April 19, 2024 | Town Admin Town of Sutton Pillsbury Memorial Hall 93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH 03221 Select Board Minutes April 15th, 2024, 5:00pm Pledge of Allegiance: Select Board Chair Michael McManus opened the meeting at 5:00pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present at the meeting were: Michael McManus, Select Board Chair; Glenn Pogust, Selectman; Walter Baker, Jr., Selectman; and Julia Jones, Town Administrator. Also present at the meeting were: Alison Jones, Welfare Administrator & Supervisor of the Checklist; David Burnham, Paul M. Little, Bob Wright, Budget Committee Member; Richard Lovell, Nancy Glynn, Sutton Free Library Trustees Chairperson; Mike Gebo, Budget Committee Member; Derek Lick, Town Moderator; Lynn Wittman, Conservation Commission Member; Michele Coleman; Melissa King, Budget Committee Member; and Don Davis, Planning Board Member. Appointments: At 5:00pm the Board held a meet and greet with Sutton’s town officials. Chair McManus invited the Town Clerk/Tax Collector to provide an update on board and committee vacancies. In an exchange with board and committee members, the Town Clerk/Tax Collector verified existing membership. The Town Clerk/Tax Collector notified the Board of the following vacancies: Treasurer 1-year term Vacant Planning Board 3-year term Vacant Selectman Pogust shared that the Supervisors of the Checklist are looking for volunteers. Pogust answered questions from the public on the role and responsibilities of Supervisor of the Checklist. Alison Jones, Welfare Administrator and Supervisor of the Checklist, shared that she had volunteered to serve as Supervisor when Glenn Pogust was appointed to the Select Board. Jones shared that she would like to step back from her role as Supervisor once a replacement is appointed. Chair McManus invited public officials to introduce themselves. After introductions, the Board invited questions from the public. Alison Jones asked how the Select Board planned to fill the Treasurer vacancy. Chair McManus shared the Board’s intention to appoint Deputy Treasurer, Joanne Lord, as Treasurer. If Lord is amenable, the Board would seek to fill the Deputy Treasurer role. Alison Jones asked what the responsibilities of the Treasurer would be, clarifying that she would like to nominate a candidate for the position. McManus explained that Joanne Lord is already performing the duties of the Treasurer, including banking and reconciliation. Lord would continue to perform these duties as Treasurer, with backup from the Deputy Treasurer. Chair McManus invited town officials to mingle and introduce themselves to the public. Minutes: At 6:04pm Selectman Pogust made a motion to accept the public minutes from April 8th subject to certain amendments. Chair McManus seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Manifests: The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests: Payroll: $ 17,282.95 Payroll: $ 6,849.40 (backpay for 3% increase in pay for all town employees effective 1/1/24) Vendor: $ 26,836.04 Intents: The Board reviewed and approved the following intents: Intent to excavate 1,800 cubic yards on Penacook Road 08-270-222 submitted by Christopher Rowe. Intent to cut 30 acres of 238.2 located on Eaton Grange Road 01-338-510 & 03-406-095 submitted by Greatwoods, LLC. Building Permits: The Board reviewed and approved the following building permits: $400 building permit to install a storage structure submitted by Walter Partridge, 466 North Road 05-497-323. $4,000 building permit to install a deck submitted by Anthony Giglio, 317 Shaker Rd. 09-687-000. New Business: The Board reviewed the Quarter 1 Budget Expenditure Report. The Board discussed an internal year-end budgeting debrief and planning meeting scheduled for Thursday April 25th. The meeting will include department heads, staff involved in budget and finance, and representatives from the Sutton Budget Committee and the Select Board. The purpose of this meeting, hosted by the Town Administrator, is to reflect on 2023 year-end and the 2024 budget process. Attendees will have an opportunity to share best practices and lessons learned. Selectman Baker was invited as a representative of the Select Board. Selectman Pogust and Chair McManus expressed interest in listening in on the session. Selectman Baker shared his proposal for a wage equalization plan. The Board discussed Baker’s proposed plan and reflected on the 2024 budget process with respect to cost of living adjustments. Old Business: The Board reviewed property owned by NH Fish & Game. The Town Administrator confirmed that she delivered the Select Board’s response to Ira Thomas’ questions on the East Sutton Road Cluster Development Project. Review of correspondence: The Board reviewed correspondence from the Merrimack County Community Power Committee notifying the Board of a Meeting Wednesday, May 1st at 9:30 a.m. The Board directed the Town Administrator to attend on behalf of the Board. Public Input: As a voter, Alison Jones emphasized the importance of a standardized plan that memorializes the Select Board’s policy on merit increases and/or cost of living adjustments. Select Board Comments: Adjournment: There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, Julia Jones Town Administrator