by admin | Jan 17, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:59 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Peter & Gail Hanson.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Mail was reviewed.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the November 11, 2020 meeting.
At 6:24 pm Peter & Gail Hanson entered the meeting. Mr. Hanson is the Trail Master for the Colebrook Ski-Bees and was looking for permission to use Jackson Road as part of the snowmachine trail. After reviewing the tax map and a map that Mr. Hanson brought with him, the Board informed Mr. Hanson that the Town’s road ends at the field. The Board suggested that he contact the Town of Colebrook and see what their recommendations were. Mr. Hanson explained that there is only a short distance where they don’t have landowner permission. Mr. & Mrs. Hanson left the meeting at 6:45 pm.
At 6:46 Chairman Cloutier called the public hearing to order regarding the adoption of the new Right of Way Regulation. No members of the public were present. Chairman Cloutier asked if there was any discuss on the regulation. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved the Right of Way Regulation. Selectman Cloutier declared the hearing closed.
A Current Use Application for the Nature Conservancy was approved and signed.
A letter was received from assessor, Steve Allen, informing the Board that he will be retiring as of December 31, 2020. Mr. Allen has suggested that the Town retain Brett S. Purvis & Associates. Marcia was instructed to contact the company and set up a meeting. Marcia will also contact No. Stratford and Colebrook to see if they were satisfied with Purvis.
A letter was received from the Coos County Commissioners regarding the formation of a Coos Broadband Committee to investigate broadband expansion in the North Country. On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board decided to appoint someone to the Committee to represent Columbia. Selectman Cloutier offered to be Columbia’s representative to the Committee with Selectman Stohl the alternate.
Selectman Campbell stated that Nancy Biron is again this year making and putting up Christmas wreaths at the Town Hall. Marcia will prepare a thank you letter for the Board to sign for Mrs. Biron.
Selectman Campbell informed the Board that Joan Dickson has approached him about donating some historical paperwork to the Town that she currently has. Marcia will prepare a thank you letter for the Board to sign for Mrs. Dickson.
Abatement Applications for Randall Olson and Ralph Fellbaum were reviewed and signed. Refund checks were also signed.
A clerical error was discovered which resulted in a refund check being issued for Douglas Gay.
A Supplemental Property Tax Warrant in the amount of $116.00 was signed for Rickey Gamache due to the same clerical error.
Town Treasurer Carrie Klebe left reports for the Board members regarding monies currently on hand.
Selectman Stohl told the Board that he had been contacted by Russell Johnson who lives on Perry Road regarding concerns that he had brought up earlier in the year regarding water from the road draining into his barn. Selectman Cloutier placed a phone call to Mr. Johnson but there was no answer. Selectman Cloutier said he would continue to try and contact him.
Marcia gave the Board members a breakdown on what has been spent so in appropriations through tonight’s meeting. It was noted that the Summer Road line item is over budget by approximately $30,000.00.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jan 17, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectman Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Sandra Tremblay.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell the Board approved the minutes of the October 28, 2020 meeting.
Mail was reviewed.
Marcia explained to the Board that the Colebrook Town Clerk has been closed due to COVID-19. During the last two weeks, we have been processing registrations for their residents if necessary. Once the Colebrook Town Clerk is back to work, we will settle up on motor vehicle fees,
The Board was reminded that there will be a Dispatch Center meeting tomorrow night. Selectman Campbell explained that they are trying to set it up as a ZOOM meeting and he would be e-mailing the other Board members the link.
The Board discussed complaints regarding two property owners who have numerous “unregistered” vehicles on their property. Marcia will draft a letter for the Board to review to be sent to both property owners.
Marcia explained to the Board that she was interested in applying for a CARES Grant through the Secretary of State’s office that is available to help Towns with the unexpected costs of processing so many absentee ballots during the election. On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board voted to accept in accordance
with RSA 21-P:43, a sub-grant from the New Hampshire Secretary of State and the CARES Act to be used for the purpose of processing absentee ballots in excess of those cast in 2016 in the Town of Columbia and further to designate the Town Clerk, Marcia Parkhurst, as authorized agent to sign the grant agreement and reimbursement request form on behalf of the Town.
