MINUTES of the
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Wednesday
May 12, 2010
Board Members Present: Roberta Fraser-Acting Chairperson; Sherman Tedford; Gustave Ruth; Theresa Sepe; and Kenneth Gardner. Also present Bob Gray, Town Administrator and Ellen Cole, Executive Assistant. The meeting convenes at 7:00PM.
1st Order of Business: Open Meeting and Acceptance of Minutes
Selectman Fraser is filling in as Acting Chairperson this evening, but Chairman Tedford is present and participating in this evening’s discussion.
Minutes of the May 5, 2010 regular minutes: Selectman Ruth makes a motion to accept the minutes. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
2nd Order of Business: Other Business
Recently, Avitar came up with a new format for the tax bills, which was tabled by the Board last week so they could review. Deputy Tax Collector Karey Miner likes this idea because the format is easier to read and will save on paper. Selectman Gardner makes a motion to accept the new tax bill format. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
Southwest Region Planning Commission (“SWRPC”) would like the Board to vote and send a letter to support the nomination of the American Tissue Mills of New Hampshire property on Route 119 (Winchester Tax Map 7, Lot 66) for the SWRPC’s Brownsfields Assessment Program. Bob Gray makes the Board aware that the Attorney General has given the Town an easement to go on to the former mill property to determine if it is safe to tax deed, by testing to see if contamination is present. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to send this letter to SWRPC requesting that they proceed. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
Lisa Murphy with SWRPC advised Bob that the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan expired. Funding is available to SWRPC through Homeland Security to update the Plan for the Town. The Town of Winchester’s Hazard Mitigation Plan is outdated and needs to be fully updated. Selectman Gardner makes a motion to formally request the assistance and services of the Southwest Region Planning Commission to accomplish this update as soon as possible. Chairman Tedford seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
Bob would like the Board’s permission to close the Town Hall on Thursday, June 3, 2010 from 9:00AM-11:00AM for mandatory, DOL compliance training of all employees (except for volunteer ambulance and fire) presented by Bill Cote with the LGC. Selectman Ruth makes a motion to close the Town Hall on June 3 for the hours requested. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
Last year, the Budget Committee eliminated the ‘sick time buyback’ line item, but this type of employee compensation still exists in the Personnel Manual as Town policy. Sharon Haley in HR/Finance would like to know if the Board would still like to offer this benefit to employees, and if so, where payment would come from in the new fiscal year budget effective July 2010. Chairman Tedford asks Bob to get a legal opinion from the LGC, that if the Board wishes to maintain the policy do they have the authority to appropriate the money from the operating budget, or does the Budget Committee’s decision supersede policy. Selectman Sepe makes clear that this is Town policy, therefore, when applicable, employees would be due payment unless the Board changed policy. Chairman Tedford reiterates the question to the LGC, asking if benefit is in place, and unless we change policy, are we obligated to pay it, even if the line item has been zeroed out. Selectman Sepe would like employee involvement in this discussion, giving personnel an opportunity to publicly voice their opinion regarding this issue. Bob will make the Town employees aware and it will be posted on the Agenda.
Amy Bond in HR/Finance completed the summer schedule for the lifeguards at the Town Beach. The new fiscal year for 2010-2011 has $9,000.00 allotted for personnel. Amy estimates that the personnel line from July 1, 2010 to September 6, 2010 will be overdrawn by $5,172.00, even when reducing to the minimum amount of lifeguard coverage (and staying within the State’s requirement). Acting Chair Fraser is not in favor of having the beach open and unlocked, when there is no supervision, due to vandalism or having people swim at their own risk. Selectman Ruth suggests closing the beach a couple of days during the week. Acting Chair Fraser is on the Beach Committee, and regrets cutting back beach hours, but suggests residents need to see the repercussions of taking money out of the beach budget. She further explains that at numerous town meetings she voiced concerns that if money for these community activities, which benefit the Town as a whole are not properly funded, services may be cut. Chairman Tedford would rather keep the beach operation hours open for the people to enjoy and not penalize the Town, to which Acting Chairperson Fraser agrees, and does not want to penalize the Town, but something needs to be done. Chairman Tedford suggests changing the beach hours from 11:00AM to 12:00PM, open to 6:00PM instead of 7:00PM to help lower the associated costs of coverage. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to hire the lifeguards starting Memorial Day weekend for the summer with hours from 12-6:00PM. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion and it passes 4-1. Selectman Ruth voted no, because he thinks the Town will have a hard time finding lifeguards to work the reduced hours.
Chief Phillips requests use of the town gravel pit adjacent to the Evergreen Cemetery for ATV Training/Certification course sponsored by NH Fish and Game Department on May 26, 2010 from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to permit the Chief’s request. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
Last week the Board accepted John Grappone Ford’s bid on a 2011 Ford F550 with the Fairfield package, and asked Bob to shop around the financing for a 3-year lease/purchase. Bob learned that Grappone Ford’s price is not associated with the lease. TD Banknorth offers: 3.8%, $21,057.00 payment/year; Citizens/Baystone offers: 4.69$; $21,486 payment/year; and Ford Motor Credit: 5.9% (no payment quoted). Bob adds he ordered the truck today and TD Banknorth would be the Town’s best option for financing. Selectman Sepe makes a motion to go with TD Banknorth’s financing and authorize Bob Gray to sign the associated paperwork. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
3rd Order of Business: Open to the Floor (15 minutes)
Steve Sullivan approached the Board last week about renegotiating the terms of an agreement entered into by the Town and owner of 136 Main Street, Toby Debattiste. Mr. Sullivan provided the Board with a copy of the Power of Attorney, which gives him the authority to speak on Mr. Debattiste’s behalf. Mr. Sullivan explains that he made a $400.00 payment on Monday, which brings the bill down to $793.57. Mr. Sullivan is requesting that the Board approve reducing the water/sewer monthly arrearage payment from $600.00 to $400.00. Chairman Tedford points out the new bills have not gone out yet. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to modify the agreement, allowing 136 Main Street to pay $400.00, due the 10th of each month, with the same terms of the previous agreement still in place. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0. Chairman Tedford anticipates two months remaining to pay this arrearage off.
Allen Humes, Zoning Board of Adjustment member, asks how many properties in Town are in some kind of litigation for code violations, to which the Board responds a total of three. Mr. Humes asks what criteria are set to determine which properties will be cited for code violations. Bob Gray responds there is no specific criterion, but if it violates the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, the Code Enforcement Office has the authority to enforce code. Selectman Ruth adds the Board needs to abide by state laws. Chairman Tedford responds the Code Enforcement Officer issues letters to the offenders, and if there is no response or neighbors complain, the Board may be inclined to take it to the next level. Unfortunately, there are many problem properties, and the Board cannot address them all because it is expensive to take legal action. Selectman Gardner adds the Board is more inclined to pursue flagrant violations of the zoning ordinance or if a property is creating a health hazard. Lastly, Mr. Humes was disappointed that not one board member attended last Thursday’s ZBA meeting, to which the Board responds they clearly stated in a letter addressed to the ZBA why they would not participate in that meeting and why. Mr. Humes states the presence of a select person would have made a difference, and feels no attendance shows a lack of cooperation.
Cindy Ryder encourages the Board to attend the next CAST meeting scheduled at the Ford Building on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 9:00AM, and is very excited about a Vision Meeting for 20-20 that she attended at the Cheshire Medical Center, which provides health counseling in the community. Ms. Ryder is optimistic that the new sidewalks and Safe Routes to School will improve healthy habits and raise awareness in this area.
Selectman Sepe asks if Gary Puffer heard back from the two property owners on River Court regarding their water leak. Bob responds that one of the two property owners did sign for the certified letter, and Ellen and Gary made service on the other property owner, who lives in Keene. Bob and Gary agree that if the leak has not been fixed or arrangements have not been made to engage the services of a contractor by Wednesday, May 19, 2010, Gary will shut off the water, which then gives the owners an opportunity to respond to the Board of Selectmen that same evening.
