MEMBERS PRESENT: Margaret Crisler, Roger Hohenberger, Galen Stearns, Christopher Doyle and Alan Carpenter. David Sullivan, Town Administrator, was also present. Meeting commenced at 6:45 pm.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Mr. Doyle motioned and Mr. Stearns seconded to go into non-public in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, IIa. Roll call vote - all members - yes. Subject was personnel. The Board, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Flanders were present.

Mrs. Crisler stated that no decisions were made in the preceding non-public session.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mrs. Crisler welcomed Mr. Carpenter to the Board, as Mr. Carpenter was just elected. Mrs. Crisler also congratulated Mr. Doyle on his re-election to the Board.

Mrs. Coish noted that the weather for the Easter Egg Hunt was not good but it was cablecast and will be shown shortly.

REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD: Mr. Stearns motioned and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to appoint Mrs. Crisler Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Passed unanimously.

Mr. Stearns motioned and Mr. Doyle seconded to appoint Mr. Hohenberger Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Passed unanimously.

BIDS FOR BUILDING INSPECTOR VEHICLE: Mr. Sullivan told the Board that bids were received for a used SUV for the Building Inspector. Bids ranged from $6,500 to $25,000. Mr. Turner and Mr. Flanders reviewed the bids and recommended that Board approve the purchase of a 1995 Grand Cherokee for a bid price of $7142 (including a $2000 trade in for the 1994 Escort). The vehicle has 96000 miles and is fully equipped. Mr. Stearns asked the value as quoted in the Kelly Blue Book. Mr. Flanders checked on value on the Internet and it was listed between $10,500 and $12,500. Mr. Hohenberger motioned to approve the purchase of a 1995 Grand Cherokee for the bid price of $7142 with trade in and minimum 60 day warranty from Allen Motors in Derry. Mr. Stearns seconded. Passed unanimously.

SELECTMEN REPRESENTATIVES ON BOARDS & COMMITTEES: The Board agreed to serve on the following boards and committees as noted below:

LIAISON REPORTS: Mr. Hohenberger stated that the Planning Board met last week and elected the following officers: Ross McLeod, Chair; Wayne Morris, Vice Chair and Eileen Maloney, Secretary.

Mr. Doyle stated that the Cable Advisory Board met the new coordinator, James Daddona.

Mr. Carpenter noted that the Board will be meeting in a workshop on March 27th with the Planning Board and Conservation Commission to discuss mitigation for the proposed I-93 improvements. Mr. Carpenter noted that he also invited a representative from the Rockingham Planning Commission to attend.

Mrs. Crisler noted that a Public Hearing will be held by the DOT to discuss the proposed changes to the intersection of Langdon and Route 111A on April 2nd at the Town Hall at 7:00 pm. Mrs. Coish asked the Board to consider holding that meeting in the Planning Department Conference Room to allow Cable to show the meeting live.

CHIEF FRUCHTMAN - PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT: Chief Fruchtman, FF Savard and FF Dunn showed the Board the Life Pak machines which are being replaced. The old Life Paks consisted of three separate pieces. The new system, Life Pak 12 Biphasic Defibrillator/Monitor unit, is a single item which will be easier to carry in the ambulances. The cost for the both packs is approximately $30,000. Mr. Stearns motioned and Mr. Doyle seconded to approve the purchase of 2 Life Paks. Passed unanimously. One of the old paks will be used in another vehicle and the Board asked the Chief to check out donating or selling the remaining pak.

Chief Fruchtman made the following announcements:

The Department just completed CPR Training for the Seventh Grade. Thanks to the department for a great job.

CPR classes for the public will be scheduled shortly. They will be scheduled for both nights and Saturdays. Watch for upcoming notices.

Anyone who is planning to go boating and does not have a personal floatation device, please call the department as they have all sizes available for loan. Also, be aware that the water is still extremely cold.

The Department will be implementing a new program dealing with child safety seats called the "Whale Program". Deputy Chief Messier is a certified Child Safety Seat Inspector and will work with Parkland on this program. Stickers will be applied to the seats which will give pertinent information in case of an emergency when no other person in the vehicle can speak.

The Hazmat Team has completed their Terrorist Response Training. The team consists of 15 communities and covers a 350 square mile area.

CHIEF FRUCHTMAN - DONATION OF EQUIPMENT: Chief Fruchtman stated that after the article on the ladder truck was defeated at the election, he received many calls from residents wishing to donate or fund raise toward the purchase. He also received a call from a resident who wishes to remain anonymous, to donate the entire purchase price. This resident has given the Fire Association a check for $25,000 to purchase the truck and donate it to the department. The Chief asked if the Board would view this donation favorably and if so, to schedule a public hearing to consider acceptance.

Mr. Hohenberger expressed his thanks to all the residents who called the Fire Chief offering donations and/or help to procure the vehicle. He asked the Chief if he would provide the following information at the public hearing: maintenance records, anticipated use of vehicle, staff and training requirement and a replacement schedule. He stated that with good input he could support the donation. Other Board members stated that they would be in favor of the donation and felt it was voted down due to cost containment issues. The public hearing will be scheduled for April 8th and the Chief stated he would provide all information Mr. Hohenberger requested.

VOLUNTEER AWARD: Mr. Sullivan presented the Volunteer of the Year Award to the Griffin Park Committee for the many hours of work in planning and developing the park. He noted that normally the award is presented to an individual, however this year it was most appropriate to recognize the work of the Griffin Park Committee. Members of the committee present were Frank Farmer, Eric Nickerson, Ralph Titus, Sam Maranto and Jonathon Coish. The Board also extended their thanks and appreciation.

PUBLIC HEARING - PERSONNEL POLICY CHANGES: Mr. Hohenberger read the following notice. "The Board of Selectmen will consider the following amendments/changes to the Town of Windham Personnel Policies at their regular meeting on March 25, 2002 at 7:15 PM. Any comments concerning these proposed changes may be submitted by any employee to their department head who in turn will submit the same to the Board of Selectmen."

Mr. Sullivan explained that due to the dramatic rise in health insurance rates, it is necessary to amend the employee's co-pay toward their health insurance premiums. The current rates are $8 per week for single coverage, $12 per week for two person coverage and $15 per week for family coverage. The amendments are to have the employees pay 10% of the JY Blue Cross rates which is comparable to the Town's Comp 1000 plan as the Town self insures the deductible and coinsurance amount for its employees. Mr. Sullivan explained that these amendments are only applicable to non-union personnel. The Fire and Municipal Unions have agreed to this change during contract negotiations and the Police Union is presently at impasse in its negotiations with the Town.

Mr. Hohenberger thanked the employees for agreeing to the percentage basis to help with the insurance costs. Mr. Doyle motioned and Mr. Stearns seconded to accept the amendments to the Personnel Polices as presented. Passed unanimously.

MINUTES: Mr. Doyle motioned to Mr. Stearns seconded to accept the minutes of March 11, 2002 as presented. Passed 4-1 with Mr. Carpenter abstaining.

CORRESPONDENCE: Site Bond Release - Mr. Hohenberger motioned and Mr. Stearns seconded to release $1000 to Jack Loureiro and Marie Bulcao for 71 Searles Road. Passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Sullivan noted that the article to raise funds for an engineering study for bike paths on Lowell Road was defeated at the recent election. The Board has now been given two options by the State: 1. Send notification that the Town no longer desires the grant funding or 2. Request the funding be deferred to a future date to allow the Town to request funding at a future Town Meeting.

The Board agreed to have this as an agenda item in April and to invite Mr. Morris to speak. Mr. Morris was instrumental in obtaining the grant for the bike paths.

Mr. Sullivan updated the Board on the old grinder the Transfer Station has advertised for sale. One verbal bid was received for $500 from Con Tech in Hampstead. Mr. Stearns motioned and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to sell the grinder, as is - where is, to Con Tech for $500. Passed unanimously.

Mr. Stearns asked if the Board would be following up with Mr. Poulson, Transfer Station Manager, on issues discussed at a recent workshop. Mr. Sullivan noted that he and Mr. Poulson are working on these items and will meet with the Board in April.

Mr. Doyle asked for an update of the proposed renovations to the Bartley House. Mr. Sullivan stated that there are on-going negotiations with the contractor to lower the bid price to meet available funds. Work, by this contractor, is not scheduled to begin until early July. The State has approved procedures to repair the foundation and the Historic Preservation Easement (condition of the LCHIP grant) language is being finalized. Specific repairs were discussed.

Mr. Stearns noted that hopefully with the renovations to the Bartley House some Town Hall space will become available for Committees. Mr. Sullivan noted that the Supervisors of the Checklist have been using space in the Bartley House presently and that he is looking at making some offices available in the old Fire Station in the near future. He also stated that in the near future the Cemetery Trustees will be able to move their records into the new vault.

Mr. Hohenberger stated that now that the vault is complete he did not feel it needed to have the clapboard. Mr. Sullivan noted that the clapboard was a requirement of the Historic District Commission but the Board could ask for reconsideration.

Mr. Hohenberger questioned the status of the contractor at Griffin Park. Mr. Sullivan stated that on or about April 1st, he, Mr. Maranto and Mr. Turner would inspect Griffin Park and make a list of items to be repaired or completed. White Construction would have seven days to be at the park and ten days to complete the list of required items.

The Board will schedule a workshop with the Recreation Committee on April 1st or 8th. Mr. Sullivan will contact the committee and inform the Board of the exact meeting date.

NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Sullivan told the Board that a letter of resignation was received from Dispatcher Cindy Tuck. She will be leaving on April 20th and will be working in Londonderry. Mr. Stearns motioned and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to accept Ms Tuck's resignation with regret and thanks for a job well done. Passed unanimously.

NON-PUBLIC SESSIONS: Mr. Hohenberger motioned and Mr. Stearns seconded to go into non-public sessions in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, IIb. Roll call vote - all members - yes. The Board and Mr. Sullivan were in attendance. Subject was hiring.

Mr. Doyle motioned and Mr. Hohenberger seconded to approve the hiring of a dispatcher as recommended by Chief Moeckel pending background and medical checks. Passed unanimously.

Mr. Stearns motioned and Mr. Doyle seconded to approve the temporary promotion from within of a firefighter to fill the firefighter/inspector position due to an injury to the present inspector. Passed unanimously.

Mr. Sullivan updated the Board on the recruitment process for an Assistant Planner and the newly created Finance Director position.

Mr. Stearns motioned to adjourn. Mr. Doyle seconded. Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 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.