NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 2, 2004 MEETING
Selectmen: James Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: David Jescavage, Town Admin.; Shelly Candidus, Admin. Ass’t.; Call Prussman
Public: Jim Bruss, John Bruss
The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. There was no public input.
APPOINTMENTS:
Jim and John Bruss presented the Board with plans for a simple reconfiguration of the Town Office existing space and the addition of a new lobby, meeting room, and basement under the new addition. They estimate that costs could run between $400,000 and $600,000. No major dislocation of personnel and existing work areas would occur during remodeling. The Board expressed approval of the concept as presented and asked Bruss to provide a breakdown of costs and a total cost estimate by the end of the week.
Cal Prussman reported that he had met with T & N Construction to review conceptual plans for the proposed Highway Garage. The plans for doorways did not represent what was required, and these plans will be redone. Corrected plans with detailed costs will be in hand by Friday, to be available for discussion at the budget hearing on February 9th. The cost will include site work, materials, and construction. Highway personnel will take care of road work and paving after construction.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session at 7:30 to discuss a question regarding personnel policy. No decisions were reached; Jescavage will research policy. The Board came out of non-public session at 8:10 p.m.
BUDGET REVIEW/WARRANT ARTICLES:
Jescavage presented the revised proposed budget for 2004. Including funding for Capital Reserves, Expendable Trust Fund, and Special Revenue Fund, the total for 2004 is $2,526,277.25, an increase over 2003 of 3.76 percent. This does not include special warrant articles. Jescavage noted that the latest proposed budget included additions for the Transfer Station to cover the cost of a used truck, and an addition to the Blodgett Sewer budget for a steam machine. The cost for New London Ambulance appears under Health Agencies.
In reviewing Budget C, which includes all warrant article costs and revenues, the Board noted that the amount of taxes to be raised totaled $1,788,878, translating into a town portion of the tax rate of $3.59, up 32 cents / thousand.
The Board reviewed bond options to fund the proposed Highway Garage and Town Office
renovation. Wright commented that the 10-year option would save $100,000 over the life of the bond in interest, but Powell noted that this option had a big payout in the first year. Final cost numbers are needed for both these projects by Friday at the latest, to prepare for the budget hearing on Feb. 9th and for posting ads for the February 17th public hearing on the bond issues.
There was a general discussion of additional proposed warrant articles and Powell noted that these had to be finalized by the end of the week for inclusion in the budget hearing and Town Report.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
SEPTIC DESIGNS:
Lesko, Stephanie. Map/lot# 34-272-032. Approved.
Briott, LLC. Map/lot# 44-078-083. Approved.
BUILDING PERMITS:
Gissler, Carl. Map/lot# 26-253-038. Permit for gazebo approved.
Chambers, William & Dina. Map/lot# 50-771-307. Permit for new house approved.
Duplessis, David. Map/lot# 16A-342-036. Permit for renovation held pending septic approval.
Geddes, Dean. Map/lot# 20-376-496. Current permit for garage extended to 8/1/04.
INTENT TO CUT:
Karlson, Ronald & Edward. Map/lot# 41-552-363. Approved.
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending January 31, 2004 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes of January 26, 2004 approved to file.
OLD BUSINESS:
Wright asked the Board for their support in endorsing the KRSD building projects that will appear as warrant articles on the 2004 school budget. Dan Wolf had made a previous request for the Board’s
endorsement. Wright felt the time to do building was now, before costs escalate. Powell said he felt aa general perception was that the School Board was not responsive to public input, they had an overbearing attitude, and they were poor managers. Personally, he has reservations about the need for some of the work proposed. Budd said he supports the building projects personally, but he does not feel it is appropriate for the Board to formally endorse the proposals. The request to endorse was denied.
The Board asked Jescavage to invite Seidel to the next Board meeting to discuss the status of the Fishersfield project.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board signed 1 refund and two abatement requests for adjustments on 2003 property taxes.
The Board signed a supplemental warrant to collect taxes in the amount of $2,580.00
The Board signed a Current Use Change Tax in the amount of $1,250 and an Application for Current Use (Map/lot# 35-278-534).
Budd reported that due to time constraints, he would not be able to serve as Ex-Officio member of the Planning Board in 2004. He mentioned a property owner who may be interested in this position, and will invite him to a future meeting with the Board.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:45 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, February 9, 2004, 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office. This meeting will incorporate a public hearing on the 2004 budget to be held at 7 p.m.
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN sc/feb02/04
| 
