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Town of Littleton

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Littleton, NH 03561
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2010 Meeting Minutes and Agendas

Board of Selectmen

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Approved Minutes Jul 7, 2010

TOWN OF LITTLETON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2010
4:00 PM
LITTLETON OPERA HOUSE VENUE

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

Others Present: Eddy Moore, Bob O’Conner (Channel 2), Janice Mercieri, Chief Joe Mercieri (Littleton Fire Department), Bruce Hadlock, Tony Ilacqua (Transfer Station Manager), Milton Bratz, Chad Stearns (Chamber of Commerce), Art McGrath (The Courier), Linda Massimilla, Mell Brooks, Robert Blechl (The Caledonian), Brien Ward, Ray Hopkins, Chris Hodge, Naomi Rhineheart, Bill Latulip, Sherri Latulip, Casey Hadlock, Bryan Hadlock

Chairman Bolt called the meeting to order at 4:03 PM

Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes:
June 2, 2010 Regular Meeting
June 16, 2010 Regular Meeting
June 21, 2010 Board of Assessors
June 28, 2010 Non-Public Session
June 28, 2010 Board of Assessors
Bolt asked if there were any changes to the minutes of June 2, 2010. Selectman Seymour referred to the third page the last four sentences. Seymour said the minutes stated that Bolt asked Seymour why she was abstaining from making appointments to which Seymour replied that she had a problem with the Planning and Zoning Boards. Seymour said she does not have a problem with the Planning and Zoning Boards. Seymour said she has an issue on a case that is before the Planning and Zoning Boards. Seymour said she would like that changed to “she has an issue with a case that is before the Zoning and Planning Boards.” Ed Boynton made the motion to accept the minutes as amended. Seymour seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Bolt asked if there were changes for the minutes of June 16, 2010. Seymour stated that she had a correction. On page four in the last paragraph, it is the same issue again. In the middle of the paragraph it states Seymour said that if anyone she appoints does not vote on any cases involving Herb Lahout there is no conflict of interest. Seymour said she wanted to clarify that it only has to do with any case with Herb Lahout that has to do with a piece of property that she is an abutter to. Bolt said that on page three there was a spelling error and to change core to corps. Seymour moved to accept the minutes as amended. Boynton seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Bolt asked if there were any changes to the minutes of June 21, 2010. No changes. Boynton moved to accept the minutes as presented. Seymour seconded. Motion passed 3-0.

Bolt asked if there were any changes to the minutes of June 28, 2010 Non-Public Session. Seymour said she had not had a chance to go over them and asked to table them. Boynton agreed. Tabled 3-0.

Bolt then asked if there were changes to the June 28, 2010 Board of Assessor Minutes. No changes. Seymour moved to approve. Boynton seconded. Motion passed 3-0.

Feedback from Last Meeting:
Bolt provided a brief listing of the board’s activities since the last meeting. They met twice as the Board of Assessors to review some property tax abatements. The non-public session on the 28th of June had to do with the ninety-day review of the Town Manager. The board also sponsored a regional Right to Know Workshop on the 29th of June. Seymour had arranged the presentation that was provided by Paul Sanderson from the LGC and lasted two hours. Bolt stated the Deliberative Session was held on June 30th. Yesterday they had a non-public meeting to discuss the current operating budget. Also the town was served notice of a lawsuit for Flanders versus the Town of Littleton. This has to do with the Zoning Board Special Exception that was granted for the parking lot by the Beal House. Bolt thought the deliberative session went very well. Ed Hennessey provided the history and our attorney Rob Upton explained the details of the settlement. Bolt said that Upton also touched on the consequences should the town not pass the warrant article. Town Manager Connell provided detailed information on the bond. Bolt felt the settlement was favorable to both sides. He went on to say that with the passage of this bond would result in no more legal fees and they would have stability for the next three years with the $177 million assessment. Bolt advised anyone with questions to feel free to speak up now or before the Special Town Meeting on the 28th. They have begun preparing for the second session, which will be held in the Opera House venue. They are doing so as a test case to see how well this building can handle a large group and election. At the board’s July 21st meeting they would provide details on the election such as parking and the setup. Bolt said he had one more piece of news and that was the first step towards the construction of the CTE Middle School Project would begin on Monday with the demolition of the building in front of the high school. Bolt said this would be a photo opportunity but before they can build they have to tear down.

