Littleton Selectmen’s
Meeting-Minutes-August 11, 2004
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
AUGUST 11, 2004
Present: Chairman Burt Ingerson, Vice Chairman Bill Hight, Selectman George Hicks, Town Manager Jason Hoch and Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Chairman Ingerson opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:00 pm.
Selectman Hight moved to accept the minutes of July 28, 2004 as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Milt Bratz and Anne Wiggett from the Littleton School Board were in to apprise the Selectmen of the Littleton High School and its endeavor for accreditation. It was noted the High School has been slated for accreditation review in 2007. The school has been accepted for candidacy in the review program and there is currently a 3-year notification period. The School Board will be setting up committees which will hold meetings in preparation for the review process.
The Selectmen were also invited to the next School Board meeting which will take place on August 23rd to discuss the budget for the coming year.
Selectman Hight also asked the School Board to discuss the Charter School program with the Selectmen as it is unclear as to the School position on this, although the ZBA was told recently the School Board is in favor of the Charter School, and also the Selectmen are unclear as to what the Charter School is and whether it affects the tax rate. Milt and Anne stated they will ask the School Board to address this issue at a future meeting.
Jason advised the Selectmen the Town has received a letter from Bob Berry of NHDOT accepting the town’s request for bridge aid to replace the Redington Street Bridge. Under the State Bridge Aid Program, NHDOT will fund 80% of the project which amounts to approximately $1.84 million of the $2.35 million which is the estimated construction and design cost. As the funds for this project will not be available until 2009, the state has agreed to “advance construct” so the town can assume responsibility to borrow in anticipation of State Bridge Funding as necessary to ensure that the bridge reconstruction is in the project schedule.
Bishop Street work is underway. The pipe on Union Street is being relined. Due to the nature of the work in relining the pipe, there is a chance there may be some odor of styrene gas. Information will be distributed to the residents in the area and a notice will go on Channel 2 alerting the public to this inconvenience.
A large blockage was found and removed in the Fairview Street line. A camera will be run through the line to make sure there will be no further problems such as the two backups we have had recently.
Backflow preventers will be placed at three property locations on Saranac Street as soon as Dodge Contracting can fit the job into their work schedule.
Police Department Facility Committee will meet with four of the companies which they have narrowed their selection down to after reviewing their qualification submittals. They will be making a recommendation to the Selectmen as to which company should be given the design work.
Home Depot has been pouring concrete on their site this week in preparation for construction on their building.
The interior design plan for T J Maxx has arrived and is being reviewed by Chief Lopes.
Littleton will be visited by approximately 15 tax collectors and town clerks tomorrow. They will visit the Town Office and be given a demonstration of how the GIS system works.
Chief Brown and Jason Hoch were guest chefs at Remick Park for the summer programs picnic.
A response has been prepared to a letter sent out by the state in regard to accessing the polling areas. There will be money available from the facility improvement portion of the Model Community Grant to build a new ramp.
Selectman Ingerson asked about the status of the crumbling manholes on Union Street. Jason stated the State has still not signed off on that portion of the design plans as yet.
CITIZENS’ CONCERNS
Eddy Moore had some concerns he brought before the Board.
He noted the parking area the Town has leased from AHEAD still does not have designated parking places assigned to it. He questioned the amount of money which is coming out of the parking meter fund and going toward the pedestrian bridge. Jason responded that he realizes there are still people who are unhappy with this situation and have been for quite some time.
The south side of the new footbridge, on property owned by Ron Murro, has been filled in and built up. Eddy noted this may be a problem in high water and flood water may wash the material away.
He questioned the amount of money ($2,100,000) which has been slated for minimal road amenities in the list of Main Street Reconstruction figures. He noted back in 1999 at a meeting which was attended by various Town representatives as well as personnel from the NHDOT, the figure presented at that time for reconstruction from Main Street to its intersections with Cottage Street and West Main Street was $710,592. He said he is puzzled by the great increase in the costs.
Jason cautioned Mr. Moore that we don’t know what the final costs will be and we also do not know what was included in the figures taken from 1999. This makes it unfair to compare numbers. He added the money we received from the TCSP grant was also to benefit 6 other communities as well as providing some GIS training. The grant was never intended solely for Littleton.
Eddy also referred to the sewer ordinance in regard to what specific types of items can be paid for out of the sewer accounts. Jason noted money is in separate restrictive accounts and will need to refer to the audit to see if he can clarify this for Eddy.
In other matters, the Selectmen reviewed the Student Loan Reimbursement Policy. Selectman Hicks moved to place this policy in the Personnel Policy. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Jason advised the Selectman he and Karen are working a plan which will involve non-union employees to pay for a certain percentage of their health care. He noted currently there are three plans in place; single person, 2-person and the family plan. The price for coverage currently is $370/mo., $750/mo., and $1000/mo. The plan is to have the employee pay 17% of their health care plan. Jason will get back to the Selectmen with this as soon as he has all the figures in place.
In closing, Jason thanked Carol and Joe for their help in getting the Conference Room redecorated. He noted the pictures on the wall are reproduction of postcard he owns and are his gift to the Town.
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent, Executive Assistant
___________________________ _____________________________
Chairman Burton E. Ingerson Selectman George O. Hicks
___________________________
Vice Chairman William R. Hight