Newfields School Board approves use of expiring impact fees to fund design and assessment

The Newfields School Board voted to accept and expend up to $22,200 in unanticipated impact‑fee revenue after holding a public hearing on potential uses.

Board members and staff said the money will cover two items: a capital needs assessment estimated at $7,200 and a plan set (complete concept design) budgeted up to $15,000 to allow contractors to provide accurate bids. Board members noted an earlier, previously approved $2,500 for related work and asked that motion language document that prior approval.

Molly, the business office representative, described the statutory process for unanticipated revenue, citing the RSA authority the district uses to accept and expend such funds following a public hearing and board vote. Staff said the district will initially pay expenditures from its operating budget, submit receipts to the town office for verification, and the town will reimburse allowable expenses.

Board members and staff emphasized timing: the vendor for the capital needs assessment said it could deliver a final report within 20 business days if given the green light, and the district needs a plan in place by the December 10 deadline tied to expiring fee windows. A second speaker referenced TF Moran, saying a full plan set is necessary for accurate contractor quotes and recommended completing that design work well before bidding to allow adequate lead time.

The motion to accept and expend up to $22,200 — described in the meeting as $15,000 for the plan set plus $7,200 for the capital needs assessment, and referencing the earlier $2,500 authorization — was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The board recorded the vote during the December meeting following the public hearing. Meeting minutes and vendor invoices will be compiled so the town can verify that the expenditures qualify under the impact‑fee rules before reimbursement.