[0:01] Good evening.
[0:01] Welcome to the Tuesday, April 7th, 2026.
[0:04] Time council meeting. Councilor. What?
[0:07] All right. I make a motion
[0:08] that we leave non-public session return
[0:11] to public session. Second that.
[0:13] Alright. Motion to leave non-public on the motion.
[0:16] Councilor Mills? Yes. Oh gosh. I have to get through.
[0:19] New group here. Councilor Healy. Yes. Councilor Webb? Yes.
[0:23] Councilor Chase? Yes. Councilor Foot? Yes. And chair votes?
[0:26] Yes. All right. We are out of non-public.
[0:30] Good evening everyone. Just
[0:31] before we start, just a reminder that in case
[0:35] of emergency exits are at the back of the room
[0:37] and to the side over here.
[0:39] And if you could please silence your cell phones.
[0:42] And with that councilor foot,
[0:44] will you lead us in the pledge please?
[0:47] Pledge Alle flag of the United States.
[0:50] Of the Republic Republic stands One issue.
[0:55] Indi Justice.
[1:01] Thank you. Did a little out of order.
[1:04] We'll do our roll call now. Councilor Mills.
[1:08] Good evening, Councilor Healy.
[1:10] Good evening, councilor Webb. Good
[1:11] Evening, Councilor Chase.
[1:13] Good evening, councilor Foot. Good evening.
[1:15] And Councilor Flood is unable to join us this evening
[1:19] and good evening from chair.
[1:21] Alright, is there a motion to open public forum? So
[1:24] Moved.
[1:25] Second. Alright, all those in favor?
[1:27] A, a, a Aye All public forum is now open.
[1:30] If you'd like come on up,
[1:32] please state your name and address for the record.
[1:34] And you have three minutes per individual.
[1:56] I, Sorry, my name's Crystal Morin.
[2:01] I reside at 64 English Range Road.
[2:05] And I took a moment to write this out in advance
[2:08] so I could be respectful of your time
[2:11] and make sure nothing important is missed.
[2:14] And I did pre-write it
[2:15] before Councilman, I knew
[2:18] that Councilman Flood was not going to be here.
[2:21] So as I read it, if it sounds like he is here, that is
[2:25] how I originally wrote it.
[2:29] I previously served as a ZBA member for nearly 10 years
[2:33] during which time I received no complaints
[2:37] and many compliments regarding my service.
[2:40] Given that I was surprised by the decision not
[2:43] to be reappointed, I am here
[2:45] to re respectfully request an explanation for this decision.
[2:51] Mr. Tripp was reappointed
[2:53] and during that time we served together,
[2:55] we participated in approximately 90 cases together,
[3:01] we voted differently only four times,
[3:03] meaning we were in agreement roughly 96% of the time.
[3:08] With that in mind, I find it difficult to understand
[3:11] how my voting record could be used as a basis
[3:14] for my non reappointment, while a member
[3:17] with a nearly identical voting record was reappointed.
[3:22] In the nearly 70 cases I've sat on Counselor Webb,
[3:27] you've reached out to me zero times
[3:29] and I've attended every workshop.
[3:31] I I make myself very available.
[3:34] You can't change what you do not know is broken.
[3:38] I also went back and reviewed all meeting minutes
[3:41] as I believe it's important to understand
[3:43] where I may have gone wrong in order to learn and improve.
[3:48] Additionally Town Counselor Flood.
[3:50] During your prior service starting in 2022,
[3:54] I participated in approximately 117 cases,
[3:59] including case number 22 dash 1 31 involving the
[4:04] proposed shelter in Hampstead Road.
[4:06] You emailed code enforcement in support of that project
[4:09] and that instance
[4:12] represents the only communication I've ever had
[4:14] with you Counselor Chase.
[4:17] I've sat on approximately 74 cases
[4:19] since you've been elected.
[4:21] And Counselor Mills
[4:22] and Council Haley,
[4:24] I've sat on zero since you have been elected.
[4:27] So I'm requesting clarification on the reasoning
[4:29] behind your no votes as there appears
[4:33] to be limited direct experience to base that decision on.
[4:37] I've lived in this town for nearly 40 years.
[4:39] I'm the granddaughter of a retired dairy firefighter.
[4:43] Myself and my husband were educated in dairy
[4:45] and so were our children.
[4:46] We own a dairy business.
[4:48] I volunteer for youth sports even when my kids were
[4:51] not participating.
[4:52] I gen I genuinely love the town
[4:55] and want nothing but the best sport.
[4:56] I've always made an effort to follow the Town master plan,
[5:00] align with the vision set by the council,
[5:02] and apply the five required criteria in my decisions rather
[5:07] than simply not being reappointed.
[5:09] I would have welcomed the opportunity
[5:11] to be reeducated if there were concerns with my performance.
[5:16] Thank you for your time and consideration. Sorry.
[5:20] Thank you. Should I email? So
[5:24] Yes.
[5:25] So during, during public forum, it's not practice
[5:28] for the council to engage
[5:29] and have a discussion at this time,
[5:30] but yes, I think if you wanted to reach out
[5:32] to counselors individually absolutely you can
[5:35] Do that.
[5:36] All right. And normally how long
[5:37] before you guys respond? Just so
[5:39] I'm not, I I don't, it's each of us have our own schedules
[5:42] and so we, we kind of run depends on what our schedules are,
[5:45] so I really can't answer that. Alright,
[5:47] Perfect.
[5:48] I will do that tomorrow. Thank you. Sounds
[5:50] Good.
[5:51] Thank you
[5:59] Madam Chair.
[6:00] We see none rise online. Okay, move close.
[6:03] Okay. Motion to close public forum
[6:06] Second And a second.
[6:07] All those in favor? Aye.
[6:09] Aye. Opposed to Abstentions? All right.
[6:11] Public forum is closed. Thank you.
[6:14] Next step is the consent agenda.
[6:16] Are we okay to do the whole
[6:17] consent agenda together this evening?
[6:19] We should be right. Okay.
[6:20] So on the consent agenda, excuse me, I'm gonna apologize.
[6:25] I'll probably have a, at least
[6:26] one coughing fit during this meeting.
[6:27] I apologize. Ahead of time. Consent agenda item number 26 28
[6:32] to approve the non-public minutes per March 26.
[6:34] 2026. Those minutes are sealed.
[6:37] Item 26 29 to approve the minutes from the public meeting
[6:41] for March 26th, 2026
[6:43] and item 26 30, which will be resolution 20 26 0 2 0
[6:48] to authorize the Conservation Commission
[6:50] to accept a conservation easement at 41 Ashley Drive
[6:53] and 37 Scoby Pond Road.
[6:57] You're not presenting on.
[6:58] Do you wanna present on the it has here
[7:00] presentation, but we're not doing that tonight.
[7:02] Right? This is just consent.
[7:03] So we will have, this is on the consent agenda for now
[7:06] because we have to have, we'll have to have
[7:09] that at our next meeting.
[7:11] So that'll show up then under the regular business.
[7:16] And that is it on the consent. Is there motion to approve?
[7:20] So second.
[7:22] A motion by Councilor Foote
[7:23] and second by Councilor Healy on the motion.
