PHOTO: LR: Commissioners: Chuck McGee; Hon. Harold B. Parker; Facilities Director: Bob Murray
Summary of Carroll County Commissioners Meeting - April 7, 2025 Meeting Details: Date: April 7, 2025
Time: 08:30
Type: Commission Meeting
Present: Commissioners Chuck McGee, Hon. Harold B. Parker
Absent: Terry McCarthy
Executive Coordinator: Mellisa Seamans
CAM Operator: Hon. Ed Comeau
Key Points and Actions: Public Comments: Fred Cain: Confirmed Terry McCarthy’s resignation (effective April 1, via email). Questioned a water system connection request for 30 Old Route 28, urging competitive fees (noting Wolfeboro’s $6,000 fee). Advocated for a water hookup policy, citing the county’s municipal system, and questioned credit card spending limits (Seamans confirmed a February 2024 policy exists).
Kevin Houle: Critiqued non-public minutes, suggesting many could be public. Shared a humorous anecdote about HR Director Linda Matchett’s “berating” note (re: hay denial). Praised Facilities Manager Bob Murray’s leadership. Corrected minutes regarding Karen Rines’ title (Register vs. Registra of Deeds), engaging in a lighthearted debate.
Board Actions: Minutes Approval: Approved March 31, 2025, public minutes and released non-public minutes from 46 dates (2020–2024) for transparency.
Financial Manifests: Approved April 4, 2025, manifests: accounts payable ($286,693.84) and payroll ($312,399.68).
Supplemental Budget: Approved a $5,379,222 supplemental budget request using former ARPA funds for general services and contracts, supported by a $18.46M unassigned fund balance. Requires delegation approval, despite the chairman’s disagreement.
DPW Services RFPs: Approved RFQs for landscaping, snow plowing, and water/wastewater management to evaluate outsourcing costs.
Credit Card Limit Increase: Deferred a request to raise the credit card limit to $75,000 (specific limit $50,000) for further review, particularly regarding sheriff’s office usage.
Department Reports: Facilities (Bob Murray): Approved purchasing two additional refrigerators for $2,200 (budgeted $1,800), leveraging savings before tariffs.
Approved $7,000 from contingency for a nursing home fire panel repair, pending delegation executive committee review.
Mountain View Community (Richard Leboeuf): Approved an RFP for a 1,400 sq ft laundry slab, targeting May 20 Ossipee Planning Board review.
Jail (Brian King): Reported 56 inmates (up to 60), generating ~$1,000/day from boarding (Rockingham, Women’s State Prison, Stratford). Discussed a potential ICE rider, a dormant 2015 US Marshals contract, a Rockingham contract ($60/day from July 1), methadone take-home exploration, staff awards, leadership training, and building fixes with DPW assistance. Noted a $900 legal fee overrun, seeking budget support.
Commission Office (Mellisa Seamans): Approved the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) committee: Will DeWitt (DPW), Brian King (Corrections), Richard Leboeuf (MVC), Bob Murray (Facilities), Dominic Richardi (Sheriff), Karen Rines (Registrar), Michelle Rogers (Finance), and Seamans. Emergency management committee discussion deferred for external member inclusion.
Reported weekly budget vs. actual statements for enhanced oversight and a water customer letter about sediment from ongoing water line work.
Water (Will DeWitt): Addressed the 30 Old Route 28 water connection request (half bathroom, prompted by poor well water). Noted historical no-fee practice (owner pays plumbing), rare requests, and system capacity limits. Deferred decision to April 14 to evaluate policy and precedent.
Sheriff (Reported by Seamans): Approved an equitable sharing agreement for $1,539.94 in seized asset funds (from the defunct Drug Task Force) for law enforcement use, authorizing Sheriff Richardi’s signature. Last used for a K9 unit.
Human Resources (Linda Matchett): Approved a part-time (24 hours/week) Finance Director job description, developed post-Bonnie Batchelder’s resignation.
Non-Public Session (09:20–10:10): Entered under RSA 91-A:3 II(a) (dismissal, promotion, compensation), (b) (hiring), and (c) (reputation). Sealed minutes under (c) to protect privacy; (a) and (b) left unsealed.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 10:17, with the next meeting scheduled for April 14, 2025.
Additional Notes: McCarthy’s resignation and water connection fees were key public concerns, with decisions deferred for further review.
Emphasis on transparency (non-public minutes release, financial reporting) and infrastructure improvements (laundry, fire panel, water system).
Commissioners addressed public inquiries while advancing operational and budgetary priorities, including jail revenue and sheriff’s fund management.