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

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Margaret Crisler stated that she and Roger Hohenberger attended the dedication for the additions to Middle and Center Schools on Sunday. She said it was nicely done and the students gave tours.

LIAISON REPORTS: Carolyn Webber reported that the Historic District Commission is ready to launch a web page thru the town web site. She also stated that the Historic Committee met and discussed the Searles revenue fund.

Margaret Crisler reported that the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission will hold a joint meeting on January 24th. The Board has been reviewing applications on Cyr Lumber's new building and Hancock Road. Mr. Hohenberger noted that the Planning Board moved the Selectmen's petition regarding cemetery setbacks forward, minus Section 6.

MINUTES: Mrs. Crisler motioned and Ms Webber seconded to approve the minutes of January 8, 2001 as presented. Passed unanimously. Mr. Hohenberger made the following correction to the minutes of January 15, 2001 - Article 17 passed 4-1 with him opposed. Mrs. Crisler motioned to approve the minutes of January 15, 2001 as amended. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Sullivan explained that the Department of Transportation designed two options to provide a recreational passage underneath the NH 111 Bypass in the Coburn Road area. The options are: (1) lengthening the bridge over Wetland 41, or (2) constructing an underpass directly along the existing Coburn Road trail alignment. Mr. Sullivan stated that the Highway Safety Committee discussed these options and recommend option 2.

After discussion of the above options, the Board's consensus was to endorse the Highway Safety Committee's recommendation to the DOT for option 2.

Mr. Sullivan extended his and the Board's appreciation to the Cable volunteers for their extra efforts and time over the past weeks when they cablecasted the many additional meetings.

The Board discussed the meeting schedule for February as President's Day falls on a meeting night. The Board will be meeting on February 5th and then is considering President's Day or the 20th. The schedule for the meeting room will be checked. Mr. Sullivan noted that the Deliberative Session will be held on February 10th at 9:00 am at Golden Brook School.

Mr. Stearns encouraged all residents to consider signing up to run for local offices. It is now time to sign up at the Town Clerk's Office.

TOWN CLERK'S SOFTWARE: Eric DeLong, IT Director, and Joan Tuck, Town Clerk, spoke with the Board regarding the software used in the Town Clerk's office. Recently, they had major problems with the software and the data was badly corrupted. It is now corrected. There is also a concern about future software support with the present vendor as newer software is their present concentration.

Mr. DeLong explained that he and Ms Tuck have seen the State's software for their portion of vehicle registration and they would give this to the Town, with the hardware, free of charge. He further stated that there are three negatives - title applications processing, program needed for Town's cash flow and the transfer fee is not automatically figured. Mr. DeLong stated he could develop programs for the first two itema, however he is uncertain on the transfer fee. Ms Tuck stated that she could offer the residents more services and would like to try the State's system.

The Board, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. DeLong and Ms Tuck discussed the pros and cons of both systems. The Board's consensus was to obtain the State's system and evaluate it over the next few months.

PUBLIC HEARING - SEARLES SPECIAL REVENUE FUND: Mr. Sullivan dispensed with reading the following notice, however it is included below.

LEGAL NOTICE

In accordance with RSA 31:95-c and 31:95-d (I,b) the Selectmen will hold a public hearing on January 22, 2001 at 7:30 PM to consider the rescinding of the Special Revenue Fund for the Searles School established in 1998 and to establish in place thereof an Amended Special Revenue Fund for Searles Building, said actions to be voted on at the 2001 Town Meeting. The wording for the proposed article to accomplish this transaction is as follows:

To see if the Town will vote to take the following actions related to the Searles Building:

(1) Adopt the provisions of RSA 31:95-c to restrict 100% of the revenue from income derived from rental of the Searles Building to expenditures for the purpose of renovations, restorations, and marketing of the Searles Building. Such revenues and expenditures shall be accounted for in a special revenue fund to be known as the Amended Searles Special Revenue Fund of 2001, separate from the general fund. Any surplus in said fund shall not be deemed part of the general fund accumulated surplus, and shall be expended only after a vote by the legislative body to appropriate a specific amount from said fund for a specific purpose related to the purpose of the fund or source of the revenue.

(2) Withdraw a sum of money up to $40,000, or such lesser amount as may constitute the balance in the Searles Special Revenue Fund, from said fund, and to transfer same to the Amended Searles Special Revenue Fund of 2001.

(3) To rescind and abolish the Searles Special Revenue Fund established under Article 9 of the 1998 Town Meeting with the specific intention that the previously dedicated revenue for said fund shall now be deposited to the Amended Searles Revenue Fund of 2001.

The creation of the amended fund may take the form of the following wording:

"Shall we adopt the provisions of RSA 31:95-c to restrict 100% of the revenues from income derived from the rental of the Searles Building to expenditures for the purpose of renovations, restoration, and marketing of the Searles Building? Such revenues and expenditures shall be accounted for in a special revenue fund to be known as the Amended Searles Special Revenue Fund of 2001, separate from the general fund. Any surplus in said fund shall not be deemed part of the general fund accumulated surplus and shall be expended only after a vote of the legislative body to appropriate a specific amount from said fund for a specific purpose related to the purpose of the fund or source of the revenue."

Mr. Sullivan explained that the intent of this article is to add the word "marketing" to purposes of the fund. Ms Webber asked if the Historic Committee has seen this article. Mr. Sullivan replied that they knew about it and were in agreement but have not seen the actual article. Ms Webber motioned to have the Board recommend the article as amended and discussed at the budget hearing. Mr. Doyle seconded. Passed unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING - DONATION: Mr. Sullivan read the following notice: "In accordance with RSA 31:95-e, the Board of Selectmen will hold a Public Hearing on January 22, 2001 at 7:35 pm at the Town Hall for the purpose of considering the donation to the Town of Windham for services and materials to install a water filtration system at the Fire Station. Said services and materials have a value of $990."

Mr. Sullivan noted that US Water Consultants who are donating the filtration system also is sampling and testing the library wells. Mr. Hohenberger motioned to accept the donation of the filtration system with thanks. Mr. Doyle seconded. Passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Sullivan told the Board that the Sister City Committee has requested the use of the Searles Building for a fund raiser (a concert) as they are a non-profit town agency. Ms Webber asked to inform the Historic Committee first and obtain their approval. Mr. Hohenberger motioned to approve the Sister City Committee use of Searles School at the non-profit rate, pending Historic approval. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Ms Webber motioned to go into non-public sessions in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, IIa,d and e. Mr. Doyle seconded. Roll call vote - all members - yes. Subjects were personnel, legal and land acquisition.

The Board, Mr. Sullivan and Chief Moeckel were in attendance in the first session. Mr. Doyle motioned and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to hire Robert Coole as a part time dispatcher. Passed unanimously.

The Board, Mr. Sullivan and Bruce Flanders, Health Officer, were in attendance in the second session. No decisions.

The Board and Mr. Sullivan were in attendance in the third session. The Board authorized Mr. Sullivan to secure input from the Planning Board and Conservation Commission on a possible land swap.

The Board and Mr. Sullivan were in attendance in the fourth session. The subject was a legal matter and no decisions were made.

Mr. Doyle motioned to adjourn. Ms Webber seconded. Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen M. Davis
Administrative Assistant

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