Tuftonboro Fire & Rescue

The meeting included updates from the Director of Parks and Recreation regarding ongoing concert bookings and seasonal staff advertisements. A consultant provided an update on current projects, discussing anticipated expenses, warrant articles, and suggesting project staggering for cost-effectiveness. The Transfer Station Supervisor reviewed year-end department updates, highlighting the success of paper recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Day events. In non-public session, the Board discussed potential changes to a lease agreement with Vertical Bridge, ultimately denying the proposed modifications. The Consent Calendar items were approved. Action items included awarding a well company estimate for the Police Station and reconsidering and then approving the budget for Election and Registration. Discussions in the Town Administrator and Selectmen Update covered building heating oil shortages, road acceptance procedures, and warrant article considerations for 2026. The Personnel Administration budget was also revised and approved.

The work session included discussions and decisions on several municipal matters. Cobalt Construction presented a quote for Transfer Station projects, resulting in a vote to approve roof repair at the Transfer Station. An update was provided on the ongoing Police Station construction progress, covering HVAC, electrical, insulation, well drilling, and garage door scheduling. The Police Chief presented the proposed 2026 Police budget, which was approved after modifications to line items such as Conference & Training and on-call pay. The 2026 Personnel Administration budget was also reviewed and approved. For the 2026 Finance Administration budget, discussions focused on selecting budgeting software (ClearGov) and outsourcing payroll services (MRI Managed Payroll Services); the budget was approved. Other business included establishing a rotating schedule for Tuftonboro Times articles, approving a corrected 2026 Transfer Station Holiday schedule, and approving a three-year contract for Lakes Region Computer Services. Tax exemptions for the American Youth Foundation and Camp Wiliam Lawrence were approved.

The meeting included public input regarding longevity pay for town officials, which was later addressed in an action item. Key discussions involved a Police Station update from Cobalt Construction, a detailed report from the Police Chief on statistics, fraud awareness, and a recommendation to increase the police detail hourly rate. The Board approved encumbering funds for 2026, signed a gravel tax form, and authorized payment for a ReVision Energy invoice. Action items included accepting extensions for the performance periods of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) amendments for Union Wharf Road Culvert and Sodom Road Culvert, and accepting an HMGP grant to update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. During public hearings, the Board accepted a significant property donation from the Tuftonboro Firefighters Association for a new airboat, resolved to sell the old airboat with proceeds partially returning to the association, amended the Town Parking Ordinance for 19-mile beach parking, and renewed a Discretionary Preservation Easement for a historical agricultural structure. Further discussions covered the new fire truck contract, capital reserves, and assessment valuations. An action item later passed approving longevity pay for elected officials for 2025.

Key discussions during the meeting included an update from the Code Officer detailing year-to-date statistics for building permits, new homes, Certificates of Occupancy, and inspections. The officer also reported on repairs to the Town House pellet boiler and plans to seek competitive pricing for a new vehicle outside of the State of NH bidding process. The Consent Calendar items, covering administrative tax refunds, an excavation tax, a Warden Service bill, a preservation item, the Watershed Management Plan engineering contract, and two tax exemptions, were approved. Correspondence items were reviewed, including reports from the Library and a County Budget Summary. The Board awarded the contract for the Highway garage work to Haymond Builders for $128,253, following a discussion on the scope of work lacking septic details. The Board also addressed damage to the Transfer Station windows and roof, awarding the window replacement contract to Bill Lesard for $15,850 using expendable trust funds. A lease consultant from MD7 presented a proposal to lower the monthly payment for cell tower leases; the Board requested a different price scenario and scheduled a follow-up. The Town Administrator presented proposed Capital Improvement Plan roads for 2026 Warrant Articles, including Pine Mill Drive, Sodom Road, and New Road, and discussed the Road Agent pay line item. The completion timeline for solar footings was also discussed.

The Budget Committee meeting involved several key discussions and budget considerations. Topics included reviewing upcoming meeting schedules due to a special election, discussing open requested items, and addressing concerns regarding information requests and communication styles between the Town Administrator and the Committee, with Chairman Roriston emphasizing the obligation to provide requested information per NH RSAs. Budget items approved included (4210) Police in the amount of $551,652, and (4194) Municipal Buildings for $181,624, which covered enhanced security and anticipated solar installation. Budget (4312) Highway & Streets was accepted at $828,100, with requests for better expense tracking. Several other budgets, including Financial Administration: Tax Collector, Personnel Administration, and Solid Waste, were tabled for further review. The committee also reviewed progress on the police station construction, entered and exited a non-public session concerning compensation, and later approved an amended budget for (4140) Election & Registration.