Members Present: Bruce Van Derven (BVD), Paul Fraser (PF), Steve Favorite (SF), Joe Denning (JD), Town Manager Elizabeth Corrow

Chair Selectman Rick Alpers called the Regular meeting to order at 6:30pm.

Superintendent Marie Ross and Bill Gabler came before the board to answer and questions the board may have regarding the budget for the school. Mr. Paul Fraser questioned whether the town and the school district should combine health care. Town Manager, Elizabeth Corrow explained they have looked into this possibility but it would cost the town more. Ms. Ross stated that she would like to meet with the board prior to the budget for next year to answer any questions and go over the different line items. She also stated that the school is looking into GASB 34 for the next year. She thinks this will allow good credibility even though it is costly to implement. She explained 7.5% of the budget proposed for this year was related to contracts and 9% of the budget is needs based. She stated they are currently buying a different curriculum each year. She also stated the default budget is higher then the proposed budget and would like the voters to vote for the proposed budget. Ms. Ross then introduced Bill Gabler who will head the School Educational Facilities Planning Team. She explained many of the schools are old, worn out, and not up to some safety codes. This team will work together to review the facilities the district currently had and begin planning various ways to improve or build new facilities. This will take place over a couple of years and the team will be comprised of members from the community that will be selected by the selectmen of the various towns. She said the main goal of this team will be to start with the level of education needed and then build a facility around it. Ms. Ross also explained a misconception that many people have. Many residents think that because the schools are located in Bristol, the tax payers are paying more then the tax payers in the other towns. She stated this is not true. She explained the total net budget (expenses less revenues) is divided by the number of students in the district which gives a breakdown per pupil. The amount each town pays is based on how many pupils they have multiplied by the per pupil cost.

Steve Favorite

Mr. Favorite stated the Downtown Committee, the Historical Society, and the Historic District Commission had a meeting to go over some ideas they had for the Downtown. Therefore, they put together a petition to present to the Board of Selectmen addressing some areas they would like to see improved. He stated they are not trying to tell anyone what to do but would like to bring the issues to the forefront. Mr. Alpers questioned why there was a meeting that the Town Manager and the Selectmen were not invited to as they were previously invited to a meeting regarding these issues and it was concluded to hold the meeting after Town Meeting when things were not as busy. He was not sure why they went against the original agreement and had the meeting. He stated he would have tried to find a way to go even though it was a busy time but was not invited. Mr. Bruce Van Derven stated they were happy to have people working together to make improvements. He stated there is a warrant article for this year that would have the Capital Improvements Plan Committee work underneath the Board of Selectmen, not the Planning Board. He feels this will allow the committee to work efficiently. Mr. Fraser stated the school district would like to work with the CIP committee as well. Mr. Denning stated the current board is working very well together, however, they have been moving forward at a fast pace recently and need to make sure they are taking things slow. Mr. Van Derven stated the projects that need to be done should be budgeted long-term and not just yearly. Mr. Favorite stated the committee understands Ms. Corrow just arrived a few months back and jumped right into the firing squad of the budget committee. Town Manager Corrow wished she was included in the meeting and would have attended if she were invited. She thinks there was just a misunderstanding and hopes to be included in the future. She explained some of the things that need to be done to revitalize the downtown will take time. However, by having a committee in place already they are making progress and heading in the right direction. Mr. Favorite expressed concern because this town is very seasonal and there is not a lot to offer in the Downtown area for visitors. He stated the timing of the meeting might not have been perfect but that is what the Committee wanted. He also stated there are a lot of grants that would help with some of the projects.

Mr. Favorite stated citizens questioned where there is a good place to put Kayaks in because they are not allowed to be launched at the Town Beach. Mr. Van Derven suggested the proposed Multi-Purpose Floating Dock would be an excellent place to allow Kayaks to launch.

Paul Fraser

Mr. Fraser stated he liked having the pending items on the agenda to ensure they do not lose site of different issues.

Mr. Fraser stated people are concerned with the snowmobiles on the Multi-use path. They are still able to get on the bridge even with the post in the middle. Mr. Van Derven questioned whether the warranty is now invalidated since snowmobiles have gone on the path even though they are not allowed. He also questioned whether the board could ask for money in the budget for maintenance and repairs at town meeting. Mr. Fraser would like to make sure there is money in the budget next year for maintenance and repairs that would then allow snowmobiles on the path.

Mr. Fraser stated people do not know when the meetings are broadcasted and are never on prime time. Mr. Bruce Van Derven stated one can call 528-3070 for the broadcast times or could call 744-2837 which is Mr. Van Derven’s personal home phone.

Bruce Van Derven

Mr. Van Derven announced candidates’ night at 7:00pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2007. This will take place at the Tapply – Thompson Community Center.

Mr. Van Derven would like to open the Old Town Hall to allow open discussion before town meeting. He hopes this would inform voters and allow them to ask questions. Ms. Corrow stated residents are more then welcome to go to her an ask questions at any time. She encourages all citizens to go over the warrant and the budget before town meeting and come to her with any questions or concerns.

Rick Alpers

Mr. Alpers questioned when CNP would start because April pick ups are just around the corner. Ms. Corrow stated she is working on the contract and they will be here allowing plenty of time to accomplish the April pick ups.

Mr. Alpers also expressed concern with the dogs on the bike path come spring. He wants to follow up on Paula Denning’s suggestion of having trash barrels or bags available along the path for dog owners to pick up any messes. Ms. Corrow suggested signs stating curb your animals as most transfer stations are not excited about the possibility of picking up or handling bags of animal waste.

Town Manager Items

Ms. Corrow stated there are two nominations for the Boston Post Cane. We are advertising once more in the Newfound Voice and the Penny Saver.

Ms. Corrow stated she would be attending a meeting at the LGC tomorrow with the Fire Chief and the Lieutenant from the Police Department regarding the Montreal Cycling Tour.

She updated the board regarding a meeting with PSNH. They will be attending the March 29^th worksession.

She stated the next Police Committee meeting will be held on Monday at 5:30. They will be discussing three possible properties with the engineer and architect.

Ms. Corrow then passed out a binder of all the Police Chief resumes. She explained the importance of keeping the information confidential as many of the applicants currently have a job and they do not want to jeopardize it. She would like each selectman to choose a member of the community that they would like on the interview committee. She will also pick a couple of Managers in the area as well as a couple of high ranking police officials. Mr. Denning confirmed with the Town Manager that she would be the one to hire the new Police Chief, and the board trusts her judgment. Ms. Corrow agreed and will make the final decision, but would like the board to be aware of the process and be involved with the preliminary stages of the process. Mr. Van Derven agrees with the process but also wants to make sure the community will accept this person. Ms. Corrow stated preference will be given to NH Certified officers but would start with a phone interview for those that are out of state.

Ms. Corrow questioned who handled the Newfound Road Race and the board stated Barry Wingate has always done a good job with it.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm

Respectfully submitted,

Krystal Alpers

Administrative Secretary