Littleton Board of Selectmen-Meeting
Minutes-September 8, 2004
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2004
Present: Chairman Burt Ingerson, Vice Chairman Bill Hight, Selectman George Hicks, Town Manager Jason Hoch and Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Chairman Ingerson called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
PLANNING/LAND USE ISSUES
Carol Cullen advised the Selectmen of four proposed changes to the Littleton Sewer Ordinance for their consideration.
The first amendment to the ordinance would require any connection within 500 feet of the system to connect to the sewer, a change from 100 feet.
The second change would reference backflow preventers by inserting the following: “The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall conform to the requirements of the building and plumbing code or other applicable rules and regulations of the town, or the procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the ASTM and the WEF Manual of Practice No. FDE-5. All such connections shall be made gas-tight and water-tight and verified by proper testing. All connections shall be protected from backflow with an approved backflow device. Any deviation from the prescribed procedures and materials must be approved by the director of public works (or his designee) before installation.”
The third amendment would change the billing cycle wording from quarterly to semi-annually as previously approved by the Board of Selectmen at their meeting of May 11, 2004.
The final change to the Ordinance would change the septage rates as of October 1, 2004 from .04 to .06 in Littleton and from .10 to .12 outside of Littleton.
Selectman Hicks moved to approve the amendments to the Sewer Ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Karen Noyes, Finance Department, distributed a Management Discussion and Analysis Report, Section I, Introduction, to the Selectmen. She went over the document with the Selectmen explaining its purpose She stated M D & A report covers the Town’s financial performance for the twelve-month fiscal period January 1, 2003-December 31, 2003 and the report is presented in three steps: the introduction, financial and statistical.
Karen also handed out a current cash flow spreadsheet to the Board.
Karen and Jason reminded the Selectmen about a month and half ago they were given a proposed amendment to the Personnel Policy regarding medical coverage. The proposed change, if approved, will require the non-union employees to cover a percentage of their 2-person or family plan health insurance costs. The costs would be 17% of the premium and would be deducted from each payroll. The deduction would be $25.46 for the 2-person plan and $45.08 for the family plan. This is close to what union employees are paying currently for their insurance coverage. Those employees who elect to obtain coverage elsewhere are eligible for a cash buyout. The buyout can be taken as cash or may be split with part of the cash being placed in Benefit Strategies. Karen told the Selectmen she is available should they have any questions. She stated she feels this is a good change and the increased buyout may attract more takers. Jason encouraged the Selectmen to give this some thought and they should be prepared to vote on the issue at the next Selectmen’s Meeting.
Jason updated the Selectmen on the current situation with the sewer problem on Saranac Street and the residents affected by the problem. The residents impacted by the problem have been relocating and one resident is still looking for an apartment. Jason noted on three different occasions he has offered that the Town purchase the two impacted properties and he has been refused each time.
Ray Burton and Senator Gallus have both followed up with Jason to make sure the Town is getting what they need to bring this to a satisfactory conclusion. The insurance company continues to work on the paperwork. Adjusters have had a problem getting into one of the properties to complete the insurance claim.
In regard to the DiPierre vs Town of Littleton lawsuit, the mediation between the DiPierre’s and Bob Green has failed and the case will be going to trial. To date, the Town has paid approximately $2800 in legal fees.
Jason referred to the State Transportation Improvement Plan which he had distributed to the Selectmen earlier. He said they will notice the Main Street Reconstruction does not appear on the list because this work will be completed with money from the Betterment Funds which are not included on the list. Don Jutton has confirmed this with Carol Murray.
Aquarian has completed research and are recommending the Town install a centrifuge at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Aquarian will be in at a future meeting to address this and answer any questions the Selectmen may have. Their report has been distributed to the Selectmen this week. There is also the issue of whether the Town will repair or replace the ultra violet system at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. They will be providing more information at a later date.
Jason would like the Selectmen to revisit the issue of requiring social agencies to petition the town for funds each year at town meeting. He stated research has shown that these warrant articles are always passed by a large margin. The Selectmen have the authority to include these requests in the overall budget.
The Union Street project has been completed. Bishop Street will be paved the end of this week or the beginning of next week. The plan was to complete it prior to the start of school, but inspection revealed that one segment needed to be replaced.
Staffing changes at DES have cost the Town about a month’s start in the Bronson Street project. The low bidder on the project was Morrill Construction who came in at $145,256.90 with two alternates at $23,756 and $22,910 for curbing and extension.
Selectman Hicks moved to have Jason award the bid to Morrill Construction and execute the contract. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Jason noted the Town of Littleton has been awarded a plaque from the United Way again this year for employee participation.
Eddy Moore informed those present Water and Light Superintendent Tom Considine has been called up for active service in Iraq. The Commissioners are in the process of re-organizing operations to put in place during Tom’s absence. Jason and the Selectmen told Eddy to let them know if there is anything the Town can do to help.
Selectman Hight moved to approve the Work Session minutes and Meeting minutes of August 25, as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 4:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent
Executive Assistant
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Chairman Burton E. Ingerson Vice Chairman William R. Hight
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Selectman George O. Hicks