NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 9, 2004 MEETING
& BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: David Jescavage, Town Admin; Shelly Candidus, Admin Asst.
Public: Harry Seidel
The meeting convened at 6:10 p.m.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session at 6:10 p.m. with Harry Seidel to discuss issues pertaining to the development of Fishersfield. Parks and Rec will move forward with their proposed plans. Logging/clearing will be postponed until after Town Meeting. The Board came out of non-public session at 6:55 p.m. and adjourned to open the Public Hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET:
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: David Jescavage, Town Admin; Shelly Candidus, Admin Asst.; Cal Prussman, Chief Valiquet, Chief Thomas
Public: Harry Seidel, Dean Bensley, Debbie Sias, Steven & Susan Russell, Mary & Al Bachelder, Dave & Faye Barden, Suzanne Levine, Bill Annable, Dan Wolf, Josh Perkins, Liz Tentarelli, Rick Green, Tom Brennan (KRSD), Kristen Senz (Argus-Champion) et.al.
The Public Hearing convened at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Powell opened the hearing by remarking that the budget review and preparation was a long and difficult process. Two factors impacting the review this year were the pressures for more services, resulting from rapid new development and expansion, and the fact that revenues were down in 2003 because of reduced CU penalty payments and fewer vehicle registrations. These non-property tax revenues have been decreasing over a period of 5-6 years. The proposed budget for 2004 shows a 3.2 % increase over last year’s, without factoring in the warrant articles. Powell said the Board had reviewed the budget line by line, and found that the most significant areas of increase were employee salaries and benefits. Employee-related costs are up $159,000 over last year. Health care costs alone show a
40 % increase.
Cal Prussman spoke to the Highway Department budget, citing road work accomplished
this year and plans for road maintenance and reconstruction for 2004. These plans include extensive work preparing and reconstructing South Road. Mary Bachelder remarked that construction vehicles related to new building on South Road would destroy a new surface and
reconstruction money would be wasted. Wright said the road was in such poor condition now that it must be brought up to standard, including the box culvert. When reconstructed, the road will be able to accommodate commercial traffic. Mr. Russell noted that contractors’ vehicles damaged Chalk Pond Road after it was resurfaced. Wright said in any such case, the town should be notified since we can require a bond from a builder/developer making heavy use of town roads.
Dan Wolf noted that proposed highway reconstruction costs were down, and asked what work was planned and if some projects had been postponed. Prussman said he planned to repave the lower section of Old Post Road and grind South Road. Powell added that the Highway Department will not be cutting back on their projects, but they had re-balanced the priorities of work to be done. Projects specified in the 5-year plan will not be eliminated.
Seidel said the surface of Newell Road was rough. Wright said work on Newell Road continues to be in the plan, but other roads in poor condition with more traffic will take priority. Seidel said there is a loop in Newell Road ideal for biking recreation and asked when work might be done. Wright said within 2-3 years.
An attendee asked how often the 5-year plan was updated. Wright replied every year, with estimated costs for projects, as called for by the CIP.
osh Perkins asked if there were hidden items in the budget. Wright said nothing was “hidden.” He added that the Highway Department spent some funds that were in the 2003 budget toward the end of the year to purchase a trailer for moving equipment. He said this was a wise investment, since the price was very reasonable and the trailer will save wear and tear on the equipment. Perkins asked what the requirements were for presenting an expenditure as a warrant article. Powell said there were no clear rules, but cost and impact on the town were taken into consideration.
Dan Wolf noted that revenue figures were provided for 2003, but asked where expenditures were listed. Powell apologized that they were not available and referred him to the total appropriated budget for 2003.
Al Bachelder remarked that paving South Road would result in a waste of money, since commercial logging trucks would destroy it. He protested that commercial vehicles should not be traveling through residential neighborhoods. Prussman said commercial vehicles have a right to use town roads. Powell repeated that the road can be reconstructed to withstand heavy traffic.
Chief Valiquet discussed his proposed budget, and remarked that there was an increase in part-time hours for officers needed to cover for a full-time employee presently serving in Iraq. Another cost is for a radio repeater to work with walkie-talkies to improve communication with Dispatch. He noted that the department is doing more criminal investigations. Mary Bachelder asked how much extra work was related to activities at Mt. Sunapee Resort. The Chief said the biggest impact from the Resort was increased traffic and accidents. The department also has more work generated by burglaries at new construction sites.
The Chief was asked if part-time officers are well-qualified. Would hiring another full-time person instead be preferable? The Chief said his part-timers were trained and capable, and they offered the advantage of added flexibility for shift coverage.
Hank Thomas addressed his proposed 2004 budget by noting that it had increased $19,521 over 2003. He said increased expenses were related to growth in the community resulting in a 40 % increase in calls. Although the Fire Department consists of volunteers, the town pays for training and equipment. Costs have also gone up for heating fuel and the larger space to be heated. He noted that the budget included $10,000 for a grant to cover equipment upgrades. This cost will be offset by grant funds paid to the town after purchase of the equipment.
Wolf asked why money anticipated from a grant was put into the budget, rather than a warrant article. Once in the budget, it would be hard to remove this line item. Or, if left in the budget, it should appear under “Equipment” funds for proper accounting purposes. Powell said line items are updated yearly after careful review, and if a line is not needed, it comes out.
Powell returned to the subject of a trailer purchased by the Highway Department in 2003. He reiterated that the price was right – $10,000 – so money was saved on an item that was really needed. The same was true of the purchase of radio equipment by the Police Department in 2003. These purchases were not anticipated, but the opportunity was there and funds were available. Perkins remarked that if budgeted money was left, a way would be found to spend it.