Selectman Stohl informed the other Board members that he had received a phone call from Keith Smith regarding Kelsea Notch Road (a Class VI road). A property owner has been doing work on their driveway and has changed the slope of the driveway in such a way that it will wash out the Town road if we have a lot of rain and/or snow melt. Also, some of the gravel they have put on their driveway has been placed on the road itself. The Board reviewed the tax map and Selectman Stohl said he had viewed the site personally. Marcia will draft a letter to be sent to the homeowner asking them to adjust the slope so no damage will be done to the road and that the road itself be restored to the way it was.
At 6:43 pm Sandra Tremblay entered the meeting. Mrs. Tremblay has been doing some research on tax laws and questioned if the Town had the authority to tax her property. The discussion continued with Mrs. Tremblay refusing to understand what the Board was saying. Selectman Stohl asked Mrs. Tremblay if her husband (co-owner Norman Tremblay) was aware of the fact that if the property taxes on their property are not paid, then the Town will have to take action and take the property by tax deed. Mrs. Tremblay responded that he was aware of the fact and that he had witnessed her doing research into State laws for the last two years. At 7:30 Selectman Stohl made a motion which was seconded by Selectman Campbell to end this meeting with Mrs. Tremblay. Motion passed and Mrs. Tremblay left the meeting at 7:35 pm.
The Board discussed changing the next meeting from Wednesday, November 25th, to Tuesday, November 24th, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Marcia will place an ad in the newspaper.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jan 17, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:05 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present were Sam Boudle and Brandi Lambert.
Mrs. Boudle and Ms. Lambert entered the meeting to discuss with the Board clients at Vershire continuing to clean at the Town Office. Mrs. Boudle explained that in the past the Town had paid Vershire and Vershire then paid the clients. This has changed and Vershire would like the Town to pay the clients directly. One client would come once per week (with a supervisor from Veshire) overseeing them. Cleaning would take approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours per week. The Board discussed the subject and instructed Marcia to contact the Town’s insurance company about the matter. The Board gave Mrs. Boudle a tentative “yes” pending any insurance problems. Ms. Lambert and Mrs. Boudle left the meeting at 6:10 pm. The Board continued to discuss the matter and agreed on paying the client $11.00 per hour.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
An Intent to Cut was approved from Donald Dostie.
The Board signed three abatement forms (Estate of Gary Foss, Gregory Archambault and Mark Wright). Abatements were necessary due to property being subdivided, sold and given a new tax map number after the first issue.
Marcia explained that since our tax rate had gone down, there were seven people who overpaid on their first tax payment. Refund checks were signed for these individuals.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the October 14, 2020 meeting.
The Board reviewed the Coos County Recycling Center budget in preparation for the annual budget hearing (via Zoom) on October 30 at 10:00.
A letter was reviewed informing the Board that the State would be doing some cutting on the Nash Stream Forest. The logger in charge of the operation is Timberwolf, LLC.
A Trail Agreement form with the Colebrook Ski-Bees was signed for permission to use a section of Gray Road and Kelsea Notch Road as a snowmachine trail.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the Comprehensive Public Right-of-Way Regulations as prepared by the Town by Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella. Marcia will contact them and see what we do next.
The Board reviewed information received from Colebrook Selectman Sue Collins regarding the DOT Dispatch Center in Lancaster.
Road projects were discussed.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jan 17, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:05 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Mail was reviewed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the September 23, 2020 meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that she had been asked by Cemetery Sexton Sheila Parkhurst if the Town would be willing to increase the burial rates charged. She said that she usually has Ed Poulin dig the graves and that he has recently gone up on his price. On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board voted to increase burial rates to $350.00. Selectman Stohl asked Marcia to check with Sheila to see how Columbia’s cemetery rates compare with Colebrook’s.
Bob Baker was planning to attend the meeting but had an appointment. He left with Marcia a letter regarding the Rails to Trails project that he has been working on. The letter, which is addressed to Shelley Winters and Chris Gamache, was reviewed by the Board and signed.
Selectman Campbell stated that he had received a letter from the State stating that our Hazard Mitigation Plan needs to be updated. Selectman Cloutier said he would take a look at it.
Marcia informed the Board that Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Gay had contacted the office about having the section of Bungy Road from Pires’ driveway to their driveway plowed. The Board discussed the problems with this which include ditching, widening the road, gravel, place for plow truck to turn around, etc. Marcia will draft a letter for the Board to sign to be sent to Mr. & Mrs. Gay telling them what the Town’s position is on this request.
