by admin | Apr 22, 2026 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Pike.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Mail was reviewed.
At 5:59 pm Jason Rella entered the meeting to attend the bid opening. Chairman Cloutier opened the bids received and read the results as follows:
Cemeteries Carr Property Services $7,000 (for season)
Yetti Yard Man $7,920 (for season)
Town Bldgs. Carr Property Services $1,750 (for season)
Yetti Yard Man $1,920 (for season)
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Pike, the Board voted to award both bids to Carr Property Services. Mr. Rella left the meeting at 6:15 pm.
A Supplemental Intent to Cut was approved for Savannahwood, LLC.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Pike, the Board approved the minutes of the April 8, 2026 meeting.
At 6:30 pm Donald and Stacey Campbell entered the meeting. Mrs. Campbell was there to discuss the following:
1. Town of Columbia float for July 4th parade in Colebrook. Mrs. Campbell will get in touch with some other residents and we will set up a meeting to discuss ideas, make plans, etc.
2. Joint “Columbia Covered Bridge Dance” to be held with the Town of Lemington. (Mrs. Campbell has already spoken to Myra Ellingwood of the Lemington Historical Society who expressed interest in the idea). The group talked about a date (September 11th), time (4:00 – 8:00) “pot luck meal and BYOB”. Selectman Stohl said he would look into how we could close “Columbia Bridge Road” for the night. Once we know we can close the road, we can continue to make additional plans.
Mr. Campbell spoke with the Board about the following:
1. Septic system at the Town Hall – determined at it was frozen Town Meeting Day.
2. Installed a spigot on the outside of the building and will be running the water to see if we could get it to clear up.
3. Discussed moving the handicapped ramp and rebuilding it.
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell left the meeting at 7:30 pm.
The Board reviewed the list of taxpayers who still owe their 2023 taxes. One taxpayer (who owns two properties) has agreed to make monthly payments beginning in May. The remaining taxpayer has not answered any correspondence from the Town. Marcia will draft a letter for the Selectmen to review. Once completed, we will give it to the Sheriff’s Department for “in hand” service.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Apr 8, 2026 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectman Cloutier and Pike, Selectman Stohl was absent.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Pike and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the March 25, 2026 meeting.
Four (4) Intent to Excavate forms were signed for Pike Industries.
The Board approved and signed a contract with Northtown Associates for the Town’s assessing (pickups) for 2026.
The Board approved and signed a contract with Brett Purvis & Associates to complete the revaluation by September, 2026.
Marcia told the Board that she had been contacted by DRA about the sales ratio study. Gary Fournier has not been able to complete it so DRA is going to finish it for us.
Donald Campbell entered the meeting at 6:35 pm to discuss a couple of maintenance issues at the Town Hall:
Septic system – going to have Bolens come to locate the tank
Handicap ramp – re-do and move it
Water system- let water run to see if it clears up/possible filter
Marcia informed the Board that she would be putting ads in the newspaper for mowing the Town’s cemeteries and the two buildings. The bids will be opened at the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Mar 25, 2026 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Pike.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Pike, the Board approved the minutes of the March 11, 2026 meeting.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
The MS232 (Appropriations Approved) was signed.
The MS60W (Audit Waiver Request for 2025) was signed.
The Data Assessment Certification was signed. (Assessor Gary Fournier is working on our equalization ratio study.)
At 6:00 Jason Call (Northtown Associates) entered the meeting (along with his associate). Mr. Call and the Board discussed what our assessing needs are going forward. For 2026 it will be pick-ups only. Then 2027 through 2031 will be our next cyclical revaluation. Mr. Call said that he had spoken with Gary Fournier since this year will be a little different as we are still finishing up the 2025 revaluation. Mr. Call said they would be interested in providing our assessing services going forward. The Board all agree that they were pleased to get someone local and someone that already knew the Town. Mr. Call said he would be providing us with a contract. Mr. Call (and associate) left the meeting at 6:45 pm.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Pike, the Board voted to enter non-public session as per RSA 91-A:3, paragraph II (e) at 6:55 pm.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to return to regular session at 7:05 pm.
The Board signed a letter drafted by Marcia and Attorney Chris Boldt to be sent to Jason Young regarding his Right-to-Know request.
The Board reviewed a list of taxpayers who have not paid their 2023 property taxes yet and are eligible for tax deeding. Marcia will send a letter to each taxpayer.
The Board reviewed an e-mail from Donald Campbell regarding the well at the Town Hall and suggestions regarding clearing up the water.
Selectman Cloutier noted that the Road Agent had informed him that we have two culverts that have collapsed and need to be replaced once the weather gets better. One is on Bunnell Road and one is on Meriden Hill Road.
Selectman Stohl stated that he had attended the Dispatch Center meeting and that Raymond Gorman was elected as the new Chairman of the Dispatch Committee.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Mar 12, 2026 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Pike. Members of the public present: Donald Campbell.
Town Clerk Marcia Parkhurst administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Selectman Karl Pike.
Selectman Stohl administered the Oath of Office to Marcia Parkhurst as Town Clerk and Trustee of the Trust Funds.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Pike, the Board voted to appoint Selectman Cloutier as Chairman.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the February 25th meeting. (Selectman Pike abstained.)
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Marcia will speak to Town Treasurer Carrie Klebe about adding Selectman Pike to any bank accounts necessary.
Marcia will take care of getting keys to the buildings for Selectman Pike.
Donald Campbell came to the meeting to discuss a couple of issues he had been working on before leaving office:
1. Dispatch meeting tomorrow night. Selectman Stohl said he would be Columbia’s representative to the Board. Mr. Campbell also explained how the Dispatch Center works to Selectman Pike. Mr. Campbell informed the Board about some upcoming grants for the Dispatch Center.
2. Bathroom at the Town Hall. Mr. Campbell and the Board discussed the well water situation and also that the toilet appeared to be frozen. Mr. Campbell said he would continue to look into it.
Mr. Campbell left the meeting.
The Board approved an Intent to Cut for Ronald Beloin.
Marcia informed the Board that she does have two companies that are interested in doing Columbia’s assessing. She will set up meetings with each company in hopes that we can have someone ready to start around April 1st.
Marcia recently spoke to Kendra Bell from Cohos Advisors regarding the final report for the ARPA funds. Kendra has filed the necessary paperwork but wanted a vote from the Board that the monies had been spent in the manner they were intended and that Kendra was authorized to file the final report. Motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier to let the minutes reflect that the money had been spent. Motion passed.
The Board reviewed the list of outstanding taxes for 2023 that are eligible for tax deeding on March 23rd. The Board did not note any properties that they would not take by Tax Deed if it comes to that.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm. Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary Board of Selectmen
by admin | Feb 26, 2026 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Karl Pike and Town Assessor, Gary Fournier.
Mr. Fournier came to the meeting to have the Board sign two contracts with his company. One, a Temporary Contract, for January 1, 2026 through February 28, 2026. This contract covers several land use change items and the equalization ratio study. The other contract is for January 1, 2026 through September 1, 2026 and overs the remainder of the work necessary to complete the Town’s revaluation. The Board signed both contract and Marcia will give them to Phil Bodwell (DRA) tomorrow when he stops by the office. Mr. Fournier left the meeting at 6:20.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
An Intent to Cut was approved for Lee Kershaw.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the February 11, 2026 meeting.
The Board signed reimbursement forms for payments made to the Town’s Forest Fire Wardens. Marcia will submit these forms to the State.
Land Use Change bills and warrants were signed for the following, Austin Lesperance, Alicia Lesperance, Christopher Peterson, Heidi Schwarzmueller and William Sawyer.
Marcia informed the Board that she had spoken with Denice Roy (DRA) regarding the Shallow River property on Stoddard Road. It appears that the property no longer qualifies for a tax exempt status due to the law saying that the property must be used for “its intention.: The property is currently empty and is listed for sale.
Marcia informed the Board that Road Agent Dominic Westover had told her that he is instituting the “road ban”. Marcia has placed an ad in the newspaper and at the Town Office.
A representative from Democracy Live will be at the office on Thursday to deliver the new “accessible voting machine” and to show Marcia how to set it up. According to State law, this machine must be used for all elections.
The Board reviewed the Warrant for Town Meeting and decided who would be speaking to each article.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Feb 11, 2026 | 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.
An Intent to Excavate form was approved for Norman Cloutier.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl the Board approved the minutes of the January 28th meeting.
Marcia asked the Board about the tax exempt status of the Shallow River Property now that the group home is closed and the property is on the market. The Board instructed Marcia to contact the NHMA to see what the status should be.
An Abatement was signed for Michael McKenzie. Mr. McKenzie has already paid his taxes so Marcia will process a refund for him to be signed at the next meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that she was still trying to get a new assessor for the Town. Seventeen letters were sent out with two responses. One was a “no” , one was returned as “undeliverable”. Today e-mails were sent to the remaining 15. Again, another reply was no. Marcia said she had e-mailed Jason Call (Northtown Appraisals) and she thinks he might end up being interested. She will continue to contact him.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
