Meeting began at 6:00 pm.  Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. 

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 May 8, 2024 meeting. 

Selectman Campbell reviewed for the other Board members on his trip to Concord to take part in mediation with PSNH regarding their tax case.  No settlement was reached.   

A Letter of Engagement was signed with Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella by Chairman Cloutier for on-going legal services. 

The Property Tax Warrant for the first installment for the 2024 taxes was signed in the amount of $734,503.00.  The tax bills will be mailed out tomorrow morning. 

The Board reviewed a contact from Coos County for the Recycling Center.  The Board instructed Marcia to contact Ben Champagne to see if there were any changes from the previous contract and what Columbia’s share would be,  The Board signed the contact and Marcia will mail it out after talking with Mr. Champagne. 

Marcia informed the Board that she had spoken with Sally Zankowski and that she is not interested in serving as the Town’s Health Officer at this time. 

An e-mail was received from a resident regarding the “trash” on a neighbor’s property.  The Board discussed that there was really nothing they could do as it is private property. 

A Veteran’s Tax Credit was approved for John Fallick, Jr. 

The Board again reviewed an e-mail from Bob Benson, manager of Megwood and Savanhwood.  Both companies plan on cutting some timber this winter and had questioned the yield tax on “blow downs”.  Marcia shared with the Board an e-mail she had received from Rick Evans from DRA regarding “blow downs”.  Marcia was instructed to forward this information to Mr. Benson. 

The Board reviewed an e-mail from the Vermont River Conservancy regarding the Lyman Falls site.  Apparently, people have been parking vehicles on the beach and this is not allowed.  They are suggesting place some boulders (or a barricade) to prevent this.  The Board discussed it but made no decision. 

The Board reviewed the Reports of Wood Cut and assigned percentages to each operation. 

The Board instructed Marcia to contact Town Attorney, Chris Boldt, to get his thoughts on what the next steps should be with respect to the two Tax Deeds that the Town is still holding. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm. 

Respectfully submitted, 

 

Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary 

Board of Selectmen