[7:25] Council Mills Council? Yes. Councilor Haley?
[7:30] Yes. Councilor Webb? Yes. Councilor Chase? Yes.
[7:32] Councilor Foot? Yes. And chair votes? Yes. Motion passes.
[7:36] Six zero. All right. First report.
[7:39] May, may I just ask a question?
[7:40] Is Yes, is your microphone on?
[7:41] 'cause I'm having problems hearing you over here.
[7:43] Yes. Would you like me to talk louder? Thank you.
[7:45] I can do that. Sorry, I'm trying not to talk loud
[7:48] because of my voice, but I'll talk louder.
[7:50] I apologize. Thank you.
[7:51] I'm surprised Owen hasn't yelled at me. All right.
[7:55] Chair's report. We have a few appointments this evening.
[7:59] So I would like to move
[8:03] to appoint Gordon Graham Reappoint Gordon Graham as a member
[8:07] of the Dairy Commerce Tiff Advisory Board for a term
[8:10] to expire March 31st, 2029.
[8:13] Second. Alright, on the motion. Councilor Mills. Yes.
[8:17] Councillor Healy. Yes. Councilor Webb. Yes.
[8:20] Councillor Chase? Yes. Councillor Foote. Yes.
[8:22] And chair votes? Yes. Motion passes. Seven zero. Alright.
[8:27] Got my little, I also would
[8:32] like next move to appoint
[8:37] or re again reappoint Jacob Coughlin as a member
[8:40] of the Highway Safety Committee for term
[8:41] to expire March 31st, 2027. Second
[8:45] That On the motion.
[8:47] Councilor Mills. Yes. Councilor Healy. Yes. Councilor Webb.
[8:51] Yes. Councillor Chase? Yes. Councillor Foote. Yes.
[8:54] And chair votes? Yes. Motion passes. Six zero.
[8:58] And last one is I move to appoint Anthony Henry
[9:03] as an alternate member of the zoning board of Adjustment
[9:05] for a term to expire March 31st, 2029.
[9:09] Second. Alright, on the motion. Councilor Mills. Yes.
[9:13] Councillor Healy. Yes. Councillor Webb. Yes.
[9:16] Councillor Chase? Yes. Councillor Foote. Yes.
[9:19] And chair votes? Yes. And that is all I have this evening.
[9:22] So over to Todd Administrator. Mr. Fowler.
[9:26] Okay, so this evening
[9:28] I'll be presenting the first glimpse of the
[9:32] FY 27 budget,
[9:33] but I do have a couple of other items of general
[9:38] information while Owen's putting up the presentation.
[9:42] So just wanna remind the council
[9:44] and the public, we're gonna be hosting two budget workshops
[9:47] this Thursday, April 9th at 6:00 PM We'll be doing the
[9:52] larger divisions, fire police, public works.
[9:55] On the 16th we'll be doing all of the other departments.
[9:58] Again, that's a 6:00 PM meeting.
[10:01] We will have a regularly scheduled council meeting two weeks
[10:04] from today, 7:00 PM that's a April 21st.
[10:08] And then on April 23rd, which is a Thursday,
[10:11] we will have the FY 27 budget and CIP public hearing.
[10:15] So if there's any concerns, questions from the public, all
[10:18] of this information is posted on the town's website.
[10:22] All the stuff we're going over today
[10:23] and we will be reviewing in greater detail will be done
[10:26] during the workshops
[10:28] and then the vote will be scheduled for Tuesday, May 5th.
[10:32] Couple other community information items
[10:35] with the snow finally cleared.
[10:37] We've, we're gonna be starting mosquito control around town.
[10:40] We have a new vendor, Northeast Vegetation
[10:42] and mosquito control efforts are going to basically mirror
[10:46] what we've done in the past
[10:47] with some early season larva siding
[10:49] and catch basins and wetlands.
[10:51] And then monitoring
[10:52] and sampling occur over the summer period.
[10:55] And then if we reach the fall
[10:56] and there's a need for any adult SI adulticiding
[11:00] for triple E or West Nile virus, that is done.
[11:02] It hasn't been done in dairy for many years.
[11:05] I can think it was probably back to like 2017.
[11:08] 2016 was the last time that we had done adulticiding.
[11:11] So generally speaking the,
[11:13] the process is pretty straightforward
[11:15] and I don't believe last year was a,
[11:17] a massively difficult year to manage in dairy
[11:20] and also throughout the state
[11:21] with those two mosquito mosquito-born illnesses.
[11:24] So, but we are kicking that process off.
[11:27] Again, information is available on the town's website on
[11:30] that personnel.
[11:32] It seems like we're, you know,
[11:34] every other meeting we're talking about
[11:36] somebody retiring tonight.
[11:37] I wanted just note that longtime employee Dave Blanchard,
[11:41] who's our engineering technician in Department
[11:44] of Public Works, he's indicated his intent to retire as
[11:47] of April 30th, 2026.
[11:51] I've definitely had the, the pleasure of working
[11:53] with Dave in my role as the Public works director.
[11:56] You'll never find anybody who's more polite
[11:58] and professional in dealing
[11:59] with our pavement management program.
[12:01] He really brings a lot of expertise there
[12:04] and he's a large reason why we've had such a success in
[12:07] keeping one of the highest PCIs that
[12:10] we've ever had in in the program.
[12:12] So we're gonna miss Dave and,
[12:13] and obviously he's still here for three weeks,
[12:15] but again it's just another hole
[12:18] that we're gonna need to fill.
[12:19] So I just wanted to give Dave our congratulations
[12:21] on his retirement.
[12:24] Other than that, I'll step to the main podium
[12:28] and start the presentation on Actually Owen, we'll start
[12:31] with the budget first as opposed to the CIP
[12:49] Mike, while you're getting set up, I just wanted
[12:51] to just jump back
[12:52] so I didn't clearly state back on our consent agenda,
[12:55] the resolution for the conservation easement,
[12:57] there will be public hearings for that on,
[12:59] there's two I believe so on the 21st, April 21st
[13:02] and the May 5th meeting.
[13:04] We will have public hearings for that.
[13:05] I didn't say that clearly. Thank you.
[13:09] Okay, So preparation of the FY 27 budget,
[13:14] it, it is definitely a year long process.
[13:16] Takes a lot of staff time,
[13:18] particularly in the finance department.
[13:20] But there's many other data points that we need to look at.
[13:24] You know, throughout the year we have projected valuations.
[13:27] We, we consult with the planning
[13:29] and economic development departments looking at
[13:31] what future valuations will be.
[13:34] I'm always keeping an eye on inflation data every month.
[13:38] When that comes out, that leads us
[13:40] to our CPIU Northeast value.
[13:43] That is the allowable amount in December or
[13:46] after the December figures are available.
[13:49] That determines what our maximum
[13:52] increase per the town charter is of our tax rate.
[13:55] We also coordinate pretty heavily
[13:57] with all our department heads on their staffing needs.
[14:00] We also ask all of our departments
[14:02] to get preliminary quotes on equipment
[14:04] and any repairs that they foresee in the future budgets
[14:07] and then finance these projections from the CFO
[14:11] for motor vehicle registrations
[14:13] and interest income that are part of this.
