Meeting opened at 7:00 p.m.

In attendance: Mike Cutting – Chairman, Jere Henley, Chris Perkins, Pete Newman, and Selectmen’s rep. Wayne Eigabroadt.

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

Others present:

Selectman Richard A. Cook, Paul Fouliard – Department Head, Transfer Station

Selectman David E. Hartman, Richard Brown – Fire Chief

Lynn Perkins – Capital Improvements Plan, Barbara Annis – Planning Board

Allan Brown – Director of Public Works

Wayne Eigabroadt made the motion to approve meeting minutes dated July 25, 2005. Pete Newman seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Pete Newman made the motion to approve meeting minutes dated August 18, 2005. Chris Perkins seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Wayne Eigabroadt made the motion to approve meeting minutes dated August 29, 2005. Chris Perkins seconded the motion. Third paragraph, add from, and remove to. Seventh paragraph add in view of. Mike Cutting made the motion to add corrections to August 29 meeting minutes. All were in favor of minutes as amended. The motion passed.

The Committee agreed to maintain the December 12 meeting date.

October 18, 2005 at 1:00 p.m., Committee members will meet with the Selectmen and the Department of Revenue for setting the tax rate.

Selectman Eigabroadt informed the Committee members that the Department of Transportation recommended using $1.75 per gallon of gasoline for budgetary purposes in 2006. There was no cost for diesel. Mr. Henley recommends that the Departments budget for fuel usage only and allow the Selectmen to figure the costs. Discussion followed. It is difficult to compare usage from year to year when there are many variable factors (road construction, weather damage etc.). What can be done as a Town to limit the fuel consumption? Discussion followed. Selectman Eigabroadt commented that diesel fuel consumption during June, July, & August is down (1,513 less gallons) compared to the same time last year.

The Committee asked the Selectmen if they foresee any serious issues for the last half of the year. The Selectmen do not foresee any serious issues. It was noted that fuel costs are straining the budget.

The Committee discussed the vacant position. Monday, November 7, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. the Committee will meet to interview interested parties.

Mr. Brown explained to the Committee that because of the last two severe rainstorms the Town received an estimated $50,000.00 worth of damage.

Lynn Perkins presented the Capital Improvements Plan.

Paul Fouliard spoke on behalf of the Transfer Station:

Improvements to the facility, many of the improvements were recommended by the Department of Environmental Services. Space is limited; most of the construction will be accomplished with recycled material and labor from the local prison. The additional space would be beyond the fence behind the existing demo box, the amount of space has yet to be determined. The area would need to be large enough to properly process mulch, steel would need a 60’ x 100’ area, and the loading dock would need an area that could handle the maneuvering of a semi. The Selectmen’s final thoughts about creating this area are to consult with someone with expertise in planning and layout for the next twenty years.

Scales for weighing debris and trucks. Mr. Fouliard feels that the scales would pay for themselves with the revenues received.

Structure to store recycables.

Richard Brown spoke on behalf of the Fire Department:

The Committee asked if a study has been completed regarding activity. Mr. Brown explained that a recent study has not been completed. The last study did show that 75% of the activity was in town or south of town.

Replace Tanker 2, grant money will be reapplied for in 2006; it was submitted in 2005 and denied due to the lack of funding. If the tanker were not funded by grant money, then it would remain on the schedule for 2008. There is $38,000.00 in Capital Reserve for the Fire Department.

A new Fire Station.

Ambulance possibly twenty years from now.

Replace Tanker 3 in 2011.

Replace Engine 2 in 2014.

Replacement of forestry truck in 2015.

Replace Engine 1 and Rescue in 2020.

For the next eight years $103,750.00 would need to be appropriated every year to replace equipment. In addition the new fire station will cost at least $2,000,000.00.

Allan Brown spoke on behalf of the Highway Department:

Mr. Brown explained that the reconstruction of Mill Street has been moved to a priority due to the work on the water and sewer lines and the condition of the road. Waldron Hill Road has been moved down the list because of the extensive cost. Currently a cost to reconstruct Mill Street is being created by Provan & Lober. Mill Street is scheduled for 2006.

Waldron Hill Road is scheduled for 2007; Pumpkin Hill Road is scheduled for 2008. Mr. Brown commented that money needs to be funded on a yearly basis for road construction even if it is contracted out. The Town would need to appropriate an average of $495,488.00 per year to maintain the reconstruction schedule.

The Committee discussed combining at least two road projects and contracting them out. A Bond would need to be obtained for such a project.

The reconstruction of East Roby Road needs to be moved up on the priority list. This project will need to be contracted out. The original intent was to fund this project with $100,000.00 per year beginning four years ago, there is currently just over $200,000.00 in the fund.

For equipment $129,000.00 needs to be appropriated every year for the next six years. Mr. Brown will revise the equipment schedule and present it during his budget presentation.

Two of the Selectmen’s requests are the leveling of the front steps at the Town Hall, and slate replacement on the last section of the Town Hall roof.

The Capital Improvements Program Committee report recommends adding to the process the need for personnel over the years. Also recommended is forming a committee to study the Kearsarge Mountain Road egress situation.

Motion to adjourn 9:55 p.m.