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Town of |
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Town Council Meeting |
February 5, 2008 |
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Tuesday, 7:30pm |
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Agenda |
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Staff Present: Salute to Flag, Warning of Fire
Exits, Handicap Access, Turn off all Cell Phones Roll Call: Consent Agenda 08-15 Acceptance of Non-Public Minutes – January 29, 2008 Amended to include: Schedule a Public Hearing
– February 19, 2008 – to establish a Capital Project Fund and approve a supplemental
appropriation in the sum of $225,000 for Rail Trail Improvements, funded from
the Land & Buildings Capital Reserve Fund. Consent agenda approved with Amendments Chairman’s Report Chairman Bulkley read a
Town of Town Administrator’s Report The Derry Town Council has
declared the week of February 10th, 2008 as “Future Business
Leaders of America” week. This is an
organization within the schools that nurture and promote business leaders. As of March 1, 2008, the
organization that has been receiving a discounted rate will begin paying the
normal rate for rental of Veterans Hall.
I have directed the department to review all the present rates for
rentals in recreation facilities. The
study that the present rates are based upon was conducted in 2005 and some
costs, particularly energy related ones, have increased substantially in the
past three years. Councilor Coyle and TA
Stenhouse are working on the request by Town Council for an ordinance in
regards to “Hawkers & Peddlers” Licensing so that everyone will be
treated fairly and equitably. Public Hearing 07-104
Amendment to Elderly Exemptions
1.
Councilor
Coyle’s revised proposal results in an increase in lost property taxes of
$95,000 - $182,000, with the Town Services portion of those lost taxes
ranging from $33,000 to $63,000. 2.
Councilor
Metts’ 1st proposal results in an increase in lost property taxes
of $42,000 - $84,000, with Town Services portion of those lost taxes ranging
from $14,000 to $29,000. 3.
Councilor
Metts’ 2nd proposal results in an increase in lost property taxes
of $21,000 - $43,000, with the Town Services portion of those lost taxes
ranging from $7,000 - $15,000. Councilor Coyle asked if
the tax rate would increase by .02 cents from his revised ordinance. Motion to Open Public Hearing Vote 7-0-0 Frank Knutowksi,
N. Shore – Thanked for what exemptions were given in past; however, many
Senior Citizens today have to decided what to pay either prescriptions or
taxes. Even if tax rate were to go
down we still need exemptions. Al Dimmock,
Victor D’Amboise, Maureen Rose, Joe DiChiaro,
Raigh Paradis, Richard Holmes, Al Dimmock,
Motion to Close the Public Hearing Vote: 7-0-0 Councilor Metts – In 1997
& 1998 the tax exemptions were brought down, what happened? Dave Gomez – Real Estate
market slowed down and values were slow to come up, so it was reconsidered to
decrease the exemption amounts & increase the income limits. Councilor Metts – Have we
re-assessed the Town values yet? Dave Gomez – Reassessments
will be in 2008 and the Town’s general re-assessment is set for 2009. Councilor Chirichiello –
When was the last time the Town Council did an Elderly Exemption increase? Dave Gomez – 2006. Councilor Chirichiello-
Isn’t this usually done after the budget?
Wouldn’t it be prudent to wait until budgets are in? Councilor Carney – I
believe that it can be planned for within the budget. It should be done now. Councilor Ferrante – Questioned if Council received something from
Finance showing that the budget is in a $4700.00 deficit? ( Councilor Coyle – I didn’t
want it to be a political football. I
brought this proposal forward because a constituent asked to me to. Councilor Carney said, “It is the right thing
to do”. We voted at the School budget
meeting to raise taxes between $1 to $1.50. If 6
cents is good enough for the children, it’s good enough for the elderly. Councilor Ferrante – Believes we should be there for our seniors. I
agree we should move forward with some assistance here. Councilor Chirichiello – I
believe this ordinance takes effect April of 2008. There will be two new
Councilors sitting here when the budget comes in. Councilor Chairman Bulkley –
Reassessment of property based on the fact of reduction in values. Do you have any sense what those reductions
in values will be? Trying to get a sense what town is losing for taxes. David Gomez – Assessment
reflect 95% -111% values now as the
market gets worse those numbers will change.
We do not lose taxes the rate raises. Councilor Metts – I don’t
want to see a seesaw of 1997, tax rate & exemptions. I don’t want to see a repeat of dropping
the exemption levels and increase income levels. Councilor Coyle’s’ growth is reasonable. The Age Group 65
-74 $ 85,000 Income Levels Elderly Single $35,000 Elderly Assets Limit of: $150,000 Motion by: Councilor Coyle, Seconded by Councilor
Metts. Vote: 6-1-0 (Chirichiello) 08-14 Firefighters & Fire Officers Collective Bargaining Agreements Move that the Derry Town Council approve the
Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town and the International
Association of Firefighters Local 4392 Firefighters Union from 7/1/2007 –
6/30/2009 as negotiated and ratified by the bargaining unit and authorize the
Town Administrator to sign the agreement on behalf of the Town of Derry. Further, Move that the Derry Town Council approve
the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town and the International
Associate of Fire Officers Local 4392 Firefighters Union from 7/1/2007 –
6/30/2009 as negotiated and ratified by the bargaining unit and authorize the
Town Administrator to sign the agreement on behalf of the Town of Derry. Motion by: Councilor Metts, Seconded by Councilor
Chirichiello. Vote: 3-4-0 ( 08-19 Application for Wal-Mart Community Grant - $1,000 –
(Parks & Recreation) Eric Bodenrader gave an
overview of what the grant would fund as it has in the past. Move that the Motion by: Councilor Ferrante,
Seconded by Councilor Chirichiello Vote: 7-0-0 08-21 Derry Rail Trail Eric Whitney and Mark Connors
gave a presentation of the Derry Rail Trail Corridor. Eric Sampsal,
(This item is scheduled
for a Public Hearing on February 19th) Councilor Chirichiello
question who would be paying for the ongoing maintenance of the trail. Eric Whitney told Council
that the organization would take care of it and only ask the Town for
assistance with removal of large obstructions, debris from culverts and
supply paint and materials for graffiti removal. Councilor Chirichiello
questioned liability. Eric Whitney explained
that the trail would be covered under state law. Councilor Metts - hoping
your organization will be going to other organization for funding. Councilor Carney - the
Rail Trail is much larger than the bike path Councilor Councilor Ferrante -Thank you and Eric Bodenrader will let you know
the areas that need extra attention.
One area she would like to see done is when you cross over Broadway
and cross over Rte 28. Senator Bob Letourneau
gave a letter of support to the Town Council. He worked with the Selectman in
Roger Hornbord,
Windham Selectman - I was concerned when this first came before us and in the
past 2-3 years they are an excellent group. The trail is truly an asset for Council Metts made a
motion to waive the rules since there were people in the audience who wanted
to speak on this subject, seconded by Councilor Carney. No Council Objections. Maureen Rose, Wayne Morris, Rail Trail
Alliance and Conservation Commission – they now have 5 pieces of conservation
land on the Rail Trail. There is
conservation land already on the trail in Councilor Carney, the
Conservation Commission in Steven Provencher
& Dick Bonner, Derry Pathfinders Snowmobile Club – Concerned about losing
use of these trails for snowmobiles.
In the wintertime they maintain the trails from Councilor Chirichiello
asked Yes they are, and there
have been no issue working with these groups. Councilor Dick Bonner under RSA
215:15A it allows us to use that part of trail. It’s been the snowmobile club that has been
put across the trails. Snowmobilers have a state liability insurance of $2M for
the snowmobiles. It’s a great idea and
would be happy to see it used all year round and would be glad to assist the 08-20 Non-Binding Referendum Question Regarding Exit 4-A Councilor Coyle read
question to be placed on the Ballot on March 11, 2008. Council discussed edits to
the explanation and question. Do you support the continued funding and
development of the proposed exit 4A interchange on Move to remove “continued
funding and” from the question. Motion
by: Councilor Chirichiello seconded by Councilor Ferrante.
Vote 4-3-0 ( Motion to place the following Non-Binding
Referendum question on the Ballot with an explanation. Motion by Councilor Coyle, Seconded by
Metts. Vote: 7-0-0 Do you support the development of the proposed exit
4A interchange on Interstate Route 93? (Revised) Explanation: Exit 4A would be a new exit off of Interstate
93. It would be located between Exit 4
and Exit 5. It would exit in
Londonderry and travel east into Vote: 7-0-0 on the Explanation. Chairman Bulkley, there have been discussions on
the Council regarding the reading of proposed ordinances, as they are
introduced. Council Carney has
introduced an ordinance which he is going to read at this time. Green
Vehicles/Green Buildings Initiative Ordinance. (See attached) Private Road copies will
be sent to the libraries. Public Forum Al Dimmock,
Chairman Bulkley answered
that to his knowledge no one is infringing on this property. On another
question regarding 91A - a request regarding the recent primary election and
the Town Administrator responded in the same manner as received which was by
email. The 91A law requires him to
produce any documents that came about at any meeting he had. He had no documents he told the individual
and the individual chose not to believe that.
He directed him to the Town Clerk who is basically responsible for
handling elections and works directly with the Department Heads in Town (PD
and Public Works) that effect the election.
So in fact the response was made.
I want to put this to rest. Joe DiChiaro,
Frank Knutowksi
– Veterans Credits the state allows $500 and Al Dimmock,
Chairman Bulkley –
clarified that it is the practice of boards and commissions that they will
recommend to the Council someone that is sitting as an alternate now. Discussed with Chairman of Boards at a
regularly scheduled meeting as required by the Town Charter to do and they
didn’t express any interest at that point that they wanted to fill any vacant
positions. I understand that we got a letter from Paul Dionne that one of the
alternates would like to be moved up to the vacant position. Ellie Sarcione,
Councilor Coyle moved that the Town Council appoint
Bill Hoyt to be moved from alternate to fill Albert Doolittle’s full member
position for the rest of his term.
Seconded by: Councilor Metts.
Vote: 7-0-0 Move to extend for another 10 minutes. Vote: 7-0-0 Councilor discussion
ensued regarding the Town Charter and procedures in regards to boards and
commissions. Move to appoint Eleanor Sarcione
to the Alternate position vacated by Bill Hoyt for the rest of his term. Vote: 7-0-0 Councilor Requests/open discussion None Motion to adjourn 10:20 p.m. Adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Recording: |
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