Littleton, New Hampshire

Approved Minutes May 9, 2011

TOWN OF LITTLETON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 9, 2011
5:00 PM
COMMUNITY CENTER HEALD ROOM

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

Others Present: Mary Edick, Jan Edick, Chief Paul Smith (Littleton PD), Karen Noyes (Finance Director), Steve Kelley, Brien Ward, Ed Boynton, Eddy Moore, Bill Sargent, Richard Massimilla, Linda Massimilla, Robert Blechl (The Caledonian), Kayti Burt (The Courier), Bruce Hadlock, Barry Lunderville, Paul Vialle (WLTN), Eugene Langdoc, (Channel 2), Bill Sencabaugh, Chad Stearns (Chamber of Commerce), Donna Trahan, Rod Trahan, Milt Bratz, Dann, Louise Smith, Richard Merrow, Perry Goodell, Bud Foster, Chief Joe Mercieri (Littleton FD), Wesley Hicks

Bolt called the Public Hearing and BOS meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

Pledge of Allegiance

Public Hearing – Amended Town Ordinances
Chapter 1 – Traffic Ordinance
Police Chief Paul Smith reviewed the amendments to the above ordinance and asked for the Board to accept the amendments as written. After public input Bolt asked for a motion. Gilman made the motion to approve the revisions as amended with the elimination of Roman numeral eight that removes the language of the compact area. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Chapter 3 – Dog Regulation Ordinance
Smith advised the two most important things that were added to the ordinance. One was the at large language and the other was the language for non-removal of feces. After public input Gilman made the motion to accept the Dog Regulation Ordinance as written. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Chapter 5 – Public Drinking Ordinance
This ordinance was passed over until a definite answer could be given regarding whether or not drinking on a boat was allowed.

Chapter 14 - Junk Dealers Ordinance
Smith said they added the portion requiring the junk dealer to have a license and documentation of the different commodities they take in. The original ordinance recommended a fee but a fee was never established. Smith was recommending a fee of $50.00 Seymour said it seemed unfair to randomly attach a higher fee to some kind of businesses and not others. Gilman said they should keep it in line with the other fees and only charge $15. Seymour made the motion to approve the ordinance with the fee amended to $15. Gilman seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Chapter 15 - Hawkers and Peddlers Ordinance
Smith reviewed the changes to the ordinance and after public input Seymour made the motion to accept the ordinance with the fee amended to $15 as written. Gilman seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Chapter 16 –Security Services Ordinance
Smith said the previous fee of $5 was not covering their costs. Smith asked if the Board was going to change the proposed fee of $20 to $15. Seymour said no. Gilman made the motion to accept the ordinance as written. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

The approval of the minutes was passed over and would take place at the end of the meeting.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes:
March 2, 2011 Regular Meeting, March 4, 2011 Special Meeting
March 9, 2011 Special Meeting, March 9, 2011 Press Release
March 14, 2011 Special Meeting, March 16, 2011 Regular Meeting


Feedback from Last Meeting:
Bolt then went over what has happened over the last two weeks. There were a couple of items that remained unresolved. The Records Disclosure Policy that is on today’s agenda under old business and the status of the budget committee appointments will be at a determined time in the future. The nomination of a Health Officer will also be determined at a later date. Since the last meeting they wrote a certificate for National Teachers Appreciation Day for their assembly on the 3rd of May. The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Community Development Project on the 19, 20 and 21st of May. Memorial Day is on the 30th and there will be a ceremony on the bridge beginning at noon. At 1:30 the traditional barbeque will be at the VFW Center.


Appointments: Maximum time per appointment is 15 minutes
Dann – Intersection of Pleasant Street and Pine Street – Parks & Recreation
Dann said his concerns are with the three way stop at the intersection of Pleasant and Pine Streets. It creates pollution and disrespect for the law. His suggestion is the removal of the stop signs on both sides of Pleasant Street and instead put a caution, slow or yield sign at the location. Dann read a statement he had prepared to the Board. Bolt asked that a copy of the statement be emailed to the executive secretary. Chief Smith stated that if he had a copy of Dann’s comments in writing he could bring it to the Highway Committee. Smith said there was some history as to why the signs were put there. He believes it was done to address a safety issue. There were some accidents at the site and some speed issues.

