Committee Members Present: Chairman Cary Hughes, Bill Keefe, Stuart Draper, Donald McGettigan, David McGettigan, Joyce Fisk & Kyra Brennan.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.

Ray Dick, Ron Caswell and Wil Melcher presented plans for renovation and addition to the fire station.  Expansion would include 3 additional bays and new function rooms.  Total estimated costs are $1,230,000.  The addition will cost $845,000.  The balance is site work and renovation of the old station. This would give them a total of 8 bays.  The additional bay would be for the boat, which is currently hanging on a wall in the station.

Ray was asked which trucks he thought he would need to replace next & when.  He believes it would probably be the Rescue Truck at an estimated replacement cost of $175 – 200,000.  Engine 2 would probably be the next engine to be replaced, at today’s replacement cost you would be looking at around $375,000.

Payroll recommendations were discussed.  The school is still discussing this issue and has not made a recommendation.  It was decided to go with a 3% recommendation this year.

The schedule for future meetings was discussed and will be posted separately.

Paul Putnam has resigned.  We need a replacement for him.  Moderator Richard Rockwood will be contacted to see if he has any recommendations.  Refer any one who is interested to Cary.

Stanley Young, Louise Greene and Carol Roberts spoke to the committee about the Renovation and Restoration Campaign for the Library.  The estimated costs are $1,200,000.  They are asking the town for a commitment of $200,000 over a 2-year period.  The plan is to obtain grants and private donations for the balance of the project.  They have done a feasibility study and hired a professional fundraiser.  They have received an LCHIP grant and have been working with Steve Wagner at NRPC to explore other grants.  Discussion followed the presentation.  Bill Keefe asked if they had considered expansion at the back of the library for the lift, the H-Cap restrooms and to allow room for growth.  Although we support the preservation of the library, we would like them to investigate the possibility of expansion as well.  They agreed to ask the architect for estimated costs and will get back to us with that information.

We discussed capital expenses for the upcoming year.  We anticipate $150,000 for the Athletic Playing Fields.  The highway department needs to replace the backhoe, they are obtaining estimates.  The cost should be between $60,000 - $75,000.  We will also need to put money into the resurfacing budget.  The Police Station will require landscaping & hot top in the parking area; estimated costs are in the $70,000 range.  We will want to continue to put money aside for Town Hall Renovations.  At some point, we will want to renovate the area the police have moved out of.   We will need to continue to put money aside for bridges.  Russell Hill Bridge and the Thunder Bridge on Burton Highway are the next two bridges to be replaced.

Cary Hughes brought it to the attention of the committee that the purchase of Four Corners Farm is about to happen.  The new buyers are working with the Community Farm and High Mowing on a conservation easement for part of the property, the balance will be subdivided.  Because of his ties to High Mowing, Cary will step down during discussion & decisions on this property. They are hoping the Town will allow Current Use exit penalties from these properties to go towards the purchase of the easements.  Stuart explained as a Selectmen, they support raising money for the acquisition of land as a line item on the budget and prefer to keep current use exit funds as a separate item.  The Budget Committee agrees with that position.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.

Kyra L. Brennan
Acting Secretary