The meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by the Chairman, Michael J. Hayward, Sr. Present were: Michael J. Hayward, Sr., Chairman; William E. Hutchins; Tina Stearns, Town Administrator; Sarah Barton, Administrative Assistant; Russell Lary, Police Chief; Jerry Whitney, Deputy Police Chief; and members of the public. The meeting was held in the Municipal Gymnasium on 75 Learning Drive.

Building Permits - Approved

For Approval / Signature – Approved

Motion made by Selectman Hutchins to approve the regular meeting minutes of January 29, 2003; motion seconded by Chairman Hayward. The Board voted unanimously to approve.

Bob MacNeil – Grantham Indoor: Mr. MacNeil requested an answer from the Board if they were putting on this year’s Warrant the taking over of his portion of Yankee Barn Road. Chairman Hayward informed Mr. MacNeil that the Board has discussed at a prior meeting and it was the decision to view the road for a complete 12 months and put the taking over of the road on the Warrant for 2004.

A review of the proposed budget took place with Administrator Stearns highlighting some of the increases. Chairman Hayward stated that the overall operating budget of the town is down approximately $100,000 from the previous budget. The tax rate should see no increase.

Dan McClory questioned why there wasn’t money appropriated for the ball field in this budget. Administrator Stearns explained that there is a remaining $45,000 in a non-lapsing fund for use on the ball field and the Board of Selectmen could not justify asking the taxpayers for any more money. Gary Broughall has been appointed as Chair of the Ball Field Committee.

Kevin Cheever questioned the protocol for hiring a building inspector. Administrator Stearns explained that the current Building Codes, etc. speak about a building inspector but the Town never acted on it. There has been $10,000 put in the budget this year to cover the initial cost of obtaining a Building Inspector. The ad would be placed and the hiring process followed for anyone interested.

Dan McClory questioned the discrepancy in the cruiser payments. Chief Lary explained that it was an oversight in the current budget and one of the cruiser payments was excluded. It is being made up within the budget.

Chief Lary gave an overview of the new Police Department Facility. He stated that the demands on the Police Department have increased with the increase of residents. Currently there are three full time officers and five part time officers. The number of hours being placed on the employees have increased but the number of employees hasn’t. The need for the Police Facility is due to the service of the town. There is a liability issue and the facility has to handle a variety of tasks while ensuring the safety of the officers and civilian employees. The currently Police Station is inadequate and there are needs that have to met by a municipality. The projected growth for Grantham, per the Master Plan, for 2003 was met in 1997. The Police Department has fallen behind with their facility requirements. The proposed facility would be sufficient for at least the next 20 years. The Fire Department parking would be enhanced by adding spaces. The building is approximately 5,000 square feet with 3,900 square feet of useable area. The secured areas include the sally port, booking area, interviewing areas…all of which would be electronically locked. Chief Lary spoke of the upgrading of radios and the potential for a dispatch center in the new facility in future years. He feels that this building was not designed with any extravagance.

Deborah Cheever questioned the engineering costs for the building. Administrator Stearns responded that $11,000 has been spent to date.

Architect Randall Mudget gave an overview of the construction and stated that the added expenses are the A/C, sally port, holding cell, brick exterior and the generator.

Jim Palermo questioned that cost comparison with other towns our size. Randy Mudge and Chief Lary stated they had not researched this item.

Deborah Cheever asked if the $1.1 million contains furnishings, etc. and that there will be no overruns. Chief Lary responded that everything is included in this price.

Merle Schotanus asked if the Town receives any revenue from the State of NH for allowing State Troopers to use our facility. Chief Lary answered that we do not but it is a safety feature having the State Troopers use our facility and be visible in our town. When an officer is not on duty or needs assistance, the State Troopers are the first backup.

Harold Haddock questioned if the building could be done in modules and only build what is needed now. He does not feel that the town needs the expense of a building that will accommodate the department 20 years from now.

Kevin Cheever questioned the savings if only the front part was bricked and what was the cost per square foot. Randy Mudge replied that the savings of only bricking the front would be ~$25,000 and the cost per square foot is $181.

Marion Widger questioned how many lockups does the Police Department have in a year. Chief Lary responded that there are 6-20 brought in and in most cases need to be transported to the facility in Unity for lockup.

Sandy Palermo brought up the issue of the amount of vehicles in the Fire Department lot when responding to an emergency and that the Fire Department holds annual fund raising events – would these be jeopardized? Chief Lary responded that anything the Fire Department currently does would not be impacted by the new building and there would be additional parking to accommodate all the vehicles.

Ken Purdy questioned the population growth and if the Chief knew how many officers will be added to cover the growth.

Merle Schotanus answered that the Office of State Planning predicts that 800 people will be added to Grantham by year 2010.

Selectman Hutchins spoke of the previous building study that was conducted in 1999 by a committee chaired by Charlie Amick. It stated then that new buildings were needed and the current facilities are inadequate. Selectman Hutchins encouraged residents to review the study done which is available at the Selectmen’s Office.

Alden Pillsbury asked if plans had been drawn up? Randy Mudge replied that plans have been drawn but nothing has been bidded on. The cost of the building alone is $890,000.

Kevin Cheever questioned if there were an alternate plan should this building be voted down. Chief Lary answered there is not.

Lorie McClory agrees that the current Police Department is inadequate but feels that the proposed building is overkill.

Selectman Hutchins spoke of the land available and the convenience of the locale. This design is what is needed now.

Kevin Cheever questioned adding a second story onto the building. Randy Mudge replied that the building is designed to add on laterally.

Cindy Towle questioned establishing a Police Facility capital reserve fund should this bond not pass Town Meeting. Moderator Merle Schotanus responded that is possible only if the capital reserve is existing and on the warrant.

Merle Schotanus stated that the Police Department should show the taxpayers the trend of activity over the last 10 years to back up the request for the new facility.

Cindy Towle questioned why the police reports are not published in the local paper. Chief Lary stated that now he has a secretary and will look into publishing them.

M. Jeff Holmes stated that he feels this is a large amount of money to be asking of people with the economy as it is. He feels that there should have been an alternate plan so the taxpayers would have a choice.

Police Department – The January report was reviewed.

Trustee of Trust Funds – The January report was reviewed.

Landfill Closure Update – TABLED

There being no further business, Selectman Hutchins moved to adjourn, seconded by Chairman Hayward; the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. There will be a regular Selectmen’s Meeting on Wednesday, February 29^th at 3:30 p.m. at the Town Office.

Respectfully submitted,