Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Minutes of 1/10/2023 (Public Budget Hearing)

January 16th, 2023

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Public Budget Hearing
Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2023

“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 Heather Brown, Secretary
Board Members: David Scalley, Ken Mills, and Bryan Mycko

Members of the Public: Tadd Bailey, Imre Szauter, Jeff Duncan, Greg Hogan, Karen Moran, Sue Kraabel, Austin Alvarez, Carol Alvarez, Chris Pappas, Judy Pappas, Mike Gooden, Bonnie Moroney, Bobbi Amirault, Mike Hogan, Rena Vecchio, Bill Smalley, June Rogier, Tom Godfrey, Linda Godfrey, Annette Marquis, John Gardiner, Jacqueline Gardiner

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairperson Scalley.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairperson Scalley opened the public budget hearing at 6:31 p.m.

Chairperson Scalley announced that the Board would be reviewing the budget and warrant articles. The budget and warrant articles were reviewed with pauses for public comment after each section.

Karen Moran inquired about the raises for the employees. Chairperson Scalley explained that all the employees were given a 5% increase on their hourly rate.

Discussion regarding the Land Use Secretary position (01-4150.10-1112), noting that last year the position was budgeted as a full-time position, however it is only a part-time position. Chairperson Scalley further explained that the Board has advertised the position, including the requirement to attend monthly land use meetings and record meeting minutes.

Karen Moran inquired about the Bank Service Charges (01-4150.10-804). Chairperson Scalley explained that it is for bounced checks, noting that there is no way to know how many bounced checks will be received throughout the year.

Extensive discussion regarding the Town Manager line (01-4150.10-109) and Mike Hogan requesting that the line be removed to ensure there is no spending on the line. Scalley explained that there was a warrant article last year to create a Town Manager position, however it was voted down, and there is no warrant article this year. Chairperson Scalley reiterated that the line is zero dollars and can be removed from the budget worksheet.

On-going discussion regarding using a $1.00 “place holder” to keep an individual line number open, noting that the “place holder” is not needed and can be zero dollars, as well as lines can be added anytime, and the focus goes by the total number under each department.

Mike Hogan asked about the General Government Building line 01-4194.10-430 (Repair & Maintenance Town Buildings), noting the difference of what was budgeted ($18,000) and what was actually expended last year ($34,449). He inquired why there was such a difference and if there was enough money budgeted this year. Greg Hogan confirmed that $18,000 was the correct amount budgeted for this year and noted that last year they had some unforeseen purchases, however could not recall specifically, but did note that he believed the purchase of the air conditioning system for the new PD server room was the majority of the overage.

Fire Chief Jeff Duncan spoke on behalf of the Police and Fire Departments, in terms of their salaries, noting they are open 24/7 as first responders and work on holidays, which is not figured into their budgets and should be. Chief Duncan explained that he accounted for the holiday time in his budget last year and at the last Select Board meeting it was refigured by the Board to be his straight salary. Chairperson Scalley explained that this was not how the budgets were figured previously. Extensive discussion regarding adding a “holiday line” to the Police and Fire Department budgets and the reasoning. The Board agreed to add the “holiday line” to the Police and Fire Department budgets, however no monetary amount was determined and/or figured. The Board explained that at Deliberative Session a monetary amount could be determined/added.

Brief discussion regarding the Property Inspections budget lines, noting that the cost for services provided by the Building Inspector was more than what the warrant article was written for.

Karen Moran inquired about the change to Highway budget line 01-4312.10-104 (Helper II), noting that it is doubled from last year. Greg Hogan explained that the percentages for his workers was recalculated in each of their departments. Greg Hogan further elaborated that trying to budget employees’ time appropriately each day for each department is extremely difficult, giving an example of an emergency water break and not budgeting for the unknown water break hours needed to fix it.

Bonnie Moroney inquired about Highway budget line 01-4312.10-308 (Salt), noting nothing was spent last year. Greg Hogan explained that he still has approximately 20 tons of road salt left over.

John Gardiner inquired about Highway budget line 01-4312.10-305 (Roadside Mow) and the substantial increase. Greg Hogan explained that this will cover contracting for a machine to cut back the roadside tree canopies, which would be more efficient and cost effective than town staff performing the work.

Brief discussion regarding the Transfer Station and warrant article to help offset the costs, noting that there is no warrant article this year. Sue Kraabel inquired if the Transfer Station was making money. Greg Hogan confirmed that the Transfer Station was making money, however the amount changes yearly.

Discussion regarding Sewage Disposal. Greg Hogan confirmed that they did not need to budget for these items this year.

Extensive discussion regarding the Parks and Recreation budget, noting the reasoning is to try to get the Summer Program going again, as well as do another event like last year for the 250th Anniversary. Discussion regarding the number of children participating in the Summer Program and possibly having the program combine and work with Whitefield Recreation. Annette Marquis voiced that Recreation is not just for children, it’s also for families and events. Marquis explained that there is approximately $31,000 left in the Recreation Department checkbook, some of which belongs to the 250th Anniversary Committee. Rena Vecchio explained that the 250th Anniversary Committee money that was raised (around $20,000) and deposited in the checkbook is for books and historical markers. Bobbi Amirault explained that the Garden Club has a budget line this year with more plans as well, noting that recreation also budgeted the expense for the fishing derby this year. Chairperson Scalley stressed that the Recreation Department should be getting the program in order now, as well as stressed the need for volunteerism and time needed to put on events.

Brief discussion on Patriotic Purposes budget. Rena Vecchio suggested that a budget line should be added in the future to do additional banners or signs seasonally, outside of Memorial Day.

Brief discussion regarding volunteerism and the same people volunteering.

Brief discussion regarding the Culture budget. Mike Hogan suggested the possibility of the Information Booth going electronic, noting budget line 01-4589.10-303 is to pay physical people working at the Information Booth.

Discussion regarding Debt Service, noting the Town still has two years left on the Transfer Station, and many years left on the new buildings and the roads that were paved last year.

Discussion regarding the Water Budget. Greg Hogan explained that the department had a total of five water breaks last year.

With no further questions on the budget, the Board went on to review all the warrant articles individually and voted on their recommendations. Warrant articles were voted and approved with a recommendation of 3-0 with several exceptions (see below):

Shall the town modify the provisions of the RSA 72.39-a elderly exemption from property tax in the Town of Carroll, based on the assessed value, for qualified taxpayers, to be as follows: for a person 65 years of age up to 75 years, $50,000; for a person 75 years of age up to 80 years, $70,000; for a person 80 years of age or older, $90,000. To qualify, the person must have been a New Hampshire resident for at least 3 consecutive years, own the real estate individually or jointly, or if the real estate is owned by such person’s spouse, they must have been married to each other for at least 5 consecutive years. In addition, the taxpayer must have a net income of not more than $45,000 or, if married, a combined net income of less than $60,000; and own net assets not in excess of $150,000 excluding the value of the person’s residence. (Majority vote required).
The Board of Selectmen [ recommends / does not recommend ] this appropriation

Discussion regarding the elderly exemption warrant article (#1) and the format it was presented in. Bonnie Moroney suggested that the warrant article have a table to depict the changes, similar to the way Moroney originally submitted to the Board, as it would be easier to understand. The Board agreed and requested that the Secretary ask legal counsel to reformat the warrant article to make it easier to understand, noting that no subject matter should change. The Board also voted 3-0 to recommend this appropriation.

Discussion regarding the Veterans Tax Credit warrant article (#2). The Board all agreed that that the second portion of the warrant article was not needed and should only read:
Shall the town modify the Veteran’s Tax Credit in accordance with RSA 72:28, II from its current tax credit of $500 per year to $750? (Majority vote required).
The Board of Selectmen [ recommends / does not recommend ] this appropriation.
The Board also voted 3-0 to recommend this appropriation.

Extensive discussion regarding the Building Inspector-Code Enforcement warrant article (#8), noting the warrant article seeks to offset the cost of services provided using the Planning Special Revenue Fund, with no taxation to the public. Annette Marquis suggested that the dollar amount of the warrant article be raised, so that the estimated cost of services provided would not exceed what the warrant article was written for, requiring an overage to be covered by taxpayers. She highlighted that the cost of services provided last year exceeded the dollar amount of the previous warrant article. Marquis further clarified that only the cost of services provided would be transferred from the fund, not the lump sum authorized by the warrant article. Chairperson Scalley recused himself from the discussion. Discussion regarding rates for building inspectors in surrounding towns. David Scalley, Building Inspector briefly rejoined the discussion and stated that the position needs to be adequately funded, noting that in previous meetings he had requested a rate of $40 per hour as a part-time employee or $50 per hour as a subcontractor. The position currently pays $30 per hour as a subcontractor.

