Select Board Minutes 12.07.2023

Town of Francestown

Select Board and

Budget & Advisory Committee

Minutes of Meeting

Thursday, December 7, 2023

 

Select Board Members Present:  Chair Scot D Heath, George Ravalico, and Charles M Pyle, III.

 

Budget & Advisory Committee Members Present:  Chair Stewart Brock, Marsha Dixon, Braddock Bull, Cynthia St. Jean and Thomas Anderson.

 

Others Present:  Town Admin. Jamie A Pike, John Ludlam and Daryl Hazel, Library Trustees, Laura Abrahamsen, Library Director, Fire Chief Larry Kullgren, Rescue Chief Celeste Lunetta, and Fire Ward Jason St. Cyr.

 

Chairman Heath called the meeting to order at 5:30pm.

 

 

Mr. Ludlam presented the proposed Library budget.  Staffing was first discussed.  It is proposed to add 4 hours of assistant time per week to staff the library with 2 persons during all open hours.  The purpose of this is for safety and proper supervision of visitors.  This also follows best practices from the NHLA.  Ms. Abrahamsen explained that there is currently a total of 7 hours weekly that do not have dual coverage.  It is planned to have the director and children’s librarian to alternate Saturday mornings to cover 3 of the hours.  The staffing budget also includes a 2% merit increase for all employees which will be in addition to any town-wide COLA increase.  There was much discussion about the disparity between giving the Library employees a merit increase where no other town employee receives such.

 

Other major line-item increases were due to increased vendor costs for various service contracts.  There are also services which were previously covered by COVID grant funds that are now in the budget such as Wowbrary, Kanopy and Hoopla.

 

Mr. Bull asked for metrics regarding the use of the Library.  Ms. Abrahamsen stated that current foot traffic is approximately 300 per month.  Children circulation has gained between 2 and 3 times while adult circulation has held steady.  The Library is starting to track unique card holder visits, and acknowledged that with the growing array of online services, there are patrons that use these services and never visit the physical library.  Digital circulation is growing.  Mr. Ludlam explained that the  Library is currently undergoing a 5-year strategic planning initiative.

 

Mr. Brock asked if the growing digital circulation is showing a decrease in book circulation.  It was explained that the books budget was brought back to a 2020 level, having been reduced for the past 3 years.  While increasing the book budget, inflation over the past few years means less books are being purchased with the same dollars.

 

The Library was requested to take a second look at their budget proposal, and try to bring back a proposal on Wednesday, December 20^th that was more in-line with other departmental submissions of near 6%.

 

 

Ms. Lunetta presented the 2024 budget proposal for the Fire Department.  It was noted that many lines within the budget are for utility purposes which are pre-filled by the Town Administrator.  Notable budget decreases were in professional development and uniforms.  The department has been very fortunate to secure grant funding for EMT training through the State.  The decrease in uniform expenses is due to a planned bulk replacement in 2025.

 

The largest increase is the ambulance service by $25,882 or 34.71%.  It was explained that alternatives are being developed but will not be ready for presentation this year.  A change to Wilton Ambulance was discussed and the extended time of response was worrisome.  Ms. Lunetta and Chief Kullgren both expressed great pleasure with the service provided by Peterborough Ambulance and their willingness to transport patients to preferred hospitals.  The department feels the service is very good for the cost, noting that it is a 24/7 staffed ambulance service for $100K.

 

 

Mr. Pike reviewed those cost items which are not available yet, including the Assessing Software and annual IT service contract.

 

Mr. Pike mentioned that positions that receive volunteer stipends have not been increased in over 15 years.  Those positions that receive stipends are the Selectmen, Treasurer, Election Officials, Animal Control, Public Assistance Administrator and Fire & Rescue personnel.  The Select Board was interested in looking at possible increases with the exception of for themselves.  Mr. Pike will prepare a proposal for review on the 20^th.

 

Mr. Pike also brought forward a policy proposal for consideration.  The Public Assistance Admin. Is one of two that remain elected positions in the State and discussion with Mr. Anderson proposes the change of the position to being that of appointed by the Select Board.  Pros and cons were discussed.  A warrant article will be drafted for consideration.

 

The Select Board reviewed a zoning enforcement letter regarding outdoor lighting on Map 18 Lot 12-1.  A motion was made by Mr. Ravalico and seconded by Mr. Pyle to execute and issue the letter.  Motion passes.

 

Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:53pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jamie A Pike, Town Administrator                                            APPROVED 01.29.2024