by Super User | Apr 7, 2023 | 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.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the September 14, 2022 meeting.
Marcia told the Board that she had received a complaint about brush hanging down in the Lyman Cemetery. Selectman Campbell said he would take a look at it.
Marcia informed the Board that she had placed an ad in the newspaper for the weeks of October 5th & 12th advertising for bids for snowplowing the Town Office and Town Hall. Bids need to be received by Wednesday, October 12th and the Board can open them that night.
The Board reviewed and signed the MS-535 prepared by Cohos Advisors.
The Board reviewed and signed the MS-1. Marcia told the Board that this is the last form to be submitted for this year. Probably by the end of the month, the State will be ready to set our tax rate.
Marcia asked if anyone had viewed the location for a proposed driveway for Albion Herres. Selectman Cloutier said he would take a look at it.
The Board reviewed draft paperwork prepared by Attorney Frizzell in order to file an “interpleader” in the property that the Town sold last year to Duncan Cullman. The Board instructed Marcia to tell Attorney Frizzell to go forward with it.
The Board discussed the Summer Road budget. As of tonight, we have spent approximately $77,000 out of the total amount of $205,000.00. Selectman Cloutier said that the paving should be done shortly and that will be approximately $100,000.00.
At the next meeting (October 12th) a woman named Sue Ford will be coming to the meeting to present the Board with a Civil War chest which belonged to her Great Great Grandfather who was originally from Columbia. Marcia informed the Board that she had notified both newspapers and that it looks like they will both be attending to take pictures.
Marcia reminded the Board that she will be out of the office on October 17th through 21st. A notice will be in the newspaper for the next couple of weeks and letters will be sent to all of the people who have October registrations.
Selectman Campbell discussed maintenance issues to be taken care of at the Transfer Station.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Sep 30, 2022 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began a 5:58 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier and Campbell. Selectman Stohl was absent. Members of the public included: Norma Jean DeLong, Patrick and Molly Carr, Gary Whitehill, Craig Washburn and Ted Burns.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Ted Burns and Craig Washburn came to the meeting at the request of the Selectmen. Selectman Campbell explained that the Board was concerned about where the ATV trails are crossing the Town’s roads and the damage that is being done. Discussion continued about what could be done to fix this problem. Materials discussed included asphalt, concrete, etc. Both Mr. Burns and Mr. Washburn stated they would look into it and try to do something before another riding season. Mr. Burns and Mr. Washburn left the meeting.
The Board opened bids received for the former Pearson property as advertised in the newspaper. Bids were open as follows:
Samuel Jeffers $7,000.00
Tala Silver $14,800.00
Norma Jean DeLong $12,500.00
Tyler Barrows $15,500.00
Landon Placey $31,100.00
Michael Collins $21,000.00
Patrick & Molly Carr $29,817.00
On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to award the bid to Landon Placey. The Board instructed Marcia to continue Jon Frizzell with a couple of questions and to return the deposit checks to the people who didn’t get the bid. Norma Jean DeLong, Patrick and Molly Carr left the meeting. (Norma Jean DeLong took her deposit along with her son, Tyler Barrows” with her.)
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the August 24, 2022 meeting.
The Board reviewed end of the month reconciliations for the Citizens Bank, Transfer Station and Northway bank accounts.
The Board signed a letter appointing Selectman Cloutier as Columbia’s representative to the Nash Stream Citizen Advisory Committee.
The MS535 and MS60 were reviewed. Marcia will take care of submitting these to DRA.
A Driveway Permit Application was received from Albion Herres for North Jordan Hill Road. Selectman Cloutier said he would view the proposed site.
Marcia informed the Board that she had received a phone call from the engineer in charge of the Lyman Falls project. He stated that the project should be completed this week and wanted to make sure that the Town was happy with the road. Selectman Campbell said the road was in very good condition. Marcia said she had spoken with Barbara Schomburg who claimed the road was the best it had ever been.
Selectman Campbell informed the Board that he had recently spoken with Gerard Gray regarding Mr. Gray’s concerns about the Columbia Covered Bridge. The Board discussed ways to fix the problem. Selectman Campbell is going to go and take some measurements for further discussion.
At 6:53 pm Chairman Cloutier declared the public hearing on unanticipated funds from the State of New Hampshire open. There were no members of the public The Board discussed using the unanticipated funds for additional paving on Marshall Hill, Meridan Hill and perhaps replacing a couple of culverts on Meridan Hill. On a motion made by Selectman Cloutier and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to accept the funds and spend it on the projects discussed. Chairman Cloutier declared the meeting ended at 7:10 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Sep 30, 2022 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Gary Whitehill.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectmen Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the August 10, 2022 meeting.
The Board reviewed a letter received from the State of New Hampshire DOT informing the Town that they had issued a check in the amount of $35,681.04 to the Town. These funds are considered “unanticipated funds” per RSA 31:95-b and require a public hearing. Marcia informed the Board that she had scheduled a public hearing for Wednesday, September 14th, at 7:00 pm. The Board instructed Marcia to check with DRA as to whether these funds can only be spent on “road projects” or on something else.
The Board discussed road projects and upcoming paving.
Selectman Campbell gave the other Board members an update on renovations at the Town Hall.
The Board opened bids received for fuel oil for the upcoming winter as follows:
- Bean Transport – $4.249
C.N. Brown – $3.939
On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to award the contract to C.N. Brown.
On a request from Cemetery Sexton Sheila Parkhurst, the Board voted to make a change to the Cemetery Policy in regards to the fee charged to open a cremation lot to $150.00. These figures now are the same as Colebrook’s.
The Board discussed the former Pearson property and when the Town could put it out for bids. Marcia will double-check with Attorney Frizzell regarding our next step.
Selectman Campbell expressed concern about the condition of certain Town roads where the ATV trail crosses. Marcia was instructed to write to both the Metallak ATV Club (Craig Washburn) and the North Country ATV Club (Ted Burns) and have them attend the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Sep 30, 2022 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
A Land Use Change bill and Warrant for signed in the amount of $1,428.50.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the July 27, 2022 meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that the second installment of the ARPA funds has been received.
The Board reviewed reconciliation reports for the Citizens Bank, Bangor Savings Bank and NHPDIP accounts.
Marcia informed the Board that she had sent out requests to receive bids for heating oil for the upcoming winter season to C.N. Brown and C. Bean Transport.
The Board reviewed a “Right to Know” policy that was drafted by Attorney Jon Frizzell. After discussion, Selectman Stohl made a motion which was seconded by Selectman Campbell to accept the policy as written.
The Board discussed putting a separate article on the Town Meeting Warrant to deal with on-going requests for “Right to Know” information. At the present time, we have one taxpayer who has cost the Town around $750.00 in legal fees with regards to her requests.
Quotes for paving were reviewed from Central Paving. Selectman Cloutier explained the quotes to the other Board members. On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectman Cloutier, the Board approved the quotes. Chairman Cloutier signed on behalf of the Town and Marcia will forward them to Central Paving.
Selectman Campbell bought the other Board members up to date on the construction being done at the Town Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
by admin | Sep 30, 2022 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 5:55 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier, Stohl and Campbell. Members of the public present: Attorney Jon Frizzell and Don Dawson (Netafy).
Attorney Frizzell entered the meeting at 6:00 to discuss a Right to Know issue with a taxpayer. After discussing the situation, Attorney Frizzell suggested:
- That the Town adopt a “Right to Know Request” Policy
- Adopt a form that could be given to people requesting information from the Town.
- Special warrant article in March appropriating legal fees, etc. to cover these type of requests.
The Board asked Mr. Frizzell to draft these items for them to review and adopt. Mr. Frizzell left the meeting at 6:30 pm.
At 6:35 pm, Don Dawson from Netafy entered the meeting. Mr. Dawson and the Board discussed the issue of broadband in Columbia. On a motion made by Selectman Stohl and seconded by Selectman Campbell, the Board voted to work with Netafy to expand coverage in Columbia using the ARPA funds received by the Town. Mr. Dawson said that he would work on a contract, which the Town could have Attorney Frizzell review. Mr. Dawson also stated that he would work up a presentation showing what the funds would be used for and how they would improve coverage. Mr. Dawson said he would contact us as soon as he had these items ready for the Board to review. Mr. Dawson left the meeting at 7:10 pm.
The Board reviewed and signed a letter to be sent to the Bureau of Business and Economic Affairs on behalf of NH Electric Cooperative in support of their grant application to expand fiber wires in Columbia.
The Board signed letters to be sent to Kathleen Lamontage and Domenic Castaldi regarding issues that had been brought up at the last meeting.
Marcia said that Keith Smith had come in and asked for permission to cut brush and do some ditching on Kelsea Notch Road (a Class VI road) in order for him to access his camp. The Board gave permission and Marcia will contact Mr. Smith.
A Warrant and Yield Tax Certification was approved for David White.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
Marcia informed the Board that the auditors would be in the office on Monday, August lst, to do their field work in preparation for the MS-535.
Selectman Campbell brought the other two members up to speed on issues regarding the Northern Borders Dispatch Center.
The Board reviewed revenues received through June 30, 2022 in order to prepare the Revised Estimated Revenue Form, which is due on September lst.
Selectman Cloutier informed the other two Board members that he had contact Central Paving to obtain an estimate for doing paving work on Marshall Hill Road and Meridan Hill Road.
The Board discussed the flooring to be replaced at the Town Hall. Selectman Campbell has purchased the 11 boxes of flooring needed and will present the Town will a bill for reimbursement. The Board will be contacting someone to see if they are interested in doing it.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
by admin | Sep 30, 2022 | Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting began at 6:00 pm. Present were Selectmen Cloutier and Campbell. Selectman Stohl was absent.
Treasurer Carrie Klebe entered the meeting at 6:05 pm. Mrs. Klebe informed the Board that since tax money has started to come in that the Tax Collector has started depositing money into the Northway Bank since the interest rate is higher there. There is enough money in the Citizens Bank account to cover the monthly bills. Marcia informed the Board that approximately 50% of our lst tax installment for 2022 has been received. Mrs. Klebe left the meeting at 6:15 pm.
Mail was reviewed.
Checks and manifests were reviewed and signed.
On a motion made by Selectman Campbell and seconded by Selectmen Cloutier, the Board approved the minutes of the June 8th meeting.
Marcia informed the Board that she had been told that there is tree down at the Lyman Cemetery. In addition, Jean Vachon from Fish Pond Road was in and is concerned about a dead Oak tree which she believes is in the Town’s right of way. Selectman Cloutier said he would look at that. Selectman Campbell said he would check the cemeteries.
The yearly form for reimbursement from the State for the Nash Stream property was signed.
The yearly form informing DRA that we will not be using Inventory Forms was signed.
Marcia informed the Board of a couple of issues at the Transfer Station that Selectman Stohl had been informed of. (Metal plates on the container need to be repaired. Also, the doors on both trailers – cables are tearing off. Perhaps replace them with overheard garage doors that could be locked.) Selectman Campbell said he would look at both items the next time he is up there.
A letter to DRA in response to our Assessment Review for 2020 was signed. A copy will also be sent to the Assessing Standards Board.
Selectman Cloutier suggested that we contact Donald Dawson at Netafy and ask him to come to the next meeting to discuss the use of ARPA money for improving internet coverage. Marcia will send him an e-mail.
The Board reviewed the Reports of Wood Cut. Marcia will prepare the bills and warrant for the next meeting.
Marcia reminded the Board that she will be taking some days off in the middle of July after her daughter has her baby.
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Parkhurst, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
