Selectman Constance Jones called the regular session of the Selectmen's meeting to order on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Town Office, located at 34 Dunbar Hill Road, Grantham, N.H.

Selectman Constance Jones                     Chairman Michael J. Hayward, Sr.

Selectman William Hutchins

Town Administrator Tina Stearns

Paul Gosselin, Resident

Donna Roberson, Argus-Champion

Building Permits - Approved

• Bisson, Richard & Charlotte - M222 L33 - 14 Azure Brae - Shed
• Chamberlin, Roger & Mary - M221 L33 - Top O'World Road - New Construction
• Demers, Douglass & Sherry - M216 L42-2 - Burpee Hill Road - New Construction
• Koritko, Michael - M225 L177 - 41 Troon Drive - Deck Addition
• LaFlam, Leonard & Alicia - M233 L91 - 28 Route 114 - Porch Renovation
• Rosvally, R.J. - M222 L225 - 31 Deer Run - Garage
• Schettino, Alexander & Patricia - M226 L5 - New Aldrich Rd. - New Construction
• Shulman, Lawrence & Sheila - M215 L64 - 8 Turner Brae - New Construction
• Sleath, Barry & Glenda - M222 L1-4 - Burpee Hill Road - New Construction
• Tarand Development LLC - M225 L149 - 9 Moose Run - New Construction
• Vogt, Frederick & Phyllis - M225 L144 - 8 Moose Run - Shed

For Approval - Approved

• MS-1 Extension Request Form
• Notice of Intent to Excavate received from Warren Kimball - M241 L11 - Cote Road
• Quitclaim Deed to Katherine Godek - M233 L25 - Pillsbury Road
• Employee Recognition Award to Sarah Barton for excellent performance during Town Administrator's absence

Paul Gosselin, 96 Silo Lane - Cul de Sac Issue - Mr. Gosselin explained to the Board that through a series of miscommunications with Road Agent, Joe Newcomb, he had erected a bank of soil between the cul-de-sac and his home to create privacy and keep down the dust.

Mr. Gosselin admitted the bank does encroach into the Town right-of-way approximately eight to ten feet, however, insisted he had not meant to break any rule and had thought he had obtained the permission of the Road Agent. Mr. Gosselin also stated he had planted trees just at the back edge of the bank, complicating the possible removal of the bank by pushing it back out of the right-of-way. Administrator Stearns presented photographs of the site and reported that it is a problem for the Road Agent when snow plowing as there is now insufficient room to make the turn. The Board discussed the problem and decided it is necessary to examine the plat of the subdivision to determine the layout of the cul-de-sac. In response to Selectman Hutchin's inquiry, Mr. Gosselin said he was agreeable to removing the bank in a way so as not to kill the trees he had planted. The Board ended the session saying this matter will be taken under advisement and Mr. Gosselin will be notified of the meeting date at which the Board will make its determination.

Before Mr. Gosselin departed, Administrator Stearns offered to assist him with his application for current use.

Noting that Chairman Hayward was absent tonight, Selectman Jones, stated for the record she approves the minutes of the July 24, 2002 regular and non-public meeting, and suggested this agenda item be placed on the table until Chairman Hayward's next attendance. Selectman Hutchins concurred.

Fund Request - Town of Newport - Newport District Court - Administrator Stearns read aloud a letter received from Daniel P. O'Neill, Town Manager of Newport. In the letter,

Mr. O'Neill reviewed the recent history of problems with the Newport District Court building and the steps that have been taken by the Town of Newport towards raising funds to acquire a site for the Court that will be in compliance with State of NH requirements. Mr. O'Neill also noted the advantages to area towns of having a District Court on the eastern side of the county within reasonable travel distance for law officers who must attend sessions and the monetary considerations that go along with that. The letter made an appeal for $10,000.00 to aid in the refurbishing of the former Citizens Bank Building, which has been acquired as the site for the Newport District Court.

Selectman Jones detailed the severe shortcomings of the current District Court building, stating the building was not only unsatisfactory in many aspects such as facilities for lawyer/client privacy, but there are very real safety concerns. Selectman Jones pointed out there is a definite benefit to Grantham of having a District Court in Newport as opposed to having our police officers traveling to Claremont, and this presents a possible hardship for our citizens as well. Further, should the State's plans for Court consolidation get back on track, the Newport location should be adequate to accommodate both Claremont and Newport District Courts.

Selectman Hutchins agreed, however, he pointed out that the Grantham Police Station suffers the same shortcomings as the current District Court and how could the Board explain this expenditure to the voters? Following some further discussion, Administrator Stearns suggested drafting an article for the March Town Meeting warrant. The Board expressed support for this suggestion.

