LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 29, 2006
Present: Selectmen George hicks, Burt Ingerson, Ed Farrell, Town Mananger Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Bernard Chase presented a list of proposed items for improving communication between Town Officials and the public. He also submitted a request that he be appointed to the Town Maintenance Committee. Mr. Chase told the Selectmen he feels that information should be more forthcoming from the Town Officials. The public should not have to come to every Selectmen’s Meeting to see and hear what is going on. He suggested the Selectmen change the time of the Selectmen’s Meetings to 7:00 pm and that the meetings be televised on Channel 2.
Selectman Hicks stated that he will not authorize televised Selectmen’s Meetings and that he is adamant on this issue. He added that in the past the Meetings have been held at 7:00 pm and that the meetings became entertainment for people to hassle the Board Members. Selectmen Ingerson stated that the Meetings are public and the public has the opportunity to be there if they choose. Selectmen Hicks noted that there are also reporters at each meeting and the meetings are covered in both newspapers.
Mr. Chase stated he feels the Selectmen has done an inadequate job in communicating to the public. He added he would like a more detailed list of how the drug forfeiture money was spent. Jason pointed out that a list appears in the Town Report and this is the same list which was submitted to the Department of Justice.
Jerry Surlucco stated he does not feel that there is one good time for a meeting as someone is always going to be inconvenienced. He added he does not object to the 4:00 pm time slot.
Jason added that with so many projects in progress in Littleton, it might be helpful to hold a Town Manager’s Report segment on Channel 2 similar to the one Alan Smith does on the Principal’s Report. Jason stated this is something he is willing to consider.
Brien Ward thanked Ed Farrell for his effort in reaching out to the public at this election. He noted that in his opinion, there were no winners on Town Meeting day. He added the voters have indicated they would like to see a different tone to the issues faced by the Town. The voters wish to be respected and involved. Brien stated he had met with George Hicks to discuss this and to come up with an agenda on which the voters and Town Officials can work on with a positive attitude. He referred to this as his “Yes Agenda”. He stated he feels the voters have given an indication on where they on the Town Building Renovation issue. He still feels the voters would like to see the Police Department back in the Town Building and an effort should be made to reach out to see if the proposed plan can be redesigned to accomplish this goal. The Redington Street Bridge and the Tri-Town Project are critical to the Town’s economy and should be reconsidered as well as the Tuite/Small Parking lot. All of these items need to be reconsidered and this could be done at a Special Town Meeting.
Selectmen Hicks asked if the Board would reconsider moving the Police Department back into the renovated Town Building, would the voters reduce the amount of budget cuts made to the budget. Brien stated he felt they would reconsider some of the cuts but not all. Selectmen Hicks stated he is not in favor of moving the Police Department back into the Town Building.
Frank Porfido stated this could be a starting point but there has to be give and take on both sides.
Bernard Chase added the parking lot issue needs to be better explained to the voters. They did not really understand what they were voting on.
Jerry Surlucco stated he is not crazy about holding a Special Town Meeting as he feels the voters have already spoken. There are no easy answers out there.
Don Merrill asked how the Lakeway School fits into the scheme of things. Jason stated that if the school is vacated the future use of the building will need to be decided. Brien Ward stated that there would need to be at least an enrollment of 400 students to support a middle school. Selectman Hicks stated the Board has no jurisdiction over the School Board and their agenda and there is no time line that he is aware of to settle this matter. Brien Ward added he is aware that there has been three letters of non-compliance from the State.
Jerry Eames stated common sense should lead toward full use of the Town Building and preserving this historic building.
Dick Merrill asked how the $88,000 lease amount already spent will be handled after the effects of the Town Meeting vote. Selectman Hicks replied that the Board does not truly know how this will be dealt with. Mr. Merrow stated he feels if the Selectmen change their mind and allow the Police Department to be configured in the Town building renovation plans it will change the vote.
Carol Cullen presented a letter of credit from Herb Lahout for his project at Lahout Pines on Bishop Street. The Board found the letter of credit in the amount of $557,500 acceptable and Selectman Ingerson moved to accept the letter of credit. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0.
Carol also presented a request of Waiver of Liability from Arrow Equipment for Forest Glen road. It is understood that the Town will not maintain the Road. Selectman Ingerson moved to accept the request of Waiver of Liability for Forest Glen Road. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0.
Jason noted that a third party had been asked to review the connections at Lahout Pines and found everything in compliance. Selectman Ingerson asked if it had been necessary to increase the size of the water main. Jason stated that it was not as the need had been anticipated.
Town Roads were posted on last Friday. George Chartier held off posting them as long as he could while the weather was still cold.
Jason and George have been reviewing bid specs for the equipment which was authorized for purchase at Town Meting. It is hoped to get the bid requests out in April and back in May.
There was a preconstruction meeting two weeks ago in regard to the centrifuge. The centrifuge is expected in May and will take approximately ten days to install. Eddy Moore stated that the Selectmen have already approved a $500,000 lease on this equipment.
Jason will be meeting with Carol Murray, Don Jutton and Cathy Conway to discuss engineering for the Main Street project, the Tri Town project as well as the Redington Street Bridge.
The Conservation Commission has recommend and encouraged Lowe’s to work with the Ammonoosuc Land Trust.
Selectman Farrell moved to authorize the acceptance of a scholarship in memory of Jeremy Raynier and the establishment of a trust fund from which the scholarship will be paid. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Selectman Ingerson moved to appoint Tony Alacqua as representative and Jackie King as alternative representative to the Pemi Baker Solid Waste District. The motion was seconded by selectman Farrell.
Selectman Ingerson moved to appoint Dan Cullen and Jon Criswell to the Citizens Advisory Board. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0.
The Selectboard and Jason are in receipt of a memo from Linda MacNeil indicating her interest in serving as Chairman on a new Committee to come up with a viable plan to renovate the town building. Selectman Farrell stated he would like to see a member of the Select board chair this committee. He added the Board should be very careful in selecting people to serve on the committee, as it is important to have an even balance on the committee. Selectman Farrell stated he would be willing to Chair this Committee although he noted he is the least experienced of the Selectmen. Selectman Ingerson moved to have Selectman Farrell chair this committee. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0. Selectmen Farrell stated he will talk to people and get a list of potential committee members for the Board to choose from.
Bernard Chase asked why there is not an established revenue fund for the maintenance of bridges in Town and why the Town was only asking for $2500 this year at Town Meeting. Mr. Chase stated he would like to see the town work on a plan to start funding a Capital Reserve Plan which would be more lucrative for the Town. He added that he has learned that it is cheaper in the long run to continually maintain items rather than let them run down and then try to fix the problems.
Selectman Ingerson moved to elect George Hicks as Select Board Chairman. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0. Chairman Hicks moved to elect Selectman Ingerson as Vice Chiarman. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0. Selectman Ingerson moved to elect Selectman Farrell as Secretary. The motion was seconded by Chairman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Selectman Ingerson moved to authorize Chairman Hicks to sign all documents in regard to the CDBG Grant for the Beattie House project. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0. This motion supercedes the original motion of the Select Board which had authorized William Hight to sign these documents. Mr. Hight has retired from the Board.
Selectman Farrell moved to approve the minutes of March 8, 2006 as amended. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
It was agreed to run an ad in the Courier to fill vacancies on various Boards.
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent
Executive Assistant
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Chairman George O.Hicks
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Vice Chairman Burt E. Ingerson Selectman Ed Farrell