by admin | Aug 14, 2017 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:56 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Beverly White entered the meeting at 6:30 pm to discuss a potential business plan that she is working on. Ms. White left the meeting at 6:50 pm.
Selectman Campbell reviewed for the other members issues regarding the Colebrook Regional Dispatch Center. Items discussed included:
Possible funding formulas
Hiring new dispatchers
Result of court case with No. Stratford
The Board received an e-mail from Town Moderator Nancy Smith informing them that she would not be running for the position when her term is up in March, 2018.
A letter was received from Malcolm Washburn concerning his recent Yield Tax Bill. The Board instructed Marcia to write to Mr. Washburn and tell him that they believe the bill was fair and to instruct him to make an appointment to discuss it with them in person, if he so wishes.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the July 12th meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that the certified letter sent to Mr. & Mrs. Miles regarding their property which was taken for tax deed had been signed for. They have 90 days to respond to the Town if they wish to pay all the back taxes, etc.
A Quitclaim was signed deeding property back to Harold Rist, Jr. after Mr. Rist had paid all back taxes, etc. Marcia will have the deed recorded at the Registry of Deeds.
Marcia gave the Board members a breakdown of expenditures and revenue through 6/30/2017.
A Yield Tax Warrant and bill was signed for James Alexander. An Abatement was signed for Mr. Alexander in the amount of $27.55.
An e-mail was received from June Garneau regarding the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan which needs to be updated. Marcia will have the necessary paperwork ready for the next meeting for the Board to review.
Town Treasurer, Jennifer Wells, entered the meeting at 7:15 pm. Mrs. Wells gave the Board members a report on what the Town has currently for funds on hand. Mrs. Wells also informed the Board that she is continuing to look for a Deputy. Mrs. Wells left the meeting at 7:35 pm.
Marcia informed the Board that, as requested Joyce Brady, came in to the office to report on how she was addressing her building’s siding issue. Mrs. Brady said that she has located the necessary siding and that the building will be sided by the end of the year. Marcia was instructed to write a letter to the Bradys telling them that the Board would accept this and table the entire matter until December 31st.
Marcia asked the Board if they wanted her to send out letters to CN Brown and C. Bean asking for quotes for heating fuel for this winter and was instructed to do so.
Selectman Campbell told the Board members that he had witnessed a truck from the Routhier Farm using the Columbia Covered Bridge and that he believed it was way over the weight limit. Marcia will prepare a letter, similar to the one used in the past, for the Board to sign.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Aug 7, 2017 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:30 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Joyce Brady, Scott DeBlois (Planning Board Chairman) and Jennifer Wells (Treasurer).
Mrs. Joyce Brady came to the meeting at the request of the Board to discuss her Zoning Ordinance violation. Mrs. Brady explained that they have been attempting to finish the siding but financially they just haven’t been able to do it. After much discussion, Mrs. Brady was instructed by the Board to make some phone calls and see what she could find to complete the siding. She will let Marcia know what she finds out and the Board will discuss the matter again at their next meeting. Mrs. Brady left the meeting at 7:10 pm.
Planning Board Chairman Scott DeBlois left the meeting at 7:15 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were signed.
A letter was received from the Fish & Wildlife Service informing the Town of how much they will received as a PILOT for this year.
The Board signed Appointment forms for the following Board of Adjustment members: Kenneth Grimes, Robert Lawton and Alan “Bob” Baker.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved the minutes of the June 28, 2017 meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that 92% of the first installment of property taxes has been received. We had 30 people use the new “on-line” tax payment kiosk.
An Intent to Cut was approved for G.L. Gettings.
Town Treasurer, Jennifer Wells, entered the meeting at 7:25 pm and presented the Board with her monthly reports for both the Transfer Station and General Fund. The Board discussed with Mrs. Wells the interest rate earned on both the General Fund and the NHPDIP. After discussion, the Board instructed Mrs. Wells to move $450,000 from the General Fund currently at Citizens Bank to the NHPDIP account in order to earn more interest. Mrs. Wells left the meeting.
A Yield Tax Warrant was signed in the amount of $26,620.92. Marcia will have one additional bill ready for the next meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that Harold Rist, Jr. has completed re-paying the Town for all back taxes, interest and costs associated with the property that he formerly owned which the Town took for non-payment of taxes. Marcia will prepare a deed for the Board to sign at the next meeting deeding the property back to Mr. Rist.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jul 14, 2017 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:02 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Diane Little entered the meeting at 6:05 pm. Mrs. Little came to the Board to request a Property Tax Abatement for her brother, Roger DeBlois. She explained that Mr. DeBlois has a limited income and is currently in the nursing home in Lancaster. With his medical bills, etc. finances are extremely tight. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to abate $482.00 on Mr. DeBlois’ tax bill. Mrs. Little left the meeting at 6:20 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
The Board reviewed and signed a letter to be sent to Christopher and Joyce Brady. This letter is in regards to their zoning violation and is a request to attend the next meeting on July 12th.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the June 14, 2017 meeting.
