Fred opened the meeting at 6:05 as President Wendy was called away. He introduced
guest/speaker Troy Brown, Meredith's Town Manager. In Dan’s absence, Fred also led us
in Dan’s prepared reflection.
Announcements
- Tim updated us on the special project underway at the Page Pond Project. It should be completed this Saturday.
- Gary displayed his bin of socks announcing one more week of donations (socks or cash) would be accepted.
- Interact will hold a fundraiser on Friday at Moulton Farm’s corn maze, with their proceeds going to ‘Socktober.’
- Richard directed Meredith residents to the town’s website, urging them to complete a survey, the results of which will direct the work of the newly formed Master Plan Committee.
- Bill announced that our next and future meetings will be back at Hart’s.
- Bruce added that the night program would be “all about the Derby,”… a special informational prep for all, especially new Rotarians.
- Carl informed us that he presented our check for $8,490 to the Inter-lakes School Board at their regular meeting. The funds are earmarked for a “timing system" for the ILHS track teams. The School Board was most grateful!
- Richard and Carol Gerken were recently honored by Plymouth State University for their ongoing philanthropy.
- A hearty round of applause was given to Meredith Bay Colony Club for its
- willingness to provide meeting space to us through summer into fall.
Happy Dollars
- Bob Kennelly enjoyed a FREE trip to Miami for the Patriots game.
- Gary celebrated 10 years retired by wearing his ‘uniform of the day,’ a dark suit that had been his customary garb.
- ‘Fundraiser’ Jim McFarlin and Fred are excited as the Veterans Memorial nears completion, urging us to make frequent visits in the days ahead as granite slabs and brass plaques with the names of Meredith’s veterans are installed. The project and its committed volunteers have endured many ‘twists and turns.’ Their efforts were applauded. (Chuck Thorndike was acknowledged for his behind-the-scenes work!)
- Carl announced he is undergoing dual surgeries coming up, including the ‘always dreaded ‘roto-rooter’ job. We wished him all the best.
- Chuck announced his 52nd wedding anniversary.
- Kevin Kelly presented a sizeable donation to ‘Socktober’ and praised the prime movers of the Veterans Memorial Project, noting his family members who had served.
Program Speaker
Fred welcomed Troy Brown, Meredith Town Manager, who just completed his first year
on the job. Troy, a graduate of the University of Maine with a Master’s Degree in Public
Administration comes to us with 25 years of experience. He takes pride in his ‘open door
philosophy’ of leadership.
In Troy’s opening remarks, he applauded the many contributions Meredith Rotary has
made to the community throughout the years!!! He noted that Meredith is highly
regarded within New England and well beyond. Meredith has an annual budget of $17M.
Recent reassessment (required every 5 years) showed an average 63% increase in
property values. The total property value in Meredith has increased from $2.3B to $3.8B
since the previous reassessment. The average sale price of a single-family home is now
$533,680.
There is much to be done. When he arrived in Meredith, he found technology/e-mail
service/connectivity/a lack of backup electric power is the bane of everyone’s existence for
those who work in town government and those seeking services. Much of this has
now been addressed with the engagement of Lakes Region Computer, LLC. Upgraded
servers, firewalls, routers, software replacement, and the implementation of Microsoft
Office 365 Cloud-Based System has been accomplished. (The former system dated back
to 2003/4!
Town Boards and Staff have energetically been seeking out grant monies:
- $25,000 Housing Grant
- $100,000 Aqua Grant (water /sewer)
- $50,000 grant for the development of a water master plan
- $150,000 Block Grant for housing’
- $30,000 annual DES Grant for Milfoil study and control
- $10,000 annual grant for Police Traffic Enforcement.
- And a Federal Grant for the Fire Department airpac compressor
We are also about to complete eligibility for a $1.3M 80/20 Matching NH DOT Congestion Mitigation grant to redo the intersection of Laker Lane and Route 25. (This has the potential to include a ‘turning' land on the steep grade approaching the high school going east. Meredith’s contribution will be $250,000!
Needs and Dreams
- The water main under Route 25 between Route 3 and the Irving Gas Station needs replacement.
- The Recreation Department and Friends of Recreation (Prescott Park Renovation Committee) have received designs and pricing to refresh Prescott Park, including the parking area. This project has grown to perhaps $400.000.
- Swasey Park and Leavitt Beach are also on the list for improvement.
Of a more direct impact on the annual budget…
- The town must look at employee benefits as we are no longer competitive with other towns.
- The fire department needs staffing. “On-call” firefighters are no longer sufficient to do the job.
- In addition, the Town Hall and Annex buildings need to be looked at.
- The waterfront infrastructure, including parking solutions.
- The need for housing solutions to short-term rental problems has been raised. (Opinion: OF ALL THE TOPICS THAT TROY MENTIONED, THE SHORT TERM RENTAL ONE RAISED THE MOST QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS FROM THOSE PRESENT.)
- Troy noted a newly established committee to deal with short-term rentals will be holding its first meeting on Friday. Jim McFarlin, Bonnie Ireland, and Ginny expressed strong concerns and urged Troy to include at least two at-large representatives to be included in the study group.
In conclusion, the one theme that resounded through Troy’s presentation was the need for a new Master Plan. Such a plan would most certainly lead to a redo of the Town’s Zoning
Ordinance impacting affordable housing, short-term rentals, and commercial uses in
residential zones.
Troy’s ‘open door’ can be found at 603-677-4209 and tbrown@meredithnh.org
The adjourned at 7:35 PM.
.png)
