Meeting location: Town offices
Date: January 26, 2017
Meeting opened: 6:30 pm; Meeting adjourned: 8:30 pm.
Members present: Jay Jacobs; Andrew Maneval; Jonathan Miner
Documents signed and reviewed:
SB signed Weekly Financials in the amount of $152,233.82.
SB signed both copies of the Selectmen Meeting Minutes for January 19, 2017 and January 23, 2017.
Fernald, Taft, Falby & Little – SB acknowledged receipt of John Cucchi vs. Harrisville Planning Board No Objection Motion and Notice of Hearing.
Southwest Region Planning Commission – SB noted Harrisville Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.
Departments:
Assessing – SB noted the 2016 Ratio Study Summary Report and that Harrisville is where it should
be.
Conservation Commission – SB acknowledged receipt of Draft Meeting Minutes for Wednesday January 4, 2017 and Email from John Cucchi to Winston Sims.
School Board – SB noted Agenda for Monday, January 30, 2017 at 4:30 pm.
Other Business:
SWRPC – SB acknowledged receipt of NH 2019 – 2028 Ten Year Plan, Transportation Improvements Projects.
Budget Hearing…
SB reviewed the proposed 2017 Operating Budget department by department and responded to questions from members of the public who attended.
SB will doublecheck Assessor budget and why, if over budget in 2016, the proposed 2017 budget was only slightly increased.
Anne Havill will doublecheck the Long Term Debt Interest on the Highway Loan and whether the correct number is $5,748.00 or $4,748.00.
SB stated that the proposed Grand Total Operating Budget is $1,223,000, approximately 1.2% over 2016 budget.
SB then read and reviewed the purposes of the proposed Warrant Articles as follows:
Election of Town Officers: To choose all the necessary Town Officers for the year ensuing.
Street Lights: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 to replace existing street lights with more energy-efficient LED lights and fixtures, and/or to add or remove street lights as may be appropriate. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 (VI) and will not lapse until the project is completed or on December 31, 2018, whichever is sooner.
Broad Band and Cell Phone Study: To see if the Town will raise up to $7,000 to match, proportionately, up to $14,000 obtained from fund-raising (from foundations or non-profits and/or from local businesses and individuals), and appropriate the funds raised to undertake a study of best locations, efforts, and designs necessary for wireless and fiber improvements in the Broadband and Cell Phone capabilities in Town.
Full Time Employee Retirement Benefits: To see if the Town will vote to approve the establishment of a Town Employee Retirement Benefits Plan, and to authorize the withdrawal of the $100,000 in the Employee Benefits Expendable Trust Fund with the purpose of funding individual “457(b) Plans” for eligible (i.e., full time) employees based on past years of service. [Recommended by Select Board; Majority vote required.]
Capital Reserve Funds: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $180,000 to be added to the Capital Reserve Funds previously established and to allocate the sum as follows: Roads – $75,000; Road Equipment – $10,000; Fire Equipment – $10,000; Police Equipment – $5,000; Town Buildings – $40,000; Bridges – $25,000; Dams – $5,000; and Revaluation – $10,000. [Recommended by Select Board; Majority vote required.]
Road Paving: To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $125,000 for the paving of all or a part of the Bonds Corner Road and the section of Hancock Road from the new Hancock Road bridge to the intersection with Bonds Corner Road, and authorize the withdrawal of $100,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund for that purpose. The balance of $25,000 is to come from general taxation. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 (BI) and will not lapse until the project is completed or by December 31, 2020, whichever is sooner. [Recommended by Select Board; Majority vote required.]
Lake Host Program: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000 for the purpose of providing the Harrisville Conservation Commission with funds to support the Lake Host Program which will undertake inspections of boats and trailers for the purpose of preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 (VI) and will not lapse until appropriation is made or December 31, 2018, whichever is sooner. [Recommended by Select Board; Majority vote required.]
Traffic Calming/Speed Enforcement: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $5,000 for the purchase of up to two portable radar speed detection and display units which will be positioned from time to time at various locations on roads within the Town. [Recommended by Select Board; Majority vote required.]
Land Conservation Capital Reserve Fund: To see if the Town will vote to close out the Land Conservation Capital Reserve Fund and to transfer those funds to the General Fund. [Recommended by Select Board; Majority vote required.]
Operating Budget: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,223,000 which represents the operating budget. Said sum does not include special or individual warrant articles addressed. [Recommended by Select Board; Majority vote required.]
Receive Reports of Agents: To hear reports of agents, committees, and offices chosen and and pass any vote related thereto.
Subsequent to reviewing the 2017 Warrant Articles, Andrew Maneval moved to recommend SB approval of the Warrant Article on Broadband and Cell Phone Study. Jon Miner seconded. Vote was 2-1 with Jay Jacobs voting against. A member of the public asked who would conduct the study. Andrew Maneval stated the process would be through an RFP.
Regarding the warrant article on Full Time Employee Retirement Benefits, SB clarified that the $100,000 applies to, and would be allocated proportionately, to the Town’s 4 full-time employees based on past years of service.
Andrew Maneval moved to accept the proposed Town Operating Budget as presented to the public with a total expenditure of $1,223,000. All voted in favor.
Andrew Maneval moved to accept the proposed 11 Warrant articles as drafted. All voted in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM
Upcoming:
February 20th – Presidents Day (Office Closed)