Selectmen approve payroll, vendor contract renewals, timber and tax items; post letter to town website

The Ossipee Board of Selectmen approved a slate of routine and administrative items during its March 3, 2025 meeting, including payroll and vendor payments, a renewal contract for a town vendor and multiple land- and tax-related notices. The board also voted to post a town-letter addressing online criticism to the town website and to send a separate letter to the Conway Daily Sun regarding an active zoning enforcement matter.

Most votes were unanimous and taken by voice; a roll-call was used for the motion to enter an initial nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3, II(a). The board authorized contract signatory authority for a renewal with the town’s network provider and approved timber-harvest notices, clerical camper fees, excavation notices and a small water-abatement request. The board also appointed two people to the Conservation Commission and approved a request by local volunteers to seek a grant for informational kiosks at Ossipee Lake boat launches.

The board approved payroll for the pay period ending Feb. 27, 2025, listing wages of $39,837.78, payroll taxes of $12,866.11 and a total payroll of $52,703.89. Accounts-payable totals reported were $63,673.99 across general and enterprise funds; total fund payments were listed as $216,377.88. The board approved those warrants by motion.

Other items the board approved included: - Renewal/signing authority for a contract with the town’s network provider (identified in the meeting as Arman Networks). The board granted the town administrator (referred to in the meeting as “Matt”) authority to sign the renewal. - Notices of intent to cut timber for multiple parcels (Map 35 Lot 2; Map 135 Lot 1; and a timber yield tax levy for Map 217 Lot 14, etc., totaling $6,946.35) were accepted as presented. - Multiple clerical adjustments and camper registration/seasonal fees for several lots were approved in a single motion. - Excavation tax and excavation notices for parcels on Polly’s Crossing Road and Ollie’s Crossing were approved (amounts read in meeting: $26.56 and similar small amounts). - A water-meter abatement (Map 92 Lot 39) for $24.50 was approved. - The NADRA Municipal Property Bureau Equalization Assessment Certificate was approved and signed by the assessor as a routine form. - Appointments: The board approved appointing Brad Marion and Dawn Marion to the Conservation Commission for three-year terms, as recommended by that commission. - Volunteers’ kiosk proposal: The board approved the Conservation Commission’s request to authorize Friends of Ossipee Lake, the “Ossipee Loon Guy,” and the Loon Preservation Committee to pursue a Lowe’s Hometown Give Back nomination and to install informational kiosks at boat launches subject to state permission for any state-owned launch sites.

Two communications motions passed: the board voted to post a letter titled “Where Were They?” to the town website, and it separately voted to forward a letter concerning ongoing zoning enforcement (including references to court authorization) to the Conway Daily Sun. The latter motion followed a read statement describing the town’s enforcement action regarding an occupied RV and alleged cesspool violation and said the inspection was authorized by a district-court administrative inspection warrant and referenced a Superior Court order (case number read aloud in the meeting).

All motions described above were made and seconded on the record at the March 3 meeting and carried by voice vote, except where a roll call is noted in the minutes.

Votes at a glance (selected items as stated in meeting): - Enter nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3, II(a): Roll-call vote recorded as “Yes” by the members on the record; motion carried. - Approve payroll and warrants (payroll total $52,703.89; accounts-payable $63,673.99; total fund payments $216,377.88): Approved. - Authorize town administrator (“Matt”) to sign renewal contract with Arman Networks: Approved. - Approve notices of intent to cut timber (multiple parcels) and yield tax levy $6,946.35: Approved. - Approve clerical camper fees and small municipal billing adjustments: Approved. - Approve excavation tax/notice items (Map 244 parcels): Approved. - Approve water abatement Map 92 Lot 39 for $24.50: Approved. - Approve NADRA Equalization Assessment Certificate: Approved. - Appoint Brad Marion and Dawn Marion to Conservation Commission (three-year terms): Approved. - Authorize Friends of Ossipee Lake / volunteers to pursue grant/kiosk work (subject to state approvals for state boat launches): Approved. - Post the “Where Were They?” letter on the town website: Approved. - Send a town letter regarding ongoing zoning enforcement (case referenced) to the Conway Daily Sun: Approved.

This roundup covers the formal approvals taken on March 3, as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Ending: The board conducted further discussion and a public hearing later in the meeting on separate topics, including warrant-article legality and a public hearing about potentially changing the Select Board from three to five members.