Littleton
Board of Selectmen-Meeting Minutes-July 27, 2005
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
JULY 27, 2005
Present: Chairman Bill Hight, Vice Chairman George Hicks, Selectman Burt Ingerson, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Chairman Bill Hight opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:00 pm.
APPOINTMENTS
Cathy Conway updated the Selectmen on the latest developments in the TCSP Project She noted that Phase I of the project has been completed. An Executive Summary has been prepared which she distributed to the Selectmen. There is $50,000 left from this phase of the project which will be carried over into Phase II. This phase will involve the contract with DOT and will cover engineering design as well as environmental issues. They are still anticipating construction to begin in 2006. It is not known at this time if the construction will be conducted block by block or entire tasks at one time.
Chairman Hight asked Cathy if she was aware of the federal grant of 22 million which was awarded to New Hampshire for energy conservation. He asked her if the sidewalk heating portion of the project would be eligible for some funding from this grant. Cathy stated she would look into this.
Joe Wiggett asked the Selectmen to consider raising the fuel surcharge on rental of the Opera House. He noted that there had been an increase recently of 10% but did not feel this would be sufficient in light of the increase in fuel costs which we will be facing this winter, possibly an increase of 65%. This would raise the rental fee from $25.00 to $35.00.
Selectman Ingerson moved to approve the request for an increase of 30% to the rental fee of the Opera House. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Mark Driscoll gave the Selectmen an update on Parks and Recreation. He stated he wanted the Selectmen to be aware that the Park Commissioners are in so way supportive of a proposed warrant article to raise $30,000 for the Boys and Girls Club.
With the possibility of losing the tennis court when the Redington Street Bridge is replaced, the Park Commissioners have obtained a quote on the replacement of the courts. Not including the actual land, it would cost approximately $150,00 to rebuild the tennis courts with an additional $75,000 for a 1800 square foot building.
Jason noted there will be some EDA & DOT reimbursement to the Town but the construction is not due to take place until 2008 giving the Town some time to set aside some money each year.
Chairman Hight asked Mark how the new rec program was doing this summer. Mark noted that the enrollment has risen from 113 to 133 this summer. The pool revenue is also over that of last year. The Commissioners are also continuing to work with the Bike shop in establishing some bike trails on Mt. Eustis.
Chairman Hight closed the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting temporarily and opened the board of Assessors Meeting.
Carol Cullen presented a request from David Ziter to apply the current tax rate of $35.40 to the equivalent of four years and consider the terms of the Easement Agreement with the Town satisfied. There are nine years left in the Easement Agreement in which the Town had agreed to lower the assessment of Mr. Ziter’s property by $8,000 for fifteen tax years. The easement provides a vehicular apron to assist with access to the Beacon Street Bridge. If agreed, this would result in a payment to Mr. Ziter of $1,142.40.
Selectman Ingerson moved to grant Mr. Ziter’s request and pay $1,142.40 to him which will satisfy the terms of the easement agreement. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
The second request was in regard to David Yeargle and a mobile home on the North Littleton Road which has been demolished. To clear the account an abatement in the amount of $1,774.20 is needed.
Selectman Ingerson moved to grant the request of an abatement of $1,774.20. the motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Chairman closed the Board of Assessors Meeting and re-opened the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting.
Kohnie Poulsen stated that during one of the last rainstorms, there were sewer problems in the property on the corner of Main and Jackson Street. The tenants in the building chose not to report the problem.
Bids for the centrifuge have been received. Laconia Electric was low bidder. The Town will need to decide if they want to purchase it outright or go though the loan process.
Mike Stein continues to work on the sewer update and isolate the next problem area to be worked on. Knight Avenue has been identified as needing work and design work is being done for Badger and Kelley Streets.
Jason met with Eric Righter from DES regarding monitoring at the landfill. The conditions at the landfill are very good. There is one dead tree and a couple of bare spots and mowing of the area will be done soon.
Transfer Station abutters have been notified of the proposed Construction Debris program. Waivers of the permit process have been filed with the State. They will be letting the Town know whether they have to go through the entire permit process.
Items are being accumulated for the Town auction. There are antique signs which may be worth something to collectors which will be auctioned off. The Fire Chief will also be taking bids on the old ladder truck.
Sidewalk work will take place during the next couple of weeks.
Fire Chief Mercieri is preparing to fill the firefighter position which was created at Town Meeting this year. The candidates will participate in a written exam as well as a ladder climb. It is estimated that candidates will be interviewed in mid to late September.
Jason met with Mike Welsh, Town Manager of St. Johnsbury to discuss working together in projects which would benefit both towns. Jason stated it was a very good meeting.
Jason asked the Selectmen to increase the stipend for special detail police officers to $36.00/hour to be more in line with current rates.
Selectman Ingerson moved to increase the special detail stipend to $36.00/hour. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Jason handed out a copy of recommended changes to stipend pay for elected officials. He asked that the Selectmen review these recommendations and offer their thoughts at the next Selectmen’s Meeting. He noted that it had been a long time since these stipends had been adjusted.
Selectman Hicks moved to approve the minutes of June 8th and July 13th, 2005. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
The Meeting adjourned at 4:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent, Executive Assistant
_____________________________
Chairman William R. Hight
_____________________________
Vice Chairman George O. Hicks
_____________________________
Selectman Burton E. Ingerson