Thomas Kilpeck

The Prudential Committee meeting agenda included the election of officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary) and the establishment of the future meeting schedule, time, and location. Financial matters involved the approval of warrants for the Fire Department, Water Department, Payroll, and Water Reserve totaling $48,740.51. Department reports from the Fire Chief (covering 20 calls in January 2026 and system transitions from NFIRS to NERIS) and the Water Department were expected. Key Old Business items included updates on MERP and the Brandon South Tank Project. The Water Department report noted the completion of monthly compliance sampling, ongoing office renovations, work on the source protection plan update, and coordination on the Birch Hill property subdivision permit.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting includes the adoption of the agenda, old business items pertaining to MERP and the Storage Tank Project, consideration of financial warrants for the Fire Department, Water Department, and Water Department Payroll, review of a special meeting's minutes, reports from the Treasurer, Water Department, and Fire Department, a section for new business, public comment, and adjournment. The Water Department Report for January 2026 details ongoing compliance sampling, annual report mailing, water shut-offs related to a home buyout, creation of new source protection plan maps, progress on the MERP grant renovations, removal of the drought advisory, and submission of a subdivision permit application. The Fire Department Report for December 2025 summarizes 18 calls for service, including motor vehicle accidents, EMS assists, structure fire, and alarm activations, notes the delivery of ordered hose and upcoming delivery of Holmatro Tools, and mentions a potential donation from the Estabrook estate.

The Prudential Committee meeting focused primarily on negotiating a billing and collection services agreement with the Town. The Town initially proposed an annual charge of $30,000, which the Fire District countered with $10,000, citing budget constraints and the value of existing infrastructure provided by the District. Following discussion on workload, cost allocation, and historical context, both parties agreed upon a compromise of $15,000 for fiscal year 26-27. The committee unanimously approved this payment and also approved the total Fire District budget of $687,306. Both parties committed to developing a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to clarify long-term terms for billing, collection, and cost-sharing responsibilities.

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda, which included moving an item. Several warrants were approved, including those for the general fund of the fire department and water department, as well as payroll and a fire department reserve warrant for a Connex box purchase. The Treasurer's Report included a discussion regarding past interest charges from Denton and suggestions for preventing future late fees. Reports from the Fire and Water Departments were accepted as printed. Old Business included an update on the MERP project, with a decision to request a completion date for the first phase before proceeding with change orders, and the approval of a proposal from Otter Creek Engineering for the Storage Tank Project Step 2. New Business saw the approval of the proposed 2025/2026 budget, the approval of Waring as written, and the approval of the final version of the annual report. During Public Comment, a resident requested a review of alleged overbilling related to 21 years of meter issues.

The meeting included the adoption of the agenda and updates on old business items, specifically the MERP project, where documentation was sent to the State, and the Storage Tank Project, which is experiencing state system delays. Warrants were approved for the Fire Department general fund, the Water Department general fund, and Water Department payroll, with clarification provided regarding multiple payroll warrants. The Treasurer reported that VEMRS retirement reporting and W2s would be processed shortly, and the Treasurer announced she would not seek re-nomination at the upcoming annual meeting. The Board acknowledged the printed reports for both the Water Department and the Fire Department. During public comment, a member inquired about receiving the annual report, which was confirmed to be in the mail.