TOWN OF ALLENSTOWN
SELECTMEN'S OFFICE
16 SCHOOL STREET
ALLENSTOWN, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03275
Public Meeting Minutes 3/22/2004
Arthur G. Houle, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. Present at the meeting were Arthur G. Houle, Sandra A. McKenney, and Peter A. Viar; Selectmen; David M. Jodoin, Administrative Assistant. Also present were Everett Chaput III, Robert Martin, Bob Lee, and Eric Moskowitz.
The Selectmen met with the Fire Chief, Everett Chaput, to finalize the Fire Department default budget. Discussed were Emergency Management, General Maintenance, Vehicle Maintenance, Capital Reserve Funds, Hazmat Capital Reserve Fund, Cistern, Master Plan, Town Ordinances, June-September coverage, and raises. A detailed copy of the Fire Budget is attached.
A motion was made by Peter Viar, seconded by Sandra McKenney, to accept the bottom line of the Fire Department budget of $238,483.00. Motion passed 2 yes, 1 no. Peter commended Chappy for coming in with a manageable budget.
The Fire Chief mentioned that a grant is being worked on for Fire Trucks, which is due April 1st. The Board signed the proper authorization form.
Chairman Houle stated that the quitclaim deed to the Meeting House has been received and the Meeting House is now part of the Town. Parcel 1 is the Old Allenstown Meeting House and Parcel 2 is the burying ground.
The Meeting House needs repairs and the Historical Society will have fundraisers for the repairs.
Chairman Houle would like to have some Selectmen's meetings at the Meeting House during the summer, if possible.
A letter was received from Select Person Institute announcing a weeklong class beginning April 7th. There is a $100 fee for the course.
The Selectmen met with the Building Inspector, Monica Nann-Smith, to discuss the default budget for the Building Department and Code Enforcement Officer.
Monica feels that she needs full-time hours, increasing from 30 to 40 hours because of the workload consisting of zoning violations, electrical violations, illegal dumping, merging issues, non-conforming issues, several junkyards, new use permits, Zoning Board issues, abutters' lists, documents, and incoming subdivisions.
The Selectmen met with Marcella Hinkell, the Welfare Officer, to discuss the welfare default budget. Marcella has been working 25-30 hours a week, to catch up on issues. There has not been too much spending on medical, rent, and heat as Marcella is providing the clients with services from the Town as well as the State agencies.
The Selectmen discussed both positions. A motion was made by Peter Viar, to give the Building Inspector 40 hours of work. There was no second to the motion. A motion was made by Sandra McKenney to give 30 hours to the Building Inspector, 30 hours to the Welfare Officer and remove $9,500 from the Police Department budget and eliminate the funding for the evening part-time Secretary. Arthur Houle seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Sandra McKenney, yes; Arthur Houle, yes; Peter Viar, no. Motion passed. Peter stated that he felt the Board made a bad decision that would come back to haunt them by not increasing the building hours considering the current workload.
The Selectmen discussed the Recreation budget, stating that the Boys and Girls Club will be paid by the Town, $6,000 for a summer recreation program.
A motion was made by Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, to accept the default budget bottom line of $2,915,811.00. Motion passed with 2 yes votes, and 1 no vote, copy attached.
David reported that Jim Boisvert and a State Inspector took a landfill walk last week. The State will be forwarding the Town information on our next steps. It will cost approximately $50-60,000, which will be taken out of the Landfill Capital Reserve Fund, if need be.
The Recreation Center received a letter from the Fire Department listing violations that need to be corrected.
A motion was made by Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, to accept the minutes of the public meeting of 3/15/2004. A motion was made by Arthur Houle, to amend the minutes: 4th paragraph from the end, to read, It will be monitored by the Health officer, not the State, and once the site is clean, a letter will be sent to the Town. Motion seconded by Sandra McKenney Motion passed.
Selectperson McKenney reminded Selectman Viar, that Tri-Town Ambulance Committee meets the 1st of each month on Sunday, at 7 PM. The Allenstown Ambulance Committee meets this month on Wednesday, the 24th.
A motion was made by Sandra McKenney seconded by Peter Viar, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
ARTHUR G. HOULE, CHAIRMAN
SANDRA A. MCKENNEY, SELECTPERSON
PETER A. VIAR, SELECTMAN