TOWN OF SUTTON
Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall
93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH
Sutton Mills, NH 03221
Select Board

November 21, 2022 @ 4:30 p.m.

 

 

Selectman Headley, Chair, opened the meeting at 4:54 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present at the meeting were: Dane Headley, Chair;  Michael McManus, Selectman; Walter Baker, Jr. Selectman; Adam Hurst, Road Agent, Robert DeFelice, Budget Chair; Gail Guertin, Budget Vice Chair, Cory Cochran, Fire Chief; Aaron Flewelling, Deputy Fire Chief; and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

 

APPOINTMENTS:            

At 4:55 p.m., Selectman McManus made a motion to enter into Nonpublic session under RSA 91-A: 3II(a) personnel to conduct a performance evaluation for the Road Agent.  Selectman Baker seconded the motion.  The Board was polled with Selectmen Headley, Baker and McManus voting in the affirmative.  Public session resumed at 5:40  p.m.

At 5:40 p.m., Adam Hurst, Road Agent met with the Board for a departmental update and to review the Highway Department’s 2023 proposed budget.

					2022 Budget	2023 Proposed
1-03-4312-101	HD WAGES				329,307	331,347	5% COLA Recommended by the Select Board based on 2022 Budget.  Mr. Hurst did want to include merit raises for the crew beginning in September.  Mr. DeFelice recommended calculating merit raises, if approved, based on the calendar year.  The Board agreed to calculate COLAS at 5%
1-03-4312-102	HD PART TIME LABOR	_________				_________
1-03-4312-104	HD OVERTIME WAGES	46,012				47,012
1-03-4312-105	HD CUSTODIAL WAGES	5,000				5,000
1-03-4312-341	HD TELEPHONE	2,200				2,530
1-03-4312-342	HD BUILDING				3,050	3,510
1-03-4312-380	HD UNIFORM EXPENSES	8,200				8,200
1-03-4312-390	HD OTHER PROFESSIONAL	8,000				8,000
1-03-4312-391	HD RADIO				400	400
1-03-4312-410	HD ELECTRICITY	5,040				5,040
1-03-4312-411	HD HEATING OIL	13,200				13,200
1-03-4312-414	HD LP GAS				_________	_________
1-03-4312-430	HD BLDG REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE				4,000	6,000	Select Board recommended $4,000.  Unforeseen repairs to fall under building  Capital Reserves.  Phillips to adjust current expenditures accordingly.
1-03-4312-560	HD DUES CONF./PUBLICATIONS				150	150
1-03-4312-570	HD EQUIPMENT RENTAL	24,000				24,000
1-03-4312-631	HD MILEAGE				200	200
1-03-4312-636	HD VEHICLE FUEL	67,200				67,200
1-03-4312-651	HD SAFETY EQUIPMENT	2,000				2,000
1-03-4312-660	HD VEHICLE				31,000	31,000
1-03-4312-661	HD OIL & FILTERS	5,000				6,000	Increased due to price of oil and filters.
1-03-4312-662	HD TIRES				9,000	24,000	Grader tires need to be replaced.  Mr. Hurst has obtained quotations for 6 new tires.  Current tires have been recapped, but they cannot be recapped again.   Mr. Hurst was encouraged to buy tires as soon as possible, if approved, because of anticipated price increases.
1-03-4312-680	HD MATERIALS & SUPPLIES	4,000				5,000	Increased cost of materials and supplies.
1-03-4312-681	HD CUTTING EDGES	6,000				7,000	These are wear items.  Mr. Hurst uses carbide which prolongs part life, maintenance and installation.  Prices have increased for the carbide edges.
1-03-4312-682	HD EQUIP REPAIR MAINTENANCE				13,000	13,000
1-03-4312-683	HD CHAINS				5,000	5,000
1-03-4312-684	HD MISC. EQUIPMENT TOOLS				2,000	2,000
1-03-4312-730	HD CULVERTS	6,000				7,000	This item to be increased to $8,000 due to price increases.
1-03-4312-741	HD HAND TOOLS	500				500
1-03-4312-742	HD SHOP EQUIPMENT	1,000				1,000
1-03-4312-801	HD SAND & SALT	100,000				115,000	Price increases
1-03-4312-802	HD GRAVEL				23,000	23,000
1-03-4312-803	HD ASPHALT PRODUCTS	5,000				6,000	Price increases
1-03-4312-804	HD SIGNS				3,000	4,000	Signs need to be replaced town and department wide.  These include road signs, safety signs and delineator posts.  Mr. Hurst obtains signs from the State Prison who have proven to be the most reasonable vendor.  Mr. Hurst will obtain quotes.
1-03-4312-805	HD LIQUID CALCIUM				10,000	11,000	Price increases.  The Board proposed $12,000.  It was noted that the department was down to 1 tank.  A replacement tank will need to be duel-walled at a cost of $16,000.  Calcium application has been an effective road stabilization measure.
1-03-4313-610	BRIDGE EXPENSES	3,000				3,000
1-03-4316-610	SL STREET LIGHTING				3,840	4,200

 

Mr. Hurst reviewed capital reserve recommendations.  Mr. DeFelice explained that Departments are being asked to reduce their Capital Planning by 50% as a proactive measure due to economic uncertainty.  Mr. DeFelice recommended that the Blacktop Road Upgrade line item be reduced to $250,000.  Mr. DeFelice stated that at the end of the budget drafting cycle, if the budget committee felt it was feasible based on the entire budget, they would revise their recommendation to $300,000.  Selectman Headley felt this was not the area to cut.  Mr. Hurst felt that he could finish the Shaker Street project if the appropriation were left at $300,000.  Mr. Hurst will review his estimates based on current prices but noted that prices were fluctuating and estimates are generally good for only 30 days.

 

Mr. Hurst agreed to drop his gravel upgrade request from $10,000 to $5,000.  Selectman McManus recommended $10,000 for the Tree Maintenance line item.   Selectman Baker advised that there were some dead trees around Kezar Lake that should be removed.  The Town will contact Eversource as some of the trees are in proximity of power lines.

 

Mr. Hurst agreed to reduce the capital reserve appropriation for Heavy Equipment to $15,000.  For Highway Plow/Dump trucks, Mr. Hurst advised that he was proposing purchasing a 10-wheeler (truck).  The town will not receive the truck until 2024, because of a 2-year delivery time lag.  Mr. DeFelice recommended that the line item be reduced to $60,000 and felt that would be adequate to replace the 2013 Truck.   The Select Board proposed $90,000 for that line item.

 

Mr. Hurst agreed to reduce the Highway Grader Capital Reserve to $13,000, as the fund was nearing its “soft cap.”  Mr. DeFelice explained the rationale for the aggressive capital planning program the Town implemented a few years ago to achieve a reasonable reserve level.  Mr. DeFelice observed that reductions of appropriations for capital planning were anticipated in the coming years and the Town could catch up when the economy stabilizes.

 

At 6:34 p.m., the Board met with Cory Cochran, Fire Chief, and Aaron Flewelling, Deputy Fire Chief, to receive a departmental update, and to discuss membership and capital planning.

 

The Board and Mr. DeFelice asked the Fire Chief his opinion regarding repurposing the retiring fire pumper and pump for Highway Department use.  The Fire Chief had no objection to the proposition.  An estimated resale value for the tanker was in the neighborhood of $10,000.

 

There was a lengthy discussion regarding Scott Air Pack replacement.  Deputy Flewelling indicated that the recertified units would be serviceable for a couple more years.  Mr. DeFelice asked for updated replacement values for the air packs so that the reserve can be funded accordingly.   It was verified that the appropriation for the Fire Safety building was revised to $50,000.  Selectman McManus explained that the fund was adequate for planning and engineering.  When it is time to build, it is likely to be bonded.  Chief Cochran opined that the present location was ideal if a building that meets the department’s needs  can be erected on that site.

 

Selectman McManus discussed firefighter membership and wanted to discuss recruitment efforts.  Chief Cochran advised that the cadet program was discontinued one year ago as the cadets have aged out.  The insurance under Boy Scouts of America requires seven cadets on the roster in order to provide coverage.  Phillips will follow up to see whether or not PRIMEX offers liability coverage for a cadet program for cadets 14-18 years old.  The cadets would not go on interstate calls, go on a ladder over 35 feet, or go in an engulfed building.  The graduating cadets have worked out really well for the Department.  Selectman McManus received reassurance that the Fire Department is actively recruiting.  Chief Cochran advised that there are 30 members on the Board and approximately fifteen are active.  There are ten long-time members.

 

Chief Cochran reported that there has been progress on the Fire Pumper which is being fabricated by Dingee.

 

Selectman McManus moved to approve the November 14, 2022 minutes as written.  Selectman Baker seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

REVIEW OF MANIFESTS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

Vendor Manifest:  $122,418.57

Payroll Manifest:   $15,875.59

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following building permits:

Anthony Seminara, 10-192-393, Hominy Pot Road for a dwelling.

Michael Sigourny, 02-727-241, Old Blaisdell Road for a garage.

Walter Partridge, 05-497-323, North Road, for a shed.

Ken and Susan Elkind, 09-662-249, Shaker Road for an addition.

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board deferred action on a Proposal from Knollwood Environmental for Groundwater Sampling pending recommendations from Mr. Solimine.

The Board executed a contract with Jane Sanders for tax lien research.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator