Meeting began at 6:05 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Mail was reviewed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the September 23, 2020 meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that she had been asked by Cemetery Sexton Sheila Parkhurst if the Town would be willing to increase the burial rates charged. She said that she usually has Ed Poulin dig the graves and that he has recently gone up on his price. On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board voted to increase burial rates to $350.00. Selectman Stohl asked Marcia to check with Sheila to see how Columbia’s cemetery rates compare with Colebrook’s.
Bob Baker was planning to attend the meeting but had an appointment. He left with Marcia a letter regarding the Rails to Trails project that he has been working on. The letter, which is addressed to Shelley Winters and Chris Gamache, was reviewed by the Board and signed.
Selectman Campbell stated that he had received a letter from the State stating that our Hazard Mitigation Plan needs to be updated. Selectman Cloutier said he would take a look at it.
Marcia informed the Board that Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Gay had contacted the office about having the section of Bungy Road from Pires’ driveway to their driveway plowed. The Board discussed the problems with this which include ditching, widening the road, gravel, place for plow truck to turn around, etc. Marcia will draft a letter for the Board to sign to be sent to Mr. & Mrs. Gay telling them what the Town’s position is on this request.
The Warrant for the State/General Election was signed. Marcia will see that it is posted.
Bids were opened for the removal of the Bovill Gift Shop building. Only one bid was received from Clark Jeffers. The Board discussed what needed to be done with the electricity going from the building to the light poles. On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Campbell the Board voted to award the bid to Mr. Jeffers. Marcia will draft up an agreement for the Board to review and have Mr. Jeffers sign it.
Selectman Campbell stated that he had received a phone call from Ted Burns (No. Stratford Snowmobile and ATV Clubs) regarding opening a section of So. Jordan Hill Road up to snowmachines and ATVs temporarily. He is requesting this because there is a logging job going on and this would avoid any interaction. The section he is proposing to use is approximately 500 feet long. On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to give permission for this “temporary” trail detour.
Treasurer Carrie Klebe left reports for the Board on monies available in the Transfer Station Account, the General Fund and the NHPDIP accounts as of 9/30/2020.
A Current Use Application form was signed for Gregory & Nancy Archambault for property on Bungy Road.
An Intent to Cut was signed for Christopher Chase.
Marcia informed the Board that the Coos County Recycling Center Budget Hearing will be held on October 30 at 10:00 am. via Zoom. The County will provide copies of the Budget prior to the meeting.
A contract with Central Paving was signed by Selectman Cloutier.
An Agreement with the State for resurfacing part of US Route 3 during the summer of 2021 was signed by Chairman Cloutier.
Marcia reviewed for the Board an e-mail received from the Town of Stratford. The forester that was going to perambulate the line between Stratford and Columbia doesn’t think he will have time to complete the job in 2020. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to encumber $5,000.00 from funds raised in 2020 to be spent in 2021 for perambulating the Town line with Stratford.
Marcia spoke to the Board about a Yield Tax Bill for Clarence Young. Marcia explained that Mr. Young had called to complain about his Yield Tax bill and during the conversation Marcia discovered that she had made a mistake on the bill and charged Mr. Young for the amounts listed on the original intent not on the report. When she discovered this she told Mr. Young what had happened and that his adjusted bill would be approximately $518, which he thought was also too high. Marcia asked him to send the Board all slips/pay stubs that he had received for stumpage. After reviewing the paperwork, the Board discovered that there was stumpage listed on the list that it looked like Mr. Young didn’t get paid for. Marcia will write a letter to Mr. Young informing him of this fact and see what he can find out from the logger.
The preliminary tax rate paperwork was received from the State and reviewed by the Town. The Board made necessary adjustments and on a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Stohl the approved the 2020 tax rate. Marcia will send it back to the State for final review. Marcia informed the Board that they hope to get the bills printed and mailed out by Friday, October 23rd with a due date of December 4.
An e-mail was reviewed from the Vermont Nature Conservancy checking with the Town to see if there had been any changes to property that the Conservancy has an easement on. Marcia will respond to them and inform them that there are no changes.
A letter and paperwork from Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella was received regarding the Right-of-Way policy that they are working on for the Town. Selectman Stohl offered to review it and get back to the Board with his recommendation.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen