by admin | Jul 15, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:02 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Bob Baker entered the meeting at 6:00 pm to discuss the following subjects:
- Rail to Trail project. Where does the project stand? Baker suggested re-activating the Conservation Commission and enlist their help in this project.
- Littering Ordinance – Mr. Baker offered to draft an Ordinance for the Town. The Board felt that this wouldn’t really accomplish anything since there is no one to enforce it. Baker showed the Board pictures of two sites on Meridan Hill that have become “dumping” sites.
Mr. Baker left the meeting at 6:35 pm.
Kim Carter and Tarrah Taylor entered the meeting at 6:37 pm. Ms. Carter came to the meeting at the request of the Board to discuss her unpaid property taxes. After discussion, it was decided that Ms. Carter will notify the Town by May 15th with information on what is taking place with her situation. Ms. Carter and Ms. Taylor left the meeting.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
An Intent to Cut was approved for Daniel Klebe.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the April 14, 2021 meeting.
The Board instructed Marcia to put out for bid mowing of the Town Hall and Office and the cemeteries. Bids will be received by 3:00 on Wednesday, May 12th and will be opened at the meeting that night.
Marcia informed the Board that she had contacted CAI regarding the tax maps on the Town’s website. There was a computer glitch that was happening and they say they have it fixed.
Marcia informed the Board that she had been contacted by Evelyn Smith (mortgage holder for Jonathan Smith) regarding his unpaid taxes. Mrs. Smith placed a check for the total amount in the mail today (via overnight).
Marcia informed the Board that no payment has been received from Alice Flanders. Marcia was instructed to draft a letter to Mrs. Flanders for the Board’s review and signature.
A quote was received from David White for roadside mowing. On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Stohl the Board approved Mr. White’s quote.
An Abatement Form was signed for Norman Tremblay in the amount of $50.00.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Jul 15, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Stohl and Campbell. Selectman Cloutier was absent.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were signed.
At 6:05 Jenny Mitchell entered the meeting to give the Board an update on the Clean-Up Day she has organized. Ann Hebert will be registering volunteers in back of the Town Hall. JK Lynch has agreed to pick up the trash at no charge. Asked if the Town would be willing to help pay for an ad in both newspapers advertising the event. The Board agreed. Ms. Mitchell left the meeting at 6:20 pm.
Intent to Excavate forms were approved for Norman Cloutier and Pike Industries (4).
An Excavation Tax Warrant was signed in the amount of $7.20.
A letter was received from Donahue, Tucker and Ciandella regarding the Fairpoint property tax case. After discussion, the Board instructed Marcia to send an e-mail back saying that Columbia has voted to not accept Fairpoint’s proposal.
Signed Tax Collector’s Deeds were left for the Board by Tax Collector Debra DeBlois. The Board discussed what action to take with regards to each case:
- Lesperance/Carter – e-mail Attorney Jon Frizzell and see what advice he has for how to handle this matter.
- Jonathan Smith – e-mail realtor Wayne Frizzell stating that the Board has a Tax Collector’s Deed for the property. If the 2018 taxes are not paid in full by April 30th, then the deed will be recorded and eviction proceedings begun. In addition, the Board requests written confirmation from Mr. Frizzell that if the sale takes place before April 30th, that the Town will get all of their back taxes.
- Robert Flanders – hold up on this one. Trying to get a phone number to contact the Flanders family.
A list of the 2020 Tax Liens was reviewed.
Marcia provided each Board member with a breakdown of current monies in all Town accounts.
An Abatement Form was signed for Maureen Brown at her request. Ms. Brown’s escrow company had made a mistake.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved the minutes of the March 24, 2021 meeting.
An e-mail was received from Zach Dill from Piper Construction asking for permission to store equipment on the Town’s property while the Sims Stream bridge project is being done. Marcia was instructed to e-mail Mr. Dill giving our permission but asking him to contact one of the Selectmen regarding how the property will be left when they are done.
A letter was received from DRA giving the Town the 2020 equalization ratio.
A Driveway Permit for Jon Cyr (Gray Road) was approved.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Apr 19, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Mail was reviewed.
An Intent to Cut was approved for G.L. Gettings.
A Junkyard Permit was renewed for Harry Haynes, Jr.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the March 10, 2021 meeting.
