Littleton Board of Selectmen-Meeting
Minutes-November 24, 2004
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
NOVEMBER 24, 2004
Present: Chairman Burt Ingerson, Vice Chairman Bill Hight, Selectman George Hicks, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
NON PUBLIC SESSION
Selectman Hight moved to go into non-public session at 3:30 pm. for the purpose of interviewing a potential alternate member to the Littleton Planning Board. Chairman Ingerson polled each Selectmen and they all agreed to go into non-public session. The Selectmen returned from non-public session at 4:00 pm. There were no decisions made nor were there any votes taken during the non-public session.
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
Chairman Ingerson opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:00 pm.
Representative John Ward thanked the Selectmen for inviting him to their meeting. He stated that in an attempt to keep line of communication open he would like to know what concerns the Selectmen have which he might be able to help them with in Concord. He stated he is would like to be kept apprised of the Selectmen’s interest and concerns. He asked each of the Selectmen if they have specific concerns he can help with.
Selectmen Hight stated that under no circumstances should the State force unfunded mandates on the Towns. Furthermore, he said, the Town needs to know what the Education Departments is up to so we will not be blindsided again in the future as we have been this fall. Communication about what has been happening in Concord has been lacking and this is a situation which should be improved on.
Jason asked John to monitor any bills which have the capability of changing the amount of funding the Town receives. The Town needs to know about these bills and watch their progress in Concord to see how the Town will be affected so the Town can plan accordingly. Jason gave John a handout with some of the potential changes in Concord which may affect the Town.
Diane Cummings from the Littleton School Board also asked Jon to keep the School Board informed of any potential changes as well.
John stated he will do his best to keep the Town informed prior to any change which might affect it. He will come in on a regular basis to speak with the Selectmen.
Carol Cullen presented Waivers of Municipal Liability for Duane and Cathy Coute for a Road off Partridge Lake Road and for VMO, Inc. for Paper Road.
Selectman Hicks moved to approve both Waivers of Municipal Liability. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Carol noted Larry Jackson had met with Jeff Brammer recently and inspected Blackberry Lane. Most of the work has been completed and Larry is requesting the $38,000 Letter of Credit be reduced by $26,000. The remainder of the Letter of Credit will be sufficient to complete work on the road.
Selectman Hight moved to decrease the Letter of Credit by $26,000. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Larry Jackson has inspected Cindy’s Drive and is recommending the road for winter maintenance. The developer, Mike Bijou, will have to put in guard rails and clean out some of the ditches before the Town can accept year -round maintenance of the Road.
Bruce Hadlock asked for clarification of this process and asked how the Board can be assured the work will be completed.
Jason noted the Selectmen have approved several roads for winter maintenance over the last few years. He said it was an attempt to work with developers when they have met the test of getting the basic work on the road completed. It has proven to be a good incentive for completing all of the work so the road in question can be taken over completely at some point.
Selectman Hicks moved to accept Cindy’s Drive for winter maintenance only. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Carol advised the Selectmen there is a property on Carleton Street which is in violation. After being notified of the violation and given two deadlines to comply by the Town attorney, the property owner has still not complied with the Town’s request. There are still two junk cars and a camper as well as other debris on the property. The next step would be for the Town to initiate a law suit.
Selectman Hight stated, that although he regrets this, he feels the Town must go forward with legal action as it is not fair to the abutters to the property not to force this property to be cleaned up. He moved to initiate legal action in this matter. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Carol told the Board that two representatives from DRA, a representative from Vision as well as Jason and her met last week to discuss the new assessing criteria. This meeting was an attempt to keep everyone who is working on the assessment program for the Town fully informed. Carol stated any and all information will be forwarded to all parties involved to make sure this is the case.
Selectman Hight asked Carol what the status of the Bijou property on Meadow Street was. Carol stated the mulch has been spread and the loam will need to be moved. She will contact Mr. Bijou on Monday to see when this will be done.
Bruce Hadlock stated he is still very concerned with the amount of money the Town is spending and would like to see it cut back considerably. He requested a copy of the budget and expenditures for the year. He added the Selectmen should be asking Jason to provide them with a list of items where cuts could be made. Selectman Ingerson asked Bruce what cuts he feels should be made. Bruce stated it was Jason’s job to provide this information to the Board and not his. Selectman Ingerson stated he does not wish to see any positions cut. Bruce insisted the Selectmen have Jason re-assess the situation now and come back to them with recommendations as to where cuts can be made. The Selectmen reluctantly decided to give it a try. Bruce also requested copies of all legal fees paid during the year.
Jason stated the revenue was up this year by $200,000. Anticipated revenue for next year will be up approximately $120,000. He stated that any cut backs now could be setting the Town up for large bills in the future, maybe 4 or 5 years down the road. Selectman Hight agreed stating this is why they established the 10-year plan on roads. Some cuts would be foolish and would in the long run hurt the Town.
Eddy Moore stated he is following up on the education funding situation. He noted he had obtained a copy of information which was distributed by the NH Dept. of Education and DRA. Eddy stated there appears to be a serious breakdown of communication with the Supervisory Union and the Town. Diane Cummings added the School Board was caught just as unawares as the Town was. In research she has done, it is still unclear as to who knew what. She agreed that there was a lack of communication all around. The problem has been compounded by conflicting stories on when and where information was sent out.
Bruce Hadlock stated he feels the problem has been due to the incompetency in the administrative office. He does not feel that we are getting our money’s worth and a tremendous amount of money is being spent on these contracted services.
Jason said he would like to thank the business office at the SAU for treating the Town Office in a professional manner.
Jason stated he is working on transition details with the new Fire Chief. He will spend several days in Littleton next week and will spend some time with Fire Chief Paul Lopes as well as some time in the Town Office.
Jason has met with a representative from DES regarding a septage management plan for Littleton. The plan looks promising and may bring in enough revenue to cover the cost of the centrifuge at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The next step in the plan will be to solicit Requests for Qualifications.
Treasurer Lillian Rayno is reviewing the final investment numbers from the Laconia Savings Bank. It is anticipated that by switching our investments to Laconia Savings Bank, the Town can get a better return on its money.
The last vacancy on the Police Department has been filled. This is the first time in a considerable time that the Police Department has been fully staffed.
The Bronson Street sewer job has wound down for the year. There is more finish work to be done in the spring.
Sewer repairs on Knight Avenue may have resulted in decreased e-coli counts. Since the work has been completed the e-coli counts are now able to be counted.
Sewer bills have gone out. This was the first bill since the Town decided to go on semi-annual billing.
The U. S. Gen auction is scheduled for December 9, 2004. The starting bid for all the utilities is set at $505 million.
Jason will be in Manchester on Tuesday to participate in the mediation hearing for the Zolton vs Town of Littleton lawsuit.
Selectman Hight moved to accept the minutes of November 10, 2004. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent
Executive Assistant
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Chairman Burton E. Ingerson
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Selectman William R. Hight
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Selectman George O. Hiks