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Plaistow selectmen approve grant amendment, consent agenda and seal nonpublic minutes; new recreation director introduced
Summary
The Plaistow Board of Selectmen on March 2 approved an amended highway safety grant, a consent agenda including four appointments, and a $50 permit-fee waiver for the Jr. Firefighters' bake sale; the board also heard a program and recreation update and entered and later sealed a nonpublic legal session.
The Plaistow Board of Selectmen met March 2 and approved several routine and programmatic items while welcoming a new recreation director.
The board voted unanimously to accept amended terms for a Highway Safety Grant (MDT/ECRASH) presented by Town Manager Greg Colby. Colby told the board the grant award and amendment amounts have changed over time; the meeting transcript lists prior approvals of $8,500 and a first amendment of $6,165 (for an adjusted total of $14,665) and records a second-amendment figure that appears inconsistent in the meeting paperwork (the amendment amount was read aloud as $46,082.40 with an adjusted total limitation of $20,747.40). Select Vice Chair Jay DeRoche moved to accept the amended terms “as presented,” and the motion passed 5–0–0.
The board also approved the consent agenda, which included the February 9 draft minutes, one Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber, the accounts payable manifest for the week, and four appointments: Pamela Boddy (Recreation Commission member), Tiffany Brennan and Angel Rivera (Recreation alternates), and Jim O’Brien (Conservation Commission). That motion passed 5–0–0 on a motion by Vice Chair DeRoche and second by Selectwoman Liz Kosta.
During business tied to the junior firefighter program, Fire Chief Chris Knutsen and program leader Chris Nesbith described the program’s growth, curriculum and plans to form a 501(c)(3) to pursue grants and sustainability. Nesbith said the program serves about 20 youths (ages 14–18) and is funded by donations and partner departments rather than town tax dollars. Selectman Jonathan Gifford moved to waive a $50 permit fee for a Jr. Firefighters bake sale scheduled for March 10; Selectwoman Kosta seconded and the board approved the waiver 5–0–0.
Town Manager Greg Colby reported on ongoing work finalizing a solid-waste contract with Waste Management and the town attorney, audit work, a new maintenance hire, grant-extension work and a recent water-main break for which the town is seeking restitution from contractors that Colby said were involved.
The board entered nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3 II for legal advice at 7:18 p.m., returned to public session at 7:35 p.m., and voted to seal the nonpublic minutes by a 5–0–0 vote, stating that disclosure would likely render the proposed action ineffective. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Votes at a glance: • Waive Jr. Firefighters $50 permit fee — mover: Jonathan Gifford; second: Liz Kosta; vote: 5–0–0; outcome: approved. • Accept amended MDT/ECRASH grant terms — mover: Jay DeRoche; second: Tyler Schormann; vote: 5–0–0; outcome: approved. • Approve consent agenda (minutes, timber notice, AP manifest, four appointments) — mover: Jay DeRoche; second: Liz Kosta; vote: 5–0–0; outcome: approved. • Enter nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3 II — mover: Liz Kosta; second: Tyler Schorman; board polled 5–0–0; outcome: approved. Seal nonpublic minutes — mover: Jay DeRoche; second: Liz Kosta; vote: 5–0–0; outcome: approved.
The board’s next scheduled actions include the March 10 election and the Selectmen’s reorganization at their next meeting; Select Chairman Bill Coye said he does not intend to remain chair at the re‑org.
