3:30pm President John Scruton called the meeting to order.

John welcomed everyone and members introduced themselves around the room.

Approval of Minutes:  Steve Fournier moved, seconded by Peter Joseph, a motion to approve the minutes of the 2007 annual meeting as presented. Vote Unanimous.

Roslyn K. Chavda, (UNH): Roz discussed a project they are working on in regards to how municipal managers in New Hampshire simultaneously cooperate and compete in business and citizen attraction and retention activities. Roz indicated that she will be discussing the project more at our January managers meeting but basically she is going to be sending out a survey hopefully in December that takes about ten to fifteen minutes to complete and doing follow up interviews in January. Roz indicated that she hoped that there would be a great deal of participation. Jessie Levine suggested sending the survey to Christian Pearsall as he has the most updated list of managers and their contact information.

Financial Report:  Jessie Levine provided a brief update on the balance in NHMMA accounts from information emailed to her by Jill Collins, Treasurer.

Report on Nominating Committee/Election of Officers:  The nominating committee report recommendation is President-Jessie Levine, 1st Vice President-Steve Fournier, 2nd Vice President-Jill Collins, Treasurer-Russell Dean, Secretary-Elizabeth Corrow, Member at Large-Michael Joyal, Past President-John Scruton.

It was moved by Pam Brenner, seconded by Todd Selig, Vote in the affirmative unanimous.

Passing of Mantle to New President: Jessie Levine presented John Scruton with a plaque and a gift for her services on the executive board.

ICMA University: December 5, 2008:  Jessie Levine discussed the ICMA University workshop being held December 5th. She informed the group that it is free to all managers that sign up and she brought with her today the book that should be read before the meeting. Those already signed up for the workshop could pick up their book today.

New Business:

• Steve Fournier reviewed the 2009 Meeting Schedule and programs and asked that suggestions be forwarded to him for the upcoming year. Steve also discussed next year’s ICMA annual conference and informed the group that he was traveling to Montreal next week as part of the conference planning committee and he would report back.

• Carol Granfield discussed the ICMA credentialing program for managers that began back in 2001. Carol reviewed eligibility requirements She stated that you must be an ICMA corporate member, take an applied assessment test, and meet education and years of experience requirements. The assessment test takes about 1 ½- 2 hrs to complete and gives you an idea of areas that you may need to continue to work on. Carol referred everyone to the ICMA website “ icma.org” for more information. She stated that ICMA will begin reviewing the next round of candidates in January. The cost is $50 online or $100 on paper. In addition, once you are credentialed you will need to continue to update your professional development online each year. The ICMA review board looks at your professional development each year and reviews what you have learned from that experience they are not looking for just a list of classes you have taken. Once you have been credentialed for five years you will need to complete a performance based assessment by your peers and colleagues. Carol stated that over 1,000 people are credentialed to date.

• Jim Howard-Overview of NHPFC Fiscal Indicators Database-Jim stated that problems had been identified with the Department of Revenue information being used for comparison of communities and a need had been identified for better data for local governments to make financial decisions. The group contacted the Department of Revenue to urge them to make their information more available and as a result it is now available on their website. Conversations with the Carsey institute began in regards to taking the DRA data and making it more available and working with it so that we may be able to compare our individual communities to other communities to look at how we are measuring up. A mechanism was needed to more easily analyze data. The group currently has a draft contract with UNH and the Carsey institute to host web information and work with the public consortium to accomplish these goals. It is estimated that it will cost $25,000 to take the DRA date and transform it into more useful information. The Government finance officers association wanted to make sure that we came to the managers meeting to update you on the project and get the managers endorsement for the project. Jim stated that in addition, we are asking that you consider making a contribution to our fundraising efforts. He stated that GFOA authorized $5,000 to get the effort underway. The group is working on applying for grants and private foundations to seek funding.  Jessie Levine summarized what was being asked of the managers 1. Endorsement and support of the project 2. A financial contribution 3. To identify a liaison.

John Scruton moved and Julia Griffin seconded a motion for the NH Municipal Manager’s association to support the project and for the group to pledge $5,000 towards the project and appoint Sheila St. Germain and Jeanne Beaudin liaisons between the two groups. Todd Selig asked Jim Howard if $5,000 would be enough to get the project moving forward as he was concerned that financing would stall the project. Jim Howard replied that he felt $5,000 would be enough because it would allow the group to go out and fund raise for the remaining amount needed. Jim Howard stated that they will be going to the GFOA board with additional information, draft contracts etc, before they will be requesting the money and they will provide to us key documents for review before the manager’s group will be asked to release their pledge. Bob Belmore indicated that he was uncomfortable supporting the $5,000 pledge with such little information and he would rather see all the information and draft documents and understand how this project will impact his community before voting for this motion.  Jim Howard reassured the group that the information would be provided before the money is asked to be released. Jessie Levine called for a vote. All but two people present voted in the affirmative. Motion passed with a clear majority.

• Pam Brenner talked about her concerns with the amount of managers retiring and the need to bring in the next generation of managers. She stated that she felt there is a disconnect between young people and our association and that the group needed to do a better job mentoring and bringing people into our career.

• Pam Brenner recognized Peter Joseph for his time with the Town of Peterborough.

Jessie Levine asked if there was any other business to come before the group. Hearing none Steve Fournier made a motion, seconded by Donna Nashawaty, to adjourn. Vote unanimous.