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The Hale's Location Select Board approved December minutes and checks totaling $7,300.99 for county salaries and $6.00 to the Registry of Deeds, both passing 3-0. They authorized an agreement with Conway for motor vehicle registrations. During the public hearing on the budget, tax collector Denise Leighton opposed salary cuts and duty shifts. The Board approved a budget totaling $463,331 ($183,051 town, $190,745 school, $88,535 revenues) 3-0, sending it to the county delegation. They noted an undesignated fund balance of $291,121 and proposed retaining $50-75K for tuition reserves and $4,000 for a 2026 audit. Following a non-public session regarding employee matters, the Board voted 3-0 to seal those minutes. Upon returning, they approved a 2026 policy separating tax collection and administrative duties, passing 3-0. Source: https://www.carrollcountynh.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01302026-915
County of Carroll Hale's Location Selectmen's Meeting Carroll County Annex January 30, 2O25 Select Board Present: Chairman Chuck lvlcGee, Vice-Chair Harold B. Parker, Selectman Gene Chandler, MOTION: To approve the December Jan 5th meeting minutes. by Comm'r McGee, 2"d Comm'r Parker Passed 3-0 MOTION: To approve check #2775 in the amount of $7,294.995 to Carroll €ounty for 4th qtr. 2025 salaries & QuickBooks. And check #2776 in the amount of $6.00 to Registry of Deeds. by Comm'r McGee, 2nd by Comm'r Parker. Passed 3-0 MOTION: To approve agreement with Town of €onway for motor vehicle registrations by Commj'r Chandler,2nd Comm'r Parker. Passed 3-0 Public Hearing: Hale's Location Budget The commissioners open the public hearing at 9:31 AM. Denise Leighton, tax collector, and a resident/treasurer from the association attend. Leighton asks procedural questions: hearing is for public input on proposed budget, commissioners can pass it today then send to county delegation for final approval (town meeting equivalent). Questions on separating business administration/selectmen salaries ($3,000 each for school and municipal, not duplicates); shifting duties from tax collector to county finance office for separation of duties/checks and balances (e.9., DOE-25 form). Concerns raised about halving tax collector salary potentially leading to resignation and difficulty finding replacement, while maintaining Friday office hours. Requests copy of recent revaluation showing oldlnew values per property (not accessible via assessing software but can be obtained). Elections line of $10,000 is a placeholder for costs Iike laptop for checklist, paying election workers for three elections; no support yet from Secretary of State's office. New adequacy aid law reduces aid from -$100K to -$13K, creating negative tax rate historically. Requests student list tying to $175K tuition (showing 6 at Fryeburg, 2 at Conway for $146,954; buffer for potential extra student)- Leighton expresses feeling mistreated by the salary cut, questioning why she can't continue some duties after 5 years. Commissioners cite efficiency, suggest addressing in non-public. Discussion on undesignated fund balance at $291,121 (71.19%, above 5-17% recommendation); suggest budgeting actual tuition ($146,954 + increases), retaining $50-75K in capital reserve for unexpected tuition, $25K in fund balance for flexibility (more than trust for other emergencies, but risks spending before needs); will compare options before next meeting. Propose $4,000 for 2026 audit/review (last in 2020 by Batchelder; Vachon Clukay contacted for addition to county audit). No further public comment. Motion to approve the Hale's Location budget: town $183,051; school $190,745; revenues $88,535 by Comm'r McGee, 2nd Comm'r Parker. Passed 3-0 Motion by Comm'r Chandler, to enter non-public under RSA 91-A:3 ll(a) for public employee matters; 2nd Comm'r Parker. Roll call vote. Passed 3-0 Recess to non-public room at 9:59 AM, Page 1 of 1 Hale's Location Board of Selectme n lanuan 30, 2026 The Commissioners come out of non-public at 10:28 AM Motion to seal non-public minutes by Comm'r Chandler under RSA 91-A:3 ll(c) for matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the public body itself, 2"d by Comm'r Parker. Passed 3-0 The commissioners exit Hale's Location and resume the regular meeting at 10:30 AM. The commissioners recess back into Hale's Location at 10:35 Motion to approve the proposed 2026 Hale's Location tax collection and administrative duty separations poliry, delineating tax collector vs. administrative assistant responsibilities by Comm Chandler, 2"d by Comm'r Mccee. Passed 3-0 Meeting adjourned. Mi approved on L1 11"1 Selectman Chuck McGee Selectman Harold B. Parker Selectman Gene Cha nd ler Januan' 30. 2026 Page 2 of 1 Hale's Location Board of Selectrnen \TX