MINUTES
August 26, 2026
Meeting began at 5:58 pm. Present were Selectmen Stohl and Pike. Selectman Cloutier was absent.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
At 6:00 pm Keith Smith entered the meeting. Mr. Smith has a camp on Kelsea Notch Road (right before the State gate) and he would like permission to cut a couple of trees that are leaning into the road. After discussing it, the Board gave Mr. Smith permission to cut the trees. Mr. Smith left the meeting at 6:10 pm.
A letter was received from Michele Johnson asking the Town to put up some road signs indicating the sharp turn on Fish Pond Road. Marcia will take care of ordering two.
At 6:15 pm Giles DeBlois entered the meeting. Mr. DeBlois was requesting that the Town do some ditching and install a culvert on Trask Road around the DeBlois farm. Mr. DeBlois said he had spoken to Dominic previously about it. The Board said they would speak to Dominic about it also. Mr. DeBlois left the meeting.
Marcia also informed the Board that Road Agent Dominic Westover was asking if the Town could open an account with the State of NH so he could purchase fuel from the State gas pumps. Currently, there is no place close by to get gasoline 24 hours a day and it is helpful to be able to fuel up some place close during the winter when plowing. Mr. Westover had printed out an application. The Board instructed Marcia to fill it out and provide any information that is needed for this.
Marcia informed the Board that she had applied for an extension on the Town’s MS-1 to October lst.
A Veteran’s Tax Credit was approved for James Haley.
The Board reviewed Carrie Klebe’s request for an adjustment on her Yield Tax bill. After discussing it, the Board felt that the amount of the bill was fair. Marcia will send Ms. Klebe a letter.
At 6:30 pm the following people entered the meeting: Terry Rosi, Myra Ellingwood, Donald Campbell, Stacey Campbell and Joe Daley. The group was there to discuss plans (and concerns) regarding the upcoming Columbia Bridge Dance on September 12th. Mr. Daley expressed his concerns about closing the bridge as a lot of first responders use it. Selectman Stohl explained that the Town would be notifying Dispatch about the closure so they could route ambulances’, etc. around. Mr. Daley was also concerned about parking. Mrs. Campbell said that the Town had received approval from landowners (on the Vermont side) Clark Jeffers and David White to use their property to park on. Mr. Daley left the meeting.
The remaining people continued to discuss final plans for the event. It was noted that Mary Gray (co-owner) of the house next door to the bridge was very concerned about people being on her property. The Board instructed Marcia to ask Ms. Gray if she would like the Town to “mark” her property with stakes and ribbons to prevent people from going there. (Marcia will contact her.) If was noted that perhaps we should meet again on September 9th to make sure everything was ready. At 7:10 everyone left the meeting except for Mr. Campbell.
Mr. Campbell explained that he had recently done a little work to the central vacuum at the office and that he thought perhaps it was time for a new one. He will check around and get some prices for the Board.
The Board (and Mr. Campbell) discussed the Tessier tax issue. Marcia will provide the Board with up to date numbers for the taxes, legal costs, etc. that are owed to the Town. Selectman Stohl made a motion seconded by Selectman Pike to abate the interest only on the amount owed. Mr. Campbell said that the closing is supposed to be taking place sometime next week. Mr. Campbell left the meeting.
The Board reviewed revenues received for the first half of the year and updated those items necessary. Marcia will file the MS-434 (Revised Revenue Form) with the State.
Marcia reminded the Board that the State Primary was on Tuesday, September 8th and that they needed to be around during the day and available after the polls close to help count ballots and seal the ballot boxes.
A Yield Tax Warrant and Excavation Tax Warrant were signed by the Board.
Selectman Pike gave an update to the Board about the recent Recycling Center meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen