Good evening, Salem and welcome to the February 2nd, 2026 town council meeting.

Would you please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic.

One nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

So joining me this evening, my fellow board members from my far left is Councillor Stramalia.

Good evening.

To his right is Councillor Sweeney.

Good evening, Salem.

To his right is Councillor Betancourt.

Good evening.

His right is Councillor Bryant.

Evening, madam Chim.

To my immediate left is the board uh vice chair, Jeff Hatch.

Oh Salem.

To my immediate right is the uh town council secretary.

Good evening.

Lisa Withrow.

Thank you.

And to her right is Councillor Pellatea.

Good evening, Salem.

And at the far end of to my right is the town manager, Joe Devine.

Good evening.

Wonderful.

Thank you.

All right.

So moving right along.

Oh, where am I?

Okay.

Meeting minutes.

Okay.

Let me see.

First, I'm going to move to seal the minutes, uh, the meetings from tonight onto RSA 91332.

MCDA.

I have a motion by Council Withrow or second by Councillor Pellatea.

All those in favor?

Unanimous.

Thank you.

What do we have beyond that?

I would move the meeting minutes from November 17th, 2025, non public session number one.

Second.

I have a motion and second by Council Pellatea.

All those in favor, unanimous.

I would move November 17th, 2025, non-public session number two.

Second.

I have a motion by Councillor Withrow, second by Councillor Pillatea.

All those in favor, unanimous.

And lastly, January 14, 2026, public session.

I have a motion and a second by Council Stramalia.

All those in favor?

Unanimous.

I'm sorry.

I have Councillor Bryant is abstaining because he was not present.

So I have seven.

Yeah, seven in favor.

One applause.

I'm good.

Chairman Commons.

Yeah, I'm gonna say a couple of things this evening.

I wanted, you know, briefly just to say I want to thank everybody who showed up on Saturday for the deliberative session.

Uh it was um nice to see people get out and really offer their comments and concerns about items that are on the warrant uh for March.

I'd like to thank my board.

I think we did a wonderful job.

You guys are wonderful.

You did a great job of talking about the different war and articles and supporting them, and I appreciate that very much.

The last thing I'm gonna say, I'm gonna send out a shout out because I got a call three weeks ago on a Friday night saying to me, turn on channel seven to the family feud because there's a family from Salem, New Hampshire on there, and they won.

It's the Marinello family from Salem, New Hampshire, and they were the big winners on that Friday night.

So now I thought it was pretty fabulous.

You know, good job.

Good job.

And that's those are my comments.

Moving right along.

Approve the consent agenda.

Councilor Bryant.

Madam Chair, I move to approve the February 2nd, 2026 consent agenda.

Second.

I have a motion and a second by counselor Hatch.

All those in favor, unanimous.

Additions.

There are nobody signed up to speak.

Nobody from the public wants to get up to speak.

Thank you very much.

Uh employee of the month recognition.

So I want to recognize Ron Benjamin as a January Employee of the Month.

Uh, Ron is not able to make it.

Um, but Ron is in our utilities uh division.

He serves as a primary primary operator over the water department.

Um Ron is integral to that runnings.

He's Fred's number two running right behind him.

Um and when you know Fred isn't there, Ron's running the show for him.

So we're very appreciative of Ron and just want to take an opportunity just to recognize him real quickly.

Well, that's wonderful.

Will we have him at a future meeting?

Do you think or probably not?

Well, that's okay.

If he's shy, we appreciate we appreciate that.

Not a problem.

Congratulations.

We do it, we do congratulate.

Thank you for your hard work.

Okay.

Oh, introduction of the new community services director.

So I'm pleased to introduce Jillian Smith.

Jillian's here.

If you want to come on up, Jillian, as our new community service director.

Uh, she has more than 15 years leading senior services, our recreation programs, community outreach.

Um, with she most recently served as the director of council on aging in Middleton Mass.

And uh she is a uh originally a Salem resident, and she's moved away.

Her parents are still here though.

And I'll turn it over to Jillian just to say hi.

Very nice.

Hi.

Um, so hi.

Thank you for having me.

And I want to say thank you to the hiring committee because they obviously are very good at what they do.

Um I just really want to say thank you to the community and to all of you for allowing me to be here.

Um, the community has been so welcoming.

It's been like coming back home, and I've seen a lot of my friends' parents and people that I see just from being active in the Salem community, even though I don't live here currently anymore.

But um, I'm loving it and I love all the things I'm learning, and I have great support, like Jimmy Kay's here today.

Um, and I'm excited to help grow the town, especially with recreation and for our senior services.

So that's wonderful.

Thank you and welcome.

Thank you.

Welcome, yeah.

Thank you.

Very nice.

Good job.

Okay, Mr.

Devine.

Uh, so next is gonna be a first read waiver.

It's gonna be resolution 2026-03 from the finance department, and that's to authorize the use of 299,989.19 cents from the water DBA and 263,338.94 cents from the sewer DBA for 2026 loan payments for South Broadway sewer and water pipe replacement SRF loans.

I'm happy to answer any questions the council may have.

Any questions?

Council Sweeney.

Madam Chair, at this time I would move.

Sorry, I would move that the Salem New Hampshire Town Council adopts resolution number 202603 relating to the 2026 state resolving fund loan payment for the South Broadway sewer and water pipe replacement project, and further waives the requirement for a second reading.

This resolution shall take effect upon its passage as follows.

Whereas section 1.2 of the town charter vests in the town council the powers of the legislative and governing bodies, and whereas the town of Salem, through the authority of the Board of Selectmen, adopted Chapter 455 utility demand and benefit assessment on February 9th, 2004, pursuant to RSA 3828, RSA 3827, and RSA 149i 7, and chapters 398 and 477 of the town code.

Whereas in 2018, the voters authorized warrant article 5 of the South Broadway sewer and water pipe replacement state revolving fund loan, whereas the loan payment due in 2026 is 299,989 and 19 cents for the water main SRF loan and 429,125 and 92 cents for the sewer and culvert SRF loan.

Whereas the town of Salem through its town council, acting in their capacity as sewer and water commissioners, has the full authorization to authorize this funding request.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Salem Town Council.

Now the Salem Town Council hereby authorizes 299,989.19 cents to be expended from water DBA and 263,333 and 94 cents to be expended from the sewer DBA account for the purpose of payment the 2026 loan payments for the South Broadway sewer and water pipe replacement SRF loans.

Second.

I have a motion and second.

The only thing that I would say is it's it's the 263,338 94, not 333.

So just to make sure we have the right number on that.

So I have a motion from Council Sweeney, a second by Council Whitrow.

Any discussion?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Unanimous.

Very good.

Thank you.

Uh next will be resolution 2026-04, also from the finance department.

And this is to authorize the withdrawal of $68,946 from the depot improvement uh trust fund and 284,000.

I'm sorry, $248,854 from the zone two traffic impact fees for the 2026 depot land acquisition bond payment.

Happy to answer any questions the council may have.

Any questions?

Council Sweeney.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

At this time, I would move that the Salem New Hampshire Town Council adopts resolution number 202604 relating to the 2026 depot land acquisition bond payment and further waives the requirement for a second reading.

This resolution shall take effect upon its passage as follows.

Whereas section 1.2 of the town charter vests in the town council the powers of the legislative and governing bodies, and whereas in 2017, the voters authorized warrant article 9, the depot intersection land acquisition law.

Whereas the bond payment due in 2026 is 317,800.

Whereas the depot improvement trust fund created on March 18th, 1992, Section 4, lists the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend the trust fund.

Whereas RSA 674 215C and Salem Municipal Code 490 711 2 authorizes the governing body to spend impact fees.

Now therefore, be it resolved by the Salem Town Council that the Salem Town Council hereby authorizes $68,946 to be withdrawn from the depot improvement trust fund and $248,854 from zone two traffic impact fees to offset the cost of depot land acquisition bond payments due in 2026.

Second.

I have a motion by Council Sweeney, seconded by Council Withrow.

Any discussion?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Unanimous.

Thank you.

New business.

Mr.

Devine.

New business.

First up is going from the ID IT department.

And that's to consider an amendment to the personnel manual to include AI guidelines.

And your package was a memo from IT manager Tim O'Nahan, who is here to speak to this amendment tonight.

Good evening.

Good evening, Madam Chair and members of the council.

As you may recall, there was a 2025 goal to review and update IT policies and procedures.

I'm here tonight to seek your support and approval to add AI guidelines to our personnel manual.

Well, there's still a lot more work to do and conversations to be had.

Uh the uses of AI and adding these guidelines to the manual will help further and guide these conversations.

The guidelines were put into the packet.

I if you've had a chance to review them.

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them now.

Any questions?

No.

They looked good.

Put them in now.

Madam Chair, at this time, I would move that the town council supports adding language to the personnel manual to include guidelines relating to the use of artificial intelligence, AI, while using town technology.

Second.

I have a motion, a second, a motion by Council Sweeney, a second by Councillor Hatch.

All those in favor?

Unanimous.

Thank you, Tim.

Thank you.

Mr.

Devine.

And next is going to be a public hearing, and this is to accept $810,000 grant from New Hampshire DES for design permitting and construction of a chemical fee components for the regional water line.

Hi, Blaine.

Thank you.

Uh Wayne Emerald from uh Mr.

It's outlined in the letter that you have it's $810,000 non-matching.

So it's as free as we're going to get for funding for project will help us uh design permit and construct um chemical feeds at one or two uh station uh tanks.

So this was a nice one to receive a surprise for us, so it was really good to get.

Very nice.

Any questions from the board?

Council Pallatia.

Thank you, Madam Clear.

Uh Wayne, I'm just a little confused on construction of chemical feed components.

Uh I'm illiterate on this.

Can you explain a little bit what it does?

So it will allow us to treat uh will treat the raw water coming into the uh tank at the site at the storage tank.

With everybody, Fred Wallace.

Um, what this is gonna do right now, we all our chemical boosting disinfection is done at the water treatment plant.

Right, gets pumped out through the system, and when the water gets to the tanks, it tends to age.

So the the residuals will will start to die off.

What this is gonna do is allow us to boost it at the tanks, so we're keeping the same residual what's going into the tank coming out of the tank.

It's just going to improve you know water quality tenfold.

The purpose of it was because through the all the studies we've done with the regional water line is is uh Hawk, for instance, uh Hampstead Area Water Company is on the outskirts of our distribution system.

So by the time the water gets out there, it's the quality is good.

It's just the residuals have fallen off disinfection.

So this will allow that water to get to them in better shape, which means they can get it through their system and then out onto plastic in better shape.

So something the state's been working with us for very good.

So what it does is it keeps the water cleaner at the tower itself.

It it it um it increases the disinfection residual.

Oh, very good.

Okay, thank you.

Thanks for the clarification.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Any questions from the public?

Seeing that I'm gonna close the hearing.

Council Sweeney.

Madam Chair, at this time, I would move in accordance with RSA 3195 B that the Salem, New Hampshire Town Council hereby accepts with gratitude a grant in the amount of eight hundred and ten thousand dollars from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services as part of the Southern New Hampshire Regional Water Interconnection Project Grant Program, and further the town council agrees to enter into a grant agreement with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services for this purpose, and further authorizes the town manager to sign any and all documents necessary to effectuate this grant.

Second I have a motion by Councillor Sweeney, a second by counselor Pelletier.

Any discussion?

Seeing none, all those in favor, unanimous, Mr.

Devine.

Next we have another public hearing, and it's to accept a 77,260 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Safety Homeland Security Grant Program for Special Operations Unit Equipment.

Uh, police chief dolan is here to speak to that.

Thank you, Mr.

Public Hearing.

Thank you, Mr.

Manager, Madam Chair, members of the council.

My name is Joel Dolan.

It's my honor to serve as your chief of police.

I'm also a town resident.

Uh, this is a grant for the Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit, of which Salem is a member.

Uh we Salem will only be acting as the fiscal agent because there's no real purchasing power from the body itself.

So one of the member towns needs to serve as the fiscal agent.

The equipment will be as the manager stated.

And it'll be used to replace the robot on the team.

That has outlived its life cycle.

Very good.

Very good.

Any questions from the board?

Any questions from the public?

I'm going to close the hearing.

Council Sweeney.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

At this time, I move in accordance with RSA 3195 B that the Salem Town Council accepts with gratitude a grant in the amount of 77,260 from the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Homeland Security for the Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit to purchase a replacement tactical robot for the police department and further authorizes the town manager to sign any and all documents necessary to effectuate this grant.

Second.

I have a motion by Councillor Sweeney, a second by Councilor Betancourt.

Any discussion?

Seeing none, all those in favor?

Unanimous.

Thank you.

Mr.

Devine.

Next on the agenda is a request from the communications committee to dissolve.

So in your pack it was an email from the chair of the communications committee.

They voted unanimously to recommend to the council that they dissolve their charge and their committee.

So which is why I'm bringing it to the council.

It would require a charter change in 2027 as we go forward if this is what the council wishes.

But couldn't we still have a communications committee that just is it not having you could we could get rid of it?

I don't want I don't want to get rid of it.

I mean I personally don't want to get rid of it.

Council Hatch.

Well, I'm on the same thing.

I was gonna ask if we can just not get rid of it or just suspend it.

We kind of or you know, and then when it comes to time that we need it again, we can do another call for candidates.

We can definitely do that.

I I think you're right, because times are gonna change.

Yep.

And communic uh methods of communication is gonna change, and the town's going to change.

Yeah.

And so I I think that um we'd be wise by just suspending it at this point and holding on to that way we don't have to create it again.

Council Pelletier.

Thank you, madam.

As uh Councillor Rep to this uh communication uh committee, uh we have determined uh we have done everything that we can possibly do to notify the public of of any type of uh events or uh special meetings or or anything, uh other than opening a newspaper ourselves.

And uh that's not in the question.

And uh because of the fact, because of the great efforts that uh Creighton Brewbreaker has done and being involved in the communications committee and what he's done with the website is phenomenal.

And now we have a communications director, Sierra Salaz.

Yep, that's early right.

And she is doing a fantastic job.

And what she does is took everything away from us.

So at the point, there is there isn't much to do just to say, hey, how's your weekend?

You know, so I'll be in favor of suspending it, yes.

Yeah, council Betancourt.

Yeah, I'm gonna join the uh bandwagon of people who say let's have it go dormant for a bit.

Uh we're in a little bit of a lull.

We're coming off the big effort not all that long ago to get the new police station over the finish line.

Um is okay.

Letting people have an opportunity to catch their breath is okay.

But I think to the point that's been made, we don't know what's coming down the the pathway in the future, and we we may want to activate this group, which is obviously a lot harder to do if you abolish it at this point.

So let it lay dormant and be there as a potential resource and tool for us bring uh you know, depending on what the future brings.

Council Sweeney.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'm reminded through to Councilor Palatier's comments that in the Charter Commission, there was a desire to have uh staffer for communications, and then the communications committee was sort of compromised to say we care about communications, we're not gonna bind the town to have a staffer in the charter that has to be in every budget.

But now that we have a staffer that's dealing with 91A and helping with the communications of the town, it does kind of balance itself out, and that's kind of a nice thing.

And I agree, let's let them they don't have to meet.

They don't just stay in the background until they're they're called upon.

So you've you you've heard pretty much the consensus of the board.

Okay, sounds good.

Okay, Mr.

Devine, uh proposed finance committee.

Yes.

So with all the talk as far revolving around the budget committee and the possible elimination.

The council had kind of said that they wanted to look at the idea of having a finance committee.

Um so I worked with the finance director and the assistant town manager.

We kind of drafted something.

Um we gave you a it's very it's it's a rough draft, so we're open to feedback, we're open to suggestions on what you guys' thoughts are on it.

Um but we kind of just looked at other communities, uh, looked at what the budget committee's role and kind of what you guys said during the meetings about the expansion, the having them be able to start the process as opposed to finish the process, things like that.

Um so basically, you know, the the purpose is to establish and appoint an advisory finance committee that will be focused on looking at the budget and looking at the expenditures of the town as a whole, um, and basically make sure that we're keeping people informed, but having them work in conjunction with the council.

So, you know, my thought process is the council gives the town manager a goal and what you're looking for when we when we start the budget process, typically in July, you kind of say this is what we're thinking, this is where we want the budget to be at.

You know, getting that aligned, the finance committee will have the exact same goal because they know what the council's goal is.

So as I'm presenting a budget to them, I'm meeting your goal, hopefully, and then they're also hearing it, so they're working within the same guidelines that you've already established.

You know, I think one of the major thought processes that I have is you know, and and it actually came up during the budget process, uh, specifically the budget committee side is the council has a more intimate knowledge of the budget.

You deal with it more because you're dealing with the policy side of things, and you're looking more strategically on where the town's going to be moving as opposed to focusing year by year.

Um, so as you're setting that policy direction, that finance committee can also be working towards that same direction that the council has established.

When we start talking about, you know, we can talk about the fleet plan, we can talk about you know, we're looking at the the facilities now, and we're looking to do something very similar to say, you know, this is how much we want to spend every year on facilities.

You know, the council is going to understand that.

So when we're presenting those budgets, you're already kind of aware of that, and you're working within it because you're looking strategically on where the town is going as opposed to just a year by year, how are we moving forward?

Um, so that's kind of the purpose of it in our mind.

So again, the current process right now basically uh department heads present a budget to me.

Um it goes from me to the council, the council then forwards that budget to the budget committee, and the budget committee is the one that sends the budget to the voters after making adjustments each step of the way at the town manager at the town council and then at the budget committee.

Um, some of the key issues that we've seen um again is late stage focus on reductions, um limited year-round context, and then the council priorities may be altered.

Um again, if you if you're saying this is what we're looking to go forward, if the budget committee is looking just at a tax rate impact that may not be aligned with what the council's overall goals of what they're trying to do are.

So the proposed alternative is going to be this advisory finance committee again, reviews budgets earlier in the process, um provides a written recommendation to the council, supports alignment with council goals, and then ensures the budget sent to the voters reflects the town council's priorities by them reviewing it in that process.

Um again, so for a committee structure, uh we we've thought five voting members would be a nice number appointed by the council.

No council members should be appointed to this.

And I would say if the council moves forward, if if the charter amendment does not pass and there's still a budget committee, and the council wants to still have a finance committee, I would recommend no budget committee members be a member part of this as well.

And the thought process is because we don't want them influencing things at the front end as it comes to them in the back end.

There's the same reason for the council.

Um again, a chair or vice chair.

We do think there should be a CIP liaison from the bud um from the finance committee on CIP.

Um, just because again, it's a long-term um focus of what we're really looking to do.

Uh so then roll and authority again is advisory only.

Our reviews budget trends CIPs issues those written recommendations, um, does not set appropriations or direct staff again, it's making the recommendations only.

So again, we just quickly just to kind of give you an idea of the way we think it would look like is you know, July, you typically June, July is when you're setting your council goals as we're getting ready to establish the the budget.

Um August would be the town manager review, and now the finance committee would come first, and that's September and October's time time frame with the council then reviewing in October and November.

Can I just interject here?

Because my understanding and belief was that this finance committee would be starting at the beginning of the year and going through is this just for the budget schedule.

This is just for the budget schedule.

Okay.

The we we agree it should be going year-round, and it's going to be.

I plan on I've already spoken to the finance director, whether it's herself or the assistant finance director, they will be the staff liaison to this committee, and they would be the ones monthly giving updates on where we are with spending, things like that, the revenue side and breaking it all down at at a monthly meeting with them.

Yep.

Okay.

Uh council Pelletia do a question.

Well, when the is the CIP finish their review and and submit that to the council.

CIP typically is wrapping up in the summertime because we have to have it ready for the budget.

So normally uh they come before the council in August, September ish, um, just with what they're looking to do.

Um obviously those inclusions though happen at the town manager level.

Sometimes CIP may recommend something, the town manager may say no.

The town council then still has the ability after they've seen it to add things back in, things like that.

But that's that's the process.

Um because you know, you typically making presentations in uh May June-ish.

It's when the departments are making recommendations to the CIP.

Okay, thank you.

You're welcome.

Again, we think it's an earlier review, so that's gonna be better because it's again we we typically I mean March um March 10th will be our town meeting day.

We April starts our CIP process.

So we're already starting the budget for 2027 as we're passing the budget for 2026 in our current model.

Um but starting that review earlier, we think would be better.

Uh better alignment with goals again.

Um we feel like I said that long term focus as opposed to just kicking it year by year, and then a broader participation, and we do think it would include and uh increased transparency on what we're trying to do.

So again, the next steps is to finalize a policy to um make a plan and then review the uh bylaws.

I did give you some rough bylaws in your agenda as well.

I'm happy to answer any questions that the council may have.

Council Sweeney.

Thank you, madam chair.

Thank you, Joe, for putting this together.

I'm a big fan of this.

I think it's looking great.

I do want to make sure that we task them with looking at all the fees.

Sure.

That we we charge you.

You would mention the revenue, but I very much want them to get their first crack at the fees before they come to us, so that it's just more time spent on that process of it.

Um, I know we we always have in-depth conversations on fees when it comes here.

So I think this is I think with or without a budget committee, I think this is gonna be a big improvement to how we do things in sale.

So I like it.

And I just want to pee back on on that comment because I uh you know, I'm one of the ones, and I know other members of this board are the same way.

We shouldn't be making money, you know, on the backs of people who are trying to get building permits and things like that.

It's what is the what does it cost us to perform whatever it is, and that's what the charge should be, and nothing more cost of boom business.

And fair, absolutely.

Well, yeah, it should be fair, absolutely.

But you know, I don't want to hear what Jerry's doing.

I don't care what Nasha was doing.

I care what Salem's doing and what we're doing to the people who live in Salem.

So that's where I'm coming from.

Counselor Hatch.

I think regardless of what happens in March, I think we should form this.

I think um and what that'll do is if that amendment in March fails and we go ahead with this plan and after a couple of years, and then we can go to the voters again and say, see, this works.

You know that's a good idea.

Yeah.

And I that's uh and I think uh as far as you know the town council review of the budget, I think we should get it earlier in the process.

To me, the this is only my second year on the town council, and both years the budget process went too fast for me.

Even today I look at it and I find some other questions I have.

