Littleton
Board of Selectmen-Meeting Minutes-May 10, 2006
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
MAY 10, 2006
Present: Chairman George Hicks, Selectman Burt Ingerson, Selectman Ed Farrell, town Manager Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Chairman Hicks opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:00 pm.
Veronica Francis from Tech Link New Hampshire attended the meeting to present a donation of a public access computer to the Town of Littleton. She explained the computer was obtained through funding from the Model Community Grant for a four-year Americorps/VISTA program to increase computer access in Northern New Hampshire. The program ended in April of 2006.
The computer was installed in the Town Office lobby area in October 2004. The computer has free wireless access through the Littleton Unwired Project. Tech Link is donating the computer to the Town of Littleton in an effort to continue to provide free wireless access to the public. Ms. Francis stated the wireless connection is currently available from the Opera House to the Littleton Diner. A few of the downtown businesses as well as Techlink have donated to sponsor the program. Veronica has been researching what would be involved to expand the region and continue wireless access. She asked to continue to use the Opera House roof to beam the wireless signal up Main Street. There were no objections to continuing this.
The Selectmen thanked Ms. Francis for the donation of the computer and for coming in to their meeting.
Ray Cloutier read a prepared letter to the Board regarding his concerns with the Saranac Street, Ammonoosuc Street and Mill Street neighborhood/business district. He stated he feels that this area has been ignored in the plans for the reconstruction of Main Street. He added this area is a viable and important part of Main Street and should be included in plans for the reconstruction. He noted areas of concern as poor signage, inefficient flow of traffic, pedestrian safety and inefficient use of existing parking.
In addition to this, he is extremely concerned with the poor drainage on Saranac Street and degradation to his property as a result of this. He stated he has put in 15” drainage pipes and material for a retaining wall only to see it washed into the river after heavy rain. He has owned the Tannery for eleven years and has tried to make improvements to the property during the time he has owned it. He has currently requested a tax abatement because of damage caused by the poor drainage.
Jason as well as the Selectmen agreed that this particular area needs attention. Jason noted the traffic flow behind the bank is a nightmare and there is currently limited compliance with traffic signs which he sees on a daily basis from his office window. Selectman Ingerson added the biggest bottleneck appears to be in the area of Tile Etc. and Saranac Street.
Jason noted the Town’s willingness to work with Mr. Cloutier and his neighbors to improve the situation. He stated he is prepared to take a more aggressive manner in trying to improve the situation.
Mr. Cloutier expressed a desire to be on the new Main Street Committee and will advocate for improvements to the area between Main Street and the River. He would also like to see the Riverwalk completed noting there are now two foot bridges but no safe way for a pedestrian to get to them.
The Selectmen thanked Mr. Cloutier for coming in.
Chairman Hicks opened the Board of Assessors Meeting
Carol Cullen presented abatements request for the Board’s review.
Carol presented a recommendation from MRI to correct the tax record on the Mike Kilby/Khonie Poulsen property to bring it in line with the current equalization figure.
Selectman Farrell moved to correct the tax record. Selectman Ingerson seconded the motion and it carried 3-0.
Carol noted that Joe Lessard from MRI has recommended the Selectmen reconsider the abatement request applications of which some were denied due to improper filing.
Selectman Farrell moved to reconsider these application. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Chairman Hicks closed the Board of Assessors Meeting and re-opened the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting.
Carol Cullen presented an Amended Welfare Guideline for Food, Maintenance Allowance and Transportation. The updated Guideline will be in line with the Federal Food Stamp allotment and the IRS mileage limit.
Selectman Ingerson moved to approve these new guidelines as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0.
Eddy Moore noted the Saranac Bridge railing is snagging people’s clothing and complaints have been brought to him. Jason stated he and Jon Criswell have talked about some improvements to the bridge and hope to have some of them in place this year. Eddy would like to see the bridge dedicated soon as this has been long awaited by the Curran family.
Eddy also formally requested the Selectmen consider having their Selectmen’s Meeting videotaped for Channel 2. He told the Selectmen it would be a good gesture on their part to promote better public relations with the voters and citizens in town. He would like to see them voluntarily do this rather than be forced into it. He noted this is a request which is not going to go away.
Jason and Selectman Farrell are not opposed to the idea. Selectmen Hicks and Ingerson do not wish to televise the Meetings.
There is still one monitoring well at the closed landfill which is giving high readings of methane. Jason noted there is no cause for alarm but this well will need to be monitored and followed up on. It may be necessary to dig another well at some point.
The clean-up day on Saturday went well with many volunteers participating. Chad Stearns and Tony Ilacqua are proceeding with their plans for the Adopt-A-Road Program. Mary Edick has volunteered to help them.
Sweeping in Town has not been completed. The Highway Department will now concentrate on the streets on the outskirts of Town.
Some of the old computers have been sold and there has been some interest shown in the items which have been listed for silent auction.
The Town’s audit has been scheduled for the end of this month. Some of the necessary records have already been delivered to the auditors.
It is hoped to have the tax bills out by the end of this month. It will be necessary to obtain a small tax anticipation note this year in order to satisfy some of the Town’s obligations.
Jason and Judy White have identified some money in her budget for the purpose of microfilming some more of her vital statistics.
Chad Sterns and Jason have been working on the Capital Improvement Plan. They hope to have the first draft ready for the Selectmen’s review within the next two weeks. This document will make a good foundation for the Planning Board as well as the Maintenance Committee.
The Fire Department’s tanker truck has failed inspection and is currently being repaired. It needs work on the exhaust system as well as a turbine intake for the engine.
Selectman Farrell brought the Selectmen up to date on his work with the Opera House/Police Facilities Committee. He stated the Committee is close to identifying four scenarios which they will list in their final report. They are currently getting input from other Towns with Opera Houses to see how they manage their programming issues. The Committee is requesting $500 to pay a consultant to come to Littleton to meet with them. Town Manager and the Selectmen felt that this would be money well spent.
Jason noted that Portsmouth Music Hall has been working with Save America’s Treasures and have received $400,000 in grants. The money, however, comes with many stipulations.
Jason advised the Selectmen that if they are to have a Special town Meeting in September they will have to act quickly in order to petition the Court and notice it in a timely manner. Jason said it would make sense to tie in a Special town Meeting with the September Primary as people would be out to vote at that time anyway.
In other business, Selectman Farrell moved to appoint Tom Alt as full voting member and Sean Sweeney as Alternate Member to the Conservation commission for three-year terms. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Sewer bills will go out at the end of the month. Carol Cullen is working on some data entry.
Selectman Farrell moved to approve the minutes of April 26, 2006 as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried.
Selectman Farrell moved to go in to Non-public Session under RSA 91A;3 to discuss a personnel issue. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0. the Selectman were polled, each agreeing to go into Non-public Session. The Board entered into Non-public Session at 5:30 pm.
Selectman Farrell moved to come out of Non-public Session at 6:00 pm. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0. The Selectman were polled each agreeing to come out of Non-Public Session.
The Meeting adjourned at 6:00 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