Chichester Board of Selectmen
Minutes of Meeting
Tuesday December 5, 2017
Members Present: Jeff Jordan Tom Jameson, Ed Millette, Jodi Pinard Town Administrator and Kristy Barnouski
Budget Committee Members: Stephen MacCleary, Don Peterman, Norm Larochelle, Doug Hall, Marlene Hammond, and Richard Bouchard.
Attendees: Jim Plunkett, Alan Mayville, Donna Chagnon, Tom Houle, Mary Castelli, Carolee Davison, Lucille Noel and other members of the public.
Call to Order Mr. Jordan called the meeting to order at 6:00pm
Mrs. Hammond made a motion and Mr. Hall seconded to nominate Mr. MacCleery as Chair of the Budget Committee. Motion passes.
Mrs. Pinard stated that currently the Town has a frozen budget. Mrs. Pinard did a brief overview of the budget explaining that the Town can no longer run on this tight of an operation budget.
Mr. Hall presented some research that he did with other Towns of similar populations and compared Chichester’s budget with other budgets and created a five town average.
Highway-
Mr. Plunkett reviewed his budget line by line. Some line items that he increased include Fuel, and asphalt.
Mr. Hall and Mr. MacCleery wanted to use the $77,000 to offset the highway budget. Mrs. Pinard explained to them that the block grant cannot be used for that purpose or anything already budgeted and planned for.
The Board discussed possibly using some of the highway block grant to pave Garvin Hill Road. The Board of Selectmen will discuss the plans for Garvin Hill Road in the spring. The Board also discussed using the block grant to put in culverts on King Road.
Mr. Plunket stated that he tried to keep the budget as level as possible.
Library-
Mary Castelli, Lucille Noel and Carolee Davison came to present the Library budget to the Boards.
Ms. Davison stated that they created a new line item for health insurance. Insurance was offered to the new director, Ms. Jackie Heath that the Library recently hired.
Ms. Davison also stated that they had to make some needed increases including the summer reading program, and books. In total the budget is up 6.7% due to mostly insurance.
The budget committee urged the library to review the year end cost for utilities and make changes before coming back in the New Year.
Heritage-
Ms. Noel came before the board to ask for a $300.00 budget increase for the Heritage Commission. Ms. Noel explained all the work the Commission has been doing around Town and what they wanted to accomplish this upcoming year including working with residents to get signage up on Webster Mills Road, working on the Town’s new greenspace project, and helping residents with barn easements.
Mr. Millette stated that he encouraged Ms. Noel to ask for an increase to be able to help with all the work they do since it has come to his attention that Ms. Noel was paying for things out of her own pocket. The Charrette has been doing great things and he wants to see that continue.
Police Department-
Chief Clarke stated that budget is a work in progress. Chief Clarke stated that there is a $1400.00 increase for the Merrimack County Attorney’s office as well for the IMC software they need updated. IMC is going live which means they will be able to do everything from their cruisers for the ticketing process. Chief Clarke explained that the part time line is still necessary due to coverage they need for the full time officers paid time off.
An announcement was made that the Chichester Calendars are now in for pick up at the Library.
Non-Public Session – RSA 91-A: 3 II (a) Non-Public Session: RSA 91-A: 3 (a) The dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee.
A motion was made by Mr. Jordan and seconded by Mr. Jameson to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A: 3 II (a). Jordan Aye, Jameson Aye, Millette Aye. Motion Passes.
A motion was made by Mr. Jordan and seconded by Mr. Millette to exit non-public session. Millette Aye, Jameson Aye, Jordan Aye. Motion Passes
A motion was made by Mr. Millette and seconded by Mr. Jameson to seal the minutes. Motion passes.
Other Business-
Mr. Jordan made a motion and Mr. Jameson seconded to encumber the funds from the Library driveway improvement warrant article in the amount of $24,000.00
Mr. Millete made a motion and Mr. Jameson seconded to repair the roof damaged in the wind storm in the amount of $3,700.00 out of the Facilities reserve fund. Motion passes.
Adjournment
Being no further discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Millette made a motion and Mr. Jameson seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:20pm. Motion passes.
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