Town of Holderness
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:10 PM.
PRESENT: Chairman Peter Francesco, Vice-Chairman Sam Laverack, Selectmen Barbara Currier, Suzanne Peoples, Public Works Supervisor Peter Furmanick and Town Administrator Walter Johnson.
BUDGET REVIEW AND DISCUSSION.
1. HIGHWAY AND TRANSFER/RECYCLING STATION: Peter Furmanick presented the proposed 2006 highway department and capital purchase budgets. Items discussed in detail included the increase in the diesel fuel amount, salt amount and employee wage adjustments. After much discussion, it was agreed to reduce the salt amount to $14,000 from $16,000 and leave all other amounts as proposed for now. A discussion regarding the employee wages included a review of wages ranges for several neighboring communities including Plymouth, Meredith and Ashland. It was agreed a task for 2006 would be to develop a wage range for all department positions and to
include performance reviews as part if the wage adjustment process. After discussion regarding capital purchases and capital reserves, the Board agreed to forgo proposing a capital item to purchase a new chipper for the highway department and to reduce the proposed road reconstruction capital reserve/appropriation from $175,000 to $150,000. Peter Furmanick also presented a proposed budget for the recycling/transfer station. The amounts for the proposed budget were approved with little discussion. After discussion, the Board agreed to forgo proposing the purchase of a scale and backhoe for the transfer station. The Board did acknowledge a need to review the options for monitoring the amount of waste coming into the facility from non-Holderness residents and commercial businesses including pay-as-you-throw and a more detailed analysis of the scale option. (I.e. cost vs. savings.) The need to develop a master plan for the facility before making major changes was also discussed and
would be a task for 2006. The Board thanked Peter for his effort in preparing the two budgets. Peter left the meeting at 7:25 PM.
2. LIBRARY
Suzanne Peoples, librarian and library trustee Larry Webster presented the proposed 2006 operating budget and capital funding requests. Mr. Webster noted a change in the library bookkeeping software has created some confusion regarding the year to date amounts but the bottom line matched with Nick’s. The only line item discussed was the 38% increase in the temporary position line. Mrs. Peoples explained this amount is need to facilitate keep a part time person at the library to assist her with the required work and to cover vacation time or time when she is unable to work. It was also noted the number of volunteers to help at the library has decreased significantly and therefore necessitates the need for more paid staff hours. Both Mrs. Peoples and Mr. Webster noted the library use continues to
increase. A capital reserve request in the amount of $10,000 for the proposed expansion of the library was discussed and will be included in the proposed 2006 budget. Also, a request to spend $24,500 for additional planning work, landscaping, some building improvements and shelving for the children’s collection would also be included in the warrant. The Board thanked Mrs. Peoples and Mr. Webster for their budget preparation efforts. Mr. Webster left the meeting at 8.25 PM.
SIGNATURE FILE
A letter appreciation for service to Officer Joseph Vogel was signed.
A volunteer immunity form for Plymouth State University for the maintenance of a portion of the sidewalk on Rt. 175A was signed.
A volunteer immunity form for Holderness School for the maintenance of a portion of the sidewalk on Rt. 175A was signed.
Adjourned 8:35 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Walter P. Johnson, Town Administrator
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