HANCOCK SELECT BOARD MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 24, 2007

 

PRESENT: John Hayes-Chair; Margaret Carlson – Select Board

          Barbara Caverly, Exec. Admin. Assist. /Recording Secretary

ABSENT: Carolyn Boland

OTHERS: Judy Zanca, Roberta LaPlante, Nevan Cassidy-Fire Chief,

            Laurie Bryan, Mary Garland, Walter Clark-Library Trustees,

            Monica Lasky-Rigrod, Neal Cass-Treasurer, Steve Froling

 

Hayes opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Approval of the September 10^th Minutes are still pending as Carlson did not receive the full copy.

 

LIAISON REPORTS: Carlson reported on the Hancock Energy Advisory Team’s first meeting. Hugh Flye, one of the members, is an engineer who does testing of appliances to determine the amount of energy used. Grassett reported on some of the changes the town has already done to conserve energy. One member of the Team would like to attend a conference at a cost of $25.00. Carlson moved to use $25 of the Select Board Meetings and Seminars line to attend the conference. Hayes seconded. So voted.

 

Carlson reported all went well at the Conservation Commission meeting, as reported in their Minutes.

 

A reception will be held October 22^nd for the various Authorities, Boards and committees. Caverly will send out notices to the chairs asking for an RSVP in order for the Select Board to know how many to plan for.

 

HOUSING AUTHORITY: Carlson reported they are working very hard looking into various options and how other housing works. Hayes indicated they are trying to determine what their primary focus should be – elderly, low income, etc. They will be looking into various grants that may be available and they find more if they would be applying it to a broader base.

 

LAND USE LAW UPDATE: Hayes reported on the Land Use Law Update seminar he attended. There were some changes in certain RSA’s noted and some court cases reviewed.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Cassidy reported the department has a new member, David Lefebvre. David works for his father in town so is available during the day.

 

This year the fire/rescue call hours are higher than the past few years and Cassidy anticipates they will be more than budgeted for. At the end of nine months the department is already at 90% of the budgeted hours, or 1,451 hours. Part of the reason is an increase in rescue calls, especially during the spring floods. Another reason is new state reporting requirements that ad an extra hour per call.

 

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Some of the old fire hose has been sold and Cassidy will be bringing the money in as soon as he receives it.

 

The pavement in front of the fire station needs to be repaired. It has been determined that the pavement needs to be removed and the base reworked. They would also like to pave the gravel parking area as it gets very muddy during the spring or heavy rains. Cassidy worked with Road Agent Grassett and the estimate for the entire project is $34,500. In addition to the paving, some drainage will need to be put in because of water that runs out of the station as well as what drains off the state highway, which is now higher than the parking area. Hayes and Carlson feel this should come to the town as a warrant article.

 

Carlson asked Cassidy how the fire department feels about Town Meeting being held at the Fire Station. Cassidy stated there is no real problem for the department unless it is a very cold day and they have to move the trucks to the Highway Barn. The Select Board is considering moving to the Meeting House in the future. Caverly noted that the Fire Auxiliary was not interested in serving coffee, donuts and lunch at that location because they would not be able to participate in the town meeting. Discussion by the Board will continue at a later meeting.

 

LIBRARY TRUSTEES: The Trustees were in to discuss the wage scale as it relates to the Grade for the Library Director. The Director has been there for almost six years and does an excellent job. She also has a great deal of responsibility. Bryan led the discussion, stating the Trustees would like to see her moved to Grade 14 or 15 to more accurately reflect her responsibility in the overall town employee spectrum. It was ultimately suggested they move her to Grade 14, Step 6. The Select Board agrees.

The Children’s Librarian position was then looked at and determined she should be moved to Grade 9 Step 4. These changes will be reflected in the 2008 budget.

 

Bryan further noted the library is putting in a new furnace and the cost is being covered by trust funds and money raised by the Friends of the Library.

 

OLD BUSINESS: Hayes reported him, John Jordan and Kurt Grassett looked at all six Class A trails and determined there are seven gates needed. The cost will be approximately $100 per gate. They will also speak with the Conservation Commission about making semi or annual inspections of those roads. Froling noted each member of the Conservation Commission has taken responsibility for checking certain Class VI roads in town and logging their findings.

 

Hayes received a call from Lynn McEwan inquiring why the OHRV’s could use the Class A trails. Hayes explained the policy, indicating the clubs must have insurance, use the roads only with permission and a limited number of vehicles.

 

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Caverly reported on her conversation with Joanne Trammantozi regarding the recent letters received from the Department of Revenue Administration’ Property Appraisal Division. The letters noted the Town of Hancock’s review year is 2009. We may need to have an update done if our statistics are out of line. It was suggested the town wait until the end of 2008 to see where the equalization rate is before making a final decision for 2009 versus 2010.

 

CHARGE FOR STAFF TIME: Caverly reported the Town Clerk, Beth GrosJean, learned that towns may charge a fee for doing research outside of the realm of the daily work. The Board asked Caverly to come back with some examples.

 

DOG MESS: The Select Board received a report from the Hancock Elementary School that there are a number of dog messes on the ball field. The Select Board would like to have some signs put up similar to those in the cemetery. Caverly will speak with Grassett.

 

MONICA LASKY-RIGROD: Rigrod was in on behalf of the Preschool and a way she could possibly help them and the parents. Currently, the Preschool is running a deficit because they don’t have the enrollment. Several have left because they need a longer period of covered time for their child or children. Lasky-Rigrod is interested in doing an extended program, from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. two or three days a week.

 

The Select Board doesn’t have any objection to this plan. Lasky-Rigrod has spoken with the Preschool teacher and will have the concept brought to the parents. She noted she is certified in elementary education and has taught preschool for over ten years.

 

Carlson stated she supports the concept but the Select Board will be looking at the financial end of the program. The Board noted the longer period for heating the space could be an issue. They may need to increase the fee to cover these costs. Hayes asked that either Lasky-Rigrod or LaPlante determine if the school turns the heat down at the end of the school day.

 

Lasky-Rigrod stated she would like to start within a month, if possible. Carlson feels the Board needs to consider the cost and will discuss again next week when Boland is present. Lasky-Rigrod will notify the Select Board of her findings after speaking with the parents involved.

 

CASS: Cass was in to review the funding for the Prospect Hill project and determine whether there are sufficient funds available to cover the cost. Cass outlined his financial scenario: $375,000 available from the town; $148,725 available from donations and grants; $1,744 +/- of investment interest; $70,000 donated through the Harris Center and the $220,000 from the NH Fish and Game. Froling noted they currently need about

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$8,000 more. The total price to be paid at the closing will be between $824,000 and $825,000. Hayes stated all the funds need to be in hand at the time of the public hearing October 9^th.

 

Hayes asked Cass about the loan from the Town of Hancock. Cass reported he will take Lake Sunapee bank for a ten-year loan at an interest rate of $3.625%. Hayes moved to accept the Lake Sunapee interest rate of $3.625 % to fund the town’s share of the Prospect Hill project on a ten-year note, subject to approval at the hearing. Carlson seconded the motion. So Approved.

 

The two other banks Cass inquired of had rates of over 4% and additional charges for Bond Counsel and fees. Lake Sunapee Bank will also accept additional payments against the principal as more pledges come in.

 

HEARING: Hayes and Carlson briefly discussed protocol for the hearing noting that Hayes will open the hearing as the introductory speaker followed by Carlson.

 

APPROVALS: Building permits approved: Sandra Jackson, Michael Matteson. Payroll check registers approved: #1147, #1148, and #1149. Accounts Payable check registers approved: #912, #912, and #914. Class A Trail and OHRV Form for a trail ride approved. Veteran’s Exemption for Donald Klug approved. Intent to Cut for Harris Center approved. Facilities Request Form for Andrew Shier with a T’ai Chi class was approved.

 

Hayes noted the cost to the town for the Carney lawsuit is still increasing.

 

ADJOURNED: The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Barbara E. Caverly

Recording Secretary

 

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