by admin | Aug 14, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
At 6:04 pm Carol Miller and Bob Baker entered the meeting. Ms. Miller gave a brief presentation to the Board regarding the fiber network that is currently being installed by NHEC with the assistance of federal grants. Ms. Miller explained that the service would first be offered to existing NHEC customers, However, if the service goes by your property without any additional wiring being run, you might be eligible. Ms. Miller shared with the Board maps indicating where the wires are being installed. Ms. Miller and Mr. Baker left the meeting at 7:40 pm.
Road Agent Dominic Westover entered the meeting to discuss road projects with the Board. The Board reviewed paving estimates for several different areas in Town and prioritized them. The Board also discussed replacing a couple of culverts on Meridan Hill Road. Mr. Westover brought up the idea of “discontinuing” Grant Road. Marcia will look into the law and what is required to do this. Mr. Westover left the meeting at 8:05 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were signed.
Marcia presented the Board with a revision to the Town’s Bounced Check policy. The revision being that customers/taxpayers would be charged for any “certified mailing fees” incurred while trying to collect the money owed. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved the revision.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved the minutes of the July 24th meeting.
by admin | Jul 24, 2024 | 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.
Intent to Cut Forms were approved for Arlene Mills and Albert Haynes.
Land Use Change Tax Bills and Warrants were signed for Christopher Snow and William Stefanski.
A contract with the County for running the Transfer Station for the next three years was reviewed and signed by the Board.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the July 10, 2024 meeting.
Marcia said she had received a phone message from Bill Schomburg’s daughter regarding the sign at Lyman Falls. Selectman Campbell said he would check on it.
Selectman Cloutier stated that Road Agent Dominic Westover will be meeting on Saturday with Walter Dorman to discuss summer paving projects. Selectman Cloutier reviewed for the Board possible projects.
Selectman Campbell reviewed for the Board a discussion he had recently with Dena Norman from the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management regarding our Hazard Mitigation Plan. Marcia will draft a letter for the Board to review stating the wish to withdraw our application for funds to be used to update our Plan.
by admin | Jul 10, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl, and Campbell.
At 6:00 pm. Sandra Jeffers entered the building. She wanted to express her concern regarding three culverts on Trask Road that “dip” down considerably. The Board informed Mrs. Jeffers that they would take a look at them to see what could be done. Mrs. Jeffers left the meeting at 6:10 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
An e-mail was received from Britni Haley (who works for The Hub) inquiring if the Town Hall was available for rent for functions/meetings. After discussion, the Selectmen instructed Marcia to write to Ms. Haley and tell her that we are not interested in renting it due to the age of the building and the infrastructure (wiring, septic, etc.)
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the June 24th meeting. (Selectman Stohl abstained.)
Marcia informed the Board that she had received a couple of suggestions from residents about having a “Hazardous Waste Day”. The Board instructed Marcia to contact Ben Champagne at the County and Stewartstown to see if there is any interest and what it entails.
Marcia told the Board that she had received a complaint about potholes on No. Jordan Hill Road. The Board will look into it.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jun 26, 2024 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier and Campbell. Selectman Stohl was absent.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
At 6:00 pm Paul Blake from No. Stratford entered the meeting. Mr. Blake lives in No. Stratford but he has been mowing the small Town cemetery on Brown Road. He said that there is quite a bit of brush and a couple of trees along the fence line which he would be willing to cut down and remove if it is alright with the Town of Columbia. After discussion, the Board granted their permission for Mr. Blake to do the work. Mr. Blake also inquired if it would be alright with the Town if he rock raked Brown Road. He said that he has approached the town of No. Stratford and is waiting until their meeting Monday to get an answer. The Board stated that they had no problem with this. Mr. Blake left the meeting at 6:10 pm.
Daniel Plourde called into the meeting and spoke with Selectman Cloutier regarding his questions from the last meeting. Selectman Cloutier informed him that at the March, 1926 meeting that the Town had voted to discontinue the road in question. Selectman Cloutier told Mr. Plourde that he would have Marcia send copies of the research that she had done.
The Board signed Yield Tax Certifications for David Brunault, Lumberjack, LLC, Kenneth Swenson and David White.
