September 23, 2009

Minutes of the Special Town Board Meeting held Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at 4:30 PM, at the Community Center in Keene. The following Town Board Members were present: William B. Ferebee, Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy A. Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council. Also present were: 14 concerned citizens, including 7 Members of Golden Peaks, 3 Representatives of Little Peaks, 2 Town Justices, Susan Whitney, Clerk to the Supervisor and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

Mr. Ferebee called the meeting to order and explained that the Board felt there may be a need to consolidate space. He said the meeting was called for tonight to walk through the building and look at what space was available. He said currently Little Peaks uses one room 5 days a week and there is the skating room downstairs. He said the Board is concerned with the fact that the Town is renting space for the Assessor and Planning/Code Enforcement. He said there is interest in using what space the Town has, and is interested in getting thoughts and ideas from some of the users.

Mr. Ferebee said there may be future plans for the annex building we now rent saying that the Town is good there through 2010.

Donna Combs was answered that the Town pays $500 a month and utilities at the annex.

Connie Hickey, Town Justice, said she would like to explain a problem the Court has saying that she has a jury trial coming in November which requires three rooms. She said that as Judges, she and Mr. Wells would like a more secure area for the Court. She said that anyone in the Town Hall can hear messages left on their answering machine or see faxes.

Mr. Wells said a petitioned area, ¼ the size of the room being met in now, was all they needed.

Mrs. Hickey said she didn’t want to see other programs disrupted, but said they felt they needed a secure place to work.

Mr. Ferebee explained the Board is also looking at changes that may be made in the Town Hall.

Robin Lawrence gave an itinerary of the Golden Peaks schedule saying that they have activities on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (using their room at the annex from 10 AM to 3 PM) and go on trips on Thursday and Friday. She said if they were to move they would need space (including a kitchen) for 3 days a week and 1 evening.

Mr. Martin said the intent is not necessarily to cram everyone into the Community Center space, speaking of an outside footprint.

Ms. Neville asked if the Planning Board and Assessor could share common space.

Lorraine Duvall said it’s not the Planning Board, it’s the Code Office.

Mr. Jaques said he didn’t expect all these people tonight, he said he had wanted to look at the building.

Mr. Biesemeyer said there are two issues here, short term and long. He said there is money set aside, which can be used, in a capital fund for construction of a new town hall which might be used for these renovations instead.

Mrs. Hickey again said how critical it is to support both Little Peaks and Golden Peaks, saying it gives people a sense of belonging.

Nan Amstutz, the Little Peaks Pre-school Teacher, said she would like to express how appreciative Little Peaks is to have the space they have, with the outside playground, saying that new parents meet new parents and the children learn to play. When asked, she said they are limited to 14 children due to the space and that if there were more space, there may be a possibility of an after care program.

Judy Caner, a Representative for Little Peaks, said that Little Peaks and Golden Peaks work well together.

Jean Clifford asked if an addition was possible.

Mr. Ferebee said he thinks there may be a way of using the back of the building, while keeping the main traffic upstairs.

Mr. Jaques said the Town has to supply space to the Assessor, Planning Board and Code Enforcement Office.

Ed Palen, a Representative for Little Peaks, said that they have no problem paying rent.

Ms. Amstutz said that KCS has also said they have no space.

Mr. Jaques said he would like to look over the building.

Ms. Neville said it sounded like the groups are willing to work together.

Mr. Jaques asked if the groups would write out a schedule of their needs.

The meeting broke up at 5:15 PM for the Board Members to look over the building.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk

September 29, 2009

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor

Paul R. Martin, Councilperson

Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson

Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson

Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson