TOWN OF
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
PUBLIC HEARING
Selectboard Present:
Whitney Aldrich (Chair); Jamie Teague, Sheldon Sawyer
Mr. Aldrich called this
Public Hearing to order at
PUBLIC HEARING:
Town Hall Ceiling: Mr. Aldrich advised that under
RSA 32:11, a town can, in an emergency, seek permission from the commissioner
of Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) to overspend the budget or spend
for a purpose for which no appropriation was made. The governing body must hold a public hearing
on the request. Permission must be
sought from DRA before the expenditure is made.
In the case of a sudden or unexpected emergency, the application may be
approved after the expenditure has been made, but DRA rarely grants “after the
fact” permission before spending the money.
DRA won’t grant this permission unless the town has an actual source of
funds available, such as an amount in the fund balance. DRA cannot increase the tax rate for this
purpose. If there is no source of
revenue, the only option is to petition the superior court for permission to
hold a special meeting to appropriate the money.
The
The Selectboard
acknowledged receipt of a letter from Myra Mansouri, Chair
on behalf of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, “urging them to take this
opportunity to correct the problem with the acoustics in Town Hall as plans are
made to repair the ceiling which has dropped on the first floor. A drop ceiling which can conceal wires and
pipes, made of appropriate acoustical materials will enhance the usage of the
first floor. The tin ceiling was not
remarkable in its design and was probably not part of the original design of
the building. The age and architecture
can be respected with a modern ceiling which can be adapted for modern usage.” The Planning Board recommended the same
method of repair without submitting a formal letter.
Matthew Blanc, Blanc and
Bailey, submitted estimated costs as a guideline for the scope of work. There are five options: 1) Finish sheetrock,
trim around beams & paint; 2) Install a suspended ceiling, standard ACT
tiles; 3) Install suspended ceiling grid, system w/failure stamp tiles; 4)
Install suspended ceiling grid system w/metal stamp tile system; and 5) Install
tin ceiling system.
As an example Option 3 above
would cost approximately $23,870.00 but Mr. Blanc explained that there are
unknowns until they begin the project.
The Selectboard discussed using acoustical vs tin product for the ceiling.
Mr. Sawyer stated that the
roof work also needs to be done because the leaking during heavy rains is a
part of what caused the ceiling to “drop” plus the elevator is wet following
heavy rains.
There was no public
comment. Mr. Blanc was the only attendee.
The Selectboard
have to wait for a response from the DRA before moving forward with this
project. It is the Selectboard’s
opinion that the entire project will cost $150,000 due to unforeseen issues
which won’t be known until the ceiling is taken down.
Public Hearing –
Mr. Aldrich declared this
Public Hearing closed at
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
Whitney
R. Aldrich, Chair
______________________
Jamie
J. Teague
______________________
Sheldon
S. Sawyer
(Note: These are unapproved
minutes. Corrections, if necessary, may
be found in the minutes of the