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

Board of Selectman

October 23, 2017 @ 4:00 p.m.

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Robert Wright, Jr., Chair.  Present at the meeting was Robert Wright, Jr., Chair; William I. Curless, Selectman; Linda Ford, Town Clerk/Tax Collector; Cory Cochran, Fire Chief; Kevin Rowe, Deputy Fire Chief; Robert DeFelice, Municipal Budget Committee Chair; Sandra Rowe, Interware; and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

 

Don Davis, Historical Society President, met with the Board to discuss various matters.  Mr. Davis sought the Board’s input as to whether the Board was interested in having the Old Store Museum nominated for the NH State Register of Historic places.  Mr. Davis explained that placement on the Register helped with grants etc.  Mr. Davis added that the Historical Society has formed an ad hoc committee to research the requirements for nomination and that they were considering also nominating the Cressy House and the Old School building behind the Meeting House.  The first step for nomination is for a survey to be completed.  Mr. Davis said that the Historical Society would spearhead the nominating process.  The Board of Selectmen supported the idea of nominating the Old Store Museum to the NH State Register of Historic Places.

 

Mr. Davis discussed the railings that were on the old Grist Mill Pedestrian Bridge.  The railings are stored at the Highway Department.  Mr. Davis discussed the history of the railings which were originally on the South Sutton bridge over the Lane River in the early 1900’s.  Mr. Davis added that citizens were concerned about the disposition of the railings and felt that they could be displayed possibly at the Old Store or the Cressy House.  Selectman Curless felt that it would be a good idea to seek input from the public on where best to display the railings.  Selectman Curless made a motion to have the Historical Society take possession of the old bridge rails, which will remain town property, and  to charge the Historical Society with spearheading a town-wide campaign to determine the location that the rails will be displayed and interpreted historically.  Selectman Wright seconded the motion which passed with no dissent.

 

At 4:45 p.m. Selectman Curless made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II (a)

The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee.  Selectman Wright seconded the motion.  The Board was polled with Selectman Wright and Selectman Curless voting in the affirmative.

Public session resumed at 4:55 p.m.  Selectman Curless made a motion to seal the minutes.  Selectman Wright seconded the motion which passed with no dissent.

 

Linda Ford, Town Clerk/Tax Collector met with the Board to review the 2018 budget request for Election Registration and Financial Administration.  Ms. Ford advised that there will be three elections in 2018.  Overall the 2018 Election Registration Budget reflected an increase of $400.00.   Clerk/Supervisor wages were reduced because there are only three elections in 2018.  Line items reflecting increases were advertising, supplies and postage.  These line items were increased because the Supervisors are working on the checklist.  Ms. Ford reviewed the Financial Administration (Town Clerk/Tax Collector) proposed budget for 2018 which reflected an increase of $13,235.  Line items that Ms. Ford suggested increases for were Town Clerk Wages, Deputy Town Clerk Wages and equipment.

 

Also present at the meeting was Sandra Rowe, President, Interware Development to discuss Clerk/Tax Collector Software developed by Interware.  Interware software would allow for online payment of property taxes, dog licenses and motor vehicle registrations.  It would also allow for citizen lookup and statement printing.  The new software conversion, implementation, training and support would cost approximately $16,000.  Ms. Rowe also advised that online payment , lookup and statement printing could be available for the current software as well.

 

At 4:45 p.m. Selectman Curless made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II (a)

The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee.  Selectman Wright seconded the motion.  The Board was polled with Selectman Wright and Selectman Curless voting in the affirmative.

 

Cory Cochran, Fire Chief, and Kevin Rowe, Deputy Fire Chief, met with the Board for the 2018 preliminary Budget Review.  The Fire Department will hold the 2018 operating budget level with the 2017 operating budget, but may make some adjustments to individual line items.  Capital Reserve recommendations will also remain the same with the exception of the Fire Department Addition.    The need for a new addition for the fire department was identified many years ago and a capital reserve was established in 2007 for the addition.  The fire department deferred action on the addition in order to support other infrastructure needs such as the highway facility.  Chief Cochran and Deputy Chief Rowe sought input from the Board as to whether they were supportive of going forward with the project in 2018.    Plans for the addition were presented for Select Board review.  The funding estimate for the project will be finalized pending information on a sprinkler system and underground cistern costs.  Phillips was instructed to get projections on bond issues or loans for $400,000/$500,000 for twenty and thirty year terms.  Public information and public hearing dates were also discussed.

The minutes from October 16, 2017 were approved as written.  The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST:      $10,292.21

VENDOR MANIFEST:       $20,916.32

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following building permits:

Paul and Barbara Scarpino, 01-136-098, East Sutton Road, 3-season family room and porch.

Maryellen McCabe, 06-320-336, Corporation Hill Road, for a garage.

Reid Sullivan and Abigail Bemis, 10-123-184, Winslow Circle, for a horse shed.

Michael and Anne Sigourney, 02-727-241, for a home.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board reviewed updated e-911 Map Books which have been distributed to Dispatch, Police, Fire and Rescue.

The Board received notification of 2018 Health Insurance Rates reflecting a 6.2% decrease in cost.  No changes to the policies offered or employee contribution rates are anticipated for 2018.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

At 4:30 p.m. Selectman Curless made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3,II(a) to discuss the compensation of a public employee.  Selectman Wright seconded the motion.  The Board was polled with Selectman Wright and Selectman Curless voting yes.  Public session resumed at 4:50 p.m.  Selectman Curless made a motion to seal the minutes.  Selectman Wright seconded the motion which passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

The Board discussed the library ramp project.  Selectman Curless was designated to represent the Board of Selectmen on the project. Phillips will coordinate a meeting between Erin Reardon, Right Angle Engineering, Selectman Curless, Heidi Thoma, Librarian; Roger Wells, Library Improvement Committee and Walter Baker.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator