Goffstown board reallocates reclamation funds for emergency staffing, approves engine specs, awards culvert bid and signs recycling contract

The Goffstown Select Board on March 23 approved a package of budget transfers, procurement steps and routine consent items intended to shore up emergency staffing, advance capital planning and secure disposal contracts.

Key votes and actions

- Transfer to fire staffing: The board voted to move $130,000 from the reclamation fund to the fire department budget to help achieve a target three‑and‑three staffing coverage model. Select Board member Richard made the motion; Mark seconded. The board discussed retention, overtime drivers and an estimated $130,000 need to reduce overtime and improve coverage.

- Additional reclamation transfers and stipends: The board approved an additional transfer of $100,000 (to be allocated across department shortfalls) and a $8,210 transfer to cover election‑related stipends (supervisors of checklist and moderators) and associated benefits; these moves were presented as a single package of transfers that bring the total reallocation from reclamation to roughly $238,210 when combined with prior votes.

- Fire engine procurement steps: The Select Board authorized the fire chief to release a vendor specification for a replacement engine and to negotiate pre‑purchase financial terms. Fire leadership emphasized long lead times (currently three to four years) and a focus on reliability and parts commonality with existing apparatus. "We aim for a fire engine life of 18 years," the chief said in presenting specifications geared toward simplicity and long‑term cost control.

- Monte Lona Road culvert (FEMA/HSEM grant): Staff opened bids and recommended award to John Neville Excavation (bid $346,632.40). Because the federal grant period of performance is pending (FEMA/HSEM extension), the board approved the award but withheld notice to proceed until federal reimbursement windows are clarified.

- Single‑stream recycling processing agreement: The board approved a five‑year processing agreement with Waste Management at its Billerica facility, noting a shorter haul and an initial forecast for modest near‑term savings versus the prior vendor; the contract carries a variable monthly rate and a 3.5% annual threshold increase.

- Capital reserve deposits and appointments: The board approved a $350,000 deposit to the fire apparatus capital reserve fund and a $50,000 deposit to a new Goffstown Public Library capital reserve fund (both voted at town meeting and now transferred from unassigned fund balance). The board also approved routine consent items, trustee and tax‑collector appointments and the Teamsters collective‑bargaining agreement for public works.

What this means

Board members framed the transfers as temporary reallocations to cover staffing and immediate operating shortfalls while preserving long‑term capital priorities. The reclamation reserve remains the largest suggested source to cover the current fiscal gap; staff will bring a detailed budget transfer document to the next meeting showing the accounting impact and line‑by‑line adjustments.

The Monte Lona Road award moves the town toward completing a FEMA‑funded culvert replacement but preserves the town’s control over timing until the federal period of performance is confirmed. The approved fire engine specification and authority to negotiate aim to shorten procurement risk given longer vendor lead times and changing emissions requirements.

Next steps

Finance staff will produce the formal budget transfer paperwork showing the transfers from reclamation and the lines affected. The fire chief will release the engine specs and pursue negotiated pre‑purchase terms under the town’s purchasing policy. The Monte Lona contractor award stands but the town will not issue a notice to proceed until federal reimbursement and grant timing are clarified.