LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 8, 2006
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM

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

Chairman George Hicks opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 6:00 pm. It was noted this meeting would not be videotaped for Channel 2 as Bob O’Connor was not able to be there.

CITIZENS’ CONCERNS

Bernard Chase asked the Selectmen if the building maintenance oversight committee had started to meet yet. Mr. Chase was told that this committee would fall under the jurisdiction of the Planning Board due to its close relationship to the Capital Improvements Plan which is overseen by the Planning Board. Selectman Farrell will ask the Planning Board to follow up on this.

Mr. Chase asked if the Department Heads are paid hourly or salary and was told that the Department Heads are salary positions.

Brien Ward asked when the tax bills would be going out. He was told that hopefully the middle of next week. Brien also submitted a letter outlining the proposed task of the committee which will revue assessment on Meadow Street. The letter also included recommendations for committee members to serve on this committee. Brien encouraged the Selectmen to make sure that the evaluations on Meadow Street are addressed and get a corrected tax base back on track.

Eddy Moore stated he had been contacted by Iona Curran who is very upset over the lack of attention given to the Curran Footbridge. She told Eddy the Town has had $25,000 for three years and to date nothing has been done to the bridge and this had been the original intent of the $25,000. Also, there has never been a plaque placed on the bridge which had also been requested many years ago. Eddy passed out documentation showing the money had been managed by Main Street Inc. and they had requested a 10% managing fee. He asked the Town to follow up on this and see where the money is and how much has been spent to Main Street Inc. for managing the account. The Town will follow up on Mr. Moore’s request.

There followed some discussion on the footbridge. Tony stated that it was his understanding that the work on the bridge was planned in phases with phase one and two to consist of a study and phase three to be an implementation of the recommendations. It was noted the control cable either needs to be removed or replaced.

Bernard Chase asked the Selectmen what position they are taking on the footbridge. He stated they need to address the issues regarding the safety of the bridge.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

Tony advised the Selectmen that we are now at 15% of our budget and should be at 16%. This is a great improvement thanks to the work of Department Heads working hard to trim back their budget where possible.

The Town is in receipt of a letter from DRA regarding a warrant article on last year’s ballot for the fire truck. As the lease contained an escape clause, we could not use money from the Capital reserve fund. The Town will have to find $14,000 in the budget to cover the $14,000 which cannot be used from the Capital Reserve. We will have to keep this in mind when we are writing future warrant articles.

The tax rate figure is being revisited. The Town will need to borrow another TAN in the amount of $750,000.

Selectman Farrell moved to approve the 2007 list of holidays for non-union workers as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.

There was some discussion on the format and procedure for handling petition warrant articles for the Town Meeting. As the petitions are very time consuming it would be more efficient to combine them in one article and list the agency and the amount being requested under the article. There would be discussion and the opportunity for amendment at the deliberative session.

Brien Ward invited the Selectmen to the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon which will be held at the Elks Club on November 20th at 11:30 am. Chairman Hicks was asked to lead the group in the pledge of allegiance.

Selectman Farrell moved to approve the minutes of October 25 as presented. 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