4th Order of Business: Office Documents
1. Second original Water Warrant for 2010 in the amount of $59,353.07, and original Sewer Warrant for 2010 in the amount of $92,621.77. Chairman Tedford makes the motion to approve and sign said warrants. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
2. Certification and Timber Tax Levy at Map 7, Lot 37-Vincent in the amount of $1,028.00. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to approve the timber tax. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
3. Tax Collector’s Warrant, Property Tax Levy in the amount of $3,792,684.00. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to authorize collection of said warrant. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
4. Highway Purchase Requisition for purchase of lumber at Watson Farm (to build a lean-to at the garage) in the amount of $567.48. Selectman Ruth makes a motion to approve purchase. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
5. Certification and Timber Tax Levy at Map 8, Lot 120-2-Conant in the amount of $422.18. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to approve the timber tax. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
6. Certification and Timber Tax Levy at Map 12, Lot 5-2-Beaman in the amount of $306.32. Selectman Ruth makes a motion to approve the timber tax. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
7. Certification and Timber Tax Levy at Map 2, Lot 18-McFadden in the amount of $594.24. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to approve the timber tax. Chairman Sepe seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
8. Certification and Timber Tax Levy at Map 3, Lot 28-Sul in the amount of $276.01. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to approve the timber tax. Chairman Sepe seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
9. Permit to Display Fireworks at 512 Keene Road on July 3 and September 5, 2010; signed by applicant, Fire Chief Kellom, and Police Chief Phillips. Selectman Ruth makes a motion to give permission for said displays and to sign. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
10. Manifest for SRF Funds to Weston & Sampson-$19,350.00 (TOW Retainage acct-$2,150.00) in the amount of $21,500.00. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to approve said payments. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
11. Manifest for Police Outside Activities to Parro’s Gun Shop in the amount of $660.00. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to approve said payment. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion and it passes 4-1. Selectman Sepe states she would like to see other estimates because that is a lot of money for a vest.
12. Assessing and Revaluation Capital Reserve to Avitar in the amount of $23,776.25. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to make said payment. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
5th Order of Business: Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:3II (a), (b) and (c)
Selectman Sepe is not clear if the Board intends to discuss the ‘sick time buyback/policy issue’ at next week’s meeting. Chairman Tedford suggests putting this item on the agenda for the first Wednesday in June-that way, Bob will have time to get a response from the LGC and the Board members can brainstorm from there. Selectman Sepe, again, stresses that she’d like the employees to be part of the discussion since it affects them.
Chairman Tedford makes a motion to enter non-public session under (a), (b), and (c). Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. A role call vote is taken and all members vote “yes”, and the Board convenes in non-public session at 8:10PM (after a 10-minute break).
6th Order of Business: Reconvene Public Session
The Board reconvenes in public session at 8:50PM. The non-public minutes under (a) and (c) were sealed; and the minutes under (b) were not sealed.
Chairman Tedford announces that the Board accepted Executive Assistant Ellen Cole’s resignation effective Thursday, May 20, 2010. The Board thanks Ellen for her service to the Town. In the meantime, the Board has agreed to rehire Roberta Fraser on a part-time basis as secretary, not to exceed 32 hours per week to assist Bob while transitioning to another full-time permanent placement hire. Roberta was the Town’s secretary before Amy Lewis was hired, and also filled in on a part-time basis while she was a Selectman before Ellen became employed with the Town.
7th Order of Business: Adjournment
Selectman Fraser makes a motion to adjourn. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0. The meeting adjourns at 8:50PM.
Respectfully recorded,
Ellen A. Cole
Executive Assistant
Perhaps if the TBC hadn't wasted $3200 last year on 4 picnic tables and another $2400 on 2 more this year, they would have had plenty of money to fund lifeguards and provide safety for Winchester's citizen. Putting the blame on the Budget Committee, who attempted to make them act more responsibly when spending taxpayer dollars is a joke. Place the blame where it squarely belongs for shorter hours at the beach this year ..
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23 comments:
Come on Roberta, I cant believe you are so out of touch with reality. I think the town beach is a town treasure, You have a new overpriced building, and you are hurt because you cant get you way on tables and hours. Welcome to the real world you poor thing.
