SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
October 12, 2010
I. Call to Order
Chairman McCarthy opened the meeting at 6:08pm. In attendance were Chairman Trisha J. McCarthy, Selectman Raymond D. Thayer, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. The meeting was audio taped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
II. Introduction of Guests
III. Old Business
1. Cont review of the 2010 Statistical Update
Present were John McSorley of McSorley Consulting and Town Assessor Andrea Lewy.
Assessor Andrea Lewy informed the Board that she conducted a sample review of the updated assessments from John McSorley. There was some discussion concerning the quality grade throughout the community and hoped to have it cleared up in the preliminary stages before the abatement period. Another concern is that the statistical update shows a decrease in the land value only and her recommendation is to alter the building value to reflect the current market cost. The bottom line is that the Town is in a similar position as in 2005 with our last revaluation that came in at 102.7% and we could see a repeat after this update. Lewy talked about the building values with the inconsistency to the quality grades prior to the update and it appears that this still could be the case. McSorley responded that he did look at
the building values and decided against making any changes.
Lewy talked about the land values on Country Pond and her recommendation to look at the back lots for many of the assessments have not changed in value. Another issue addressed by Lewy was a decrease made to an assessment because the homeowner does not mow the grass and on another property their land value increased for having a “race track”. McSorley responded that he changed the value on the property with the overgrown lawn for when he went back to the property it had been mowed. Selectman Donovan stated that he does not feel that any decrease should be given for someone who does not keep their lawn properly maintained; the Board concurred.
Lewy added that at this point receiving the new assessments much later than the original contracted date of August 24, 2010 puts the Town at a disadvantage to analyze and review the new assessments. Lewy added that due to the time constraints she is not sure how the values will affect the Town in the future. McSorley responded that this is a bad time to conduct an update; he added that the real test is the sales and analysis and he feels that the values are as low as can possibly be when conducting a statistical update versus a full revaluation.
The Board discussed that only 55 residents came to meet to discuss their new values; McSorley added that he feels comfortable with the numbers and we just have to play it out. Lewy added that she has worked with McSorley on some of the grading issues and McSorley has made some adjustments on those properties. However at this point we need to move forward for the town’s deadline to file the MS-1 is this Friday, October 15, 2010.
McSorley will update the utility values for they just came in the mail today from the Department of Revenue Administration. TA, Wrigley added that the Selectmen have the option of issuing a $50 per day penalty for the requested extensions and she is holding a check for she has not received McSorley’s September progress report. McSorley responded that he sent out the progress report to Wrigley and will forward it to her again.
The Board decided to schedule a meeting for Friday at 5:30AM for the Board to sign the MS-1 with the final values from John McSorley. Chairman McCarthy will contact the Department of Revenue Administration to discuss the contract extensions.
2. Release Letter of Credit between Sargent Woods and the Town of Newton
The Board reviewed a letter from Town Attorney Sumner Kalman recommending the Board to sign the Letter of Credit between Sargent Woods and the Town of Newton.
Selectman Donovan motioned to sign the letter releasing the Letter of Credit between Sargent Woods and the Town of Newton. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
IV. New Business
- Sign the State of New Hampshire Warrant for the November 2nd Election
Chairman McCarthy motioned to sign the State of New Hampshire Warrant noticing the public of the November 2nd Election. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
V. Announcements
VI. Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
VII. Reports from Department Heads
VIII. Other Business
• Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
Payroll Manifest
As you requested, when the Board met on Tuesday, October 12th they requested that you send a memo to Fire Chief Bill Ingalls regarding the following;
When the Board reviewed the Payroll Manifest they included a review of the Fire Department Bylaws for they questioned whether members are responding to 30% of all calls to include the Lieutenant and how many others are not responding?~ Selectman Donovan questioned the town’s Fire Department Lieutenant who is not putting in any hours but is still on the payroll. What is the status of the resignation of Lieutenant Ingalls?
A member of the Fire Department refuses to use the new payroll form, please respond with how you plan on addressing this issue.
The Board received a complaint that no one is covering inspections while Chief Ingalls is out of town; we need to address how you plan on covering inspections when you are not available or out of town and to make sure you are informing the Town Hall when you plan on being out of town and who will be covering inspections.
The Board approved and signed the Payroll Manifest dated from September 26th through October 9th.
Email from resident Linda Losi
The Board reviewed an email from resident Linda Losi asking for a temporary resident sticker for a relative to dispose of leaves, pine needles and some brush from trimming the hedges during the month of November. The Board agreed to allow a 30-day pass and for it to read in large letters for brush, leaves and brush only. Transfer Station Manager Kevin Jolicoeur will be informed of the Board’s decision.
Draft letter from Code Enforcement Officer
The Board reviewed and agreed with the wording of a letter of violation prepared by Code Enforcement Officer Larry Middlemiss.
The Board reviewed their upcoming meeting schedule dates of October 25th and the 27th. Office Manager Winglass informed the Board that today we received a letter from The Coalition Communities who are holding an informational meeting on Oct. 25th inviting the candidates to discuss the education funding issues. Since October 25th is a regularly scheduled meeting night, the Board decided to keep to their meeting schedule and the public forum scheduled for October 27th. Chairman McCarthy added that Maggie Hassan will be unable to attend the forum on Wednesday, October 27th but both Mary Allen and Kim Casey will be in attendance. Chairman McCarthy stated that she will be unable to attend the October 18th meeting for she will be out of town; Selectman
Thayer cannot to commit to attending the meeting on the 18th due to a medical issue.
IX. Adjourn
Chairman McCarthy motioned to adjourn at 8:11pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
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