Jennifer Morin called the meeting to order and introduced the members of the Budget Committee that were present, they were Gabby, Robin McAfee, Carol, Dan, Tom, Larry and Peter.

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($725,000) for the purchase and renovations of property located at 40 Allenstown Road, Tax Map 109 Lot 33 currently know as Allenstown Tractor, for use as a new Police Station, and to authorize the issuance of not more than Seven Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($725,000) of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the Allenstown Board of Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon. (3/5 Ballot Vote required) (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee.)

Armand Verville stated to all present that he had been on the Allenstown Space Needs Committee since it started in February of 2004. He has also been on other building committees for the last eight or nine years. We looked at several options, we all know that the Allenstown Police Department needs to expand. There are also a lot of safety issues with their present location as well as space issues.

One of the options that the committee had looked at was to renovate the Allenstown Elementary School and the Police Department portion would have come to about $820,000. The building would have also provided space for Town offices and probably part of the Recreation Department. The down side of that would have been that a new school would have to be built and it would have cost up to $14 million, plus the acquisition of land, the total cost could have been somewhere between $18 and $20 million. We felt that this was not a good option for the Town, so we looked at other options.

As to building a new police station, the site preparation and the building would have cost about $1,125,000. We would have purchased the land which would have cost anywhere from $250,000 to $800,000 for a piece of property. So to build a new police station would have cost close to $2 million.

We also looked at the Fire Station to possible add on to it, that would have cost around $800,000. We would have still had some disability compliance problems and a definite lack of parking. If there was a large emergency where both fire and police would to be called out at the same time, there would simply not be enough parking and it would cause a traffic nightmare.

Suncook Business Park on Route 28 approached the Committee about possibly renting a space, we would renovate at the Town’s expense, an area of about 2,600 square feet. We would spend about $31,200 a year in rent only, utilities would be extra. This was not a good option.

We then looked at the Allenstown Tractor Company, which is across from Bi-Wise. This is a very sound building. It is about 22 years old, there would need to be some improvements done to convert it into a police station, it was built for a bank so a lot of the security issues were already taken into consideration. This building is on the market for $495,000 but it has been offered to the Town of Allenstown for $465,000.

Armand stated that ever since he has been on this type of committee, he has been dead set against taking property off the tax role, but in this case, this building, the current taxes are roughly $7,600 a year, when you figure that we could go elsewhere and spend close to $2 million for land and a new police station, at $7,600 a year it would take us 166 years to catch up to the $2 million mark. We really can’t beat the deal that we have offered right now. This is a one-time deal, the building is for sale and they are holding it for us until the voting on March 8. If the warrant article fails on March 8, the building will probably be sold shortly thereafter. We thanked him for working with us as long as they have. Currently we have 800 square feet of usable space in the basement of the Town Hall, the new building would provide somewhere between 5,700 and 6,000 square feet.

The expenses that we will be running into is the phone system has to be redone, this is approximately $5,000, general renovations to the building, which includes a sally port, which is a garage where there is a secured area to load and off load prisoners with the general publics safety taken into consideration, also it is safety for the prisoners so that we will avoid lawsuits, etc. if they should fall or slide on the ice, etc. The Allenstown Tractor Building is unique because they have the drive up windows where there is street access on both ends, so that the police cruisers can enter on one side, there is no backing up and no turning around and they can come back out on Granite Street and move on. So safety wise, it is ideal.

A new antenna will be required, that will cost $3,300; the alarm system needs to be updated, this could cost from $10,000 to $15,000. Necessary maintenance is the sewer pumps, this building is below level of the Town sewage system and it has to have a couple of pumps to pump up Granite Street and into the Town sewer system. These pumps are 22 years old and it was recommended by the Building Inspector that they should probably be replaced. The cost of this would be approximately $7,000. The other thing is the heating system, it is 22 years old and it is in need of repair or replacement. To repair the heating and air conditioning it would cost about $25,000.

The computer system would need to be reconfigured at the new building and would probably cost around $14,000. These are all high numbers, but they are numbers to make sure that everything is done properly and it will last the Town a long time.

The Warrant article requests $725,000; later on there will be a request to transfer $125,000 from surplus that would mean bonding about $600,000. The Budget Committee members will address this further. But he just wanted to make everyone aware of this now. If we were to bond $600,000 it would be .34 on the tax rate beginning in 2006, this would be based on a 10-year bond and right now the interest rate is around 4.5%. Therefore, if you have a $60,000 home, in 2006 it will cost $20.40 over the entire year. It 2010, it will be down to $17.40 a year, in 2015, the last year, it would be down to $14.40. If you own a $100,000 home, it will cost $34 for the first year, in 2010 $29, and in 2015 the cost would be $24; for a $200,000 home, the cost would be $68 for the first year, $58 in 2010 and $48 in 2015.

The cost of furnishing the building, which is a larger area, Merrimack County recently replaced a lot of their furniture and Allenstown Police have been in contact with them, they have put aside enough of their surplus furniture that they will donate to Allenstown to complete furnishing the new station. They will again hold this furniture until after the March 8 meeting for us. If the building goes through, we then get free furniture for the place.

Outside maintenance, such as cleaning up the parking lot, filling the cracks, some of the landscaping will have to be done. It is intended to use prison labor for this. There is little or no charge associated with this. The PD can transport the prisoners, if they go through a different program where the prison staff transport them, then there is a slight charge.

On the inside, the heart of the renovation charge is to build a couple of holding cells which will meet police standards and federal guidelines, indestructible toilets, and good safe and secure holding area for temporary holding. In no way is Allenstown prepared to hold prisoner for any length of time. These cells would be built professionally under the renovation contract.

As far as the other inside work, the building is basically pretty well set. There is a reception area, we may have to move a couple of walls, maybe install a couple of new walls for officers, this will be done mainly by the police department who will donate their time and hopefully from volunteers among the Town’s people.

One of the requirements of the police department is to have a strong safe evidence room, this building was a bank, and there is a vault in the building, a large size walk–in with the door intact, so there is an evidence room. Mr. Verville stated that he would have no idea how much this would cost in a new building if it was already there.

Another side of this is to remain in the current building. The Insurance pool, which insures most of the Town, is based on an overall performance of all the Towns, so if one Town has a very high risk, this will increase the rates in all of the Towns in the pool. So every few years, they come in and inspect each Town to try to have them comply to keep the general cost of the insurance down to a reasonable amount for all the Towns. They came in and found several issues that are impossible to deal with, storage facilities, storage in front of exit doors, exit doors not marked and there is a list of the findings on the Town. To repair all of these items, the Town would have to spend up to $54,000 and the building itself could not possible meet all the requirements requested of the insurance company.

So if we spend the top dollar, we will comply with about 85% to 90% of what the insurance requires. In order to show a good faith effort to the insurance company, we have done some repairs to the Police Department. The parking lot had to be remarked and on the inside of the building, guns were secured, the officers weapons were secured with the evidence in the evidence room along with mop buckets and a few other items. It is really not a good way to run a shop. These guys are working hard to do a good job with very little.

The same insurance inspector has inspected the Allenstown Tractor Building, he went through everything, he was shown the proposed renovations to the building and we would meet every insurance requirement. Plus when you consider the safety of the officers, the safety of the witnesses, if someone is brought in on a charge and you have the witnesses which are currently sitting five to ten feet from each other in an open room, you really can’t do that. Juvenile offenders really need to be segregated completely and right now that is not possible.

Mr. Verville stated that he strongly supports this new building, we will not have another shot like this in Allenstown. The PD needs to move now, can it survive another three or four years, sure it can, but will it do a good job, it is getting tougher and tougher every day.

Tom Irzyk asked if the bank building across the street was ever considered? Mr. Verville stated that it was looked at briefly, it is a much smaller lot, we would not have alleviated the parking problem. He did not have the figures on the building.

Tom Irzyk stated that it was basically the size, lot layout and traffic. Mr. Verville stated that the building itself was very different. This made for a small branch bank and it really did not have the area that was needed.

Jim Rodgers asked if the Space Needs Committee would stay viable because there are other space needs in Town? Mr. Verville stated that yes, absolutely. He also stated that he spent all of this time on the Police Department because that is the one that is being discussed right now. The Space Needs Committee will continue, we have the Highway Garage concerns that we intend to work on and Town Hall concerns. If the Police Department moves out, then the Town Hall will be looked at to reconfigure a little bit, so that the Town Clerk’s office and assessor’s office will be moved around a bit. There are also storage problems that need to be addressed, but again it will be a committee issue that will have to be looked at and studies.

Should the proposal fail, we will have to work harder to continue on a police department proposal and start from scratch.

Jim Rodgers asked if they will be looking at the Highway Garage, Mr. Verville stated yes, the Highway Garage is something that will have to be replaced. Again this will be part of the study committee. Mr. Verville asked any one who has any questions about the Police Department, they should feel free to call them at 485-9500 anytime during business hours and they will be delighted to explain what the problems are. They will also make themselves available in the evening to anyone who can’t come during the day. There are also brochures available at this meeting.

Lt. Shawn Mulhulland has been spear heading the space needs committee and Selectmen Arthur Houle has been chairman of the committee, either of them would be happy to answer any questions, give people tours, etc. People can also call Mr. Verville with questions to make sure that people are informed before voting day. This is our main goal, if people are informed, they will make the right choice.

Richard Merrill stated that he felt that this was the best deal the Town could come up with for the Police Department. He has been inside of the Police Department and it is like walking back in time. It is a disgrace as far as this Town is concerned, he congratulated the members of the committee for the work they have done. Mr. Merrill stated that he felt that the police department was doing a fine job and they deserve this.

Someone asked a question about the sally port, Mr. Verville stated that it was important that they come out on both ends, at least come in off Route 3 and come out on Granite Street. This is something that is easy to fix later on. We have both Town Services that are able to go in there and move things around a little. If there is a problem, it can be resolved.

Mr. Verville thanked everyone for letting him speak today and also thanked the School Board for working with the Space Needs Committee during the summer on this issue.

Peter Viar stated that there would be more informative meetings and encouraged everyone to invite their neighbors and friends to come. The purpose of these meetings will be to offer this kind of opportunity for anyone who was not able to come today and may have an interest to get all the details on this issue.

He also informed everyone that the School was also in the process of presenting a bond for an addition. So the informative sessions will be held together so people will have a change to hear about all the issues.

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000) to be added to the Public Safety Facilities Capital Reserve Fund previously established. This sum to come from Fund Balance (Surplus) and no amount to be raised from taxation. (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee.)

Jennifer informed everyone that if this article would pass, then the previous article would then be reduced to $600,000. If it is not passed, and the first one is, then the Town would have to borrow the entire $725,000.

"Shall we rescind the provisions of RSA 40:13 (known as SB 2), as adopted by the Town of Allenstown on March 11, 1997, so that the official ballot will no longer be used for voting on all questions, but only for the election of officers and certain other questions for which the official ballot is required by State law?" (3/5 Ballot Vote required).

"Shall we rescind the provisions of RSA 40:13 (known as SB 2), as adopted by the Town of Allenstown on March 11, 1997, so that the official ballot will no longer be used for voting on all questions, but only for the election of officers and certain other questions for which the official ballot is required by State law?" (3/5 Ballot Vote required).

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) to be placed in the Fire Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund and to further authorize the Allenstown Board of Selectmen to act as agents to expend. (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and is recommended by the Budget Committee)

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) to be placed in the Fire Safety Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee.)

Peter Viar stated that this $20,000 is the continuation to replace tanks, etc. This purchase has been ongoing for quite a few years to get then replaced.

The $25,000 is to be put into capital reserve for truck purchases. We are in the process of trying to get a grant to get a rescue/pumper truck. We have not heard that we have been turned down, which is good news, in order to accept that grant, we have to provide a 10% matching fund. In order for us to get a $400,000 vehicle almost for free, we would have to pay 10% that is $39,000. The $25,000 would give us enough for the matching grant money. It would be a shame if we would get a grant for a truck, and not have $39,000 to get it. If we get turned down for the grant, it is still a fund raising to purchase another truck at another time.

Someone asked how much was in the truck fund currently. Peter stated that the truck fund currently has $16,000 in it. So with the $25,000 it would give us enough to match the $39,000.

David Jodoin stated that the other fund has been depleted; there is only about $2,000 in it because they have had to make some major purchases this year.

Jim Rodger asked if the first Capital Reserve fund is only to purchase equipment. Peter stated that the Fire Department Equipment Capital Reserve fund is for the matching fund for the truck. The $20,000 Fire Safety Equipment fund is for equipment.

Jim stated that he just wanted to make sure that the Equipment for is only for fire trucks. Peter stated that is for Fire Department Equipment, that is where the trucks fall under. David Jodoin stated that years ago it was set up that the Fire Department Equipment fund was a blanket fund where they could take a lot of different things out. Then the law changed and the accounts need to be specific accounts for specific reasons. So a few years ago, they created the Fire Safety, for air packs, gear and anything for a safety nature. The trucks have basically come from the Fire Department Equipment fund.

Tom Gilligan stated that since it is a capital reserve fund, they have to come before the Budget Committee if they have a need to spend funds.

Peter stated that the warrant article has language in it which states that they have to come before the Board.

Jim Rodger asked if it would make a difference if these accounts were combined.

Tom Irzyk stated that one fund is specifically designated as Fire Department safety equipment and Equipment actually shows that it is for trucks, etc.

Peter stated that it allows them to show that safety equipment comes from a specific fund. Merging them together, he personally would not want budgeted money for trucks and safety equipment in one place, because one is a high-ticket value and the other a small ticket value.

Peter stated that the grant is for a pumper/rescue, the rescue truck would probably be converted to a forest truck and he is not sure which other piece of equipment would be taken out of service.

To see if the Town will vote to deposit 100% of the revenues, up to maximum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) per year, collected pursuant to RSA 79-A (Land Use Change Tax) into the Conservation Commission Fund in accordance with RSA 36-A: 5, III, as authorized by RSA 79-A: 25, II. (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee)

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to be placed in the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund. (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee.)

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) to be placed in the Special Revenue Dare Fund. (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee.)

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) to be placed in the Allenstown Meeting House Capital Reserve Fund, and to further designate the Allenstown Board of Selectmen to act as agents to expend from the Allenstown Meeting House Capital Reserve Fund. (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee.)

To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Allenstown Board of Selectmen to act as agents to expend from the Highway Department Capital Reserve Fund created in 1988.

To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Allenstown Board of Selectmen to act as agents to expend from the Recycling Capital Reserve Fund created in 1991.

David Jodoin stated that at the deliberative session there would have to be a warrant article to remove that money from the account. This warrant article would give the Selectmen the authority, if something broke, they can go into that fund at the Selectmen’s meeting and withdraw money from it.

Shall the Town of Allenstown modify the Veterans Tax Credit in accordance with RSA 72:28 II from its current tax credit of $100 per year to the maximum allowable amount of $500 per year. (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee).

Shall the Town of Allenstown modify the Tax Credit for service connected total disability in accordance with RSA 72:35 from its current amount of $1,400 per year to its maximum allowable amount of $2,000 per year. (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee).

"Shall the Town of Allenstown raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $ 3,653,611? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $ 3,124,646, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Allenstown or by law or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only." (This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee)

Roland Martel asked if the purchase and renovation of the Police Station would qualify for Homeland Security Grant money, has this been looked into? Chief McGonigle stated that yes and no. He stated that they had already received a Homeland Security Grant that will allow Bow Dispatch to monitor via video our booking process.

Jennifer thanked everyone for coming.