Here we go again another calculated move with our tax dollars from the town hall. Another EPA problem dumped onto the town tax roll, the American Tissue aka: Ashuelot Paper Co. Sherman Tedford made the motion to send a letter to SWRPC in support of the tax deed to the town for this property. Now the selectmen can start a new line item to carry insurance, pay Gomarlo and town lawyers thousand of dollars and another line item they can move money around from, like the AC Lawrence legal fund to pave the town highway garage. Suspiciously there were also several town employees driveways paved at the same time. Look at what we gave American Tissue a 5 year tax break on the property taxes and I believe a $150.000 grant and what happened they stole the machinery and left during the night.
Like the old town church across from the town hall the selectmen sold the building for $1 to some music ding dongs they in turn sold the priceless steam pipe organ for $100.000 or more and left during the night. Humm sound familiar. Was there a pay off there?
We own the A. C. Lawrence and the town did a massive clean up of the building and property. People that know have asked me where did all money for the salvage material like cooper and steel go to from the clean up? Someone would have to show me where the money is that was turned back to the town and they can’t.
Now we will have another massive clean up or clean out of American tissue. Can we stand by and let the town to be looted any more?
From the minutes about cutting hours at town beach; to which Acting Chairperson Fraser agrees, and does not want to penalize the Town, but something needs to be done. Something needs to be done alright, what about the families that are loosing their home Ms. Fraser. It is to bad any services has to be cut, we are in trouble state wide. Don't you get it! You selectmen spend money like it grows on trees.
Pay your taxes and that alone could fund the town beach. The beach is closed most of the year anyhow. How about something that needs to be done, how about controlling the toxic waste running into the lake from the old dump.
As is typical with political spenders, the day that the cash box is empty , is always the other guys fault. Perhaps required reading might include works by Thomas Friedman, a columnist for the New York Times. He maintains that the country has been living beyond it's means for nearly sixty years. Things, are beginning to unravel, and then it will be the elected politician's job to take away from the people, not give any more. Winchester, is a microcosm of the endemic disaster in the making, and our selectmen just mimic what they have been expected by a percentage of the voters to do. They will also take the blame when it falls apart. An apt equation is of Nero fiddling while Rome burned.
American Tissue cleanup, just imagine the comp time we are going to pay, just like the tannery. Its a sad day when we run out of trust like we have in Winchester. Wont it be interesting when we find out who the new Executive Assistant is?
Go to, Sentinel Source.com May22,Opinion. Heading,Gee,is it wrong to demand a bribe?
We do not have to or need to take ownership of the American Tissue by tax deed. Swanzey refuses to take possession of a junk yard that is a potential Brownfield.
What the hell is wrong with Winchester's Selectmen? Why place this property on the already heavy burdened tax payers?
They are in no hurry to take Roberta’s Fraser's property, though she is always way behind in paying her taxes. Just listen to the news, there will be another round of people in foreclosure of their properties soon.
What kind of a town is it, where the citizens would sit idlely by and allow the town government to stop growth of good commercial development which would generate new tax revenue? It seems that someone or group of people at the town hall has been discouraging investors who have come to town inquiring about available property. I have been told by a very good source, that McDonald's, a Tractor Store, Dunkin' Donuts and a new convenience stor were all turned away. Why? What is going on here? Why turn away commerce and jobs? Who's responsible for this? If seems if it makes noise, dust and has a junk yard attached to it, the town hall is all in favor of it. Just look at A-1 Pizza’s attempt to expand at RT78 and 10. The Code Enforcer stopped him. Now the Code Enforcer's office is about to destroy a long time citizen, Gary Chase. For What! We have gravel and siltation washing from developer's lands onto abutting neighbor's property, into the brooks and streams, through highway drains not constructed to be channeling so much run-off. Do something about that! Of course it's a friend of the Assistant Code Enforcer, Margaret Sharra who's testimony in court has shown she is protecting this developer. Gary Chase has nothing they want or does he? Just happens the Chases property is the best corridor for the Winchester Main Street bypass coming soon.
If it alters the landscape, strips the top soil, leaves mounds of gravel, makes noise, dust and sand piles visible from the road, the our town hall is all in favor of it. It is not just Gus Ruth who invited his friends the Bosiverts to develop the racetracks. It's the whole damn hierarchy in charge that's making a mess of this town, limiting commerce and causing our taxes to rise out of site.
Our tax base will never improve with the special interests in control of our town.
Wake up people !!
