BOARD/COMMISSION UPDATE   :   Heritage Commission

AGENDA BUSINESS:

5.   Re-appointment of L. Gandia and A. Guilbeault to Zoning Board of Adjustment  

March 17, 2025   ZBA Meeting:

Motion: ( J. Devereaux / A. Guilbeault ) Motion to recommend to the Board of Selectmen the reappointment

of Laura Gandia and Al Guilbeault for terms expiring in 2025.

Discussion: None

Vote: (3-0-2) The motion carried. (L. Gandia and A. Guilbeault abstained)

Motion:  I make a motion to reappoint LAura Gandia and Al Guilbeault to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a term to expire March 31, 2028

6.   Re-appointment of M. Colby and G. Baringer to the Heritage Commission

3/20 Minutes of Heritage commission meeting:  

Request for Additional Items / Other Business:

The agenda was then reviewed, with a minor addition regarding term renewals. Ms. Colby and Ms. Barringer expressed a willingness to serve for another year, pending reappointment by the Select Board. No objections were raised.

The Commission's consensus was that Ms. Colby would serve as Chair, and Mr. Franck would serve as Vice-Chair. 

Motion:  I make a motion to reappoint Marion Colby and Gail Baringer to the Heritage Commission for a term to expire March 31, 2028

  8. Treasurer's Delegation requests for Terri Briand and Laura Mills 

Per the Town's Investment Policy, annually the Treasurer must seek the Board of Selectmen's approval for delegation of the deposit duties to the Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk , bonded and qualified individuals.

Motion:  I make a motion to approve the Treasurer's requests and authorize Terri Briand and Laura Mills  to make banking deposits for the Town of Litchfield, effective 4/1/2025 to 4/1/2026.

9. Reappointment - Doug Nicoll Fire Warden -  Until Replaced by the Board of Selectmen

Current appointment on file with the Town Clerk has a 2024 expiration, we recommend this is extended until Chief Nicoll's employment as Fire Chief ends, therefore we ask that it states until replaced by the Board of Selectmen.

Motion :  I make a motion to appoint Fire Chief Doug Nicoll as the Town of Litchfield Fire Warden for a term to expire upon replacement by the Board of Selectmen.

10.   (2) PA-38 Forms Intent to Excavate,

 Supplemental for 2024-2025 Map 20, Lot 18-1; Lot 18-2 and Lot 18-3 &

 New 2025-2026  Tax Map 21, Lot 18

Motion : I make a motion to approve the Intents to Excavate as presented for Map 20, Lot 18-1; Lot 18-2 and Lot 18-3  Tax Map 21, Lot 18.

11.   Abatement Denial - 242B Derry Rd., Map 2, Lot 29, Sub T

Per the recommendation of our Assessors - denial of the application and request of the current leases.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

1.   Received the Abutters letter below from Arbor Pro for the Darrah Pond treatment approved March 10th. See   Below

2.   Road Agent, Building Inspector and I did an inventory and review on the 20 Locke Mill Property which has been

   tax deeded by the Town.  We are awaiting Legal counsel's next steps with the probate court.

3. SB 297 - the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee  - relates to the operations and oversight of risk management pools. SB 297 was introduced after the deadline to file legislation as a “late bill.” Pools are created by cities, towns, counties, and school districts to reduce risks and associated costs, shifting risk from an individual political subdivision to the pool. 

We are monitoring this bill closely due to its potential impact on municipal budgets and operations. The language of the bill only became public this week, but it contains several provisions that could potentially increase costs for cities, towns, counties, and school districts that are members of the pools:

 • The requirement to begin collecting additional contributions (assessments) from participating members if an annual audit or actuarial determination, or secretary of state investigation, shows that the assets of the pooled risk management “appear” insufficient could create unbudgeted municipal expenditures for members outside the annual budget cycle, depending on the timing of the members’ fiscal years.  Failure to address funding issues within 30 days of receiving an abatement order from the secretary of state’s office could lead to the pool being put in receivership.

 • The requirement that the risk pool reimburse the secretary of state for costs incurred for oversight would be a new administrative cost for the pool that could be passed along to the members. 

• New contingency reserve requirements may impact the rates members pay. Staying within the maximum and minimum contingency reserve percentages may increase rates or create volatility for annual contribution rates. 

UPDATE - IMPORTANT :   As a result, we are saddened to say that after careful review and discussion, we the HealthTrust Board of Directors voted at yesterday’s March 20th meeting that if SB297 passes in its current form we will be forced to end our coverages and services effective December 31, 2025 for January Groups and June 30, 2026 for July Groups. HealthTrust will fulfill all obligations through those dates, in addition to full administration of run-out services. After the full run-out occurs, HealthTrust will distribute remaining surplus funds back to the Member Groups that we have proudly served. 

4. Municipal Fire Alarm Monitoring Fees - Hudson 2024 Warrant Article - visited Town Administrator of Hudson, awaiting update.

5.  Mobility and Transportation hosted by NRPC at the Library May 15th

6. Litchfield Night at the Fisher Cats, July 19th Hosted by the Litchfield Veterans.

7. Clean Water Grant  ($30,000) to create a Stormwater Asset Management system. Our project is wrapping up and we are now completing the final steps.  Kevin, his team, John and I have been working on this project well over a year, with many hours of investigation by the Highway Dept.  The two final steps are developing a manual/overview for the system  and giving a presentation to the BOS.  Both our contractors and NHDES are available May 12 at 6:30 pm., therefore we would ask to present at the beginning of your meeting that evening.

8.  Application for Trench permit - See below.  Fidium /Consolidated - Passaconaway development has existing conduit that they will investigate to ensure it’s viable for the new fiber, but there is a section along Naticook Ave (from the intersection of Midway Ave right on Naticock back to Charles Barcroft Hwy) that will require placement of new conduit. $10,000 Bond will be requested by the Road agendt.  No Road distrurbance.  No digging before April 15th.

Fidium Project -  conduit placement (2” pipe) will be placed on the side of the road and we’re proposing to bore under the driveways and restore any impacted area

SELECTMEN REPORTS

NOTE:   Old List  - to be assigned 3/24/2025

1. Recreation Commission Representative - Kevin Lynch 

2. School Facilities Improvement Committee - Robert F. Leary Sr.

3. Budget Committee Representative - F. Robert Leary Sr. 

4. Planning Board Representative - Steven G. Gannon

5. Capital Improvement Committee Representative - Kimberly M. Queenan

6. Conservation Commission Representative - John Brunelle

7. Heritage Commission Representative - G. Steven Gannon

8. Emergency Management Team - John Brunelle

9. Energy Committee - John Brunelle

10. Economic Development Committee - Kimberly M. Queenan

NON PUBLIC SESSION

RSA 91-A:3, II(c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of this board, unless such person requests an open meeting. This exemption shall extend to include any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of a fee, fine or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant.