Select Board
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Don Scott, Kathy Scott
Attendees: Police Chief Steve LaMears, EMD Jeff Cady, RC Consultant Ben Hoy, Don Scott
Agenda, Minutes of 1-9-2025 – The SB approved the agenda. For the minutes of January 9, the board clarified that, while they agreed to edits to the draft Recycling Consultant contract, they had not voted.
Fire Company – Mr. Maneval reported that, at a meeting of the Fire Company, members expressed interest in keeping the Fire Chief position an elected office versus an appointed position. The SB thus agreed it would not put forward a warrant article this year to propose a change.
Correspondence from Winston Sims – In response to Mr. Sims’s email on fire risks and potential measures to prevent fires in Harrisville, the SB will share the correspondence with the Fire Chief and Conservation Commission for input and any recommendations to the SB to act on Mr. Sims’s suggestions.
Draft Warrant Articles – The SB considered the preliminary list of warrant articles for 2025 Town Meeting. Potential articles include: repaving Kadakit Street and Roxbury Road; chip sealing on Willard Hill, Mason Road and the paved section of Brown Road; a new body for the town’s dump truck; repairs to the Russell Reservoir Dam; and possibly security upgrades at Town Hall and facility improvements at the Recycling Center. Replacement of the library roof may also go on the Warrant, though this expense could also be incorporated into the regular operating budget.
The board and department heads are finalizing estimates for the proposed appropriations.
Recycling Center – Steve LaMears shared notes from the site visit at the RC and input on proposed costs for improvements to the buildings and the facility layout, including parking and the loading dock. The SB noted the recommendations and estimates and discussed various options for phasing the improvements. The board will further consider the options and finalize thoughts at next week’s meeting on whether to proceed with a warrant article.
On the draft contract for Mr. Hoy, following a brief discussion Andrew Maneval moved to approve the contract. Andrea Hodson seconded. All voted in favor.
Correspondence and other business
-The SB signed the post closure landfill inspection report prepared by Wilcox & Barton.
-On the draft 2025 budget, Andrea Hodson noted the tentative update of $15K (2.5% per COLA) in the employee pay increase line. The board will further consider increases for positions paid by stipend. The board will also discuss the policy regarding sick leave for part-time employees.
– The SB signed the payroll dates and holiday schedule for 2025.
-The annual SWRPC meeting is Tues. Feb 11 at the Keene Library. A SB member will attend.
-Andrew Maneval will draft the SB column for Common Threads.
-The board moved to adjourn at 9:25 pm.