Town of Lisbon
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
September 27, 2004
7:00 pm meeting opened.
Selectmen Present: R. Pride, J. Hite, J. Northrop
Clerk: W. Johnson, TA (arrived at 7:15)
Media: None
Public input: none
Bills and manifest for the week were approved.
Minutes of September 20th Board meeting were approved.
WJ report that problems still exist with the town water at the Neilson property on Pearl Lake Road. A sample of water taken from the Neilson’s water filter system indicates a significant amount of residue in the water coming into the home. This problem occurred after their new home was connected to the system last spring. The water main supplying the service line has been flushed several times. WJ plans to have Terry Welch meet with the owners as soon as possible to evaluate the situation and make suggestions to correct the problem. There is no evidence that the water is unsafe to use or drink. WJ will advise the Board after Welch’s visit.
WJ advised the Board it would be necessary to reject the one bid received for the water system chemical feed project as the contractor is unable to adjust his bid to meet the approved budget amount. The Board reviewed a bid tabulation provided by Provan and Lorber. The project will be bid again in early winter for spring construction as long as DES agrees with the plan.
No contract from NCES is available for review at this time.
WJ reported the bid documents and final construction plans and specifications for the railroad station restoration project were in and ready for submission to the grant agencies for approval to bid. JH moved and JN 2nd to bid the project as soon as possible after approval from the funding agencies. So voted all.
7:30 pm Chairman Pride opened a public hearing to advise the public of the status of the Lisbon Housing Improvement Project being done by AHEAD partially funded by a Community Development Block Grant to the Town in the amount of $665,000. David Wood, Executive Director of AHEAD and Kevin Scribner of North Country Council, grant manager, attended the hearing. There was no public in attendance. David Wood explained the status of the project and it appears the first building, the new three unit building on Dickinson Street, will be ready for occupancy in late October and 185 S Main Street will be ready shortly after that. Tenants presently living in the other two AHEAD properties on School Street and Atwood Street will be relocated to the Dickinson Street units as soon as they are ready. The project is currently slightly
under budget but will most likely be back to budget when the rehab work starts on the School and Atwood buildings. Work on the other two buildings will begin as soon as the first two buildings are complete. WJ noted he and David Wood toured the two buildings earlier in the day and he was impressed with the status and quality of the work on both buildings. The only public issues with the project have come from some local neighbors who have occasionally found the road blocked with debris or equipment. This matter has been addressed with the project manager but parking on the site for several workers is difficult.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2004
Page 2
Discussions are also ongoing with Marvin Webster regarding the construction of a fence between his property and the project property. Chairman Pride closed the public hearing at 8:05 pm. D. Wood and K. Scribner left the meeting.
WJ reported no additional volunteers have come forward to serve on the new fire station committee so he suggested letters be sent to a list of desired committee members that was created by Chief Houston and Selectman Hite to invite them to participate in the project planning process. WJ will draft a letter for Board review.
WJ reported on a meeting earlier in the day with representatives from the Attorney General’s office regarding accessibility for disabled voters for the upcoming elections in November. The Town Hall is not acceptable for the voting public due to the ramp not meeting several specs for wheelchair access. A tour of the school, where voting is an option, was also done and that facility passed inspection without any problems or issues. WJ recommends moving the November elections to the school. JH moved and JN 2nd to make the necessary arrangements with the school to hold the November 2 elections at Lisbon Regional School. So voted all. WJ noted a police officer will be necessary at the polls during the voting hours of 10:00 am to 7:00 pm to direct people to the appropriate voting location and monitor the
entrance door. WJ will advise the Chief.
WJ reported on a workshop he attended on broadband service for rural areas. Some excellent information was provided at the presentation. It was advised that rural communities plan for broadband cable in their infrastructure improvements but not provide the actual cable etc. just the conduit that may be leased to the service provider for their cable. More information will be available in future workshops on this subject.
JH moved and JN 2nd to move to non-public session per RSA 91-A: 3II © to review and discuss an application to the Buffington Fund. So voted all.
RESUMED PUBLIC SESSION
JH moved and JN 2nd to seal the minutes of the non-public session. So voted all.
JH reported a trash problem at the former Dubey’s Auto Body on RT 302. The dumpster is overflowing and animals are spreading trash all over the area. WJ will address the issue with a letter with a copy to the health officer.
WJ reported he would be in Bedford, NH for a budget workshop on Tuesday. Also Charlie Hampson started working for the highway department as of today.
Adjourned 8:40 pm
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