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The Randolph Budget Committee will meet with the selectboard next Monday, Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. to present the proposed budget for 2008-9. Larry Townsend, the Budget Committee chair, told the selectboard Monday night, "No surprises, (the budget) looks good." It was anticipated that the board might be able to approve the budget at Monday’s meeting, which would be an unusually early and smooth budget process. Selectboard Chair Jim Hutchinson said the Capital Budget Committee, which he chairs, is almost ready also, with the regular meeting on Dec. 3 the planned date of presentation. Town Manager Peter Butterfield reported that health insurance costs for the town will increase at a rate of only 7% as the town has decided to stay with the League of Towns and Cities CIGNA package. Selectman Ken Goss reported the Fire Advisory Committee had a preliminary discussion on building a "Ready Team" for future use by all the fire departments. Brookfield has expressed interest in inclusion and attended the meeting. This would be a high-hazard operating team with special training for dealing with high-risk situations. Selectman Damon Lease reported that the Recreation Committee is getting the rink ready to go for winter. Other discussion centered on needed repairs to the town pool and the concern of timeliness due to water loss. The committee is set to begin work on creating a policy for the use of town recreation facilities including contact people, costs, etc. Water Request Selectman Steve Springer for the Water & Sewer Committee outlined the request from Inner Traditions International, which is interested in building a substantial plant on the Mowatt Trust property off Route 66 (see story on page one). He recommended that the 278 gallons daily be approved. The 42,000-square-foot facility with 15 employees and a sprinkler system need water approval only as the facility will have its own on-site septic. John Rotter confirmed for Jim Hutchinson that this water use will have no real impact on the current situation with the Rte. 66 waterline. Water Fluoridation Stewart Skrill asked the board to look into abandoning the use of fluoride as discussed at a previous town meeting and taken into advisement. The board agreed this topic should be addressed and will add it to the agenda of the next regularly scheduled board meeting. The Fiddlehead Festival 2008 was granted funding in the form of a grant from the Conservation Commission. The request met the criteria through its promotion of local agriculture and success in involving local farmers in the event. The next planned festival will include a farmer’s market. The grant total is $500. Compliments Town Manager Butterfield complimented Public Works Supervisor John Rotter on the impressive list of infrastructure work completed or almost complete. Rotter submitted a checklist that included such jobs as the skating rink, Dewey Blvd., Howard Hill, and manholes on Rte. 66. Projects which will not be completed this season due to weather include Mason Road paving. As soon as the plants open in spring Mason Road will be paved, he said. Other jobs planned for completion include Fish Hill and Tatro Hill Road. Prince Street is having work done on drainage and guardrails with plans to have the street open for winter, Rotter said. Bid Awards The bid award for alternate selection for West Street went to DuBois & King of Randolph, which was the only respondent (maximum of $26,900). This is the first phase, and the next will again be decided by the three selectboards. Final phase is construction. Federal funding will be 75% and state funding for Randolph will be 15%. The municipal buildings repair bid for the gazebo roof, police station roof, and Pleasant View vault were awarded to Home Partners for $18,340 plus 10% contingency totaling $20,174. Both bids awarded unanimously. |
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