February 14, 2013 OSSIPEE — Carroll County Delegation has voted to formed a subcommittee to explore the idea of having a performance evaluation done to measure the performance of all departments on the Carroll County complex.
Rep. Susan Ticehurst will head the subcommittee that will also include Representatives Mark McConkey, Chris Ahlgren, Glenn Cordelli, and Tom Lavender.
Ticehurst, who brought the idea to the delegation on Jan. 28 for consideration, said she doesn't want this to be viewed by department heads as a witch hunt. "It's not looking to see who is wasting money, who is not producing or who can be cut. It is just to see how well we're doing and how we could work together better," Ticehurst.
McConkey said the idea is timely and makes sense. "Looking for savings and efficiencies makes nothing but sense. To delay that any further would be negligent," said McConkey.
Ticehurst said she would also like to see immediate action to begin setting a regular time when department heads could meet together. She said there is nothing in place now for department heads to meet and share what is working for them, what their challenges are and what their needs are for their department that they could coordinate with other department heads. Several other delegates agreed with this idea.
Rep. Karel Crawford, who is a former Moultonborough selectman, said department heads meet every Friday in that town to talk about what is going on in the town and to give them the opportunity to talk to each other and share ideas. The meetings have been very helpful, she said and the meetings have produced new ways for department heads to work together to find cost saving solutions.
NH State Law allows, RSA 24:26 as part of their responsibilities, the county delegation to direct the county commissioners to have a performance evaluation done and appropriate enough money for the commissioners to pay for it.
Grafton County recently had a performance evaluation conduction of their county government operations at a cost of $40,000. That county's evaluation can be viewed online at their website at http://graftoncountynh.us/.
Coos County paid $26,000 for their performance audit that is nearly complete and not yet available online.
The Carroll County subcommittee will hold their first meeting Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. in the county administration building.
The next meeting of the full county delegation to continue with 2013 budget review is set for Friday, Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.
Meeting safety
At their Jan. 23 meeting Carroll County Commissioners read aloud a letter, with the name of the author redacted, that asked commissioners to require that an armed police officer attend all of their public meetings since the public is allowed to carry firearms in the administration building. Commissioner David Sorensen said the letter would be placed on file.
Commissioner David Babson said the concerns should be addressed by their next meeting Jan. 30 and "not let it fester." Ed Comeau told commissioners that he attended a meeting in Brookfield where another person brought a similar concern of safety to the selectmen. "Due to the increased violence portrayed the media is reporting on I don't think it is improper to be concerned," said Comeau. The Brookfield response, said Comeau, to the concerned citizen's concern was that if the citizen is afraid to attend meetings, it was up to her to call police. "There is a concerted effort in this state at this point because of the media to roll back some of the rights that we have. You cannot right a law or a policy to restrict where anybody is legally allowed to be to not have firearms," said Comeau.
In response to the letter given to commissioners, Sheriff Domenic Richardi said he will do some research and bring his suggestions back to the commissioners.
Free lunch
Volunteers deserve at least a free lunch if they are willing to help out at the county attorney's office with the mound of filing needing to be done in that office. Without reservation, the commissioners voted at their Jan. 23 meeting to grant County Attorney Robin Gordon's request. Two retired court clerks who have been volunteering in her office are now eligible to take a free lunch at the county nursing home if they are volunteering during the lunch hour.
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