Administrator Stearns informed the Board a copy of an anonymous letter addressed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment had been received at the Town Office. Following a short discussion on the merits of anonymous letters, the Board decided to wait until after the ZBA meets to get that result.

A letter has been received inquiring whether Grantham Selectmen will attend this service, Administrator Stearns said. Selectman Jones and Selectman Hutchins indicated they will attend the service.

Highway

l. Roofing bids have been received from the following concerns:

Croydon Construction $3500

Duquette Roofing $3800

Shawn Rowell $5023

D&D Construction $6339

Clements Carpentry $8500

2. Paving of transfer station lot and shim & overlay on Stoneybrook Road; bids have been received from the following concerns:

United Construction $58,457

Pike Construction $62,424

Blaktop $65,375

July Activity Report - Administrator Stearns reported that Chief Lary is on vacation.

Deputy Chief Whitney will be on vacation the week of August 26^th.

A former member of the Grantham Police Dept., Todd Lique, will be rejoining the department on a part time basis.

Police Department secretary, Teresa Mastin, has had her hours increased from 25 per week to 30 per week.

The new police department vehicle is at Adamson's to have the police equipment installed.

Road Incident - Administrator Stearns reported that a tractor-trailer, while attempting to turn around on Pillsbury Road, jack-knifed and caused damage to the road pavement and shoulder. On recommendation of the police department, a repair estimate will be obtained from Pike and United Construction, to be submitted to the truck driver's insurance carrier. Road Agent Newcomb estimates the repair can be completed by his department for about $500 and further stated the shoulder damage is the more severe.

Computer Purchase - Administrator Stearns reported two new Gateway computer systems have been delivered and plans are to get them up and running after next week's audit is finished. One of the older systems will be going to the Highway Dept. and the other one will be set up in the Selectmen's office as an available system for other use.

Part-time Help - Administrator Stearns reported Shirley Curtis has been hired as a part-time employee in the Selectmen's office and will also be taking the minutes at Selectmen's meetings, Planning Board and Zoning Board Meetings.

Payroll Software Upgrade - An inquiry was made to the current software provider regarding a payroll software system, however, the quote was considered too high. The former software provider, BMSI, was contacted and is agreeable to allowing the town to come back on board, not as a new client, but as an upgrade. BMSI gave a figure of $2000 for an upgrade to Windows version payroll software. The Board discussed this and the consensus of the Board was to go with this. Selectman Hutchins asked about the age of the current computers and payroll software. Administrator Stearns replied the computers are 4 years old and very inadequate for the job; the payroll software is 6 years old.

Revised Rules and Regulations - Administrator Stearns referred to the revisions and suggested the Board read through the document and schedule discussion for the next meeting. Included in the revisions was a change of C&D fees, and commercial hauler fees.

Request to purchase 30-yard container - Administrator Stearns reported that Road Agent Newcomb would like to purchase a 30-yard container for recycled items. The cost of the container is $2700. It was the consensus of the Board to go with this purchase. There was also discussion of the future purchase of a roll off truck. Following some discussion regarding the cost of the equipment, the expiration of the contract with AllWaste in 2004 and the expiration of the NH/VT Solid Waste Dist. agreement in 2007, it was the consensus of the Board to have Road Agent Newcomb get prices and put them in the budget for March 2003 Town Meeting.

Ball Field Flagging - Ball field flagging has been rescheduled for 8/20/02. Following this, estimates will be obtained from two chippers. The goal is to have the area cleared by the end of September.

Landfill Closure Update - Proceeding very well. A letter will be sent to United Construction stipulating remaining work to be done. Final payment will be held until this work is completed.

GVS Beautification Committee - Loam, etc. - Administrator Stearns reported she had been informed that Selectman Hutchins had received a request from the Committee for loam. Noting that Noel Eastman owed the Town loam in exchange for stone material removed from the former transfer station site, the request had been approved. The 16-yard load of loam was delivered to the school site and the Committee is happy. They have requested more loam. The consensus of the Board was to inform the Committee that such requests should be submitted, in writing, to the Town Administrator and will be discussed at a regularly scheduled Board of Selectmen's meeting.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION - On a motion by Selectman Jones, seconded by Selectman Hutchins; the Board voted unanimously, by poll, to adjourn at 7:49 p.m. into non-public session under the terms of RSA 91:A:3 Para. II(a) to discuss personnel issues. Selectmen returned to regular session at 7:58 p.m. and reported that Selectmen voted unanimously to hire Michael Szelangowsky as a part time police officer.

There being no further business, Selectman Jones moved to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Hutchins; the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:58 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 3:30 p.m. at the Town Office.

Respectfully submitted,