DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2005

TOWN OFFICES – 7:00 P.M.

The regularly scheduled weekly meeting of the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen was held at the above time, date and place with Chairman J. R. Swindlehurst presiding. It was noted that the meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. The following were present:

J. R. Swindlehurst, Chairman

Charles (Chuck) Graybill

Mert Mann

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

The Selectmen signed checks prior to the Public Meeting was called to order.

7:05 p.m. – LARRY COOK, CONSERVATION COMMISSION

MOTION:

Charles (Chuck) Graybill made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen go into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 at 7:05 p.m. to discuss legal and welfare issues. The motion was seconded by Mert Mann. The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:

Graybill – Yes

Mann – Yes

Swindlehurst – Yes

The legal discussion was relative to future purchases of land by the Conservation Commission.

Welfare issues were discussed in general.

NO MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING THE NON PUBLIC SESSION.

MOTION:

Charles (Chuck) Graybill made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen adjourn the non-public session at 8:15 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3. The motion was seconded by Mert Mann. The motion passed unanimously with the following vote:

Mann – Yes

Swindlehurst – Yes

Graybill – Yes

8:15 p.m. – BUDGET REVIEW – PATRICK BOWNE, SOLID WASTE

Patrick Bowne, Transfer Station, appeared before the Board of Selectmen to discuss the 2005 Dunbarton Transfer Station Budget. He presented a revised sheet as attached.

He noted the following changes to his budget from the previous year:

1. Increased part time total amount to give part timers a raise.

Chuck Graybill noted the increase was approximately from $26,000 the previous year to $34,000 for year 2005 for part-time.

2. Increased baling expense.

3. Cut Office Expenses from $1,000 to $500.

4. Included $2,500 for Hazardous Waste Day. Will be meeting with Bow to determine actual cost.

Chuck Graybill indicated this is a safety issue and needs to be done.

5. Telephone is up $100 from last year.

6. Incineration costs went up.

7. C & D Removal is the same.

8. Lease payment on Roll Off Truck the same.

9. Equipment maintenance cut from last year.

10. Recycling Costs - Glass is up slightly from last year.

11. Fuel Costs – Cost of fuel is up. Kept records of all the fuel used this year. He stated he gets fuel at the Highway Garage.

Propane fork lift is down. Propane tanks will be used for the burn pile.

12. Fees and services.

Selectmen recommended that uniform costs should be separated out as a separate item in the budget and not part of fees and services.

13. Finish Dirt Work (crush gravel) - P. Bowne stated that this could be whatever the Board of Selectmen want to do with it. Doesn’t know how much it will cost. Need to get rid of the dirt piles. Called Henniker Crushing Company and it is $4.50/yard to crush the gravel. We need more gravel by the boxes. Will have to do a little bit of site work.

Selectmen stated they would like to see this expense on the Town side of the budget.

Chuck Graybill suggested putting in $2,000 for site work.

14. Total budget is down from $193,083 of last year.

BUDGET REVIEW: TERRY JELLEY, CEMETERY TRUSTEES

Terry Jelley, Cemetery Trustee, presented the 2005 Cemetery Budget. (attached) He noted the following:

1. The total budget is down from $14,380 in 2004 to $13,300 for 2005.

2. $4,500 for Cemetery Improvements for extending the Cemetery is proposed.

3. Eagle Scout Project has helped considerably. Have done an excellent job with fence painting. Would like to have the same person who did the painting continue this year. This is saving us a lot of money.

4. No brush hogging has been done this year so have dropped the cost to $100.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator:

1. David Foster – Has noted there is arsenic in the school water. Wondered if the Town Offices had been tested. He will test the Town Office if desired.

Selectmen agreed to allow for testing of Town Office water for arsenic.

Patrick (Woody) Bowne:

1. Stated he no longer has time to maintain the snowblower at the school which the town owns. Presently, it comes out of the Road Agent’s budget. He stated it is all set for this winter but will have to do something else next winter.

Members of the Public:

Lori Davis stated the following:

1. Stated that according to law, minutes and notes are allowed to be reviewed after each meeting along with anything else so that the public knows what is going on. The minutes are supposed to be open and available within 72 hours. Minutes are supposed to be posted on the Dunbarton web site. Each Committee, Board, etc. is supposed to supply the minutes and the Town is supposed to put them in a book. I would like to know why the only minutes on the web site are the Planning Board, Zoning Board and Ethics Committee. Why aren’t the Selectmen minutes on the web page? Stated the last ones on there are in November.

Selectmen informed Ms. Davis that anyone can come into the Town Office and ask for any Committee’s minutes. Any documents can be reviewed at the Town Office during office hours.

2. Regarding the issue with John Herlihy and the Zoning Board, at the meeting I heard you discuss the matter. I understand you are referring it to the Ethics Committee. There is supposed to be something in writing in order to refer something to the Ethics Committee. Gary Chicoine has not been present at any Selectmen’s meeting. This is illegal and unethical. You must have a written complaint to the Town. I would like to see the written complaint.

J. R. Swindlehurst read the motion that was made at the last Selectmen’s Meeting referring the matter to the Ethics Committee as follows:

MOTION:

Mert Mann made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen refer a complaint by

Gary Chicoine relative to unfair treatment and defamatory remarks made by John

Herlihy at the December 13, 2004 Dunbarton Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting to the

Dunbarton Ethics Committee. Charles Graybill seconded the motion. The motion passed

unanimously.

3. You have a written agenda for when people can visit the Board of Selectmen. I have attempted yesterday to see the Board of Selectmen this evening and was told the schedule was full. Last week, Fred Dion showed up with no appointment. This week you had Gary Chicoine on the agenda. Margaret Venator was worked into the schedule.

Selectmen noted that she was told she could come in this evening.

Chuck Graybill stated that Ms. Davis has been given equal opportunity and time before the Board of Selectmen.

Mert Mann stated that you (Ms. Davis) have never been denied anything.

4. Asked why there were two fork lifts at the Transfer Station.

Selectmen stated that one fork lift was a rental because one was being repaired. The rental fork lift was there wile the big one was being repaired.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 p.m. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Alison R. Vallieres

Recording Secretary

________________________________________

J. R. Swindlehurst, Chairman, Board of Selectmen

_______________________________________

Charles (Chuck) Graybill, Selectman

_______________________________________

Mert Mann, Selectman