February 13, 2017 | Town Admin TOWN OF SUTTON Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall 93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH 03221 Board of Selectman Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2017 The meeting was called to order at 4:00 by Walter Baker, Jr., Chair. Present at the meeting was Walter Baker, Jr., Chair. Robert Wright, Jr., Selectman, William Curless, Selectman, Cory Cochran, Fire Chief; Kevin Rowe, Deputy Fire Chief, Diego Solimine, Solid Waste Facility and Elly Phillips, Recording Secretary. APPOINTMENTS: At 4:40 p.m. Selectman Baker made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) matters which if discussed in public would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of this board unless such a person requests and open meeting. Selectman Wright seconded the motion. The Roll was called with Selectman Baker, Selectman Wright and Selectman Curless voting in the affirmative. Public Session resumed at 5:11 p.m. Selectman Baker made a motion to seal the minutes as it was determined that divulgence of this information would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of this board. Selectman Curless seconded the motion which passed by a unanimous affirmative vote. Deputy Chief Rowe reported that calls were down on I-89 and that he felt the sign boards were helping people be cognizant of their speeds and also there have been plenty of warnings prior to the storm events. Chief Cochran noted that there had been an increase in accidents in town this year than last year. Diego Solimine met with the Board to discuss staffing at the Solid Waste Facility. The Board discussed a transition in staffing in that Mr. Solimine will be assuming duties as Solid Waste Supervisor effective February 18, 2017. Selectman Wright made a motion to compensate Mr. Solimine at a rate of $19.00 per hour upon successful completion of a six-month probationary period beginning on February 18, 2017. Selectman Baker seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0. Ed Herrmann will be covering the “third man” position in the Spring and the Selectmen offered to help with coverage in the event someone was out or on vacation in the event that Mr. Godkin isn’t available to cover shifts. There was also a discussion regarding the Warrant Article for the cardboard compactor. The minutes from February 6, 2017 were approved as written. The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests: PAYROLL MANIFEST: $13,745.81 VENDOR MANIFEST: $29,641.96 INTENT TO CUTS: The Board approved a building permit for Tim Sliter, Map 10-505-340, Summit Hill Road, for 10 acres out of 15. NEW BUSINESS: The Board reviewed a Volunteer Brochure Developed by Linda Ford, Certified Town Clerk/Tax Collector and reviewed the brochure for distribution. The Board reviewed the January 2017 budget report. The Board issued a Timber Tax in the amount of $1,221.70 as follows: Schnitzer, 06-121-485, $526.34 Uhl, 06-339-456, $695.36 The Board issued correspondence to Bristol Sweet regarding annual tax map update. The Board discussed Annual Meeting recognition. The Board reviewed a Draft of the 2017 Warrant with petitioned Warrant Articles and agreed to meet on February 13, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. to review and finalize the Warrant subsequent to the Budget Hearing (conducted 2/13/2017 at 7:00 p.m. The Board discussed whether to have Town Counsel attend Town Meeting to address questions and voted 2-1 to have Town Counsel in attendance. Selectman Baker and Selectman Wright in favor and Selectman Curless in opposition. Selectman Baker opined that it helped citizens resolve legal questions. The Board ratified their meeting policy adopted October 13, 1999 to be posted for the general public and distributed to all departments outlining policies and procedures for appointments for Selectmen’s meeting agenda items including purchase orders. Unforeseen and emergency circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis There was a general discussion regarding the process for determining merit pay. Selectman Wright opined that merit required service above par and expressed concern regarding the disparity in salary increase recommendations. Selectman Baker felt that the specialized police work required for responding to the schools is specialized over and above the call of duty. There was also a discussion regarding salary versus hourly compensation. Selectman Baker made a motion based on audited recommendations that salaried employees will not be compensated on an hourly basis. Selectman Wright seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous vote. The Board also expressed disappointment over the budget committee’s reduction of their recommendations for salary. The Board received the 2016 Equalization Ratio from the Department of Revenue Administration derived from sales analysis between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016 of 95.1%. OLD BUSINESS: The Board noted that Hominy Pot Bridge is open to vehicular traffic. SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS: Selectman Baker asked about follow up on the Pinnacle property. Phillips will follow up with the code enforcement officer to check on structures and current use maps. Selectman Wright reported that the Warner perambulation report is completed except for the GPS coordinates. Garrett Evans will be providing photographs and then the perambulation documents will be executed and forwarded to each municipality and the Secretary of State’s Office. REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE: The Board noted the following items of correspondence: New London Dispatch News NH DOT – Red List Bridges – State and Municipal – it was noted that Morse Loop Bridge needs to be removed from the Municipal Bridge List. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Elly Phillips Recording Secretary