LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

JUNE 9, 2004

LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM

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

Excused: Selectman Bill Hight

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

MINUTES

Selectman Hicks moved to approve the minutes of May 26, 2004 as amended. The motion was seconded by Chairman Ingerson and carried 2-0.

BOARD OF ASSESSORS

Chairman Ingerson opened the Board of Assessors Meeting.

Carol Cullen presented a request for an abatement from Henry and Jean Marie Peterson in regard to a Timber Tax Assessment which was rated at a matrix of 83%. A worksheet for the timber cut completed by Seasons Forestry Consultants rated the cut at 33%. The difference between the ratings is $89.88.

Selectman Hicks moved to grant the abatement in the amount of $89.88. The motion was seconded by Chairman Ingerson and carried 2-0.

Chairman Ingerson reopened the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting.

Tax Collector Joe Wiggett brought the Selectmen up to date on the tax relief program which is being offered again this year to property owners. He noted the criteria for eligibility is based on adjusted gross income and he has been encouraging anyone eligible to apply for it. The forms are available at the Town Office and are due in Concord no later than June 30^th. He and Eddy Moore have assisted many property owners in filling out the forms. Jason thanked Joe and Eddy for getting the word out about this program.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

The Sludge Study is nearly complete. Jason has met with Dave Sircle to discuss using a belt press or centrifuge to see which will give the most promising numbers. These tests will give the Town a clearer idea of which process to use.

Home Depot has obtained a permit to commence site work. A Building Permit will follow as soon as Home Depot receives their final permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. It is expected this permit will be in hand shortly. Home Depot would like to the Town of Littleton be the holder of the wetlands mitigation easement. Agreement compliance will lie with the property owner and the Town will not be liable.

Selectman Hicks moved the Town of Littleton be holder of the Home Depot easement. The motion was seconded by Chairman Ingerson and carried 2-0.

The pre-bid conference on the Bishop Street sewer reconstruction will take place next week. The Bronson Street plan is almost completed. Each street will involve approximately 1600’ of construction.

Jason attended a site visit at the landfill. DES is pleased with the progress which has been made. The drainage is good and the site will only require adding loam and reseeding.

There are currently 12 firms who are interested in design work for the proposed Police Department Facility. There will be a meeting to discuss this further tomorrow.

Jason noted Attorney Walter Mitchell has alerted the Town to a recent Supreme Court decision (Boccia vs. Portsmouth) which sets a precedent for two different types of variances. Now an applicant can apply for a “use” variance or an “area” variance.

Our intern, Athena Simpson, has been working on reformatting the Zoning Ordinance. The document is also now available on the web.

Work on Slate Ledge Road will begin around June 21^st.

Fire Chief Paul Lopes will be at the next Selectmen’s Meeting to go over the equipment list which he and Jason have been working on.

The Riverwalk Bridge is being stained. There was a problem with the color of the stain but this has been corrected. It is estimated the Bridge will be finished by the first of August.

Aquarion has completed the draft of the Operations Manual for the Highway Department. Jason and Larry are currently editing it and the Selectmen will have an opportunity to review it shortly.

Mike Fein has now graduated from the Police Academy.

Karen Noyes is working with the retirees to find solutions and alternatives to their health insurance. The rising costs of health care has been difficult for the retirees as their incomes have remained unchanged but health insurance costs keeping rising.

Selectman Hicks moved to deny the request of Laura Lee Parker for the Town to assume responsibility of the repair of her sewer line. The motion was seconded by Chairmen Ingerson and carried 2-0. It was the feeling of the Board that there are many areas in town where traffic crosses over sewer lines and the ordinance places maintenance of the sewer line between the house and the main as the responsibility of the property owner..

APPOINTMENTS

Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mark Driscoll was in to update the Selectmen on the

Lease agreement from DOT for use of a portion of the railroad corridor described as the State-owned Berlin Branch Railroad Corridor and nearly opposite Engineering Station 116+25+/-, as shown on the Railroad Valuation Map V22/2. It will need to be established where the centerline of the railroad track is. The Parks Department will be required to put down a barrier over the tracks. An annual cost of $100 is needed. Once this lease is approved locally, it must be approved by the Governor’s Council.

Selectman Hicks moved to have the Chairman sign the lease agreement. The motion was seconded by Chairman Ingerson and carried 2-0.

Mr. Driscoll told the Selectmen that the Park Commissioners had received 7 resumes and applications for the Recreation Director position. He noted the Commissioners have realized it was the wrong time of year to be trying to fill this position as most qualified applicants for the position are trying to complete current summer programs. The Commissioners will reactivate their search to fill the position in late summer or early fall.

“Doc” Hill was in to see the Selectmen on various matters. He would like the Town to consider erecting a sign indicating that traffic should stop at the white line at the intersection of Route 302 and West Main Street. Cars stopping beyond the line are creating a hazard and making it hard for him to see when he drives out of his yard.

He commended the volunteers who had painted the wooden section of the Town building and stated the painting job looked attractive.

He stated he was disturbed by the Board’s attitude toward the Library and the Community House regarding their concerns to the Board on the Main Street reconstruction project. Doc stated he felt these two organizations had legitimate concerns and the Selectmen should be listening to them. Regarding the Main Street reconstruction project, Doc stated the informational meeting held should have been better covered as far as lighting and audio went. In his opinion, there were many good questions asked which were lost on the audience and the Channel 2 filming because they could not be heard.

He voiced his displeasure with the Main Street Reconstruction and the Riverwalk Bridge saying he felt the grant money could have been spent on more worthwhile projects especially in light of the increasing geriatric population in Littleton. In his opinion, the grants are not worth pursuing because they come with too many strings attached.

He officially asked that the light pole on his property be taken down immediately. The agreement was only a temporary measure and has long expired.

Regarding the recent article in the Courier which alleged Littleton is planning to take over Main Street, he cautioned the Board against doing this. Jason stated neither he nor the present Board of Selectmen have had this discussion with the State

Eddy Moore noted he was concerned when he read the article also. He said Stephanie Eaton had been referring to this for a couple of weeks. He added this was another situation where there was no communication between the Town and our representatives.

The meeting adjourned at 5:10 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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Selectman George O. Hicks