LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
OCTOBER 11, 2006

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

Chairman Hicks opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 6:00 pm.

APPOINTMENTS

Ron Bolt and Bobby Chambers, representing the Littleton Community Center, were in to ask the Selectmen for their support in applying for grants to provide funding for the assessment of needs for repairs and restoration for the Community House and Annex. Mr. Bolt stated that one of the conditions of the grant application is that they get the support from the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Bolt noted that this does not involve financial support from the Board but rather is a vote of confidence for the Board of Directors to move forward in processing and submitting the grant application. Mr. Bolt had a letter he had prepared which he asked the Board to sign. The Selectmen signed the letter and wished Mr. Bolt and the Board of Directors luck in pursuing their grant funding.

Jerry Sorlucco and Mel Brooks were in to touch base with the Selectmen. They wanted to offer their assistance to the Board as potential State representatives. They stated that much of what is going on in Concord currently will affect small Towns. They would like to work in tandem with the Town Manager and Selectmen to keep everyone updated on current changes. The Selectmen noted that it would be good to have them come in to a meeting on a regular basis, perhaps once a month.

Brien Ward voiced concern over what he considers low valuations for properties on Meadow Street. He added that these values should be reassessed as the market values are going up faster than what the assessment can keep up with. He commended Carol Cullen on the great job she does several times but stated that to keep up with the rising market values and assessments she will need some assistance. He and Carol have agreed that Meadow Street assessment have to be made a priority for next year. Carol will speak with the assessors regarding this issue. She also has some concerns with MRI which she will relay to them. Selectman Farrell stated that if it would help, she can ask MRI to a Selectmen’s Meeting so these can be discussed. Brien stated that we currently have a multi million dollar Meadow Street. He added the relationship with the assessment has to be redefined, brought up to date and computerized. He feels that there is a good indication that Littleton could be at 1/3 Commercial, 1/3 utility and 1/3 residential. This would be an ideal situation for the taxpayers. He stated that it might be a good idea to form a committee of people in the community which have good knowledge of market values and could assist the town. He noted that Carol had also suggested that it might be time to bring back the inventory form which was discontinued several years ago as this form does bring in a lot of information to the town.
Carol stated that in her conversation with Scott Marsh of MRI, he had noted that the Town needs at least two years of information before they can look at Meadow Street. This would mean that in 2007 they can start looking at this area. Carol emphasized that this has to be made a priority for 2007. The Selectmen will do everything they can to make sure that this gets done in 2007.

Art Tighe thanked Tony and the Board of Selectmen for all of the work and effort they have put into issues with the Police Department. He noted he still has concerns and presented a list of those concerns. He added that between 2001 and 2006, the Police Department budget has increased by 70%. The Police Department Budget has consistently been overspent. Between 2001 and 2006, the Police Department has increased their vehicles from 3 to 7 vehicles. The SOU, while a worthwhile program, was never accurately explained to the voters and was represented as at no cost to the town which is not the case. It has cost the town approximately $36,000. The CALEA accreditation process has cost the town another $35,000-$40,000. Overtime from 2002-2005 has totaled $34,747 and a bonus to the Executive Secretary at the Police Department in the amount of $2100 has never been given to any other employee to his knowledge. Another concern of Arts is the amount of overtime the Chief has been allowed to accrue. He carried over more than 550 hours which is not the case of any other town employee. Art noted the calls for service has dropped from 35,341 calls in 2004 to 27,676 calls in 2005. Art added in closing he does not want to see a situation like this occurring again in the future. He would like to see less money spent for administration in the Police Department and more on the patrol end of the operation. He once again thanked the Selectmen and Tony for the hard work they have put into dealing with these issues.

Tom Kennedy expressed his dissatisfaction with the separation settlement with the Police Chief. He stated that as a taxpayer he and many other community members are very upset to see their tax dollars spent this way. He added that this is all due to financial mismanagement which could have been avoided and now the taxpayers are faced with a $70,000 payoff. Tom asked what the Board of Selectmen are doing to make sure this does not happen in the future. He said that he as well as the community needs some assurance that this will not happen again. He stated that mechanisms have to be put in place and accountability taken. He also noted that he does not understand why there is a 30-day grace period in which the Chief has been allowed to stay on the job.

Tony explained that the Police Chief is in a care taking position only and is not allowed to establish policy. He emphasized that this is a voluntary resignation and not a forced termination. He said that this arrangement was partially due to sentiments of the police officers for an easier transition period. Also, with the absence of the Executive Secretary there is some information that may only be available to the Chief.

Chairman Hicks stated the board is taking a harder look at the Departments and their spending. Selectman Farrell added that monthly reports are available to the Selectmen from the finance Department which will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Tony also added that this financial information is public record and anyone is welcome to come in for it .

Vic Larose stated that he took exception to this as it is not his job or anyone elses to oversee the budget. He added that the voters expect the elected officials to be doing this. He stated that in his job as manager of Shaws it was his responsibility to make sure that all of the department’s number came in accurately. The total responsibility is on the Town officials.

Tom Kennedy stated that at one time Dan Cullen has suggested forming a committee the monitor the budget department by department. Maybe this idea should be revisited as it could potentially offer the Town assistance with the budget.

Several residents from Broomstick Hill Road were in with concerns regarding the road conditions. Vic Larose, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Latulip and Mr. & Mrs Hampson all voiced concern regarding the rocks in the road, the speeding cars and the hairpin turn. Mr. Hampson and Vic Larose both stated that their vehicles have suffered damage due to the condition of the road. They maintained that the road is in a dangerous and substandard condition. Mr. Larose would like to see the road paved to the top of the first hill. The road also needs raking to get rid of the rocks. The material which has been added to the road has not been packed down enough as the equipment used by the Highway Department cannot get down far enough. Mr. LaRose noted that in a 1.8 mile of road there are now eight houses. He has called the Highway Department but George has not gotten back to him.

The Selectmen explained that the roads are warranted each year at town meeting. Only the roads warranted can be redone and the Selectmen cannot transfer warranted amounts from one road to another.

Tony will speak with George in the morning to see what can be done to improve the situation.

Mrs. Latulip stated that she has a concern with outdated information on the web page. She does not get cable TV so she does not have access to Channel 2. She would like to see the web updated and Selectmen’s minutes added up to date.

Tony stated that he is presently getting quotes from a provider who can service the town in this area. The web page has not been updates since August when Chad Sterns was working for the Town as an intern.

Gordon Hart stated that he has been very concerned with the Police Department budget and situation and added he hoped that this does not reoccur in the future.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

Tony informed those present that on October 17th an announcement will be made of the winners of the Seven to Save funding. He has been advised that the Littleton Opera House in the running for the funding. The announcement will be made in Franklin at 4:00 pm. on the 17th. Selectman Farrell stated that he might be able to attend the event.

Tony advised the Selectmen they must set the value of the Moore Dam so that the MS-1 can be sent to concord. He noted the Moore Dam is recommending that the value be set at $307,269,660. This amount is the total minus allocation and land values. The figure was arrived at by Synapse and the board had an opportunity to speak with David White of Synapse on how his company arrived at the final figure.

Chairman Hicks closed the Selectmen’s Meeting and opened the Board of Assessor’s Meeting. Selectman Farrell moved to set the value of Moore Dam at $307,269,660 as recommended by the Moore Dam Committee. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.

Carol Cullen stated she will check the figures on the MS-1 form once more time tomorrow and then it can be signed by the Selectmen.

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

Tony told the Board that on October 18 he will be meeting with an interim candidate for Police chief. He will be meeting with the candidate in the morning and will ask the Selectmen for some time to meet with the candidate in the afternoon. The Selectmen stated they will be available to meet with this individual. Tom Kennedy suggested that the Board might want to consider an interview panel made up of representatives from the State Police, Sheriffs Office, Local Police Chief and a community member. Chairman Hicks asked Tom if he would be willing to sit on the interview Board. He said he would be willing.

The Budget Committee will be convening on Thursday evening at 6:00 pm. At this time they will be defining their meeting schedule. Tony added that the meetings will be public and the meeting particularly concerning the larger department will be video taped. Karen Noyes will be heavily involved in the budget process. Department Heads will come before the committee and defend their budgets and the committee members will have real number in front of them.

Selectman Farrell moved to appoint or reappoint, Steve Kelley,Eddy Moore, Wendell Lucas, Ed Haines, George Kirk, Patricia Eastmen, Art Tighe, Linda Warden and Bill Hight as committee members with the expiration of terms to be determined. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.

Tony noted that Mitchell & Bates has filed the Town’s response to Superior court to the Citizens for Growth with Common Sense lawsuit. Mitchell and Attorney Douglas will be in contact with each other.
The Opera House informational meeting do discuss the available options will take place on October 24, 2006 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will take place at the Lakeway Elementary School Gymnasium. The meeting has been noticed in the paper and posted in various locations in Town. It will also be taped by Channel 2.

The Selectmen discussed the meeting time and whether they should continue to meet at 6:00 pm. or go back to the original meeting time of 4:00 pm. Tony stated that it has been brought to his attention from the staff that there has not been an increase in attendance since the meeting time was changed. Chairman Hicks added that meeting at 6:00 puts an additional burden on staff as they get out of work at 4:30 and then have to hang around for an hour and a half. Chairman Hicks also stated that the Selectmen have the authority to set the time of their meetings.

Brien Ward stated that it might be better to not make a decision until the next meeting as the voters are the one that requested the change in the time and this would give them time to provide input. The board will discuss this further at the next meeting.

Tony advised the Selectmen that they have been given a copy of the time line for a Special Town Meeting. The time line has been sent down to Mitchell and Bates for their review and approval.

The minutes of the work Session of October 4 was approved as amended. By motion from Selectmen Farrell. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 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