Littleton Board of
Selectmen-Meeting Minutes-February 23, 2005
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 23, 2005
Present: Chairman Burt Ingerson, Selectman George Hicks, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Excused: Vice Chairman Bill Hight
Chairman Ingerson opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:00 pm. and subsequently entered into a Board of Assessors Meeting.
Carol Cullen brought the following items before the Selectmen for their consideration:
Dave & Sue Pilotte-Request for an abatement for residence located on Crane Street, Map #93-59. The Pilotte’s believe they have been inequitably assessed in comparison to neighboring properties. Jeff Waterhouse of MRI has looked at ranch homes with approximately the same square footage as the Pilotte home and found a range of sale prices from $156,000 to $183,000. Using an equalization ratio of 61% would lead to an assessed value range of $95,200-$111,600. This would lower the assessed value from $120,300 to $109,800 resulting in an abatement of $371.70.
Selectman Hicks moved to grant the abatement request in the amount of $371.70. The motion was seconded by Chairman Ingerson and carried 2-0.
Ingeborg Champagne Trust-Request for an abatement for mobile home located at 34 Washington Street, Map #119-7-1. Unoccupied mobile home is on land own by different owner. The mobile home has been dismantled and left open to the elements. Joey Smith of MRI investigated the property with the owner and recommends the value of the mobile home be dropped from $13,300 to $2,600 resulting in an abatement of $378.78.
Selectman Hicks moved to grant the abatement request. The motion was seconded by Chiarman Ingerson and carried 2-0.
Chairman Ingerson closed the Board of Assessors meeting and returned to the Selectmen’s meeting.
Rod Marvin informed the Selectmen of his concern and exasperation in regard to a development of Jeff Winn off Beacon Street which has caused an ice buildup in a ditch in the right-of-way between his and Mr. Winn’s property. Mr. Marvin stated this situation is going to cause severe drainage problems in the spring. He noted he had talked to Jeff several times about the problem and had even offered to help him take care of it. To date, nothing has been done to clear the ditch of ice.
Carol Cullen read a letter which had been sent to Mr. Winn after Mr. Marvin spoke to her last week. A copy of the letter was furnished to Mr. Marvin. It was the Town’s understanding from Mr. Winn that he would take care of the problem last week.
Chairman Ingerson asked if it would be possible to have the Town go up and clear out the ditch and bill Mr. Winn. Jason said he would look into this and see if this was a possibility.
Mr. Marvin thanked the Board for their time and stated he would appreciate anything the town can do to bring about a resolution to the problem.
Eddy Moore asked the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen if there are any meetings scheduled to discuss Moore Dam in light of the recent auction of dam properties. Jason stated he has not been made aware of any pending meetings. He added the auction process may have resulted in a change from the original plans for a meeting in February.
Eddy also discussed the Ammonoosuc Green Parking lot lease with the Town. Eddy stated he has amortized the Town lease and found the total cost of the parking lot at the end of the Town loan will be $260,000 and not $200,000 as had originally been thought. He would like to see the Town purchase the lot or pay off the loan sooner. He stated money from the parking meter fund could be used for this purpose.
Jason advised that he will have to wait for the final audit figures to see what the balance of the parking meter fund is. He added the lease of the parking lot had come about as a recommendation from the Economic Development Task Force and the Town had gone with this recommendation. The lease agreement was approved by warrant article at a special town meeting in 2001. Jason stated he will study the final figures when they are available and he and the Selectmen will come up with a policy recommendation.
Joe Wiggett presented two Opera House recommendations for the Board’s consideration.
Due to the rising and high cost of heating fuel, he is recommending the following changes be made to the Opera House use fee schedule:
An additional 10% fuel surcharge be added to all non-exempt renters of the Opera House during the six-month period starting November 1st through April 30th.
A $25 charge will be applied for all exempt renters during this period.
Joe added the cost to heat the Opera House this winter was $1098.34 or $35.43 per day in October; $1403.29 or $46.78 per day in November; $1571.18 or $50.68 per day in December and $1980.79 or $63.90 per day in January.
The Selectmen agreed these changes were not excessive and if the cost of heating fuel does continue to rise, they may have to amend the fee schedule accordingly.
Selectman Hicks moved to approve the recommendation as stated above. The motion was seconded by Burt Ingerson and carried 2-0.
Joe also recommended to the Selectmen that the restrooms at the Opera House be locked and keys be provided to the Police Department and renters of the facility. The bathrooms are being deliberately plugged and this has cost the Town $628.64 in 2005. The entire budget for plumbing repairs is $1000 for 2005.
Selectman Hicks moved to approve the recommendation to lock the Opera House restrooms. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 2-0.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Jason noted that Chris Tyler of the Littleton Police Department has been awarded the NH Congressional Law Award. Jason stated this was a tremendous honor and the Town is very proud of Chris. A formal ceremony will be held at Police Standards and Training sometime later in the year. Jason added this award follows Chris’ Employee of the Year award which he received in December. Chris was nominated for the Employee of the Year by his fellow workers in recognition of his dedication and fine work.
The finishing touches are currently in progress for the 2004 Town Report.
This week there were meetings held with the Main Street Reconstruction engineers regarding the heated sidewalk project, VHB met with the design committee regarding the streetscape and the evaluation team will meet on Friday morning for two sessions.
Jason will be meeting with the DiPierres and Bob Greene at the request of the Planning Board before the Greene subdivision come back before the Planning Board. It is hoped that the parties can resolve some of their differences before this application is heard.
Jason, Steve Keeney, George Brodeur and Dave Baker have met to discuss traffic issues around the vicinity of the Daisy Bronson School. Traffic issues include pedestrian as well as motor vehicle and bus problems. There may be some adjustments to the traffic flow in the next couple of months.
Jason and Bill Hight met with representatives of the Senior Center to discuss options regarding funding and feasibility on a potential expansion to their existing facility.
We are currently in our second month of our new investment program with Laconia Bank and things are going well.
The Highway Department recently set up a traffic mirror at New Dimensions on Cottage Streetto monitor the blind driveway. The mirror was found to be ineffective and was taken down. A “blind driveway” sign will be installed instead. The mirror may be helpful if it can be placed at the blind driveway exit behind the Masonic Temple.
Jason stated the Governor’s new education funding bill, if approved, will mean over $600,000 in funding for Littleton. He emphasized if this is true, it would mean a decrease in taxes next year as the school cannot spend more than their budget approved at Town Meeting.
The DOT has sent a bridge report update to the Town. Jason noted the report has not changed from last year.
Mike Stein will be working with Jason on the Badger Street and Kelley Lane sewer upgrades. It will be decided whether to complete the work in 2 stages or complete the work in 2006.
The Selectmen recommended that North Country Council revisit the 10-year reconstruction plan as they feel it is over burdened. Jason will let NCC know of the Board’s recommendation.
Selectman Hicks moved to appoint Mary Swinyer to finish the Library Trustee term of David McLure who has resigned. Selectman Ingerson seconded the motion and it carried 2-0.
Selectman Hicks moved to accept the minutes of January 26, 2005 as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 2-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent
Executive Assistant
___________________________ ___________________________
Chairman Burton E. Ingerson Selectman George O. Hicks
_________________________
Vice Chairman William R. Hight