Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:02 pm
Roll Call: Marlene Freyler, Beth Downs, Mel Pfeifle
Also in attendance Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Announcement: Reschedule of Voting and Town Meeting:
Town Election Day is rescheduled to Tuesday, March 28, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Town Meeting is rescheduled to Wednesday, March 29, 7:00 pm
Review Minutes
Motion: Beth Downs moved to accept minutes from February 27, 2023 as written
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
Appearances:
Steve Hall – Road Agent appeared and discussed the Road Plan to be presented at Town Meeting. Caleb Connor, a member of the Roads and Bridges Committee, will attend town meeting as rescheduled.
The current paving plan is as follows:
Jones Road and Center Road to Cressy Road @ $144,000
Fairgrounds Road to Pleasant View Road @ $158,000
Chip Seal Sunset Road@ $20,317
Chip Seal Old Warner Road @ $17,640
Chip Seal Breezy Hill Road @ $3,200
Total for all $343,157. This leaves a balance of about $36,000 for other minor repairs or to be rolled forward to next year.
Beth said that this plan is good and has good visibility.
Dirt road plowing: Steve is aware of complaints about dirt roads not being plowed. Due to the rain and refreezing, trucks are sinking into dirt roads. The road crew has been making “shoes” for the plows so that they don’t dig in.
Gravel Discussion: The Board and Steve are beginning to plan for next year. The kinds of material at various sites were discussed. Steve says buying the complete product will probably save money overall. Buying vs. crushing gravel in Bradford was discussed. Mel encouraged continued looking and thinking.
Highway Department Warrant Articles: The Board and Steve agreed that the Highway Department articles were in order.
Public Input: None
Regular and Old Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature. Signed.
Town Hall Update:
Karen reported that finer details of site plan are being determined. Since there isn’t enough room for the cisterns underneath the building, they will be placed outside. Siting to be determined. Decisions have been made with Eversource about the location of the transformer and the need to allocate space for an electrical room in the basement. File storage will be moved to accommodate the electrical room.
Second floor ceiling has been preserved and painted with beautiful results.
Streaming layout/seating arrangement: The meeting space is flexible with the “front” of the room being either on the window side or the “LCHIP” wall side. Streaming cameras will capture either arrangement.
Town Meeting Prep:
Mel asked if it would be possible to keep track of the impact on tax rate by article (Issue). Karen is reluctant to share the impact out loud because these calculations can be misleading. In the event an expenditure is voted down, Mel would like to anticipate this and present alternatively that some of the expenditure could be put into reserve funds. Department heads can be called upon to explain expenses. In a nutshell, tax rate = (expenses – revenue)/valuation/1000.
Update on State of NH vs 3M lawsuit: Non-public documents have been passed to the Board concerning town records relevant to the lawsuit.
New Business:
Electric Rates: Karen is watching the rates. The rates appear to be going down and waiting two or three weeks will be okay. Decision is not needed now.
The Board signed and Intent to Excavate for Map 7, Lot 26.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (a) at 6:51 p.m.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to return to public session at 7:04 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Upcoming meeting: March 27, 2023 at 4 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Bigford