NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 25, 2008 MEETING
Selectmen: Jim Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Donna Long, Admin.; Hank Thomas, Fire Chief
Public: Dan Wolf & other members of the Kearsarge Regional School District
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
APPOINTMENTS:
Three members of the School Board presented the Select Board with their annual report. They discussed the 5 warrant articles for the Kearsarge Regional School District. The committee went over the general funds, transportation costs, and out of district tuition. They discussed the 5 warrant articles which includes the operating budget, capital reserve fund, expendable trust fund, district water and waste water master plan and the replacement of the well at Kearsarge Regional High School, and the supplemental appropriations. Powell asked why the student population is up 4%, but the employees is up 12% and the budget is up 72%. He stated that every year keeps seeing huge increases. Wolf replied that the operating costs are
not out of line. There is a lot of money being spent in special education and the cost of transportation keeps climbing. Wright asked what sort of procedure is in place for selling old equipment. Wolf said that everything that is purchased gets a bar code. Wright said to check to make sure the system is working. Powell asked the committee to explain the lease agreement that the old middle school has in place. Wolf said there is currently a lease with the New London Outing Club to use the gym and stage. The club has already used some of their own money to re-do the gym floor. The club has agreed to pay rent for the percentage of time they actually use it during non-school hours. Wolf explained there is also a proposed lease for the Kearsarge Community Center to use the cafeteria and a few other rooms. The Council on Aging, recreations groups and the SAU office would use some of this space. The committee members
also discussed the need for a long-term strategic plan. They explained how all staff in the district was invited to work out a simple statement with long term goals. They discussed their strengths and weaknesses in the district and recorded information on a data gathering sheet and tallied information. From this, they drafted a mission statement with core beliefs with short and long term goals. Powell asked if anyone looked at the mission statement that was done eight years ago. The committee responded that there was a need for a more vision focused statement that had hard benchmark goals underneath the vision statement. Powell thanked the committee members for their presentation.
Bill Weiler discussed the South Newbury Building Report with the Select Board. They discussed a list of potential candidates that would be interested in helping with the restoration of the South Newbury buildings. The members suggested were: Bill Weiler, Rich Cole, Dick Matte, Gerry Gold, Dick Surette and Joy Nowell. Weiler said that some of these members have experience in renovating old houses. Some are also involved in the Historical Society. Wright asked if all of these candidates had been asked and willing to serve on the committee. Weiler said they had all been asked and agreed to serve on the committee. Weiler said that five additional copies of the report will need to be purchased for the additional committee members. Pavlicek will give a
letter to Weiler for official appointments of these said candidates.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending February 23, 2008 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes of February 11, 2008 were approved to file.
INTENT TO CUT: None
GRAVEL TAX: A gravel tax was signed for David Kinsman, Map/Lot # 044-666-156.
TIMBER TAX LEVY: A timber tax levy in the amount of $216.13 for Ruth Gorley,
Map/Lot # 007-165-517 was signed. A timber tax for Lynne Bell, Map/Lot # 006-311-209
and Map/Lot #006-215-180 was signed.
ABATEMENTS/REFUNDS/EXEMPTIONS: Two abatements were reviewed. An
abatement for Wojtczak Revocable Trust, Map/Lot # 29A-097-005. Denied. An abatement for
Guy and Tanya Broadbent Map/Lot #030-706-106. Denied.
NEW BUSINESS:
Pavlicek showed a surveyed map of Lakeside Cemetery showing the updated boundary lines.
The Board reviewed three proposals to replace cross beams at the Old Highway Garage. Wright stated that he would like to know what is involved in the other beams and if there is any other damage under the paneling. It was determined that Hank Thomas will look under the paneling and assess the situation of the other beams before the bidding process resumes.
The Board discussed the proposals they received for the upcoming proposed bridge repair. The Board unanimously agreed on their top three candidates. Pavlicek will call these three candidates to set up interviews for March 5, 2008.
Wright mentioned an email that he received from KV Partners regarding upcoming town center project. He does not want to plant red maples on Main Street. He believes that the salt used on the roads in the winter would destroy these trees. He feels any greenery planted in this project should be shrubbery. Mike Vignale from KV Partners will be in sometime in March to discuss more details in the project.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:30 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, March 10, 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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