Select Board Minutes 1/6/20

MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 6, 2020 SELECT BOARD MEETING

MEMBER’S PRESENT:  Board Members Chair Mike Houghton, Vice Chair Joe Lovejoy, Board member Allison Knab were in attendance along with Town Administrator David Moore and Finance Administrator Dawna Duhamel.

At 7:00 p.m. Mr. Houghton opened the meeting.

MINUTES
Mr. Lovejoy motioned to approve the minutes of 12/2/19 and 12/16/19.  Ms. Knab seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

TREASURER
Town Treasurer Deb Bronson reported a general fund balance of $14,176,136.20. 

Chairman Houghton recognized Steve Roy of the Wiggin Homeowners Association who came before the Board seeking support of a permanent connection to Aquarion for their water supply.  He explained the long history associated with their drinking supply wells and the steps taken to date to rectify the issue, including with the Public Utilities Commission and Aquarion.  After brief discussion between the Board and Mr. Roy, Mr. Lovejoy made a motion to authorize the Town Administrator to draft a letter in support for the Wiggin Way Homeowners Association efforts to permanently be served by Aquarion.  Ms. Knab seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Next, Chairman Houghton recognized Mr. Moore and Jim Ricker of Wilcox & Barton to provide an overview of the Focused Site Investigation Report.  Mr. Ricker submitted the final draft report to the Town in preparation for submittal to State DES.  He briefly reviewed what’s been done to date, noting that they’ve been working closely with DES to identify affected properties.  He addressed the report recommendations, including a recommendation to move forward with a point of entry water filtration system at the Fire Department and other recommendations.  Discussion ensued concerning next steps with the state, a timeline for determining potential mitigation and examples of potential ongoing costs.  Mr. Ricker recommended wells continue to be monitored so the Town can track progress relative to dilution and migration under group.  After submitting the report, DES will contact the Town with next steps.  The Board will continue to discuss the issue and seek options.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Public Works Director Nate Mears presented his department report.  They have reinstalled LED lights at the ice rink with a timer to go out at 9:00 pm.  The DPW crew is preparing windows from the Old Town Hall to be repurposed as display cases and bulletin boards at the Town Offices.  When finished, they will be displayed at the Municipal Center.  Mr. Mears has been monitoring the septic maintenance and pumping at all town-owned facilities.  He continues to work with Mr. Moore and the Curbside Collection Committee on a survey to residents and a draft RFP for use following the public outreach.  Mr. Mears discussed asphalt preservation and reconstruction projects for this year.  He presented a new Winter Operations Event Sheet currently used to allow the Department to better track data such as the hours of work associated with storms and use of salt.

At 8:01 pm Ms. Knab made a motion to go into a non-public session to discuss a personnel matter.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 

Ms. Knab moved to come out of non-public session at 8:31 p.m.  Ms. Lovejoy seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.  Ms. Knab moved to seal the minutes finding that failing to do so would render the proposed action ineffective.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion.

The Board moved on to Old Business

Mr. Moore updated the Board on potential renovation with the Town Administrative offices to accommodate a work space for the Accounting & Business Coordinator who has started in the position and is currently working out of a temporary location in the Select Board Conference Room.

The Select Board Chair moved on to an update on the budget preparations date.  Ms. Duhamel discussed the capital improvement plan and adjustments made as a result of consultations with the Board at their previous meeting.  In addition, the Board discussed the potential tax rate impacts associated with known warrant articles and fund balance projections.  The Board also discussed the next meeting with the Budget Advisory Committee and the next steps in the budget development process following that meeting.

The Board moved on to remaining business.  Ms. Knab moved to accept waivers for two non-profits, the Boy Scouts and Collie Rescue.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded and all voted in favor.

The Board discussed a proposed donation to the Police Department over $5,000.  Mr. Moore noted a public hearing would be required prior to acceptance and Mr. Moore said he would schedule.

Mr. Moore reviewed a draft 2020 holiday schedule.  Prior to finalizing the schedule the Board wanted to get more comparative information on the total number of holidays by other Towns.

Mr. Moore reviewed a 2020 Select Board meeting schedule and moved to accept the schedule with amendments as discussed.

Mr. Moore reviewed a draft agenda for the all-staff meeting on January 23rd.  He indicated he would bring this forward to the Board at the meeting on the 21st.

The Board discussed outreach and process steps for the TIF district.

The Board reviewed two tax abatement requests recommended by the Town Assessor.  The Board signed one approval; and requested additional information from the Assessor on another.

At 10:10 p.m. Mike Houghton moved to go into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91 A:3, II(c); the motion was seconded by Ms. Knab and all voted in favor.

Ms. Knab moved to come out of non-public session at 10:29 p.m.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.  Ms. Knab moved to seal the minutes finding that failing to do so would render the proposed action ineffective.  Mr. Lovejoy seconded the motion.

Mr. Lovejoy moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Richard, Recording Secretary