Citizen’s Concerns:
Bolt said they had a request the Board bring this up at one of the meetings. There is a Community Garden that originated in 2006 as a Neighbor Works Project for AHEAD and the Connecticut River Bank. There are nine garden spots that are located at Remich Park. They are looking for someone to take over the project. As the sponsor you would be responsible to supervise the area to make sure the gardens are not abandoned. If anyone is interested they are urged to contact Janet Costa at 444-5333 or Heather Porter at 444-1377.

Wesley Hicks said he had some concerns regarding the fire department. He is concerned with the department being closed on the weekends. He just recently resigned from the fire department after sixteen years. He feels very strongly for the fire department that is now going through some very hard times. He feels it is important for him to bring this out to the public so the people can understand what is going on through his eyes. He does not believe that his positions in the fire department were ever taken seriously or respected by the Chief. He feels there was a problem with communication within the department. Hicks asked the Board to consider putting together a steering committee to work on schedules to get the department on track. Steve Kelley said the budget committee has had issues with the fire department in the past. Vacation time is an issue that has to be addressed. Gilman said he would support the formation of a steering committee.

Bud Foster said he questioned the Chief’s ability to run the department. He presented the Board with two letters with a request for information. The first request was for the information regarding the law suit filed by Chief Mercieri and the second request was for the complete payroll information on all employees. Bolt advised Foster the employee information had been given to the budget committee. Bolt asked Steve Kelley if he was satisfied with the employee information he had been provided with. Kelley said the information that he received was in the form of a spreadsheet listing the pay and benefits. Kelley said that he had thought they were going to be discussing the budget committee’s future tonight. Bolt said there must have been some kind of miscommunication. When Bolt had sent the mission statement to Kelley, Kelley told Bolt that he had to share it with the other members of the committee and get their feedback. Kelley said that he and Stan Fillion had no problem with the mission statement as written but there were a few phrases that could be interpreted in different ways. Bolt advised Kelley that they had not provided feedback on the procedures. Bolt said they should reschedule the discussion on the budget committee’s status.

Ed Boynton asked why the resignation letter from Eugene Langdoc was not read into the public record. Bolt said he does not recall reading other resignation letters into the record. Bolt then read the resignation letter into the record.

Brien Ward had read in the paper that the BOS had established their goals. Ward said that for the second year in a row there were no goals that were related to the taxpayers. Ward took the liberty to compile a list of taxpayer goals. Before he gave his presentation he wanted to say that Fred Moody was a breath of fresh air as opposed to his predecessor. He has been wonderful to work with and when asked a question he always gets back to you.
The list Ward presented to the Board contained the following:

1. $210,000 (30%) Sewer Abatement for 2011
2. $400,000 Surplus to be used to reduce Taxes for 2011
3. $300,000 Main Street Bond Reduction and Refinance
4. $200,000 - $300,000 Redington Street Bridge Bond Reduction and Refinance

Ward advised his proposals would bring $1,100,000 Savings for Taxpayers and Sewer Users. Ward also provided a report listing the sewer fees dating back from 2008 to the present. Ward proceeded to provide the Board with other ideas they could consider for further savings. Karen Noyes responded to why some of Ward’s suggestions would not be feasible.

Donna Trahan asked to read a letter to the Board. The letter is her formal resignation from the Zoning Board. Her decision was based on the firing of Eddy Moore and Richard Merrow. Trahan thanked her former board members for all the help they had provided to her throughout her years of service.

Bruce Hadlock said he has been watching what has happened since the budget cut. Hadlock said the Board has made a lot of inappropriate decisions. Next year’s budget is going to be $745,000 less. The Board should have backed off and taken more time on their decisions.

Dann said that it has come to his attention that money has already been restored to the Parks & Recreation Commission. Dann said the parks should be privatized. Bruce Hadlock told Dann he should read the town charter to gain a better understanding of the program.

Spotlight on Departments:
Chief Joe Mercieri (Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director)
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Mercieri explained the plan addresses hazards such as severe winter weather, loss of electric power and flooding. The plan is completed and the next step is to forward the plan to FEMA for their review and certification. This is required by law. Once the plan has been approved by FEMA he would came back to the Board and ask them to adopt the plan. Seymour said she has not had a chance to read the document but felt it could be sent to FEMA regardless. Gilman said he spent little time reviewing the plan and would like more time. Bolt said they would reschedule the acceptance of the plan to their next meeting.

Rural Water Supply Plan
Mercieri advised that in 2009 the Board approved a grant for the study regarding rural water supplies. The plan is to identify a water supply that could be used all year long. This would involve the installation of dry hydrants. Mercieri said the grant would be for the engineering. Seymour has been on vacation for two weeks and would like to defer this to a later date.

Request the Board to accept computer donation in the approximate amount of $530 - $630
Mercieri said the department has been donated a 2009 Dell Desktop Computer complete with monitor but no printer. The Town Manager determined the value of the computer to be between $530 and $630. Gilman made the motion to accept the donation of the computer valued between $530 and $630. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Town Manager’s Report:
Chamber of Commerce Lease
Historical Society Lease
Senior Citizen’s Center Lease
Fred Moody advised the three leases have been reviewed and discussed with all parties. The Chamber and
Historical Society lease changed from one year to five year terms. The Senior Center is for twenty years.
Seymour moved to approve all three leases. Gilman seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Miscellaneous Projects Update
Moody said the Riverwalk Project is almost finalized. There was a question regarding the hand rail that is currently being addressed. There were two more resignations in the police department. Officers LaValley and Officer Preist have accepted employment with other towns. Their last day will be May 20th and May 22. Bolt said that on the 23rd of May there would be only four patrol officers and two supervisors at the PD. The Board should probably have some sort of conversation about a possible hiring action because they now have room in the budget.

Old Business:
Records Disclosure Policy
This item was passed over when there was a question raised about the length of time to save audio tapes of the meetings.


New Business:
Bolt stated the Board received a letter requesting the Board to rename the new Redington Street Bridge after Louis B. Corey. Bolt said that apparently there was a promise made a number of years ago by a previous board to rename the bridge. Dann said there are a million people who deserve to have a bridge named after them, why not just keep it as it is.

Take Away Actions:
Bolt said they were asked to consider putting together a steering committee for the FD. Look into other refinancing options. Respond to two requests for information and advertise for a new zoning board member.

Bill Sargent thanked the Board for letting him explain his role at the LGC. The benefit to Littleton is great. Seymour asked how often they meet. Sargent said the meet on a quarterly basis. Sargent said he would like to continue his role as an LGC representative and would not attend meetings if he were needed in town. The Board would like Sargent to continue and appreciate all the time and effort he has put in. The decision would have to be made by George Chartier and Fred Moody.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes:
March 2, 2011 Regular Meeting, March 4, 2011 Special Meeting
March 9, 2011 Special Meeting, March 9, 2011 Press Release
March 14, 2011 Special Meeting, March 16, 2011 Regular Meeting

Seymour made the motion to approve the minutes from March 2nd. Bolt seconded the motion. Passed 2-0. Seymour moved to approve the minutes from March 4th with an amendment to the last page where the minutes read (Gilman seconded the motion this should be corrected to Boynton seconded the motion). Bolt seconded the motion. Passed 2-0.

Seymour moved to approve the March 9th AM minutes with amendments. Bolt seconded the motion. Passed 2-0.
Seymour moved to approve the March 9th PM minutes with amendments. Bolt seconded the motion. Passed 2-0.
Seymour advised she would send the amendments to the recording secretary by email.

Gilman moved to approve the March 14 minutes as amended. Seymour seconded the motion. Passed 3-0.
Seymour moved to approve the March 16 minutes as amended. Gilman seconded the motion. Passed 3-0.

Seymour moved the Board to go into a Nonpublic Session per RSA 91-A:3 II (a) to discuss the 30 day review of Fred Moody’s job performance as Interim Town Manager. Gilman seconded the motion. After a unanimous roll call vote the Board was in nonpublic session at 8:36 PM. Bolt advised from what was said earlier in the meeting everyone was impressed with Fred’s job performance. He would give Fred an E for exceeded expectations. Bolt said they would continue to work on the highway department’s winter plan and come up with some new goals. Seymour asked if the minutes should be sealed. Gilman moved to not seal the minutes. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Gilman moved to come out of nonpublic session. Seymour seconded the motion. After a unanimous roll call vote the Board came out of nonpublic session at 8:49 PM. Gilman made the motion to adjourn. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.

The Town of Littleton prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital or family status. The Town of Littleton is an equal opportunity employer.

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