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:
Leah Richards – Community Action Program – Leah appeared with her co-worker, Beth Hayward, to discuss the assistance programs they offer through their Warner Office. Primarily, they assist with energy and housing needs. CAP also assists local foodbanks, including ours. CAP offers more than 70 programs. A discussion about how the various programs are funded took place.
Public Input:
None
Regular and Old Business
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to accept the minutes of the November 7 and November 14, 2022 meetings.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0
The Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
Future Initiatives from CIP – Financial Policy – Beth gave a summary of the class offered by the New Hampshire Municipal Association that she viewed. She had hoped it would be more helpful in developing a Financial Policy for the Town; however, it primarily discussed measured we already have in place.
Town Hall Update – Karen shared that the work to identify the cistern size is on-going. Michael Bruss has been a tremendous help in working through pre-construction items, such as the contract with Trumbull-Nelson. A draft of the contract has been received and Michael is reviewing it. The Board agreed to have legal counsel review it as well. The town records, furniture and other items were moved out on November 22nd and 23rd. Given the uncertainty with the size and placement of the sprinkler system cisterns, the start date has been pushed back to December 12th. Karen received word from LCHIP (the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program) that our request for $50,000 to rehabilitate the windows was not funded.
Expenses – Review – The budget remains very tight. Factoring in full payment of the Rescue invoice, we have 9.48% of the budget left and 9.43% of the year left.
New Business:
Review Adjustment of Tax for Map 12 Lot 12 – The assessment of the property had included a building that was not actually on the property. The assessment was adjusted and the Board signed an abatement letter.
Sign Shakes to Shingles Contract – The contract with Shakes to Shingles to complete energy efficient updates at the Highway Garage was signed.
Unanticipated Revenue – Karen stated that there had been a math error and the additional amount of $25 in unanticipated revenue accepted on behalf of the Town Hall on November 14th had already been accounted for. The correct figure for the total received was $1168 as was stated on October 24th.
Review Veteran’s Credit recommendation – The Board reviewed and signed a Veteran’s Credit recommendation from the Assessor.
Marlene asked to correct a statement she had made at a previous meeting. She had stated there was $22,000 in gravestone repair to be done. She intended to say $2200.
Karen shared with the Board a thank you note from the Eastern Stars and a note of thanks sent to the Police Department from an appreciative young resident.
Motion: Marlene Freylermotioned to adjourn to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (a) at 6:58 p.m.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: 3-0
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to return to public session at 7:32 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Beth Downs motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Upcoming Meetings:
- December 8, 2022 – joint meeting with Budget Committee
- December 12, 2022
Minutes submitted by Karen Hambleton, Administrator.