Littleton, New Hampshire

Approved Minutes Jul 2, 2008

TOWN OF LITTLETON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2008
4:00 PM
LITTLETON COMMUNITY HOUSE HEALD ROOM

Present: Chairman Eddy Moore, Vice Chairman Bill Latulip, Selectman Ed Boynton, Town Manager Chuck Connell, Executive Secretary Ceil Stubbings

Others Present: Bob O'Conner, Art McGrarth, Duncan McKee, Robert Bleckl, Steve Kelly, Violet Hopkins, Ron Bolt, Sherri Latulip, Rusty Bulis, Chief Paul Smith, Linda Massimilla, Mike Norman

Chairman Moore called the continuation of the meeting back into order from the meeting held at the Town Office Conference Room at 3:00 PM.

Citizen's Concerns:
Approximately 30 minutes

Rusty Bulis advised he attended a delegation meeting on Monday regarding the Grafton County Budget for the year. The budget is $32,914,095 million. Rusty advised that he tried to cut the budget by $750,000. Rusty said there was quite a bit of discussion but in the end that initiative failed. The budget passed and what that means for the county as a whole means a 10.49% tax increase for December. Rusty said he was sorry to report that and that the Commission's spending continues unabated. Rusty went on to say that when the jail comes into line it would be an additional $3.5 million or so. Chairman Moore thanked Rusty for the update. Selectman Ed Boynton asked if the lawsuit against the county was still pending. Rusty advised that the lawsuit was still pending.

Appointments:
Chairman Moore stated he was changing the first appointment for the evening and allowing Steve Kelley to go first due a time constraint. Steve Kelley advised that the reason he asked to go first is because his 87year old mother fell and fractured her hip five weeks ago and he has been going back and forth to Berlin. Steve said he had to go to Berlin right after he finished the meeting and thanked the Board for their consideration. Steve said that there is not much news for the Opera House, which is good news. Things are progressing well, just as expected. Steve went on to state that he has had weekly meetings with George McNamara. Steve said that most of the inside demolition work will be done by the end of next week. Steve went on to say that there have been very few surprises and that the building was found to be very strong structurally. The original concern for the cement columns in the basement will be addressed in the reconstruction. It is over simplified but that is how simple it is. Steve said they are also in the process of replacing the windows. Steve said that is the only new work that is being done, the rest is just removal of all the old materials. We still have one more chimney to come down. The foundation for the chimney is actually in the wall of the building. It is an old building and has some amazing craftsmanship in it. Steve said the Opera House Committee would be meeting next week on the 8th here in the Heald Room. Steve said that one concern is the heating plan for the building. Steve advised the Dan Hebert would like us to consider switching from oil to a propane system. Dan stated that Dan Hebert feels because of the change in the economy propane would be more efficient and less costly. Steve stated that there would be three heaters in the building. Steve said they had a relatively small asbestos problem cost roughly $2,400 to take care of. Steve said that it was a very small amount when you consider the size of the building. Town Manager Chuck Connell advised that the asbestos finding was a minor amount of asbestos. Chuck further stated that in an old building is not a surprise and we do have a certificate stating that the work was done. Chairman Moore thanked Steve for the presentation.

Appointment Continued from the June 4th Meeting:
Bear Paw Trail LLC, Gardner Kellogg, Mike Norman Regarding Bear Paw subdivision on Manns Hill Road. Mike Norman advised the Board he met with George Chartier from the Highway Department and discussed the plan. Mike further advised that George said he would like to see 150 foot paved blacktop to the entrance. George also advised Mike that the Association would have to maintain the road until such time that they want to petition the Town to take over the road. Vice Chairman Bill Latulip made the motion to approve the request with the condition that there be a 150 foot paved blacktop built to the Town's road standards to the entrance and that the Association maintain the road until the time they want to petition the Town to take it over. Selectman Ed Boynton seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Town Manager's Report:
Riverwalk Committee Nominees (this item had to be tabled as the list of nominees was not included by recording secretary with the agenda). Chuck advised their first meeting is next week as an advisory committee.

Main Street Update
Chuck advised the plans are on the verge of being submitted to the NH Department of Transportation. Chuck stated they had a meeting with the DOT as well as a Main Street Meeting. Chuck said there has been a modification by the DOT to the schedule. Chuck said the DOT would not allow work between December 1st and February 1st. Chuck said they expect to start the project after Labor Day and work up to the week before Thanksgiving. The work would include the sewer and storm drains. Chuck said the work would start again on April 1st. Chuck felt they should be able to maintain our completion date or be very close to it.

Redington Street Bridge
Chuck advised that there was an informational gathering meeting. Chuck said that right now It is in the design process it is likely that we will complete all of the design process so that the work can be done October 1, 2009 The original date was for 2010, but now looks feasible for 2009. Chuck advised that he had no more information on the Police Facility and you have already heard about the Opera House.

Old Business:
Designate Street Name for property off West Main Street
Chairman Eddy Moore advised that this would be the street adjacent next to the Fire Department leading into the complex. Selectman Ed Boynton said he wanted to thank Ron Bolt for coming into the last meeting on the history of Littleton. Selectman Boynton said he wanted to offer a name for the street. Selectman Boynton said it was the wish of his mother. Selectman Boynton stated that his father served 17 years of full service as the Fire Chief on the Fire Department. Ed said that she asked if there was a way to designate names to buildings. Ed said he had it brought it up to Chairman Moore. Selectman Boynton said that in recognition for his father's years of service, he would like to suggest the name Boynton Lane in memory of his father. Rusty Bulis said that he thought it would be most appropriate to name that street. Chairman Eddy Moore introduced some information he found in some old Town Reports from the 1970's Rusty thinks some recognition would be most appropriate. Chairman Moore noted that in the 1978 Town Report it was noted that Edward P. Boynton had served 17 years as Fire Chief. Chairman Moore also noted that 1978 was the year the Town voted for the Town Manager form of government. Chairman Moore feels it would be a good gesture from the Town to name the street Boynton Lane. Selectman Ed Boynton thanked Rusty for his input. Rusty said its fun to think back on those times, but he hates to do the math. Chairman Moore asked if anyone else had any other input. No further input was made. Vice Chairman Bill Latulip made the motion to name the road going into the fire station and public works as Boynton Lane. Selectman Ed Boynton felt he should exclude himself from the vote. Chairman Eddy Moore seconded the motion. Town Manager Chuck Connell said that Ed should be able to vote and honor his mother's wishes. Selectman Ed Boynton placed his vote in favor of naming the road Boynton Lane. Motion passed 3-0.



Approve Beattie House Abatement and PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes based on payment of the municipal non-school portion of the tax rate in the amount of $20,599.94.) All three Board members decided to table this item until they had more time to consider the abatement request.

Town Manager Chuck Connell advised the Board that at the last meeting, Mr. Bolt brought the history of Littleton. Chuck said that he had met with the Historical Society that morning. Chuck advised that the Historical Society has already had it in their plans to update the history. Chuck said the 1984 Littleton History update was done by the Historical Society. Chuck said that he thinks it will become a reality. The Historical Society has a number of names, including Mr. Bolt's of whom they will be contacting.

New Business:
Approve the Town Of Littleton Statement of Safety Policy
Chuck advised the Board that this comes from the Town's Joint Loss Management Committee. Chuck said the committee found that it is a viable plan and recommend the Board renew it. Chuck noted that there are no changes to the plan since last year. Chuck asked the Board if they had any questions. The Board had no questions. Chuck stated that the committee takes their responsibility very seriously. Ron Bolt said that he was not familiar with this committee. Chuck advised that any city that hires more than five people must have this committee. It is called a safety committee and it is either served to fill a block or to do good. Ron Bolt asked who was on the committee. Chuck provided the names of the committee members as follows: Bill Brusseau, Paul Smith, Michael Spaulding, Karen Noyes, Jackie King and Ronald Verret. Selectman Ed Boynton made the motion to accept the safety policy. Vice Chairman Bill Latulip seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0

St. Rose of Lima Parish request to close the access to Jackson & Clay Street On August 3rd for the Annual Parish Picnic from 12:00 PM

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