[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6473402,"mediaKeyId","5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d","parentId",5745064,"title","Brentwood Select Board learns town has been overpaying health premiums; committee and staff outline options","audioSeconds",743,"startMs",2388000,"endMs",3131000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d&start=2388&end=3131","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d/thumbnail_2388000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6473402/New-Hampshire/Brentwood-Select-Board-learns-town-has-been-overpaying-health-premiums-committee-and-staff-outline-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473402-27ff1c5d9e376aa0e3c4e94a93052b00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198422&Signature=XJ0c81IvLN7H0NwbW4oFzY8hoBopSPbY5qEm7iUMzO6Yrly~Msw66hFM3pVexTJjmt6fb6YLe8WF04ej6O430G1yMUWjMMLrpz2CohfXLZhMlMAb2d7tzVyTkUp~DdaXBcGdcGab~ohmBpU~dXOWnEFD5KqCUipjzsdWnjeGT8hSe-xiD1fN744YsGjYz5TMx688g4GXWZAyv51CCBV2u1WOuFddgKn3RBH1MGvoDLsnpEarUaVSeOTt5bHWa6Sz~xsiZOqa86f~PebIDaMYsvS99MBmsP4kQRYBZB0RiiQnAG0RkCgTP1ZAn~NNYmLUQGkKk3n58~o8Gb54CqLlwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Brentwood, NH","date","2025-09-09T22:00:54Z","article","The Brentwood Select Board discussed an apparent multi-year error in how the town has been paying employee health insurance premiums and next steps for correcting the problem.

Finance staff said the town has been offering a higher-cost plan (Plan A) at more generous town contributions than the employee handbook requires, and that employee payroll deductions remain tied to 2024 rates rather than updated 2025 figures. Julie (town staff) told the board that the initial, conservative estimate of the additional expense to the town is roughly $78,000. Public commenters and other budget committee participants later suggested that figure could be higher — near $94,000 — depending on which rates are used in the calculation.

The board and the budget committee described the issue as both a fiscal problem for the town and a personnel concern because employees reasonably relied on the previous premium splits. Julie reported she now has access to HealthTrust data and will meet with HealthTrust’s broker to assemble alternative plan options and cost scenarios for the board to consider.

Board members and budget committee representatives said they want a forward-looking, balanced fix rather than immediate retroactive adjustments that would impose large costs on employees. Options discussed included: reverting to the employee handbook’s plan splits on a graduated timetable (for example, partially restoring required employee contributions in 2026 and fully restoring them by 2027), evaluating higher-deductible plans, and contributing to employee HSA/FSA accounts to soften employee impacts.

At the budget committee meeting the previous evening, members recommended exploring private broker proposals as well as options through HealthTrust. A resident who has been assisting the budget committee said the set of plans that will be available and the final 2026 rates are not yet known; HealthTrust rates are expected to be released in early October and enrollment runs into November. That timing means the board has time to gather options before making a final decision.

Several public commenters urged careful handling to avoid unexpectedly shifting large costs to employees and suggested the board investigate whether earlier excess town payments raise any retrospective legal or fiduciary issues. The board said it would look first at options for future policy and then determine whether any further inquiry into past payments is warranted once more data are gathered.

The board directed staff to: (1) meet with the HealthTrust broker and collect a range of plan and premium scenarios; (2) develop a graduated approach the board can consider for 2026–2027 to return to handbook-prescribed contribution splits; and (3) report back with numbers and recommendation to the full board and budget committee.

Board members emphasized that they were balancing the town’s fiscal responsibilities with a desire not to unduly penalize employees who relied on prior treatment of benefits.

The Select Board did not vote on a policy change at the meeting; members said a full board and additional financial detail will be needed before taking formal action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Selectboard Meeting 09/09/2025 Brentwood, NH","oneSentenceSummary","The Brentwood Select Board discussed an apparent multi-year error in health-plan premium splits that town staff estimate increased town costs by roughly $78,000 and left employee deductions tied to 2024 rates, and directed staff to gather options and broker proposals before deciding.","taxTitle","Brentwood Town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire","taxId",74075,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6473381,"Residents and boards press assessor and contractor performance; planning updates include DOT hearing and Smith Road site visit",1171,3268000,4439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d&start=3268&end=4439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d/thumbnail_3268000.jpg","/articles/6473381/New-Hampshire/Residents-and-boards-press-assessor-and-contractor-performance-planning-updates-include-DOT-hearing-and-Smith-Road-site-visit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473381-d39002d778d7523029db97b6f6561ec0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198422&Signature=MWaj37V5kdY24VdzHdUk0qeZpHh~KhIIokZmMIG5gBgI1MI8cLB55HiHJ4-3quRx9esnsdskFgZ4EGA0ASCOfciwoP2PN1ikODvSQwaCvOxCYN0EU-q6wDMqBX~OHoOi5zSitJ-92vuecaVszPXSO8Xc948WTs2Bxm3a0yZlyEBHuayrzFYe1K~VMydCTmVlMN0TglPk~uRg5xx80NuePEy-Yw727ZV3WLvClGhW-6ebjrDtg0rgDPl9J0Iv35b~JtSHhNDsjJ4Rmta90UnO5VYWYY-E1SjfsnXk3W67AC7G2-e7jCE5jLQcKdmgcUuOd5IfXMrcKKbrqpfrjltaUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Select Board members and planning board representatives raised performance concerns about the town’s past revaluation contractor and reviewed local planning matters including a site visit at Smith Road and an upcoming DOT hearing.

Several residents and board members said KRT, the company hired to perform Brentwood’s 2020 revaluation, had not completed or correctly updated some data; the Select Board asked that KRT’s current contract obligations be verified before further payment and recommended soliciting additional resident feedback on KRT’s services. The chair requested assurance that any items KRT contractually committed to would be completed this cycle.

Planning board member Doug Marino reported that DOT removed the town’s South Road/Route 125 intersection project from its 10-year plan because of statewide budget cuts. Marino said GASSett (GASSeT) hearings will allow members of the public to speak directly with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation; a public GASSett hearing will be held in Brentwood at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the recreation center. Marino and other RPC members encouraged public attendance and said planning board members will also attend to present the town’s case.

On Smith Road, staff and the planning board conducted a site visit with the applicant, Mr. Sanborn, to discuss bringing the property into compliance with a site plan. The board discussed screening, abutter impacts and other measures to be included as part of an approved plan. Planning board members and the Select Board said they will continue to work with the applicant to finalize screening and compliance requirements.

Other committee updates included the municipal-complex committee’s work to produce three options — standalone police facility, police building with future add-on capability, or combined police station and town office — with the committee expected to recommend one or more options to the Select Board for consideration at town meeting.","Select Board members and planning officials raised concerns about the 2020 revaluation contractor (KRT), asked for proof of contract deliverables, and received planning updates about Smith Road site compliance and a DOT hearing on the South Road/Route 125 project.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6473386,"Select Board reviews recruitment and multiple open town positions; plans Q&A for select board vacancy candidates",405,1582000,1987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d&start=1582&end=1987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d/thumbnail_1582000.jpg","/articles/6473386/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-reviews-recruitment-and-multiple-open-town-positions-plans-QA-for-select-board-vacancy-candidates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473386-0a2ceb432a4955b293d8cee4f9896349/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198422&Signature=IvhISnDLISUHrM3wO739JeAFaAHesHX9~rUDdRwazZXRv5hHdarz3BCpvkkDgGVWuwIMwE3mZPFFReLCDzrlSiXFe787ei2L7QcCYk3VjMz4FJh3AlYKI8~NrXtIbnG4XRVvSkWVwmvwVNSF-uAwwHzO-rxmMmbD1XXGgMiRaSEm4aGDS81-q~xNHUhnJOsfEP6Qmja-ePNwwDsiq4ZCc3SXJzroN-QJr78IA8MBtSBcm0cs4bvLK0NHgi1dDQtkUV~XBk1Nq-NIMzotuG-em2RDxL0S6Z-Ew~eunSqurlKSUGrjY7Oz4tS9yY0G3zU09qVDXpRdLZiADdmoJ5W-Tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brentwood Select Board discussed ongoing recruitment for multiple town positions and planned next steps to fill a select board vacancy.

Jillian (town staff) reported three letters of interest for the vacant select board seat from Bill Ferrea, Bob Montegary and Doug Finnan; the board set a date to interview those candidates at the next meeting and indicated a preference to hear brief statements and a Q&A before voting on Sept. 16. Several board members said they want the public Q&A and the candidate presentations to be part of the process so voters can observe the deliberations.

Open town positions discussed included town administrator (three applicants reported), building inspector/code enforcement (several applicants), recreation director (one application plus two expected), and welfare administrator (two applicants). The board debated whether to keep some postings open on a rolling basis or set closing dates. For the welfare administrator the board noted the role has been a stipend position ($625 per quarter) and said hours are “as needed.”

Board members emphasized that before offering interviews the board should clarify job descriptions, expected hours, salary ranges and whether positions are full- or part-time. Some members suggested asking select-board applicants to draft a job description and proposed pay range for the welfare administrator as part of their application process so the candidates can demonstrate their thinking.

The board agreed to continue the discussion at the next meeting with a full board present and to reach consensus on job descriptions, hours and salary ranges before proceeding with final candidate interviews and offers.

No hires or formal job offers were approved at the meeting.","The board reviewed applications and discussed job descriptions and hiring timelines for open positions including town administrator, building inspector/code enforcement, recreation director and welfare administrator; the board also set a candidate Q&A next week for three applicants to fill a select board vacancy.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6473391,"Brentwood swears in two officers; chief proposes pay scale to aid recruitment and retention",507,176000,683000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d&start=176&end=683","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d/thumbnail_176000.jpg","/articles/6473391/New-Hampshire/Brentwood-swears-in-two-officers-chief-proposes-pay-scale-to-aid-recruitment-and-retention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473391-c0d7492c3196db3e211bd0b8f76e5d40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198422&Signature=d6jfd6ZMfH5T6-1hhq6xt60JPcz6WBoLbrepM6jcUhKofxSM4uRHYJ9uS~SV1ycUKthYF3lpJekEmVhApJtmeQwaDCh-wTFZ8oF9qwBuEKUz51H1AuAWyO2qdzf4iixPqwOtrK7-T9R5pTeiSCYMeHb5C7saesqAHQgpbsP09QmC1gOvMIvlkbfG85izkRatQ6obNty71~NwLXH1RwnA9nvcnrlZjDv3eAojrUSf2Cmb9yi9L4tgDSPL9PHGK1Ly3tacL7tlT4kT36iKVr~P8qEKqHF2fXxkNLVx~DtcPAo2c6yQTSw6xk~iG30rDiM3ivJNaF2OP3pokBX5OEHq4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brentwood Select Board held a swearing-in ceremony for two new officers and heard a presentation from the police chief on recruitment, retention and proposed pay changes.

The board swore in Officer Henry Resnick and Officer Connor O'Neil as certified police officers. Both officers were introduced by the chief and took the oath during the meeting.

After the ceremony the chief briefed the board on budgetary matters for the police department. The chief said some officer detail pay has been charged to the department’s salary line instead of the detail account; he and town staff are working to reconcile those amounts and do not expect an immediate solution. The chief also said some promotions and other line items that had been budgeted by his predecessor were not included in this year’s budget, and he is evaluating fair approaches to cover those costs.

