by Super User | Apr 7, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:03 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Mail was reviewed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to enter non-public session as of RSA 91-A:3, paragraph II (c) at 6:17 pm.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to return to public session at 7:00 pm.
At 7:02, Chairman Cloutier, declared the hearing on the 2023 budget open. There were no members of the public present. The Board reviewed the budget and felt it was complete as written. The public hearing for the budget was declared closed at 7:10 pm.
The Board members signed the 2023 Town Meeting Warrant and the MS636.
An Intent to Cut was signed for Ruby Wallace.
Marcia informed the Board that she would dropping the Town Report off at the printers tomorrow morning.
Marcia told the Board that she will be taking two days off next week (Monday and Tuesday) and that she had already put in ad in the newspaper.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the January 25, 2023 meeting.
Selectman Campbell reminded the other Board members that there will be a dispatch meeting tomorrow night. He reviewed for the Board several items regarding dispatch.
Marcia gave each Board member a reconciliation report for the Citizens Bank, Bangor Savings Bank and Northway Bank accounts as of January 31, 2023.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by Super User | Apr 7, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2023 meeting. (Selectman Stohl abstained.)
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
A Junkyard Permit was approved for Harry Haynes, Jr. on Fish Pond Road.
The map maintenance contract with CAI Technologies was approved and signed. It was noted the price had increased $200.00 over last year.
Marcia gave each Board member a draft copy of the Selectmen’s Report to be included in the Town Report for any changes/additions they wish to make.
Marcia informed the Board that she had the Town Report just about complete. The 2023 Budget Hearing is scheduled for February 8th at 7:00 pm. Provided there are no changes, the Board will sign the Warrant and Budget after the meeting. Marcia will deliver the report to Colebrook Copy Center the next day. Selectman Stohl asked what the price would be if we did some pages with color on them. Marcia will check with Darlene at the Copy Center.
Selectman Campbell said that he had been approached by Stephen Brooks regarding concerns he had with the Colebrook Ski-Bees using the old Town garage. Mr. Brooks gave Selectman Campbell a letter he had written to the
Ski-Bees last April expressing concern regarding trash on his property, the smell of diesel fuel from the ground, etc. Mr. Brooks said that he never received a response from the Club. After discussing the situation and reviewing the letter, the Board instructed Marcia to draft a letter to the Club expressing the Town’s concern and asking that they remedy the situation.
At 7:00 pm Don Dawson from Netafy entered the meeting. Mr. Dawson gave the Board an update on the five new sites that they are constructing in Columbia. The Bunnell Road site is up and running and is servicing customers. The Stoddard Road site is constructed but still needs wiring, generator hooked up, etc. The next site will be Gray Road and then either the Route 3 site or the Meridan Hill Road site. Mr. Dawson entered all three Board members’ addresses into his system to show then what type of service they could expect to get. Mr. Dawson said that his projection is that by the time they are done, they will be able to service 85-90% of Columbia with reliable internet service. Mr. Dawson left the meeting at 8:00 and made an appointment to return to the February 22nd meeting with more information. Marcia will confirm with an e-mail.
The Board reviewed a court judgement issued in the Pearson case. The Court has issued a final judgment. Columbia has already received all of our back taxes, costs, etc. The remaining funds will go to pay the legal fees to Waystack Frizzell with the balance going to Bangor Savings Bank to pay of the existing mortgage owed by the Pearsons.
The Board reviewed estimates on appropriations and revenue for the 2023 budget.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by Super User | Apr 7, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:57 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier and Campbell. Selectman Stohl was absent.
Members of the public present: Sheila Parkhurst, Town Treasurer Carrie Klebe and Don Dawson from Netafy.
Sheila Parkhurst came to the meeting to discuss the Town’s cemeteries. She gave the Board a business card for a company who Derby, Vermont who repairs cemetery stones. The Town of Colebrook has used them and was very pleased with them. Ms. Parkhurst showed the Board some pictures that she had taken of stones in the Columbia Bridge Cemetery. She also expressed her concern about the condition of that particular cemetery and indicated her interest in doing the mowing and trimming of that cemetery (and maybe the other ones also.). The Board thanked her for her interest and discussed having this company come in and speak to them about what services they can provide. Ms. Parkhurst left the meeting at 6:30 pm.
Treasurer Carrie Klebe came in the meeting to inform the Board that she will transferring monies from the Northway Bank account to the NHPDIP account because the interest is much higher. She also explained that she had just transferred $75,000 into the Citizens Bank checking account to cover the school payment. Mrs. Klebe left the meeting at 6:50 pm.
Don Dawson (Netafy) came to the meeting to give the Board an update on the broadband project. He intended to give the Board a visual presentation, however, due to a technical issue couldn’t do that. Mr. Dawson told the Board:
- The Bunnell Road site is totally complete and will be activated tomorrow for the first customer. This includes power back-up by way of a generator at 109 Carr Road. He gave the Board a picture of the completed site. He said the total cost of the Bunnell Road site was approximately $25,000.
- He hopes that the Stoddard Road site will be completed by the end of the week.
- Gray Road – he is looking at two different sites – 127 Gray and/or 81 Gray Road.
- He showed the Board some new technology that Netafy has recently purchased that according to the manufacturer will increase signal strength. They haven’t, as yet, tested it in the field.
- Mr. Dawson will return to the next meeting (January 25th @ 6:30 with the presentation.
Mr. Dawson left the meeting at 7:40 pm.
