Sanbornton committee reviews capital plans, proposes new maintenance budget line

The Town of Sanbornton's Buildings, Grounds & Maintenance Committee reviewed a capital planning spreadsheet and inspection checklists at a Jan. 21 meeting and agreed to develop a dedicated Maintenance line in department budgets to pay for routine upkeep. A quorum was not present and no formal votes were taken.

The committee examined a spreadsheet provided by Ray Masse that lists town facility projects, estimated lifespans and replacement schedules. Members used Highway Garage and Town Office checklists to identify recurring maintenance items — such as tree removal, landscaping, touch-up paint, window washing and power washing — that the minutes say should come from operating budgets rather than capital accounts.

Selectman Carter said the town can adopt the same language the state uses in its bids for routine service contracts, including furnace maintenance and plumber and electrician work. The minutes note that large replacements, like roof replacements, are more appropriate for a Capital Reserve Fund (CRF).

The committee also listed recurring services that would be covered by the operating budget: yearly heating, cooling and hot-water-tank maintenance; generator services; septic pumping on a three-year cycle; stormwater-system maintenance; automatic door-opener maintenance; and yearly service contracts for overhead doors.

Selectman Carter recommended regular testing of emergency exit signs in each town building. Audry Barriault, the meeting recorder, said the Safety Committee might be able to conduct those tests and that she will add departments, likely replacement needs and timeframes/cost estimates to Ray Masse's spreadsheet for discussion at the next meeting.

Members agreed to meet again on Wednesday, April 1, at 6 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. and the minutes were submitted by Audry Barriault. Because a quorum was not present, the session was discussion-only and no formal actions were recorded.