[3:07] - Good evening and welcome to the August 24th, 2026 town
[3:10] of Extra Select Board meeting
[3:12] as the hour is 5:45 PM I'm calling the meeting to order
[3:17] for the next hour and 15 minutes.
[3:19] The board will be downstairs in the wheel, right room.
[3:21] Hopefully we'll be going into non-public in just a moment.
[3:24] And then we have five interviews, so count 'em.
[3:28] If we do go, if we do go into non-public,
[3:30] we will exit non-public down in the wheel, right room
[3:33] and conduct our five interviews,
[3:34] and then be back up here in the Novak room at approximately
[3:37] 7:00 PM for our regular business.
[3:38] So with that, I'd entertain a motion
[3:40] to move into non-public under RSA 91.
[3:42] A three two L.
[3:44] - So moved. Second.
[3:46] - There's a motion and a second.
[3:48] Motion is by select woman, be Landers.
[3:50] Second by Selectman Coen. Any discussion?
[3:54] Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please.
[3:55] - Luckman Sharan. Aye. Luckman Coen. Aye.
[3:58] Selectman Gilman Aye. Clerks is aye. Mr. Chair?
[4:01] - Aye. The motion passes. Five zero.
[4:03] The board will be moving into non-public. Thank you
[4:06] - For this week's report.
[4:10] State primary election information,
[4:13] many forests growing strong on Maple Street,
[4:17] the UFO Festival returns to Exeter Labor Day weekend,
[4:24] A message about PowerPoint Park
[4:31] and a recap of the first budget recommendations Committee
[4:33] meeting of 2026 rexer tv.
[4:39] I'm Gabe Perez from Townhouse Common
[4:41] and this is the Exeter biweekly report.
[4:43] Let's get started.
[5:02] Good afternoon, Exeter.
[5:04] Thanks for tuning into the show today.
[5:06] If you haven't done so already, hit the subscribe button
[5:08] and like this video to help spread the word about the show
[5:10] and all things Exeter.
[5:12] You can also head over to the town website
[5:14] and subscribe to the town's email newsletter
[5:16] to get this show and other local news sent
[5:18] straight to your inbox.
[5:21] For our first segment, will Tapley has a quick reminder
[5:23] about the upcoming state primary election.
[5:26] - The state primary elections are just
[5:27] around the corner on Tuesday, September 8th,
[5:30] just like the local town elections,
[5:32] the Talbot Gym within the Seacoast School
[5:34] of Technology at 40 Linden Street will be the polling place.
[5:37] Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Sample ballots
[5:41] for the Democratic and Republican primaries have been posted
[5:43] on the town website.
[5:45] Voting is made easy in Exeter with absentee ballots
[5:48] and same day voter registration.
[5:51] Registering to vote on the day
[5:52] of the election is very convenient,
[5:54] but the town recommends registering at the town office
[5:57] before the elections to avoid long lines.
[6:00] Residents that are looking to request an absentee ballot can
[6:03] find the form on the town website
[6:05] or in the town clerk's office.
[6:07] Absentee ballots must be received no later than 5:00 PM on
[6:10] election day September 8th.
[6:12] Residents can also come into the town office,
[6:14] request an absentee ballot, fill it out
[6:17] and hand it back at the same time.
[6:19] To see if you qualify for absentee ballot voting,
[6:22] visit the town website or call the town clerk's office.
[6:25] For more information for all of your election info,
[6:28] visit the town website@exeternh.gov slash elections.
[6:33] - Last may, we brought you a story about the effort
[6:35] to plant one of the state's first ever mini forests right
[6:38] here in downtown Exeter.
[6:40] We stopped by to see how the project is going.
[6:47] 15 months ago, we paid a visit
[6:49] to the first Unitarian Universalist Society
[6:51] of Exeter Church on Elm Street.
[6:54] We had been given an early sneak preview into a long-term
[6:57] landscaping project that had gone underway In those days.
[7:02] The yard of the church was open, green grass,
[7:04] a tree in the middle, and
[7:06] what we got was a real hard look at the moving
[7:09] of large boulders dug up from underground
[7:12] and being placed in an organized row
[7:14] to create sitting benches.
[7:15] The project itself wasn't anything that we were expecting
[7:19] to see any real progress on for a long time.
[7:22] That progress being the creation
[7:24] of a miniature forest right in the middle of their plot.
[7:27] Now, all of this time
[7:29] after our visit, we came back to see
[7:31] how this forest has come along.
[7:33] And needless to say, the difference is night and day,
[7:42] while still in its infancy, the population density growing
[7:45] through the property is vast and diverse.
[7:48] Much of it remains trial and error.
[7:50] Some plants may not take to the soil
[7:52] and rot and that's okay.
[7:54] Something new will take its place
[7:57] and help provide itself to this new ecosystem.
[8:01] Deborah Wombley has been one of the major spearheads
[8:04] of this project as she tells us
[8:06] how things have been since our last visit.
[8:09] - We have about 40 trees here now,
[8:11] ground covers and mid shrub.
[8:13] So we have all the layers
[8:15] to create a forest over the long term.
[8:17] I'm seeing birds right away and I'm thinking, why is that?
[8:21] Well, the trees have insects, even microscopic insects
[8:24] that we can't see.
[8:26] So you'll see the birds going there right away as soon
[8:28] as we put this stuff in.
[8:29] The insects are really the base of that and,
[8:32] and caterpillars and so forth.
[8:34] And sometimes people say, oh, they're,
[8:35] they're eating leaves on the tree, and that's okay.
[8:37] There's enough leaves on the tree to eat them.
[8:39] So they, they can do that.
[8:40] And then the birds, of course, take those to their nests.
[8:43] We put up a bird house
[8:46] and as I say, I've already been seeing a lot more activity
[8:48] in here than there ever has been before.
[8:53] - A major challenge to overcome is the current drought
[8:55] and the town's water restrictions.
[8:57] - We have a, we have a watering team
[9:00] and people are assigned every week of the summer
[9:03] through the end of
[9:04] August, actually through the middle of September.
[9:06] And we're at a level three, so it is getting better.
[9:09] And we do get these four inch downpours, which where we,
[9:13] that's where we fill up these rain barrels.
[9:14] We have six rain barrels
[9:16] and that system has worked really well.
[9:19] Six is about what we need to water this without having to
[9:24] deal with the town restrictions.
[9:26] - Suzanne Ross has also been a major player in
[9:29] keeping the forest thriving.
[9:31] - When we had the opportunity
[9:32] to do some reforesting in downtown Exeter,
[9:34] I was very excited about the concept of
[9:37] bringing back forest to New Hampshire.
[9:39] We're losing 30,000 acres
[9:43] and more of canopy in New Hampshire every year
[9:46] because of so much building.
[9:48] And this is a way in a very small way
[9:52] that we can start putting it back, especially in the cities
[9:55] where oxygen, clean water and flora
[10:00] and fauna are becoming endangered.
[10:03] So we're particularly grateful to Stratum Hill Nursery,
[10:06] Troy Oliver Sin and Peter Walsh
[10:09] for their part in making this happen
[10:11] because it really is a remarkable space.
[10:14] And already when we come to visit, there are more birds,
[10:19] more insects, more people just coming to enjoy nature.
[10:24] And we love it for our children.
[10:27] I see a lot of faculty children coming over to play
[10:31] and have a little nature time,
[10:34] which we know is critical for children.
[10:39] - And that's what it's all for.
[10:41] To build an environment for folks to visit in the shadow
[10:43] of canopy, become in tune with nature
[10:46] and help heal the planet in environmentally
[10:48] and eco-friendly ways.
[10:50] The church invites any and all to come take a look
[10:52] and to keep up with the progress over the next few years
[10:55] as these youthful shrubs become fully grown trees.
[11:02] The UFO Festival is just around the corner.
[11:05] Here's a quick update on
[11:06] what you can expect from this other worldly event.
[12:28] Up next is a message from the PowerPoint Park Stakeholders
[12:31] Advisory Committee on the status
[12:32] of the vacant lot on Water Street, soon
[12:34] to be the home of PowerPoint Park.
[12:42] - From the PowerPoint Park Stakeholders Advisory Committee,
[12:45] here's an update on what's happening with the park.
[12:47] The little parcel of land at 23 Water Street that lies
[12:51] between the chocolatier
[12:52] and Corello will be having some action this summer
[12:55] and fall, thanks to excellent citizen response
[12:58] to our fundraising efforts.
[13:00] There is now enough money
[13:01] to hire a landscape architect and an engineer.
[13:04] They will review details such as the materials to use
[13:07] for pathways, potential plantings, deck specifications,
[13:11] grading, and drainage.
[13:13] In the end, they will produce detailed drawings
[13:15] for contractors to follow during construction of the park.
[13:20] The select board approved the committee's recommendation
[13:22] of a landscape architect at a meeting on July 13th, 2026.
[13:27] Recall that last year we held a town wide survey
[13:30] to select from three potential ideas for the park.
[13:33] And the Shady Boss concept was the overwhelming favorite.
[13:37] Its snail shell inspired design and visions
[13:39] and entrance to the park on Water Street,
[13:42] A curve pathway down to an area of tables
[13:44] and chairs shaded by trees
[13:46] and a deck overlooking the Exeter River at
[13:49] the site of the old dam.
[13:51] Once the landscape architect completes their work,
[13:53] fleshing out the details of the Shady Boss concept,
[13:56] which should happen perhaps by the end of 2026,
[13:59] we can use the resulting construction drawings
[14:02] to help secure a large federal grant.
[14:05] If the grant, with its many details all pans out,
[14:08] it could fund all the construction of the park
[14:12] To mark these many milestones.
[14:14] We have installed a new banner on the park.
[14:17] It shows what we have accomplished and what steps remain
[14:20] or thermometer indicates how much money we have raised
[14:23] with your support financial and otherwise.
[14:26] This community will make FairPoint Park a reality.
[14:30] It will be a place of refuge in a busy downtown, a place
[14:34] to have lunch, read a book, meet a friend,
[14:37] or simply to look out on the river with your help.
[14:41] It will be a prize of Exeter for generations to come.
[14:45] Thank you in advance for your gracious contributions.
[14:48] Look for further updates as our progress continues.
[15:08] - For our last segment, we have another episode
[15:11] of our meeting minute series with a recap
[15:13] of the budget recommendations Committee's kickoff meeting
[15:16] to the fiscal year 27 budget year.
[15:22] - This is your meeting minute for the August 5th, 2026.
[15:25] Budget Recommendations Committee meeting.
[15:28] The Budget Recommendations Committee,
[15:30] or the BRC held its first meeting of the year
[15:32] to start the budget process.
[15:34] This volunteer committee acts in an advisory capacity
[15:37] to review the budget and warrant articles proposed
[15:39] for the next financial year, which runs from January
[15:42] to December, but is approved
[15:43] by the voters in March at town election
[15:46] Town finance director Corey Stevens gave insight on factors
[15:49] that will affect the budget process for fiscal year 2027.
[15:53] - Debt service, fortunately, will not be a topic
[15:56] of conversation in the general fund in 2027.
[15:59] It's only up slightly over, over last year in last year,
[16:02] absorbing that large first year public safety complex
[16:07] debt service payments union contracts will be in the third
[16:11] year of a three year with each of them.
[16:13] That'll represent about $350,000 of increase in budget
[16:18] compared to 500,000 last year.
[16:20] Healthcare costs. Right now we are, we have a 16% increase
[16:25] baked into our initial budget, but we, we just don't know.
[16:29] We are, we are looking at that proactively.
[16:32] It is an area that if it's, if it's not going to society,
[16:36] which I'm not sure it will, we're at least gonna look at,
[16:39] you know, what, what el what the climate is out there
[16:42] and what we should be thinking about in terms of
[16:44] how we can provide the best service
[16:46] and at the lowest cost to taxpayers.
[16:49] - This budget process starts when town departments present
[16:52] their proposed budget to the town manager's office.
[16:55] The town manager reviews these proposals, then forwards them
[16:58] to the select board and the Budget
[16:59] Recommendations Committee.
[17:01] Then subcommittees are formed within the BRC
[17:04] to go over town department operating expenses, water,
[17:07] sewer funds, and the rest
[17:09] of the proposed budget line by line.
[17:11] The subcommittees will then report back to the rest
[17:13] of the BRC where they provide updates
[17:15] and recommendations for the budget.
[17:17] Select board chair Nico Stanis gave his appreciation in
[17:21] advance for the work the BRC will be doing.
[17:23] - The select board really relies on the hard work
[17:26] that you're going to be doing, meeting
[17:28] with the different department
[17:29] heads and going through the budget.
[17:30] So we want to, again, welcome you back,
[17:33] but also say thank you in anticipation
[17:35] for all the hard work that you're going to do.
[17:37] - The town welcomes input from the
[17:38] public on the budgeting process.
[17:40] After the BRC finalizes their budget recommendations,
[17:44] they present them to the select board for review.
[17:46] This is where the select board can make adjustments
[17:48] to the proposed budget before the deliberative session.
[17:51] After that, the budget
[17:53] and all warrant articles are discussed, debated,
[17:55] and potentially amended
[17:56] by voters at the deliberative session.
[17:59] Finally, at the town elections in March,
[18:01] the budget is voted on by town residents chair of the BRC.
[18:04] Bob Kelly gave a statement of confidence in
[18:07] how the board will handle the budget this year.
[18:10] - Our goal is not to set a target for
[18:13] what we want the budget to be.
[18:16] We sort of let each department and, and division
[18:19] and even every line item, so to speak, for itself
[18:21] and we debate it accordingly.
[18:24] And, you know, we, we hope for the best,
[18:27] but I think this group has shown that they're,
[18:30] they have an eye on the, on the bottom line.
[18:32] And you know,
[18:34] I think we'll do another nice job in, in the face
[18:38] of mounting pressures from outside forces,
[18:41] which are frustrating.
[18:43] But we have gotten over the last two or three years,
[18:46] and we will get over it again.
[18:48] - The next budget Recommendations committee meeting will be
[18:50] on September 30th in the Novak room.
[18:52] See you there.
[18:55] - That does it for this week's report.
[18:57] Be sure to like, share and subscribe
[18:58] to help us spread the word and head over to the town website
[19:01] and subscribe to the town's email newsletter.
[19:03] To get this show and other local news sent straight
[19:05] to your inbox, be sure to tune in on August 28th
[19:08] for the next edition of the show
[19:10] where we'll have more information on the recent meeting,
[19:12] reimaginings of the future of the train station,
[19:15] a status update on the front street
[19:16] roundabout and much, much more.
[19:19] For Exer tv, I'm Gabe Perez,
[19:20] and this has been the Exeter biweekly report.
[19:23] Have a great weekend. Exeter,
[19:27] I feel like I always do the,
[19:29] I always do the little hand symbols.
[19:42] - Thank you for tuning into Exeter tv.
[19:45] Exeter TV is the town's public
[19:47] and government access channels available on Comcast channels
[19:51] six and 22.
[19:52] Channel six is your channel.
[19:54] If you have an idea for a program, want
[19:57] to host your own talk show, or submit a film?
[20:00] We are here to get your content on television.
[20:03] On Channel 22, we bring you live
[20:05] and replay coverage of government meetings
[20:07] and other town updates.
[20:09] A third channel Blue Hawk Media is operated by SAU 16
[20:13] and can be found on Channel eight With all your school
[20:16] sports events and meetings.
[20:18] You can watch Exeter TV online at Exeter, nh tv,
[20:23] apple tv, and on Roku.
[20:25] Find us on social media for extra content.
[20:28] Subscribe to our YouTube channel
[20:29] and hit the bell to get notified about live
[20:31] streams and new content.
[20:33] Tune in to our platforms every other Friday
[20:36] to watch the Exeter biweekly report with recaps
[20:39] of recent events, updates from town departments,
[20:42] and messages from nonprofits in your area.
[20:45] If you head to our website, Exeter NH tv, we invite you
[20:49] to sign up to our newsletter
[20:50] to receive monthly updates about new content,
[20:53] upcoming meetings, and more.
[20:55] We'd like to thank you for taking the time
[20:56] to watch Exeter TV
[20:58] and hope that you tune into our other content as well.
[29:39] Thank you for tuning into Exeter tv.
[29:42] Exeter TV is the town's public
[29:44] and government access channels available on Comcast channels
[29:47] six and 22.
[29:49] Channel six is your channel.
[29:51] If you have an idea for a program, want
[29:53] to host your own talk show or submit a film?
[29:56] We are here to get your content on television.
[29:59] On Channel 22, we bring you live
[30:02] and replay coverage of government meetings
[30:04] and other town updates.
[30:05] A third channel Blue Hawk Media is operated by SA 16
[30:09] and can be found on Channel eight
[30:11] with all your school sports events and meetings.
[30:14] You can watch Exeter TV online at Exeter, nh tv,
[30:19] apple tv, and on Roku.
[30:21] Find us on social media for extra content.
[30:24] Subscribe to our YouTube channel
[30:26] and hit the bell to get notified about live
[30:28] streams and new content.
[30:30] Tune in to our platforms every other Friday
[30:32] to watch the Exeter biweekly report with recaps
[30:35] of recent events, updates from town departments,
[30:38] and messages from nonprofits in your area.
[30:41] If you head to our website, Exeter
[30:43] and H tv, we invite you to sign up to our newsletter
[30:47] to receive monthly updates about new content,
[30:49] upcoming meetings, and more.
[30:51] We'd like to thank you for taking the time
[30:53] to watch Exeter TV
[30:54] and hope that you tune into our other content as well.
[39:35] Thank you for tuning into Exeter tv.
[39:38] Exeter TV is the town's public
[39:40] and government access channels available on Comcast channels
[39:44] six and 22.
[39:45] Channel six is your channel.
[39:47] If you have an idea for a program, want
[39:50] to host your own talk show or submit a film?
[39:53] We are here to get your content on television.
[39:55] On Channel 22, we bring you live
[39:58] and replay coverage of government meetings
[40:00] and other town updates.
[40:02] A third channel Blue Hawk Media is operated by S SA 16
[40:05] and can be found on Channel eight
[40:08] with all your school sports events and meetings.
[40:11] You can watch Exeter TV online at Exeter, nh tv,
[40:15] apple tv, and on Roku.
[40:17] Find us on social media for extra content.
[40:21] Subscribe to our YouTube channel
[40:22] and hit the bell to get notified about live
[40:24] streams and new content.
[40:26] Tune in to our platforms every other Friday
[40:29] to watch the Exeter biweekly report with recaps
[40:32] of recent events, updates from town departments,
[40:35] and messages from nonprofits in your area.
[40:38] If you head to our website, Exeter
[40:40] and h tv, we invite you to sign up to our newsletter
[40:43] to receive monthly updates about new content,
[40:46] upcoming meetings and more.
[40:48] We'd like to thank you for taking the time
[40:49] to watch Exeter TV
[40:51] and hope that you tune into our other content as well.
[49:31] Thank you for tuning into Exeter tv.
[49:35] Exeter TV is the town's public
[49:37] and government access channels available on Comcast Channel
[49:40] six and 22.
[49:42] Channel six is your channel.
[49:44] If you have an idea for a program, want
[49:46] to host your own talk show or submit a film?
[49:49] We are here to get your content on television.
[49:52] On Channel 22, we bring you live
[49:54] and replay coverage of government meetings
[49:56] and other town updates.
[49:58] A third channel Blue Hawk Media is operated by S SA U 16
[50:02] and can be found on Channel eight
[50:04] with all your school sports events and meetings.
[50:07] You can watch Exeter TV online at Exeter, nh tv,
[50:12] apple tv, and on Roku.
[50:14] Find us on social media for extra content.
[50:17] Subscribe to our YouTube channel
[50:19] and hit the bell to get notified about live
[50:21] streams and new content.
[50:22] Tune in to our platforms every other Friday
[50:25] to watch the Exeter biweekly report with recaps
[50:28] of recent events, updates from town departments,
[50:31] and messages from nonprofits in your area.
[50:34] If you head to our website, Exeter NH tv, we invite you
[50:38] to sign up to our newsletter
[50:39] to receive monthly updates about new content,
[50:42] upcoming meetings and more.
[50:44] We'd like to thank you for taking the time
[50:46] to watch Exeter TV
[50:47] and hope that you tune into our other content as well.
[59:28] Thank you for tuning into Exeter tv.
[59:31] Exeter TV is the town's public
[59:33] and government access channels available on Comcast channels
[59:37] six and 22.
[59:38] Channel six is your channel.
[59:40] If you have an idea for a program, want
[59:43] to host your own talk show or submit a film?
[59:46] We are here to get your content on television.
[59:48] On Channel 22, we bring you live
[59:51] and replay coverage of government meetings
[59:53] and other town updates.
[59:55] A third channel Blue Hawk Media is operated by SAU 16
[59:59] and can be found on Channel eight
[1:00:01] with all your school sports events and meetings.
[1:00:04] You can watch Exeter TV online at Exeter, nh tv,
[1:00:08] apple tv, and on Roku.
[1:00:10] Find us on social media for extra content.
[1:00:14] Subscribe to our YouTube channel
[1:00:15] and hit the bell to get notified about live
[1:00:17] streams and new content.
[1:00:19] Tune in to our platforms every other Friday
[1:00:21] to watch the Exeter biweekly report with recaps
[1:00:25] of recent events, updates from town departments,
[1:00:28] and messages from nonprofits in your area.
[1:00:31] If you head to our website, Exeter
[1:00:32] and h.tv, we invite you to sign up to our newsletter
[1:00:36] to receive monthly updates about new content,
[1:00:39] upcoming meetings and more.
[1:00:40] We'd like to thank you for taking the time
[1:00:42] to watch Exeter TV
[1:00:44] and hope that you tune into our other content as well.
[1:09:24] Thank you for tuning into Exeter tv.
[1:09:28] Exeter TV is the town's public
[1:09:30] and government access channels available on Comcast channels
[1:09:33] six and 22.
[1:09:35] Channel six is your channel.
[1:09:37] If you have an idea for a program, want
[1:09:39] to host your own talk show or submit a film?
[1:09:42] We are here to get your content on television.
[1:09:45] On Channel 22, we bring you live
[1:09:47] and replay coverage of government meetings
[1:09:50] and other town updates.
[1:09:51] A third channel Blue Hawk Media is operated by SA U 16
[1:09:55] and can be found on Channel eight
[1:09:57] with all your school sports events and meetings.
[1:10:00] You can watch Exeter TV online@exeterandh.tv, apple tv,
[1:10:06] and on Roku.
[1:10:07] Find us on social media for extra content.
[1:10:10] Subscribe to our YouTube channel
[1:10:11] and hit the bell to get notified about live
[1:10:14] streams and new content.
[1:10:15] Tune into our platforms every other Friday
[1:10:18] to watch the Exeter biweekly report with recaps
[1:10:21] of recent events, updates from town departments,
[1:10:24] and messages from non-profits in your area.
[1:10:27] If you head to our website, Exeter NH tv, we invite you
[1:10:31] to sign up to our newsletter
[1:10:32] to receive monthly updates about new content,
[1:10:35] upcoming meetings and more.
[1:10:37] We'd like to thank you for taking the time
[1:10:39] to watch Exeter TV
[1:10:40] and hope that you tune into our other content as well.
[1:19:21] Thank you for tuning in to Exeter tv.
[1:19:24] Exeter TV is the town's public
[1:19:26] and government access channels available on Comcast channels
[1:19:30] six and 22.
[1:19:31] Channel six is your channel if you have an IDEA program.
[1:19:35] - We conducted five board and committee interviews.
[1:19:38] We're ready to commence our regular business meeting.
[1:19:40] So I'd like to say good evening to
[1:19:43] my colleagues on the board, respective town staff,
[1:19:45] certainly those in attendance tonight
[1:19:46] and those watching at home on tv.
[1:19:49] I'd like to introduce the board
[1:19:50] to my right selectman, Dan Tran.
[1:19:51] Good evening. Good evening, Mr.
[1:19:52] Chair, our vice chair select women. Molly Cowen.
[1:19:55] Good evening. Hi everyone.
[1:19:57] To my left, our clerk, select women, Nancy Bera.
[1:19:59] Good evening. Good evening everyone. Select women.
[1:20:01] Julie Gilman. Good evening. Good evening everyone.
[1:20:04] And our town manager, Mr. Paul Cohen. Good evening.
[1:20:06] Good evening. Our Assistant Town Manager, Melissa Roy.
[1:20:08] Good evening. Good evening everyone.
[1:20:10] Our recording secretary, Joanna Bartel. Good evening.
[1:20:12] And my name is Nico Papis.
[1:20:14] We have a big agenda this evening,
[1:20:15] so we're gonna step right in.
[1:20:17] First is public comment.
[1:20:19] This is an opportunity for members of the public to come up
[1:20:22] with any comment to the board.
[1:20:23] We do ask though if your comments are relative
[1:20:25] to an agenda item that you wait that item to come up.
[1:20:28] So I'll pause to see if there's any public comment.
[1:20:34] Seeing none, I'm gonna do something I never do
[1:20:36] and that's, I'm going to my phone to read something
[1:20:41] from our police
[1:20:41] chief as September 11th.
[1:20:46] This year will be the 25th anniversary
[1:20:48] of the nine 11 terrorist attack.
[1:20:52] We will be conducting a small service at over
[1:20:57] by the Public Safety Building.
[1:20:58] Obviously it will be the morning of September 11th.
[1:21:01] The time will be determined
[1:21:02] and advertised on our Town website.
[1:21:05] It'll take appro approximately about 10
[1:21:07] or 15 minutes ending with a moment of silence Town staff
[1:21:11] and members of the public are invited
[1:21:14] and we hope to see folks there.
[1:21:16] But we will be honoring the 25th anniversary
[1:21:18] of the tragedy of nine 11.
[1:21:21] So with that and no public comment,
[1:21:23] we'll jump into our discussion item.
[1:21:24] We have the park and Rec assistant director Dave Toy here
[1:21:27] this evening with a couple of agenda items.
[1:21:29] Mr. Toy, please step up.
[1:21:36] - Thank you, Mr. Chair.
[1:21:38] I'm joined here with Caroline Neal, our rec coordinator
[1:21:41] as well, to share some exciting updates
[1:21:45] we have for all of you.
[1:21:46] So we'll start with the afterschool program
[1:21:50] and I'll turn it over to Caroline.
[1:21:53] - Yes, we're very excited
[1:21:54] to be launching an afterschool program
[1:21:57] for our children in grades K through five.
[1:22:00] Going to Lincoln Street School
[1:22:01] and Main Street School this year at our community center,
[1:22:05] which will begin on Monday.
[1:22:07] So we're very excited to be offering
[1:22:08] that there's a huge need in our community for childcare.
[1:22:13] We're very excited to offer opportunities
[1:22:17] for families and children in the community.
[1:22:21] And we will be with that hiring a
[1:22:26] full-time afterschool program coordinator
[1:22:29] who also be supporting youth programs in the department,
[1:22:33] which will be funded 60% through the afterschool program,
[1:22:37] revenue, 30%
[1:22:39] through the summer Adventure Camp program revenue,
[1:22:41] and 10% through youth sports program revenue.
[1:22:45] So that's 100% through the Recreation revolving fund
[1:22:48] with zero impact on the general fund.
[1:22:50] So we're very excited about that.
[1:22:52] And there will also be some part-time youth program staff
[1:22:56] supporting that program as well.
[1:22:58] In addition to the afterschool program,
[1:23:01] we will also be offering our kids night out program,
[1:23:04] which will be a once a month nightly program
[1:23:08] or evening program for kids to kind of come watch a movie,
[1:23:13] play games, have fun,
[1:23:15] and parents can have a night out of their own.
[1:23:18] And we will also be doing our schools out program.
[1:23:21] So on days where the Exeter public schools are not in
[1:23:25] session, so the first one coming up on September 8th when
[1:23:28] there's no school for professional development,
[1:23:31] we will host an all day program for kids.
[1:23:34] So folks can register online for that.
[1:23:37] So we're very excited
[1:23:38] and hoping that the, these new
[1:23:43] employment opportunities will help us grow
[1:23:46] and continue to offer affordable programs
[1:23:49] that are in demand for our community.
[1:23:52] - Terrific. Thank you. Exciting long overdue.
[1:23:55] - Very, yeah, very exciting.
[1:23:58] It's a little unique with this position, you know, proposing
[1:24:02] to be paid a hundred percent outta the rec revolving.
[1:24:04] But as Caroline mentioned, you know,
[1:24:07] our programs are growing
[1:24:09] and this position, she's done a lot of work on this,
[1:24:12] so I gotta give her kudos on that.
[1:24:14] She's done her research
[1:24:15] and it's definitely able to sustain itself
[1:24:21] through these programs.
[1:24:22] And we already have, how many, 26 people
[1:24:25] - Registered, 26 unique kids with 71 out
[1:24:28] of 140 spots filled.
[1:24:30] So there's 140 spots per week available.
[1:24:33] We have 71 of those filled, so a little,
[1:24:35] little over half there.
[1:24:37] So we're very excited about that.
[1:24:40] - Can I have a question? Do you know how it compares
[1:24:43] to other afterschool program costs?
[1:24:47] - It's a lit, it's less than some
[1:24:50] and a little bit more than others.
[1:24:52] So about the same as market value.
[1:24:55] I would say the tough thing with ours is that we do have
[1:25:00] to pay for transportation
[1:25:02] as the school system currently is unable to provide
[1:25:06] the SAU 16 buses for to the community center.
[1:25:11] So we will be using our department vans
[1:25:14] and then when the vans are not available for other, due
[1:25:17] to other programming, we have to contract a bus
[1:25:20] to pick up the children.
[1:25:21] So that is a large expense, which has impacted the cost
[1:25:26] of the program a bit.
[1:25:27] - Got it. That's helpful to know.
[1:25:28] And do you know why they can't provide the busing?
[1:25:31] - I think currently it's that the, from what I understand,
[1:25:35] the route that would go on that bus is already pretty full
[1:25:40] and then there's potentially an opportunity in October
[1:25:45] for us to start using their bus if there's room.
[1:25:48] So it's kind of a, we don't know yet. Got it.
[1:25:52] So we're planning on paying for buses,
[1:25:56] hopefully we won't have to.
[1:25:58] And that will become a little bit more sustainable
[1:26:00] and could potentially impact cost as well. Got
[1:26:04] - It.
[1:26:05] Thank you. Thank you for the question. Mr. Sharran, please.
[1:26:08] - I just want to thank you for both of you, for your
[1:26:12] and your department's work
[1:26:13] and your creativity to supply something
[1:26:17] that this town really needs, which is afterschool childcare
[1:26:21] and, and to do it in a way
[1:26:23] that does not impact the general fund.
[1:26:26] That's great creativity
[1:26:27] and I'm very pleased to have you in front
[1:26:30] of us tonight in presenting this program.
[1:26:32] Thank you. Thank you,
[1:26:33] - Thank you.
[1:26:35] - I have a few questions please. Sure.
[1:26:38] So I, I love the idea $35 a day per child. Correct?
[1:26:43] That's the, the cost.
[1:26:44] So after this gets off the ground
[1:26:48] and you look at numbers, we could try to look at it
[1:26:51] and get a little bit, see if we can bring
[1:26:53] that down a little bit in the future.
[1:26:55] I know this is new, so I really do appreciate,
[1:26:58] I just think $35 a day
[1:27:00] for a child might be a little tough for some people.
[1:27:02] I agree. Yeah, I know. I know you do.
[1:27:04] I just want to put it out there
[1:27:06] that maybe reevaluate it in a year or so.
[1:27:10] What's the staffing Right now?
[1:27:11] We only need this coordinator to do this.
[1:27:15] - No, we have the, the full-time position.
[1:27:18] So the afterschool or the youth program coordinator.
[1:27:22] Afterschool program coordinator.
[1:27:24] They would be doing all the logistics
[1:27:26] and planning of the activities
[1:27:29] and communicating with the families,
[1:27:30] really running the program.
[1:27:32] And then we would have a youth program lead who's kind
[1:27:35] of facilitating the activities in the afternoon.
[1:27:38] And then we would have one
[1:27:39] or two support staff, depending on our numbers for the day.
[1:27:43] We do a one to 10 ratio.
[1:27:45] So depending on how many kids we have each day is
[1:27:48] how many staff members we have. If that
[1:27:50] - It It does.
[1:27:51] So the support staff, those two support staff staff,
[1:27:54] do we have them right now
[1:27:55] or do we have to add that to the budget? Nope,
[1:27:57] - That's already - Included.
[1:27:58] It's already included, yes. Perfect.
[1:28:00] I just wanted to make sure people know
[1:28:02] because I love that you're making it self-sustaining.
[1:28:05] It's paying for itself. That's really important. Yeah.
[1:28:08] So yeah, I think this is a great idea.
[1:28:12] We have the ability, it's gonna self sustain
[1:28:17] and it's something our community needs.
[1:28:19] So thank you so much for doing this.
[1:28:22] - Our pleasure. - Thank you. Select Women Gilman.
[1:28:28] - I don't think I really have anything to add onto it.
[1:28:31] My fellow members have already said, this is really exciting
[1:28:34] because I remember having to find this kind
[1:28:38] of care myself, so I have it right there.
[1:28:42] Excuse me. Along
[1:28:44] with the afterschool adventure programs that you have.
[1:28:47] I think it's really exciting.
[1:28:50] - Thank you. Thank you. - So thanks again
[1:28:52] and I appreciate your flexibility in, in entertaining,
[1:28:56] looking at decreasing the cost for folks,
[1:28:59] should we find alternate
[1:29:01] transportation? 'cause I think that's really important.
[1:29:03] - Absolutely. And of course like as we build
[1:29:05] and grow this program and as our numbers grow
[1:29:08] and we're able to be more financially sustainable,
[1:29:10] that's when we will see that budget impact.
[1:29:13] But we did have to budget
[1:29:14] and price based on minimum numbers.
[1:29:16] Understand? Yep. So once we exceed those, hopefully
[1:29:21] as it grows, we can, we can become a bit more
[1:29:23] - Affordable.
[1:29:24] And for anyone in the room
[1:29:25] or anyone listening at home, our parks
[1:29:27] and rec department, I'm on that.
[1:29:30] I'm the select board rep to that advisory board.
[1:29:33] And this is something they're always looking at
[1:29:35] and ways to just keep the costs affordable.
[1:29:38] So
[1:29:40] - It's in their mission statement,
[1:29:41] - It is definitely in their mission
[1:29:43] statement and they adhere to it.
[1:29:44] And I really appreciate that
[1:29:46] because that's why it was started in the first place.
[1:29:49] That's right. So thank you.
[1:29:50] - Thank you. Moving on.
[1:29:53] - Moving on to other ways
[1:29:56] to be more financially sustainable and conscious.
[1:30:00] We have another hospital grant for you all
[1:30:03] to approve hopefully.
[1:30:05] So this is through the Exeter Hospital grant.
[1:30:08] We've received this grant the last two years in a row,
[1:30:12] and they're doing it just a little bit differently this year
[1:30:14] where instead of doing, you know, like year by year,
[1:30:18] they wanna have like a three year plan here.
[1:30:20] So in the application that you all got in your packet,
[1:30:26] it's 30,000 annually for the next three years.
[1:30:29] So 90,000 total. And that is for senior programming.
[1:30:36] Out of that 30,000 each year, a portion of it goes
[1:30:40] to our part-time senior coordinator.
[1:30:42] So that pays 20% of their salary.
[1:30:45] Another 20% comes outta the rec revolving
[1:30:48] and the remaining comes out of the general fund.
[1:30:52] Also out of the grant, we pay
[1:30:54] for things like coach bus trips,
[1:30:56] which have become very popular as well
[1:30:59] as program instructors
[1:31:02] and things like the monthly senior luncheons
[1:31:05] and any other events
[1:31:06] or programs that the public would like to see.
[1:31:09] So it certainly helps us keep costs down for everyone.
[1:31:16] So I guess we'd entertain a motion for you all to approve
[1:31:20] or accept the grant so we could have Mr. Cohen sign it
[1:31:26] and get that back to them as soon as possible.
[1:31:29] - So before we do that, are there any questions?
[1:31:32] - Not only that, the August 1st was the start date,
[1:31:34] but we're okay still, right?
[1:31:35] - Yes. Yeah, they're aware that we had to, it had to be
[1:31:39] approved at this tonight's meeting,
[1:31:41] - Mr. Tran.
[1:31:42] - So is this grant part of what Beth Israel
[1:31:48] Lahey agreed to do within the community when they took
[1:31:51] over Exeter Hospital?
[1:31:52] Is this kind of part of that
[1:31:54] - Agreement?
[1:31:55] Yes. Yeah. We're one of the organizations
[1:31:56] that they're, they're
[1:31:57] - Helping.
[1:31:58] Yeah. So they're living up to their agreement that they made
[1:32:01] with the state's attorney general.
[1:32:03] Right. Okay. Thank you. That was my question.
[1:32:07] - And I appreciate the increased act activities
[1:32:10] that you're doing with this group of folks.
[1:32:13] And I've actually passed the van
[1:32:14] of the bus several times on 95
[1:32:16] and it's always good to see it full.
[1:32:18] Yeah. So thank you for the,
[1:32:20] for the extended programming that you're doing.
[1:32:22] One quick question. The agreement, is that signed by Mr.
[1:32:25] Beson or Mr. Cohen?
[1:32:27] - I believe it's Mr. Cohen. Yeah. Mr. Cohen.
[1:32:29] - Yeah. Okay. Are there any other questions?
[1:32:31] If not, then I would entertain a motion
[1:32:34] to accept the community grant from Exeter Hospital in the
[1:32:38] amount of $90,000 to cover funding
[1:32:43] for senior programming through the Exter Parks
[1:32:46] and Rec department for the period of time
[1:32:48] of August 1st, 2026 through October 30th, 2029.
[1:32:53] And to further authorize the town manager
[1:32:55] to sign the corresponding document.
[1:32:57] - So moved. Second
[1:32:58] - Is a motion to second.
[1:32:59] Any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor? Aye. Aye.
[1:33:02] Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. You're
[1:33:06] - Welcome.
[1:33:07] Thank you. Next. And last
[1:33:08] but not least, in your packet tonight,
[1:33:10] you have our application for this year's annual powder cake,
[1:33:15] beer and chili festival.
[1:33:17] I forget, is it the 14th, 15th, annual, what?
[1:33:20] We are, we're getting up. I can't remember what year.
[1:33:22] It's 12th. Okay. I'm getting ahead of myself a little bit,
[1:33:24] but yeah, no major changes this year.
[1:33:31] Anyone has any questions on the application?
[1:33:35] - Any questions for Mr. Toby?
[1:33:37] - Very successful year here. I gotta
[1:33:38] - Hope to see you - All day.
[1:33:39] I got a note last year.
[1:33:40] - Okay. - More chili. More.
[1:33:42] - Yes. - Did you get that note? Yes, we
[1:33:45] - Did. Yeah.
[1:33:46] - Lots of beer, not enough food. Yep.
[1:33:48] So you're gonna balance that up. Yeah,
[1:33:50] - It's, I mean the, the restaurant industry
[1:33:52] and the brewery industry, I mean, they are,
[1:33:54] they're feeling the, the troubles right now.
[1:33:58] So last year we started implementing a stipend
[1:34:01] before it was all donated chili.
[1:34:03] So the stipend has definitely helped out as well as
[1:34:08] a cash award for first place.
[1:34:09] So we definitely got more, more people
[1:34:13] to participate last year.
[1:34:14] I think we had a few dropout last second,
[1:34:16] but we're, we were emailing more today, so we're up
[1:34:19] to about five or six right now.
[1:34:21] So our goal is to get over 10. Awesome.
[1:34:24] - Yeah. - You're meeting them a little bit
[1:34:25] with helping them to fund paying for the stuff.
[1:34:28] Exactly. Yeah. That's great.
[1:34:30] Yeah, it's tough all around it is. Restaurants aren't. Yeah.
[1:34:34] So thank you for that. Of course.
[1:34:36] - And a big part of the success are the volunteers.
[1:34:39] So I'm gonna give a, a plug that those like to volunteer
[1:34:42] for part or all the day to reach out to
[1:34:44] the Exeter Chamber or the Parks and Rec.
[1:34:46] But we encourage folks to volunteer. I volunteered in
[1:34:49] - Fast for your email.
[1:34:50] It's came out I think today. Yeah, the email reminder.
[1:34:53] - It's a lot of fun. And I think you get
[1:34:55] to partake a little bit at the end.
[1:34:56] Yep.
[1:34:58] - Take your shirt off and then you
[1:34:59] Yeah, you have your glass, right?
[1:35:00] You're, you're put another shirt off, right?
[1:35:03] Well you have one over it anyway. Yeah.
[1:35:05] Nobody wears 'em. They're fully
[1:35:07] - Dressed please - By themselves.
[1:35:08] Oh my God. Don't even bring that up, please.
[1:35:11] - We have an election coming up.
[1:35:14] - Oh my God. We're not going there. Let's move on.
[1:35:19] - If there are no other comments or questions
[1:35:23] or dress code suggestions, I would entertain a motion
[1:35:28] to approve the special event application
[1:35:30] for the Powder Keg Beer
[1:35:31] and Chili Festival to be held on October 3rd, 2026.
[1:35:35] I'm gonna start time of 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM So
[1:35:38] - Moved. Second.
[1:35:38] - It's a motion. Second. Any discussion?
[1:35:40] Seeing none. Oh, go ahead, please.
[1:35:43] - The two 50 commission is trying to figure out
[1:35:45] what we can do in association with the,
[1:35:48] with the beer and Chili Fest.
[1:35:50] We're kind of thinking of maybe something that was,
[1:35:55] that they drank way back when.
[1:35:56] It's called swill and it's something they drank.
[1:35:59] It's non-alcoholic,
[1:36:00] so it's something they drank in the fields
[1:36:02] when in hot summer days.
[1:36:03] So we might have a table with something.
[1:36:06] - Excellent. Terrific. Thank you for,
[1:36:08] thank you for mentioning that.
[1:36:10] We have a motion in a second on the table.
[1:36:12] Is there any further discussion? Seeing none.
[1:36:14] All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.
[1:36:17] Thank you both this evening. Aye.
[1:36:18] Thank you all. Good to see you.
[1:36:20] - To see you. - I'd like to invite Steve Cronin,
[1:36:24] our Public works director and Steve Dalton, water
[1:36:27] and sewer director.
[1:36:31] Good evening. Good evening. Good evening.
[1:36:35] - Thank you Mr. Chair, members of the board.
[1:36:37] So tonight we wanted to provide you
[1:36:38] with an update on Exeter's water supply
[1:36:41] and more specifically or water supply capacity rather,
[1:36:43] and more specifically how it relates
[1:36:44] to future development and redevelopment.
[1:36:48] So over the past several years, the town's been
[1:36:51] evaluating both our surface water and groundwater supplies
[1:36:55] and identifying improvements needed to increase capacity,
[1:36:58] reliability, and system redundancy as well.
[1:37:02] So as those improvements move forward, we also need
[1:37:05] to consider how additional water demands are evaluated
[1:37:08] and how we balance new connections with the capacity needed
[1:37:11] to reliably serve the overall system.
[1:37:14] So tonight I'm gonna walk you
[1:37:15] through our current water demand, our available source
[1:37:19] and treatment capacity, the regulated, the regulatory
[1:37:22] and planning criteria that we use to evaluate that capacity
[1:37:26] and the improvements that are currently underway.
[1:37:30] So this discussion tonight really begins with the assessment
[1:37:34] of our water system that was completed
[1:37:37] by Underwood Engineers in 2020.
[1:37:39] So that assessment is actually up on the DPW website.
[1:37:44] It's under, I believe, water, water system studies.
[1:37:48] So, and if anyone in the public wants
[1:37:49] to look at that, it's available.
[1:37:52] A lot of the information contained in
[1:37:53] that assessment is available in this presentation tonight.
[1:37:57] So the work of
[1:37:59] that assessment looked at both our service water
[1:38:01] and groundwater assets
[1:38:02] and identified the need for additional improvements
[1:38:05] to address aging infrastructure, improve reliability,
[1:38:09] and meet future demands.
[1:38:12] The strategy that developed from
[1:38:13] that work was intentionally diversified.
[1:38:16] We really don't wanna rely exclusively on surface water
[1:38:19] or exclusively on groundwater.
[1:38:21] We have the benefit of having both types of sources.
[1:38:24] And so the long term goal is to maintain
[1:38:26] and improve that diversity so that the system is reliable,
[1:38:31] resilient, and cost effective.
[1:38:34] So we're implementing those improvements in phases.
[1:38:36] Some are underway today,
[1:38:38] and then some are currently improved into the capital
[1:38:41] improvement plan over the next several years.
[1:38:44] The question before us tonight is how do we manage
[1:38:47] that capacity moving forward
[1:38:49] while those improvements are completed?
[1:38:54] So before talking about capacity, it's important
[1:38:57] to understand how much water exter currently
[1:38:59] loses our average annual.
[1:39:02] Our average, our annual, excuse me,
[1:39:04] average day demand is approximately 1 million gallons per
[1:39:06] day, or one MGD during the summer.
[1:39:09] That increases to 1.17 MGD for planning purposes.
[1:39:14] Our current maximum day demand is approximately
[1:39:17] 1.6 million gallons per day.
[1:39:19] There have been individual days
[1:39:21] where our production has exceeded that 1.6 million,
[1:39:24] but the 2020 assessment found that those were higher peaks
[1:39:28] that are associated with unusual events like system
[1:39:30] flushing, water main breaks
[1:39:32] or tank filling following maintenance.
[1:39:34] So for the purpose of evaluating available capacity,
[1:39:38] 1.66 million gallons a day is the
[1:39:41] maximum day demand that we're using.
[1:39:44] The other important point is a demand is not consistent.
[1:39:47] Summer demand's higher, but,
[1:39:50] and drought conditions can occur at the same time the
[1:39:53] customer demand is increasing.
[1:39:55] So that's why it's not simply comparing EV annual average
[1:39:58] day demand to total system capacity.
[1:40:01] It doesn't give us really a whole complete picture
[1:40:02] of what's going on in the system.
[1:40:08] So one distinction that's important
[1:40:10] for tonight is the difference between source capacity
[1:40:13] and treatment capacity.
[1:40:15] So source capacity answers the question,
[1:40:17] how much raw water can our natural sources sustainably
[1:40:20] provide for our surface water,
[1:40:22] which includes the Exeter River,
[1:40:24] the Exeter Reservoir in Skinner Springs.
[1:40:27] The estimated sustainable source capacity is approximately
[1:40:30] 1.67 MGD for our groundwater.
[1:40:34] Our existing three wells Stadium, Gilman
[1:40:36] and Larry Lane have an estimated combined capacity
[1:40:39] of 1 million gallons per day.
[1:40:42] The drink water road, which we're developing now,
[1:40:44] will it add another 576,000 gallons a day
[1:40:47] of source capacity, bringing the total ground water capacity
[1:40:51] up to 1.576 NGD.
[1:40:55] That additional capacity is important, not only
[1:40:57] 'cause it adds more water, but it provides redundancy
[1:41:00] and gives our operators greater flexibility in
[1:41:03] how the wells are operated and maintained.
[1:41:06] That doesn't necessarily mean that that source capacity is
[1:41:10] always available for delivery to our customers.
[1:41:14] So treatment capacity answers the question,
[1:41:16] how much finished water can our treatment
[1:41:18] facilities reliably produce?
[1:41:21] Our current surface water treatment plant has an effective
[1:41:23] finished water capacity capacity, excuse me,
[1:41:26] of approximately 1.25 MGD.
[1:41:28] That's less than the 1.67 of the sources.
[1:41:33] The limitation is primarily the plant itself.
[1:41:35] The existing plant operates at 82% efficiency right now
[1:41:39] because of aging equipment, challenging water quality,
[1:41:42] and the inability to recycle bath wash water.
[1:41:47] The groundwater treatment plant currently combines
[1:41:49] approximately one MGD of finished water capacity.
[1:41:52] The plant itself has some additional the theoretical
[1:41:55] treatment capacity,
[1:41:56] but current conditions of the Larry Lane well.
[1:41:58] And then limitations that are associated with filtration
[1:42:01] and back and residual handling capacity constrain
[1:42:04] what we can realistically produce.
[1:42:07] So when we combine those two treatment systems,
[1:42:10] our effective finished water capacity is approximately
[1:42:14] 2.25 mgb.
[1:42:20] The next question to consider is
[1:42:21] how much reserve capacity should a municipal
[1:42:25] water system maintain?
[1:42:27] So there are two important standards
[1:42:29] that are part of this discussion.
[1:42:30] First, the recommended standards for waterworks provide that
[1:42:34] for groundwater sources.
[1:42:35] Total developed capacity should be sufficient
[1:42:38] to meet maximum day demand
[1:42:39] with the largest producing well outta
[1:42:41] service for surface water.
[1:42:43] The standard focuses on whether the sources are adequate
[1:42:46] to meet maximum projected demand
[1:42:48] during severe drought conditions,
[1:42:50] which include a one in 50 year drought
[1:42:52] or the drought of record.
[1:42:55] Any N-H-D-E-S regulations also establish specific
[1:42:58] groundwater capacity requirements.
[1:43:00] Those regulations require total developed groundwater
[1:43:03] capacity to meet max day demand
[1:43:06] or to meet average day demand with again,
[1:43:08] the largest producing well out of surface.
[1:43:12] The distinction's important
[1:43:13] because Exeter doesn't rely solely on groundwater.
[1:43:16] We combine both surface water and groundwater.
[1:43:19] But from an operational compliance
[1:43:21] and planning perspective, we're required by N-H-D-E-S rules
[1:43:26] to calculate capacity with the largest source out of water.
[1:43:30] So that's particularly relevant
[1:43:31] because obviously we have the aging surface water treatment
[1:43:34] plant, we have the reduced capacity at Larry Lane.
[1:43:36] Well, and it's also important to note
[1:43:38] that our water system is not
[1:43:40] interconnected with any of our neighbors.
[1:43:42] So essentially we're on a water island,
[1:43:46] for lack of a better term.
[1:43:52] This slide here really gets us sort of the central issue
[1:43:56] with all of our existing sources available.
[1:43:58] We have approximately 2.25 million gallons per day of
[1:44:03] finished water capacity.
[1:44:04] Our max max day demand, again, is approximately 1.6 MGD.
[1:44:09] So with everything operating,
[1:44:10] we have approximately 650,000 gallons per day of capacity
[1:44:15] above the current max day demand.
[1:44:18] However, if we then apply the current regulatory criteria
[1:44:21] and assume that our largest well will Air Lane wells
[1:44:23] unavailable, that capacity drops to 1.75
[1:44:30] against a max day demand of 1.6 MGD.
[1:44:33] That leaves only approximately 150 gallons per day
[1:44:36] of excess capacity in the system.
[1:44:38] So that 150 gallon number again assumes that we're able
[1:44:41] to meet max day demand with the largest source on available.
[1:44:49] This graphic here provides a a graphical representation
[1:44:53] of the same issue.
[1:44:54] The important thing to focus on is the relationship
[1:44:57] between our current demand
[1:44:58] and the available capacity under
[1:45:00] different operating conditions.
[1:45:02] On an average day, we have significant capacity, even
[1:45:05] during summer average conditions,
[1:45:07] we have reasonable capacity.
[1:45:09] The constraint again,
[1:45:10] becomes more apparent when we look at max day demand
[1:45:13] and then account for the loss of the largest source.
[1:45:16] That's where the margin becomes relatively small,
[1:45:18] that 150,000 gallons per day
[1:45:22] and why we should be cautious moving forward about
[1:45:25] permanently committing large amounts of additional demand
[1:45:27] to future projects
[1:45:29] before the projects we talk about are implemented.
[1:45:38] So we also need to recognize that today,
[1:45:39] today's meter demand doesn't represent all the demand
[1:45:43] that's already been committed.
[1:45:44] There are developments that have been approved
[1:45:46] but are either under construction
[1:45:47] or have not been fully occupied based
[1:45:50] on our current estimates.
[1:45:51] Those projects represent approximately 157,440 gallons per
[1:45:56] day of additional allocated demand.
[1:45:59] There's another approximately 12,258 gallons per day
[1:46:03] associated with projects that are currently
[1:46:05] before either the zoning board or the planning.
[1:46:09] Those are important. Those figures are important
[1:46:10] because the water associated with improved project
[1:46:13] may not necessarily appear in our
[1:46:15] historical production data.
[1:46:16] So when we evaluate capacity for another project, we need
[1:46:20] to account for not only what customers are using today,
[1:46:23] but also water demand the town has already committed to
[1:46:26] or approved developments.
[1:46:32] So based on that, we're gonna be recommending
[1:46:35] to the planning board that any new development
[1:46:38] or redevelopment requesting a new
[1:46:40] or increased connection
[1:46:41] to the town's water system be evaluated on a case
[1:46:44] by case basis based on future available sys system
[1:46:48] capacity and supply.
[1:46:51] That evaluation will allow us to consider the size
[1:46:53] and nature of the proposed demand previously committed
[1:46:56] allocations, the status of ongoing water system improvements
[1:46:59] and current supply conditions.
[1:47:02] So for smaller projects
[1:47:03] that could be pretty straightforward review,
[1:47:05] but larger developments that have significant demand,
[1:47:08] we're gonna need probably a more detailed evaluation on the
[1:47:12] system for that particular project.
[1:47:14] So where we don't have sufficient capacity available,
[1:47:17] we could require an applicant to
[1:47:19] identify an alternative water support source rather,
[1:47:23] or other measures necessary provide
[1:47:25] the proposed development.
[1:47:27] So basically the intent here is
[1:47:29] to avoid committing water supply faster than we can reliably
[1:47:33] create additional task.
[1:47:41] So lastly, I just want to emphasize
[1:47:43] that we are currently actively working towards
[1:47:46] increasing capacity.
[1:47:48] The drink water road is currently under construction
[1:47:51] and anticipated to be online by the summer of 2027.
[1:47:55] That'll provide an important additional groundwater source
[1:47:57] and redundancy that we talked about.
[1:47:59] We're also planning a replacement for the Larry Lane.
[1:48:02] Well in 2027.
[1:48:04] Also, that's important
[1:48:06] because the existing well has has experienced some
[1:48:10] declining performance.
[1:48:11] And it's currently producing below its
[1:48:15] estimated sustainable yield by about 200 gallons a minute
[1:48:19] surface water treatment plant replacement.
[1:48:21] It's currently in design with construction proposed
[1:48:24] for 2028.
[1:48:27] This is important because our existing surface water sources
[1:48:29] can provide more water than the existing plant.
[1:48:32] However, it's also worth noting
[1:48:34] that the Exeter River is being considered for the next round
[1:48:36] of studies for the Instream Flow program, which could also
[1:48:40] have an impact on our riverwood drawings.
[1:48:45] We're proposing additional groundwater exploration in 2028
[1:48:48] to identify another future source.
[1:48:52] And finally, the CIP also includes the addition
[1:48:55] of a fourth filter at the groundwater treatment plant in
[1:48:58] 2031, which again, would allow us to better utilize some
[1:49:03] of those additional groundwater supplies.
[1:49:06] So not a static situation.
[1:49:09] We're obviously moving forward with a lot of improvements.
[1:49:11] They're gonna help improve our capacity and
[1:49:13] and system redundancy.
[1:49:16] In the interim, again, our recommendation is
[1:49:18] that we manage those new allocations carefully
[1:49:20] and evaluate any significant new demands individually rather
[1:49:24] than establishing a a single allocation number.
[1:49:31] Yeah, so all in all, our objective is really just to
[1:49:36] preserve our ability to, you know, supply our customers now
[1:49:39] and in the future, but also continue
[1:49:42] to make investments in the system
[1:49:44] so we can support growth down the road.
[1:49:47] - I appreciate the update and the presentation though.
[1:49:50] There's no action before the board this evening.
[1:49:52] Are there any comments or questions for Mr. Gro?
[1:49:56] Great, thank you. Thank you very much.
[1:50:05] Hey, our next agenda item is
[1:50:10] committee formation of a pedestrian accessibility
[1:50:13] and cycling advisory committee.
[1:50:15] I believe Mr. Cohen, are you gonna present this?
[1:50:17] - Yep. Thank you Mr. Chairman.
[1:50:20] I bringing an item
[1:50:21] for the board's consideration this evening.
[1:50:25] In the brief three months that I've been here,
[1:50:27] I've seen a number of issues of concern regarding bicycle
[1:50:29] and pedestrian safety.
[1:50:31] I've seen discussions occur sort
[1:50:33] of spontaneously at planning board meetings.
[1:50:36] I've seen some concerns which have come
[1:50:38] before this board in terms of sidewalk safety, you know,
[1:50:42] cast street comes to mind
[1:50:44] and others in terms of, you know, pedestrian
[1:50:46] and bicycle safety.
[1:50:47] We're seeing the concerns now, you know, as we're underway
[1:50:50] with the roundabout project, you know, we are, we're just,
[1:50:55] you know, we're sort of hearing concerns about safety
[1:50:58] to the, to the public.
[1:51:00] And so what I've drafted is a draft charge
[1:51:06] of an advisory committee that could
[1:51:09] assist the community in addressing safety matters
[1:51:14] for pedestrians, bicyclists, and,
[1:51:16] and other users of multimodal transportation
[1:51:20] within the community.
[1:51:22] We know, and, and, and you've seen these presentations when
[1:51:26] we've presented most recently to the planning board
[1:51:29] for the Capital Improvement program.
[1:51:32] And, you know, we'll, we'll see the results of
[1:51:34] that this coming Thursday when the committee acts
[1:51:37] upon its recommendations.
[1:51:39] You know, it it, and these items came from the town's
[1:51:42] existing master plan, our bicycle
[1:51:44] and pedestrian master plan,
[1:51:46] our Complete Streets Design guidelines
[1:51:48] and other adopted transportation programs.
[1:51:52] And again, in simplicity, it's meant to promote walking,
[1:51:55] bicycling, micro mobility and accessible MO mobility
[1:52:00] and to advise town boards
[1:52:03] and staff regarding the planning
[1:52:05] prioritization of those efforts.
[1:52:08] And, and, and as we've discussed, even
[1:52:09] to encourage potentially demonstration projects,
[1:52:12] explore grant opportunities
[1:52:14] and facilitate community engagement.
[1:52:18] I think if such a committee were to be created,
[1:52:20] a five member committee would be sufficient,
[1:52:23] which staggered three year terms
[1:52:26] and it's key that this would be, as the name suggests,
[1:52:28] an advisory capacity.
[1:52:29] Only My hesitancy, quite frankly,
[1:52:33] in my frankness is I see the number of committees
[1:52:37] that this town has and I also see the, the effort
[1:52:40] and the attendance that this board has at those committees.
[1:52:43] So I I I bring the realization
[1:52:46] and the concern about, you know,
[1:52:50] how much is too much in terms of the ask of the,
[1:52:53] of the board members, particularly to staff and, and create
[1:52:58] and support a committee.
[1:52:59] You know, another committee, obviously we have, you know,
[1:53:02] staff resources that support committees.
[1:53:06] A again, I'm also mindful of the fact that
[1:53:11] very soon if all goes according to, again, our plans
[1:53:14] and capital plans efforts, that, you know,
[1:53:17] next spring we'll be forming a major committee,
[1:53:20] which will involve significant involvement in terms
[1:53:22] of the master plan update committee.
[1:53:26] And so I just want to point that out
[1:53:29] and in terms of, you know, looking at the broad perspective
[1:53:33] of what's ahead of us as a community.
[1:53:34] So with that, I'll end my comments there.
[1:53:36] And again, I'm not asking for a vote this evening, I'm just,
[1:53:41] you know, sort of, you know, advancing a concept
[1:53:44] to the board for consideration.
[1:53:46] And again, be glad to answer any questions
[1:53:49] or concerns that the board may have.
[1:53:52] - Go ahead. - So I think part of the, the select board
[1:53:56] and covering the meetings, it's helped to have a backup.
[1:54:00] We, we didn't do that before
[1:54:03] and we did start that a few years ago.
[1:54:09] In your, in your draft,
[1:54:11] would this include a DA accessibility?
[1:54:13] Is that what the accessibility for? Yes, yes.
[1:54:15] SO'S a plus for me. Yeah.
[1:54:17] Because that's one of our goals Yeah.
[1:54:19] Is to have better access and things.
[1:54:24] One of my concerns,
[1:54:25] and it's been this for quite a while, we have a lot
[1:54:27] of committees and we're having a lot of missed meetings
[1:54:31] because of lack of quorum.
[1:54:32] Yeah. So if we're going to keep adding committees,
[1:54:37] I really would like us to look at committees as a whole also
[1:54:41] and start enforcing some of our rules on that.
[1:54:45] That if meetings are missed
[1:54:47] or we're not getting a quorum, we have to reevaluate
[1:54:52] how many meetings we, how many committees we're gonna have
[1:54:56] that aren't really performing, do we
[1:55:01] start over and say, okay, if you can't make these meetings,
[1:55:04] let's open it up for new, new people to come in who could
[1:55:08] kind of do the commitments.
[1:55:10] So that, that's just something I, I'm hesitant
[1:55:13] to add any more committees at this point
[1:55:15] because we have some problems,
[1:55:17] but willing to have the conversation. Thank
[1:55:19] - You.
[1:55:20] Thank you for your thoughts. Mr. Sarre.
[1:55:23] - Are there people here that might want to speak to this?
[1:55:26] - There may be, but I'd like to talk internally first.
[1:55:29] - I'm gonna hold my comments. Okay. Until after
[1:55:33] - Second one coming.
[1:55:34] - I mean, I feel the same as you, Nancy
[1:55:36] and you about how many committees is too many.
[1:55:41] What, what are we asking
[1:55:44] of from our constituents?
[1:55:49] And these are real problems.
[1:55:52] I mean, the other piece is like the e-bike stuff that is,
[1:55:57] that is like gonna ruin it for the, you know, for everybody.
[1:56:00] And so how do we, how do we,
[1:56:02] how are we thoughtful about some of this, some of this?
[1:56:05] And you know, I don't want us just say,
[1:56:07] oh well we have these committees so
[1:56:09] therefore we can't have any more committees
[1:56:11] because the town iterates
[1:56:12] and the, the, you know, the problems
[1:56:14] and the challenges iterate.
[1:56:16] And I think one
[1:56:17] of the most compelling things about Exeter is
[1:56:20] that it is an inclusive, welcoming downtown, which we should
[1:56:25] constantly be leaning into.
[1:56:29] - Thank you Mr. Gilman.
[1:56:33] - Yes, I have my concern about adding a new committee is the
[1:56:37] staffing of the committee.
[1:56:38] 'cause it took me 15 years to get a staff member
[1:56:43] for the HDC and we just got one for the Heritage Commission.
[1:56:48] So given that this touches so many different
[1:56:55] departments, mostly planning
[1:57:00] and given that we've just passed the
[1:57:06] bicycle or just came out with a bicycle
[1:57:08] and pedestrian master plan,
[1:57:10] this Complete street guidelines are still in the works.
[1:57:13] The master plan is about to start again.
[1:57:14] That maybe where this comes in is to,
[1:57:18] into the master planning and make sure that's happening.
[1:57:23] And then, I don't know the status of the other two,
[1:57:25] but there's, I don't know, I just want
[1:57:29] to see some rollout from those two
[1:57:31] things we've already committed to.
[1:57:33] I don't know if you can talk about Complete Streets and,
[1:57:36] and the other one, but I dunno.
[1:57:40] I mean, I understand the, excuse me,
[1:57:44] the need for improvements.
[1:57:46] Certainly I've, I've seen troubles
[1:57:50] and there are some things I know we can't solve.
[1:57:55] So maybe I should be on the committee.
[1:58:00] So I, I'd like the input,
[1:58:01] but I want to give our staff some time too.
[1:58:04] - Yeah, yeah.
[1:58:06] If we could get some insight on how we're gonna staff it
[1:58:09] that in the not tonight.
[1:58:11] Right. But I, I, that is an important, I mean,
[1:58:15] our town planner does a lot of stuffing right now,
[1:58:18] and it, this is important.
[1:58:22] I, this issue is important.
[1:58:24] I just wanna make sure we're thinking it through.
[1:58:30] - So before we open it up for any public comment,
[1:58:34] and I'm gonna reserve part of what I say
[1:58:36] after public comment, but this is incredibly important.
[1:58:40] This is something that as a select board, it's been our goal
[1:58:45] for several years, particularly with the a DA, accessibility
[1:58:48] with the pedestrian and cycling.
[1:58:51] We've spent a lot of time, a lot of staff time, a lot
[1:58:53] of taxpayer money to look into
[1:58:56] how we can make these improvements.
[1:58:58] So I, I think that on the surface,
[1:59:01] having an advisory committee can make sense.
[1:59:08] So I think we need, we owe it to our community
[1:59:11] to look into the possibility of creating something.
[1:59:18] It's incredibly difficult, not only for staff who have
[1:59:23] to take on additional roles
[1:59:24] and responsibilities with each committee
[1:59:27] for select board members to take on additional time
[1:59:30] and responsibility, but also, you know, I'm, I'm really
[1:59:35] cognizant of folks that are volunteering
[1:59:37] and give up their time to show up,
[1:59:40] to be told there's no meeting.
[1:59:41] 'cause there's no quorum. So I think we need to respect
[1:59:44] not just staff's time, select board's time,
[1:59:46] but volunteers time.
[1:59:48] And I think we've seen folks tend to walk off committees
[1:59:53] or leave committees because they're frustrated,
[1:59:55] because they are willing to give up their time,
[1:59:58] but they can't meet because there's no quorum.
[2:00:00] So I think we need to really be sensitive to that
[2:00:03] and be very careful how we put something together.
[2:00:05] And it may be considering this as an option.
[2:00:09] And then as select women beers said, looking at
[2:00:11] what do we have that already exists?
[2:00:15] You know, are these committees still necessary?
[2:00:19] All of them are they meeting?
[2:00:21] And you're right, we do have, it's part of our policy
[2:00:24] and procedure for committees.
[2:00:26] Each volunteer is expected
[2:00:27] to attend certain percentage of meetings.
[2:00:30] And we don't enforce that
[2:00:31] because we're just, we're, we're lucky to have the folks
[2:00:34] that volunteer, volunteer.
[2:00:36] So I think we need to, we need to look at that. So,
[2:00:39] - And if I could just add, yeah, of course.
[2:00:41] A lot of the time people can't make the meetings at the last
[2:00:44] minute child of course care, whatever.
[2:00:45] And it's understandable.
[2:00:47] It's just we have to do something.
[2:00:51] If, if the, if you can't make the meetings,
[2:00:54] do we really have to look at what we can do?
[2:00:57] Can we consolidate some committees?
[2:00:59] Can we, I I, we have
[2:01:01] to throw some options out there, some ideas.
[2:01:05] - And, you know, hiccups can be expected when you start a
[2:01:08] new or implement a new committee.
[2:01:10] I mean, we, we saw that.
[2:01:13] And I think having this draft
[2:01:15] that you put together gives the select board, you know,
[2:01:18] something on which to build.
[2:01:20] I look at very proudly at the
[2:01:22] sustainability advisory committee.
[2:01:25] And that took a couple of years for them to find their way
[2:01:29] for staff to find their way.
[2:01:31] And they're one of the most successful committees
[2:01:33] that we have in terms of
[2:01:35] what they've done for our community.
[2:01:36] So, you know, I, I don't think we should get discouraged,
[2:01:39] but look at committees and,
[2:01:41] and especially advisory committees, if they're not meeting,
[2:01:44] if, if there's something we can do to maybe consolidate,
[2:01:46] we need to do that while we look at creating new committees.
[2:01:49] So with that, if there's anybody who'd like to speak
[2:01:52] to this, please feel free to come up to the microphone
[2:01:53] and introduce yourself to us
[2:01:54] and we'd love to hear your thoughts.
[2:02:03] Good evening. Good
[2:02:04] - Evening.
[2:02:06] I'm Pam Felber and I live in Exeter.
[2:02:09] And I just have a one minute little speech.
[2:02:12] So good evening to all of you.
[2:02:15] And to all of you, this is a really important issue
[2:02:19] and I absolutely understand where you're coming from
[2:02:21] with too many committees.
[2:02:23] I, I'm an educator.
[2:02:26] Eight years ago my family and I though moved to Exeter
[2:02:30] because we wanted to live in a town
[2:02:31] that was an active community with sidewalks,
[2:02:35] with bike lanes, and with accessibility.
[2:02:37] That was really important to us.
[2:02:39] While there are so many wonderful things about Exeter,
[2:02:43] there is still room for improvement.
[2:02:46] I am a dreaded e-bike rider,
[2:02:48] but I am a respectful e-bike rider.
[2:02:51] And there are times where I feel I'm going
[2:02:53] to be bumped off the road.
[2:02:55] And, you know, and, and so I don't know the answer to that,
[2:02:58] but it's not just about cyclists
[2:03:02] and walkers, it's about quality of life.
[2:03:05] And that's why we came to Exeter for quality of life
[2:03:09] in our senior years.
[2:03:12] It's about a senior navigating a broken sidewalk
[2:03:15] with a walker, or even me 'cause I fell a child walking
[2:03:20] or riding a bike to school.
[2:03:22] And about anyone who uses mobility devices
[2:03:25] or other non-motorized forms of transportation.
[2:03:29] Everyone needs safe
[2:03:30] and accessible roots to move independently around Exeter.
[2:03:35] So establishing this committee, hopefully could look at some
[2:03:39] of those things and I strongly urge you
[2:03:43] to support the formation of this committee.
[2:03:46] And thank you for all that you do for Exeter.
[2:03:49] - Thank you. - Thank you.
[2:03:59] - Good evening. My name is Christopher
[2:04:02] Zigman on Crestview Drive.
[2:04:04] For full disclosure, I sit on budget recommendation
[2:04:07] and sustainability advisory committee tonight.
[2:04:10] I'm here, however, as a taxpayer and a citizen
[2:04:13] and a lifelong cyclist, I'm here to speak in support
[2:04:16] of the pedestrian accessibility and cycling advisory group.
[2:04:20] I'm here because I'm concerned.
[2:04:22] I'm because I'm a little bit angry
[2:04:24] because I'm a little heartbroken.
[2:04:26] And because I think we can do better
[2:04:29] at providing a safer infrastructure in our town.
[2:04:31] And as a society, I expect our town to support 100%
[2:04:36] of the taxpayers and their
[2:04:37] families, not just the car drivers.
[2:04:39] With our planning and infrastructure policy,
[2:04:42] I wanna welcome everybody to 2026
[2:04:44] and the grim realities of sharing the road.
[2:04:48] More than 23 vulnerable road users will die in traffic
[2:04:52] today, another 23 tomorrow.
[2:04:57] Luckily for everybody in this room,
[2:04:58] New Hampshire ranks relatively low in the VRU deaths per a
[2:05:02] hundred thousand, mostly because we're lucky, not
[2:05:06] because of our awesome infrastructure.
[2:05:08] 20 years ago, the Complete Complete Streets Coalition drove
[2:05:12] this crazy idea
[2:05:14] that transportation infrastructure should serve all
[2:05:17] citizens, not just automobile drivers.
[2:05:20] 35% of Americans don't drive
[2:05:23] and don't forget that the ones that do drive
[2:05:25] also push baby strollers.
[2:05:27] Go for jogs, ride bicycles.
[2:05:30] And while Congress never really mustered the courage
[2:05:32] to pass it into federal law,
[2:05:34] and our current Secretary
[2:05:36] of Transportation is dismantling 25 years
[2:05:38] of multimodal improvements, more than 500 jurisdictions
[2:05:42] around the country have adopted the Complete Streets policy
[2:05:45] nationwide, including here in Exeter.
[2:05:48] My family moved to this charming little town 20 years ago
[2:05:52] because of the peaceful nature,
[2:05:54] the great cycling and the wonderful people.
[2:05:57] Meanwhile, Exeter has been adding housing
[2:06:00] at a blistering rate.
[2:06:02] Did you know every time we add a unit of housing,
[2:06:05] we add 2.2 cars to the street?
