TOWN OF STARK, NH

Select Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday January 16, 2024

10 am

Leighton Meadow Bridge/Stark Town Office

 

Call to Order

Select Board Chair, Glenn Wiggin, called the meeting to order at 10:00 am

 

Persons Present for All or Part of the Entire Meeting

Select Board Members: Glenn Wiggin, Lisa Demers, Jim Walsh; Office Manager, Patty Peel

Stephan Gilman, Bob Gale, Jack Pepau, Charlie Nesbitt, Bruce Knox

 

Leighton Meadow Bridge—Meet with engineer at 10 am at the bridge.

SB met with Bruce Knox at Leighton Meadow Bridge at 10 am.

Discussed option for bridge replacement; Mr. Knox will be reaching out to an environmentalist and getting back to the SB with written information and options to be reviewed for integrity and affordability.

 

Budget Meeting at Town Hall started at 11:12 am

  • Stephan Gilman/4324 Solid Waste
    • Select Board and Transfer Station Operator, Stephan Gilman, discussed Solid Waste budget proposal for 2024. Maintenance costs and having two operators on duty during hours of operation were discussed. Operating with one or two operators will be discussed at Town Meeting on March 12, 2024.
  • Charles Nesbitt/4220 Fire Department Capital Reserve Accounts
    • Select Board discussed with Fire Chief, Charles Nesbitt, and Assistant Chief, Jack Pepau, the three Capital Reserve Accounts set up for the Fire Department. Discussion regarding Town Property vs Association Property; many questions, Glenn Wiggin will try to get clarification regarding these questions: Who owns donated items/equipment? If stored at Fire Station, does the Town own or the Association?
    • Charlie Nesbitt agreed that an inventory sheet should be created for all equipment, including the value and life expectancy/depreciation value of said items.
    • The Select Board agreed to ask the Town Meeting on March 12, 2024, if they would be willing to change the purpose of the current Capital Reserve Fire Building Account with one that would include replacement of building or major additions and major repairs (major being defined as “at least 50% of maintenance budget or unforeseen emergency). The SB would be named as agents to expend from this account. Patty Peel will check with the DRA on wording/procedure for this change in the purpose of the existing Fire Building Capital Reserve which is only for replacement of the building.
    • Reviewing the proposed budget for 2024, we will add another line item, Vehicle Repair & Maintenance, and move $3000 from Equipment Testing to this new line.
  • Copier
    • Patty Peel gave updates on the purchase of a new copier. Glenn Wiggin made a motion to purchase the new copier from W. B. Mason for $3999.99, 2nd by Lisa Demers. The cost will be split between all 3 departments in the Town Office: 4130, 4140, 4150.
  • Ambulance—-Increase to $21650.00 per contract with Groveton Ambulance.
  • Salaries
    • Discussion regarding raises for Town Employees. No raises will be given this year.
    • Lisa Demers made a motion to increase the deputy tax collector rate of pay to $12.25 per hour, effective immediately, 2nd by Jim Walsh. All approved.
  • Warrant Article
    • Select Board discussed articles to be placed on the warrant:
      • Resolve “Unknown” CR account and put into bridge Capital Reserve
      • Change of purpose for Fire Building Capital Reserve and adding SB as agents to expend.
      • AVEC (Androscoggin Valley Energy Coalition Committee)
        • Informational meeting regarding this warrant article is set for January 25th, 2024, 6 pm at Stark Fire Station with representative from AVEC available for questions.

 

 

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Glenn Wiggin, 2nd by Jim Walsh. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 1:55 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia S. Peel, Office Manager

 

__________________________________                           __________________________________  

        Glenn Wiggin, Select Board Chair                                             Date Approved   

 

__________________________________                           __________________________________  

        Lisa Demers, Select Board Member                                         Jim Walsh, Select Board Member

 

*Select Board Meeting: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 6 pm Stark Town Hall

*Select Board Budget Meeting: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at Noon Stark Town Hall

*Select Board Meeting/Budget Hearing: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 6 pm Stark Town Hall

*Planning Board Meeting: Tuesday, February 14, 2024 at 6 pm Stark Town Hall