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

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Selectmen Doyle was excused from the meeting as he is home recuperating and the Board wished him well.

LIAISON REPORTS: Mrs. Crisler reported that the Planning Board has held hearings on proposed zoning amendments and encouraged all residents to study them for the upcoming Town Meeting vote.

Ms Webber stated that the Cemetery Trustees requested that the Town plow the cemeteries. The Board agreed to have the Town assume this responsibility, however, the cemeteries are not plowed until the roads and other priorities are complete.

HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMITTEE: Mr. Sullivan addressed the following items and the Committee's recommendations:

1. Request to place "No Parking" signs on the east side of Searles Road from Rte 111 to last exit from St. Matthew's parking lot (at end of parish hall) was reviewed and recommended by the Highway Safety Committee. A Public Hearing will be held on February 11, 2002 to address this request.
   
   
2. County Road - A request to reduce the present speed limit, 30 mph, to 25 mph due to the number of children in the area and speeding vehicles almost hitting the children was reviewed. The Highway Safety Committee did not recommend reducing the speed limit, due to lack of evidence, however they did recommend posting the present limit of 30 mph which presently is not posted. Mr. Hohenberger motioned to post 30 mph speed limit sign at the entrance to County Road. Mr. Stearns seconded. Passed unanimously.
   
   
3. Request to place "No Parking Here to Corner" signs from the intersection of Lowell Road to the driveway entrance to Tokanel Field was reviewed and the recommended by the Highway Safety Committee. A Public Hearing will be held on February 11, 2002 to address this request.

MINUTES: Mr. Stearns motioned to accept the minutes of January 7 and 14, 2002 as presented. Mrs. Crisler seconded. Passed unanimously.

CORRESPONDENCE: The Board addressed the following road bonds forwarded for action by the Planning Board:

A Public Hearing will be held on February 11, 2002 for final release and acceptance of Stonehedge Road.

Mr. Stearns motioned and Mrs. Crisler seconded to approve partial release of $38,595.36 for Settlers Ridge Road to Mountain Home Builders. Passed unanimously.

Mr. Hohenberger motioned and Mr. Stearns seconded to approve partial release of $23,760 for Partridge Road to Robert Lee. Passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS: Grinder: Mr. Sullivan told the Board that the Town has advertised a grinder for sale by sealed bid and a person wants to buy it immediately. The Board stated the bid process will continue and they will not sell it outside the process.

Ambulance: Mr. Sullivan discussed the upcoming town meeting vote to purchase a new ambulance for the fire department and requested permission from the Board to send the request for bid forms out, contingent on town meeting approval and further to allow the department to submit specific bid specifications for the type of ambulance that we presently use. Other vendors will be still able to bid as the town will consider all bids and will review any exceptions or alternatives presented by other vendors. The other option is to put out a generic bid specification package, however this will result in many different ambulances and specifications, which makes the evaluation difficult. The Board agreed to submit the specific request as we are pleased with our existing ambulances and others will still be able to submit as long as they note any exceptions to the specifications.

Video: Mr. Sullivan told the Board that the Fire Chief was asked by a group who making a video on the Fire Department including staffing to provide information for the video. Mr. Sullivan asked the Board for guidelines on how restrictive the Chief should be in his responses.

Mr. Hohenberger stated, and the Board agreed, that the Board spent months prioritizing items that are included in the budget as all have merit. He felt factual information should be provided but positions should be given only as a private citizen and not reflecting their official Town office. This video may be presented on the local cable station.

NEW BUSINESS: Mrs. Crisler stated that there are several issues that the Technical Advisory Committee and the Selectmen need to discuss, including the Town Web Page. The Board, through its liaison, Mrs. Crisler, will invite the committee to a workshop at their meeting on February 11th.

Mr. Case asked to have the 2002 Warrant put on the Web Page. Mr. Sullivan stated this will be done.

NON-PUBLIC SESSIONS: Mr. Stearns motioned and Mrs. Crisler seconded to go into non-public sessions in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, IIa, c and e. Roll Call Vote - all members - yes. The Board and Mr. Sullivan were in attendance in all sessions. Subjects were personnel, reputations and legal.

Mr. Stearns motioned and Mrs. Crisler seconded to approve the hiring of a cable coordinator, as recommended by the Cable Committee, pending all background and medical checks. Passed unanimously.

The Board discussed and agreed not to file an appeal to the Klemm case.

The Board discussed a matter concerning the contractor for Griffin Park and Mr. Sullivan will follow up.

The Board discussed a personnel issue and Mr. Sullivan will follow up with the committee involved.

Mr. Stearns motioned and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

David Sullivan
Town Administrator

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