BOS Minutes 7/17/17

MINUTES OF THE JULY 17, 2017 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

MEMBER’S PRESENT:  Board Members Bruno Federico, Joe Lovejoy, Mike Houghton and Town Administrator Paul Deschaine.

At 7:35 Chairman Federico opened the general meeting of the Board of Selectmen.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Town Treasurer Deb Bronson reported that the current balance was $10,362,577.

MINUTES:  Mr. Lovejoy moved to approve the minutes of 6/26 and 7/10, as amended.  Mr. Federico seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

FIRE DEPT.

Fire Chief Matt Larrabee reported 397 calls for the year and gave an update on routine Fire Dept. happenings.  They are trying to get funding for a second fireworks show on Sunday night.  Mr. Federico moved to permit a second fireworks show.  Mr. Houghton seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The State of NH Division of Forest & Lands is requesting that the Fire Dept. submit a list of whom we would like to appoint as forest and fire deputy wardens.  John Dodge, former Fire Warden, recommended Matt Larrabee to be appointed Fire Warden.  Chief Larrabee submitted the paperwork to the Board for signatures. 

Mr. Deschaine said that last year an interim draft of an Emergency Operations Plan was created by Fire Chief Larrabee, Police Chief Scippa and the Fair Directors.  Mr. Deschaine briefly reviewed the contents.  During the past year, it was fine-tuned and a more comprehensive approach was developed.  Mr. Houghton motioned to adopt the Emergency Operations Plan for the Stratham Fair for July 2017.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion which passed unanimously.  Mr. Deschaine noted that the Board also needed to approve the Annual Concurrence.  Mr. Houghton motioned to re-adopt the Annual Concurrence of the Stratham Emergency Operations Plan.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

At 8:04 pm Mr. Federico made a motion to go into a non-public session to discuss a personnel issue.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

At 8:23 Mr. Houghton motioned to come out of the non-public session and seal the minutes.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

POLICE DEPT.

Police Chief John Scippa reported that the Police Department is prepared to assist with the Fair.  He also discussed extra patrols which have been 80% funded by a NH Highway Safety Patrol grant to catch DWI drivers. 

The Police Dept.’s School Officer is working with the Parks & Recreation Dept. and the Highway Dept. to have Bike Rodeos throughout the month of August.  Chief Scippa commended the Wright Place Ice Cream Shop for their generous donations and tremendous support of the program.

8:28 pm Mr. Federico motioned to go into a non-public session to discuss a personnel issue that would adversely affect the reputation of another.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion which was passed unanimously.

Mr. Houghton motioned to come out of the non-public session at 9:24 pm and seal the minutes.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

MEETINGS:  Mr. Lovejoy said that Stu Arnett gave a presentation at the Route 108 Corridor Study Committee meeting regarding setting up a Tax Increment Finance district.  The Committee is contemplating the information and will discuss it at their next meeting.

RESERVATIONS

The Cornerstone School requested use of the Front Pavilion on September 8 for a Field Trip and requested that the fee be waived. 

Mr. Federico motioned to approve the request and waive the fee.  Mr. Houghton seconded the motion which passed unanimously.  

The Cornerstone School also requested to use the Scamman Pavilion on the Mondays and Wednesdays from August 28 through November 1 for afternoon cross country practice.

Mr. Federico motioned to approve the request and waive the fee.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 

ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Lovejoy made a motion to appoint Ana Egana as an alternate member of the Conservation Commission.  Mr. Houghton seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Mr. Deschaine said that Beverly Connolly has submitted an application to serve as a member of Trustees of the Trust Funds.  She has previously served on the Heritage Commission.  Mikki Deschaine and Diane Morgera have met with her and support her appointment to the Trustees. 

Mr. Federico made a motion to approve the candidate, Beverly Connolly, to the Trustees of the Trust Funds as recommended by the current Board of the Trustees of the Trust Funds.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Mr. Deschaine reported that he has contacted legal counsel and started the eviction process regarding the tax deeded property, 67 Depot Road.  He will keep the Board updated. 

OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Deschaine’s last item of business is the approval of the Social Media Policy, which now incorporates the Board’s and Allison Knab’s comments.  Mr. Lovejoy motioned to adopt the Social Media Policy as of 7/17/17.  Mr. Houghton seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

At 9:44 pm Mr. Federico motioned to adjourn.  The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Richard
Recording Secretary