Littleton
Board of Selectmen –Meeting Minutes-July 13, 2005
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
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 3:30 pm announcing the Public Hearing for a $4,400 grant from the Connecticut River Joint commission for the purpose of partially funding the Ammonoosuc River Water quality monitoring project.
Jason explained that the funds from the grant will be used to purchase water testing equipment.
Selectman Hicks moved to accept and expend funds from the Connecticut River Joint Commission in the amount of $4,400 for the purpose of partially funding the Ammonoosuc River Water Quality monitoring project. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0. Chairman Hight closed the Public Hearing.
Chairman Hight opened the Public Hearing for the CDBG Grant-Beattie House (please see minutes attached).
Chairman Hight opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:00 pm and went into the Board of Assessor’s Meeting to address AHEAD’s request for an abatement on taxes due, not including interest, through the first issue of tax 2005. David Wood has requested that a payment in lieu of taxes on the proposed elderly housing portion of the building be made to the Town.
Chairman Hight noted that up to now the Town has not received any taxes so payment in lieu of taxes would be a step in the right direction.
Bruce Hadlock stated that AHEAD should be paying their bills like anyone else has to. The taxpayers are subsidizing AHEAD. He added that the employees are getting paid and should be paying their bills.
Burt Ingerson stated that AHEAD has had substantial out of pocket expenses. David Wood added that AHEAD has spent the equivalent of 2-staff man years on this project to date.
David McLure stated that the whole situation with the old hospital could have turned into a tremendous liability for the Town if AHEAD has not stepped in and taken ownership of the property. It was also noted that the original owner of the property, Brady Sullivan, would have given the property away and the Town would have had no control over who moved in.
Referring to an agreement with AHEAD in December of 2002, releasing the tax liens as well as the sewer connection fees, Bill Hight stated that the Selectmen had acted in the best interest of the Town. He added that this project for elderly housing will definitely be of benefit to the Town and he is grateful to AHEAD for stepping forward and bearing the burden of this property.
Selectman Hicks moved to grant the request of AHEAD to abate taxes on the old hospital property up to $180,000. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Selectman Hicks moved to grant an abatement of $49.32 for Eddy Moore due to a usage adjustment of 1700 cubic feet on the 1st billing of 2005. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Selectman Ingerson moved to approve an abatement of $174.86 for Bryan and Amy Hadlock. It was noted that an outside faucet had leaked all winter and the tenant did not inform the landlord. Selectman Hight stated the landlord should have been responsible for knowing this was occurring on their property. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Chairman Hight closed the Board of Assessors Meeting and reopened the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting:
Carol Cullen noted she has request for street names for the bishop Street Subdivision, as well as a street name for a road in the Royer Subdivision.
Selectman Hicks moved to approve the street names of Timber Lane (the longer of the roads) and Village Way. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Selectman Hicks moved to approve of the street name of Forest Glen for the Royer subdivision on the lots abutting those using Russell Court. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Jason told the Selectmen the Town is in receipt of an amendment to the franchise agreement with Adelphia due to a change in the name. The amendment will read Frontier vision Operating Partners. Selectman Hicks moved to approve the amendment. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson.
Jason noted there is a 30-day window to respond regarding the takeover of Adelphia by Time Warner. Jason has sent letters noting concerns the Town has regarding internet access, changes to channel lineup, changing the location of Channel 2, as well as their willingness to fund the relocation of Channel 2.
The Tax Collector has reported that to date 97% of taxes have been paid. This compares to 96% paid at this time last year.
Assessing issues continue to take considerable staff time. Currently all assessment cards are being reviewed. Last sales data has been entered and the Commercial numbers look good. The Littleton High School cafeteria will be used to hold hearing regarding the new assessments.
There will be a new version of on-line mapping available. The interns are currently entering subdivision information.
At the Transfer Station the auger is up and running again after being incapacitated for a time. Regarding the Construction and Demolition debris permit, the Town has filed for a waiver on part of the application process.
The Police Department will be accepting bids on the 1999 Crown Victoria on Tuesday.
To date, the Town has received $79,412 in drug forfeiture fees.
The Police Department Administrative staff has been making their presence known on Main Street talking with shop keepers, discouraging jay-walking and issuing parking tickets.
The Town will be joining with the School to see if they can get a better deal on fuel. This has worked in the past and current school administration is willing to work together on this again.
Ryan Haley is working on a technology plan for the Town and School to share programs and equipment.
The Highway Department is currently raising manholes.
The Fire Department has begun to actively recruit candidates to fill the fire fighter position which was created at Town Meeting.
Chad Stearns is working on a ten-year analysis in preparation for updating the Littleton’s CIP plan.
The Town has reviewed new plans for Lowes.
Jason and Ruth Taylor hosted a tour of Littleton for Franklin Town officials.
The assessment card files are in the process of being converted to the new fling system.
In other business, Selectman Hicks moved to re-affirm the agreement with the State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services regarding Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind and Disable, Interim Assistance. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Selectman Ingerson moved to grant the request of St. Rose of Lima to close access to Jackson and Clay Street from Main Street and the corner of Jackson and Clay Street which crosses High Street on August 7, 2005 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm for the annual Parish Picnic. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
It was agreed to advertise the vacant positions on the volunteer Boards.
Chairman Hight asked when there will be assign up at the fire station as it does not look very attractive with just the two posts. Jason will check into this.
It was noted that Skinny Ridge Road is in very bad condition.
The business owners on Meadow Street as well as those on Union Street have expressed an interest in putting up banners as the Main Street has done. It was noted that they must do this through their organization as Main Street does through the Chamber of commerce. The Town can check to see that there are no DOT issues regarding the placement of banners.
Brien Ward asked the Selectmen to sponsor Littleton 2020 which will consist of a series of committees including a Job Committee, Transportation Committee, Housing Committee, Capital/Infrastructure Improvements Committee, Regionalization Committee, Economic and Environmental committee, and Health Care & Community Partnership. The committees will have a three purpose function. First they will incorporate new voices, second, mentor relationships between generations and lastly, implement recommendations from the updated Master Plan. Bob Copenhaver, Bob May and Gerald Winn all expressed their support for Littleton 2020. It was noted that there is a need to get the younger people involved as well as changing the focus of Littleton’s transition from industrial to the new informational age.
Brien Ward stated the first task of the Committee will be to investigate and come in within the next 60 days with an analysis as to why the tax rate has increased by $13 over the last ten years.
The Selectmen thanked Brien and those present for their time and willingness to participate in this new endeavor.
Selectman Hicks moved to sponsor and endorse the creation of Littleton 2020. the motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent
Executive Assistant
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Chairman William R. Hight Selectman Burton E. Ingerson
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Vice Chairman George O. Hicks