Discussion regarding the amount of construction and building occurring in Town. Discussion regarding contingency planning, in the event that the Town has to find another building inspector and what repercussions may result especially at the current building inspector’s rate of pay. Brief discussion of raising the building permit fees in the future. Discussion regarding increasing the dollar amount of the warrant article, noting the Town is required to have a Building Inspector and the warrant article offsets the cost. Selectperson Mills indicated that he was in favor of increasing the dollar amount of the warrant article, however Selectperson Mycko indicated that he was not; Chairperson Scalley had recused himself.

Bonnie Moroney made a motion to increase the warrant article dollar amount to $60,000 to offset the Property Inspector-Code Enforcement Officer's salary and expenses. Sue Kraabel seconded the motion. Chairperson Scalley asked if everyone was in favor and the room responded “AYE”. The Board then voted 2-0, 1 abstain (Scalley), to recommend the change to the dollar amount of the warrant article to $60,000. The warrant article will read as follows:

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000) to offset the Property Inspector-Code Enforcement Officer's salary and expenses with said funds to come from the Planning Special Revenue Fund. No money to be raised by taxation.
The Board of Selectmen [ recommends / does not recommend ] this appropriation.
The Board also voted 2-0, 1 abstain to recommend this appropriation.
The warrant articles for North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Inc. (#17), Tri County Community Action Program (#18), Ammonoosuc Community Health Services (#19), Northern Human Services – White Mountain Mental Health and Common Ground (#20), Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) (#21), The Center for New Beginnings (#22), and Pathways Pregnancy Care Center (#23) were all voted on with a recommendation of 2-0, 1 abstain. Selectperson Mycko noted that he would abstain from telling the public how to donate their money.

Annette Marquis inquired about the Mount Washington Regional Airport in Whitefield, noting that they did not have a warrant article this year and pointed out that the Town zeroed out the warrant article in 2021 because they had not cashed their check for several months due to administrative issues. Selectperson Mills explained that the dues/fees to the airport were accounted for in the budget, in order to participate in their organization, and by doing so help alleviate them from having to write a warrant article to have a check sent to them and still allow the Town to participate. The Secretary confirmed that the dues to the airport are within budget line 01-4150.10-604 Association Dues and believes the dues this year were approximately $400, which is what was budgeted. Annette Marquis voiced her opinion that she would not put it in the budget, as they still would get a check. Marquis further explained that the reason the Town zeroed out the warrant article previously was to prove a point and to get them to fix the issues they had going on at their end. Marquis also explained that the Mount Washington Regional Airport is technically not part of this community, but we do have people in our community that utilize the facility. Selectperson Mills explained that the people that use the airport also utilize surrounding hotels and eateries, etc. Marquis confirmed that her issue was with the process. Mike Hogan voiced his opinion that this should not be a budgeted item and disagrees with the Board’s process. Chairperson Scalley and Selectperson Mills stated that this was discussed at a meeting when it was decided to put it in the budget. Selectperson Mills explained that if the Town does not contribute for two years, the Airport Commission will bar the Town from future participation.

The Board reviewed the following petition warrant article:

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for the Second Chance Animal Rescue. By petition.
The Board of Selectmen [ recommends / does not recommend ] this appropriation.

The Board discussed that it was the same petition warrant article as last year. Chairperson Scalley suggested having Second Chance Animal Rescue submit a request next year, instead of a petition. Selectperson Mills also agreed and the Board requested that the Secretary reach out to Second Chance Animal Rescue to let them know. The Board also voted to recommend the petition warrant article 2-0, 1 abstain. Selectperson Mycko noted that he would abstain from telling the public how to donate their money.

With no further discussion on the budget and warrant articles, Chairperson Scalley made a motion to close the public budget hearing and adjourn. Selectperson Mills seconded. Mycko-AYE, Mills-AYE, Scalley-AYE; and the motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Scalley declared the public budget hearing ended at 8:38 p.m.

ATTACHMENTS:

Public Budget Hearing Worksheet 1-10-2023

Public Budget Hearing Warrant Articles for consideration 1-10-2023