The Warrant for the State/General Election was signed. Marcia will see that it is posted.
Bids were opened for the removal of the Bovill Gift Shop building. Only one bid was received from Clark Jeffers. The Board discussed what needed to be done with the electricity going from the building to the light poles. On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Campbell the Board voted to award the bid to Mr. Jeffers. Marcia will draft up an agreement for the Board to review and have Mr. Jeffers sign it.
Selectman Campbell stated that he had received a phone call from Ted Burns (No. Stratford Snowmobile and ATV Clubs) regarding opening a section of So. Jordan Hill Road up to snowmachines and ATVs temporarily. He is requesting this because there is a logging job going on and this would avoid any interaction. The section he is proposing to use is approximately 500 feet long. On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to give permission for this “temporary” trail detour.
Treasurer Carrie Klebe left reports for the Board on monies available in the Transfer Station Account, the General Fund and the NHPDIP accounts as of 9/30/2020.
A Current Use Application form was signed for Gregory & Nancy Archambault for property on Bungy Road.
An Intent to Cut was signed for Christopher Chase.
Marcia informed the Board that the Coos County Recycling Center Budget Hearing will be held on October 30 at 10:00 am. via Zoom. The County will provide copies of the Budget prior to the meeting.
A contract with Central Paving was signed by Selectman Cloutier.
An Agreement with the State for resurfacing part of US Route 3 during the summer of 2021 was signed by Chairman Cloutier.
Marcia reviewed for the Board an e-mail received from the Town of Stratford. The forester that was going to perambulate the line between Stratford and Columbia doesn’t think he will have time to complete the job in 2020. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to encumber $5,000.00 from funds raised in 2020 to be spent in 2021 for perambulating the Town line with Stratford.
Marcia spoke to the Board about a Yield Tax Bill for Clarence Young. Marcia explained that Mr. Young had called to complain about his Yield Tax bill and during the conversation Marcia discovered that she had made a mistake on the bill and charged Mr. Young for the amounts listed on the original intent not on the report. When she discovered this she told Mr. Young what had happened and that his adjusted bill would be approximately $518, which he thought was also too high. Marcia asked him to send the Board all slips/pay stubs that he had received for stumpage. After reviewing the paperwork, the Board discovered that there was stumpage listed on the list that it looked like Mr. Young didn’t get paid for. Marcia will write a letter to Mr. Young informing him of this fact and see what he can find out from the logger.
The preliminary tax rate paperwork was received from the State and reviewed by the Town. The Board made necessary adjustments and on a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Stohl the approved the 2020 tax rate. Marcia will send it back to the State for final review. Marcia informed the Board that they hope to get the bills printed and mailed out by Friday, October 23rd with a due date of December 4.
An e-mail was reviewed from the Vermont Nature Conservancy checking with the Town to see if there had been any changes to property that the Conservancy has an easement on. Marcia will respond to them and inform them that there are no changes.
A letter and paperwork from Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella was received regarding the Right-of-Way policy that they are working on for the Town. Selectman Stohl offered to review it and get back to the Board with his recommendation.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Oct 21, 2020 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00pm. Present were Selectmen Eric Stohl, Donald Campbell, and Norman Cloutier, and Treasurer Carrie Klebe.
Treasurer Klebe told the Board what was available for funds in the town accounts. The Board and Treasurer Klebe both agreed to transfer funds into the NH PDIP account until needed. Treasurer Klebe left the meeting at 6:15pm.
David Falkenham entered the meeting at 6:20pm to discuss the Timber Tax as the logger for David Buckley. After discussion, the Selectmen agreed to reassess the yield tax. Falkenham was in agreement with the Selectmen, and left the meeting at 6:35pm.
Mail was reviewed. Email from Bob Baker was reviewed as well.
Checks and manifest were signed.
Selectman Cloutier made a motion to accept the July 22nd minutes, Selectman Campbell seconded the motion. All were in favor, so moved.
Intent to Excavate for Clark Jeffers was signed.
A Channel Easement was signed for the State of New Hampshire, granting permission for them to do work on the Sims Stream channel and bank by the Town Hall property on US Route 3. An Estimate of Compensation with the State of NH was also signed.
Selectman Campbell picked up the PPE for the Elections from the State today, and has left it all at the Town Hall.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra DeBlois
