Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present were Charlie Jordan (Great North Woods Center for the Arts).
Mr. Jordan entered the meeting at 6:00 pm. He presented each Board member will a report detailing what has gone at the Center this year and what they are planning. Selectman Stohl asked Mr. Jordan what the Center’s fiscal situation was. Mr. Jordan stated that they continue to work on getting grants and was just awarded one for $15,000. He said they had received a grant for $5,000 earlier in the year and used that to remove several dead trees from the property. At the present time, the Center checkbook has approximately $10,000 and the Committee checkbook has approximately $9,000. Mr. Jordan invited the Board to stop by the Center and see the work that has been done (removing walls, cabinets, etc.) which increases the size of the room that he sees as the most benefit. The Board questioned again, why the “Center” seems to have two names. They feel that this just “confuses” the issue and makes the Center hard to justify to the public. Mr. Jordan agreed that maybe the time had come to address that situation. Mr. Jordan left the meeting at 6:45 pm.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to refund the 2nd installment of the 2020 property taxes to the Center.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were signed.
An Intent to Cut for the State of New Hampshire (Timberwolf, LLC) was approved.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the November 23, 2020 meeting.
A “thank you” letter was signed for Nancy Biron thanking her for making and putting up Christmas wreaths at the Town Hall.
A “thank you” letter was signed for Joan Dickson for her donation of historical papers regarding the Town of Columbia.
An engagement letter was signed for Cohos Advisors to do the 2020 compilation.
Selectman Campbell reminded the Board members that there will be a Dispatch Center meeting tomorrow night at 5:30 at the Pittsburg Town Office. The meeting will be accessible through “Zoom”. He gave the other Board members a brief update on what would be discussed:
- Property owner in Cree Notch (James Alexander) has agreed to have a tower and building erected on his land.
- Selectman Campbell said the signal strength has been checked and should be good.
- Access to the tower/building will be available by snowmachine and ATVs.
- Have agreed to a $500.00 stipend to be paid to the landowner and a contact is waiting to be signed.
Selectman Campbell also informed the Board of his conversation with “Kayla” who is the “grant” person at the Office of Emergency Management. Kayla has agreed that the Town of Columbia can update our own Hazard
Mitigation Plan and receive the funds available. Kayla said that she would be willing to help us go through it.
Selectman Stohl reported on his meeting with Colebrook Town Manager, Sharon Penney, regarding their use of Brett Purvis & Associates as their assessors. After discussion, Marcia was instructed to set up an appointment for the next meeting for the Board to meet with representatives from Brett Purvis.
A letter from Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella was reviewed regarding the Fairpoint abatement case. They are asking for the Town’s permission to prepare for and hold a mediation session. Marcia will inform them of the Town’s permission.
An Abatement Form for Clarence Young (Yield Tax) was signed. A new Warrant and bill were signed for Mr. Young.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen