Selectboard Present:  Peggy Pschirrer, Chair; Cheryl Mayberry and Steve Dalessio

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration and Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary

Others Present: Michael Hayes, Paul Looney and Dave Worth

PUBLIC HEARING:  Mrs. Pschirrer called the public hearings to order at 6:15 PM. She introduced herself, Peggy Pschirrer, Selectboard Chair, Cheryl Mayberry, Steve Dalessio, Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary. She commented that two members of the public were also in attendance: Paul Looney and Michael Hayes. She stated that the Selectboard was holding a public meeting for unanticipated bridge funds per House Bill #2 in the amount of $26,937.05. She commented that there was no public comment.

Mrs. Pschirrer closed the public hearings at 6:16 PM.

Ms. Mayberry motioned to accept the unanticipated one-time bridge payment in the amount of $26,937.05. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:17 PM. 

OLD BUSINESS:

Recreation Committee: Mrs. Pschirrer asked Mr. Hayes to explain why he wished to meet with the Selectboard. Mr. Hayes said he was present to submit his letter of interest in being a member of the Recreation Committee. Mr. Hayes had reference letters from Toni McDougle and Jeff Miller. Mr. Hayes’ interest is pickleball, and that diversity of interest on the Recreation Committee is a good thing. He commented that the minutes of the Recreation Committee are not posted in a timely manner. Mr. Hayes would volunteer to be the secretary of the Recreation Committee. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Selectboard does not appoint members to the committee. Ms. Mayberry said that the December meeting was canceled, with the next scheduled meeting on 1/13/2024. Mr. Hayes asked if the minutes from the last meeting were posted. He has not seen the minutes approved in over a year. Mr. Hayes stated that he captures audio recordings of meetings. Ms. Mayberry there was no formal approval of previous meeting minutes during the Recreation Committee Meeting because the group did not have a quorum. Mr. Hayes stated that he is not going away, whether he is appointed to the committee or not. Ms. Mayberry responded that two other people submitted letters of interest to be on the committee. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the committee decides how many members it will have. The materials Mr. Hayes brought in will be forwarded to the chair of the Recreation Committee. Ms. Mayberry stated she reviewed the appropriate process with Kraig Harlow and Scott Rodenhauser. Mr. Dalessio reviewed the appointment process for Mr. Hayes.

Community Power Committee: Mr. Paul Looney reflected on the committee’s original goals which included adopting statements such as reaching 100% renewable energy. Mr. Looney brought forth the idea of placing solar on the existing building at the Recycling Center. He reflected on the pole barn being built which had a better orientation to the sun. The roof of the pole barn is metal, which should last longer than the main building’s roof. He stated that several vendors, including “Solar” Dave Worth, (who joined the meeting at 6:30 PM) had made proposals regarding the installation of solar panels. Mr. Looney reflected on the kilowatts used by specific Town buildings in the previous year. The energy generated by the solar energy system at the Recycling Center would first go to the Center, with the remainder going to the Town Hall. Mr. Looney reflected on a grant by the Department of Energy (DOE) that would be announced in 2024. There are projected savings of $107,864.61 over the life of the system. Mr. Dalessio commented that the placement of inverters should be included in the quote. Mr. Looney and Mr. Worth said that their replacement was not included in the quote presented. Mr. Worth stated that an extended warranty over twelve years could be purchased, or the Town could plan on purchasing replacement inverters when they need replacing. Mr. Dalessio asked if bifacial panels were considered. Mr. Worth stated that he did not know what a bifacial panel was. Mr. Dalessio explained the process by which bifacial panels work. Mr. Worth stated that he would look into bifacial panels. Mr. Looney commented that because the panels would be installed so close to the roof that bifacial panels may not be practical. 

