By Muriel Bristol | November 17, 2018
The Milton Board of Selectmen (BOS) have posted their agenda for a BOS meeting to be held Monday, November 19.
The meeting is scheduled to begin with a Non-Public preliminary session at 5:30 PM. That agenda has two Non-Public items classed as 91-A:3 II (c) and 91-A:3 II (d).
91-A:3 II (c). Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of the public body itself, unless such person requests an open meeting. This exemption shall extend to any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of a fee, fine, or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant.
These (c) items are perennial favorites. At this point there have been dozens of them. Perhaps they are deciding finally to come clean regarding what went down with the Police last summer, but do not count on it. Personnel departures, necessitating secret meetings with sealed minutes, which are then unsealed for the Chief alone, so that he may reference them in personnel files. All that is on a “need to know” basis and the BOS feels the public does not need to know.
91-A:3 II (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale, or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community.
One would certainly hope that nothing additional is being acquired or leased. Sales might extend to old fire stations or the condemned properties, now owned by the Town, whose demolitions are out to bid.
The BOS intend to adjourn their Non-Public BOS session at approximately (*) 6:00 PM, when they intend to return to Public session.
The Public portion of the agenda has New Business, Old Business, and housekeeping items.
Under New Business are scheduled five agenda items: 1) Historical Society Discussion (Milton Historical Society), 2) TTPA 2018 Year End Review (Steve Baker), 3) Accept Recycling Grant (Pat Smith), 4) Approve Transfer Funds from Highway Vehicle CRF to General Fund (Pat Smith), and 5) Warrant Article Discussion (Heather Thibodeau).
The Historical Society discussions have appeared several times already. They need a new roof, accession of new blood, and some way for selectmen to attend their meetings without it constituting a meeting of their own.
TTPA? A typographical error no doubt. (We do those too). One supposes it to be actually a Three Ponds Protective Association’s (TPPA) Year End Review.
Recyling Grant. The BOS might actually ask what strings, er, conditions, are attached this time. That would be due diligence. There is also a transfer from a DPW Capital Reserve Fund (CRF) into the recently-tapped General Fund? This might be interesting.
A Warrant Article discussion. One might expect a bumper crop of them this year, in the wake of the abject budget failures of the BOS and Town government. Administrator Thibodeau likely wants to let everyone know the relevant requirements and deadlines. Maybe she will announce a workshop, with the Town attorney present to advise petitioners on finer points of law.
We would want needed reforms to succeed, would we not? Einstein is frequently credited with observing that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” Chairman Thibeault has repeated this himself, several times. And we have been overtaxed for so many years. Time to try some different things that might achieve different results.
Under Old Business is scheduled one item: 6) Proposed Heavy Hauling Ordinance Discussion Follow up (Heather Thibodeau). (Note that the other items referred do not remain on the old business list).
The Proposed Heavy Hauling Ordinance Discussion Follow up continues from past meetings. This is one of the items remaining on Selectman Lucier’s bucket list. He wants no-passing signs posted, but has been told they are useless without first passing an ordinance. So, here is the ordinance. It is all about forbidding logging trucks from passing and repassing on Governors, Hare, and Ford Farm roads to and from Middleton Lumber (on NH Route 153 in Middleton). He has been told that he can not affect similar heavy-duty traffic by Milton residents over those very same roads.
Finally, there will be the approval of prior minutes (from the BOS Meeting of November 5), the expenditure report, Public Comments “Regarding Discussed Meeting Material,” Town Administrator comments, and BOS comments.
Ms. McDougall has called a third meeting of her Milton Advocates group. It will take place again in the Nute Library’s Community Room, on Saturday, December 1), at 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. All town residents are invited. Bring your best manners. (Not her words).
References:
Our Milton Home Facebook Group. (2018, November 13). Lynette McDougall Posting. Retrieved from www.facebook.com/groups/OurMiltonHome/permalink/1971690139591941/
State of New Hampshire. (2016, June 21). RSA Chapter 91-A. Access to Governmental Records and Meetings. Retrieved from www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/VI/91-A/91-A-3.htm
Town of Milton. (2018, November 16). BOS Meeting Agenda, November 19, 2018. Retrieved from www.miltonnh-us.com/uploads/bos_agendas_843_3934517289.pdf
Youtube. (1965). Cone of Silence. Retrieved from www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1eUIK9CihA&feature=youtu.be&t=19
Milton Observer 