Select Board
Friday, January 31, 2025
Meeting Minutes

Select Board:  Andrew Maneval, Kathy Scott.  Absent: Andrea Hodson
Attendees: Treasurer Anne Havill, Police Chief Steve LaMears, Road Agent Wes Tarr, Fire Chief Wayne Derosia, Finance Specialist Mitch Shlyaktychenko, Cemetery Trustee Sonja Bianchi, Town Clerk Cathy Lovas, Recycling Consultant Ben Hoy

Agenda, Minutes of 1/23 – With the addition of an update on Community Power Coalition of NH, the board approved the agenda.  The board also voted in favor to approve the minutes of Jan 23rd.

Department Heads – The board reviewed the proposed 2025 budget with department heads in preparation for the first Budget Hearing on February 6th.   At this point the proposed bottom line shows a slight increase over 2024.   Department Heads asked questions about payroll lines, including accounting for the proposed cost of living adjustment.  The SB will review and reconfirm these numbers.  Department Heads also shared where they believe budgets can be reduced. The SB will also make these adjustments.

On the Draft Warrant, the board reviewed individual articles for road work, a new dump truck body, parking, loading dock and weatherization improvements at the Recycling Center, and a roof at the library. In light of the Cemetery Trustees’ proposed budget to include digitizing plot maps at Willard Hill and Island Cemeteries, the board will draft an additional article. Based on input from the Road Agent, the proposal to chip seal is postponed to 2026. The SB will confirm Highway Block Grant amounts available. The Russell Reservoir dam repairs are on hold for this year’s Warrant. The SB is still considering a possible warrant article for security upgrades at Town Hall, pending availability of construction quotes.

Ben Hoy confirmed he has 4 quotes out for trash and C&D removal, and glass. He also awaits a quote for a pole barn extension for storage.

The SB also discussed Capital Reserve Fund allocations. Preliminary contributions include: Road Equipment – $180K; Fire Equipment – $25K; Police Equipment – $10K; Town Buildings – $20K; Roads -$10K; Dams – $5K; Bridges – $5K; Re-Valuation – $5K; Recycling Equipment – $5K; Gravel Pit Reclamation – $5K.

In a discussion on whether the Town should shift to leasing versus purchasing equipment and vehicles and the effect this would have on budget, tax rates and the amounts set aside for Capital Reserve Funds, the SB will ask the Planning Board to consider this option and the pros and cons from the Capital Improvement Program perspective.

Other business
-The board noted that the School District Budget Hearing is Wed 2/5 at 6:00 at Wells Memorial School.
-The board approved the quote from Viking-Cives to repair the highway truck.
-Mr. Maneval noted there were unexpected developments at CPCNH regarding rates being set now for March.  An update is forthcoming.

At 11:25 am, the SB moved and voted in favor to continue the meeting to Saturday, 2/1 at 9 am at Town Hall to continue with budget review and preparation.  Members then recessed.

Select Board
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 9:00 am
Minutes of Continued Meeting of Friday, January 31, 2025

Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Andrea Hodson.  Absent: Kathy Scott

The board reviewed budget feedback from Department Heads.  Andrea Hodson noted she will reconfirm payroll lines in terms of the proposed COLA and the proposed budget for financial administration. On the question of whether a separate line should be added for deputy treasurer, and whether the financial administration payroll line should be separated for the two positions it represents, the board agreed not to split them.  Ms. Hodson also will confirm the highway block grant amounts that may offset the road work projects.

Mr. Maneval will reach out to NHMA and the state planning office on buying vs. leasing.

The meeting adjourned at 10:00 am.