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
by admin | Dec 27, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Stohl and Campbell. Selectman Cloutier was absent.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved the minutes of the December 13th meeting.
The Board reviewed a letter from Kevin McKinnon, who is the Chairman of the Headwaters Committee of the Connecticut River Joint Commission expressing his concern about the emergency procedures which are in place should there be a failure at Murphy Dam.
A serious discussion ensued regarding Columbia’s status in the North Country.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Donald Campbell
Selectman
by admin | Nov 22, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Bob Baker entered the meeting at 6:00 pm to discuss his recent e-mail regarding the internet towers that have been constructed in Town by Netafy. Mr. Baker expressed his concern that the Town did not comply with their Zoning Ordinances and that this could cause problems further down the road when another company wants to construct something similar. He stated that it was his opinion that at this point we do whatever we have to do to rectify this situation. Mr. Baker asked if the Board had received permission to accept these funds. Marcia stated that the Town had adopted an article in 2010 giving the Selectmen permission to accept unanticipated funds and to spend them without additional action by the Town. Also, the Town did hold a public hearing about receiving the funds and where they would be spending them on September 8, 2021. Mr. Baker also stated that he had been in touch with Planning Board Chairman Scott DeBlois and that Mr. DeBlois was consulting with the NHMA about where the Town should go from here. The Board stated that they would consult with Mr. DeBlois and continue to work on resolving the situation. Mr. Baker left the meeting at 6:40 pm.
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 November 8th meeting.
The Board reviewed the minutes of the recent Dispatch Center budget meeting. Selectman Campbell gave the Board an updated and various issues regarding the Center.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Nov 8, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
At 6:05 Planning Board Chairman, Scott DeBlois, entered the meeting to discuss a recent e-mail sent from Bob Baker to him and the Board of Selectmen regarding the internet towers installed by Netafy in Town. Mr. Baker is concerned because the Town didn’t follow the ordinance with regards to site plan review, public hearings, etc. The Board reviewed the Town’s ordinance regarding “Personal Wireless Services Facilities” and questioned whether this applies to this situation. Selectman Stohl said that he thought they had brought this question up to Don Dawson from Netafy and Don had said that it didn’t apply to what they were doing. The Board instructed Marcia to contact Mr. Dawson to see what information he could provide and if he had applied to other Town’s Planning Boards for towers. The Board decided to table any further action on this e-mail until they get more information. Mr. DeBlois left the meeting at 6:30 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Marcia reminded the Board that our next meeting will be held on Monday, November 20th, instead of Wednesday, November 22nd, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Marcia has placed in ad in the newspaper, on the Town’s website and on the door of the office.
The Board reviewed a “Bounced Check Policy” prepared by Marcia. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the policy as written.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the October 25, 2023 meeting.
Marcia provided the Board members with reconciliation reports for each of the Town’s bank accounts.
Marcia provided the Board members with a breakdown of expenditures and revenue through October 31, 2023.
A Road Liability Waiver was signed for Kevin Stewart on Washburn Road.
Marcia told the Board she had received a phone call from Jean Vachon regarding an elm tree on Fish Pond Road near her home. Mrs. Vachon said that a limb had recently come down and she was concerned with winter coming that more limbs might come down in the road. The Board discussed whether the tree was in the Town’s right of way. Selectman Stohl said he would look at it and see if he thinks there is a problem.
Marcia informed the Board that after the recent paving, we have approximately $9,000.00 left in the Summer Road budget.
The Board reviewed the preliminary 2023 tax rate received from DRA. After discussion, Selectman Stohl made a motion which was seconded by Selectman Cloutier to use $150,000 .00 in fund balance to reduce taxes. The motion passed. Marcia said she would send the information to DRA tomorrow and would get the Warrant ready for the Board to sign over the weekend. Tax bills will go out either Monday or Tuesday of next week with a due date of December 21, 2023.
The Board discussed the Dispatch Center meeting which will be held tomorrow night.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Oct 25, 2023 | 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 reviewed and signed.
The Board signed an authorization form for the Trustees of the Trust Funds to withdraw $10,000 from the Cemetery Maintenance Trust Fund for work being done at the Columbia Bridge Cemetery. Selectman Campbell stated that he had stopped and everything looks really good.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the October 11, 2023 meeting.
The Board discussed the County Recycling Center Budget Hearing to be held tomorrow at 4:00 pm at the County Office Building. Selectman Campbell said he planned on attending.
The Board discussed the Dispatch Center Budget. The Budget Hearing will be held on Thursday, November 9th, in Colebrook. This meeting is for all selectmen from the core towns.
The Board reviewed a new policy – “Safety Policy/Written Program”. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to approve this policy as written. Marcia will send the necessary paperwork to the Department of Labor.
At 6:30 pm Don Dawson from Netafy entered the meeting. He showed the Board a slide presentation of all the internet sites and the money spent on them to date. The Board discussed having some sort of presentation at Town Meeting (slide show during the day) to show people what we have done with the monies we received.
Don Dawson left the meeting at 7:30 pm.
Marcia mentioned to the Board that our second meeting in November is scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving. It was decided that we will re-schedule this meeting to Monday, November 20th. Marcia will put a notice in the newspaper.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
