Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
July 11, 2005
6:30PM Chairman Netishen opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members present: Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser, Peter Bock and Town Administrator Charles Brown.
Guests: Peter Gylfphe, Sue Mooney, Sam Demeritt, April Bacon, Phil Auger, Liddy Smith, Judy Doughty, Anne Rathe, David McDermott, Joanne DiDona, Tim Mulcahy, Vicky & Jim Howard, Paul Sweet, Don Mcmurchy and Dianne Kirkwood.
Mr. Brown updated the Board on Department issues. He reported to the Board that the Homeland Security grant does not cover the panic button alarm system. Ms Bonser will contact Senator Green for reasoning /explanation if it is available.
The Board reviewed the signature file. They signed 4 salary histories.
Motion: Netishen second Bonser to approve & sign 3 intent to cut (all taxes current).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser second Bock to approve & sign LUCT for Map 5 Lot 10A,
Map 54 Lot 8D-1, and Map 25 Lot 1-4.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser second Netishen to accept grant of $1500 from New England Grassroots Environmental Fund.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Grant was applied for by PLAC, Ms Bonser was responsible for writing the grant request. Ms. Bonser will send letters of thanks from the Board to PLAC & PLIA for their efforts.
Mr. Netishen made announcements of general interest.
Motion: Bonser second Bock to approve Planning Board recommendation for bond reduction and bond release for Route 4 Realty Trust.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Bock mentioned recycling issues as discussed at the last meeting. He will follow up on theses issues with Ms. Hammond.
The Board then moved on to the approval of minutes from prior meetings.
Motion: Bonser second Bock to accept the minutes of June 27, 2005 meeting as corrected.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser second Bock to accept non-public minutes of June 6, 2005 as written.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bock second Bonser to accept non-public minutes of June 13, 2005 as written.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Bock second Bonser to accept non-public minutes of June 20, 2005 as written.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: Netishen second Bonser to accept non-public minutes of June 27, 2005 as written.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Netishen recognized Phil Auger to speak about the proposed Bacon Conservation easement. Mr. Auger outlined the cost estimates for the project and asked if the Town would consider picking up the cost of the survey, which should be done as soon as possible. Ms. Bonser asked Mr. Brown if there was money available in the Conservation fund for this. Mr. Brown believes there are sufficient funds available and will check the actual existing balance of the fund. Mr. Netishen mentioned that he does not believe there is a connection to existing Greenways. Mr. Auger acknowledged that fact but reiterated the development potential of this property and that it makes good sense to protect the development rights to this property. The Board decided to table any further discussion on this easement until they walk the property. A site
walk was scheduled for 7/21/05 at 8:00AM. The Board will revisit this issue at their 7/25/05 meeting at 7:15PM.
Mr. Auger then reported to the Board that Bear Paw would receive $50,000 for the Comte easement. The possibility of receiving additional grant monies is also encouraging. The survey has been commissioned and new easement deed language has been created. (a copy of the updated deed was given to the Board) The transaction costs at this point are below original estimate at this time. Much discussion followed. Mr. Auger informed the Board of (3) additional grants that are being pursued. 1) Davis Conservation Fund, $50,000; 2) Transaction Grant Fund $ 3,000, and the 3rd Mr. Auger did not have the name.
Mr. Netishen and all Board members thanked Mr. Auger and Bear Paw Regional Greenways for their fund raising efforts and their continued effort in this regard. This ended the easement discussion.
7:30PM Mr. Netishen recognized Vikki Howard who stated concerns about her assessment and how it was arrived at. She stated that the Avitar representative indicated to her that only 3 comparative sales from the past 1-½ to 2 years were used to arrive at her land assessment. She also stated she was told the size of her lot did not matter and she was told that Avitar would not review the property because it looked okay. She feels her concerns were not addressed and does not agree with the preliminary assessment of her land. When asked, she stated the assessment on her home is reasonable.
Peter Gylfphe then stepped forward. He stated he bought his property in 1995 for $ 95,000 and now it is valued at $383,000, which is a 400% increase. Mr. Gylphe feels the increase in valuation will affect people with the disabled exemption. He asked how the Town can address that issue and if the assessing update could be postponed. Mr. Gylphe was informed that any action regarding exemptions would have to occur at Town meeting. Ms. Bonser stated that an opinion from the Department of Revenue Administration indicated that postponing the update would be wasteful and require the same work to be done again next year. Ms Bonser also stated information received from DRA indicates that tax rates per thousand will go down as equalized ratios go up.
