by admin | Sep 30, 2022 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:59 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 Campbell the Board approved the minutes of the May 11, 2022 meeting.
At 6:30 pm Amy Goyette from TCCAP entered the meeting. Ms. Goyette was attending to bring information to the Board regarding a new program that TCCAP is planning to roll out this fall. The agency has purchased a portable office unit that they will be bringing to communities to eliminate the need for all citizens to travel to them for help regarding fuel assistance, Head Start, etc. Ms. Goyette and the Board discussed what the agency would need from the Towns as far as electricity, bathroom facilities, etc. The Board explained to Ms. Goyette that Columbia really doesn’t have a place for the trailer to be situated. Ms. Goyette noted that they were reaching out to adjourning Towns such as No. Stratford and Colebrook and that Columbia residents could go there. Ms. Goyette left the meeting at 7:10 pm.
The Board reviewed and signed a letter to Eversource Energy denying their request for an Abatement of their 2021 property taxes based on the recommendation of utility appraiser, George Sansoucy.
A e-mail was received from Nancy Gray, Treasurer for the GNWCA informing the Board that the Motorcycle Blessing for 2022 has been
cancelled. They are hoping to hold it in 2023. Mrs. Gray also sent along the group’s most up-to-date financial information as requested previously by the Board.
An Intent to Cut was approved for Elaine White.
An Intent to Excavate was approved for Norman Cloutier.
Road Liability Waivers were signed for Devin Rodrigue and Gregory Hibbard.
The Warrant for the lst half of the 2022 property taxes was signed in the amount of $682,721.00. Marcia informed the Board that the bills will be mailed out Thursday morning.
An e-mail was received from NH Department of Environmental Services inquiring if the Town had a “septic disposal agreement” with any other Town or entity. Marcia will reply and inform them that we do not.
A Land Use Change Tax bill and Warrant were signed for Gilles DeBlois in the amount of $1,071.00.
A “Notice of Right to Re-Purchase” was signed on the Pearson property that the Town just acquired by Tax Deed. This letter is being sent to the late Mr. Pearson per instructions from Attorney Jon Frizzell.
Bids were opened for mowing the Town Hall, the Town Office and three of the Town’s cemeteries (Columbia Bridge, Keach and Lyman). Bids were received from Yetti Yard Man and No Sweatt Mowing. After review, Selectman Stohl made a motion which was seconded by Selectman Cloutier to award the bid to the lowest bidder – Yetti Yard Man.
Marcia informed the Board that she had received a phone call from a resident of Meridan Hill Road complaining about dust. Selectman Cloutier stated they were going to put chloride down but were waiting until after the weekend because they are forecasting rain.
The Board discussed various road projects and a possible “spring road trip” to see what projects need to be done.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jun 24, 2022 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the April 13, 2022 meeting.
At 6:15 pm Zach Maynard (and his grandfather?) entered the meeting. Mr. Maynard’s family has a camp on Harry’s Way in Colebrook and they were looking for permission to ride Bungy Road with their ATVs to access the trail on Kelsea Notch Road. The Board explained to Mr. Maynard that the Town has adopted the policy of not opening up any other town roads to ATVs, The Board also explained to Mr. Maynard that this section of Bungy Road is a state-road and that the Town has no jurisdiction over it. Mr. Maynard left the meeting at 6:25 pm.
At 6:30 pm Nancy Gray entered the meeting. Mrs. Gray was there on behalf of the Great North Woods Center for the Arts. Mrs. Gray explained that the Center was hosting the Motorcycle Blessing (in partnership with the Manchester Motorcycle Club) on the weekend of June 25th. She presented the Board with a breakdown of what activities would be taking place. Mrs. Gray explained that they had been in contact with NH DOT and State Police. The Board thanked Mrs. Gray for coming in and letting them know
what will be taking place. They explained that the Town is currently working on an “Event Policy” and that in the future there would probably be an Application Form required. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the event. Mrs. Gray left the meeting at 6:50 pm.
Marcia informed the Board that she had contacted the Town’s insurance company about adding the former Pearson property to our policy. Selectman Cloutier stated that he had gone into the house briefly. Marcia will order some “No Trespassing” signs to be put up. The Tax Collector’s Deed has been sent to the Registry for recording.
An Excavation Warrant in the amount of $5.50 was signed by the Board.
Intent to Excavate forms were signed for Pike Industries (4).
Marcia informed the Board that Mike Andolina has completed the plumbing at the old Town Hall.
A quote was received from David White for doing the roadside mowing this year. On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved Mr. White’s quote. Marcia will send him a letter.
A quote was received from Robert Gooch, Jr. to mow the cemetery next to his home. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved Mr. Gooch’s quote. Marcia will send him a letter.
The Board reviewed and signed an Emergency Operations Plan prepared for the Columbia House. Marcia will keep a copy for the Town and return the signed plan to the Columbia House.