So I just think we should get it sooner than what we're getting because I felt rushed through it.

Thank you.

Council Withrow.

Um what I envisioned for this is a little bit different.

I understand why five might be important, but I kind of pictured a more intimate group.

I was thinking maybe three, but also with some criteria as to who we're appointing to this.

Um, you know, I don't know if we want to have somebody who's worked in finance, somebody, you know, something somebody who's more familiar with the budget or numbers that can get intimately involved with it and have they can dig in without having to really learn the budget.

I mean, we sit on this board in the first couple of years, everybody's really just learning it.

I'd love to have somebody with a jump start.

So I don't know if that's something this this council thinks might work.

Yeah, I would imagine that we we can put in criteria.

I mean, I think it's a smart idea.

I mean, you want yeah, you want some type of person with a step up.

And I I can tell you we originally talked about three, and the reason we went with five is if we're gonna have them serve on other committees, we didn't want to have it so narrow that they weren't able to then participate as a finance committee member.

That that was one of the reasons we went with five.

Because there was talk do we want to have this person possibly on M back at some uh a member on M back or other committees that kind of really dive into the long-term strategic planning of the town.

And that's one of the reasons we went with five, which just we already have members that we do.

Yeah, and yeah, yeah, and here's what I'm gonna say with regards to that.

And I think you know, I I understand what you're trying to do, but my thing is it's hard enough to get people to volunteer, and this is volunteering.

And then it it's one thing to volunteer for one committee, but then people might say, wait a minute, now I gotta volunteer possibly volunteer for this board or that board.

And I think that that will turn people away.

That's just my personal opinion.

You know, some people just you know, they this is what I want to focus on.

This is what I want to focus on.

So just that's just my personal opinion.

Because that's where I'd be coming from, Councillor Betoncourt.

I know we're kind of ping-ponging around a little bit on the topic, but I wanted to piggyback on what Joe had said earlier, which is uh a thought that I had with regard to the scope and the mission of the group, you know, in addition to kind of some of the one-off items that you know we don't think of right away, but they could be very helpful.

I think one of the other things where they could be very helpful is to monitor the budget over the course of of the year to see how things are going with the line items.

I know we spend a lot of time excuse me, talking about how it's a bottom line budget and it sometimes gives people the misimpression that the actual line items themselves don't matter.

They do matter.

They do.

They're they're important detail and structure, you know, for the units within the overall budget.

And so this group could kind of monitor to see how the burn rates are going, if you will.

We obviously are informed if something big happens and there's got to be a big expenditure unexpectedly out of one of the lines, and we're aware of that, but just kind of the day-to-day monitor, well, maybe not day-to-day, but you know, a quarterly monitoring of how things are going.

You know, are we for whatever reason, you know, under budgeting a line?

Okay, if so, was there something specific that caused that?

Are we, you know, under for whatever reason?

Um having them kind of watching that on a periodic basis, I think could be very helpful to us when we get the budget to have their perspective on that too.

Yeah, Council Pelletia?

Yeah, I'm I'm still in favor of a five member uh committee because of the fact that one of the members are gonna be a CIP member, and like we went down to three, and it would just leave two.

And that could be a flip-flop of a vote, I believe, sometime.

Um I agree with the other rest of the board, should be executed people.

Uh uh CIP, I mean a uh accountants should be involved in it if they won't like to uh uh business management uh uh people should be.

Definitely not me.

Well, you're counsel, you can't be on it.

So you're so you're saved there, Paul.

You're saved.

So yeah, I guess you know the understanding is regardless of how the vote goes in March.

Uh this board's intention is to move forward with a finance committee, either way.

Yeah, right.

Okay.

Thank you for this draft kill.

Yeah, great yeah, look good.

Thank you.

Yeah, looked good.

Madam Chair, and I think that last point is really important because we heard a lot of discussion about this on Saturday at deliberative exclusive things.

The budget committee, depending on how that vote goes next month, and the finance committee can coexist quite well.

Thank you.

Perfect.

That's perfectly stated.

Absolutely.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Okay.

Uh any other comments or questions?

You're all set?

Okay, Tommy Anders' report.

I'm manager.

Uh so just a quick winter weather update.

Um services director Wayne Amrill is gonna be in at the next meeting to kind of give you a more cost analysis, but just to kind of give you an idea.

We've had 15 winter events at the time of this writing.

We may have this was again a week and a half ago as we got snow and things like that, so there could have been some more events since then, but uh 15 at the time of writing since December 1st.

Um again, we we plowed 388 lanes of miles of roadway.

Uh, there's 36 plow routes in town on 35 miles of sidewalk that we're maintaining.

Uh plowing does begin at one to three inches, depending on what's happening.

Uh primary routes go first, that's all our main arteries, then secondary, and then final cleanup is when we're doing sidewalks and things like that after the storm.

A quick community power pricing update if people aren't aware.

Liberty has locked in their next rate at $13.70, uh yeah, $13.73.

Um, so we are again underneath that.

So we have a savings of 18.6% uh with Salem Community Power.

If people have opted out and want to rejoin, they do have the ability to still do that.

I just want people to know that.

Or for some reason they do want to opt out because they're not happy with it, they still have the ability to do that on the website.

Can Lee, yeah, please, Council Withrow.

We got some comments here.

There's been a lot of issues with Liberty's billing.

Um and I don't I'm wondering if it's happening with with that group of billing too.

But people well, I think it is happening with both, right?

They're billing more than what the bill is.

Like two months worth of the bill.

Like two months, and they actually like they're saying that.

Like two months worth of two months, and they actually like they're saying that it did we're billing for two months, but they don't tell you, they don't give you the credit.

They just, if you call, they're like, Oh, yeah, that's you don't have to pay that.

So there's something going on with their billing.

Yeah, and they don't they don't offer that it's a that the bill you got is the bill comes.

Yep, and you're like, whoa, what how did my bill go up so much unless you call them?

That's when they tell you, oh yeah, we're doing two months, but you're also not selling us.

Right.

It's like a continuous trade.

Right, and you're never seeing that credit in your double billing.

Right.

So I don't know what the deal is.

Awesome staff.

We have contacts with Liberty.

We'll reach out to them just to see if we can get an answer and bring it back to you guys.

Okay, thank you.

Yeah, maybe it's just to be specific because it happened to me a couple of weeks ago.

Yeah, that um to bill arrive, the bill was like Lisa said it's like almost two months worth of electricity on being billed for.

And now I'm on auto pay.

So I went to the bank account to see how much they drew out.

They only drew out for the first for the one month.

However, those people that are on what auto pay are just writing the checks, and they don't realize that there's two months there.

Yeah, because I'm not on auto pay either.

And so that's what that's what they told us.

Oh no, you they specifically told we your bills for a month and a half.

And it was the way they cycle it's something screwy that they're doing with the bill.

Okay.

And we just need to fix it.

Yeah, I I mean that may have nothing to do with the town, but we can definitely look into it and see if we can put a little pressure on them.

But yes, thank you.

It is what we can do.

Yeah, we'll get some explanation.

But it's I mean, it's good if people are watching, they can take a look at their bill and they can make a phone call.

Because if they think there's something hokey about their bill, I mean it's a good opportunity because if it doesn't get resolved, the PUC is the next one.

It is a phone call.

And they look into everything.

Yep.

So counselor back in court.

Just to go back to the previous item.

I thought we're gonna wait till the end, but just to jump in.

The the winter weather line eye to the budget.

We're gonna be okay.

Just been a lot of people.

We're spending a lot.

So that's gonna be the next at the next meeting.

That's what Wayne's gonna be coming in to talk about.

He's gonna let you know where we're at right now for winter weather, um, because we are expending a lot right now.

I'm seldom a man ahead of my time, but apparently on this one I might be.

Yeah, counselor.

All right, since he went back to it.

I was gonna wait until the end.

So I I just want people to understand that because with the top of the slide said 15 winter events, that's just not necessarily snowstorms.

That's that's wet weather.

We got ice.

That is when the plows have gone out.

The plows are salters.

We've done some sort of but they have to also realize it goes back to g to la to la, you know, last January, right?

Right, yeah.

So people have to understand that.

It's just because right now they're only thinking about what's happened the last couple of months.

No, no, no.

This goes back right.

That's why we're always concerned about money at this time of the year because we have it.

Correct.

We're still on last year's money.

We haven't started this year's yet.

Well, we we have because it's it's January.

So anything that happened in December would have fallen into the 2025 budget.

Right.

So as of January, even though we're we're we can't overexpend, we have to expand similarly that we did in 25 and 26.

Right.

You know, the odds are we may end up having to come back and saying we may need to use this trust fund that we we have a winter weather trust fund, things like that.

So that's what we're evaluating right now.

And uh to give you an idea, and I don't want to steal Wayne's thunder for for next week.

But he will wayne.

But you know, that that storm that we got that was 20 inches of storm.

I don't want to scare you.

That's a hundred thousand dollar storm for the town.

Right.

I mean, right?

So that's that's just the the reality of it.

Um, you know, the the guys were plowing, they were up, it was close to 48 hours that they were working to keep the roads clear.

You know, you you clear it, you get it ready, and in this particular storm, you know, you know, during the day it kind of stopped, and then around two o'clock it started again.

And here we go again.

And so they get it cleared and they're trying to treat.

Um, we're dropping salt.

If you watch the news, there's salt shortages everywhere.

We've been very fortunate to keep salt coming in.

Um Jeff Benson's done a great job.

He we have a great contact, and we've kept our our sheds full, which is great, but because it's a commodity, price goes up when people want it, and that's that's just the nature of it.

So thank you.

Yeah, okay.

Um, so regional transit.

Um, Councilor Hatchet mentioned this, it is moving forward with a bus route coming out of uh Miva.

Um so Creighton is gonna be coming in probably at the March meeting to give you guys an update and talk specifically about the route and where they're gonna be stopping and things like that.

They have a plenary preliminary route they've established um with stops at Target and Tuskin as are coming up 28.

Um, but there'll be more discussion, but it's fully grant funded by Mass DOT right now.

Uh so the town and the state of New Hampshire, we're not paying anything for them to come up and in.

Um the nice thing for residents if you're gonna use Miva, um, you'll actually be able to get to the T stops.

So if you want to go to Boston and things like that, you'll be able to take a hop on a bus and get to a get to a T stop as opposed to having to drive down, things like that if you don't want to.

Quick update on Route 11, Irma Road.

It is moving forward.

We finally got our wetlands permit.

It was approved on January 21st.

That was kind of the last major holdup as far as permitting goes.

So we are pushing forward with a roundabout.

The final design now is underway, and we're hoping for construction to start the summer of 2026.

So we are moving forward.

The state's been very helpful with us making this process move faster so we can get it going, which has been great.

So thank you to them.

And we're moving forward, which is it's good to get this done.

Great.

They took a couple years off.

Uh but if people are interested, it's on our website.

You can go in, get a rain barrel.

It's good for watering, things like that, so you're not always using your tap water.

Um it also is good for for Fred.

He doesn't like people, you know, for irrigation purposes that drives a lot of our water usage in the summertime.

This is a good way to kind of offset that a little bit for people.

Uh the town clerk, we're we're pushing again uh dog licenses are done.

Um she actually started something called a parkboard.

So if you come into the basement of town hall, you can bring in a picture of your dog and we put it up there for you so people can kind of see it as they're registering their dogs and things like that.

So feel free to come on down.

If you have a picture of your dog and you want to bring it in, they're taking them.

Uh, but just a reminder dog licenses are available now, and they're due in April.

Um something we're gonna be launching on probably later this week.

We're looking to do a residence survey.

Uh, very broad questions, just trying to get an idea of what people feel, how the town is doing.

How can we be moving forward?

Is it what are the priorities of the residents?

Things like that.

Very 15 questions, nothing in-depth like crazy, but just to kind of get an idea where people think we need to improve, where they people think we're doing well, just so we can kind of start gauging that.

Um, so we're hoping for good participation from people.

Um, but we're looking again budget challenges, communications.

What are people really looking for from the town and how can we help them?

Um, so that's something we're gonna be pushing out.

And once we get the results, we'll come back to the council and share it with you guys.

How soon do you think that's gonna be posted on the website?

I would assume this week.

Thank you.

Yep.

It's all ready to go.

It's just I wanted to make sure you guys were aware of it before I hit publish.

So you should promote the heck out of it.

Absolutely.

Yeah, that's and that's our thought process.

Is you know, again, it's it's not it's it's not a long process, it's all multiple choice, very easy for people to do.

Um, but again, just to kind of get a gauge on how people think we're doing.

I think it's important for us to know where we can improve.

So or where we're doing well, too.

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Questions from the board.

I have a question.

Have we heard anything more about the progress of the mall road overpass in the DOT?

Last I was told that's supposed to start this spring.

Okay, they've had they've had their public hearings, they've done everything like that.

Construction is supposed to begin in the spring for it uh because they plan on having it.

They said they told us it'd be wrapped before the holiday season of 26, is what we were told.

So very good.

Thank you.

Yep, yeah.

I like that idea.

Any other comments from the board?

Questions, anything, concerns, none?

So um we have no old business or tabled or pending.

Upcoming meetings of February 9th, March 2nd and March 16th.

I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

In the absence of Councillor Bryant, at this time, Madam Chair, I would move that we adjourn.

Second.

I have a motion by Council of Bedcoin a second.

By council with all those in favor, you unanimous.

Good evening, Salem.

Good evening.