[0:06] Good evening everyone.

[0:06] Welcome to the Tuesday,

[0:08] June 30th, 2026 Town Council meeting.

[0:11] We're coming to you tonight from the first Parish

[0:13] Congregational Church here in East Area.

[0:17] Just quickly, I would like to, we'll stand

[0:22] to do a pledge Allegiance First.

[0:23] First, council Neeley, would you lead us, please?

[0:27] I put given to the of the United States of America

[0:32] because you following stands,

[0:35] one nation under God in this all with liberty

[0:38] and Justices for all.

[0:46] Just since we're in a different

[0:48] space this evening as well.

[0:50] Exits are straight back this way if we need to

[0:53] or right behind me.

[0:55] Out through the front here.

[0:56] And please silence all cell phones.

[1:00] Quick roll call. Councilor Mills here.

[1:04] Oh, you're all allowed to order tonight. Councilor Webb?

[1:06] Yeah. Present. Councilor Flood. Present.

[1:10] Councilor Healy Here. Councillor Foot. Good evening.

[1:13] And good evening from the chair

[1:16] and also evening to town Clerk, Ms. Booker

[1:19] and administrator Mike Goer.

[1:21] And I would like to introduce

[1:24] and thank you for hosting us Pastor Burnett.

[1:26] Thank you very much. We're very happy to have him all.

[1:29] Thank you for joining. Thank you very much.

[1:31] Alright, so we are here this evening.

[1:35] We do have our consent agenda

[1:37] and then we will get into our goal setting

[1:40] session for this evening.

[1:44] So for our consent agenda, we have in 26 61

[1:48] to approve the minutes from the June 2nd, 2026 meeting.

[1:53] Is there a motion to approve? So moved.

[1:55] Second. All right. A motion by Councilor Mills.

[1:58] Second by Councilor Webb

[1:59] to approve the consent agenda on the motion.

[2:02] Councilor Mills? Yes. Councilor Webb. Yes. Councilor Flood.

[2:05] Yes. Councilor Healy. Yes. Councilor Foote. Yes.

[2:08] And chair votes? Yes. Motion passes. Six zero.

[2:11] Alright, to get into our goal setting session,

[2:16] we had, some of us have sent in goals,

[2:18] some have some tonight we can discuss.

[2:20] So this is more of just a discussion

[2:24] and then a administrator kind of put those together for us

[2:27] to kind of have a final, final run

[2:29] through at our meeting on the seventh.

[2:32] Right? That's the next disc.

[2:35] Did you wanna introduce things for us?

[2:37] Yes. Great. So thanks.

[2:40] One of the things that I wanted to set the process up just

[2:42] for the public and for obviously the council last year,

[2:46] the process was a little different in that

[2:48] each counselor was given an opportunity

[2:50] to identify their five top goals.

[2:53] They were compiled into a single list

[2:56] and that list for fiscal 28 was distributed

[2:59] amongst all the council.

[3:01] I had put within the packet the update on the progress

[3:06] of those go goals.

[3:07] Many of those have either been completed or,

[3:10] or well along the way of completed.

[3:12] There are some that are just ongoing goals.

[3:15] But I think tonight what I'd be looking to do is talk about

[3:19] where we're going into fiscal 27.

[3:22] So maybe the, the way to kick this off is

[3:24] for each individual counselor to provide their goals.

[3:28] I did also put within a pack the packet, a list

[3:31] of some priorities that I see town-wide

[3:33] that I've taken in from some of the department heads

[3:36] and some of our own thoughts.

[3:37] That list is about 43 items long.

[3:40] My guess is this evening

[3:41] that your individual goals will probably touch, if not all

[3:45] of those, many of those.

[3:47] And then the goal would be, coming out of this, I'd like

[3:50] to publish either a top 10 list to top 15 list.

[3:52] You can tell me how you wanna script that.

[3:55] But on July 7th, I'd like to push that list back out

[3:58] to the public, put it up onto a PowerPoint presentation

[4:02] briefly during our regular town council meeting.

[4:05] And then those will be the goals that I'll push out

[4:07] to each one of the departments.

[4:09] And we'll keep moving on that front.

[4:12] So I think that with that

[4:13] as an introduction, I'll pass it back to the chair.

[4:15] Great. Thank you. Yeah,

[4:16] and I think I like the idea of us kind of discussing

[4:19] what we all came to the table with tonight

[4:21] and then we can kind of see how it plays out,

[4:24] whether we narrow it down and then rank

[4:25] or whether we stick with this list and we rank from there.

[4:28] We can kind of see how the conversation goes, if

[4:30] that's works for everybody.

[4:33] All right. So I think we can just start with kind of talking

[4:36] through what each of us had for goals and just kinda why.

[4:40] And if there's questions, things like that,

[4:42] we can just go around the table.

[4:43] So Council mill, would you like to start?

[4:45] Thank you. Well, I'll start off with one

[4:47] of my top ones was exit four a gateway development.

[4:51] I think it's, it's a huge business opportunity for the town

[4:55] and it's, as it gets closer, we need to find out, we need

[4:59] to make sure once again that we're not, we don't have

[5:02] with no offense to, we don't have enough abundance

[5:04] of pizza parlors and paras there and,

[5:09] and in Counselor Chase's absence, I'd like

[5:11] to deliver a couple of his, 'cause him, his

[5:14] and I were, were very similarly his is

[5:16] to continue the downtown projects

[5:18] and revitalization Route 28

[5:23] infrastructure improvements, going

[5:26] to evaluate the housing needs in town

[5:29] and start planning to meet the needs and along with

[5:32] after housing needs the town facility needs

[5:35] and continuing to plan for the waste and waste water

[5:39] and water expansion to support for the growth in

[5:42] that such North Town Valley.

[5:47] And I could certainly recite more,

[5:49] but I'm sure they're all duplicates.

[5:50] And my, my only other one was I'd like to reexamine this

[5:54] and I know all the, all the NAS against it,

[5:57] but I'd like to reexamine who, who referenc

[6:01] that this and that's both my

[6:05] and counselor Chase's.

[6:09] I think several of us have that one in there.

[6:12] Alright, any questions

[6:14] or anything we wanna talk about on those

[6:16] or do you wanna just continue around?

[6:19] I think with the veterans credits we could follow the same

[6:22] formula that we did last, you prior two years to look at

[6:29] the excess, I don't wanna say it's necessarily excess

[6:31] revenues, but the excess funds between the assessment

[6:34] period ending in December

[6:37] and the end of the fiscal year in January.

[6:41] Yeah. One of the things that we could look at too is one

[6:45] of the, the goals I think is looking at the use

[6:47] of the undesignated fund balance.

[6:50] There is an opportunity for the council to look at

[6:54] some goals there in terms of the CBA trust.

[6:57] Obviously veterans credits are on the table

[6:59] and I've got a list that I can share on the seventh

[7:02] of some preliminary options for UFV utilization

[7:06] and vets credits could fall in

[7:07] that category if the council sees that.

[7:11] Yes. I, I went to the VFW

[7:13] and I got a, an actual list of all the found around us.

[7:17] It's, it's two years old now,

[7:20] but it was the latest one they had of

[7:22] what everybody else was doing.

[7:23] And although it's got nothing to do with what we do,

[7:26] would've just give us a, a general direction what,

[7:31] what this court is for Veterans.

[7:35] Yes, council. Thank you Madam Chair. To that point.

[7:37] So I agree with all that, that the veterans credits,

[7:40] we need to reexamine that.

[7:42] Although we did just recently,

[7:43] a couple years ago we increased that.

[7:45] But along with that, I think we really look the senior

[7:50] as well because let's face it, cost

[7:53] of living is going up dramatically

[7:54] and it's, it's going above the, the cost

[7:58] that they're receiving for their inflation.

[7:59] The Medicare or any kind of

[8:02] benefits they may get isn't keeping up

[8:03] with the inflation rate that we currently

[8:05] are experiencing right now.

[8:07] So I I, I fear that a lot of the senior residents, some

[8:10] of 'em lifelong residents, again pushed out, forced out

[8:13] with nowhere to go and you know,

[8:17] a lot are living minimalistic lifestyles right now.

[8:19] You know, by that I mean like their, their food challenged,

[8:22] whatnot and you know,

[8:24] whether it be health insurance issues and things like that.

[8:26] So I think we really need to examine

[8:29] that a lot deeper this year.

[8:32] I know we have a lot of constraints,

[8:33] but what we can do to be as transparent

[8:35] and forthcoming with that I think would be helpful.

[8:38] Yeah, thank you.

[8:41] Yeah, Charleston one,

[8:43] So the veteran's credit was also on my list

[8:47] and looking back at the, the increase in the last increase

[8:51] that the town of Derry did, I believe was in 2023

[8:54] to the current five 50.

[8:56] I'd be in favor, you know, once we get close

[8:59] to the budget time potentially increasing in another $50

[9:03] maybe this upcoming year.

[9:07] And I have the same type of lists that counselor Mill has

[9:11] with the surrounding towns.

[9:13] And the majority

[9:15] besides Auburn are all at

[9:18] surrounding dairy are all at seven 50.

[9:19] So Auburn, the last I checked was at 500

[9:24] but dairies near the, near the bottom

[9:27] with the amount that we give out. Yep.

[9:29] I think we can, we, we've gone to the, I'm always in favor

[9:32] of a veterans have veterans credit increase.

[9:35] I think that before we start to talk specific numbers,

[9:38] we need to look at what our numbers are.

[9:40] So I think, I think we all in some way, shape

[9:43] or form have the have this or most of us have this on there

[9:46] and I also, I have veterans and elderly.

[9:48] I think we have to look at both to evaluate where we're at,

[9:52] where we compare to others, what we have for, for money

[9:55] to be able into it and then can definitely talk.

[9:57] So I think that, so no, that one goes on the list for me.

[10:01] Yeah, we can agree on that one. Yep.

[10:05] Excellent. Oh sorry,

[10:07] Just to Charlie's point,

[10:09] and I wasn't part of the last discussion of this,

[10:12] but the previous year in 23 I was, that's where I learned,

[10:15] like Charlie said, you know, the veterans were definitely

[10:18] behind and it had been a long time since they had gotten

[10:21] involved and they need to be been brought to my attention

[10:23] that the elderly and there's another group and I thought,

[10:28] and I know we can't handcuff

[10:31] the next con we can't just make a set of rules

[10:33] that they increase a little bit every year

[10:35] or something to try to keep 'em or play catch up.

[10:38] But that would be one of my goals is to sit down and,

[10:41] and try to find out which group was given a bump last

[10:45] and who's due this time

[10:48] and try to, you know, you don't wanna spread so thin

[10:51] that we're really not helping anyone,

[10:53] but we need to make sure that, you know, like I said, it's,

[10:58] I'm not veterans of first on the list or should be or

[11:01] or whatnot, but we gotta make sure

[11:03] that there were other groups that are

[11:06] dropping too far behind them.

[11:08] Right. You know?

[11:10] Okay. And to that point, and,

[11:12] and not to get into the weed, but just

[11:13] for full transparency, when,

[11:16] when those groups are given these exemptions

[11:18] or these special credits

[11:22] or stances, that doesn't mean that they get it.

[11:26] This comes outta nowhere that

[11:27] that has shifted to everybody else.

[11:29] So I just want fully transparent lot people watching home

[11:31] that we, we fully acknowledge

[11:33] and understand that, that that cost just getting shifted to,

[11:37] to other taxpayers.

[11:38] So just to full transparency

[11:40] but you know, we can get into the weeds

[11:42] of that as we get closer to it.

[11:43] But, and the, that was the other challenge with veterans is

[11:47] that's a ever changing delta.

[11:49] The numbers changed, you know, pretty, pretty regularly,

[11:52] you know year to year

[11:53] and when you know these, even in the year some die off,

[11:57] some come out some are a hundred percent

[11:59] some not a hundred percent.

[12:00] So again just who for thought, but thank you.

[12:04] Alright, thank you Councilor

[12:07] Lewis Mississippi Council. We love that

[12:11] Councilor.

[12:14] We were all, we were still discussing there. I was

[12:17] Just gonna over, I see.

[12:19] So I mine are votes. Yeah. All

[12:23] Let's, we got, we've got one time.

[12:26] So

[12:31] it is all from my exhibit fire off attorney.

[12:33] I'm sorry. It's all good.

[12:35] Develop a labor management leadership move

[12:37] to evaluate healthcare options with the goal to reduce costs

[12:40] and reduce rate by health insurance increases.

[12:43] All this committee should evaluate at a minimum

[12:46] self-insurance with a third party manager in stock loss

[12:49] slash umbrella insurance

[12:51] of different health insurance vendors, insurance

[12:54] outside the health insurance trust

[12:56] and for making no changes.

[12:59] A final report should be completed and implemented

[13:02] before the next round of CDA negotiations,

[13:05] which is roughly two years.

[13:07] And that would be the police patrol employee supervisors.

[13:11] I think this is important because health insurance is the

[13:15] second, the largest bill that the town pays.

[13:19] The largest being of course wages

[13:22] and I think we do with dis service both to our employees

[13:27] and to the taxpayers by not taking hard control issues.

[13:31] The next one is in regards to a police station,

[13:34] which is secure land and financing by fiscal year 2029

[13:38] and Star Construction by fiscal year 2031.

[13:42] I know it's a process, I know that we have bond issues

[13:45] and stuff like that that we have think of.

[13:48] But just looking at the timeline that the fire station took

[13:53] and that was actually started discussion seriously in 2016

[13:57] 2017 through incrementally funded

[14:01] through grants, opioid funds

[14:03] and operational budget of part-time police,

[14:05] social worker partition that

[14:07] by fiscal year 31 is a full-time position

[14:10] and is fully funded in the operation budget.

[14:14] I've talked to several other police officers about this.

[14:16] I think this is important things

[14:17] because unfortunately many other interactions are

[14:21] with people with either mental health issues

[14:24] or there is situ, you know,

[14:28] domestic situations that are impacting

[14:33] either their behavior

[14:34] or we're contributing them to being a victim.

[14:37] And across the country we're finding that by

[14:42] adding a social work component to law enforcement has proven

[14:46] to be very effective.

[14:48] But like any full-time position, we can't just say poof,

[14:52] we have to increment the finance over a period

[14:54] of time longer to develop a town line recruitment in hiring

[14:59] and marketing plan that discussed this

[15:01] during our budget sessions.

[15:02] While vacancies equate to increase overtime spending,

[15:06] which further equates to US funds

[15:07] and personnel available for projects

[15:09] or other operational needs

[15:11] and constraints, growth and develop.

[15:13] Furthermore, vacancies can directly

[15:15] impact employee retention.

[15:17] Towns should explore targeted marketing.

[15:19] Look at specific geographic areas often whose access

[15:23] to public education's lessons cost of living is higher and

[15:26] or whose quality of life is less than

[15:28] that available in New Hampshire.

[15:33] Again that number four, one and four are looking right now.

[15:37] Our personal costs are skewed.

[15:39] Some departments are between 94 and 97% of personnel costs.

[15:44] And that really does hamper the ability to grow in

[15:47] that programs to us.

[15:51] And you know, even we can incrementally make changes.

[15:55] It took a long time for us to get onto to these ratios.

[16:01] My last, even though I came up with six, my last rule is

[16:06] route code and ordinance development planning

[16:08] and approval processes increase the availability

[16:11] of one in two family workforce housing units.

[16:13] For example, this could specifically target any new

[16:16] multi-family apartment developments of over 20 units

[16:19] and require one in 25% to be made available

[16:23] as workforce housing.

[16:25] Part of that would also be to make certain

[16:27] that we keep on our radar the redevelopment

[16:30] of the Fisher Prep site, which is 19 LI believe.

[16:34] Correct. I know that project has sort

[16:37] of seems like it's sort of stalled

[16:39] because hazardous waste issues.

[16:43] But that was being considered specifically

[16:46] as a workforce housing development.

[16:49] And my number six goal just sort of goes with

[16:52] what everybody else has been saying.

[16:54] And that is just traffic manage exit four incident traffic

[16:57] management plans in that protects the residential areas

[17:01] that be impacted by Bill.

[17:03] Thank you for your time.

[17:06] Any questions about,

[17:09] I'm just glad I got to go first

[17:10] because I feel sorry for everybody.

[17:13] Also has to follow Councilor Webb

[17:14] because that, that is very comprehensive

[17:17] and very well thought.

[17:18] I have no question. Congratulations.

[17:20] Everything so well I'm reserving your

[17:25] rights to the last, the council of what chairman,

[17:30] I'm basically on board with

[17:31] what everyone has been having to their list.

[17:34] I don't need to add mine pretty much in check.

[17:37] I want to make sure that the police department is,

[17:41] we know they're gonna need a new building.

[17:44] Let's try to be as proactive as we can.

[17:47] So we're not, I mean the fire station ended up costing the

[17:51] time more than it should have

[17:52] because it was put off longer than it should have.

[17:55] It's no one's fault that they, you can't predict it.

[17:58] It's gonna happen now, you know,

[18:00] but had it been built back in 20 15, 20 16, 20 17,

[18:04] it would've been better.

[18:05] I just, if it could be avoided with the police station,

[18:08] not ready to build it today or tomorrow,

[18:11] but we should just make sure that everyone, you know, it,

[18:16] it's on the radar and,

[18:17] and it's just chipped away at

[18:19] so when the time comes, we're ready.

[18:22] And that part of that would be making sure we maximize foray

[18:27] that's beyond me and my scope of knowledge.

[18:29] But I, we need to make sure that, you know, I've been here

[18:33] for 35 years and Gary's generally reacting to growth.

[18:37] It'd be nice to be proactive to it

[18:43] and just, I know and I know it's being done.

[18:49] Try to make sure that the town

[18:50] and the school board work better together

[18:53] and trying to, they have needs, we have needs,

[18:58] we're the same and I know it's being done.

[19:01] That just we, you know, just kind of putting

[19:04] that out there again where we need to make sure

[19:06] that we work together.

[19:08] So both, you know, neither one of us get that. Right.

[19:13] That's, I wanted to add on, I didn't specifically put

[19:15] that on here but I kind of, I kind of

[19:17] as my last sentence on my email had said I had some

[19:20] of my previous goals

[19:21] and things that I would've put on her in the process

[19:23] and that's, I think we do need to continue

[19:25] that relationship,

[19:27] which like plug off topic we have planning our

[19:30] next meeting with the board.

[19:32] I said I moved being done.

[19:34] Yeah, it's good to, and I'm not saying no one's going do it.

[19:37] We need a fire station. Keep talking all the school or or

[19:40] or remodeling.

[19:42] And so you need to, you need to space those up so it's not

[19:46] as hard of a head.

[19:47] I'd rather do a little every year than nothing for two years

[19:52] or three years and then get the big bill.

[19:54] So if we can, every year

[20:02] I believe in infrastructure we get a build from the

[20:04] inside cost and it hurts but we've neglected it to all

[20:12] Questions.

[20:16] Okay. So the first on my list was the veteran's credit

[20:20] increase, which we already talked about.

[20:23] Next was review of potential charter amendments.

[20:25] I just have that on here

[20:26] so we all kinda look at the charter,

[20:28] see if there's anything in there that's maybe outdated

[20:31] that potentially could be changed.

[20:34] Next is policy on the appointment of town counselor.

[20:37] And with this one being someone

[20:40] that applied for a vacancy.

[20:43] The only difference, the only change I would look

[20:45] to see would be giving each person from the public a time

[20:50] to speak before a decision's made.

[20:53] So I'd be interested in drafting a policy

[20:57] for the council's review or,

[20:58] or working with a few other counselors.

[21:00] But I'd like to see, you know, we had,

[21:02] I think the second time seven people apply

[21:05] and just giving them maybe three minutes

[21:07] to just quickly run down

[21:10] why they think they're a good candidate for the position

[21:13] and then you'll have the council discuss it.

[21:15] So nothing major on that.

[21:17] But I think when you have people apply a lot

[21:20] of 'em were there in the room

[21:22] and give them the opportunity just to, to say why they,

[21:25] they think they're a good fit for the position.

[21:29] The next one was non-represented employees

[21:31] compensation study.

[21:35] This fiscal, I'd like to see an outside company

[21:40] come in in study our non rep to see

[21:45] how they fall into the, the pay scale.

[21:48] I know we've had some, you know,

[21:51] I believe it's probably more internal, you know, phone calls

[21:54] to other communities to kinda get the pay of the non rep.

[21:59] But a full on study goes into more detail specific functions

[22:03] of their job and gives more of an accurate pay scale.

[22:10] It, you know, last week we got a, a memo regarding some

[22:14] of the non represented employees

[22:18] and you know, I I don't think it's entirely fair

[22:22] to single out a few

[22:25] and only give them an increase,

[22:29] especially after we just passed the budget.

[22:32] So I'm in favor of the increase overall

[22:35] I think there deserved.

[22:36] But I think there could be a better way to, to do this

[22:40] so it's more equitable

[22:41] for all the employees going forward.

[22:47] And the last thing on my list is a town hall space study.

[22:51] I know a few departments fire has moved

[22:54] out of the town hall.

[22:57] There's companies that will come in

[22:59] that can better manage the space.

[23:02] It's just an, an idea, maybe some departments can shift

[23:07] around and utilize the space and town hall better.

[23:10] But there's again, it's professional companies

[23:12] that will come in and actually manage the, the, the space

[23:17] and that's their primary function.

[23:20] So in short, those are my goals.

[23:24] Any questions? Just, just one.

[23:27] As far as the non-covered employees,

[23:30] do we not only have four or five?

[23:33] So no, what it, it's a very small number.

[23:37] It's your three department heads.

[23:39] You have Sheila, so the executive secretary,

[23:45] human resources director, chief financial officer,

[23:48] there's a couple of positions that like accounting manager

[23:51] that no longer has a person in that spot.

[23:54] And then the town clerk's compensation isn't set.

[23:57] You guys as the council set that compensation, we did that

[24:01] by resolution.

[24:02] But in general that policy covers that.

[24:05] So it's, it's a very small number of employees.

[24:07] And what Council Healy for the public is, is referring

[24:11] to is I had sent out a, a real rudimentary salary

[24:16] compilation that was done to show

[24:18] what our comparable communities were

[24:20] as we were setting the rates for July 1st, 2026.

[24:24] So all the unions have negotiated numbers

[24:27] and your non-representative group is your last

[24:30] to kind of get settled.

[24:32] So many of the unions got 4% cost of livings.

[24:36] The other two police units are based off of the

[24:39] CPI at 3.3%.

[24:42] So essentially what had happened there, we looked at some

[24:44] of the numbers within that policy.

[24:47] The administrator has the ability

[24:48] to look at a market adjustment if it's, if it's viable.

[24:52] And as a result of what I had seen,

[24:53] there were two positions, human resources director

[24:56] and the CFO where I thought they were low in the range

[25:00] to make an adjustment.

[25:01] The other groups, the others in that group, I felt were new

[25:05] to that particular position

[25:07] and were keeping with that range.

[25:09] 'cause one of the nuances in that,

[25:10] and we can get into the weeds of this later on,

[25:12] but the non-representative range, it moves up by CPI.

