Minutes
August 3, 2006
Present: Henry C. Cobb
Daniel Boyer
C. Peter ColeNorman John Arrison
Patricia Daniels
Others Present: Larry Melen, Town Manager
Lisa Sargent, Recording Secretary
Julia Lloyd Wright, Eagle Times
Barry Newton, Town Constable
Bruce Johnson, SAPA TV
Wes Hazeltine, Road Foreman
Chief Brown
Chris Callahan, Town Counsel
1. Call to Order by Chairperson: Mr. Cobb called the meeting of the Select Board to order at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at Martin Memorial Hall.
2. Comments from citizens: None
3. Review Minutes from Previous Meeting (s): Mr. Boyer made the motion to accept the minutes from the Public Hearing dated July 20, 2006, Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mrs. Daniels noted corrections. Motion carried 4 – 0, Mr. Arrison abstained.
At this time the Board held a conference call with Mrs. Elaine Hongisto to discuss Mr. Metcalf’s request to give his dog to a friend in Charlestown, NH.
Mr. Cobb said this afternoon the Town Constable picked the dog up and brought it to the Springfield Humane Society.
Mrs. Hongisto said she has contacted several Rottweiler rescue organizations and they do not take dogs with any bite history so the only choice is to have the dog put down. She said Mr. Metcalf has a friend who owns 40 acres of land in Charlestown NH and is willing to take the dog. She said he lives in a hunting camp, it is a very secure residence, very private and secluded and there is no threat the dog would injure anyone else. She requested the Select Board let Mr. Metcalf give this animal to this individual. She mentioned Mr. Newton was there today and inspected the residence.
Mr. Cobb asked if there was a reason why she did not contact organizations that are not specific to Rottweiler’s? Mrs. Hongisto said because they are not educated in Rottweiler’s.
Mr. Arrison asked if Mr. Metcalf would be willing to have the dog micro-chipped, Mrs. Hongisto said he would.
Mr. Boyer asked how old the owner of the hunting camp was, Mr. Hongisto said in his mid 40’s. Mr. Boyer asked if there was a chance this person would decide he did not want to live like this anymore and relocate. Mrs. Hongisto said no, he has lived there for quite a while and plans on remaining there.
Mr. Cobb asked what type of structure the house was; Mrs. Hongisto said a rustic hunting camp.
Mr. Cole asked how the dog would be restrained. Mrs. Hongisto said there would be no cage or fence but he would be cabled outside unless the owner was outside then he would be out free with the owner. Mr. Cole asked if the property was posted for No Trespassing, Mrs. Hongisto said not at this time but arrangements could be made to post it.
Mr. Arrison asked if the person living in the hunting camp owned the property, Mrs. Hongisto said yes.
Mr. Cobb asked if this meant Mr. Metcalf has given up on finding a rescue organization that would take the dog. Mrs. Hongisto said he can search more but feels he has asked a few and received the same answer, they will not take one with bite history. Mr. Cobb said he believes there is an organization out there that would take a dog like this. Mrs. Hongisto said she has called the three main organizations that work in RI, MA, ME, VT and CT and they will not take the dog.
Mr. Boyer asked what surrounded the 40 acres, Mrs. Hongisto said she would have to refer that question to Mr. Newton.
Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Newton if he went to this residence today, Mr. Newton said yes to pick up the dog. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Newton where the location was. Mr. Newton said you go past the landfill a few miles. Mr. Cobb asked how far from the center of Town, Mr. Newton said probably 10 miles. Mr. Newton said it is located in a thick forest, closest neighbor is down on the main road and it is his brother. Mr. Boyer asked how far away this was, Mr. Newton said probably three miles. Mr. Newton said the cabin is on the backside of the 40 acres, in an extremely rural setting.
Mrs. Daniels said she has a problem with the fact that it is a friend of the owner who hasn’t been the best owner. Would Mr. Metcalf have a problem if we notified if we notified the Town of Charlestown? Mrs. Hongisto said she didn’t think so.
Mr. Cobb said the decision we agonized over was to take the dog out of the environment. He believes the dog needs a second chance if it is possible to retrain it. Living at the end of a dead end road tethered with only one or two people interacting isn’t the second chance it needs. Mr. Cobb said he personally feels a more rigorous search should be made to find a rescue organization that will accept the dog. Mrs. Hongisto said she disagrees, a lot of people have a dog in this type of atmosphere.
Mr. Cole made the motion to go into executive session. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Once out of executive session, Mr. Cole made the motion that the dog is to be disposed of in a humane way on August 24, 2006 unless before then its owner presents a suitable placement in a rescue organization or similar organization, which is acceptable to the Select Board. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
Mr. Boyer made the motion to accept the minutes dated July 21, 2006, Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Melen asked to change the word Emergency to Special and Mrs. Daniels noted corrections. Motion carried 4 – 0, Mr. Arrison abstained.
4. Police
A. Activity Report: Mr. Arrison made mention he is pleased with the outcome of the shooting incident that happened in Town on July 29th.
B. Spillman Incident Reporting System: Chief Brown said he asked Martha to do some research on this system and he has shared the information with the Board. He said he is looking for funding and has talked with the State about possibly having the State Police use it once it is installed. He said it is getting so this needs to be a priority, he does not think it can wait until the next budget year. Mr. Melen said in order to qualify for Federal Funding we need this system. Mr. Cobb asked Mr. Melen to look at the system requirements and the cost and report back.
Skip ahead to 7
7. New Business
D. 9-1-1- Communications: Mr. Melen said he asked Chief Brown to look into this. Chief Brown said he did and has given his information to the Board. It was said the response time was not as long as Mrs. Harriman and Mr. Kehoe said it was. Mr. Cobb asked if Chief Brown had seen a pattern of responding to the wrong address, Chief Brown said no. Mr. Melen said it is not a law that Golden Cross responds with a paramedic, they respond with EMT’s. The Board asked Mr. Melen to send Mrs. Harriman a letter explaining the results of Chief Brown’s report.
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5. Constable:
Mr. Cole made the motion to go into executive session to discuss contractual arrangement. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
After the executive session Mr. Cobb said the best the Board can do is $2 per mile. Mr. Newton said he will try to work with that and withdrew his resignation at this time.
Mr. Cole made the motion to authorize the Town Manager to draw up a contractual agreement with the Town Constable. The agreement between the Board and the Constable is a compensation agreement for $2 per mile. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mr. Melen said he would review the agreement with Mr. Newton first and then present it to the Board.
C. Request Reimbursement for Storm Damage to Van: Mr. Newton said he was responding to a call during the storm on July 26 and got to close to the edge of the road on Girdlot road and damaged his van. He said the damage was to the right side and he needs his mirror and window replaced which will cost $707. Mr. Cole asked Mr. Melen if our insurance would pay for this, Mr. Melen said no. Mr. Arrison made the motion to deny the request for reimbursement for damage; Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Cole said if we retroact the $2 per mile reimbursement back to July 1 that would help take care of this. Mr. Cobb said we talked once about having the Highway Department maintain the vehicle, is this something they could repair? Mr. Newton said the work started this morning so not this time. Motion Carried 4 – 1. Mr. Cole made the motion to make the compensation agreement retroactive back to July 1, 2006. Mr. Arrison seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
D. Kitten Rescue: Mr. Newton said he received a call from a women camping at Crown Point Camping Area a few weeks ago who observed a kitten on Plains Road that needed help. He said he rescued the kitten and a Vet Tech from Claremont Animal Hospital adopted it. Mr. Cobb asked if this was why he went to the Fuller Farm. Mr. Newton said yes, she also made mention the cows looked thin but after research he said that is the way dairy cows are supposed to look. He said he has a report of her complaints. Mr. Cobb said some people in Town think he is out trolling, Mr. Newton said the van does not go out unless he receives a call.
E. Resignation: Previously withdrawn
6. Highway
A. Activity Report: Mrs. Daniels said she drove Tarbell Hill Road and the Highway Crew did an excellent job repairing the damage. Mr. Melen said our Highway Crew did an extraordinary job keeping the roads open during the recent storms. Mr. Arrison said he noticed Thrasher Road is done and told Mr. Hazeltine they did a great job on that road too.
Mr. Hazeltine discussed the tonage difference on Thrasher Road and said it is important when we accept bids we accept per ton cost not per project cost. He said some contractors bid light on ton-age because some Towns look at the bottom line.
B. Storm Damage: Mr. Arrison said he remembers a notice going to the owner on Cady Hill Road to remove the flash boards or they would be billed for damage. Mr. Melen said yes, a notice was sent. Mr. Arrison made the motion to direct the Town Manger and Public Works Director to follow up on previous discussions and bill the landowner for damage. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed unanimously.
C. Cady Hill Storm Damage: Previously discussed
Voice Mails and Emails: Mr. Cobb said all Select Board members have received complaints about emails or telephone calls not being responded to. How can we respond to them in a timely manner? Mr. Melen said after the Website policy is adopted tonight we won’t respond to emails, people will need to call in. Mr. Melen said the first issue with phone calls is there are a lot of junk phone calls to deal with. He said he has no record of there being a lot of “complaints”. Mr. Cobb gave an example of it taking five days for him to receive a return phone call. Mr. Melen said he feels the Town Office is getting the job done, if the Board doesn’t agree maybe it is time to review the staffing. Mr. Melen said they respond to everything as soon as they can. Mr. Cobb suggested they look at how messages are handled; possibly have a weekly staff call. After little discussion, Mr. Cobb suggested that Mr. Melen look into the response time and tell him why it doesn’t need to be addressed.
Forestry Truck Maintenance: Mr. Melen said he received a call from Chief Stapleton asking if the Town would maintain the forestry truck as they had in the past. It was discussed that this forestry truck Chief Stapleton was referring to is the forestry truck that Ascutney had and now West Weathersfield is interested in having it since Ascutney has a different one. Mr. Hazeltine said he had a mechanic look at and drive the truck today and it appears to be a solid truck. Mr. Arrison he is concerned with the number of vehicles between the two departments. Mr. Cobb asked if this increase in cost is insurance, Mr. Melen said the insurance cost is miniscule. Mr. Cobb asked how maintenance cost has been, Mr. Hazeltine said minimal. Mr. Cole made the motion to table this discussion so the two Chiefs’ could be invited to attend the next meeting. Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion, motion carried 3 – 2.
C. Discuss Outstanding Tasks: Mr. Cobb suggested an appendix to our minutes to track agenda items that need to be discussed. Mr. Melen said this is a good idea. Mrs. Daniels said she has talked to Mr. Melen and Carolyn Hier about flagging the Grand List to get the names of residents in the fire district; she offered to do it but Carolyn said she would do it.
D. 9-1-1- Communications: Discussed previously
Annual Agreement for Computerized Appraisal Services: Mr. Boyer made the motion to have the Chairman of the Select Board sign the Annual Agreement for Computerized Appraisal Services for $157.00. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
8. Old Business
A. Adopt Town Website Operation Policy: Mr. Cole made the motion to sign the Town Website Operation Policy. Mr. Boyer seconded the motion, which passed without dissent.
9. Sign Treasurer’s Warrants: Mr. Arrison made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Warrants as follows:
General Fund Payroll $ 14,867.63
General Fund Operating Expense $206,215.33
Highway Fund Payroll $ 14,130.55
Highway Fund Operating Expense $ 7,976.87
Solid Waste Management Fund Payroll $ 1,786.95
Solid Waste Management Fund Operating Expense $ 205.24
Reserves $ 976.72
Mrs. Daniels seconded the motion. Mr. Melen said the General Fund is high because we have received the bond monies. Motion carried unanimously.
10. Next Meeting’s Agenda Items: Dog ordinance revision, Andrew Bearse recognition, spillman system, forestry truck, Barry Newton compensation, reappraisal bids, agreement with DEA, error and omissions from Grand List, visit from Micheal Smith, waste management discussion.
11. Adjourn: Mr. Arrison made the motion to adjourn. Mr. Cole seconded the motion, which passed without dissent. The Weathersfield Select Board meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa A. Sargent
Approved by the Weathersfield Select Board August 24, 2006____________________
Henry C. Cobb
______________________
Daniel Boyer
_______________________
C. Peter Cole
________________________
Norman John Arrison
________________________
Patricia Daniels
AppendixAgenda items to be discussed:
Dog ordinance revision
Andrew Bearse recognition
Spillman system
Barry Newton compensation
Forestry truck
Reappraisal
Agreement with DEA
Errors and omissions from Grand List
Visit from Michael Smith
Waste Management discussion (Barry Newton)
Fire District letter