LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM

Present: Chairman George Hicks, Selectmen Burt Ingerson, Selectman Ed Farrell, Interim Town Manager Tony Mincu, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent

NON PUBLIC SESSION

Chairman George Hicks called the meeting to order at 5:45 pm. Selectman Ingerson moved to go into non-public session per RSA91A;3. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0. Each Board Member was polled each agreeing to enter into Non Public session.

At 6:03 pm., Selectman Ingerson moved to leave non-public session. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0. Each board Member was poled all agreeing to leave the non-public session.

Chairman Hicks opened the regularly scheduled Board of Selectman’s Meeting at 6:04 pm.

APPOINTMENTS

Mary Edick was in to see the Board representing the Littleton Community Center. She stated the Community House board of Trustees would like permission from the Board of Selectmen to access the North Country Council database in an endeavor to locate grants and funding for the Community House.

Selectman Farrell moved to approve the Community House board of Trustees to access the North Country council database for information. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.

Police Chief Cam Brown addressed the Selectman regarding some general matter in the Police Department. He noted that legal council has recommended a change in the way public information is released. The PD will no longer be able to give personal information regarding perpetrators due to pre-trial criteria. Only general information will be allowed to the public.

Cam handed out statistical information for the month. He also noted the Police Department has no equipment for impounding dogs. He stated he has been in contact with Randy Whiting who has offered his services for $600/month until the end of the year. Otherwise, dog calls will be prioritized according to whatever else is going on at the time of the call.

Cam stated the Police Department has received a complaint from the Raynos on Washington Street regarding skateboarders and from the Fox resident on Washington Street regarding speeding. There has been a report that a vagrant person from Texas has been living under the railroad trestle but to date, no one has been able to locate him. Cam also gave the Board a heads up that the Department will be sending out 66 notifications of speeding tickets. These need to be sent out certified mail but will generate approximately $2500 in revenue to the Town . It is estimated that the Department will need about $300 for postage for this mailing.

The Police Department would like to advertise some items on E-Bay. It is estimated that these items could bring in approximately $400. Cam was given the go ahead to get the items listed on E-Bay.

There was lengthy discussion regarding the budget and how this will affect the scheduled parades between now and the end of the year. Selectman Farrell noted that the town cannot be paying overtime or special detail for parades when an employee has been laid off. The Lions Club Antique Car Parade is only 12 days away and must go forward as planed. The Selectmen have agreed to honor the $840 which was previously quoted to the Lion’s Club for pd parade coverage. Police Chief Brown stated he had not given the Lion’s Club this figure. The Selectmen will take under advisement the other parades which have been scheduled. Police Chief Brown stated that he has to sign a permit for each parade ensuring that adequate safety measures will be provided. In the case of the Lion’s Club parade, he does not know if the organization will be providing the 12 volunteers needed for the function.

Bruce Hadlock stated there was at one time a group located in Woodsville which provided this type of coverage. He stated that he knew that at one time they provided traffic control for all of the fairs. He also stated that the town may be expecting too much as far as qualifications for these volunteer services. The Town should be asking these organizations such as the Lion’s Club for a certificate of insurance.

Cam asked the Selectmen where that additional $704 will come from if the Lions only pay the $840. Tony will follow up on this.

Karen Noyes updated the Selectmen on the budget status. She continues to meet with Department heads. To date, $62,857 has been identified which can be turned back to the general budget. The Selectmen must decide if they will hold off on the search for a permanent Town Manager until after the first of the year. This will save $6,000. Also, if the Opera House is not heated or heated only minimally, this will provide a savings to the town also of approximately $4,000.

The Parks Department is holding off with any budget cut backs until they know whether or not the swimming pool will require some repairs.

Cutting back on the number of cell phones will save the town approximately $900 this year and a total savings next year of approximately $2,000. The Drug forfeiture fund will not be able to be used for the new patrol officer’s salary because it was voted in on the previous year’s budget.

Karen added that the overall budget should have about 32% remaining and the Town is currently at 24.4% remaining.