[25:17] So in other words, if you have a hundred thousand, 150,000

[25:19] as your range, if it moves up, there's no opportunity

[25:22] for the employee to say as they gain proficiency to get to

[25:26] that top of the range.

[25:27] Right. Whereas the unions have steps.

[25:30] So there's some flaws in that particular pay system

[25:35] and maybe that's something that they, you bring to light

[25:37] as they do the, do the study on that.

[25:39] But it's not a large route to answer your question.

[25:43] Yeah, and I did, I just wanna be clear too that

[25:46] the recommendations

[25:48] by the town administrator I fully agree with.

[25:50] I just, I think that we should be looking at all of 'em.

[25:53] And I know some of them were just adjusted when

[25:56] they, you know, took the position.

[25:57] But there's still I think a few in there

[26:00] that maybe could be booked at.

[26:01] I think there's nine in in that, in that policy.

[26:06] But I do, I do fully agree with,

[26:09] given the increase based off of what we received.

[26:16] I think the only one of your goals that I,

[26:18] I think we should keep everything on here,

[26:19] but is a precedent we all need

[26:22] to think about is making a policy

[26:24] that's gonna affect another council down the road.

[26:26] So when it comes to something like appointing a town

[26:28] counselor, there isn't a policy as exists right now

[26:33] because per the charter we, if it's not established,

[26:36] then we run it as we see fit to run it.

[26:39] And I I it's come up on other things too

[26:41] where we've been very hesitant

[26:42] to say we're gonna put something in place

[26:44] because the seven of us think it's a good idea

[26:47] that 10 years from now, seven different people have

[26:50] to follow 'cause we made some sort

[26:51] of resolution or policy or whatever.

[26:53] No, and you can make, if it's just a policy,

[26:55] it's a PP manual, you can change those instantly.

[26:57] So I think we should leave it on there.

[26:58] But I, when I read that, that was my thought is it's come up

[27:02] before and I don't wanna start getting into situations

[27:06] where we set a precedent that we're starting to set policy

[27:09] that has to be done a certain way

[27:10] because different situations call

[27:12] for different approaches sometimes.

[27:13] So I just wanna throw that piece out there,

[27:15] but I think it should stay, stay

[27:16] on the list for consideration.

[27:18] I just wanna kind of put that in there.

[27:22] I agree with you on that also simply

[27:23] 'cause like you said, it's, it's not that it's vague,

[27:26] it's just that it's in there in the charter,

[27:29] which the town can council does well

[27:33] as far as having a chance to present for two

[27:37] or three minutes, that should all be covered in any kind

[27:41] of a resume that they send in for qualifications.

[27:45] If we have any questions,

[27:46] we can always contact a certain person,

[27:48] we can ask them to come in.

[27:50] But otherwise I think that the policy,

[27:52] the way we have it right now is sufficient.

[27:54] And I agree we shouldn't be binding future

[27:59] students for the regulation. Yeah,

[28:01] And I think to your point, you are looking

[28:03] for this one thing that if we're gonna do that, we have

[28:05] to have a whole policy of how it all runs.

[28:08] And just to use Council Moje as an example, I mean,

[28:11] I think we talked about if she had her resignation in a

[28:14] month or a month and a half sooner, we would've let it run

[28:17] until the election, but we couldn't do that.

[28:18] So I think it, it it, it isn't a small change,

[28:22] it's actually establishing a full policy.

[28:23] So that's, that was where my mind was.

[28:25] So I, I think for what you are looking

[28:27] for, yeah, that would be fine.

[28:28] We can look at that if that's what the council

[28:30] makes, makes sense to do.

[28:32] But I, again, I don't think it should come off of the list

[28:34] of consideration right now,

[28:35] but I just wanted to put that out

[28:36] there during prompt perception.

[28:38] Yeah, I just wanna add hopefully

[28:40] that if we did have a policy we wouldn't be using it.

[28:44] But that's just

[28:46] See, know something we don't know.

[28:49] But I mean, I just, I just like the idea

[28:51] of giving them just a little time to, to speak,

[28:54] but I, I do understand that maybe we could ask if it is

[28:59] situation in the future to maybe have the resume

[29:01] or the, the letter be a little more detailed or,

[29:04] or something along those lines just to get kind

[29:08] of the full picture of, of each candidate.

[29:10] But it's not, you know, that's low on my, my list of,

[29:15] it's probably last on my list,

[29:17] but I just figured I'd, I'd throw it up.

[29:20] Excellent.

[29:22] All right. Comes the foot. Thank you Madam Chair.

[29:26] So I'm like, what, what here?

[29:27] So like we talked about the,

[29:29] the scene room guys obviously are, are on there.

[29:33] The four A opportunities I need to count the most scoring.

[29:37] We, we really need to hone in on that and,

[29:39] and really kind of oversee that

[29:42] and what, what we're gonna do with that initially hit the,

[29:46] maximize the opportunities while they're being built now

[29:51] and not have buyers or more right down the road

[29:54] and like, oh, we should done, should done that.

[29:55] So I think we just need to all stay on point with that.

[30:03] So this is one of my old

[30:06] things from a few years ago, hood Park,

[30:10] and I know it's no fault of the town room,

[30:12] but the re violation hood, PA Hood, hood Pond

[30:15] and the park itself, I think that's important

[30:17] because now we have to have a hor project going on.

[30:20] I I personally believe that the Hood, the Hood project will

[30:25] help with that downtown development.

[30:29] You know, when when we, when it goes to the next phases

[30:31] with the, you know, the apartments, things like that,

[30:32] it's gonna be a big draw and a big vibe.

[30:34] People, you know, they can walk to park right there.

[30:37] They didn't have that. There's coffee shops downtown,

[30:39] there's restaurants, there's all these things, amenities

[30:41] that they can easily walk to a park would be a great idea

[30:44] with the pond and take it as far as get pink.

[30:48] This, the initial goal back then was get Pinkerton involved

[30:51] the CT program, the wilderness students having to come out

[30:55] and try to get involved with the,

[30:56] the basic species, things like that.

[30:58] So I think it's a win-win all around for that.

[31:01] And again, I know that was put out to IRP, it was, it was a,

[31:06] you know, used upon here it was a small fish in a big pond

[31:09] that people just weren't biking at it

[31:11] because it was such a small project in the grand scheme of

[31:14] the contractors out there, bigger projects.

[31:16] But, but I, I'd like us to really try to refocus that.

[31:21] And again, that's no fault of the town

[31:22] or DPB or anything like that.

[31:23] That's just how things work.

[31:27] Another one from a few years ago that we wanted

[31:30] that I wanted revisit with you,

[31:33] we looked at the a CO position.

[31:37] I would like to re re kind of re review that

[31:41] and see, you know, our a CO what the actual drug

[31:44] is entailed right now versus what if any

[31:48] expansion can be made.

[31:51] Whether it be, you know, other animals, what, you know,

[31:53] what is our policy for, for, you know, wild animals.

[31:57] I know people sometimes would call companies

[31:59] and things like that, but you know,

[32:01] let's say an owl, what happens?

[32:03] An owl gets hurt or injured, you know,

[32:06] what do the police do with it?

[32:07] Does a sit on the road or you know,

[32:10] and I know not everyone's animal lover,

[32:12] but in today's world,

[32:14] the pet industry is a multi-billion dollar business

[32:16] and people on go on social media, you'll see all the people.

[32:21] If it has an animal in it,

[32:22] people are gonna click on and subscribe.

[32:23] They're gonna watch it and the view's gonna be up.

[32:25] So I think we just need to be cognizant of that and,

[32:28] and revisit the a CO position.

[32:30] And what, if anything, could we do to maximize that

[32:36] Ryan till I know we've, we've had

[32:38] that on our radar for a while.

[32:39] We've worked enough for years and I know the, you know,

[32:41] water and sewer and we talked about

[32:43] redevelopment and things like that.

[32:46] Again, as far as business opportunities, I think

[32:47] that's something we need to really still focus on now

[32:50] that the water and that all the

[32:52] mitigation issues have been dealt with up there.

[32:55] That's something. And I know like high work has gone in

[32:57] there and that, that place is beautiful.

[32:59] So we started on the northern side of bypass 28.

[33:03] Now we need to kind of continue further south

[33:05] and see what we can do with that.

[33:08] And I think Council Webb mentioned this earlier,

[33:10] health insurance, you know, what was it, 27%

[33:14] that we went up 27%.

[33:17] I think that's just the, the,

[33:19] the market out there for everything.

[33:20] But I think we can do better.

[33:22] I, I'm pretty sure if we, you know, the mass buying power,

[33:25] whatever, whatever that looks like, whether it be

[33:26] you don't get to get involved with other communities,

[33:28] I'm not sure if that's something we can do,

[33:29] get like a buying power type thing and

[33:31] and really try to hone in on lowering those costs.

[33:36] You know, unfortunately everyone needs health insurance

[33:38] and it's a, it's a monopolized market.

[33:40] People, you know, there's a demand for it,

[33:42] so they're gonna raise the prices,

[33:43] but I think we need to really do better at that.

[33:46] And again, that's no fault of anybody in the town, just

[33:49] how the, how the things have fallen over the years

[33:52] with co post COVID or whatnot.

[33:54] So I think there's a lot of money, maybe not to be saved,

[33:58] but we could do a lot of cost avoidance

[34:01] if we get very diligent and really hone in on that.

[34:04] But it was two years, like we have to, to do that two years.

[34:07] We wanna make that settled before then.

[34:08] But you know, dairy, we went not the worst,

[34:11] but we're definitely not the best.

[34:12] What's out there as far as the,

[34:13] the health increases. You know, it's, it's around.

[34:15] So it was really interesting, I, I know I sent it wrong

[34:19] that the editorial that was recently the op-ed

[34:22] that was in the union leader talking about the health

[34:24] insurance trust and the numbers

[34:26] that this op-ed pointed out was that the family plan

[34:29] through a health trust was $50,000, which is

[34:32] what we're seeing where some

[34:33] of the surrounding states are looking at similar family

[34:36] plans at 27,000.

[34:38] You know, that's one of those numbers.

[34:39] You, you want to trust the source, but you have to verify.

[34:43] And I think to go with health insurance, this is,

[34:48] you know, one of the areas where

[34:50] we don't have expertise in house

[34:54] and I think that we have people that are stakeholders.

[34:58] I don't think we necessarily have, you know,

[35:02] we've got a numbers guy who's fantastic and Bob McCarthy,

[35:05] but I don't think we have the expertise in house

[35:07] and this might be an area that we do put this group together

[35:10] that we should look at a facilitator,

[35:13] Right.

[35:14] And, and to that point, you know, that again

[35:18] for just to, not to stop grasping about it,

[35:20] but the town is a business.

[35:22] We're running their business, you know,

[35:23] to the, to the residents.

[35:24] We we're providing them services to provide those services.

[35:27] We have employees, the employees have to be compensated

[35:30] and they have, compensation is insurance.

[35:33] I mean, many people take second

[35:34] or third jobs for health insurance purposes.

[35:37] So if we have the employees right now routine, we need

[35:42] to provide them with insurance

[35:44] that's worth them staying here, number one.

[35:46] Because if they leave, that creates vacancies, which

[35:49] as we know the all the time costs go up,

[35:50] it's round and round and round.

[35:52] And then that's the disservice to the residents

[35:56] 'cause their, their tax money is kind of just getting

[35:59] recycled, recycled, recycled.

[36:01] So I think it's important as a business

[36:03] to look at it from that point of view.

[36:04] Like how do we maximize the best for the customer

[36:08] and the best for the employee and find that happy meeting.

[36:11] So that's, thank you. Thank you.

[36:14] Any other ing comment grant?

[36:18] Well mine are all just repetitive. So Don quickly.

[36:22] I definitely have the new police station on, on their,

[36:24] the radar, you know, continuing to make a plan.

[36:28] You know, obviously I don't, the goal is not

[36:30] to build a police station this year,

[36:31] but to kind of continue to have it front of mind

[36:34] and to cons, floods, commute from earlier, try to

[36:37] be a little ahead of things instead of, you know, I I think

[36:41] by the time we got to the fire station, we did a good job

[36:43] of the managing the costs that existed at that point.

[36:47] But had we built it 10 years ago,

[36:50] it wouldn't have been expensive.

[36:51] So I'd like to continue to work on this so that we're ready

[36:54] to go when the time is right for that.

[36:59] We've talked to quite extensively already about reviewing

[37:03] and the veterans and elderly exemptions

[37:05] and hopefully figuring out where we can increase a bit.

[37:09] And then I also have, as counselor put, Mayo have kind

[37:14] of talked about over time reviewing and,

[37:16] and updating our animal control.

[37:19] Both the, the position of what it is

[37:21] and what, what the role is and the policies that go with it.

[37:26] I'm not even at wildlife. I would just like cats included.

[37:29] If we could just get cats, I'd be happy.

[37:31] But I do think there's, they're having talked with

[37:36] some animal control officers within the state from

[37:40] that have some really well developed

[37:43] positions in departments.

[37:45] There's a lot that we, we can be doing.

[37:48] And in my opinion we should be doing to,

[37:50] to councilor Foot's point, it's, it's just a matter of time

[37:53] until somebody comes after us

[37:56] because we weren't there to do something.

[37:58] And I think that is

[37:59] because our policies are very, we, we, I don't want to,

[38:04] I don't wanna diminish the importance

[38:05] of our animal control officer's role,

[38:07] but we have a dog officer right now

[38:10] and I think we should have an animal control

[38:12] officer in today's world.

[38:14] Whether it's, you know, whether it's

[38:16] to coordinate wildlife efforts, whether it's other pets,

[38:19] whether there's other things going on.

[38:20] I just think, I sit on the Governor's commission

[38:24] for animal welfare and there's way more

[38:26] to an animal control officer's job than dogs at this point.

[38:29] And we have some of the primary animals

[38:31] that normally would be dealt with with those.

[38:34] So I mean we have them, 'em all over the town.

[38:35] So yeah, I really think

[38:37] that should be a priority at this point.

[38:38] We are a little behind the time zone. That one

[38:40] I chime again.

[38:41] Yes, thank you to that point. So again, something like that.

[38:45] But we're a business and we're providing customer service

[38:48] and I think, you know, so we might get the standard,

[38:52] but we are perfectly capable of increasing that standard

[38:56] and, and optimiz and maximizing that,

[38:58] that customer service experience for the people in town.

[39:01] Again, it's a, the pet industry is a multi-billion

[39:05] and if if, and people care more about the animals animals

[39:07] than they do about other social, you know,

[39:10] other social events and things like that.

[39:12] You know, if you look on social

[39:13] media, you'll see a lot of that.

[39:14] But I think, I think if, if the council is amenable to,

[39:19] to us reviewing all this down the road, I think

[39:21] that's something we could reach out to other departments

[39:24] who do have different disciplines

[39:28] or whatnot and see how they're doing it and,

[39:31] and maybe take a hybrid, kind of take a few communities

[39:34] and kind of pick and choose what's gonna benefit dairy the

[39:36] most and put those together.

[39:38] And again, at the end of the day,

[39:39] we wanna provide the best customer experience that we can.

[39:41] And I think this is the way we can do that.

[39:43] Again, it's no secret on the animal over,

[39:45] but this is, these are things

[39:47] that I've also heard on a regular basis from physicians,

[39:50] you know, and I know you and I have had some experiences in

[39:52] the past with some things that we can,

[39:54] that we know we can do better.

[39:56] So, and that's not an knock towards anyone currently,

[39:59] it's just that times change with evolution.

[40:02] We need to evolve with those times. Thank you.

[40:07] And those were, I had a lot of the things that I,

[40:11] that I had had on past goals we're doing.

[40:14] So we have, we have a fire department,

[40:16] we have our new fire at station now, so I'm good.

[40:19] I can take that off the list finally.

[40:21] So yeah, I think a lot of what everybody has put forth I,

[40:25] or definitely I like

[40:28] how we all came together from our own areas

[40:31] to put together every few minute.

[40:33] Anyone have anything else they wanna add

[40:35] before we move on to our next step? Things

[40:38] I, I, I just wanna say one,

[40:39] one more thing about going back to veterans

[40:41] 'cause it's stuck in my, my mind

[40:44] Counselor Healy was talking about doing that $50 jump and,

[40:47] and doing things like that.

[40:49] As I listen to all our goals, we just managed to bond,

[40:53] I don't know how many millions for, for the fire station

[40:56] and we're gonna have to do the

[40:57] same thing for the police station.

[40:59] I can't see an earthly reason why we can't jump

[41:03] and pay veterans.

[41:05] We're paying 'em, giving them a $550 tax break.

[41:09] While we can't add $200 a veteran to that.

[41:13] I think this is gonna be one of my goals

[41:15] to make this the council that increases it.

[41:17] The heck with the $50, let's go right through seven 50

[41:21] and put this to bed.

[41:22] I've been listening to this

[41:23] for 25 years now about this veterans exemption.

[41:27] And if we can build fire stations,

[41:29] we can build police stations, we can fix all our,

[41:32] our wastewater and increase our sewage,

[41:36] we can give the veterans 200 credit

[41:41] Before we move on.

[41:42] I do, councilor Chase wasn't able to join us tonight.

[41:44] I did just want, I know you, you said most

[41:45] of this I did, but just, I,

[41:47] I I think I skipped one For the public.

[41:49] I just was gonna read through his goals.

[41:51] I, I don't, I can't elaborate,

[41:53] but most of them, they're in

[41:54] line with what we've talked about.

[41:56] He had continued downtown projects

[41:58] and revitalization Route 28 south infrastructure

[42:01] improvements, evaluate housing needs in town

[42:04] and plan to meet needs, evaluate town facility needs

[42:08] and plan for waste water

[42:09] and wastewater expansion to support future growth.

[42:12] So just so that we have complete all

[42:14] what we all had submitted, we'll turn back over to you Mr.

[42:18] Proa. Alright, so I think one of the things that I think

[42:21] to cap this on, we'll kind of compile these goals.

[42:25] A couple of questions here, but I do wanna at least throw

[42:28] out a couple of other items that maybe Oh yeah, you know,

[42:33] we neglected to mention that.

[42:35] So I just want to kinda run through a couple of items that,

[42:38] you know, I've identified and,

[42:40] and if there's anything that stimulates, you know,

[42:42] the council stop me and,

[42:44] and we can have some discussion about it.

[42:45] But you know, looking at, obviously we have HB 1300,

[42:50] we have HB 1331, which is the absorption of the town,

[42:54] the school tax cap, all those issues.

[42:56] That is a pending issue that could be moving forward

[42:59] to the voters here very soon.

[43:02] We obviously have to make sure we articulate the impacts

[43:05] of our upcoming tax rate

[43:07] and I'm, I'm gonna use the word torpedo, right?

[43:09] We're gonna see in December,

[43:10] that's gonna be a difficult pill to swallow.

[43:12] We just got done with the acceptance of the June bill

[43:17] and now we're looking at,

[43:19] with the increased spending primarily out

[43:21] of the school district, we're going

[43:23] to see some significant increases.

[43:26] So in that September october range, we have an idea

[43:29] of where that tax rate is.

[43:30] I will be presenting to the public, to the council to kind

[43:33] of elaborate where those pinch points are going to be.

[43:36] But I wanna make sure that we articulate that

[43:39] transparently for everybody.

[43:41] Obviously in my department, I'm looking,

[43:43] gonna be looking potentially to backfill the retirement

[43:46] of our executive secretary.

[43:48] That's going to be probably coming fairly soon. I

[43:50] Would like to just take that opportunity.

[43:51] Yes, exactly. We're not doing that.

[43:55] There you go. Right. And that's, you know,

[43:57] she's had a wonderful career obviously we still have

[44:01] to have some discussions about the disposition

[44:03] of the central fire station.

[44:05] That is on my list of things to do.

[44:07] Jack, you had mentioned about opioid settlement funds.

[44:11] There is a CHS has done some preliminary application

[44:15] towards a grant

[44:17] and if that is moving forward, there's an opportunity

[44:21] for the town at least on a short term basis

[44:23] to utilize some funds to co joinin with them.

[44:26] So that's a decision that the council would,

[44:29] would be seeking to make at some point down the road.

[44:32] So that's probably something we may see on a,

[44:33] like a September or October agenda if it

[44:36] looks like that is possible.

[44:38] But you could potentially bridge through a grant

[44:40] to CHS while we're still figuring out if we want

[44:44] to have a full-time or multi town individual

[44:47] that's dedicated to social services

[44:49] within our police department.

[44:52] Obviously we're gonna keep an eye on the landfill solar

[44:54] and I'll report those findings.

[44:57] Community power, that's still on my list.

[44:59] I have an RFP that's out right now.

[45:01] When we identify that,

[45:03] hopefully we catch some identified rates

[45:05] that will work in favor of our residents.

[45:08] We're gonna look at the financial health of the organization

[45:10] through comprehensive financial forecasting for sustainable

[45:14] and non-sustainable funds.

[45:17] One of the things that I did want to ask in listening to all

[45:20] of this is would you like me to do a brief

[45:24] tidbit style presentation on our UFB, our, our

[45:28] unallocated fund balance on July 7th?

[45:30] I'm ready to do that. And we can at least that'll give you

[45:33] some ideas as to what you may wanna do

[45:36] and it ties in with a lot of goals

[45:37] that have been identified.

[45:38] So I'll, I'll put that on the agenda for the seventh

[45:40] and we'll have, you know, it could just be an open

[45:42] discussion, but I'll put it under the

[45:44] town administrator's report.

[45:46] Obviously we're gonna continue to look at the new valuation.

[45:51] We had a good year last year.

[45:52] We're projecting another probably 50

[45:54] to $55 million in new growth.

[45:56] That's a good thing. Monitor state legislative process

[46:00] to ensure that dairies interests are being met.

[46:04] We're gonna look at human service agencies

[46:06] because obviously their costs have been increasing as well.

[46:09] And I'm hearing, you know, some items that they're,

[46:12] they're struggling in certain instances so we need

[46:14] to kind of keep an eye on that.

[46:16] We've talked a lot about veteran credits

[46:18] and exceptions for elderly.

[46:19] That's definitely something that we want to take a look at.

[46:21] And I think if you tell me when you wanna slot that in,

[46:25] I can start to prepare some of the information.

[46:29] A lot of what the other communities do is,

[46:30] is already published on the Department

[46:32] of Rev revenues website.

[46:34] So you can get that information

[46:36] without a heavy lift on our part.

[46:37] We just would need to look at the scenarios.

[46:40] If you increase to X, what does that do for what you have

[46:43] to make up on the other side Cable?

[46:46] That is one thing I think sooner rather than later

[46:49] we need to have that discussion.

[46:50] We talked a lot about FY 27.

[46:52] I'd like to do some form of a workshop

[46:54] perhaps when we get into September

[46:57] or October so we can roll that out.

[47:00] On the economic development front, we're continuing

[47:02] with the Abbott Court construction.

[47:05] Obviously we've got a secondary wave

[47:07] of development Crystal Ave, some

[47:09] of the other ancillary roads that's been going very well.

[47:12] And obviously we still have three drug stores

[47:14] that are vacant, so we need to kind

[47:16] of keep working on those.

[47:18] One. Looks like there'll be a reuse that's in place,

[47:20] but we're keeping an eye on that as well.

[47:24] Fire department, obviously they've got a number of

[47:26] of items to look at.

[47:28] Backfilling that assistant chief position.

[47:31] We're looking at dispatch, staffing,

[47:33] the restructuring model.

[47:34] They're looking to build a new training facility,

[47:36] update their strategic plan, address staffing needs,

[47:39] particularly with paramedics.

[47:41] And then obviously working towards implementing a

[47:43] comprehensive training program.

[47:45] Human resources, Jack and and, and all.

[47:47] We've talked about ways to continue to retain

[47:50] and recruit employees and market that.

[47:53] Health insurance is definitely a high priority goal.

[47:55] We've already had some preliminary discussions

[47:57] with Health Trust and looking at some outside brokerage, so

[48:00] that's definitely something that's on, you know, my plate.

[48:03] And then you do have one contract that is coming due as

[48:06] of June 30th, 2027.

[48:08] So the patrolmen are out of contract as

[48:11] of a year from today.

[48:13] The supervisors are congruent with the other five

[48:17] that you just approved.

[48:18] So there'll be six that will be coming up on

[48:20] June 30th, 2029.

[48:22] But we do need to address negotiations

[48:24] with them coming up in this upcoming year.

[48:28] Obviously it, we're gonna be looking at a,

[48:30] a future retirement in that department

[48:32] and maybe some restructuring there.

[48:35] Planning, obviously we're gonna be coming

[48:37] to the planning board, I mean

[48:38] to the town council on a few changes in the CBD, which might

[48:42] spawn some growth in terms of, of some areas

[48:45] that have been neglected.

[48:47] Police department, obviously we're looking at the rebuild

[48:50] or new facility.

[48:51] We're gonna continue to look at all those options.

[48:53] And obviously access in the interim

[48:55] through the four A process in public works.

[48:58] We're looking at that. Southern New Hampshire phase two.

[49:02] We've had a lot of discussions that there's some interest in

[49:05] that kicking up, so I'll be providing some information.

[49:08] He's out and moves forward. We're doing some work on the

[49:12] engineering design for the rail trail north of Foray.

[49:14] Obviously we're underway with the design

[49:17] of the Ryans Hill sewer as well.

[49:19] So those are projects that are in the pipeline.

[49:21] We obviously have to prepare

[49:23] for wastewater treatment plan upgrade

[49:25] that's probably two to four years out.

[49:27] So as you can see there's a lot of things

[49:29] that we've accomplished,

[49:31] but I think there's a lot of things

[49:32] that we can put into that list.

[49:33] I think we've had a wonderful year.

[49:35] If you look back at where we were a year ago,

[49:37] we were just kicking off the water project

[49:39] down on Shado Road.

[49:41] Abbott Court really hadn't broken ground,

[49:43] but we had sold, sold the bond fire station.

[49:45] We had not moved in.

[49:47] You know, there's a lot of things we had replaced a

[49:50] longstanding town administrator

[49:52] and we've had a lot of vacancies that we had filled.

[49:55] So we've survived. The year I think is is, you know,

[49:57] an accurate way to look at that.

[49:58] And we have some, you know, obviously a few new faces

[50:00] here on the town council.

[50:02] So personally I've enjoyed it working with all

[50:05] of you in terms of, you know, working towards those goals

[50:07] and we're gonna continue to do that.

[50:08] So, so out of all of that, what I'm looking to decide,

[50:12] I think for purposes of articulating those goals,

[50:15] do you want it to set in your top five?

[50:17] Do you wanna sit in your top 10

[50:18] or do you just want me to take everything

[50:20] that's been discussed verbally

[50:22] and everything that's been compiled in these submissions

[50:25] and put them into one pile?

[50:27] It really doesn't matter to me how you wanna do

[50:29] It, but I was just looking for some consensus.

[50:31] I would like to see it just, we've kind

[50:33] of had a discussion, some of the priorities,

[50:37] but either one of two things, taking

[50:39] what we've talked about tonight

[50:40] and kind of doing a kind of backing into

[50:43] what we've done for the past couple years.

[50:46] Like you can see it on the, there was included in our packet

[50:48] that there was almost like a point system.

[50:49] Yep. Yeah. How many, how many

[50:51] people have this on their list?

[50:52] How many people have this on their list?

[50:55] And or we could do that and or,

[50:57] but I think everything that was said was valid.

[50:59] Obviously like we don't have

[51:00] to list veterans credits seven times list,

[51:04] but kind of pulling together what, what,

[51:06] where there's overlap, making them into goals

[51:09] and then sending them out to the council

[51:10] to rank them ourselves.

[51:11] Like what are out of that, the list

[51:13] that exists once you put them all together,

[51:15] I counted like 20 something of what we roughly submitted,

[51:19] but some of those were the same, right?

[51:21] So we could kind of put that list together

[51:23] and send it out to all of us to, to rank them ourselves

[51:27] and then come back with to see how we ranked 'em.

[51:29] So I don't know, I think that's the next step is to kind

[51:32] of rank and see where we are.

[51:33] They can, I know I think what we'll come out with is a bit

[51:37] of a long list, but you know, then we can prioritize.

[51:40] Like I don't mind leaving something on there that's a low,

[51:43] low priority if we get there, we get there.

[51:46] But seeing which the priority I think is the big thing for

[51:48] Me.

[51:49] And I think some of the things on the list

[51:50] don't necessarily have to be

[51:54] A Goal full council panel at one time.

[51:56] They can be some things kind of done offline, you know,

[52:01] two, three counselors working in conjunction

[52:04] with the town administrator

[52:05] and whoever it is that that goal Yeah.

[52:08] Addresses and you know, so obviously

[52:11] what every counselor says is,

[52:13] is important, you know, to them.

[52:14] And so it's important, should be important to the counselor

[52:16] that we don't take take everything

[52:17] consideration and look it all through.

[52:19] So, so I think that just my suggestion would be

[52:22] to your point, make a list of everything.

[52:24] We can rank 'em, but I think everything, whether it's first

[52:27] or it's last, should at least be addressed at some point to

[52:32] for for fair due process to that council in there.

[52:36] If we, if we've got that many,

[52:38] why don't we just do something like a top 10 list

[52:40] and then everything else, list them

[52:42] as ancillary and when we get the list.

[52:44] Yeah, I don't think it really matters

[52:46] what order the top 10 are in.

[52:48] Right. Let's just look at it

[52:49] and if we see, if, if, if a couple of us feel very strongly

[52:52] that one of the ancillary items should replace one

[52:55] of the top 10 lists that,

[52:57] and that way, that way we've at least got a manageable list

[53:00] to play with and just not try and get to 12 and 14 And Yeah.

[53:05] And the ancillary actions can also be,

[53:07] I'll call goals of opportunity.

[53:09] Yeah, yeah. If the opportunity comes up,

[53:11] if the funding comes up, hey, we can address this

[53:16] or some of the goals might be relatively straightforward

[53:19] with veterans credits, we might be able to satisfy

[53:22] before we even come up with our goals.

[53:25] Right. And I think to that point as well, that chair,

[53:29] you know, you can, you can install a subcommittee on certain

[53:34] things, you know, I know years past we did one on the

[53:37] veterans credit, you know,

[53:38] because the, the, yeah, the combat veterans have non-com

[53:40] veterans and you know,

[53:42] 'cause in the RSAA change at the state level

[53:44] for the veterans credits, it was to include all veterans,

[53:47] not just the common veterans.

[53:48] But that was an opt-in

[53:50] and it, it just financially was not feasible to opt in

[53:53] because again, like I said earlier tonight,

[53:55] we didn't know the delta and that was ever changing of

[53:58] who would that in affect and what would that cost burden

[54:01] to be to the town, you know, be up and down, up and down

[54:04] and how can we sustain that realistically on a tax account.

[54:07] But so having said that, I think that

[54:10] you in your purview can

[54:13] instill subcommittees on certain things

[54:15] that do not have a monetary aspect right away,

[54:17] but procedural or whatever

[54:21] or vetting out, I guess is a good way to put it. So,

[54:24] So I think if we maybe took an opportunity to send out

[54:27] what we had rank, we can, we can all kind

[54:29] of rank them ourselves

[54:31] and then kind of see how that shakes out to build a top 10.

[54:36] And then we can talk about that maybe is at the seventh.

[54:40] Is that reasonable for us to look at a list

[54:42] and send that back or,

[54:44] or at least come with your rankings

[54:46] so we can ideally have it

[54:48] before the seventh so we could look at what that is

[54:51] and then to council Mill's point say, okay, wait,

[54:53] I really don't want this on the ancillary

[54:55] or I really don't think this is, you know, should be kind of

[54:57] that thing and then we could finalize them.

[55:01] Is that doable for the seventh? Is that, is that, yeah, so

[55:03] Here, here's What I'll, it's more our response.

[55:05] I'll, I'll talk to

[55:06] This whole list, get it out to the council via an email

[55:10] on Thursday.

[55:12] Okay. And then we'll put a hard copy in the packets

[55:15] for your meeting for the seventh.

[55:18] If you can respond back to me

[55:20] with your ordinal 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,

[55:23] I can compile those

[55:24] and then when we convene on the seventh,

[55:27] we can look at those if they're not complete.

[55:30] I mean ultimately this isn't necessarily something that you

[55:33] as a body have to vote on per se.

[55:36] I mean, it's good to have consensus,

[55:37] but if you've given me your individual votes, we can compile

[55:41] that and publish that at any time.

[55:42] So it's really up to you.

[55:45] I mean, I'd prefer if we had it by the seventh,

[55:47] but if it's not gonna be possible, then that can be,

[55:50] you know, something at a later date,

[55:52] First goal to try to do a bunch seven.

[55:55] All right. And if we don't. Then, then, then

[55:57] We'll I'll jump right on that first thing

[55:59] and get that out.

[56:02] I'll remind you. Excellent. Alright.

[56:07] Because there are things on the list.

[56:08] For instance, the E exit four,

[56:10] A exit four A should be about one of the top priority ones.

[56:14] But there's not a heck a lot we can do right now.

[56:16] We've gotta see how it's developing

[56:18] and and things like that.

[56:20] So that could be up there but would require

[56:22] Little or no management,

[56:25] You know, that like there's a task force

[56:27] or not task force, a subgroup that's kind

[56:30] of looking at those things and just monitoring it, you know,

[56:32] or, or whatnot. Yeah, I think that's a good

[56:34] Idea.

[56:35] Yeah. And the planning board, some of the other,

[56:37] all boards in toss do some

[56:40] of the heavy lifting on these things too, such as a lot

[56:42] of the exit four A stuff

[56:43] and housing stuff really is up to the planning board.

[56:46] And maybe that's where it is, is that our guidance

[56:49] and opinion gets passed down to the different boards.

[56:54] You should be in charge of the zoning board.

[56:57] Can I just ask a question to the administrator?

[57:00] Is the correct response

[57:01] To note, is there any updated word on the tunnel

[57:04] and where it stands and what's the procedure moving forward

[57:08] Meeting That was, I wanna say late May.

[57:12] It was right after Memorial Day with the state

[57:16] and it was the cultural resources meeting.

[57:18] So to kind of put this back into context, one of the hurdles

[57:22] and one of the reasons that there was a, an overturn

[57:26] of the decision to make an inac grade crossing was the

[57:30] impacts on the, the cultural

[57:32] and the historic value of the Manchester Lawrence Railroad.

[57:36] Okay. And now

[57:38] because of that ruling, it's forcing DOT to go back through

[57:43] that process to talk about mitigation measures and all that.

[57:46] So that's more of a procedural item

[57:50] from a design perspective, I've had an a conversation

[57:53] with Wendy Johnson.

[57:55] They, they are working on a design

[57:57] as if everything's gonna work itself through

[57:59] that culture resources process,

[58:02] but they're not ready to publish

[58:04] what that's going to look like.

[58:05] So what the pickle the contractor is in right now is they

[58:08] can't commit to purchasing any of the construction items.

[58:12] They can't go forward with any of the work that's, you know,

[58:15] 'cause you do it once and then your grade

[58:17] changes ever so slightly.

[58:18] So that whole area from about

[58:21] say American Excavating entrance to the bridge that's being,

[58:24] or actually further down by Franklin really

[58:26] can't do much work in there.

[58:27] So that's why you've noticed recently they've been working

[58:29] in front of North High Street

[58:31] and then also on the other end of the project

[58:33] by the traffic signal at Ross's Corner.

[58:35] So I know they've gotta make a decision fairly soon.

[58:39] It's going to happen as a tunnel passing under.

[58:42] But the specific engineering requirements I don't believe

[58:45] have been finalized as of yet by DOT question.

[58:49] There's no delays

[58:50] to the four A project itself because of this?

[58:53] No. As it stands right now, the projected finish date is

[58:58] June of 2028.

[58:59] And that's what it had been from the beginning.

[59:01] 'cause there's multiple years of, of phases.

[59:03] But remember fa, this contract B takes us as far

[59:06] as basically FireEye.

[59:07] So there'll be a signal that has

[59:09] to go in place at Pinkerton Street and Shani

[59:12] and then there'll be a taper, if you will, from two lanes

[59:15] to one lane and match into the existing.

[59:17] But all that should be done by June of 2028.

[59:20] Oh, I know it had been pushed out for funding,

[59:24] but I don't know if that got pushed back into funding,

[59:27] which is contract C.

[59:28] C. Right. So C is a whole different enchilada.

[59:31] There's, that's not even going to be bid out

[59:35] until 2029 at this point.

[59:37] And our expectation of the actual

[59:40] construction probably is now between 2030 and 2032.

[59:44] So that's from FireEye down to

[59:46] 1 0 2?

[59:47] That is correct. Yep. And that would be the, the signal.

[59:50] And that would obviously be all of this, a couple

[59:52] of culverts in that area as well.

[59:54] But remember, the C contract isn't nearly as intricate

[59:57] as far as widening is concerned

[59:59] because the section from Irving to the,

[1:00:02] to Route 1 0 2 is basically gonna stay as you see it,

[1:00:05] it's just a one-on-one in each direction.

[1:00:07] Not like Folsom Road

[1:00:08] where there's been a, a massive widening.

[1:00:10] It's not gonna look like that.

[1:00:13] Thank you Meru. Alright, are there any other questions

[1:00:17] or comments before we finish up our goals for the evening?

[1:00:22] We're not totally done but Alright.

[1:00:28] The last item on our agenda is that Pollman has offered

[1:00:32] to give us a tour, but I need to know

[1:00:35] how many counselors are planning to go on this tour

[1:00:38] and whether we need to stay in session or not.

[1:00:41] All right. 1, 2, 3. Okay.

[1:00:43] We will stay in session and we will return

[1:00:44] after we take the tour to adjourn since we are a quorum.

[1:00:47] And we will walk around in our quorum since we're meet baby.

[1:00:51] All right, so we adjourn now

[1:00:55] we've got quorum, but we are a quorum on the tour,

[1:00:59] so we're, yes.

[1:01:02] So we can't adjourn till we come back. So we will just,

[1:01:04] If the quorum has to leave in the

[1:01:05] middle of the tour, we have to come back to

[1:01:06] Yes.

[1:01:07] If we lose quorum during the tour,

[1:01:08] we'll pop back in here and adjourn.

[1:01:10] But his favor, motion. Motion to adjourn. Seconds.

[1:01:13] Read all those in favor? Aye. Both for extensions.

[1:01:18] Have a good night everybody.

Town Council - 06/30/26

Transcript