MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles McMahon, Carolyn Webber, Margaret Crisler and Galen Stearns. Douglass Barker was absent due to illness. David Sullivan, Town Administrator, was also present. Meeting opened at 7:00 pm.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Mr. Stearns motioned to go into non-public sessions in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, IIe and a. Ms Webber seconded. Roll Call Vote - all members - yes.

The Board, Mr. Fedele (Assessor) and Mr. Sullivan were in attendance. Subject was a legal matter. Mr. Fedele will follow-up.

The Board, Joan Tuck (Town Clerk), Mr. Sullivan and Attorney Campbell were in attendance. Subject was personnel. No decisions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mr. Sullivan announced that the Town won second place in the annual Town Report Contest sponsored by the NH Municipal Association. He thanked the department heads for their cooperation in submitting their reports and extended a special thanks and congratulations to Wendi Devlin for the great job she did in putting the report together. This is the first time Windham has won an award for their report. Mr. Sullivan encouraged all contributors to continue their efforts, submit their reports on time to allow us to strive for first place.

Mr. Sullivan regretfully announced that Michael Fedele, Town Assessor, is leaving Windham. In January, Mr. Fedele will be the Director of Real Estate Assessment for the City of Concord, NH. Mr. Sullivan wished him the best in his new position and commented that he is sorry to have him leave. Recruitment for a new assessor will begin immediately.

Mrs. Crisler displayed two windowsill orchids raised by her husband.

Mrs. Crisler announced a Senior Shopping Trip to Tilton on November 30th. Anyone interested can contact Mrs. Crisler or call the Town Hall for sign up.

Barbara Coish spoke with the Board regarding her recent trip to Suzdal, Windham's Sister City. She told the Board that Suzdal will be celebrating their 975th anniversary next August and that they hope to have visitors from Windham in attendance.

LIAISON REPORTS: Ms Webber stated that the Historic Commission would like the Board's blessing to initiate the process to have the Armstrong Building on the National list of historic buildings. The Board agreed.

Mrs. Crisler stated that six members of the Planning Board attended a planning conference in Concord last Saturday. She noted that the Planning Board is presently working on zoning amendments and that citizens petitions will be accepted until December 9th.

Mrs. Crisler stated that the Christmas Tree lighting will be on December 6th.

Mrs. Crisler noted that Wally Keniston, the new Cable Coordinator, is sponsoring a drive for more cable volunteers. He is presently training 7 new members.

Mr. McMahon noted that the CIP Committee has completed the placements of upcoming projects which they will recommend to the Planning Board. The Committee recommends that the CIP be increased to $1.75. They will meet with the Planning Board on December 2nd and on December 3rd will meet to write the narratives.

Mr. McMahon also congratulated the cast, director and crew of the "Annie" production for a great show!

PERSONNEL POLICY HEARING: Mr. Sullivan stated that the attached amendments to the Personnel Policy had been posted and comments were requested. Mr. Sullivan stated he received four comments. One comment was a typo which will be corrected; the second recommended rephrasing Article IX, Subsection 3 by inserting the words "with the assistance of the Town Administrator" after the word "selectmen"; the third to amend Article XXVII; Cases for Discipline to add "The length of suspension shall not exceed five days"; and the fourth to amend Article XXXIX by adding "and be distributed to the personnel of the Town within ten working days."

The Board agreed with proposed changes 1, 2 and 4, however they did not agree with number 3. Mr. Stearns motioned to adopt the proposed amendments to the Personnel Policy with the changes 1, 2 and 4 above. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

WORKSHOP WITH CABLE ADVISORY BOARD: The Board held a workshop with Margaret Case, Chairman of the Cable Advisory Board, Robert Coole and David Unger members of the Cable Board to discuss the job description of the cable coordinator and the Board's by-laws. It was agreed to change by-laws to Rules of Procedure to be consistent with other Town Boards and Committees.

The workshop was closed. Mrs. Crisler motioned to accept the proposed amendments to Rules and Procedures and cable studio coordinator job description as recommended by the Cable Board and the Town Administrator. Mr. Stearns seconded. Passed unanimously.

MINUTES: Mrs. Crisler suggested the minutes be amended as follows: page one, last paragraph, first line - change "accepted" to "submitted". Mr. Stearns motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

CORRESPONDENCE: Request received from the Softball/Soccer associations to have the parking areas at all fields be reviewed for their ability to handle the present capacity.

Letter received from the Dept of Resources and Economic Development in response to Mr. Sullivan's request to clarify the "Revisionary right of the State" and how it may affect the town's granting of an easement to a private landowner (the Nashua Road railroad bed).

Request received for partial release of $19,586 from the road bond for Coventry Road. Mr. McMahon noted that this request was not signed denoting Planning Board approval. Mr. Stearns, alternate to the Planning Board, stated that it was approved by the Board. Mr. Stearns motioned to authorize partial release of the Coventry Road bond in the amount of $19,586.00 contingent on Planning Board signature. Mrs. Crisler seconded. Passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Sullivan asked the Board to defer the discussion scheduled on the Devlin ballfield area for two weeks until all information is available. Subject was deferred.

NEW BUSINESS: Mrs. Crisler stated that she has been asked by several residents exactly how the Current Use tax is administered. Mr. Sullivan explained that the tax is assessed when the use of the land is changed. At that point, a ten percent penalty is assessed based on current market value. All current use tax monies collected during the year are transferred into the Conservation Land Fund. The fund is handled by the Town Treasurer who invests it appropriately, in CD's, Money Market Accounts, etc. The total taken in to date in 1998 is $78,000.

The law regarding current use was to encourage open space and it offered tremendous tax savings to the landowners.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Mrs. Crisler motioned to go into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3a. Mr. Stearns seconded. Roll Call Vote: all members - Yes. The Board and Mr. Sullivan were in attendance. The subject was union negotiations.

Mr. Stearns motioned to accept the Factfinder's Report for the Police Union Contract and recommend it to Town Meeting. Ms Webber seconded. Passed unanimously.

Mr. Stearns motioned to adjourn. Ms Webber seconded. Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen M. Davis
Secretary


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