Town of Lyme
Board of Selectmen
Minutes for July 11, 2007
1. The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 8:00 AM in the Fire Station training room. The following attended the entire meeting: Bookkeeper/Secretary Dina Cutting, Simon Carr, Dick Jones and Charles Ragan. The following attended parts of the meeting: Police Chief Pauline Field, Zoning Administrator Vickie Davis, Rusty Estes, Don Derrick, Director of Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity.
2. Don Derrick came in to discuss the taxes for the Habitat for Humanity house: this house has been built with donations and voluntary labor for a low-income family (defined as one with an income of less than 80% of the median income in Grafton County). The house has been provisionally assessed at $224,000. HfH will be selling the house for $120,000 with a 99 year perpetual affordability covenant, under which the house can only be re-sold at the base price + 25% of the increase in appraised market value. Don asked that the taxes be assessed relevant to the reduced value rather than its actual assessment. There was a discussion on this, including the issue that the board
cannot commit its successors to future relief and that there was always the hardship abatement procedure. Don left information on the methods other towns had undertaken to achieve the tax abatement. The board felt that they could not proceed without further input from town counsel and the tax assessor. Don would like an answer on the issue as soon as possible because this will impact which family might be able to take up the house offer.
3. Fire Protection Structures:
a. Rusty Estes came in to discuss the maintenance on the fire cistern proposed for his sub-division. This had been approved by the Planning Board, but the issue of long-term maintenance needed to be resolved by the Selectboard. This continued with the discussion on the general maintenance of fire protection structures (below) but was not resolved.
b. There was a discussion on the general maintenance of fire protection structures. It had been hoped that Tim Estes would come in to talk about this on behalf of the fire department, but Michael Hinsley considered he should represent department. The board needs to consider this in depth with Michael present. Access easements have not been received for many fire ponds.
4. The following administrative matters were discussed and actions taken:
a. The minutes for June 27 were approved with minor amendments.
b. The non-public session minutes for June 27 were approved with minor amendments.
c. Five timber Intent-to-cuts were signed.
d. A land use change tax assessment for Kathleen Johnson, value $14,280 was signed.
e. A property tax abatement of $986.57 for Richard Scalesse was signed.
5. The Transfer Station Issues were deferred to the following week.
6. Shawn Goerke’s towing operation on River Road: Vickie passed out a plan and several photos of the current site. The ZBA had granted a special exception, subject to a number of conditions and also noting that he needed to go to the Planning Board for a Site Plan Review. He has not complied with these and also appears to be in violation of state law, in respect of the ‘junkyard’ statutes. Vickie will draft a notice of violation to be sent to him.
7. Conservation Commission:
a. The second ‘castor master’ had been placed in the upper dam on Clay Brook.
b. The board approved the proposed placement of a ‘protected river’ sign on East Thetford Road.
c. There is a public hearing scheduled for July 23 regarding the request for $15,000 to be given from the Conservation Fund for the Tullar’s proposed North Thetford Road lot easement.
8. Post Pond Tennis Courts: Steve Dayno has submitted an application to serve as a volunteer for his proposed tennis clinics. This was approved with a request that next year he submit a proposal to the Recreation Commission in time to resolve any potential issues.
9. The Fast squad has made an application to the Lyme Foundation for a grant of $5,000 towards a new defibrillator. Dick moved that the board strongly endorse this application. This passed unanimously.
10. At 9:30 Simon moved and Charles seconded a motion to go into non-public session under the authority of RSA 91-A:3 II(c) – “matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person”. The motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote. Bookkeeper/Secretary Dina Cutting, Simon Carr, Dick Jones and Charles Ragan attended the non-public session. The Board returned to public session at 9:38 having approved a hardship abatement. Under the authority of RSA 91-A:3 III Simon moved and Dick seconded that the minutes of the non-public session be sealed. The motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote.
11. The meeting adjourned at 9:39 AM
Simon Carr
Recorder
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