve a
total of $325,000 for the above items carried unanimously.
Capital outlay, $427,500 (149:21 elapsed)
Ms. Gillespie referred
to $150,000 for the Red Mill Ln. culverts plus $25,000 for the Harbor Rd.
bridge re-decking. The Salt Shed and
Shoals View Drive will be warrant articles, she said. Mr. McCarthy referred to $30,000 for storm
water asset management and $5000 for an overhead door replacement.
Selectman Musselman
asked what the $10,000 was for codification.
Mr. Magnant said that it is hiring a company to compile all of the town
ordinances that have been passed.
Selectman Musselman
referred to $60,000 for the statistical update of
assessments and $60,000 for scanning of the Building Inspection files. Mr. Magnant stated that that is a “ballpark”
number. There is another meeting
tomorrow. The problem is getting them to
commit to a figure for the scanning of large maps.
Selectman Musselman
asked about the recommendation that Recreation do a heated garage. He asked whether that could be done out of
the revolving fund and whether that was what the $17,500 was. Ms. Gillespie stated that Recreation has
$15,000 in Capital Outlay from the revolving fund and another $17,500 from the
General Fund.
Recreation Director Lee
Arthur said that “they” had just met and they also want to propose a warrant
article. Editor’s note: She was
apparently referring to the Recreation Commission. After the Selectmen reviewed the report
regarding facility needs, the following week the Recreation Commission looked
at it. They accepted the report but will
formulate a letter outlining what they agree with and what they do not. Ms. Arthur said that there are three Capital
Outlay items. Two are funded through the
Recreation Revolving Fund and one from the donation account. The $17,500 is for drainage.
Selectman Musselman
asked whether they would be proceeding with the heated garage this coming
year. Ms. Arthur said that she did not
know. At the meeting, the Recreation
Commission expressed concern that the garage would be “piecemeal,” she
said.
Ms. Arthur continued,
saying that the Recreation Commission is looking at proposing $80,000 for a
warrant article, $40,000 of which would be matched from the revolving
fund. Rather than spend all of the
$250,000 needed for engineering and design, they want to use the $80,000
warrant article to ensure that there is public support. This would allow that to be done quite
quickly. If it all came out of the
revolving fund it would not gauge such support.
Ms. Arthur referred to
$5000 for a site plan, which is one of the recommendations from the Facilities
Need Committee. It is more of an
engineering plan for the area, she said.
Ms. Arthur then asked
Police Chief Kevin Walsh whether he would be proposing a warrant article for
Recreation Area parking. Chief Walsh
confirmed, saying that it had slipped his mind.
Ms. Arthur said that it had been put in place on an interim basis this
year.
Ms. Arthur referred to
the guard rail and the fence which are recommendations of the town’s insurer,
Primex, for $10,000 and the drainage project to come from the donation
account. Editor’s note: Apparently the
total is $27,500, $5000 for the site plan, $10,000 for the guard rail and
fence, a total of $15,000 to come from the revolving fund, and $17,500 for
drainage to come from the donation account.
(157:36 elapsed)
Selectman Musselman asked about $10,000 for
the Safety Building. Ms. Gillespie
referred to wood rot.
Selectman Musselman
asked about town wide computers. Mr.
Magnant said that that was the $10,000 for the normal rotation.
Selectman Musselman
asked about $49,000 for the Fire Department.
Ms. Gillespie said that that was for the new radio program. Originally the program was $97,000 according
to Interim Fire Chief Tom Lambert. It is
being phased in with a four year program, Ms. Gillespie said.
Selectman Musselman
asked how the cost of the radios increased to $120,000. Chief Lambert said that there were concerns
about replacing all of the radios at once.
When a phased approach was taken, all of the communications needs of the
Department were taken into account, he said.
Mr. Magnant said that the prior program had been only for the mobile and
portable radios. Now the base station is
included as well, he said.
In response to a
question from Selectman Musselman, Mr. McCarthy confirmed that, with respect to
storm water management, there is a grant coming for $30,000.
Selectman Jenness moved
to approve the bottom line of $427,500.
All were in favor. Editor’s note: It appears that there is approximately
$80,000 in expenditures not discussed above that were also approved as part of the
overall Capital Outlay budget.
Police cruiser Capital outlay from outside detail fund (160:18 elapsed)
Ms. Gillespie said that
this budget is being brought back to the Board of Selectmen as the capital
outlay, which is the cruiser, had not been addressed. That is going to be funded from the outside
detail fund. That is for $46,841.
Selectman Musselman
asked whether that is for an SUV. Police
Chief Kevin Walsh said that the current town police vehicles will no longer be
made by 2019 or 2020. The vehicle being
looked at is the Ford Explorer SUV, which most police departments are going
to. Three officers are about six feet
tall and this is about the only vehicle that will accommodate them. The vehicle is medium to high performance and
mechanically it is holding its own, he said.
The motion to approve
the revised budget of $124,341, with the capital outlay, carried unanimously.
Ms. Gillespie pointed
out that Recreation Revolving account had $15,000 transferred into it from
another account. All were in favor of
the motion to approve the additional $15,000.
Recreation Director Lee
Arthur pointed out that, in the past, disbursements from the donation account
have not had to be appropriated. Finance
Director Cyndi Gillespie stated that these expenditures need to be appropriated
so that the money can be spent, however the cost will be offset so it does not
affect taxpayers.
Appointment of Selectman Jenness as a Budget Committee alternate (164:41
elapsed)
The motion was made by
Selectman Musselman to appoint Selectman Jenness as an alternate to the Budget
Committee. He asked whether there was a
second. Selectman Jenness seconded,
saying that she was the only one left.
All were in favor.
Beach smoking provision and applicability to recreational marijuana
(165:09 elapsed)
Police Chief Kevin
Walsh pointed out that there had been a beach smoking resolution that was put
in place in 2014. The officers are
concerned since both Massachusetts and Maine have approved the recreational use
of marijuana. A foundation needs to be
put in place in case New Hampshire follows suit. He proposed that a town ordinance be put in
place prohibiting all smoking on beaches.
Selectman Musselman
asked whether Foss Beach could be excluded.
There was laughter. Editor’s note: See earlier in these notes here. Foss Beach was excluded from the proposed
beach dog leash ordinance.
Chief Walsh said that
it would not make sense to be ticketing someone on the beach for violation of
the open container law while the person next to them is smoking marijuana.
Selectman Musselman
said that that was a good idea.
Selectman Jenness agreed. Chief
Walsh confirmed that there is no smoking at State beaches.
Adjournment (167:25 elapsed)
Whereupon
the motion to adjourn the meeting carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned
at approximately 9:27 p.m.