[14:15] So it's an ongoing process
[14:17] and it brings us to where we are as we break out
[14:21] where we're going for the FY 27 budget.
[14:24] So just a quick slide.
[14:26] Current tax rate for 2025 is $18 99 cents.
[14:30] The town portion of that is $5 39 cents.
[14:33] That went up 14 cents last year. So 2.66%.
[14:38] We only control what's in the yellow.
[14:40] The other three components are not voted on by this body.
[14:46] Again, looking at the total tax rate, you get a single bill
[14:50] each time in June and December,
[14:53] but we are only 28% of that total tax rate.
[14:59] So how's the tax rate calculated?
[15:01] So by charter, which has been in place for nearly 30 years,
[15:06] it indicates that you take the last year's tax rate.
[15:09] You then can increase it up to,
[15:11] but you cannot exceed the percentage
[15:14] of the trailing year's CPI.
[15:16] So in this case the inflation increase was 3.3%
[15:21] based on the CPI northeast value.
[15:23] And that's a national calculation done by the Bureau
[15:26] of Laborer Statistics.
[15:29] If you look at the value for 2025, it's $5 39 cents.
[15:34] If you factor in 3.3%, the maximum we can start
[15:37] or bring our tax rate to is $5 and 57 cents.
[15:42] Based on some of the constraints, we'll go over my,
[15:45] I am delivering a budget at that tax cap.
[15:48] Obviously as we go through this process you may feel fit
[15:52] to change and alter that,
[15:53] but obviously by charter we cannot go over that
[15:56] unless you do an override.
[15:58] And that's a whole different process
[15:59] that we don't necessarily want to get into.
[16:02] Besides that, the CIP purchases must fit in
[16:04] with the allowable increase without depleting the capital
[16:07] reserve funds for each department.
[16:09] So you can see it's a pretty daunting challenge
[16:11] with a number of different legs that we have to consider.
[16:15] So one other part of this is valuation.
[16:17] So April 1st of each year you take what was built
[16:21] and new valuation gets put onto the tax roll
[16:24] and that's what gets taxed for the 2026 tax year.
[16:27] We'd estimated for this current budget cycle FY 26 new
[16:33] building at $20 million.
[16:34] The actual valuation
[16:35] that we received this fall was $55 million
[16:38] higher than last year.
[16:39] So that was, that was a good figure.
[16:42] We went back, looked at what is actually being built,
[16:45] thinking about a couple of the projects on Rockingham Road
[16:49] and and other places in the community
[16:51] and we have a pretty solid estimate of $50 million
[16:53] of new valuation.
[16:54] So this helps you in, in the process of being able to
[16:58] expand your tax base
[16:59] and be able to afford some of the items
[17:01] that you have within your budget.
[17:04] And then also we were talking about other development
[17:07] within the TIF district.
[17:08] We have Abbott court underway
[17:09] and that's gonna support the TIF district expenditures in
[17:12] FY 28 and beyond.
[17:13] So one of the themes is we're seeing some positive growth
[17:16] throughout the community, which is, which is good
[17:19] and it's been sustainable.
[17:22] So let's just look at the tax rate history.
[17:24] On the left side you have the CPI figure.
[17:26] So what we ran a analysis
[17:28] of the last 10 years looked at the tax rate
[17:32] and again it's important to note that the tax rate
[17:35] changes when you have a revaluation.
[17:38] So for fiscal 27
[17:41] or 2026 tax year, we are see going to see a revaluation.
[17:46] So regardless of this number,
[17:47] when your tax bill gets delivered, it won't be $5
[17:50] and 57 cents.
[17:52] That will change and I'll update the council
[17:54] and the public as far as where that is heading.
[17:57] But ultimately, no matter what your tax rate cannot go up,
[18:01] it gets readjusted no more than 3.3%.
[18:04] Okay? If you look as far as some of those rates, most
[18:08] of the inflation figures were benign up
[18:11] until you reached fiscal 23 and fiscal 24.
[18:14] So those were the years coming out of COVID.
[18:17] And then obviously we've been trending it around
[18:19] or just more than 3% the last three years.
[18:22] So that's reflecting what I think you see in, you know,
[18:26] prices for gasoline, for food, many other consumable items.
[18:33] Probably a little bit too much information here,
[18:35] but this just shows you the CPI Northeast table
[18:38] that I pulled directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[18:41] And basically it's just an arithmetic average at some point.
[18:45] Back in 1967 you had a basis I think of 100
[18:49] and it just continues to go up and,
[18:51] and it's an index that you use to look at
[18:53] where you were and where you are.
[18:55] But one of the things I wanted to highlight was,
[18:57] or is looking at where we are February of 2026 versus
[19:03] July of 2017.
[19:05] That's about a 10 year span.
[19:07] And so our budget really is reflective of local, regional,
[19:10] and global economic trends that CPI northeast numbers up 32%
[19:15] over that time period.
[19:17] But some of the items that we're trying
[19:19] to cover in our budget salt, you look at the difference
[19:22] that's up 47% over the same period trash disposal,
[19:26] that's up 65% as compared to the same period.
[19:30] So we're having to absorb some
[19:32] of these major increases within the tax cap.
[19:36] Another thing that is a major driver,
[19:38] and we'll talk a lot about this throughout the budget
[19:42] workshops, the cost of health insurance, all
[19:45] of our full-time employees have access
[19:47] to a plan generally most units it's 87.5%
[19:52] town coverage, 12.5 cost of the employee share.
[19:56] And if you look at the difference between each one of those,
[19:59] one person, two person
[20:01] and a family plan, they're all up 90% over that same period.
[20:05] So think about how that impacts our budget.
[20:08] This is one of the major cost drivers,
[20:10] not only over the last 10 years,
[20:12] but also specifically in this year's budget.
[20:15] So we'll talk more as we go along with that.
[20:18] So how do we manage getting through the tax cap?
[20:20] We, we have to leverage state and federal grants.
[20:22] We talk a lot about going
[20:24] after, you know, grants through DOT grants,
[20:27] through various federal programs.
[20:28] It's really important that we keep that up because
[20:30] otherwise some of our programs we couldn't afford.
[20:32] We've done energy efficiency projects,
[20:34] we've done cooperative purchasing of materials.
[20:37] We also look at right time prioritize capital improvements.
[20:41] We have an effective use of fund balance distributed
[20:43] to different project funds and current for future needs.
[20:47] And then obviously in some instances we go without
[20:50] because it's not affordable.
[20:51] A lot of communities have curbside trash pickup.
[20:54] We don't, a lot of places have
[20:57] other layers within their departments
[20:59] that we just can't afford.
[21:00] So I think it, it's important to know that we have
[21:03] to make some measured tough choices
[21:06] and we always have year over year
[21:09] in this tax cap environment
[21:11] and you know, it's important to highlight that.
[21:14] So what does the budget support?
[21:15] So we obviously have a great emergency services department
[21:18] 24 7 365 fire police get a full service municipal center.
[21:23] We're open 45 hours a week.
[21:25] Full service transfer station
[21:27] DPW operations keeps the roads in great
[21:29] shape in building maintenance.
[21:31] You have availability of two highly regarded libraries
[21:34] and then a myriad of of recreational activities and parks
[21:38] and and cultural activities ranging from summer concerts,
[21:42] fireworks meals for seniors, things of that nature.
[21:47] Also, what else does it support?
[21:49] Access to Governmental meetings
[21:50] through dairy cam supportive social service programs.
[21:54] OneNote Water and Sewer Pro systems are not covered
[21:58] by the general fund that is covered by enterprise funds.
[22:01] So only the users of those services
[22:03] are the ones that pay for those.
[22:05] And then the tif, district revenue support activities within
[22:08] the boundaries of that TIF district
[22:10] and also the gateway TIF district
[22:12] and the capital improvement program is covered
[22:14] within our budget as well.
[22:16] So looking at the details of the budget, wanted
[22:19] to highlight some of the various levels.
[22:22] So if you notice the general fund
[22:25] adopted number was $75 million we're dropping down
[22:28] to $55 million.
[22:29] So on paper that looks like we've done a wonderful job,
[22:32] but what that's indicative of is the way that we account
[22:35] for the $20.7 million bond
[22:38] for the parking garage at Abbott Court.
[22:40] So obviously now we're just paying principal
[22:42] and interest payments through the TIF district
[22:44] and all of that flows through to the different revenues.
[22:48] The key number to look at is obviously
[22:50] as you go down the revenues are reflective of anything
[22:54] ranging from fees, grants, opportunities, we have
[22:58] to sell properties, all those various items
[23:01] of revenues interest,
[23:03] those are all reflected in in that number.
[23:06] At the very bottom of the tax rate we talked about 5.39
[23:10] to 5.57 is 3.3%.
[23:13] And on an average $500,000 valued home, that
[23:19] increase is $90 over what you are currently paying.
[23:22] So again, when you get your tax bill going into December
[23:25] of 2026, it will reflect this budget.
[23:28] In theory it should go up $90 again, irrespective of
[23:33] what you would see for revaluations.
[23:35] That's a little different calculation.
[23:36] Some will go up, some will go down as a result of that.
[23:40] Looking again, how we calculate that,
[23:43] you have gross appropriations, you have the revenues,
[23:49] veterans credits are in there at $589,000.
[23:52] At this point there's no change to that amount,
[23:55] but again that's something that the council could ask
[23:58] to look at at a future date
[23:59] and look for adjustments in the next budget.
[24:02] Fiscal 28. And then we have overlay.
[24:05] So when it's all said and done, the bottom line there
[24:07] to be raised is 31 million
[24:09] eight hundred and seventeen four hundred twenty two.
[24:12] And then you divide that by the estimated valuation
[24:15] of $5.71 billion
[24:19] and that's how you arrive at the projected tax rate of 5.57.
[24:24] So basically it's just a math formula that you come down to
[24:27] and that's what's gonna get us within the tax cap.
[24:31] Alright, looking at again some of the,
[24:33] the major cost drivers, we have full-time wages
[24:36] that is up 5.2%.
[24:38] We just voted on five collective bargaining agreements
[24:42] and that's reflect if those will be in effect.
[24:44] As of July 1st, 2026 health insurance
[24:47] that has been the one item that has crushed us this year,
[24:51] that's a $1.3 million increase that is up 27%.
[24:56] We don't have a lot of choices in in that for now.
[24:58] We are looking to see if there are other alternatives,
[25:02] but this is something that we're going to have
[25:04] to cover in our budget In
[25:06] that front workers' comp is up 9.4%.
[25:10] Retirement contributions are up 7.1%
[25:12] and that's merely a function of if you're adding wages,
[25:15] it's a mathematical formula that gets pushed down.
[25:19] IT service contracts, that's up 4.8%.
[25:22] We do have a couple of areas that we have dropped
[25:26] electricity down 13%.
[25:28] That's as a result
[25:29] of our town buildings being on the New Solar project and
[25:31] and seeing a reduced rate.
[25:34] And then roadway maintenance.
[25:35] One of the choices we had to make this year,
[25:37] at least in the budget that I'm presenting,
[25:39] is we're gonna be looking to reduce roadway maintenance from
[25:41] a traditional figure between 1.5 and 1.6 million.
[25:45] I'm gonna reduce that in a one year capacity by $250,000
[25:49] to offset some of the other costs that you see above.
[25:54] One of the things that is a factor this year,
[25:57] you've got a lot of other paving
[25:58] that is gonna be done on unido Road.
[26:01] It's gonna be done on other parts of the community
[26:03] that are in conjunction with
[26:04] other projects that we're doing.
[26:05] So we felt that it was prudent to reduce in this area here.
[26:09] Our PCI is at 88, which is one
[26:11] of the highest numbers that we've had.
[26:13] So the road network I don't think is going to suffer
[26:15] as a result of it, but obviously we want to get that back up
[26:18] to a sustainable level in the fiscal 28 budget and beyond.
[26:23] So major goals, continuance
[26:25] of favorable momentum in in our development core functions.
[26:29] We obviously want to keep our emergency
[26:31] and regular town services.
[26:33] This budget meets the tax cap at 3.3%,
[26:36] addresses some competitiveness issues
[26:38] through the CBA implementation trust.
[26:41] We continue to support TIF district economic expansion
[26:45] and it also continues to support our infrastructure growth.
[26:47] Water, sewer and exit four A.
[26:51] Again, more highlights we're going
[26:53] to retain all staffing levels.
[26:55] Capital and debt service are funded in the FY 27 budget.
[26:59] One area that we've talked about
[27:02] over the last few years is the addition
[27:04] of one full-time position to support this development,
[27:07] we really need to get a third person in the
[27:11] code enforcement department.
[27:13] So we're looking and we're proposing
[27:14] to add a building inspector into that budget,
[27:17] but we couldn't afford any of the other demands
[27:20] that had come up from other departments.
[27:22] Revenues and motor vehicle that's up 4%.
[27:24] That's simply based upon the formula
[27:27] and obviously the cost of vehicles that come to us.
[27:31] Interest income, again, we looked hard at
[27:33] what those numbers were going to be.
[27:34] Things have not dropped as precipitously as we thought.
[27:37] So that's up 4% over last year.
[27:40] And then revenues from state sources mainly rooms
[27:43] and meals taxes, that's up 2.6%.
[27:46] And then as we talked about, we are looking
[27:48] to do a one year reduction of 250 K for
[27:52] the high PCI on our roadway management.
[27:56] So some of the variances we just went
[27:58] through full-time wages, that's up 926,000 health insurance,
[28:02] workers' comp, electricity and our IT contracts.
[28:07] One of the things that that we've done I think
[28:10] ideally over the last 10 years has been use
[28:13] of dedicated funds.
[28:15] One of the areas that we talked about
[28:18] is the CBA implementation trust.
[28:21] There's been a an account
[28:22] that we've banked money over the last five years
[28:25] and looking to use $1.275 million of that
[28:30] to cover the cost of health insurance
[28:32] and our approved CBAs, which are the full-time wages.
[28:36] We're also looking to include use
[28:38] of $569,000 in fund balance.
[28:42] The budget also included a 444,000 use
[28:47] of COVID trust fund per previous
[28:48] designation by town council.
[28:51] And then as we typically do, we move $675,000
[28:55] to the compensated absence fund.
[28:57] That's a contribution that we keep
[28:59] for when employees depart.
[29:01] They often do a fairly substantial amount of
[29:06] paid time off that they hadn't used throughout their career
[29:08] and we have to have a fund to cover that.
[29:12] So as we had talked about earlier, here's the schedule.
[29:14] We will be coming back on Thursday
[29:16] for our first budget workshop
[29:18] and then the 16th will be the second workshop regular
[29:22] council meeting on the 21st.
[29:24] The 23rd will be our public hearing
[29:26] and then we'll vote on May 5th, 2026.
[29:31] So with that I can take any questions that you may have.
[29:35] Now I do also have a secondary presentation on the CIP.
[29:39] So we can either do that or save the,
[29:41] the questions for the workshop.
[29:43] Does anyone have questions right now?
[29:45] I'll save mine to the end. Okay. Okay, I'm good.
[29:50] Alright, you can go on to CIP
[29:51] In the moment.
[29:52] All right, so we'll take a look at the CIPO
[29:53] and you can put that up
[30:08] Sir. Okay.
[30:10] Alright. So I'll go through the CIP fairly quickly.
[30:14] A lot of it is, is specific to the departments,
[30:16] but just to kinda give a, a brief overview
[30:20] of the capital improvement plan.
[30:23] Typically we're looking to do replacement of
[30:26] existing units due to age
[30:28] or the repair costs have been too expensive to sustain.
[30:31] We're also looking if there's any enhanced
[30:33] service need or opportunities.
[30:35] Sometimes we have a bonded
[30:36] or grant funded project for utility expansion
[30:40] or we have ongoing maintenance for road.
[30:42] So generally those are the four categories
[30:44] that you'll see within our capital improvement plan.
[30:49] Again, talking about the process,
[30:50] this is a a year long process.
[30:53] Department heads are out getting all their
[30:55] information throughout the year.
[30:58] They usually get their information to the town administrator
[31:01] by January of 2026.
[31:03] We'll review it at the CFO
[31:05] and town administrator level in February.
[31:07] We already did a, a presentation
[31:08] to planning board on February 18th.
[31:11] We then look to see how this would be incorporated into the
[31:15] FY 27 budget.
[31:16] We'll go through our workshops
[31:18] and then you will have an opportunity to vote
[31:20] and adopt on May 5th.
[31:22] So a couple of highlights.
[31:25] $62.5 million six year plan from the general
[31:29] fund is 30.4 million.
[31:30] The water fund is 12.9 in the wastewater fund,
[31:33] it's 19.9 million.
[31:35] So it sounds pretty hefty at the onset,
[31:38] but we also have additional project funds
[31:42] that come from various grant sources.
[31:44] So we'll talk about that a little bit later. FY 27 specific.
[31:48] The general fund 7.4 million, the water fund 11.6
[31:52] and then the wastewater fund is 7.6 million.
[31:55] So total of that is 20 point 26.6 million.
[31:59] So it sounds again like a daunting number.
[32:01] But we also, for example,
[32:04] the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Project is
[32:07] furnishing a grant of $11.3 million to extend water
[32:10] through dairy and make a number of improvements.
[32:14] Also, we look at 10 million
[32:17] of the 62 million is already ingrained within the budget
[32:20] for pavement management per year policy.
[32:23] Unrestricted fund balance proceeds are distributed
[32:26] to each department's capital reserve fund along
[32:29] with current fiscal year funds to make sure
[32:31] that we have enough funds to go ahead and
[32:34] and handle those projects.
[32:37] I did skip over the fact that a lot of instances, these
[32:40] purchases are spread out over a five
[32:42] or seven year financing package, which
[32:45] that allows us to spread.
[32:46] For example, a a $150,000 truck would have five equal
[32:51] payments of $30,000 plus interest.
[32:53] So that gives us an opportunity
[32:55] to have some predictability year over year
[32:57] on some of these purchases.
[32:59] So again, here's your, here's your chart on your
[33:03] CIP projects.
[33:05] On the very bottom, we put together the slide showing the,
[33:09] the approximate net tax impact of each one of these years.
[33:12] You are just north of a dollar per thousand on
[33:17] covering the capital improvement plan.
[33:18] But it's important because you don't want to have vehicles
[33:21] that are leaving too early in terms of having issues
[33:25] and not being able to do the
[33:27] emergency response as to plowing.
[33:28] So it is important that we fund this and,
[33:30] and make sure that it's sustainable.
[33:33] Again, just this chart
[33:34] that this stuff is all available on the town's website.
[33:38] And we'll go over this a little bit more in detail when we
[33:41] get to the CIP public hearing.
[33:44] But again, looking at the sustainability
[33:46] of the police capital reserve, you can see here
[33:49] that there are infusions, inflows and outflows.
[33:52] And so when we do this,
[33:53] it's more than just a one year look ahead.
[33:55] We have to look at the sustainability of funds
[33:57] that come into the capital reserve.
[34:00] So we are, we're keeping an eye on that
[34:01] and we're trying to keep those funds sustainable without
[34:04] tapping into anything that's,
[34:05] that's deeper than where what's available.
[34:08] Same story in DPW and then obviously in the fire.
[34:12] I did want to point out we are monitoring fiscal
[34:15] 32 right now.
[34:16] We've got a slight deficit.
[34:18] Again, things change over the course of time.
[34:21] Obviously we're not gonna run the capital reserve fund
[34:25] for fire down to zero, but as it stands right now, all past
[34:28] and future obligations would trend us to be at just
[34:32] below the zero balance.
[34:34] So we'll, we'll monitor that,
[34:35] but there's no danger at this point.
[34:36] I just wanted to point that out how we project this.
[34:40] Alright, just gonna run through a couple of
[34:43] of the items in Police capital reserve.
[34:45] They're gonna be looking for six
[34:48] Ford Hybrid police intercepts $341,000 replacing
[34:53] a, you know, for example, a 2017 Ford Fusion.
[34:57] We have a motor or service contract that's just over $93,000
[35:02] and then one of the cruisers will be replaced
[35:05] and it also will have an upfit for one of our canine units
[35:11] in DPWA sidewalk machine, $200,000.
[35:15] This is an example of one of our trucks we're seeking
[35:18] to replace $165,000 is a frontline truck,
[35:22] a chipper that's just reached its age $75,000.
[35:27] We're looking to replace three plow trucks
[35:31] that are the pickup size, 65,000 times three
[35:35] code enforcement's gonna be looking for.
[35:37] If we're gonna support another person,
[35:39] we're gonna need another vehicle for that person.
[35:41] So that's a $60,000 truck
[35:44] and it's amazing for me to look at these things
[35:45] and see, you know, that truck was probably $40,000,
[35:48] $35,000 not that long ago.
[35:50] These I can assure you these are not like souped up trucks
[35:53] that, you know, we go through.
