November 30, 2020 | Town Admin TOWN OF SUTTON Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall 93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH Sutton Mills, NH 03221 Select Board November 30, 2020 @ 4:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. by Robert Wright Jr., Chair. Present at the meeting were: Robert Wright, Jr., Chair; William I. Curless, Selectman; Dane Headley, Selectman; and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator. Selectman Wright read the following announcement into the record: Due to the COVID 19/Coronavirus Pandemic and in accordance with Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order #12, pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04, this Board is authorized to meet electronically. The public has access to contemporaneously listen and participate in this meeting by telephone by calling 978-990-5000 and entering access code 112820. The Board reviewed and approved the public minutes of November 23, 2020 were approved as corrected (typo). The continued non-public meeting sealed minutes were approved as written. CONSENT AGENDA: The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests: PAYROLL MANIFEST: $ 11,517.88 VENDOR MANIFEST: $379,126.28 The Board reviewed an intent to cut for Robert Cloutier, Map 05-698-411, Shadow Hill Road, for 10 acres out of 50. The Board approved a veteran’s credit of $500.00 for Harlen O’Brien, 09-514-002. OLD BUSINESS: Phillips advised that she had received feedback from Bruce Knox, Structural Engineer, regarding the Grist Mill wall/bridge regarding relocating the bridge. The primary reason the engineer felt the bridge should be temporarily relocated was to protect the bridge from damage caused by the collapsing walls. The engineer has been instructed to prepare a “Report of Findings & Recommendations” which includes preliminary findings from field inspections, preliminary details/drawings, and engineering calculations. The estimated cost for the report is $2,000. Selectman Curless expressed concerns regarding firefighting logistics if the bridge were relocated. Selectman Curless recalled that the reason why the Select Board originally opted to build the footbridge was primarily for fire safety purposes. Selectman Curless felt the bridge should remain in place until the Spring if possible. The Board will follow up with the engineer to clarify the recommendation. Selectman Curless was designated by the Board to act as liaison with the engineers and report back to the board. Selectman Headley made a motion to table action on the matter for two weeks. Selectman Curless seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote. The Board reviewed properties slated for Tax Deed. It was noted that one of the parties expressed the intention to make payment today. Selectman Curless made a motion to forestall deeding for the Normandeau Trust 02-714-455 until Wednesday, December 3, 2020, at noon. Selectman Headley seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote. The Board agreed to go forward with deeding the other properties on the list. NEW BUSINESS: The Board discussed wage increases for the two departments requesting increases. Selectman Wright expressed concerns regarding economic uncertainty for 2021. It was noted that there were 53 pay periods in 2021 and that insurance payments could be spread across 53 weeks instead of 52 to offset the impact of the insurance co-payment increase. Wage line items for departments will need to be adjusted for 53 pay periods. Selectman Curless observed that this year the departments showed a great deal of flexibility based on the potential budgetary impact of the pandemic and supported continuing a flat percentage cut for 2021. Phillips emphasized that each staff position was essential and cautioned against consideration of staffing cuts. Selectman Curless stated that the Board’s obligation was to protect the taxpayers. The Select Board will not be supporting any increases for merit, parity or COLAs. The Budget Committee will be recommending COLAs. Phillips was instructed to so advise the department heads seeking salary increases and to schedule appointments SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS: Selectman Wright provided an outline that he had compiled regarding the library MOU. The Board is following up with Counsel. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elly Phillips Town Administrator