Mr. Looney stated that if a warrant is written for this project, the warrant should pay for itself. Mrs. Pschirrer clarified that this would only be over time. Mr. Looney stated that the Town would be asked for approximately $50,000 from the unassigned fund balance. Mr. Dalessio suggested that a quarterly report of the proposed savings should be planned to hold those advocating accountability. Mr. Dalessio asked why water and sewer were not included in the net metering. Mr. Looney responded that water and sewer expenses are not paid by the Town but are paid by the users. Mr. Worth commented that the solar system would be monitored. Mr. Looney stated that there is some shade on the pole barn roof, and that several trees would need to be taken down. He commented that the committee would have to verify the owner of the property. Mr. Dalessio asked what would happen to the proposal if approval to remove the trees was not given. Mr. Looney responded that it would reduce the amount of electricity generated. Mrs. Pschirrer commented that Mr. Looney has worked very hard on this project. Mr. Looney asked what the next steps would be. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that a public meeting will be held wherein warrants will be discussed. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $2,321,542.06 dated 12/22/23. This check includes a $1,834,787 payment to Cheshire County. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $31,335.97 dated 12/22/23 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,581.85. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the supplemental Payroll Register totaling $2,707.20 dated 12/22/23 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $414.20. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – December 14, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Meeting Minutes of December 14, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – December 14, 2023:   Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of December 14, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer, the motion was approved. The minutes will remain sealed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Dalessio brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

     • Planning Board Meeting Minutes– December 12, 2023

Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged these minutes.

WARRANTS: 

Map and Lot# 003-082-CL8: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the Supplemental Tax Warrant in the amount of $4,601. The owner of this property did not qualify for the charitable exemption in 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

ABATEMENTS: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the abatements of: 

• $551 for Map and Lot# 03-082-CL8,

• $3,277 for Map and Lot# 014-005-000,

• $944 for Map and Lot# 028-105-000,

• $125 for Map and Lot# 017-005-001,

• $155 for Map and Lot# 017-005-002,

• $135 for Map and Lot# 017-005-003, and

• $238 for Map and Lot# 017-005-004. 

Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

REFUNDS:

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the refunds of: 

• $8 for Map and Lot# 007-022-000,

• $98 for Map and Lot# 017-012-000,

• $14 for Map and Lot# 008-066-000,

• $64.02 for Map and Lot# 028-119-000.,

• $17 for Map and Lot# 027-004-001,

• $8 for Map and Lot# 001-003-006,

• $125 for Map and Lot# 017-005-001, and

• $528 for Map and Lot# 017-005-02,03,04. 

Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

TIMBER INTENTS:

Map and Lot# 008-062-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the timber intent for Map and Lot# 008-062-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Closed Landfill Landscape Management Proposal: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the proposal from Connecticut Valley Yard Works to maintain the landscape for the closed landfill in the amount of $3,000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Request to the Trustees of Trust Funds: Ms. Mayberry motioned to accept the request of the Trustees of Trust Funds to reimburse the Town for the expense of $5038.60 for the bandstand gazebo roof replacement. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

Proposed 2024 Sewer Bond Rate Changes: Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the new sewer rates utilizing option #2 with a flat rate as proposed at the budget meeting. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Closed Landfill Garage: Mrs. Pschirrer commenced a discussion on what to do with the closed landfill garage building. Mr. Dalessio commented that it should be put up for sealed bid. The Selectboard reached consensus to put the building out to sealed bid. Mr. Dalessio asked that the building be offered to the Water and Sewer Department. The Highway and Police Departments were not interested in moving the building.

January Selectboard Meeting Dates: Discussion commenced on the planning of January Selectboard meetings. The Selectboard agreed to move the first week of January’s meeting to January 3^rd. The Town 2024 Budget Hearing will be February 8, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. The Selectboard Meeting will follow at the end of that meeting.

Topic/Training for 2/15/2024 Staff Meeting: Mrs. Pschirrer stated further consideration would be given to the topic for the February 15th Staff meeting. This topic will be revisited at the next meeting. 

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING:  

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:30 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:41 PM. 

NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (c):  

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into Non-Public meeting at 7:41 p.m. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting reconvened at 7:56 PM. 

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the Non-Public meeting minutes sealed. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:57 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ahmad Esfahani, Recording Secretary