Selectboard approves grants, abatements, equipment funding and personnel moves

The Winchester Selectboard approved a package of financial and personnel actions at its July 8 meeting.

On finance, the board voted 5–0 to sign a $30,000 grant agreement for Storm Water Asset Management. It approved the Water/Sewer tax warrant—$154,946.62 for water and $159,068.84 for sewer—by a 5–0 vote. The board approved assorted abatements: a $50 water abatement for Map 34 Lot 33 (billing error), two sewer abatements for pool filling (Map 20 Lot 11‑3 for $39.73 and Map 26 Lot 4 for $113.46), and a $5,687 property abatement for Map 3 Lot 11‑4 due to an assessing error. One third sewer abatement was returned to the sewer department for additional information. A forestry reimbursement for Pisgah covering 8,154.5 acres was approved by a 4–1 vote; the minutes do not record which member voted against the reimbursement.

On permits and operational funding, the board approved two fireworks permits and two raffle permits, authorized issuance of a town credit card to the new Highway Superintendent Dan Robinson with a $2,000 limit, and approved a $29,004 transfer from the Transfer Station Contracted Services line to fund a third transfer‑station employee. The board also approved the annual service agreement with the E.L.M.M. Community Center.

Personnel actions were addressed in nonpublic sessions and publicly disclosed in the minutes. In one nonpublic session, Highway Superintendent Dan Robinson recommended John Bebey for Highway Foreman; the board approved a promotion that raises Bebey's pay from $24.39 to $26.39 per hour. The motion carried 4–0–1; Selectman Jack Marsh abstained, noting a family relationship. The board also approved a slate of fire‑department promotions recommended by EOC/WFD Chief Barry Kellom—Robert Dingman to Assistant Chief; John Bebey from lieutenant to captain; Chris Steadman from firefighter to lieutenant—by a 5–0 vote. The board approved a conditional hire of Scott Richards with starting pay of $23.39 and an increase to $24.39 after six months (motion carried 5–0).

The minutes note RSA 91‑A:3 procedures for nonpublic sessions and state that the records of decisions made in nonpublic session were disclosed as required.