Minutes

Hancock Advisory Committee Meeting

5-6-08

 

Present: Ron Mack, Greg Lusted, Rich LeFebvre, Roberta LaPlante, Gail Hoffmann, Tom Ward, Laurie Bryan, Kurt Grassett

 

Kurt provided the committee with an overview of the condition and projected expenses for the town buildings and grounds. There is not currently a plan in place for maintenance of buildings and grounds. Kurt would like assistance in developing a plan for scheduled maintenance. Data needs to be gathered and put into a spreadsheet – this could be done by a volunteer or perhaps a high school intern. $2,000-$4,000 is spent every year on unexpected maintenance items such as hot water heaters that fail, etc.

 

One question with buildings and grounds is how much to include in the budget for annual maintenance and what to include as a capital expense. The goal of the maintenance plan is to identify routine maintenance for inclusion in the annual budget and capital expenses that will be warrant articles.

 

Energy costs are the main budget factor. Kurt is looking into having an energy audit done on the town buildings. This will allow the town to prioritize upgrades in energy efficiency and conservation. Kurt is working with other towns to get a price on what the audit would cost if they all went into it together.

 

The old fire station is used primarily for cold storage for the Fire Department Auxiliary. The Committee asked if it was worth keeping. The overhead door needs replacement along with the East side roof. Otherwise it is in solid condition. The committee will explore the possibility of having the Fire Department Auxiliary lease the building from the town. Advisory will discuss this with the Select Board.

 

The old ball field by the elementary school needs repair. $500-$600 in materials is needed. Volunteers are willing to help with the work.

 

Moose Brook Park may have potential to generate more income from the school district for their use of the field. The district might help pay for irrigation. The committee will explore this further.

 

Kurt explained the concept behind a town sticker that would be purchased by residents when they registered their vehicles. The sticker would provide parking at Norway Pond, Landing Road and allow access to the Transfer Station.

 

To increase the amount of information that can be gathered, the committee has divided into two subcommittees. Rich, Ron and Laurie are on the revenue subcommittee and Tom, Greg, Roberta and Gail are on the expense subcommittee. Subcommittees will meet during the month and schedule their meetings with Barb. The full committee will meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 at the Town Office Building.

 

Tom met briefly with Neal Cass last week and discussed our current borrowing rates. Neal is putting the grader and Prospect Hill loans out for bid with the 3 local banks – Lake Sunapee, Ocean and TD Banknorth.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.

 

Next meeting will be Tuesday June, 3 at 6:30 PM at the Town Office Building.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Laurie Bryan

For the Advisory Committee

 

Hancock Home Page – Town Documents – Hancock Advisory Committee