What's New- August 20th, 2008
When... will the new town website go live? Can we at least get a new target date. ( It was promised for the July 2008 informational meeting). Of course we don't want to be " discourteous" in our request....
Decisions.... a summary of decisions made at public meetings listed at the end of the minutes would be a great way for the public and town government to keep track of past issues.
Did you know..... That a citizen of Moultonboro who wants to read or review public information at the town hall must stand at the counter. No sitting down it appears as ....they can't see us then? Want photo copies? Better stop at the ATM first.
Why....hasn't the Budget Committee met yet?
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Public Access Debate Continues at 8/14 Selectmen Meeting ( More to follow on this issue when we post the video on this website with rebuttal)
Despite accusations against the MCA and some of it’s members by the Selectmen at the August 14th Selectmen's meeting, the MCA NEVER misrepresented itself to Time Warner Cable(TWC) nor did it’s members "POSE" as Moultonboro Town officials in requesting TWC broadcast public meetings on our ( Moultonboro's) public access channel.
As explained in past posts on this website, the MCA was not aware of the procedure despite numerous communications with TWC. These communications the MCA exchanged with TWC clearly indicate the requests were from private citizens and a private citizen's group. It is very disappointing that the Selectmen chose to attack the MCA, a group that at NO COST TO THE PUBLIC video tape every selectmen’s meeting and provide a DVD copy weekly to the cable company for broadcast. FREE. It is unedited and granted, sometimes not very pretty to watch, but it is real and presents our town government for all to see. Besides, the video is posted to the MCA website anyway.
The selectmen could have acted in the public interest and allowed the broadcast of the complete and unedited meetings. After all..... it's not like they have something to hide?
MCA
Click for video of
Selectmen’s Meeting July 24th, 2008 Part 1
Selectmen’s Meeting July 24th, 2008 Part 2
Upcoming Public Meetings
Tuesday August 19th, 2008 ..................Recreation Strategic Planning Team (RSPT) "workshop" 6:30pm Rec. bldg.
Wednesday Augusty 20th, 2008............Zoning Board 7:30 pm Town Offices
Thursday August 21st, 2008.................Selectmen "worksession" 1PM Town Hall
Thursday August 27th, 2008................Planning Board 7:30pm Town Offices AGENDA
Thursday August 28th, 2008 .............. Selectmen's Meeting 7pm Town Hall
Announcements- Updated August 19th , 2008
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The Meredith News
SARAH SCHMIDT
MOULTONBORO — With several unpleasant surprises from Mother Nature this year, several town officials urged the board of selectmen to consider instituting the National Incident Management System. As was his practice in other towns, Town Administrator Carter Terenzini reviewed the events and fallout from the July 18 storm event. But in order to be ready for whatever comes next, Terenzini recommended a more formal plan be instituted for the town to deal with it. Though fire, police, and public works departments are prepared, Terenzini said that other town officials needed to move forward in training to be able to handle such situations. “We are substantially behind where we should be on this,” said Terenzini. “We need contingencies for operating plans – if this building went down, we have no formal plan as to how to continue operations.” Building on this, Moultonboro Fire Chief Dave Bengston gave a short presentation on NIMS, and how it would give the town a standard approach to emergency management and response to crises. The plan would train local public officials,
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Anyone who has driven to the grocery store, bought a supply of food and tried to make it stretch through a week knows how expensive that routine has become.Imagine doing the same thing for thousands of kids a day, and you get a sense of the pressures weighing on school district food directors. "It's really the perfect storm of costs, with everything that's going on," said Jeanette Kimbell, Nashua's director of food services, citing fuel and energy costs, as well as food prices that have spiked in nearly every category.Add to that the push toward offering healthier (more expensive) food options that are labor-intensive (more expensive) to prepare, and you get a witches brew not seen in decades."It's been since the mid-1970s since we've had food product costs rise across the board this quickly," said Erik Peterson, spokesman for the School Nutrition Association, a nonprofit foundation representing school food workers nationwide."We're hearing from a lot of districts trying to balance a host of challenging, costly issues," he said.From June 2007 to June 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows eggs up 23 percent, milk up 7 percent, cheese up 15 percent, fresh vegetables up 8 percent and bakery products up 10 percent.
Aiming to break even
School food budgets are crafted with a break-even goal: offset spending with income from food sales .......
]]> Peterson said his organization's annual surveys show one-third of districts across the country raised prices in 2006-07, with a 15-cent hike average for lunch. Results for 2007-08 aren't in yet, but Peterson said anecdotal evidence shows the percentage was higher and that the trend will continue into this fall. "It's the rule rather than the exception now," he said. Spiraling costs promptedFederal squeeze
Along with escalating food and fuel costs, Kimball said, every district is getting squeezed by the federal government. The USDA recently tossed another dime onto the amount it pays for subsidized lunch, bringing the total to $2.57. Kimball said one-third of
Additional costs
But fewer companies bid on supply contracts than in the past, and those that did came in high and with a surprise. An anticipated 3 percent price hike in bids turned into 6 1/2 percent. And for the first time, companies are including a $5 to $10 per-delivery fuel service charge. "We never had one before, or at least it wasn't singled out on the invoice," said Burkush. "Now they're saying, 'We want you to realize this is part of the cost increase.'" Another cost factor, he said, is that the few suitors the district is seeing aren't interested in a lasting relationship. "They don't want to commit to long-term pricing," said Burkush. "We got some, but not the numbers as in years past." Peterson said his organization is seeing that trend sweep the nation. Many vendors took a bath on 2007-08 school contracts, he said, so for the first time in memory he's hearing about month-to-month contracts. "Bids would lock in for most things for the full year," said Peterson. "Last year ... by January the vendor was losing money. "A lot of them just broke their contracts. Now it's much more common to have monthly escalator contracts."
Changing menus
Food directors say they try to keep menus as fluid as possible, so they can swap fruits and vegetables if a certain item spikes in price. But federal standards dictate portions can't be cut, and the push toward more whole grains and higher quality pasta and bread are also cost considerations. Laska said she's been trying for years to offer more fresh fruits and veggies, but this year she will put less expensive canned fruits side by side with the fresh offerings. She said another popular savings idea -- job cuts -- doesn't jibe with expectations from parents and government standards to offer kids healthy, fresh food choices. "It takes more labor to produce those items than it does to serve processed chicken nuggets," said Laska. A saving grace in
I just read the "draft" minutes of the August 14th 2008 Moultonboro selectmen's meeting. To my surprise I saw my name mentioned in the minutes (I was not in attendance) in essence accusing me of misrepresenting myself in my communications with Time Warner Cable. This was in reference to my attempts to find out the procedure to broadcast video of public Moultonboro meetings on TWC public access.
I have no way of knowing what TWC actually told Karel Crawford, but in my conversations and emails with two gentlemen at TWC over more than three months, I never once said I represented the town in any way shape or form nor was I asked if I represented the town. I find it hard to believe that the TWC representative would suggest that I did, but yet, there it is in the minutes for all to see.
All I did was ask how to get public meeting videos on a public access channel as a private citizen. If I had known the procedure or who actually controlled the public access channel, the process would have been different. TWC never told me how this works until after they were contacted by the town. So now the selectmen are offended by this perceived "discourtesy".
Believe me, there has been enough discourtesy from the selectmen (even at the last meeting) to more than make up for it. That's not what really bothers me about this though. What prompted this letter is the continued lack of leadership, fairness and foresight from some of our selectmen. What they seem to bring to the table though is a good measure of vindictiveness to those they perceive are against them. Think about it, a totally free service, at no expense to taxpayers that would allow greater access by the citizens of Moultonboro to the unedited workings of its government has been convoluted by the selectmen into a "discourtesy". Never mind that only a handful of people attend the meetings and the minutes would at best garner a D- in business school. Is it any wonder then that the selectmen themselves can't figure out what's going on or remember the decisions made? Oh yes, there is a long document being proposed and reviewed at a "work session" to discuss public access. No mention of when and where in the minutes by the way, but wait I'll look it up on the new town website ... but I can't as it is still not live! So in the meantime it will be business as usual and Moultonboro will remain behind the times. How disappointing. But let's look on the bright side. At the prior selectmen's meeting (which I did attend) a question I asked was in the minutes as a "member of the audience asked ..." No mention of my name. So to find my name in the minutes of a meeting I didn't attend (and it's even spelled correctly) is very encouraging. Keep up the good work!
Paul Punturieri
Moultonborough
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Theodore Comstock, Executive Director
Barrett M. Christina, Staff Attorney
www.nhsba.org
A recent article in the Concord Monitor highlighted the predicaments school districts area facing as a result of rising fuel costs and related operation expenses. Some districts are considering eliminating bus routes, consolidating bus routes, and reducing their schedule to a four-day school week in the winter
months. Also in response to these concerns, many school boards are reviewing and researching energy conservation policies. These concerns are likely shared throughout the state. With the beginning of another school year approaching, these issues offer a timely opportunity for school board members and administrators to review the pertinent state statutes and NHSBA Sample Policies relative to transportation, school building maintenance, and energy conservation.....
]]> School districts are required to provide transportation for all students in grade one through grade eight who live more than two miles from the school to which they are assigned. RSA 189:6. Though the statute does not specifically require it, it is presumed that if your district offers kindergarten, then kindergarten students are also entitled to district-provided transportation to and from school. RSA 189:8 states that school districts may require students to walk
a distance not to exceed one mile to a designated bus stop. Students living in areas inaccessible by the district’s established transportation routes may be required to walk 1.5 miles to a designated bus stop
Any change to existing bus routes or schedules is likely to cause concern and hesitation throughout the district, especially among parents whose children will be affected by possible changes. In order to lessen this understandable parental concern, it is recommended that school board consider these simple
suggestions. First, hold a public meeting and solicit public comments regarding the potential changes. Second, create a committee or study group to analyze the transportation routes, students affected, potential costs and savings, and other pertinent factors. Third, schedule a meeting with a representative of the bus
company which your district contracts with. Discuss what limitations may be met by a change in routes. Fourth, consult with your local police department or the New Hampshire Department of Safety to analyze which routes can safely be changed and which routes pose potential safety issues. Last, consult your local board policy relative to providing transportation services. This is covered under NHSBA Sample Policy EEA. An important provision of this policy allows parents to request a change in the existing bus route by filing a request with the district’s Transportation Coordinator or similar school district employee. The NHSBA Sample Policy also includes a provision for parents to request a hearing before the school board to bring forth their grievance before the school board. As always, school boards must balance student safety and significant fiscal concerns when seeking to change or amend existing bus routes. Energy Conservation NHSBA has received many requests recently regarding sample policies relative to energy conservation. NHSBA will introduce a new sample policy on this topic in September 2008 – available to all NHSBA Policy Subscription members There is some incongruity among existing energy conservation policies found among school districts across the country. Others set aspiration goals with simple guidelines, while others are significantly specific in regulating indoor temperature, allowable use of certain electrical equipment, and specific tasks to be complete by school district staff. The challenge is to construct a policy that meets the goals and objectives of energy conservation, while at the same time establishing practical and feasible individual action. Many of the provisions found in current policies, at first glance, seem to be a matter of common sense – turning off lights when a room is not in use; not allowing school buses to idle; ensuring thermostats are providing accurate readings; and so forth. However, many of the suggestions take a step further, for example, consulting lighting
experts to determine if any lights can be eliminated. And as recent newspaper articles have stated, many schools, not only in New Hampshire, but across the nation, are considering moving to a four-day work week in the winter months in an effort to reduce fuel and energy consumption. The belief is that by cutting back during these months, school districts will save in transportation costs, heating oil costs, and electricity costs, while at the same time still meeting the state requirements for total number of hours and days. What ever actions your school board may take, it is important for any policies to reflect the view that both students and staff are responsible for assisting in the implementation of energy conservation measures. Additionally, advising parents of potential changes and hosting public meetings to address parental concerns and questions can often prevent problems and complaints when such changes are implemented. For more information on these topics, please contact NHSBA Staff Attorney Barrett M. Christina at (603) 228-2061 or via e-mail at bchristina@nhsba.org.
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WOLFEBORO — The Gov. Wentworth Regional School Board determined there wasn't enough time to resolve all the issues to make any drastic changes in the school calendar before classes begin in two weeks
District officials heard from Superintendent Jack Robertson and listened to more than 100 area residents, including parents, teachers and district staff, as board members discussed adding 45 minutes to the school day, moving to a four-day school week during the winter months and other less drastic means to save on energy costs.
"The purpose of this is not about adopting this (proposed) calendar, it's about saving energy," Robertson said.
Robertson said the average annual costs for fuel and electricity in the district — which includes the communities of Brookfield, Effingham, New Durham, Ossipee, Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro — are significantly higher than last year and more than initially budgeted by officials. For the 2008-09 school year, the district budgeted $290,000 for oil, $470,000 for electricity and $292,000 for diesel fuel, but estimates the projected costs to be $368,000, $580,000 and $347,000, respectively — resulting in a total shortfall of $243,000, according to Robertson.
District officials know it is not a short-term problem since fuel and heating costs have increased 450 percent in the past decade, he said.
Robertson said the district spends more than 99 percent of its budget, leaving very little left over to pay the expected shortfall. He added the district can reduce some of the amount by 5 to 7 percent — possibly $47,000 to $66,000 —
]]> if it enacts energy-saving measures. If the district added 30 to 45 minutes onto the school day, which the staff preferred to shorter or longer times, it would save seven to 11 days on the calendar, Robertson said
able to be waived.
A change in the school calendar could cause conflicts with collective bargaining agreements, athletic schedules and day care needs, Robertson said.
Area residents asked officials to consider what federal funding was available, how parents could afford more day care expenses if they are already struggling, what the potential impact on education was, whether students could volunteer their day care services, what the effect would be on after-school sports, activities and jobs and how the staff would be affected.
Anika Hastings, a parent, taxpayer and guidance councilor for the district in Tuftonboro, supported making changes to the school day and school week. She applauded the board for trying to take action and leading the charge against high energy bills rather than waiting to see what other districts might do to save money.
"I was hoping more people would stand up and express their ideas,"
After two-and-half hours of discussion, the board decided not to accept the proposed calendar since there wasn't enough time to identify and resolve all of the issues that would result in increasing the school day or cutting back to four-day weeks in the winter.
Board members saw the potential of the proposal but agreed there were too many "tentacles" to deal with before classes begin Sept. 2.
The board unanimously agreed to enact energy saving options that do not effect the calendar, including having students and staff wear more layers, encouraging car pooling, stop idling buses, coordinating trips and sporting events and lowering the temperature of rooms and water by 5 to 10 degrees, as proposed by Robertson.
The board also asked Assistant Superintendent Kathleen McCabe to create options to readjust the school calendar slightly for consideration next month, including using some of the suggestions discussed Monday night.
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The idea of a four-day school week as a way to save energy costs has little support on the Inter-Lakes School Board. The issue was briefly discussed at last Tuesday's meeting of the Inter-Lakes board as a possibility discussed by other school districts. Other school districts, such as the Governor Wentworth School District and Shaker Regional School District, have previously discussed the possibility of extending the school day for extra time and having a four-day week in hopes of saving money with high fuel costs. ..
Present: Selectmen: Karel A. Crawford, Edward J. Charest, James F. Gray; Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator; Hope K. Kokas, Secretary.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Karel called the meeting to Order at 7:00 P.M.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES: Jim Made the Motion to approve the Minutes of July 24, 2008 as written. Ed Seconded. The Motion carried unanimously.
IV. NEW RESIDENTS: Michael D. Visbeck, Andrew D. Moore, Cynthia J. Tucker, Anne M. & Raymond H. Potvin, Marvin J. Padilla, Justin T. Avery, William J. Hyner, Seth A. Young, Derek A. Duke, Henry J. Arsenault, Yannick Rousseau, Rodyan Quinonez, Richard L. & Dianne L. Davis, Judith C. & Dudley Hare, Ralph K. & Patricia A. Putnam, Victoria A. King.
V. PUBLIC MEETING:
1. Non-Public Session, Personnel Matters: The Selectmen did not have a quorum for the scheduled Non-Public Session.
2. Bob Wallace, Steamboat Rally: Mr. Wallace informed the Selectmen that the annual Steamboat Rally will be held on Friday, September 5th through Sunday, September 14th. They will begin to prepare on Thursday, September 4th, mowing, installing docks, etc. There will be the annual parade and fireworks are scheduled for Tuesday, September 12th. As in year’s past the Steamboat Rally Committee requests that the Town provide the portable toilets and electricity. The Selectmen approved of the request by Consensus and thanked the members of the Steamboat Rally for the good work that they do.
2. Don Muscavitz, Adopt-a-Spot: Mr. Muscavitz requested that his sign be removed from the Library’s garden, as the month’s worth of rain has killed his flower garden. He asked the Selectmen for their direction regarding what he should do next; i.e., remove and clean up the plants, re-plant, etc. Karel stated that the Selectmen understood his predicament and suggested that he contact the Library Trustees to see what they want done.
3. Al Hume, Citizen’s Petition: Mr. Hume read the petition he presented to the Administration office regarding their request to place the question on the 2009 Town Warrant to see if the Town will vote to approve the creation, funding and construction of a Firearms Training and Certification area at the Waste Management facility.
4. Hollis Austin, MCA & Time Warner Public Access Channel: Mr. Austin read his letter into the Minutes regarding the Alliance’s request to Time Warner to broadcast their videos of the Selectmen’s Meetings......
]]> 5. Linda & Bill Crabtree, Re: Building Permit: Mrs. Crabtree of 74 Curtis Lane requested from the Selectmen to extend their building permit. She stated that they were given a building permit for an addition and construction of a deck in March of 2008, but have been unable to get the work done as they are still waiting to sell their other home in Massachusetts. Pulling a new building permit will be very costly. Mrs. Crabtree stated that they have checked with DES regarding the Shoreland Protection Act, as they received their permit before the new law; they are not subject to the new rules. Carter stated that the building permit could be extended as long as work is ongoing with diligence. He questioned if the work would be completed in six months. Ed Made the Motion to extend the building permit given to Linda and Bill Crabtree of 74 Curtis Lane for six months from today’s date, with monitoring by the CEO to insure that work is proceeding in a diligent manner. Jim Seconded the Motion. The Motion carried Unanimously.
Inter-Lakes officials are mulling over the costs and logistics of recording and airing school board meetings.
The board discussed different ideas for airing meetings with District Technology Director Allan Hale during Tuesday's meeting. The taping of meetings has been an ongoing issue as some residents have requested meetings be aired.
The district has spoken with Lakes Region Public Access and the Laconia School District as part of a preliminary look at the logistics of recording meetings as well as contacting various media companies about airing meetings online.Hale said the district would have to contract with a media server company in order to stream video online. The district server does not have enough bandwidth to support streaming video and multiple viewings could paralyze the website....
Laconia
Daily Sun August
8th, 2008
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The
Other school districts are having serious discussions on how they will deal with the serious challenges higher fuel prices put on their budgets. The
The underlying message of this trial balloon is one that is worth heeding. School districts, like other arms of government, face serious challenges as energy prices continue to rise. The proposal of extending the school day one hour and going to a four-day-a-week from December through March again directs attention to the need of coming up with ways to deal with the cost of heating homes, schools and businesses this winter, and helping those who can least afford it deal with high transportation costs. The idea is that shutting schools will save on heating costs and save workers the gas used to commute on the fifth day. On the other hand, fiddling with the established weekly schedules in schools means a great number of people would have to shift their daily lives. Working parents who find their children out of school an extra day would have to deal with finding and paying for more child care. Schools would have to figure out how to meet the minimum number of school days mandated by law. It's much easier to point out the obstacles to making an idea work than to come up with a fresh approach toward dealing with a tough problem. A four-day school week might prove to be impractical for many reasons, but the idea goes beyond the usual focus on how we pay our most immediate bills. No matter the ultimate outcome of such proposals, school districts deserve credit for being willing to look at bold moves to deal with a daunting and serious issue. There is little prospect for oil prices coming down anywhere near the level that we've enjoyed in the past. That means we all need to look at how we can change the way we live to cope with the changing world of energy
The topic “Potential Governor Wentworth Calendar Changes” will be on the Moultonborough School Board agenda for Tuesday, August 12. Any changes made to the Governor Wentworth calendar impact Moultonborough Academy students who attend the Vocational Education Center associate with Kingswood High School.
Mike Lancor