At 7:45 pm Chairman Cloutier opened the public hearing on acceptance of one-time bridge aid from the State of New Hampshire in the amount of $47,654.80. There were no members of the public present for this hearing. After discussion, a motion was made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, to accept these funds. It was noted that the Town presently has approximately $62,000 in Trust Fund monies for bridge repairs. Preliminary plans are to repair the bridge on Bungy Road by Fred Foss’. The public hearing ended at 7:50 pm.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the December 28, 2022 meeting.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Chairman Cloutier signed the “Memorandum of Understanding” for the 45th Parallel EMS.
An Intent to Cut for Justin Ordeshook was signed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by Super User | Apr 7, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Michael Collins (Columbia’s representative to the 45th Parallel EMS Board).
Michael Collins entered the meeting at 6:05 pm. Mr. Collins came to the meeting at the request of the Selectboard to give them information about the increase in the 2023 appropriation for the ambulance. Mr. Collins explained that there were many reasons including:
- Cost of fuel – proposed fuel budget for 2022 was $40,000 and they have spent approximately $60,000.
- Cost of medical supplies has increased.
- Salaries – raising wages to attract new people and keep the present employees from leaving for more money.
- Number of runs increased for Columbia from 2021 to 2022.
- Transfers have become more expensive since the hospital which they normally use (Dartmouth) doesn’t have open beds. Transfers have been going to Portsmouth and/or Manchester which costs more.
- Medicare Reimbursement – Medicare only pays $2,000 for an ambulance run, regardless of the total bill. Most calls in our area are Medicare.
Mr. Collins left the Board paperwork regarding the budget for them to review and said that he would be present at Town Meeting to help answer questions. Mr. Collins left the meeting at 7:10 pm.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
An Intent to Cut was approved for Lumberjack, LLC.
Don Dawson from Netafy was supposed to attend the meeting to give the Board an update on the broadband project. Mr. Dawson had sent an e-mail stating that they suffered quite a bit of damage in the weekend storm and that he had been working out in the field. He sent his apologies and said that he would attend the next meeting on January 11th.
Marcia gave the Board members a “draft” copy of the Selectmen’s Report for the Town Report for them to review, add to, etc.
Marcia told the Board that she had started working on the Town Report and has scheduled the following:
- Budget review at the next meeting on January 11th.
- Budget hearing on February 11th @ 7:00.
- Filing period for Town Officers opens on January 25th and runs through February 3rd. A notice will be in the newspaper.
The Board discussed what positions are open this year.
The Board reviewed a letter from the State of NH-DOT informing the Town that we would be receiving a one-time payment of $47,654.49 to be used for town-owned bridges (repairs, replacement, etc). A public hearing must be held to accept the funds. Marcia has scheduled the hearing for January 11th at 7:00 and will put a notice in the newspaper.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by Super User | Apr 7, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present were: Planning Board Chairman Scott DeBlois, Planning Board Member Michael Sullivan and Kenneth Parkhurst.
On a motion made by Selectmen Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the November 9, 2022 meeting. Selectman Stohl abstained.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the November 23, 2022 meeting. Selectman Campbell abstained.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Planning Board Chairman Scott DeBlois and Planning Board Member Michael Sullivan came to the meeting to discuss a situation where a landowner has filed a complaint with the Town regarding his abutter not being in compliance with the Town’s zoning regulations, state septic regulations, etc. Mr. DeBlois reviewed for the Selectmen a recent meeting he and Mr. Sullivan had attended with Attorney Meier from Cargill Cooper and Chant. Attorney Meier’s suggestions were to contact the property owner in question and to set up a meeting with the homeowner to view the property in question. Also, it might be necessary to have a public meeting where the abutters could discuss this situation. Mr. DeBlois said he would be sending the homeowner a letter to try and schedule a meeting. Chairman Cloutier signed an agreement with Cooper Cargill and Chant to represent us in this matter. Mr. DeBlois and Mr. Sullivan left the meeting.
Kenneth Parkhurst entered the meeting to present the Board with copies of old maps of Columbia showing the original “lots and ranges” , Mr. Parkhurst informed the Board that he wished to donate these maps to the Town. The Board thanked Mr. Parkhurst for his generosity. Mr. Parkhurst left the meeting.
The Board reviewed budget projections from the 45th Parallel for 2023. It was noted that Columbia’s share had increased considerably. The Board asked Marcia to contact our representative to the 45th Board (Michael Collins) and have him come to the next meeting to give them more information about why such an increase.
The Board signed an Engagement Letter with Cohos Advisors for doing the 2022 compilation and associated reports.
Marcia informed the Board that Don Dawson would be attending the next meeting to give an update on the internet project.
The Board reviewed a letter from the State of NH DOT regarding a culvert replacement project on US Route 3. The State was looking for information. Marcia was instructed to respond to the letter.
The Board discussed monies remaining in the 2022 Summer Road Budget. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board voted to encumber $29,000.00 out of the remaining Summer Road budget to be used in 2023 for paving, ditching, and gravel on various Town roads.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by Super User | Apr 7, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier and Stohl. Selectman Campbell was absent.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed.
The Board reviewed the 2023 Budget for the regional dispatch center.
The Board discussed the Recycling Center budget for 2023.
Marcia gave the Board members up to date numbers on appropriations and revenues through November, 2022. it was noted that we still have quite a bit left in the Summer Road budget and that we should think about encumbering this for use next year.
An Abatement was signed for the second installment taxes on the Great North Woods Center for the Arts property.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved a $100.00 raise for each Planning Board member effective this year.
The Board reviewed an e-mail forwarded to them from Planning Board Chairman Scott DeBlois regarding a complaint received. Mr. DeBlois will be meeting with an attorney to see how to proceed with this complaint and would like a Board member to sit in on the meeting. The Board felt that it would be better if another Planning Board member sat in and instructed Marcia to tell Mr. DeBlois this.
Meeting adjourned at 7; 35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
