MEMBERS PRESENT:  Tal Kersh, Dave Jenkins

 OTHERS PRESENT:  Mark Decoteau, Town Manager; Dave Gyger, Arena Director; Chris Hodges, Director of Public Safety, David Noyes, Chief of Police

 Chairman Kersh called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.  Chairman Kersh expressed his regrets to the Board on the recent passing of Ruthie Antonides, and asked for a moment of silence in her honor.  The agenda was discussed as follows:

 Privilege of the Floor

None

 Minutes of the April 13th Meeting

The Board reviewed the minutes of the April 13th Meeting.  One spelling correction made to the minutes.  Minutes accepted as corrected.

 Financial Update

The Selectmen reviewed the expenditure report.  The Town is through approximately 32.69% of the fiscal year.  The Town Manager reported that all departments are on track with expenditures to date.  He also reported that the insurance amounts are slightly over based on quarterly payments.  Chairman Kersh questioned miscellaneous revenues.  The Town Manager mentioned that we are ahead on the budgeted number based on a check from the bond bank.  Revenues will be adjusted in September.  There were no further questions.

 Department Head Update

The Board received updates from Dave Gyger, Arena Director regarding Plymouth State University and its use of the Arena.  A meeting was held last week with President Wharton and Virginia Barry from Plymouth State University, and they will stay with us for a minimum of six years, and that there is the possibility of expanding their use of the town for educational purposes as well as placing Waterville Valley and the Resort in their fall catalog, and promoting lodging in Waterville Valley for parents/family during graduation.  A meeting will take place in the near future with Virginia Barry to discuss these plans.  Dave also updated the Board on the construction process at the Arena.  The floor drains were being placed, and both locker rooms will be rough framed by the end of the week.  Dave noted that the project should come in under budget again.

 Committee Updates

Chairman Kersh updated the Board on the Planning Board activities.  The Planning Board continues to struggle to put together a master plan.  Six of the eight paragraphs in the Master Plan have been completed.  The Planning Board will re-convene in one month to discuss major issues.  Tal updated the board on the location of the sewer line along Valley Road.  The sewer line will now be on the west side of the highway as opposed to the east side which is in the original plan.  The Town Manager mentioned that with the location change of the sewer line, it will allow for an enlarged sidewalk that will run from the corner of Village Road to bridge on the west side of Valley Road.

 Correspondence

A letter was received from the Town of Ashland advising us of a cell tower that would be placed in their town and that they must notify us based on the possibility that it could be seen from our town.  The board found no problem with the cell tower and discussed that it would not be visible from town. 

 Chairman Kersh voiced concern over the future building of cell towers in town.  Selectmen Jenkins mentioned that we are protected by the Forest Service, as they only allow current structures. 

 Mark Decoteau, Town Manager mentioned that there could be possible legal action against the town regarding the Cell Tower on Mt. Tecumseh.  U.S. Cellular was sent a delinquent tax bill and they called to say that they are not the owners and that Silver Bow is the owner.  Silver Bow is looking for an abatement on their 2004 tax bill regarding the assessed value of the tower.  The tower is assessed at $150,000.

 Residency List Review

The Board reviewed the residency list, and a letter will be sent to those in question on the list to determine their residency status.  Once the residency list is updated,  a current Resident List will be sent to the Supervisors of the Checklist.

 Personnel Policy Review

The Town Manager presented the board with pay comparisons which compares current pay rates and ranges with similar towns within the state.  A proposed member list was presented to the Board for a Personnel Policy Review Committee.  Dave Jenkins, Selectmen and Mark Decoteau, Town Manager will co-chair this committee.  The committee will review the current personnel policy.  It was decided that the Board of Selectmen, not the Review Committee will update the Town’s Benefit package.

 Sign Long Term Note

Long Term Note was signed as presented.

 Direction to Tax Collector on Tax Lien Process

Mark Decoteau, Town Manager discussed the tax lien process as learned during a class for Tax Collectors put on by the NH Association of Town Clerks/Tax Collectors.

 FY05 Alcohol Enforcement Grant

Chief of Police David Noyes notified the Board that the Police Department will receive a $2000.00 grant for Underage Drinking Enforcement pending the approval by the Governor and Executive Council.  The amount is down $2000.00 from last year’s grant because of the number of Police Departments in the State applying for the grant.   

Chairman Kersh moved to accept the grant pending State approval; Dave Jenkins seconded and was in favor of the grant. 

 Sign Permit Requests

The Board reviewed and accepted sign applications for Gradybuilt Builders. The signs have been placed at two locations on Cascade Ridge.

 Schedule of Meetings in May

Due to vacations, the May Board of Selectmen’s Meetings have been changed as follows:

            May 2, 2005 -  4:30pm  - Town Hall Meeting Room

            May 26, 2005 – 4:00pm – Town Hall Meeting Room

 Privilege of the Floor

None

 Action Item List

The Board next reviewed the Action Item List.

 Board Concerns and Directives

None

 Non-Public Session

The Board voted to enter non-public session at 10:15am for the purposes of discussing a potential Land Acquisition Issue and discussing two Domicile Questionnaires.

 The Selectmen voted to come out of non-public session at 10:43am.

 The Selectmen asked that the Town Manager draft a School Building Contract, as they would like to see it and have the document prepared for review at the first regular meeting in June.

 The Selectmen voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:53am.

Respectfully Submitted,

 Holly Burbank

Administrative Assistant