Town of Northwood, NH

Board of Selectmen
FY2010 Goals and Objectives 

2nd Quarter Status Report

CAPITAL FACILITIES AND INFRASTUCTURE

1. Phase II - Northwood Athletic Fields Project. Work with Ballfield Committee and others to develop and implement Phase II development plan. Conduct timber cut.

Large timber cut has been completed. A thinning cut at the back of property is still to be conducted. 

2. Develop Northwood Athletic Fields use regulations ordinance for adoption at Town Meeting.

Regulations adopted by Board on 5/11/10.

3. Develop Town Beach use regulations ordinance for adoption at Town Meeting.

Regulations adopted by Board on 5/25/10.

4. Form a study committee to consider possible construction of a new Safety Center to house the Police and Fire Departments.

No progress to date.

5. Blakes Hill Road Phase I. Take steps necessary to put the project out to bid and commence work.

Roadside tree trimming and cutting has been completed. The contract for ditch work has been awarded and the work is underway. Hodgdon and Son to install one large cross-culvert and Highway Department personnel will install other culverts where needed. Wolcott Construction to provide estimate for pavement re-claiming and paving.

6. Implement plan for Woodman Park Rehabilitation Project.

Draft specifications for the project have been developed and are under review by the Facilities Committee.

7. Capital Improvement Plan - encourage all departments, boards, committees and commissions to participate; needs to become important part of planning and budgeting.

No progress to date.

8. Work with Planning Board to develop specifications and put engineering services out to bid.

No progress to date.

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Host an annual meeting of all Town Boards, Committees and Commissions.

No progress to date.

2. Conduct annual meeting with Department Heads in September.

No progress to date. The Town Administrator will begin conducting department head meetings beginning on 7/15/10. 

3. Keep Town website updated 

Ongoing. The Technology Committee is working on a re-design of the site.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Continue to support and encourage the activities of the Northwood Economic Development Committee.

A Business Directory has been published and is in distribution. The Committee has held two Business After Hours programs and is actively working on other projects, including Economic Revitalization Zones (ERZ), workshops for businesses and collaborating with the Antique Alley group.

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS

1. Present warrant article at 2010 Town Meeting to reduce amount of land use change tax deposited into the Conservation Fund from 50% to 25%.

The proposal was defeated at Town Meeting,

2. Continue review begun in FY2009 of the list of surplus Town owned properties; determine which properties may be sold and offer them for sale to the general public via auction or sealed bid.

The review is ongoing.

3. Develop and adopt Use of Fund Balance policy.

No progress to date.

4. Develop and adopt Town Investment Policy.

No progress to date.

5. Develop and adopt an updated fee schedule.

TA reviewing current list of fees and seeking input from departments.

6. Publish an RFP for assessing services.

Board voted to extend contract with Brett Purvis Asociates for one additional year. Contract to include fees and costs for conducting market analysis (see
No. 7 below).

7. Publish an RFP for a firm to conduct market analysis and property value update.

(See No. 6 above)

8. Continue to review and evaluate all existing Tax Agreements and determine validity of continuing each agreement.

Ongoing. As of the end of the quarter, there are three tax agreements remaining in place.

PERSONNEL

1. Implement a program to conduct evaluations on anniversary date.

Employee evaluations have begun. 

2. Review and update all employee job descriptions.

All Town Hall job descriptions have been updated and the Fire Department positions descriptions are currently being reviewed.

3. Implement disability insurance coverage program for Town employees.

Coverage began on 2/1/10.

4. Consider putting health insurance coverage out to bid; current policy expires 7/1/10.

The Town contracted with LGC for health insurance coverage (beginning 7/1/10) which has resulted in an annual cost reduction of $32,000 ($5,000 for Town employees and $27,000 for the Town).  Implemented a new health and dependent care flexible spending plan with a debit card option for employees.

5. Develop and implement an employee service recognition program.

No progress to date. Ceremony to be scheduled for the end of the year.