LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 29, 2006
LITTLETON TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM

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

Excused: Selectman Burt Ingerson

Chairman Hicks opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 6:00 pm. The Board left the Selectmen’s Meeting and went into the Board of Assessors to address some abatement requests presented by Carol Cullen.

Carol requested sewer abatement for Barbara Hill in the amount of $178.56 and Fred Haggarty in the amount of $46.99 Carol noted the abatements have been requested due to running water last winter to prevent shallow water lines from freezing us.

Selectman Farrell moved to approve the abatements as requested. Chairman Hicks seconded the motion and it carried 2-0.

The Board returned closed the Board of Assessors and returned to the Selectmen’s Meeting.

Carol Cullen requested the Selectmen approve Cindys Drive as a town road. The road is 2500 feet and has been inspected and approved by George Chartier.

Selectman Farrell moved to approve Cindy’s Drive as a Town road. The motion was seconded by Chairman Hicks and carried 2-0.

During Citizens concerns portion of the meeting, Bernard Chase raised concerns over the recent airing of a video tour of several town owned properties. He noted the video showed the Fire and highway department buildings to be in fairly good shape. He noted the tour of the opera house was informative but rather one sided. He asked why the public had not been invited to take this tour as well. Tony stated that he was not about to take the public into a building which has been determined to be unsafe. Mr. Chase stated that at the very least there should have been a structural contractor present during the tour of the town building. He stated there is no way to determine whether the piers have been in the current condition for several years or if it has just occurred recently.

Art Tighe stated he would be wrapping garland around posts on Main Street tomorrow. Main Street is looking festive for the holidays.

TOWN MANANGERS REPORT:

Tony stated he has prepared and sent a letter to the state fire marshals office asking for a definitive status on the opera house. It is unclear to some individuals as to whether the building is condemned or not. Tony stated the confusion is because the Police Department was removed from the building before the state could start legal condemnation proceedings. It is Tony’s understanding that the fire marshall is working on a reply to his letter.

Negotiations have started with Transcanada with a first meeting taking place this afternoon. The initial meeting was positive. Both sides would like to see a long term agreement for 3-5 years. There will be another meeting sometime in January.

Karen Noyes and Tony have been researching health care providers. A recent meeting with the town’s current provider, Atlantic Administrators, revealed that the cost for out present plan would be going up about 5% but there will be an overall slight reduction of the final price.

Tony and some members of the Police Department met with the contractor regarding plans for a stand alone police department facility. Tony is anticipating that there will be working plans available in a couple of weeks. The proposed structure will cost less than $1 million.

Bernard Chase asked if the plans will be available for viewing by the public. Tony stated the plans will be made available in different formats.

Tony noted that he had met with Dan Trombley and Andy Smith on Monday regarding the leased space at Mt. Eustis Commons. Discussion are still ongoing as to how to handle the Town’s situation in light of the recent denial by the Court of the Towns petition for a Special Town Meeting.

Regular Selectmen’s meetings in December will take place on the 13th and 27th. It will be necessary to schedule some work sessions in addition to the regular meetings to work on the budget.

Bill Latulip asked the Board what plan they have in place regarding the police department if Mr. Trombley is not able to or can't work with the Town. The Selectmen stated they have no definite plan as yet. Chairman Hicks stated it is his personal wish to have the Police department stay where they are. He stated at the current monthly rent, the town could stay where they are for at least twenty years and be more cost effective than building a new facility.

There was some discussion regarding the Lakeway School building and its future if the Town should vote affirmatively on the school bond. It was noted that it would be very costly to retrofit the building for town use.

The Selectmen agreed to a request made by Frank Roy of UPS to use the parking lot of the Opera House to park a UPS trailer to act as a pickup and distribution center for packages.

The meeting adjourned at 6:35 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