Selectman Campbell informed the Board that the crew would be starting to replace the roof at the Town Office probably next week.
The Board discussed replacing the bridge on Bungy Road by Fred Foss’ house.
Marcia informed the Board that she would be taking some vacation days during July. She has placed an ad in the newspaper and sent letters to people who have registrations due in July.
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | May 22, 2024 | 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 Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the May 8, 2024 meeting.
Selectman Campbell reviewed for the other Board members on his trip to Concord to take part in mediation with PSNH regarding their tax case. No settlement was reached.
A Letter of Engagement was signed with Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella by Chairman Cloutier for on-going legal services.
The Property Tax Warrant for the first installment for the 2024 taxes was signed in the amount of $734,503.00. The tax bills will be mailed out tomorrow morning.
The Board reviewed a contact from Coos County for the Recycling Center. The Board instructed Marcia to contact Ben Champagne to see if there were any changes from the previous contract and what Columbia’s share would be, The Board signed the contact and Marcia will mail it out after talking with Mr. Champagne.
Marcia informed the Board that she had spoken with Sally Zankowski and that she is not interested in serving as the Town’s Health Officer at this time.
An e-mail was received from a resident regarding the “trash” on a neighbor’s property. The Board discussed that there was really nothing they could do as it is private property.
A Veteran’s Tax Credit was approved for John Fallick, Jr.
The Board again reviewed an e-mail from Bob Benson, manager of Megwood and Savanhwood. Both companies plan on cutting some timber this winter and had questioned the yield tax on “blow downs”. Marcia shared with the Board an e-mail she had received from Rick Evans from DRA regarding “blow downs”. Marcia was instructed to forward this information to Mr. Benson.
The Board reviewed an e-mail from the Vermont River Conservancy regarding the Lyman Falls site. Apparently, people have been parking vehicles on the beach and this is not allowed. They are suggesting place some boulders (or a barricade) to prevent this. The Board discussed it but made no decision.
The Board reviewed the Reports of Wood Cut and assigned percentages to each operation.
The Board instructed Marcia to contact Town Attorney, Chris Boldt, to get his thoughts on what the next steps should be with respect to the two Tax Deeds that the Town is still holding.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | May 8, 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.
An Intent to Excavate was signed for Norman Cloutier.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the April 24. 2024 meeting. (Selectman Campbell abstained.)
Town Treasurer, Carrie Klebe, entered the meeting at 6:10. Ms. Klebe informed the Board that she had recently gone to Concord to testify before the Finance Committee. There is currently a bill in the Senate to eliminate the NH Public Deposit Pool. Ms. Klebe had testified against this bill. Ms. Klebe left the meeting at 6:20 pm.
The Board reviewed the monthly bank reconciliations for all the Town’s bank accounts. Marcia also shared with the Board a new spreadsheet that she and Town Treasurer, Carrie Klebe, are using monthly to make end-of-the reconciling easier.
A Driveway Permit was received for Maurice Harriman. Selectman Cloutier will share it with the Road Agent, Domenic Westover.
Mail was reviewed.
A letter from Attorney Jon Frizzell was received. Since Attorney Frizzell has been appointed as a Court Judge, he will no longer be able to represent the Town. Mr. Frizzell has recommended Chris Boldt of Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella. Mr. Boldt has already been approached by Mr. Frizzell and has agreed. The Board instructed Marcia to contact Mr. Boldt to introduce us. (We have had some dealings with this firm through the PSNH case.)
Selectman Campbell reminded the Board that there will be a dispatch center meeting tomorrow night (May 9th).
The Board discussed the a couple of delinquent tax issues. The Board instructed Marcia to mention this matter to Attorney Chris Boldt when she speaks with him and get his thoughts about how we should proceed with these two matters.
The Board discussed the Town cemeteries. Last year, the Town spent $10,000 repairing stones in the Columbia Bridge Cemetery. There is still approximately $13,000 remaining in the Cemetery Maintenance Trust Fund. Selectman Campbell said that he had been in the Columbia Bridge Cemetery and that there were still a few stones that needed repair. We need to check on the Lyman Cemetery and the two on Keach Road to see what needs to be done there.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
