LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 8, 2004
LITTLETON OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
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.
Greg Bakos from VHB gave the Selectmen an update on plans for the Main Street Reconstruction. He noted the back-in parking experiment in the parking lot off Pleasant Street has been very successful. For the most part, surveys collected from various residents were very favorable. Greg stated he was pleased to report that the parking spaces had been used correctly. Data from the test bores which were taken in November will be used to determine how much reconstruction work will be needed for the Main Street reconstruction. Tests results show there are 7 or 8 inches of asphalt above the concrete and the concrete itself is in very good shape. Due to the underground utility work, which will require trenching, the concrete will have to be replaced even though it is in good shape. The gravel under the concrete meets DOT requirements and there appears to be 13-20 inches of gravel under the concrete. Mr. Bakos stated there will be a lot of work which can be done at night which will allow traffic through in the daytime. Utility work will be covered in the next phase of the contract. It is hoped to complete construction one block at a time and these one-block segments will start at the west end of Main Street. Mr. Bakos stated a monthly newsletter will be distributed to members of the community.
The Selectmen thanked Mr. Bakos for his update.
Tony Ilacqua informed the Selectmen of some proposed disposal fee increases at the Transfer Station. In general, the proposal is to increase rates by approximately 9%. He stated unless there is a drastic change in inflation, he does not propose any further increases for another five or six years. Chairman Ingerson question the fees for a 17” tire, stating he felt this was rather excessive at $11.25 compared to a 16’ tire at $2.50. Tony stated he would take another look at the fee and that perhaps the higher fee should start at tires over 22”. Selectman Hight commended Tony on the excellent job he is doing at the Transfer Station but cautioned him on raising fees to the point where materials are left on the side of the road.
Selectman Hight moved to approve of the new fees to be effective on January 1, 2005. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Representative Stephanie Eaton thanked the Selectmen for inviting her to their meeting and distributed brochures regarding Webster, the online site for the State of New Hampshire. She encouraged the Selectmen to take advantage of this resource. She stated she was in receipt of correspondence from Jason with a list of flagged items of which their outcomes are of concern to the Town. Jason requested Stephanie keep her eye on these proposed bills and report to the Town on their progress. The Selectmen also requested Stephanie come in to Selectmen’s Meetings from time to time so they will not be blindsided as they have been this fall in regard to the change in education funding. Selectman Hight added that although the Supervisory Union may have been advised of the change in funding, the Selectmen were not advised. Jason noted it is extremely hard to plan a budget when we don’t have predictability on what the State will be doing. He added that from 1999 to 2004 funding consistently increased and then abruptly went down this year.
Bruce Hadlock asked if the Selectmen attend the school board meetings. He has heard that the school has a surplus of money this year and if this is the case, he does not feel the Selectmen are doing their job.
Selectman Ingerson stated the Selectmen and Town Manager attend the Budget Committee meetings and the School Board attends these meetings as well. The surplus of money may have come from a re-organization they did in the business office.
Eddy Moore stated he had been told that there were some programs which were not funded which could account for some of the surplus. Bruce Hadlock added again that he did not feel that the Selectmen were doing a good job with spending issues. Selectmen Ingerson took issue with this remark and responded he did not intend to be bullied by Bruce.
Eddy Moore stated that the town was never told they could hold a second Town Meeting to raise the money they needed to make up for the lack of educational funding anticipated. Bruce Hadlock stated that perhaps this year’s Town Meeting should be adjourned until the State comes through with a set amount of funding which is sometime in mid to late June.
Jason stated an additional difficulty is that the Town and school are on different fiscal years with the Town’s year staring on January 1st and the school year starting on July 1st.
The Town’s revenue has been good and has been increasing each year.
Stephanie Eaton stated the Town still has to explain the 11 ½% of the 17% increase in the tax rate. Jason suggested that Stephanie, the School and the Town meet and go through the numbers.
Bruce Hadlock stated that there are several items the tax payers are paying for which they never had an opportunity to vote on, such as the elementary school modular buildings, the new ladder truck and the pedestrian bridge. He said that if things like this continue, the tax payers will rebel and they will hold the Selectmen accountable. They will also set limits on the Town’s spending.
Carol Cullen told the Selectmen the Town has received correspondence from Laura Spector from Mitchell and Bates outlining the Town’s legal procedure for filing suit against a property owner on Carleton Street. A draft petition has been prepared and the Town will have to file an affidavit along with pictures of the property for the case file. Bruce Hadlock told the Board he feels this case should be pursued in Small Claims Court by town personnel instead of spending the Town funds on legal fees. Jason advised the Selectmen to proceed with the suit. The Selectmen were in agreement to proceed with the suit as prepared by Mitchell and Bates.
Khonie Poulsen requested the Selectmen and Jason meet with her and her husband some time soon, preferably on a weekend, to discuss the disposal of the trailer on 47 Saranac Street. She stated that with winter weather on its way, they would like to get the trailer off the lot soon. She stated, to date, she has not heard anything from Bruce Taylor, the adjuster. Bruce Hadlock advised the Selectmen that if this is in the hands of the insurance company, the Board should not be meeting with her. Joe Wiggett explained the Town’s insurance company has met their obligation and there is nothing more they can do as the Town has exceeded the 15 incidences allowed by the insurance carrier. Jason stated it was his understanding that Bruce Taylor’s report would be ready late next week. Khonie stated she has several options to propose for the disposal of the trailer. Jason asked her to run these by Joe and they will discuss them when they have a report from Bruce Taylor.
Eddy Moore stated there was a rumor circulating that the Town would be taking over Cottage Street. Jason and the Selectmen assured those present the Town has no intention of taking over Cottage Street.
Jason stated that furthermore, the Town also has no intention of banning trucks on Main Street as what has been rumored. He said this rumor stems from a plan Paul McGoldrick and Len Reed have before North Country Council. North Country Council will be reviewing the proposal in January.
Regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jason told the Selectmen that Dave Circle has reported the bottom line figure of the ultra violet system will be a little cheaper than what had first been expected.
Home Depot has called to request a Certificate of Occupancy. Bruce Hadlock reported there is drain work which has not been done according to what was presented at the Hearings. The draining from the roof is being diverted to the opposite of the building from what they had originally proposed. Jason stated he was made aware of this from a conversation with Bruce earlier. It has been brought to the developer’s attention.
The Town has received $6,184.00 from the sale of a Saab which was obtained through a drug forfeiture case. There is also a case pending from which the Town may receive approximately $50,000.
The following dates have been chosen:
Budget Hearing – January 11, 2005
Deliberative Session – February 8, 2005
Town Meeting – March 8, 2005
Jason advised the Selectmen he had spend last Tuesday in Manchester in mediation regarding the Zolton case. The Town’s attorney have advised them to settle out of court for $65,000. Jason recommended the Selectmen accept the terms of the settlement.
Selectman Hicks moved to accept the terms of the settlement. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Jason noted the Tri-Town Agreement is not ready to be voted on as there are some changes which have to be made. The Board agreed to pass over this agenda item for the time being.
Selectman Hight moved to appoint John Wilcox as alternate member to the Planning Board. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Selectman Hicks moved to approve a proclamation honoring the White Mountain National Honor Society on their 51st anniversary this week. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hight and carried 3-0.
Selectman Hight moved to approve the minutes of November 24, 2004 as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15 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