Budget Committee

Minutes

February 9, 2008

Official as of April 2, 2008

Chairman Daniel McNally calls the public hearing to order at 9:06 a.m.

PRESENT: Chairman Daniel McNally, Vice-Chairman Robert Holden, Selectmen Representative Ken Curley, School Board Representative Janabeth Reitter, Water District Representative John Jacobsmeyer, Shelley Bobowski, Ben Edwards, Nona Holmes, Lucy Edwards, and Colleen Pingree, and Board Administrator Linda Smith.

ABSENT: Herb Johnson, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver, excused. Bob Bailey.

TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT: Selectmen Chairman Scott Bryer

PUBLIC: no public is present.

PETITION WARRANT ARTICLES:
Lucas Pond: Mr. Curley reads a petition warrant article relative to Lucas Pond Beach area. Ms. Smith notes that there was second article provided for a transparency page and it will not need to be addressed by the budget committee based on the fact that the words raise and appropriate were not used in the petition. Mr. Bryer explained that the article was for adding PDF files and involves employee’s hours.

Mr. McNally asks for public comment. With no comments, he closes the public hearing at 9:10 a.m. and opens the work session for discussions on the Lucas Pond warrant article.

Mr. Curley states that the board of selectmen did not recommend the article. He states that the selectmen did meet with NH Fish and Game and the selectmen feel that funding should be coming from the state rather than the town raising the funds. Mr. Holden asks if there is a state regulation that the state must provide access to water bodies. Mr. Curley states that the state tries to maintain access to all bodies of water. He adds that this is why he feels that the state has been maintaining the boat launch. Mr. Bryer adds that Lucas Pond does not allow motorized boats, which boat registration fees are used as maintenance for the accesses. 

Ms. Edwards notes that Marion Knox was planning to research the history of Lucas Pond area and the ownership of the area. Ms. Smith replies that she believes that Ms. Knox has the information relative to when the area was discontinued as to being maintained as a recreational area. She adds that the research indicates that there was never an agreement made between the board of selectmen and NH Fish and Game; it was a verbal agreement relating to maintenance and access for fish and game for allowing fishing.

Ms. Pingree asks why there are no petitioners present for discussion. Ms. Smith states that she did speak to one of the petitioners regarding the meeting who indicated she would be present. Mr. Jacobsmeyer states that there are erosion issues with the sand coming back into the lake. He feels that it should come back to the town, for further discussion. Mr. Edwards supports the article and asks about the amount of $27,000. Mr. Bryer states that the selectmen were hoping to have more time with NH Fish and Game and to gather information to evaluate the costs. He explains that the reasons for closing the beach area were maintenance and vandalism. Ms. Holmes feels that no funds should be spent until there is an agreement with the state. 

Mr. Bryer states that Fish and Game does want to help the town however; there is no agreement at this time and no actual figure available. He hopes for another meeting with Fish and Game.

Ms. Pingree notes that the town will be down one beach this summer. She hopes that the people who support the article attend town meeting.

Discussion ensues regarding the article and changing the wording or purpose. Ms. Smith explains that the wording cannot be changed. With no additional discussion, Ms. Bobowski makes a motion, second by Ms. Holmes, to recommend the warrant article for $27,000. for the Lucas Pond Beach Area, as written. YES: SB, BE, JR. NO: RH, NH, LE, JJ, CP, KC, DM. VOTE: 3/7. Motion fails.

MS-7: Ms. Smith states that the MS-7 was sent to DRA and was returned with one comment regarding the fire truck warrant article. She explains that there is no escape clause and the recommendations from DRA were to state only the portion that is being raised for this year.

Ben and Lucy Edwards left the meeting at this time.
 
MINUTES:
May 18, 2007 and November 6, 2007:
Ms. Holmes makes a motion, second by Ken Curley, to approve the minutes of 5/18/07, and 11/6/07, as written. Motion passes unanimously; 8/0.

