TOWN OF DERRY

 

Town Council Meeting                                               January 16, 2007

Derry Municipal Center                                              Tuesday 7: 30 pm

 

Member Present:                                                       Staff Present:

Chairman Chirichiello                                      Kerran Vigroux, Dir. of Public Health

Councilor Bulkley

Councilor Coyle

Councilor Dowling

Councilor Fairbanks

Councilor Reisdorf

Councilor Ferrante-Absent

 

Town Administrator Marcoux

Acting Town Administrator Moody

Town Clerk, Denise Neale

 

Called to Order at 7:30 pm

 

Salute to Flag, Notice of Fire Exits & Handicap Access

 

Roll Call-Present: Fairbanks, Reisdorf, Dowling, Coyle, Bulkley, and Chairman Chirichiello

 

Consent Agenda

07-07               Acceptance of Non – Public Minutes – January 2, 2007

07-08               Acceptance of Minutes – January 2, 2007 – with responses

07-09                              Schedule Public Hearing – February 6, 2007 – Wal-Mart Agreement

07-10                              Schedule Public Hearing – February 6, 2007 – Extinguishment of

Easement for Cardinal Drive

07-11                              Abatements & Exemptions

07-12                              Schedule a Public Hearing – February 6, 2007 – Transfer of Funds in Cable Enterprise Fund**

 

Councilor Fairbanks requested that the Minutes of January 2, 2007 be amended to include The State of NH 2005 non-profit report for the DEDC.

None of the Councilors opposed.

The Consent Agenda was approved.

 

Chairman’ Report

Chairman Chirichiello commended the Police Department & Fire Department for their good work in the Lock Down of the schools as a result of the incident at Pinkerton Academy.  He also commended the Fire Department and Public Works for their efforts during our Ice Storm.

He thanked Town Administrator Marcoux for his 2-½ years as Town Administrator for Derry and wished him luck on his new endeavor in Bedford.

 

 

 

 

Town Administrators Report

 

Presentation of Alexander-Eastman Public Health Grant

Joel Olbricht, Jim Rausch & Lori Wornick were present. 

Joel Olbricht gave an overview of the Foundations work.  The towns included are Derry, Londonderry, Chester & Hampstead.

Kerran Vigroux, Director of Public Health had submitted an idea to the foundation to increase the Public Health Capacity of Greater Derry, as a result of her work, The Greater Derry Area Health and Safety Council was awarded this grant. 

 

Councilor Bulkley made a motion to accept the Alexander-Eastman Public Health Grant, second by Councilor Reisdorf.  Vote: 6-0-0

 

Due to Kerran’s efforts in regards to HB 1464, the Town is receiving $1648.00 a 25% match from the State from the Mosquito program last fall.

 

PSNH has 3800 residents without power  Derry and Nashua the hardest hit.

Shelter has been set up at South School in Londonderry (South Rd) in cooperation with the American Red Cross.

Fire Department is transporting residents when needed  (432-6121)

 

Tomorrow the town will be assessing if a shelter location is needed in Derry.  At the moment, only 5 area residents have availed themselves of the shelter. 

 

CPI index will be announced Thursday, January 18th, which will be used in the budget.

The CPI was announced on January 18 at 3.2%.  Used 3.1% in Budget message.

 

The Veterans Monument Committee will be making their presentation at the next Town Council meeting on February 6th.

 

The Private Roads Committee is complete they have submitted their draft report and has been forwarded to Attorney Boutin for review as well putting together the appropriate motions.  Presentation will be on February 6th, Public Hearing on February 20th.

 

The proposed Cell Towers for the Aubuchon building will be before the Zoning Board on January 18th. The plan has changed the towers are much different than the original plan.  The plan was approved by the ZBA for 6 antennas located in 3 faux chimneys.

 

We have sent Senator Letourneau our concerns and questions regarding the proposed legislation of the impact of a 25% reduction of the school portion of the tax rate for over 65 citizens.  Sen. Letourneau will be meeting with D. Gomez and Acting Administrator Moody to get an understanding of the potential cost to the town, and how the program is planned to be implemented before the Council takes a position on this legislation.

 

We are happy to report that there have been no incidents or complaints on the changes to the parking patterns on West Broadway in the Maple Street area.  The Council had asked the staff to review these changes after they were approved and report back to the Council in January.

 

The Friends of the Derry Dog Park have raised the funds to provide the Dog Park with an area within the Dog Park for small dogs.  Due to the weather conditions, this project has been delayed.  It was originally planned to be constructed this week.

 

Tom Carrier is in the process of putting together the information relative to Upstone Lane Sewer Project that Council requested.  He will be forwarding that information to Council for review prior to its being sent to the area residents.

 

The Charter Commission has forwarded their ballot question and Summary Explanation.  Attorney Boutin has reviewed it.  It has been sent to the Town Clerk to be placed on the Ballot.  It will be placed on the Town’s website.  The question must be published for info two weeks prior to the Town Elections.

