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Town of AmherstBoard of SelectmenMarch 6, 2006
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Chairman Marilyn Peterman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Selectmen present: Jay Dinkel, Bruce Bowler and Thomas Grella. Also present Acting Town Administrator Gary MacGuire and Executive Assistant Sharon Frydlo.
There were no comments or concerns from members of the audience.
Co-Chairman Tom Lewis advised it had been a few months since the Committee advised the Board of their status. They have a warrant article for some changes at the Transfer Station that would increase recycling and decrease their trash disposal. Waste disposal costs were up 3% and the over all expense is up 10% from last year. Recycling was down from last year in the time frame of January to January. It was disappointing that the numbers went down instead of up. He briefly spoke about the materials they can’t accept and spoke about the redesign of the Transfer Station in order to accept additional recyclables and save the Town money.
Mr. Lewis spoke about the various costs to burn trash, haul it away as well as the revenues that could be received, if they recycled various items, such as aluminum and cardboard as well as how they could receive more money per container saving approximately $35,000 annually. In response to Mrs. Peterman’s question, Mr. Lewis indicated they looked at recycling rates within the SRLD and Amherst was the lowest at 17.6% - Hollis was over 22% and the others at 20% last year. He advised they accept all types of recyclables and when the residents receive the “Amherst Quarterly” it contains a table on what the Transfer Station will accept. Mr. Bowler explained they have increased the types of materials they had been accepting and commented on the co-mingles and weight. By separating the glass they pay less. Other towns, within the District, agreed that if Amherst began crushing glass they would send their glass to Amherst and would pay $10 per ton. This would also enable them to drop their hauling fees. Amherst could also sell the glass. Therefore, getting the design of the Transfer Station passed was very important. Mr. Lewis added they could keep the crushed glass and use it in culverts, etc.
Mr. Lewis commented that people going up the hill and doing the “extra loop” was an additional step. Mr. Bowler indicated that the District has earmarked $200,000 for Amherst in order to get a better facility on top of what they were already trying to raise. Mrs. Peterman mentioned that if the warrant article didn’t pass, could they suggest alternative methods such as “bag and tag”? Mr. Bowler advised the Town would have to elect to go this way. Mr. Lewis remarked that the amount of aluminum recycling was up 98% from last year and if this continues it will almost double over last year.
Rod Ward, member of the Task Force, talked about aluminum 6-8 years ago being taken out of the co-mingles and just recently plastics have value and they were seeing a new trend in plastics. This was a matter of educating townspeople to take plastics no. 1 & 2, compact them, transfer them and receive $27,000 per year. Other towns have been doing this since 1989.
Liz Overholt, Boston Post Road, commented that the actual handout on the article there was no mention of a bond. Her second point was that she was unsure if everyone understood that the power can’t be put at the tope of the hill because the power can’t be put in the capped landfill. The third item regarded the cost per year to pay off the bond to be gained by the cost of recycling. Mr. Bowler asked that this be put in the handout. Mrs. Overholt commented that some things impress people differently and thought she would bring this to their attention in order to get this article passed.
Mr. MacGuire advised the first request was for $10,794.90 was for unanticipated revenue from the State of New Hampshire for the New Boston Bridge repair. Mr. Bowler moved the transfer of $10,794.90 into the Building Repair line, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. MacGuire advised this working budget transfer was for the second position in the Town Building Department and transferred to the Highway Crew Department Wages. Mr. Bowler moved to transfer $42,327.17 from the Building Department to the Highway Crew Wage Line, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mrs. Peterman read a memo received from Fire Chief John DeSilva regarding the above request. Mr. Bowler moved to authorize Chief DeSilva to return the leather helmet to the Bristol Fire Department, second by Mr. Grella. Discussion: Mr. Dinkel asked Mr. Grella if he knew any history behind this helmet? Mr. Grella advised he knew of no history behind it. There was nothing he knew of and could be anything before the mid 1970’s. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Dinkel moved to declare two Town Hall chairs as surplus, second by Mr. Bowler. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board signed the Current Use Application as it applied to Map/Lot 2-126.
The Board signed Yield Taxes Assessed as they applied to Map/Lot 6-28, 3-55-4, 2-2, 9-1.
Veterans Exemption Abatements
Mr. Bowler moved to approve a Veterans Exemption abatement for $150 for Zoel Lucier, M/L 2-43-2, second by Mr. Dinkel. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Bowler moved to approve a Veterans Exemption abatement for $150 for Linda Robinson, M/L 4-11, second by Mr. Dinkel. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Dinkel so moved, seconded by Mr. Bowler to approve the LUCT release as follows: M/L 8-84 - $500.00, M/L 8-85 - $500.00; M/L 8-85-1 - $14,000.00 for Benjamin & Elizabeth Hedges.
Mr. Grella moved, seconded by Mr. Dinkel to approve the LUCT release as follows: M/L 3-47-8 - $500.00 for Peter & Haley Broderick. Vote: Unanimous.
Elderly Exemptions
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the elderly exemption for Richard Camp, M/L 6-20-04, second by Mr. Dinkel. Vote: Unanimous.
Mrs. Peterman commented that there was a recommendation to deny the application from Ann Brisson M/L 25-81, Mr. Bowler moved to deny, second by Mr. Dinkel Vote: Unanimous.
Veterans’ Tax Credit
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the veterans’ tax credit for Ralph Drews, M/L 21-20-12, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the veterans’ tax credit for Raymond Steimel, M/L 5-15-32, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the veterans’ tax credit for Daniel Diskin, M/L 3-59-14, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Grella moved to approve the veterans’ tax credit for John Webb, M/L 4-15-4, second by Mr. Bowler. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Grella moved to approve the veterans’ tax credit for Lewis White, M/L 10-30-1, second by Mr. Bowler. Vote: Unanimous.
As Paul Dishong did not qualify M/L 10-30-1, Mr. Bowler moved not to approve the veterans’ tax credit, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Bowler moved to approve the minutes of February 27, 2006, second by Mr. Grella amended as follows: Line 81 – Strike “logistical phase”, replace with “phrase”, strike “established” replace with “added”; Line 85 – Strike the quote sign, replace “blessed” with “fortunate”; Line 86 – Strike “whereas Adelphia …. Masters beforehand”; Line 96 – Strike “folks”, replace with “messages”, strike “to” replace with “on”; Line 109 – Change “loose” to “lose”; Line 128 – Add “She answered yes.”; Line 136 – Strike “definition of locally grown products” and replace with “the number of vendors were limited”; Line 195 – Replace “Mr. Grella” with “Mr. Dinkel”. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. MacGuire updated the Board on the return of the Town Clerk back to Town Hall. She has returned back to work following surgery that delayed the move from last week to this coming weekend – the target date is for her to open on Monday, March 13.
Mrs. Peterman remarked that currently the night time hours are on Tuesdays and in the past on Mondays. She asked what the night time hours would now be. Mr. MacGuire advised this had not been discussed in detail. When they have Monday holidays, there is no night time hours for that particular week. For night time hours to be consistent, to be open a Tuesday night might make more sense and have that office be available to the public each week. Mrs. Peterman suggested that if a holiday fell on a Monday, they should be open on a Tuesday, however, things could change, she said.
Mr. Bowler indicated the Selectmen would be receiving a report in the near future on the draft road maintenance plan that had been forwarded to the Road Commission and Mr. MacGuire from Bruce Berry. The Board will see Mr. Berry’s plan and recommendations on what he wants to pursue on the road plan. It is a very thorough report of approximately 70 pages.
Mrs. Peterman wanted to let all the citizens know that the Town Report was out, Mr. Bowler had been passing them out and Mrs. Frydlo explained where the various sites were for pick up.
Mrs. Peterman commented on the Voters’ Guide – Mrs. Frydlo explained it was to be included in the “Amherst Quarterly”, Mr. Dinkel added that it should have been mailed that day, the Town Meeting vote was on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Souhegan High Schools.
Vice Chairman Bruce Bowler announced that this was the last meeting for one member of the Board of Selectmen whom he had the pleasure of serving with for three years – Marilyn Peterman. The Selectmen presented Mrs. Peterman with a gift of a Town of Amherst “throw” designed by the Amherst Junior Women’s Club that depicted various Town buildings.
Mrs. Peterman advised she would be reporting on the Town budget one more time “live” at 7:00 p.m. the next evening on the implications of this year’s budget for those who have not seen the original presentation at the Deliberative Session.
She further commented that she had been thrilled that upon leaving the Board that the Town Hall renovations had been completed. Among other projects, over the 18 years she has served, this was one she was most proud along with all the people who have worked on it such as Steve Desmarais, Jay Dinkel, and the employees. The people of Amherst should be very proud of the people who serve them every day - they are a “real treasure to the Town”.
Election Day
Mrs. Peterman will be at the polls from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and will return in the evening. Mr. Dinkel was fairly flexible and would be there at noon and back again later in the evening. Mr. Grella would cover at noon.
Adjournment
Mr. Bowler moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m., second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Frydlo
Executive Assistant