Board of Selectmen Meeting, October 30, 2023

Public Comment

The meeting was not a regular meeting but a “workshop” focused on two closely related issues: budgeting and the Facilities Committee’s final report. Unlike regular meetings, workshop meetings do not normally include on the agenda a period for public comment. Several attendees wished to make public comments. The board refused to hear them at this meeting, telling them that they would have to wait until the next meeting. 

Facilities Committee 

The board engaged in dialogue with the Facilities Committee about their report. The key issue is that the committee identified many millions of dollars of deficiencies with the town’s facilities, ranging from simple deferred maintenance to full replacement of some facilities. The board’s questioning was focused on how to prioritize all of this work, as it did not think the voters would approve all at once many millions of dollars in warrant articles to address all of the issues immediately. There was general agreement that safety and liability issues should be prioritized, and that these were most associated with the Recycling Center and the unmaintained rear portion of Town Hall. 

Investment in the Recycling Center is a concern as it is believed that the town needs an entirely new facility in a new location, and that within a decade or so this need will become acute. Hence there is a reluctance to spend money on the current facility. There are, however, safety issues of immediate concern, such as the potential for a serious fall injury associated with the ramp to the aluminum can cage. 

The town’s former Director of Public Works told the committee that less than 25% of the town used the Recycling Center. At the meeting, this figure was disputed on the grounds that there has been no collection of data that would allow such an estimate. Further, some residents who use private trash collection may occasionally use the Recycling Center for large items or for some recyclables. 

Highway Department

The new Highway Department Director started work on October 30. The department is now fully staffed. 

Budget Review

The board reviewed preliminary budgets from several departments. Some department heads gave narratives about their budgets; others just let the board read the budget and ask questions. 

The preliminary figure for the maximum town operating budget that may be proposed to the voters as constrained by the 4% tax cap is $5.384 million.

The initial budget review for the final two departments - Highway and Recycling - will be at the next meeting. 

Fire Department Budget 

Selectman Morin asked the Fire Chief if there was anything that the Budget Committee could cut. The Fire Chief said no. Selectman Bartlett said the department is already operating at a bare-bones budget. Selectman Welsh pointed out that the only significant thing in the budget was the increase in wages and the board expected that to happen. 

Library Budget

• As recently as 2016 wages at the Nottingham Library were average for the region, but by 2021 Nottingham’s wages had fallen to the lowest in the region. Most employees are making less than they could make in a local entry-level retail job. The budget proposal would bring wages back to the regional average, with non-management employees earning at or near $15/hr. 

• The Library has been operating on reduced hours due to reduced funding - only 35 hours per week. The proposed budget would restore the Library to its normal operating schedule. 

• The library’s IT budget is $0 because IT services are being donated. This is a huge donation. As a point of comparison, the Raymond Library has to spend $20k/yr on IT services. 

• The cost of providing ebooks has been increasing due to their popularity. Ebooks entail usage fees for the library. Next year’s usage increase is projected at 15% ($400). 

Town Clerk Budget

• Uncertainty about the amount of labor hours needed for the four 2024 elections. Town Clerk labor does not come out of the elections budget. Sending out absentee ballots is expensive. 

• Need to buy a new laptop. 

• More space for storage is needed for legally required record storage. 

Town Administration Budget

• Health insurance rates are going up by 12.7%, representing about a $50k increase to the town’s total budget. 

• Liability insurance is going up 10%.

• Workers comp insurance is going up 9%

• The town attorney budget will be kept at $30k despite being way over budget for 2022.

• $1k increase to the town hall budget for mowing and snow shoveling.

• A pay raise is proposed for the Animal Control Officer.

• 2024 will be the last year the town must service the debt on the landfill. 

Other News

• Dedication of the POW/MIA chair at town hall. 

• Contention about whether the town is properly complying with several right-to-know requests. 

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