Art Tighe presented a copy of an Employee Status change form signed by Jason Hoch on October 31, 2005 for Donna Santos authorized payment of a $2100 stipend. The form is marked accreditation stipend. Mr. Tighe stated he did not think this was a good use of overtime pay and asked the Selectmen if this can be expected to happen again this year. The Selectmen responded they did not think so.

Chairman Hicks closed the board of Selectmen’s Meeting and opened the Board of Assessors Meeting.

Carol Cullen noted she had given the Board cover memos dated August 15th, August 28th and September 8th with attached recommendations from MRI regarding abatement requests. Carol added that three of the abatement requests have been withdrawn.

Selectman Farrell moved to go with the recommendation as written by MRI. Selectman Ingerson seconded the motion and it carried 3-0.

Bruce Hadlock stated he would like to see copies of the document and was told he can come in the office to look at it.

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

Carol reminded the Selectmen that in November of 2004, the board had accepted Cindy’s Drive for winter maintenance only. The acceptance of the road was made with conditions, once of which was the installation of a guardrail. To date, Mr. Bijolle has not installed the guardrail and this road could very well become a liability to the town.

After some consideration, Selectman Ingerson moved to rescind the acceptance of Cindy’s Drive for winter maintenance stating that two years was long enough to comply with the conditions set forth. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0. Carol will send a letter to Mr. Bijolle advising him of the Board’s decision.

Carol presented a draft of a trench permit she would like the Board to review. She stated she would like to see the town revisit the possibility of establishing escrow accounts to be held for one year to ensure that road trench are finished properly and will not become detrimental to Town roads. The escrow account will be based on a square yard price and refunded after one year if work is done correctly. The Board will review the information and take it up at a future Selectmen’s Meeting.

Tony added the Selectmen will be reviewing and discussing a new fee schedule at their work session next week.

Art Tighe thanked the Selectmen and Town Manager for the increased presence of the Police Chief on Main Street in the recent weeks. He stated the retailers on Main Street are happy to see Chief Brown more frequently in public.

Bruce Hadlock stated he was very displeased that the Selectmen have not responded to a letter which he sent in June regarding an idea he has for the police department. In the letter he suggested the Selectmen consider evicting the Water & Light personnel and using the Water & Light building for the new Police Department location. He added the existing building is, in his opinion, ideally suited for a police department location. It also has the benefit of having a back up generator. He also proposed raising user rates for commercial users to increase revenue. He added there are other alternatives other than another Special Town Meeting. He stated he will go to court if he needs to in order to prevent a Special Town Meeting to extend the Police Department lease at Mt. Eustis Commons.

Eddy Moore gave the Selectmen an update on the Profile Cable Consortium. He has been making the rounds going to Selectmen’s Meetings and trying to get everyone on the same page. All put two of the participating Towns have chose representatives to the Consortium. Eddy stated that as soon as everyone has been selected, the consortium will be holding an organizational meeting. He will keep the Selectmen updated on their progress.

TOWN MANANGER’S REPORT

Tony noted that Channel 2 videotaped the Opera House Initiative. Three separate options were presented and explained. Tony has established an e-mail address which can be devoted solely for Opera House related correspondence. He invited everyone to make use of this avenue to get themselves heard.

Tony submitted a Seven to Save grant application yesterday for the Opera House. The seven grants will be awarded sometime in October.

Tony will be starting up the budget committee meeting a few weeks early this year. This will give him time to become acquainted with the process.

The Selectmen are in receipt of a draft ambulance contract from Ross Ambulance. The contract amount is $73,000. Tony asked the Board to review the contract and be prepared to discuss it at next week’s work session.

Tony and Ed Farrell will be attending a Tri-Town Meeting tomorrow. The meeting will focus on how to get the project back on track.

Tony stated that Synapse is working on the Moore Dam numbers and will be sending a report soon.

The board reviewed a letter from a citizen who was appealing a parking ticket she had received for parking in a handicapped space. She stated she had been injured in a motor vehicle accident but did not have a handicapped plate or sticker. The board suggested that the Dr. be contacted to verify whether she was in need of using the handicapped space.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent
Executive Assistant

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Chairman George O. Hicks

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Selectman Burton E. Ingerson

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Selectman Edward Farrell