TOWN OF ALLENSTOWN

SELECTMEN’S OFFICE

16 SCHOOL STREET

ALLENSTOWN, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03275

SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING 8/26/2002

Benjamin E. Fontaine, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. Present were Benjamin Fontaine, Arthur Houle, Sandra McKenney, Selectmen; David Jodoin, Administrative Assistant; and Town citizens.

The appointment with Leo Fraser, State representative, was canceled by Mr. Fraser.

The Selectmen met with Ed Cyr, Town Clerk and Police Chief Jim McGonigle, to discuss Animal Control fees and where the income should go. There is approximately $3,800 in revenue from dog fees and fines and Mr. Cyr would like the money to stay in the General Fund as an offset to the Deputy Clerk’s payroll line. Chief McGonigle would like the income to go to the Animal control budget to offset the cost of the animal control budget.

The Selectmen will discuss and make a decision at their next public meeting, scheduled for September 9, 2002.

The Selectmen had a discussion with the Police and Fire Chief about the double-decker bridge. They looked at the drawings of Plan A and Plan B.

The Police Department prefers Plan A, 2 bridges, for safety reasons, as does the Fire Chief. The view line under Plan A is better as well as the passage underneath the bridge to Glass Street.

On motion of Arthur Houle, seconded by Sandra McKenney, the Selectmen voted to accept Plan A. Motion passed unanimously.

David will write a letter to the Department of Transportation informing them that the Town of Allenstown is going with Plan A.

The Selectmen signed the lease agreement for the new garbage truck which has been delivered.

On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, the Selectmen will order 6 canes, which are replicas of the Boston Post cane to give to the oldest citizen in the Town. Armand Verville will make the canes for$100. Motion passed unanimously.

The Selectmen inquired about the generator in the police parking lot and when will it be moved? David Jodoin made some calls and it is a minimum of 4 hours at a cost of between $500-$650.00 On motion of Arthur Houle, seconded by Sandra McKenney, David will secure bids of $650 or less to move the generator to its proper place. Motion passed unanimously.

The Selectmen discussed the web page. The Selectmen would like the control of the web page to be in the Administrative Assistant’s hands at the Town Hall.

David would like to know if he could purchase the front page software.

The Selectmen discussed the Personnel Handbook going through Chapter by Chapter and discussing areas that need to be changed. Once the Selectmen have made their changes, the booklets will go to the Department Heads for comments. The handbook will then go back to the Selectmen, then to Attorney Bedard for review. Once finalized by legal counsel, the Selectmen will adopt. Items discussed were former employees, exempt and non-exempt employees, permanent part-time employees, probationary period, employment reference check, vacations, accumulation of days off, comp time and lunch breaks.

Mr. Hoeft from the American Legion called to invite the selectmen to a commemoration at Memorial field on September 11th. Chairman Fontaine will address the audience.

On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, the minutes of 8/12/02 were accepted as amended. Paragraph #3 states Selectman Houle will contact the departments. It should read David Jodoin will contact the departments. Page 2, paragraph #1, should read that the resident on Ferry Street would be willing to help to pay for the cost. Motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Houle discussed the possibility of a 4-way stop sign for Letendre Avenue, Lincoln Street and Granite Street. Once Granite Street is completed of all repairs, paved and graded, the Selectmen will discuss the issue with Jim Boisvert, Chief McGonigle and Chief Dionne.

The Selectmen discussed the Town Hall janitor’s position. Arthur Houle knows someone who would be interested in the position, including mowing lawns at the Recreation Center, Town Hall, and Library. The present custodian, Jim Rodger, is getting busy with his personal work schedule and is suggesting that the Town look at hiring someone else for janitorial. Selectman Houle will check with the new person and report back to the Selectmen.

Sandra McKenney made a motion, seconded by Arthur Houle, to accept the minutes of the August 19th Selectmen’s meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Two bids were presented for the Highway spill prevention control plan. A bid from SEA was $4,900. A bid from Burd Engineering was $3,950. On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Benjamin Fontaine, the bid for the Highway spill prevention control plan of $3,950 from Burd Engineering was accepted. Motion passed unanimously.

The Selectmen discussed purchase orders with Fire Chief Dionne.

The Selectmen will donate $25 to the Cancer society in memory of Donna Meadows’ brother, Walter Gelinas, Jr. who passed away recently.

On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, to go into non-public meeting at 10:00 PM, motion passed. Voice vote, Benjamin Fontaine, yes; Arthur Houle, yes; Sandra McKenney, yes. Motion passed unanimously.

On motion of Arthur Houle, seconded by Sandra McKenney, meeting adjourned at 10:37 PM. Motion passed unanimously.

APPROVED:

BENJAMIN E. FONTAINE, JR. CHAIRMAN

ARTHUR G. HOULE, SELECTMAN

SANDRA A. MCKENNEY, SELECTPERSON