Town of Colebrook
Selectmen’s Meeting
May 9, 2007 – 3:00 pm
Members Present: Larry Rappaport. Frank Dumaine and Beno Lamontagne.
Others: Donna Caron, Gail Purrington, Chief Stephen Cass, Corporal Joseph Caron, Claire Lynch (press).
Guests: Gary Roberge and David Woodward from Avitar.
Selectmen signed all vouchers and manifests.
Corporal Joseph Caron met with the board to notify them that he had been released from the military and was ready to come back to work. The injury to his hand, which occurred while he was serving in Iraq, was discussed.
A motion to enter executive session to discuss Chief Stephen Cass’ contract was made by Frank Dumaine, seconded by Beno Lamontagne and approved by a 3-0 vote. A motion to exit executive session was made by Frank Dumaine, seconded by Beno Lamontagne and approved 3-0. During executive session the board did decide there was no need for a contract with the chief. Public Works Director Kevin McKinnon and Town Manager Donna Caron do not operate under one therefore the board did not see the need for the police chief to be treated any differently. One other contract issue under discussion was continued to the next meeting because the board wanted additional figures before making a decision. Donna will furnish this information to the board members at the next meeting.
The Board discussed the Shaw property issue with Mr. Roberge and Mr. Woodward (Avitar). Mr. Shaw feels as though he was “sandbagged” by the Town. The Board asked if Avitar had taken any pictures. They said that they used Mr. Shaw’s comparables. This issue will be researched further. The Jacobsma property appraisal was also discussed with Mr. Roberge and Mr. Woodward. Mr. Roberge said he had talked with Atty. Adele Fulton about the Jacobsma appraisal and told him she did not think the appraisal should be done by Avitar. She would like an independent appraisal done. The Board wanted to know if Ms. Fulton was aware that there were offers for this property. Mr. Roberge said that Ms. Fulton was aware of these offers, but he had not received any response from her as of
this meeting.
Mrs. Caron explained to the Board that Avitar would not be able to continue to work for the Town until the Selectmen signed the 3-year contract. The Board approved and signed the contract. The meeting with Mr. Roberge and Mr. Woodward concluded and the Board thanked them for coming to meet with the Board.
The Selectmen met with Dr. Bruce Latham and asked if he would be willing to serve as the Town’s Emergency Preparedness Management Deputy volunteer. Dr. Latham said that he would be pleased to serve the Town in this capacity. Mr. Lamontagne made a motion to appoint Dr. Latham as Emergency Preparedness Management Deputy volunteer. Mr. Dumaine seconded the motion. All approved 3-0. Dr. Latham gave the Board a brief overview of his background. Mr. Rappaport told Dr. Latham of the Town’s needs, as well as the Town’s long term goals in regard to the new ambulance building and the possibility of this building also housing the Town offices. Mr. Rappaport said that if this facility was built near the hospital it would be a good location for Emergency Management. The Town presently
has a generic State Emergency Plan, but would like to work with Dr. Latham to tailor a plan to fit the needs of the Town. Dr. Latham said that he would like to hold monthly meetings with representatives from different Town Departments (a Community Action Team) to teach them how to identify and preplan for the Town’s emergency needs.
Benoit Lamontagne made a motion to meet in executive session with Kevin McKinnon to discuss certain highway employee issues, Frank Dumaine seconded the motion, and it passed 3-0.
Mrs. Caron reported that NH Electric withdrew their case to the BTLA for their 2004/2005 tax abatement appeal.
Mrs. Caron showed pictures of the river wall on Academy Street. The pictures are from 2001 and show that there were no cracks in the wall at that time. There are now several cracks in the wall. Mrs. Caron talked to Dick Verville from the NH State Emergency Dept. He told her that if she could get pictures to him of the wall then and now that maybe he could help the Town obtain funds to repair the wall.
Mrs. Caron said that the North Country Council will be holding their quarterly meeting in Bethlehem on May 30th. She plans to attend.
Mr. Rappaport asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2007 Selectmen’s meeting. Mr. Dumaine made the motion and Mr. Lamontagne seconded. All approved 3-0.
The Board signed the following documents:
Excavation Tax Warrant Jesse Carney
Sheldon Gray
Elderly Exemptions Approved: Samuel Noyes
Roy Meehan
Denis Dube
Birdena Phillips
Elva Woodard
Valerie Gleason
Beatrice Lynch
Myron Strickland
Elderly Exemption Denied: Alan J. Stearne Income too high
Veterans Tax Credit Approved: Roy Meehan
Intents to Cut: Phil Lambert, South Hill
Kevin said wood has already been cut so new intent will not impact the road.
Kevin McKinnon
Michael and Melanie Gray
Intent to Excavate: Sheldon Gray
Mr. Lamontagne had several items he asked to bring to the table. 1. He asked Mrs. Caron about Brandy Lee Lane being paved. She said that there were no further plans to pave it at this time. 2. Mr. Lamontagne said that Melissa Oogle from Sen. Sununu’s would be in town on Thursday May 10. He said that she would be available to meet with anyone from the Town in the afternoon. Mrs. Caron said that she would like to meet with her to get an update on the grants and to ask about funding for radios for the Town.
The Board approved the Court Lease agreement to be signed by Mrs. Caron on a motion made by Mr. Lamontagne and seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All approved 3-0. Mrs. Caron signed the contract and each page was initialed.
Mr. Dumaine asked that the elderly exemptions be added to the Town Report to reflect the increase in the exemption and that this benefit was being used.
Mr. Dumaine said that he had received several complaints from Diane Graham of Notch View in regards to a foundation being installed, an electric fence being put in along the property line and trees being dug up and every other one being cut down. The Board said that in regard to the foundation a building permit would have been needed. Mrs. Caron said she would check with Sheila to see if a building permit had been submitted for the foundation. Mrs. Graham also informed Mr. Dumaine about trash all over the Daggett property and pigs being slaughtered in the road and the entrails left there. There was also a question about the Craig Nelson property and the driveway access being changed. The Board said that moving the driveway once it leaves the road is fine as long as the access is in the same location.
Mr. Lamontagne asked Mrs. Caron if a letter could be sent to the Chairman of the School Board and the School Superintendent in regard to the land easement. He said that just a quick general update to explain to them why this issue is dragging on would be fine.
Mr. Lamontagne asked to have copies made of the handouts he received from the Coos County Symposium that was held at the Balsams for the other Board members and Mrs. Caron. He said that this information would provide a brief summary of what was discussed at the symposium.
Mr. Dumaine wanted to confirm with Mrs. Caron if the new sidewalk to be installed on Dumont Street would be on the right side. If so, he wanted to inform the Board that one of the properties that the sidewalk would cross was now up for sale. Mrs. Caron confirmed that the sidewalk would be on the right side of the street.
Meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm on a motion by Mr. Lamontagne and seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All approved 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Purrington
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