Judy Doughty then spoke. She has the same concerns as Mr. Gylfphe regarding exemptions. She also went on at length stating the Avitar representative would not review pictures and other information regarding the condition of her property. Ms. Doughty stated the representative told her they would come right out to her property then never came. Previously when a representative come to her property, they refused to do an interior inspection. She was told there was no need to and he was not courteous. She continued with issues regarding the classification of areas in her home not being livable space, the home was never classified as a 2 story home and feels her current use category is wrong. Mr. Netishen and the other members indicated they would address all concerns as time allows. This may be at the end of scheduled
appointments this evening of at future meetings. At this point Mr. Netishen stated the Board would move on to the regularly scheduled appointments.
7:53PM Mr. Netishen outlined the sign issue on Route 4. Anne Rathe, David McDermott, Joanne DiDona & Tim Mulcahy were present. Mr. Brown informed the Board of the information received from the Building Inspector regarding road speed & suggested sign size. Discussion revolved around Mr. McDermott’s and the Rathe’s business signs. Mr. Mulcahy who owns Maple Hill Condos located at 193 Old Turnpike Road stepped forward. He stated that the former Building Inspector told him that his present sign, approximately 10 square feet, was okay to put up. He hopes the Town will agree to larger signs in the future. Ms Bonser feels that the Town should be helping businesses that are not really doing anything wrong. Mr. Bock hopes this issue can be finalized in March of 2006 but he cannot guarantee the property owners
will get what they want. Changes to the existing ordinance will require a ballot vote on Election Day.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to allow David McDermott, Anne Rathe, and Tim Mulcahy to maintain their existing signs until March 31, 2006.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown will instruct the Building Inspector to reissue the certified letters to Mr. Herget & Gregg Gentile Realty LLC in regards to their signs since there has been no response from either of these property owners to the original letters.
Mr. Netishen reminded Mr. McDermott about a safety issue with the power to his sign.
8:30PM Mr. Netishen recognized Paul Sweet. Mr. Netishen explained the Town’s concerns with Mr. Sweet’s junkyard. Mr. Bock asked Mr. Sweet to describe his business. Mr. Sweet said he removes junk for people and recycles it. Some is taken directly to Madbury Metals, other things require processing at his Garland Road, Rte 4 property before it is taken to Madbury Metals.
Mr. Don McMurchy stepped forward. He is Mr. Sweet’s neighbor and he has no problems with his operation. Mr. Brown showed the Board a report from NHDES regarding several site visits made to the property by NHDES. The NHDES Inspector indicated to Mr. Brown that Paul Sweet has been working toward conformance with NHDES requests. The Board feels they should visit the property and scheduled a site walk with Mr. Sweet on 7/21/05 at 10:00AM. Mr. Sweet left at 8:43PM.
Diane Kirkwood asked for an update / confirmation of the August 14, 2005 Planning Board workshop.
Mr. Netishen asked if the Board members had any further business. Mr. Bock asked when the Board could meet with Avitar. This will be setup after the update figures are complete. Much discussion followed about the assessment hearings. Ms. Bonser feels Avitar may not have listened to all peoples concerns but tried to explain the process only. The Board asked how many hearings generated site visits. Mr. Brown will get that information.
Ms. Bonser asked Mr. Brown if it would be possible to e-mail Board members the agenda for the upcoming meetings the Friday before. Mr. Brown said it could be done. Ms. Bonser would like a new picture of the Board for the web site. Mr. Brown will ask Paul Colby if he is available at 7:45AM on 7/21/05 to take a new picture of the Board members. Ms. Bonser stated that Paul Colby had completed Asbestos Training. Ms. Bonser reported to the Board that the CIP committee has a target date of August 1 for their report. The Committee needs a plan from the Selectmen. The guidelines are items over $10K and a life expectancy of 3+ years.
Mr. Brown asked the Board if they will approve a cost item for information requested by Eugene Reed. Mr. Reed’s request would require the Town’s assessing company to spend ½ to 1 hour , at $75.00 per hour extracting information from a computer data base that is not available by using regular report generating functions. The Town Office staff does not have the ability to provide this information as requested. The information is available by reviewing property record cards. The Board feels the Town should not provide special requests to individuals unless they are willing to pay the actual cost of such requests. Mr. Brown will make further inquiries to determine if there may be any precident in such matters.
The Board likes the last performance evaluation format presented by Mr. Brown. He will fine tune it for the Towns needs.
Having no further business before the Board,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles A. Brown
Town Administrator
Approved as corrected
7/25/05
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