TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DECEMBER 1, 2005
Selectmen Present: Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, (Absent: Sheldon Sawyer)
Mr. Aldrich opened the meeting at 7:30 P.M. with six people present in the audience.
PUBLIC BUSINESS:
SWRPC – MATT SUCHODOLSKI – DUNNING CDBG GRANT: Mr. Suchodolski requested that the Board of Selectmen approve Requisition No. 5 to the NH Community Development Finance Authority in the amount of $7,916.00 for the J.H. Dunning CDBG 04-050-CDED grant. This requisition includes: 1) the Southwest Region Planning Commission invoice No. 4641 in the amount of $7,166; and 2) $750 as an estimated cost for Vachon, Clukay and Company, PC to perform an audit applicable to this grant.
Mr. Miller moved to approve and sign Requisition No. 5 to the NH Community Development Finance Authority in the amount of $7,916 for the J.H. Dunning CDBG grant. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
FALL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – BUDGET COMMITTEE: Bill Perron, Russ LaCroix, and Bruce Martin, members of the FMRSC Budget Committee, were present to review the “Questions for the Selectboard” as outlined in the October 25, 2005, letter from Robert Beaudry, Chairman of the Finance Committee.
- What is the single biggest concern that you have regarding next year’s school budget? Mr. Miller noted that the budget now includes $11,000 per student; that is considerably more than a lot of other towns. Next year’s budget will probably be about 6% more because of the salaries. There was discussion regarding the proposed retro-active pay raises that the teachers are looking for. There are no signed agreements for the retro-active pay; a fact finder was hired and recommendations were made. Mr. Miller said the school is hiring experienced, professionals and they are being paid to do the job. It is a decision based on what the School Board wants to produce and what amount of money they are willing to pay for it. Mr. LaCroix summarized No. 1 with the fact that the big issue is the teachers’ salaries and the negotiations.
- In view of an increased CPI of approx. 5.1% and associated increases in other costs in next year’s town budget, how are you approaching your budget process for next year? The Board of Selectmen pointed out that the 5.1% CPI was only for a quarter of the year, the other two quarters are 3% and the fourth quarter is not yet known. The Town tries to live within a 2-to-3% increase. They try to put one time purchases on Warrant Articles. The Town is now purchasing fuel with the School District at an agreed upon price that Steve Varone negotiated.
- Are there specific areas that you believe the Budget Committee should focus on to reduce costs? Mr. Miller feels they do not need all of the after school activities. Providing breakfasts is costly. These may not result in a better product after twelve years. The “Leave No Child Behind Act” is affecting the schools. There was discussion relative to the new formula of each town paying for what it uses in their schools; the high school costs are shared.
- Would you support the concept of the school district establishing a capital roof repair, furnace replacement, plumbing repairs, etc.? At the present time there is no money put
aside for these repairs. Mr. Miller and Mr. Aldrich would support establishing a Capital Reserve Fund. The towns would earn interest on the amount of money in their accounts.
- What is the most important priority that you believe must be addressed in next year’s budget? There was a consensus that the teachers’ contract is a big issue. Nothing will be done until the people vote at the Annual Meeting; if it is voted down, they will go back to negotiating. There are several other issues that need to be addressed such as the ball field and track field. Mr. Aldrich asked if they have a priority list? Mr. LaCroix responded that they will have that soon.
- What is working well in your town budget to reduce costs this year? The Board of Selectmen concurred that it will be putting some one time purchases on Warrant Articles for the voters to make some decisions.
The Budget Committee is getting cooperation and they are trying to form a product that will be good for the District. The Administration is going to produce some new programs. About 25% of property owners in some towns are experiencing difficulty paying their taxes and bills now. Bruce Martin advised that next week on Sunday the Budget Committee will get the budget presentation from the School Board. The Budget Committee comes back a week later with their views on what they think of the proposed budget. They will not have a lot of time to work on it.
MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES – ERNIE VOSE:
Zoning Board of Adjustment: Ernie Vose, on behalf of the ZBA, requested that the Board of Selectmen respond by sending them a written response on the John Christopher matter. Mr. Miller said the Board of Selectmen received a reply from Dr. Morosini, Health Officer, and the Board of Selectmen will send a letter to the ZBA along with a copy of Dr. Morosini’s letter.
Voter Checklist: Ernie Vose reported that the State is putting a computer system on the internet for the checklists so the supervisors can keep it up-to-date. After they have gone through the list and verified it they can drop the current program they are now using. However, they need broadband access to the internet for the State system. He asked if the Board of Selectmen would approve having internet access connected to the computer in the room downstairs so the supervisors can come in and make their changes. They would like this service as soon as possible. The Board of Selectmen agreed to look into it.
Voting Booths: Ernie Vose, Moderator, advised that they were talking about making plans to replace the old voting booths with six folding voting booths each year until all were replaced but it is their understanding that the Secretary of State is going to change the size of the voting booths so they were advised not to purchase new booths this year but wait until a decision is made on the new size.
Mr. Aldrich called the Public Hearing to order at 9:02 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARING – REFERENCE OVERSPENDING OF BUDGET: Mr. Aldrich advised that this Public Hearing was required by the Department of Revenue Administration due to the fact that the Town anticipates over-spending the bottom line as a result of the flooding in October. The Board of Selectmen had notified the DRA and asked for permission to use some of the surplus monies to pay for the emergency bills until the end of the year. Eventually the Town expects to be partially reimbursed through FEMA, grants, etc. and the monies will be returned to
the surplus fund There were two members of the public in attendance. No public comments were made.
Mr. Aldrich closed the Public Hearing at 9:06 P.M.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $103,473.55. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
PAYROLL: Mr. Miller moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending November 26, 2005, for gross wages in the amount of $16,386.58 or net wages in the amount of $9,250.66. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Miller moved to approve the electronic fund transfer for the Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $4,033.79. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
TRANSFER: Mr. Miller moved to approve the transfer of $750,000.00 from the Savings Bank of Walpole general fund to the MBIA Savings Fund. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
Mr. Miller moved that the Chairman, pro-tem, be authorized to sign the transfer documents. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
The Board of Selectmen signed a letter to the Department of Revenue Administration requesting use of $500,000 from the surplus fund with possibly 75% or more of the expenses being reimbursed by FEMA in 2006.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- NOVEMBER 23, 2005: There was a consensus of the Board of Selectmen to table taking action on the Minutes of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting of November 23, 2005, due to lack of a quorum. Mr. Miller was not present at the November 23rd meeting and Mr. Sawyer was not present at this meeting.
MINUTES –SELECTMEN’S MEETING- NOVEMBER 10, 2005: Mr. Miller moved to amend the Minutes of the November 10, 2005, public Board of Selectmen’s meeting as follows: Page 2-Warrants –St. John’s Church- delete “discovered that they were renting an apartment” and change to “Mr. Smith advised the town that they no longer had their interim Minister living in the apartment and they were now renting”. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
DEPARTMENT / COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Board of Selectmen received and reviewed the minutes of the following meetings: 1) North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners – November 22, 2005; and November 29, 2005; and 2) the Hooper Committee – November 15, 2005.
REFUNDS:
DANIEL AND HEATHER FERLAND – MAP 019-053-000 – OVERPAYMENT PROPERTY TAXES: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Refund in the amount of $77.96 for Daniel and Heather Ferland for an overpayment of property taxes. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
ARTHUR AND SUZANNE BAILLARGEON – MAP 005-028-000 – OVERPAYMENT PROPERTY TAXES: Mr. Miller moved to approve the Refund in the amount of $84.00 for Arthur and Suzanne Baillargeon for an overpayment of property taxes. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.OLD BUSINESS:
BLACKJACK CROSSING PROPERTY – LETTER FROM DR. MOROSINI: Mr. Miller moved to postpone discussion on the letter received from Dr. Morosini regarding the Blackjack Crossing property until next week when all the Board members are expected to be present. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
NEW BUSINESS:
DR. MOROSINI – COLD RIVER DEBRIS FROM FLOOD: A letter was received from Dr. Morosini advising that there is no health issue because of the debris from the flood in the Cold River area in Drewsville. Mr. Miller will see that a copy of the letter is forwarded to Jim Terrell.
SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. – APPROPRIATION: Acknowledgement was made of a letter received from the SWCS regarding an appropriation request for next year.
Mr. Miller moved to authorize the Chairman, pro-tem, to sign and check the block in the letter that this appropriation will be placed in the Town budget. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
SALES RATIO ANALYSIS LETTER FROM JIM RICE - AVITAR: Mr. Miller moved to postpone signing the Sales Ratio Analysis Letter from Avitar until next week. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted.
SEWER DEBT –AMOUNT PAYABLE- JANUARY BILLING 2006: The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposed 2006 Sewer Debt amount payable in the January billing 2006.
RECYCLE-TRANSFER – CLOSED DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS: The Board of Selectmen acknowledged a memo from Rick Cooper advising that the Recycle-Transfer Facility will be closed the day before Christmas – Saturday, December 24, 2005, due to a lack of volunteers but will be open the day after Christmas – Monday, December 26, 2005.
Mr. Miller moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. All in favor, so voted. The time was 10:04 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden
THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES. CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 8, 2005, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.