Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
June 6, 2005
6:35 PM Chair Netishen opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members present: Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser and Town Administrator Charles Brown. Peter Bock was absent.
Guests: Dennis Switzer, Eugene Reed and Chris Marken.
The bids for the reclaiming were reviewed.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to accept the Road Agent’s recommendations.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
The bids for the new Fire / Rescue Department F1 chassis were reviewed. Mr. Brown stated that Dodge did not have a compatible truck available for the Town’s application. Both Mr. Brown and Fire Chief Starr recommend the Ford F550.
Chevy - $41,530, Hill Top Chevrolet
Ford - $31,000, Erwin Motors
GMC - $36,671, Midway GMC
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to accept the bid from Irwin.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
The Board reviewed the Building Inspector’s recommendation for new fees and will move forward. The public hearing will be on June 27th at 7:00 pm. Mr. Brown will ask Mr. Colby to attend and will post the notices as well as put the information on the cable channel.
The Board then reviewed the signature file. Mr. Brown explained the release of cistern easement document. A cistern was relocated so the easement on the original property is being released.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to sign the easement release.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Next, Mr. Brown explained that a property owner’s attorney had requested a corrective lien release document be issued in order to apply more descriptive references.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to sign a corrective lien release for Map 38, Lot 3.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
3 Notices of Intent to Cut were signed per recommendation. All taxes are current.
A Notice of Intent to Excavate was filed. The Board reviewed it and the taxes are current. The Board signed the form.
A Veteran’s tax credit application was signed, per recommendation from Mr. Brown
A timber tax levy warrant was submitted in the amount $393.94. The members signed the warrant.
The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed. Mr. Netishen had 1 deletion.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen as accept as corrected the minutes of May 25, 2005.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
7:00 PM Mr. Netishen recognized Mr. Dennis Switzer. Mr. Netishen explained that only (2) two Board members were present and offered to allow Mr. Switzer to come back at the next meeting when there are 3 members present. Mr. Switzer declined the offer and wished to proceed. Mr. Switzer asked for permission to place temporary housing at 181 Mitchell Road while they build a new home. The temporary housing will be approximately 65’to 70’ long x 12’ wide. Will need approved power, septic and water utilities. Mr. Switzer stated the septic will be installed first. The existing approval is for a 5-bedroom house. The new home will be located 700’from the road on the 17-acre property. Ms. Bonser feels there should be an agreement. Mr. Switzer agreed.
He hopes to have the new house completed in 6 months, 8 months tops. He will subcontract the plumbing and electrical work.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to approve the request. Discussion followed.
The temporary permit for the mobile home is needed with a certificate of occupancy, which is valid for 6 months. One renewal for 6 months may be permitted. Any costs of enforcement incurred by this issue or after the year has elapsed will be paid by the homeowner. Permit details to come from the Building Inspector. Mr. Brown will contact the attorney for legal issues. Mr. Netishen feels the trailer must be off the property within 30 days after the completion of the new home. Mr. Switzer did not disagree but feels he may have trouble selling the trailer during the winter months. Much discussion followed concerning the mobile home including disconnecting all utilities. The mobile home must have all utilities disconnected before a CO is issued for the new home, the mobile home must be removed by June
30, 2006 with no extensions allowed. Mr. Switzer agreed.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Next, Eugene Reed asked for a response to his description (presented at the last meeting) of inaction by the Selectmen. Ms. Bonser stated that there were budgetary constraints but the Town is moving forward with resolving outstanding problems. Mr. Netishen stated he would not resign his elected position. The Board has moved up the plan to help the process which is due for completion in 2006. The Board has acted in the least disruptive manner to correct problems with the assessing. They have performed their duty. Mr. Reed feels he should not have to be a watchdog for the Selectmen. He feels he is a victim. Ms. Bonser feels the Board is addressing the problem and she also will not resign.
Mr. Reed stated the MS-1 was sent in late and with flawed and inaccurate data. Much discussion followed about the problems including market changes. Mr. Reed stated that assessments should not be affected between updates. The discussion ended.
The next appointment, Matthew Martin, was not present. Mr. Brown will reschedule him if requested.
Chris Marken was next on the agenda. He also feels there are problems with the Town’s assessors. Such as not sighting the facts and or not supplying detailed explanations. Concerning the length of his driveway, Loren from Avitar said it was based on market value. Mr. Marken believes this is a contradiction from prior statements. She stated the disproportion would be addressed this year between Dunbarton Estates and Shannon Estates. Bob Gagne from DRA was sent a copy of Mr. Marken’s abatement. Mr. Gagne told Mr. Marken he would probably have a case for BTLA. Regarding Avitar’s actions prior to viewing of property, could have provided notice to the property owner. He thought they should try a better approach such as the door-hanging method. Changes were made to his
property card that were in error. Mr. Marken feels Avitar seems to be too busy to verify things and they make too many assumptions. He feels the homeowner should not have to be the watchdog. He says the root cause is that the assessors are always rushed and wants to know what will solve the problem. His neighbor’s abatements were also denied and he does not feel these problems are rare instances. Mr. Marken feels there is a need for checks and balances. Homeowners should also be given notice before the assessors show up at the property. He also feels a notice should be given after a visit has been done. Mr. Netishen discussed the process of having the assessors revisit his property.
Mr. Marken had several questions:
-What can be improved in the future?
-Why does the Board not read all the abatement applications?
-Who actually made the recommendation from Avitar on his property?
The form should have the evaluator’s signature.
-Can the comments be made more detailed?
They are too vague or not understandable to the homeowner.
-Can the existing tax bill be changed?
Mr. Marken feels it is the principal more than the amount of money. He does not have any confidence in Avitar at this point.
8:25 PM The discussion ended.
Concerning the security issue at the town offices, Ms. Bonser stated that Brinks or ADT would install and maintain for a rental fee.
Next the Hoyt bond reduction/release request was reviewed.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to accept the Planning Board’s recommendation to release the bond for the former Richey Yeagan Subdivision.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown read the draft policy regarding access to and removing / taking materials from town property.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to approve as amended, the Town Property Access Policy
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Next, the employee policy was reviewed.
Mr. Brown read the attorney’s opinion concerning the policy, which states that overall the policy is good. Some things could be expanded upon if the need arises in the future. The Board decided to wait for Mr. Bock’s return before taking action.
Concerning minutes of previous meetings
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to accept as corrected the minutes of the May 16, 2005.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Ms. Bonser announced the Pawtuckaway Lake Advisory Committee would meet on June 16th at 7:00 PM in Conference Room #2.
The Private Road policy will be discussed at the next meeting.
Ms. Bonser updated the Board on HB69.
Congressman Jeb Bradley is in meetings now regarding NAFTA/DRCAFTA and trade issues. The matter is being watched.
Mr. Brown informed the Board about the latest Property Casualty Insurance changes. It was asked if the skateboard park would need an insurance rider. Mr. Brown will find out.
Information about the assessing update should be put into the Community Newsletter. Mr. Brown will work on this.
Mr. Netishen made several other announcements.
9:10 PM Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to enter into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (a) & (c).
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
9:40 PM The Board came out of non-public session.
Motion: Bonser, second Netishen to keep all discussion in non-public session non-public.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
9:43 PM Having no further business before the Board,
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charles A. Brown
Town Administrator
Approved as written
6/13/05
| 
