SELECTMEN'S REPORT - 2007
Jackson has seen perhaps more change in 2007 than many other years in its past, with the passing of our Road Agent Arthur Fernald and the retirement of road crew employee Ed Dubie. It was an extremely difficult task to replace two members of our long time road crew, but we now are pointed in a new direction with young and enthusiastic replacements with Road Agent Robert Hatch and crew member Allan White.
The Jackson Fire Department has an additional bay and is getting some long overdue upgrades to its electrical systems. The Gray's Inn property Master Plan has been idle for years, but we now have a report that delineates the property into a workable plan for the future by distinguishing wetlands, slopes, and suitable building land for Jackson. The Jackson Library has worked long hours on building designs. We have selected an approximate location for that facility on Gray's Inn property. The Board of Selectmen has worked on site reviews for a new highway garage location. We should see plans for a new facility soon.
We have also spent countless hours, along with the office staff, working on a Hazard Mitigation Plan which ties in with our current Emergency Management Plan. Jackson Police, Fire Department, Road Agent, Board of Selectmen, and the Emergency Management Director along with the State of New Hampshire participated in a simulated disaster to further prep our town for emergency preparedness. We continue to work, through a joint effort with the Bartlett Selectmen, to improve recycling and efficiency at the Bartlett/Jackson Transfer Station.
A new tax rate was set and lowered by using monies from surplus to offset a rate which would have been a modest increase. By using these monies, it will be much more difficult in the future years to hold down taxes without significant budget decreases. We have changed our policy for new hires to help reduce the cost of the town's share of its yearly health insurance increases. We requested that all departments be diligent in trying to keep spending to a minimum within their budgets. It really takes a joint effort from all.
There has been a great deal of change in 2007 and there is much more on the table for the true shape of where Jackson is headed in 2008. These decisions reflect the many extra hours the Board of Selectmen and Jackson community members have deliberated. We will see many changes in 2008. There will be many hours spent on resolving locations for the Jackson Town Hall, highway facility, Trickey Barn, community center, and the library.
In particular our town employees deserve special thanks. They are a group of dedicated people. The office staff, police department, road crew, and transfer station attendants make it all happen; and we think our community owes them a very special thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Selectmen
Gary Allen, Chairman
Gino Funicella
Beatrice Davis
| 