Hey, Sarge Jette why r u always goofing off like on your blackberry when u do details? Saw u today fooling around with it. Don’t they pay u 4 paying attention?
Guess U didn't learn from Chesterfield when u were on a detail and u got in trouble 4 reading the newspaper and bouncing a ball or have u forgotten?
They told u not to come back – they told u they didn’t need someone like u who couldn’t do the job right.
Tsk Tsk – and u have that “hottie” trainee u r supposed to be in charge of? What kind of bad habits r u trying to teach her?
Will U ever learn? What a disgrace to the uniform u wear.
U have the nerve 2 complain about flagmen not paying attention when they r working?
What a hypocrite!!
I saw Nate and the female officer too on a detail near rt 32 by the armory she was drinking coffee. Isn't she new and on probation? Is she supposed to be working details and getting paid detail pay when she is still on probation?
Thought if you were a new recruit with the pd you couldn't do unsupervised details on your own? Phillips change the rules again or is Jette running the PD now?
This Town's Administrattion seems to crave putting us taxpayers in great liability obligation situations.
Pushy, arrogant, self serving.
Changing rules to suit their needs as they coverup their corrupt, criminal activity.
How much longer until we have another lawsuit?
Its Winchester, we don't go by the rules. It must be good for our cruisers idling in this heat, and if our officers aren't doing the job and there is an accident i would imagine we could get sued. The new hire will probably think the big detail money is where its at, the hell with protecting the town. The question could be asked again, why is it always Winchester?
It's not always Winchester - just usually Winchester and the answer is because we elect people who appoint people who have no common sense or intelligence.
The reason is simple - we let people who have no business making decision make decisions and they are often bad decisions that we pay the price for.
There is a lot of waste of taxpayer dollars spent in our local government and the departments they oversee.
Didn’t we vote a town warrant article to raise money to promote the image of the town for new business investors. Didn’t the selectmen vote to place Margaret Sharra in charge of attraction new businesses. The selectmen gave her full control of promoting the town and what we received for our wasted investment of our tax dollars are aerial views and images that promoted herself accomplishments racetracks and gravel pits and driving business away she doesn‘t agree with. Ref; See the town web site for her aerial photo of the town. Sharra is not interested in promoting the town for investment, she is out to promoting her ego while protect her friends the racetrack owners, Mark Truck junk yards, dirt piles and developer like Van dyke and the Beaman‘s. If it is true about a Tractor Store inc it must be Sharra who is falsely telling investors no land available, to protecting her friend Gary’s Power Eq.
Where is the Chief and the Lie u tenant? Aren’t they around supervising what their employees are doing? Or are they just sitting back collecting their checks and benes and looking the other way?
Seems like the fat pay checks don’t know what the little paychecks are doing.
Wonder when the fat paychecks are gonna learn they have a job to do and that job means responsibility to us taxpayers?
When the rest of don't do our job we get fired ......maybe it's time for the selectmen to make them accountable?
A new Blog is now up and running.
Please visit the new blog that has been created and provides a forum for documents, video and discussion to be posted related to corruption, illegal activity and civil rights violations within the State of NH and specifically the Town of Winchester Police Department.
http://winchesternhcorruption.blogspot.com/
Concerned I could not find your blogspot. Is it a joke?
Also could not find the new "blogspot" as written. If this is a joke it is not appreciated. Often waste too much time with this nonsense. I'm neutral on the "Roberta" issue, but how about cutting her a break. Remember, "until you walk in someone's shoes"? Have a safe holiday.
To those who are interested in the new blog spot regarding corruption in winchester. Copy and past the following link.
http://winchesternhcorruption.blogspot.com/.
This site does exixt. This is not a joke!!!
Found the spot and read it. Very interesting.
Cut Roberta some slack, I voted for her and now i cant afford my taxes. We have five big spenders on the board so it must be that most of the voters in Winchester have plenty of money.
Why? She votes for every spending bill that she sees and doesn't pay her taxes, why should we give her a break? Where's ours?
Not to worry folks. The taser probe was successfully removed from the victim's chest. The probe removal procedure was recorded for evidentiary and litigation purposes. Stay tuned for further information.
Now let’s all play a guessing game. Who do you think the officer was who forgot to remove the taser probe?
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