Phone: (603) 237-5255 | Fax: (603) 237-8270 [email protected]

MINUTES OCTOBER 9, 2024

Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.

Town Treasurer, Carrie Klebe, entered the meeting and gave the Board members a summary of monies currently on hand.

Mrs. Klebe also inquired about a road near her property that shows up on the on-line Tax Maps. She was interested to know if it was still a Town road. The Board said they would do some research on it and let her know. Mrs. Klebe left the meeting at 6:15 pm.

A contract was signed with C.N. Brown to pre-buy oil for the Town at $2.999 per gallon by Chairman Cloutier.

The MS-1 was signed by the Board members. Marcia informed them that this is the last form that needs to be submitted to DRA in preparation for setting our tax rate.

An Intent to Cut was signed for Jeremy Lambert.

The presentation of the Boston Post Cane to Ruth Whitehill was discussed. Selectman Stohl has checked with the family and they would like to do it on October 26th at 11:00 at Mrs. Whitehill’s home. Marcia will contact the newspaper.

Selectman Campbell told the other Board members that he had looked at the condition of the Town Office outside cellar door and that the entire door and frame need to be replaced. He said he would continue to look into it.

Selectman Campbell also informed the Board that he had gone down to the Lyman Falls site and that the large rocks that we placed there had already been moved. Selectman Cloutier said he would locate some more and place them at the site to keep people from parking on the beach.

Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.

The 2024 utility values were received from Sansoucy Associates and reviewed by the Board.

The Board received an e-mail from Tammy Letson (Town Administrator for Groveton) regarding the meeting she wants to set up for the northern towns to discuss the on-going assessing issue. The meeting has been set up for Thursday, October 24th, at 1:00 in Groveton. Selectman Campbell and Stohl both indicated that they would try to attend. Marcia said that she had spoken with Gary Fournier (our current assessor). Mr. Fournier indicated that he would complete his contract (which ends on 12/31/2026) but would be retiring after that time.

Two e-mails from NH DOT-Bridge Department were reviewed regarding a bridge on Meridan Hill Road and on Bungy Road that don’t have the appropriate signs posted. Selectman Cloutier said he would look into that and correct the issue. He will take pictures which Marcia will send to DOT to assure them that we have corrected the issue.

The Board asked Marcia to contact the Town’s attorney to get an updated on a continuing legal issue.

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary

Board of Selectmen

MINUTES SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Meeting began at 6:05 pm. Present were Selectmen Stohl and Campbell. Selectman Cloutier was absent.

On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the September 11, 2024 meeting.

Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.

The next recipient for the Town’s Boston Post Cane was discussed. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell the Board decided that the next recipient will be Ruth Whitehill. Selectman Stohl will contact the Mrs. Whitehill’s family regarding setting up a time to present it to her.

It was noted that there are a couple of upcoming meetings that members of the Board will be attending:

1. Dispatch Center – Thursday, September 26th, in Pittsburg

2. County Recycling Center – October 18th, in Stewartstown

An e-mail was received from Tammy Letson, Town Administrator in Groveton. Ms. Letson is trying to get the “northern” towns together to address the problem of getting an assessing firm to come up this far north. Ms. Letson gave three different dates that she is proposing. Selectman Stohl and Selectman Campbell with check their schedules and get back to Marcia.

The Board discussed a property that was recently deeded to the Town for non-payment of taxes. An e-mail was received from Chris Hilson (Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella) outlining what the next steps should be in

the process. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to proceed with Attorney Hilson’s recommendations.

The MS535 (Financial Report of the Town) was signed by the Board.

Marcia mentioned a few repair items that need to be taken care of it the Town Office. Selectman Campbell said he would try to take care of them.

Marcia asked the Board if they would like to have the generator serviced before winter and they agreed.

The recent roadwork on Bunnell Road was discussed. Road Agent Dominic Westover has started fixing the area in question. The Board instructed Marcia to contact Dana Masson about replacing the property pin between Ronny Rainville and Raymond Bell.

Two bids were received for fuel oil for the 2024-2025 season as follows:

C.B. Transport – $3.32 per gallon

C.N. Brown – $2.99 per gallon

On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board voted to award the bid to C.N. Brown. Marcia will send letters to both companies.

Two bids were received for snowplowing the Town Office and the Town Hall for the 2024-2025 season as follows:

Sheldon Gray – $45.00 – Town Office

$45.00 – Town Hall

Jason Rella – $105.00 – Town Office

$ 90.00 – Town Hall

On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to award the plowing bid to Sheldon Gray. Marcia will write letters to both bidders.

The Board reviewed revenue numbers for 2024 in order for Marcia to prepare the MS434.

Marcia informed the Board that we are still waiting for utility values from George Sansoucy in order to submit our MS1.

Selectman Campbell informed the Board that he had recently met with Brian Burrill from NH DOT regarding the possibility of the Town of Columbia taking over maintenance of Columbia Bridge Road. The Board discussed the situation and came up with some things that they would require before accepting it:

1. Having it repaved.

2. Getting accurate information on the width of the road and the ROW.

3. Status of the turnaround.

4. How would that affect the railroad crossing

5. How would it affect the river access site which is owned by the Town but that the VT River Conservancy has an easement on.

Selectman Campbell stated that he thought he had some DOT maps showing US Route 3 and maybe they would include Columbia Bridge Road. Marcia will look up the status of the ownership of the river access site. This matter will be discussed further at the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary

Board of Selectmen

MINUTES SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.

At 6:05 pm on a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier the Board voted to enter non-public session per RSA 91-A:3, II (c).

At 6:20 pm on a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl the Board voted to return to public session.

At 6:25 Ronny Rainville entered the meeting. Mr. Rainville is concerned about the recent road work done on Bunnell Road. Specifically he stated:

1. That his property pin had been “lost” in the construction.

2. Damage had been done to an apple tree on his property.

3. The dirt from the edge of the road was just pushed back and left on his property.

He showed the Board pictures of what was done. The Board told Mr. Rainville that they would look into it. Mr. Rainville left the meeting at 6:45.

Mail was reviewed.

Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.

An Intent to Cut was approved for Mark Roberts.

Marcia gave the Board monthly reconciliation reports for the Citizens Bank and the Northway Bank accounts.

Marcia was instructed to get bids for the following:

1. Heating oil for the Town Office.

2. Plowing of both the Town Office and the Town Hall.

Bids will be opened at the next Selectmen’s Meeting on September 25, 2024.

Marcia gave the Board copies of the auditor prepared MS60 and MS535 for the Board to review.

It was noted that Robert Young recently passed away. Mr. Young was the current holder of the Town’s Boston Post Cane. Marcia will contact the family to get the cane back and check on who is the next recipient.

Selectman Cloutier informed the Board that the Planning Board had voted to accept the Master Plan (as it is now) for another five years. It was questioned whether or not there had to be public hearings. Marcia will check on that and contact Chairman Conrad Chapple with the answer.

Selectman Campbell gave the Board a brief update on items to do with the Dispatch Center including the recent grant received.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Marcia Parkhust, Secretary

MINUTES AUGUST 14, 2024

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.

MINUTES JULY 24, 2024

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.

MINUTES  JULY 10, 2024 

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