Debbie Sias asked for an explanation of the decrease in the “Executive” salary budget. Powell explained that the salary for the Finance Director had been moved to “Financial Administration” and the salary for the Land Use Clerk had been split three ways, to reflect her work for the selectmen, the Planning Board, and the Zoning Board.
Powell addressed the Transfer Station budget for 2004, noting a proposed increase of $27,740. The increase covers the cost of a second compactor, leased from Gobin Disposal. Perkins asked what the lease price was per unit, per year. Jescavage said the smaller one was $225 per month, and the larger one just under $400 per month. Powell remarked that trucking fees are reduced, since we have fuller boxes. Also, the Recycling Committee helped initiate a program to recycle glass, which is saving disposal costs. Stickers for admittance to the facility will now be issued annually, at the time of car registrations. Perkins asked how non-residents would get stickers. Powell said stickers can be mailed on request, or the property owner can pick one up at the Town office. Stickers are free of charge.
Dave Barden asked if the cost of New London Ambulance was included in the budget. Powell said yes, $14,292 was accounted for under “Health.”
Regarding Blodgett Sewer, Powell reported that he had sent a letter to all sewer users addressing concerns about escalating costs to maintain the system. His letter provided a history of the 40-year old system, how it is operated, state requirements for issuing the needed permitting, and recent problems and how they are being addressed. Corrective measures include additional testing, a moratorium on further hook-ups, and no conversions from seasonal to year-round use of dwellings. These measures have required the hiring of a full-time operator and costs for his benefits. Powell said he anticipates an additional rise in the sewer tax in 2004, and then costs should level off. The long-term outlook for the system will have to address replacement, and new technology is evolving to provide much more efficient, less expensive systems.
These will be carefully studied. The Board was asked what provisions the town is making now for future contingencies. Powell said any modifications would require bonding, because of the expense involved. Wright said it was difficult to anticipate future requirements because the state is directing how the system operates.
There were no further comments. The Public Hearing closed at 8:30 p.m. Powell turned the meeting over to Dean Bensley and Tom Brennan, representatives from KRSD, to discuss the proposed warrant articles for a new Middle School and an addition to the High School. Bensley explained the need for these expenditures and the importance of doing them now to take advantage of low interest rates and to be assured of state aid money amounting to 55 % of the costs. He noted that Newbury pays 16 % of the school operating expenses and Newbury students account for about 12 % of the student population. General discussion followed, including possible uses for the old Middle School, roof design for the High School, provisions for future needed expansion, etc. The informational session closed at 9:07 p.m.
The Board of Selectmen reconvened their meeting at 9:10 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board once again took up the issue of publically supporting the KRSD warrant articles concerning the construction of a new Middle School and an addition to the High School. The request for Board endorsement of these articles was denied at the February 2, 2004 meeting.
At this time, Wright re-opened the request for endorsement, which he favors. Powell asked for comment from the Board. Budd repeated that he was personally in favor of the projects, but had questioned if it was appropriate for the Board to take a position on this matter. He had previously indicated his support to KRSD Board members, and at this time, he has decided to honor that commitment and support the articles. Bensley mentioned that it was entirely appropriate for a Board of Selectmen to support such projects; precedent was set some years ago; and it’s a matter that effects the town body. Powell remarked that Board of Selectmen support is meaningful to town voters, but he would like to see voters make up their minds without any pressure from the Board to sway their decision. He personally feels pressured in this matter, but
will concede.
The endorsement was adopted by majority vote. Bensley and Wolf expressed their appreciation.
Wright reported that he will attend a meeting with Fish & Game next week to discuss the state remediation plan for Birch Grove Road intersection. Wright will report back to the Board.
Regarding proposed plans for renovating the Town Office, the Board asked Jescavage to contact Pat Sherman with their decision. Wright will contact Bruss for detailed plans and costs.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chief Valiquet reported that while the town of Bradford is searching for a new Police Chief, they have asked Newbury for assistance with police matters and they have asked Valiquet to serve as their interim Police Chief. Powell asked what impact that might have on police operations in Newbury. Valiquet said he will put in 12-16 hours per week, doing mostly administrative work. Newbury officers will follow Newbury protocols while on duty in Bradford. Wright said he would like an agreement with Bradford about the duration of this arrangement. Valiquet said it could be 4 to 6 months, probably closer to 4. Budd suggested Valiquet get a letter from the Bradford selectmen confirming the length of the arrangement. He recommended they conduct their search through an organization such as NHMA.
The Board received paperwork from the Library to establish a trust fund to handle a recent donation. Jescavage will research legal requirements.
The Board reviewed the proposed 2004 warrant articles and approved them as amended.
The Board signed rebate requests in the amount of $1,966 and an abatement in the amount of $155 for adjustments on 2003 property taxes. A supplemental warrant to collect property taxes in the amount of $341.00 was also signed.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
SEPTIC DESIGNS:
Kozikowski, Mark. Map/lot# 29A-024-443. Revision approved.
Heiner, Dennis. Map/lot# 29A-156-423. Approved.
BUILDING PERMITS:
Duplessis, David. Map/lot# 16A-342-036. Permit to renovate seasonal house for year-round use denied, per state mandate on sewer use.
Marquis, Leo. Map/lot# 34-430-007. Permit for new house approved.
Gordon, George. Map/lot# 19-607-402. Permit for garage approved.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending February 7, 2004 approved.
MINUTES: Meeting minutes of February 2, 2004 approved to file.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 11:05 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Tuesday, February 17, 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office. Public Hearing on warrant articles for new Highway Garage and renovations to Town Office will be held at 7 p.m.
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
sc/Feb09/04
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