TOWN OF ALLENSTOWN
SELECTMEN'S OFFICE
16 SCHOOL STREET
ALLENSTOWN, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03275
SELECTMEN'S PUBLIC MEETING 10/27/03
Sandra A. McKenney, Chairperson for the Allenstown Board of Selectmen, opened the meeting at 6:30 PM on October 27, 2003. Present at the meeting was Sandra McKenney, Arthur Houle, and Ben Fontaine, Selectmen; David Jodoin, Administrative Assistant; Cheryl Thayer, Jim McGonigle, Jim Rodger, Vicki Kneeland, Don Peloquin, Sue Beauchesne, George Dewitz, Jennifer Morin, Everett Chaput III, and Jim Boisvert.
The Selectmen opened the bids for the Communication equipment for the Fire and Highway Departments. The two bidders were Ossipee and Wright Communications of Pembroke. The bids will be taken under consideration by the Fire Department committee who will report back to the Selectmen.
Chief McGonigle introduced new people in his department: Michael Heiner will be a Police Officer and Christine Kelly-Rose will be the new part-time evening secretary. The Chief also introduced Joseph Lister who has been with us as a police officer for about six months.
Mr. Dewitz inquired when the tax bills were coming out. He also inquired about the abatement process. The bills will come out around the 2nd week in November and abatement forms will be available after the tax bills come out.
Sue Beauchesne inquired about the leash law in Town. She likes to walk or ride her bike and a black Lab was loose and attacked her last week. Also, someone has been parking on her property. Chief McGonigle said he will follow up on these issues.
The Selectmen held the Department Head meeting. Chairperson McKenney thanked all the Department Heads who participated in the success of the Bewitched Forest. She also mentioned that Mike Tardiff will be leaving CNHRPC but will work part-time and will assist in the Capital Improvement Plan. Sue Beauchesne volunteered to be on the committee.
Chairperson McKenney stated that a letter was received from Lorette Girard of Christmas in the Village and invited the Selectmen to march in the parade. It will be held December 7th.
The Selectmen inquired how the Dump Ordinance was working out and Jimmy said it was working fine. He also mentioned that we will be issuing new dump stickers in November. The red stickers will not be valid after December 31st.
Selectman Fontaine mentioned that he had 3 phone calls last week from people complaining about the trash being put out on Sunday evening and being all over the place on Monday for Tuesday pick-up. Jim mentioned he has orange tags and he can use those to warn people and make comments.
Vacations can be carried over only for one week. Fire Chief Chaput recommended setting up an account that could be used as a pool to earn bonus days.
Chairperson McKenney asked Vicki Kneeland if there was a party at school for Halloween. No, there will be a dance in the evening.
Chairperson McKenney asked the Fire Chief if the ambulance committee meeting was set yet and he said not yet.
Cheryl Thayer from the Zoning Board mentioned that she had someone interested in being an alternate on the Zoning Board. She will call David before Friday if she can meet with the Selectmen on Monday to be interviewed.
Vicki Kneeland, a Library Trustee, informed the group that there is a leak at the library and the water is coming in and damaging the bottom floor. The beam is rotted. 4 x 4 metal pieces and 2 x 4s can be purchased at Home Depot as a temporary solution.
Jennifer Morin, from the Budget Committee, mentioned that several of the Town budgets have been reviewed so far. The Fire Department budget will be discussed at the Fire Station on Thursday, October 30 at 6:30.
David mentioned that the Selectmen are meeting with the Department of Revenue Administration on Thursday morning at 8:30 am to set the tax rate.
Jim Rodger from the Sewer Commission stated that they are meeting with the Sewer Commission from Pembroke. They are working on the budget and it should be level funded or lower than last year.
Fire Chief Chaput asked if the Sewer bills were going down, now that the Canal Street project is done. Jim Rodger mentioned that the rates had already dropped.
Fire Chief Chaput mentioned that a packet of grant applications came in from the State and is due on Friday, but no one has the time to complete the application unless an extension is granted. Selectman Fontaine will do follow up on this.
There will be no Department Head meeting in November. The next meeting will be on December 15th, AT 7:00 PM.
The Selectmen discussed one item on the Recreation budget. They wanted to know what would be covered under Maintenance Person for $4,600. Jim explained it would be janitorial, shoveling, repairs, mowing the lawn, etc. It would be 8 hours a week @ $10 an hour.
On motion of Ben Fontaine, seconded by Arthur Houle, to accept $2,800 for a Maintenance Person at the Park, the motion passed.
Fire Chief Chaput mentioned that Eric Lambert, a firefighter in Allenstown, and a firefighter in Hudson, received a plaque for saving a child trapped in a well in udson Hudson udHHand was wondering if Allenstown could honor him also.
Chappy had a purchase order to be signed for gear replacement. The present gear for Ron Adinolfo is in very poor condition. The Selectmen signed the order.
Chappy also mentioned that in 2001 they had a grant for $7,000 and they were recently notified that there is still money available in that grant. The Chief would like to buy a water pump for the Forestry budget. The Town's share will be $2,860.40.
Chappy also mentioned that he received a letter from Gregory Martin's estate. It was addressed to Al Dionne, and will be turned over to the Town Attorney.
Fire Chief Chaput went over some of the cuts the Selectmen made stating that he thought the Vehicle Maintenance line should be $19,680 instead of $8,500. Selectman Fontaine stated that the budget was approved by the Selectmen last week, and will remain as is. The budget is going to the Budget Committee on Thursday.
A motion was made by Benjamin Fontaine, seconded by Arthur Houle, that no one is going to Florida to sign off on the new truck. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Benjamin Fontaine, seconded by Arthur Houle to go into non-public meeting according to RSA 91-A 3, II (c) for a personnel matter.
Roll Call vote: Arthur Houle, yes; Benjamin Fontaine, yes; Sandra McKenney, yes.
The public meeting resumed at 9:45 PM.
A motion was made by Arthur Houle, seconded by Benjamin Fontaine, to accept the minutes of the 10/20/03 Selectmen's meeting. Motion passed.
Selectman Houle stated that the Elderly Exemptions should be reviewed and done over every 3 or 4 years to insure that people still qualify. It has been quite awhile since they have been reviewed. A warrant article has to be presented in order to vote on a higher option for Income, and Assets.
Carol Martel of the Historical Society informed David that the Meeting House will soon become the Town's. There is information in the folder that the Selectmen should review.
Chairperson McKenney asked about the Welfare and Tax Collector positions.
Diane Demers would like to do 30 hours as Tax Collector and 10 Hours as Deputy Town Clerk.
Donna Barnett from the Police Department is interested in the welfare position.
The Town will advertise for the Welfare position for 10 hours a week.
There was a complaint about Chester Turnpike and people dumping on Town property which has Bars and Gates. Jim Boisvert will have a sign made saying No Dumping--violators will be prosecuted.
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 PM
SANDRA M. MCKENNEY, CHAIRPERSON
BENJAMIN E. FONTAINE, JR., SELECTMAN
ARTHUR G. HOULE, SELECTMAN