Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call – Beth Downs, Marlene Freyler, Mel Pfeifle and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Appearances:
None
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
- The Board reviewed the minutes of the September 26, 2022, meeting.
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to accept the minutes for the September 26, 2022, meeting.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Review September Expenses – Marlene reviewed the September expenses.
- Town Hall Update – Karen recapped a meeting that took place to discuss the placement of the septic and sprinkler systems. It appears we will need four cistern tanks to supply a total of 30,000 gallons to the sprinkler system. This will consume a lot of space, so the contractor is looking to find a way to reduce it to three tanks. The interior finish details will be discussed with LCHIP. Karen also asked about solar panels and there doesn’t seem to be a structural issue with putting them up. Construction start date has been pushed back to mid-November. Karen talked about getting someone in there to move stuff out of the Town Hall. Beth suggested calling the High School to see if students needing community service might help out.
- Electric Rates Revisit – Karen went over updated electric rates that she received this morning. The Board decided to lock in the $0.15999 rate.
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to authorize Karen to lock in the rate of $0.15999/kwh for a one-year contract with Nextera.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
New Business:
- Upcoming Budget Concerns – The Henniker Rescue invoice has come in at almost double what was budgeted ($94,000). The Chief is looking at the formulas, but it is unclear what happened here. Karen said it is a work in progress. Beth wants the Departments to trim their spending. Karen thinks the departments have been doing a good job trimming in the past. Mel said the departments need to pay attention to what they are spending.
Motion: Beth Downs motioned that all department heads should not authorize unnecessary spending. Any unnecessary spending must be approved by the Board.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
- Future Initiatives from CIP Process – Karen wanted to share some things that came up in the CIP meeting. The first was the creation by each department of equipment maintenance and replacement plans. Second the creation of a committee to look at financial policies, practices and philosophies. Third was a communication plan to include a central point of communication for critical events.
- Recording Secretary Position – Karen said the recording secretary has given a one month notice. Karen will repost the position. Marlene thanked Donna for her work over the past year and a half.
- Contoocook Well Agreement for Highway – Mel wanted to know how many gallons per minutes they use. Beth will ask Steve. The Board signed the agreement.
- Sign Current Use Application – Signed.
- Beth congratulated Lois Kilnapp for all her hard work she does at the Transfer Station. Lois was featured in an article in The Concord Monitor.
- Mel asked Beth to discuss the gravel pit further with Steve.
Upcoming Meetings:
- October 24, 2022
Motion: Marlene Freylermotioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (a) at 7:27 p.m.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to return to public session at 7:51 p.m.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Mel Pfeifle motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
Second: Beth Downs
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.