January 5, 2008:
Ms. Holmes makes a motion, second by Bob Holden, to approve the minutes of 1/5/08, as amended as follows:
Page 5: change: resigned to replacement
Motion passes unanimously; 8/0.

January 7, 2008:
Ms. Holmes makes a motion, second by Mr. Holden, to approve the minutes of 1/5/08, as written. Motion passes unanimously; 8/0.

January 12, 2008:
Ms. Holmes makes a motion, second by Mr. Curley, to approve the minutes of 1/12/08, as amended. Motion passes unanimously; 8/0.

January 14, 2008:
Mr. Curley makes a motion, second by Mr. Holden, to approve the minutes of 1/14/08, as amended as follows:
Page 3: Add: Mr. Holden asks about funding for the milfoil program. Mr. Curley explains that funding is in a separate warrant article.
Motion passes unanimously; 8/0.

January 16, 2008:
Mr. Curley makes a motion, second by Ms. Pingree, to approve the minutes of 1/16/08, as amended as follows:
Page 2: Add: …in the figures printed in the warrant article. 
Page 7: Remove: Holmes
Page 8: Remove: as of; Add: this year, 2007.
Motion passes unanimously; 8/0.

January 26, 2008:
Ms. Holmes makes a motion, second by Mr. Curley, to approve the minutes of 1/26/08, as written. Motion passes unanimously; 8/0.
Ms. O’Neil arrives at the meeting.

Lucas Pond Petition Warrant Article
Ms. Pingree makes a motion, second by Mr. Curley, to reconsider the votes relative to the Lucas Pond petition warrant article. VOTE: YES: SB, NH, JR, JJ, CP, KC. NO: RH, DM. Motion passes; 6/2.

Loren O’Neil is present representing the warrant article. Ms. Pingree asks how the $27,000 figure was determined. Ms. O’Neil replies that she researched other projects and contacted a variety of people involved with construction, excavation, etc. She also contacted the Department of Fish and Game. Ms. O’Neil states that she feels that there needs to be a safe place for recreational activities for the town’s children. She refers to the other town beaches and notes that they are very small, and the consistent closures of the Northwood Lake beach. She adds that Lucas Pond is one of the cleanest water areas in the state. Ms. O’Neil explains that the area is stocked by Fish and Game and is used for fishing. She states that the fishing months would not interfere with the months for swimming. In addition, she notes that the town’s recreation commission seems to be on board with the project. She adds that she intends to speak with the recreation director.

Ms. Bobowski asks about the conditions of the beach area. Ms. O’Neil states that the area needs serious work. She adds that she is a member of the conservation commission and is familiar with the permitting process and will be addressing all necessary permits.

Ms. Reitter asks if there are any alternative funding sources available. Ms. O’Neil states that she has spoken to Mike Matson of NH Fish and Game and he is working on finding funds. Ms. O’Neil adds that she has spoke to NHDES and was referred to DRED. She also plans to ask for local donations of funds and equipment.

Mr. Holden states that the signature page had approximately 27 signatures on it and about 20 of the signatures were from the Mountain Road area. He states that he would have like to have a wider area of the community covered on the signature page that supported the $27,000 expenditure. Ms. O’Neil replies that she lives on Mountain Road and adds that there were signatures of conservation commission members. She states that she could get more signatures of other areas providing there was more time.

Ms. Holmes asks why the town would be liable for the area if Fish and Game owns it. Ms. O’Neil explains that the town owns the property; however, Fish and Game utilizes the area for fishing as the pond is stocked.

Ms. Pingree makes a motion, second by Ms. Bobowski, to revote and recommend the Lucas Pond petition warrant article, as written. VOTE: YES: SB, JR, CP. NO: RH, NH, JJ, KC, DM. Motion fails; 3/5.

A brief discussion is held regarding the need for additional information such as specific funding sources. Ms. O’Neil thanks the committee for their time.

The next meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2008; 7:00 p.m. Mr. McNally requests first quarter information of the school and town.

Ms. Smith states that there are 6 seats available for the budget committee.

Motion to adjourn is unanimously accepted at 10:02 a.m.   

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary