Town of Lisbon
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: March 19, 2007
Selectmen Present: John Northrop (JN), Jonathan Reid (JR), Ruth Robar (RR)
Clerk: Regan Pride (RP)
Media: none present
Chairman Northrop opened the meeting at 7:00pm.
Approved AP manifest and payroll.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Jim Elliott address the board regarding a number of issues:
1) Policy regarding the loaning of tables & chairs from the town hall; specifically the tables belonging to the Lions Club, which are stored at the town hall. Jim noted that these tables have been used outside of the town hall though the policy is that they should not be removed from the premises. JN noted that the BOS has discussed buying new tables & chairs and only allowing the old ones to be loaned out. JN suggested that the town buy approx 10 tables this year and the Lions buy a matching number. Then the old tables could be stored elsewhere as off-premises loaners. Jim Elliott will take this proposal to the Lions.
2) Jim asked what can be done about the high curbing/sidewalk on Armstrong Ave. in front of his house. It is so high that car doors cannot open when parked alongside this area. JN will bring this to Kevin Clement’s attention to see how to address this.
3) Library hours: Jim expressed a request for the Lisbon Public Library to be open at more accessible times for day-working people, especially Saturdays. RP informed him that this matter should be brought to the Library trustees attention, and that the trustees were in fact meeting that night. Jim also enquired as to the number of hours worked by the librarian given that the library is open to the public 26 hours per week.
4) Mr. Elliott expressed his feeling of a lack of professionalism displayed by the police chief at the annual town meeting. JN agreed that some of the comments made by the chief were uncalled for. JE asked how the PD determines the number of hours of coverage too have. Mentioned that the town seems to be overly generous on budget appropriation at town meeting. He stated that he felt “it is time to make some tough decisions to keep the tax rate from increasing any more.” RP mentioned that on this subject, the BOS forgot to point out at town meeting that the board had decided not to continue involvement with the Tri-Town Industrial Development
project proposed for Brook road due to what they deemed to be excessive increases in cost and very lengthy pay-back estimate. Originally Lisbon’s contribution was to be $28,000, but now that so much time has passed since the original proposal, our contribution has increased to about $96,000. The felt that this was not a good idea, in light of last year’s tax increase.
Mr. Elliott left the meeting at 7:45pm.
Mike and Kathi Tobin addressed the board regarding the condition of Ash Hill rd in the vicinity of their house, stating that it was in extremely poor shape last Wednesday. They are concerned about public safety and asked what can be done to pave or improve the gravel stretch of road to the town line. Mrs. Tobin stated that she was “very offended with most of the response she received from Kevin Clement over the phone” when she called to ask if he could help extricate a car that was stuck in the ditch in this area. JN made it clear that the town policy prohibits town personnel & equipment from pulling cars out of ditches due to liability concerns. RP stated that by rough estimates, it would cost $50,000 to pave this stretch of road, while our current grading and maintenance costs up to $1,800 per
year. Kevin Clement was in attendance and stated that repairs to culverts are scheduled for this summer and that should help with drainage to alleviate the mud problem. The Tobins left the meeting at 8:05pm.
Kevin Clement addressed the board regarding road conditions both on Ash Hill and in general:
1) The policy of the PWD is to make sure that emergency vehicles and get in to protect public safety first. Kevin and Charlie make the assessments during winter/mud conditions. Private vehicles take lower priority.
2) KC acknowledged that strong statements were made – by both parties – during the phone exchange with Mrs. Tobin.
3) On Thursday KC sent Chief Tavernier to assess Ash Hill because he was working on a frozen/broken water main on Main Street.
4) KC acknowledged that the Ash Hill Road is still rutted and that Charlie did do some touch up to the road on Friday.
5) KC recommends this section of road as a candidate for treatment with fabric underlayment and a fresh gravel surface.
Berkshire Road: Kevin spoke with Spencer Richardson, a contractor hired by Mr. Clark. KC specified the following items to be addressed as conditions for recommendation of this road for adoption:
1) Replace culvert near lot 20.
2) Remove the guard rail along the section. The town will dispose of the material.
3) Add 6” gravel surface throughout over a width of 20’
4) Ditch both sides of road for drainage
5) Mow vegetation on both sides of road.
KC requested that RP coordinate with him and vice/versa on subjects such as this to avoid confusion and to be sure that all parties are fully informed and can present a consistent response to public inquiries.
KC reported that the water line on Main Street is thawed and repaired. KC left the meeting at 8:35pm.
SELECTMEN’S MATTERS:
The board received a request from B. Smith asking for a letter stating whether they had any objections to the serving of alcohol at his restaurant on Main Street. JN mentioned that they did serve alcohol during prior activity about 2 years ago. JR moved and RR 2nd that there were no objections. All voted in favor. RP will draft a letter for signature.
JN directed RP to notify Mike Shores about the status of the matter about the “Mary Schlesinger Memorial Forest” off of Breezy Hill Rd. RP reported that copies of deeds had been sent to LGC counsel for review and recommendation.
MISCELLANEOUS
§ Signed TAN for $500,000 with Woodsville Bank
§ Signed letter to Mr. B. Clark regarding requirements for adoption of Berkshire Road.
§ Approved request from C. O’Conner for use of the town hall.
§ Received letter of thanks from Littleton Hospital for town’s use of their occupational health department.
§ Received annual report from Grafton County Conservation District.
§ Received info packet from LGC regarding recommendations for reform of NH retirement system.
JR moved to recess until 12:30pm Tuesday 3/20/07 to discuss the position of deputy town clerk with Charlotte Derosia. RR 2nd. All voted in favor.
Meeting recessed at 8:50pm.
RESUMED MEETING AT 12:35pm Tuesday 3/20/07
The board discussed the position of deputy town clerk and tax collector with Charlotte Derosia.
RR recommends posting the position. Charlotte will prepare a revised list of job duties. RP will post in the Littleton Courier, Allstaff and NH Employment Security.
RR made a motion to set the minimum employee contribution for FSA program to $10 per week rather than $500 per year, because the 2007 plan year will really be only be 9 months. JR 2nd the motion. All voted in favor.
Selectmen signed the letter to B. Smith regarding serving of alcohol at the Brick Alley Pub.
JN moved to adjourn, 2nd by JR, adjourned at 1:55 PM
| 
