Littleton Board of Selectmen
Meeting-Minutes-March 24, 2004
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 24, 2004
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: Selectman Bill Hight, Selectman Burt Ingerson, Selectman George Hicks, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Excused: Town Manager Jason Hoch
Chairman George Hicks called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Selectman Hight moved to elect Selectman Ingerson Chairman of the Board for the ensuing year. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0. Selectman Hicks moved to elect Selectman Hight as Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Selectman Hight moved to approve the minutes of March 10, 2004 as amended. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
John Blake from the Conservation Commission requested permission to place a plaque on the large oak tree in the Manns Hill Cemetery in memory of Iver Watts. The Selectmen gave their permission and agreed to hold a small ceremony for the Watts family as soon as weather permits. John will contact the Selectmen when he has this arranged. A letter will be sent to the Conservation Commission
Chairman Ingerson closed the Selectmen’s Meeting and opened the Board of Assessor’s Meeting.
Carol Cullen presented the following items to the Board for action:
George and Tracy McNamara-Request for a sewer adjustment/abatement-67 Pine Street-Littleton Water and Light had made an adjustment to the reading after the sewer bill had been sent. Selectman Hicks moved to abate $129.21 as requested. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Dorothy Craigie-Dells Road parcel, abatement request. The parcel in question is a small triangular lot containing approximately .04 acres, with a utility pole in the center. The l996 revaluation value was $5400. During the intervening years the value of the parcel was discussed; however, no decision was made as to the taxable value of the lot. Mr. Craigie did not feel he should address the issue while be was on the Board. Since no tax had been paid on the parcel, and the town does not choose to dee the lot, an abatement is being requested. After discussion of the parcel, Selectman Hicks moved to assign a “no value” to the property. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Carol informed the Selectmen that in reviewing the Vision Contract with Jeff Waterhouse of MRI, it was noted there is no neighborhood theory addressed in the Contract. This is something that should be corrected and the contract amended to include this clause. She asked for permission to execute the contract as soon as it has been amended. Selectman Hicks moved to have the contract executed as soon as it has been amended. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Chairman Ingerson closed the Board of Assessors Meeting and reopened the Selectmen’s Meeting.
The Town has received a request for acceptance of Grandview Road as a Town road. Carol Cullen noted to date Grandview Road has been accepted for winter maintenance only. Highway Department Superintendent Larry Jackson has recommended Grandview Road be accepted by the Town. Selectman Hicks moved to accept Grandview Road. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Carol asked the Selectmen for permission to record the deed for the Brammer property which was conveyed to the Town by vote at this year’s Town Meeting. Selectman Hicks moved to have the deed recorded as requested. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Don Sargent and Fire Chief Paul Lopes updated the findings and recommendations of the Ladder Truck Committee’s findings. Mr. Sargent stated the Committee has determined the cost to get the current ladder truck to American Lafrance and taken apart will be approximately $32,369.00 If the truck is repairable, the cost could be applied toward the repair. The repairs could easily total $100,000 or more. In light of this cost, it is the general opinion of the committee that the Town enter into a purchase, lease or rent agreement to acquire a new truck.
Chief Lopes stated in the last three weeks there have been three calls for which they had to rely on Lisbon’s ladder truck. Lisbon’s truck is only helpful in cases where a rescue must be made as it does not have the capacity to project water up the ladder. Currently American Lafrance has a new truck at the factory which could be here in about a week. E-I has an identical truck in Burlington, Vermont which could be here in about the same length of time. Both trucks could be leased for $50,000 for the first year and lease payment which could carry over if a warrant article passed at next year’s town meeting. If the article failed, the truck would be taken back by the company. Chief Lopes stated it would be his preference to go with American LaFrance because the Town has done business with them and is familiar with them.
Selectman Hight asked if there was any Homeland Security funds available to help the Town purchase the vehicle. Chief Lopes stated under the Fire Act he has applied for and been denied a $40,000 grant for three years in a row. Currently, there are no ladder trucks being funded to rural departments. Selectman Hight asked if the new truck would come with a complete warranty and was told that it would.
Selectman Hight also asked if there was any salvage value to the old truck. Chief Lopes stated there must be some but he was not sure how much. The truck can be put out to bid but it would be uncertain as to how long it would take to find a buyer. He also added that American Lafrance does not want to take it back.
Selectman Hicks asked the ladder truck committee research as to how long a ladder truck should remain in service before it is replaced. Mr. Sargent noted he would relay this request to the Ladder Truck Committee.
Selectman Hight moved to grant authorization to go ahead in leasing the new truck from American Lafrance
Selectman Hight moved to go ahead with the first year lease plan for the new truck from American Lafrance and to endeavor to get the best dollar value out of the existing ladder truck. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Regarding re-appointments to the Planning and Zoning Board: Selectman Hicks moved to reappoint Faye White and Schuyler Sweet to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Linda MacNeil to the Planning Board. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0. It was noted there are several alternate positions available on each board.
Regarding a Littleton representative to sit on the Ammonnoosuc River Corridor Study Committee, Selectman Hicks moved to appoint Selectman Hight to the Committee. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
The Selectmen agreed to present the Boston Post Cane Award plaque to Ruby Chandler some morning next week. Joe will arrange a time with her and the Selectmen will be notified.
Mark Driscoll and Jon Wood, Littleton Park commissioners, updated the Selectmen on their search for a recreation Director. Ads have now appeared in the Courier and Caledonian Record. The Commissioner are in the process of setting up a steering committee to take part in interviewing potential applicants for the position. The committee will be made up of a person from town government, the Senior Center, a citizen at large, the school and a Parks Commissioner. The Selectmen thanked Jon and Mark for coming in and asked that they keep the Selectmen updated.
The meeting adjourned at 5:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Cheryl Sargent
Executive Assistant
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Chairman Burton E. Ingerson
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Vice Chairman William R. Hight
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Secretary George O. Hicks