CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM MINUTES
September 5, 2007
APPROVED:
9/25/07 jrl_________
AGENDA: DISCUSSION OF MATERIALS RECEIVED
ATTENDING: Murray Campbell (Chairman), Janice DellaCroce, Don Milbrand,
Dan Paradis
ABSENT: Tom Babcock
OTHER: ----
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Milbrand reported that Ms. Corrow (Town Manager) told him that the State statute says that when changing from a fiscal to a calendar year (or vice versa) has to be a 6 month period.
MINUTES OF AUGUST 28, 2007: The following corrections were made: On page 1, 2nd paragraph, 4th line, change “Chapter 6.3” to “Exhibit VI.3”. Page 2 under MS. CORROW PRESENTATION, Transfer Station improvements, 2nd line, replace “hall” with “haul” and correct “Pennicook” to “Penacook”. Under Downtown (plan/improvements), second line, after “plan” insert “similar to Main Street”.
J. DellaCroce made a motion, second by D. Paradis, to accept the minutes as amended. The motion carried.
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Paradis distributed a sheet containing Water/Sewer expenditures that were not on the previous Capital Improvements sheets. It also contains some revenue offsets. Mr. Paradis stated that the research is frustrating due to changes from year to year. He gave an example in which $90,000 is difficult to trace. A short discussion was held on water/sewer being enterprise funds kept separate from the rest of the budget.
Mr. Campbell read a note from Mr. Auger, Chairman of the Budget Committee stating that he feels that only bond items should be considered capital projects. Mr. Campbell then asked where the surplus in the school budget goes and the members answered that it goes into the general fund. A discussion then followed as to what happens to town surplus and it was determined that it could be held or used against the tax rate and is determined by the Selectmen.
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CONTINUED DISCUSSION:
Mr. Campbell explained that Ms. Corrow has made a couple of minor changes to her plan but the $1.11 tax rate increase remains. A discussion followed in which the members feel that the residents already feel stressed now, never mind adding such a large jump. Mr. Campbell felt that the control should begin with Police and Town Government, with Water next and then Sanitation. After that, if we have a few cents left we can add others. We need to be careful that our recommendations do not get sent back in our face. He feels that we need to get the word out to the people.
Mr. Paradis began the main discussion by stating that he feels that SCBA Compressor is old equipment used for pumping propane but could be pushed off some. A discussion broke out in which the committee discussed various equipment and priorities. When they got into Water/Sewer, Mr. Milbrand suggested that we clarify with Ms. Corrow as to how to handle this Department. Mr. Paradis mentioned that, in the past, we had a fire truck committee that looked at their needs. It was felt that we need a copy of that report.
Mr. Milbrand stated that he would like to see an increase of only $200,000 for 2008 and to spread the increase to Ms. Corrow’s figures over three years. Maybe we could ramp up to a million.
OUTSIDE LIST: The outside list was addressed. It included:
Construction of new Town offices and Police Station (on Ms. Corrow’s plan)
Water/Sewer upgrade, Sewer to Lake (on Ms. Corrow’s plan and for our question as to how to handle this Dept.)
Complete energy upgrade to all town owned buildings, meet building/space needs of all Departments (goes with what is being done already),
Keep Town’s waterfront property intact for use by all residents - no selling or leasing of waterfront property interests (this is policy not CIP).
A properly equipped emergency center (committee was not sure if this was for a medical center or what but did recognize that Chief Skantze is in charge of disaster emergencies).
Plan for large equipment needs of Town Dept’s., replace safety vehicles (on Ms. Corrow’s plan).
Downtown: improvement and beautification, redesign traffic flow, pedestrian traffic, larger common, change parking lot to be more attractive and efficient, paint store fronts, improve signage (Downtown is on Ms. Corrow’s plan, traffic flow involves DOT, HDC in charge of signage, paint is up to owners).
Upgrade lighting throughout Town (something is already in process, it was felt).
Sidewalks: widen, down to Central St. parking lot and new bridge, Summer St. to Wells Field, redesign parking and sidewalks on Town Hall side of street, bring to street level, connect to bike path on Lake St. (Some of this may be addressed on Ms. Corrow’s plan depending on how far she is looking to be part of her plan, bringing to street level was felt not to be a great idea by the secretary and she cited an incidence where her 30
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OUTSIDE LIST continued:
year old cousin was jogging on such a sidewalk and was hit from behind by a car. He is now in an institution for the rest of his life.)
Demolish old mica building and put in parking or a park (Up to Selectmen)
Bike path: down Central St and along Pemi to Hill, to Wellington St. Park and wherever the sewer goes (Not high priority at this time).
Devise a policy to upgrade all private roads in town (Not the town’s responsibility).
New transfer station and facilities to meet new coming waste handling regulations (recycling is already being addressed).
Initiate and complete Cumming & Crouse Beaches (on Ms. Corrow’s list)
Replace current street lighting with more energy efficient bulbs (committee to ask for an update on the street lighting).
Replace Xmas lights with new LED type w/electric fro solar roof panels (LED is a smart idea but solar panels are not inexpensive).
Comments following going over this list were that we need clarification as to what Ms. Corrow considers to be under her Downtown area. Mr. Paradis stated that sidewalks seem to be a recurring theme.
USING MS CORROW’S PLAN:
The committee started with the year 2008 and went line by line:
Study Sewer to lake (& set up reserve) $30,000 = This one is hard but the committee determined to drop this to $15,000 for another year.
Police Cruisers $28,000 = To remain as this is a set deal.
Hwy 6 wheeler $125,000 = Cut to $62,500 to 2008 and $62,500 to 2009.
Finance-Govt. Acct. Standards #34-town inventory $12,000 = Left in so as to retain bond rating.
Smith River (town match for grant) $60,750. = Left in. There is some reimbursement.
Bourough Bridge replacement (town match) $110,000 = We are locked in to this one.
Fire-Breathing Apparatus $40,000 = Felt that this should be spread out so that not all need to be replaced together. Need more input with Chief Skantze. It was felt that, by figures given, the life span is 10 years and determined to change this line to $10,000 a year (3 units).
Fire-parking lot $15,000 = Left in.
Kelly park – tractor $20,000 = The committee could not understand why a bucket loader is needed and reduced this to $5,000 for a straight mower.
Transfer Station improvements (amt?) $25,000 = Something coming in 2010 (contract up?), left in.
Pol. Bldg. Bond (amt?) $105,000 = Reduced to $70,000 with a 30 year bond.
Fiscal year change bond (amt?) $50,000 = Left in.
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MS. CORROW’S PLAN 2008 continued:
Downtown (plan/improvements) $7,500 = Left in.
Library addition (reserve or town portion of bond payments) $50,000 = $0 for 2008, $75,000. in 2009.
W/S Reserve new water tank & purchase $43,500 = Have not heard of any tank problems. Zeroed out.
This brings the total to $650,871 (a savings of $251,000 from Ms. Corrow’s but still increasing to about $335.
Town Clerk ballot counting machine $13,000 for 2009 = Committee felt that it is a small amount and they placed it in 2008.
MS. CORROW’S 2009 PLAN:
Study Sewer to lake (& set up reserve) $30,000 = left in.
Police Cruisers $28,000 = left in.
Hwy. 6 wheeler $0 = $62,500 put in.
Fire-breathing apparatus $0 = $10,000 put in.
Ladder Lease pymt (warrant article 2008 pymt. 2009) = Moved to 2010.
Fire-new 4 door pickup $30,000 = the committee felt that there would be an old cruiser available each year now and the town would not need one every year so this need (for inspection travel etc.) could be filled with one of those. They did not see a need for the Fire Dept. to have a plow.
Transfer Station improvements (amt?) $25,000 = left in.
Police Bldg Bond (amt?) $105,000 bond payment = $70,000 bond payment
Downtown (plan/improvements) $50,000 = left in.
Library addition (reserve or town portion of bond payment) $50,000 = $75,000. put in.
W/S Reserve new water tank & purchase $43,500 = Zeroed.
Fire-SCBA compressor $40,000 = Questioned the need.
Fire-Engine 4 replace reserve $75,000 = Decreased to $50,000.
Hwy. 1 ton replacement $85,000 = Questioned the need.
Town Clerk ballot counting machine $13,000 = $0, moved to 2008.
Town Beach improvements $70,000 = Questioned.
Gazebo $7,000 = Felt that Fran Parkhurst is doing; $0.
Communications Reserve $10,000 = left in.
This brings 2009 up to about $395,000 over and 2010 at 480,000.
Mr. Campbell asked Ms. DellaCroce and Mr. Paradis to get the numbers done for us. Mr. Paradis mentioned that we have not put in anything for the Master Plan ($10,000). This could be part of the budget and Mr. Paradis will bring it up at the Planning Board meeting.
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NEXT MEETING: The next meeting was set for Sept. 25th. Mr. Campbell suggested that we share data/information via e-mail in the meantime. Everyone was cautioned not to make any decisions via e-mail.
Mr. Campbell questioned how important it is to do the exhibits in Chapter 6. Mr. Milbrand feels that we shall be done next meeting.
Mr. Campbell suggested that the committee attend the Budget Committee meeting on September 10th. The secretary was asked to send the Budget Committee members copies of the approved CIP minutes via e-mail for better communication.
As the hour was getting late, J. DellaCroce made a motion, second by D. Milbrand, to adjourn at 10:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Laferriere, secretary