Appointments: Maximum time per appointment is 15 minutes
Chris Hodge - Town Building Renovation Committee Update
Hodge said the committee was charged to analyze the best use of the building. Hodge started out by saying to move the town offices back into the building they calculated the cost to be $81.70 per square foot. This cost did not include any furniture or equipment. Hodge said to complete the project and turn it into space that could be leased the projected cost was roughly $41.36 per square foot. The existing lease for the town office is $8,100 per year. Based on that figure the payback to the town of Littleton would be sixty-eight years if they were to put the town offices back in the building. Hodge said the town could make approximately $25,000 by leasing the space at $4 per square foot. Hodge said that in addition the tenant would be responsible for a percentage of the costs for heating, electric, cleaning, common areas, etcetera. Seymour pointed out that the town not only pays the $8,100 for the lease but they also pay an additional $6,000 for plowing. Hodge asked the board to advise the committee on how they should proceed. Bolt said the board needed time to review the findings of the committee. Bruce Hadlock advised that the reason the town only pays $8,100 a year is because there is a law that requires banks to give back to the communities. Hadlock said the committee should contact the banks to see if they would be willing to help with the cost of moving the town offices back into the Opera House. Hadlock said he thinks of this building as the town building and he would like to see the town’s resources back here. Ed Boynton asked Hodge if the committee considered what it would cost twenty-five years from now if they had to build a new town office. Bolt said they were not asked to do that. Hodge said that information was not provided to him so he could not make an estimated guess at the cost. Seymour said that there is nothing that was said that the town could not move into those offices some time in the future. Bolt then moved onto the next appointment.

Brien Ward: Bridge & Rink Dedications – Legislative Update
Brien Ward said he had spoken to the town manager about an initiative he was working on with the Park Commissioners. Yvon “Peanut Girouard was a young man who grew up here in Littleton. He was the middle child of five and graduated from Littleton High School in 1968. He joined the US Marine Corps under the buddy system and was killed On May 23, 1969 in Quang Tri Province of South Vietnam. The Park Commission agreed on June 24th to rename the Remick Park Skating Rink in his honor. Ward said that after checking with the town manager it was confirmed the Park Commission has the authority to do this. They have set the date for the renaming of the skating rink as November 11, 2010. The VFW will also be involved with the dedication.
Ward said the second item he had does require some action on behalf of the selectmen. This is the Operation Iraqi Freedom Memorial Bridge, which is to be formally named. This had to go through a legislative process. The legislative process includes the approval of the public works committee and has to be approved by the town government. The bridge would be dedicated to the memory of Specialist E4 Jeremy Regnier who died on October 13, 2004 at age twenty-two in Baghdad and Sergeant David “DJ” Stelmat, Jr. who died on March 22, 2008 in Baghdad at the age of twenty-seven. The bridge is located on I-93. It is the bridge over the Industrial Park Road. Ward said that Representative Rusty Bulis was planning on bringing this forward in September based on a tentative approval from the selectmen. The Littleton Coin Company has agreed to maintain any signage. Ward said the board did not need to make a decision now. He just wanted to bring it to the boards attention and said it would probably be wise to have a discussion on this at a community level. There was a brief discussion regarding this topic with Bolt stating he would like to have public input before the board made any decision. Ward then provided a legislative update. Ward said the town has been struggling with its finances and so have the federal and the state. He explained the affects of the stimulus package, and the anticipation of a tax increase of 33% over the next three years.

