Select Board sets July public hearing on Highway Garage extras; CRF balance about $184,000

The Warner Select Board on June 16 scheduled a public hearing for July 14, 2026 to consider withdrawing funds from the Highway Capital Reserve Fund to cover add-on extras for the town’s new highway garage, officials said.

Herm Blanchette, who presented updated summaries of the proposed extras, told the board “there is approximately $184,000 in the Capital Reserve Fund.” Blanchette outlined specific cost estimates: two additional aluminum-frame windows, $8,500–$9,000; a condenser and related equipment for a propane furnace, $6,500–$7,000; and ceiling fans for the main garage area, $2,000–$3,000. Blanchette also said a prior quote for a water-filtration system was $8,500 and he is awaiting an updated bid for the Highway Garage and the Transfer Station plumbing.

The board discussed technical and safety considerations. Chairman Alfred Hanson questioned whether the exhaust ventilation was appropriate; Blanchette said the new system meets code. Hanson also cautioned that ceiling fans might interfere with ventilation. Blanchette reported that water tests show high sodium and iron levels and said a filtration system would address those contaminants; he asked the town plumber to weigh in on whether the Transfer Station’s plumbing requires changes.

Blanchette reviewed related facility projects and maintenance needs. He said he has quotes to replace windows at the Warner Community Center and exit-lighting replacement quotes ranging from $1,400–$2,900. He told the board the previous alarm-monitoring vendor will stop monitoring July 1 and that he found a new monitoring company (William R. Bevin) offering service using Starlink at about $450 per building. Blanchette also raised a request to install another toilet at the Community Center and said the work would be substantial both in scope and cost.

For a separate road project, Blanchette said he will compile pricing for work on Mason Hill and has tried twice to meet with corner-lot property owners; if an agreement cannot be reached, he recommended reallocating the money to another road, and the board concurred.

The board did not take a formal vote on the garage upgrades during the work session; members agreed to provide the public with a spreadsheet of the estimated cost ranges ahead of the July 14 hearing. The meeting adjourned at 7:57 PM following a motion to adjourn by Rick Bixby, seconded by Alfred Hanson (roll call recorded Hanson YES, Bixby YES).