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

January 9, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m.

 

 

Dane Headley opened the meeting at 5:00  p.m.  with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present at the meeting were:  Dane Headley, Chair; Walter Baker, Jr., Selectman; Michael McManus, Selectman;  Adam Hurst, Road Agent; Brandon Grendell, Assistant Road Agent; and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator.

 

APPOINTMENTS:            

At 5:15 p.m., The Board met with  Adam Hurst, Road Agent, and Brandon Grendell, Assistant to discuss a proposed warrant article for a 10-wheel truck.  Selectman McManus discussed availability of equipment advising that replacement was not slated until 2024.  Mr. Hurst said that the truck being replaced is a 2013 and the capital plan has it listed as a 2014 model.  The Board expressed support but felt that the Budget Committee has reservations about costs associated with a 10-wheeler which included staffing levels.   The Board also discussed potential funding sources such as  deferred revenue  from the special one-time Highway Block grant.    Selectman McManus explained that he would be discussing the truck at the Budget Committee meeting later that evening.  There was a lengthy discussion regarding the merits of  a 10-wheel truck, particularly for trucking materials or servicing the farthest section of town and hauling materials.  Mr. Hurst and Mr. Grendell agreed to meet with the budget committee along with Selectman McManus to discuss the warrant article in further detail.

 

Mr. Hurst reported that he had examined the hazard trees as requested by the Select Board.  Mr. Hurst said that the tree on Kezar Street will be removed by Northern Tree as part of the Eversource Scenic Road cutting efforts.  Selectman Baker moved to remove the hazard trees on town property located on Meetinghouse Hill Road.  Selectman McManus seconded the motion.  The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

Selectman Baker made a motion to accept the minutes from January 3, 2023, as written.  Selectman McManus seconded the motion.     The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

CONSENT AGENDA:

REVIEW OF MANIFESTS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

Vendor Manifest:  $97,270.96

Payroll Manifest:   $15,206.44

 

ENCUMBRANCES:

Selectman Headley made a motion to ratify the  amount to be encumbered to $24,000 for equipping the cruiser with the insurance reimbursement of $14,000 the net amount to  remain encumbered to offset the cost of equipping the vehicle is $10,000. In addition, the Welfare donation in the amount of $1,200 was expended in 2022.  Selectman Baker seconded the motion which passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The Board discussed facility projects at the Sutton Free Library.  At the recommendation of the Budget Committee, additional funds for the repairs will be added to the Building Capital Fund to cover these costs.  In addition, the town has arranged for air quality testing to be done at the library due to moisture concerns.  Selectman Baker is monitoring the testing on behalf of the Board.

 

Selectman Headley agreed to represent the Board at a meeting with Gary Fitzgerald regarding  Peacock Hill zoning issues.

 

The Board discussed the Historical Society’s response to their request for accounting information.  The Board would like more information on the Society’s revenues.  The Budget Committee is also reviewing that line item.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board issued a thank you letter to Raymond Jameson and Erin Foley for their donation which sponsored a Thanksgiving dinner for a family in need as well as a family sponsorship for Christmas.

 

No action was taken on the  Hazard Mitigation Grant paperwork.  Central New Hampshire Planning Commission will administer the grant on behalf of the Town.

 

The Board received resumes for candidates for the Town Administrator position.  Additional advertising for the position will be done.

 

The Board discussed anticipated petitioned Warrant Articles for Lake Monitors and also for a  change of purpose for the Milfoil Capital Reserve to include other invasive species.  The Board agreed to support and  draft the change of purpose warrant article.  The Lake Monitor article should be submitted by petition.

 

The Board agreed to discuss employee federal holidays at their next regularly scheduled meetings.  The Board will also discuss salary increase requests at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator