Littleton, New Hampshire

Approved BOS Meeting Minutes Jan 2, 2008

LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
JANUARY 2, 2008
COMMUNITY CENTER, HEALD ROOM

Present: Chairman Burton Ingerson, Vice Chairman Eddy Moore, Selectman Brien Ward, Town Manager Charles Connell, Ceil Stubbings Executive Secretary

Chairman Burton Ingerson called the Public Hearing to order at 5:30 PM regarding Charter Amendment as noticed below.
TOWN OF LITTLETON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC HEARING regarding CHARTER AMENDMENT

As prescribed by RSA 49-B: 5 IV (a), the Board of Selectmen will hold a Public Hearing on January 2, 2008, at 5:30 PM, in the Heald Room at the Community Center, to discuss and receive public comment on a proposed amendment to the Town of Littleton Charter presented below.

"To see if the Town of Littleton will vote to amend its Charter to repeal the sidewalks and hydrants precinct."

The affect of this amendment would be to eliminate the Sidewalks and Hydrant Precinct. In so doing, all property owners in the Town will be taxed the same amount rather than to have a special assessment levied on properties in proximity to Town water lines.

Vice Chairman Eddy Moore stated the purpose of the amendment is to do away with the sidewalk and hydrant precincts. Town Manager Chuck Connell advised that a question was raised that the Charter does not speak to a precinct per say. The question was asked regarding the Warrant article. Chuck stated he has checked with the Town's legal council regarding the question of whether people understood it as a precinct or a special tax. He further asked if council if due to the wording in the notice did it nullify the hearing. The Town's legal stated that it did not nullify the hearing and was advised to use the alternative language as follows:

To see if the voters in the Town of Littleton will vote to amend it's Charter by repealing Section 12, "Special Tax." This Special Tax provides for an additional tax levied upon all properties abutting sidewalks, having sewer connections or that are within 500 feet of a hydrant; this tax provides for construction, management, maintenance and repair of sewer lines and sidewalks. When successfully repealed, the cost of construction, management, maintenance and repair of sewer lines and sidewalks will be part of the Town's overall tax rate.

Chairman Ingerson noted that the wording states we would have to pay for the repair and maintenance of a sewer line. He feels the Town should only do this for the sidewalks. Selectman Ward said the currently the special tax is for the repair and maintenance of the hydrants and the repair and maintenance of the sidewalks. Chairman Ingerson disagreed. Vice Chairman Eddy Moore read Section 12 again. Selectman Ward asked Town Manager Chuck Connell exactly what they were trying to amend Section 12 to. He asked that Chuck contact legal council for clarity.

Town Manager stated that the Town wants a vote to amend this Charter by repealing Section 12. Chuck stated that the Town does not want to repeal Section 12 only amend it. It appeals to sidewalks and hydrants and as Selectman Brien Ward stated hydrant rentals. Water & Light rents some hydrants. This special tax is levied upon all properties being 500 feet within a hydrant and the rental of hydrants and sidewalks. Chuck said he would pass this through legal council.

Chairman Ingerson said that he has been arguing over insurance rates related to this for years. He had done some checking and said that the rates are the same five miles out of the range of the Fire Department. Vice Chairman Eddy Moore said the insurance rating is determined by the Fire Department's capability. Town Manager Chuck Connell commented that the availability of water is a major player in determining insurance rates.

Chairman Ingerson asked if there were any other concerns regarding the Hearing. There being no further concerns or comments he asked for a motion to close the public hearing.

Vice Chairman Eddy Moore placed the motion to adjourn the hearing. Selectman Ward seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

The hearing adjourned at 5:40 PM

Chairman Burton Ingerson called the Board of Selectman Meeting to order at 5:59 PM

Present: Chairman Burton Ingerson, Vice Chairman Eddy Moore, Selectman Brien Ward, Town Manager Chuck Connell, Carol Cullen Zoning Officer/Administrative Manager, Ceil Stubbings Executive Secretary.

Citizen's Concerns:
No Citizen Concerns were addressed.

Appointments:
Gregg Eastman, Chairman of the LIDC regarding the FedEx Project.

Gregg Eastman explained they have been working very long and hard to sell this property to Baseline Corporation. Gregg explained they are almost there and ask for the Board of Selectmen's support for a conservation easement. Ray Lobdell of Lobdell Associates presented the plans to the selectmen. They propose to mitigate 29 acres of the roughly 80,000 square feet into a conservation easement. Ray went on to state that if they were not approved for the easement before February 19th, 2008, they would have to reapply and start the process all over again. Ray explained that they have walked the land recently and met with the Conservation Commission in July 07. There is less than a quarter of wetland, there is substantial wildlife and beaver dams. They met with Richard Roach and he wanted more than to fifteen (15) to one (1) ratio that they have planned.

Chairman Burt Ingerson asked Ray how much more land was Richard Roach requesting. Ray responded by stating it was much more than they can accommodate. Ray advised the Board that he has looked at other sites and has checked all the maps but there is noting else to be able to provide. Ray is hoping that with the evidence of his good efforts to provide more land and showing there is no more available will be acceptable. Selectman Brien Ward advised the Conservation Commission has made it very clear that the Town needs to make sure there is sufficient funding for easements. Ray Lobdell responded by stating that Fedex would be happy to cover the cost of monitoring the land. Town Manager Chuck Connell asked the Board if they were going to involve the Conservation Commission as they had promised they would. Ray Lobdell stated that it is not a matter of the LIDC not wanting to work the Conservation Commission it is the timing, they cannot wait at this stage.

Chairman Ingerson asked if there were any other comments or concerns. There being no concerns or comments he asked the Board for a motion. Selectman Brien Ward placed the motion to accept the easement of 29 acres on Industrial Park Road. The easement will have to be approved by the State of New Hampshire and the Army Corps of Engineers. There should be adequate funding available for the monitoring of the land. Vice Chairman Eddy Moore seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

New Business:
Carol Cullen: Abatements:

Chairman Burton Ingerson exited the Board of Selectmen's meeting and moved the meeting into the Board of Assessors.
Carol Cullen addressed the Board and directed their attention to a Memo she provided to them regarding a number of recommended abatements.

Carol introduced the first abatement for Mrs. Charles Monty

The Town of Littleton prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital or family status. The Town of Littleton is an equal opportunity employer.

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