The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - Board of Selectmen Minutes

Representative Maureen Mann
Representative Maureen Mann met with the Board to discuss a proposal to introduce legislation naming a section of highway in Northwood after Robert Johnson. She was meeting with the Board to seek its support. The Board agreed to support the legislation and asked the Town Administrator to draft a letter for signature.

FY 2010 Budget Review

Police Commission and Police Department
Police Commissioners W. Edward “Spike” Bryant and Richard Cummings and Police Chief Glen Drolet were present to discuss the proposed FY10 budgets for the Police Commission and the Police Department.

Selectman Bryer said that the Board was looking at possibly lumping all of the separate lines throughout the budget for legal expenses together on one line. Commissioner Cummings said that the Commission pays a flat retainer per month for its attorney so that will need to be taken into consideration.

Chief Drolet reported that there were no real big changes in the proposed Police Department budget. He reviewed a chart detailing the number of calls that the Department has responded to this year compared to past years. Selectman Holden asked about the plus 400 increase in calls. Chief Drolet said that all of these calls were on top of accidents and arrests.

Chief Drolet discussed the proposal to add one new full-time police officer position. The last time a new officer was added was in 2005. Selectman Bryer asked how many officer surrounding towns have on their force. Chief Drolet said that Deerfield has eight full-time officers as does Pittsfield. Northwood has six, including the Chief. Chief Drolet stated that having a seventh officer would allow coverage to be doubled on weekend shifts and would allow for much more follow up on active cases on the other days of the shift. Selectman Holden suggested that the Chief and Commission draw up a chart showing how the coverage schedule would work with the new position. He feels that this would be helpful to the voters when they are considering the proposal. Selectman Dill asked what the School resource Officer (SRC) does in the summer when school is out. Chief Drolet said that the SRO picks up some shifts as a part-time officer. The SRO costs are covered by Coe-Brown during the school year. Selectman Bryer asked if the Department was looking at COPS grant funding to help pay for the new position. Chief Drolet will continue to look into this.

Selectman Holden asked if the budget includes funding for website updating. Chief Drolet said that the site is being maintained free of charge but additional updating will be done by the new officer who is about to graduate from the Police Training Academy.

The Department will be placing three funding articles on the 2010 Town Meeting Warrant: $62,000 for the new officer position; $35,000 for the purchase of a new cruiser; and $20,000 to be deposited into the Police Station Capital Rese5rve Fund.

Fire Department
Fire Chief George Ashford was present to discuss the proposed FY10 Fire Department Budget

The Board asked general questions pertaining to various lines in the budget. One question asked was why there appeared to be a fair amount left in the budget on some lines such as equipment and gear. Selectman Holden questioned, for example, the purchase of a thermal imaging camera so late in the year. Wasn’t it needed in March?
Chief Ashford explained that the Department has always waited until the end of the year to make purchases; they hold back to see what happens with the budget.

Emergency Management
Emergency Management Director Bob Young was present to discuss the proposed FY10 Emergency management Budget.

Mr. Young stated that it was time to update the Town’s Emergency Management Plan. This needs to be done in order to be able to continue to receive state and federal emergency management grant funding. He said that the update will cost $10,000, $5,000 of which will be reimbursed through a grant. He also agreed to provide a breakdown of the other funds that are being requested.

Other business

Approval of payroll manifest
** Motion** Selectman Bryer moved to approve the payroll manifest. Selectman Holden seconded. Motion passed 3/0.

Telephone Costs
The Board discussed the large increase in phone bills for the Town’s land lines. They asked the Town Administrator to look at the bills for landlines and cell phone service and report back to the Board at the next meeting.

Concrete Slab Replacement at Transfer Station
The Board discussed a proposal to replace the slabs under the dumpsters and compactor. They asked the Town Administrator to ask the Supervisor to use common specifications and get prices for discussion at the next meeting.

Bennett Bridge Project
Town Administrator David Stack gave a brief update on the status of the project.

Management Comments – FY08 Audit
The Town Administrator presented the draft audit findings from Mason and Rich. Selectman Bryer agreed to draft responses for the Board to review.

Budget Shutdown
**Motion**Selectman Bryer moved to freeze the budget as of December 1 for bookkeeping purposes. Selectman Dill seconded. Motion passed 3/0.

Non-public session – RSA 91-A:3 (a)

8:40 p.m. **Motion** Selectman Dill made a motion, seconded by Selectman Bryer, to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II (a) to discuss personnel.
Roll Call Vote: Selectman Bryer – yes; Selectman Holden – yes; Selectman Dill - yes
Motion passed unanimously; 3/0.

9:05 p.m. **Motion** Selectman Bryer made a motion, seconded by Selectman Dill, to come out of non-public session. Motion passed unanimously; 3/0.

**Motion** Selectman Bryer made a motion, seconded by Selectman Dill, to seal the minutes of the non-public session. Motion passed unanimously; 3/0.

Adjournment

**Motion** Selectman Bryer motioned to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Holden. The motion passed 3/0 and the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
David L. Stack
Town Administrator

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