WESTMORELAND SELECTMEN'S MINUTES

September 3, 2009

PRESENT: Marjorie Merena, Russell Austin, Russell Kotfila, Tina Blanchard, June Hammond, Jackie Cleary, George Laine, Christopher Morris, Leona Gordon, Jan Carpenter, Russ Martens, Pam Martens, Dawn Lincoln.

Marjorie Merena called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM.

At the opening of the meeting Marjorie stated that the meeting will be recorded and available on CD as well as printed minutes.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:
Christopher Morris was in to introduce himself as the newly appointed Elementary School Principle. The Board welcomed him and thanked him for coming in.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
The Board discussed a bill for $300.00 from Sam Bradley for research on residency for voter qualification and for the purpose of obtaining a pistol permit. Russ K. stated that he would not approve that bill. Pam Martens stated that she doesn't thinking that the taxpayers should pay either, that the person doing the illegal voting and obtaining an illegal gun permit should pay. Pam Martens stated for the record that Russ Kotfila stated on the recorded tape of the last Selectmen's meeting that he was aware of other people in town that are illegally on the voter registration rolls. Mr. Kotfila stated that he is voting for the town to not pay the bill as Marjorie didn't inform the board that she was going to Sam Bradley on her own with a complaint. Pam would like the record to reflect that she is officially asking Russ K. to report to his colleagues on the Selectboard any knowledge that he may have of other people who are illegally on the voter registration roll for this town. Russ stated that he has no knowledge of anybody. Pam stated that that was not what he said. Russ K. asked to have the tape played. It was decided to set a time for it to be played for any interested people. There were two suggestions one from the public and one from the Selectmen as to who the bill should be paid by. It was decided that the bill would be paid and further discussion tabled to the next meeting.

Russ A. moved to approve the Accounts Payable Manifest in the amount of $68,145.63, Seconded by Marjorie. The vote was not unanimous.

SELECTMEN'S MEETING MINUTES: Russ K. stated that he is not signing the minutes. Russ K thinks there is an awful lot left out and has questions on who submitted them. He restated that he is not approving those minutes. The Minutes have been tabled until the next Selectmen's meeting. Russ K is re-writing the minutes and will e-mail them to the other board members before the Sept 17 meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:

Marjorie stated that Jim Merritt is working on the Selectmen's office renovations. Jim is anxious to get the floor down. Marjorie found FLOR carpet tiles and inexpensive roller window coverings. Marjorie is going to talk to JoAnn regarding the cost. The Board agreed to proceed.

Russ A. wanted to confirm that JoAnn was instructed to take $3000 from the Repairs and Maintenance section of the General Government Buildings account and $2,475 from the Library account to pay the invoice from Pat Rawson. Tina will make sure she is aware.

Russ A. was wondering if the Board had looked into selling some town owned property to Kelly Goodrich who had previously approached Russ about. Russ K. stated that the town has to own this property for 1 year before it can be sold. Russ A. stated that he would call and inform Kelly.

Russ A. wanted to know if the chairs of ZBA and Planning, the building inspector, the zoning administrator, and Gary Hudson have been notified about meeting with the selectmen on September 17, 2009. to clarify procedures. Russ K. stated that they have been and he's going to re-notify them.

Marjorie informed the Board that Maisie Crowther, WPL Librarian for the past 14 years, has resigned as of Sat. September 5, 2009.

Russ K. made a suggestion that if one of the Selectmen are on another board and they bring something before the Selectmen that that person on the board should recuse themselves from the decision. Pam stated that she would like Russ A and Marjorie to vote if something comes before the Selectboard and for Marjoire to recuse herself from voting on anything to do with the library as she is a Library Trustee.

Marjorie stated that filing cabinets given to the town clerk by the Lions Club should have been given to the town. The board accepts gifts to the Town and can then do as they please or as directed. It is against the law to give a gift directly to an elected official or public office without the town accepting it first. Russ K. stated that this be corrected then. Marjorie stated that she would like something in writing from the Lions Club to the Selectboard that it is a gift to the Town. A letter from the Lion's Club regarding the gift given to the Library should go to the Library board which accepts gifts to the library.

NEW BUSINESS:
Leona Gordon asked the Board if there is a limit of how low a plane can come in to land. Marjorie is going to call the Local Government Center. Russ A. believes they would need approval to land in their yards from the Zoning Board. Marjorie would like Tina to ask the Zoning Board if there are any restrictions.

Pistol Permit – Approved

There was some discussion as to if its legal to print a persons name in the minutes. Marjorie stated that the board would look into that.

Russ Kotfila made a statement that there were people there at the Selectmen's meeting that were drawing a conclusion that his son's residence was illegal and that it has not been confirmed by anybody. Russ K. stated that the State has their guidelines and what has to be followed, so when you leave this room don't leave with the conclusion that his son has done anything illegal or that he has done anything illegal.

Russ K. asked the board what happened to the electric toilet at the Library. Marjorie said it was a liability and was not sure where it ended up. There was some discussion as to the merit of it.

Pam Martens stated that she feels that there's an issue of the integrity of the Selectboard. Pam would like the Selectboard to run that by the town attorney and LGA. She stated we must trust that our selectmen represent our interests. If one has demonstrated a lack of integrity, it goes to the heart of his fitness to serve. She submits that this issue is a matter for this Selectboard. The RSA states that if there is a question of cause for dismissal or removal that it needs to go to a public hearing. She would like the Selectboard to consider that a relevant issue to consider. Russ A. asked if she is talking about a particular member of the Selectboard she stated that she is talking about Russ Kotfila  - using his address to aid and abet voter registration fraud, knowingly has done it and admitted it on tape he has done it. She sees that issue as cause for for removal. Russ K. stated there is no fraud here and was no intent for fraud. Russ K. said this has been referred to the Supervisors of the checklist and they will make those determinations and then will notify David (his son) of his right to object or appeal. Pam asked Russ K. if his son and daughter live with him. Russ stated that he's not saying anything. Marjorie stated that this will all be considered.

NH Municipal Energy Assistance Program:  Forwarded to the Conservation Commission and Dick Schmidt who conducted the Town Hall energy audit.

MS-1 Form: approved and signed.

Marjorie moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 AM. All in favor, so voted.

Respectfully submitted,  Tina Blanchard, Secretary

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Marjorie Merena, Chair

Russell Austin


Russell Kotfila


THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES. ANY CORRECTIONS WILL BE SHOWN IN THE SELECTMEN'S MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2009