The Board reviewed an e-mail from Steve Agius, Refuge Manager for the Silvio Conte property, regarding Bungy Road and possible federal funds available. Marcia will contact Mr. Agius and see if he can give us more information about what is required.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jun 24, 2022 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
A Current Use Application was approved for Carolyn Foss
At 6:15 pm Senator Erin Hennessey entered the meeting. Senator Hennessey came to the meeting to answer questions from the Board regarding State funding for expansion of broadband service in Columbia. She has introduced a bill, which she believes will pass, that is a 75/25 match. The Board explained that we have reached out to several different internet providers but haven’t really had many responses. NHEC will be attending a meeting with the Board on May 11th. Senator Hennessey said that she would reach out to a couple of people that she thought might be able to help us. She also said that once the bill passes she will notify us. Senator Hennessey left the meeting at 6:50 pm.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the March 23, 2022 meeting.
The Board accepted a Tax Collector’s Deed for the Pearson property and abated all outstanding taxes. Marcia will see that the deed gets recorded and that we have insurance on it. The Board will meet at some point in time to view the interior of the house and to decide how to proceed from here.
Marcia gave the Board an updated listing of unpaid taxes. Once the abatement for the Pearson property is processed, there will be under $40,000 outstanding
Marcia reviewed for the Board upcoming appointments for future meetings:
April 27th – Nancy Gray (GNWCA) – regarding holding the Motorcycle Blessing. Marcia will look at what requirements we asked for in the past.
April 27th – Zack Maynard – regarding ATV access
May 11th – Robert Lee – tax refund request
May 11th – NH Electric Cooperative – broadband
May 27th – TCCAP – mobile office unit
Marcia informed the Board that Kendra Bell from Cohos Advisors was in the office yesterday and filled out the report that is due on April 30th for the ARPA funds.
The Board reviewed an e-mail from Steve Agius who is the Manager for the Silvio Conte Refuge. Mr. Agius had written regarding the condition of Bungy Road near the refuge. He informed the Board that there are federal funds available to upgrade roads that lead to federal lands. Marcia will write back to him and see what part of the road he was talking about.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jun 24, 2022 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:58 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 April 27, 2022 meeting.
William Simpson entered the meeting at 6:10 pm. Mr. Simpson was inquiring about chloride to put on the dirt portion of Meridan Hill Road. He said it was extremely dusty and that he would spread it if the Town had some. Selectman Cloutier instructed Mr. Simpson where the chloride is stored and that it was okay if he spread it. Mr. Simpson left the meeting.
Robert Lee entered the meeting at 6:25 pm. Mr. Lee explained to the Board that he winters in Florida and that this year he had trouble getting his mail forwarded. Consequently, he didn’t pay the second installment of his 2021 property taxes and ended up having a lien executed. Mr. Lee is requesting that the Board refund the $60.73 that he was charged in interest and costs. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to refund Mr. Lee the requested amount. Mr. Lee left the meeting.
At 6:50 pm Leo Dwyer and William Darcy (New Hampshire Electric Cooperative) entered the meeting. They presented a slide presentation on what NHEC’s plan is for bringing high speed internet to all of their customers in Columbia. They explained that it would be approximately four years before the entire project would be completed. Mr. Dwyer and Mr. Darcy left the meeting at 7:40 pm.
Russell Marcotte entered the meeting at 7:45 pm. Mr. Marcotte was inquiring about the status of Marsh Road. After much discussion, the Board explained to Mr. Marcotte that this road is a “private road” and that the Town has no jurisdiction over it. Mr. Marcotte was also concerned about his neighbor building things without the Town’s permission. Selectman Cloutier stated that he would go and look at what was going on. Mr. Marcotte left the meeting at 8:05 pm.
Selectman Campbell reminded the other Board members that there is a Dispatch Center meeting in Pittsburg tomorrow night at 5:30 pm.
Marcia gave the Board members a copy of a “draft” Event Policy along with a “draft” Application form. The Board will review it and discuss it more at the next meeting.
The Board reviewed an e-mail from Attorney Frizzell regarding the former Pearson property. Based on his recommendation, the Board decided to send an “Opportunity to Repurchase” letter to Mr. Pearson’s last known address by certified mail. After 90 days have passed, the Board can advertise for bids.
A letter of resignation was accepted with regret from Deputy Town Clerk, Debra DeBlois. The Board questioned whether Mr. DeBlois would continue as Tax Collector and Planning Board secretary. Marcia will check with her.
A Road Liability Form was signed for Frank Melanson.
Request for Information letters were signed by the Board at the request of assessor George Sansoucy in order to update our utility values for 2022. Letters will be sent to our four utility companies.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Apr 12, 2022 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Letters were signed to taxpayers who still owe their 2019 taxes – Robinson, Cormier (2), Hutchins and Pearson.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the March 9, 2022 meeting.
A phone call was placed to Kim Carter by Selectman Campbell to discuss your tax situation.
Selectman Campbell shared pictures he had taken of the work being done at the Town Hall for the new “mini museum”.
Marcia will contact Mike Andolina about doing the plumbing work at the Town Hall.
Selectman Cloutier mentioned that he had noticed the chimney at the Town Office needs some work done. Selectman Campbell said he would get the name of someone to repair it.
An e-mail was received from Tri-County Community Action regarding a mobile office trailer that they are purchasing and want to place at various locations in the North Country to provide service to residents. Marcia will contact them and ask them to attend a meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
