Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 1/9/2024 Public Budget Hearing and Select Board Meeting

January 11th, 2024

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 9, 2024

“These minutes of the Town of Carroll Select Board have been recorded by its Secretary. Though believed to be accurate and correct they are subject to additions, deletions, and corrections by the Select Board at its next meeting when the Board votes its final approval of the minutes. They are being made available at this time to conform to the requirements of New Hampshire RSA 91-A:2.”

Minutes recorded by: Meg Basnar
Board Members: Jules Marquis, John Greer, Bonnie Moroney

Members of the Public: Tadd Bailey, Imre Szauter, Brian Mycko, Greg Hogan, Scott Sonia, David Scalley, Austin Alvarez, Carol Alvarez, Chris Pappas, Jeff Duncan, Bill Vecchio, Rena Vecchio, Annette Marquis, Jason Moreia, John Gardiner and June Rogier.


The Public Budget Hearing was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chairperson Marquis.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Select Board completed a review of the proposed Budget for 2024. Residents were provided the opportunity to ask questions

The Select Board completed a review of the proposed Warrant articles for 2024 and voiced their recommendations as follows:.

To see if the Town of Carroll will vote to rescind the Planning Special Revenue Fund per RSA 31:95-c created in 2006 and expanded in 2007. If approved, all future building permit fees will go into the municipality’s General Fund, and all amounts currently in the Planning Special Revenue Fund, with accumulated interest to date of withdrawal, will be transferred to the municipality’s General Fund.
No money to be raised from new taxation.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $230,000 (Two Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars) for the purpose of purchasing a dump truck with plow, wing plow, sander, safety lighting and two-way radio communication for the Highway Department and authorize the withdrawal of $130,000 (One Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars) from the Municipal Truck Capital Reserve Fund created for that purpose and $105,000 (One Hundred Five Thousand Dollars) from the Highway Equipment Capitol Reserve Fund also created for that purpose.
No money to be raised from new taxation.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)


The Energy Commission presented an article to the Selectmen originally worded as follows:

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum not to exceed $100,155 (One Hundred Thousand One Hundred and Fifty-Five Dollars) for the purpose of replacing town street lights with energy efficient LED lights and to partially fund this appropriation with a rebate through Eversource in the amount of $6,250 (Six Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars). The net amount to be raised from taxes will not exceed $93,905 (Ninety-Three Thousand Nine Hundred and Five Dollars). If approved, this installation will produce estimated savings that should result in a full payback within 6.87 years.
Tax Impact: $0.15

Discussion: Selectman Greer informed that the Energy Commission decided to change the amount requested as well as the payback period of the warrant at an Energy Commission meeting held on Friday January 5th at 4 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Town Office. The Energy Commission reported the revised changes to this article were due to additional information learned since the presentation of the original article to the Select Board and are listed as follows:

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum not to exceed $63,402 (Sixty-Three Thousand Four Hundred and Two Dollars) for the purpose of replacing town street lights with energy efficient LED lights and to partially fund this appropriation with a rebate through Eversource in the amount of $6,250 (Six Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars). The net amount to be raised from taxes will be $57,153 (Fifty-Seven Thousand One Hundred and Fifty-Three Dollars). If approved, this installation will produce estimated savings that should result in a full payback within 4.2 years.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)
Tax Impact: $0.09

The following articles were presented to the public and voted on by the Select Board as indicated:

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Four Thousand Dollars ($24,000) for the purpose of purchasing five (5) Tasers, related accessories and computer software for the Police Department.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)
Tax Impact: $0.04

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) to be added to the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund previously established.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.08

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) to be added to the Water Department Capital Reserve Fund previously established. This sum to come from the Water Unassigned Fund Balance. No money to be raised from new taxation.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) to be added to the New Land & Building Capital Reserve Fund previously established.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.05

Discussion: A resident asked if these funds are to help with maintenance of the new building, stating her position that maintaining and preserving the new building is a priority. Selectperson Moroney informed that the funds can be used for building up-keep.

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) to be added to the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund previously established.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.05

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) to be added to the Municipal Truck Capital Reserve Fund previously established.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.03
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) to be added to the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund previously established.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.02

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be added to the Landfill Closure Capital Reserve Fund previously established.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.02

To see if the Town will vote to establish an Energy Efficiency Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for the purpose of funding energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, outreach initiatives related to increasing energy efficiency and/or reducing energy costs, and to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be placed in this fund. Further, to name the Select Board as agents to expend from said fund.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.02

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) for the purpose of off-setting expenses related to ambulance operations, specifically hospital to hospital medical transfers of the sick and injured, with said funds to come from the Fire Department and Ambulance Equipment, Apparatus and Personnel Special Revenue Fund. No money to be raised by new taxation.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000) to be added to the Computer Technology Capital Reserve Fund previously established.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)
Tax Impact: $0.01

