TOWN OF STARK, NH
Select Board Meeting Minutes DRAFT
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
6 PM
Stark Town Office
Call to Order
Select Board Chairman, Glen Wiggin, called the meeting to order at 6 pm.
Persons Present for All or Part of the Entire Meeting
Select Board Members: Glenn Wiggin, Lisa Demers, Crystal Pelletier; Office Manager, Patty Peel
James Hickey, Rodney Monahan, Elaine Monahan, Everett Frizzell, Stephan Gilman, Jack Pepau, Cristol Lavallee, Kelly Butler, Henry Dion, Cheryl Gale, Bob Gale
Read and approve minutes from previous meetings— April 17, 2024
Motion to waive the reading of the minutes, Glen Wiggin, 2nd Lisa Demers. Motion Passed.
Sign the Following:
- Select Board signed checks & Manifest 18 totaling $40,888.63.
- Select Board signed Intents to Excavate/Mason 405-58 & 405-59-1 and Cloutier 408-90 & 408-103.
- Select Board signed Grave Tax Warrant/405-58 & 405-59-1.
- Select Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Northumberland Public Library.
- Select Board signed a Parade Permit for the 250th
- Select Board signed a Forest Fire Report/Bill.
Department Reports
- Heritage Center—Everett Frizzell
- Heritage Center committee submitted a request to transfer $10,000 from the Heritage Center checking account to Heritage Center CD.
- Motion by Lisa Demers to move $10,000 from Heritage Center checking account to Heritage Center CD, 2nd by Glenn Wiggin.
- The walkway going up to the main entrance of Heritage Center is ledge pack; moss has grown over it. The committee would like to contact Dereck Croteau for an estimate of cost to scrape down.
- Heritage Center committee submitted a request to transfer $10,000 from the Heritage Center checking account to Heritage Center CD.
- Highway—Woodbury Cole Road; Union Church Lawn Work
- Select Board discussed Woodbury Cole Road. Glenn Wiggin has reached out to Mason and Ben Lewis for estimates on repair and will reach out to Cloutier Construction. It was discussed that the landowners on Woodbury Cole Road should also be contacted.
- Glenn Wiggin mentioned that the damage done by pushing snow onto the Union Church lawn had been taken care of. The Select Board discussed not plowing snow onto the Stark Union Church property, which is privately owned by the Pew Owners. Options for plowing snow were discussed. Crystal Pelletier will go to the Stark School Board to discuss the possibility of pushing snow onto school property until it can be removed. Lisa Demers mentioned moving snow over to the property where the old fire department was. Patty Peel will look to see if the Town owns that property.
- Glenn Wiggin made a motion to stop pushing snow onto the Union Church property and to stake and put ribbon up during winter months so visible and the Town doesn’t push snow onto property. Lisa Demer 2nd the motion. Motion Passed.
- JLMC—Right to Know Follow Up, Letter of Resignation
- Lisa Demers contacted the Labor Board to clarify whether the JLMC was subject to Right to Know. Lisa shared emails exchanged between herself and the NH Department of Labor. Crystal Pelletier discussed the organization of the JLMC, citing LAB 600 and 601. According to these regulations, a select board member should be on the JLMC as the management representative. Crystal Pelletier will be the representative from the Select Board. Crystal will work with the current employee to put together a viable committee and bring it back to the Select Board to accept. The Select Board agrees that the JLMC is subject to Right to Know and should be following RSA 91-A.
- Glenn Wiggin read a letter of resignation from Ray Perkins, who submitted his resignation from the JLMC.
- Glenn Wiggin made a motion to accept the resignation of Ray Perkins from the JLMC, 2nd by Crystal Pelletier. Motion Passed 2-1, Glenn Wiggin-Yes, Crystal Pelletier-Yes, Lisa Demers-No.
- Fire Dept—-Uniform Purchase; SOGs; Employment Application; Janitor Contract; Computer; Nomination of Chief from Assistant Chief
- Select Board discussed the SOGs of the Stark Fire Department. The SOGs need to be gone through in more detail and updated. The SB asked that the fire department go back over the SOGs and update, then bring them back to the Select Board for approval.
- Select Board were presented with a bill in the amount of $467.45 for a Class A Uniform ordered by Charles Nesbitt under the Stark Volunteer Fire Department account. Because this was a personal purchase, the bill should be the responsibility of Charles Nesbitt. Assistant Chief Jack Pepau was concerned that the purchase was under the Town’s account and 5 months past due, so he used his personal credit card to pay the bill. To date Assistant Chief Pepau has not been reimbursed by Charles Nesbitt. Lisa Demers will reach out to Charles Nesbitt to see what he has to say about the situation.
- Assistant Chief, Jack Pepau, reached out to Charles Nesbitt to see if he intended to remain in the fire department as a fire fighter; at this time, it is his intent to remain on the fire department.
- Glenn Wiggin submitted a contract to be used for all employees hired. Glenn made a motion to use the NH Employment Contract he submitted as an employee contract once the statements entitling an employee to severance pay are removed, 2nd by Crystal Pelletier. Motion Passed.
- Jack Pepau was nominated to fill the position of Chief by the Stark Fire Department members.
- Glenn Wiggin made a motion to appoint Jack Pepau as Chief of the Stark Volunteer Fire Department, 2nd by Crystal Pelletier. Motion Passed.
- Chief Pepau requested the Select Board accept Jay Beaton onto the fire department.
- Glenn Wiggin made a motion to accept Jay Beaton onto the fire department, pending a cleared criminal record check, 2nd by Crystal Pelletier. Motion Passed.
- Select Board discussed the computer removed from the fire department that Charlie Nesbitt claims is his personal property. Patty Peel will consult with Drummond Woodsum law firm to get a legal opinion on how to proceed with the computer, which was used for Town business.
- Select Board discussed applying for reimbursement for an EMT course paid for on behalf of a fire fighter. The SB will complete the application for reimbursement to the WorkInvestNH-EMT training reimbursement program.
- Tax Collector—Tax Deed
- Elaine Monahan, Tax Collector, asked the SB to sign a waiver of tax deed for one year on the Bartlett property. Select Board signed the deed waiver.
Old Business
- Ordinance Review
- Select Board reviewed the following ordinances:
- Fireworks Ordinance—Ordinance will reference State RSA
- Snowmobile Ordinance—Crystal will revise to say, “nearest trail access”.
- OHRV Ordinance—Clarified use of Recycle Road to say “by Town of Stark Authorized Recycle Center Users.”
- Patty Peel will put all on letterhead for the next meeting.
- Policies: Safety, Discipline, Contractors List/Employee List/ Committee Members List, Hiring Policy
- Safety Policy—Lisa Demers submitted suggested additions/changes for review by other SB members (Record keeping policy for accidents reporting, injury log, confined space defined for Town of Stark, Safety Health & Requirement Policy)
- Discipline Policy—suggested changes by Glenn Wiggin and Lisa Demers given to Crystal Pelletier for editing.
- Glenn—Contractor List/Employee List/Committee Member List submitted to other SB members for review.
- Volunteer Policy—Lisa Demers submitted a Volunteer Policy from back in 2018 for SB consideration.
- Crystal Pelletier shared with the SB the RSA regarding Criminal Record Checks.
- Grading—Lisa Demers asked how the grading was going.
- Grading complete on all Town Road by Mason Enterprises. Discussion on using all local resources available for grading. The Town Roads will most likely be graded at least one more time this year.
- Copy Fees
- Glenn Wiggin made a motion to change copy fees to 50 cents for the 1st 10 copies and 10 cents for copies beyond 10 copies, 2nd by Crystal Pelletier. Motion Passed.
- Leighton Meadow Bridge Engineer Report: Roadway & Bridge Alignment Options
- SB members were each given a copy of the report from Bruce Knox. Patty Peel will inquire about a 4th Town Office copy.
- Select Board reviewed the following ordinances:
New Business
- Lisa Demers mentioned that the Donovan Road sign needs to be replaced.
- Glenn Wiggin mentioned another sign down at the junction of Leighton Meadow Bridge and Paris Road.
- Lisa Demers spoke with Albert Cloutier regarding the reconstruction of a section of Northside Road. Supplies will be moved in on May 10th, 2024. Lisa asked the road agent, Ron Boivin, to reach out to Albert. Patty Peel will send letters out to residents in that stretch to let them know that work will be beginning and let Berry Transportation know.
Other Business
- Jack Pepau shared that the water is up in the pond at the Transfer Station; Stephan has the inlet opened.
- Lisa Demers asked how the dry hydrant was; Ron Boivin reported that it was usable.
- Glenn Wiggin discussed a blanket statement from the Firemen’s Association giving Town all items at fire station. It was determined that the Select Board would like an itemized list, as an inventory was recently completed by the Select Board and some of the fire fighters.
Glenn Wiggin made a motion to go into nonpublic session at 7:48 pm, 2nd by Lisa Demers. Motion passed.
Specific Statutory Reason cited as foundation for the nonpublic session:
Non-Public
RSA 91-A:3, II (a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the
disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the
employee affected (1) has a right to a public meeting, and (2) requests that the meeting be open,
in which case the request shall be granted.
RSA 91-A:3, II (c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely adversely affect the reputation
of any person, other than a member of this board, unless such person requests an open meeting.
This exemption shall extend to include any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of
a fee, fine or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant.
Glenn Wiggin made a motion to return to public session, 2nd by Crystal Pelletier. Motion Passed.
Public Session reconvened at 8:20 pm.
Motion to adjourn at 8:21 Glenn, 2nd Crystal. Motion Passed.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Glenn Wiggin, 2nd by Crystal Pelletier. Motion Passed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:21 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia S. Peel, Office Manager
__________________________________ __________________________________
Glenn Wiggin, Select Board Chair Date Approved
__________________________________ __________________________________
Lisa Demers, Select Board Member Crystal Pelletier, Select Board Member
* Cemetery Trustee Meeting May 6, 2024 5 pm Heritage Center
*Planning Board Meeting May 8, 2024 6 pm Stark Town Hall
*Select Board Meeting May 15, 2024 6 pm Stark Town Hall
*Select Board Meeting June 5, 2024 6 pm Stark Town Hall
TOWN OF STARK, NH
Select Board Meeting Minutes Nonpublic Session
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
7:48 PM
Stark Town Office
Members Present: Glenn Wiggin, Lisa Demers, Crystal Pelletier
Motion to enter Nonpublic Session made by Glenn Wiggin, 2nd by Lisa Demers.
Specific Statutory Reason cited as foundation for the nonpublic session:
RSA 91-A:3, II (a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the
disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the
employee affected (1) has a right to a public meeting, and (2) requests that the meeting be open,
in which case the request shall be granted.
RSA 91-A:3, II (c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation
of any person, other than a member of this board, unless such person requests an open meeting.
This exemption shall extend to include any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of
a fee, fine or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant.
Roll Call Vote to enter nonpublic session Glenn Wiggin-Yes, Lisa Demers-Yes, Crystal Pelletier-Yes.
Entered nonpublic session at 7:48 pm.
Other persons present during nonpublic session: Patty Peel, Office Manager; Ron Boivin
Description of matters discussed and final decisions made: Select Board discussed with Road Agent, Ron Boivin, his availability for summer work/hours. Ron will get back to the SB with his intentions by the May 15, 2024 meeting.
Ron Boivin left the meeting at 8 pm.
Select Board discussed return of Forestry Truck. At this time Select Board is willing to let the matter rest.
Motion to leave nonpublic session and return to public session by Glenn Wiggin, 2nd by Crystal Pelletier.
Motion Passed.
Public session reconvened at 8:20 pm
These minutes recorded by: Patty Peel, Office Manager.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia S. Peel, Office Manager
__________________________________ __________________________________
Glenn Wiggin, Select Board Chair Date Approved
__________________________________ __________________________________
Lisa Demers, Select Board Member Crystal Pelletier, Select Board Member