BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES 02-24-03 APPROVED 03-03-03
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Chairman Harold Wood. Members present: Norm Weldy, Wayne Welch, Paul Brown and Jonathan Wood. Also present: Richard C. Bates, Town Manager.

Chairman Wood led a salute to the flag and a moment of silence for lives lost in the Rhode Island nightclub fire.

PUBLIC FORUM
Bill Kelley asked if anyone had looked into the ad for Onway Lake Village about renting snowmobiles. The Board agreed to have someone look into this.

Bill Kelley asked if Raymond Sand and Gravel has had to pay fines and penalties for violations. Chairman Wood stated that to his knowledge they have not.

Bill Kelley asked about the status of the violations against Patterson Paving. Chairman Wood responded that this is in litigation and cannot be discussed at this time.

Lyman Hammond asked about the status of correcting the situation on Gile and Scribner Road. Town Manager Bates stated the Public Works Director McCarthy is working on a temporary solution that should ease the concerns about this intersection.

Lyman Hammond asked about the status of the end of Scribner Road. Town Manager Bates stated that it might be solved in a couple of weeks and assured Mr. Hammond that he would be kept informed.

Bill Kelley suggested that the speed limit on Onway Lake Road be lowered and asked if this could be sent to the safety committee for review. The Board of Selectmen agreed.

PUBLIC HEARING TO ACCEPT DONATIONS FOR DARE PROGRAM
The Board of Selectmen reviewed donations made to the DARE program. Police Chief Salois has requested that these funds be deposited in the DARE account.

MOTION: Selectman Weldy made a motion to accept the donations made to the DARE program. Selectman J. Wood seconded. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Unfinished Business
The Board of Selectmen met with Town Moderator Kathy Hoelzel. School Moderator Tim Louis was unable to attend this evening's meeting. Mrs. Hoelzel discussed the plans for Election Day. Voting will take place at the Gove Middle School from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The old voting booths will be used along with the new ones. There will be two voting machines, one for the school ballot and one for the town ballot. Postings will be located along the corridor. Mrs. Hoelzel explained that campaigners would have to stand away from the front entrance of the school because of the enormous snow banks. She reminded the Selectmen that they would need to be present on election night to sign official paperwork.

The Selectmen agreed to assist wherever they can on Election Day. Selectman Weldy announced that there is a candidate's night sponsored by CCSE scheduled for Tuesday, February 25th in the High School at 7:00 p.m.

New Business
Police Grant for OHRV Enforcement Patrols- The Board of Selectmen reviewed the documentation from the Police chief relative to a $8,736 grant to patrol OHRV trails that run on the railroad tracks through the center of Town. They also reviewed the application and the budget.

MOTION: Selectman Weldy made a motion to authorize Chief David T. Salois to execute and deliver for in the name and on the behalf of the Town of Raymond, New Hampshire all professional service contracts, agreements and reports with the State of New Hampshire Fish and Game Department for Off Highway Recreational Vehicle Law enforcement purported to be binding upon the Town shall be conclusive evidence for all purposes that such instrument is authorized by this vote. Selectman J. Wood seconded. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

MOTION: Selectman Weldy made a motion that the Board of Selectmen authorizes Chairman Harold Wood to sign the "Signature of Authority Letter". Selectman J. Wood seconded. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Request for use of Town Common- The Board of Selectmen reviewed a letter from Pam Myers, Facilities coordinator for the Girl Scouts requesting permission to use the Town Common for their annual bridging ceremony on Wednesday, June 11, 2003.

MOTION: Selectman Jonathan Wood made a motion to grant permission to the Girl Scouts to use the Town Common on June 11, 2003. Selectman Brown seconded. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Request for payment in lieu of taxes - Town Manager Bates explained that the elderly housing property owned by SNHS Raymond Elderly Housing, Inc. known as Ledgewood Commons has not been paying taxes and is not required to. However, we have found they are willing to pay in lieu of taxes which is allowed under State law, which is 10% of the assessed value for the Town and County rate or 10% of their rental income, whichever is less. The lesser amount is 10% of their rental, which is $10,002. The Board
reviewed the Statement of Profit and Loss and Statement of Financial Position. As shown on the Statement of Financial Position, it is figured into the calculations for net worth.

MOTION: Selectman J. Wood made a motion to request payment in lieu of taxes from SNHS Raymond Elderly Housing, Inc. known as Ledgewood Commons in the amount of $10,002. Selectman Weldy seconded. DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION: Selectmen Brown and Welch asked the Town Manager to thank the Town Assessor, Norm Pelletier for brining this to the Board's attention. VOTE ON THE MOTION: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Resolution for LCHIP program - The Board of Selectmen reviewed a proposed resolution in support of the LCHIP Program, which is in place to give communities funding to preserve open space. Town Manager Bates stated that it is his understanding the LCHIP Program is in potential jeopardy with budget cuts from the Governor's Office and this resolution may help keep the funding available.

MOTION: Selectman Harold Wood made a motion to sign the resolution in support of the LCHIP Program. Selectman J. Wood seconded. DISCUSSION: Selectman J. Wood stated that the Conservation Commission is a member of LCHIP and supports it's efforts through dues. The Board agreed to send a copy of resolution to State Representatives and State Senators. VOTE ON THE MOTION: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Board of Selectmen Reports
Solid Waste & Recycling Committee - Selectman Brown reported they would be taping an informational program about the proposed recycling article.

ZBA - Selectman Weldy reported that a Special Exception for the height of the building was granted to Jackson Lumber.

Conservation Commission - Selectman J. Wood reported they discussed prime wetlands and taking inventory of what we have.

Selectmen/School - Chairman Harold Wood reported that he and Selectmen J. Wood and Town Manager Bates met with school representatives and discussed the election.

Planning Board - Selectman J. Wood reported that the Board reviewed the Jackson Lumber proposal.

Parks & Recreation - Selectman Welch reported they discussed the grant and it's at the State moving forward.

Town Manager Report
Town Manager Bates reviewed the department head reports that included the following:

The fire department is in the hiring process.
The new payroll system is in place.
One job vacancy in the Town Office for a payroll clerk, interviews will be held over the next few weeks.
Highway has been busy cleaning up Town roads after the recent storms.
The Building Inspector has advised that the elementary school roof has been cleaned off.

Other Business
Selectman Weldy stated that he would like to thank the highway department for the work they have done on the roads.

Chairman Harold Wood read an announcement from Congressman Jeb Bradley. A representative of the Congressman will be available at the Town Office on March 5th.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Selectman J. Wood made a motion to approve the minutes of February 10, 2003. Selectman Brown seconded. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

MOTION: Selectman Weldy made a motion to release the non-public minutes of February 20, 2003. Selectman Brown seconded. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

NON PUBLIC SESSION
MOTION: Selectman Weldy made a motion to retire to non-public session under NH RSA 91-A: 3II(a). Selectman J. Wood seconded. The Board was polled as follows: Selectman Welch - YES Selectman J. Wood - YES Selectman Weldy - YES Selectman Brown - YES Selectman H. Wood - YES. The Board of Selectmen retired to non-public session at 8:25 p.m.

Town Manager Bates joined the Board in non-public session. Selectmen's Secretary Bette Patterson was excused for the remainder of the meeting.

MOTION: Selectman J. Wood made a motion to return to public session and to seal the non-public minutes. Selectman Weldy seconded. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Selectman Weldy made a motion to adjourn. Selectman Brown seconded. Voted unanimously in the affirmative. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:10 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Bette Patterson
Selectmen's Secretary