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Sixty-Five Dollars ($2,065) for the purpose of being the Town's contribution to the North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency Inc., to help offset the support of the home health care, supportive care, medical hospice and community health programs and services of North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Inc., and Hospice of the Littleton Area for the residents of our community.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.01

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Fifty Dollars ($2,050) for the purpose of being the Town's contribution for Tri County Community Action Program in support of their services for residents in our community.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.01

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,250) for the purpose of being the Town's contribution to help offset the cost of preventative and primary health care services of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, Inc. provided to the residents of our community.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.01

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for Second Chance Animal Rescue.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0) Tax Impact: $0.01

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nine Hundred Twenty-Two Dollars and Eight Cents ($922.08) for the purpose of being the Town's contribution to the Northern Human Services - White Mountain Mental Health and Common Ground, a non-profit mental health and development service center.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)
Tax Impact: $0.01
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) for the purpose of being the Town's contribution to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of NH for recruiting, training and supervising volunteers who advocate in NH's courts for the best interests of abused and neglected children.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)
Tax Impact: $0.01
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) for the purpose of being the Town's contribution to The Center for New Beginnings in Littleton, which provides counseling and mental health services to individuals throughout the North Country.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)
Tax Impact: $0.01
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred and Fifty-Six Dollars ($356) for the purpose of being the Town’s contribution to the American Red Cross of New England, which provides relief and support to individuals throughout the region.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (2-1) Selectman Greer dissented. Tax Impact: $0.01

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100) for the purpose of being the Town’s contribution to Pathways Pregnancy Care Center in Littleton which provides educational services to individuals throughout the North Country.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)
Tax Impact: $0.01

Discussion: A resident inquired if Pathways Pregnancy Care Center had any religious affiliation. Selectman Greer read the Pathways mission statement to provide further information on this organization.

Annette Marquis informed that there are non-lapsing funds that come through the general fund each year. Some of those funds are earmarked for the Police Station. If these funds were placed into their own account with the Select Board as agents to expend if there are funds left over at the end of the year the Police Department could use those funds to purchase items like tasers without the need for a warrant article. Annette Marquis stated this is something the Select Board should consider doing for this department.
David Scalley inquired if the Selectmen would be voting on the articles from the Planning & Zoning Board and recommending or not recommending those articles. Brian Mycko informed he does not remember making recommendations on Planning Board articles during his time as a Selectman. The Planning & Zoning Board has their Public Hearing scheduled for the following day, January 10th, 2024 at 5 p.m. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to extend the Public Budget Hearing to January 16th, 2024 at 5 p.m. to go over the warrant articles from the Planning & Zoning Board. Selectman Greer seconded this motion, all in favor none opposed, motion to continue Public Budget Hearing on January 16th at 5 p.m. prior to the meeting of the Select Board passed.
A resident also pointed out an error in the financials of one of the articles. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to correct the warrant article to read as follows:
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $235,000 (Two Hundred Thirty- Five Thousand Dollars) for the purpose of purchasing a dump truck with plow, wing plow, sander, safety lighting and two-way radio communication for the Highway Department and authorize the withdrawal of $130,000 (One Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars) from the Municipal Truck Capital Reserve Fund created for that purpose and $105,000 (One Hundred Five Thousand Dollars) from the Highway Equipment Capitol Reserve Fund also created for that purpose.
No money to be raised from new taxation.
Selectman Greer seconded this motion, all in favor, none opposed, motion to correct warrant article passed.
The Board of Selectmen recommends this appropriation (3-0)

Motion to close the Public Budget Hearing until January 16th at 5 p.m. made by Selectperson Moroney to go over the warrant articles from the Planning and Zoning Board. Selectman Greer seconded this motion, Public Budget Hearing closed at 6:47 p.m.


Meeting of the Select Board called to order at 6:47 p.m. by Chairperson Marquis.

Signing of bills and manifests completed prior to this meeting.

Selectperson Moroney motioned to approve the minutes of 1/2/2024, Selectman Greer seconded this motion, all in favor none opposed, motion to approve minutes passed.

The Select Board was presented with a maintenance contract renewal from CAI Technologies for the tax map. Contract reviewed by the Select Board. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to approve and sign this contract renewal. Selectman Greer seconded this motion. All in favor, none opposed, contract signed.


FOLLOW UP:

No discussions for follow up currently.


OTHER:

The next meeting will be January 16th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. and will open as the Public Budget Hearing Second Session to review Planning Board Articles, followed by a meeting of the Select Board.

At 5:54 p.m. Chairperson Marquis made a motion to go into non-public for personnel. Selectperson Greer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

At 6:15 p.m. Selectperson Moroney made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes. The motion was seconded by Selectman Greer, all were in favor. Motion to seal non-public minutes passed unanimously.

Selectperson Moroney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:16 p.m. Selectman Greer seconded this motion and the motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned.