Jefferson Select Board approves Planning, Zoning and library budgets and authorizes heating-oil aid

The Jefferson Select Board approved proposed budgets for the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Jefferson Public Library at a Nov. 11 budget workshop at the Jefferson Community Center and authorized 100 gallons of heating oil for an assistance applicant.

Select Board Chair Terri Larcomb, Selectman Kevin Meehan and Selectman Norman Brown attended the meeting. During a review of the Planning Board’s budget, Selectman Norman Brown asked Mike Meehan (Planning Board presenter) about an $8,200 increase. Mike Meehan said the rise reflects higher Secretary wages tied to the projected workload for the Waumbek proposed plan and that the board added a new office-equipment line for a laptop and printer for Michelle. He also said the board plans to purchase replacement handbooks for members in 2025. The board approved the Planning Board budget of $18,450.00.

The Select Board next reviewed the Zoning Board of Adjustment budget. Members added a new office-supplies line because Charlene Wheeler serves as secretary for both the Planning Board and the Zoning Board and previously had supplies purchased through the Planning Board account. The ZBA budget of $5,000.00 was approved without further questions.

Discussion of the Jefferson Public Library budget focused on an increase in the Trustee Allowance. Selectman Norman Brown asked for the reason; Liz Milligan (library presenter) said the library must rebuild its website to meet ADA accessibility requirements after the developer who built the current site retired, and that replacement vendors the trustees contacted quoted substantially higher prices. Milligan said the trustees did not use endowment funds last year but plan to apply Trustee Allowance monies this year toward the website because the town budget is voted on in March. She also said trustees agreed to keep $1,200 in the electricity line despite a new solar array. Milligan reported the library endowment balance at $467,205.76, with $45,205.76 described as usable. The Select Board approved the library budget of $50,478.01; Milligan will provide the Trustee Allowance list and the library’s Memorandum of Understanding to Amanda Simino, administrative assistant to the Select Board.

The board approved several procedural motions: Selectman Kevin Meehan moved to approve the Nov. 4 meeting minutes; Selectman Norman Brown seconded and the motion passed unanimously. At 7:28 p.m. Selectman Norman Brown moved, and Selectman Kevin Meehan seconded, to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II(c); during the roll call vote Kevin Meehan said "Aye," Norman Brown said "Aye," and Terri Larcomb said "Aye." The board exited non-public at 7:42 p.m.; members voted to seal the non-public minutes. The board also approved a motion, moved by Selectman Kevin Meehan and seconded by Selectman Norman Brown, to pay for 100 gallons of heating oil for an assistance applicant. Selectman Norman Brown moved to adjourn at 7:44 p.m.; Select Board Chair Terri Larcomb seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The next Select Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Planning Board budget approved: $18,450.00 (approved by consensus; no mover recorded in transcript) - Zoning Board of Adjustment budget approved: $5,000.00 (approved by consensus; no mover recorded in transcript) - Jefferson Public Library budget approved: $50,478.01 (approved by consensus; no mover recorded in transcript) - Approve minutes (Nov. 4, 2024): Mover Kevin Meehan; Second Norman Brown; outcome: passed unanimously - Enter non-public (RSA 91-A:3, II(c)) at 7:28 p.m.: Mover Norman Brown; Second Kevin Meehan; roll call recorded as three ayes - Exit non-public at 7:42 p.m.: Mover Norman Brown; Second Kevin Meehan; outcome: passed unanimously - Pay for 100 gallons of heating oil for assistance applicant: Mover Kevin Meehan; Second Norman Brown; outcome: passed unanimously - Seal non-public minutes: Mover Norman Brown; Second Kevin Meehan; roll call recorded as ayes - Adjourn: Mover Norman Brown; Second Terri Larcomb; outcome: passed unanimously