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
by Super User | Apr 7, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Stohl and Campbell. Selectman Cloutier was absent.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Stohl, the Board approved the minutes of the October 26, 2022 meeting.
Mail was reviewed.
The monthly reconciliations for the Northway and NHPDIP accounts were reviewed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to appoint Dr. Robert Soucy as the Town’s Health Officer and to pay him a $400.00 per year stipend.
The Board discussed the wages paid to the Election Workers. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board approved the following salaries for election workers:
Ballot Clerks and Supervisors of the Checklist – $125.00 per day
Town Moderator – $150.00 per day.
Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by Super User | Apr 7, 2023 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present were Paul Carter, Treasurer Carrie Klebe and Don Dawson (Netafy).
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 October 12, 2022 meeting.
Paul Carter entered the meeting to discuss a discrepancy in the Town’s Tax Map. After reviewing it, the Board informed Mr. Carter that it was really a civil matter between him and the abutting landowner and suggested that he either do some research on his own at the Registry of Deeds or hire the services of a surveyor. Mr. Carter left the meeting.
Town Treasurer Carrie Klebe entered the meeting and gave each Board member a reconciliation of the Town’s current finances as of September 30th. Ms. Klebe left the meeting.
The Board approved and signed a Petition to place a utility pole submitted by Eversource.
The Board reviewed and granted permission for the Colebrook Ski-Bees to continue to use a portion of Kelsea Notch Road and Gray Road as part of the snowmachine trail.
The Board signed Form MS-60W requesting a waiver of the state requirement for a complete audit for the 2022 fiscal year.
Marcia reminded the Board about the State General Election on November 8th. Selectman Campbell stated that he planned to be at the polls most of the day.
Selectman Cloutier stated that he had reviewed the site for a new driveway proposed by Albion Herres on Harvey Brook Road and that it was okay. Marcia will notify Mr. Herres.
The Board discussed a request from the Planning Board to look into the septic system situation at the St Pierre property on Gray Road. The Board feels that this is a Planning Board issue.
The Board reviewed the 2023 budget for the Recycling Center as prepared by the County. The budget meeting will be held at the Coos County Nursing Home on Friday, October 28th. Selectman Campbell said he planned to attend.
Don Dawson (Netafy) entered the meeting at 7; 02 to discuss the broadband project. Mr. Dawson shared with the Board the five sites that they are proposing to build along with maps showing what the coverage area would be. Mr. Dawson had previously provided by e-mail a draft copy of the agreement to be signed between Netafy and the Town. Marcia explained that she had forwarded it to the Town’s attorney, Jon Frizzell, for review along with the Town’s auditing firm, Cohos Advisors. The Board asked a couple of general questions regarding the agreement. Mr. Dawson stated that they are ready to begin the project and indicated that he could go ahead and start ordering supplies before the agreement gets signed. Mr. Dawson left the meeting at 7:50 pm.
Marcia gave the Board members copies of the proposed 2022 tax rate as set by DRA. After discussion, the Board voted to use $130,000 from fund balance to lower the tax rate. Marcia will submit this to DRA and once approved by them, we can go ahead and send out the tax bills.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
