MEMBERS PRESENT: Galen Stearns, Carolyn Webber, Christopher Doyle, Margaret Crisler and Roger Hohenberger. David Sullivan, Town Administrator, was also present. Meeting commenced at 7:00 pm.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Frank Farmer, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, presented a check for $500.00 from the Recreation budget to Mike Sherry who represented the Salem High School Marching Band. Mr. Farmer announced that the Salem Band will be performing at the Christmas Tree Lighting this Sunday and also that they will be performing at the Rose Bowl.

Mr. Stearns stated that the Board of Selectmen will hold a joint meeting with the Windham School Board on December 4th at the Town Hall at 7:00 pm.

Mrs. Crisler announced that the Senior Christmas Party, sponsored by the Recreation Committee, will be held on December 6th at noon. Sign up sheets are available at the Senior Center and Town Hall.

Mrs. Crisler stated that the Woman's Club Coat Drive was very successful - 625 coats were collected and donated to various charities.

LIAISON REPORTS: Ms Webber reported that the Cemetery Trustees met and discussed perpetual lights for the cemeteries and repairs to the Hearse House. Ms Webber noted that the Hearse House will be emptied and that a place for storage for the items in it will be needed for over the winter.

Mrs. Crisler noted that the Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on the Master Plan on November 29th at the Town Hall at 7:30 pm. She also stated that the Planning Board held a workshop to consider various zoning amendments. The deadline for submission of citizen's petitions for zoning amendments is December 13th.

Mr. Hohenberger noted that the Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed widening of I 93 at Windham Middle School on November 30th at 7:00 pm.

MINUTES: Ms Webber motioned and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to accept the minutes for the November 13, 2000 meeting as presented. Passed unanimously.

CORRESPONDENCE: A copy of the Interagency Mutual Aid Agreement was received. Mr. Sullivan noted that the original was being signed by other participating towns. Ms Webber motioned to authorize Mr. Sullivan to sign the original on behalf of the Chairman. Mr. Doyle seconded. Passed unanimously.

Memo received from Police Chief Moeckel requesting permission to sell two former police vehicles (1993 and 1994 Chevrolets) by the sealed bid process. Ms Webber motioned to authorize Chief Moeckel to sell the 1993 and 1994 Chevrolets as described above. Mrs. Crisler seconded. Passed unanimously.

RECREATION COMMITTEE: Frank Farmer, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, discussed the plans and schedule of events for the Christmas Tree Lighting, scheduled for Sunday, December 3rd at the Town Hall Complex beginning at 3:30 pm. He told the Board that the Middle School Chorus, the Windham Community Band and the Salem High School Marching Band will all perform. There will be a bonfire and Santa will arrive, light the tree and meet the children. The Scouts will be collecting mittens, hats and food for the pantry.

Mr. McMahon, President of the Baseball/Softball League, asked what the procedure is to obtain permission to use the fields for the baseball season. Mr. Farmer stated that there was not a formal procedure but noted that the Soccer Association submits a letter outlining the dates they will need the fields. Mr. McMahon stated he will do the same and asked for a confirmation letter from Recreation. Mr. Farmer agreed.

GRIFFIN PARK: Frank Farmer, Griffin Park Committee member, gave the Board the following update on the park construction. The change order has not yet been approved by the Town or Committee; work is continuing as scheduled and there have been no new expenditures. He further stated that he would email a budget update to Mr. Sullivan as soon as possible.

Neil Gallagher, member of the Griffin Park Committee, started to read a resolution which the committee passed at their last meeting regarding several Selectmen's comments made in the newspaper and at their last meeting. The comments and resolutions concerned the conditions surrounding the controversy over the cutting of the apple tree at Griffin Park. Mr. Stearns asked Mr. Gallagher to please let him interrupt him. Mr. Stearns stated that there has been miscommunication and it is time to go forward with a positive attitude and there is no benefit in rehashing the situation.

Board members and Committee members (Neil Gallagher, Dennis Butterfield and Frank Farmer) discussed various issues surrounding this matter at length.

Mr. Gallagher asked for the Board to issue an apology to Mr. Hancock for comments made. After further discussion, Ms Webber stated that she was not aware that the Committee members felt that Mrs. Crisler wanted them to cut the tree, and therefore she felt an apology to Mr. Hancock was in order. The Board agreed to send Mr.. Hancock a letter. Mrs. Crisler asked the Committee, due to the miscommunication between her and the Committee, if they would like a different liaison. They stated they would and she stated she would step down.

The Board members all agreed they wanted the park to go forward and proceeded to discuss if the tree stump should be left over the winter to see if it develops any sprouts. The request to leave it over the winter was Ms Webber's and that is why she requested reconsideration for removal of the tree at the last meeting.

It was noted that Mrs. Crisler had taken cuttings and seeds from the tree before it was cut as directed by the Board. She reported that NH Extension Services has the cuttings and they hope to produce new trees. Also, hopefully the seeds will produce new trees. After discussing all options, Mr. Doyle motioned to have the contractor remove the apple tree. Mr. Stearns seconded. Motion passed 4-1 with Ms Webber opposed.

Mr. McMahon asked the Board and the Committee if there would be room for another baseball field (Little League). The Board directed him to discuss this with the Committee who in turn would submit any recommended design changes to the Board. Mr. Hohenberger asked to see the plan prior to any considered changes.

PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Sullivan read the following notice. "The Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing at 8:00 pm on November 27, 2000 at the Town Hall to consider the acceptance of the following roads as public roads: Floral Street - from station 11 + 00 to station 19 + 00 and Greenway Road from station 5 + 50 to station 19 + 00."

Mr. Sullivan noted that these roads have been reviewed and approved for acceptance by both the Planning Board and Road Agent. Also, the deeds are in the Town's possession. Mr. Hohenberger motioned to accept the roads as referenced in the public hearing notice. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

ROAD BOND: Mr. Doyle motioned to authorize partial release of $175,269.00 to H & B Homes for Carr Hill, Coventry and Grandview Roads. Mr. Hohenberger seconded. Passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Hohenberger asked when the Board would be discussing the information requested by the Department of Transportation at their meeting on the proposed Route 111 By-Pass. Mr. Sullivan responded it will be scheduled before the end of the year as he is still awaiting department and committee input.

Mr. Stearns questioned the status of the repairs to Engine 3. Mr. Sullivan stated that hopefully the truck will be back in service later this week.

NEW BUSINESS: None.

NON-PUBLIC SESSIONS: Ms Webber motioned to go into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, IIb and e. Mrs. Crisler seconded. Roll Call Vote - all members - yes. The subjects were personnel and legal. The Board and Mr. Sullivan were in attendance.

Personnel - Mr. Sullivan updated the Board on the recruitment for the Deputy Fire Chief.

Legal - Mr. Sullivan updated the Board on a legal matter. No decisions were made.

WORKSHOP: Mr. Sullivan presented an overview of the proposed 2000 budget to the Board. The Board then reviewed various budgets.

Ms Webber motioned to adjourn. Mr. Hohenberger seconded. Meeting adjourned at approximately 11:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Davis
Administrative Assistant

NOTE: These minutes are prepared in draft form and have not been submitted to the Board for approval.