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Minutes of 12/19/2005

December 12th, 2005

Carroll Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
December 19, 2005


Board members present: Jay Ouellette, Allen Strasser, William Wright

The meeting was called to order at 6:58 p.m.

Members of the public present: Roberta McGee, Eleanor Brauns, Bill Dowling, James Covey, William Rines, Scott Sonia, Evan Karpf, Tom Gately, Ben Jellison, Jeff Duncan, Doug Bews, Sharon Savoy

The board began with the approval of bills and signing of checks.

The minutes from 12/12/05 were amended to correct Paul Bussiere’s name. Selectman Wright made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was seconded by Chairman Ouellette and passed unanimously.

Bill Dowling stated that he now has the means to recycle cell phones, ink cartridges, and rechargeable batteries, and the town will receive some funds for these materials. All are encouraged to bring these items to him at the center.

Bill recently attended a meeting in Bretton Woods to discuss their plans for recycling. He suggested they buy a trailer to haul material to the transfer center and the town would take care of registering it.

Bill presented a petition article he had prepared regarding the North Country Council request for a budget line to cover charges for hazardous waste collection. They are suggesting we budget $906.25 for 2006 collection. Bill stated that in 2004 two Twin Mountain residents took part in the collection day, and the town was charged no fees for this activity. It is his assumption that we would not be charged in 2006 for the same level of participation. He also stated that he is looking into getting his license to collect this material in Twin Mountain throughout the year.

A receipt of a fax from Commerford, Nieder Perkins, LLC was noted. Discussion was tabled until Selectman Strasser could be present, as his arrival at this meeting was delayed so he could attend the WMRS District meeting. A quote from Certified Computer Solutions was tabled for the same reason.

Elizabeth Parker has asked if the Selectmen would give her permission to thoroughly clean the kitchen areas, cupboards, refrigerator, freezer, etc., since it’s been a long time since everything had been taken out, washed, and replaced. The estimated cost to the town would be $150.00. Billy Rines suggested they take care not to throw out any of the dishes that may be of value to the Historical Society. Selectman Wright moved to approve this project, Chairman Ouellette seconded, and the motion was passed.

Bill Rines verified the quote price for overhead doors to be $2,735 each, total cost installed $5,470. Chairman Ouellette moved to accept these prices, Selectman Wright seconded, and the motion was passed.

A corrected Property Tax Warrant Second Issue was read. The original warrant presented incorrectly stated the amount of property tax billed for the whole year, rather than just the 2nd issue. The correct amount is $1,820,880.80. Chairman Ouellette made a motion to accept the warrant, Selectmen Wright seconded, and it was passed. The warrant was signed.

A Supplementary Warrant for Property Tax was read. This was for three Palmer Group Properties not on the original warrant. Chairman Ouellette made a motion to accept the warrant in the amount of $1,578.43, Selectmen Wright seconded, and it was passed. The warrant was signed.

Jim Covey presented a petition warrant to ask the town to appropriate $8,000 for the Twin Mountain Chamber of Commerce. The amount requested is a $3,000 increase from last year, the first increased request in several years.

Chairman Ouellette read a letter from Adelphia Cable regarding rate increases for 2006. Jeff Duncan asked if Lindsay Straw had followed up on his questions for Jason Hoch regarding town services from the cable company. This will be addressed on Tuesday.

A letter from Ray Burton was read. He’s requesting that we include his Annual Report to the Citizens of District One in our Annual Town Report. Selectman Wright moved to include the report, Chairman Ouellette seconded, and the motion was passed.

Evan Karpf appeared before the board to discuss the Planning Board Warrant for an Aquifer Zone, and the reclassification of groundwater to GA 1. He stressed that these are two separate issues both dealing with maintaining our clean water before potential problems occur.

Reclassification would have no land use restrictions, but town inspections would take place every 3 years. The goal is education, land & water management, all under town control. In the initial stages the state can help with inspections.

Chairman Ouellette asked if Evan had found out the depth of the aquifer and the direction of flow, as this would have a bearing on his opinion of the reclassification and warrant article. Evan is still waiting for that information. Doug Bews expressed interest in the specifics of location as well. He also raised questions about possible state involvement if the warrant is passed and wants copies of the referenced RSA’s attached to the warrant article. Mr. Bews questioned the advisability of signing the reclassification request without the support of other towns, primarily Bethlehem. He feels water protection is a multi-town issue. Jim Covey questioned the need for a local ordinance, given the fact that the state and federal governments already have water protection regulations. Why add another layer of regulations. Evan stated our warrant article allows the town to oversee protection, allows us to be proactive rather than reactive.

Doug Bews came before the board with a copy of p. 47 of the 1987 Master Plan dealing with the airport. In 1966 and 1967 the airport runway and taxiway received an oil penetration and seal surface with funds coming from the state. Mr. Bews requested that the selectmen have the land tested for contaminants by the DES or some other environmental agency. Mr. Karpf stated that before he bought the airport, he obtained EPA certification of a clean bill of health for the land. Chairman Ouellette suggested that Mr. Bews pursue this matter on his own.

The next subject brought by Mr. Bews had to due with Evan Karpf serving on the Planning Board and his wife Joan at the same time serving on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. He cited past history of Paul & Michelle Cormier serving in the same positions, and that being an issue. In asking for the resignation of either Mr. or Mrs. Karpf, Mr. Bews raised past personal issues with Mr. Karpf involving their properties. Mr. Karpf pointed out that each of the boards they serve on has 5 members, and no one person has control of a vote.

Bill Rines reported that the sign issue at the Good N You Plaza was being dealt with. Stan Borkowski has spoken with them and the improper signage will come down. Selectman Ouellette asked for a written update from Stan and a phone call from him. The secretary will follow up on that.

Selectman Strasser returned from the School Board meeting and gave an Article 15 update. The work done to come up with a cap formula has not been successful thus far. Evaluations are going up, school budget is going up, and an equitable cap formula has not been possible. At the present time our only viable option is to stay in the WMRS District, as there is no place to send our students should we pull out. Bethlehem and Littleton must solve their own regional issues before they can take any tuition students.

Selectman Strasser also spoke to the Commerford assessing plans. We are attempting to keep valuations in line so a full revaluation is not necessary until 2009. Commerford and the town will meet with the DRA to keep the revaluation on track. Questions were raised as to why Dalton and Jefferson have not had to re-assess in many years.

Billy Rines and Tom Gately spoke to the issue of plowing the road past Foster’s Crossroad and in the Gerry Warren subdivision. The bridge over the river cannot be used by either fire trucks or oil trucks, thus the town has been plowing as a matter of public safety. Tom questioned why we are plowing a private road and not just access to the road for the safety reasons cited. Before the town just stops plowing the road, we need to contact GLC to see what our liability might be. Chairman Ouellette will call on Tuesday.

The board also needs to write to the state regarding replacing the bridge. The secretary will contact Bill Rines for contact information so we can apply for state funds to help pay for the replacement.

At 8:50 p.m., as there was no additional business, Chairman Ouellette made a motion to go into executive session regarding town aid, which was seconded by Selectman Wright. The motion passed unanimously.

At the close of executive session, Chairman Ouellette made a motion to return to public session and seal the minutes from executive session; which was seconded and the motion passed unanimously. A motion was made to adjourn for the evening, which was seconded, and passed unanimously.