BOARD MEETING MINUTES
May 25, 2006
PRIMARY:
11:00 MEET WITH FRANK BEQUAERT – DISCUSS ABATEMENT APPLICATION – Tax Map 32 Lot 44
Mr. Bequaert has an appraisal for $300,000. He is assessed for $399,900. They are using the comparables 20 Robbins Road, 24 Daley Rd and 166 Old Troy Rd. Mr. Parker doesn’t feel that these are good comparables. The gross area of the Bequaert’s home is close to 8000 while the other comps have much less living area/sq feet of living area.
Mr. and Mrs. Bequaert came in at 11:00. Mr. Parker discussed the four comps that the appraisal used to arrive at the value of their property. The board looked at each one to see if the Bequaert’s were being assessed in line with the others. The appeal rating is D. Tom explained the appeal rating. Mr. Bequaert said that he doesn’t feel that the office space should be assessed the same base rate as the house. It has a cement floor, lolly columns etc. Mr. Parker asked what they think the market value of their house would be? Mr. Bequaert thinks they would probably be very happy with $400,000 – if someone offered him $300,000 he would not sell it for that. Mr. Parker said that the goal is to get as close to market value as possible and the BTLA assessor has shown that we are not that far off. One half of the office space is
unheated. There is one storage room that has no heat so it couldn’t be converted into a bedroom. But it is being assessed the adjusted base rate for the entire space as living space. Mr. Clukey has a question regarding the “office space” being assessed the same as living space. The board will look at this space next Tuesday morning and also try to look at Mr. Berard’s space as well, as a comparison.
11:30 MEET WITH JIM CONNORS – DISCUSS ABATEMENT APPLICATION – Tax Map 11 Lot 17-03
Mr. Connors issue is with his land assessment. He had a location factor for the view. The board had previously voted to remove the location factor from all properties that had this. So Mr. Connor’s property has already been reduced. Mr. Parker reviewed how the land was assessed. Mr. Parker said that the board discovered that there was some inconsistency with applying the view location factor so they have removed it from all lots that had it – for now. It will be put back on when all properties that have a view are assessed. Mr. Parker told Mr. Connors about the current use program as a way to further lower his property tax bill. The granted the abatement application.
Mr. Parker wants to apologize for getting upset over code enforcement issue last night. He was given the original complaint personally at the planning board meeting. He feels that it needs to happen more promptly. Mr. Parker said he expects the CEO will investigate and come in to the board with information. He doesn’t want the board to be out of the loop – that’s why the selectmen are signing the building permits. Mr. Clukey said that Mark does a fine job and does respond quickly to issues. Mr. Parker wants the CEO to do the fieldwork and bring the information to the selectmen. Mr. Parker said that the selectmen need to be clear about what they want done so that Paula and Mark know what to expect.
Tom wants to take a look at the legal expenses. We budgeted $40,000 and have spent $15,000 year to date.
Mr Parker is questioning if the bird flu pandemic is a real possibility or are we just crying wolf. Mrs. Thompson said that the regional effort allows the town to develop a plan at no expense to the town. It is an emergency management plan as well as a health issue.
Mrs. Stark has submitted the recreation department summer program information that the selectmen requested. Mrs. Thompson will schedule the Recreation commissions to meet with the selectmen.
Wendy Carney, health officer has been talking to the state about our water situation at the public safety building. She got a name of a company that can look at our needs and what options we have to solve the water problem down at the public safety building.
Map 24 Lot 07 – G – Abatement application. The selectmen need to measure the deck in question.
State Line Campground – The selectmen would like the data collector from Vision to go to the campground and see if the number of “sites” for the land seem correct and also make sure that all the assessable buildings are on the cards.
Mr. Parker made a motion to adjourn at 12:25pm. Mr. Methe seconded and the motion passed 3-0
| 
