Select Board approves updated water fee schedule, OKs email accounts for Budget Committee

The Plaistow Select Board on June 22 approved an amended fee schedule for non-consumption water services, authorized email-only accounts for the town’s Budget Committee and moved into a non-public session under state statute to discuss a personnel matter.

Town Manager Greg told the board the draft 2026 fee schedule — prepared with input from Underwood Engineers and the town’s contract operator, Hampstead Area Water Company — updates charges such as shut-offs, turn-ons, meter work and hydrant-flow testing to better reflect what the town now pays. Greg said the last fee schedule was approved in January 2023 and that cost increases over the intervening three years prompted the update. He also said the board will schedule a public hearing at the next Select Board meeting to consider proposed changes to water consumption and fire-suppression rates.

A member moved to adopt the amended fee schedule (labeled draft 2026) "as presented." The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor; the vote was recorded as unanimous among those present (4-0-0). The manager told the board some impact-fee line items (SDC/MSDC/PSDC) were modestly reduced to better match three years of operational experience.

The board spent the next substantive block of the meeting on a request from the Budget Committee for town-authorized email accounts. Selectman Jay DeRoche said the committee had asked for authorized emails at prior budget meetings. The board discussed options for email-only addresses versus full Microsoft Office licenses. Cost estimates discussed ranged from roughly $125–$145 per email address if purchased annually; an earlier estimate of about $1,500 for five licenses was also cited. The manager said if the town purchased a full Office package the cost would be higher and that the planning board currently uses email-only accounts.

After discussion about turnover and license reallocation, a motion to allocate up to five email-only licenses for the Budget Committee was made and seconded; the board approved the allocation and directed funding to come from the town’s IT line. Vote was recorded as 4-0-0.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included draft minutes and the accounts-payable manifest, and voted to keep recent non-public minutes sealed. Those motions passed by recorded voice votes of 4-0-0.

In his manager’s report, Greg said an expenditure report through April was available and that May data should be ready soon. He said he had recent meetings with Senator Morris and representatives of the Southern New Hampshire water group about phases two and three of that regional effort. Greg also said the town canceled the first recreation trip scheduled for next week to allow staff to provide more information to parents and to address concerns.

Selectmen spent time praising Old Home Day and the Kids Fest, thanking volunteers, the Y, fire police and the Lions for their roles in the event. Selectman Jay DeRoche recounted a brief, partly jocular personal episode from the weekend and congratulated the organizers on a well-attended set of events.

Near the meeting’s close the board made a motion to enter a non-public session under RSA 91-A to discuss a public-employee matter; the clerk called the roll and the board proceeded to non-public. The board stated it would not return to public session that evening. The meeting is scheduled to reconvene in public on July 6.

Votes at a glance • Adopt amended fee schedule (draft 2026): approved, recorded as 4-0-0; public hearing to be scheduled for consumption and fire-suppression rates. • Allocate up to five email-only licenses for the Budget Committee (funded from IT line): approved, recorded as 4-0-0. • Approve consent agenda and keep recent non-public minutes sealed: approved, recorded as 4-0-0. • Enter non-public under RSA 91-A (personnel/public employee exception): motion approved by roll call; board did not return to public session.

What’s next The board scheduled a public hearing on water consumption and fire-suppression rates for its next meeting and will implement the adopted non-consumption fee schedule immediately. The Budget Committee’s email accounts will be procured and charged to the town IT line; license reallocation was discussed as turnover occurs.