Select Board Meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Mel Pfeifle, Marlene Freyler
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator
Regular and Old Business:
Budget Development – Finalize Budget and Warrant Articles
Revisit decision from February 8th meeting: Budget bottom line of $2,937,259.
The Board agreed to increase the Legal Service amount by $40,000, but was unable to unanimously vote the bottom line. Unfortunately, time is short and there isn’t enough time to look at reducing other areas of the budget or warrant articles.
Discussion centered around where and how other department expenditures could be cut.
Karen reminded the Board that their job is to recommend the amounts per department that can be sustained regardless of departmental spending decisions.
Consensus of the Board was to leave the bottom line at $2,937,259.
Warrant Articles:
Motion: Beth Downs moved not to recommend the petitioned article proposing adoption of SB2.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0, All in favor
Article to appoint a Town Treasurer:
Discussion: Erica Gross checked with the Secretary of State to see what alternatives the town has in appointing a Town Treasurer. In further discussion the Board came to a consensus that the Board should be able to appoint a Town Treasurer.
Motion: Beth Downs moved to place an article on the warrant to allow the Select Board to appoint a Town Treasurer.
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 2-0-1; Yes, BD, MP; Abstain, MF
All other warrant articles were accepted as written.
Town Meeting Preparation:
Presentations: The Board agreed to four presentations: SB2/Official Ballot Referendum, Budget Committee, Community Power, Masonic Building Committee
Karen informed the Board that Bruce Storm, Town Moderator, will appear at the February 20th meeting to talk about how motions on articles will be made so that the meeting moves along.
The Board voted to close the public meeting and enter non-public session.
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the public meeting and move to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (e) at 6:12 pm.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, All in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved to return to public session at 6:24 pm.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 pm.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Upcoming meetings: February 19, 2024 (SB2 Public Hearing)
February 20, 2024
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary