Town of Fitzwilliam, NH - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 03/24/10

7:30 MEET WITH BRIAN FOUCHER: Mr. Foucher submitted a draft agreement for use of the town hall for his transmitter. He

stated that Fairpoint is now available in the village area so he is not sure how many customers he would be connecting. He

stated that they are interested in going forward. They would not need to install very much to enable this. They are proposing

that if less than 50 customers then they will give free service to the Town Hall. If they connect more than 50 customers they

would provide to the Town Hall and one other town building free service. Mr. Parker stated that the board will need to have

Mr. Foucher stated that they had some weather related damage to the tower on Upper Troy Road. A tree came down on the

guide wires. They are going to need to replace this. He will meet with the Planning Board with regard to this. He will

8:00 MEET WITH SHARON ROY – TAXES ON MAP 26 LOT 01: Mrs. Roy stated that she is here on behalf of her mother, Sharon

Dick. There is going to be a lien on the property soon. She would like to find out what she can do to make payments. Her

mother is collecting Social Security under her dad who is deceased. Her mother is disabled. Mrs. Thompson stated that if it

is determined through Social Security that her mother is 100% disabled and qualifies for the exemption by meeting the income and asset limits, she could get the disability exemption. Mrs. Roy stated that her mother has health issues. Mrs. Roy just became aware of the situation and needs to take control of this. Mr. Parker stated that they could make monthly payments on this outstanding balance. If monthly payments are being made, we would not take this for a tax deed.

8:15 MEET WITH CHIEF KASSOTIS: The Chief met with the board. Mr. Parker stated that he would like to know how the Chief

plans to schedule officers. Chief Kassotis stated that he feels that 15 years ago people voted to increase the force and that

was never done. Chief Kassotis stated that he would like to add another part timer a minimal of one day a week. This would

allow the officers to deal with investigations. This would allow the night officer to work a day shift for investigations and

schedule a part time officer at night. This would allow flexibility and follow up. This will help him not get behind on

administrative work. Mr. Parker stated that he looked at the payroll figures to date and he is running very close. Chief

Kassotis stated that he gives this town 110%. He feels that he has brought the department up. He cannot keep putting in

extra hours that are not compensated. Mr. Parker stated that the schedule for him starts at 7:00 in the morning. He is

usually on the job at 5:30 am which is his own prerogative. Mr. Parker stated that he was upset at Town Meeting that he

threatened that if we do not add an officer that they may need to wait for coverage. Mrs. Silverman stated that when Chief

Kassotis took the job he knew it was salaried. Mrs. Silverman questioned why he chooses to go to work at 5:30 am. Chief

Kassotis stated that he gets paperwork done. Mrs. Silverman stated that it appears that there is regular overtime, she

questioned if a part time officer is hired will this eliminate this. Mr. Parker questioned if the part time officer would live in

Fitzwilliam. Chief Kassotis stated he did not know. Mr. Parker stated that from the reports the board cannot tell the

disposition of cases. Chief Kassotis stated that they can do more reporting which would require more work. Nancy Carney

asked what the availability of the current part time officers are. Are they available to work more then they are scheduled?

Chief Kassotis stated that officer Cassidy works every Saturday and Sunday during the day. Officer Filipi’s schedule changes

he normally works one day a week. Chief Kassotis stated that other departments our size their overtime budget is $22,000.

Chief Kassotis stated that he would like to advertise for the part time position. He would be looking for a certified individual.

Chief Kassotis stated that they basically have the equipment for a new officer, they may need to purchase a uniform. A psych

exam would cost $200. Chief Kassotis stated that he does not have a dollar figure of what it would cost to initially hire a part

time officer. Mrs. Silverman stated that she does not feel that she has enough information to make a decision with regard to

this matter. She would like a general figure of the initial cost for hiring. She would also like to know what this will do for the

department and the reasoning behind this. She would like a better sense of what is going on in the department. Mr. Parker

stated that he feels that most people in the town think Chief Kassotis is doing a good job. The board is responsible to the

taxpayers and he feels that the board needs a better understanding of what the department is doing. Mr. Parker stated that

if the board agrees to the hiring of an additional officer he would like him to consider hiring local and maybe a female officer.

Mrs. Carney stated that it may be helpful to have the officers meet with the board and discuss any ideas or concerns they may

At 8:55 pm, Mr. Parker made a motion to go into Non-Public Session under RSA 91 A:3 II (a). Mrs. Silverman

seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Parker – yes, Mrs. Silverman- yes, Ms. Carney – yes.

At 9:10 pm, Mr. Parker made a motion to go out of Non-Public Session under RSA 91 A:3 II (a). Mrs. Silverman

seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Parker – yes, Mrs. Silverman – yes, Ms. Carney – yes.

Mrs. Silverman made a motion to seal the records, the motion was seconded by Mr. Parker, the motion passed 3-0.

Chief Kassotis left, Mrs. Silverman stated that she wants to know what adding another part time person is going to do for the

department. Mr. Parker suggested writing a letter to the chief recapping our conversation and information that the board is

At 9:40 pm, Mr. Parker made a motion to go into Non-Public Session under RSA 91 A:3 II (e). Mrs. Silverman

seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Parker – yes, Mrs. Silverman- yes, Ms. Carney –yes.

At 9:45 pm, Mr. Parker made a motion to go out of Non-Public Session under RSA 91 A:3 II (e). Mrs. Silverman

seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Parker – yes, Mrs. Silverman – yes, Ms. Carney – yes.

Mrs. Silverman made a motion to seal the records, the motion was seconded by Mr. Parker, the motion passed 3-0.

Parsons: This individual qualifies. Mr. Parker moved to approved, the motion was seconded by Ms. Carney, the motion

Troutman: This individual qualifies. Mr. Parker moved to approved, the motion was seconded by Ms. Carney, the motion

*** DISPOSITION OF OLD HIGHWAY DEPT SANDER: John Holman has expressed an interest in trading sand or gravel

for this item. The board will put this out for bid. John Holman can bid on this and use a trade for his bid.

*** TOWN HALL ROOF: We have leak in the roof. Mrs. Thompson obtained a quote from Melanson the worst case scenario

they are estimating the cost to be $1800.00. Mrs. Silverman moved to hire Melanson Company to complete the repairs, the

*** Chairman: Mrs. Silverman nominated Tom Parker as chairman, the motion was seconded by Ms. Carney, the motion

Planning Board Representative: Mrs. Silverman nominated Nancy Carney as the Selectmen’s representative, the motion

Southwest Regional Planning Commission Representative: We will ask Carmen Yon if he is interested.

There being no further business, at 9:55pm, Mr. Parker made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Carney and the motion passed 3-0.