Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Ben Champagne entered the meeting at 6:00 to discuss an issue regarding the Coos County Recycling Center. Ben explained that beginning January 1st, the Recycling Center will be asking residents to separate different types of “plastics” along with aluminum cans and metal cans. Mr. Champagne explained that the reason for this is that the County does not have enough inmates to handle the recycling and that by doing this the County wouldn’t have to hire any additional help. The Board and Mr. Champagne discussed how to get this information out to the public (Towns’ websites, fliers at Town Offices, fliers at the Transfer Stations themselves, etc. Mr. Champagne explained that at our Transfer Station we will have a new container for the plastics and use the existing one for the two different types of metal along with glass. Mr. Champagne told the Board that the annual Recycling Center Budget hearing will be held at 4:00 on October 26th, at the County office building. He will be sending out the budget information within the next few days. Mr. Champagne left the meeting at 6:35 pm.
The Board had a conference call with Shawn from Bianchi Memorials in Derby, Vermont. Shawn explained that he had looked over the work to be done in the Columbia Bridge Cemetery. He said that generally they work by the day. He said that for $5,000.00 they would work for two days (2men) and one day (3 men). They would accomplish what they could in that amount of time. Shawn explained that he would need the Town to furnish a load of ledge pack for them to use. Selectman Cloutier will look at where he could dump it. Shawn stated that they are currently finishing up in Colebrook and could work in Columbia the last two weeks of October. The Board thanked him and said we would get back to him.
After finishing the call, Marcia informed the Board that we have approximately $23,000 in the Cemetery Maintenance Fund. The Board discussed spending $10,000 this year and see what we get done
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the September 27th meeting.
The Board signed copies of the MS535 and the MS1. Marcia will submit these to DRA. Jamie Dow at DRA is already working on reviewing our paperwork for setting our tax rate.
Marcia gave the Board the monthly reconciliation reports for all the bank accounts.
Marcia gave the Board an up-to-date listing of unpaid taxes.
A permission form from the Colebrook Ski-Bees was signed by Selectman Cloutier for use of two portions of Town roads as part of the snowmobile trail.
Two Land Use Change Tax bills and warrants were signed for Mark McLaughlin and Marcia Parkhurst.
The Board reviewed an e-mail from George Sansoucy’s office with answers to Marcia’s inquiry as to why our utility values (especially the pipeline) decreased. It was noted that our equalization ratio of 62% was applied and this amounted to the decrease. This will continue to happen until we finish our revaluation in 2025.
Marcia informed the Board that she had spoken to Sally Zankowski on the phone regarding the Health Officer position. Ms. Zankowski said that at this time she did not feel that she could accept the position due to her current full-time job. However, she said that we should check back with her in two months and that things might change. She said if that happens, she would be happy to be our Health Office. She gave Marcia her cell phone number and Marcia will check back with her in a couple of months.
Marcia informed the Board that we still have approximately $70,000 in the summer road budget. The following projects were discussed:
Gravel – Meridan Hill Road
Gravel – Stoddard Road
Gravel – Brown Road
Selectman Cloutier said that these projects would be approximately $15,000.00. He will check on doing some more paving.
Selectman Campbell reminded the Board members that the annual Dispatch Center Budget Hearing will be held on October 19th.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen