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Town Administrator's Report

1.   Propane Cost - 1.989 quote.  Current propane contract ends August 31, 2026 which is 1.95 per gallon. Roughly $600 annually (based on 15,636 units)

2.  2027 Budget Memo below

3. Lou Caron - Town Engineer

4. NHMA Legislative Review - The deadline for submitting floor proposals is Friday, August 4. A floor proposal will be accepted only if: (a) it is approved by a majority vote of the governing body (select board, aldermen, or council) of the town or city submitting the proposal; (b) is submitted in writing; and (c) is received no later than August 4.  NHMA will send any floor proposals received to all municipalities in August so they will have an opportunity to take a position on the floor proposal(s) before the Legislative Policy Conference.  he 2027-2028 NHMA Legislative Policy Conference will be held on Friday, September 11, at 9:00 a.m.  The proposals reviewed by committee are below.

5. NRPC is starting the process to confirm local and regional transportation project priorities for the FY 2029-2038 State Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan (TYP). As you may know, a project must be listed in the TYP to access federal and state transportation funds. Projects can include bicycle and pedestrian improvements as well as road and bridge improvements.  See letter below.

6. Friday, June 19, Governor Ayotte vetoed both SB661 and HB1491. As a result, the law governing risk pools in New Hampshire (RSA 5-B) will remain unchanged.   HealthTrust will continue to operate under RSA 5-B, providing the non-assessable, fixed-cost coverage the public sector.

7.  BTLA is requesting mediation on the abatement at  5 Horizon Drive.  We will notify Avitar and schedule a mediation.

8. The Governor vetoed the following bills:

HB 1097 – Requiring legislative approval of the amendment or permanent removal of historical markers

HB 1369 – Relative to the manner of posting the warrant for town meetings

HB 1491 – Relative to pool risk management programs

HB 1726 – Relative to the sale of surplus state-owned land and establishing a commission to study the sale of state-owned property - bill limits the proceeds of sales or leases to the fund originally used to purchase the property. This is not an efficient or fiscally prudent structure for allocating revenues and does not improve state management of surplus land.

HB 1766 – Relative to cruelty to livestock

SB 661 – Relative to pooled risk management programs

No action yet on HB 1300  - HB 1300 would require every town and ward in a city to include a tax cap question on its general election ballot in November 2026 and 2028. The question requires a 3/5 majority to pass.  If adopted for a two-year period: (1) the local property tax levy may not grow beyond the prior year’s amount, adjusted for inflation and new construction; (2) SAU central office spending may not exceed 6 percent of total school district appropriations; and (3) bonded capital costs are excluded from both limits. These caps apply only to administrative operations of the SAU central office and do not affect classroom instruction, school-based services, or other municipal expenditures. 

SELECTMEN REPORTS

1. Recreation Commission Representative - F. Robert Leary Sr.

2. School Facilities Improvement Committee - John Brunelle

3. Budget Committee Representative - Steve Perry

4. Planning Board Representative - Dianne Plansky , Alternate John Brunelle

5. Capital Improvement Committee Representative - Steve Perry,  Alternate Selectman Steve Gannon

6. Conservation Commission Representative - Steve Gannon

7. Heritage Commission Representative -   Dianne Plansky 

8. Emergency Management Team - John Brunelle

9. Energy Committee - Steven G. Gannon

10. Circumferential Highway Exploratory Committee (CHEC) - Dianne Plansky

 Adjournment

NON-Meeting with Counsel