Town of Colebrook
Selectmen’s Meeting
September 26, 2007 – 4:00 pm
Members Present: Larry Rappaport. Frank Dumaine and Beno Lamontagne (arrived at 4:40 pm).
Others: Donna Caron, Gail Purrington.
Guests: John Kaufmann, Patty Craig
Meeting was called to order by Chairman Larry Rappaport.
Selectmen signed all vouchers and manifests.
Chairman Larry Rappaport asked for a motion to approve the Town of Colebrook to serve as the applicant for the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund/NH Charitable Foundation grant. Mr. Dumaine made the motion, as read by Mrs. Caron, as follows: Whereas the Town of Colebrook wishes to enhance the economic vitality of its downtown district, and, Whereas the Colebrook Downtown Development Association is engaged in a project to revitalize a historic town building to be used as a community center, heritage center and performing and visual arts center, and, Whereas the Town of Colebrook desires that the building have full public and handicap access and be a safe gathering place for its citizens and visitors. The Town of Colebrook, therefore authorizes Donna Caron, Town Manager, to submit a grant application to the Neil and Louise
Tillotson Donor Advised Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for funds, up to the allowable grant application limit, to be used to purchase and install, in cooperation with other donated funds and efforts by others, an automatic sprinkler and alarm system and an elevator, in the Colebrook Grange Hall Building. It is a condition of this authorization that no tax raised funds of the Town have been authorized at any previous Town Meeting, and therefore, none will be expended. It is also the understanding of the Select Board that this application for, receipt and application of such grant funds will not oblige the Town of Colebrook to assume any ownership or other responsibility for the project or building, or make any obligation to any of the other organizations involved in the renovation project, other than the specific performance as outlined in the grant application. The motion was seconded by Mr. Rappaport as read. All approved 2-0.
Chief Cass met with the Selectmen to discuss the prosecutor’s position. He reported the number of cases the prosecutor has worked on since his hire. He also explained that this position has freed up a lot of his time so that he can deal with other matters and do patrols. Mr. Dumaine expressed a concern that the hours the prosecutor was incurring were over the amount originally stated by Chief Cass, which were about 20 – 25 per week. Chief Cass stated that he never intends for this position to be full time in answer to Mr. Dumaine’s concerns of too many hours. Mr. Dumaine suggested that the prosecutor keep Chief Cass informed if the hours need to go over the part time amount specified. Mr. Rappaport asked about the cases on the list that the prosecutor had done and Chief Cass reported
that they have all been tried and are done.
Mr. Dumaine asked about the advertisement for a new officer and why it wasn’t listed in the State of New Hampshire monthly magazine. Mrs. Caron said that the deadline for placing had passed when the decision to post the police officer position was made. Mr. Dumaine also asked about an officer being placed at the Colebrook Academy when school is dismissed at the end of the day. He said that there had been an incident at the school buses the other day and was concerned that there wasn’t a police officer there. Chief Cass said that he is usually at Colby Street directing traffic when the elementary school is dismissed, but he will go to the Colebrook Academy for a while to monitor their dismissal.
Chief Cass also informed the Board that the Police Department along with area law enforcement personnel and the Colebrook Academy Key Club are doing a “school shooting” drill at the elementary school this coming weekend. This drill was something that Chief Cass asked to have done and the Key Club thought it was a good project.
Mr. McKinnon presented to the Selectmen several items pertaining to the Public Works Department:
1. He informed the Board that David Belanger has offered the use of his equipment to clean out the culverts on East Colebrook Road for a 10-hour day at a cost of $600.
2. Lewis Ford purchased the Ford 450 truck on a motion to approve their bid at the last Selectmen’s meeting. Mrs. Caron said that they will be coming in with a check in the next day or two.
3. The SolarBees are being financed by PSNH at either $2275 a month for 7 years or $3000 a month for 5 years at no interest. It was decided to go with the 7-year monthly payment of $2275.
4. Mr. McKinnon asked to purchase a pressure washer. He priced a unit from Power America at a cost of $2795 plus $400 for a culvert kit. Mr. Dumaine asked about the warranty. Mr. McKinnon said he would check on that. Mr. Lamontagne made a motion to approve the purchase of the pressure washer based on the warranty of the unit. Mr. Dumaine seconded the motion. All approved 3-0. The Board also asked Mr. McKinnon to go back to Ideal Auto and if they could come in with a price within $100 of Power America that they would prefer that he purchase the pressure washer locally from Ideal.
5. The Board approved the purchase of sand screens for the new truck at a price of $840 made to order and delivered on a motion by Mr. Lamontagne and seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All approved 3-0.
6. Discussion of the purchase of winter tires for all three plow trucks was discussed. Northern Tire gave Mr. McKinnon a price of $3080 which included mounting. The Board asked Mr. McKinnon to seek other pricing. Mr. Rappaport asked for a motion to approve the purchase of the tires at the price not to exceed $3080. Mr. Lamontagne made a motion to approve the purchase of winter tires based on Mr. Rappaport’s suggestion. Mr. Dumaine seconded the motion. All approved 3-0. Mr. LaPerle the owner of Northern Tire offered to look into government pricing for the tire purchase and let Mr. McKinnon know what he finds out. The Selectmen were pleased
with his offer and thanked him.
7. Mr. McKinnon explained to the Selectmen the need for a backup power source for the SolarBees. He had received a price from S&S Electric of $1353 including labor. Later in the meeting Mr. McKinnon stated that he needed to have a 3-phase electric panel and wiring installed in the new building at the Town Garage. Mrs. Caron suggested that he put both the SolarBee back up power and the 3-phase for the new building out to bid jointly. The Selectmen agreed.
8. A water rate increase was discussed. Mrs. Caron had not had a chance to review the Underwood report yet. Mr. McKinnon said that they were suggesting to double the rate, but that he would rather see the rate increase at half that amount. Mr. Rappaport agreed that the increase is necessary. Mrs. Caron said that she will review the report and get the numbers to the Board. All agreed that residents need to be informed. A January 1st increase date was discussed with the water rate going from $20 to $30. No vote was taken at this point.
Mr. Willey met with the Board and asked if the Town would be willing to gravel parts of his road (Willey Road). This road is a Class #6 road and the Town is not obligated to maintain it. It was determined that for emergency vehicle purposes the Town will spread several loads of gravel near the culverts on this road to help with preventing washouts. Mr. Dumaine made a motion to have two loads of gravel spread near the culverts on Willey Road based on the needs of Emergency vehicles traveling on this road. Mr. Lamontagne seconded the motion. All approved 3-0.
Mr. LaPerle met with the Board to discuss his plans of purchasing additional property adjacent to the property he now owns off of North Main Street. He would like to take a portion of the property that is currently in current use out of current use to build a home on and put the property he plans to purchase in current use. His concern was whether he would have to pay the land use change tax. It was thought that he would have to pay the land use change tax, but could then come to the Selectmen to ask to have it abated. No determination was made and Gail Purrington will do some more research on the current use laws.
Two sidewalk bids were received. The first from B.M. Concrete for $1886 and the second from Bordonaro Bros. for $2750. Mr. Lamontagne made a motion to approve the bid from B.M. Concrete for $1886. Mr. Dumaine seconded the motion. All approved 3-0.
Mrs. Caron reported that the Junkyard Workshop books have not come in yet, but when they do she will give one to each Board member.
On October 25th there will be a meeting with Portland Natural Gas. Mrs. Caron asked if any selectmen were going to attend. Mr. Dumaine said he attended last year and felt it was a nice presentation.
Mrs. Caron talked to the Selectmen about the Pittsburg Selectmen procedure she had discussed with Brendan McKeage whereby the newest member of the Board serves as the Chairperson. He said that as the Chairperson does not make motions it is a good learning experience for the new member so that he can observe how motions are made and learn from the senior board members. Mrs. Caron said that she was presenting this to the Board just as “food for thought”.
Mrs. Caron discussed the Conservation Commission and their lack of participation. She said that she had contacted all the members and has not heard from anyone. She feels that a new Commission should be appointed. No further discussion was had at this point.
April Hyde, an employee of the Public Works Department was appointed as an alternate to the Joint River Commission based on her move back to Colebrook. Mr. Lamontagne made a motion to approve Ms. Hyde as the alternate. Mr. Dumaine seconded the motion. All approved 3-0.
A sale price for the Town owned property off Leigh Lane will be listed at $24,900 based on comparables in the area done by Francine Rancourt of Ray Davis Realty. Mr. Lamontagne made a motion to approve listing the property at this price with Ms. Rancourt at Ray Davis Realty. Mr. Dumaine seconded the motion. All approved 3-0.
Discussion of the sale of White Mountain Cablevision was discussed. The Selectmen had concerns about this and the original agreement that the Town had with White Mountain Cablevision. They asked Mrs. Caron to set up a meeting with the present owners and the new buyers to discussion the situation.
Mrs. Caron expressed her condolences to Mr. Lamontagne on the death of his mother-in-law and said that the Town does a donation to the Charity the family chooses. Mr. Lamontagne asked that the donation be given to the Colebrook Library as his mother-in-law had been an avid reader.
The School Board would like to meet with the Selectmen in regard to the Mohawk River retaining wall work to be done adjacent to Academy Street. The complete Select Board is not available to meet with the School Board at their next meeting and asked Mrs. Caron to have the School Board attend the next Selectmen’s meeting.
A brief discussion of the ambulance building situation was held. Mr. Rappaport reported that right now the group was at an impasse.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 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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