by admin | Mar 27, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:59 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed. It was noted that the Town has received a check for $3,000.00 from Shallow River Properties for their “PILOT” payment for 2024. This is an increase from the $1,500.00 paid in the past years.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the March 13, 2024 meeting.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Appointment forms were signed for the following:
Scott DeBlois – Board of Adjustment member
Dominic Westover – Road Agent
Marcia informed the Board that she did receive a quote from Brad’s Tree Service of $3,800.00 for removing a tree on Fish Pond Road by Mike Vachon’s house. Marcia said she had spoken to David Lawton but hadn’t received a quote. Selectman Campbell tried calling Mr. Lawton but there was no answer. Marcia will follow up with Mr. Lawton tomorrow.
The Board discussed the two taxpayers that have still not paid their 2021 property taxes. The Board is still holding the Tax Collector’s Deeds. The Board instructed Marcia to contact Town attorney Jon Frizzell to see if he had any suggestions how to handle this matter.
by admin | Mar 13, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Town Clerk, Marcia Parkhurst, administered the Oath of Office to Selectman Stohl.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to nominate Selectman Cloutier as Chairman.
Michael Collins (Columbia’s representative to the 45th Parallel EMS Board) entered the meeting at 6:00 pm. Mr. Collins came to the meeting at the request of the Board to discuss several issues regarding the ambulance. The main question for Mr. Collins was about how the ambulance service plans to bill the “Unincorporated Towns & Gores” in Vermont. The Columbia Board feels strongly that the ambulance should treat these entities in the same manner that the dispatch center currently handles the “unincorporated towns” in New Hampshire. Mr. Collins agreed and said that he would check into it. Mr. Collins left the meeting at 6:30.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed.
The equalization ratio from DRA for this year was reviewed. It is currently at 58.8% but the Board noted that next year we will be completing our latest revaluation cycle.
An e-mail was received from Northern Human Services (Shallow River) regarding the Board’s request to increase their “payment in lieu of taxes”
by admin | Feb 28, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
The meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Stohl and Campbell. Selectman Cloutier was absent.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
At 6:05 pm Fred Smith entered the meeting. Mr. Smith wanted to talk to the Selectmen about the notice he just received regarding an impending tax deed. The Board gave Mr. Smith a print-out of the total amount that he owes in back taxes. Mr. Smith told the Board that he would try to have the 2021 taxes paid by the deadline of March 5th. The Board instructed Mr. Smith that if he wasn’t able to pay by that date, then he should contact Tax Collector, Debra DeBlois, about making a payment arrangement. Mr. Smith left the meeting at 6:15 pm.
At 6:16 State Representative Michael Ouellet entered the meeting. Mr. Ouellet explained to the Board about a bill he has been working on (which has passed the House) regarding carbon credits. He explained the basics of the bill and what the implications might be. Mr. Ouellet left the meeting at 6:28 after assuring the Board that he would keep them informed of future developments.
Marcia informed the Board that the 2024 Town Report has been added to the Town’s website and that we now have ten years of reports on the site.
Marcia reviewed for the Board the taxpayers still owing their 2021 taxes which will be due for deeding on March 5th.
The Board reviewed the warrant for Town Meeting and decided who would be speaking for each article.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Feb 14, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:05 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier and Stohl. Selectman Campbell was absent.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Marcia gave each Board member the bank reconciliations for the month of January.
Two Intent to Cut forms were approved for Barbara Schomburg and Allen Beloin.
A Current Use Application was approved for Stewart Sweatt, Jr.
The Board reviewed and signed the Town Meeting Warrant and Budget for 2024. Marcia will post both of these tomorrow.
