DRAFT
SELECTMEN’S
WORKSHOP
Minutes of
Selectmen:
Peter Miller, Chairman
Peter Brothers
Miller Lovett
(Absent with Notice)
Frank Michel
Colette Worsman
Town Manager:
Carol Granfield
Recording Clerk:
Karin Landry
Roll Call at
Town Manager Carol Granfield began by explaining that the workshop is a goal setting exercise for the Selectmen that will result in identifying the top ten priority goals for the next two years. Various department heads were in attendance at the meeting.
Miller Lovett submitted a list of long-term goals for the Board to refer to while determining the two-year goals:
1. Water – Sewer Master Plan;
2. Capital Deficits with long term plan to address costs;
3. Population projections; and
4. Protection of Water Quality.
Carol Granfield set forth the ground rules for the meeting:
1. Respect each other – listen to what everyone says;
2. No stupid comments; and
3. No member shall monopolize the group.
Carol reviewed the 2004-2006 Goals (SEE ADDENDUM I). She reported on the status of the goals, noting that a good portion of all ten items have been completed. Some of the bulleted subcategories might be carried over to the new two-year list of goals.
The department heads submitted a list of overall goals for consideration by the Board (SEE ADDENDUM II). The departments will build their budgets based on the 10 priority goals set by the Selectmen and clarity between the departments and Board is of utmost importance.
The Conservation Commission submitted a list of goals representing its philosophy:
1.
Natural Resource Goal:
2. Water Quality Goal: Surface waters of Meredith should support aquatic life, drinking water supply and adequate treatment, fish consumption, wildlife, and primary and secondary contact recreation.
3. Open Space and Outdoor Recreation Goal: Conserve at least twenty five percent of the land in Town for a network of trails, parks, farms, and forests where residents and visitors can connect with the natural world and fish and wildlife can flourish.
The individual Selectmen submitted a list of priority goals that were consolidated into the Board of Selectmen Goals. (SEE ADDENDUM III). Each Selectman briefly elaborated on the intent of their submissions. Overlapping goals from the Selectmen list and the department head list were incorporated and a list of ten priority goals for the next two years was determined:
1.
Protecting water quality in
2. Improving department efficiency;
3. Communication;
4. Added personnel in critical need;
5. Develop IT Master Plan;
6. Improving development review process;
7. Capital improvements review;
8. Revising road standards;
9. Workforce housing; and
10. Maintaining a viable/sustainable community.
Carol Granfield will make additions to the list in a bulleted format that will include subcategories as they relate to each goal.
Dialogue ensued regarding how the goals on the 2004-2006 list will be brought forward and how the new list of goals will be accomplished, including where accountability and responsibility will come from. The Board discussed the importance of long-term strategic goals as they move forward in accomplishing the ten priority goals for the next two years.
Colette Worsman
motioned to go into a non-public meeting per the appropriate RSA’s for personnel
at 7:10 p.m. Peter Miller seconded
the Motion. All in favor. Motion passed with a roll call Miller
Lovett, Peter Brothers, Peter Miller and Colette Worsman.
Decision to meet
October 5, 2006 to review evaluation.
Colette Worsman
motioned to exit the non-public and adjourn the meeting at 7:27 pm. Seconded by
Peter Brothers. Meeting adjourned at 7:27 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
Carol M. Granfield, Town Manager Peter N. Miller, Chairman
Karin Landry, Recording Clerk Peter F. Brothers
Colette Worsman Miller C. Lovett
ADDENDUM
I
police,
and fire
ADDENDUM
II
Department Head Overall
Goals
1.
Develop an IT Master
Plan
2.
Maintain Assessment Equity and
Implementation of Cyclical Inspection Program (re-inspect 20% of town properties
per year starting in 2007 and update current use)
3.
Complete Projects and Focus on
Day-to-Day Operations with completion of pending items before new projects or
services are added
4.
Communication
5.
Workforce Housing
Opportunities
6.
Protect Water Quality Including Town
Water Supply and Strategic Plan for
7.
Evaluate Staffing
Levels
8.
Simplify and Improve the CIP
Process
9.
Improve Staff
Cohesion
10.
Improve Development Review
Process
11.
Water Quality Protection of
12.
Evaluate Outsourcing Options for
some Town Services
13.
Evaluation of Best Utilization of
Town Buildings (hire consultant to review independently)
14.
Provide Town Services to Assist
Residents without increased fees (provide use of facilities to families without
increasing costs)
15.
Continue
ADDENDUM
III
Board of Selectmen
Goals
1.
Improve Department Efficiency to
Contain Cost (review necessity of committee participation and other
activities)
2.
Develop Cost/Revenue Centers
3.
Quality Meetings with Board of
Selectmen
4.
Evaluate Service Approach (consider value
to the taxpayer, its need and could it be outsourced more cost effectively)
5.
Be a Sustainable Community (make
sure Meredith is economically affordable and environmentally livable)
6.
Add Personnel to Departments most
critically in need
7.
Water System Capital Improvements
(water main upgrades, second water tank, plant expansion)
8.
Water Quality Protection of Lake
Waukewan (Waukewan Watershed Protection, sewer study follow-up, code
enforcement)
9.
Open Space Protection (ongoing
funding of ETF)
10.
Fire Station Renovation
11.
Water Quality Protection –
12.
Workforce Housing
13.
Revised Road Standards Ordinance
14.
Road Improvements (implementing
context sensitive solutions)
15.
Village
Pathway
16.
Lakes/Streams Pollution Base Line
(evaluate and have a benchmark measurement)
17.
Water-Sewer Systems Master Plan
(develop a scope of the next two year period)
18.
Maintain Level Tax
Bills
19.
Identification of Capital Deficits
(address costs for the next two years as a first phase)
20.
Baseline Population Projections
(official estimate and yearly projection that is
defensible)
21.
Rotating Department Budget
Examination (in depth examination each year similar to zero-based
budgeting)