TOWN OF SUTTON
Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall
93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH
Sutton Mills, NH 03221
Board of Selectman
March 25, 2019 @ 4:00 p.m.

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Dane Headley, Chair.  Present at the meeting were:  Dane Headley, Chair; Robert Wright, Jr., Selectman; William I. Curless, Selectman; Robert DeFelice, Budget Chair; Bud Nelson, Fire Warden, Michael Chiarella, Jessie Freeman, Jeffrey Milne, Tabitha Lemelin, Bruce Kozikowski and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

APPOINTMENTS:

At 4:30 p.m. Michael Chiarella, Jessie Freeman, Jeffrey Milne, met with the Board to execute the deed and paperwork for the purchase of 26 Grist Mill Street.  The official closing is scheduled for April 1, 2019.  The Select Board received a short history of the property from Jack Noon.

At 4:45 p.m. Bruce Kozikowski met with the Board to share his thoughts regarding replacement schedule for trucks.  Mr. Kozikowski feels that now that the trucks are under cover, they should be in service for 20 years.  He also expressed concern regarding the large 4-wheel drive truck that is  used for snow removal.  He felt that the Town should invest in a multi-use truck or a 550.  Smaller trucks are easier on the roads, shoulder, and faster and easier to get around.  They can be fitted with wing plows and sanders.  They are both cheaper to run and cheaper to buy.   He felt that this should be part of the capital plan.  He felt that the town should not invest so much money on a truck that is only used half a year and if the truck is only being used half a year, it should have a service life of 20 years.

Robert DeFelice, Budget Chair, explained how the capital plan was developed.   The schedule was developed in 2018 and will be developed on an ongoing basis.  He noted that the truck schedule has been extended for an additional year.  He noted that with a new Road Agent coming in that they were looking forward to getting input from that individual.  Mr. Kozikowski emphasized that the trucks should be in service all year.  Mr. DeFelice felt that the new highway garage may extend the service life of the trucks.  The truck that is being replaced is seventeen years old and spent ten years outside (prior to the new garage).  Mr. Kozikowski encouraged the Selectmen to get their money’s worth out of the trucks.

Selectman Wright said that although he was not knowledgeable about trucks, he felt that public safety should be considered in the replacement schedule, and he wanted to ensure the safety for the operators.    Selectman Wright discussed other mitigating factors that might shorten the life of trucks.  Selectman Wright felt that extended service life could be incorporated into the replacement schedule.

Selectman Curless discussed the condition of the truck that is being replaced.  There are problems acquiring parts for the truck.  The truck will likely be sold for parts.  He noted that new four-wheel drives models are being built better.   Mr. DeFelice liked the idea of buying another 550 to replace the next big trust but felt that the Road Agent should weigh in on this.

Mr. Kozikowski discussed how Andover maintained their roads with two big trucks and that subcontractor did the initial clearing with pickups and the big trucks were  used to wing back the roads.  Mr. Kozikowski suggested that the fleet be downsized, and the fleet should be primarily 550’s or 650’s.  Mr. Kozikowski felt the town should be run like a business and that every year of life should be squeezed out of the trucks.

Mr. DeFelice felt this is a discussion that the Select Board should have with the new Road Agent.  Mr. Wright felt truck life analysis should be done with full information as part of the old fleet was kept outside.   Mr. Wright felt that Mr. Kozikowski had done a service to the Board by bringing this matter to the attention of the Board.    Mr. Wright said that there will be a qualitative and quantitative analysis done regarding the roads/operation of the road maintenance on a truck-by-truck basis.  Mr. DeFelice said that the funds should be available through the CIP, but the vehicles would not be replaced until it was needed.    Selectman Curless said the truck should be looked at around age 10-12 to determine the conditions and to ascertain replacement.  Selectman Headley said that a good maintenance schedule was important, but varying winter conditions also need to be factored in.

Selectman Curless explored whether or not a dump body could be installed on the 4-wheel drive truck and that it was not practical to use the truck this way because of how high the vehicle is.  Mr. Kozikowski explained how the dump body could be used and taken off.  Mr. DeFelice felt that if the lifespan of the large truck could be extended the annual cost was similar.  Mr. Kozikowski felt that the 550’s were less to buy and less to maintain.  There was a discussion of the roads in Sutton and that certain roads required the use of the bigger trucks.

Mr. Kozikowski’s points were well received by the Board who felt that he had raised some important items to take into consideration.  Selectman Curless felt that as we get to open the timeframe for the trucks, we could try it on one and see how it works and see if the life of the truck could be extended.  If it works, you could try it on the rest of the fleet.  Mr. Kozikowski asked how the capital reserves would work if the truck life was extended.  Mr. DeFelice advised that the line item includes all the trucks, but the replacement schedule is compartmentalized based on each of them.  Selectman Wright reviewed the savings that taxpayers experienced through capital planning.  It was noted that there was a cap on the reserves based on economic appropriateness.  The reserves are evaluated based on need and funded based on a timeline.   Mr. Kozikowski felt it is worth putting money into a machine to extend their life.  Selectman Headley said that these are things that we need to consider as these things come up in the future.  Mr. Kozikowski said it is time to try something different.  Mr. DeFelice said that is what we did by establishing a schedule.  Mr. Kozikowski said that he is not the only taxpayer in town that feels this way.

The public and nonpublic minutes for March 18, 2019 were approved as written.  The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST:  $   25,366.52

VENDOR MANIFEST:    $269,261.87

 

INTENT TO CUT:

The Board approved the following Intent to Cut for Torro/Gallop, Map 01-136-386, Stevens Brook Road for 10 acres out of 14.2

 

VETERANS EXEMPTION:        

The Board approved an All Veterans Tax Credit for Kristine McFarland-Kiss in the amount of $500.00.

 

CURRENT USE:                             

The Board approved an updated current use application for Bette Fredrickson, 01-157-320.

 

OATHS OF OFFICE/APPOINTMENTS:

The Board issued the following oath of offices forms:

William I. Curless, Selectman, for a term until March 2022

Jennifer Call, Treasurer, for a term until March 2020

Jennifer Call, Library Trustee, for a term until March 2022

Diane Lander, Library Trustee, for a term until March 2021

Nancy Brook-Heckel, Library Trustee for a term until March 2022

Derek Lick, Moderator, for a term until March 2021

Derek Lick, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Building Code Board of Appeals for a term until March 2022

Kathryn Schneider, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Building Code Board of Appeals for a term until March 2022

Suzanne Esposito, Budget Committee for a term until March 2020

Samantha Gordon, Budget Committee for a term until March 2021

Pete Thompson, Budget Committee for a term until March 2022

Mark Peterson, Budget Committee for a term until March 2022

Alison Jones, Overseer of Public Welfare for a term until March 2020

Robert DeFelice, Trustee of the Trust Funds, for a term until March 2022

Walter Baker, Conservation Commission Member for a term until March 2022

Bonnie Hill, Alternate Conservation Commission Member for a term until March 2022

Glenn Pogust, Planning Board Member for a term until March 2022

Randy Fleury, Cemetery Commissioner, for a term until March 2022

George Caswell, Deputy Fire Warden

Nathan Thompson, Deputy Fire Warden

 

NEW BUSINESS:                           

The Board discussed a request for Abatement of Interest in the amount of 304.41 from Leslie Enroth.  Ms. Enroth did not receive her first issue bill.  The Board discussed that the Town requests “return service” from the Postal Service, so undelivered tax bills are generally sent back to the Town.    Selectman Curless expressed concern regarding the precedent it would set to grant this request.  Selectman Headley said taxpayers are generally aware of when their taxes are due.  Selectman Curless made a motion to deny the request.  Selectman Wright seconded the motion.    A discussion of the matter ensued.    The point was raised that everybody who forgot to pay their taxes could potentially ask for an abatement.  Selectman Wright called for the question.  The motion to deny the request passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.  The Board will issue a letter explaining their decision.

 

The Board approved a request for vacation for Elly Phillips for 4/3/2019, 4/8/2019 and 4/15/2019.   Phillips will be available to attend the Monday evening meetings.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Selectman Wright made a motion that the Board adopt the policy for Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation and replace section XXXVI of the Town’s Personnel policy with the revised and adopted harassment policy.  Selectman Curless seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

The Board received correspondence from Counsel regarding the Town’s responsibility for muddy roads during mud season.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

Selectman Curless reported that he had attended a meeting with the library trustees.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator