Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present were Paul Carter, Treasurer Carrie Klebe and Don Dawson (Netafy).
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the October 12, 2022 meeting.
Paul Carter entered the meeting to discuss a discrepancy in the Town’s Tax Map. After reviewing it, the Board informed Mr. Carter that it was really a civil matter between him and the abutting landowner and suggested that he either do some research on his own at the Registry of Deeds or hire the services of a surveyor. Mr. Carter left the meeting.
Town Treasurer Carrie Klebe entered the meeting and gave each Board member a reconciliation of the Town’s current finances as of September 30th. Ms. Klebe left the meeting.
The Board approved and signed a Petition to place a utility pole submitted by Eversource.
The Board reviewed and granted permission for the Colebrook Ski-Bees to continue to use a portion of Kelsea Notch Road and Gray Road as part of the snowmachine trail.
The Board signed Form MS-60W requesting a waiver of the state requirement for a complete audit for the 2022 fiscal year.
Marcia reminded the Board about the State General Election on November 8th. Selectman Campbell stated that he planned to be at the polls most of the day.
Selectman Cloutier stated that he had reviewed the site for a new driveway proposed by Albion Herres on Harvey Brook Road and that it was okay. Marcia will notify Mr. Herres.
The Board discussed a request from the Planning Board to look into the septic system situation at the St Pierre property on Gray Road. The Board feels that this is a Planning Board issue.
The Board reviewed the 2023 budget for the Recycling Center as prepared by the County. The budget meeting will be held at the Coos County Nursing Home on Friday, October 28th. Selectman Campbell said he planned to attend.
Don Dawson (Netafy) entered the meeting at 7; 02 to discuss the broadband project. Mr. Dawson shared with the Board the five sites that they are proposing to build along with maps showing what the coverage area would be. Mr. Dawson had previously provided by e-mail a draft copy of the agreement to be signed between Netafy and the Town. Marcia explained that she had forwarded it to the Town’s attorney, Jon Frizzell, for review along with the Town’s auditing firm, Cohos Advisors. The Board asked a couple of general questions regarding the agreement. Mr. Dawson stated that they are ready to begin the project and indicated that he could go ahead and start ordering supplies before the agreement gets signed. Mr. Dawson left the meeting at 7:50 pm.
Marcia gave the Board members copies of the proposed 2022 tax rate as set by DRA. After discussion, the Board voted to use $130,000 from fund balance to lower the tax rate. Marcia will submit this to DRA and once approved by them, we can go ahead and send out the tax bills.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen