NEW HAMPSHIRE MUNICIPAL MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
MEETING MINUTES
President Carol Granfield called the meeting to order with opening remarks. She introduced and thanked the Executive Board for all their work this year.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Secretary/Treasurer Sue Desruisseaux provided the financial report. As of 9.30.04 there is $58,978 with minimal outstanding expenses.
BYLAW CHANGES: Jim Pitts spoke to the proposed bylaw changes. Questions were raised regarding membership - associate members, Assistant City and Town Managers, and affiliate groups. Under Section 3 - Membership there was discussion regarding the words "external" and "overall" in #6. John Sruton moved, James Barrington seconded to remove "external" and "overall", passed. James Barrington moved, John Scruton seconded to add the following language to Associate Memberships - #5. Any other individual committed to local government service with the consent of a majority of the executive board. Dave Stack spoke about full-time students - anyone matriculated and MPA accepted - would be considered next year. Jim Pitts asked for a provisional vote on the by-law changes. No opposition.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: The nominating committee presented the following nominations: President - James Pitts, Bow; 1 st Vice-President - Julia Griffin, Hanover; 2 nd Vice President - Sue Desruisseaux, Goffstown; Secretary/Treasurer - John Scruton, Plaistow; Member-at-Large - Jessie Levine, New London; Member-at-Large - Richard Bates, Raymond; Past President - Carol Granfield, Meredith. No other nominations from the floor. No opposition.
OLD BUSINESS: As President, James Pitts thanked Carol Granfield for her year of service, presented her with gifts and made opening remarks (jokes?). Carol provided an update on ICMA Credentialing, the applied assessment test, and continued professional development.
Julia Griffin provided an update on the Range Rider program, which will be funded by ICMA and LGC and is scheduled to start Jan. 1, 2005. When the budget is approved an announcement will be sent to each member. This program will be good resource for first time managers.
President James Pitts spoke about the scholarships, which were awarded in 2004 and thanked Primex for their sponsorship. Jeremy Lamson and Steve Fournier were recipients of the summer conference scholarships. Jessie Levine and Sue Desruisseaux were recipients of the ICMA Conference Scholarships.
NEW BUSINESS: Carol Granfield reported that the Police Association and NHMMA Executive Boards have met twice and will continue to meet on a quarterly basis. Discussions of location of personnel files - Maura Carroll is working with AG's Office to clarify the handling of police personnel files. Also, discussed RSA 105 regarding termination was discussed and a time limit change from 10 to 30 days is being proposed to allow sufficient time for due process. Tom Mahon commented that the 10-day time limit leads to expeditiousness in court and impacts unemployment compensation. The meetings with Police Chiefs have been positive and will continue.
Julia Griffin solicited ideas for training programs in 2005. Taxing Telephone Poles in light of the recent Supreme Court Decision and the need to modify license agreements was a topic of interest. Educational Funding was another topic. Training for the Summer Conference (third week in June) should be topics related to credentialing. Discussed location of Summer Conference: New England Center; Waterville Valley - joint meeting with Vermont and Maine discussed; Wentworth by the Sea. Consensus was to keep the rooms around $100 per night.
James Pitts reported on attending the advanced planning conference for the 2005 ICMA Annual Conference in Minneapolis.
ICMA REPORT: In Pam Brenner's absence Carol Granfield reported that this is Pam's last year as the Northeast Representative. ICMA is having difficulty getting smaller communities to join; therefore the membership fee will be reduced from 8% to 4% for communities under 5,000 population and LGC will assist with funding. This requires a 90% enrollment rate of these small communities. The New England ICMA Regional Conference is scheduled for April 6 th - 8 th at Church Landing in Meredith. Carol commented that a majority of state organizations contribute to ICMA Foundation for professional development of managers. Bob Belmore and Dave Stack suggested that the executive board research what other states do and bring it forward to the membership for a vote.
RECOGNITION: President James Pitts recommended drafting a letter to LGC recognizing staff's assistance this year.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Desruisseaux
