Campton CIP Committee removes handbook paragraph after NHMA Legal clarification, approves minutes

The Town of Campton Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Committee met July 10 and unanimously approved its prior meeting minutes before voting to remove a paragraph from the CIP Handbook after a legal clarification, committee members said.

Kate O’Connor, a town employee, read a clarification from NHMA Legal indicating that the committee’s CIP matrix is not legally binding but instead functions as a planning document for the committee’s work. After discussion, Committee member Jim Butler moved to remove the disputed paragraph from the CIP Handbook; David Plummer seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The change stems from concern about how the handbook language framed the matrix’s legal status. According to O’Connor, the NHMA Legal clarification prompted the motion because the committee needed the handbook to reflect that the matrix guides planning rather than imposes legal obligations.

The committee also reviewed the CIP matrix itself. Chair Karl Kelly noted the matrix had not been updated recently. Committee member Jim Butler asked whether Campton still shares transfer-station costs with the neighboring town of Thornton; O’Connor confirmed that Campton does share those costs, and members discussed how transfer-station expenses are represented in the matrix.

Members examined the Capital Reserve Fund spreadsheet. Butler asked whether money had been spent on an item coded to Ambrose; O’Connor said the committee would not yet see those expenditures on the spreadsheet because the bills had been signed at the end of June. The committee discussed Highway Department and Roads funds in that context.

There were no public comments during Privilege of the Floor. Before adjourning at 1:29 p.m., Butler asked that future agendas include the Zoom link for virtual participation.

No further actions or votes were scheduled at the meeting.