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2010 Meeting Minutes and Agendas

Board of Selectmen

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Approved Minutes Apr 7, 2010

TOWN OF LITTLETON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010
4:00 PM
LITTLETON COMMUNITY HOUSE, HEALD ROOM

Present: Town Manager Chuck Connell, Chairman Ron Bolt, Vice Chairman Ed Boynton, Selectman Marghie Seymour, Executive Secretary Ceil Stubbings

Others Present: Mr. Lahout, Herb Lahout, Rod Trahan, Eddy Moore, Jessica Daine, Fay White, Art Tighe, Jere Eames, Scotty Farquharson, Dick Merrow, Eugene Langdoc, Bryan Hadlock, Amy Austin, Joanna Ray, Lorna Union Leader, Robert Blechl The Caledonian, Bob O’Conner Channel 2, Frank Porfido, Jan Edick, Mary Edick, Police Chief Paul Smith, Dave Wentworth Chief of Sugar Hill, Mary Daly, Jim Daly, Joe Lessard MRI, Richard Massimilla, Bryan Hadlock, Paul McGoldrick, Tommy Stephens, Donna Trahan, Jerry Sorlucco, Frank Grammo, Chad Stearns, Art McGrath The Caledonian, Paul Vialle WLTN, Sargent Chris Tyler, Mike Norman, Dick Boulanger, Richard Dorsett from MRI, George McNamara, David Peel, Dan Carnes, Brien Ward, John Simon, Rusty Bulis, Jim Alden

Due to the absence of Chairman Ron Bolt and the lack of space in the Heald Room, Vice Chairman Ed Boynton announced the meeting would be moved to the Littleton High School Cafeteria.

Chairman Bolt called the meeting to order at 4:15 PM at the Littleton High School Cafeteria.

Pledge of Allegiance

Selectman Marghie Seymour asked to say a few words. Chairman Bolt advised she could. Marghie said that she is fully aware that remarks that she made at a selectmen’s meeting last week have caused a lot of consternation and concern in the community. Marghie wanted to say that if her comments hurt anyone’s feelings in any way she was very sorry. She did not intend for it to be that way. Marghie said she didn’t intend to hurt anyone with those comments. Marghie said she was truly sorry and apologized for the amount of time and energy that this has taken out of the town’s resources. Marghie said she hoped they could move on and talk about a lot of other very important things that the Town of Littleton needs to deal with. Chairman Bolt then moved to the next item on the agenda.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes:
March 15, 2010 Organizational Meeting, March 15, 2010 Non-Public not sealed, March 17, 2010 BOS Meeting,
March 24, 2010 Special BOS Meeting

Bolt advised there were four sets of minutes to be approved as listed above. Bolt asked for a motion to approve. Ed Boynton said he had a question on the minutes of March 24th. Boynton said he would not approve the March 24th minutes because they had been amended by Bolt. Boynton asked to approve the original minutes before Bolt had amended them. Bolt said that would be difficult because the board no longer had those minutes. Boynton said he had a copy of them with him. Boynton then read the text that was taken out of the minutes by Bolt. He then went on to say that Bolt had taken out everything that he had said. Bolt said that it is his understanding that the process is that the minutes can be edited and then put out as draft and then accepted at a later meeting. Bolt said they were in transition and they have a new board and there is going to be a different approach to things. Bolt said his personal take on the minutes of meetings is that we have overachieved on the minutes to the point where they are bordering on being transcriptions. We had one set of minutes recently that were seventeen pages long. Bolt said that is not his impression of what is required or what is appropriate. Bolt said that not every word spoken by every person has to be recorded. Bolt said that all that needs to be recorded is who attended, who addressed issues and a brief discussion of the topic and any decisions made. Bolt said that is all that should be in the minutes. Bolt said that this is something that we will have to work out between the three of us. Boynton said that he called the Local Government Center regarding this issue. This led into a heated discussion as to how the minutes should be done with some of the public wanting to keep the minutes in detail as they have been in the past and others preferring a brief description of what occurred during the meeting. Boynton said he did not want Bolt editing every set of minutes before Marghie Seymour and Boynton gets to see them. Bolt said that in the interest of time he would table the approval of the minutes of March 24th. Marghie Seymour made the motion to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2010 Organizational Meeting, March 15, 2010 Non-Public Meeting not sealed and the March 17, 2010 BOS Meeting. Ed Boynton seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. Bolt then moved to the next agenda item.



Feedback from Last Meeting:
Bolt said this item is to inform the public of what has happened over the last three weeks. Bolt said they had a recount on March 19th on Article 9 regarding the town wide revaluation. The result of that has been released. There was a seven-vote swing so Article 9 passed. On the 24th of March they had an organizational meeting. The topics covered included the approval for a tanker truck grant application. The meeting also included the approval of a minor change to one of the collective bargaining agreements. They updated the goals and objectives. They created and approved a look ahead list; they also approved an outline for the Opera House Management Commission and the Town Building Renovation Committee. They agreed in the criteria for making appointments. Bolt said they also met on the 31st of March and the topics covered at this organizational meeting was a new policy on the use of email between board members, discussion on the proper use of support staff, and the possibility of a new weekly town manager update report. We agreed on the new format on the agenda, discussed and voted to petition for a special town meeting regarding TransCanada. They adopted a code of ethics and we are in position to actually sign it today. The board then signed the code of ethics at this time.

Proclamation on Earth Day:
Chairman Bolt invited Chad Stearns to come up front. Bolt read the proclamation. Chad Stearns said the Chamber of Commerce has taken over earth week. Chad thanked everyone who has been involved with Earth Day. Chad said that Earth Day has come down to just picking up trash along the side of the roads. Chad said they are trying to broaden that and that cleanup is important.

Appointments: Maximum time per appointment is 15 minutes.
Littleton Police Department – The Swearing In of Officer David A. Wentworth and Officer Kevin A. LaValley
Chairman Bolt then performed the swearing in of the two new officers of the Littleton Police Department.

Joe Lessard – MRI – Town Wide Reval Primer:
Joe Lessard introduced himself and Richard Dorset as the MRI contracted assessors in town. Joe provided a background of what the Town Wide Reval would include. Joe said the town has an obligation that the tax burden is distributed as equitable as it can be. He then explained that market value is the most probable price which property should bring in the open market. The reason that term is being used is the intent of the revaluation is to bring all properties to the equivalent of their market value in 2010. Joe said that a lot of towns assess at less than market value. Evaluation is required at lease once every five years and the last one was done here in 2005. Joe said the reval process would be starting in the next week or two. He advised that Vision Appraisal would visit those who have acquired property in 2008. They would be asked for information on the cost and expense and information on rental properties. Vision Appraisal would then arrive at a value for all properties. Vision then does a field review and a drive around the property to make sure everything is done. The reval should be completed by mid August. Joe said that if anyone feels they are not being treated fairly to call Amy Hatfield at the Town Assessing Office.

David Peel - NH Municipal Energy Assistance Program:
David Peel provided a report on the research he did for the Town of Littleton. David said that normally at this time he would go through this report but he is not going to go through the report except for some of the highlights. Basically this all started from an application your town put in to the (OEP) Office of Energy and Planning. David said that 48 communities were awarded part of this grant. The program benchmarks your public buildings. David said that usually a benchmark on a building in done over a two-year period. You need to identify what source of energy and how big the building is. So a year from now you can know how much energy you use. This was setup by the Department of Energy at the national level. When this is done you will have a software package that measures your usage on a standard. David said the arrangements of Littleton’s buildings are different from other towns. There are no town office costs in here. There are six town buildings being benchmarked at a cost of $50.00. David said he is pushing for audits to begin at the end of April or the first of May since they have to be done by October.

Police Chief Paul Smith – Budget – Special Detail for Parades skipped over
Chief Smith Paul forwarded a letter to the board concerning budget cuts that were made in our community/service parade line. Smith said the monies that were cut by the previous board entail all of the parades for this year. Smith said he just wanted to bring that to their attention or perhaps have a work session to see how we can get through this. Smith said that the bottom line is that parades are not cheap they cost money. Bolt asked when is the next parade scheduled and who is sponsoring it. Smith said he has not received any permits but he would assume they would receive a permit request for the Memorial Day Parade that is s sponsored by the VFW or the American Legion. The one following that would be Summer Fest and then the Fourth of July. In addition they have the Antique Car Parade and then the Christmas Parade and the Fire Truck Parade. Ed Boynton asked if the Chief could give a cost estimate. Bolt said as he recalls in the budget process there was some $9,242 in the original budget to cover traffic control for parades. This went to the budget committee, because of the concern in keeping costs down the budget committee came up with about $32,000 to cut from the budget which covered this. Ed Boynton said he would like to know the cost to the taxpayer. Chuck Connell said the amount in question is $9,242. Connell said this is community police work that was done in the past. This was carried in the police department's budget not as an outside detail. Bolt asked the town manager if they could schedule a special meeting to discuss this. Connell said he would put this on the take away list.

Brien Ward – Economic Update
Brien Ward provided an update on the Town of Littleton’s Good Economic News, which included the Continental 93 Redevelopment, Deacon’s Bench Property, Hitchiner Manufacturing, Labonville, Inc., New England Electric Technologies, Riverside Masonry Supply and the Union Block. Brien then reported on the CTE and Middle School that had a zero percent bond approved. While we will not be paying interest expense there will be fees. The state will pay 45% of the principal bond payment. Brien said the project is very cost effective with a bond interest savings of $2.1 million dollars. Brien provided the update on the Federal Stimulus, the State Budget Crisis and Littleton Economic Realities.
Brien addressed the Moore Dam Abatement Bond stating that a bond of anything more then 10 years would be inappropriate. Bolt thanked Brien for the update and moved on.

Bolt said there were now at citizen concerns so he was going to start with something new. This is actually feedback from citizen concerns that came up at our previous meeting. Bolt said he would like to do this and at the end of the meeting capture the questions that went unanswered. Bolt said this is what he remembered from the last meeting. There was a question about whether there are other state mandated items that are in the budget. This came up because of Article 9 regarding the reval being voted down. Chuck Connell said the only other mandate is the downshifting on the retirement payments for group two, which are the police, fire and schoolteachers. Bolt said there was the question why don’t we use the Opera House for elections. Bolt said he has talked to a few people about this since then and there seems to be mixed opinions on that. Bolt said they are looking at other possible venues to hold elections. The Opera House is part of that. Bolt said another question that was asked by Mr. Moore who wanted to know the tax impact of the warrant articles passed. Bolt asked Connell if he had that information. Connell said no. Bolt said they failed on that one but he would make sure they would have that info the next time. There was a discussion on a tax base oversight committee, which has not met for three years, so if no one screams or hollers we would deactivate that. We said we would advertise for the appointments and reappointments open and we have done that on the web, in the paper and on Channel 2. We said we would send another letter to the DOT on the crosswalk situation by the food coop and the Beattie House. Bolt then said the last thing we said we would do is send a letter to the Energy Conservation Committee, Planning Board and the CIP Committee requesting that they complete the update to the master plan and the initial Capital Improvement Plan by September so those documents can be used in next years budget process. Bolt then moved onto citizen concerns.

Citizen Concerns:
Herb Lahout said that he had prepared a statement and read it as follow: Hello my name is Herb Lahout, I vote in Sugar Hill but I have lived here all my life. I am a Syrian Lebanese American. I want to thank Selectman Seymour for apologizing earlier for anyone’s feelings she may have hurt. However what she said was fundamentally wrong. Before I begin I want to say for the record that this has nothing to do with an apartment project that I am trying to get approved. Attorney Seymour is an abutter and has expressed her opposition to me building more apartments on the site. As an abutter she has every right in the world to express her opinion either for or against I respect her opinion. At last weeks selectmen’s meeting when speaking about affordable housing Attorney Seymour and I quote “A lot of people think that if you build a lot of affordable housing, which means that it is fairly low cost there is this idea that if we put up affordable housing that a boat lands in Miami and a truck load of Haitians show up and move into our affordable housing.” In the April 2nd edition of the Caledonian Record it was reported Attorney Seymour saying and I quote ” I said that while there are people in town who seem to believe that every time a low income housing unit goes up in Littleton a boat full of Haitians arrive in Miami and get on a bus to Littleton. The fact is there are already plenty of people here who can’t afford to live here.” Herb said that Marghie was reported as saying that she has not been in politics too long. I’m not used to having everything I say being carefully examined. Herb said he wanted to ask Ms. Seymour whom these people were in Littleton that think this way. Herb said that if these racist attitudes exist as a town we have to do something about it. Herb said that if Ms. Seymour misspoke and this is her own opinion, he believes she should resign for making such a horrible racist sounding comment at a public selectmen’s meeting. By stepping down she will send a strong message to the community that these comments will not be tolerated. Jerry Sorlucco said he is the son of two Italian immigrants and he finds nothing racist in what Seymour said and he thinks this is just a gross exaggeration. This led into further discussion for some time when Chairman Bolt moved the meeting forward and asked if there was anyone else who had citizen concerns to express.

Eddy Moore wanted to bring up the subject of his concerns regarding the MAPS online. Moore said it has disappeared and it has been shutoff. Moore asked if anyone could tell him where we are with this right now. Connell said we are changing the provider from People GIS to Cartographic. Connell said we have the ability in house to access the mapping it will be back in operation in the month of May. Eddy said he understands that we have $400,000 invested in this. Moore asked why wasn’t this put out to bid. Connell said we have not lost any of the data that has been paid for. It is the very same data that we will come back with. The effort to improve the maps for the last two years was not possible we were not getting what we were promised. Eddy then asked what is the ongoing cost for the Maps Online. Connell said it is a process that will cost $25,000 per year. That is the only money we are expending and that was presented within the budget. Moore asked again is there any reason why this did not go out to bid. Connell said this is a continuation of an effort that has been going on for two years.

Charlie Ryan said he is here because he read the article where it was said the reappointments of the people on the boards was not in the best interest because they are not doing anything. Ryan said he desperately wanted to make a statement. Ryan said that in his ten or eleven years on the Planning Board, the Planning Board has become a very efficient operation. We don’t rubberstamp anything we look at the plans and we make decisions. We have rewritten some of the subdivision regulations and we are required by law to oversee the Zoning Regulations, which we do and we are required to update the Master Plan which we wrote with the help of an outside agency in 2004. Ryan said they have an ongoing program to update the Master Plan continually. State Law requires we do it every five years, in our case we do it every year. We don’t update the whole master plan at one time we take a portion at a time when there are no cases before us. This way the master plan is continually updated and grows with the community. As for reappointments, you have someone newly appointed to the board, for the first year they are wallflowers. In the second year they start talking and by the third year they have a handle on what we do. They either decide to continue or not. Those that continue, continue to learn. We have members on the board who have been on it for quite awhile who are very capable. Ryan said that if they are not reappointed if they want to be then he feels the selectmen are doing an injustice to the town. Ryan said that he feels that as long as his board members want to be appointed they should be. It is a very good board and he wants to see it continue.

Jere Eames said he knows that the senior Lahout’s are here this evening and they are fourth generation in Littleton. Those of you who have not been here for four generations don’t realize what they have brought to Littleton. They deeply feel about this issue. Jere said this issue has gotten a lot of attention statewide. Herb Lahout is here asking to get this resolved this evening. Eames told Seymour that Lahout was asking her to clean this up today. Chairman Bolt said that Selectman Seymour made a statement at the beginning of the meeting. Bolt said he did not know if she wants to respond to that so that is it there is no more response. Herb Lahout said it shocks him that when a selectman is asked a direct question, when she accuses people in the community of thinking this way. Bolt said we have expired our thirty minutes and suggested they move on. Bryan Hadlock said that in response to what Eddy Moore was talking about in regards to the website our business uses that website every single day. Without it, it is costing us a lot of money. Bryan said it is a website it should only take a phone call to turn it back on. Bolt then closed the citizen concerns and moved onto the Town Manager’s Report.

Spotlight on Departments: None

Town Manager’s Report:
Connell said he would like to respond to three things that are contained in the agenda.
Meadow Street Cemetery Fence:
The first is the Meadow Street Cemetery and the fence that has been missing for some time. There is an ongoing conversation that is quickly coming to an end if he is not successful in getting the businesses to respond the town will have to replace it.
Main Street Update: Connell advised the first meeting will be on Thursday, April 29th at 8:30 AM at the Annex. This will be an informational and kick off meeting. Connell said he expects the contractor to define the work that will be done as well as talk about the schedule. Connell said they expect to be in Town around the middle of May. The projection is they will be here in the fall for two to three weeks.
Redington Street Bridge:
Connell said that on March 31st he was the last person to sign a memorandum of agreement between the Federal Highway Administration and the Cultural Resources and the NH Department of Transportation and the Town of Littleton. We are on track for a summer bid and for a potential construction start in the fall of this year. Connell said that unless someone has questions that concludes his report for tonight.

George McNamara asked who is preparing for the town the punch list for the Main Street Project. Connell said that part of the process would begin at the April 29th meeting. Connell said the list would be constructed by the project administrator John Sealy who is a member of the DOT. Connell said Greg Bakos from the VHB would assist Sealy. George then asked whom should anyone contact if they see any deficiencies that they feel have not been corrected. Connell suggested they contact him by phone or email.

John Simon said he talked to Mr. Bolt about the parking spaces that have the no parking bags on them. John said he disagrees with them and asked if it is a state law or is there an RSA that would allow us to change it. We have a major problem on Main Street because of the crosswalks. He has almost hit people driving down Main Street. This led into debate on parking and other issues regarding Main Street. Rusty Bulis said that Highland Avenue is going to be very important for traffic flow. Connell said the only thing he can tell him about Highland Avenue is that the environmental permitting applications have been submitted. Connell said the funding of the project has not been determined at this point. What he can say is that the message that was carried to Concord by yourself and Brien Ward is that Redington Street Bridge is the number one project in town. There was a brief discussion on the impact the Redington Street Bridge will have on the Highland Avenue culvert. Bolt added a quick note that they did get a letter from Louise Smith about the cemetery fence, but also received two letters from Maxine Hadlock.

Old Business:
Bolt said that he did have one piece of old business. It is basically an announcement. You will recall several months ago there was some newspaper articles that had to do with cancer clusters in Bethlehem. The study centered on nine towns and it was discovered and reported that there were elevated numbers of two types of cancer pancreatitis and breast cancer in women. Upon hearing and seeing that he discovered the NHDHHS is willing to come and speak to that. That will happen on Friday at April 16th at the Community Center in the Heald Room at 3:00 PM.

New Business:
Bolt said he would make two announcements before we get into the appointments. Bolt said it is just to state and there will be no discussion about this, the town has been served twice in the last two weeks. One case is Tony vs the Town of Littleton and it has to do with the Zoning Board and the crematorium. The other one is Clark vs the Town of Littleton and that had to do with some damages that are being claimed against the town having to do with some sewer backup. Bolt then moved onto the appointments. Bolt said this is a statement of the board. The board is establishing a procedure for appointments to boards, commissions and committees that is standard, open and fair. Previous select boards have not always been consistent in their approach to appointments. This has led to some frustration to the process. The need for appointments results from resignations, removals or expired terms which are typical three years of duration. We will advertise these openings for a two week period on the town website, newspaper and at BOS Meetings. Interested party’s can self nominate during that period and provide relevant background information. The chairperson will be asked to recommend nominations. We will encourage the use of alternate members for flexibility. At a duly posted board meeting the selectmen will discuss the various candidates and decide by a majority vote. Several factors will be considered, the value of and the need of continuity versus the possible staleness and giving others a chance. Bolt said qualifications such as relevant experience, past performance and demonstrated fairness and openness, avoiding even the appearance of conflict of interest and concurrent service in other areas. Bolt said one area of concern is that it is the same handful of people that apply for these jobs and that is why there are two or three people that are on different committees. Bolt said they added another thing today because of a request from the Energy Conservation Committee that we give consideration to applicants who are committed to energy conservation. A removal should be rare and based on inefficiency. As for tonight we will address each commission or board one at a time. Bolt said he would make a brief introduction of each open position and then ask Selectman Boynton and Selectman Seymour for their views. Then we will hear from the chairman and the public. After that we will close the public input, deliberate and decide by majority vote. Bolt said he was ecstatic at the number of people that have come forward for the openings.

Bolt said that earlier they had talked about the dormant Tax Base Oversight Committee that has not met in three years. Bolt said he would like a motion to deactivate the committee. Brien Ward said that committee was created subsequent to the last revaluation. The committee was voted in 2006 so that there would be public participation. Carol Cullen was very helpful when it first started. Brien said that before you eliminate it would be worthy to consider another group to let citizens in at this point he would not be in a big hurry to get rid of it.
Bryan Hadlock said he agrees with Brien, there were quite a few people that almost had to go to court on the revaluation concerning common sense issues. Bolt said it would not harmful to keep it alive. Bolt then withdraw the request for the motion. Bolt then said they had we had one situation regarding Marci Hornick who was a write-in for a Library Trustee and she was not a Littleton registered voter at the time. The library trustees had to make a recommendation for one year to fill the vacancy. Bolt asked for a motion to appoint Marci Hornick for a one-year term to the Library Board of Trustees. Marghie Seymour made the motion to appoint Marcie Hornick for a one-year term as a Library Trustee. Ed Boynton seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Bolt then jumped to something they failed to advertise, and that is the thing called the River Bend Sub-Committee of the Connecticut River Commissions. This sub-committee represents river funds from different towns such as Lancaster to Haverhill. Littleton has two positions on the sub-committee but only one has been filled for some time in fact the second position was filled by Doc Hill. If there happen to be any nominations from the floor tonight we would do cartwheels with excitement. Seeing none that position will remain vacant. Bolt said they would try to do a better job of advertising in the future.

Bolt said there were some positions on the North Country Council that we did not advertise and probably should have. There are two positions on the Transportation Advisory Committee filled by Bill Ernst and Dick Hamilton.
There is a position on the Community Planning Committee currently filled by Charlie Ryan and there is a position on the White Mountains Great Northwood’s Scenic Byway Council filled by Richard Hamilton. It is my understanding that all of those individuals wish to continue in those positions. Bolt asked for a motion to reappoint those individuals to the respective positions. Ed Boynton made the motion to reappoint the current holders of the positions. Marghie Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0

Bolt said there is a position on the Capital Improvements Committee. The position has been filled over the last few weeks on a provisional basis by Richard Massimilla. We advertised this position several weeks ago and Richard was the only applicant. Richard has served previously on the Police Facility Study Committee so having received no other applicants he asked for a motion to officially appoint Richard to the Capital Improvement Committee. Marghie Seymour made the motion to appoint Richard Massimilla to the Capital Improvement Committee. Ed Boynton seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.

Bolt said the next appointments are for the Pemi Baker Solid Waste District. The positions are currently held by Tony Ilacqua and Jackie King. This organization promotes waste reduction and increased recycling. Both Tony and Jackie have indicated their desire to continue as members of the committee. Having hearing no other nominees and receiving no other nominees Bolt asked for a motion to reappoint Tony Ilacqua and Jackie King. Ed Boynton so moved. Marghie Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Bolt then introduced a short discussion about the Energy Conservation Committee. This committee has had ten members on it and in the desire to reduce the size of committees we are shooting for basically between three and seven members. The Energy Conservation Committee is recommending that three of its ten members become alternates. Those three are Kevin Murray, Mary Edick and himself. Bolt said he was not sure if any action is needed on this. But maybe we should just make it a motion anyway. Bolt asked for a motion to appoint Kevin Murray, Mary Edick and himself as alternates. Marghie Seymour so moved. Ed Boynton seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Bolt stated that the Littleton Water & Light Commission has one position open. The chairman is recommending the reappointment of Ralph Ross. There were no self-nominations Bolt entertained a motion to reappoint Ralph Ross to the Littleton Water & Light Commission. Ed Boynton so moved. Marghie Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Bolt said the Opera House Management Commission has three positions open. One each for a one-year term, a two-year term and a three-year term. This commission is being reactivated to get it back into a staggered term this time. They will be three-year terms after. We have received a number of self-appointments. We have the following nominations, Don Merrill, Dan Stearns, George Mitchell and Jeff Rennell. We have four people who have nominated themselves. Bolt asked Ed Boynton if he had any thoughts on this. Boynton said he would like to nominate Don Merrill for the three year position, George Mitchell for the two year term and Daniel Stearns for the one year term. Marghie said that she would agree that Don Merrill would be a good choice for the three-year term. She said she had limited knowledge about Daniel Stearns, George Mitchell and Jeff Rennell’s experience with this sort of thing but with that being said she does not have a problem with the motion that Ed Boynton has put forward. Brien Ward then provided background on Daniel Stearns. Brien said that Dan has a very keen knowledge and interest in the town building. A brief discussion ensued regarding the nominee’s experience and expertise. Bolt then asked for a motion to appoint Don Merrill to the three year term, George Mitchell to the two year term and Dan Stearns to the one year term and Jeff Rennell as an alternate. Ed Boynton so moved. Marghie seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. Charlie Ryan asked for a point of order and asked how long would the term be for the alternate. Bolt said he would say three years. Bolt asked for all those in favor to say Aye. The alternate position was voted in for a three-year term by a vote of 3-0.

Bolt then said the next appointments were for the Town Building Restoration Committee; this is a renaming and a refocusing of the Opera House Building Committee that began work in 2007 under the leadership of Joel Bedor. Bolt said he would like to limit the membership to seven members. Both Joel Bedor and Steve Kelley have indicated their interest to stay on this committee. Bolt said they would provide the much needed continuity. Bolt said they have received self-nominations from the following individuals. Carl Hilgenberg, Mary Daly, Linda Massimilla, Chris Hodge, Lucy Magoon and also as a side note Marghie Seymour will be appointed to this committee and we would have to decide as to what capacity, perhaps as an alternate. Charlie Ryan said that Marghie could be appointed as an ex-officio on that committee. Bolt said that the only difference is that an ex-officio can vote and an alternate cannot. Bolt asked Marghie if she would be offended by being an alternate or did she prefer to be an ex-officio. Marghie said she would accept being an alternate. Bolt asked for a motion to appoint Joel Bedor, Steve Kelley, Carl Hilgenberg, Mary Daly, Linda Massimilla, Chris Hodge, Lucy Magoon and Marghie Seymour as an alternate to the Town Building Restoration Committee. Ed Boynton so move, Marghie Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.


Bolt asked if there was anyone here from the Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission has three full and one alternate member openings. Chairman Tom Alt has recommended the reappointment of Dorothy Corey, Priscilla Didio and Hank Peterson as full members and Bill Nichols as an alternate. Bolt said there are three nominees for the seventh membership. Those are Tom Fredien, Carol Fredien and Barbara Perlowski. Bolt said that it is the recommendation of Tom Alt that Carol Fredien be appointed as a full member and Tom Fredien as an alternate and Barbara Perlowski as an alternate. Bolt said that would give us seven full time members and five alternates. Bolt said that he had no problem with that except a question had come up about spouses so he thinks that Carol as a member and Tom as an alternate might be a solution to that. Ed Boynton said that his feeling is that should one of these members be absent from a meetings and having two members of the same family would create an issue of not being impartial. Marghie Seymour said she wondered about the same thing. Marghie said they did talk about having the same members of families serving on different boards and complimentary boards and she thinks that since she is not in favor of having family members on any boards she is also not in favor as having same family members on the same board even as an alternate. Brien Ward said that someone made the editorial comment that we have the same old people asking to be reappointed to the same boards. Brien said that in his memory the Conservation Commission was started in 1967 or 1969 and both Carlton Schaller and Bill Nichols had been members since that particular time. Brien said that he did not think that one citizen lost one iota of sleep because they had served that long. Brien said most of us appreciate that service as he does with our moderator Gerald Winn. Brien said that he hopes that whoever made the comment that we have people serving too long he hopes they were not referring to Carl or Bill. They have served the community really well. Brien said that he hopes that Bolt did not qualify long time community service as disqualifying. Bolt then asked for anymore input, there being none he asked for a motion to reappoint Bill Nichols, Dorothy Corey, Priscilla Didio and Hank Peterson as full members and Carol Fredien as the new full member and Barbara Perlowski as alternates. Marghie Seymour so moved. Ed Boynton seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Bolt then moved onto the Planning Board. The Planning Board has seven full members and no alternates. The Chairman is recommending the reappointment of Linda MacNeil and Val Poulsen. Self-nominations were received from Arwen Mitton, Jan Edick and Allie Gaulin. Charlie Ryan said he would like to suggest that Alli Gaulin be appointed as a full member and that Arwen Mitton and Jan Edick be appointed as alternates. Bolt asked Charlie why he picked one over the others when they have so many different backgrounds. Charlie said it would be good to have a professional photographer on board. Charlie often goes out and takes pictures of cases that are presented to the board. Ed Boynton then made the suggestion that Marghie Seymour recuse herself from making any appointments to the Planning or Zoning Board. Boynton was making the suggestion to relieve any suggestion of a conflict of interest. Marghie Seymour stated that she thinks she can make appointments to the boards without any prejudice. Rod Trahan told Bolt that in his opening statement he said that he didn’t’ want any perception of a conflict of interest. Rod said there is definitely a conflict of interest on Marghie Seymour’s case with Herb Lahout, there is no doubt about it. Rod told Bolt once again he was the one that said he did not want any perception of a conflict of interest and he is the one that wanted transparency. Bolt told Rod to just remember those words. This then led into a discussion as to whether Seymour should or should not recuse herself from making appointments to the Planning and Zoning Boards. Marghie Seymour recused herself at this time and stepped down from the table. Ed Boynton then made the motion to reappoint Linda MacNeil, Val Poulson and to appoint Alli Gaulin to fill the open position and to also appoint Arwen Mitton and Jan Edick as alternates. Bolt said he would not second that motion. Bolt made the motion that Arwen Mitton be placed in the vacant position and that Linda MacNeil and Val Poulson be reappointed and that Alli Gaulin be appointed as an alternate. Bolt said they had reached an impasse and asked for suggestions. Boynton said that Bolt had said at a previous meeting that the board would honor the suggestions of the chairmen of the committees. Bolt said not to make it a personal thing he thinks the qualifications of Arwen Mitton far exceed those of Alli Gaulin. Bolt felt that Arwen would be a superior candidate. Brien Ward recommended they vote on the two reappointments. Boynton made the motion to reappoint Linda MacNeil and Val Poulson. Bolt said he would second the motion but he would like to know Boynton’s recommendation on the third position. Boynton said he has already given his recommendation. Bolt asked Boynton if he thought Alli Gaulin is the stronger candidate. Charlie Ryan suggested appointing the three self-nominations as alternate members and reappointing the other two that gives him nine, which is what he is supposed to have. Jan Edick withdrew his self-nomination. Chuck Connell said he is not sure you can leave a vacant seat on the board. Bolt said the motion would be the reappointment of Linda MacNeil and Val Poulson as full members and Alli Gaulin and Arwen Mitton as alternates pending the need to fill the vacant position. Ed Boynton made the motion. Bolt seconded it. Motion passed 2-0.

