by admin | Sep 7, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:05 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Intent to Cut forms were approved for the New England Forestry Foundation and Granite State Landholdings.
The MS-535 was signed by the Board.
The MS-434 was signed by Chairman Cloutier.
A “Bill of Sale” was signed by Chairman Cloutier for the sale of the old trash container at the Transfer Station.
A new contract with Normandeau for trucking at the Transfer Station was reviewed. The Board signed the contract and Marcia will send it to the Town of Stewartstown for their signatures.
A new contract with Coos County for running the day to day operations of the Transfer Station was reviewed and signed.
Selectman Campbell reminded the other Board members that there will be a Dispatch Center meeting tomorrow night (8/12) beginning at 5:30 at the Columbia Town Office.
The Board signed a Deed for the property on Marsh Road which is being sold to Duncan Cullman. Marcia informed the Board that Mr. Cullman will be at the office tomorrow at 10:30 to pick up the deed and deliver payment for the property.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Stohl the Board voted to enter non-public session per RSA 91-A:3, II(e) and (1) at 6:30 pm.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to return to public session at 6:35 pm.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to seal the minutes of the non-public session.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the July 28, 2021 meeting.
The Board discussed the recent meeting held in Colebrook regarding Colebrook’s possible adoption of an ordinance allowing property owners to use Town roads to access current ATV trails. The Board also discussed signage of the ATV trails. Marcia was instructed to draft a letter to the Bureau of Trails regarding lack of signs and signs that are covered up by brush/grass.
The Board discussed applying for the ARPA funds currently available through the federal government. According to the paperwork received, Columbia is eligible for $72,765.62. Marcia will call the NHMA and see if they can give us some guidance on what this can be used for, etc. The deadline for applying is August 18, 2021.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Sep 7, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the July 14, 2021 meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that we had received the signed contracts back from both Stewartstown and Lemington with regards to the Transfer Station.
The MS-60 and MS-535 were both received from the auditors and reviewed by the Board. Marcia will take care of submitting these to DRA.
Marcia informed the Board that the new trash container has been received.
The Board discussed monies left in the Summer Road Budget. There is approximately $40,000 remaining at this time.
An e-mail was received from former assessor Steve Allen regarding the correspondence the Town received from DRA. Selectman Stohl is going to look into the matter.
The Board reviewed appropriations and revenues as of the middle of July. Adjustments were made to the estimated revenues and Marcia will submit these to DRA.
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst,
by admin | Sep 7, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Town Treasurer, Carrie Klebe, and Russell Johnson.
Town Treasurer, Carrie Klebe, entered the meeting at 6:00 pm. She presented the Board with up-to-date balances of what is currently on hand. The Board discussed transferring monies from the Northway Bank account to Citizens to cover paving and school tuition checks. Mrs. Klebe left the meeting at 6:05 pm.
Russell Johnson entered the meeting to discuss the portion of Perry Road near his home. Mr. Johnson has requested previously that the Town extend the culvert in order to prevent water from damaging his property. Selectman Cloutier explained that the work had been planned to be done last year but that the weather prevented it. The Board assured Mr. Johnson that the work is planned for this fall. Mr. Johnson left the meeting at 6:13 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Marcia informed the Board that we have collected approximately 90% of our first issue tax bills.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the June 23rd meeting.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to give Stacey Campbell a check for $300.00
along with the Board’s appreciation for the flower gardens that she maintains at both the Town Office and the Town Hall. (Selectman Campbell abstained from the vote.)
Marcia informed the Board that she had sent the Purchase & Sale Agreement to Duncan Cullman to sign for the property on Marsh Road that he wishes to purchase from the Town. Marcia has discussed the closing with Attorney Frizzell who felt the Town could do it themselves. Attorney Frizzell provided us with wording for both the Purchase & Sale Agreement and the Deed itself. The closing is scheduled for August 13th but it could be earlier than that if Mr. Cullman is interested in doing it sooner.
Marcia told the Board members that she had recently spoken to Barry Normandeau. The new trash container should be here around the second week in August. Both Stewartstown and Columbia were in agreement with selling the old one and Mr. Normandeau will be taking care of that for us. The sale won’t take place until the new one arrives.
Marcia told the Board that she had received a complaint from Jacob Rosko who owns property on Fish Pond Road. He said that the rain runs down the road and washes out his driveway. Selectman Cloutier said he would look into it and contact Mr. Rosko.
