TOWN OF SUTTON
Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall
93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH
Sutton Mills, NH 03221
Select Board

February 24, 2020 @ 4:00 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Dane Headley, Chair.  Present at the meeting were Dane Headley, Chair; Robert Wright, Jr., Selectman; William I. Curless, Selectman; Robert DeFelice, Budget Chair; Gerry Putnam, Cedar House Sound and Mastering and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

APPOINTMENT:               

At 4:15 p.m. Gerry Putnam, Cedar House Sound & Mastering, met with the Board regarding procuring an affordable Sound System for the Pillsbury Memorial Hall.    Mr. Putnam reviewed the various components that would be required for the system as well as viable locations for the sound system and microphones.  The existing system is obsolete.  Mr. Putnam recommended two barrier microphones for the table which could be secured with gaffer’s tape.    The components would be racked.   Two brightly colored 25’ cables could be secured with gaffer’s tape for safety purposes.  Wireless microphones could be used for the audience.  Mr. Putnam advised that wireless microphones are directional.    The barrier microphones would be used for Board members at meetings and for productions.  The system could be removed for elections.    

Mr. Putnam emphasized the importance of  sound quality:  timbre, color, definition, and clarity.  System portability and security  were also discussed.  It was noted that a functioning sound system would benefit individuals attending meetings as well as those that are hearing impaired.  Improved acoustics might encourage more citizen involvement.  Selectman Curless suggested that two wireless microphones would be useful.    Selectman Headley reviewed the estimated cost of the proposed system which was approximately $4,000.  Much of the funding could come from the Pillsbury Memorial Hall Capital Reserve, the remainder from Building and Grounds.  Mr. Putnam would provide training on the use of the system, and one staff member would be designated to be trained and responsible for the sound system.

Selectman Wright made a motion to go forward with the system as proposed by Mr. Putnam up to $4,000 subject to funding.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.    The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.  A policy would be drafted for use of the system.  Mr. DeFelice suggested that it might make sense to  have an additional portable system for functions outside the town hall

The Board reviewed the minutes of February 10, 2020.  Selectman Headley corrected the word ‘was’ to were.  Selectman Wright felt that the minutes were incomplete and asked that the entirety of Selectman Curlesses’ statement be included in the minutes.   It was noted that the essence and spirit of the dialogue were captured in the minutes.  Selectman Wright moved that the statement be verbatim in the minutes.    Selectman Headley seconded the motion.   Discussion ensued.   The motion failed with Selectman Wright voting in the affirmative and Selectman Curless and Selectman Headley voting in opposition.  There being no other changes suggested.  Selectman Curless made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected:  ‘was to were’.  Selectman Headley seconded the motion.  The motion passed with Selectman Headley and Selectman Curless voting in the affirmative, and Selectman Wright voting in opposition. 

CONSENT AGENDA:

REVIEW OF MANIFESTS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST:      $  12,478.66       2/14/2020 previously approved

VENDOR MANIFEST:       $  44,619.89       2/14/2020 previously approved

PAYROLL MANIFEST:      $  12,681.06

VENDOR MANIFEST:       $391,967.70

VENDOR MANIFEST:       $     2,000.00

YIELD TAX:          The Board approved a yield tax for Prime Children’s Trust, 03-273-167, 19-439-05, in the amount of $1864.53

OLD BUSINESS:

The Board reviewed a contract with Target New England for an ADA compliant bathroom for the library.  Selectman Wright made a motion to authorize the Chair to execute the contract for library renovations for an ADA Bathroom on behalf of the Town of Sutton.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote. 

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board received a letter of resignation from Marne Thompson, Supervisor of the Checklist, effective at the close of Annual Meeting.  The Board discussed recognition of Mrs. Thompson’s 40 years of public service supporting the election process.

The Board reviewed the Town’s Drug and Alcohol Policy which was original adopted in 1995.  It was suggested that Town Counsel review this policy along with the Personnel Policy.  Selectman Wright made a motion that the Drug and Alcohol Policy be submitted to Town Counsel to review, update and recommend revisions.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.    Mr. DeFelice suggested that the policy be given to fire and rescue as well.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

The Board discussed mailing of the Annual Report.  It was noted that the Town does a run of 800 reports  with 700+ going to local households – one report to a household.   It was suggested that interested citizens from local residences register to have the annual reports  mailed.  It would likely this would reduce the run in half and result in cost savings.  It was noted that the Annual Report is also available online. 

The Board reviewed a request for an Abatement on 2019 First Issue Taxes:  Jundt, 08-110-363 (Huntoon Beach).  A sense of the Board was that this issue should have been resolved at closing.  The Board will finalize their decision at their next regularly scheduled meeting. 

The Board executed a contract for Tax Map Maintenance with CAI Technologies.

Robert DeFelice provided a salary analysis over the last fourteen years which included a comparison of the affect over actual expenditures on the operating budget.   Mr. DeFelice advised that the parity study being conducted by the Budget Committee should be available by June.   Selectman Curless observed that there appears to be a change in the operating budget of approximately 2% per year.  The analysis did not include warrant articles or capital reserves. 

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:

The Board noted the following items of correspondence:

Legislative Bulletin

Correspondence from NHDES to individuals within 500 feet of HRHS regarding water testing.

Correspondence from the Town of New London to District Engineers regarding maintenance of state roads.

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

Selectman Wright reported items from the Legislative Bulletin and will provide a further update at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Selectman Wright reflected on the slapping of the table incident that occurred a couple of weeks ago at a Select Board Meeting noting that he has only done that a few times over the many years that he has served.  He advised that the reason he felt the action was necessary was:

1. There was a sidebar conversation going on while the Chair was conducting the meeting.
2. He was taking the minutes.  Selectman Wright advised that it is tough to take the minutes when more than one person is talking.
3. Afterwards, it stopped.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator