Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
October 6, 2003
7:00 pm Meeting Opened
Board Members Present: R. Pride, J. Hite, R. Brooks.
Clerk: W. Johnson, TA
Media: None
Public: None
K. Clement addressed the Board regarding public works issues. Most of the items concerned the water improvement project. Bergin Terrace needs a gravel base before paving and project funds can be used if there are funds left for this purpose according to Sue Farber of Rural Development. Roads to be paved this fall include Grafton St., Forest Hills, Towle St., Bergin Terrace Barrett Street, Pine Knoll and Riverside Av. Armstrong Av. will be done in the spring as KC plans to replace the sewer line on a portion of that road in the spring. KC reported 6 roads remained to be graded; improvements on Sanborn Ln. above the water tank to Don Butson’s new home were completed, garage repairs by Star Construction were almost complete, HT Andross is doing some electrical work on the building as well; discussed possible use of liquid chloride
on town roads in the winter; KC does not support using at this time; discussed wet area behind post office, KC believes it is ground water from the bank above the railroad bed; department members planning to go to Williamstown VT for trade show on Thursday this week. KC left the meeting at 7:35 pm.
7:35 pm, Chairman Pride opened a public hearing in accordance with RSA 31: 95-b to discuss the expenditure of unanticipated funds received from grants. Lauraette Clark was the only member of the public present. WJ listed four grants that were received for specific purposes including: NH DES Non-point Source pollution grant for $20,000 to conduct a study of the Grafton Street watershed area and to locate and catalog all culverts in the town in cooperation with the science classes at LRS, $12,000 of in-kind labor will be provided by the school teachers, students and town employees; State of NH Homeland Security Grant Rounds 1 and 2 for approximately $3600 each round for the fire department for equipment and/or training; a domestic preparedness grant to the PD for equipment for $3126; and a grant for the Upstage Players for $5000 for stage
light improvements in the town hall from Northern NH Charitable Foundation. Hearing no questions from the public, Chairman Pride closed the hearing at 7:55 pm. JH moved and RB 2nd to authorize the expenditure of the funds as noted. So voted all. Mrs. Clark left the meeting at this time.
WJ reported on an agreement with Donald Butson on Sanborn Ln. to participate in the upgrading of a short section of the road above the water tower to his driveway. Mr. Butson will pay up to $1000 for the gravel needed for that section of the road and the Town would do the roadwork necessary. The town will maintain the road after the improvements are completed. It is assumed this portion of this class VI road was to be maintained as part of an agreement when the water tower property was acquired from Mr. Butson’s father and therefore is Class V to the driveway.
WJ reported on the cable TV consortium negotiations. Lisbon to have a different deal due to longer renewal date. Additional information to come on specific terms.
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10/06/03 – Page 2
WJ presented a request to repay the $100,000 plus interest draw from the $300,000 TAN as of October 15, 2003. Cash flow projections indicate these funds will no longer be needed in 2003. JH moved and RB 2nd to payoff the TAN. So voted all.
The new highway pickup truck note for $25,000 from WGSB was approved with signatures by all.
RP reported he and WJ met with Meg Baker of DRA to discuss the 2003 tax rate. RP proposed an increase in the amount of fund balance to reduce the tax rate from $100,000 to $108,000 creating a total rate of $29.50 a decrease of .49 from 2002. The Town and County portions went up and the school local and state rates went down. JH moved and RB 2nd to confirm RP’s proposal for the new tax rate. So voted all
Bill Williams of Congressman Bass’s office discussed with WJ and RP a meeting in Lisbon on 11/7 from 5:00 to 6:30 as an open house and a celebration of the recent EPA award for the waste treatment facility. WJ will coordinate with B. Williams on details.
JH moved and RB 2nd to move to non-public session per RSA 91:A 3 II © to discuss an application to the Buffington Fund. So voted all.
RESUMED PUBLIC SESSION #1
WJ presented a matter regarding a municipal lien on property owned by Barbara Baines of School Street. The property is scheduled for tax deeding on October 8, 2003 unless the lien is paid. Ms. Baines is poor and unable to make the total payment prior to the 8th. WJ noted the Board could abate a portion of the bill to prevent the deeding per RSA 76:16 as Mrs. Baines is poor and unable to pay and to take the property would create an additional welfare burden on the Town. After discussion, JH moved and RB 2nd to abate the amount needed to prevent the deeding this year. So voted all. Mrs. Baines must continue to make payments towards the remaining balance of these fees.
Board discussed a request from Mrs. Hilvar of So. Main Street for a grant from the So. Main Street improvement Project to repair her home in the amount of $1000 to be added to funds provided by AHEAD and other sources. Estimated repairs to the home total over $25,000. As previously established, the grants will be funded from the 1986 CDBG housing improvement program revolving funds. JH moved and RB 2nd to approve the request in full. So voted all.
RB moved and JH 2nd to move to non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II © to discuss a personal matter.
RESUMED PUBLIC SESSION #2
JH moved and RP 2nd to seal the minutes of the non-public session. So voted all.
R. Brooks submitted a letter to the Board requesting a temporary leave of absence from the Board of Selectmen for personal reasons. The Board accepted his request as stated.
Selectmen’s Minutes
10/06/03
Page 3
It was announced there would be no regular Board meeting on October 13, 2003 due to Board member scheduling conflicts.
Adjourned 10:00 pm
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