Selectmen’s meeting
April 14, 2003
Members Present: Sally S. Wentzell, Larry Rappaport, Greg Placy
Others Present: Susan Zizza, Charlie Jordan, Clifton Boudle, Sr., Officer Steve Cass and Donna Caron
The board signed the following documents:
Payroll Manifests for 3/31//03, 4/7/03 and 4/14/03
Voucher Manifests for 4/4/03 and 4/ll/03
NH Retirement System Certification Form for Timothy Stevens
Exemption Applications Approved by Assessor, ready for selectmen’s signature
The board approved an Extension Request from Jack Riendeau for lots R-7 – 4 L2, L3, L4, 5 & 6, which was submitted 3-24-03.
Stub Boudle met with the board reference his water and sewer bill for the trailer park. He explained that he did have meters on every trailer and they froze and broke every winter. Stub said Fred King, Parker Hicks and he thinks Jules Kennett, selectmen at that time, asked him to make an agreement with them to take care of that problem and he said he did. Fred went to Stub’s house and said the town was willing to charge Stub a flat rate on water and sewer for each trailer and Stub said only if they did not charge him while some tenants wintered in Florida. The board agreed to do this and Stub would call the office every quarter to tell how many empty mobile homes he had.
Greg explained that a current board did not have to abide by decisions made by previous boards.
Donna explained that one resident in Colebrook complained he was paying a flat un-metered rate of $65.00 per quarter and Stub only paid $30.00. The board voted to charge all un-metered units at the same rate. The trailer park at the rear of Brooks Chevrolet would either be on meters or pay the flat rate of $65.00 as would Stub’s mobile home park.
Stub did have a meter pit for at least eighteen years in an area that filled up with water each spring, which made the meter short out. The board voted to purchase a sealed water meter, rather than require Stub to purchase it and requested the public works department to install it. Stub was upset because the town did not ask him if they could change the meter. The town billed according to the meter reading, which was higher than the standard rate he usually paid. He paid his standard amount not the increased meter-reading amount.
Stub reminded Donna that he had a $50.00 credit because he and head start both paid a billing at the closing on his mother’s house.
Sweeping streets was discussed. Sheldon Gray told Donna that Kevin told him he would hire him to sweep the streets; Kevin said he did not say that. Sheldon’s sweeper has a larger capacity and would travel to dump the dirt less often than a smaller sweeper. Kevin said he budgeted $800.00 to sweep streets and by paying Sheldon $75.00 per hour instead of the company from Berlin $55.00 he would go over budget. Listed below are the three companies Kevin priced sweeping streets with and their hourly rates:
CBC Environmental Services of Bristol, NH 85.00 per hour
S. Gray Construction of Colebrook 76.00 per hour
Northern Paving & Construction of Berlin 55.00 per hour
Greg made a motion that next year the town would provide a list of streets and request a lump sum bid, this was seconded by Larry Rappaport and passed unanimously. A motion to offer the job to Sheldon for $850.00 was made by Greg, seconded by Larry and approved unanimously.
Donna read a letter from the News & Sentinel referencing the town advertising in their paper or the Colebrook Chronicle. Larry said the planning board attempted to advertise so that the homeowner would not be burdened with higher prices. The prices quoted to the board were $4.75 per square inch in the Chronicle and $6.00 per square inch in the News & Sentinel. He said the board could leave it up to the homeowner or applicant which paper they wished their ad be placed in. He discussed cluster housing and said the board could alternate advertising back and forth between the papers. Greg felt it would be hard to follow if the board alternated.
Charles Jordan said it is a free society, anyone can read and he felt town tax dollars should get the most for their money.
Steve notified the board that David Santamaria did resign from the police force.
5:00 Public Hearing
This public hearing was held per RSA 31:95B seeking permission to expend funds and receive reimbursement. This procedure is necessary so that the Town of Colebrook’s police force can conduct details for Winterset at the construction site north of the rest area and receive reimbursement from Winterset. Steve Cass explained how the regular details and blasting details would work. He wasn’t certain when the first blast was set up but both town police cruisers would be needed during the blasting. Steve would stay at the police station and the new cruiser would be on the south end of the detail and if an emergency arose, the officer would bring the car back to Steve immediately. Winterset superintendent Norman Brooks understands the second car might be called away.
Larry made a motion the board members enter executive session to discuss an employee situation, Greg seconded it and the motion passed with a unanimous vote. Larry made a motion for the board to exit executive session with the minutes sealed as there were no findings, Greg seconded the motion and it passed by a unanimous vote.
Larry said he was going to set up a meeting next week with CDDC, CDDA, roads superintendent, town government, and recreation center committee to work on the master plan and establish town goals and prioritize them. He said Sheila thinks she can type it for them. After the committee has planned what they think reflects the residents wishes they want a public meeting for the public’s input.
Larry told all present that he was meeting at North Country Council on Friday, April 25th with Peter Riviera reference fiber to the home. Greg suggested Larry ask the Main Street people to talk to Jim Dolly from Public Service. Larry said they have talked to NH Electric Coop about overall infrastructure owned by the coop and leased out to homeowners. He said there is fiber crossing in Pittsburg.
The board was notified of the Main Street invitation to attend the 5th annual excellence in downtown revitalization awards in Concord on Monday 5-5-03 at 5:00 PM. Tickets will be $20.00 before 4-25 and $30.00 after 4-25. Donna was requested to ask Monda Anderson if the Colebrook Main Street Program was going to win an award this year.
Sally notified other board members that Senator Gallas is having a meeting on May 10th at the Jefferson Town Hall from 10:00 to 12:00 with Ray Burton and other legislative officials. The board felt it would be good to discuss Colebrook’s needs with the politicians. She said Ray Burton’s Concord telephone number is 271-3077.
The board was advised about the upcoming HOAP trip to Beni Won Tons in Sherbrooke on May 5th, 2003 with Bristol Tours, Inc. bus company at a cost of $800.00. The board was also advised about the upcoming trip to Montreal during the Riverdance on June 21, 2003. That bus transportation cost of $875.00 and fees for the performance will be reimbursed from fees paid by the attendees.
Larry explained the rails to trails system he and several other people would like to see for Colebrook. He discussed it with Ed Jeffreys, who said he would be willing to bring the trail down to the recreation center property and go north from there. He would like to have an excursion line going south, which he would run.
Tri-County Community Action Program Inc. has requested charitable status for the house they purchased from Clifton Boudle. Sally explained that they have to prove charitable purpose and intent. She said the swimming pool area has asked for charitable status also. Larry said the pool committee is at the fund raising portion of the project and that the town needs to encourage it. Sally said that technically the town should not grant any tax status to empty buildings or vacant land.
Guy LaPerle would like the town to implement an annual vendor application and vendor fee to all people selling products out of vehicles or selling products in parking lots or temporary roadside stands. He feels the fee should be $1,500 to $2,000 annually because it is not fair to the taxpayers that roadside vendors do not pay a fee. The board said they would take it under advisement and if they see a problem they will deal with it. Donna will write Guy a letter.
Sally advised other board members that John Nugent would like to cut the spruce trees at the north end of the cemetery to open up the sight of his business. The cemetery trustees have decided not to allow these trees to be cut. After looking at the site it appears that the bushes on Mr. Nugent’s property and the high ground on his side of the line would still hinder view of his establishment.
Donna told the board that White Mountain Cable Company would like an answer as to if the board would give a longer franchise period. Greg said he would be willing but Sally is not willing to give more than one year and Larry said he would support her. Larry said there are two reasons he is opposed:
Under FCC regulations they are required to provide community channels. FCC talks about studios and putting on programs and the cable company cannot do this without running a line from Colebrook to their head point in Stewartstown.
Larry did mention that it was nonexclusive. Larry and Sally again said they would only sign a one-year franchise and would be willing to negotiate with the current cable company or with the willing buyer and maybe they might do something else, depending on what the new purchaser has in mind for the company. Larry said White Mountain Cable did put a lot of money into their system and he was willing to leave the door open for a willing buyer.
Sally told Greg and Larry that she went to a meeting discussing the no child left behind law. Greg said the teachers have to be certified in every subject they teach and have a degree.
The board discussed the need for a building inspector. Donna explained that she had talked to Mike King at North Country Council about the council hiring one and renting them out to area towns, but he never discussed it with her again.
Sally asked when the board was going to inspect the roads, it was agreed to do it the following Monday April 21st, 2003 at 4:00 PM. Greg asked if the fleet maintenance was assigned to different individuals. Donna said she was quite certain each man was responsible for a certain piece of equipment.
Pam Gadwah owns property in Colebrook and called from Texas to renew her car registration and was told the town had a problem with her residency. Her inventory form for 2002 indicates no one resides at her property. Her last residence tax bill was 2001. Sheila has asked how the selectmen would like her to handle the situation. The board voted she should not register her car in Colebrook, as she does not currently live in Colebrook. If she moves back to town than the board would not have a problem with her registering her car again. Sally requested Donna speak with Highway Enforcement Officer Stepanian.
Census mailed the town a map detailing town lines and asked if they were correct. The map was shown to Gibb Dodge as he marked the boundary lines last year. Gibb was not certain where the Colebrook and Columbia planning boards decided one section of the town boundary line was actually located on Titus Hill. Larry said the person to answer the Census town line question is surveyor Jon Cowan.
Donna notified the board about the Local Officials workshop being held in Littleton on May 19 in the event any board member wanted to attend.
Sally asked what the board was going to do about Nash’s barn on Golf Links Road that has all of the old vehicles around it. Eddie had told the planning board that Ronald Lyons had a lease until March 30th. Larry said he would go look to see if the cars were inside the barn yet. Larry will also go to Green Mountain Drive to see if Eddie has moved that trailer that he promised the planning board he would move by April 1st, 2003. If it is still there does the board want to send a letter? Larry made a motion to send a letter.
Donna asked about the trailer across from Claude Hubbard’s property. Larry thought Dr. Soucy was going to take care of that as a public health issue. He was advised that Dr. Soucy has not done anything to date. Donna is to write a letter to Dr. Soucy asking if he wishes to remain the public health officer for Colebrook.
Sally told the board about the Nash building that had frozen water pipes and ice all inside it, which was reported before April 1st, 2003. She and the appraiser looked at it. Susie said the insurance company totaled it but the appraiser cannot total it, as there is a structure there that has some value.
Larry said the town should work with Eddie on the junkyard permits also. He said that originally Eddie did put up the fence and he feels the town should issue a junkyard permit if Eddie puts the fence back up and lives up to the original conditions of the court order. Larry said that because of the court order the town would be allowed to give him a junkyard permit.
Donna was requested to call Attorney Moynihan about the fees Nash owes the town.
Sally said she would like the landfill monitoring well testing put out to bid.
Sally said she felt the state should plow Diamond Pond Road for Colebrook and Stewartstown as it leads to their state park. Greg said that four weeks before winter Peter Nugent said he wasn’t going to plow this year. He said the road is a class 2 highway to Harvey Swell Road just as Route 145 is a class 2 highway. Harvey Swell Road to Diamond Pond Road is a class 3 recreational road. This is the only class 3 road in the State of New Hampshire set up this way. Sally said she feels if the state owns the road they should plow it. Greg said he thought his state crew did plow it quite a bit this winter.
Greg asked if the highway does daily vehicle pre checks and he would like a list of who is responsible for each vehicle.
The Colebrook Planning Board asked the Colebrook Selectmen about parking of trucks on the sidewalk in front of the First Run Video Shop. This makes it difficult for people, especially those in wheel chairs to remain on the sidewalk. What can be done to remedy this? Greg said if the highway crew marked a 4’ sidewalk line he felt the vehicles would honor that section of sidewalk.
Rick Nadig wrote a letter to planning board in response to their letter about his customers parking along Bridge Street. He replied he was waiting for dry ground to pave the front lot and to work on the back parking lot.
Board members were asked if they wished to attend a North Country Council Scenic Byways & Transportation Enhancement Public Informational Meeting on May 20th from 2 to 6 at the Rocks?
They were also notified that Lancaster would host a public utilities commission meeting. New building permit requirements for NH State Residential Energy Code applications are a requirement for new residential construction that will have fossil fuel heat. Meeting is tentatively 5-13-03. Another workshop is Smart Growth workshops in NH on 6-5-03 at the Littleton Opera House from 7-9 PM
Kevin’s emergency response guide for public works and the public works weekly work schedules were passed out to board members.
Larry made a motion to adjourn and to post next Monday’s meeting, Greg seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by:Donna Caron
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