Board of Selectmen Meeting, November 18, 2024
Budget
The board was provided with an initial estimate of how much additional spending may be proposed within the 4% tax cap: $117k. The first draft of the operating budget calls for an increase of $215k. This draft represents the initial budget requests from the department heads.
The board engaged in a lengthy discussion of the town’s financial constraints, what warrant article spending had been approved and rejected in the last election, and what spending should be moved between the operating budget and warrant articles.
The board wondered why last year’s road reconstruction warrant article failed to pass, and what highway reconstruction projects should be proposed for next year. Did last year’s highway reconstruction warrant article fail because it was a mix of popular and unpopular projects? The warrant article contained three projects:
Paving an unpaved section of Stevens Hill Road
Paving a section of Priest Road
Adding paved aprons to where dirt roads intersect paved roads.
Had these been separated, would some of them have passed, or would separating them have caused none of them to pass? Should any of these be reconsidered for next year, or should different projects be proposed?
The board began working to identify ways to reduce the proposed operating budget. After making some progress, the board decided to postpone continued work to a workshop meeting.
Legal Services Proposals
The board discussed the proposals it received for legal services. Proposals were received from:
Upton & Hatfield (the town’s provider since 2002)
While the request for proposals for legal services states, “The Town’s RFP is not to be taken as a sign of dissatisfaction with its current vendor, but as part of its regular review of vendors,” areas of dissatisfaction with the current vendor were discussed. In particular, the proposals were scrutinized with respect to promised turnaround times on inquiries. Town Administrator White noted with regard to this, “There’s a reason why we’re putting out the proposal - some of the performance concerns we’ve had over the past year.”
The Town Administrator advised the board that the reference checks with other towns all came back positive for the providers. Barrington said they’d been using Mitchell for 24 years and were very satisfied.
Selectmen Dabrieo and Decker said they preferred Drummond’s proposal, noting its turnaround promises and the fact that it is a large firm with many specialists.
The billing rates were nearly the same across all of the providers; however, Drummond’s was more complex than the other providers, as it is considerably larger and has more service tiers. While its standard rate is $245/hr, similar to the other providers, it also has attorneys who charge $310/hr. The Town Administrator was tasked with getting clarification about what circumstances might cause the town to be charged this higher rate.
The board agreed that Soule and Drummond's proposals were the most compelling. The board narrowed the field down to these two and will interview them in an upcoming meeting.
Quincy Pond Conservation Proposal
The Conservation Commission informed the board that it had begun negotiations to acquire a conservation easement for 8 acres of land next to Quincy Pond, off of Stevens Hill Road. The owner has offered the easement for $75k. The easement's purpose is strictly habitat protection, not recreation. The next step will be a public hearing, which will likely be scheduled in January.
Tax Deed Waivers
The board conducted its annual review of tax-delinquent properties that the town has a legal right to take the deeds of. Most of these properties have been on this list for years and remain so for complex reasons. Earlier this year, the board conducted an extensive analysis of these long-delinquent properties.
Only four properties on the list were considered actionable. Two had already agreed to payment programs, one was still being actively negotiated, and one was in probate. The board waived its right to take these deeds in anticipation that taxes would eventually be paid.
Other News
The Fire Department has two full-time positions open. The most recent resignation was from Vash Rosfield (who testified at the hearing regarding the termination of the town’s former Fire Chief).
The Holiday Parade will be on Saturday, December 7 at 10 am.
The gym floor at the Community Center has been successfully replaced.
The grader is still malfunctioning. The problem is electrical. It was taken by flatbed to a repair facility for further diagnosis. The repair facility has provided the town with a loaner so that our roads can be graded before they freeze for the winter. Grading has now resumed, with Poor Farm, Ledge Farm, and Berry roads now completed.
The police cruiser whose transmission failed just 300 miles beyond its warranty has had that repair cost covered by Ford, under warranty.
The motor for the Highway Department’s six-wheel dump truck must be replaced at an estimated cost of $12k to $15k. It also needs a new leaf spring. The truck is expected to be back in service in time for winter plowing.
Watch the video:
I think people voted no on paving the selected dirt roads because they felt it would change the character of the town to pave them. They fear once you do one road the town will pave all of them..I don't think there was a general understanding that the roads need to be repaired. The mud on Stevens HIll gets so deep that cars can't pass safely. Last year the town had to make 'emergency' repairs which were done after hours I'm guessing with OT pay. In the long run, it will cost more to 'patch up' the roads several times during the year verse's paving them. I think it would be helpful if the board provided more information to the town as to why they should be paved.
Brenton Cupp aka Vash what’s his face resigned what a surprise…..
Wonder if he ran away to Maine with his buddy Bruno, it’s well known they’ve burned every bridge in the NH fire fighting community…….
Now the BoS want to move on from Upton and Hatfield?
Ha! Too little too late my friends.