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Did
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Events from Pelham Town Hall
As of April 20, 2012
Posted 04/26/12
The Selectmen, School Board and Budget Committee met in a joint session last Thursday to discuss items of mutual interest and plans for the updating of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). A discussion of the past town meeting showed voters supported a $1.6 million increase for the town with about $1.4 million being a onetime expense for the fire station. The Selectmen intend to remove this $1 per thousand from the tax rate in 2013. The voters approved $3.2 million in increases for the school of which about $1.4 million were for building improvements and special education.
The Boards discussed several areas of cooperation which have saved the town money in the past. Recently, the school and town used their size to purchase electricity directly from the marketplace at a considerable savings. Similarly, the school would like to purchase fuel (diesel and gasoline) through the town and share in the discounted price. The town and school already purchase heating fuel and propane as a unit.
The CIP and collective bargaining agreements were discussed. The Selectmen spoke of the need for planning described overall goals for collective bargaining agreements which, in some situations, take several contracts to achieve. One example is the elimination of accumulated time off for two groups of employees which was replaced with “use it or lose it” time off. This eliminated some of the unfunded liability for which the town is responsible if an employee severs their employment. During the last two years, some have commented about supervisor salaries which include a onetime payout of accumulated time off. Those liabilities have been paid and will not accumulate again.
The dry, windy weather continues to keep conditions for forest fires very high. Firefighters have responded to at least four brush fires in the last two weeks and as many calls to investigate the smell of smoke. Two illegal burns were extinguished by firefighters as a result of those calls. Please contact the Fire Department (635-2411) if you have any questions about burning.
The highway department is currently filling low road shoulders with recycled asphalt pavement as it is more resistant to erosion. Roads maintained were Jeremy Hill, Bowman Lane, Bush Hill Road, Willow Street, Burns Road and Nashua Road. More roads will be maintained in the next two weeks along with the process of sweeping up winter sand.
The Police Department has completed an application to NH Fish and Game for a grant entitled “OHRV Wheeled Vehicle Enforcement” which allows officers to be assigned to specialized OHRV enforcement throughout the year. The competition for this grant is very high as numerous towns from across the state make application. Pelham has been successful in the past and has a reputation for efficiently utilizing the grant.
PHS Baseball is coming to PTV! Although PTV has the equipment, they haven’t had the manpower to film these games until a high school freshman, Corey Jenkins, stepped up to volunteer. Corey is just getting familiar with the equipment but we’re sure his skills will get quickly up to speed and we can enjoy local baseball at home! Thanks Corey!