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Stratford selectmen approve routine items; hear updates on PILOT, school overbilling and broadband
Summary
Selectmen unanimously approved manifests, minutes and a small grant release at a Sept. 23 meeting and heard staff reports about a proposed PILOT agreement with Kearsarge Energy, a 2023 school overcharge that will reduce remaining payments this year, and broadband upgrades in the Hollow.
The Town of Stratford Board of Selectmen met Sept. 23 at Fuller Town Hall and approved routine financial and administrative items while hearing staff updates on several town matters.
Clayton Macdonald called the meeting to order at 3:50 p.m. and the board recorded attendance of Selectmen Harry Juergens and Charlie Goulet, as well as attendees Suzanne Goulet and Vanessa Toner.
Suzanne Goulet reported an updated draft payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement from Kearsarge Energy and said the company has asked to appear at the next public town hall meeting to address residents' questions. She also said the school incorrectly billed the town for 2023; the board was told the town will reduce remaining payments for this year to accommodate that overcharge. Goulet added that Fidium Fiber, a subsidiary of Consolidated, is working to update broadband lines within the Hollow.
Selectman Harry Juergens said he is updating names in town cemeteries and will continue that work until the town census is current. Macdonald reported the planning board has met and will propose an amendment to the town warrant; he said details are still being developed.
On procedural business, the board approved manifests for Sept. 9 and Sept. 16, 2024 (recorded as approved 3-0). The board also approved several signed documents and reservations, signed the MS-1 form, and approved a letter to release the Roland Baldwin fund grant (approved 3-0). Minutes for the Sept. 9 meeting and the Sept. 16 workshop were approved by motion and recorded as approved 3-0.
Under old business, the board noted receipt of a detailed invoice from Lynch, LLC for School Hill Road. The town will request an in-person meeting by email to discuss a Land License Agreement in more detail. A Community Action Report was noted on the agenda; no substantive details about that report were recorded in the transcript.
Staff listed several upcoming items: a lagoon inspection scheduled for Sept. 24 at 3 p.m., a FEMA meeting on Sept. 25, and an NCC event on Oct. 2. The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m. Minutes were prepared by V. Toner.
The board did not take any additional formal votes on PILOT terms, the School Hill Road invoice, broadband work, or the planning-board warrant amendment during this session; those items will return for further discussion or public meetings as noted by staff.
