| Town of Winchester 1 Richmond Road Winchester, NH 03470
MINUTES of the BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING WORK SESSION Wednesday November 3, 2010
Board Members Present: Sherman Tedford, Chairman; Roberta Fraser; Theresa Sepe; Gustave Ruth; and Kenneth Gardner. Also present; Gary Phillips, Police Chief; Leroy Austin, Building Inspector; Margaret Sharra, Land Use Assistant; Joan Morel the Town Administrator; and Shelly A. Walker, Executive Assistant. The meeting convenes at 9:30 AM.
1st Order of Business: Any Other Business Previously, Brattleboro Painting and Carpentry had submitted drawings of woodwork that needs replacing, and a request for $900 to do the additional work. The Board had tabled this matter, and planned to view the library’s woodwork. The Board visited the Thayer Library to see the site in question. The Board met back at the Town Hall at 9:50. Selectman Gardner makes a motion to approve the previously requested $900 to finish work on the Thayer Library. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-1.
2nd Order of Business: Budgets LANDFILL PROPOSED BUDGET – Selectman Fraser makes a motion to revisit the Landfill Budget. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to change the Landfill Labor line to $27,538 and to reduce the Landfill budget to $303,919. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion. Motion carries 5-0. 3rd Order of Business: Any Other Business – The Chairman announced that the Wetlands Permit for the Wheelock Brook Bridge has been received, and now the Town may move forward with this project.
An Appointment paper for the Water/Wastewater Administrative Assistant has been submitted for signatures. All Board members signed the appointment paper.
The updated Emergency Operations Manual has been submitted for approval and signatures. All Board members signed the approval for the updated manual.
The LGC Health Insurance renewal has been submitted. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to authorize Joan Morel to sign this renewal. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 5-0. The Board takes a 10-minute recess.
4th Order of Business: Budgets LAND USE PROPOSED BUDGET - Margaret Sharra and Leroy Austin came before the Board to discuss their budgets. After some discussion, Chairman Tedford makes a motion to reduce the mileage line to $1. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion for discussion. Motion fails 3-2. Selectman Sepe makes a motion to change the mileage line to $1,850. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-1. Selectman Sepe makes a motion to change the salary lines to $30,132 for the Land Use Officer and $27,520 for the Land Use Assistant. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 5-0. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to change the training line to $1500 and for it to be changed to training/certification. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion. Motion carries 5-0. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to approve $69,352 for the Land Use budget. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 5-0.
POLICE PROPOSED BUDGET – Gary Phillips came before the Board to discuss his budget. After some discussion, Chairman Tedford makes a motion to change the Officer #5, Officer #6 and Officer #7 salary lines to $36,545. No member of the Board would second the motion. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to reduce the Gasoline and Oil line to $10,500. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-1. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to have Finance put current figures in the Officer salary lines. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion. Selectman Fraser leaves the meeting. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to keep the Police Chief; Officer #2, Officer #3 and Officer #4 salary lines the same as their current wages. Chairman Tedford withdraws his motion. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to increase the salary lines for Officers #5, #6, and #7 to $36,542. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to increase the Police Chief salary line to $53,388. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to increase the Officer #2 salary line to $47,704. Selectman Gardener seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to increase the salary lines for Officer #3 and Officer #4 to 41,048. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to increase the salary line for the Desk Officer to $25,819. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to add a new line to the budget for a fulltime Youth Aid Officer (Grant Officer), with $1 in that line. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0. Selectman Ruth makes a motion to increase the Part Time Officers salary line to $11,500. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion for discussion. Motion fails 2-2. Selectman Gardner makes a motion to reduce the Part Time Officers salary line to $10,000. Chairman Tedford seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to approve $12,378 for the Dog Officer line. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to reduce the Special Investigations line to $1000. No Board member would second the motion. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to reduce the Uniforms line to $4000. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1. After some discussion, Selectman Ruth makes a motion to reduce the Regional Prosecutor line to $41,465. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion for discussion. Motion fails 3-1. The Board takes a 10-minute recess. After a brief discussion, Selectman Gardner makes a motion to reduce the Regional Prosecutor line to $41,000. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1. Selectman Ruth makes a motion to approve $446,066 for the Police Department Budget after reducing the Overtime line to $9,500. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1. Selectman Ruth makes a motion to amend the Police Department budget to $445,366. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1.
5th Order of Business: Selectman Ruth makes a motion to adjourn. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion and it passes 4-0. The meeting adjourns at 1:24 PM.
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| MINUTES of the BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING Wednesday November 3, 2010 4th Order of Business: Other Business An Ambulance Purchase Requisition has been submitted in the amount of $14,613.70 to purchase a Power Pro Ambulance cot with a battery powered lift. Ken Smith came before the Board to explain the benefits of this purchase. This cot would help assist with obese and geriatric patients. The cot would be purchased direct from the manufacturer to save money, and being the only company that makes these there are no other quotes for this item. After a brief discussion, Selectman Fraser makes a motion to approve the purchase of the Power Pro cot from the manufacturer in the amount of $14,613.07. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
5th Order of Business: Budgets LAND USE PROPOSED BUDGET Chairman Tedford makes a motion to revisit the Land Use budget. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0. Chairman Tedford would like to increase the Land Use budget to $70,302. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
PERSONNEL ADMINSTRATION PROPOSED BUDGET After a brief discussion, Selectman Fraser makes a motion to approve $435,524 for the Personnel Administration budget. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 3-1.
6th Order of Business: Other Business Previously the Highway Department had received bids for Winter Sand. The Highway Superintendent made his recommendation for awarding the contract, but would like to take delivery later in the season. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to delay awarding the contract for 1 more week. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
Mark Tigan of the WEDC has made a request to meet with the Board during a work session to discuss their three current priorities.
A letter was received from an anonymous source regarding code violations and residents living year round in campers not located at approved campgrounds. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to order Leroy Austin to look into this matter forthwith. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
The Board discussed November the BOS meetings scheduled for this month. There are 2 holidays this month preceding two BOS meetings. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to hold their regular meetings only on November 10th and November 24th at 10 AM. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
6th Order of Business: Office Documents - Internal transfers for September and October for supplies and postage in the amounts of $183.65 and $211.27 have been submitted. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to approve these transfers. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
- A Police Special Funds Manifest for October in the amount of $863.28 has been submitted. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to authorize this manifest. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
- Avitar has submitted a request for the return of their Contract Performance Bond in the amount of $95,105. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to approve the request. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
- An Ambulance Special Funds Manifest was submitted in the amount of $659.57. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to authorize the manifest. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
- The MS-5 has been submitted for signatures. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to sign the audit. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. Motion carries 4-0.
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22 comments:
Can anyone say "shell game?" Interesting that Land Use Budget was revisited and increased....Are all of the increases that were passed included in our current budget, or are these costs above what was approved by the VOTERS?
Just who is in charge of the land Use Office? Margaret Sharra is listed as the assistant and also listed as the assistant to the ZBA.
Leroy Austin is listed as Code Enforcement Officer,John Gomarlo as Health Officer. So who the hell are we paying $30,132 to and why are these people getting raises when the economy is still as bad as it is?
I have never seen the minutes so vague. When they vote the increases it would be nice to know how much the increase is. I agree with the "shell game" statement.
What does Phillips have on Sepe? I thought she was better than them. A year ago she said she wanted to lower the taxes. Now she shows she's just like the rest of them. Too bad.
You reap what you sow folks. Gus Ruth was right " Know who you're voting for " , name recognition alone should not be how a candidate is judged or elected. Look at what it's gotten you.
I would imagine he has plenty on Sepe, but the word is that she is not the only one.
Would you be referring to the contraband found in her locker after she left? Or was that suppose to be tagged evidence? or was it the refusal to take a blood test after she rolled her cruiser or the fact that she did her own accident investigation? Lots of skeletons in that closet.
I have a concern blog. We witness Mr.Ruth being on his best behavior in a selectman's meeting. Yet,when there is another meeting regarding planning he acts like the back side of a donkey. So, my take on this is he needs to resign from the Board of Selectmen. I need to know that the person that represents the town will always exhibit his best behavior. So, okay Gus,when can we expect the resignation.
Thanks blog! I am waiting Gus!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps the Land Use Office is budgeting an increase due to litigation costs.
