Select Board
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Meeting Minutes

Select Board: Andrea Hodson, Kathy Scott    Absent: Pegg Monahan

Attendees:  Fire Chief Wayne Derosia, Deputy Fire Chief David O’Neil, Fire Company Officers Joe Breidt, Sharon Breidt, Julie Lord, Marcia Caswell, Scott Caswell, Treasurer Andrew Maneval, Emergency Management Director Jeff Cady, DiLuzio Ambulance Services Representative Rob DiLuzio, Transportation Committee Representatives Mary Day Mordecai, Ned Hulbert and Earl Horn

The Chair opened the meeting at 7:00 pm.

Agenda, minutes – The board deferred a vote on meeting minutes until December 15. The board approved the agenda.

DiLuzio Ambulance Services Proposal
Rob DiLuzio presented DiLuzio Ambulance Services’ proposal to the Select Board to provide Ambulance Service at a cost of $12,000 each year for the next three years for 24-hour ambulance coverage. An increase of no more than 3% would be added each year.

The board heard about DiLuzio’s training offerings for contracted towns, their increased staffing and leadership, and their expanded equipment and mental health treatment capabilities. DiLuzio also contracts with Mutual Aid in Keene for additional backup.  The board chair will be in touch with DiLuzio for information about timing and types of training offered. The board will hear from the County on December 15 about its proposal for providing ambulance service to Harrisville.

Fire Department –  Chief Derosia and Fire Company officers met with the board to request funds for emergency repairs to the Tanker truck in the estimated amount of $70,000. They explained their recommendation to repair the equipment at this time rather than replace it to keep it operating as long as possible. To replace it would cost an estimated $400,000.

The department also informed the board that the Engine Truck, the more frequently used vehicle, needs replacing in 2024 at an estimated cost of $600,000.  Supply chain issues are still a factor and thus significant lead time is necessary to order and equip the vehicle.

The Chief also recommended that more investment be made annually in the town’s Capital Reserves for such expenditures.  While a Warrant Article could address the Engine Truck, the Tanker needs immediate attention. The board will review the budget to ascertain fund availability and requested that the Chief obtain a quote from the mechanic documenting the specific repairs proposed. 

Transportation Committee, School Radar update- Mary Day Mordecai outlined for the board the cost overrun of $5,700 on the 2021 MAST Grant for the school zone speed radars. The overages were due to change in sign locations, the need for tree-cutting and the need to electrify one of the two signs that was intended to be solar-powered. SAU 29 has agreed to contribute $1,000 toward the overrun. The Transportation Committee also has contacted SWRPC for additional grant money via MAST. The SB recommended the committee ask SWRPC for half the remaining amount. The Select Board will review the budget to see if additional funds may be available.

Separately, the Transportation Committee will coordinate with the Police Department on data downloads from the signs once they are operational.

Staffing, MRI (Municipal  Resources, Inc.) The board discussed the proposal from MRI to conduct the police chief search. No decision made.  Pegg Monahan is reaching out to prospective bookkeeper and cleaning service candidates. 

Tax Collector Appointment – Following an interview and reference/background checks, and based on the candidate’s qualifications and fit, the board moved and voted in favor to appoint Ann Charbonneau as Tax Collector, effective December 9, 2022.  The Town Clerk will swear her in tomorrow. 

The board signed Vachon Clukay’s proposal to conduct the tax collector transition audit, as required by RSA. 

Finance – The board noted the County Commissioners proposed 2023 Budget;  The board signed the pay warrant in the amount of $273,242.64; and the board signed the City of Keene Hazardous Material Disposal Agreement for 2023.

Correspondence and other business
Andrew Maneval asked what might be an appropriate time for the Energy & Electric Aggregation Committee to present to the SB. The board is tentatively looking at January 19.

Digital sign – Jeff Cady continues working with the sign company and software technicians to program the roadside digital sign.