Treasurer Jennifer Wells entered the meeting at 6:45 to give the Board members an up-to-date figure on the Town’s checking and savings accounts.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to enter non-public session per RSA 91-A:3, paragraph 3 (c) at 7:00 pm.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board voted to return to public session at 7:52 pm.
Mrs. Wells left the meeting.
The Board reviewed and signed a letter to be sent to Richard and Linda Miles regarding the Town’s intent to sell the property that was formerly theirs and which was taken for Tax Deed in March. Marcia also provided the Board members with copies of the laws pertaining to this transaction.
Selectman Campbell informed the other Board members that he had spoken to three citizens in Town who are willing to serve on the Board of Adjustment. These three people along with current members, Eric Stohl and Scott Deblois, will complete the Board. Marcia will prepare the Appointment Forms for the next meeting.
The Board reviewed the Report of Wood Cut forms received for the 2016-2017 year and instructed Marcia as to what percentage to be used when calculating each owner’s Yield Tax.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jun 30, 2017 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:05 pm Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public Scott DeBlois, Planning Board Chairman.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
A Warrant was signed for the 2017 Excavation Tax in the amount of $418.13. Marcia informed the Board that she should have everything ready for next meeting for them to review the Timber Tax paperwork.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the May 24, 2017 meeting.
The Board discussed people who might be willing to serve on the Board of Adjustment. Selectman Stohl said he had served as a member for several years and would be willing to continue. Selectman Campbell will get in touch with Kenneth Grimes to see if he is still willing to serve. Selectman Cloutier said he would get in touch with Peter Corriveau, who has served in the past, to see if he would be willing to serve.
Selectman Cloutier stated that he had noticed that the former Miles property (which was taken by the Town for tax deed this spring) had recently been mowed. Selectman Cloutier has been inside the property and gave the other Board members a description of the condition of the mobile home. He will put a sign up saying that it is owned by the Town of Columbia and asking people to stay off. Marcia will have ready for the next meeting a breakdown of what is owed so the Board can decide what their next step will be with regards to the property.
Planning Board Chairman Scott DeBlois came into the meeting at 6:40 pm to discuss a zoning violation. Mr. DeBlois gave the Board a brief description of what had transpired since the Bradys originally applied for a building permit in 2013. Mr. DeBlois also shared with the Board an e-mail he received from the NHMA detailing what steps the Town could take. After discussion, the Board instructed Mr. DeBlois to provide them copies of all documentation regarding the situation. Marcia will draft a letter to Mr. & Mrs. Brady for the Board to review at the next meeting.
Mr. DeBlois left the meeting.
The Board reviewed the monthly Treasurer’s Report.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jun 15, 2017 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Road Agent David Cloutier entered the meeting at 6:10 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
At 6:25 Russell and Kathy Johnson came into the meeting to discuss a water problem at their property on Perry Road. The Board reviewed pictures Mr. Johnson had taken and discussed how best to address the situation. They told Mr. and Mrs, Johnson that they would look into it and see what could be done. Mr. & Mrs. Johnson left the meeting at 6:55 pm.
The Board continued to discuss Perry Road with the Road Agent and came up with some ideas to take care of the problem. Road Agent David Cloutier left the meeting.
Selectman Cloutier said that he had spoken with Brett Brooks recently. (Mr. Brooks currently serves as Columbia’s representative to the 45th Parallel Board.) Mr. Brooks wanted the Board to know that the 45th would have to purchase a new ambulance next year and that this would increase the appropriation requested from each Town.
The Warrant for the lst installment of the 2017 property taxes was signed in the amount of $725,643.00.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the May 10, 2017 meeting.
A Veteran’s Tax Credit was approved for Gregory Guild.
Selectman Campbell reviewed for the other Board members matters regarding the Colebrook Regional Dispatch Center. The Dispatch Center Committee went to a pre-trial hearing with the Town of Stratford on Monday regarding bills sent to Stratford for dispatching. An agreement could not be reached between the two parties, so the matter will go to court on July 20th. Selectman Campbell asked for an opinion from the other two Board members as to whether they felt it would be beneficial for the Committee to hire an attorney. After discussion, the consensus was that the Dispatch Committee should not hire an attorney. Selectman Campbell (as Chairman of the Dispatch Committee) will contact the other core Towns to see what their feelings were on the issue.
Meeting adjourn at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
