Selectmen Minutes
September 2, 2021
Present: Fred Woodhouse, Diane Callahan, Gary Backstrom
Call to order by Fred Woodhouse at 5:33 pm.
State Senator Denise Ricciardi met with the Board to introduce herself. Ms. Ricciardi spoke about what she has been doing since her election and reviewed portions of the state budget. Ms. Ricciardi said that she has been advocating for property tax relief and one aspect is the rooms and meals tax which should have 40% going to municipalities. SB 99 increased the amount of rooms and meals tax to 30% for municipalities and will require that this 30% be put into a dedicated fund instead of going into the state general fund. This will amount to approximately $68,000 for the Town of Sharon. The new state budget also increased state funding for education, cut the business enterprise tax and the business profits tax for small businesses. The budget also funds education freedom accounts, applicants must be at 300% of the poverty level to qualify, but it allows applicants to use these accounts for school choice, once qualified families would continue to qualify no matter what their income level is. There is an extra $35 million for schools that need it. Ms. Ricciardi then addressed questions regarding broadband the New Hampshire Retirement System, voter integrity and redistricting.
Motion to approve the minutes for 8/24/2021, as amended (Backstrom/Callahan). All in favor, motion carried.
Reviewed and signed the MS-1 Inventory of Valuation.
The Board set the public hearing for the acceptance of the ARPA funds for 9/21/2021 at 5:30 pm, with the regular Select Board meeting to follow immediately after.
The Town Administrator requested permission to purchase a new calculator, the Board approved.
The Town Administrator requested approval to create a journal entry to remove the Conservation Fund and the Forest Fund from the general ledger. These will be maintained in an excel spreadsheet. Motion to allow the Town Administrator to prepare a journal entry to remove the Conservation Fund and Forest Fund from the general ledger (Woodhouse/Backstrom). All in favor, motion carried.
Reviewed a request from MCVP Crisis and Prevention Center for a contribution of $50.00. This organization will be researched.
Discussion about the request from Noah Olson to “unmerge” two lots, this will require more research to determine if the town merged the lots or the owner merged the lots.
Ken Callahan:
Gave a synopsis of roads. The Board needs to be concerned about about Class V and Class VI roads. The town cannot maintain a Class VI road and these roads may be closed subject to gates and bars but cannot be blocked. It was suggested that approximately ½ mile of Mountain Road is actually a Class V not a Class VI road and the town should try to find out if it can get additional highway block grant funds for the ½ mile.
Met with the Regional Fire Warden and has the form to apply for Fran Guptill to become the Fire Warden.
Will be resigning as the Sexton for the Meeting House.
Matt Riley spoke to the Board about updating his intent to construct. He will be updating the floor plan and would like to construct a shed. Mr. Riley would also like to add solar arrays. The Board informed Mr. Riley that he needs to meet with the Planning Board regarding the solar arrays.
Mitch Call:
Requested use of the Meeting House on 10/16/2021 for the Friends of the Wapack annual meeting.
Requested an update on the San-Ken excavation issue on Nashua Road. The Town Administrator will give Mr. Call a copy of the letter sent to San-Ken by Attorney Gary Kinyon.
Meeting adjourned at 6:43 PM.