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

March 29, 2021 @ 4:30 p.m.

 

 

Selectman William I. Curless, Chair, opened the meeting at 4:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present at the meeting were William Curless, Chair; Dane Headley, Selectman; Walter Baker, Jr., Selectman; Carol Merullo and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

 

APPOINTMENTS: 

The Board met with Carol Merullo, Town Clerk/Tax Collector, to discuss Article 16 as voted at the 2021 Annual Meeting.  Selectman Curless observed that there were no increases for the other employees and asked Ms. Merullo if she was willing to offer an additional two hours of open time.  Ms. Merullo asked the Board “What value do you place on this position?”  Ms. Merullo reminded the Board that she was a salaried employee and that the office is opened when it is supposed to be open.  She said that she would consider adding the additional hours on the open days.  Selectman Curless felt that this would be fairer to the other employees.  Ms. Merullo emphasized that her goal was to get the compensation back to what it was three years ago.  Selectman Curless was looking forward to the wage study.  Ms. Merullo discussed her goals for the office which would be to stagger hours with her deputy.  She noted that social distancing was difficult for the office in pandemic times.  Selectman Curless wanted to verify the process for compensating the Town Clerk with Town Counsel.

 

Selectman Headley noted that the Warrant Article was specific to a salary increase and not to the number of hours worked.  Selectman Curless recalled that the Warrant Article was advisory so that the Board could just say no to the increase.  Selectman Curless recollected that Ms. Merullo brought the subject up at the annual meeting.  Ms. Merullo noted that she is in the office for more hours than are published, but she did not feel that opening up another day was warranted.

 

Selectman Baker supported both the salary increase and the additional two hours.  Selectman Baker encouraged that Ms. Merullo keep track of her hours and felt evening hours would be helpful for the public.

 

Selectman Headley made a motion to increase Ms. Merullo’s salary to $40,000 pursuant to Article 16 at the Town Meeting.  Selectman Baker seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.  The Board discussed supporting a Warrant Article that would allow the Board to set the compensation and benefits for the Town Clerk/Tax Collector.

 

There was a general discussion regarding employee compensation especially as it pertained to the Highway Department.  Selectman Curless recommended that Department Heads perform an analysis of wages and benefits based on established criteria for the next budget season. was noted that NHMA is doing their wage study this year.  The Board discussed the importance of attracting and retaining employees.   There was a discussion regarding opening up to the public now that the weather was getting better.  Ms. Merullo felt that could be done, but citizens should continue to avail themselves of online capabilities  and contacting the office to ensure that they bring the proper information.  The end of April was discussed as a goal for opening to the public.

 

The minutes from March 22, 2021 were approved as written.  The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

                Vendor Manifest:               $314,322.46

Payroll Manifest:                 $  14,230.21

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

Selectman Headley made a motion to grant aa one-year building permit extension for Jason Pitts, 10-528-179, Summit Road, Permit # 2019-05.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a vote of 2-0 with Selectman Baker abstaining.

 

The Board approved the following building permits:

Elizabeth Toppin & Philip Biron, 04-210-185, Roby Road, for a shed.

Scott Palmer, 07-243-574, Baker Road, for a replacement heating/hot water system & oil tank.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The Select Board discussed the parking ordinance proposed by Chief Korbet and had the following questions:       What would happen if someone had a party?

Where do you go to pay fines?

What are the penalties for non-payment of fines?

Who gets the proceeds from the fines?

A public hearing will be scheduled for the third week in April.

 

The Board received verification that the Select Board did not have the authority to require in-person meetings or over conduct of meetings etc.  The Governor’s orders will determine when in-person meetings will resume.

 

The Board issued correspondence to Jean LaChance regarding various concerns that she had raised.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board issued a yield tax for Robert and Marilyn Cloutier, Map 05-698-411, in the amount of $40.00.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

The Board executed the following oath of office forms:

Zoning Board of Adjustment:  Charles Bolduc, Alternate, for a 3-year term

Supervisor of the Checklist:  Erin Legendre, for a 1-year term (Elected)

 

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:

The Board reviewed correspondence from Robert Wright, Jr. regarding the recording secretary position for the Budget Committee and offering suggestions for timing of the meetings.  Selectman Curless advised that oftentimes Select Board Meetings were rushed or matters had to be continued in order to accommodate the Budget Committee’s schedule.  Selectman Curless indicated that the Budget Committee could choose to start their meetings at a later time or opt for a different date or venue for the meetings.  The Board agreed that the Budget Committee should select a candidate of their choice for the position based upon the following criteria:   the position is paid hourly, the recording secretary should be available to take accurate minutes for the duration of the meeting;  and electronic submission in a format suitable for posting on the website is required.  Phillips was instructed to follow up with an email to the Budget Chair.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

Selectman Curless discussed ongoing efforts regarding the Lane River embankment.  Selectman Curless will contact Hansen Construction regarding relocating the pedestrian bridge etc.

 

Selectman Walter discussed next steps for the Stotler property cleanup.

 

Parking at the Town Hall and signage was also discussed.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator