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Town of AmherstBoard of SelectmenFebruary 27, 2006
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Chairman Marilyn Peterman called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Selectmen present: Bruce Bowler, Thomas Grella and Jay Dinkel. Also present Acting Town Administrator Gary MacGuire and Executive Assistant Sharon Frydlo.
Cal Wood, Woodland Drive, commented that he had recently submitted a letter to one of the local newspapers, did not feel it would be published and wanted to let the Selectmen know of its content as it pertained to Article 25. Mr. Wood read from the prepared letter and Mrs. Peterman thanked Mr. Wood for his comments.
Chairman Addie Hutchison met with the Board. Mrs. Peterman asked the question what were they going to do with the CIP – was it actually the Planning Board that adopts the CIP and not the Board of Selectmen? She had thought the law had changed and it was the Selectmen because they initiated the Committee. Whether the Board “adopts”, “approves” or “accepts”, they can then pass the document onto the Planning Board as an accepted document.
Mr. Dinkel offered help in answering questions, but felt Mrs. Hutchison “was a better commander”. Mr. Bowler had no questions. Mr. Grella offered changes as they pertained to typos and clarifications.
Linda Kaiser asked that once the CIP was accepted, could they then charge impact fees? Mrs. Peterman explained that the Planning Board, along with other folks, have to recognize or specifically determine what those impact fees need to be. There is also a State law and criteria and an accounting system that needs to be in place. Mr. Dinkel advised they had no School numbers and they could offer that a development would be putting a strain on the community. Mrs. Hutchison spoke about some discussion with the Planning Board relative to the addition of the High School based on predicted student population projections and future growth.
Mrs. Kaiser asked what was the next step and “what were the rules they lived by”? Mrs. Peterman mentioned that this should be the charge to the Planning Board. They should impose impact fees based on future needs and future demands based on the service the Town provides. Mrs. Hutchison gave an example that if the Planning Board approved a major development in the north end of Town and the Fire Department identified that they needed an additional fire engine based on the development, they could enforce an impact fee. Mrs. Kaiser asked for some reassurance on researching the RSA’s and that this should go to the Planning Board indicating that this is what they should do next and should not be budget drawn and lapse. Mr. Dinkel commented that he believed the real value of the document was to help town-wide including the way they “coordinate the big ticket items and impact fees would establish a base line”. Here is what they see the capital investments are – there may be others that would come in that would alter the base line. The impact of residential developments is typically felt in the Schools – they have part of their base line established and the next step is getting the entire Town be a part of this.
Mrs. Kaiser asked how did they give guidance to the Planning Board? Mrs. Peterman advised that the only matter for them was to establish fees and as Mr. Dinkel said, they were waiting for this document for many years and the determination of impact fees as well as the Master Plan. Relative to Mrs. Kaiser’s next question, Mrs. Hutchison advised that the Schools have presented that in the next CIP process they will have information most likely late spring or early summer. The Committee will then go back and ask various departments to once again look over the plan to see if there are any further projects they would like to present. They would ask the Schools to have their discussions during the summer so that when the budget process starts in early fall, they would have this information.
Mr. Bowler asked how often did she expect the Department Heads to update this? Mrs. Hutchison advised annually. Mrs. Peterman once again thanked Mrs. Hutchison on behalf of the Board of Selectmen for all she had done for the Town.
Mr. Bowler moved to accept the CIP as amended on February 2006 to 2016. Vote: Unanimous.
Mrs. Hutchison advised that the most fluid document was the spreadsheet and could change weekly depending on the Selectmen’s purpose. Mrs. Peterman asked that a name from the Ways & Means Committee be submitted to the Selectmen to be a member of this Committee as approved by Town Meeting.
As the Board was ahead of schedule they postponed discussion on this renewal and tabled it until 7:45 p.m.
Cable Franchise
Mr. Dinkel and former CIC Chairman Steve Coughlan advised they had called their legal specialist, Peter Epstein, on Friday. They had agreed to ask for a one year extension from Adelphia – July 5, 2006 to July 5, 2007 and there was some concern from the CIC Committee to negotiate with Adelphia. Attorney Epstein suggested they sign the agreement and insert the words “up to June 5, 2007” so that if they agree before hand, they could incorporate it. Their follow up would be to meet with Adelphia who is still empowered to negotiate. The CIC put together a broad list which was given to them. Mr. Dinkel hoped the updated logistical phase would be established within the next week or two and would recommend it be signed at that time. Mr. Coughlan commented that if all agreed, the Chairman would sign.
Mr. Dinkel advised that Attorney Epstein asked about the ascertainment hearing they held two years ago and they may want to have another one. Mr. Coughlan commented that the Town “was blessed that Peter Epstein negotiated with a lot of entities whereas Adelphia is negotiating back to their Masters beforehand. Mr. Dinkel informed the Board he would relate this to them.
Emergency Management Notification
Mrs. Peterman commented this was put on the agenda regarding the storm they had last week where they activated Souhegan High School as an emergency shelter. Some folks used it for personal time, but not overnight. Chief Gary MacGuire commented that not many people called into Dispatch, however, the emergency was that the power was off. If the power was off, these folks don’t get to use the News Channel and sometimes the phone line can also go down. Because they have this new media, he suggested why not broadcast on it and have folks scroll down to the bottom – this was possible to do remotely. Relative to this discussion, Doug MacAllister, Chairman of the CIC, advised that they had in the FY 06-07 projected the capability of doing a scroll bar on the equipment from five remote locations in order to update the live time at a cost of $1800 for the upgrade and was in the warrant article.
Mr. MacGuire added he had talked to Chief DeSilva who had asked for several weeks in order to update them further. There was also the reverse 9-1-1 option. Their feeling is to get the message to the elderly. The Chief is doing a bit more research and he will be in to discuss this further with them within a few weeks. Things worked fine in this storm, but obviously they could always improve things.
