Littleton
Board of Selectmen-Meeting Minutes-March 1, 2006
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 1, 2006
Present: Chairman Bill Hight, Vice Chairman George Hicks, Selectman Burt Ingerson
Chairman Bill Hight opened the meeting at 6:00 pm. At the Lakeway Elementary School Gymnasium. He advised those present that the purpose of this meeting was for discussion only of Warrant Articles # 9 through #37. These warrant articles were not discussed at the Deliberative Session in February. He emphasized the purpose of the meeting is not to influence how anyone votes but is strictly an opportunity to discuss the Warrant Article and give the Board a chance to explain why they have voted to recommend or not recommend certain articles. He added that the wording of the warrant article cannot be changed at this meeting and will appear on the ballot as written. He then turned the meeting over to Jason Hoch.
Jason read the wording of Article #9 “Purchase of Replacement of Ladder Truck”. He stated that in 2004 the ladder truck failed to pass certification. The Selectmen entered into a lease purchase agreement on a 2003 American Lafrance Aerial Truck. The truck would be partly funded by the authorization of withdrawal of $14,342 which was discovered by audit in a 1994 Capital Reserve Fund. The total amount appropriated would be $70,065 and would fund the second year lease payment. Jason added that this article appeared on last year’s ballot and received 58% of the votes. If passed this article would have an impact of nine cents on taxes. The Selectmen have recommended this article. If this article passes it will not appear on the ballot again next year.
Article 10
“Bridge Repair Fund.” Jason explained the money appropriated in this article is appropriated each year for the purpose of bridge cleaning and emergency bridge repairs. The Selectmen have recommended this article.
Jerry Surlucco asked if this money could be considered as planning ahead before the fact rather than scrambling for funds when an emergency occurs. Jason stated that this was the case.
“Reconstruction/Re-paving and Upgrading Various Town Road”.
Jason explained the Town has a road plan by which they maintain roads on a rotating basis with each road being slated for work within a five-year plan. He listed the names of the roads which are up for work this year. The $333,215 in addition to a $50,000 surplus from 2005 will add an impact on the tax rate of fifty four cents on the tax rate. The Selectmen have recommended this article.
John Street asked if this work would be put out for contract and if the Highway Superintendent would be overseeing the work.
Jason stated that all work will be put out to bid and under contract.
“Purchase of Highway Department Replacement Truck”.
The Town has a schedule for replacing highway equipment and run an annual cost of around $100,000. Any purchase is handled through the bid process before committing to any contract. Following this schedule keeps the Highway Department running efficiently. The Selectmen have recommended this article.
Article 13
“Purchase of Highway Department Tractor”.
It is the desire of the Highway Department to purchase a new tractor/sidewalk plow and use the current sidewalk plow as a back up. This appropriation of $35,995 would have a tax impact of six cents. The Selectmen have recommended this article.
Article 14
“Tranfer Station Reserve Fund Use”.
Jason explained this article will have no tax impact as it will be using an existing reserve fund. This reserve fund is used to buy trash bags, and to make equipment as well as building repairs as necessary. The Selectmen have recommended this article.
Article 15
“Elderly Tax Exemption.”
Jason explained after the reevaluation took place it became apparent that the elderly exemption criteria needed to be adjusted. This article allows the Town to adjust the income criteria to $25,000-$30,000 for single applicants and $35,000-$40,000 for married applicants. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 16
“Police Department Evaluation”
As explained by Jason, the last Police Department study was done in 1999. As the community has changed considerably, the Citizens’ Advisory Board has recommended a new study be completed. Tom Kennedy Chairman of that Board stated there has been a definite increase in police department activity. The case loads and paper work for each officer on duty has increased dramatically. He note it is not uncommon for each officer to have 30 cases ongoing at one time.
Linda Warden asked how the arrests are categorized. She wanted to know if the increase in police activity is primarily caused by the increased retail on meadow Street.
Chief Cam Brown stated that the retail on Meadow Street has increased the work load and that these statistics can be compiled for people who are interested in them. He invited anyone interested in obtaining this information to come in to the Police Department and request it.
Ton Kennedy stated the Citizens’ Advisory has met on two occasions with the Police Department staff to obtain feed back from them. The Committee is interested in improving communication between the Department and town officials. He feels that a study by a third party will result in valuable information which can be used to improve the Department. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 17
“Veterans Exemption”.
The proposed petition article would increase the Veterans Exemption from $300 to $500. Jason explained that in 2004 the $100 Veterans Exemption cost the Town $40,000. In 2005 the exemption increased to $300 which meant an increase of $70,000 for a total of $110,000. It the $500 exemption passes, it will cost the Town $180,000. This would be about an eleven cent impact on taxes. The Selectmen were asked why they do not support this article.
Bill Hight stated he is a veteran but did not approve of the increase in the exemption primarily because of the potential impact to the taxes. He did not feel it was the right time to be increasing it as it had just been increased from $100 to $300 last year.
Article 18
“Littleton Area Senior Center”
There was no discussion on this article to appropriate $25,000. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 19
“North Country YMCA”
No discussion took place on this article. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 20
“Littleton regional Hospital”
There was no discussion on this article. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 21
“Caleb Interfaith Group”
There was no discussion on this article. The Board of Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 22
“Hospice of the Littleton Area”
There was no discussion of this article. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 23
“Tri County CAP”
There was a questioned asked regarding whether the Town already handles some of these needs through its Welfare Department. Jason stated that the Welfare Department does assist eligible applicants but that referrals are made to CAP for certain needs when CAP has the available funding. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 24
North Country Home Health and Hospice”
There was no discussion on this article. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 25
“Northern Human Services”
There was no discussion on this article. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 26
“Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, Inc.”
There was no discussion on this article. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 27
“Littleton-Lancaster Transportation”
A questioned was asked who was in charge of this service. Jason stated he thought the service was managed through the Health Consortium. The Selectmen recommend this article.
Article 28
“Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce”
The Selectmen were asked why they were not in favor of this article. Selectman Hight stated that in past years the Chamber of Commerce has sought sponsors for the fireworks with Shaws sponsoring them one year and the Foto Factory sponsoring another year. Selectman Hight stated that the Selectmen thought that the $6,000 should be sought through sponsorship rather than adding this expense to the tax payer.
Article 29
“Audit of Drug Forfeiture Funds”
There was lengthy discussion on this article. Jason explained the Police Department has access to drug forfeiture funds when a drug case has been successfully investigated and prosecuted. The law now allows the convicted felons assets to be seized and sold. The funds from these assets is divided up between different agencies and the local police department which has taken part in the investigation and arrests. The money from these drug forfeiture funds can be used by the police department for services and equipment. These funds are carefully monitored and audited to make sure that the Town continues to be eligible for them. If the funds are mishandled in any way the Town would be responsible to pay back the funds and would become ineligible for any future funds. Jason noted that the Justice Department routinely audits these funds and the Town auditors of Plodzik and Sanderson audit them as well every year.
Art Tighe asked when the Town receives the funds and was told by Chief Brown that the funds come to the Town after arrests and prosecution has been made.
Casey Hadlock stated he would like to see a list of the items which have been purchased with this money.
Chief Brown stated that he can provide this information although there is some information which he cannot be too specific on because it involves equipment used for investigations which cannot be divulged to the public. He added that some of the funds were also used to renovate Mt. Eustis Commons in addition to the Town money which was used.