Littleton Board of Selectmen-Meeting Minutes-February 25, 2004
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FEBRUARY 25, 2004
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: George Hicks, Selectman Bill Hight, Selectman Burt Ingerson, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Administrative Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Chairman Hicks opened the work session at 3:05 pm. Don Jutton, Cathy Conway, Jeff Taylor and Marty Kennedy were present to give presentations to the Board.
Don Jutton noted the $750,000 TCSP grant to which Littleton was the sponsor . Sharing with other communities was part of the agreement with NHDOT. The grant will also benefit the communities of Meredith, Berlin/Gorham, Tamworth and Dover. Selectman Ingerson asked if there was a breakdown as to how the money was allocated for each community participating in the project. Don will get these figures for the Board.
Jeff Taylor updated the Selectmen on the status of the Planning Board’s work in revising and updating the Master Plan. He distributed the 4 chapters which have been reviewed by the Board. He noted there will be an additional 2 chapters ready for Tuesday night’s Planning Board meeting for the Board’s review . Mr. Taylor explained that the Master Plan is part of the basis for a Capital Improvement Plan. The Master Plan consists of a Vision Statement and a Land Use Plan. There are additionally 13 or 14 other topics recommended by Office of State Planning which would be included in the Master Plan. In August, the Littleton Planning Board drafted a Vision Statement. They have reviewed six draft chapters and made recommendations for changes. There will be public informational meeting on March 20, 2004 from 9:00am to 12:00 for the public to provide further input and review the chapters which have been worked on to date. The information from the recent survey will be discussed at this time.
Marty Sullivan presented draft plan of Main Street which he feels projects a safer and more efficient traffic configuration for both pedestrians and drivers. The plan identifies major crosswalk areas. There were several concepts shown regarding parking. The plan calls for a 40’width and wider sidewalks. The concept of back-in parking was discussed briefly. Jason asked if this type of parking is used anywhere in the area. Marty noted as far as he knew it was not used in New England. It is common in other towns around the country. He noted it is a option which can be considered by the Town. Jason asked if this was something which could be tried as an experiment. Marty stated the experiment would have to be carried out with a lot of forethought. The Selectmen had some question regarding the proposed bump outs. Marty noted the bump outs can be designed to accommodate the snow plows. Parking meters were also discussed and their possible relocation. Don Jutton stated there are some municipalities issue tickets for parking. The tickets are placed on the windshields of parked vehicles. Marty noted a full traffic plan will be forthcoming. He will be meeting with Main Street merchants The Selectmen asked if VHB had looked at other areas in Town when working on the traffic study. Cathy Conway stated other than Cottage Street which had been studied due to traffic issues, she did not think any other area in Town had been studied.
The Work Session concluded and Chairman Hicks opened the Public Hearing at 3:45 pm to discuss the acceptance and expenditure of a grant in the amount of $25,000 awarded from the Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund to coordinate the Ammonoosuc River Corridor Assessment and Enhancement Project. It was explained that the Town will be expected prove a soft match of $2,500 in administrative assistance for the project.
Ray Lobdell explained to those present the grant will be used to build on information from past studies of impacts along the Ammonoosuc River. An Advisory Committee will be formed with representatives from each Town and will consist of members from the development community, farming community and recreation community. The project will consist of three phases. In the first phase of the project the corridor will be defined and GIS mapping will be done in conjunction with a grant received by the Profile School District The second year phase will consist of compiling study material and the third year will consist of implementing the data into a model ordinance and buffer regulation. A data base of long term water quality monitoring will be created. .
Brien Ward inquired as to what had happened to the wetland banking mitigation program which was started several years ago. He stated the material had been submitted and he had not heard anything further on it. Ray told him the DES mitigation rules are ready to be adopted this month or next month.
Selectman Ingerson moved to accept and expend funds from the $25,000 grant as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Chairman Hicks closed the Public Hearing and opened the Board of Assessors meeting. Carol Cullen presented the following items for the Board’s consideration:
Littleton Union School District-Request for Abatement in the amount of $2,622.26 in addition to interest. Selectman Hight moved to grant the request for abatement. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Brammer Rev. Trust/Hagan Current Use Release-Blackberry Lane, tax map 57-13-Applicant is requesting an abatement of Current Use Release in the amount of $910.00. Current Use release was paid on a total acreage of 1.43 acres which after a boundary line adjustment became designated as town property for a soccer field. Selectman Hight moved to grant the request for abatement. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Brenda Doolan-Request that interest in the amount of $355.16 be forgiven, however; she will pay the taxes in the amount of $1,500.21. A Zoning Clearance Permit will be applied for and the mobile home will be removed from the property. Selectman Hight moved to forgive the interest as requested. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 2-0. Selectman Ingerson did not vote on this request.
James Clough-Towles MHP-Request for Abatement-applicant is requesting an abatement of taxes in the amount of $498.01 in addition to interest in the amount of $364.43. Selectman Hicks moved to approve the request for abatement. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 2-0. Selectman Ingerson did not vote on this request.
Kenneth & Betty MacKay-Request for abatement for property located on South Street, Map 84 lot 27-applicant is requesting an abatement and a reduced assessment due to the fact that 50% of the structure has been demolished. Selectman Hight moved to grant the request for an abatement of $165.99. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 2-0. Selectman Ingerson did not vote on this request.
Todd & Shannon McKee-Request for an abatement for property located at 103 Cindy’s Drive, Map 53 lot 32-Assessed value has decreased slightly when error on the assessment card were discovered. Selectman Hight moved to approve the request for an abatement in the amount of $29.95. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 2-0. Selectman Ingerson did not vote on the abatement request.
Allen MacKay-Request for an abatement for property located at 70 Moore Court, tax map 42-18-the applicant is requesting an abatement of $1,135.07 in addition to a request that the interest be forgiven. Selectman Hight moved to approve the abatement request. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 2-0. Selectman Ingerson did not vote on the abatement request.
VNH Industrial Development Corp.-Request for an abatement for property located at 1085 Mt. Eustis Road, tax map 99, lot 42, the property owner contends subdividing 4.23 acres from the original 5.01 acres does not increase the land value. Jeff Waterhouse of MRI recommends this request be denied based on the fact if the land value is added to that of cost and accounts for any change in value since 1995, the assessed value of $412,400 does not appear to be an over-assessment. Selectman Hight moved to deny the request for abatement. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 2-0. Selectman Ingerson did not vote on the abatement request.
VNH Industrial Development Corp.-Request for an abatement for property located on 1085 Mt. Eustis Road, tax map 99 lot 18. MRI’s recommendation is to deny the abatement request but to correct building and paving value. The Building’s value as an office is limited due to the fact that it has been built as a residential dwelling. Also, the paved parking lot for the warehouse was attributed to this parcel and should be removed. Selectman Hight moved to deny the request for abatement. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 2-0. Selectman Ingerson did not vote on this abatement request.
Frank W. Porfido Jr.-Request for an abatement for property located at 46-50 Cottage Street, tax map 84 lot 18. It is MRI’s recommendation to grant the request for abatement as the assessed value at $205,500 is not reliable due to the age of the improvements and leads to more of the actual sales price of $120,000. Selectman Hight moved to grant the request for abatement. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 2-0. Selectman Ingerson did not vote on the abatement request.
Chairman Hicks closed the Board of Assessors Meeting and opened the Selectmen’s Meeting.
Brien Ward advised the Board he would like to see a committee established to study issues relating to streets, highways and traffic uses. He would like to see local members of the public come up with a global approach of addressing some of the traffic issues which Littleton is faced with. A task force could potentially look at street and road conditions and also look at traffic issues and come up with possible ideas for improving the traffic situation. Jason noted he would rather the committee be known as a Transportation Improvement Committee. Selectman Hight stated he has thought the abandoned railroad could be used as a possible by-pass to the Main Street. He would like to pursue this idea or get further information as to how it could be used as a by-pass. Selectman Ingerson voted to endorse the establishment of a committee. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Finishing touches are being made to the Town Report. It will be available at the end of the week. The Report will be available on-line, CDRom and a limited number of paper copies.
The new furnace system at the Highway garage has used $1860 in fuel as compared to $3000 last year. The new system has proven to be very energy saving and money saving as well..
Jason attended another Home Depot meeting last week. The developers are addressing building and site issues through a technical review process with town officials. Jason note the developers have been very organized and good to work with.
Bill Church’s class are now looking at dealing with snow berms. The sidewalk heating system at the school is up and running and working as hoped.
The Office of State Planning has asked Jason to give a presentation at their annual conference in May.
The Boston Post Cane will be awarded to Ruby Chandler who turned 99 in January. The Selectmen with coordinate a date and time for the presentation.
The Selectmen signed a letter encouraging support of Article #2 as presented on the Warrant.
Jason noted a letter fromm NHMA has warned Towns the State is facing a $50 million deficit at the end of the biennium.
According to DRA, our sales assessment ratio is down to 61.1%. This is not a good percentage for the town. It validates the plan to complete revaluation next year.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent,
Executive Assistant
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Chairman George O. Hicks
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Vice Chairman Burton E. Ingerson
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Selectman William R.. Hight