TOWN OF WILTON 2006-2007 BUDGET COMMITTEE

WORK SESSION

February 8, 2007

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Cary A. Hughes, Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., Mark H. Whitehill, Donald C. Davidson Jr., Donna Pucciarello, Betsy Castro and Selectmen Representative Daniel Donovan

MEMBERS ABSENT David Tierney, Jr. and Joyce A. Fisk

OTHERS PRESENT: Carla Walter and Police Chief Brent Hautanen

The AGENDA was amended as follows:

1. Town Hall

2. Main Street T1 Sidewalk Grant

3. Power Lines along Main Street

4. Highway Department

5. Ambulance

6. Bridges

7. Highway Department

8. Revenues

9. Town Hall

10. Adjournment

Chairman Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.

1.) Town Hall Capital

It was determined there is $37,000 in reserve. The Town Hall is currently in need of renovations to the judge’s chambers, the courtroom and old police station. There is also a mold problem. The biggest item for discussion is the chimney repairs. The Selectmen received quotes ranging from $12,000 - $43,250. They concluded the windows and coupler also need attention soon.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $45,000 to building repairs to the Town Hall.

Voting: 6 ayes; motion carried.

2.) Main Street T1 Sidewalk Grant

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $448,000 to the Main Street T1 Sidewalk Grant.

Voting: 6 ayes; motion carried.

3.) Utility Poles Main Street

Mr. Chuck Crawford appeared before the Committee to seek input regarding placing the utility poles underground along Main Street. He noted his research concluded the following options:

1.) Do nothing at all

2.) Get an extension of one (1) year for the Main Street TE Sidewalk Grant

3.) Pursue RSA 231:160

4.) Move the power lines behind the buildings and out of the street completely. In the future, create a riverwalk. This would increase the number of stores on Main Street. It would also add value to the buildings and town overall. He recognized that the River Protection Act would need to be followed but believed the vision to be an enhancement that the town needs to consider.

5.) Move the power lines to the sidewalks where there would only be a short amount of feed needed to reach the buildings. You can use the Sidewalk Grant money for this right away. Start the work on the street but not the sidewalks.

While Chuck recognized the large amount of money any of these options would require, he stressed private donations and grants can help alleviate some of the cost. He also pointed out that the Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH) doesn’t have to necessarily do the planning for this. A private contractor could be less expensive. He asked the Committee if perhaps putting one (1) dollar on the proposed budget could get the residents to discuss this in more detail at the Town meeting. He concluded Kimball Physics would be donating $20,000.

The Committee stated the grant money is for roadwork and not to be used for the Sidewalks on Main Street. They explained that they had already requested PSNH to bury the conduit into the sidewalks for future work. They declined.

Selectmen Representative Dan Donovan stated the Selectmen were leaning towards pursuing RSA 231:160 but negotiations could not be started before the Town meeting. He also stated they support the extension grant.

The Committee asked who owns the sidewalks; the town or the business owners. It was determined that up to Putnam’s they are believed to be town owned but they are waiting for a survey of this to be complete.

Chuck thanked the Committee for their time.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $1.00 for the discussion of placing the utility poles on Main Street underground.

Voting: 3 ayes; 4 nay’s; MOTION DENIED.