HANCOCK SELECT BOARD MINUTES

OCTOBER 1, 2007

 

PRESENT: John Hayes-Chair, Margaret Carlson, Carolyn Boland – Select Board

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

 

OTHERS: Dick Bergeron-SAU #1 Superintendent, Dan Harper-Hancock School

            Board Representative, Kurt Grassett-Road Agent

 

Hayes called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. All previous Minutes were approved.

 

LIAISON REPORTS: Caverly gave a brief update on the Recreation Committee’s Norway Pond subcommittee meeting. The committee elected Jeff Wilder as Chair and Roberta LaPlante as Secretary, reviewed a list of items Wilder brought in to be addressed and noted the next meeting will be with Mark Chapman of DES who will give some guidance for what could be done with the beach area and parking area.

 

VPC: Hayes reported the committee has received up to 82% of their needed funding for burying the wires. They will be going out for public support in the near future. They plan to move forward on other projects as well.

 

HEAT: Hayes reported that committee is moving forward with Nancy Gamble helping out as she did in Peterborough, by looking at the town’s current electric utility bills.

 

CHARGE FOR STAFF: No further action will be taken unless Town Clerk Beth GrosJean brings in some significant examples as reference.

 

OLD BUSINESS: The question of whether or not to approve the Library Trustees’ request to change the wage Grade level for the Library Director and Children’s Librarian to Grade 14 for the Director and to Grade 9 for the Children’s Librarian was approved by the Select Board.

 

ALL COMMITTEES RECEPTION: It will be held October 22^nd at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served – perhaps cider and donuts.

 

USE OF PRESCHOOL: Further discussion was held regarding Monica Lasky-Rigrod’s request to use the Preschool area from noon to 3:00 for two or three days per week. Caverly will check on the status of the Preschool’s rent rate, and how to determine one for Lasky-Rigrod. The question of an additional cost for heat and lights was raised. Hayes doesn’t feel it will increase noticeably for that period. Hayes would like to have Sandra Faber come in to talk with the Select board regarding the Preschool and this new proposal. The whole Board is in favor of supporting helping the Preschool stay in business.

 

DICK BERGERON/DAN HARPER: Bergeron introduced himself to the Select Board. He then handed them copies of letters sent to the parents of school children residing on

SELECT BOARD MINUTES

OCTOBER 1, 2007

PAGE TWO

 

the Prospect Hill extension, inviting them to a meeting on October 15^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Hancock Elementary School with himself and Dan Harper in an attempt to resolve the long running school bus issue during winter snow storms. When Prospect Hill is impassable Hancock will start a telephone tree and the children will be dropped off at the bottom of the hill. Grassett feels if the town plows are out the hill is unsafe.

 

The school board has asked to have the dog sniffing court case moved to Federal Court as much more case law will be available at the federal level.

 

Bergeron noted everyone has been very welcoming to him and he feels the transition has gone smoothly.

 

Hayes noted Hancock’s main problems have been use of the school building. Bergeron feels it is now more open but asked them to contact him if further issues arise.

 

When asked, Bergeron noted he has attended every SAC meeting. A CIP is now being worked on and the plan is for looking at the higher priced items and going out five years.

 

Carlson stated many people feel that 75% is a high share for the towns. The SAU is taking a close look at staffing and is currently concerned with the change in voting dates in Peterborough. Carlson also brought up the health insurance and it was stated that Conval has three options for the staff. Marian Alese and Tom Welden could give current rates. Caverly will contact Alese.

 

With enrollment down in the elementary schools the School Board is looking at the possibility of shared classrooms. The high school enrollment is steady to increasing.

 

Carlson inquired about transportation for sports teams and the cost for going long distances. Bergeron noted every sports team has fees assessed to the participants. The school team games are set up at the state level. If they want to participate in a sanctioned league then they have to travel. It brings up a lot of complex issues.

 

HIGHWAY: Grassett brought up a request he received from Lilla Lyon asking for a Blind Driveway sign on the south side of King’s Highway where visibility in the area of her garage is not good. Grassett hesitates to put up a sign because the hazard is caused when she backs into the road. Grassett also stated signs are not very effective but if one is installed he would recommend the fluorescent green one. The real issue: backing into traffic. The area in front of her garage does not offer enough space to turn around before heading into the roadway. She doesn’t like to back into the garage because it is too narrow. The Board will think about it, look at the green signs at Boston University and get back to him.

 

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OCTOBER 1, 2007

PAGE THREE

 

DUMP: In reference to “politicking” at the Dump, Grassett stated the town already has a policy but it should be included in the ordinance. It was suggested the Select Board ask Town Counsel to look at the proposal of putting our campaign portion of the policy into the Dump Ordinance and broaden it.

 

NON PUBLIC: At 5:00 p.m. Boland moved to go into non public session under RSA 91-A;3ll (c) to discuss the setting of compensation for a public employee. Carlson seconded. Vote: Hayes-aye, Carlson-aye, Boland-aye.

 

At 5:20 p.m. Hayes moved to come out of non public session. Boland seconded. So voted in the affirmative.

 

ELDERLY EXEMPTION: The elderly exemption application on the table was denied because the assets are over the limit.

 

BUDGET LETTER: Caverly will pull previous budget letters and set up a tentative time lime for the Board to review.

 

LEGAL FEES: Hayes updated the Board on the latest issues with David Carney regarding the letters sent to the State Treasurer and the Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services. These continued actions will have a definite effect on this year’s legal budget.

 

BOSTON POST CANE: Hayes will make a note in his letter for the November Hancock Happenings asking for suggested elderly applicants who have resided in town more than five years. There is one name currently under consideration.

 

ADJOURNED: The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Barbara E. Caverly

Recording Secretary

 

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