Town of Colebrook
Selectmen’s Meeting
May 14, 2008 5:00 pm
Members Present: Frank Dumaine, Roland Cotnoir and Benoit Lamontagne (arrived at 5:30 p.m.)
Others: Gail Purrington, Donna Caron, Kevin McKinnon
Guests: Cathy Conway, Dennis Boudle, and Joe Anderson.
Call to Order: Mr. Frank Dumaine called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
…Other Business…
PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Dumaine opened the first public hearing for discussion of the CDBG project at 5:07 p.m.
Cathy Conway from NCIC explained that Community Development Block Grant funds are available to municipalities for economic development, public facility and housing rehabilitation projects and feasibility studies that primarily benefit low and moderate income persons. The Town of Colebrook is eligible for up to $500,000 a year for public facility/housing rehabilitation, up to $500,000 a year for economic development projects, as well as up to $500,000 a year in emergency funds. Feasibility Study funds are available for up to $12,000 per year.
The proposed application to the Community Development Finance Authority is for $120,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds. The funds will be used to finance a portion of improvements to the industrial building at the Colebrook Industrial Park for Colebrook Manufacturing.
This project conforms with The Town of Colebrook’s Housing and Community Development Plan’s Goal of: Promote a strong, balanced, diversified economy and encourage businesses to relocate to Colebrook
The proposed project will create approximately 30 full time jobs, 60% of those jobs will be available to low and moderate income persons.
There was no public present for the Hearing.
Mr. Cotnoir motioned to close the Public Hearing on the project portion of the CDBG block grant hearing. Seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All in favor. 2-0. Motion passed.
Mr. Cotnoir motioned to open the second Public Hearing for discussion of the proposed Housing & Community Development Plan. Seconded by Mr. Dumaine All in favor. 2-0. Motion passed.
· Cathy Conway explained that the Housing and Community Development Plan is one that the Board adopted in 2007. We need to re-adopt the plan. The plan includes short and long term goals concerning economic development and community development, including: Apply to CDBG for funding assistance to locate businesses to the Industrial Park
There was no public present for the Hearing.
Mr. Cotnoir motioned to close this portion of the Public Hearing. Seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All in favor - 2-0. Motion passed.
Mr. Cotnoir motioned to open the third Public Hearing regarding the Residential Anti-
Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan. Seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All in favor. 2-0.
Motion passed.
Cathy Conway explained that if any displacement takes place as a result of this project, the Uniform Relocation Act must be followed, which requires that any displaced household or business in a project using any federal funds must be found comparable housing in a comparable neighborhood at a comparable price. No displacement is anticipated at this time. Under the certification section of the application, the town will certify that the Residential Antidisplacement & Relocation (RARA) plan is in place, and in the event that it is discovered that this specific project does displace persons or households, a displacement implementation plan must be submitted to CDFA prior to obligating or expending funds.
There was no public present at the Hearing.
Mr. Cotnoir motioned to close the public portion of this Hearing. Seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All in favor - 2-0. Motion passed.
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The Board of Selectmen made the following motions:
Mr. Cotnoir motioned to approve the submittal of the application and vote to authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Benoit Lamontagne to sign and submit the application, and upon approval of the CDBG application, authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Benoit Lamontagne to execute any documents which may he necessary to effectuate the CDBG contract. Seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All in favor. 2-0. Motion passed.
Mr. Cotnoir motioned to adopt the updated Housing and Community Development Plan. Seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All in favor - 2-0. Motion passed.
Mr. Cotnoir motioned to adopt the Residential Antidisplacement and Relocation Assistance Plan. Seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All in favor 2-0. Motion passed.
The Chair closed the Public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Lamontagne arrived at the meeting at this time.
Regular meeting began at 5:30 pm on a motion by Mr. Cotnoir and seconded by Mr. Dumaine. All approved 3-0.
The Boudle water bill abatement for the trailer park was discussed. Mr. Boudle felt that at this point, until the new meter is installed that he should only have to pay the estimated amount he has been paying of $194.70. Mr. Lamontagne was concerned that the amount to be agreed upon would be the amount that Stubby Boudle used to pay, which was $720 per month. Mr. McKinnon suggested that the bill be left at the $194.70 at this time and then adjusted accordingly when the new meter is installed. Mr. Lamontagne asked to recuse himself from further discussion as he is a tenant in the mobile home park. Discussion continued on this matter. Mr. Cotnoir said that the Town had no proof on an accurate reading for he last two years and that part of the issue was the Town’s mistake in the water billing for
the park. At this point Mr. Dumaine made a motion to abate all but the $194.70 and in the next quarter water bill, once the new water meter is in place the park owners will make any necessary adjustment to the bill from the $194.70 and the actual water meter reading amount. Mr. Cotnoir seconded the motion. Approved 2-0 as Mr. Lamontagne had recused himself from the vote.
Mrs. Caron will give a copy of the water regulations to the Select Board for their information.
A brief discussion was held in regard to the Court’s request for a long term lease with the Town of Colebrook. Mrs. Caron will be meeting with the Court representative when she comes to inspect the facility.
Mr. McKinnon met with the Board to discuss several items listed below.
1. Mr. McKinnon asked the Board for permission to purchase new cutting edges for the plows and wings. He needs 4 sets. The cost is $2,631 for all 4 sets. Mr. Dumaine made a motion to approve the purchase of the 4 sets of cutting edges for $2, 631. Mr. Cotnoir seconded the motion. All approved 3-0.
2. Mr. McKinnon reported that the request to have an extension for the landfill to continue operating to December 1, 2008 was denied by the State. The extension was given to September 1, 2008. Discussion was held on the landfill in regard to Casella being able to fill the landfill by September 1st, what they were using to fill the space, and concerns with why the State wouldn’t extend the operation of the landfill to December 1st. Mr. Lamontagne said the he would contact the DES to explain the situation with Colebrook’s landfill.
3. Mr. McKinnon reported to the Selectmen that he is short one employee. (Donna should this be left out and do an executive session?) We should do an executive session but because we didn’t, I do not want to fib so I changed the wording.
4. Mrs. Caron reported to the Board that Bill Sambito from the North Country Recreation Center would like to have lunch with her and the Board some day to update the Selectmen about what is going on at the Recreation Center/pool. The Board asked Mrs. Caron to ask Mr. Sambito to attend a Selectmen’s meeting to update them as it would be difficult to assemble the Board members during the day.
Mrs. Caron reported that she has received a draft ordinance from the State in regard to outside woodstoves. The draft is before the House and then goes to the Senate. She said part of the ordinance has to due with requiring certain heights for the chimneys. Mrs. Caron will keep the Board informed as to the progress of this ordinance.
Mrs. Caron reported that Chief Cass received a Highway Safety Grant which will pay for ½ of the cost of the video equipment.
The Board signed a transmission easement for REA.
Mrs. Caron gave the Board a request from Melissa Shaw, Recreation Director, to purchase the rights to a play her Summer Drama program will be putting on this year. The Advisory Board has given their approval and will sign the request after the Selectmen have signed it. The Selectmen approved the purchase and signed the request.
Mrs. Beauchemin requested the Board’s approval to refund Linda Haynes for overpayment of her registration fee on a vehicle that she does not have. Mr. Dumaine made a motion to approve the refund. Mr. Cotnoir seconded the motion. All approved 3-0.
In regard to Kevin McKinnon’s application for a Discretionary Easement for his barn, the Board and Mrs. Caron have decided to go look at the barn to see if it does qualify. Decision will be made after they visit the site.
Mr. Dumaine made a motion to approve the minutes of April 23 as amended. Mr. Cotnoir seconded the motion. All approved 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm on a motion by Mr. Dumaine and seconded by Mr. Cotnoir. All approved 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Purrington
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