Town of Lisbon
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
December 13, 2004
7:00 pm Meeting Opened
Selectmen Present: R. Pride, J. Northrop. Absent: J. Hite
Clerk: W. Johnson
Media: None
Bills and manifest approved for the week.
Minutes of the 12/6/04 meeting were approved.
Chief Houston addressed the Board regarding some fire department issues and the proposed 2005 operating budget. Chief noted the membership numbers are low but steady and have six to eight members who respond to most calls except a little lower on weekends. The wire mill still employs six members during the day that really helps the department handle daytime calls. Training and liability for having trained members still is the number one hold back for many potential members and it is impossible to relax these requirements very much while still being responsible for the lives of the members. Discussed the hourly wage rate for responders, Franconia is now paying $15/hr because they have so many self employed members that can’t afford to respond during the day. After discussion JN moved and RP 2nd to approved
a $1.00/hr increase to $10/hr for the 2005 wages. So voted all. Chief also requested permission to adjust stipends for officers as some of the higher paid officers are contributing less than the lower paid ones due to their personal schedules. There would be no increase in the overall total of stipends just different splits based on the amount of work and responsibilities each officer performs during the year. JN moved an RP 2nd to allow the department officers to adjust the annual officer’s stipends among themselves not exceeding the total funds available and to come back to the Board if an agreement can’t be reached among the officers. So voted all. The department budget was reviewed with some discussion on retaining trucks that are no longer used for regular service like E-3. It was agreed the needs assessment for the new station would deal with retaining older equipment like E-3. It was agreed it is a goal to get the budget to $60,000 for 2005 if some
items could be purchased by year-end or encumbered from remaining 04 funds. Current proposed budget is at $61,450. Chief discussed a public safety grant written by WJ that was awarded this week to purchase a mini hydraulic extrication tool and 50% of the funds would need to come from the remaining 04 funds in the amount of $4500. JN moved and RP 2nd to approve the transfer of $4500 of the remaining salary line to the equipment line to match the grant for the purchase. So voted all. Chief also reported a warrant article would most likely be forthcoming to raise funds for an architect to assist the new station building committee with the needs assessment portion of the project. The estimated amount is $12,000 for the architect, a RFQ/P is being sent out this week to receive proposals for the work. RP suggested Chief look at the possibility of giving up one of his part time jobs to possibility
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
December 13, 2004
Page 2
allow for some regular paid hours for department administration work. Chief will consider how much it would take to replace one of his jobs and report back to the Board for consideration next year. Chief left the meeting with thanks from the Board for his and the department’s efforts in 2004.
Board discussed the tri-town municipal agreement among Lisbon, Littleton and Bethlehem. Selectman Hite called in to vote in the affirmative to approve the agreements as written. Chairman Pride made the following motion and J. Northrop 2nd.
Whereas, the Selectmen of the Town of Lisbon wish to pursue joint economic development activity in conjunction with the Towns of Littleton & Bethlehem, and
Whereas, the Selectmen wish to pursue development of land off of Brook Rd. in Bethlehem, in conjunction with the Towns of Littleton and Bethlehem, and further, to have the Littleton Industrial Development Corporation serve as the agent for development activities associated with the Brook Rd. Business Park project, pursued in conjunction with the Towns of Littleton & Bethlehem, and
Whereas, the Selectmen have reviewed and approved the documents associated with establishing the Inter-municipal Agreements between the Towns of Bethlehem, Littleton and Lisbon and the Agreement between the three communities and the Littleton Industrial Development Corporation,
Now therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lisbon do hereby approve and authorize execution of the Inter-municipal Agreement between the Towns of Lisbon, Littleton & Bethlehem NH for the purposes of undertaking a joint economic development activity on the Brook Rd. in Bethlehem NH;
And further approve execution of the Agreement to utilize the Littleton Industrial Development Corporation as the Development Agent for the Brook Rd. Business Park project;
And further approve execution of the Agreement with Peak Three Associates LLC related to the transfer of land for the Brook Rd. Business Park;
And further to authorize the Chairman to execute the LIDC and Peak Three Associates LLC documents on behalf of the Town. So voted all.
WJ presented a revised agreement with the NH Department of Health and Human Services for Board approval and signatures. The agreement allows for the Town to be reimbursed by the NHDHHS for funds paid to individuals through Town welfare assistance while applications for SSI and other assistance are pending at the State level. JN moved and RP 2nd to approve the revised agreement with signatures. So voted all.
WJ reported he has still had no response from Bob Landry at NH DOT regarding the Route 302 upgrade advisory committee schedule. Landry has not returned e-mail inquiries from WJ as of this date.
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December 13, 2004
Page 3
WJ reported on a report from Attorney Samaha regarding his search of the title for the Town owned property located off of Breezy Hill Road. The original deed does describe a
right of way to the property and therefore the Town does have legal access to the property although it is not well defined in the deed according to Samaha.
WJ reported appointments beginning at 1:00 pm until 3:30 had been scheduled with department heads for Wednesday, 12/15/04 to discuss proposed budgets.
JN moved and RP 2nd to continue this meeting on Wednesday, December 15 at 1:00 pm at the fire station meeting room to review proposed department budgets. So voted all.
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