LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM

JULY 28, 2004

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.

APPOINTMENTS

Gregg Bakos from VHB presented the updated Main Street Concept to the Selectmen for their approval. He noted the design team is at a critical stage in the program and need guidance from the Select Board before they can go any further. Sidewalks, parking and traveled ways have been reconfigured to provide extra pedestrian safety of a wider sidewalk and still allow enough room for emergency response vehicles to get through the traveled way. The Cottage Street intersection portion of the concept has been put on hold until it becomes clear what the future of the Opera House will be. Sewer and water line construction will be part of the plan as it should be done while the road is dug up and not occur after roadwork has been completed. Core samples will be taken of Main Street to see what lies under the pavement. Test drilling of the pavement before the reconstruction can save money if the sub surface is found to be good. It will need to be determined which buildings on Main Street have basements which project into the sidewalks. It will also be necessary to find out who has roof drains, as these will not be allowed in the future. Ornamental lighting, dedicated trees and parking meters were also discussed.

Selectman Hight, noted for the record, he is getting feedback from the general public that there is too much studying and planning going on and not enough actual work. People want to see things happening on Main Street because the original plan was for $100,000 for the reconstruction of Main Street only and then became a more involved plan. Selectman Hight also stated trials should be held on things such as back in parking while the Main Street is busy with tourists. To sum it up, he said, the voters need to see more defined information on Phase I, a defined traffic pattern and the extent of the work to be completed.

Jason stated we are now working rapidly on the next tier. We are ready for the pre-construction design phase. Gregg Bakos agreed noting we should be ready by Thanksgiving to discuss hard facts and information on specifics.

Eddy Moore asked if this is when the Town will decide on banners, light fixtures, fire hydrant placement and was told that this will be the time when these items are decided.

Selectman Hicks asked if the design will call for crosswalks to be painted white. Mr. Bakos stated this is the plan although there are other options the Town may want to consider. The Selectmen also suggested that angled parking might be tried out on Union Street and were told this is a possibility.

Selectman Ingerson moved to take the concept plan and move into the next phase of the project which will be preliminary engineering design. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.

Joe Wiggett reported on recent flood damage to five homes during the recent heavy rain. He noted three of the properties are located on Saranac Street and two are on Main Street. Insurance adjusters have investigated the complaints and we are awaiting news from the insurance company. All property owners contacted cleaning companies to clean up the damage. The bills will be sent to the town. It has been suggested that backflow preventers be installed at these properties to prevent any further problems of this kind. Joe noted the Town is only covered for 15 occurrences of this kind per year. Joe will continue to keep the Selectmen informed on this situation.

Karen Noyes gave the Selectman an overview of the Fixed Asset Policy and Procedure. She noted this is the first step in complying with GASB. The Selectmen will need to approve which items are considered to be assets. The GASB is a mandatory process which swill start this year. Karen stated she would like the Selectmen to review the documents she has handed out to them and give her any feedback they might have. She noted she will be back at some later date to discuss the financial statement. She handed out a cash flow statement of the general fund current to date.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

Jason noted the Riverwalk Bridge will be officially opened at a small ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday at noon. The last section of the roof panels will be installed at the end of the week. The path on the south side of the bridge is almost complete and temporary railing are in place and will be changed to metal rails when the material arrives.

The Police Department Facility Committee met last week and narrowed their selection down to four companies which they feel met the qualification data needed. There were eight in all who sent in information packets.

The ladder truck has finally arrived although we are still awaiting the Certificate of Origin.

A draft of the Town audit has arrived from Plodzik and Sanderson. The draft reflects the Town’s records are in great shape.

There is now a “No turn on right” sign at the intersection of Cottage Street/Union Street.

The Town has received a signed Certificate of Substantial Completion which completes the 1^st phase of the landfill closure.

RFP’s for investment services have gone out and the Town is now awaiting replies.

Sewer construction on Bishop and Union Streets is proceeding simultaneously. Temporary pavement will be placed on Bishop Street.

Concord is now reviewing the design plans for the Bronson Street work.

The Town’s disposal contract with NCES has been extended to 2009. Increases will be ½ the annual CPI container fees will be calculated at the exact CPI each year.

Jason read a letter from James Gibbons, Senior Analyst for the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority. The letter is in response to the Town request to have VPPSA complete an abbreviated review of the market value of the Moore Hydro facility. The review shows the current market prices and structures does not appear to provide any strong support for the owner to seek a materially different appraisal than that which is in place at this time. A change in the relationship between capacity and energy would not be likely to reduce the market value of the facility and there are no events in the future which would change the foregoing conclusion.

With the receipt of this information, Selectman Hicks moved to unseal the minutes from non-public sessions held on May 26 and July 14, 2004. The motion was seconded Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.

Selectman Hight moved to approve the minutes of July 14, 2004 as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.

The Selectmen agreed to interview Martha Hill, a candidate for the Conservation Committee. A meeting will be set up with Ms. Hill and the Selectmen.

Respectfully submiited,

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