LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 27, 2006
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM

Present: Chairman George Hicks, Selectman Burt Ingerson, Selectman Ed Farrell, Interim Town Manager Tony Mincu

Chairman George Hicks opened the meeting at 6:00 pm.

Karen Noyes presented the Selectmen with an update on the budget status. She noted that the Department Heads have worked extremely hard and have trimmed and reverted back to the general fund approximately $55,357. the request without the health insurance claim fund adjustment is approximately $51,660. this figure includes additional funds for legal fees in the amount of $20,000, general town building, $4,420 for oil increase prices, $4,300 for the fire department for repairs and increased gas prices, $6,400 for increases electrical rates for street lighting, $11,400 for increased welfare requests for assistance, $600 for increased gas costs for the Transfer Station. $126,000 additional for the health insurance claims fund will be needed. This comes from very high claims usage. Once specific claim came in at $126,000. Karen will be looking for permission to request to over expend the budget by $177,660. This request will require a public hearing and this will be set up soon.

Karen stated that the numbers for health insurance alone are very alarming. Total claims for the year as of the end of August totaled $683,528.85. The town averages about $42,000 in claims per month. Based on the number of employees, this is about $12,000 per person. The Town will be seeking information from insurance providers.

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

Carol Cullen presented an abatement request from Verizon N.E. regarding a bill they received for a r-o-w. Verizon has filed suit against the Town and Jae Whitelaw from Mitchell & Bates has recommended that the Town approve their abatement.

Selectman Ingerson moved to approve the abatement in the amount of $15,593.58. the motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0.

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

Carol Cullen advised the Selectman that there is a proposal to adjust lot line between the Town of Littleton and Summit View LLC. This is for property at the substation on the St. Johnsbury Road. Littleton Water & Light has reviewed the proposal and are in favor of it. The Board agreed to place this as a warrant article at Town Meeting.

Selectman Farrell moved to approve the request from McDonald’s Mobile Home Park to change the name to Cedar Wood Mobile Home Park. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.

Carol Cullen stated that the name change poses no issues or concerns with the Highway Department or Fire Department.

Selectman Ingerson moved to approve a request to name a r-o-w off Autumn Road, Fern’s Way. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0.

Selectman Farrell moved to approve a Waiver of Municipal Liability for Joseph and Patricia Levin for an entrance on a Class VI Road on Misery Road. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.

Adam Smith handed out information regarding the Selectmen’s work session of September 19th.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

Tony reported that the Moore Dam evaluation from Synapse has come in at a very different number from the one from Sansoucy. The Moore Dam Committee will meet on October 3, 2006 at 12:30 pm. the committee will be discussing the final results and where they will go from there. David White from Synapse will be present at this meeting to tell how he arrived at that figure. Tony noted that there was no proprietary information from Transcanada of Sensuous.

There is an ongoing discussion with Town Council and news media regarding a right to know request. The Town has been advised by Mitchell & Bates to not release personal information from the police logs regarding arrests. There may be pending law suites. Town Council is following up on this situation.

Bruce Hadlock requested information regarding legal correspondence, opinion and telephone logs. This request was denied due to Client/Attorney confidentiality. Mr. Hadlock was given copies of legal bills, invoices and copies of check. He was billed $99 for copies and administrative time for research.

The proposed fee schedule will be forwarded to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment for feedback and public discussion.

Carol Cullen asked the Selectmen to approve the new food allowance guildeline which calculate need by the month rather than the week. This follows the USDA guidelines. Selectman Farrell moved to approve the request. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.

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