[35:55] These are very basic trucks that, that we're purchasing
[35:59] a ball field groomer, one of the items
[36:00] to cut down on on any potential for workers' comp claims
[36:03] and, and enhance our ability to do labor.
[36:06] This is a ball field groomer as opposed to some of the,
[36:09] the methods used previously,
[36:10] which were more labor intensive.
[36:11] Intensive. We're looking to replace a
[36:15] structure at the transfer station that we use to park
[36:18] our trailers and keep them out of the weather.
[36:22] And then as I had mentioned
[36:23] before, we've reduced the roadway maintenance down
[36:25] to $1.35 million.
[36:28] And lastly, fire, this is a big dollar amount.
[36:32] Engine two replacement is $1.3 million.
[36:35] So we're trying to address obviously age of, of some
[36:39] of these trucks and obviously the lead time that's also
[36:43] into this industry now.
[36:44] So we're aware of, of some
[36:46] of the lead times we're trying to address those.
[36:48] But getting ahead of the curve
[36:50] before you have a a critical breakdown is, is certainly
[36:53] important in keeping in our emergency services.
[36:57] This is a, yeah, picture
[36:58] of an ambulance re replacement $446,000, same sort of thing.
[37:03] I don't think the lead times are quite as bad
[37:05] for ambulances, but again this is just a, a regular rotation
[37:09] of stock for one of the ambulances in water.
[37:14] We've got a number of projects,
[37:15] but primarily it's the phase two and phase two A
[37:19] and B for the phase two water expansion.
[37:22] That's $11.3 million.
[37:24] Council's already voted to accept 100% grant funds
[37:28] and that occurred on March 3rd, 2026.
[37:31] So it'll show as an $11.3 million project,
[37:34] but the net cost to the town of dairy is,
[37:36] is zero in wastewater.
[37:41] Couple of projects, 1500 feet of effluent force main
[37:44] to be replaced at $1.4 million.
[37:47] We're are currently working on moving forward to with design
[37:52] for the Ryans Hill sewer
[37:54] and within the FY 27 CIP you see a cost
[37:58] of $6.1 million.
[38:00] Those costs will be refined as we get more ideas as far as
[38:04] where the the piping will go.
[38:06] But we do have an EPA grant that covers $3.2 million of that
[38:10] and we're gonna be looking at other revenue sources
[38:12] to cover the remaining of that value.
[38:14] So those are the major projects that we have in the CIP
[38:18] and those are all included within the charts
[38:20] that you have for that.
[38:22] So with that I certainly can open up any questions
[38:25] that you may have on either the FY 27 budget
[38:28] or the six year CIP.
[38:31] Thank you council Rem you had
[38:33] Questions?
[38:34] Okay, I have just some
[38:35] Questions and comments.
[38:37] Age of them unfortunately, thank you for presenting very
[38:41] what I consider a lean budget
[38:43] and just for the general public to remember that
[38:46] by appro all these CBAs
[38:48] and so forth, we've actually covered almost 90%
[38:51] of the budget because our budget really is personnel costs.
[38:57] I have, they're not really concerns
[39:00] with what's in the budget,
[39:01] they're more management concerns through the year.
[39:04] I think that there's gonna be pressures on this year
[39:07] and particularly in FY 27 that we're beginning to see
[39:11] inflationary pressures.
[39:13] You actually referred to some of it on page four 13 of the,
[39:17] the capital explanation on the increasing cost of steel
[39:22] and aluminum and so forth.
[39:25] I think these are going to have some sign significant budget
[39:28] management concerns
[39:30] and maybe budget crafting in FY 28.
[39:35] And again, you know, start thinking about 'em now
[39:37] because you know proper prior planning
[39:41] is good performance.
[39:44] Yeah, because I do believe
[39:49] that we are at risk of it of a recession in the next year
[39:52] or two and that we're gonna be looking at increased
[39:55] costs in energy.
[39:56] I mean diesel is now $6 a gallon
[39:59] and that's roughly also you have
[40:01] to consider heating oil with that.
[40:04] I have concerns that is there gonna be sufficient,
[40:07] particularly on the public works
[40:08] and fireside that use diesel is the numbers
[40:10] that are in this year's budget gonna be actually enough
[40:13] to cover, you know, diesel expenditures throughout the year.
[40:18] And again, I know this is only 10%
[40:19] because 90% is still personnel.
[40:25] So that's when the energy concerns I have.
[40:27] I think we're gonna do well with electricity
[40:29] because of the solar offset.
[40:31] But capital I think is gonna be,
[40:32] particularly when we're looking at the fire apparatus
[40:34] and other capital projects.
[40:37] Just a quick sidebar, most people don't realize that
[40:40] we think of the straight of muse as oil.
[40:43] It's also aluminum. Nine to 27%
[40:47] of the world's aluminum come through the street of Horus
[40:50] and that's fire apparatus and vehicles.
[40:53] Even though we get a lot of our aluminum from Canada,
[40:57] we talked about health insurance
[40:59] and I just want to emphasize that one of my goals
[41:02] as a council is we're gonna need to, even if it comes out to
[41:07] say at the end of the day what we have for health insurance
[41:11] is really the most cost effective option.
[41:12] I think we owe our taxpayers
[41:14] to do a serious look at health insurance options
[41:17] with our employer employees in the unions.
[41:23] We've got some time before the next collective
[41:25] bargaining units increase.
[41:28] We need to be aggressive with
[41:30] setting aside money into our fund balance
[41:32] and our CBA trust, particularly in this year.
[41:36] It again, it goes back into the management of the budget
[41:40] and your job and the department heads
[41:42] because I think there are gonna be recession stressors,
[41:45] particularly in FY 28
[41:46] and that we may need to have access to the project money
[41:50] that the unended unencumbered fund balance allows us.
[41:59] Part of that is to be aggressive
[42:01] with the regionalization projects.
[42:02] We've seen great luck
[42:04] with the Southern New Hampshire Water Project,
[42:07] but we'd like to see yourself in the department heads
[42:09] particularly look at how we can improve regionalization
[42:14] as a way to help reduce inflationary pressures
[42:18] to improve services in the next couple years.
[42:23] And the last thing I think is, again, we talk about 90%
[42:27] of our budget being personnel.
[42:29] I think it's being hampered on a couple areas through
[42:33] the vacancies and I, I do have a plan that when it comes up
[42:38] as to maybe helping to improve that a little bit.
[42:43] But we need to get serious about recruiting
[42:47] because you know, that's money
[42:51] that I think can be spent that will lower money.
[42:54] And the last thing I want wanna say is thank you
[42:56] for putting in a full-time building inspector.
[42:58] I know I've been hammering about costs here,
[43:01] but I think that again is we're spending money to save money
[43:05] with that full-time building inspector.
[43:08] So thank you. That's it
[43:10] Else.
[43:12] Maybe just to bring a little bit of bright news
[43:15] to the entire budget process as consular foot
[43:17] and I both set as representatives today in public works
[43:21] and we approved all that water money,
[43:24] the regional Southern New Hampshire water money
[43:26] that's coming through dairy
[43:28] and for that dairy doesn't have a lot of expansion,
[43:31] but the way it works is that Salem is going through
[43:34] a large expansion with Tuscan Village and everything else
[43:36] and needs a lot more water.
[43:39] So when they actually put it put together a a project
[43:42] through Manchester, it all has to flow through dairy
[43:46] and we get to piggyback on that and it's all getting paid
[43:49] and for through state grants
[43:53] and dairy's getting all the benefits of the improvements.
[43:56] So that money is there already as of today.
[44:01] Anyone else? Alright,
[44:05] we'll have lots more conversations about
[44:07] this in the coming weeks. Thank you.
[44:09] Alright.
[44:15] Excuse me. Alright, we have one public hearing tonight.
[44:19] Agenda item 26 27 is resolution 2026 dash zero four
[44:24] to authorize the acquisition of property at 17 South Ave.
[44:29] South Avenue LMG Master Agreement for Abbott Court
[44:32] and back to town administrator Mike Fowler.
[44:35] Alright, so since this is a public hearing,
[44:37] what I will do is I'll sit here
[44:39] and then that'll allow if there's any questions
[44:42] or comments to be done at the dais.
[44:45] So just to start off, this process
[44:49] involves two public hearings.
[44:51] So tonight there will be no vote.
[44:53] We're following RSA 41 14 A.
[44:58] So that'll be a public hearing tonight,
[45:01] a public hearing on the 21st,
[45:02] and then a vote would follow on May 5th.
[45:05] So no, no reading of resolutions tonight.
[45:09] So this is about the Abbott court development
[45:13] that we currently have going on.
[45:15] The town is part of the, a larger master development deal
[45:20] that was extended last meeting.
[45:24] And essentially what we have here tonight is there's a small
[45:28] parcel that is attached
[45:30] or was attached to 17 South Avenue.
[45:33] So it's a triangular parcel
[45:35] that is 4,376 feet square feet
[45:40] and it's to the south of the existing three parcels
[45:44] that the town owns.
[45:46] There was an action taken at the planning board on
[45:50] March 18th to merge the three town properties
[45:55] and then there will be a lot line adjustment with,
[45:58] once the town council's action is confirmed
[46:01] to bring those all into a single parcel.
[46:05] Eventually what would happen is there'll be a condo
[46:09] complex if you are a condo document created, that the town
[46:13] and LMG are in a single condo arrangement.
[46:17] And basically what that means is we have rights
[46:20] that we have management of the parking garage,
[46:23] they have management of the apartment complex
[46:27] and obviously as everybody's aware on this, there's going
[46:29] to be some interaction
[46:32] because obviously some of those spaces will be leased to LMG
[46:36] and some of the spaces will be retained by the town
[46:39] for general purposes for downtown parking.
[46:42] So this is all wrapped together,
[46:44] but the, the necessity of this triangular parcel is
[46:48] to provide not so much in phase one,
[46:51] but it's the potential for phase two development,
[46:54] which is some additional 20 I believe townhouses has,
[46:57] that hasn't gone to town council, I mean
[47:00] to the planning board as of yet.
[47:02] But that's a future project
[47:03] that LMG is definitely interested in, in taking.
[47:06] But at this point there were some contractual requirements
[47:09] that we had to close on this at this point.
[47:13] And so I can tell you that within this particular agreement,
[47:17] the proceeds to the seller is $270,000.
[47:22] And as such that's gonna be covered within
[47:25] the project budget, the $20.7 million bond,
[47:29] plus the other proceeds that have been brought over for the,
[47:32] the parking garage to ensue.
[47:34] So we're monitoring the progress
[47:37] of the construction as we speak.
[47:38] We feel confident that we haven't seen any substantive
[47:41] change orders that would change our ability to cover that.
[47:44] And so essentially the town council's
[47:48] vote would allow us pursuant to state law to
[47:53] accept that triangular piece.
[47:56] Then the deed can be transferred
[47:58] and then we can move forward with all
[47:59] of the other land transactions
[48:01] to make the condominium document whole.
[48:03] So with that
[48:05] I can certainly answer any questions from the public
[48:08] or the council, but just keeping in mind
[48:10] that this is the first of two public hearings.
[48:12] We'll do this again on the 21st,
[48:15] We have to open public hearings.
[48:17] Madam Chair, move to open up the public hearing. Second
[48:20] All on the motion.
[48:21] Council mills? Yes. Councilor Haley? Yes. Councilor Webb?
[48:25] Yes. Councilor Chase? Yes. Councilor Foot? Yes. Chair votes?
[48:28] Yes. Public hearing is open if
[48:30] you'd like to speak on this topic.
[48:31] Make your way to the mic please.
[48:37] Madam Chair. Just seeing plenty of folks online,
[48:41] I'll just take this opportunity to remind them they can,
[48:44] if they've dialed in,
[48:45] they could press star nine to raise their hand.
[48:47] Thank you. Tom Carin two Ham drive.
[48:51] I just have a question about that partial land, does
[48:56] that go up the hill or is it just right
[48:58] down there at the base?
[48:59] It it's at the lower part of the, of the hill.
[49:02] So it'd be in the south, I'm sorry, of of Barker's property.
[49:06] It would be at the northwest corner of
[49:09] that parcel. So closest to
[49:10] Adjacent to that's a little square kind
[49:12] of triangle piece like that that goes up against the wall.
[49:14] Yeah. And that's owned by Barker.
[49:16] So was that parcel subdivided so that
[49:19] Yeah, that's what the planning board action was, was
[49:22] to make a lot line adjustment so that that parcel
[49:24] that we call the triangular parcel would be incorporated
[49:27] into the Abbott Corp project.
[49:29] Okay. So it just kind of opens up that the rest
[49:32] of those pieces of the land there in the back.
[49:33] Yeah. Yep. Okay. Thank you
[49:41] Madam Chair.
[49:42] We're seeing none rise online.
[49:45] Move Second.
[49:46] We have a motion to close public hearing
[49:48] and a second on motion.
[49:49] Council Mills? Yes. Councilor Haley? Yes. Councilor Webb?
[49:53] Yes. Councilor Chase? Yes. Councilor Foote? Yes.
[49:55] And Chair votes? Yes. Excuse me. Motion passes.
[49:58] Six zero Councilors, do you have any questions?
[50:02] No. Alright, well thank you Mr.
[50:07] Crower and we will talk about it again next time. Okay,
[50:10] Thank you.
[50:11] Alright, last item of business this evening is
[50:15] 26 32.
[50:17] Resolution 2026 dash zero seven to authorize an agreement
[50:21] for general assistance administration, town Administrator
[50:24] and Michael Fowler presenting.
[50:26] Alright, so as many of you are aware,
[50:30] the town has an existing contract
[50:32] with community health services
[50:33] for our human services general assistance for our citizens.
[50:38] So formally this was an in-house operation,
[50:42] we had full-time staff.
[50:44] There was a decision made by prior counsel to outsource that
[50:49] and we've had a, a very successful partnership
[50:51] with CHS since July 1st, 2018.
[50:55] So tonight's action is to endorse the
[51:00] FY 2027 contract.
[51:02] I've had some conversations with their executive director
[51:06] and they're looking to increase their cost at by 5%.
[51:10] Now this is for contract administration.
