Minutes
Selectmen’s Workshop
February 26, 2008
9:00 AM
9:05 AM Chair Bock opened the meeting.
Members Present: Peter Bock, Mary Bonser and Town Administrator Charles Brown.
Guests: June Proko, Lisa Stevens, Andrea Lewy, Mike Ouellette and Heidi Seaverns.
Mr. Bock explained the purpose of forming an Assessing Advisory Committee and his hopes that we can attract the most qualified people in the community for this effort.
Ms. Bonser and Mr. Ouellette voiced their expectations for this committee.
Mr. Brown stated his understanding of how the committee may function. The committee will meet to discuss and provide recommendations to the Board of Selectmen. The Selectmen will review the committee recommendations and if they approve, will meet with our assessing firm for implementation.
Both Ms. Proko and Mr. Ouellette feel the committee should be ongoing. They also feel there are no existing standards for assessing at either the State or local level. Ms. Proko feels the committee should meet with the assessors to establish standards.
Ms. Stevens feels there are standards. The committee should take the existing USPAP standards and fill in the gaps to improve the process. Lisa feels that public relations are very important and the committee should develop an explanation for the components that makeup the assessment so property owners will have a better understanding of how their assessment was arrived at. Legislation will be required to change existing State standards.
Mr. Bock spoke to specific committee matters:
Who will be the Chairman, how many members should be on this committee, how can other community members help in the process, communication with the Selectmen’s office, who will take minutes, how often should they meet, where and at what time, posting of meetings and how to best keep the public informed?
Ms. Proko discussed the appraisal process of banks. A committee of five seemed reasonable to everyone plus one or two alternates. Ms. Stevens feels a person without connections to this process should be on the committee. This person can be educated in the matters at hand and provide an unbiased voice.
Mr. Bock hopes that by March 3, 2008 the Board will have enough information to form this committee. Further discussion of this matter ended.
Ms. Seaverns asked the Board for their thoughts on the acceptance of abatement applications that do not have supporting documentation. The date the Town has always used is March first. This year many of the abatement applications received have notes stating that documentation or appraisals are pending. The weather seems to be the stated factor for not submitting complete applications. The Board has agreed to extend the regular submittal date for supporting documentation to be filed to April 4, 2008.
Mr. Brown asked the Board to consider a memo from the Planning Board Secretary regarding a L.O.C. for Gerrior Lane Trust. After review, the Board took the following action.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to approve the Planning Board’s action regarding Letters of Credit and performance and maintenance bonds for Gerrior Lane Trust.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Having no further business,
10:10 AM, Motion: Bonser, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charles A. Brown
Approved with corrections, as noted in the April 14, 2008 Minutes.
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