Minutes
Selectmen’s Meeting
February 19, 2008
6:30 PM Chair Bock opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Peter Bock, Mary Bonser and Town Administrator Charles Brown.
Members Absent: Bill Netishen.
Guests: John McSorley, Eugene Reed, Peter Glyfphe, Jeff Gurrier, Mike Ouellette, June Proko, Scott Curry, Tom Sweeney, Skip Seaverns, Pam Kelly, and James Kelly and a number of others.
Administrative business was the first item to be discussed. Mr. Brown read the Town’s plowing policy for the benefit of the audience. Ms. Bonser inquired about water issues at the firehouse as well as heating/fuel consumption. Mr. Brown stated that the water issue has been addressed and seems to be under control. The fuel consumption is being monitored. Mr. Brown informed the Board that he had received the engineering study, which outlined several different options, for the new Mill Pond Road Bridge. He will have a recommendation once he is able thoroughly review the study.
The Board next addressed the signature file,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to appoint Peter Landry as an alternate for the Conservation Commission for a 3-year term.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to assess Land Use Change Tax for Map 3 Lot 10 in the amount of $ 134, 500.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to waive interest in the amount of $ 58.32 for Map 7 Lot 13 at the request of the Tax Collector due to an administrative error.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
7:00PM Mr. Bock opened the public hearing for the Board of Assessor’s petition and read the posted notice. He asked if anyone wished to speak to the issue. Eugene Reed asked about the placement of the petition article. A very lengthy discussion followed about whether the question should be on the ballot on Election Day or on the warrant at Town Meeting. Mr. Brown will contact LCG, DRA and the Town Attorney on Wednesday to make a determination of placement of the question. Mr. Bock again asked if anyone wished to speak to the question. Scott Curry asked what might be the financial impact of a Board of Assessors. Mr. Brown stated that the Board of Assessors might be granted a stipend based on a vote at a subsequent Town Meeting. Mr. Bock spoke about the 4 communities that have a Board of Assessors-Washington,
Dunbarton, Brookline and Wakefield. Mr. Reed asked the Selectmen their opinion of the proposed Board of Assessors? Neither of the Selectmen had a direct for or against answer. Both members need more information on the subject before they form an opinion.
Skip Seaverns stated that he feels the official ballot reference in the statute refers to SB2, not our regular election-day ballot and feels the Town Meeting process should be used. Again, Mr. Brown stated this would be verified tomorrow.
Mr. Reed spoke to the issue of control over vendors and how he thought the Board of Assessors would be more apt to control them. He went on to say that this Board and previous Boards have not had enough expertise in the assessing field and this should help provide fair and equitable treatment. Discussion turned to educational requirements for elected officials. Mr. Bock asked Mr. Reed how he envisions this Board would work. Mr. Reed stated they might do some listing/data collection of properties. John McSorley explained the requirements for data Collectors in the state. Mr. Reed stated he feels a 3-person board can handle this aspect of assessing easily. Mr. Bock spoke to his hope that the process remains fair. Ms. Bonser hopes that the process will not take us backwards. The conversation turned to a discussion
about the previous assessing firms and Mr. Reed’s opinion that many mistakes had been made by them. Mr. McSorley then addressed the Board. He spoke to the process with other communities that have a Board of Assessors. He went on to say that he hoped this vote would not be a knee jerk reaction to this issue and there may be better options to pursue; hire an assessor for the Town, create a Coop Assessing District or share an assessor with surrounding Towns. Much discussion followed about assessing practices in Town and state and the advantages and disadvantages of a Board of Assessors. A Board of Assessors will assume the authority to act on abatements, issue tax warrants to the Collector and other assessing duties previously handled by the Selectmen. Mr. McSorley added that education and understanding will have a major affect on making this process work. Also, the Assessing Standards Board has repeatedly opposed taking this authority away from Boards of Selectmen. Scott
Curry asked why a Board of Assessors would be any different than the Board of Selectmen in dealing with any of these problems and what if we regress in the process? Mr. McSorley hopes that if there is a change, any new Board will devote the time needed.
Jeff Gurrier feels this can be an improvement and create better policies. He feels there are things missing and that the system can be made better.
Skip Seaverns is not sure an additional Board will do any more than the Selectmen or if they will do what is expected of them. Ms. Bonser wonders if the process will be better by adding another level of bureaucracy. Peter Glyfphe feels the state made a mistake by going away from the per square foot method of assessing valuation. He also feels that assessing companies need oversight and that the Board of Selectmen does not have the time to do this effectively.
Mr. Bock asked if the sales history is the biggest part of the recent issue?
Jeff Gurrier used an example of; show me evidence that a retaining wall affects market value by _____? He feels a Board of Assessors could improve on the process and the answers to such questions. Gene Reed asked how much time assessors spend in town per week including both data collection and contract assessing functions. The answer indicated approximately 30-36 days. He also asked how much training the Board had received in the last two years. The Board indicated none that was assessing specific. Tom Sweeney asked why only 4-5 other towns in New Hampshire have established Boards of Assessors? He is concerned about who may run for these positions and if there will be a benefit. Everyone agreed the process must be fair and equitable. Jeff Gurrier feels that these are elected positions and is not concerned that a Board of
Assessors maybe one sided. Scott Curry hopes that this issue will not further divide different areas in town.
Mr. Bock & Ms. Bonser closed the public hearing at 8:32PM. Most of the audience left at this point. The Board took a short break.
On their return from break;
Mr. Brown informed the Board that the Town had received one bid for the baler RFP. He will confirm the company will hold the price pending Town Meeting approval.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept the bid from Atlantic Recycling Equipment for the model C60XHD WASTEQUIP Vertical Baler for $11,215.00
Vote: 2-0 in favor
The Board will act on outstanding minutes at their next meeting.
Board members reviewed bills, mail & correspondence.
Having no further business,
8:52 PM Motion: Bonser, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charles Brown
Town Administrator
Approved as written on April 14, 2008.
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