Hot topic: Voters will be asked to approve $600,000 to begin the cleanup and building removal at the old Allied Leather property, which is now owned by the town. Of the total amount for cleanup, $100,000 will come from taxpayers, the other $500,000 will come from a Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Town Administrator Alan Hardy said no money will be spent if the town is unsuccessful in getting the grant.
To lower the town’s cash contribution, debris from the three buildings at the site will be taken to the construction material landfill, giving the city an in-kind credit, Hardy said. The construction debris landfill was scheduled to be closed in 2020 and using it for this project will yield a “much lower true cost” for the town, Hardy said.
“The hope is that would clean up the entrance to the town and give us some nice riverfront property available for development,” Hardy said.
The Allied Leather company had a second location in Penacook. That site has already been cleaned up and is the site of a new apartment complex currently under construction.
“They’re just that much farther ahead of us,” Hardy said.
Other issues of interest include designating 375 acres of land to become a second town forest, and increasing the veterans’ property tax discount from $100 to $500.
Budget: The proposed operating budget of $4.1 million is recommended to be passed by both the select board and the budget committee. The budget is about $325,000 more than last year’s approved budget of $3.7 million. A major part of that increase is about a $200,000 town contribution to the Penacook Rescue Squad that used to be a separate warrant article that is now included in the budget.
Ballot races: Current planning board member Paul Dickey is the only candidate to file to run for the three-year seat on the select board vacated by Selectman Roger Sanborn, who is retiring. The town’s only contested race is for cemetery trustee, between Adam Egounis and Lauren Hargrave.
When and where:
Voting will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Town Hall at 12 High St., for town officers and one zoning amendment. The annual meeting will follow at 7 p.m. at the Boscawen Elementary School, 1 B.E.S.T. Ave.
Jonathan Van Fleet