LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 9, 2005
Present: Chairman Burt Ingerson, Vice Chairman Bill Hight, Selectman George Hicks, Town Manager Jason Hoch and Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
The Selectmen entered into non-public session at 3:15 pm. Mike Dickerman, Sean Sweeney and Tom Alt were interviewed individually by the Selectmen for vacant positions on the Conservation Commission. The Board returned from non-public session at 4:00 pm.
Chairman Ingerson opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:00 pm.
Dave Sircle of Aquarion gave the Selectmen an update on wastewater treatment plant operations.
He noted that the plant had received only one violation last year. This was due to the ultraviolet system failure. Readings were above maximum for one day but at the end of the month the readings had averaged out. Dave stated a lot of work had taken place at the plant last year.
The pump at the Mt. Eustis location had been repaired as well as repairs at the Lisbon Road Pump Station.
A compressor which had been located downstairs at the treatment plant was repaired and repainted and relocated to the upper level. The compressor had previously failed inspection. Major repairs were made to the belt press.
Dave Sircle commended Larry Jackson and his staff for their assistance to the Aquarion staff.
The new ultraviolet system has been ordered from Trojan and should be delivered by March 31st. The centrifuge unit plans are to be finalized next week. Dave stated he would be following up with Jason on this.
Aquarion is working with the State in an endeavor to renew their permit application. Documents are being sent to the State as they are requested. Some data, such as sample data, will not be completed until there is a break in the weather. This will insure that the data is accurate.
Once again, Dave expressed his gratitude to the Selectmen for the cooperation he has received from the Highway Department and noted his appreciation to Larry Jackson for his assistance.
He added, in closing, that there are a couple of items he wanted to make the Selectmen aware of. The red metal roof on the main building has a major leak into the MCC room where the electrical panels are located. There have been attempts to find and repair the leaks but this has not been successful. The roof was installed in 1989. Also, the grit hopper upper side will need to be redone, the lower section was done last year.
Aquarion will sponsor the girls’ little league soccer team again this year.
Bill Hight asked Dave about the status of the auxiliary generators at the plant. Dave replied that they are required to start and run them under load twice a month. They keep a log book of when the generators are run.
Burt Ingerson stated someone at Pilgrims Furniture had complained of an odor problem coming from the wastewater treatment plant. Dave suggested that anyone who experiences an odor problem should call the plant immediately so that the staff can check the wind gauge and also determine if there is a specific time of the day or night that this is happening. He stated the odor problem could also be more prevalent at times when trucks are dumping septage. This can be verified if a call is made to the plant at the time of the odor incident.
Simon Thomson from Senator Sununu’s office introduced himself to the Board and stated his visit is part of an outreach program by the Senator to gather concerns and issues from towns and relay that information back to the Senator’s office. Jason and the Selectmen thanked Simon and expressed their gratitude to Senator Sununu for taking the time to touch base with Littleton.
Jason stated he has some particular areas of concern. He would like to see full federal funding of special education. Simon stated this was an area of concern with the last four towns he had visited.
Additionally, Jason stated, health care costs are causing extreme financial strains on the Town. He would like to see different approaches to health care investigated which would be less of an impact on the tax payers.
Jason told Simon his other area of concern is with the Homeland Security Funding. Although the funds have been appreciated, he would like to see the money used to maintain staff and services the Town already has. Also, it would help if this funding could be used toward facilities especially in light of the fact that this has been the second year in a row that a warrant article for a new police facility was defeated at Town Meeting.
Simon stated he would relay this information to Harold Parker at his office and ask him to get in touch with Jason.
Bill Hight stated he is curious about the group of people who are protesting against oil drilling in Alaska. He would like to know who this group is and what percentage of the population is made up of this group. Simon replied that Senator Sununu is open to exploring the option of drilling for oil in Alaska.
Jason and the Selectmen thanked Simon for coming to the meeting. Simon stated he would be returning from time to time to keep communication going.
Joe Wiggett told the Selectmen the lease on the current copy machine is due to expire. He has found a new copier which will be $24.83 less a month to lease and will have the capacity to do much more than our current machine. At the end of five years, the Town would own the machine. He is requesting permission to replace the copier.
Selectman Hight moved to authorize Jason to enter into a lease agreement with Laconia Bank to purchase the new copier. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Eddy Moore stated he has asked that the Water & Light monthly financial statements be sent to Cheryl’s attention and that she provide copies to the Selectmen when they come in. Water & Light will also make sure that the Town receives a copy of the minutes from their meetings.
Jane Keifer from 271 Crane Street was in to see the Selectmen in regard to a frozen culvert which she says has caused water to run into her family room. She noted she had talked to Burt Ingerson by phone recently about her problem. She claims the Town in the process of repaving Crane Street, changed the grade of the road which is causing water from the frozen culvert to run into her home.
Jason stated the problem had been referred to the Town’s insurance company. A claims adjuster for the insurance company stated there was a crack in the foundation of the building which is where the water was coming in. Ms. Keifer wanted to know where the crack in the foundation is located and if she can obtain a copy of the claims report. Jason stated that the Town does not have a copy of the report but she is free to contact the insurance company and request a copy. He added if it would help, he will call the insurance company and request that a copy of the report be sent to her. Ms. Keifer stated that as the Town has a history of trying to correct the problem she feels this is an indication that the Town is responsible for her problem. She added the only time the water runs into her home is when the culvert freezes up.
Bill Hight stated that if the problem is as Burt believes and there is a leak between the floor and wall, water will continue to come in even after a heavy rain. It is the responsibility of the home owner to find the location of the leak and correct the problem. Furthermore, this culvert is on private property and is the responsibility of the property owner.
The Selectmen agreed to have Larry Jackson research the work done on Crane Street. They also agreed that they will let the insurance handle the claim and will not interfere with this process.
Joe, Carol and Jason have been studying Representatives Mike Asselin’s bill regarding state property taxes and have determined that if this bill is passed, it will not cause a tremendous administrative burden on the Town. It would mean between $600, 000 to $1,000,000 gain for the Town. Selectman Ingerson asked if this would mean that every one would receive a tax bill from the Town as well as a tax bill from the State. Jason stated that property owners who owned more than one property would get two tax bills. He will continue to monitor the progress of the bill and keep the Selectmen informed as developments occur.
In 2004 the Supreme Court ruled that telephone poles and right-of-ways could be taxed as real estate. Jason told the Board that Attorney Sansoucy is working on a formula which can be applied so a system can be used for taxing these items. There are, in addition to Littleton, approximately 30 other communities which are also working on a plan to tax these items. Selectman Ingerson asked Jason if these will include State right-of-ways as well as Town right-of-ways. Jason stated that as far as he knows, all right-of-ways would be included.
Carol Cullen is working on letters which will be sent out to property owners to obtain updated information on current use, veterans and elderly exemptions.
The Transfer Station is currently working on updating their operations manual as well as a draft recycling ordinance.
The Town Report is online as well as on CD. There will also be a small quantity of printed copies for those who cannot access a computer. We are encouraging people to get the document in electronic form if possible.
Jason went over a few of the changes in the Adelphia Cable Franchise Agreement. The contract will be good for 11 years. He stated he would like Eddy Moore to take a look at it also.
EDA has formerly invited the Town to apply for grant funds for the Tri-Town Industrial Park project. This is the next step in the grant procedure and is an indication that the EDA liked the project which was outlined in the preliminary application which was sent to them.
In other business, Selectman Hicks moved to appoint Bill Hight as Board Chairman for the ensuing year. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried. Selectman Ingerson moved to appoint Selectman Hicks as Vice Chairman for the ensuing year. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hights and carried.
Selectman Hicks moved to accept the minutes of February 23, 2005 as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent
Executive Assistant
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Chairman William R. Hight Vice Chairman George O. Hicks
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Selectman Burton E. Ingerson