Select Board
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Kathy Scott, Andrea Hodson
Attendees: Officer Matt Perry, EMD Jeff Cady, Don Scott, Cemetery Trustee Sonja Bianchi, RC consultant Ben Hoy
Agenda, minutes of 12/20 and 12/26 continued to 12/31– The board approved the agenda and minutes of the two previous meetings, noting the continued meeting on 12/31 was limited solely to approving an additional encumbrance in the amount of $5,080 for Wilcox & Barton landfill inspection and reporting services.
2025 Budget, Cemetery Trustees – Sonja Bianchi discussed the Trustees’ proposed budget, which includes the request for $10K to continue digitizing cemetery records and plot locations. Records for Riverside Cemetery have already been digitized and the Trustees plan to continue with Willard Hill and Island Cemeteries. The board clarified that such a project and funding amount requires a Request for Proposal (RFP) from interested vendors. The Trustees also would like to digitize and make searchable all Cemetery files in cabinet, update the Cemetery Regulations and post this information on the Town website. Ms. Bianchi noted she is communicating with Historic Harrisville’s archivists who also are researching the town’s cemetery records.
The board noted it will confirm the dates the two Cemetery Trust Funds were established and each fund’s potential uses for Cemetery-related expenditures. Ms. Bianchi will discuss with fellow Trustees the current fee schedule to cover burial costs, as they may need to be raised to cover current costs.
2025 Budget, Recycling Center – The board discussed potential 2025 budget items for the RC, including new heating/cooling source, installation of lower ceilings and additional weatherization/insulation, though the town has received generous donations of the latter. The priority projects include improved parking, drainage, paving, and storage space. Mr. Hoy will coordinate with Finance to obtain more competitive prices. Mr. Cady offered to get quotes for the drop ceiling and heating/cooling options. Don Scott is drafting a paving and drainage plan that will include parking and an improved loading dock area. The 2025 budget also will include money for staff uniforms and uniform cleaning.
Old Fire Station – The board approved the sale for $200 of an old bandsaw that had been stored in the Old Fire Station on Harrisville Pond.
SB draft agenda for Thur 1/9: Cheshire Co. EMS; potential Warrant Articles, including road work, dump truck body, library roof, Recycle Center and building security.
The board signed the pay warrant in the amount of $2,440.99.
At 8:59 pm, the board per RSA 91A:3II moved and voted unanimously in favor to enter non-public session to discuss personnel and staffing. The SB will meet with the relevant personnel to address the matter. At 9:31, the board moved and voted in favor to exit non-public session. The SB subsequently voted unanimously in favor to seal the minutes of the session.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.