by admin | Oct 11, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Ben Champagne entered the meeting at 6:00 to discuss an issue regarding the Coos County Recycling Center. Ben explained that beginning January 1st, the Recycling Center will be asking residents to separate different types of “plastics” along with aluminum cans and metal cans. Mr. Champagne explained that the reason for this is that the County does not have enough inmates to handle the recycling and that by doing this the County wouldn’t have to hire any additional help. The Board and Mr. Champagne discussed how to get this information out to the public (Towns’ websites, fliers at Town Offices, fliers at the Transfer Stations themselves, etc. Mr. Champagne explained that at our Transfer Station we will have a new container for the plastics and use the existing one for the two different types of metal along with glass. Mr. Champagne told the Board that the annual Recycling Center Budget hearing will be held at 4:00 on October 26th, at the County office building. He will be sending out the budget information within the next few days. Mr. Champagne left the meeting at 6:35 pm.
The Board had a conference call with Shawn from Bianchi Memorials in Derby, Vermont. Shawn explained that he had looked over the work to be done in the Columbia Bridge Cemetery. He said that generally they work by the day. He said that for $5,000.00 they would work for two days (2men) and one day (3 men). They would accomplish what they could in that amount of time. Shawn explained that he would need the Town to furnish a load of ledge pack for them to use. Selectman Cloutier will look at where he could dump it. Shawn stated that they are currently finishing up in Colebrook and could work in Columbia the last two weeks of October. The Board thanked him and said we would get back to him.
After finishing the call, Marcia informed the Board that we have approximately $23,000 in the Cemetery Maintenance Fund. The Board discussed spending $10,000 this year and see what we get done
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the September 27th meeting.
The Board signed copies of the MS535 and the MS1. Marcia will submit these to DRA. Jamie Dow at DRA is already working on reviewing our paperwork for setting our tax rate.
Marcia gave the Board the monthly reconciliation reports for all the bank accounts.
Marcia gave the Board an up-to-date listing of unpaid taxes.
A permission form from the Colebrook Ski-Bees was signed by Selectman Cloutier for use of two portions of Town roads as part of the snowmobile trail.
Two Land Use Change Tax bills and warrants were signed for Mark McLaughlin and Marcia Parkhurst.
The Board reviewed an e-mail from George Sansoucy’s office with answers to Marcia’s inquiry as to why our utility values (especially the pipeline) decreased. It was noted that our equalization ratio of 62% was applied and this amounted to the decrease. This will continue to happen until we finish our revaluation in 2025.
Marcia informed the Board that she had spoken to Sally Zankowski on the phone regarding the Health Officer position. Ms. Zankowski said that at this time she did not feel that she could accept the position due to her current full-time job. However, she said that we should check back with her in two months and that things might change. She said if that happens, she would be happy to be our Health Office. She gave Marcia her cell phone number and Marcia will check back with her in a couple of months.
Marcia informed the Board that we still have approximately $70,000 in the summer road budget. The following projects were discussed:
Gravel – Meridan Hill Road
Gravel – Stoddard Road
Gravel – Brown Road
Selectman Cloutier said that these projects would be approximately $15,000.00. He will check on doing some more paving.
Selectman Campbell reminded the Board members that the annual Dispatch Center Budget Hearing will be held on October 19th.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Sep 27, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5.56 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved the minutes of the September 13, 2023 meeting.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Marcia gave each Board member a copy of the completed MS535, MS60 and the Management Report prepared by Cohos Advisors. The Board can review them and get back to Marcia with questions, etc. Marcia will contact Cohos Advisors to have them submit the MS60. Marcia will submit the MS535 and have it ready for the Board’s signature at the next meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that Ben Champagne will be attending the October 11th meeting to discuss changes in the Coos County Recycling Center.
The Board received a resignation letter from Dr. Robert Soucy as the Town’s Health Officer. Dr. Soucy suggested that Sally Zankowski might be interested in serving. Marcia will attempt to contact her.
Mail was reviewed.
The Board signed a Road Liability Waiver for Mark McLaughlin.
Chairman Cloutier signed the contract for purchasing oil from C.N. Brown.
The Board opened bids received for snowplowing at both the Town Hall and the Town Office. Bids were received as follows:
S. Gray Construction – $45.00 plowing/$45.00 sanding (both properties)
Corey Rancloes – $50.00 plowing/$50. Sanding (both properties)
David Hodge – $125.00 plowing/$75.00 sanding
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to award the contract to S. Gray Construction.
