NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 11, 2008 MEETING
Selectmen: Jim Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Donna Long, Admin. Assistant; Bob Lee, Police Chief; Henry Thomas, Fire Chief; Cal Prussman, Highway Administrator; Travis Dezotell, Recreation Coordinator
Public: Linda Powell, Richard Cooper, Josh Perkins
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2008 BUDGET:
Powell opened the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the 2008 proposed budget per RSA 32:5.
Powell started by saying the greatest increase the town is trying to control this coming year is fuel by heating buildings and fuel for vehicles.
Perkins asked why the waste oil heater in the old highway garage has not been being used. Powell said they will look into that.
Powell went over the operating budget and explained that it has gone up 5.2% but the revenues have gone up, so the tax rate will actually be going down by 30 cents this year on the municipal portion of the tax rate.
Perkins asked why parks and recreation was up so much this year. Wright said that the Fishersfield costs were high to get it up and running and will continue to need extra money to maintain.
Perkins asked where the money came from that was used to purchase the Kubota. Wright explained that the town used some monies received from FEMA grants to repair a lot of things that were ruined from the flooding. After the repairs were made, it was decided that the purchase of a Kubota would benefit the community. This vehicle is to be used for rescues when a vehicle may not be able to reach the victim. It is will also be used to create some grooming trails for cross country skiing at Fishersfield. Perkins asked how much money has been spent on Fishersfield and Wright replied approximately $300,00 has been spent thus far on the project.
Regarding Article #4, the regular contributions to the capital reserve was discussed.
Regarding Article #5, the expendable trust funds were discussed.
Regarding Article #6, the $65,000 needed to tear down the buildings at Bald Sunapee and bring in fill and gravel was discussed. This money will also cover the cost to create an architectural plan. Perkins asked why fill is being brought in. Wright said that fill will be used to fill in the holes of the foundations, and gravel will be put in to create a temporary parking area.
Regarding Aricle #7, the money needed to repair two bridges and the fact that the town will be reimbursed 80% from the state for the repairs was discussed.
Regarding Article #8, the board discussed the authorization for the town to vote to sell the old highway garage.
Regarding Article #9, Hank Thomas explained the need for $180,000 to purchase a new fire tanker. This new tanker will hold 2,000 gallons versus the old one which only holds 1,200 gallons.
Regarding Article #10, the need to appropriate $62,000 for a one ton dump truck was discussed by Cal Prussman.
Regarding Article #11, the request for $40,000 to build a 2 bay cold storage building at Fishersfield was discussed.
Regarding Article #13, the board explained the request for $1,800 for cemetery maintenance.
Regarding Article #14, the board explained the need to dissolve the extra ambulance capital reserve fund.
Regarding Article #15, the board explained that this is an article that involves the donation of 1,100 sq. ft. to a cemetery abutters to resolve a surveying dispute.
Regarding Article #16, the need for $5,000 for the historical society to re-house and re-catalog archives for the society was discussed.
Regarding Article #17, the request to appropriate $11,000 to remove and replace existing fencing around the cemetery boundaries and Lakeside Cemetery was discussed.
Regarding Article #18, the board discussed a petitioned article that requests the town take over some private roads.
Regarding Article #19, the board discussed a petitioned article for a fair tax.
Regarding Article #20, the board explained that this is to dissolve a cemetery monument fund that has 15 cents in the account.
Powell asked if there were any questions pertaining to any of the warrant articles. Richard Cooper asked if the transfer station spent less than the appropriations because of the co-mingling savings, and electronics, or because of the cost reductions. Pavlicek explained that the recycling ratio is at 27% and because we are recycling more, the costs to dispose have dropped. Cooper asked why the sanitation budget is going up. Pavlicek explained that the extra cost is to cover the cost of hiring an additional assistant and for another hazardous waste day.
Perkins asked is we own any of the compactors. Powell said that we currently rent all of our compactors at this time.
Powell closed the public hearing at 8:30 p.m.
After the meeting the Board voted to accept the warrant articles. Budd made a motion to accept as is. Wright seconded. All approved. No changes to the budget and warrant articles will be made.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending February 9, 2008 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes of January 28, 2008 were approved to file.
INTENT TO CUT: 2 Intents to cut were signed. Powers, Susan. Map/Lot 045-219-192.
Approved and Rezendes, Kenneth. Map/Lot 048-673-161. Approved.
ABATEMENTS/REFUNDS/EXEMPTIONS: Three refunds were signed. Peter Light,
Map/Lot 007-236-332, Country Wide, Map/Lot# 031-615-119, and Clark & Evelyn Davis,
Map/Lot # 031-798-231.
WARRANT FOR LAND USE CHANGE: One warrant was signed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Pavlicek read a letter from the LSPA requesting the posting of signs at the transfer station. It was determined that the signs would prove to have more significance at the Harbor.
Pavlicek discussed the state plowing situation. He reported that there has been no change in the maintenance in the right of way sections in town. The state will take care of intersections involving state roads, unless the town has created the mess.
Pavlicek read a letter from the South Newbury Church in which the church would like to host the annual Easter egg hunt at the town offices on Sunday March 16, 2008. The select board agreed to allow them to host this event.
MEETING ADJOURNED 8:40 at p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, February 25, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
_______________________ _____________________ _______________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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