Littleton, New Hampshire

Approved Non-Public Session Feb 23, 2010

TOWN OF LITTLETON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S NON-PUBLIC SESSION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010
PER RSA 91-A:3 II(d)
TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
2:54 PM

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

Connell made the recommendation to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II (d) to discuss the parameters of the Opera House lease agreements. Ed Boynton moved to go into non-public session. Ron Bolt seconded the motion. After a unanimous roll call vote the board entered into the non-public session at 2:54 PM.

Town Manager Chuck Connell said that prior to the Board of Selectmen's meeting he had been working with town council. Connell said he provided a draft copy of the lease to the Chamber. The Chamber's changes to the lease were the terms of the lease and the ratification of it. Connell said those were the only changes made. Connell said that at the last meeting it struck him that people were trying to renegotiate from the audience. The purpose of the lease is April 1st to March 31st of next year and changes the date to the 2011 Town Meeting. Connell told the board the Chamber is doing more than just the venue. Connell said they are the only ones in the building and they are responsible for the security and the common areas. Connell said the town should look for someone to clean the general areas. Connell said it is critical to get these leases done as soon as possible. Ed Boynton asked Connell if he was proposing we do something now. Connell said he was ready to go last week. Connell said the leases have to be signed and ratified.

Eddy Moore said he has found that the closer you get to election time people get more edgy about what your going to pull before election. If you cancel the meeting then you're hiding something. Moore said he found that the closer you get the harder it is to do something. Whatever we decide to do today may not be accepted. Moore said this kind of thing goes on in Bethlehem constantly. Moore said we learned something in the last month and that is the commission is supposed to look over the venue. Moore said the Chamber is going to rent from us and that brings conflict when the commission is appointed. Moore said his thought is to tie the commission closely to the Chamber. Connell told Moore that he did not get any reaction when he said that in public. Connell said the commission could very well function as the policy maker for the Opera House and the Chamber as the people to implement the policy. Ron Bolt said he did not hear anything from anyone in the audience that would make him want to change the lease. Bolt said they are going to manage the space and he thinks it is a good deal. Connell said that one of the provisions the Chamber talked about is sub-contracting a professional. Connell said we owe it to them to come up with a lease and he needs to know if he has the Board of Selectmen's support. Bolt said the lease that we are looking for would replace what we have now and be good for one year. And the next one would have a five-year term. Connell said it would be two five-year terms with a five-year renewable. Moore said the Chamber voted to spend $85,000 into the building.
Connell said the Weathervane Theater is the only competition. Connell said they have had wrestling matches in there. Bolt said it was never going to be a moneymaker it was supposed to be a community thing. Connell said and he agrees with Bolt. Connell said the Chamber thought that splitting half of the net from their management would add funds to their operating budget. Connell said he believes they have already identified the contractor. Connell said does not believe food or alcohol should be allowed in the building. Connell said it is more heartache then good. Connell said that when he asked for this meeting he did not know where we were going with this. Connell said at some point you are going to have to stand up and say your staying with the formula that you have. Bolt said he would not change anything. Boynton moved to come out of non-public session. Bolt seconded. A unanimous roll call vote was taken and the board came out of non-public session at 3:13 PM. Bolt made note that the board decided not to seal the minutes. The meeting adjourned at 3:14 PM.

Respectfully submitted
Ceil Stubbings

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