Littleton
Board of Selectmen-Meeting Minutes-May 11, 2005
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
MAY 11, 2005
Present: Chairman William Hight, Vice Chairman George Hicks, Selectman Burt Ingerson, Town Manager Jason Hoch and Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
County Commission Ray Burton gave the Selectmen an update and overview on activities in Grafton County. He noted that the County is operating on the last few weeks of the current budget and that the budget for fiscal year 2006 has been prepared and sent out for approval. There is a 5.01% increase in the 06 budget due to the increasing costs of health care and three proposed new positions in the Department of Corrections. A new program is being proposed for Grafton County called ‘Drug Court”. The program is being started with $26,000 seed money and the County is applying for federal funds to help offset some of the costs. It is hoped that this program will decrease the prison population by providing an alternative sentencing option to incarceration. There is only one other Town in the State (Dover) using this alternative and they have been very pleased with its success. Selectman Ingerson asked Commissioner Burton if this new program would create added burden on out local police departments. Commissioner Burton stated he would investigate this and get to Burt with information.
Commissioner Burton state the County has been offered an opportunity to sell three acres of County land to an abutter, Harry Hatch, for $25,000. The Delegation has approved of the sale pending an appraisal which should be done shortly.
Selectman Hicks asked if the County farm was self sustaining. Commissioner Burton state that with the current price of milk, the farm is doing very well even showing a slight profit. When the price of milk is down the farm can make up the difference in the sale of vegetable from the farm. The farm is operated by a 3-person crew with assistance from eight or nine inmates.
Commissioner Burton handed out copies of a booklet explaining Grafton County Government and went through the handout pointing out different areas of interest.
The Selectmen thanked Commissioner Burton for coming in and for his service to the County.
Milt Bratz, Dan Cullen and Bob Butson stated they were contacting area towns for support in starting a Boys and Girls Club. They are being sponsored in part by the Littleton Coin Company. The Boys and Girls Club will serve children from grades 3-6 with some middle school student anticipated at some point in the future. The program is an after school program which has been shown to be the time when most children who end up with drug abuse problems tend to participate in drug activities. All program activities will have strict supervision. The program is being started with a grant of $25,000. They are currently using the facilities at the Four Seasons after searching for a suitable building but not finding a suitable area. The Four Seasons is currently building an additional building adjacent to their present facility. Some of the activities will be shifted from the old building to the new one when it is completed. It is anticipated that their yearly budget for next year will be $217,000. They will come in at some point to the Town to see if they can become a line item for some funding on the Town Warrant for Town Meeting. There is transportation costs of $30,000 a year to provide bus transportation.
Chairman Hight asked if the new Recreation Director, Ryan Glass, has been advised of the program. Jason will forward their brochure on to Ryan.
Mr. Butson stated that presently they are charging $40 a year for dues but have a sliding scale of $25 a year for some of the Children. He noted there are situations where even $25 a year is difficult for some of the children.
Dan Cullen stated they are in the process of kicking off a campaign to get pledges from area businesses and sponsors and support from the Town.
They will keep the Board updated on any new developments and thanked them for their time.
Jan Edick handed out two statements which he read to those in attendance. He outlined the role and function of the Conservation Commission and apologized for not doing a better job in communicating with the Select Board. He also voiced concern to the Board regarding a discussion that took place at the Selectmen’s Meeting of April 13, 2005. He stated that due to the nature of the conversation regarding Eddy Moore’s issue of his possible conflict of interest and his absence due to him being out of the country, the discussion should have been postponed until his return or taken up in non-public session.
Chairman Hight expressed his disappointment in the lack of communication from the Conservation Commission. It was noted that the Selectmen have not received minutes from the Conservation Commission in a very long time. Chairman Hight state that the Commission members are appointed by the Selectmen and carry out their duties under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen. He added his concern grew when members who had been on the committee for many years started to resign because they did not feel that they were wanted on the Commission due to a difference of opinion on some matters. Chairman Hight noted that on a Board or Commission there should be some compromise and an effort to move forward. He added the Selectmen do not always agree on matters but they compromise on the issue and move ahead.
Selectmen Hicks and Ingerson both stated the resignations which have been given by Commission Members (some of which had been on the Commission for many years) pointed to a compatibility problem with the Chairman and Members. Their decision to not re-appoint Mr. Edick was an attempt to correct what they saw and believed to be the problem.
Chairman Hight moved to close the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting and opened the Board of Assessors meeting.
Carol Cullen presented the Selectmen with a list of fiveabatement requests from Birch Hill Realty, Willow Street Associates, Mike & Carol Sturbin, Khonie Poulsen & Mike Kilby and Kate & Troy Sullivan which have been recommended by Joe Lessard of MRI. The total of the abatement requests are $19,724.49.
Selectman Hicks asked if it would be possible to delay action on these until after the reval. Carol noted that at least two of the abatements requests involve cases which are close to coming before the BTLA.
Selectman Hicks moved to approve the five abatement requests as recommended by Joe Lessard. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Carol told the Selectmen there will be a lot of forms they will need to sign regarding updates to the Veteran’s, Elderly and Current Use forms.
Vision has been visiting properties in Town to double check the work done in the assessing office. A notice has gone into the Courier advising property owners that Vision personnel are visiting properties in the area.
Chairman Hight closed the Board of Assessors Meeting and re-opened the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting.
Khonie Poulsen asked if the Town has had a chance to study the report submitted by Bruce Taylor on her Saranac Street property. Jason stated that he has received the report. He asked if she had received any other estimates. Khonie stated she had received an estimate from Dan Hubbard for $105,600 and that there is another estimate which she understood was in the mail but has not been received as yet. Khonie stated she feels the town should put an offer on the table and start from there. Jason noted that the auditors will be here soon and he has some logistical questions for them. Khonie requested that the Town Manager and Selectmen meet with her and her husband on some Saturday to discuss further. The Selectmen could not promise Khonie that they would be available to meet on a Saturday. Khonie stated that she wanted to let the Selectmen know that the land is not for sale.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
The town is ready to move on the next stage on the plans for water and sewer reconstruction on Bishop and Bronson Street. There will be some work done on the Maple Street sidewalk as well as the sidewalk on Riverside Drive. Most of the grading has been done and the sweeper has now been repaired and is back in service. There is a test patch on a section of the Riverwalk path which is being monitored to see how it holds up
Vision will be visiting some property owners to double check assessing figures in preparation for the reval. The interns are taking photos for the data base of all properties. There have been some questions fielded in the Town Office regarding an income questionnaire which was sent by vision to some businesses in town.
Although the Welfare Department has been very active, to date, the Town has spent only $750 more than last year at this time.
Tony Ilacqua and Larry Jackson spent a considerable amount of time on cleanup day. There was a limited turnout for the event.
Jason and Tony Ilacqua sent out approximately 40 letters inviting contractors to attend a meeting to discuss the feasibility of recycling demolition debris. There were only 3 contractors who turned out for the meeting. The scale would be the major expense in getting this program started and the Town could charge by the cubic yard for a while until a scale could be purchased. They are looking at a charge of approximately $35-$40/ton.
Jason noted that he will be furnishing the Littleton Regional Hospital four years of the Town’s health utilization reports which they will study to see if they can advise the Town of some ways in which we can cut health costs.
The Tri-Town Agreement documents have been forwarded to Town Counsel. Christine Walker of North Country Council is working on the final submittals to EDA.
Jason has been working with Judy White and have come close to agreeing on a wage adjustment which would be effective on June 1st.
Brien Ward will be giving a presentation on Monday evening which will document the progress Littleton has made economically over the last ten years.
The Chamber of Commerce kicked off their membership drive last Monday.
Jason has met with School Board Members Milt Bratz and Diane Cummings to discuss the feasibility of a school/town joint technology program. This program could mean that this program would make it possible for the town and school to buy and share equipment as well as software.
Jason is in receipt of the draft design for the Redington Street Bridge replacement. Selectman Hight asked if the bridge replacement will mean losing or relocating the tennis court. He noted this tennis court always seem to be very busy. Jason stated that the final design plan may mean relocating the bridge and relocating the tennis court.
Jason told the Selectmen his schedule will conflict with the second meeting of the Selectmen for May and June and asked if they could meet once a month for May and June. The Selectmen agreed to this request.
Selectmen Ingerson stated he had promised Don Butson the Selectmen would participate in the Memorial Day parade. The parade will start at Hitchiners and end at the Armory.
Chairman Hight stated he had noticed that some businesses were striping their parking lots and asked when the Town would be painting the roads. Jason noted the weather had only been warm for a couple of days.
The meeting adjourned at 5:45 pm.
Selectmen Ingerson asked to re-open the meeting for unfinished business. The Selectmen’s Meeting was re-opened at 5:47 pm.
Selectman Ingerson moved to appoint Val Poulson as swing members from the Planning Board to the Conservation Commission. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Selectman Ingerson moved to appoint Brien Ward to the Conservation Commission. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted, ________________________
Cheryl Sargent Vice Chairman George O. Hicks
Executive Assistant
_______________________ ________________________
Chairman William R. Hight Selectman Burton E. Ingerson