Town of Auburn
Board of Selectmen
January 4, 2010

Selectmen Present: Russell Sullivan, James Headd and Paul Raiche

Also Present: William Herman, Town Administrator; Kathryn Skoglund, Recording Secretary.

Mr. Russell Sullivan opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Linda Gugger – Petition Warrant Article

Mrs. Gugger was not present at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

Dartmouth Drive

Mr. Herman informed the Board that Road Agent, Mike Dross has run into a problem with the gate in place on Dartmouth Drive. Mr. Herman continued that the gate is located on an incline and it is difficult and unsafe for the big plow trucks to back up into either driveway. Mr. Headd stated that keeping the gate open for the winter may make sense. Mr. Sullivan asked Bill to contact Elmer to get this matter resolved and if necessary, Mr. Pease is welcome to meet with the Selectmen again to discuss this further.

Mr. Herman also informed the Board that Mrs. Skoglund has attempted to contact the insurance company to reduce the bond, she has not yet received a response.

Mr. Herman noted that a road deed should be provided to the town as well.

Mr. Herman stated he will work with Mr. Pease regarding each of these matters.

New Business

Miscellaneous Budget Items

Mr. Herman presented the Highway Safety Secretary budget line to the Board. Mr. Herman noted that Helen Hiltz whom the Board recently hired as Parks and Recreation Program Manager would be filling this position too.

Mr. Headd moved to approve the proposed Highway Safety Secretary budget line as presented; Mr. Raiche moved to second the motion; all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Herman presented the Annual Assessing Update budget line to the Board. Mr. Herman noted that the Board has already accepted the contract for service with Avitar Assessing.

Mr. Raiche moved to approve the proposed Annual Assessing Update budget line as presented; Mr. Headd moved to second the motion; all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Herman and the Board discussed the differences between this year Selectmen proposed budget, Budget Committee proposed budget and the default budget.

Mr. Headd informed the Board that the Parks and Recreation Commission are meeting on the 11^th to discuss the Parks and Recreation Budget. In light of the report provided by Primex regarding Auburn parks and playgrounds, Mr. Headd did not think if was possible to get solid figures and prioritize all the recommendations from Primex by the Budget Committee meeting on the 14^th.

There was some discussion regarding COLA increases being presented as a Warrant Article.

Warrant Article Consideration

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) to develop and implement a comprehensive mosquito control program to include the integration of various methods of reducing mosquito vector species of West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and to authorize this cost to be placed in the Town’s operating budget as an annual expense in future years.

Mr. Raiche noted that in future year’s mosquito control may not be needed. Mr. Herman stated if that becomes the case the budget line could then just be left open at $1.00.

Mr. Headd moved to support the proposed warrant article as presented; Mr. Raiche moved to second the motion; all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

Boston Post Cane

Mr. Herman noted that the second recipient of the Boston Post Cane was not in attendance at the presentation ceremony. If was discussed which was would be best to get the cane to the recipient.

Audit

Mr. Herman presented the Board with a copy of the audit report. Mr. Herman commented that the audit is very good, clean audit. No Journal Entries or adjustments need to be made. Mr. Sullivan stated that it is impressive that Town staff does such a thorough job.

Minutes

December 21, 2009

Mr. Headd moved to approve the minutes from the December 21^st, 2009 public meeting as written; Mr. Raiche moved to second the motion; all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

Non-Public Session

Mr. Raiche moved to enter into Non-Public Session at 7:30 p.m. pursuant to the provisions of RSA 91-A:3, II (a); Mr. Headd seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Mr. Sullivan – Yes; Mr. Headd – Yes; Mr. Raiche – Yes.

Mr. Headd moved to come out of Non-Public Session and seal the minutes at 8:14 p.m.; Mr. Raiche seconded the motion; A roll call vote was taken: Mr. Sullivan – Yes; Mr. Headd – Yes; Mr. Raiche– Yes.

Adjourn

Mr. Headd moved to adjourn the public meeting at 8:15 p.m.; Mr. Raiche moved to second the motion; all in favor, the motion passed unanimously, and the meeting stood adjourned.