Bolt then moved onto the appointments for the Zoning Board. Boynton made the motion to reappoint Eugene Langdoc and Donna Trahan to the Zoning Board. Bolt said he would not second that motion. Bolt said he would like to have a little discussion on the matter. First of all the Zoning Board has five members and one alternate right now. The Chairman has recommended the reappointment of Eugene Langdoc and Donna Trahan. We have received self-nominations from Jan Edick, Chris Hodge and Alli Gaulin. Chris Hodge and Alli Gaulin have already been assigned elsewhere and in the interest of not doubling up. Bolt said he thinks they are left with Jan Edick for the Zoning Board. Bolt said his thinking on it is we have a spousal situation where one spouse is on the Zoning Board and one spouse is on the Planning Board. So one spouse makes the Zoning regulations and the other spouse interprets them. Bolt said to him that is the appearance of a conflict of interest. Brien Ward said he did not see a conflict of sitting on two separate boards. Brien said it is a stretch to create something that does not exist. Bolt asked Ward that he does not accept they are complimentary boards. Donna Trahan said we are one person on each board we alone do not make decisions. Zoning Board Chairman Eddy Moore requested the board reappoint Eugene Langdoc and Donna Trahan. Frank Profido said it is no secret that planning and zoning have a big effect on our town. Frank said what these boards have done in the last decade is working for the prosperity of this town. Frank said you should not mess with success, he would advise to put both Eugene and Donna back on. Jessica Daine said that it appears to her that if you don’t agree with the appointments in essence you are firing Donna. Jessica said that Bolt had said he would not remove anyone from a board unless in the case of wrongdoing. Jessica told Bolt that if he did not go along with the recommendation he was basically firing Donna and she thinks that is wrong. Bolt said this is not a removal. Jessica it is not a removal but the chairperson is recommending them and she wants to continue and your saying no. Jan Edick said he has had experience with non-reappointments and withdrew his self-nomination to the Zoning Board. Jan Edick said he has seen a wide disregard for the Zoning Ordinance by the boards, which is why he nominated himself in the first place. The boards are making it up as they go along. Zoning Board Chairman Moore said the board’s records stands for itself. They have never lost a case in the court or the Supreme Court. Bolt said if there is a person out there that wants to get on the board how do they do that. Several people said they could do it by being an alternate on the board. Bolt said they reached a point where there is nothing to argue about, he recommends we reappoint Eugene Langdoc and Donna Trahan to the Zoning Board. Ed Boynton so moved. Motion passed 2-0.

Marghie Seymour rejoined the board for the appointments to the budget committee. The committee currently has nine members and no alternates. Bolt said the chairman has recommended that Brien Ward and Bill Kittridge be reappointed and that Greg Eastman be nominated to replace retiring George Kirk. Bolt said that a self-nomination was received from Schuyler Sweet. The first thing to discuss is if this committee should stay at nine members or be reduced to seven so it is consistent with the other committees. Ed Boynton said the school board and the school superintendent recommend they keep the committee at nine members. Bolt said he recalled them saying that they would like to be involved in the selection of members next year but he did not recall them stating anything about the number of the committee. Art Tighe said they did. Marghie Seymour said she did not have any objection to it being nine members. Stan Fillion of the budget committee said he was asked by Steve Kelley to give an update here. Stan said he had a copy of the superintendent’s letter where they agree it should remain a nine-member committee. Bolt said it sounds like the committee will stand at nine members. Bolt said they had two outstanding candidates with Schuyler Sweet and Greg Eastman. Bolt said his thought is that they would reappoint Bill Kittridge and appoint both Greg Eastman and Schuyler Sweet and to ask Mr. Ward to concentrate his efforts as the Economic Advisor. Brien Ward said that given the choice of being on the Budget Committee or the Economic Advisor he would much prefer being on the budget committee. Bolt said he feels being the Economic Advisor and being on the budget committee is a conflict of roles. Bolt said that for instance last year as the economic advisor you made several recommendations to the board of selectmen on expenditures for sprinklers, retaining walls and other spend, spend, spend. Bolt said then from the budget committee it’s all cut, cut, cut. Bolt said it is not a conflict but it is contradictory roles. Bolt said from his opinion he would like Brien to concentrate on one. Stan Fillion said that Brien was an important asset to the budget committee. Art Tighe said that when he was on the budget committee it was Mr. Ward who taught him how to do the default budget. Art said that Mr. Ward was also responsible for teaching him about the MS Forms. Art said he learned more from Mr. Ward by being beside him on the committee. Art said he thinks the effect of firing Mr. Ward from the budget committee because of a conflict issue is taking away his historical knowledge from the taxpayers of this community. Art told Bolt that to fire Mr. Ward from this committee is not a message you want to send to this town. Marghie Seymour moved to nominate Brien Ward, Bill Kittredge and Schuyler Sweet to the budget committee. Bolt asked if there was a second. Ed Boynton seconded the motion. Bolt asked Marghie to repeat the motion. Marghie repeated that she nominated Bill Kittredge, Brien Ward and Schuyler Sweet. Ed Boynton seconded the motion again. Bolt then asked for a discussion and said he wanted to discuss it. Bolt said he would like to counter propose the chairman’s recommendation and put Greg Eastman in along with Bill Kittredge and Brien Ward. Ed Boynton reminded Bolt there was a motion on the floor that had been seconded. Bolt said they were in discussion and the purpose of the discussion is for you to reconsider the motion. Bolt asked Marghie Seymour what was her motion. Seymour said her motion was to reappoint Bill Kittredge, Brien Ward and to put Schuyler Sweet in the vacancy. Bolt said his recommendation is to substitute Greg Eastman to Schuyler Sweet in keeping with the chairman’s recommendation. Marghie Seymour said she was leaving her motion as it is. Boynton said he was leaving his second as it is. Bolt asked if there was any other discussion. Someone said they had worked with both Sweet and Eastman and both were very competent. Bolt said he was still in the mind that we ought to honor Steve’s request. Bolt asked if there was any other input. Bonnie Stitchfield stated that she is a taxpayer and she is sitting there listening and we have had wonderful recommendations and testimony as to what a wonderful job Brien Ward has done and she does not know why you seem determined to get him off the board. Bonnie told Bolt that she would like him to consider choosing the right people for the job. Bolt asked Seymour one more time to consider amending her motion and replacing Schuyler Sweet with Greg Eastman. Marghie asked Bolt if his question was based on the recommendation of Steve Kelley. Bolt said yes. Marghie asked Bolt even though we have heard from Stan that either candidate is a good choice even though we don’t know if Steve knew that Schuyler had self-nominated. Bolt said that is an unknown. Seymour said no she would not reconsider her nomination. Boynton said he would not either. Bolt said since there is no further discussion and no consideration to change the motion he called for a vote. Seymour yes, Boynton yes, Bolt no. The motion passed 2-1. Bolt asked for a motion to adjourn. Boynton made the motion to adjourn. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM.

Respectfully Submitted
Ceil Stubbings









Littleton has functioned as a Board of Selectmen/Town Manager form of government since 1976.

The Littleton Board of Selectmen meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 4:00 PM at the Littleton Community House - Heald Room.

If you would like to be put on the agenda for an upcoming Selectmen's meeting, please contact Ceil Stubbings. Please be prepared with all information needed for the Selectmen to make a decision no later than the Friday before the Selectmen's meeting

Members

Ronald J. Bolt, Chairman
Edward C. Boynton, Vice Chairman
Marghie M. Seymour, Selectman

Selectmen's Email: selectmen@townoflittleton.org

Executive Secretary for the Board of Selectmen:

Ceil Stubbings
cstubbings@townoflittleton.org
125 Main Street
Suite 200
Littleton, NH 03561
603.444.3996 x15
603.444.1703 (fax)

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