Select Board Minutes

Groton Community Building

December 20, 2005

 

Present:

Select Board: Debra Tinkham and Richard Kreis

Treasurer: Roberta Dana

Road Commissioner: Brent Smith

Listers: Victoria Beamis & Patricia Bouley (CDT)

Library: Karen O’Donnell-Leach & Debra Orelup

FAST Squad: Jonathan Austin-Shortt

Guests: Berne Bouley

 

 

Page 1 of 2

 

Debra called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 

Correspondence and Selectboard minutes were reviewed. Debra made the motion to accept the minutes from the December 6th and December 13th, 2005 Selectboard meetings. Richard seconded the motion.

 

Jonathan presented the budget for the FAST Squad. The Selectboard had questions concerning radios, extrication gear along with requesting a more detailed budget. Richard would like to see dollar figures. Richard requested they work up some figures and bring their budget back as it looks really high.

 

Patricia presented a letter of request from Robert & David Jungblut for an abatement of their taxes as they live in Biloxi, Mississippi and have lost their jobs and their house was damaged with water. 

There was much discussion concerning this request. Richard would like to see more information such as something showing that their insurance would not be covering the damages to their home in Mississippi. Also, there wasn’t any financial information enclosed. Richard: if more information is received then this will be reviewed at a later date.  Patricia said she would be waiving the 8% penalty

Richard made the motion that the Town would abate the interest. Debra seconded the motion and Victoria and Patricia agreed to carry the vote.

 

Karen and Debra Orelup presented the Library budget.

Richard will write up a proposed article for the warning to set up an endowment fund with the building reserve funds. Debra explained about the building operation expense.

Brent questioned if the Library will be taxed if Gilman Housing Trust owns it?

 

Roberta reported that our insurance would be covering the plow damage and the time the highway crew spent on the repairs minus the deductible.

 

Roberta checked on interest rates for setting up the line of credit for year 2006.  The best rate was with Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank at 2.5%.

Debra made a motion to open a line of credit for $200,000.00 (two hundred thousand dollars) maximum with Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank. Richard seconded the motion.

 

Roberta presented the administration budget with the wage figures decided on last year. This was a $1.00 per hour increase for the Clerk, Treasurer, Listers and all office assistants plus whatever wage increase is decided on after Town Meeting.  This will help to get the office employees closer to the wages across the state and in nearby towns.

 

Debra wants money put into the budget somewhere so there will be money for ads, thank yous and service awards that come along.

Debra feels that there should be a plan in place to upgrade computers every few years instead of waiting  until the last minute to think about it.

 

Debra: has it been posted for the Traffic and Highway hearing? This will be checked on.

 

Brent presented the highway budget.

Brent feels that the roadside mowing budget needs to be increased as it has remained the same for the last several years.

 

 

Page 2 of 2, December 20, 2005

 

Richard mentioned that maybe at some time the Union Bank stocks could possible be used for improvements to the Community Building.  Roberta said she wasn’t’ exactly sure where they came from in the first place but all we have used is the dividends.  She will get the end of the year value soon.

 

Debra made the motion to accept the resignations of Martha Crown and Daniel Webster from the Planning Commission effective immediately.  Richard seconded the motion.

 

Debra made the motion to accept the resignation of Victoria Beamis as a Lister effective January . Richard seconded the motion.

 

Richard: have Otterman and Allen draw up the warning for the boundary-line agreement.

 

Linda hasn’t received any replies concerning repairs to the chimney lining.

 

 

 

Richard made the motion to adjourn; Debra seconded the motion.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.   

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    Groton Selectboard

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

 

                                                                       

 

______________________________

                                                                                    Debra Tinkham

 

                                                                                   

 

_____________________________

                                                                                    Richard Kreis

 

 

 

 

 Respectfully submitted by Linda Nunn

                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not Valid Until Signed By The Selectboard