 

Town Administrator Marcoux took a few moments to give his departing words by thanking the Council, Management Staff, employees and the Citizens of the Town of Derry for their support, encouragement and assistance since his arrival in Derry.    John Moody is here following his appointment on January 4th.  They will work in tandem this week.  The next two weeks he will be transitioned to the day to day to day function.  In this period Russ will be completing outstanding projects.  Only at that time will he leave.  He will be back for hearings including the one at the State he’s been asked to testify on.  Bennett - Yeager are ready to begin the search process for the new Town Administrator. 

 

Councilor Bulkley – As a result of the appointment of John Moody as Acting Town Administrator on January 4th, it is important for the Council to allow the transition to take place based on the scheduled that has been put forth by both of them.  He would like to support this transition plan.

 

Motion: The Town Administrator Russ Marcoux is allowed to be relieved of his duties effective no later than February 2, 2007.  Motion by Councilor Bulkley, Second by Councilor Dowling.  Vote: 6-0-0

 

Councilor Coyle asked if Russ Marcoux could be here for the Council Meeting on February 6, 2007.  He replied he would be.

 

Acting Town Administrator Moody – Expressed that he has no intention of becoming a permanent full-time town administrator.  He has three goals in mind: 1. To maintain the high quality of services that the citizens have come to expect from the Municipal Government. 2. To work with the Town Council to achieve the goals that they have set for the year ahead. 3. To develop and present a budget that meet the expectations of the Town Council and the Charter.  He will be starting right away tackling these issues.  He has worked hard for the School District and will do the same for the Town.

 

Public Hearing

 

07-03                                                      Proposed Increase in Dog Registration Fees

 

Motion to open the public hearing by Councilor Coyle, second by Councilor Reisdorf.  Vote: 6-0-0

 

Denise Neale, Town Clerk gave an overview of the Staff Report dated December 15, 2006.  To increase the fee by $1.00 for Dog Registrations to cover the larger number of dog tags that is being ordered and related costs.

 

Al Dimmock, High St – Spoke in favor of the increase as it hasn’t been done in many years.

 

Motion to close the public hearing by Councilor Coyle, Second by Councilor Bulkley.  Vote: 6-0-0

 

Councilor Bulkley suggested a change in tag colors by year instead of dating the tags so that they could be reused every couple of years and there would be none left over.

 

Denise Neale, explained that the amount of left over tags were due to the prior years of not pursing the registration of dogs.  She has had to order more tags and has no intention of having any left over.  

 

Chairman Chirichiello listed the fee increase for the Public.

Spayed/Neutered dogs             $6.50 to $7.50             Not Altered         $9 to $10   

Sr.Citizen owners over 65yrs    $2 to $3                      Group Licenses $20 to $21.  

 

Councilor Bulkley noted that Town Clerk’s office did a fee survey of surrounding towns and this increase is consistent with other towns.

 

Denise Neale noted that the increase does not take effect until May 1, 2007.

 

Motion: The Town Council approve the change in the fee schedule for the Dog Licensing program as defined in the staff report dated December 15, 2006 “Increase in Dog Registration Fees” as this increase is allowed under RSA 466:39 to take effect May 1, 2007.   Motion by Councilor Bulkley, Second by Councilor Fairbanks.  Vote: 6-0-0

 

New Business

 

No New Business

 

Public Forum – Non-Agenda Items

 

Al Dimmock, High St, Expressed his concerned that the he didn’t feel the Emergency Management situation was handled well during the power outages.

 

Greg Boiko, Jewell Lane – didn’t know where to go during the power outages, as he had no TV or Internet only an AM radio for information.  He also stated that his road still ice on it.

 

Paul Hopfgarten, Hampstead Rd – Asked if the sign board could be put at the Central Fire Station with instructions for residents who had no power.  This was done, as well as the message boards at the town’s schools and Pinkerton.    Discussed the use of reverse 911.  this will be looked into.

 

Paul Dionne, Worthly Rd – Commended the Public Works department for the handling of the roadways during the Ice Storm.

 

Council Request/open discussion

 

Councilor Coyle – Commended the Public Works Department. Thanked Russ for his assistance after becoming a Councilor and wished him well.

 

Councilor Bulkley – Wished Russ all the best in his new job.  Russ’s professionalism has always impressed him.

 

Councilor Fairbanks – Would like to designate a building in town that citizens could use in case of an emergency, possibly the Marion Gerrish Center [This is done, used during the day as a “Warming Shelter” only], as well as the having the message board  at the rotary. Done.  Wished Russ the best of luck & thanked him for the assistance he’s given her.

 

Councilor Reisdorf – Announced Hampstead Rd is now open.  He was on the Council when Russ was hired and he was the best candidate for the job. He has enjoyed working with him.

 

Councilor Dowling – She had called the Fire Department and that’s how she learned of the shelter in Londonderry that was coordinated by the Red Cross.

Expressed her feelings toward Russ and his efficiency.  Stated he would be missed.  She welcomed Dr. Moody.

 

 

 

 

Meeting Adjourned 8:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

____________________________                                 _________________

          Town Clerk                                                                                Date