LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

LITTLETON OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM

NOVEMBER 30, 2005

Present: Chairman Bill Hight, Vice Chairman George Hicks, Selectmen Burt Ingerson, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent

Chairman Hight opened the Public Hearing for the Adelphia Grant at 3:50 pm..

Jason Hoch reminded the Board that several months ago Bob O’Connor had sent a letter in which he explained that much of the equipment he is currently working with is outdated and a good portion of it is not working properly and will need to be replaced. The Town will be requesting a draw down of $5000 in a Capital grant from the franchise agreement. This money can be used to replace the equipment which needs to be replaced to keep Channel 2 running.

Selectman Ingerson moved to appropriate and expend $5000 from the Adelphia Capital grant to be used to replace video equipment for Channel 2. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.

Chairman Hight closed the grant public hearing at 4:00 pm. and opened the Board of Assessors Meeting.

Carol Cullen presented an abatement request from Elizabeth Ryack for property at 35 Jackson Street. Joe Lessard has reviewed documentation submitted and feels the property should be reduced from $87,600 to $70,000 which would result in an abatement of $623.04. This abatement would also prevent this case from going to the BTLA.

Selectman Ingerson moved to grant the request for an abatement in the amount of $623.04. The motion was seconded by Selectman hicks and carried 3-0.

Chairman Hight closed the Board of Assessors Meeting and re-opened the Selectmen’s Meeting.

CITIZENS CONCERNS

Ed Farrell asked Jason and the Selectmen if they have had any new communication with the recently formed Citizens Opera House Committee. Jason stated the committee has not had any communication with him. Chairman Hight noted he has told the committee that the selectmen are willing to meet with them anytime. He also noted the engineer the Committee had hired to give a second opinion had found other problems some of which were more serious fixes than originally thought.

Larry Jackson reported his foreman had received a call on Tuesday evening stating there was a hole in the Redington Street Bridge. On the scene he noted there was a hole in the north side of the bridge. The State has ordered the Bridge be closed permanently. Larry added he has ordered the signs and barricades and hope to have them by Friday or Monday at the latest. He will follow up to see if foot traffic only will be allowed on the bridge.

Jason added the bridge is on the State schedule for replacement in 2009. Tied into the TCSM Main Street Project, it is possible that it could be replaced in 2007. There are some options available to the Town. The Town can place a warrant article on the ballot, borrow from the State Bridge aid but this takes a long time to process. The Town can also look into the option of acquiring the railroad bed and building a gravel road. The gravel road would cost approximately $150,000.

Larry also added he is looking into the prices of a Bailey bridge which is a temporary bridge which would allow one lane of traffic through at a time and would accommodate truck traffic as well.

Selectman Hicks moved to permanently close the Redington Street Bridge. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0. The Selectmen would like to follow up to see if foot traffic will be allowed as this will affect the kids walking to school.

Carl Schaller, Martha Hill and Charles Richey were in to update the Selectmen on the condition of Dells Pond. Mr. Schaller gave a brief history of the Dells and how it was acquired by the Town. He added that a partial dredging had been done to the pond in 1998. It was noted at this time that this would not completely solve the problem of the pond being infiltrated and taken over by vegetation. Mr. Schaller stated the town has to decide whether they want to save and maintain Dells Pond or let nature take its course and fill in the pond with vegetation. Ray Lobdell can provide an analysis study of the pond but it will cost $2,000 to get this report. It is not know at this time how much it would cost to do a complete dredging of the pond.

The Conservation Commission is requesting to add $2000 to their yearly budget which would bring their budget from $3000 to $5000. If this is not possible, there is a trust fund from which $2000 could be withdrawn to pay for Ray Lobdell’s study. However, there is not sufficient money in the fund to pay for the dredging project.

Selectmen Hicks moved to allow the conservation commission to add this $2,000 to their yearly budget rather than use trust funds for the report. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried.

3-0.

Eddy Moore stated he had contacted the Secretary of State to see what the status is on the request for an opinion on the Tax Collector/Deputy Tax collector positions. He was told that the request had been forward on to the Attorney General’s Office.

Eddy Moore also asked if there had been a resolution made for an alternative financing plan for the parking lot behind Ammonoosuc Green. Jason stated he has been working on it but that nothing definite has been decided.

Eddy once again asked the Selectmen to consider starting the process to eliminate the precinct tax.

He added that if the Selectmen chose to put in on the ballot it would shorten the time process he needs as he does intend to pursue this. The Selectmen noted they were not inclined to put this on the ballot and they are not in favor of the idea.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

Jason reminded the Selectmen they have to make a choice on the TCSP Main Street Reconstruction project as outlined by Don Jutton at the last Selectmen’s Meeting. There followed a long discussion regarding the project and the timing and funding. Art Tighe, Eddy Moore, David Ziter and Barbara Ashley all asked questions and participated in the discussion. It was suggested that an article be put on the ballot to raise the shortfall amount of money needed to complete the first phase of the project. The Selectmen are not sure it is a good idea to put a warrant article on the ballot for this large sum at this time. The Selectmen agreed they are inclined to put off the bid process until 2007 and let Don Jutton work on getting some additional funding.

Judy White told the Selectmen she and Jason are reviewing a draft contract with the Office of Technology for a program through the State which will allow the Town Clerk to offer additional services to her customers. The services would be expanded to include boat registrations, vanity plates as well as regular license plates and decals. Customers would also be able to renew registrations on-line.

Jason, Larry Jackson, and Tony Ilacqua gave a presentation at the annual conference on the pay-as-you-go program.

The monitoring wells at the landfill continue to operate. There is still one well showing slightly elevated methane readings.

The Police Department will received a $1000 grant from Wal Mart tomorrow.

Police Chief Cam Brown has been chosen to be onGovernor Lynch’s State Advisory Committee fof Juveniles.

Tax money has started to come in. The Town did borrow a TAN of $750,000 to tide the town over until the taxes came in.

The sidewalk plow has been out of commission but is now running again.

In other business, Selectmen Ingerson moved to approve the MRI contract for assessing services. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.

Selectman Hicks moved to approve the amendments to the Leave Time Policy. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.

Selectman Hicks moved to appoint Patti Williford to the Citizens Advisory Committee. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.

Selectman Ingerson moved to approve the minutes of November 9, 2005 as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.

The Meeting adjourned at 5:20 pm.

Respectfully submitted

Cheryl Sargent

Executive Assistant

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Chairman William R. Hight

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Vice Chairman George O. Hicks

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Selectman Burton E. Ingerson