LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

NON PUBLIC SESSION

LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2005

Present: Chairman William Hight, Vice Chairman George Hicks, Selectman Burton Ingerson, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Tax Collector Joe Wiggett

Selectman Ingerson moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II(e) for the purpose of discussing legal matters and RSA 91-A:3 II(d) for the purpose of discussing property purchase. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0. Each Selectman was polled agreeing to go into non-public session. The Board entered non-public session at 2:00 pm.

Jason Hoch distributed a summary of costs associated with the Saranac Street issue. He noted that Bruce Taylor’s report shows a loss of $54,000 at 47 Saranac Street and a loss of $60,000 at 39 Saranac Street totaling $114,000.

The Town is in receipt of figures from Hagans Mobile Homes showing a replacement value of $44,300 for the mobile home at 47 Saranac Street. The Local Government Center has to date paid out $11,880. With an additional amount of $2,750 for personal property and incidentals this would result in a total of $88,540.

The Board of Selectmen agreed that this can be used as a reference number to start with as the mobile home can be replaced.

Included in the final number will be costs for removing any addition debris and repairing the garage doors to cover these items rather than having to deal with every single invoice.

Selectman Hicks asked about stabilizing the foundation at 39 Saranac Street. Joe Wiggett stated that Jeff Winn had looked into this but had not provided a cost for the job.

Jason Hoch distributed a sample release agreement which had been provided by the Local Government Center. The release agreement will be reviewed by Walter Mitchell of Mitchell and Bates.

Selectman Hight requested that the release agreement document be provided at the meeting so all parties can discuss the settlement number.

It was questioned if the property owners had received settlements from any other insurance claims they may have filed. If so, those settlements would be subtracted from the final settlement figure.

Jason Hoch advised the Selectmen that in the best interest of the Town, it would be advisable for him not to attend the meeting with the property owners given the animosity toward him by Khonie Poulsen. He added it would be more effective to have Joe Wiggett attend this meeting in his place.

The Board then discussed potential starting points for a settlement offer and agreed to start at less than $88,000.

After Walter Mitchell has had a chance to review the release agreement, the meeting with the property owners will be set. If the property owners insist on bringing legal counsel with them then the Board of Selectmen should be represented also and the meeting should be schedule during business hours.

Joe Wiggett left the meeting at this time.

Jason Hoch advised the Selectmen that Don Jutton had been working with Austin Smith in his endeavor to purchase Towles Trailer Park. Jason is investigating the possibility of a land swap of town owned land at the end of Lafayette avenue in exchange for 100 acres on Meadow Street.

Jason asked the Selectmen to consider purchasing the property which burned on Pleasant Street which could be used for parking. He added that the purchase of the property would be worked in combination with the parking meter fund and borrowing. At the same time, the Tuite and Small properties could be refinanced. Jason will investigate further and report back to the Board.

Selectman Ingerson moved to seal the minutes from this meeting for 90 days or until all issues have been settled. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.

Selectman Ingerson moved to come out of non-public session. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks, the Board Members were polled and the Board came out of non-public session. The meeting adjourned at 3:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Sargent

Executive Assistant

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Chairman William R. Hight

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Vice Chairman George O. Hicks

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Selectman Burton E. Ingerson