Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Meeting
September 27, 2010
6:30 PM, Chair Bock opened the meeting and asked all those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Peter Bock, Gary Anderson
Members Absent: Mary Bonser
Guest: Heidi Seaverns, Assessing Coordinator; Chairman John McSorley, Jason Neuman, Nottingham Board of Assessors; Tina McFarland; Robert Calfmeyer; Cheryl Smith, Jim Crowell; Charlene Andersen
Others: Charles Brown, Town Administrator; Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Mr. Brown reported:
- The building inspector received a call from Rocci DeLucia of USA Springs. Mr. DeLucia will be in next week to speak with him regarding the building permit.
- The fire/rescue department has received several applications.
- Things are business as usual for the recreation department.
- Spraying for powder post beetles at the Grange has been completed. The Historical Society may use the building for the farm museum now that repairs are complete.
- Mr. Brown wants to tear out the carpet at the old town hall. He does not know the condition of the floor underneath; however, the rug is in very shape. The selectmen were in agreement with this task. Mr. Brown mentioned that they will need to address the mold in the back offices.
- The fire/rescue department is going with an independent local firm for ambulance billing purposes.
- Mr. Anderson and Mr. Brown met with many of the recycling center staff members to iron things out. They are considering a change of hours during the winter months for lighting and safety purposes. The change will affect Tuesdays only. They will operate Tuesday thru Saturday from 9am – 5pm. There was discussion around a mass mailing postcard to inform residents of the change. The postcard will give the new hours, beginning and ending dates, as well as some information on the importance of recycling.
Chair Bock noted that Nottingham Day was, once again, a huge success with good attendance and a great barbeque dinner. He gave much thanks to Janet Horvath and Danielle Krenzer for all their efforts on behalf of this large community event.
Chair Bock invited Mr. McSorley to the mic for an assessing update. Mr. McSorley reported that Commerford, Nieder and Perkins (CNP) has informed the Board of Assessors that they
are behind schedule and will not have values until November 1. He believes the town may need to borrow money to keep cash flowing until such time that tax bills go out and money starts coming in. There was a brief discussion around dates in the contract and the reasons for the delay.
At Chair Bock's inquiry, Ms. Seaverns stated that CNP has started their field reviews. They will not be going to houses but will be driving by street by street. They should wrap this part of the review up in approximately two weeks and mail notices to residents sometime around the 12th or 13th of October. CNP will allow five days for the notices to reach the homeowners, then another three to take calls for appointments. Appointments will take place at the Municipal Office Complex the Friday, Saturday, and Monday (October 22, 23 and 25) before Halloween. CNP will then take the data back, review and finalize. Final values will be submitted to the Board of Assessors before November 1, 2010.
Ms. Seaverns explained that she had called the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) to inquire about the affect of this on the town and was told to get it done. It is likely that if the five year schedule is not kept, Nottingham would be forced into a full revaluation, which would cost as much as three times more than the current contract. Chair Bock noted that the situation is exasperating for all involved. Ms. Seaverns encouraged anyone with questions or issues with suspicious people to call the town office or police department. The delay has been posted on the website, on notices around town, and will be put on Channel 22.
Mr. Brown reported that the town will need to put a packet together for the bank to prepare to borrow money in anticipation of taxes. The process takes approximately 10 days and the bank will issue a line of credit so that interest will only be paid on what is actually borrowed. Chair Bock encouraged the Board of Assessors to inform CNP of what their delay has cost the town. Mr. McSorley noted that has already happened and that the Board of Assessors will likely go out for quote for next year's contract.
There were thanks all around. Mr. McSorley stepped down. Mr. McSorley, Mr. Neuman, and Ms. Seaverns left the meeting.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Chair Bock acknowledged two members of the public who came in during the discussion with Mr. McSorley. At Chair Bock's inquiry, Mr. Calfmeyer took the mic.
Mr. Calfmeyer was upset about the issuance of a ticket to Ms. McFarland for his dog. Mr. Brown acknowledged Mr. Witham had issued a ticket for the dog being at large. Ms. McFarland joined Mr. Calfmeyer at the mic. She, also, was upset, informing the selectmen that she has owned a home on Garland Road for six years and has owned dogs since she moved in. She does not know her neighbors as she keeps to herself. She relayed an incident from last April when her Great Pyrenees bit someone on her property, noting that the Great Pyrenees she had with her this evening is not the same dog. The other choked itself on a cable while being watched, broke its neck, and died. This Great Pyrenees was obtained in July. She inquired about laws pertaining to cats that come on personal property
and cause damage and other animals such as turkeys, guineas and so forth running loose noting that she is required to make a court appears with the last citation issued. She feels dogs should have the same rights as other animals. Mr. Brown informed her Mr. Witham is acting according to state statute N.H. RSA 466:31. He further noted he is under the impression that she has received three violations in under a year and this mandates a court appearance under the statute. There was discussion around the citations having been issued to Ms. McFarland for different dogs, including one that belongs to Mr. Calfmeyer. Mr. Brown informed Ms. McFarland he had received pictures of the dog on the owners property. Mr. Calfmeyer feels he should be the one to receive citations for his dog, not Ms. McFarland, and noted that his dog left the property because it was following the neighbor's cat. Mr. Brown stated the offense is to the owner, not the animal, noting
that owners and/or keepers are responsible for their dogs and cannot let them run loose. Ms. McFarland stated that her prior Great Pyrenees had never hurt anyone until this instance where the neighbor came onto Ms. McFarland's property with Mr. Calfmeyer's dog. She feels that if the neighbor had called her, this incident could have been avoided. Chair Bock noted that was anecdotal and acknowledged Ms. McFarland's frustration, again reiterating that he hoped they could find a way to work this out. Again, Ms. McFarland inquired about laws pertaining to cats. Mr. Brown indicated that he is not aware of whether or not there are RSAs pertaining to cats.
Chair Bock noted that animal issues have become a hot topic in Nottingham. He is hoping this can be settled before it rises to the state of others that have come before the selectmen. He, also, stated that people need to be responsible for the safety of their pets. There was more discussion around animals other than dogs, specifically cats that come onto private property. Chair Bock said that owners have a right to protect their property and should do what they feel is necessary to that end, again reiterating that the owners/keepers must be responsible for the safety of their pets. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Brown, who also have dogs, stated that they have the same problem, at times, with his dogs going to the neighbors. They are both aware that they, as the owners and keepers, of their dogs
are responsible for them and the dogs should not be going off their property. Mr. Calfmeyer indicated that he is getting a kennel. Chair Bock noted that that is a pro-active step in solving the problem. He thanked and dismissed Mr. Calfmeyer and Ms. McFarland.
Chair Bock acknowledged Ms. Smith who had come in during the discussion with Mr. Calfmeyer and Ms. McFarland. He invited her to the mic.
Ms. Smith acknowledged she is the neighbor Ms. McFarland is referring to and Charlene Andersen is the person that was bitten by the prior Great Pyrenees. She further acknowledged that both she and Ms. Andersen understand that the dog was protecting Ms. McFarland. Neither Ms. Andersen nor Ms. Smith had Ms. McFarland's name or phone number at that time. Ms. Andersen decided to walk the dog home, knowing where it had come from, instead of calling the Animal Control Officer. Ms. Smith, also, noted that the ACO had only been called after the incident to verify up-to-date vaccinations, as they had not been able to obtain that confirmation from Ms. McFarland. Ms. Smith acknowledged the only problem she has had is with a dog named Digger. Mr. Calfmeyer indicated Digger has been left at home in
Northwood since the last time he went on their property. Ms. Smith stated that Digger was in her front yard with the new Great Pyrenees, Tanner, on Thursday and showed up again, alone, on Saturday. She did not call the ACO when he was in her yard on September 10th or on Thursday, September 23rd, but on Saturday, September 25th, he showed aggression. There was an exchange between the neighbors about the dog chasing the cat, which Chair Bock ended.
Chair Bock, again, noted that the owners must protect their animals, regardless of what type of animal it is. He feels this is an issue for the ACO and/or police, not the selectmen. Mr. Anderson agreed. Ms. Smith stated the only reason she had contacted Mr. Brown with the letter was because she was not able to reach the ACO through dispatch. Mr. Brown acknowledged that Mr. Witham was out of town. Chair Bock suggested that Mr. Calfmeyer attend the court hearing with Ms. McFarland or send a notarized letter explaining that the dog is not hers. There was another brief exchange between Mr. Calfmeyer, Ms. McFarland and Ms. Smith. Chair Bock ended the discussion to move onto other business. Ms. Smith stepped down.
Minutes
September, 13, 2010 (Meeting)
Line 40: Change view to viewers.
Line 47: Correct the spelling of received.
Line 59: Correct name of the equipment should be Versahandler.
Line 117: Change that to they.
Line 174: Correct the spelling of allowed.
Motion: Anderson, second Bock to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2010 meeting as amended.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 2-0
Minutes from 08/16 public meeting were not reviewed.
August 16, 2010 (non-public (a))
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to accept the minutes of the August 16, 2010 non-public (a) session as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 2-0
August 16, 2010 (non-public (e))
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to accept the minutes of the August 16, 2010 non-public (a) session as written.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 2-0
GENERAL BUSINESS Cont.
The following public announcements were made:
Cable Franchise Renewal Advisory Committee meets tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM.
Planning Board meets with Jack Mettee on Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM.
School Building Committee meets Wednesday evening, also, 7:00 PM at the school.
Mr. Brown informed the selectmen he is looking for input for 2017 CIP forms for the municipal office and community center. He indicated that he may look at moving some of the items already on the CIP forward. Another thing he is considering is getting one of the bathrooms in the rear of the municipal office complex in working order. Chair Bock noted that the Food Pantry is going to be undergoing a 'facelift' which will include space from the bathroom closest to it for storage. Mr. Anderson's only noted that the recreation department is undergoing a needs assessment, which will most likely result in CIP needs, and the recycling center is in need of new equipment, as was discussed at the last selectmen's meeting.
Mr. Anderson reported that the building committee is looking at two projects. Their priority is parking at the community center. They are looking at space next to the Dame building. This area will provide approximately 32 spaces but will absorb the five spaces currently in front of the building. The committee believes this will be a minimal cost, although cost has not yet been established. There was discussion around the configuration of the parking lot. The other project they are considering is an archive; although, they have decided to use the term records storage. The committee would like the selectmen to request information from department heads regarding records storage needs using file cabinet sizes and amount for an indication of how much space each department will need. Chair Bock was in agreement with this believing it to be a good first step in the process.
Motion: Bock, second Anderson to have Mr. Brown seek information from the department heads, as well as the town clerk and tax collector on records storage space needs.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed: 2-0.
Mr. Brown asked the selectmen to consider a date for a budget workshop. The Budget Committee schedule indicates October 21 as a budget meeting with the selectmen. They discussed a tentative meeting for the afternoon of October 21. Chair Bock indicated the following week would work better for him. Mr. Brown does not have a much data, yet, on many of the line items. They will discuss this further. There was a brief discussion around COLA. Mr. Brown reported that he is getting lots of e-mails from members of the Municipal Manager's Association. Some towns have their own formulas and do not follow social security, some towns have unions, and some towns indicate their employees have not received a raise in two years. There was discussion around benefits being considered a
raise. Many towns are going out for RFP on many services.
Mr. Anderson reported he had attended the Selectmen's Institute at LGC this past Saturday. There was a good discussion around keeping employees safe with things such as plexiglass barriers, panic buttons, and higher counters.
Having no further business,
Motion: Anderson, second Bock to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 2-0
Meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
Approved as amended at the October 25, 2010 meeting.
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