Windham New Hampshire
        Castle Wall
        PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
        SEPTEMBER 23, 1998

        ROLL CALL:
          David Dubay-Chairman-Present
          Bernie Rouillard-Vice Chairman-Present
          Jack Gattinella-Secretary-Present
          Wayne Morris-Regular Member-Present
          Russell Wilder-Alternate-Present
          Margaret Crisler-Selectman-Present
          Galen Stearns-Selectmen's Alternate-Present

        CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM - WORKSHOP
        The following members of the Capital Improvements Committee were present; C. McMahon, B. Carne, D. Gumbel, R. Coish and R. Horrigan. Mr. Coish opened the meeting with a review of the most recent Committee meeting at which the various agencies presented capital projects. No decisions have been made and there is no official document. Mr. Horrigan concurred the Committee is looking at the numbers and the document itself is in the preliminary stages. Mr. Coish reiterated the CIP Committee is currently scheduling and struggling to fund the projects presented. Mrs. Crisler, noted with the reassessment, the net tax value has increased which would normally lower the tax rate. Mr. Carne confirmed the issue is the amount of money available and the many projects coming forward. Mr. Dubay questioned if the prioritizing has been done. Mr. Gumbel apprised the Planning Board of the fact that all but $80,000 of the CIP is accounted for according to last year's evaluation. Mr. Coish restated the purpose of the CIP which is to level fund projects. Discussion followed on the school projects and the need for hard numbers. It was acknowledged the CIP has kept taxes level in the town while other area towns were experiencing out of control taxes. Mr. Gattinella did not wish to increase the $1.40 which would increase taxes. Mr. McMahon reviewed the history of the CIP and the original $2.50 cap. The dynamics have changed as the projects costs are increasing and Mr. McMahon expressed the need to set a new benchmark to meet the goals. Mr. Rouillard felt it was possible a new benchmark was needed and discussed the costs of the new Fire Station. Mr. Horrigan will propose the schools be number one (#1) priority this year. In prior years the CIP was putting money aside each year for projects but now the extra funds have gone to pay down notes, i.e. the school bond was paid in six (6) years. Mr. Wilder expressed the need for the CIP to comport with the Master Plan to insure orderly growth. Mr. Wilder indicated the town should purchase land and funds should be set aside to accomplish this goal. Mrs. Crisler disagreed as all of the current use tax is now given to the Conservation Commission to purchase land. Mr. Morris expressed the need to project out to ten (10) years and the need to incorporate more projects. Mr. Dubay agreed a complete list of projects should be looked at before prioritizing. Mr. McMahon supported an increase in the benchmark figure. Mr. Wilder would like more text included with the numbers to the life cycle of the document. Mr. Morris agrees the rate should be raised but would like more projects included. Mr. Gattinella agreed the rate should be looked at but not raised simply because there are twenty (20) items on the list. Mr. Rouillard felt the Committee should look into raising the rate and spread out the projects so they are not concurrent. Mrs. Crisler concurred the rate needed to be raised but thought other projects needed to be looked at such as recreation, conservation and preservation of historic buildings. Mr. Stearns stated the need to look down the road and plan the infrastructure, i.e. bridges and roads. The projects should be funded in a logical manner. Mr. Dubay supported the increase reluctantly but every project should be looked at and rate importance to the town as a whole. The prior needs should be looked at and balance spending then set the rate. Planning should come first then set the rate. Mr. Dubay addressed the operational costs. Mr. McMahon set the target date for December to present the plan to the Planning Board but they could be still waiting for the School Department. The Planning Board would have a public hearing in late January or early February then recommend the CIP to the Board of Selectmen.

        Meeting adjourned 9:40 P.M.

        Mona Feciuch

        Castle Wall
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        10/28/98