Marcia informed the Board that she will be taking the Town Report to the printers tomorrow.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jan 24, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier and Campbell. Selectman Stohl was absent.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
The Board opened the bids received for the new three-year plowing contract. Bids were received as follows:
Clark Jeffers, Jr. $115,000.00 – lst year
$118,000.00 – 2nd year
$121,000.00 – 3rd year
Dominic Westover $115,000.00 – lst year
$117,000.00 – 2nd year
$119,000.00 – 3rd year
Selectman Cloutier stated that he wished to excuse himself from voting on this since he and Mr. Westover have a business relationship. Since the Board needed to make a decision tonight in order to continue with the Budget Hearing later in the meeting, a phone call was placed to Selectman Stohl. Selectman Campbell explained the situation and read the bids to Selectman Stohl. Selectman Campbell made a motion, which was seconded by Selectman Stohl to accept the bid from Mr. Westover. Motion passed by voice vote. (Selectman Cloutier abstained.)
A letter was signed to be sent to Northern Human Services regarding their payment in lieu of taxes for the Shallow River property.
Stacey Campbell entered the meeting at 6:30 pm. Mrs. Campbell explained that the Historical Group would like to have a fundraiser to raise money for the museum. She showed the Board a T-shirt that belonged to William Schomburg that they wish to re-create. The Board discussed what could be changed and gave their permission for Mrs. Campbell to explore this project further.
Marcia gave the Board members a list of taxpayers that Tax Collector, Debbie DeBlois, had sent Notices of Impending Tax Deed to.
The Board discussed a couple of maintenance issues regarding the Town Hall:
- How best to replace the bathroom floor.
- Instructed Marcia to order some “runners” for the stage floor.
At 7:00 pm. Selectman Cloutier called the annual Budget Hearing to order. Members of the public: Michael Collins. Mr. Collins informed the Board that he had come to the meeting to make sure that the Board didn’t have any questions regarding the ambulance budget. (Mr. Collins is Columbia’s representative to the ambulance Board of Directors.) The Board said they had no questions and Mr. Collins left the meeting. The Board continued reviewing the Budget. Selectman Cloutier declared the Budget Hearing adjourned at 7:10 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jan 24, 2024 | 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.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 27, 2023 meeting. (Selectman Cloutier abstained.)
The Board signed the contract with CAI Technologies for the yearly updated of the tax maps. It was noted that the price is $1,500.00 per year.
Selectman Campbell reminded the other Board members that there will be a Dispatch Center Meeting tomorrow night here at the Town Office. The Board discussed several items regarding the Center.
The Board signed the DRA Certification form informing them that we are in year number 4 of our 5 year revaluation cycle.
Marcia reminded the Board members that the Presidential Primary is Tuesday, January 23rd. The polls will be open from 11:00 to 7:00.
At 7:00 pm. Chairman Cloutier called to order the public hearing regarding unanticipated funds received from the State of New Hampshire. No members of the public were present. Selectman Stohl made a motion that the Town accepts these funds as follows:
- $12,756.15 to be used for the maintenance and/or construction of municipal-owned bridges.
- $11,396.47 to be used for the maintenance and/or construction of Class V roads.
Motion passed by voice vote. There being no further discussion, the meeting was declared adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Marcia informed the Board that our snowplowing contract will end in April, 2024. Marcia will place an ad in the newspaper requesting bids which will be opened at the next meeting on Wednesday, January 24th.
Britni Haley from the Community Builders Hub entered the meeting. Ms. Haley was inquiring about the football field beside the Town Hall. She was wondering if the Town would be interested in letting a group use the field. Ms. Haley said that she had received some interest from people in getting together either a football team and/or a flag football league. After discussing this, the Board expressed their interest and asked Ms. Haley to look into it further and come back to them with more information. Ms. Haley left the meeting.
Marcia told the Board that she had a received a request from a property owner to speak to the Town’s Health Officer. Since the Town currently does not have one, Marcia was referring this to the Board. The issue involves a septic system in the mobile home park (Mt. View Estates). After discussing it, the Board instructed Marcia to contact the homeowner and explain that it is a private system and therefore is a civil matter.
The Board worked on the budget for 2024. The Annual Budget Hearing will be held on Wednesday, January 24th, at 7:00 pm. Marcia will place a notice in the newspaper.
Marcia told the Board that the deadline for petition warrant articles is February 6th. Also the filing period for Town Offices is January 24th through February 2nd.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