A Yield Tax Warrant was signed in the amount of $39.43.
A report was reviewed from DRA regarding the Town’s recent revaluation. The Board instructed Marcia to try and contact our previous assessor, Steve Allen, to see if he is responding to this.
Meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jul 15, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:03 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 June 14, 2021 meeting.
Selectman Campbell gave the other Board members an update on what has been happening at the Dispatch Center. The Board reviewed the minutes of the last Dispatch Center Committee Meeting.
The Board signed a contract to be sent to Stewartstown for their signatures on operating the Transfer Station. Marcia informed the Board that she had sent a contract to the Town of Lemington but has not received it back yet.
The Board signed the Yield Tax Warrant in the amount of $17,416.74. Marcia noted that we still have two more reports that have not been filed.
The Board signed a form to be sent to DRA stating that the Town will not be using the inventory forms this year.
The Board signed letters to the four utility companies (Fairpoint, Eversource, PNGTS and NHEC) requesting they provide utility appraiser ,George Sansoucy, with updated information for 2021.
Marcia informed the Board that Cohos Advisors will be in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week doing the compilation for 2020.
A letter was received from Duncan Cullman asking the Town if he could purchase a piece of town-owned (tax deeded) property located off Marsh Road. (Map 403, Lot 42) Mr. Cullman is offering $18,000 for the property. After discussion, the Board voted to accept Mr. Cullman’s offer. Marcia will prepare a Purchase & Sales Agreement to be signed by the Board and Mr. Cullman.
An e-mail was received from Charlie Jordan asking for an abatement of the property taxes (lst installment) for the Arts Center. The Board discussed whether to refund the amount now or wait until after the second installment comes out. Marcia will do some research and get back to Mr. Jordan.
The Board discussed an e-mail received from Eric Maher (Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella) who is representing the Town in the Fairpoint case. After reviewing Mr. Maher’s letter and discussing it, Selectman Stohl made a motion which was seconded by Selectman Cloutier, to inform Attorney Maher that the Town would like to settle and not continue with legal action. Marcia will contact Mr. Maher and inform him of that fact.
Marcia informed the Board that Treasurer Carrie Klebe had asked if the Town was going to apply for the American Rescue Plan funds available from the federal government. Ms. Klebe had indicated that she would be able to help do the application. The Board discussed applying for the funds and then using them to help NHEC with their broadband project. Marcia will contact Carrie to see what we have to do.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jul 15, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Bob Baker entered the meeting at 6:00 to speak with the Board regarding the Trail Project that he has been working on. Mr. Baker expressed frustration at the lack of communication from the State. Selectman Stohl suggested that he contact Executive Councilor Kenney as well as Representatives Dennis Thompson and Donald Dostie. Mr. Baker left the meeting at 6:08 pm.
Jenny Mitchell entered the meeting at 6:15 to give the Board members an update on how the “Clean-up Day” went. She presented the Board with a bill for newspaper ads and the Board voted to pay ½ of the bill with Colebrook paying the other half. Ms. Mitchell left the meeting at 6:20 pm.
Charlie Jordan (Great North Woods Center for the Arts) entered the meeting at 6:24 pm. Mr. Jordan came to the meeting to inform the Board members of activities taking place (or that have taken place) at the Center recently. He also updated the Board on structural updates and issues regarding the Center. Mr. Jordan left the meeting at 6:35 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the May 26, 2021 meeting.
Selectman Campbell informed the Board members that there will be a Dispatch Center meeting tomorrow night (Thursday) in Stewartstown.
The Board reviewed a contract from the County to participate in the Recycling Center. The contract was signed and Marcia will return it to the County.
An Intent to Cut was approved for Leon Wentworth.
A letter was signed to be sent to Eversource denying their Abatement Request for 2020 on the advice of utility appraiser, George Sansoucy.
The Board signed a contract to be sent to the Town of Lemington renewing the agreement between the two towns for Lemington’s use of the Transfer Station. Marcia will mail it to Lemington for their signatures.
The Board reviewed the Report of Wood Cut forms so Marcia can prepare the Yield Tax Bills for 2021.
The Board reviewed bids received by three paving contractors. After discussion, the Board voted to award the bid to W. Dorman Construction.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
