Meeting Minutes of the Select Board

 Location:   Date:  April 30, 2020
 Opened:    4:00 pm Adjourned: 6:00 pm

Select Board Members:  Jay Jacobs, Kathy Scott, Andrea Hodson ________________________

Attendees: Andrew Maneval, Colin Kennard, Henry Herndon, Don Scott, Doug Gline, Ned Hulbert, Mary Day Mordecai

Broadband contract – In light of receipt of the debt repayment schedule and reconfirming that CCI will make the bond payments to the town ahead of payments due the bond bank, the SB noted it has no additional comments or questions on the Broadband contract.  The committee awaits the final version from CCI for signature by the Select Board.

All States Asphalt Contract – The SB moved and voted unanimously in favor to approve the revised contract from All-States Asphalt. The amount was revised downward $5,000 to reflect that the Highway Department will contribute a portion of the roadwork.

Minutes of 4-23 – The SB moved and voted unanimously in favor to approve the meeting minutes of 4/23.

Pay warrant – The SB signed the pay warrant in the amount of $4,558.66.

Community Power – Prospective members of the Energy Aggregation Committee (EAC), established by the Select Board to explore Community Power as an alternative to traditional energy sourcing, joined the Select Board to hear from Henry Herndon of NH Community Power. Mr. Herndon is working to raise awareness among municipalities about the opportunity created by state legislation (SB 286), allowing municipalities to procure electricity. Mr. Herndon shared the overview on NH Community Power program and how local Energy Aggregation Committees can be supported by the organization. He emphasized that Eversource would continue to own the grid; this initiative is about controlling sourcing of electricity only and coordinating with utilities. Mr. Herndon enumerated the goals of managing costs, sourcing renewable energy, stimulating local energy markets and creating resiliency by having backup resources in times of emergency or crisis.
Ned Hulbert and Mary Day Mordecai have participated in NH Community Power’s meetings to date as part of NHCP’s coalition approach with municipal and county governments. Mr. Hulbert shared a “Job Description” prepared for those interested in the EAC. Interested Harrisville Energy Aggregation Committee representatives include Doug Gline, Andrea Hodson, Colin Kennard, and Andrew Maneval. The EAC will meet next month, working to identify the best approach to this opportunity, including assessment of pricing/contract structures and opportunities to collaborate with area/county interests. The committee will report to the SB as it works to develop an aggregation plan, which would be voted on at Town Meeting.

150thCommittee/Sesquicentennial Celebration – Committee of Arrangements Chairwomen Pam Thayer and Ranae O’Neil reported that they need to postpone the event until 2021 in light of Covid-19 conditions. They hope to still have the commemorative book assembled and printed, and they will continue to sell merchandise. The committee also will continue to provide information in Common Threads.

Conservation Commission – The SB moved and voted unanimously in favor to approve the nomination of Diana Shonk to the Conservation Commission.

Town Clerk – Cathy Lovas updated the SB that absentee ballot voting for the fall elections will be allowed for voters concerned about Covid-19.

Gravel pit – Don Scott noted that he had spoken to Ridgely Mauck at NHDES about permitting requirements for both the existing and new gravel operations. Mr. Mauck confirmed that one AOT would cover both properties and that, for AOT purposes, a voluntary merger to unite the parcels for tax reasons was not necessary.

Powers Generator – The SB noted it would pay the invoice from Powers Generator for service to the generator at Wells Memorial and, in keeping with the agreement with the School Board, request reimbursement from the school for half.

Worden parcel/right-of-way – The SB resumed discussion of Pamela Worden’s and Charles Faucher’s request of the town to cede the right-of-way along their parcel. Members expressed strong differences of opinion about the town’s interests versus the property owner’s. No resolution was reached nor decision made.

The next SB meeting is Thursday, May 7, at 4:00 pm. The board will ask Wes Tarr to come in to discuss the road work schedule.