Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
October 17, 2005
6:32 PM Chair Netishen opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members: Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser, Peter Bock and Town Administrator Charles Brown.
Guests: Eugene Reed, Scott Curry, Arthur and Sandra Stockus, and Heidi Seaverns.
The Board began with the signature file.
The first issue was to sign an abatement decision for Map 4, Lot 8. Mr. Reed asked for the name of the applicant for this abatement. An explanation was given to Mr. Reed as to why the names are not given out.
The Board signed a Gravel Pit Tax Levy for Map 69, Lot 4.
Concerning minutes of previous meetings,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept as corrected the minutes of October 3, 2005.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Netishen asked if one of the action items had been addressed regarding letters of support for the PLAC grant applications. Mr. Brown stated the letters had been provided.
Mr. Brown informed the Board that the County Tax warrant had been received. Also, he will address the sound system setup and police coverage for the October 27, 2005 Planning Board meeting.
Mr. Netishen announced the names of the volunteers to serve on the new Economic Development Committee. They are Arthur Stockus, Steve McKenzie, Jack Caldon, Fred Pettigrew and himself. Mr. David Wright has been chosen for the Director’s position.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to accept the new members as presented.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
There will be an organizational meeting for the committee on October 18, 2005 at 6:00 PM.
Mr. Scott Curry spoke regarding a part time planner to help the Planning Board in the upcoming year. The Board will continue this discussion later in the meeting.
Mr. Netishen recognized Mr. Eugene Reed. Mr. Reed spoke to the Board about several of his concerns. Regarding the Board’s workshop with Avitar, Mr. Reed questioned whether the Board has confidence in Avitar. Mr. Bock commented that he is concerned about Avitar regarding Plainfield view issue. He hopes this does not reflect any pattern in communities represented by Avitar.
Mr. Reed commented on the Orford case before the BTLA. No action has been taken at this time though BTLA should render their decision within two weeks. Mr. Reed suggested that the Board may wish to read the session minutes. Mr. Brown will inquire about accessing those minutes.
Mr. Netishen felt that Avitar answered the questions fully and professionally. Mr. Bock feels the whole issue is not closed but is unsure about the whole matter statewide. Ms. Bonser feels assessments seem high but she is not a professional in this area. Mr. Reed stated Avitar has always been polite and professional toward him. Mr. Curry agreed with Mary that Avitar seemed to be defending their numbers but may not have listened as much as they could to the property owners issues. Mr. Reed feels that assessing firms are more focused on defending their recommended values than addressing property owners concerns.
Much discussion followed concerning changes after the review process. Despite the issues, the process had to move forward because of the time factor. Mr. Netishen repeated that there is still an appeal process available to property owners. Mr. Reed feels the process is slanted because the Board does not have the expertise to handle these issues before abatement applications are sent to the assessing firm.
Mr. Reed stated that the town should receive a recommendation letter from DRA to accept or reject Avitar’s recommendation of values. Also, the Town’s DRA auditor should be providing monthly reports to the Town. Mr. Brown commented that the Town Office does not receive monthly reports from DRA. Mr. Reed will be expressing his concerns with all steps of the process to BTLA & the Assessing Standards Board.
Again, Mr. Reed stated his opinion that the revaluation process was not fair because initially due process was not provided because the Board does not review abatement applications before they are sent to Avitar.
Mr. Reed asked why there are no pictures of town property (taken by tax deed) at Cedar Waters Village. He asked why this has been allowed to just sit there. Mr. Brown stated that these properties were only mobile homes or camps not any land. From his research and from viewing 2 of the mobile homes, these properties have no value because of their condition. In fact some of these buildings no longer exist and 1 may have been placed back on the tax rolls. There is no documentation to verify this at this time. Ms. Bonser stated that these properties are of no value and would benefit CWV if the town acted to remove / dispose of these mobile homes and buildings that are still in existence.
In response to Mr. Reed’s questions about the MS-1, there are only two signatures on the document because one Selectman was out of Town at the time of the signing. This ended Mr. Reed’s discussion with the Board.
The Board then returned to the discussion about the Economic Development Committee and the new director. Mr. Brown asked the Board for their thoughts regarding Mr. Wright using his personal email address on his business cards. The general consensus was that this was not acceptable. Mr. Brown will inform the Director of this. Mr. Bock feels that this all needs to stay within the town office. Mr. Brown also stated that Mr. Wright will cover the Thursday night hours, 3-6 PM, for the Planning/Zoning office while the secretary is on leave. There is some concern that Mr. Wright may not be up to speed on many issues and our procedures so the plan is to continue with the existing process until Kelly returns.
After some discussion about email issues, Mr. Curry will contact Mr. Brown to help resolve existing problems.
Mr. Brown asked about the money that was collected on Nottingham Day for the Red Cross and the Salvation Army for hurricane victims. The town will write a check to each organization. Mr. Reed stated he would contribute whatever the balance is to make a total of $25.00 for each donation. Mr. Netishen stated he would also contribute. Mr. Brown will find out what the exact amount is for each organization and contact Mr. Reed and Netishen with that information.
Mr. Netishen received information from the Local Government Center in conjunction with Municipal Resources, Inc. with an offer to review the town’s internal control of finances. This will be a free service.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept this offer.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
8:07 PM The Board took a short break.
Mr. Brown asked the Board if Megrette Hammond could represent the Town at the NRRA Annual Meeting / Dinner. Ms. Hammond has been active in promoting recycling in Town and at the school. She may gain additional knowledge and ideas by attending this event. The Board agreed to have Mr. Brown make the offer to Ms. Hammond.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to support Ms. Bonser as a nominee for membership to the NHMA Committee on Government Affairs.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Scott Curry asked the Board to endorse the Planning Board’s request for a part time Planner. This position will help the Planning Board upgrade the town’s planning process, site plan and subdivision regulations, etc. Mr. Netishen supports this effort. Mr. Bock is concerned about the additional cost in the upcoming year but feels this is a worthwhile request. The reasoning behind this request needs to be presented fully to get all the information out to the public.
Ms. Bonser feels our growth needs to be directed and this position will help that effort. Mr. Curry recognizes the cost issues but this position will go a long way to help the town be more cost effective. Mr. Brown asked where this should be placed in the budget. The general consensus is to create a new line under Planning Board.
Mr. Netishen made an announcement that there will be no budget workshop on October 18, 2005.
8:32 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to enter into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (a).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
8:55 PM The Board returned to regular session.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to keep all discussion in non-public session non-public except for action on bonus requests.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown presented the Board with 2 requests regarding the award of merit bonuses to John T. Fernald Jr. and Heidi C. Seaverns. After reading the requests and justifications:
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to award these bonuses as recommended by Mr. Brown.
Short discussion followed.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Bock asked about the availability of conservation funds and the continuing grant process. Mr. Brown explained that some for the grants cannot be used to pay / offset transaction costs but there is one grant application that is specifically for that purpose.
9:05 PM 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
10/31/05
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