Citizen’s Concerns:
Bruce Hadlock said he had come before the board previously and asked about the $47,000 that was paid to the Eames’s Block. Hadlock said he had received a letter from the town stating the town has received $15,000 back from their insurance. Hadlock said the board of selectmen made an error and paid out $33,000 they had no business paying. He then asked if the board have put a claim in. Hadlock wants the money put back in because it is taxpayer’s money that should not have been spent. Chairman Bolt said they have not. Bolt said they conferred with the Department of Transportation and with legal counsel. He further stated the board does not feel an error had been made and they were well within their rights to do what they had done. Hadlock asked if he had to get legal counsel in order to have the board file an insurance claim. Bolt told Hadlock that he asked his question and he had an answer. Hadlock asked Bolt if he was saying they are not going to do anything further. Bolt said that was correct. Hadlock said he had other concerns and he only spoke to one. Bolt told Hadlock he could bring up his second concern under new business.

Spotlight on Departments:
Chief Joe Mercieri – Fire Department Update
Chief Mercieri provided a comprehensive presentation on the services the Littleton Fire Department provides to the public. Two years ago the department started the initiative to increase the call company. As of today they signed on the 21st call member. Mercieri stated the department has only expended 40% of the overtime budget to date due to the increased call company and the change in the recent bargaining agreement. Mercieri provided a comparison of the departments operating costs to other towns with the same population.

Town Manager’s Report:
Connell reported there were two elements on Main Street that remain to complete the project. One is the pouring of concrete at the corner of Pleasant and Main Street. The other is the lining of a sewer line from west of Pleasant Street to approximately Clay Street. Connell said he did not have dates for the two items but has contacted the construction administrator and the contractor. The Highland Avenue Bridge is moving forward and the construction is anticipated to be on July 26th. The work should be completed four days later. The road will not be paved and there will not be guardrails however there will be jersey barriers. Connell said the DOT has assumed responsibility for the Meadow Street Cemetery retaining wall. Once the DOT has made the necessary repairs the town can then replace the fence. He then reminded everyone the special town meeting will be held in the Opera House on July 28th. He encouraged people to come out and vote. Connell said that with regard to the River Walk Pathway there is an informational meeting being held on July 19th at the senior center. Connell reported that Tony Ilacqua would be retiring on July 31st. Jacqueline King has been promoted, as manager and Brian Patnoe will take over as the lead facility attendant. Both promotions are affective August 1st. Casey Hadlock told Connell that he had been told there was going to be some work on Meadow Street that had to do with Lowes. Connell said the last time he had contact with the DOT he was told they were still working to resolve some issues. Bruce Hadlock told Connell that some time ago he had gone to Connell’s office and suggested he outsource the administrative services. Hadlock said the town spends an exorbitant amount of money on bookkeeping in the town office. Hadlock said he expects a manager to do this kind of thing. Hadlock said he had done this with his business years ago and their costs dropped substantially. The town could lower operating costs substantially if they privatized. Hadlock said you don’t have a single person who works for the town that lives here. Bolt said Hadlock’s comments were inappropriate at which time the two had a brief heated exchange.

Old Business:
Planning Board Appointment
Bolt said that on June 1st the Planning Board Chairman Charlie Ryan appointed Arwen Mitton as a full member of the Planning Board until such time the Board of Selectmen approves the appointment. Bolt said the board has been around a couple of times on this. Marghie Seymour moved to appoint Arwen Mitton as a full member of the Planning Board. Ed Boynton said he would not second the motion. Bolt seconded the motion. Boynton said he questions whether or not Marghie should be making this appointment. Boynton said that he had the minutes from April 7th where Charlie Ryan requested the board appoint Allie Gaulin. Boynton said that Seymour had stepped down at the April 7th meeting from making appointments because of a conflict. Boynton said his other reason is that being a member of the Planning Board he sees Arwen coming into the meetings with a self proclaimed agenda. Seymour told Boynton that everyone has preconceived notions but even so one person cannot change the vote of a board. She stated that she has every right to make appointments as a member of the board of selectmen. It is true that there are times when people should not make appointments or the people that they appoint make decisions. Seymour said she had decided to make an appointment to this board and the person she appoints would not sit on any case that interests her. Seymour stressed that she only has an interest with the case involving her piece of land that abuts Lahout’s. Seymour said she feels that as long as the person she appoints does not sit in on her case that takes care of the conflict of interest problem. Bolt asked if there were any further discussion. There being no further discussion he asked for a vote. Seymour yes, Bolt yes, Boynton no. Motion passed 2-1.

New Business:
Current Operating Budget
Bolt said there is a storm facing the town with the economic conditions and by the loss of $62 million on the tax base. We also have a town wide revaluation and we expect lower assessments across the board. We know that we have to help pay for the new county jail and had some unanticipated expenses this year. The tax rate will be set in October and it is certain it will go up. Bolt said he was not sure by how much the taxes would go up at this point. The board has two actions that they are taking. The first is to freeze the operating budget. This would not affect the warrant articles. So far this year we are doing a good job of keeping within the budget. The only real overrun has been the legal area and money for some engineering work. Bolt explained that any expenditure over $300 would have to be approved by the Town Manager. The board will review this at the end of the third quarter. The second thing is we are going to institute furlough days. Staring in August there will be one furlough day per month. These will be unpaid days off with the savings coming to about $10,000 per day. This is mandated and the board has the authority to do so. The exception will be emergency services. Bolt said when the winter weather comes then the highway department will go back to normal work hours. There may be some individual situations that they may have to take into account. We hope other departments (Parks & Recreation and Library) that we cannot mandate will also comply voluntarily. One of the unions has to be approached about this regarding the transfer station and the highway department. The furlough days will start in August and end in February. The board can then recommend the furlough days go beyond February. The Town Manager will recommend the best possible way to go about this. Tony Ilacqua said the employees of the transfer station are not against this but his concern is the affect of service to the public. Ilacqua said he is hoping the transfer station personnel would be able to make the suggested changes. Bill Latulip asked if the board has talked to the school board to see if they will take the cut. Latulip said the school should share in this. Bolt said that was an excellent suggestion and the board would be contacting the school board. Jan Mercieri asked who came up with this recommendation. Bolt said the board made a number of pledges to the budget committee in January. These included looking at additional revenue, sharing services and at the efficiency of operations. Bolt said the board collectively as a management team had a meeting yesterday and discussed a number of ideas. These were the two options the board agreed upon that made the most sense. Joe Mercieri said this is a mandate from the board of selectmen and asked why they did not go to the employees first. Bolt said the board felt it was fair to make it a mandate rather than just have some people volunteer. Mercieri asked if the employees affected had any input into the decision making process. Bolt said no. Mercieri asked what would happen if the proposed funds were saved where would the money go. Bolt said the funds would possibly go to legal fees. Mercieri said the employee would not get paid for one day a month to pay for legal fees. Mercieri asked if it was because of TransCanada and if it was permissible to include the legal fees into the bond. Chuck Connell said the opportunity is there to do so and to take them out of the overlay but we are focusing on legal fees. The problem we are having is revenues are down and expenditures are what we expected them to be but in a couple of instances more. The bottom line is the surplus projection is significantly down for this year. Connell said that any excess revenue or savings would end up in the surplus to offset the tax increases. Mercieri asked if there has been any consideration to look at fee structures. Connell said they would review that at their next meeting. Eddy Moore said the school is in the process of negotiating their union contract at this time. Moore said the school could implement what the board was proposing. Moore asked Bolt when the board voted on the furloughs and budget freeze. Bolt said the board voted on it yesterday. Moore said it should be voted on in public under 91-A, it is public knowledge. Moore said nobody knew about the meeting. Connell said it was duly noticed. Moore then apologized and said he had been wrong.

Correspondence:
Gallen Career and Technical Education Center Letter
Chuck Connell advised the police department received a signed letter from the Gallen Career and Technical Education Center thanking Sergeant Stephen Cox for work he has done at the Littleton High School. Connell then read the content of the letter.

Connell then advised the board that he has received a request from Mrs. Gilbert requesting the deeding of property. Connell said he would make a determination of the value and then he would make a recommendation to the board for a purchase price. He recommended the public hearings be held on September 1st and September 15th. Bolt asked if there was any other business to come before the board. Ed Boynton made the motion to adjourn. Seymour seconded the motion. Passed 3-0.

Take Away Actions:
Bolt said the only take away action he has is the dedication of the Operation Iraqi Freedom Memorial Bridge

The meeting adjourned at 6:44 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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