Select Board Meeting was called to order at 5:57 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Chip Meany
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator
Review Minutes of November 4, 2024
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to approve the November 4, 2024 minutes as written.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Appearances:
Edward Otto – Property Assessment. Mr. Otto had questions about his property assessment. Mr. Otto was advised that if he felt the assessment was incorrect, he could file an abatement with the town once the final 2024 tax bill had been received.
Rick Deschenes – E911 address. Previously the Select Board had denied Mr. Deschenes application for an E911 address based on information that there was a temporary dwelling on the property. Mr. Deschenes explained that the structures on the property are permanent.
Motion: Chip Meany made a motion to grant an E911 address to Rick Deschenes.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Karen will follow up with a number.
Erica Gross – Town Clerk. Erica Gross appeared to get permission from the Select Board to advertise to fill the position of Deputy Town Clerk at 20 hours/week @ $17/hour.
Motion: Chip Meany made a motion to allow Erica Gross to advertise and hire for the position of Deputy Town Clerk at 20 hours per week, $17/hour.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Steve Hall – Highway Department Update
- Fuel pricing contract: Steve presented a contract to the Board for diesel fuel at rack-plus pricing. The Board approved.
- Steve presented the purchase agreement for $5,000 to buy the 1988 fire truck. The Board had approved the purchase agreement earlier.
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to sell the “old, old” (1986) fire truck with a sander and a plow.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to remove the unneeded parts off the 1988 fire truck and to sell them.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
- The backhoe brakes have been fixed at a cost of approximately $17,000. Another $40,000 worth of work is still needed. There was a discussion of purchase vs. leasing a backhoe. Chip and Marlene are in favor or leasing. Beth is in favor of purchasing. Chris Aiken joined the discussion from the audience adding that there is a balance between front-line usage and leasing and occasional usage as purchase. He remarked that present-day equipment has a life of seven years. Consensus of the Board is that there is a need for an analysis of the cost benefits of both leasing and purchasing a backhoe. Steve thought that the Board could approve a leasing agreement. Karen will check to see if a town meeting warrant is required.
- Plow truck needs $6,600 to be ready for winter. Must be repaired for use in 2024.
- Culvert work: $82,705 in engineering is required before work on the West Main Street bridge culvert can be put out to bid.
- Bridges: A total of about $55,283 in engineering is needed to get culvert projects on West Road, Dear Valley Road, and Davis Road ready for work. This will be discussed in the future.
Public Input: Chris Aiken asked a question about the Capital Improvement Program process regarding Highway Department equipment. Pam Bruss commented that there hasn’t been a replacement plan for Highway equipment.
Chip left the meeting at 7:14 pm and returned at 7:16 pm.
Regular and Old Business:
Review Budget worksheet: Beth started the discussion with a suggestion of an overall 2.5% salary increase. There was a discussion of the relationship of the COLA (cost-of-living adjustment), merit pay, and health insurance contribution. The split between COLA and merit pay will be determined by the Select Board at a later time. Karen will run the numbers and inform the Select Board.
Tax Rate Update: Karen reported that the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration has been given all the necessary information to send the tax rate recommendation to the Select Board within the next couple of weeks.
Town Hall Project – Expenses and Revenue. Pam Bruss appeared with a brief presentation that showed that all expenditures for the Town Hall renovation were approved by the Select Board. The entire project, including the Select Board approved additions to the scope, was completed at 8.92% over budget.
New Business:
Jefferson Solutions Agreement – GASB 75 Report.
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board authorize the Town Administrator to electronically sign the contract with Jefferson Solutions, Inc. to complete the Town’s GASB 75 audit report.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Northstar Fireworks Contract: The 2025 expense has been prepaid with the 2024 unused funds. Marlene will reach out to Devin Pendleton about 2026 plans. Beth signed the 2025 contract.
Appointment to Economic Development Committee: The Board approved Dan Innis as a member of the Economic Development Committee.
Unanticipated revenue:
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $350 in private donations as unanticipated revenue per RSA31:94-b from the Loch More Music Event to support the outfitting of the Town Hall auditorium. These funds will be deposited into the 2013 Town Hall Repair and Restoration Trust Fund.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Sign Voluntary Change of Address form. Signed.
Sign Application for Reimbursement for State Land. Signed.
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature. Signed
Adjourn:
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the meeting.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Meeting adjourned at 7:59 pm
Upcoming meetings: December 9th and 16th, 2024
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary