SELECTBOARD MINUTES
January 24, 2023
Board Members: Ivan Beattie, Heidi Chamberlain, Jan Nolan, Greg Cutler, Laurie Kunz
Town Staff: Anita Sheldon (Town Clerk), Leslie Perra (Interim Town Manager)
Town Staff via Zoom: Michael DeCubellis (Finance Director), Lt. James Blanchard (Manchester Police Department), Sgt. Jesse Bravata (Manchester Police Department), Bonnie Jamieson (Executive Assistant)
Public Attendees: Jim Salsgiver (Northshire Rescue Squad), Mike Alfano (Northshire Rescue Squad), Ben Weiss (Northshire Rescue Squad), Megan Amundson, Johanna Abreu-Dunigan, Sylvia Jolivette, Bill Drunsic
Attendees via Zoom: Steve Nichols, Steven Drunsic, Christian Goff
Ivan called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Minutes from January 17, 2023
Tabled until the next meeting
Chamberlain motioned to add an executive session to the end of the meeting to discuss personnel matters. Nolan seconded. Motion carried 5-0-0
Northshire Rescue Squad Presentation
Jim Salsgiver provided information on the number of calls last year. He spoke to their compensation structure and they had an overall increase in wages by 14% onSeptember 1, 2022. They are not finished with the wage survey. Mentioned they are still not the highest payer. Their fundraising is up 18.5%. They have had an increase in estate plans. They are hoping for a 2025 delivery of a new ambulance. Overall they have a 4.6% increase in their budget.
Ben Weiss noted that Mike Casey will be retiring the end of December 2023. Their fundraising goal is $130,000 and they are already at $121,000.
Mike Alfano hopes to start contract negations and is hoping for a long-term agreement.
Jim Salsgiver noted that the rent for NRS has increased. They are pleased that the Arlington Rescue Squad has come onboard. He stated that the dispatch line for NRS has increased. It appears that the rate for Arlington Rescue Squad is lower than NRS at $36.67/call. Perra stated that the actual fee per call for Arlington Rescue Squad is $52.00/call. The revenue for FY24 was intentionally entered lower as we do not have a fixed number of calls. With the number of calls for NRS last year the rate is less than $52.00/call. If we had charged per call, which was 523 last year, the cost would have been $79,000. Beattie spoke to the budget process and how Northshire Rescue has a flat rate.
Fiscal Year 2024 budget - final Selectboard approval
Beattie spoke to the reduction in expenses and not using some accounts as those accounts have low balances. There are a few options to purchase the dump truck. One option is to get a bank loan. Another is to borrow the money from CIRC and pay it back in six years. If we did that we would save about $50,000 on interest payments. We could use the CIRC for loans. Steve Nichols asked about using ARPA. Chamberlain asked if we could use money from CIRC and ARPA. We could use a blend. Beattie stated Article 3 is a good article to include and gives flexibility. Decubellis stated all ARPA funds under $10,000,000 can be used as lost revenue. Decubellis stated we are within the guidelines to use ARPA funds for the dump truck.
Reviewed changes made to revenues and expenses. Perra stated wages were not touched as the budget increase is less than 12%. Budget has been reduced to 11.61% increase.
Chamberlain moved that we approved the FY24 budget as presented. Nolan seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Town Meeting 2023 Warning - discussion and approval
Reviewed each article in the Town Meeting 2023 Warning. Article 2, changed date February 3, 2024 to February 2, 2024.
Cutler moved to accept the the town meeting warning for the annual town meeting 2023 as amended. Nolan seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Other Business
Scheduled a vicious dog hearing for on February 7, 2023.
Johanna Abreu-Dunigan spoke about the Walgreens parking lot and asked when can we schedule a time to discuss changes, if not complete changes, maybe changes that are not cost prohibitive. We will schedule this discussion for the February 21, 2023 selectboard meeting. Perra noted that the completed application and drawings are in the Zoning Office. Perra stated to extend the sidewalk down the MEMS field to the EV Charging stations would cost an additional $9,000, per Kirk Moore. Beattie asked Johanna to provide us with suggestions and recommendations prior to the February 21, 2023 meeting so we can look at the requests.
Executive Session
Cutler motioned, seconded by Nolan, to enter into executive session for the discussion of personnel matters the premature disclosure would put the town at a distinct disadvantage. Motion passed 5-0-0. No action will be taken out of Executive Session.
Entered into executive session at 8:47 p.m.
After exiting Executive Session at 9:45 p.m. no action was taken.
Adjournment
Nolan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Cutler seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
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Approved by the Board Date