Littleton, New Hampshire

Approved Minutes Apr 6, 2011

TOWN OF LITTLETON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
5:00 PM
TOWN BUILDING OPERA HOUSE

Present: Interim Town Manager Fred Moody, Chairman Ron Bolt, Vice Chairman Marghie Seymour, Selectman Mike Gilman, Executive Secretary Ceil Stubbings, Finance Director Karen Noyes

Others Present: Channel 2, Robert Blechl (The Caledonian), Kayti Burt (The Courier), George Chartier (Littleton Highway Department), Brien Ward, Chief Paul Smith (Littleton PD), Ed Boynton, Eddy Moore, Bill Latulip, Sherri Latulip, Jackie King, Judy White, Faye White, Milt Bratz, Jerry Sorlucco, Richard Merrow, Paul Vialle (WLTN), Mary Edick, Dan Cullen, Jan Edick, Stan Fillion, Heidi Hurley, Chris Tyler, Chad Stearns, Rod Trahan, Bruce Hadlock, Jeanne Dickerman, Casey Hadlock, Arwen Mitton, Bill Sargent, Bryan Hadlock, Art Tighe

Bolt called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM
Pledge of Allegiance

Bolt advised the Board had a large agenda and asked everyone present to obey the rules of the meeting. He then introduced Fred Moody as the Interim Town Manager and swore Moody into the position. Selectman Gilman suggested they adjust agenda item for the appointments to the committees and boards. The Board agreed this item would be moved to the end of the appointments and would be done prior to citizen concerns.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: None

Feedback from Last Meeting:
Public Hearings for the Transfer Station and the Parks & Recreation Departments
Bolt advised that at the last meeting there were three action items, one to set up a public hearing with the Transfer Station and another with the Parks & Recreation Department. The Board accepted the new shift coverage at the Firehouse resulting in no one being at the Firehouse over the weekend. There was a hearing at Grafton Superior Court involving the Edick’s and others. They will get the results of the hearing in thirty or sixty days. They are going to schedule a Public Hearing on some updated ordinances. Bolt suggested they schedule the hearing for their next meeting on the 25th of April. He then announced the board will meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.

Appointments: Maximum time per appointment is 15 minutes
Chief Paul Smith – Littleton Police Department – Seeking BOS Acceptance of Grant Funds
Chief Smith advised the Board he had four grants that needed Board acceptance. The grants were for the following programs:

New Hampshire Clique Seat Belt Enforcement Program for the amount of $3,300. Bolt made the motion to accept the New Hampshire Clique Seat Belt Enforcement Grant. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Operation Safe Commute Patrols for the amount of $1,650. Seymour made the motion to accept the Operation Safe Commute Grant. Gilman seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Buckle Up in Your Truck for the amount of $1,601.63. Gilman made the motion to accept the Buckle Up in Your Truck Grant. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

DWI Hunter Patrols for the amount of $1,980. Bolt made the motion to accept the DWI Hunter Patrols Grant. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

George Chartier – Highway Department – Workforce Reduction
George Chartier advised that due to the recent layoffs he had compiled a list of what the department would be capable of doing in the future. Chartier said he would be asking the Board for a change in the Road Policy. He would also be asking the Board to approve a rest period so the men would not have to work 24 hour shifts without a break. Chartier provided a list of services the department would have to cut back on. In addition to the cut in staff there would also be a cut in the hours worked. After providing the Board with his presentation he asked that the Board review it and approve the changes at their next meeting.


Brien Ward – Article 16 - Amended Operating Budget
Ward wanted to discuss the amended operating budget and said that the Board was not respecting the voter’s decision. The town wants strong leadership from the boards. What we have had in Littleton was a robust democracy. When people vote they get the final decision. Ward reviewed the history of town meeting from 2005 through 2011 and provided ten reasons why the Board should respect the voter’s decision. Ward said the voter’s would remember the disrespect they had in 2011. Ward finished his presentation by saying he was very careful in his wording so the Board would not go after the vulnerable areas. He feels that steps were taken to punish the voters. Gilman thanked Brien for the presentation. Gilman then made the motion that we respect the voter’s decision and revisit the cuts that have been made and the cuts that have not been made. Seymour seconded the motion. After further discussion Bolt called for a vote on the motion. Mr. Ward forgot that we had a severance package on the town manager. The motion failed 2-1. Gilman voted yes and Bolt and Seymour voted no.

Bill Latulip – Comments on Political Climate
Bill Latulip said the Town got what we voted on. Latulip asked for the voters and the selectmen to work together through this difficult time.

Bolt moved to the Appointments to the Boards and Committees as requested earlier. Bolt said the Board wants to try and balance the need for continuity on the boards versus the people who have been on the board for too long and have become stale. There are no qualifications for any of these positions. We want to avoid any conflict of interest and address those who are serving on multiple committees. There was a request made last year by the Energy Conservation Committee that people being appointed should be interested in energy conservation. The appointments were made as follows:

North County Council Representatives: Gilman made the motion to appoint Dick Hamilton for a four year term and Connie McDade for a two year term. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Pemi Baker Solid Waste District: Seymour made the motion to appoint Jackie King and Tony Ilacqua for a one year term. Gilman seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Opera House management Commission: Gilman made the motion to appoint Dan Stearns for a three year term. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Conservation Commission: Seymour moved to appoint Mary Belanger to a one year term, Val Poulson and Carlton Schaller to three year terms. Gilman seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Water & Light Commissioners: Gilman made the motion to reappoint Eddy Moore for a three year term. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Planning Board: Seymour moved to appoint Charlie Ryan, Jim Daly and Bruce Ralston for three year terms and Mel Brooks as an Alternate member. Gilman seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Zoning Board: Gilman said would like to see Eddy Moore reappointed because they are in the middle of something and he would like to see some continuity. Gilman would also like to appoint Heidi Hurley. Moore said he has been on the board for 28 years. He feels the board is very capable. He recommends the reappointment of Richard Merrow and the appointment of Heidi Hurley. Jeanne Dickerman raised concern over Heidi Hurley having a conflict of interest due to her employment with Herb Lahout. Mary Edick said she does not think Heidi’s working for Mr. Lahout was a conflict of interest. Gilman made the motion to reappointment Eddy Moore and Richard Merrow as full time members with a three year term. Seymour seconded the motion. Seymour said that she thinks that 22 and 29 years are a long time to serve the town and thanked both Moore and Merrow but said it was time for some new people to have a chance. Bolt said he was in agreement with Seymour and noted that Mr. Moore is also serving on the Water & Light Commission therefore he would not be in favor of the motion. Bolt then asked for a vote on the motion. The motion failed 2-1. Gilman yes, Seymour and Bolt no. Seymour moved to appoint Sean Sweeney, Carey Clark and Harry Bigelow to three year terms. Bolt seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-1. Seymour and Bolt yes, Gilman no.

Energy Conservation Committee: No nominations were made.

CIP Committee: Linda McNeil was appointed as Chairman and Mike Gilman will serve as the selectmen’s representative.

Budget Committee: Bolt said that before he went any further he wanted to say this committee is too large with nine members. He would like to drop down from nine to seven members. Seymour said she was in favor of disbanding the committee all together. Gilman said he was opposed to that. Gilman said the budget committee has a lot of knowledge. Gilman asked what the history of the budget committee was. Bolt said it has been in existence since the 1930’s. Stan Fillion said he thinks they should keep the committee as it is. After further discussion this item was tabled.

Citizen’s Concerns:
Jimmy Sourgiadakis said that he was upset about the boycott to thirteen businesses. He was present to ask several questions regarding the SEA Unions Boycott. Sourgiadakis requested the Board to initiate an independent investigation into the conduct of the Littleton Police Department. He also requested copies of all communications retaining to the boycott as per the Right to Know Law (RSA-91A). Bolt said the Board does not support any action that would damage a business Bolt said he feels for the employees and understands how that could make some people to take action. Bryan Hadlock said this is happening all over the country. Chad Stearns said the chamber’s board of directors has a short letter to the union asking for a retraction to the boycott. Mike Gilman said that he has already sent a message to the president of the SEA, Diane Lacey. Gilman said they often stick their noses in places where they don’t belong. Seymour is personally of the opinion the less you make of something the faster it goes away. Seymour made the motion that we as a Board contact the SEA and request they retract the boycott. Gilman seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Spotlight on Departments:
Introduction of the Interim Town Manager
Fred Moody said it was good to be back in Littleton after having served as one of Littleton’s Town Managers many years ago. He moved here in 1979 and his grandfather was one of the first state troopers in the state of New Hampshire. He has been a public servant for his entire career. One of the first things he has to do is to get back up to speed on community projects.

Old Business:
Update on 2011 Budget
Moody said the board has made $615,466 in cuts to date. He and the finance director found where they could save $48,603 by refinancing the ladder truck. Noyes said the warrant article that allowed the town to refinance turned out to be a great tool. Laconia Savings Bank was contacted and they offered a 2.25% fixed rate. The interest savings is between $15,000 and $19,000. The old final payment was going to be due in May 2014 the new final payment will be due in January 2014. Seymour made the motion to authorize the Town Manager to refinance the ladder truck. Gilman seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Bolt had one other thing for immediate attention. They were scheduled to give a 3% raise to the nine nonunion exempt employees. Bolt suggested they defer this. Gilman made the motion to defer the 3% raises. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Request for Information from the Budget Committee – Passed Over

Set date for the Public Hearing on Ordinances: The date for the Public Hearing was set for April 25th.

Disclosure of Records Policy – Passed Over

New Business:
Accept Grant Funds from Wal-Mart for the Welfare Department $1,000
Ceil Stubbings advised the grant was to be used for items not normally covered by the welfare budget. Seymour made the motion to accept the grant. Gilman seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Take Away Actions: They will revisit the Highway Department changes at their next meeting. They will revisit the Budget Committee at a future date. They will draft a letter to the SEA regarding the boycott. Gilman made the motion to adjourn. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.

Respectfully Submitted
Ceil Stubbings

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