BOARD MEETING MINUTES
December 20, 2006
Selectmen Present: Thomas Parker, Chmn. , Michael Methe & Carmen Yon
Chairman Thomas Parker opened the meeting at 6:45 PM.
PRIMARY:
7:10 MEET WITH CONSERVATION COMMISSION: Dorothy Zug , Elenor VanderHaygen Mr. & Mrs. Slavic,
Cheryl Davis, Paul Kottila met with the board. Barbara Green arrived at 7:30 . Mrs. VanderHaygen
stated that they would like to put the Widow Gage forest under a conservation easement. Mrs. Zug
presented a package of material with regard to the process they have followed for this purpose. Mr.
Parker stated that this land was not given to the town for conservation purposes. The gift was made
because the town had supported Mabel Whitcomb in a nursing home. A cousin agreed to give the
property to the town in response for the care the town had provided for her. Mrs. Zug stated that the
Selectmen signed a letter requesting the conservancy expedite this process. Mr. Parker stated that he did
not approve this letter, Mr. Methe agreed. This letter was signed by Mr. Clukey. The uses prohibited are
industrial and commercial development. Mr. Parker questioned who is doing the survey and who pays for
it. Mrs. Zug stated that the town pays for the survey. The conservancy will pay some of this since the
metocomic trail goes through this property. Mr. Parker stated that he does not feel that we should be
giving away the rights of land that belong to the town. Mrs. VanderHaygen stated that the conservation
commission feel that this property is very important to the town. The State park is on one side and
Morgan Reserve on the other. Mr. Parker stated that as far as he is concerned the property is owned by
the town and nothing will be done without the will of the town. Mr. Parker stated that he does not feel
that it is in the best interest of the town to spend money on this easement. Mr. Methe stated that he feels
it should be a vote of the Town Meeting to vote on this. He does not feel a lot of people understand what
they are giving away. Mr. Methe does not feel that he should be able to give up the rights of future
generations. Mr. Yon stated he feels that this could be a good thing. He questioned if this property could
be a buildable piece of property. If not, it may not be in the best use of the town money to spend on the
easement, we should focus on other projects. He would be more in favor of a conservation easement on
property that could be developed. Mr. Slavic stated that they are looking into the future when the town is
no longer being run by Selectmen. Mr. Parker stated he feels that in the future whether or not a lot is
under easement if a developer wishes to develop it they can win in court. Mr. Kottila disagreed. He feels
that having a third party would help. Mr. Yon moved to place an easement on this property , Mr. Methe
seconded, the motion was defeated by a vote of 0-3.
Mr. Methe feels that this should be done by petition to place this on the warrant if they so wish.
7:30 MEET WITH CHIEF BRUCE NEWTON: Chief Newton stated that he worked with a couple of variations
for the schedule. This best one to work out is a 4/3. This gives Chief Newton a night shift. It gives the
other two guys each a day shift. With part time guys filling in with every shift covered. There is no ideal
schedule, when you work with 5/8 hour shifts there is double coverage at certain times. The board
agreed to give this schedule a try and keep the board informed of how this is working out.
8:15 MEET WITH AMY CALANDRA
Re: Current Use Assessment: Mrs. Calandra stated that she is concerned with the amount the
change of use was assessed at for her property. The first front piece of land was valued at $35,000.
The back land that they removed was valued at $44,000 for .84 acres. This is back land, it is zoned as
industrial. Mrs. Calandra stated that at this rate it would be a million dollar property. Mr. Parker stated
that the basis is that buildable lot starts at $48,000 and is adjusted from there. Mr. Parker stated that for
this commercial operation that is developed it has a value to the land. If it is not developed, it is
assessed as back land. Mrs. Calandra stated that she researched the land next to her, which is 116
acres and it is assessed at $70,000, Mr. Thompson looked at this, and allof of the land is in current use,
it is assessed at $175,000 not in current use. Mrs. Calandra stated that they purchased this property
for $37,000. Mr. Parker stated that we are assessing a house lot at $50,000 - $60,000. Mrs. Calandra
stated that they spent $20,000 on the buildings, they are being assessed at $76,000. Mr. Yon stated
that the business has some value. Mr. Parker stated that assessments are based on fair market value.
Mr. Methe stated that the value of the land has greatly increased due to the development. Mr. Yon
stated that this is supporting two separate commercial structures. Mr. Methe stated that they have the
option of filing for an abatement. Mrs. Calandra compared the two properties she owns, and is
questioning the figures.
*** BUILDING PERMITS
Pagano – Map 21, Lot 15: Approved
Filipi – Map 10, Lot 68-04: Approved
Filipi Map 10, Lot 68-03: Approved
Ann Wenniger Map 09, Lot 06: Approved
*** DISCUSS COMPLAINT
Map 04, Lot 60-01: Robert Muller has made a complaint that there are goats in his neighbors yard.
They only have ½ acre. The board would like the Code Enforcement Officer to investigate. Mr. Muller
also complained that a neighbor that applied for a car sales and was denied, is operating a business.
*** REVIEW PURCHASE REQUISTION
Police - $575.00: Interview & interrogation seminar: This is for next year. Mr. Yon would like to wait to
see what the budget committee recommends.
Recreation - $209.00: winding devise for the tennis courts: approved
Fire: $1000.00: generator hookup: Mr. Methe does not feel that this is something that is needed. Mr.
Parker would like an explanation, Mr. Yon agreed. This was denied.
*** DISCUSS ENERGY CODE COMPLIANCE: Mr. Parker reviewed the RSA and this states that we do
need to require this form with the Building Permit. Mr. Yon questioned if we have not adopted a building
code do we have to require this. Mrs. Thompson contacted them, and we do need to require this form.
*** CHANGE OF USE ASSESSMENT MAP 21, LOT 36-02: 4.41 acres There is already .65 acres out of
current use. Mr. Parker stated based upon equalized evaluation 9000, the board agreed
*** DISCUSS MEMO
Re: Town report dedication: Mr. Hamilton has suggested to dedicate the town report to Tom Lacy.
Mr. Yon suggested a co-dedication to Joseph Tardiff. Mr. Yon moved to dedicate this to them, Mr. Methe
seconded, the motion passed 3-0.
*** REVIEW LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM JASON HILL FROM SCHOOL BOARD: Mr. Parker would
like to send a letter accepting with regret, with a copy to the superintendent and chairman of the school
board.
*** GENERATOR: Mr. Parker spoke with the facilities committee at Monadnock with regard to this. They
are requiring that we give this to them. He spoke with Nancy Carney with regard to this matter and feels
that maybe we should look into the VFW.
*** REVIEW TAX ABATEMENT APPLICATION
Re: Map 42, Lot 02-32: no action
*** REVIEW LETTER FROM GEORGE WEDGE: Reviewed. We will respond unfortunately all property in
Fitzwilliam is assessed and tax regardless if you have children in system and regardless of how much you
use the property
*** REVIEW INFORMATION FROM ORR & RENO: Reviewed
*** PLANNING BOARD: Mr. Parker stated that Matt Buonomono met with the Planning Board to discuss
maintaining a rural atmosphere in Fitzwilliam. He is proposing a change to the cluster development and
doing an exchange of development rights.
Chairman Terry Silverman viewed the Reid lot with a water scientist. There appears that there are fissures
that allow water to come to the surface. He is advising against building on some of this property in order
to prevent pollution to the acquifers. Mr. Parker stated that the Planning Board did not discuss the
driveway regulations. Mr. Yon stated that the regulation we are using satisfies the RSA.
*** COUNTY TAX: Mr. Parker stated that he read an article in the paper that the county is looking into a 22%
increase for next year. He feels that we need to write a letter to Mrs. Richardson and stated that we
strongly are against this.
*** ABATEMENT REQUEST: Mr. Parker submitted an abatement request, the board will review this at a
later date.
*** BUDGET TRANSFERS : The Selectmen voted to cover the over expenditures for the 2006 budget by
transferring money from TAN’s and Highway Department.
SECONDARY:
· Various committee/board minutes
· Newsletters
· Review Police logs/reports
SIGN:
· Minutes
· Correspondence
· Payroll and Accounts Payable Manifests
There being no further business Mr. Yon moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 pm, the motion was seconded by Mr. Methe, the motion passed 3-0.
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