[2:06:09] Did you know that 31% of us own three or more cars?
[2:06:13] Think of it. When you add a hundred homes,
[2:06:15] you add 220 cars to the street.
[2:06:19] According to the available data,
[2:06:21] Exeter has added more than 700 housing
[2:06:23] units in the last 10 years.
[2:06:25] That's 1,540 cars every morning
[2:06:30] and every night all those cars pour into our little 400
[2:06:33] year old village streets.
[2:06:36] That makes for tough driving.
[2:06:38] Imagine what that does for pedestrians and cyclists.
[2:06:41] When we don't build inclusive infrastructure, it's deadly.
[2:06:45] When we add multi-unit housing,
[2:06:47] it's exponential everything all at once.
[2:06:51] Here's the good news, good news for the select board members
[2:06:55] and good news for the entire town.
[2:06:56] We have an opportunity to make it better.
[2:06:59] Exeter's adoption of Complete Streets policy is a great
[2:07:02] start, is now is the time to create a committee
[2:07:05] to represent the voices concerned
[2:07:07] with multimodal infrastructure as we work on implementation.
[2:07:11] So in short, I'm here in full-throated vigorous support
[2:07:15] of a cycling and pedestrian committee
[2:07:17] to advise the select board, the planning board,
[2:07:19] and the town staff on matters relating to pedestrian
[2:07:22] by school accessibility
[2:07:23] and multimodal transportation improvements
[2:07:25] within the town of Exeter.
[2:07:27] Thank you for your time. Thank you.
[2:07:36] Evening. Good evening.
[2:07:40] My name is Joe Fisher. I live at 36th River Street.
[2:07:43] I've lived there for 45 years.
[2:07:47] When we first came to Exeter, started to raise a family,
[2:07:52] my two boys, and they were part of the problem
[2:07:56] 'cause they were skateboarders,
[2:07:59] So they were knocking off people every once in a while.
[2:08:02] But they grew out of that, which was good.
[2:08:04] It's an amazing town to raise a family to live and work.
[2:08:08] I've enjoyed it a lot.
[2:08:11] I, I was walked down here
[2:08:13] and I looked down on
[2:08:18] Water Street, there was no traffic.
[2:08:20] And I said, I remember that when I first moved here.
[2:08:23] They said the streets roll up at seven o'clock and Exeter.
[2:08:26] And sure enough there was no traffic.
[2:08:28] But that doesn't happen during the day.
[2:08:31] Sometimes it feels like civility is dead if you try
[2:08:34] and cross the street in downtown Exter
[2:08:37] because it's, you gotta really look, wait and watch
[2:08:40] because you never know what's gonna happen.
[2:08:43] And I, I, I agree with everything that's been said so far.
[2:08:47] I think the committee is a very good idea.
[2:08:50] And this is the last thing I'm gonna say
[2:08:52] because I equate
[2:08:55] accessibility with friendliness.
[2:08:58] 'cause this town needs to be as friendly as possible
[2:09:01] because it's growing and leaps and bound.
[2:09:03] I live on a dead end street and,
[2:09:05] and there's another dead end street parallel.
[2:09:08] And the academy's gonna build three duplexes
[2:09:10] and add four driveways to Little River Street.
[2:09:14] It's too much, But it's happening all over town.
[2:09:19] This is going on. And I just think the traffic, it's hard
[2:09:22] to get around that.
[2:09:24] I think that the more we can do for people that want walk
[2:09:27] or bike or get
[2:09:30] around in any way possible on the sidewalks will be a great
[2:09:33] thing and support the committee
[2:09:37] and the work that you're doing as well.
[2:09:39] Thank you. Terrific. Thank
[2:09:41] - You.Well said.
[2:09:51] Thank you.
[2:09:52] - I'm Anna Razer and I live on Warren Avenue in Exeter.
[2:09:56] I appreciate this, the suggestion.
[2:09:59] And I also appreciate the concerns
[2:10:00] that you have about staffing a new committee,
[2:10:03] both administrative select board members
[2:10:06] and volunteer members.
[2:10:08] I also have been serving on the budget
[2:10:11] committee for a number of years.
[2:10:14] And in that context as well as just out
[2:10:16] and about, just like the rest of you, I have heard
[2:10:19] and participated in many passionate conversations
[2:10:23] and discussions and questions about bicycle safety,
[2:10:27] pedestrian safety
[2:10:28] and accessibility, alternative modes of transportation
[2:10:33] that are really a poss there
[2:10:38] are, we have a potential to design
[2:10:40] tran a transportation experience that is not purely
[2:10:44] emphasizing cars to begin with.
[2:10:48] I, one thing I've observed is it's,
[2:10:53] it's kind of an old school town.
[2:10:55] We have a lot of people who've been here a while
[2:10:59] and a lot of people do have the perception that bicycling
[2:11:03] and I will speak, I'm speaking about bicycling
[2:11:06] 'cause that's what I know,
[2:11:07] but this is relevant to someone walking on their, their feet
[2:11:12] or navigating in some other way too.
[2:11:16] There is a perception that bicycles are
[2:11:19] for recreation, and that's true.
[2:11:22] They're a wonderful form of recreation.
[2:11:25] But the reasons people ride are not just for recreation,
[2:11:27] they're for health, they're for economics per,
[2:11:31] perhaps it's much more affordable than driving a car.
[2:11:35] And for the, for the environment.
[2:11:40] And if we could enable people to
[2:11:44] use this mode of transportation, they actually would.
[2:11:48] I mean, we don't see people out on bikes
[2:11:50] because they can't safely ride the streets.
[2:11:55] The other thing I have observed is that
[2:11:59] there are just all these loose ends,
[2:12:01] these loose conversation threads happening in various
[2:12:04] committees with the passion that I referenced,
[2:12:09] but they're, they're not tied together.
[2:12:10] They keep popping up and they feel redundant.
[2:12:13] It feels like we're having the same
[2:12:15] discussions over and over again.
[2:12:17] And I would like our town
[2:12:18] to take a more constructive approach to that,
[2:12:20] tie those ends together.
[2:12:22] I think a committee, you a task force, a working meeting,
[2:12:27] I mean, in the end it's all a committee
[2:12:29] is is the right answer.
[2:12:32] And I do encourage everybody here to go forward
[2:12:37] with this recognition that our bicycle
[2:12:41] or our feet, our
[2:12:46] a means of transport to a medical appointment, to
[2:12:50] their place of education or employment to get groceries.
[2:12:56] It's not just recreation.
[2:12:57] And if we look at it more holistically, I think we can
[2:13:01] work together to find a way to
[2:13:05] just create a much better experience in our
[2:13:07] town. Thank you.
[2:13:09] - Thank you.
[2:13:14] Anybody else?
[2:13:19] - Sure. - Actually,
[2:13:22] do you wanna just pass the microphone to her?
[2:13:23] Yeah.
[2:13:29] - Is it okay if I sit next to you to hold it?
[2:13:30] - Yes. Okay. Thank you Amanda. Sorry about my can.
[2:13:32] Nope, it's perfect.
[2:13:35] - Hi, I'm Jean Shiner
[2:13:36] and I moved to Exeter with my husband about 20 years ago.
[2:13:41] And what drew us to Exeter was the walkability of the town.
[2:13:45] It had a town center and the businesses
[2:13:49] and the philosophy that I believe in is share the road.
[2:13:53] We're all out there. May we be using a,
[2:13:57] I have had a guide dog, I'm using a cane,
[2:13:59] or people using strollers or walkers or e-bikes or scooters.
[2:14:04] We all somehow need to share the road.
[2:14:07] And safety is also very important.
[2:14:10] And I think that an advisory committee would help us work
[2:14:14] out some of the things that we need to work out.
[2:14:17] I've been a cyclist,
[2:14:19] I rode a bicycle bill for two with my husband.
[2:14:22] And I always would breathe a sigh
[2:14:23] of relief when I'd be going down Lyden Street,
[2:14:25] heading away from town,
[2:14:27] because it's really challenging
[2:14:28] to ride in a lane of traffic.
[2:14:31] And I think if we had separate bike lanes,
[2:14:34] it might get people off the sidewalk
[2:14:36] because it's also kind of scary as a blind person.
[2:14:40] And I think even a sided person to all
[2:14:43] of a sudden have a bike coming up by you on the sidewalk.
[2:14:47] So maybe being a more bike friendly town would help
[2:14:51] to get bicycle cyclists on the streets.
[2:14:55] Winter time is also challenging.
[2:14:58] I've had to walk in the street sometimes when the snow
[2:15:02] is on the sidewalk forcing me to walk in the street.
[2:15:05] And that's, that's dangerous.
[2:15:09] Also on High Street, when the light is so plowed in
[2:15:13] with snow, you can't reach the light button
[2:15:15] to press the light to cross the
[2:15:17] street, that's another problem.
[2:15:19] So I think we do have work to do.
[2:15:22] I know I'd be willing to spend time on an advisory committee
[2:15:25] and I, I have to watch it
[2:15:27] that I don't volunteer my life to death.
[2:15:29] But I think, I think accessibility,
[2:15:33] I've been blind all my life,
[2:15:34] so accessibility is important to me.
[2:15:37] I like to be out in the community just like everybody else.
[2:15:39] And I think we all love Exeter because of being able to walk
[2:15:44] and we just need to make it a safer, friendlier place
[2:15:47] for all of us and work on it together. Thank you.
[2:15:50] - Thank you Jean. Fred, do you want it next?
[2:15:52] Okay, thank you. Thank you.
[2:15:57] My name is Fred Ner. I live on Aspen Way.
[2:15:59] I've been here not quite as long as Jean,
[2:16:01] but we have a, we have,
[2:16:04] I believe we have a pretty large community of blind
[2:16:07] or visually impaired people here in town.
[2:16:10] And selfishly I'm concerned
[2:16:13] with the winter travel like Jean just spoke.
[2:16:20] I'm, I still have a little bit of vision,
[2:16:22] but my depth perception is minimal.
[2:16:25] And with the white snow, it's hard to,
[2:16:28] to negotiate any kind of snowbank.
[2:16:31] So my, my main concern is,
[2:16:34] and again, I appreciate everything that the town does
[2:16:38] and it's a great town, is that when the,
[2:16:43] that the streets are the number one priority in a snowstorm.
[2:16:48] And I get that and I think everybody does, but I, but
[2:16:52] after the streets are done,
[2:16:55] the sidewalks should become the number one priority.
[2:16:59] And even to the point that after,
[2:17:03] after the snowplows come around again to do a,
[2:17:06] a little cleanup, those entrances
[2:17:09] and exits from the sidewalks
[2:17:12] on the crosswalks get blocked up, blocked again.
[2:17:15] And now I have to negotiate another snowbank.
[2:17:19] So selfishly, my concern is the wintertime
[2:17:23] and hold on.
[2:17:26] And, and one other point in town, the parking in town,
[2:17:33] I, I'm sure you've all noticed in the wintertime,
[2:17:36] the snowbank is piled up against the sidewalk
[2:17:39] for those angle parking spots right in town,
[2:17:44] causing people to park their car
[2:17:47] and then having to go out into the street
[2:17:48] and walk around to find an opening to get onto the sidewalk.
[2:17:52] I think that those snow banks need to be cleared,
[2:17:57] cleared out at some point at maybe at night by the town.
[2:18:02] I'm sure it takes more,
[2:18:04] pardon me, silly alarm.
[2:18:12] So I I'm sure it takes more money.
[2:18:14] And that's, it comes along with safety,
[2:18:19] I think for, for everybody, not just the blind community.
[2:18:25] And again, I, I,
[2:18:29] as a blind person, I don't drive.
[2:18:31] I'm one of that 35%
[2:18:34] and I try to get out as much as I can walking,
[2:18:38] and that depends on the weather, but,
[2:18:41] and it also depends on the snow cleanup of the,
[2:18:44] of the sidewalks.
[2:18:46] So thank you for your time
[2:18:47] and I support this advisory committee fully. Thank
[2:18:51] - You very much.
[2:18:52] - Thank you. - Just so
[2:18:56] that the camera can go ahead.
[2:19:04] Good
[2:19:04] - Evening.
[2:19:05] Good evening. Adam Roberts.
[2:19:08] I live with my wife and daughter at Charter Street.
[2:19:11] Just over, over the tracks.
[2:19:14] Just wanted to echo what, forgive me,
[2:19:18] just just getting to know you.
[2:19:20] The fine folks in the front row said about
[2:19:21] accessibility, a DA accessibility.
[2:19:24] My daughter Aaliyah, many of you, some of you know her, some
[2:19:27] of you have seen us in town.
[2:19:29] She's in a wheelchair. She is 12 years old going on
[2:19:34] 18 or 19, I would say she's going into seventh grade.
[2:19:38] Even though she has physical challenges
[2:19:39] and presents differently than other children,
[2:19:41] she has full cognition.
[2:19:43] So she's a teenager, she wants to be out and about
[2:19:46] and doing, doing all the things.
[2:19:48] And so we are always grateful
[2:19:52] and feel blessed to live here in, in this town.
[2:19:55] And all the kindness and courtesy we're always shown.
[2:19:58] But having a committee like this
[2:20:00] that's specifically looking, taking,
[2:20:02] having volunteers from the community looking at these issues
[2:20:06] is, to my mind very important
[2:20:09] and would very much support that.
[2:20:11] I get the concerns that this, this,
[2:20:14] this body would have about bloat
[2:20:17] and c committee bloat and things like that.
[2:20:18] I've, I've worked in nonprofits for a long time, I get it.
[2:20:23] But having a group of dedicated folks,
[2:20:24] and I can assure you that there will be folks on the
[2:20:28] volunteer end who will, who will show up to form the quorum
[2:20:32] or whatever that those concerns are.
[2:20:35] But we, we thoroughly support
[2:20:39] having a distinct body for that so that folks like us with
[2:20:44] kids like us, know that these things are being mulled over
[2:20:47] and talked about and they're on someone's mind
[2:20:49] who has the ability to make these kinds
[2:20:51] of improvements. So thank you.
[2:20:53] - Thank you very much.
[2:21:05] Good.
[2:21:05] - I'm Steve Mulla. I live at Five Gray Bird Farm Circle
[2:21:08] Chicago transplant from moved here in 2013.
[2:21:12] I'm president of the run club here in Exeter.
[2:21:14] We have over 400 Facebook members
[2:21:17] and a large contingent live in Exeter.
[2:21:20] We have about six or seven events.
[2:21:23] Most of them actually start across
[2:21:24] the street at the town hall.
[2:21:25] So if you ever see us at a a 8:00 AM on a Saturday,
[2:21:28] Sunday, that's us.
[2:21:30] And so we run every which way in Exeter.
[2:21:33] So all the potholes, we can tell you all the,
[2:21:37] the roads that need fixing.
[2:21:38] We're, we're folks that can help you on that advisory side.
[2:21:42] Again, we really wanna have that, you know, we're in support
[2:21:45] of a committee to, you know, just balance all the needs
[2:21:49] of the organ of the town
[2:21:51] and to, you know, give a healthy lifestyle
[2:21:53] for our, for our people.
[2:21:56] - Terrific, thank you. - Hi, my name's Scott Hatch
[2:21:58] and I'm actually not from Exeter,
[2:22:00] but I come here three to five days a week I
[2:22:03] - Think.
[2:22:04] Can I just stop you one second? I think we're okay,
[2:22:05] but I have to ask any objection the board. Go ahead sir.
[2:22:09] - Objection. I'm vice president, the
[2:22:10] - I understand you're good. Go.
[2:22:12] - I come here three to five days a week since
[2:22:14] 2012 to run with this group.
[2:22:17] So I've run thousand
[2:22:18] and by thousands of miles on your streets.
[2:22:21] So like Steve says, we can probably tell you
[2:22:23] where every pothole is, every problem of the sidewalk
[2:22:27] or everything that needs to be taken care of.
[2:22:30] I'm also a retired police officer.
[2:22:32] I was with Complete Streets in Georgetown.
[2:22:35] I wrote grants for passive safety
[2:22:37] devices for the police department.
[2:22:39] So I have a lot of education.
[2:22:40] I approved all road races and bike races in the town.
[2:22:44] So I have a lot of education regarding bike
[2:22:47] and pedestrian safety.
[2:22:49] And I know I probably wouldn't be allowed
[2:22:51] to be on a committee because your bylaws probably don't
[2:22:53] allow that because I'm not from Exeter,
[2:22:55] but I may be, you know, possibly helping as part
[2:22:59] of the Exeter Run club
[2:23:00] and being part of a group to look at safety issues.
[2:23:05] And I think an advisory committee would be a great start
[2:23:08] to get things done. Great.
[2:23:10] - Thank you very much. Thank - You.
[2:23:21] - Hi. - Wondering what I'm doing here, right Nancy? Sam?
[2:23:26] - No, I'm never wondering why you're
[2:23:27] - Here.
[2:23:28] I live in Exer. I've been here, I dunno,
[2:23:29] at least 30 years or so.
[2:23:32] Just want the wreck. It's amazing what they've done.
[2:23:35] I remember I coached years ago.
[2:23:36] But anyway, I, I think you've heard everything
[2:23:40] that's gonna be said in regards to this committee.
[2:23:45] And I agree with Nancy
[2:23:46] and also with you Julie, consolidate if you have,
[2:23:50] you have all these people here that are willing to do it.
[2:23:52] Obviously the enthusiasms here, if the
[2:23:55] enthusiasm is not in the other committees,
[2:23:58] maybe start acting a little bit like corporate
[2:24:00] and do some headcount reduction and restructure.
[2:24:02] Try. Because seriously, we've been talking about this stuff
[2:24:04] for so long and I know it's volunteering,
[2:24:07] but at the same time it's spinning wheels
[2:24:09] and they need to be linked.
[2:24:11] 'cause everyone's running in silos.
[2:24:14] You know, the street department doesn't have the funding
[2:24:16] to do the sidewalks.
[2:24:17] So I mean, I think first off, let's just back up
[2:24:19] and get to basic safety with our sidewalks.
[2:24:22] Just go down Auburn Street,
[2:24:23] there's a 18 inch pothole from the kid's side.
[2:24:26] I mean it's just, it's horrible. The road,
[2:24:28] the elevations are off.
[2:24:29] I mean it's just, it's been years, nothing's been done.
[2:24:32] Basic maintenance on our streets, on our sidewalks,
[2:24:36] on our curbs, you squeeze the developers
[2:24:38] to do it in front of their projects.
[2:24:39] They come into from their project to
[2:24:43] a town on road with no sidewalk.
[2:24:46] I mean the money's there, the impact fees, the permitting,
[2:24:49] all the costs, the taxes have gone up.
[2:24:52] Look at the budget. I mean I think these also committees
[2:24:55] need to be linked with somebody from a department
[2:24:58] that's responsible and that's also working with planning.
[2:25:01] So the information is getting rolled up.
[2:25:04] So, I mean, that's all I really have,
[2:25:09] but, so I'm in for it.
[2:25:10] But I mean just, let's just get to the sidewalks.
[2:25:13] That'd be a good start
[2:25:15] - Before you go away, I wanna thank you.
[2:25:17] Mr had some work, was doing some work on his house
[2:25:21] and he paved the portion
[2:25:22] of sidewalk on Auburn Street in front
[2:25:24] of his property and it's beautiful.
[2:25:26] - And so thank you. Thank - You. The town said they didn't
[2:25:28] have the money, so I paved it seriously.
[2:25:30] I called and asked, what are we gonna do it?
[2:25:32] They said there's no funding. So we paved it ourselves,
[2:25:35] but not everybody could afford to do it.
[2:25:36] Right. And now you've got people, you know,
[2:25:38] parking their cards, it's a cut through street,
[2:25:41] it's just, it's dangerous.
[2:25:42] You get to Portsmouth Avenue Harbor
[2:25:43] and you get there by the hospital.
[2:25:44] The lighting, I mean you guys are working
[2:25:46] on it, I understand that.
[2:25:47] But let's at least look at the budget for
[2:25:52] do one block at a time.
[2:25:53] It doesn't have to be the whole thing.
[2:25:55] - So thank you. Appreciate it. - Yeah, thank you.
[2:26:01] - Who's next?
[2:26:09] Hi everybody. Excuse me.
[2:26:15] - All right. My name's Amanda Kelly.
[2:26:17] I live at Prospect Street
[2:26:19] and I am strongly in support of this committee.
[2:26:23] I did a little research just I thought was interesting
[2:26:26] before coming tonight.
[2:26:28] And I did find that 23
[2:26:30] of the 25 largest municipalities in the state do have a
[2:26:33] committee similar to this.
[2:26:35] The only two that do not are Exeter and Salem.
[2:26:38] And maybe I just didn't find it in my Salem research.
[2:26:41] So I did think that was interesting.
[2:26:42] This is something that is widespread and very common.
[2:26:46] I think that should be a, a note to us
[2:26:49] that it's something we're, we're probably missing if
[2:26:51] everybody else is doing it.
[2:26:53] I also mostly just wanna respond to the timing issue.
[2:26:56] I do think that this is the time for us.
[2:26:59] We just adopted the Complete Streets policy
[2:27:02] that's freshly adopted.
[2:27:04] The bike ped master plan is freshly adopted.
[2:27:06] The a DA study was completed in 2019.
[2:27:10] Yes, we might be doing a new update to the master plan,
[2:27:12] but I think that that doesn't proceed.
[2:27:17] This committee getting formed,
[2:27:18] I think this committee can be formed
[2:27:19] alongside a master plan.
[2:27:24] Redo my understanding also in
[2:27:26] that other communities do staff the committees differently.
[2:27:29] And so along the lines of creativity with thinking about how
[2:27:32] to staff it, perhaps there could be some consideration
[2:27:38] for the attendance requirements of the select board member
[2:27:41] or of the town staff members.
[2:27:43] I think that sometimes committees are having maybe a
[2:27:46] brainstorm session for one or two meetings
[2:27:48] and they don't necessarily have
[2:27:50] pointed direct need from those support staff
[2:27:53] or support select board members.
[2:27:55] And so maybe there could become a new expectation of
[2:28:00] a meeting or two where you're pulling together your ideas
[2:28:03] and then you invite, hey select
[2:28:04] board member, we're really ready for you.
[2:28:05] We have some stuff to run by you,
[2:28:07] can you come for this night?
[2:28:08] So another, maybe it's not for the select board,
[2:28:11] maybe it's for the town staff member.
[2:28:13] Just trying to think of other creative ways
[2:28:15] besides necessarily having C committees that also, you know,
[2:28:19] could be relevant if there's not, if they're not meeting,
[2:28:22] I don't know, it's, it's not something I'm fully versed in,
[2:28:25] but I do encourage creativity
[2:28:28] and thinking about how this committee could be created
[2:28:30] and not delaying it.
[2:28:31] I do think that the time, the timing makes perfect sense
[2:28:34] with everything that we've adopted as a a community.
[2:28:36] And I think that there is evidence in this room tonight,
[2:28:41] but just even more so just folks you talked
[2:28:43] to on the street looking at
[2:28:45] what people are talking about in, in the larger community
[2:28:47] that this is, this is a huge priority
[2:28:49] and I think we were going to see that
[2:28:51] exponentially underscored in the new
[2:28:53] master plan as well. So.
[2:28:54] - Great. - Thank you. Thank you very much.
[2:28:59] Anybody else before we bring it to the board? Hi Ben.
[2:29:04] - Good evening. Ben Hodson K Drive.
[2:29:08] I think we've beaten this to death a little bit out here
[2:29:12] with all of us and how much we all kind
[2:29:15] of support the creation of this committee.
[2:29:17] But I did just want to add one small thing.
[2:29:22] I'm a member of an advocacy advocacy group in town,
[2:29:26] strong Town Exeter.
[2:29:28] And we, you know, get generally eight
[2:29:31] or nine, 10 sometimes more people that come out
[2:29:33] and they're super passionate about issues like this.
[2:29:37] But we sometimes find it hard to
[2:29:41] bring those topics to town and where to target our advocacy.
[2:29:46] Whether it's select board, planning board, any
[2:29:49] of the other committees, especially with regards to bike
[2:29:52] and pedestrian safety.
[2:29:54] And I think that this committee would be an awesome way
[2:29:58] to just have that be sort of our outlet for that.
[2:30:02] So I strongly support it
[2:30:04] and yeah, thank you all for your time.
[2:30:08] - One quick thought. Yeah, nothing was beaten
[2:30:10] to death tonight and all of your thoughts
[2:30:12] and suggestions are appreciated and will be taken seriously.
[2:30:15] So nothing was beaten it up, but thank you.
[2:30:19] - Thank you. - Anybody else
[2:30:22] before we bring it back to the board?
[2:30:27] Last call? Okay, we'll bring it back
[2:30:30] to the board. Mr. Sharan.
[2:30:31] - Thank you Mr. Chair.
[2:30:35] Well let me start by saying that your attendance tonight
[2:30:40] and your passion and your words impress me
[2:30:43] and I think it, I think you're right,
[2:30:45] it probably is time for this.
[2:30:48] The concerns expressed by my fellow board members
[2:30:51] and the town manager are real.
[2:30:53] Lemme give you some specifics.
[2:30:55] I serve as the select board rep
[2:30:57] to the sustainability advisory committee.
[2:31:01] I reserve the regular monthly meeting night in both
[2:31:06] July and August for those meetings.
[2:31:08] I declined all other commitments.
[2:31:11] Neither meeting was help. We did not have a quorum.
[2:31:17] I understand it's summer, but I think there is room
[2:31:21] and I don't think sustainability advisory is the place,
[2:31:24] but I think there is room to prune our committee structure.
[2:31:29] There are probably some committees that
[2:31:32] were a good idea at the time,
[2:31:33] but maybe have outlived their purpose.
[2:31:36] The demand on on the select board is real.
[2:31:40] The demand on the staff is even more real.
[2:31:42] Yeah, those folks have their day jobs to do
[2:31:45] and then they stay here in the case of an evening meeting
[2:31:50] and they don't go home and they don't get home
[2:31:51] until like nine or 10 at night.
[2:31:53] So this board
[2:31:57] adds new committees with great care
[2:32:00] because we do need a select board rep
[2:32:04] at most of these meetings.
[2:32:06] And we do need staff representation
[2:32:08] at most of these meetings.
[2:32:10] It's nothing's gonna get done if you don't have those two
[2:32:13] elements if along with a group
[2:32:16] of very committed volunteer citizens.
[2:32:18] So that structure is proven over time
[2:32:23] and it's time honored.
[2:32:24] That's how we do it here.
[2:32:26] So it's not an option
[2:32:28] to have a meeting without a select board rep
[2:32:31] and a town staff person.
[2:32:33] I appreciated your suggestion, Amanda, but,
[2:32:36] but that's just not how we do it.
[2:32:39] So I'm in favor of this,
[2:32:40] but I'm also in favor of looking at how we can prune back
[2:32:45] the commitments that we make, especially on behalf
[2:32:47] of our staff, but also on behalf of the five of us.
[2:32:51] Thank you Mr. Chair. Thank you
[2:32:52] - Mr.
[2:32:53] Chair. Any other members of the board with comments or
[2:32:56] - Thoughts?
[2:32:57] Yeah, I did. I'm wondering, you know, this is the first run
[2:33:01] through on, on establishing a political action committee
[2:33:08] as it says here, Mr.
[2:33:10] Pac, I'd like to work with the town manager,
[2:33:15] but I also think it's an opportunity for,
[2:33:17] because these things involve so many different departments
[2:33:21] that I, we need their input about, you know,
[2:33:25] who might staff it or how they might staff it.
[2:33:30] You know, is it a hybrid?
[2:33:33] I don't know what, whatever they come up with.
[2:33:35] So if it can go on a future near future
[2:33:40] commu department head meeting, I think that would be some,
[2:33:44] a good effort to try to winnow this down to
[2:33:49] a shorter chain of communication so that the, the
[2:33:54] questions and answers are done in short,
[2:33:56] in a shorter time period than if we spread this all out.
[2:34:01] And the other thing is that maybe what we need is
[2:34:06] some lessons in what these things are.
[2:34:09] Some public lessons like, you know, I mean we did
[2:34:12] info sessions for the Exeter bike ped thing
[2:34:16] and for complete street guidelines
[2:34:18] and for, you know,
[2:34:19] the master plan goes through the whole process.
[2:34:21] But maybe we need to have a public information meeting on
[2:34:25] how those things all work together within our structure.
[2:34:30] You know, who's informed by what are we all,
[2:34:33] are they all looking at the same pieces?
[2:34:36] So it's not just an informational session for the public,
[2:34:38] but also for our employees.
[2:34:41] But that's where the, the department
[2:34:43] head meeting comes into play. Okay. Thank
[2:34:45] - You Mr.
[2:34:46] Chair. Could I react to something?
[2:34:47] So what, of course, Gilman just said
[2:34:50] we're leaving out one study.
[2:34:52] There was a great study done in the,
[2:34:54] for the down the Water street downtown parking
[2:34:57] circulation, pedestrian.
[2:34:59] So don't leave that study out
[2:35:01] because a lot of the perception that Exeter is not safe
[2:35:05] for multimodal comes from how tangled our downtown
[2:35:09] water street situation is.
[2:35:11] The angled parking does not work for bicycling,
[2:35:14] which puts the bicycles on the sidewalks,
[2:35:17] which creates peril for the pedestrians.
[2:35:20] So that, that study, if you haven't read it,
[2:35:22] it's very digestible.
[2:35:25] It's the consultant put it together in a very bulleted form.
[2:35:29] It's got very specific suggestions for how
[2:35:33] to untangle our downtown and make it safer
[2:35:36] and more amenable for pedestrians and,
[2:35:41] and how to manage our parking so
[2:35:43] that we get the maximum utilization
[2:35:46] and people are parking quickly
[2:35:47] and not circulating, which creates some of the traffic.
[2:35:50] So it's a great study if you haven't read it, it's been out
[2:35:53] for about almost two years now
[2:35:57] and we are looking at implementing some of the suggestions
[2:36:00] in the not too distant future.
[2:36:02] But I, I urge you all,
[2:36:05] you haven't done all your homework if you haven't
[2:36:07] read that study.
[2:36:09] - Thank - You. Thank you. Anybody else?
[2:36:13] - I, the, I just want to say
[2:36:15] how important it is in my opinion that a department head
[2:36:19] is staffing these along with the select board.
[2:36:23] Some of these committees meet once a month,
[2:36:26] so they're gonna take a meeting and totally brainstorm
[2:36:29] or whatever, and they could get through three hours
[2:36:32] of this meeting and not know, it's not feasible.
[2:36:35] It's not possible because they wouldn't know, right?
[2:36:38] I mean, Mr. Sharples has helped tremendously in many
[2:36:42] meetings saying, I understand what you're saying,
[2:36:45] but this is why we couldn't do what you're suggesting.
[2:36:49] So I just, it's invaluable having department
[2:36:52] heads in these meetings.
[2:36:54] Okay. So I just wanted to add that I love the suggestion,
[2:36:58] but I have to stay practical and,
[2:37:00] and best use of these committees too.
[2:37:04] So can we add, think about adding the a a parking element
[2:37:09] to this too, so it's all under one?
[2:37:12] - Well, that's the study Mr. Shark brought up that,
[2:37:15] - Yeah, that's what made me think it.
[2:37:16] Thank you Dan. Yeah, so it's not there.
[2:37:20] I I don't know if it's too much,
[2:37:22] but it is an important element
[2:37:24] that Mr. Tran just brought up.
[2:37:25] Selectman shark Tran brought up.
[2:37:27] - I i I think the, if I could Mr Of course, yes.
[2:37:31] I think the, what this covers is great
[2:37:35] and they can pull that, the information and that study and
[2:37:39] - Then without it being part of a mission. Yeah,
[2:37:41] - I don't think it - Okay.
[2:37:43] - Just my opinion. - No, it's fine.
[2:37:45] As long and remember this is a draft. No, I get it.
[2:37:48] But he doesn't think it needs to be added and I'm fine.
[2:37:50] But I just think what he brought up was
[2:37:53] a really important element.
[2:37:55] It's a whole picture. So cohesive perhaps in the
[2:38:00] - Interviews we can make sure they've all read that,
[2:38:02] particularly before we point
[2:38:04] - Them.
[2:38:06] - Homework. I have a quick power thought too
[2:38:09] because some of the things
[2:38:10] that I think hold up committee work in, in our town
[2:38:16] is like the prep work hasn't necessarily
[2:38:18] been done on the front end.
[2:38:20] And I wonder also if it's like, instead of, you know,
[2:38:24] diving in and creating a committee that meets once a month
[2:38:28] for two hours and then it just takes so long
[2:38:31] to get everybody up to speed.
[2:38:32] Like there would be some utility in having a,
[2:38:38] you know, six hour retreat
[2:38:40] where you bring everybody together.
[2:38:42] What are all the considerations?
[2:38:44] How do we start to think about this?
[2:38:46] What in your workstream department head, DPW
[2:38:50] what in your workstream, you know, planner, what,
[2:38:54] what are the concerns?
[2:38:55] Like, what are we trying to do here?
[2:38:58] Especially as we're coming into the master plan?
[2:39:00] But I, I do think that there is something to be said around,
[2:39:06] You know, IIII do coalition work in my day job
[2:39:10] and like fund that kind of collaboration.
[2:39:13] And sometimes if you're too, if you're just dragging it out
[2:39:16] for too long, then it gets really hard
[2:39:18] and then people are like, ugh, we're gonna have
[2:39:21] to talk about the same thing for, you know,
[2:39:23] the first 30 minutes.
[2:39:24] And so I do wonder if there is a time of year
[2:39:27] after the budget where we bring everybody together
[2:39:30] for literally six hours
[2:39:32] and it's like, here's a presentation of
[2:39:34] what is happening here.
[2:39:35] And that gives the department heads time to like compile all
[2:39:39] of the things to say here's
[2:39:40] how we're thinking about it. I don't know, I just,
[2:39:44] - Yeah, I think that that's a good idea.
[2:39:46] It's sort of more,
[2:39:50] more immediately available to do that rather than, you know,
[2:39:53] advertise a public info session for three months
[2:39:56] before we, you know, go ahead to yeah.
[2:40:01] For the interested party, advertise it
[2:40:03] for interested parties, pick a date.
[2:40:04] But I, I like that idea that it's more interactive and,
[2:40:11] and with a goal at maybe at the end.
[2:40:14] - Yeah, I don't know. I just, what I don't wanna see,
[2:40:17] you know, 'cause I've been part
[2:40:18] of these really exciting committee structures where like,
[2:40:21] it's like we have a goal
[2:40:22] and we wanna do something right now.
[2:40:24] And you're like meeting for two years
[2:40:26] and everybody's done really frustrated, which is,
[2:40:29] which is really frustrating.
[2:40:32] And I also recognize like things are changing.
[2:40:36] We have to be prepared there.
[2:40:38] You know, you all brought up so many good points
[2:40:42] and I think if we could all,
[2:40:43] if we could bring everybody together to talk about it.
[2:40:45] So, you know, it's so it's not just staffed by one,
[2:40:49] you know, department head or whoever.
[2:40:51] It's like everybody
[2:40:52] who touches this is in a room talking about it.
[2:40:55] Yeah. And then we sort of go from there to be like, okay,
[2:40:59] who are the people that need to be part
[2:41:00] of these conversations?
[2:41:02] And then it doesn't require so much of,
[2:41:05] so much bandwidth on an ongoing basis
[2:41:07] and you're not dragging this out.
[2:41:09] That is just my thought that I had when I was listening
[2:41:12] to everybody's enthusiasm and also the time commitment
[2:41:16] and like the urgency in which some
[2:41:18] of these things need to be decided.
[2:41:20] And then my final thing is I am not worried about
[2:41:23] responsible e-bike riders.
[2:41:24] I am so scared about these kids that I see on the roads
[2:41:28] and it is so stressful.
[2:41:30] So closing with that.
[2:41:33] - Yeah. I think that's something to explore.
[2:41:35] - Yeah. Could I just add one more
[2:41:38] because now Molly is gonna,
[2:41:39] - You know, I'm gonna forget everything I was gonna say.
[2:41:41] - No, I'm so sorry. You wanna go before me? No, no, no, no.
[2:41:43] - Because - Would the agenda, the chair of a committee
[2:41:48] puts the agenda together and if they have an agenda
[2:41:53] and say it's more focused toward planning,
[2:41:55] then that would be something Mr.
[2:41:56] Sharples would be at the next meeting.
[2:41:58] If it's more for DPW, it would, right.
[2:42:01] So there is a, a way to do it, but we couldn't have Mr.
[2:42:06] Sharples and our DPW all at the same meeting at night.
[2:42:11] Right. But that's an
[2:42:13] - See.
[2:42:14] I know, but its like, this is,
[2:42:15] it's not silos kind. Yeah. I But we
[2:42:18] - Can't have them all here at night.
[2:42:21] - No, but you could have them all
[2:42:22] for a day long retreat, right?
[2:42:24] Yeah. And everybody talk about it
[2:42:26] and then, you know, who,
[2:42:28] who are the important components to this stuff?
[2:42:32] And then we're not, you know,
[2:42:33] everybody's starting from the same
[2:42:37] information, you know?
[2:42:39] Or, or like what is possible, what's been tried.
[2:42:44] - Sorry, Mr. Chair. That's okay. Do you remember
[2:42:47] - I'm, - I'm done.
[2:42:48] Bet if I try, I
[2:42:52] like, I like your idea. Thank
[2:42:54] - You. I like, sometimes
[2:42:56] - I like this idea and it's a draft.
[2:42:59] Yeah. So we need
[2:43:03] to have a select board member at these meetings.
[2:43:06] We need to have a member of staff at these meetings
[2:43:10] because oftentimes staff gets direction from the committee
[2:43:14] at the end of the meeting, we've discussed this,
[2:43:17] then staff goes to the town manager
[2:43:18] and they work on what the committee has wanted to work on.
[2:43:21] And I mean, a
[2:43:21] sustainability advisory committee comes to mind.
[2:43:24] The energy committee comes to mind just
[2:43:26] to name two very successful committees
[2:43:28] that have gotten a lot done, accomplished a lot.
[2:43:32] It's good to have a select board member there
[2:43:35] to answer questions on policy, procedure.
[2:43:37] Can we do this? Can we do that?
[2:43:39] It's a good resource to have.
[2:43:41] But at the end of the night when the Novak Room empties
[2:43:43] and we're still meeting one
[2:43:45] of the last things on our agenda select board committee
[2:43:48] reports where we all report back
[2:43:50] to the other committee members what you've all been doing.
[2:43:54] So it's, it's valuable because your work
[2:43:57] and your time is incredibly valuable.
[2:43:59] And we spread that word to our colleagues
[2:44:02] and to those that are watching the meetings
[2:44:04] and it goes into the minutes.
[2:44:05] So that's important.
[2:44:08] We saw in the complete street study that was presented not
[2:44:11] so long ago that unfortunately at the age of this town,
[2:44:14] not every area of town is created equal.
[2:44:17] And some streets are gonna be easier to tackle
[2:44:21] and some are gonna be a little bit more difficult.
[2:44:23] Complete streets might mean something.
[2:44:25] One part of town, it's gonna mean something different.
[2:44:28] Public Works does an extraordinary job
[2:44:33] given limitations in staff and equipment.
[2:44:40] Yeah. The, the budget has been high
[2:44:42] the last couple of years.
[2:44:45] Demands are being made on public works.
[2:44:48] Safety is one of our biggest, biggest,
[2:44:52] biggest issues with this board.
[2:44:54] And we've been talking about a DA accessibility for years.
[2:44:57] We've talked about public safety for years
[2:45:02] after a snowstorm.
[2:45:04] Yeah. There are times where it's ugly because in New England
[2:45:09] and in New Hampshire, not all snowstorms are created equal.
[2:45:11] And there are all kinds of outdoor elements
[2:45:14] that I never even considered until I talked
[2:45:16] to this gentleman and his predecessor.
[2:45:18] So we can always do better. Absolutely.
[2:45:22] And we can find ways to do better.
[2:45:24] We can try to find ways to spend our budget dollars better.
[2:45:27] I think this year the budget recommendations committee is
[2:45:30] gonna see a slightly different approach in paving
[2:45:34] and you know, we are trying new things
[2:45:36] and we appreciate your thoughts, suggestions,
[2:45:39] and we appreciate your patience.
[2:45:41] Public works. Appreciate your patience.
[2:45:43] 'cause they work really, really hard.
[2:45:45] So where does that bring us back here?
[2:45:47] This brings us back to a town manager
[2:45:49] who in three months has listened to folks
[2:45:53] and has met with folks
[2:45:54] and talk about spending hours going outside
[2:45:59] and walking the streets with folks and hearing their ideas.
[2:46:02] And Mr. Coh, I'm appreciative that you've put this together
[2:46:05] for the select board to consider, but now I'm gonna ask you
[2:46:08] and your staff to go back
[2:46:10] and listen to the suggestions we have,
[2:46:12] not from just from the public but from the board
[2:46:16] and how can we make this work so
[2:46:19] that it doesn't turn into another committee that can't meet.
[2:46:22] 'cause they don't have a quorum if is it thinking
[2:46:25] outside the box and how we meet.
[2:46:28] So I'm gonna ask that, that you do that with staff.
[2:46:31] We can also let this marinate a little bit and,
[2:46:35] and come back for a discussion.
[2:46:37] I'm also gonna ask that, that you work with staff
[2:46:40] to look at committees and bring
[2:46:42] recommendations back to the board.
[2:46:44] Only if we think it's time
[2:46:45] to look at consolidating or sunsetting.
[2:46:48] That has nothing to do with this topic,
[2:46:50] but it somewhat does.
[2:46:52] So time is of the essence.
[2:46:59] I know firsthand that the September 14th agenda is packed.
[2:47:02] So we are not gonna be taking this up on September 14th,
[2:47:05] but I'm gonna leave it up to Mr. Cohen.
[2:47:08] You and I can discuss whether the last meeting
[2:47:10] in September or in October.
[2:47:12] But I do wanna set a date.
[2:47:14] I do wanna set set it soon
[2:47:16] and hopefully you all can come back
[2:47:18] and we can continue the
[2:47:19] conversation 'cause it's an important one.
[2:47:21] And we're appreciative that y'all came out tonight. Yes.
[2:47:24] So any last thoughts from the board before we move on?
[2:47:28] - I I wanna hear my, - Of course I do.
[2:47:30] - When this gentleman in the back row was talking about,
[2:47:34] you know, this frustration at the pace of progress,
[2:47:38] don't forget that our form government makes
[2:47:41] progress incredibly difficult.
[2:47:43] The good the good thing about our former government is
[2:47:46] that it involves everyone.
[2:47:48] All the voters get their say
[2:47:50] whether they're informed or not.
[2:47:53] And, and, and we only get to do that one time a year.
[2:47:58] And can you imagine any other 40 plus million dollar
[2:48:01] operation that makes decisions one time a year?
[2:48:04] No. I mean I, it would, I would be remiss not to say this
[2:48:08] - Downtown.
[2:48:09] Do we leave the gazebo? Do we get rid of it?
[2:48:11] I mean it's been years just like the safety thing.
[2:48:13] - It it, it's all been years. Everybody.
[2:48:15] It's all there. Read it now
[2:48:16] - They're complaining about the
[2:48:17] cost 'cause they didn't do it 10 years
[2:48:18] - Ago. Read it.
[2:48:19] - Read at some point. We gotta just stop.
[2:48:21] - There's some really cool pedestrian oriented
[2:48:24] suggestions in that study.
[2:48:25] Please read it. I know, I know.
[2:48:26] - But I'm wondering now why aren't they getting done?
[2:48:28] 'cause everything I think everyone's asking you here is
[2:48:30] what's in that study that's proposed to be done.
[2:48:32] Let's pull the trigger. Like what do we need
[2:48:34] to do instead of getting another committee?
[2:48:36] Maybe let's look at why, why is it not getting
[2:48:38] - Done funds?
[2:48:40] We need to find a way to fund things. Taxes
[2:48:41] - Are going up.
[2:48:42] I'm paying almost 10 grand, not even 1300 square
[2:48:44] - Feet.
[2:48:45] Our budget, our budget season has just started.
[2:48:47] Watch the budget meetings. Alright and you'll, so
[2:48:50] - We're gonna, we're gonna need to look at budget, right?
[2:48:51] We're gonna take up the budget on September 28th.
[2:48:53] So we'd love to see you back 'cause now we're gonna move on
[2:48:55] to our next agenda item. But
[2:48:57] - I just, - It was not at your biggest table.
[2:49:00] - You working way - Down. It's like
[2:49:01] you be helpful. It's what
[2:49:02] - It is.
[2:49:03] Yep. I appreciate it. Yep. Thank you.
[2:49:04] - Hey, welcome Mr. Cohen.
[2:49:10] Thank you guys. Thank
[2:49:11] - You.
[2:49:12] Thank you. Appreciate your thoughts. Appreciate Mr. Forney.
[2:49:14] It was nice to see you came to an a DA forum
[2:49:17] that we never recorded.
[2:49:19] It was the first time. It was what, like a year ago
[2:49:22] and you were talking about sidewalk.
[2:49:23] So it was good to see you again. Bye.
[2:49:25] - Thank you. It's good to be here.
[2:49:27] And I appreciate all of your time
[2:49:31] that you spend volunteering.
[2:49:33] I know it's a big commitment on your heart,
[2:49:35] so thank you everybody.
[2:49:37] - We love our community. Thank you. Thank you very much.
[2:49:39] You great to see you all. Bye. You. Bye
[2:49:47] - Ms. Roy.
[2:49:49] Hello. You're up.
[2:49:53] - Alright, so each year we get
[2:49:57] requests from local non-profits for transportation funding
[2:50:03] assistance that is funded in a revolving account through a
[2:50:08] surcharge that we have on our motor vehicle registration.
[2:50:13] And we fund
[2:50:15] things like the Rockingham Meals on Wheels task
[2:50:19] and some of those, one of the other major
[2:50:23] organizations that we fund is Coast
[2:50:26] and previously in the past coast had a fixed
[2:50:29] route here in town.
[2:50:30] And over the last years that changed to on Demand
[2:50:34] and now due to a grant we have sort of a hybrid
[2:50:37] of a on demand where you can call
[2:50:39] and have them pick you up at your home.
[2:50:42] In 2026 they
[2:50:45] requested $37,000.
[2:50:48] 37,000 thousand dollars. Excuse me.
[2:50:52] Over the last few years they have incrementally increased
[2:50:56] what they have requested.
[2:50:58] However, our transportation fund really can't support
[2:51:03] the requests that they're putting in.
[2:51:06] In 2025.
[2:51:08] We asked Coast
[2:51:09] how many unique riders were utilizing their system
[2:51:14] 'cause we were trying to understand
[2:51:15] how many Exeter residents, and it was 18 people.
[2:51:20] That number has changed in 26 to about 59 people.
[2:51:24] So it is increasing through this grant that they have.
[2:51:28] But we do expect that grant
[2:51:30] to close out at the end of September.
[2:51:31] We're not quite sure yet if that is gonna be continuing.
[2:51:36] So at the end of each of our fiscal years,
[2:51:39] we have approximately about three
[2:51:41] to $5,000 at the end of the year.
[2:51:45] If we were to fund coast at what we have been funding them,
[2:51:49] which was $25,760
[2:51:54] and add to it a 4% inflation increase, we would be able
[2:51:59] to support that with the current funds
[2:52:01] that we have in the transportation fund.
[2:52:04] I understand that Coast is looking for more.
[2:52:07] We do not have the funds to support that right now.
[2:52:11] We're coming to you because we feel like going forward we'd
[2:52:16] like the Transportation Fund request
[2:52:18] to come to the select board.
[2:52:20] That was initially how it was set up.
[2:52:22] And so we'd like to start that process to come here.
[2:52:28] - Any questions for Ms. Rory? - Okay. I do
[2:52:32] - Select Women Gilman, please.
[2:52:33] - Yeah. Thanks for this information.
[2:52:36] So we're, we're comparing,
[2:52:38] we're seeing numbers from the January to December, 2025,
[2:52:42] but we only have half a year for June.
[2:52:44] - Correct. - Do they anticipate getting up to the numbers
[2:52:49] or surpassing the numbers that they had in 2025?
[2:52:53] - They haven't given us that information right now.
[2:52:56] I know that we're currently on a grant that allows you
[2:52:58] to call, to bring, to get the bus to your home,
[2:53:02] which was something we've never seen here in Exeter
[2:53:05] before, since we've been on this on demand route.
[2:53:08] It was, it was a, a certain route.
[2:53:10] I think it's Route seven in Exeter
[2:53:11] and you had to be within a mile of that route.
[2:53:14] And, and so it was very limited in who they could service.
[2:53:17] So it is fantastic that they've increased service.
[2:53:21] I just don't know that that's gonna be sustained yet.
[2:53:25] You know, they contract with Portsmouth, they run their,
[2:53:31] I don't, not a Council on Aging,
[2:53:33] but Senior Busing, some of the other places
[2:53:35] that have fixed route demands, they,
[2:53:38] our route goes from New Market to Exeter.
[2:53:41] It's a little bit different than some
[2:53:43] of these other locations.
[2:53:48] - Yeah, I have to say that I was in that year
[2:53:52] or two when we had the, you know, call in,
[2:53:55] if you live within a mile of the bus stop that, you know,
[2:53:59] there's one on Main Street
[2:54:00] that I've never seen anybody use ever nevermind.
[2:54:03] Somebody from Water Street standing there waiting
[2:54:05] for the bus because they called
[2:54:07] them 'cause they live within a mile.
[2:54:09] And, and so I was disappointed
[2:54:13] and ready to not not fund them.
[2:54:15] Well they were coming. So not fund them, but just fund them
[2:54:18] but not as much as they were asking for.
[2:54:21] And you know, I'm looking at the numbers and,
[2:54:25] and if it's going to reach what it did in 2025,
[2:54:31] I I, I still don't wanna fully fund what they're asking for
[2:54:34] because we don't get the service that the other towns do.
[2:54:38] And that's, you know, part of the problem
[2:54:41] and part of the solution.
[2:54:42] 'cause you don't know you have
[2:54:44] to have the ridership in order to start a, a, a route
[2:54:47] or do you start a route and see if anybody gets on it.
[2:54:51] And so that's where they are.
[2:54:52] But the other thing is that the other transportation groups
[2:54:57] that we fund, like Task
[2:54:58] and Meals on Wheels are,
[2:55:02] well at least task is a call us two weeks ahead
[2:55:04] of time kind of thing.
[2:55:08] I don't know what Coast timeframe is, but I don't know.
[2:55:12] I'm losing my faith in Coast I guess.
[2:55:14] So I I don't object to giving them less money.
[2:55:18] - Okay, - Well it's not less money.
[2:55:21] - Well, they asked for more
[2:55:22] - Less than their request.
[2:55:23] Yes, it would be more than less year
[2:55:25] - 4%.
[2:55:27] You're Go ahead sir. I'm fine with the proposal. Go ahead.
[2:55:31] They're not gonna cut then if people can't use it
[2:55:34] if we don't have it available.
[2:55:36] So now that there's the 24 hour
[2:55:38] and that they'll bring them whether it's
[2:55:40] sustainable or not, we'll see.
[2:55:42] But it, we can look at this every year
[2:55:44] and if they can keep that bringing people to their home
[2:55:47] or picking them up there, that's huge.
[2:55:51] So
[2:55:52] - Thank you.
[2:55:53] So you're looking for, you're looking for motion
[2:55:57] to fund the program with the 4% increase for FY 26?
[2:56:01] - Yes. The 26 7 90.
[2:56:04] - Are there any other comments from the board?
[2:56:08] Okay, no then seen none.
[2:56:09] I would entertain a motion to fund the coast program
[2:56:13] at the previous award
[2:56:14] of $25,760 plus a 4% inflation increase for a total
[2:56:19] of $26,790 for FY 26.
[2:56:23] - So moved. - I'll second.
[2:56:28] - Here's a motion and a second. Is there any discussion?
[2:56:33] See none. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?
[2:56:37] Motion carries. Thank you.
[2:56:39] - Okay. - Right. One more.
[2:56:46] We have a Peerpoint Park donation acceptance.
[2:56:49] This evening's very straightforward.
[2:56:51] Are there any questions from the board? Okay.
[2:56:53] And I would entertain a motion
[2:56:55] to accept the donations received during the month
[2:56:57] of July, 2026 totaling $500 for the design
[2:57:01] and construction of Pierpoint Park.
[2:57:03] And direct that the funds be held by the trustees
[2:57:05] of trust funds in the Pierpoint Park Fund.
[2:57:07] Disbursement of the fund shall be made by authorization
[2:57:10] of the town manager for the purpose of designing and
[2:57:13] or constructing Bear Point Park.
[2:57:15] - So moved - Second.
[2:57:17] - And there's a motion and a second. Any discussion?
[2:57:19] Seeing none. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?
[2:57:22] Motion carries in our packet.
[2:57:25] We have our regular meeting minutes from August 10th.
[2:57:27] Are there any revisions
[2:57:29] or amendments?
[2:57:33] See none. I would entertain a motion to approve the town
[2:57:36] of Exeter Select Board regular meeting minutes
[2:57:38] of August 10th, 2026.
[2:57:41] - So moved. Second - Motion and second. Any discussion?
[2:57:43] See none. All those in favor? A Aye. Aye. Opposed?
[2:57:46] Motion carries.
[2:57:49] Mr. Cohen, did you wanna introduce the next Yes. Yeah.
[2:57:52] - Mr. Chairman and members of the board.
[2:57:55] As, as you know,
[2:57:56] we're coming right up upon our primary election
[2:57:58] and state election in accordance with the, the Secretary
[2:58:02] of State's New Hampshire election procedures manual.
[2:58:05] The response to the select board
[2:58:11] pertaining to preparation for the election deals
[2:58:13] with the Inspector
[2:58:15] of Elections are more commonly known as ballot clerks.
[2:58:19] As the board knows with the new town clerk and,
[2:58:22] and the discussions with that town moderator, we are seeking
[2:58:27] to comply fully with the provisions of the duties
[2:58:30] of select board and that pertains to the inspectors
[2:58:34] of elections and ascribed in the manual
[2:58:36] that I gave you the excerpt,
[2:58:38] we have four delegates appointed by the two parties, but
[2:58:43] however additional inspectors are needed
[2:58:46] and the town clerk in consultation with
[2:58:49] that town moderator has
[2:58:50] provided you with the list of inspectors in your packet
[2:58:53] for consideration this evening.
[2:58:55] So I, the request is to appoint the slate as presented.
[2:58:59] - Okay. Before we,
[2:59:02] before I ask any questions,
[2:59:04] there are two typos.
[2:59:08] Oh, Gwen English, the H is missing from her name. Oh,
[2:59:12] - Okay.
[2:59:13] - And we believe that Rachel's last name may,
[2:59:16] might be Owens instead of Owens, but I don't know.
[2:59:19] - Okay. That's typos. Yeah. Thank you.
[2:59:22] - And it's my understanding, Mr. Cohen, that we can approve
[2:59:25] the slate as presented without having
[2:59:27] to go through all of the names.
[2:59:29] - Yes, that's correct. - Are there any questions?
[2:59:31] Okay, seeing none, I would entertain a motion to appoint
[2:59:36] the slate of registered voters to serve
[2:59:38] as inspection inspectors of elections
[2:59:40] through July 31st, 2028 as presented in our packet.
[2:59:44] So moved. Second. There's a motion and a second.
[2:59:47] Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor?
[2:59:49] Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you very much.
[2:59:54] We have, we have an intent to
[3:00:00] cut wood or timber straightforward in our packet.
[3:00:03] If there are no questions, I would entertain a motion
[3:00:06] to approve the notice to cut wood
[3:00:10] or timber on tax map.
[3:00:12] 47 lot. Eight dash one. So moved. Second.
[3:00:17] The motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none.
[3:00:19] All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Host. Motion carries.
[3:00:23] And then Mr. Cohen, I would invite you
[3:00:25] to give your town manager's report.
[3:00:26] - Yeah, yeah, yeah. Briefly, Mr.
[3:00:29] Chairman, members of the board in your packet,
[3:00:31] you have a copy of a memo from finance director Cory Stevens
[3:00:34] regarding the status of the town's general fund water
[3:00:37] and sewer and enterprise funds through July 31st,
[3:00:40] which is the seventh month of our calendar and fiscal year.
[3:00:43] And as was indicated when Cory was here last month,
[3:00:48] the news continues to be good.
[3:00:50] The budget is in line through seven months.
[3:00:53] It should be around 58% of your revenues and expenditures.
[3:00:57] You're continued as, as Corey noted last month,
[3:01:00] we've continued to see that strength in our building permits
[3:01:03] and fees and in our interest incomes.
[3:01:06] So that seems to be working fine.
[3:01:08] I I think the only area of concern
[3:01:10] of expenditure in the general fund is our welfare caseload
[3:01:13] and expenditures are, are running above normal.
[3:01:16] And, but again, that's a a, that's a budget
[3:01:19] of less than $200,000 on a, you know, budgetary level.
[3:01:22] But it is, it is running ahead of,
[3:01:25] of prior year and budget.
[3:01:28] And then again, going to the water and sewer revenue funds.
[3:01:32] You know, they're, they're running fine.
[3:01:34] They're 57% of revenue collected.
[3:01:38] Again, right in line with the 58% target mark.
[3:01:41] And, and as you can see on the operating expenses,
[3:01:44] everything is in the 58 below 60
[3:01:47] or so percentage for
[3:01:49] what would be routine expenses in the year.
[3:01:50] And sim similar with the sewer fund revenue, 50% collected
[3:01:55] and expenditures running without concern.
[3:01:58] So again, our intent is to continue to provide you
[3:02:01] with monthly updates as we move
[3:02:04] through the remainder of the fiscal year.
[3:02:07] Regarding the Pine Linden Front Street Roundabout project,
[3:02:12] our public works director Steve Cronin, has been
[3:02:17] monitoring this project extensively.
[3:02:20] The work is scheduled to complete the end of this week.
[3:02:23] There, there's a bit of a hiccup with the color
[3:02:25] of the cement.
[3:02:27] For the roundabout, the call
[3:02:32] that was prescribed in the bid specifications was not
[3:02:35] shipped to the town.
[3:02:37] So that's creating a bit of a delay in terms
[3:02:39] of the pouring and curing of the cement.
[3:02:41] And how that is expected
[3:02:43] to be resolved is the roadway will open with the start
[3:02:47] of school and the upcoming election.
[3:02:51] There may be a period
[3:02:53] where we may restrict heavy truck traffic.
[3:02:55] That would be the one that would utilize that, that area,
[3:02:59] you know, till that that broke and cure for a week or two.
[3:03:02] So, but the good news is, is it the weather's cooperated,
[3:03:06] the work is proceeding,
[3:03:09] and again, we, we expect no issues regarding school opening
[3:03:14] or school buses or with the election traffic, you know, for,
[3:03:18] for next week's election.
[3:03:19] So that's where things stand with our roundabout project.
[3:03:24] And then lastly, end of my report,
[3:03:28] community rating system staff,
[3:03:32] basically on a request originated
[3:03:34] by our conservation sustainability agent Kristen Murphy
[3:03:38] met last week and we're
[3:03:43] with the state administrator of this program.
[3:03:45] And basically what, what this is,
[3:03:47] and I just provide you with a brief excerpt in your,
[3:03:50] in the packet, is this is a volunteer program which only can
[3:03:54] provide benefit for those, you know, for residents.
[3:03:57] So by participating in the FEMA
[3:04:02] National Fraud Insurance Community Rating System program,
[3:04:06] by taking some town voluntary efforts, we anticipate
[3:04:10] that people who are subject
[3:04:12] to fraud insurance requirements could save
[3:04:14] significantly on their premium.
[3:04:16] So we, we as a staff are going
[3:04:18] to be working on this in the months ahead
[3:04:20] and we'll be coming to you for formal action sooner than
[3:04:24] that in order to again, provide a benefit to the community.
[3:04:28] This was looked at before a few years ago,
[3:04:30] but it never made it
[3:04:31] to the implement state implementation stage.
[3:04:34] So what we're doing is we're picking up the ball
[3:04:37] and we're going to deliver this and,
[3:04:40] and what, what it involves particularly in,
[3:04:42] in a community like exit, that's not a coastal community,
[3:04:46] but yet we are impacted by, by the, you know,
[3:04:49] climate change and the issues.
[3:04:51] It, it, it's those volunteer efforts of of, of building code
[3:04:55] and other preventive measures.
[3:04:57] Some of what you saw with the Swayze Park study, which is
[3:05:01] how can we take preventive measures in order to
[3:05:05] safeguard from property loss or,
[3:05:07] or obviously more importantly, human human loss.
[3:05:11] And so we, most of the communities
[3:05:14] that are in the program are in the, you know,
[3:05:15] southwestern corner of the state.
[3:05:19] There are efforts in our neighboring communities such
[3:05:21] as Hampton and Rye
[3:05:23] and others to get engaged into the program.
[3:05:26] Some of those challenges more are more
[3:05:28] for the immediate coastal communities are more challenging
[3:05:30] 'cause you've got wave height
[3:05:31] issues and those type of things.
[3:05:33] But we are looking at how, how can Exeter benefit from this?
[3:05:37] And we expect to bring this again, which
[3:05:41] can only provide benefit for those who are if,
[3:05:44] who are dealing with the cost and,
[3:05:47] and challenges of national flood insurance.
[3:05:49] And, and as many of you may be aware, that's been a
[3:05:53] challenging program in, in recent years.
[3:05:56] So again, this is something that we're,
[3:05:57] we're initiating in order
[3:05:58] to provide relief within the community.
[3:06:02] Okay. Well that concludes my report
[3:06:03] for this evening. Thank you. Thank
[3:06:04] - You very much.
[3:06:05] Any questions for the town manager? Okay.
[3:06:08] Select board committee reports.
[3:06:09] We could start with select women Gilman please. Ah,
[3:06:13] - Thank you Mr.
[3:06:14] Chair. I, since I missed a last,
[3:06:18] in the last meeting, I've had a couple of extra meetings
[3:06:20] to report on, but keep it short.
[3:06:23] The two 50 committee has, excuse me,
[3:06:29] contracted with the Gundalow company
[3:06:31] and we're bringing the Gundalow to Exeter in October.
[3:06:35] I believe it's the second, third, and fourth. Okay.
[3:06:38] And the time is depending on the tides and,
[3:06:42] but it will be here for those three days.
[3:06:44] And part of the reason that we're doing it at that time is
[3:06:47] because the schools have a in-service day
[3:06:50] or they're not in service,
[3:06:52] but we'll be able to have the main Street school,
[3:06:55] Lincoln Street School kids come down
[3:06:57] for the tour of the Oh good.
[3:06:58] Of the thing. But it's open to families
[3:07:01] and we're hoping that we could get people to use a kayak
[3:07:06] and either welcome the golo in
[3:07:08] or see it off, you know, as a flotilla the parks
[3:07:12] and rec kayaks will be there and they'll be free,
[3:07:15] but you'll have to sign up for 'em. And let's see,
[3:07:19] - Julie, what was the date?
[3:07:20] The second, third and 4th of October.
[3:07:24] - Let's either the second, third and fourth. Lemme
[3:07:27] - Because we have the Chili Fest in
[3:07:29] downtown on the third.
[3:07:33] - Just - Whatever I just wanted to
[3:07:36] - Might be a bonus for both of them, so. Okay,
[3:07:38] - Good.
[3:07:41] - Let's see, what else? I think that was that the
[3:07:46] Heritage Commission had a couple of demolition reviews.
[3:07:48] One was a garage on Marlborough Street that really had no
[3:07:54] historic value to the town.
[3:07:56] It was just a, it was old
[3:07:58] but not a date that went
[3:07:59] with the house or with the property.
[3:08:02] So we recommend, or our recommendation was
[3:08:04] that it was okay to go ahead.
[3:08:06] And then there was another one that I missed. Let's see.
[3:08:15] Oh, I missed the last Heritage Commission
[3:08:17] because I was at veto day
[3:08:18] and I think the most important thing that came out of
[3:08:21] that was we overrode the governor's veto on the 10 year
[3:08:25] transportation plan.
[3:08:26] So that is law now, which will help us out.
[3:08:36] I think that's it. I think that's all I've got
[3:08:37] - To say.
[3:08:38] Great. Thank you. Select Women Belanger.
[3:08:40] - So on August 13th we had the planning board meeting
[3:08:44] and it was solely on the capital improvement
[3:08:47] plan, the first public hearing.
[3:08:49] And then the second public hearing will be this Thursday
[3:08:53] from six 30 to seven.
[3:08:56] And then regular business will start at seven.
[3:08:59] Housing advisory committee was on the 14th, August 14th.
[3:09:03] And we're looking at zoning ordinances
[3:09:06] and possibly changing some language.
[3:09:10] There was was August 20th,
[3:09:14] the neighborhood dam removal I picked for Pickpocket Dam.
[3:09:19] I left a bit early but heard the presentation
[3:09:24] and not all of the public comment,
[3:09:26] but I have been meaning to go back to listen to that.
[3:09:30] And I had no parks and rec because of no form.
[3:09:33] - Okay. Thank you. Select McCowen.
[3:09:36] - I have nothing to report. Thank you.
[3:09:38] - Selectman Chair train.
[3:09:40] - I did attend a conservation commission meeting on
[3:09:43] August 11th, a Tuesday, 7:00 PM in the evening.
[3:09:48] The main highlight of that was that they took up a, a
[3:09:53] approval on something that had been inadvertently
[3:10:00] done out on Wadley.
[3:10:03] So the members of the commission were quite chagrined
[3:10:07] and were reluctant to issue their approval
[3:10:12] and thereby set of precedent.
[3:10:13] But at the same time it had been inadvertent
[3:10:17] and there had been some problems with the placement
[3:10:20] of conservation easement discs.
[3:10:23] So in the end they, they approved it
[3:10:26] with the applicant agreeing
[3:10:29] and their contractor agreeing to change, undo some
[3:10:34] of the things that they had done.
[3:10:35] So that was the highlight of that meeting.
[3:10:38] I also attended a train station committee meeting
[3:10:42] last Thursday, the 20th of August
[3:10:45] at 11:00 AM in the morning.
[3:10:47] And we mainly
[3:10:51] did a wrap up on the train station
[3:10:54] charette that had happened.
[3:10:56] And then I also attended the meeting last Thursday evening.
[3:11:00] I walked in five minutes before you left.
[3:11:04] So we had complete, we checked like board coverage
[3:11:08] and I heard, I heard some comments from folks in Brentwood
[3:11:13] who are very interested in there, a
[3:11:15] - Lot of folks in - Brentwood removal of the dam and,
[3:11:18] and they had plenty of time to have all their say
[3:11:22] and all their questions asked.
[3:11:23] Good. Yeah. Good.
[3:11:25] - Thank you. I only had the Swayze Park trustee
[3:11:28] meeting on the 19th.
[3:11:30] It was a quick meeting, but they did approve to spend money
[3:11:34] to fix the part of the chain link fence that is unsafe.
[3:11:37] So we'll be moving forward on that.
[3:11:39] Tree committee was canceled due to lack of quorum,
[3:11:41] as was River Advisory Committee.
[3:11:43] So with that we'll move to correspondence.
[3:11:48] There's an email, it was written
[3:11:50] to the board about speed limit review.
[3:11:52] This was forwarded to Chief McCain.
[3:11:54] Chief McCain did go out there
[3:11:56] and I believe spoke with the person
[3:11:57] who wrote the email. And
[3:11:58] - They're conducting a grade speed study
[3:12:00] - Up there.
[3:12:01] Study. We have
[3:12:03] a correspondence from Nancy Rockwell,
[3:12:06] which you see my response Mr.
[3:12:11] Co I'm gonna, I'm gonna apologize
[3:12:12] because the last part of my packet,
[3:12:14] the ink must have run out your office.
[3:12:16] So I'm gonna have you
[3:12:17] pinch it for me 'cause I can't read it.
[3:12:20] - Yeah, the, it happened on a few things. Yeah,
[3:12:24] - Well the seven to save, that's the,
[3:12:25] that's the letter for the seven to save.
[3:12:27] Okay. The letter of support to, to the state
[3:12:29] that you voted at your last meeting. Okay.
[3:12:31] - Because this, this is what I have. Yeah.
[3:12:34] - Alright. - That's correspondence board calendar.
[3:12:39] Our September meetings are, I'm gonna wait
[3:12:41] for the calendars up. Thank
[3:12:43] - You.
[3:12:46] - Okay. Am I good? Okay. September 14th. September 28th.
[3:12:53] October 13th, which is a Tuesday,
[3:12:57] October 26th.
[3:13:00] November nine, November 23rd.
[3:13:07] December 7th
[3:13:10] - And - December 21st.
[3:13:16] Also remind the board the election is on September 8th
[3:13:21] from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Select Woman Belandger.
[3:13:24] I know you got the moderator
[3:13:25] of some times pm you'll be absent the
[3:13:28] Times. It will be filling in
[3:13:29] - Two. I need a coverage for
[3:13:30] - Yeah.
[3:13:31] Select Women. Gilman, I you're on the ballot. Yes.
[3:13:35] I'm So you'll need to find some coverage.
[3:13:38] - I completely forgot.
[3:13:39] I've been thinking about voting here, not there.
[3:13:42] I, I will get coverage yet.
[3:13:44] - Okay. If you could get that to Kate,
[3:13:46] that'd be appreciated.
[3:13:48] And obviously anybody else that needs to for coverage.
[3:13:51] I don't believe we have another
[3:13:52] non-public session this evening.
[3:13:54] So unless there's, go
[3:13:55] - Ahead.
[3:13:56] I just have one question please.
[3:13:57] You mentioned a nine 11 event. Yes.
[3:14:00] Did, did you have a time
[3:14:01] that I might have missed? We don't have one. We
[3:14:03] - Don't have one that will be advertised. I
[3:14:05] - Think it'll be early morning.
[3:14:07] I'm thinking somewhere around nine o'clock plus a minus.
[3:14:10] So there'll be that Friday morning and
[3:14:12] - We have a housing advisory committee meeting.
[3:14:14] What time at eight 30? It's not about me. Okay.
[3:14:16] I'm just, I will leave to go to,
[3:14:18] - Just trying to coordinate. At least I'll
[3:14:19] - Still be, I'm - Just trying to nail down, you know,
[3:14:21] some of the final logistics.
[3:14:22] But it'd be, I would think somewhere between
[3:14:26] no earlier than eight 30, you know?
[3:14:28] - Yeah, no i's definitely a morning thing.
[3:14:30] It's not, I'm not looking for anyone,
[3:14:31] but I just wanted to try to make that.
[3:14:33] - Okay. - I think it's really important.
[3:14:35] - Chief McCain was still working out with Yeah.
[3:14:37] With Chief paa. But I know it's gonna be a quick Yeah.
[3:14:40] 10 or 15 minute Yeah. Service.
[3:14:43] - Yeah. You may see something on the
[3:14:46] two 50 commission's website about a day of service.
[3:14:49] Okay. From nine 11. Yeah. Great.
[3:14:50] We haven't worked out exactly what that means. Okay.
[3:14:53] We have a meeting tomorrow, so. Alright,
[3:14:55] - Terrific.
[3:14:56] And then I think later that day, Mr. Cohen
[3:14:59] and I are going to Concord. Oh,
[3:15:00] - That's all right. That's right. That afternoon.
[3:15:02] - Is that the first meeting?
[3:15:03] - That's the N. The NHMA legislative conference. Yeah. Oh,
[3:15:07] - Wonderful.
[3:15:08] Find out what they're doing. Yeah.
[3:15:10] - Thank you for representing
[3:15:11] - Us.
[3:15:12] Any for representing us Anytime.
[3:15:15] Any other matters Before the board,
[3:15:17] I would entertain a motion that you adjourn
[3:15:19] - Somo.
[3:15:20] - Second. Motion to second. Any discussion? Seeing none.
[3:15:23] All those in favor? A. Aye. Aye. Opposed?
[3:15:25] We stand adjourned. Thank you. And goodnight everybody.
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