On recruitment and retention the chief presented a proposed pay scale intended to create grades and steps so new hires can see anticipated progression. He described a structure with civilian and patrol grades, a grade for senior patrol/specialty roles, and higher grades for sergeants and lieutenants. The chief said he did not include a separate chief’s grade, noting he expects to justify any change in his own compensation directly to the board. The chief described the scale as merit-based, with step increases tied to evaluations and experience; he said he planned to include the proposal in the coming budget cycle and offered to circulate the detailed scale to board members by email.

Board members asked procedural questions about how steps would be awarded (the chief said merit and evaluations would apply) and whether the scale was final; the chief said it was “pretty much the finished product” but agreed to provide copies for review. The board did not take any formal action to adopt the pay scale at this meeting.

The chief also reported that a new fire tanker is expected within a week, and thanked the board for enabling the department to hire two officers.","The Select Board swore in two certified officers and heard from the police chief about a proposed graded pay scale and budgetary issues, including detail-pay allocations and unbudgeted promotions.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6473396,"Select Board approves payables, consent agenda, trustee appointment and voting machine purchase",1133,19000,1152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d&start=19&end=1152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5745064-971ce67b6991fc8d2103ae044f0a880d/thumbnail_19000.jpg","/articles/6473396/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-approves-payables-consent-agenda-trustee-appointment-and-voting-machine-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473396-792f4e6613acded66cf6e828601f6656/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198422&Signature=bOml5xqBs12dcDkahqi5LRDaUWhP-Tjy7ZXPhEFxrqhtOFl8erOBsSvbigXwDCHz7NTopA8aQn5Of-LWGIfiXGaKV0zppIHnQT1KHIYXQgsEcK6QCpqEPdJ-JtT0EiLvPBQ4Xy-EoX0BPY93Cgyl013EwlMbs2jKHzNnfSNfllE7VHMNcVKQXOpxHjBik7aotqtaoPmt1V~ZvzLHnGiMUH-k8bUOkJmjLUE67c~CW3ubGWmMxs2veXMIwqhMEDLKTNaX2gNfOkViNCUa9jClmUYmWe537lFysO47~-29jDLKpTTvg1SpV~~p7qeKZRnaeBy6E7~jTyXdWbnx7zOUSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brentwood Select Board voted on several routine and time-sensitive items at the meeting.

The board approved accounts payable for the period ending Sept. 6, 2025, and payroll. During the accounts-payable review the chair recited amounts including $40,235 in payroll, $9,828 in taxes and $552,356 in accounts payable; the larger payables discussed included payments of $275,000 to Swayze and $777,650 to Co-op (as stated during the meeting). The chair said the accounts payable included charges related to a newly purchased fire tanker. A motion to accept the payables and payroll passed unanimously.

The consent agenda, which the chair said contained the recreation manifest and building permits, was approved unanimously.

The board unanimously appointed Bill Dunham to fill an interim vacancy as trustee of the trust funds through town meeting (term noted in discussion as through 02/19/28). The chair said the appointment was recommended in an email from the current trustees.

On the election equipment item, the board approved purchasing an additional voting machine. Discussion included an initial budget line of $1,500 from one account and an expected total cost of $6,000; the board voted to authorize the expenditure and complete the contract so the machine arrives before March.

All four items were approved by voice vote with “Aye” recorded by the board; no roll-call vote totals were recorded in the public transcript.","At the meeting the board unanimously approved the accounts payable and payroll for the period ending 09/06/2025, accepted the consent agenda, appointed an interim trustee of the trust funds and authorized purchase of an extra voting machine.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Brentwood Select Board learns town has been overpaying health premiums; committee and staff outline options

Residents and boards press assessor and contractor performance; planning updates include DOT hearing and Smith Road site visit

Select Board reviews recruitment and multiple open town positions; plans Q&A for select board vacancy candidates

Brentwood swears in two officers; chief proposes pay scale to aid recruitment and retention

Select Board approves payables, consent agenda, trustee appointment and voting machine purchase