I wanted to make citizens aware of a lawsuit that the Town filed against us for a zoning code violation. We have been in Superior Court for over a year. During this period, the Selectmen refused to meet with us. The Town Attorney is claiming that zoning ordinance table of uses H-4 says that ESSENTIALLY, THERE IS NO OUTSIDE STORAGE ALLOWED IN WINCHESTER, EVEN BEHIND FENCING!
I am afraid that they will use our case for a benchmark against other citizens. Even a snowplow will not be allowed behind a fence. "Open lot" is being interpreted as outside storage.
New Zoning Codes that were presented in Court have additional language for code enforcement. The new Zoning Codes are not available on the town website. The source listed at the bottom of each page is Margaret's desktop.
To the poster above, please contact us;
WinchesterInformer@gmail.com
Sharra is responsible for these zoning changes, she seems to think she and she alone knows what's best for Winchester. Perhaps we should take the approximate $30,0000 plus out of her pay to reimburse the town for the suits that have been filed because of her "knowledge" Maybe we wouldn't need to be increasing the budget or worrying about the next lawsuit being filed. maybe what we really need is some responsible leadership. March is getting closer, time to get the word out and get some of these monkeys the hell out of town government. This blog should be required reading for all residents, it's the only place to find the real truth about Winchester and it's officials.
Leroy Austin is in charge of the Land Use Board but you would never know it. We're paying close to 60k in salary for 2 part timers is that a joke or what?
Let face it folks.......... I think I know this case and like any other case or issue in town if your educated opinion of a proposal or your business or your property impacts the will of the inner circle, you are labelled, taken to court, considered the rabble underground or ignored or not allowed to speak at hearings or have the mike taken away, etc etc. Whatever THEY want goes no matter what the consequences are for the citizens, the town's financial state, the environment or the integrity of this town in the eyes of others. I met a man this weekend who when I said I lived south of Keene ( ashamed to say Winchester these days) He asked if I meant Winchester and when I said yes, he said........... You mean "Dodge City"?????
Love it! Dodge City! Sounds better than Incester....
Is it possible that there is an income for "Health Officer" and "Code Enforcement Officer"? If so, you would need to increase that figure of what Leroy gets paid. On the same lines as John Gomarlo. $25,000 here...$25,000 there...another $25,000 over here? Ask someone on the Budget Committee - they should know.
You all should have seen the look on her face when Mr. Town called for a point of order and asked her, Gus Ruth and John p. to recuse themselves for their past statements, Ruth's deplorable conduct and Sharra's ommittance from her version of the written minutes of the zba board's meeting. I thought she was going to come across the desk after him. She denied anything like that actually happened though she was sitting right there not 5 feet away the night it happened. What liars they both are and then they changed their tune when Mr. Town gave the microphone to Mrs. Ryan who was sitting there listening all the time and she testified to exactly what Gus said and did. I found it amazing, even though he finally admitted to treating her badly that neither he nor Sharra apologized to her. Time for both of them to do the town a favor and save us some more court fees and resign immediately.
To the Blog,
We all need to stand up and thank Mr.Town for being brave enough to take on Maggie and Gus. He and Mr.Homan?(sp) have fought our battles for a few years. We have all sat back and said yep we'll get off out butts and vote and never did. Look where we are now! We let Bob Davis go down in a blaze of glory. So, I ask you who is going to be the heavy hitter on the budget committee? Trevor Croteau? You answer that.
Now, it's time for the whining to stop and some of us need to take a stand and recall the outlaws. Maybe then Winchester will not be referred to as "Dodge City".
The KING and QUEEN of arrogance.
Maybe the US Gov't should come here and round up these terrorist disguised as town officials, or perhaps the County Attorney should declare Marshall Law and let us take care of business. Don't know about the rest of you, but I preferred getting screwed in my bedroom and not at town hall.
Another 3 day work week coming up.
3 days, you've got to be kidding, take a drive through the town hall parking lot wed. afternoon.
I'll be checking the parking lot when I get out of work and if it's empty I'm going to be pissed. Getting paid for 40 hours[ my money] in 2and1/2 days is more than I can handle.
It's amazing, getting paid 40hrs for 3 days and cant even work a full 3 days, while the people paying for this worked Friday and saturday, and some on Sunday.
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