Littleton Board of Selectmen-Meeting
Minutes-June 8, 2005
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
JUNE 8, 2005
Present: Chairman Bill Hight, Vice Chairman George Hicks, Selectman Burt Ingerson, Town Manager Jason Hoch and Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Chairman Hight opened the meeting at 4:00 pm.
Jason explained an anonymous donation in the amount of $1275 has been received from a Lisbon resident for the purpose of acquiring a full bite suit for “Wizard”. The bite suit is needed to supplement Officer Culvers training with Wizard and is a custom made full body suit.
Vice Chairman Hicks moved to accept and expend the donation of funds in the amount of $1275 for the purpose of purchasing the bite suit. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Ray Lobdell explained the grant in the amount of $36,500 will be used to help complete Phase II of the Ammonoosuc River Corridor Assessment and Enhancement Project. Phase I was completed last year and consisted of compiling goals and objectives for the project. Phase II will consist of providing water monitoring data of which at this time, there is very little data. Some of the grant will be used to purchase a water monitoring kit. The stream bank erosion portion of Phase II was not funded by the grant. Phase II will also consist of designating the river and getting it nominated by the State and also starting an erosion study. Ray will meet with all of the Towns involved with members on the Ammonoosuc River Corridor Committee as part of the nomination process.
Selectman Ingerson asked if the high school students would be involved in the water monitoring process. Ray Lobdell stated that although it would be a great learning experience, some of the critical water sampling must be done during the summer months and this creates scheduling difficulties for the students. As DES has very strict procedural criteria, the tests will be sent to the State lab.
Vice Chairman Hicks moved to accept and expend the grant funds from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation in the amount of $36, 500. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Chairman Hight closed the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting and opened the Board of Assessors Meeting.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Carol Cullen presented several abatements for the Board consideration. Vice Chairman Hicks moved to take the following actions on the abatements as recommended by Joe Lessard of MRI:
New England Industrial Properties-862 Meadow Street-Tax Map 91-41-Abatement denied due to lack of information as requested.
Mark & Debra Chase-18 Keeler Road-Tax Map 86-69-Assessed value reduced from $21,800 to $13,600 resulting in an abatement of $290.28-Abatement granted.
Jon Griswell-34 Riverside Avenue-Tax Map 84-10-Assessed value reduced from $68,700 to $48,000 resulting in an abatement of $732.78-Abatement granted
Jon Criswell-34 Riverside Avenue-Tax Map 84-9-Assessed value reduced from $1300 to $300 resulting in an abatement of $35.40-Abetement granted.
The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Carol Cullen told the Selectmen AHEAD has requested an abatement of taxes on the Old Hospital in the amount of $109,215.83. The Selectmen were in agreement to postpone a decision on this matter until they can get more information. Jason will have David Wood meet with the Selectmen to discuss the matter further.
Chairman Hight closed the Assessors Meeting and re-opened the Selectmen’s Meeting.
Carol Cullen presented a Waiver of Municipal Liability for property located on Blackberry Lane owned by Bill Podolak and Robbin Bailly. Selectman Ingerson moved to grant the waiver of liability. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Selectman Ingerson moved to approve the request of David Corliss to name his subdivision road Little Stream Lane. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Hicks and carried 3-0. Selectman Ingerson added he had spoken with Mr. McCabe who is very concerned with whether the Road will continue or stop. Carol stated that the subdivision is very old and the road is not built to Town specs.
Jean Harriman expressed her disappointment with the condition of the Wheeler Hill Cemetery especially on Memorial Day. She presented pictures of the poor road conditions at the entrance to the Cemetery as well as the long grass in the Cemetery. She stated she was concerned that this Cemetery was not getting the care that was being offered to the Glenwood Cemetery.
Selectman Ingerson stated he had spoken to Paul Harvy in regard to this matter. Currently, Paul is in charge of over 100 acres which he must maintain. The rainy weather in May has put a lot of the work behind as well as budget constraints and labor shortages. Because Paul is employed by the Glenwood Cemetery Association, the Glenwood Cemetery is his first concern and there were areas of the Glenwood Cemetery which did not get mowed in time for Memorial Day. Jason will ask Larry Jackson to take a look at the entrance to the Wheeler Hill Cemetery to see if some cold patch could be applied to the road entrance. The Selectmen assured Mrs. Harriman that they would take her concerns under advisement.
Jason noted the Town is in the final weeks of the reval. Residential data is expected back on June 17th with the Commercial data expected on June 24th. There will be a meeting with Joe Lessard the week of the 20th and a work session on June 30th at 3:00 pm. with Vision. Jason will ask Bob O’Connor to tape this meeting so it can be shown on Channel 2. From July 15th through August 15th appointments will be made for Vision to meet with property owners to discuss their new assessment.
The Department of Transportation has issued approval to the town to prohibit parking thirty feet from the intersection of Union/Hadley Streets and the intersection of Bishop/Union Streets. The signs will be going up soon in these locations.
The Highway Department continues to spend considerable time sweeping the Streets. Street painting is still pending the proper weather conditions.
Storm water testing has show a couple of areas where disinfecting has been recommended.
The curbing is in on Bishop Street.
The Town is still pursuing a DES permit for Construction Demolition debris to be collected at the Transfer Station.
Town Officials met with representatives from DOT and Lowes to study traffic issues on Meadow Street. They are studying the situation to see if the lanes can be reworked to encourage better traffic flow.
Jason has met with union members of the Police Department to discuss adjusting the detail rate. Currently the rate is too low and has not been adjusted for approximately five years.
The l999 Crown Victoria police cruiser is ready to go to sealed bid auction. Vice Chairman Hicks moved to auction the 1999 cruiser at sealed bid. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Jason presented an amendment to the Parking Ordinance for the Board’s consideration. The amendment will address abandoned vehicles by providing a less lengthy time to effectively manage the number of abandoned vehicles in the municipal parking lot.
Selectman Ingerson moved to amend Article 1, Section 7 of the Parking Ordinance to add:
The Town shall follow provisions of NH RSA 262:40-c, except that:
For unregistered vehicles no enforcement action shall be taken for 48 hours.
For registered vehicles no enforcement action shall be taken for 10 calendar days.
The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Vice Chairman Hicks moved to approve the minutes of April 27, 2005 and May 11, 2005. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
At this time Jason requested the Selectmen go into non-public session to discuss a personnel issue.
Chairman Hight adjourned the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting at 5:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent
Executive Assistant
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Chairman William R. Hight Vice Chairman George O. Hicks
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Selectman Burton E. Ingerson