A report from George Sansoucy was reviewed regarding the utility values for 2023. Selectman Stohl questioned why the value of PNGTS has decreased so much. Marcia will contact Sansoucy’s office to try and get this clarified.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Sep 23, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:01 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Don Dawson (Netafy).
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the August 23, 2023 meeting.
Checks and manifest were reviewed and signed.
Selectman Cloutier signed the MS434 (Revised Estimated Revenues) that the Board had prepared at the last meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that George Sansoucy’s office had requested that we file an extension to October 2nd for the Town’s MS1. Marcia has already done it.
Marcia reviewed two quotes received for oil for the Town Office for the winter heating season:
C.N. Brown $3.299
C. Bean $3.599
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to purchase oil from C.N. Brown.
Marcia informed the Board that she had placed an ad in the newspaper requesting bids for snow plowing both Town buildings. Bids will be opened at the September 27th meeting.
The Board reviewed the monthly reconciliation reports for all of the Town’s bank accounts.Selectman Campbell said that he had noticed the oil tank at the Town Hall was only half full. Marcia will contact C.N. Brown and have it filled.
The Board reviewed several e-mails received from Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella and George Sansoucy’s office regarding the Eversource court case. After reviewing everything, the Board instructed Marcia to forward everything to Town Counsel Jon Frizzell just to make sure that there is nothing that he needs to be aware of.
At 7:00 pm. Donald Dawson (Netafy) entered the meeting. Mr. Dawson showed the Board a slide presentation of the work that his company has done using ARPA funds from the Town. Mr. Dawson will come back again at the October 25th meeting. He will, hopefully, have a more accurate map of the households in Columbia served by his company for the Board to review. Mr. Dawson left the meeting at 7:45 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Aug 23, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier and Stohl. Selectman Campbell was absent.
Mail was reviewed
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the August 9, 2023 meeting.
The Board reviewed the monthly reconciliation reports for all of the Town’s bank accounts.
Marcia informed the Board that Don Dawson (Netafy) was scheduled to attend tonight’s meeting but asked to be re-scheduled to the September 13th meeting.
The Board reviewed revenue amounts received through June 30, 2023 in order for Marcia to prepare the MS434 (Revised Estimated Revenues) report.
Marcia informed the Board that the auditors had been here last week to review the 2022 books,
The Board discussed road projects including:
1. Amounts spent to date – approximately $10,000.
2. Total amount appropriated – $180,000 plus $29,000 encumbered from 2022
3. Reviewed a paving quote from Dorman
4. Discussed section of Fish Pond that needs to be dug up and redone before paving. Perhaps encumber the money from this year to pave this section next year.
5. Discussed the possibility of putting some gravel down on a portion of Stoddard Road
Complaint from Barbara Schomburg about ditching done on Meridan Hill Road. Selectman Cloutier said he would view the site again.
Marcia reminded the Board that we still have $47,654.00 that the State allocated to the Town last year for bridge repairs. Marcia will contact DRA to see if there is a deadline as to when these funds have to be spent. Discussed the bridge on Bungy Road (by Fred Foss’ house) and whether or not it would be possible to replace it with a culvert.
Marcia informed the Board that she will be on vacation from Monday, September 18th to Thursday, September 21st.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Aug 9, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public: Treasurer Carrie Klebe.
Mrs. Klebe came in to discuss the following:
1. Stipend for the new Assistant Treasurer
2. Balances of all accounts as of 7/31/2023 and total monies on hand.
Mrs. Klebe left the meeting.
The Board discussed a stipend for the new Assistant Treasurer. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved a yearly stipend of $500.00.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the July 26, 2023 meeting.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
A Driveway Permit application for Harold Rist on Bungy Road was reviewed. Selectman Cloutier will go out and view the site.
A Land Use Change Tax form and Warrant was signed in the amount of $1,224.50.
A Yield Tax Warrant and bill were signed in the amount of $1,198.84.
The Board discussed summer road projects – paving
1. Titus Hill Road to Maurice Gay’s House
2. Fish Pond Road – Mercier
3. Meridan Hill Road.
The Board discussed an e-mail from Marcia regarding the Transfer Station account. In the last several months (due to rising costs), there hasn’t been enough funds at the beginning of the month to cover all the bills. As a result, Marcia has had to hold payment to some of the vendors until the Towns pay their monthly bills. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to put $1,000.00 in the account. (With the understanding that Stewartstown would do so as well).
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Donald Campbell, Selectman
