Wednesday, February 11, 2026

2026 district insurance policy

Approved the 2026 policy from Tobey & Merrill Insurance, 3-0.

The district's insurance agent said the district is in the 4th year of a 5-year claim cycle. A tree fell on the fence at the water tower and a generator failed, so the district rented a generator for almost a year. Rates stay higher for one more year, then more companies are expected to bid. The policy costs $2,000 more than last year. The Commissioners chose not to buy a terrorism policy for $156. The Chair signed the policy. The agent will add the Chair to the list of people allowed to discuss the policy.

Bond hearing and warrant article

The Commissioners gave the attorney permission to work with the engineer on the amounts and wording of the bond notice.

The district can apply for a State Revolving Fund loan of $1 million for well exploration, with possible 100% loan forgiveness. It can also apply for $970,000 loans, and PFAS money may be available next year. The attorney will work with the district's engineer on the amount and wording of the bond notice and warrant article. The reason for the bond is to be kept broad in case plans change. The bond hearing must be noticed 7 days before the hearing. The bond article must be on a written yes/no secret ballot, placed first on the warrant after the elected officials vote. Polls stay open 1 hour, and the Moderator counts the ballots. If it passes, the next step is the bond bank. The Commissioners gave the attorney permission to work with the engineer.

Rules and regulations amendments

Agreed to vote on the amendments at the March 2 meeting.

The Commissioners agreed to vote on amendments to the district's Rules and Regs at the March 2 meeting. The attorney said notice of the change must be given 7 days before the meeting and does not need to be published in the newspaper. A commissioner has been updating the regulations.

Engineering services proposal

Approved Underwood Engineers' proposal and offered them a contract for engineering services, 3-0.

The Commissioners received three proposals for engineering services, from Pare Corporation, Weston & Sampson and Underwood Engineers, Inc. They opened and reviewed each one and found Underwood Engineers matched the district's needs more closely. The Treasurer will send letters to all three firms with the decision. The Commissioners also asked Underwood's engineer to come to the March 2 meeting at 6:00 PM.

Municipal Alliance for Adaptive Management

The Commissioners agreed to add $1,000 to the budget to join the agreement.

The Municipal Alliance was formed by Rochester, Dover and Portsmouth, with Newington and Milton also signed on, to work together to improve water quality and reduce nitrogen in the Great Bay estuary. Members opted into the EPA's Great Bay Total Nitrogen permit, which offers long-term flexibility. The systems operator suggested the district join the agreement. The next meeting is in August. A commissioner suggested adding $1,000 to the budget to join, and the Commissioners agreed.

Hoyle, Tanner general contract

Unanimously agreed not to end the general contract with Hoyle, Tanner and Assoc. Engineering.

The Commissioners discussed the district's general contract with Hoyle, Tanner and Assoc. Engineering.

Water tower cleaning and inspection

Accepted the Statewide Aqua Store quote to clean and inspect the tank, 3-0.

Statewide Aqua Store sent a proposal to clean and inspect the water tower tank. This is done every 5 years. The Chair signed the proposal.

Trust funds and warrant article

The district has 3 trust funds run by the Town's Trustees of the Trust Funds: Water Maintenance, Standpipe and Sewer Maintenance. No agents are named to spend from them. The Varney fund is for water expansion and needs no action. The Town had three warrant articles to name the Commissioners as agents, but a state Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) representative said to remove them because the town has no authority over these funds. The district's attorney said the funds should be under the Commissioners. One warrant article could name the Commissioners as agents for all three funds. The Treasurer will send copies of the trust funds to the attorney. The Commissioners will talk with the Select Board and authorized the attorney to speak for them.

Contingency fund and water ban regulation

A commissioner asked about a contingency fund, investing trust fund money and water ban violations. The attorney said money not spent in the following year can be used by the district, added to trust funds or used to buy equipment. TD Bank can advise on investing. The attorney will provide the Town of Rye's water ban violation rule for the Commissioners to review at the March 2 meeting.

Access easement to water tower

A commissioner will visit Main Street residents in person and invite them to meet with the Commissioners about an access easement (a legal right to cross land) to the water tower.

Possible sale of cell tower

The Commissioners discussed selling the cell tower. The systems operator suggested selling it and investing the money. He said some towns rent space for cell antennas on their water towers to earn extra income.