Mr. Bowler asked if there was a cost for the reverse 9-1-1? Mr. MacGuire advised there was and briefly spoke about this. If the phone lines were down, at some point they would need to go beyond this process, such as going door to door. Mr. Bowler asked about putting something on Access TV prior to a predicted storm, that in the event you loose power contact so and so. He suggested they get this out ahead of time and felt they would be better off.
Farmers’ Market Permit Renewal
Mrs. Peterman advised that Eileen Cavallaro was present to renew the Farmers’ Market Permit and read last year’s permit. Mrs. Cavallaro mentioned that the only changes were the dates. Mrs. Peterman remarked that the Market has been very successful and many people applauded her efforts. Mrs. Cavallaro told the Board that 15 people have currently signed up and they would not go beyond the 20 permitted. However, she was unsure about the temporary sign permits. She asked that the signs be up Wednesday nights and down on Thursdays. The sign at the Transfer Station they would put up Thursday morning and take it down Friday morning. Mr. Bowler suggested that they put it on the highway rather than in the Transfer Station.
Mr. Dinkel reiterated No. 8 pertaining to excluding any vendors that have retail products to sell. He did not have a good definition of inclusion of locally grown goods and the genesis of the local product has grown – they want to enhance whatever is available. Mr. Grella asked about No. 2 referring to head-in parking as recommended by the Planning Board. Mrs. Cavallaro indicated they supported parking at Laravees. He also asked if they would be filing Certificates by the Board of Health and Certificates of Insurance.
Mr. Bowler asked if they wanted to add to the permit the sign locations? Mrs. Frydlo asked if this was a replacement to No. 4 in last year’s permit? No. 4 would be replaced with a sign at the Transfer Station, one on the Green, a removal of one in the vicinity of the Safety Complex and the signs be in place on Wednesday evenings prior to the opening of the Farmers’ Market and removed Thursday evenings when the Market closed.
Linda Kaiser asked why the definition of locally grown products? Mrs. Peterman explained the past discussions with a room full of people, where upon the Selectmen agreed to 20 vendors. Mrs. Cavallaro indicated they currently had 15 people and did not know if they would get to 20 vendors. The Farmers’ Market in Amherst appeared on Channel 9’s Chronicle, money had been donated to Agriculture in the Classroom and the American Red Cross. She also spoke about children in the Middle School who wanted to “sell homemade dog biscuits” for victims of Katrina at the Market and she had allowed them to do so. Mr. Dinkel asked that she defer to the Selectmen regarding this type of practice.
Mrs. Cavallaro also advised they had received requests from Sussy from PMEC and the Junior Women’s Club who sets up something each season as an information center. Mrs. Peterman also thought this should be a Board of Selectmen’s decision.
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the permit for the Farmers’ Market for the 2006 season with the addition and amendments made, second by Mr. Dinkel. Vote: Unanimous.
Community Action Program
The Board reviewed the outline presented by Mrs. Frydlo regarding the above program as it related to retraining folks 55 years and older by getting people on fixed incomes back into the work force. The program, in partnership with the Department of Labor, pays for folks to work 20-25 hours a week, offers Workman’s Compensation and physicals. The placement is for six months up to one year. Mr. MacGuire advised he has asked the various Departments to indicate to him where the Town may utilize a person that had been recommended by Community Action.
Mr. Bowler moved to authorize the Acting Town Administrator to pursue this program, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Police Cruiser Order Modification Request
Mr. MacGuire advised he had previously brought to the Board three cruiser bids and the low bid was give to Granite Ford. His Salesman who arranged the quote was no longer employed there. The Company was unsure on how to go forward with a fleet purchase. Going through Grappone Ford they lowered their second low bid by $150. He was seeking to award the cruiser bid at a price of $20,857 per unit.
Mr. Bowler moved to approve a purchase of two police units at $20,857 each, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Other Business
Liz Overholt presented a draft survey as it related to the Amherst Community Access TV Channel 20. She explained this came about after standing at the Transfer Station with Mr. Bowler campaigning. Suggestions were made by the Board about what the survey should contain. Doug McAllister asked if they had volunteers available to actually tabulate this survey? Mrs. Peterman mentioned that these were details that would have to be worked out. Mr. Bowler suggested that the survey be put on the web site.
Mr. Dinkel asked about the timeframe for having a Town Hall open house? Mr. MacGuire advised they were waiting for the return of one department.
Mr. Bowler asked about the funding for Grant Agency Nashua Mediation who had not sent in their request for $800 for funding 18 children for eight families in time for the Board’s budget hearing.
Mr. Bowler moved that the Board of Selectmen notify Nashua Mediation Program that Amherst will support $800.00 towards their FY ’07 program, second by Mr. Dinkel. Vote: Unanimous.
Minutes
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the minutes of February 13, 2006, seconded by Mr. Grella, amended as follows: Line 169 – Strike “now”. Vote: 3- 1, Mr. Grella abstained.
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the minutes of February 15, 2006 at 8:09 a.m., seconded by Mr. Grella. Vote: 3-1, Mr. Dinkel abstained.
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the minutes of February 15, 2006 at 7:05 p.m., seconded by Mr. Grella. Vote: 3-1, Mr. Dinkel abstained.
Mr. Bowler moved to the minutes of February 21, 2006 amended as follows: After the Board exited Non-Public Session at 6:30 p.m. add…..Mr. Bowler moved and seconded by Mr. Infanti to appoint Peter Lyon as the new Police Chief effective May 1, 2006.
After a brief conversation relating to upcoming meetings, Mr. Bowler moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. seconded by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Frydlo
Executive Assistant