Minutes of December 1, 2008

Selectmen Present: Richard Hotchkiss, Cheryl Labadie, Bob Thayer 

Others Present: Neil Henry (Fire Chief), Randy Smith (Road Agent), Henry Brooks Jr., Jennifer Kozaczek, Philip Dunn, Barbara Arguin 

Meeting called to order 7:31 p.m. 

J. Kozaczek inquired as to whether interest penalties could be waived on past due amounts of property taxes; the substantial increase in property taxes was unexpected. R. Hotchkiss encouraged Ms. Kozaczek to speak with her mortgage holder regarding her escrow account and referred her to the tax collector, Mary Hull to arrange a payment plan. The Board of Selectmen is willing to approve a fair plan. 

P. Dunn stated he had not received a copy of his 2008 final tax bill. Mr. Dunn was given a statement and informed that property taxes are due December 20. 

B. Arguin stated that the Sullivan representative to the Monadnock Regional School Board has not been present at school board meetings for several months and wondered what could be done to ensure his attendance. Sullivan’s townspeople are not being fairly represented and school board decisions/discussions are not being shared with the Select Board or residents. B. Arguin inquired as to the status of the feasibility of withdrawal from MRSD. R. Hotchkiss stated that the investigation of options is inactive. B. Arguin opined that a closer look should be given to the current school system serving Sullivan. Presently fewer than 20 students from Gilsum and Sullivan attend the Sullivan School in grades 1 and 2 (students in kindergarten and grades 3, 4, 5, 6 attend Gilsum School). The cost to operate the Sullivan School and maintain the building for those few students exceeds the cost per pupil of the controversial MC2 School. 

The Board of Selectmen congratulated Sullivan Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Neil “Al” Henry for being named New Hampshire’s Emergency Management Director of the Year. 

The Town will receive an estimated $54,765 from the State Highway Block Grant Aid during 2009; this amount is down $1,432 from the amount received during 2008. The grant amounts are estimated and dependant upon State revenues from the gasoline tax. 

R. Smith stated that the Gilsum Highway Department would like to utilize Sullivan’s radio frequency/license. N. Henry stated that the license was issued to the Sullivan Highway Department and Office of Emergency Management; he will look into the matter. 

R. Smith stated that he has been unable to locate the town’s snow policy which explains plow routes and duties during winter operations. Fawn Woudenberg and R. Smith will draft a new policy if the former cannot be found. 

N. Henry stated that Hughes Net (high-speed internet access) is scheduled to be installed at the Fire Station next week. 

The November 17 and 24 meeting minutes were accepted as written. 

Meeting adjourned 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, 

Fawn Woudenberg