Board of Selectmen  
Meeting Minutes  
April 22, 2008

Present: Selectmen; Bill Martell, and Rich Hall (Selectman Martin absent/out of state), Administrative Assistant Kim Leahey, Dave Goldin, Police Chief Ed Fleury, members of the public and, Gazette reporter Mary Carey.

Meeting called to order by Chairperson Richard Hall at 6:02 p.m.  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES from April 7, 2008; Bill Martell made a motion to approve the minutes, Rich Hall seconded; motion passed unanimously.

LIAISON REPORTS
The Police Chief passed out statistics for the month, Chairman Hall reported that the Highway Department has been sweeping the streets and that the Town Offices are running smoothly.

.OLD BUSINESS
Selectmen discussed the need to set a time for the potential override vote, if the Warrant Article is passed on May 3rd. The Selectmen believe, and will confirm with Town Clerk Andy Lichtenberg, that a minimum of four hours is required for a ballot question vote. They will continue the discussion as needed, after the May 3rd vote, with Town Clerk Andy Lichtenberg.

POLICE CRUISER PROPOSAL
Chief Fleury handed out copies of quotes for a new police cruiser. Fleury reports that it would cost $2300 immediately to repair the current vehicle and $4000 to get it “back on the road”/ he also reported that another $7000 worth of repairs are necessary. He is reticent to spend $10,000 to continue to use a 1998 vehicle and, therefore, has researched the cost of a new vehicle. Fleury reports that Ford has worked hard to develop a competitive equivalent to the Chevy Tahoe and he has asked the Ford dealer to earmark one for Pelham. The town is under NO obligation to buy the vehicle, but it guarantees that one will be available should the purchase be approved.

The Selectmen decided to put the discussion regarding the department’s need for a new cruiser on the agenda for the next Selectmen’s meeting.

VERIZON
Al Bessette, a representative from Verizon, presented his company’s petitions to add a second cabinet to each of two current cabinet locations; Amherst Road and Butterhill Road. He said that Verizon’s hope is that the addition of these cabinets will “capture a good percentage of town” for DSL service. After a lengthy discussion where Mr. Bessette reported that, while Verizon is pleased to be able to expand the service in Pelham, it will fall short of providing coverage for the entire town, Bill Martell reluctantly, because not all residents will receive service, motioned to approve the addition of the cabinets. The motions passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted
Kim Leahey