BOARD MEETING MINUTES
February 14, 2007
Selectmen Present: Thomas Parker, Chmn. , Michael Methe & Carmen Yon
Chairman Thomas Parker opened the meeting at 7:00 pm,
PRIMARY:
9:45am MEET WITH BRUCE NEWTON, POLICE CHIEF: Mr. Parker stated that we do not have a current
schedule for the officers. He questioned how the new schedule is working. Chief Newton stated that the
the day that they have to work at night and then the next day is hard. Mr. Parker questioned the
secretary position. Chief Newton stated that he has scheduled some appointments for next week for
interviews. There is an individual that he is going to approach to work part time. Mr. Parker questioned
if he is certified part time. Chief Newton stated that he is not. It would cost about $1500 in wages to
send him to the academy.
Mr. Parker stated that he is not real comfortable with Tazers. He is concerned that they will be used
when they really don’t need to. Chief Newton stated that the officers are trained and certified in their use
and if they use this the wrong way, it is their liability.
11:00 MEET WITH DAVID GREEN: Mr. Parker stated that we have received a letter from BTLA with regard to
the view factor. The board has written a response. The board has taken pictures of all properties that
were receiving the view adjustment. The board feels that only 25% of the properties that should be
receiving a view are. The board feels that there should be greater description in the manual for the view
assessment. Mr. Parker stated that he has been looking at actual sales. He has broke down single
family home into pre 1900, 1900-1940, and 1940-1969, and 1970-current. All four are in the same ball
game for assessment ratio. Pre 1900 he has 16 sales October 2005-2006 he came up with a mean of
80.4% of market value, averages of 83.8% . Six sales are in the village 84.9% . In the Depot five sales
91.5% of market value. The average is 85.2%. 1900-1940 there were not enough sales. 1970-present,
is a mean of 86.5% and an average of 87.6%. 1940-1969 the average is 86.7%. Woodbrook 73.5%
mean, the average is 71.7% which appears they are assessed low. Eight mobile homes with a mean of
96.8%, 98.9% average. We have 20 land sales. David Green stated that the problem with land is that
the factors that are applied. He has time adjusted his spreadsheet. Mr. Green feels that $48,000 is
high for the base rate for land. Mr. Parker stated that the allegation was made that the older houses are
assessed higher then newer. He feels very comfortable with the figures he is getting with working these
numbers and does not feel there is an inequity. He feels we may need to look at Woodbrook and mobile
homes. Mr. Green feels that the new higher priced homes are under assessed. Mr. Parker stated that
the board is going to spend some time and correct the view factor. Mr. Parker does not feel that what
Vision gave us for an updated manual and how they arrived at it is sufficient. Mr. Green stated that there
are some antique homes that are close to market value and some way under assessed. Mr. Parker
stated that from sales we are not seeing this. Mr. Parker stated that we have received proposals from
appraising companies to perform work in town. David Green stated that we can set up our own
methodology to check the figures from the assessor. Mr. Parker stated that the board needs to review
the neighborhood factors and make some changes. He feels that we need to look at the value of
unbuildable lots.
Mr. Green submitted spreadsheets which he had done calculations on sales. He feels there are errors
and omissions on the sales data sheet Vision used.
*** DISCUSS BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S ANNUAL REPORT: Mr. Parker will submit this Thursday
*** REVIEW 2007 WARRANT: Mr. Parker stated that in the past we always voted the operating budget
with the warrant articles at the end of the warrant and he said that Mrs. Thompson does not agree with doing it this way. Mrs. Thompson stated that DRA does not recommend this.
Mr. Parker would like to see if we can take some of the money for the purchase of the backhoe from fund
balance at Town Meeting. Mrs. Thompson stated that you cannot change the way an item can be
funded without holding another public hearing. Mrs. Thompson will double check with DRA.
*** DISCUSS MARCH NEWSLETTER ARTICLES: We will place an ad for a town hall agent. An article that
the Police Chief is retiring. An article that they are working on the view adjustment.
*** DISCUSS DRAFT OF LETTER TO BTLA: Reviewed
*** REVIEW LETTER FROM BTLA – REPORT OF ASSESSORS REGARDING VIEW FACTOR:
Reviewed
*** TAX EXEMPTION APPLICATION – VETERAN HOSPICE HOMESTEAD, INC: Mr. Parker stated that he
understands that there needs to be a plan on file if the organization is dissolved. A copy of the charter
for these organizations needs to be submitted.
*** TIMBER TAX WORKSHEET
· MAP 8 LOT 44:
Location: Good
Size: Good
Quality: Good
· MAP 8 LOT 20:
Location: Good
Size: Average
Quality: Good
*** OCCUPANCY PERMIT – MAP 11 LOT 16-02: Approved. The driveway must be paved by June 15, 2007
*** REVIEW MS-5: Reviewed
*** PSNH POLE LICENSE APPLICATIONS: Reviewed
*** DISCUSS EMAIL REQUESTING RESOLUTION FOR CATHERDRAL OF THE PINES: This is with
regard to a commemorative stamp. Mr. Methe abstained, Carmen moved to approve, Mr. Parker
seconded, the motion passed 2-0.
*** DISCUSS LETTER FROM DOVER MAYOR REGARDING NH RETIREMENT: Reviewed
The board will support this.
*** REVIEW LETTER FROM AVITAR: Reviewed
*** DECIDE ATTENDANCE FOR SOUTHWEST REGION PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING: The
board will not attend.
*** INFORMATION FROM US CENSUS BUREAU:
*** COPY OF STATE LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER: Reviewed
*** REVIEW OF WARRANT BY BILL PRIGGE: Reviewed
*** ARTICLE REGARDING BACKGROUND CHECKS: Reviewed
*** SWRPC NEWSLETTER:
*** ZBA: Mr. Methe stated at last nights meeting Carol Langer met with the board. They did vote to rehear
the case. They gave Mrs. Dunchus a three-month stay to keep the goats on her property. She is going
to move them onto her fathers property which has sufficient acreage. Mr. Methe would like to look into
the rules regarding the Historic Society and their authority.
*** CEMETERY DONATION: It will cost $900 to fix the engraving on the signs at the cemetery, Mr. Parker
stated that the money needs to come from the cemetery budget.
*** SNOW SHOVELING: Mrs. Thompson tried to call Mark Brockelman for shoveling but there was no
answer. The board would like to ask Mark Sweeney to shovel the town hall. We will pay him the same
rate as the library.
*** COMPUTERS: Mr. Parker would like Mr. Yon to have a third computer that he can have access to and
the access to the programs for the town. Mr. Methe will contact his son, he has a gateway laptop that
he will donate to the town. Mr. Methe moved, Mr. Yon seconded to install this computer, the motion
passed 3-0.
SECONDARY:
· Various committee/board minutes
· Newsletters
· Review Police logs/reports
SIGN:
· Minutes
· Correspondence
· Payroll and Accounts Payable Manifests
Mr. Methe moved to adjourn at 12:25 AM, the motion was seconded by Mr. Yon, the motion passed 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
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