Jeanie Forrester: Meredith Selectboard looks at internet contract, water management

The Sept. 14 Meredith Selectboard meeting included a public hearing, presentations on capital project planning, personnel policies and 2027 community fees. Also, an update on septic system compliance and regulations and authorization to borrow from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

Per statute, the selectboard held a public hearing to accept unanticipated revenue in the amount of $10,300 in grant funds from the NH Department of Safety for traffic enforcement initiatives. The initiatives include speed enforcement, pedestrian contact efforts, DUI enforcement and distracted driving. The grant operates on a 75/25 matching basis, with the town responsible for contributing $2,575.

Dave Thorpe presented an update on the comprehensive identification and prioritization of capital projects. This effort is intended to aid in managing the cost impact of large projects and provide the Capital Improvements Program Committee strategic guidance in funding recommendations. Department project worksheets and goals set by the selectboard revealed 26 projects including water and sewer systems, municipal buildings, and waterfront infrastructure needs for the community. At the next selectboard meeting, Dave will present three plans for consideration: a maintenance plan (minimal spending), a mid-range plan and an aggressive spending plan with verbal descriptions.

The director of human resources and special projects presented the board with suggested revisions to the personnel policy manual, which hasn’t been updated since 2018. The more substantial changes increase vacation benefits to include frontloading new department head hires with 160 hours of vacation on their first day of employment; allowing department heads to accrue 14 hours of vacation per month; and increasing the vacation accrual ceiling from 240 hours to 320 hours. Other changes include use of the sick leave benefit, an additional holiday (Juneteenth), and an increase in the life insurance benefit.

As part of the annual budget process, the town’s management team reviewed the fee structures across all the departments to assure fees are updated and in line with town goals. These fees are assessed for specific purposes to help offset taxes. This comprehensive fee list was submitted to the board for consideration.

Since Meredith’s current 10-year franchise agreement with Breezeline expired Dec. 31, 2023, we have been operating on an expired agreement while negotiating a new one. The renewal process provides the town with an opportunity to evaluate the company’s past compliance and service, consider the current and future cable-related needs of the community and establish terms and conditions that will govern the franchise. The agreement includes an annual payment to the town of 3% of gross annual revenues (the same percentage as the previous contract). There will be a public hearing, on Oct. 26, to consider the proposed agreement.

The town requires septic systems on properties located along bodies of water to be regularly maintained, with particular attention given to properties in the Lake Waukewan Watershed District. The code enforcement officer updated the board regarding current septic system maintenance regulations and noted that initially nine properties were out of compliance. Enforcement efforts reduced that to four properties which have received second violation letters due to their non-compliance. The code enforcement officer recommended existing regulations should continue to be enforced until all properties are brought into compliance.

Upgrades to the water treatment plant filters, supported by the Water Asset Management Study, were approved at the 2026 Town Meeting. Per the agreement with the NH Department Environmental Services, the selectboard must authorize borrowing these funds ($900,000) from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. It is anticipated the town will receive a 30% principal forgiveness up to $270,000. This project expense was programmed into the water usage fee as part of the Water System Asset Management and Strategic Planning projects recently completed. The selectboard authorized the borrowing.

The next meeting of the selectboard is at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, at the Meredith Community Center.

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Jeanie Forrester serves as a member of the Meredith Selectboard.