The Board reviewed and discussed the list of unpaid taxes for 2018 which were eligible for tax deeding as of March 22nd.
The Board reviewed paperwork submitted by Jenny Mitchell regarding the “clean-up” day that she is trying to organize in Columbia and Colebrook.
Meeting adjourned at 7:09 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
(minutes taken by Selectman Campbell.)
by admin | Apr 19, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:01 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to elect Selectman Cloutier as Chairman for the upcoming year.
At 6:02 , Jenny Mitchell entered the meeting. Ms. Mitchell is interested in running a “clean-up day” for Columbia and Colebrook. She wishes to concentrate on the “secondary” roads. She will be going to Colebrook and asking for their permission. She is doing this through the New Hampshire the Beautiful – Litter Free Blue Bag Program. Ms. Mitchell has spoken to Lynch Trash Disposal regarding picking up the bags if they are at one specific location – in our case the Columbia Town Hall. Discussion continued about safety, liability concerns for the Town, etc. Ms. Mitchell is going to do some more research and will get back to the Town on how much progress she makes. Ms. Mitchell left the meeting.
Steven LaFrance (Horizons Engineering) entered the meeting at 6:30 pm. Mr. LaFrance’s company is doing the engineering on the Lyman Falls site. Mr. LaFrance went over with the Board exactly what the project will consist of. He asked the Board to sign the necessary permits for the State, which Chairman Cloutier did. Mr. LaFrance left the meeting at 6:45.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were signed.
Land Use Change tax forms and a warrant were signed for Fred Smith and Mark St. Clair.
Selectman Cloutier informed the Board that he had put up the road ban signs today and spoken with two loggers who are currently doing jobs in Columbia. Marcia will have an ad placed in the newspaper regarding the road ban.
It was noted that there will be a Dispatch Center meeting tomorrow night (March 12th) at the Colebrook Town Office beginning at 5:30 pm.
Marcia reviewed for the Board a list of people who have not yet paid their 2018 property taxes. The Tax Deed date is March 22nd.
Selectman Campbell told the Board that he had spoken to Clark Jeffers and that he will be taking the “Bovill” building down in the next few weeks.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Apr 19, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were signed.
An Intent to Cut was approved for Eric McLendon.
A three-year contract for winter plowing was signed for Cloutier Sand & Gravel, Inc.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved the minutes of the February 10, 2021 meeting.
Wetland Applications were received and reviewed from the State of New Hampshire (Sims Stream Bridge) and Horizons Engineering (Lyman Falls).
A Current Use application was approved for Arvid Rain.
The Forest Fire Warden Reimbursement Form was approved and signed.
Marcia informed the Board that she had been approached by a resident (Russell Marcotte) who is interested in purchasing a piece of property owned by the Town on Marsh Road. This property was taken for taxes in April, 2016. After reviewing the map and property tax card, the Board instructed Marcia to tell Mr. Marcotte that they would like to receive a purchase price of $20,000.00.
Selectman Campbell informed the other Board members that the Town has been approved for a grant to update the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Marcia informed the Board that the Town Report is being printed and that it is already on the Town’s website.
The remainder of the meeting was spent deciding who would speak for each Warrant article and any problems that might arise at Town Meeting/Elections because of the pandemic.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Apr 19, 2021 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
An Intent to Excavate was signed for Clark Jeffers, Jr.
A Veteran’s Tax Credit was approved for Daniel Cloyd.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the January 27, 2021 meeting.
It was noted that there will be a Dispatch Center meeting tomorrow night (February 11, 2021) here at the Columbia Town Office.
A letter was signed to be sent to Rebecca King who owns property on Kelsea Notch Road regarding her driveway.
The Board discussed a letter received from State Representative Dennis Thompson asking for support for his proposed House Bill 329. After discussion, the Board voted to not issue a letter of support. Marcia will contact Mr. Thompson with their decision.
At 7:00 pm. Chairman Cloutier open the annual Budget Hearing. No members of the public were present. The budget was reviewed. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the 2021 Budget as presented. The annual Budget Hearing was declared closed at 7:20 pm.
The Warrant for the 2021 Town Meeting was signed.
The MS636 (Proposed Budget for the Town) was signed.
The Board instructed Marcia to put a notice in the paper informing the public that the annual School District meeting will be held on a different date this year due to COVID.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
