Minutes of the Town Board Meeting held Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at 7:00 PM, at the Keene Town Hall. The following Town Board Members were present: William B. Ferebee, Supervisor, Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy A. Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Also present were 6 residents, 1 resident/Member of the Press, Jen Briggs, Bruce Reed, Highway Superintendent and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

The Chairman, Mr. Ferebee, called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM and invited everyone present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Resolution No. 52 – 08
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the minutes of the Town Board Meeting held December 11th, and the End of the Year/Bi-Monthly Meeting held December 27th, both be accepted as presented. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Privilege of the floor was offered.
Mr. Jaques said he would like to say thank you to the Town Highway for their help in having the areas plowed for the fireworks on December 31st.
Mr. Biesemeyer said thanks to Paul Martin, who spearheaded getting the fireworks.
Mr. Martin said the thanks should include the Fire Departments, David Ball, etc.

Resolution No. 53 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the wording in the first paragraph of Resolution No. 148 – 07, Resolution Approving Lease for Telecommunications Facility on Town Property, be amended to read “…from the Town for the siting of a telecommunications facility adjacent to the Town water tank…”. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Biesemeyer.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The next discussion was in regards to the Sole Assessor situation.
Mr. Ferebee asked the Board if it was their wish to re-advertise the position, and if it was what dates would they like to use for the return of applications.
Ms. Neville said she would like to address the training so more local individuals will apply.
Mr. Jaques suggested that a letter be sent to the 3 applicants who have already applied telling them that their applications are being held.
Ms. Neville and Mr. Jaques felt that a 3 or 4 week period should be used for new applications to be returned.
It was agreed to re-advertise on Monday with the applications due back 3 weeks from then.

Mr. Ferebee had a $325 invoice from Innovative Playground in anticipation of performing the annual inspection. He said he had spoken to the Town’s insurance agent and was advised that unless Innovative Playground offers legal back-up in case of injury, this agreement was a waste of money.
The Board asked Mr. Ferebee to ask Innovative if they give legal support and if they don’t to discontinue the service.
Mr. Ferebee reminded those present that there is a vacancy on the Board of Assessment Review, if anyone was interested or knew of anyone that would be interested.

Mr. Ferebee said he had spoken with Little Peaks representatives regarding the Universal Pre-K, which may be mandated by the State. He said if this happens, the program may be housed at Keene Central or KVNH, or Little Peaks may be requesting that they be allowed to run 5 days a week at the Community Center. He said if the latter is the case that there would be some State funding that would bring the facility to spec.
The Board agreed that Little Peaks is welcome to come back to the Board to discuss use of the Community Center.

Resolution No. 54 – 08
Mr. Biesemeyer offered the following resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town of Keene seeks to contract with the North Country SPCA, in consideration of $1,063.00, to provide proper care for stray or seized animals. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Resolution No. 55 – 08
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the application, grant permission and waive the fee (due to the fact the money raised will be donated to Little Peaks) for the Highway Permit requested by Keene Fitness for a run/walk event to be held between Keene and Marcy Field using Hulls Falls Road as the access, to be held in late May or mid June. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Resolution No. 56 – 08
Mr. Martin offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board enter into Executive Session to discuss an employee’s Health Insurance request and a possible legal issue. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The Board entered Executive Session at 7:22 PM.

Resolution No. 57 – 08
Mr. Ferebee offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board re-convene into regular session. This resolution was seconded by Ms. Neville.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The Town Board re-convened into regular session at 7:34 PM.

Bill Reed, who came into the meeting late, asked the Board how the Sole Assessor schedule was coming.
Mr. Ferebee explained that the Town Attorney was drafting a Local Law and that the position was going to be re-advertised for applicants. He also explained that the 3 applications already received will be kept on file.

Ms. Neville asked how the Out of District User agreement for Water District #1 was coming.
Mr. Ferebee said there are 6 out of district water users. He said the previous Town Attorney was supposed to draft an agreement and that one has now been drafted.
He said he had talked to the State Comptroller’s office and was told that the process for collecting a payment for their share of the debt from out of district users was to have them sign a contract stating their rate which would be computed by using their total assessment minus their land value leaving only the improvements.

Resolution No. 58 – 08
The Town Board adopted Resolution No. 58 – 08, a Resolution Transferring Funds. This resolution, in its entirety, is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

Resolution No. 59 – 08
Mr. Jaques offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the Town Board accept the Supervisor’s Report for December, as presented, and place it on file with the Town Clerk. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

Resolution No. 60 – 08
Ms. Neville offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that the following bills be accepted for payment, including those that were post paid. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Jaques.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

General Fund bills No. 761 – 779 $ 8,997.01
and No. 1 - 21 31,399.67
Highway Fund bills No. 254 – 259 4,954.32
and No. 1 - 3 8,126.94
Library Fund bills No. 127 37.71
and No. 1 - 2 238.94
Water District #1 bills No. 1 - 4 646.41
Water District #2 bills No. 131 – 132 71.54
and No. 1 18,600.00

Resolution No. 61 – 08
Mr. Biesemeyer offered a resolution and moved its adoption. Be it resolved, that all business having been transacted, this meeting be adjourned. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Martin.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Ferebee: Yes
Mr. Martin: Yes
Mr. Biesemeyer: Yes
Ms. Neville: Yes
Mr. Jaques: Yes

The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 PM.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
January 11, 2008

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson