Littleton Board of Selectmen-Meeting
Minutes-June 14, 2006
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
JUNE 14, 2006
Present: Chairman George Hicks, Selectman Burt Ingerson, Selectman Ed Farrell, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
PUBLIC HEARING
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Chairman George Hicks opened the Public Hearing for the proposed warrant article for Special Town Meeting at 3:30 pm. He then turned the meeting over to Jason Hoch.
Jason noted the purpose of the hearing is to discuss a 3.5 million dollar bond petition for borrowing authority for the Town of Littleton. The purpose of the bond will be to upgrade Brook Road, replace the Redington Street Bridge, and to build the infrastructure to the Tri Town Industrial Park. The Town is on the State’s schedule for a partial reimbursement (80%) for replacement of the bridge in 2009. If authorized by the voters, the Town could replace the bridge sooner and pay back their share in 2006, 2007 and 2008. This would allow the Tri town project to move forward. Jason added he did not feel the Town would have to borrow the entire 3.5 million ever. The Town would need to pay roughly $450,00 for engineering. There would be costs of around $51,000 for the land and right-of-way. The bridge replacement would cost around 2.3 million. The net cost to the Town of Littleton would be around $140,000.
Eddy Moore read an article from the March 31st issue of the Courier which stated the total cost of the project to be 4.835 million. He added the voters do not want to give the Town a blank check with no idea of what the money will be spent on. He urged the Selectmen to educate the voters prior to the Special Town Meeting and to keep them informed of all aspects of the project.
Ed Hennessy and Schuyler Sweet stated they intend to aggressively promote the warrant article and to educate the voters prior to the vote.
John Streeter asked who the primary tax recipient will be. Ed Henessey stated the town of Lisbon, Bethlehem and Littleton will share equally.
Chairman Hicks adjourned the Public hearing and opened the regular Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:05 pm.
Town Manager Jason Hoch announced he would be resigning his position at the end of July. He thanked the Selectmen for their support and for the opportunity to have served Littleton.
Mark Driscoll requested permission to put surveillance cameras up temporarily in the park to see if it will help curb the vandalism which has been taking place over the last several months.
The Selectmen agreed to place the cameras for two months and to have Mr. Driscoll report back to them with an update. Jason will also check with the insurance company to see what has to be done to comply with the Privacy Act. He stated it might just be a posted sign on the premises stating there are cameras in operation.
Chairman Hicks closed the Selectmen’s Meeting and opened the Board of Assessors Meeting.
Carol Cullen presented sewer abatements for the Board’s consideration.
Selectman Farrell moved to approve the abatements as per Carol Cullen’s memo of June 13th. The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Jason noted that all abatements need to be taken care of by July 1st. There are still a few the assessors are working on.
Carol Cullen asked the Board of Selectmen to reconsider the abatement denial for Bruce Hadlock which was based on the lack of form PA42 which was unheard of from this office. Selectman Ingerson moved to grant the abatement as requested. The motion was seconded by Selectman Farrell and carried 3-0.
Chairman Hicks closed the Board of Assessors Meeting and re-opened the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting.
Jason reported the assessors have picked up between 10-15 million dollars in new assessments.
The reimbursement from the State for Union and Bishop Streets has been approved by DES.
The plans for Fairview Street have been reviewed with Mike Stein.
The rebidding for Badger and Kelley Streets will take place the first part of July.
The contract with CMA for landfill monitoring is up for renewal.
The Town Clerk will now have the ability to do on-line registering of RVs and motorcycles.
The Town of Bristol has sent their thanks for the Littleton Police Department’s assistance during their recent flood.
Work will begin on the Old Waterford Road soon with work to follow on Brickyard Road in July. Road striping will take place as soon as the weather is dry enough.
Jason has been negotiating with the unions and hope to reach an agreement in late June or early July.
Selectman Farrell moved to approve the minutes of May 24, 2006 . The motion was seconded by Selectman Ingerson and carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent
Executive Assistant