Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2023 meeting. (Selectman Stohl abstained.)
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
A Junkyard Permit was approved for Harry Haynes, Jr. on Fish Pond Road.
The map maintenance contract with CAI Technologies was approved and signed. It was noted the price had increased $200.00 over last year.
Marcia gave each Board member a draft copy of the Selectmen’s Report to be included in the Town Report for any changes/additions they wish to make.
Marcia informed the Board that she had the Town Report just about complete. The 2023 Budget Hearing is scheduled for February 8th at 7:00 pm. Provided there are no changes, the Board will sign the Warrant and Budget after the meeting. Marcia will deliver the report to Colebrook Copy Center the next day. Selectman Stohl asked what the price would be if we did some pages with color on them. Marcia will check with Darlene at the Copy Center.
Selectman Campbell said that he had been approached by Stephen Brooks regarding concerns he had with the Colebrook Ski-Bees using the old Town garage. Mr. Brooks gave Selectman Campbell a letter he had written to the
Ski-Bees last April expressing concern regarding trash on his property, the smell of diesel fuel from the ground, etc. Mr. Brooks said that he never received a response from the Club. After discussing the situation and reviewing the letter, the Board instructed Marcia to draft a letter to the Club expressing the Town’s concern and asking that they remedy the situation.
At 7:00 pm Don Dawson from Netafy entered the meeting. Mr. Dawson gave the Board an update on the five new sites that they are constructing in Columbia. The Bunnell Road site is up and running and is servicing customers. The Stoddard Road site is constructed but still needs wiring, generator hooked up, etc. The next site will be Gray Road and then either the Route 3 site or the Meridan Hill Road site. Mr. Dawson entered all three Board members’ addresses into his system to show then what type of service they could expect to get. Mr. Dawson said that his projection is that by the time they are done, they will be able to service 85-90% of Columbia with reliable internet service. Mr. Dawson left the meeting at 8:00 and made an appointment to return to the February 22nd meeting with more information. Marcia will confirm with an e-mail.
The Board reviewed a court judgement issued in the Pearson case. The Court has issued a final judgment. Columbia has already received all of our back taxes, costs, etc. The remaining funds will go to pay the legal fees to Waystack Frizzell with the balance going to Bangor Savings Bank to pay of the existing mortgage owed by the Pearsons.
The Board reviewed estimates on appropriations and revenue for the 2023 budget.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen