Littleton Board of
Selectmen Meeting-Minutes-April14, 2004
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 14, 2004
LITTLETON OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: Chairman Burt Ingerson, Selectman George Hicks, Selectman Bill Hight, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Chairman Ingerson opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:00 pm.
Selectman Hight moved to approve the minutes of March 24, 2004 as amended. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Police Chief Cam Brown updated the Selectmen on the current status of the Police Department Auxiliary Program. He explained the members of the auxiliary program do not have any sworn powers or the power of arrest. They do not wear uniforms but will wear khaki colored pants and dark blue polo shirts. Officer Smith has offered two training sessions to the program members, one session on March 31st and the second on April 7th. Selectman Ingerson asked if there were any students involved in the auxiliary. Chief Brown stated there are currently 4 members and 2 potential members in the program and they are over 30 years old. There has been interest in the past in the Explorer Program which was geared toward students. This interest has waned over the years. Chief Brown noted the auxiliary members can greatly offset the cost of having a special officer on duty for special events especially when traffic control is an issue. The Select Board thanked Chief Brown for bringing them up to date on the auxiliary program.
Chairman Ingerson closed Board of Selectmen’s Meeting to open the Board of Assessors’ Meeting.
Carol Cullen asked for approval to abate a $554.07 jeopardy warrant for a mobile home in the name of Elizabeth King. The mobile home has been removed and was only on the lot for 7 days in this tax period from April 1st. In addition, King had an elderly excemption and was paying nothing in taxes.Selectman Hicks moved to approve granting the abatement. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Chairman Ingerson closed the Board of Assessor’s meeting and reopened the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting.
Carol Cullen requested approval for Waivers of Liability for Murphy Realty, property off Meadow Street and for Steve Fenoff for property on Osborne Farm Road.
Selectman Hicks moved to approve the Waiver of Liability for Murphy Realty and Steve Fenoff. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Jason brought the Selectmen up to date on the situation regarding the ladder truck. He noted two weeks ago the Selectmen had agreed to rent the truck from American Lafrance with the option to purchase the truck after the next Town Meeting if the purchase was approved by the voters. When the paper work from American LaFrance arrived, it was written as an outright sale with payments which they have designated as rent or lease payments. They are relying on an agreement which includes a non-appropriations clause. Local banks have not been interested yet in financing this.
Jason noted there is a possibility that the Town could hold a Special Town Meeting in conjunction with the primary election next fall. This would mean the Town would not have to wait until Town Meeting in March of 2005. The Special Town Meeting will require a couple of months lead time to prepare and will cost the town approximately $2000.00. We would not have to wait until September to get the truck here. Jason noted he is not happy about this option as it was not what the voters were told at this past town meeting. On the other hand, he stated, the Town is not equipped presently to provide fire protection to certain areas in town.
Selectmen Hight stated he felt the public will be informed of this problem by the news media covering this meeting. He stated it is best to see what kind of feedback is given to them after people have been made aware of the problem.
Selectman Ingerson agreed, stating he is not prepared at this time to vote to go ahead with the purchase of a ladder truck as outlined by Jason at this meeting. He added this is not what the voters were told at Town Meeting and this is not what they voted for. He will not vote in favor of going ahead with the purchase.
Selectman Hicks noted he is not happy with the situation but feels we need to have a ladder truck here now. He appreciated the cooperation and assistance we have gotten from Lisbon but it is not fair to continue to expect them to be available to Littleton indefinitely.
Eddy Moore stated he felt the proposed fall Special Town Meeting is a symbol of good faith to the voters.
Jason advised it is not prudent or responsible to wait until September to get the truck here.
Selectman Hicks moved to have Jason proceed with leasing the truck. Selectman Ingerson stated he cannot go back on what he has told the voters as this loses credibility.
Selectman Hight agreed with Selectman Ingerson adding he wants to see what kind of feedback comes from the public after the situation has been made known.
Jason emphasized the ladder truck was taken off the road in January and our situation has not changed. He appreciates the good will of Lisbon and is extremely grateful for their help. At this point, Jason asked for direction from the Selectmen as to how they wished him to proceed. The consensus was to get the story out to the public and monitor the feedback. The Board will make a decision when they meet again in two weeks. Jason stated he would call American LaFrance to let them know the situation but advised the Selectmen that the company may not be able to hold the truck for this long.
Jason asked for a vote on Selectmen Hicks’ motion to proceed with leasing the ladder truck. The vote was 1-2. The motion was defeated.
The Police Facility Committee met last week and have decided to stay with their original concept. They will be developing a letter of interest and working toward a request for proposals from contractors who express an interest in the project. After responses from the letters of interest and RFP’s have been received, the Town will hold a bidders conference. Jason feels this will keep the momentum going.
Selectman Hight stated he hoped the design build will include a turnkey operation so the Town will not be saddled with additional expenses in getting the new facility up and running.
Jason discussed the Woodard & Curran contract for Bishop and Bronson Streets sewer and storm water design. Selectmen Hight moved to authorize Jason Hoch to enter into all contracts regarding sewer and storm water re-design. This includes the contract for Bronson and Bishop Streets. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Department Heads met with a member of NHMA last Friday morning to go over a proposed staff evaluation process. The Department Heads continue to work on this project together.
Fire Chief Paul Lopes is working on updating the Emergency Management plan for Littleton.
Our annual audit will take place in two weeks. Greg Colby from Plodzik and Sanderson has met with Jason and Karen to go over some pre-audit information. Jason noted values will need to be assigned to all physical infrastructure as part of compliance with GASBBY rules.
The Town is in the process of obtaining EPA storm water re-permitting. Material is being gathered to send with the permit.
The landfill closure will be completed in June. Work has gone well and according to schedule.
Jason will be giving a presentation on Strategic Management at Primex next Friday.
Jason will be meeting with Dan Stearns of the Opera House Committee regarding where the Committee stands regarding the future of the Opera House.
The Town is seeking re-authorization for the storage tank. DES has incorrectly numbered the site and Jason is trying to get this straightened out with the State.
Regarding the Main Street redesign project, Jason stated the public input has been mixed. He noted there had been favorable comments as well as negative feedback.
Selectman Hicks moved to make the following appointments:
Ralph Ross to the Littleton Water & Light Commission for a term of three years.
Donna Trahan to the Zoning Board of Adjustment as alternate for a term of three years.
Gene Landoc to the Zoning board of Adjustment as alternate for a term of three years.
The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Regarding a complaint from a resident, Mrs. McCord, who made allegations of unsightly conditions on North Skinny Ridge Road; Jason informed the Selectmen he and Carol will be getting back into these types of situations this spring. They will be following up on the complaint.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 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