Select Board opens four warrant-article public hearings; adds CCTV sewer-inspection article and amends budget

The Town of Woodstock Select Board opened public hearings on four warrant articles at a meeting in February 2025, asking for public comment on proposed capital projects and borrowing measures including a fire/rescue truck, a water-main replacement in Lower Woodstock, a lead-service-line replacement program loan, and a CCTV inspection of the sewer collection system.

The hearings covered the following proposals: raise and appropriate $355,000 for the purchase of a fire department rescue truck and to withdraw $175,000 from the Fire Truck Capital Reserve, and to authorize up to $180,000 in bonds, notes, or lease agreements under the Municipal Finance Act, RSA chapter 33; raise and appropriate $1,000,000 for replacement of the main waterline in Lower Woodstock, withdraw $200,000 from the Water Department capital reserve and authorize up to $800,000 in bonds/notes; raise and appropriate $1,000,000 for replacement of lead service lines as required by Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), withdraw $50,000 from the Water Department capital reserve and to borrow up to $950,000 through the SRF program referenced in RSA chapter 33; and authorize $55,000 of borrowing for a CCTV inspection of approximately 20,000 linear feet of sewer main through the NHDES Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.

The Select Board opened each article to public participation and then closed the public comment portions after hearing no substantive opposition on the individual warrant texts. The board amended the warrant during the meeting to add the CCTV-inspection item (to appear as Article 5) and separately voted to amend the operating budgets and appropriations to include the $55,000 for the CCTV inspection; both votes were taken by voice with affirmations of “Aye.” The meeting record does not list a roll-call tally or individual recorded votes for those motions.

Officials noted that some loans or bond authorizations would allow the Select Board to apply for and accept federal, state, or other aid, including principal forgiveness, if available. The lead-service-line proposal was described in the hearing as a low-interest State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan with approximately 70% principal forgiveness for eligible work (service-line identification, non-construction work such as staff time and consultant hiring, and replacement of eligible service lines).

Several procedural details were stated for the warrant articles: polling requirements (three-fifths ballot vote required for the bond/borrowing articles where indicated), the earliest payment start years cited (payments begin in 2026 for the water-main project and in 2027 for the fire truck financing), and authorization language referencing RSA chapter 33 (Municipal Finance Act). The Select Board repeatedly noted that acceptance of grant funds or loan forgiveness would be pursued if available and lawful.

The board closed the public hearings after the presentations and public-participation periods and indicated it will finalize and vote on warrant pages (including the MS-737 report) at a subsequent meeting prior to town meeting. The board also reminded the public of a follow-up meeting scheduled for the next week.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to amend the operating budget/appropriations to add $55,000 for CCTV sewer inspection: approved by voice vote (affirmative “Aye” recorded; no roll-call tally in transcript). - Motion to amend the warrant to include Article 5 (CCTV inspection of sewer main at $55,000): approved by voice vote (affirmative “Aye” recorded; no roll-call tally in transcript).