TOWN OF ALLENSTOWN

SELECTMEN'S OFFICE

16 SCHOOL STREET

ALLENSTOWN, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03275

SELECTMEN'S PUBLIC MEETING 3/15/04

Sandra A. McKenney, Chairperson for the Allenstown Board of Selectmen, opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. Present beside Sandra McKenney, were Arthur G. Houle, Peter A. Viar, Selectmen; David M. Jodoin, Administrative Assistant.

Also attending the meeting were Robert Martin, Claudette and Armand Verville, Richard Paris, James Rodger, Carol, Richard and Brian Merrill, Marcella Hinkell, Jason Tardiff, Jim McGonigle and Everett Chaput III.

The Selectmen discussed various parts of the budget, indicating that cuts have to be made. Discussed were the Police cruiser, the Police prosecutor, Fire vehicle repairs, bottom line of each budget, and Parks and Recreation landscaping.

Carol and Richard Merrill spoke about paying high taxes and the necessity of cuts being made to the budget.

David will send out notices to Department Heads regarding a freeze on spending.

David mentioned that with the cuts and the new school funding issues, we may have to borrow this year.

The Department Heads were given a bottom line to their budget and have to submit suggestions where cuts should be made by Monday, March 22^nd.

Armand Verville asked the Fire Chief if there are bids taken for Fire repairs.

Chappy mentioned that there usually is, and that the Board wanted to try and centralize all repairs if possible at one repair facility, unless it is an emergency.

Jim Rodger asked about the Summer recreation program and wondered about the $6,000 that we pay to the Renaissance. He will contact the Renaissance office to discuss the matter. He was asked to get a letter from them.

The Selectmen worked on budgets, except the Fire budget and the Recreation budget. The Police budget is $488,224.00. The Town budget right now is $2,923,094.00. It needs to go down to $2,915,811.00.

Sandra McKenney does not support keeping the Police prosecutor or purchasing a new cruiser. The Selectmen will look at all the budgets and make the final decisions. Chief McGonigle stated that he has decided to layoff the evening Secretary at this time. Arthur Houle objected saying that it took a long time to get two secretaries and he would not agree to that cut. A cut will be made in the Elections line for $12,000. The Janitor will work 10 hours instead of 20 hours.

A motion was made by Arthur Houle, seconded by Peter Viar, to go into Non-Public per RSA 91-A III 2 c for a personnel issue. Roll call vote: Sandra A. McKenney, yes; Arthur G. Houle, yes; Peter A. Viar, yes. Motion passed. The non-public meeting began at 8:43 PM. The Public meeting resumed at 9:12 PM.

Sandra McKenney discussed a building on Main Street was renovated without obtaining a building permit. The Building Inspector will write the owners a letter.

Arthur Houle, Health officer, mentioned he had to do a health check on Ferry Street.

Arthur Houle mentioned that he went to the Mill and the Parish Center to view the property with the State. It was noted that there was a large collection of material, supplies, and medical waste that was given to the Town years ago by the State Department of Emergency Management. Arthur mentioned that the State will assist with the cleanup and monitoring of the site. Members from the Highway and Fire Departments will also assist. The Highway crew will bring the packer to the site and transfer the property directly to the incinerator in Penacook.

Nominations for Chairman of the Board followed:

Arthur Houle made a nomination for Arthur Houle, seconded by Sandra McKenney. Motion passed 2-1 with Peter Viar voting no. Arthur Houle is the Chairman of the Board of Selectman for the next year.

The meetings will continue on Monday at 7:00 PM. Arthur Houle stated that the meetings will be scheduled for 7-9 unless there is an urgent matter to take care of or an issue that needed to be finalized.

Sandra McKenney will continue on the Central NH Regional Committee and the Joint Loss Management Committee; Arthur Houle will take Planning; Peter Viar will take the Budget Committee and Tri-Town Ambulance Committee.

The meeting adjourned at 9:37 PM.

ARTHUR G. HOULE, CHAIRMAN

SANDRA A. MCKENNEY, SELECTPERSON

PETER A. VIAR, SELECTMAN