[51:12] So let me just clarify for the public
[51:14] that this is their contract.
[51:16] They provide services, walk-in phone, anybody that has any
[51:21] needs, that's the place that they start.
[51:23] They're able to leverage a number
[51:24] of different service agencies.
[51:27] Then within the town's budget, we also have an allocation
[51:31] of $80,000 for general assistance.
[51:34] So if somebody has an issue with, they need rent, they need
[51:38] oil to be filled in their tank, that's the pot
[51:41] of money that it comes from.
[51:43] So there's two separate pots
[51:44] that support our human services.
[51:47] And then obviously a third leg of this is all of the other
[51:50] agencies like Upper Room, some of the other agencies
[51:54] that are within your, your budget.
[51:56] Oftentimes people are referred to those agencies
[52:00] as well for some assistance.
[52:02] But tonight's action is just
[52:03] to endorse the contract at the new rate.
[52:06] We're happy to continue with CHS
[52:09] and that would be for the next year starting July 1st, 2026
[52:12] through June 30th, 2027.
[52:17] Thank you. Any questions from the counselors?
[52:20] Seeing no questions, Madam Chair, I move the adoption
[52:24] of resolution number 2006 dash 0 1 7
[52:28] to authorize an agreement
[52:29] for general Assistance administration FY 27.
[52:33] Whereas Section 5.1
[52:36] of the Town Charter designates the Town Council
[52:39] as the governing and legislative body of the town.
[52:41] And whereas the town has retained the services
[52:44] of Community Health services CHS to manage
[52:49] and administrative administer its general assistance program
[52:54] pursuant to RSA 1 65 since
[52:56] July 1st, 2018.
[52:59] And whereas CHS provides a comprehensive safety net
[53:03] for our residents most in need by collaborating
[53:06] with area social service agency partners
[53:10] and offering case management services with the goal of
[53:13] returning all clients to self-sufficiency.
[53:17] And whereas both the town
[53:18] and its general assistance clients
[53:20] have benefited from the utilization of these services.
[53:24] Now therefore be it resolved,
[53:26] but in counsel that the town administration,
[53:30] the town administrator, excuse me, is hereby authorized
[53:33] to execute an agreement with community health
[53:36] to continue providing general assistance administration
[53:40] services until such time
[53:42] as said agreement is terminated by the town council.
[53:46] This resolution shall take effect
[53:48] immediately upon its passage.
[53:51] Is there a second? Oh, I second, but I
[53:54] I was just gonna, you're probably
[53:55] gonna say the same thing I am.
[53:56] We just need to update this resolution
[53:58] before it gets finalized.
[53:59] It says 2006 instead of 2026 at the top. Oh yeah. Yep.
[54:03] But other, other than that,
[54:05] are we all okay with the content there?
[54:06] Alright, any other discussion? Okay.
[54:11] On the motion, councilor Mills? Yes. Councillor Healy? Yes.
[54:14] Councilor Webb? Yes. Councillor Chase? Yes. Councillor Foot?
[54:18] Yes. And Chair votes? Yes. Motion passes. Six zero.
[54:22] Excellent. Counselor comments
[54:23] or liaison reports this evening?
[54:26] I have nothing thus far today. Thank you.
[54:30] I'll make a call. Council Hill. So I want to thank Ms.
[54:34] Mor for coming here tonight.
[54:36] Since she did address a few counselors
[54:41] directly, I'd like to respond
[54:44] and you know, also for the record, I check my email daily.
[54:49] So if anyone sends any emails, I should be getting back
[54:51] to you within a day or two.
[54:54] You know, I, I reacted to some of the comments made here
[55:00] and I don't disagree with them.
[55:02] I think some of the votes could have been better,
[55:04] but I did some research after the fact and I see that Ms.
[55:09] Mor was appointed first, April 3rd, 2018 as an alternate
[55:14] and then as a full member, March 24th, 2020.
[55:18] And has been a member for a long time.
[55:20] And I think she, she brought up some good points that none
[55:23] of us reached out to her.
[55:25] So I do apologize for my vote
[55:28] and I
[55:33] would probably vote differently if it was brought back.
[55:38] And that's all I have.
[55:41] Thank you. Council put you had something?
[55:44] Yes. Thank you Madam Chair. So Spring is upon us,
[55:48] the Forest Hill Cemetery Veterans Project will be beginning
[55:52] this end of this month once the weather clears up
[55:54] and the ground's a little softer
[55:55] and we get rid of the snow for good.
[55:59] I know I've had some contact with the Pan
[56:02] and Academy National Honor Society students
[56:04] and they'll be coming up with a service project on
[56:07] April 23rd at 3:00 PM to come up and,
[56:10] and help us get that project kicked off for the season.
[56:12] So I'd invite anybody interested in helping
[56:15] out, please reach out to me.
[56:17] And this for clarification, it's basically
[56:22] cleaning up the veterans monuments
[56:25] and the, the foot stones up at the cemetery
[56:28] Forest Hill Cemetery.
[56:29] So this is an ongoing project,
[56:31] we'll probably doing this yearly.
[56:33] And we do this from the spring throughout the whole summer
[56:36] Memorial Day coming up in May.
[56:38] We want to get it beautified for that,
[56:39] so please reach out if you're interested.
[56:41] Thank you.
[56:43] Counsel. What, Just to respond to Ms. Morin,
[56:48] I typically answer my emails on the weekends
[56:50] either Saturday or Sunday.
[56:52] My cell phone number is also, I believe on the town website.
[56:56] So you're welcome to reach out to me that way as well.
[57:00] I usually have my phone on silent, except I forget earlier.
[57:06] But I do return all phone calls.
[57:10] I would like to say a big thank you to everybody
[57:13] that helped with our rabies clinic this year.
[57:16] We had another successful clinic this past Saturday.
[57:19] So the biggest thank you goes to our town clerk,
[57:21] Tina Guilford, who is my partner in crime on this venture
[57:26] and her whole family, they, they show up
[57:29] and are critical to that functioning.
[57:31] I'd also like to thank the teams from
[57:34] Animal Rescue Vet Services in Linden Dairy
[57:37] and Orchard Village Veterinary
[57:39] Hospital Clinic, I'm not sure which.
[57:40] It's here in Derry.
[57:42] Both of them sent teams to help with the,
[57:45] with the vaccinations.
[57:46] And we saw 67 patients,
[57:48] which was a little down from our last year.
[57:51] But we also kind of looked at who was coming in
[57:54] and we're starting to capture some of those
[57:56] that only got their one
[57:57] year, now they've got their three years.
[57:59] So out of the 67 animals we saw, I think it was either,
[58:03] it was somewhere between 10 or 15, got one year vaccinations
[58:06] and the rest all were able to get their three years.
[58:07] So the now people can kind of have
[58:09] that peace of mind for several years.
[58:10] So thank you to everybody that came out.
[58:13] It was the smoothest clinic we have had yet,
[58:17] and looking forward to next year,
[58:21] Madam Chair, seeing no other business.
[58:23] I would like to move to adjourn
[58:25] Second.
[58:26] All right. All those in favor? Aye. Aye.
[58:28] Aye. Have good evening everyone.