DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2003

TOWN OFFICES – 7:00 PM

 

The regular weekly session of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen was held at the above time, date and place with Chairman Charles Graybill presiding.  The following were present:

 

                Charles Graybill, Chairman

                J. R. Swindlehurst

                Steve Kennedy

                Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

                Kenneth Swayze, Admin., Planning and Zoning Department

 

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator:

 

1.        Received communication from Concord Regional Solid Waste/Resource Recovery Cooperative requesting an update for the Joint Board Representative and Alternate to the Cooperative.  (Currently Representative is John Swindlehurst II and term expires on November 30, 2003. 

 

MOTION:

 

Charles Graybill made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen reappoint John Swindlehurst II as Representative to the Concord Regional Solid Waste/Resource Recovery Cooperative for the upcoming term of November 30, 2003 – November 30, 2004.  Steve Kennedy seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

MOTION:

 

Steve Kennedy made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen appoint Patrick (Woody) Bowne as Alternate to the Concord Regional Solid Waste/Resource Recovery Cooperative for the upcoming term of November 30, 2003 – November 30, 2004.  Charles Graybill seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

               

2.        Reported that the Regional Visiting Nurses have requested $1,576 for the year 2004. (Services have amounted to $2,647 but are only submitting invoice for $1,576.)

 

MOTION:

 

Steve Kennedy made a motion that the Town Administrator cut a check for $1,576 payable to the Visiting Nurses and inform them we have renewed for the year 2004.   J. R. Swindlehurst seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

3.        Jean Sherman, Boy Scouts Leader, has requested the Boy Scouts be able to utilize the Common and the room at the end of the Town Offices to conduct their Food drop off on November 15, 2003 between 8 – 12 noon.

 

In addition, the Boy Scouts have requested the use of the Town Common for their Annual Christmas Tree Sale on December 6, 2003. 

 

Selectmen agreed that the Boy Scouts be allowed to utilize both the Town Common and the Town Offices for their Food drop off on November 15, 2003 and the Town Common on December 6, 2003 for their Annual Christmas Tree Sale. 

 

4.        Selectmen signed letter to auditors re comments on the 2002 audit.

 

5.        Received letter from auditors re commitment  to do 2003 audit but price has almost doubled.  Went from $4,600 now to estimated $7,740. 

 

Selectmen will speak with Norm Roberge re estimate for auditing.

 

Ron Slocum:  Statement regarding Thursday night meeting of 10/16/03:

 

1.        Apologized to the Board of Selectmen and to Patrick Bowne for his inappropriate judgment at the October 16, 2003 meeting of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen.  (Statement attached)

 

2.        Stated that people may or may not agree on certain subjects etc.  (Statement attached)

 

3.        With respect to the minutes of the October 16, 2003 meeting, he would like to amend them as follows: 

 

on page 5, third paragraph from the bottom should read as follows:” 

 

Ron Slocum asked if Woody could do work for any other department within the Town and how was determination made about priorities while working for other departments?   ( To replace, “ how is he paid if he works for another Department such as the Highway Department?” )

 

4.        Requested the Selectmen to conduct a Forum to discuss concerns about the Transfer Station.  Concerned about outstanding tasks, funds, and perceptions and things that need to be done.  Stated this had nothing to do with Woody. 

 

P. Bowne (Woody) will prepare comments on each item on the list of projects outstanding, etc.  Will have it together in two weeks for November 13 Selectmen’s Meeting because Ron Slocum is unable to attend next week’s meeting. 

 

Margaret Venator, Welfare Director:

 

MOTION:

 

Steve Kenneth made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3  for the purpose of discussing welfare issues.  J. R.  Swindlehurst seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously with a roll call vote as follows:

 

                Graybill – Yes

                Swindlehurst – Yes

                Kennedy – Yes

 

There were no decisions or motions made at the Non-Public Session. 

 

MOTION:

 

Charles Graybill made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen adjourn the Non-Public Session at 8:15 p.m. under RSA 91-A:3 for the purpose of discussing welfare issues and reconvene the regular session of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen.  Steve Kennedy seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously with a roll call vote as follows:

 

                Graybill – Yes

                Swindlehurst – Yes

                Kennedy – Yes

 

Linda Morse:  To read a letter into the minutes regarding Recreation Commission and Boys Basketball: 

 

Linda Morse read a letter to the Board of Selectmen and asked that it be included in the minutes of the meeting.  (attached)  She stated 25 people had signed this letter.   Stated there were 12 boys who were not going to be playing basketball if they had Vicki Kelly as their coach.  Cited many problems, etc. 

 

Asked the Board of Selectmen to intervene with the Recreation Commission to try to resolve this problem.

 

Larry Beauregard stated there had been racial slurs to both he and his son by the coach.  He stated he was here for his son and the way his son has been treated because of the color of his skin.  How people are treating me is wrong but how they treat my 12 year old son is what I am concerned about.  It is not important that no one likes me.  I know racism.  It is here and alive.  It doesn’t matter.  This has to be dealt with.  These coaches are all volunteers and not paid.  I have never received any money.  I am old enough to know racism but I know that things go on.  Just want to live and I have a right to protect my son.  My son has been singled out. 

 

Jacques Belanger, Chairman, Recreation Committee and Bill Brennan:

 

Jacques Belanger stated that he had not realized there was a problem until last week.  Stated there were five people in charge of the Basketball Program:

 

                Karen Lessard

                Jean Leo

                Vickie Kelly

                Michaller Blanchette

                Bill Brennan

 

Noted there was a personality problem with the Coaches and Referees.  Coaches and referees are chosen by seniority. 

 

At this point in the discussion, Steve Kennedy asked that the Board of Selectmen listen to the kids and not the adults to determine the problems.

 

Boys stated problems with the Coach (Vicki Kelly) when playing by her being negative and never giving positive feedback.  Calling unusual amount of fouls on certain boys, etc.  Picking on individuals. 

 

Christopher Ives – Stated they needed a good role model and a fair referee and coach.  Presented a written letter to the Selectmen.  (attached) 

 

Suggested that they need a Code of Conduct to be set up. 

 

The Dunbarton Board of Selectmen agreed that an Emergency Meeting of the Recreation Committee would be held on Monday, November 3, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Offices to resolve the problems.  Public Notice will be posted. 

 

Tom Gleason:  Regarding Ken Swayze and the problem with the septic system:

 

1.        Stated he understood a file was sent to the Town Attorney regarding him.  Wanted a copy of the file which was sent.   Also wanted to know how much legal expense had been incurred for this issue.

 

Selectmen informed Mr. Gleason they needed to get to the bottom of the issue.  They hear from both parties,  Mr. Gleason and Karen Meehan, and the Selectmen need to make sure they make a fair legal decision.  This is why Town Counsel was contacted. 

 

2.        Asked about the Septic System inspection.  The Septic Report has not been forwarded to the Town from the State as yet.  As soon as it is, both Mr. Gleason and Karen Meehan will receive a copy of it.

 

3.        Ken Swayze stated that Mr. Gleason has been given the paperwork to file for a Home Occupation.  C. Graybill noted that Mr. Gleason had been cleaning up the area and he wanted to commend him for that.  

 

PUBLIC INPUT:

 

NONE

 

Other Business:

 

                Norman Roberge, Auditing:

 

The Selectmen asked Mr. Roberge if he would submit a rate schedule for his services for the Town for budget purposes.

 

Patrick Bowne, Transfer Station

 

1.        Checked into the cost of having Dunbarton having their own Hazardous Waste Day and the cost is between $8,000 - $10,000.  A grant might be available but would only be for $500.

 

Based on the above, Charles Graybill suggested the Town of Dunbarton continue working with Bow.

In addition, P. Bowne will check with Weare.

 

2.        Upcoming Holidays

 

Patrick Bowne stated that both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on a Wednesday.  He will open the Transfer Station on the Tuesday prior to the Wednesday before the holiday.  He will prepare a notice to be put up at the Transfer Station, etc.

 

3.        Stated he was looking into the cost of a fork lift.  Will be between $8,000 - $10,000 for a 1997/98

       model.  Board asked him to consider replacing it with a Bobcat which might work better. 

 

Selectmen asked that P. Bowne come in with estimated costs and long term estimated costs for the meeting in two weeks re the Transfer Station, etc. 

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

 

                                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                Alison R. Vallieres

                                                                                                                                Recording Secretary

 

 

______________________________________

Charles Graybill, Chairman

 

 

______________________________________ 

John R. Swindlehurst, III

 

 

______________________________________

Stephen Kennedy

Dunbarton Board of Selectmen