MINUTES
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
JANUARY 9, 2009
Present: Robert Pelchat, Chairperson of Board of Assessors
Paul Croteau, Member of Board of Assessors
Jonathan Edwards, Member of Board of Assessors
Susan C. Warren, Assessors Office Coordinator/Deputy City Clerk
1) CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM.
2) APPROVE MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 29, 2008
Minutes dated October 29, 2008, were previously reviewed by the Board. Paul Croteau made a motion to accept the minutes as typed. Jonathan Edwards seconded the motion. Motion was made and seconded that the minutes of October 29, 2008, be accepted and placed on file. Vote was taken and all approved. The motion passed.
3) DISCUSSION REGARDING INCREASING ELDERLY EXEMPTION INCOME GUIDELINES
The Board reviewed a memo drafted by office personnel requesting Mayor and Council to increase elderly exemption income guidelines. The last time that was done by resolution was in 1997. The Board needs to review all elderly who receive the exemption prior to 2010. At this time approximately 29 taxpayers may not qualify for the exemption if the guidelines are not adjusted. The Board discussed the information gathered on-line for other communities in the State. It was noted that Berlin has the lowest income limitations. They are requesting that the income from all sources for a single person should increase from $15,900. to $18,900. and for a married couple should increase from $23,400. to $26,400. The Board voted to send the memo to Mayor and Council.
4) REVIEW CURRENT USE APPLICATION FROM TWITCHELL HEIRS FOR MAP 111 LOT -0134.000
The Board reviewed the current use application and map filed by Caroline Carney ETALS. They approved and signed the form. Notification will be sent to Thomas Carney, who has Limited Power of Attorney, that the Board approved their request and that the form must now be recorded at the Registry of Deeds. The change will take affect for tax year 2009.
5) REVIEW VETERAN APPLICATIONS FOR TAX YEAR 2009
The following veteran applications were reviewed and approved:
George Cote 466 Hillside Avenue Map 128 Lot -0028
Larry Weaver 492 Hillside Avenue Map 128 Lot -0026
Richard Valliere 63 Charron Avenue Map 111 Lot -0146
Yvonne Morrissette 26 Cedar Street Map 120 Lot -0433
The Board signed an abatement application for George Cote for tax year 2008. The office personnel had removed the veteran tax credit as his mailing address is now a Post Office Box in Errol, NH. However, he has demonstrated that his legal residence is Berlin. He is registered to vote here and registers his vehicle here. A check was made with the town of Errol and the clerk stated that he did not receive a veteran tax credit there nor does he claim Errol as his residence. This being the case, the Board determined that the veteran tax credit should be reinstated and an abatement for tax year 2008 be issued.
6) REVIEW & APPROVE NOTICE OF INTENT TO EXCAVATE (SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION FROM ALBERT & MARY GUAY FOR MAP 407 LOT -003.020)
The Board reviewed the application and approved the form. They signed the notice. The application will be forwarded to the State.
7) REVIEW & APPROVE ABATEMENT APPLICATIONS ON CITY OWNED PARCELS
The following abatements were reviewed and signed by the Board:
OWNER LOCATION MAP-LOT AMOUNT ABATED
City of Berlin 288 Burgess Street 131-0064 $ 1,680.
City of Berlin Hillsboro Street 131-0045 178.
City of Berlin 584 Rockingham Street 130-0158 1,449.
City of Berlin 390 School Street 129-0011 1,321.
City of Berlin 28 Spring Street 128-0157 3,250.
City of Berlin 412 School Street 128-0188 1,070.
City of Berlin Willard Street 120-0141 56.
City of Berlin 260 Main Street 119-0022 677.
City of Berlin Harding Street 118-0060 95.
8) NON-PUBLIC SESSION
The Chair Robert Pelchat called for a non-public session. Paul Croteau made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II (c) “Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, …” and Jonathan Edwards seconded this motion. All concurred. The Board of Assessors went into non-public session.
9) RESULT OF NON-PUBLIC SESSION
Jonathan Edwards made a motion to go into regular session and to seal income/expense information provided as this is confidential material and not right to know. Paul Croteau seconded the motion. The Board reviewed an elderly disabled lien application from Stacy
Lemire of 98 Hillside Avenue. The matter was tabled and will be further discussed at the next meeting of the Board of Assessors.
10) ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn was made by Paul Croteau and seconded by Jonathan Edwards. Motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 PM. The next meeting of the Board of Assessors will be held in the near future.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan C. Warren
Assessors Office Coordinator/Deputy City Clerk
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