TOWN OF ALLENSTOWN

SELECTMEN'S OFFICE

16 SCHOOL STREET

ALLENSTOWN, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03275

SELECTMEN'S MEETING 10/21/2002

Benjamin E. Fontaine, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, opened the meeting at 6:54 PM. Present were Chairman Fontaine, Arthur G. Houle, Sandra A. McKenney, Selectmen; and David M. Jodoin, Administrative Assistant.

Also present were Karen Gendreau, James Rodger, Mona McCready, Carol Merrill, citizens of the Town.

The Selectmen met with Police Chief McGonigle, and Sgt. Mulholland to discuss the Whitten Street Park and Recreation Center. Chief McGonigle discussed the possibility of the Boys and Girls club running the Center under the Police Department's supervision. After some discussion, Selectperson McKenney asked if the Recreation Commission was aware of this situation and Jim Rodger, a Commissioner who was at the meeting, answered that the issue was supposed to be discussed on October 28th. Sgt. Mulholland answered that it could be a shared responsibility.

Chairman Fontaine asked if there was a proposal ready and Sgt. Mulholland answered that additional information was needed. Chairman Fontaine proposed that the matter be tabled until Shaun comes back with more information.

The Selectmen met with Patti Gardner, who would like to be a commissioner for the Recreation Department. After a question and answer period, Selectman Houle made a motion, seconded by Selectperson McKenney, to appoint Patti Gardner as a commissioner for the Recreation Department. Motion passed.

The Selectmen will sign her appointment and the Town Clerk will swear her in.

The Selectmen met with Chris Wasczuk from the Department of Transportation to discuss the double decker bridge. Many people from Allenstown and Pembroke were at the meeting. Several public meetings were held to reach a consensus of both communities. Alternatives A and B were already discussed and Alternative C was presented, which is a combination of A and B. The local connection is important and Alternate C is a better aspect of both A and B. Plan C involves the acquisition of 2 properties in Pembroke. Alternative C will improve safety and sighting issues in Allenstown. There will be another public hearing regarding the bridge and property owners will be invited to attend. The new bridge will look like the old one but it will be wider. The estimated time is 2006 and the projected cost is around 7 (seven) million dollars.

The Selectmen met with David Jodoin, to discuss the General Government Building budget.

The custodian's salary for 52 weeks a year will be $5,265.00. The bottom line will be $23,265.00. On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, the motion for the bottom line of $23,265.00 passed unanimously.

The Selectmen met with Donna Meadows, to discuss her budgets.

The Tax Collector's salary was discussed. Donna asked for $2.50 an hour more beginning in January and 2.5% increase starting in July. After discussion, a motion was made by Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, to give the Tax collector $1.50 beginning in January and a 2.5% increase starting in July. Motion passed unanimously. On motion of Arthur Houle, seconded by Sandra McKenney, the bottom line of the Tax Collector's budget will be $27,018.00. Motion passed unanimously.

The Selectmen discussed the Welfare budget with Donna Meadows, Welfare officer. The salary will be a 2.5% increase. On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, the welfare budget of $51,416.00 passed unanimously.

The Selectmen met with Donna Meadows, Health Officer, to discuss the Health Department budget. The salary will stay the same. On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, the Health Department's budget of $1,921.00 passed unanimously.

David Jodoin discussed the Treasurer's budget. There will be an increase of 2.5% for the salary, which will be $2,906.00. On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, the Treasurer's budget of $3,206.00 passed unanimously.

The Assessing budget will be discussed next week, so that the Selectmen will have an opportunity to meet with the Assessing Clerk, to discuss some issues.

On motion of Arthur Houle, seconded by Sandra McKenney, the Central NH Regional Planning budget of $4,687.00 was accepted unanimously.

On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, the Conservation budget of $503.00 was accepted unanimously.

The Selectmen discussed the Executive budget with David Jodoin.

On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, the Selectmen's salaries of $5,400 will remain the same. Passed unanimously.

On motion of Arthur Houle, seconded by Sandra McKenney, the Administrative Assistant's salary of $58,417.00 was accepted unanimously.

The Administative Secretary's salary was discussed. After discussion, the Selectmen agreed to a .50 cents raise starting in January and a 2.5% increase starting in July. On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, the Administrative Secretary's salary of $15,834.00 was accepted unanimously.

On motion of Arthur Houle, seconded by Sandra McKenney, the Executive budget of $113,801.00 was accepted unanimously.

The Selectmen discussed having NHMA do a salary survey for $3,600.00. On motion of Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, to amend the budget of $113,801.00 to include the survey amount of $3,600 for a total of $117,401.00, the motion passed unanimously.

Next week, the Selectmen will meet for budgets with the Building Inspector, the Library Trustees, the Highway Department, the Town Clerk, Capital Outlay and Capital Reserve Funds.

Chairman Fontaine signed the Health Insurance agreement with NHMA. The increase will be 5% next year.

The new tax rate is $24.06 per thousand as set by the State of NH.

The Selectmen signed the Bow Dispatch service contract for $18,000.00

Other issues discussed were vandalism at the Town garage, a tax deed on Chester Turnpike, the problems to be worked on from the survey, River Road numbers changed, the Building Inspector going to Court for Joseph Albair, questions and answers from Richard Lemay, and housing for the Elderly.

A motion was made by Sandra McKenney, seconded by Arthur Houle, to adjourn at 10:47 PM. Motion passed unanimously.

APPROVED:

BENJAMIN E. FONTAINE, JR. CHAIRMAN

ARTHUR G. HOULE, SELECTMAN

SANDRA A. MCKENNEY, SELECTPERSON