Meetings
Selectmen’s Meetings are held on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month beginning at 6:00 pm
Public Hearing March 8, 2023 @ 4:30pm
Town of Columbia
Public Hearing
March 8, 2023 @ 4:30pm
Notice is hereby given that there will be a public hearing on March 8, 2023 at 4:30pm to address the complaint made against the Estate of Baron St. Pierre, Map 416, Lot 22.1, 295 Gray Road, Columbia, NH. The meeting will be held at the Columbia Town Office, 1679 US Route 3, Columbia, NH.
Columbia Planning Board
MINUTES September 14, 2022
Meeting began a 5:58 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier and Campbell. Selectman Stohl was absent. Members of the public included: Norma Jean DeLong, Patrick and Molly Carr, Gary Whitehill, Craig Washburn and Ted Burns.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Ted Burns and Craig Washburn came to the meeting at the request of the Selectmen. Selectman Campbell explained that the Board was concerned about where the ATV trails are crossing the Town’s roads and the damage that is being done. Discussion continued about what could be done to fix this problem. Materials discussed included asphalt, concrete, etc. Both Mr. Burns and Mr. Washburn stated they would look into it and try to do something before another riding season. Mr. Burns and Mr. Washburn left the meeting.
The Board opened bids received for the former Pearson property as advertised in the newspaper. Bids were open as follows:
Samuel Jeffers $7,000.00
Tala Silver $14,800.00
Norma Jean DeLong $12,500.00
Tyler Barrows $15,500.00
Landon Placey $31,100.00
Michael Collins $21,000.00
Patrick & Molly Carr $29,817.00
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to award the bid to Landon Placey. The Board instructed Marcia to continue Jon Frizzell with a couple of questions and to return the deposit checks to the people who didn’t get the bid. Norma Jean DeLong, Patrick and Molly Carr left the meeting. (Norma Jean DeLong took her deposit along with her son, Tyler Barrows” with her.)
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the August 24, 2022 meeting.
The Board reviewed end of the month reconciliations for the Citizens Bank, Transfer Station and Northway bank accounts.
The Board signed a letter appointing Selectman Cloutier as Columbia’s representative to the Nash Stream Citizen Advisory Committee.
The MS535 and MS60 were reviewed. Marcia will take care of submitting these to DRA.
A Driveway Permit Application was received from Albion Herres for North Jordan Hill Road. Selectman Cloutier said he would view the proposed site.
Marcia informed the Board that she had received a phone call from the engineer in charge of the Lyman Falls project. He stated that the project should be completed this week and wanted to make sure that the Town was happy with the road. Selectman Campbell said the road was in very good condition. Marcia said she had spoken with Barbara Schomburg who claimed the road was the best it had ever been.
Selectman Campbell informed the Board that he had recently spoken with Gerard Gray regarding Mr. Gray’s concerns about the Columbia Covered Bridge. The Board discussed ways to fix the problem. Selectman Campbell is going to go and take some measurements for further discussion.
At 6:53 pm Chairman Cloutier declared the public hearing on unanticipated funds from the State of New Hampshire open. There were no members of the public The Board discussed using the unanticipated funds for additional paving on Marshall Hill, Meridan Hill and perhaps replacing a couple of culverts on Meridan Hill. On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to accept the funds and spend it on the projects discussed. Chairman Cloutier declared the meeting ended at 7:10 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
MINUTES AUGUST 24, 2022
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Gary Whitehill.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectmen Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the August 10, 2022 meeting.
The Board reviewed a letter received from the State of New Hampshire DOT informing the Town that they had issued a check in the amount of $35,681.04 to the Town. These funds are considered “unanticipated funds” per RSA 31:95-b and require a public hearing. Marcia informed the Board that she had scheduled a public hearing for Wednesday, September 14th, at 7:00 pm. The Board instructed Marcia to check with DRA as to whether these funds can only be spent on “road projects” or on something else.
The Board discussed road projects and upcoming paving.
Selectman Campbell gave the other Board members an update on renovations at the Town Hall.
The Board opened bids received for fuel oil for the upcoming winter as follows:
- Bean Transport – $4.249
C.N. Brown – $3.939
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to award the contract to C.N. Brown.
On a request from Cemetery Sexton Sheila Parkhurst, the Board voted to make a change to the Cemetery Policy in regards to the fee charged to open a cremation lot to $150.00. These figures now are the same as Colebrook’s.
The Board discussed the former Pearson property and when the Town could put it out for bids. Marcia will double-check with Attorney Frizzell regarding our next step.
Selectman Campbell expressed concern about the condition of certain Town roads where the ATV trail crosses. Marcia was instructed to write to both the Metallak ATV Club (Craig Washburn) and the North Country ATV Club (Ted Burns) and have them attend the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
MINUTES AUGUST 10, 2022
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
A Land Use Change bill and Warrant for signed in the amount of $1,428.50.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the July 27, 2022 meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that the second installment of the ARPA funds has been received.
The Board reviewed reconciliation reports for the Citizens Bank, Bangor Savings Bank and NHPDIP accounts.
Marcia informed the Board that she had sent out requests to receive bids for heating oil for the upcoming winter season to C.N. Brown and C. Bean Transport.
The Board reviewed a “Right to Know” policy that was drafted by Attorney Jon Frizzell. After discussion, Selectman Stohl made a motion which was seconded by Selectman Campbell to accept the policy as written.
The Board discussed putting a separate article on the Town Meeting Warrant to deal with on-going requests for “Right to Know” information. At the present time, we have one taxpayer who has cost the Town around $750.00 in legal fees with regards to her requests.
Quotes for paving were reviewed from Central Paving. Selectman Cloutier explained the quotes to the other Board members. On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the quotes. Chairman Cloutier signed on behalf of the Town and Marcia will forward them to Central Paving.
Selectman Campbell bought the other Board members up to date on the construction being done at the Town Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen