LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

MAY 26, 2004

LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM

Present: Chairman Burt Ingerson, Vice Chairman Bill Hight, Selectman George Hicks, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent

Chairman Ingerson opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:00 pm.

Don Jutton gave an update on the Tri-Town Industrial Park project. Don noted the plan is to now expand the scope of the project to include the area from the Redington Bridge to the intersection of Route #302 and Brook Road. By extending the project the Redington Bridge limits and problems can be addressed. There is an incentive to Littleton in getting the Redington Bridge replaced as part of the project because there is a 80-20 ratio in costs from state and federal funds for the project. Don noted it is possible to use EDA funding as leverage for state money. It would be necessary for Littleton to acquire a short term bond until the money became available from state and federal sources in 2009. Part of this expansion would also include a truck acceleration lane at the intersection of Route 302 and Brook Road. Don will be meeting with Bethlehem and Lisbon and will be back to the Selectmen with a further briefing on the project. Jason stated it was a good, creative idea and the Selectmen urged Don to go ahead with this idea.

Carol Cullen advised the Board the Property Tax Warrant is ready to be signed. Tax bills will be going out on Friday. The total tax warrant is $5,318,712.22. The Selectmen thanked her for letting them know.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

Jason noted according to State law, raffle permits must be issued by the Board of Selectmen. The Town is currently in receipt of a raffle permit application from the North Country United Way for a raffle being drawn this weekend at Shaws. Selectman Hight moved to authorize the raffle application for North Country United Way. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.

Selectman Hicks moved to yield Board authority for oversight of the operation, use, maintenance and activity on public ways within the downtown area (between the Congregational Church and Opera House, both sides of Main Street and back to the river) to the Town Manager in the limited cases of events sponsored by the Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce and Littleton Main Street and to direct the Town Manager to consult with all appropriate town Department heads to ensure appropriate planning and operation of such events. This authorization is to expire on April 30, 2005. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.

Selectman Hicks moved to authorize Town Manager Jason Hoch on behalf of the Town of Littleton to enter into lease agreements approved by a majority vote at the Annual town Meeting. This authorization will expire on April 30, 2005. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.

Selectman Hicks moved to authorize Town Manager Jason Hoch and Police Chief Cameron Brown to issue permits to any charitable organization desiring to conduct a raffle under the provisions of RSA 287-A. These permits shall expire at the time of the drawing and shall not be transferable. This authorization will expire on April 30, 2005. . The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.

Selectman Hicks moved to amend a previous motion of the Board to authorize Town Manager Jason Hoch to enter into all contracts regarding sewer and storm water re-design. This authorization shall expire April 30, 2005. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.

Jason noted the work on the Riverwalk bridge is going along quickly. Winterset hopes to set the bridge this week providing the rain clears out.

The ladder truck will be delivered on or about June 15^th.

Regarding the ladder truck, there has been no public feedback regarding the possibility of a special town meeting to appropriate the funds for the truck. Jason added he has calculated an estimate cost of approximately $3000-$4000. This includes the cost of legal fees for petitioning the court, the deliberative session, ballot counting machine, legal notices, ballots and workers. Jason feels these costs should be brought to the public’s attention and see what feedback there is from it.

To date, the Town has received letters of interest from 12 companies who are interested in doing the design plans for the proposed new police facility, if it passes at next year’s town meeting. The next step will be a pre-bid meeting scheduled for sometime in early June.

The computer lease for the Town is up next year. Jason has been exploring other avenues which may be more cost effective and more efficient.

In other business, Jason and the Selectmen discussed the negative implications of the passage of SB302. Jason expressed his gratitude to Mike Gilman and Senator Gallus who had voted against the bill. Jason took the Selectmen and those present through a chart which which showed SB302 having an increased impact on the tax rate of approximately $1.22 . He noted the passage of this bill puts the town and school at a very big disadvantage. Selectman Hight voiced his displeasure over the job our representatives are doing in Concord. Selectman Hicks suggested the representatives should be invited to a Selectmen’s Meeting on a regular basis in an attempt to improve communications with them and give them some feedback from the Board’s perspective. Jason and the Board felt this was a good idea.

Eddy Moore stated he would like it noted for the record that Stephanie Eaton had voted in favor of the bill and he feels the public should be made aware of this.

The Selectmen asked Jason to make available to the general public the chart he had presented to them at the meeting. Jason stated he will make this available after he has added some narrative which will make it easier for the public to understand.

Jerry Sorlucco was in to see the Selectmen in regard to his endeavor to run against Senator Gallus this fall. He emphasized the need for more open and frequent communication between our representatives and Town Officials. He spoke of the extremely large state deficit and the need to make some changes at state level. He also spoke in favor of John Lynch as a candidate for governor. The Selectmen thanked Jerry for coming in.

Selectman Ingerson asked Jason what the time frame is for the sidewalks on Washington Street. Jason will try to pin the time down but feels that they should be started shortly.

Selectman Hight asked what the barriers are for which are being stored behind the fire department. Jason will look into it.

Selectman Ingerson noted he and Joe had gone up to look at some wind damage to the Opera House. A 4’ x 5’ piece of the roofing has been blow off.

Selectman Hicks moved to approve the minutes of May 11, 2004. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Sargent,

Executive Assistant

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Chairman Burton E. Ingerson Selectman George O. Hicks

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Vice Chairman William R. Hight