by admin | Jan 8, 2025 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the December 23, 2024 meeting.
A Junkyard Permit was approved for Harry Haynes, Jr.
Intent to Cut forms were signed for David White and Jacob Brady.
Selectman Campbell reminded the other Board members that there will be a Dispatch Center meeting tomorrow night beginning at 5:30 in Colebrook.
At 6:20 Michael Collins entered the meeting. Mr. Collins (who is Columbia’s representative to the 45th Parallel EMS Board) came to the meeting at the request of the Board to explain the increase in this year’s budget. Mr. Collins explained that there were two major reasons for the increase – more runs than the previous year and increasing costs for equipment and vehicles. As always, there is the continued issue with reimbursement from Medicare/Medic aid. Mr. Collins assured the Board that he would be present at Town Meeting to answer any questions from voters. Mr. Collins left the meeting at 6:52/
The Board discussed a date for the annual Budget Hearing and decided on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 6:30 (or when the School Board finishes their Budget Hearing.) The Hearing will be held at the Town Office.
Marcia reminded the Board members that the filing period is from January 22 to January 31st.
Petition Warrant Articles are due to the Board by February 4th. At this time, there are none that we are aware of.
The remainder of the meeting was spent working on the 2025 budget and warrant articles.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Dec 23, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed. Marcia informed the Board that there might still be a few bills coming in for the 2024 fiscal year. She will contact the Board members if she needs signatures.
The MS-60A (Audit Option and Schedule) was signed by Chairman Cloutier for the 2024 fiscal year audit.
Marcia informed the Board that she had gotten in touch with Michael Collins and that he would be attending the January 8, 2025 meeting to give an update on the ambulance budget for 2025.
Selectman Campbell brought up a couple of dispatch center issues, which the Board discussed. He also reviewed for the other Board members changes in the Dispatch Center Agreement. The Board signed the Agreement for 2025.
Marcia informed the Board that we have collected approximately 89% of our total property tax warrant for the year. It was noted that this was a little less than normal but that we still have a week in the fiscal year. Also, the increase in the tax rate took some people by surprise.
The Board discussed an on-going property tax issue and reviewed two e-mails from Attorney Chris Hilson from Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Dec 11, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the November 27, 2024 meeting.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
An e-mail was received from Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella regarding an on-going legal matter.
Intent to Cut forms were approved for Savannahwood and Megawood.
Marcia reminded the Board that there is a Dispatch Center meeting tomorrow night here in Columbia. Also, the next meeting will be held on Monday, December 23rd due to the holiday.
The Board signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the 45th Parallel for 2025. It was noted that there is a considerable increase in our contribution for 2025. Marcia was instructed to ask Michael Collins (Columbia’s representative to the 45th Board) to attend the first meeting in January to explain the increase.
The Appointment Form our new Health Officer was signed.
The Board signed a letter to the Colebrook Area Food Pantry in regards to their request for more funds in 2025.
The Board signed a letter to Mrs. Annie Didsbury in response to her correspondence about her recent tax bill.
Marcia gave the Board members the research that she had done regarding that portion of old US Route 3 which runs through property currently owned by Diane Hall. Marcia was instructed to send the information to Daniel Plourde.
The Board reviewed an e-mail from Groveton Town Manager, Tammy Letson, regarding the assessing issue that many Towns are experiencing. She requested some information from the Town regarding what we currently pay for assessing and how many parcels we currently have. The group is working on getting a RFP out.
The Board reviewed a letter from a management firm being used by the Town of Colebrook for their new water wells. The letter asked if the Town of Columbia wanted the water well on the Town Hall property to be monitored by any contamination. After discussion, the Board signed the letter giving permission.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Nov 25, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5.55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
At 6:00 pm. Jacqueline Thayer entered the meeting. Mrs. Thayer explained that she had recently been appointed as the Town of Colebrook’s Health Officer and that she was looking to offer her services to other Towns in the area. (Pittsburg, Errol and Stewartstown). She explained what her background was and what she thought the job would entail. After discussion, Selectman Stohl made a motion that was seconded by Selectman Cloutier to appoint Mrs. Thayer as the Town’s Health Officer beginning January 1st with a stipend of $500.00 per year. Mrs. Thayer will contact the State of NH (Department of Health and Human Services) and have then e-mail us the appropriate appointment forms. Mrs. Thayer left the meeting at 6:30 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed.
An Authorization Form was signed by Chairman Cloutier to allow the Colebrook Ski-Bees to use portions of Gray road and Kelsea Notch as snowmobile trails.
A new Delegation of Deposit Authority was signed by the Board. This was at the suggestion of Cohos Advisors that we update our current form.
Selectman Cloutier informed the other Board members that he had received a phone call from Daniel Plourde regarding his Application for a Driveway Permit which the Board had denied at the last meeting. The Board reviewed the subdivision map that Mr. Plourde was referring to as well as the deeds for various properties that abut Mr. Plourde’s property. Marcia will do some more research to see if we can determine exactly when the State gave this road up.
At 6:45 pm the Board placed a phone call to Kevin Lufkin of Lufkin Security who had recently gave the Town a quote on updating our security system. After discussion, the Board approved two proposals.
The Board discussed the recent appropriation request received from the Colebrook Area Food Pantry. The requested donation has increased from $500 in 2024 to $2,000 in 2025. The Board instructed Marcia to draft a letter to the Director of the Food Pantry asking for financial information . It was noted that due to the large increase in the Town’s tax rate there probably would be a lot more questions about various appropriations and that we need to be prepared.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Nov 13, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Matthew Chapple entered the meeting at 6:00. Mr. Chapple had some questions about his property assessment. Selectman Cloutier reviewed for him his tax card and answered questions regarding Current Use. Marcia will send him a Current Use application tomorrow. Mr. Chapple left the meeting at 6:10 pm.
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 October 23, 2024 meeting.
The Board discussed an Application for a Driveway Permit for Daniel Plourde. The Board decided that they could not issue the permit because the lot does not have frontage on a Town road. Marcia will send Mr. Plourde a letter.
The Board decided to change their meeting dates due to the upcoming holidays as follows:
Wednesday, November 27th meeting changed to November 25th
Wednesday, December 25th meeting changed to December 23rd.
A Yield Tax Warrant was signed for Allen Beloin.
The MS60W (Audit Waiver Request) for 2024 was signed.
Intent to Cut forms were approved for David Brunault and B and B Springwater Management.
Marcia informed the Board that she had received a “Letter of Engagement” from Cohos Advisors for doing our annual compilation for 2024.
Marcia informed the Board that the former Pilbro property (now owned by Landon Placey) has sold and that the lawyers doing the closing had found an error in the Map & Lot number on the deed from the Town to Mr. Placey. They are requesting that the Board sign a Corrective Deed and have it recorded. The Board signed the deed.
The Board reviewed 3 proposals from Lufkin Security for repairs and/or updates to the Town’s security system. The Board asked Marcia to contact Mr. Lufkin to see if he could attend the next meeting and explain the different proposals to them.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Oct 23, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:59 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Brian Burrill, Karl Ruel and Alan Hansom from NH DOT.
The representatives from NH DOT came to the meeting to discuss with the Board the possibility of the Town of Columbia taking ownership of Columbia Bridge Road. Mr. Hansom briefly described the process involved which included:
1. The Town asking the Commissioner of DOT to take over the road.
2. A vote at Town Meeting where the voters accept the road.
3. Must go before the Legislature.
The Board stated that they would like to see the railroad tracks removed so that it would be easier to plow for the Town’s contractor. Mr. Hansom said that he would contact the Bureau of Rails to see if they would approve the removal. Also, the Town would like to see it re-paved. (It was last paved in 2019.) The Board said that they would plan to place an article on the 2025 Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Burrill, Mr. Ruel and Mr. Hansom left the meeting at 7:00 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
The Warrant for the November 5th General Election was signed by the Board.
Marcia reminded the Board members that they are presenting the Town’s Boston Post Cane to Ruth Whitehill on Saturday, October 26th, at 11:00.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the September 9, 2024 meeting.
Marcia gave the Board members a breakdown of the revenue and appropriations through September 30, 2024.
A complaint was received from Amber Dodge regarding Fish Pond Road in front of her house. Selectman Cloutier said he would have Road Agent, Dominic Westover, check it out.
The Board discussed money left in the Summer Road budget and what still needed to be done.
The preliminary tax rate for 2024 was reviewed. After discussion, the Board voted to use any remaining fund balance to offset the Town’s portion of the tax rate. Marcia will enter the numbers and send it to DRA for approval tomorrow.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
