Meeting began at 6:05 pm. Present were Selectmen Stohl and Campbell. Selectman Cloutier was absent.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the September 11, 2024 meeting.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
The next recipient for the Town’s Boston Post Cane was discussed. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell the Board decided that the next recipient will be Ruth Whitehill. Selectman Stohl will contact the Mrs. Whitehill’s family regarding setting up a time to present it to her.
It was noted that there are a couple of upcoming meetings that members of the Board will be attending:
1. Dispatch Center – Thursday, September 26th, in Pittsburg
2. County Recycling Center – October 18th, in Stewartstown
An e-mail was received from Tammy Letson, Town Administrator in Groveton. Ms. Letson is trying to get the “northern” towns together to address the problem of getting an assessing firm to come up this far north. Ms. Letson gave three different dates that she is proposing. Selectman Stohl and Selectman Campbell with check their schedules and get back to Marcia.
The Board discussed a property that was recently deeded to the Town for non-payment of taxes. An e-mail was received from Chris Hilson (Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella) outlining what the next steps should be in
the process. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to proceed with Attorney Hilson’s recommendations.
The MS535 (Financial Report of the Town) was signed by the Board.
Marcia mentioned a few repair items that need to be taken care of it the Town Office. Selectman Campbell said he would try to take care of them.
Marcia asked the Board if they would like to have the generator serviced before winter and they agreed.
The recent roadwork on Bunnell Road was discussed. Road Agent Dominic Westover has started fixing the area in question. The Board instructed Marcia to contact Dana Masson about replacing the property pin between Ronny Rainville and Raymond Bell.
Two bids were received for fuel oil for the 2024-2025 season as follows:
C.B. Transport – $3.32 per gallon
C.N. Brown – $2.99 per gallon
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board voted to award the bid to C.N. Brown. Marcia will send letters to both companies.
Two bids were received for snowplowing the Town Office and the Town Hall for the 2024-2025 season as follows:
Sheldon Gray – $45.00 – Town Office
$45.00 – Town Hall
Jason Rella – $105.00 – Town Office
$ 90.00 – Town Hall
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to award the plowing bid to Sheldon Gray. Marcia will write letters to both bidders.
The Board reviewed revenue numbers for 2024 in order for Marcia to prepare the MS434.
Marcia informed the Board that we are still waiting for utility values from George Sansoucy in order to submit our MS1.
Selectman Campbell informed the Board that he had recently met with Brian Burrill from NH DOT regarding the possibility of the Town of Columbia taking over maintenance of Columbia Bridge Road. The Board discussed the situation and came up with some things that they would require before accepting it:
1. Having it repaved.
2. Getting accurate information on the width of the road and the ROW.
3. Status of the turnaround.
4. How would that affect the railroad crossing
5. How would it affect the river access site which is owned by the Town but that the VT River Conservancy has an easement on.
Selectman Campbell stated that he thought he had some DOT maps showing US Route 3 and maybe they would include Columbia Bridge Road. Marcia will look up the status of the ownership of the river access site. This matter will be discussed further at the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen