The new selectboard met Tuesday evening, May 20, with Nick Arguimbau
replacing Jim Toth, who chose not to run for a second term.

On a motion by newly elected board member Nick Arguimbau, the
selectboard chose Patricia Lemon for a second year as chairwoman, with
Rick Abbott as vice-chairman.

Highway superintendent Tim Kilhart told the board the new dump
truck/sander, for which voters at Monday's town election approved a debt
exclusion, will cost $112,708. He said an extended warranty, which
would increase coverage from two to six years on the electrical system
and from three to eight years on the engine, would cost $6,286 more.

The board authorized Kilhart to order the truck, delaying a decision on
the warranty until closer to the time of delivery, which Kilhart
estimated about about four months hence. Part of Arguimbau's motion to
authorize the purchase includes a provision that the board will revisit
the subject of funding, to consider use of Chapter 90 money instead of
borrowing. Kilhart says the state funds should be used to repair Route
78 from the center of town to just past the Whipple home.

Also on Kilhart's suggestion, the board declared surplus a 1958 tractor,
bought in 1970 from Fred Johnson for $1,000. The motion, made by Lemon,
allows the town to sell the tractor or dispose of it in some other way.
One possibility is for Town Coordinator David Young to advertise the
tractor on eBay. Kilhart said the town might get more money for it
there, selling it to someone who will restore it.

At least until June 30, board members will retain their liaison
responsibilities to various town offices and committees, with Arguimbau
taking over the assignment formerly held by Toth, which includes the
highway and police departments. Before the start of the new fiscal year
July 1, the board will decide whether to increase Young's work hours
from 20 to 30. If the increase is enacted, then Young will take over
liaison responsibilities, leaving the selectboard free to focus on
policy decisions, as the recent Department of Revenue management review
suggests.

The annual town meeting voted to fund the 30-hour position beginning
July 1, but the decision whether to increase the hours remains with the
board.

On a motion by Lemon, the board unanimously appointed tax collector
Terry Kemerer as town treasurer, his term to run from July 1, 2008 to
June 30, 2009, in accordance with the town's personnel policy and the
treasurer's job description. The pay rate was set at the town meeting.

The position had been posted in the town hall and advertised in one of
the papers that circulates in Warwick. Three applications were
received, but the board agreed without dissent that Kemerer was the only
one qualified. The former treasurer resigned earlier this month to take
a full time position.

The board discussed replacing Building Inspector Lorne Petrain, who has
announced his resignation as of June 30. Young said the building
inspection budget approved at town meeting is probably sufficient to
contract the service to the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.
First, though, he will determine whether any building contractor in
Warwick is interested in and qualified for the job.

129 townspeople have voted on their choice for a town flag, with the
majority favoring the design that shows Mt. Grace. The children at the
Warwick Community School have yet to vote.

The board meets next on June 2, at 6 p.m. in the dining room of the Town
Hall.

Miryam Williamson reporting