BOARD MEETING MINUTES
April 9, 2007
Selectmen Present: Michael Methe, Chmn., Thomas Parker, & Carmen Yon
Chairman Michael Methe opened the meeting at 8:30 AM,
PRIMARY:
10:00 MEET WITH DRA AND BTLA & AVITAR
Present were: Jim Gibney and Chuck Reese, DRA; Cindy Brown and Terry Walker, BTLA; Gary Roberge, Avitar; Margaret Wittenborg and David Greene, citizens.
Mr. Parker opened the meeting with a review of the assessing firms the Board contacted for proposals. The selectmen voted to hire Avatar, although the contract is not signed yet as the DRA has to sign and approve it first. He stated that the selectmen wrote a letter to the commissioner of the DRA about a month ago and are still waiting for an answer. Mr. Parker said that he was disappointed with the lack of assistance the DRA offered the previous board while the 2005 sales update was being performed.
Mr. Gibney said that he took exception to that statement. There was a completely different board of selectmen in 2005 and he spent time meeting with that board, Paula and Vision during the update. He was responsible for addressing issues with the contract, checking data and spent a lot of time with Dave Arnold. He thinks good information was supplied during the hearings. Mr. Gibney will clarify exactly what the DRA’s responsibilities are for our 2007 update when we have our preliminary meeting prior to Avitar starting the fieldwork.
The primary areas that we will be focusing on are neighborhoods, view/location factors and antique style homes. Mr. Roberge said that there will be several public meetings during the process to keep citizens updated and informed. He said that they will not be using an “antique appeal factor” when assessing antique homes but rather looking at the total package, grade and style.
Mr. Parker said that the selectmen will be involved in every step of the update and Mr. Gibney needs to be meeting with the selectmen.
Mr. Reese said that there would be a different procedure for this update vs. the 2005 update. That is because it is BTLA ordered. The DRA has to approve the contract prior to the selectmen signing it. The analysis by Avitar has to be thoroughly reviewed prior to the hearings taking place. The DRA will be actively involved in the entire process. The first step will be to review the delineated neighborhoods after Avitar has completed that facet of the update. They will go out and view each neighborhood themselves. Mr. Yon said that the selectmen, or at least one of the selectmen, would like to ride along with them.
Mr. Reese asked if the selectmen would be creating a list of those properties they felt should have an adjustment for location/view. Mr. Parker said the board plans to do this by driving every street in town.
Mr. Green asked Mr. Roberge what the period of time is for sales that they will be analyzing. Mr. Roberge said that they would prefer not to go back further than 18 months and will be looking at the time period from October 2005 to present. He said that if they had enough sales in the last 10 months, they would use those. He said that time trending is not an exact science and he’d much rather work from actual sales, if they have a good sample.
Ms. Brown asked if the board had signed a contract with Avitar yet. Mr. Parker said “no” although they have let Avitar know that they will be going with them for the work this year. He noted that we will also be using the Avitar assessing software and tax software.
Mr. Roberge said that they have only begun the conversion of data from Vision into Avitar and that the Avitar software will be in place for the first issue tax bills. No fieldwork of any kind has started and won’t start until the DRA and the selectmen have signed the contract.
Mr. Reese commented that the selectmen can petition the BTLA to move our assessment review from 2009 to 2007. As long as the COD was less than 20% and the strata was within 5% of market value, the town would not have to perform a revaluation in 2012.
Mr. Green asked what Avitar uses for a building base rate. Mr. Roberge said it varies from $91 per square foot to $98 per square foot.
Mr. Reese asked if Avitar would visit all the sales properties. Mr. Roberge said “yes”. Ms. Brown asked what the analysis would look like. Mr. Roberge said that their assessment manual would be very comprehensive. There will be spreadsheets showing the sales and analysis as well as a narrative. They will also provide a “view catalog” that will have photos of the varying grades of view/location factors. Ms. Brown said that the BTLA has seen Avitar’s manual and it is excellent – everything is explained.
Mr. Green asked how Avitar looks at sales of properties in current use. Mr. Roberge said that they use the appraised value (the value if land was not in current use) as opposed to the assessed value and visit all those properties.
Ms. Wittenborg asked if property is assessed for it’s “development potential”, do they use sales alone. Mr. Roberge said that they look at what the town’s zoning regulations are and look at the property as to the amount of frontage and total acreage, and if the property is not in current use, the development potential is considered. 99% of the values will be derived from actual sales and the rest from his experience and the market in general in other towns.
Mr. Green asked how waterfront properties would be assessed. Mr. Roberge replied that they us a combination of the amount of feet along the water and total acreage, and what the property’s highest and best use is.
*** OPEN PROPOSALS FOR LAWNCARE:
TMC:
KDI:
Howes:
Mrs. Thompson will work up a spreadsheet (see attached)
*** FISH AND GAME REQUEST TO STOCK TOWN HALL POND: The fish and game officer would like to
stock the pond behind the town hall. Mr. Methe does not feel this is a good location. He thinks the banks
are two low and he is concerned with the kids walking on the dam.
*** REVIEW LOCATION FOR PROPOSED PORTA-POTTY AT MR. MIKES: They are having a problem
with the amount of people using the bathrooms. They would like to install a port-a-potty. Mr. Parker feels
that they are required to have a rest room since they serve food. Mr. Parker would like to make sure that
this complies with the setbacks. Mr. Parker would like to know if this is going to be a permanent fixture.
Mr. Methe moved to send this to the Planning Board, the motion was seconded by Mr. Yon, the motion
passed 3-0.
*** DISCUSS CONTRACTS FROM AVITAR:
*** RECOMMENDATION FROM TREASURER TO APPOINT DEPUTY TREASURER: Mary Tommila is
recommending Sandra Stowe be appointed deputy treasurer. Mr. Parker moved to approve, the motion
was seconded by Mr. Yon, the motion passed 3-0.
*** MEMO FROM PAULA REGARDING SOME COMPUTER ISSUES: Mr. Yon moved to approve this
purchase, Mr. Parker seconded, the motion passed 3-0.
*** RREVIEW VETERANS CREDIT APPLICATION: Mr. Yon moved to approve, the motion was seconded
by Mr. Parker , the motion passed 3-0.
*** MEET WITH RICHARD DWINELL: Mr. Dwinell recorded this meeting. Mr. Dwinell stated that he
received a letter from the Board of Selectmen regarding inspecting his building due to questions on his
recent building permit, it states to schedule an appointment at his earliest convenience. His contractor is
out of town and he would like him to be present. Mr. Dwinell stated that Mr. Sweeney questioned where
his cathedral ceiling was, Mr. Sweeney told Mr. Dwinell that he was going to “yank his building permit”.
Mr. Dwinell felt this was very unprofessional. Mr. Dwinell questioned what the charges against him are.
Mr. Methe stated that it appears that Mr. Dwinell has added a loft. Mr. Dwinell stated that his definition of
a loft is open space. Mr. Dwinell stated that he feels he has a right to put a ceiling in. Mr. Parker stated
that the code enforcement officer indicated that he had gone beyond the scope of his building permit.
Mr. Parker stated that the board requested to meet with him and he did not respond, this is why we went
the next step to take him to court. Mr. Parker stated that the board has to enforce the rules and
regulations of the town and the State. Mr. Dwinell stated he feels that he is being discriminated against.
Mr. Dwinell stated that Mr. Sweeney took pictures of the interior of the house. Mr. Dwinell stated that he
has a copy of Mr. Patten’s building permit, he was denied a storage space. He then came back and was
allowed a storage space. Mr. Dwinell stated that the board never went into Mr. Patten’s house. Mr.
Parker stated that the question is if Mr. Dwinell has created a living space upstairs. Mrs. Thompson
questioned if there are skylights in the roof. Mr. Dwinell stated that there are. Mr. Parker stated that the
question is if this is usable as a sleeping loft. Mr. Dwinell stated that according to code you need a 7’
ceiling for a bedroom. Mr. Parker stated that the Board of Selectmen need to look at this property. Mr.
Dwinell questioned if Mr. Pagano took a building permit for his renovations. Mr. Methe stated that he
did. Mr. Dwinell stated that he has a list of inconsistency of violations in this town. He stated that if this
is pursued, then he is going to open this up. Mr. Methe stated that he took this statement as a threat.
Mr. Methe stated that the Board of Selectmen has taken the approach that if they see a problem, then
they pursue it. Mr. Parker stated the question on this property is did he construct a storage area, or did
he create a sleeping space? Mr. Parker does not feel that the contractor needs to be there. Mr. Methe
stated that another issue is that if there is the potential for future use. Mr. Yon stated that the only issue
is the installation of beams, and a letter from the contractor will suffice.
Mr. Dwinell stated that he is requesting a officer at Bloomin Antiques on the days they have their
flea market.
*** LGC CLAIM FOR CRUISER DAMAGE: This will be paid out the police budget.
*** DISCUSS SECOND RESIDENCE ON ONE LOT – TAX MAP 14 LOT 04: Mr. Slavic was denied a
second residence on this property a number of years ago. He contacted our office and wanted his
assessment changed on this building. It appears that this second building is living quarters. The board
will need to inspect this property. The board would like Mark Sweeny to inspect this and determine if both
residences have a kitchen space.
*** REVIEW INVOICE FROM ORR & RENO: approved
*** LETTER FROM ED VANBLARCOM: Mr. Parker stated that he did not know it was a requirement to
register an intent with the Town Clerk.
*** TOWN CLERK’S QUESTION REGARDING BALLOT INVOICE:
*** REQUEST FROM CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO APPOINT/REAPPOINT MEMBERS:
*** REVIEW COPY OF LETTER CONSERVATION COMMISSION SENT TO DES:
*** TAX MAP 06 LOT 31 – LETTER FROM PROPERTY OWNER:
*** TIMBER TAX ASSESSMENT – TAX MAP 08 LOT 26:
*** LETTER FROM WALPOLE SELECTMEN:
*** LETTER FROM SAU #38 REGARDING 2007 ELECTION AND BALLOT PROCEDURES:
*** EMAIL FROM CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS REGARDING FENCING PROPOSALS:
*** EMPLOYEE EVALUATIONS – These are scheduled for 4/9/07:
SECONDARY:
· Various committee/board minutes
· Newsletters
· Review Police logs/reports
SIGN:
· Minutes
· Correspondence
· Payroll and Accounts Payable Manifests
Mr. moved to recess at 12:50 PM, the board will reconvene Wednesday morning at 9:00, the motion was seconded by Mr. Yon, the motion passed 3-0.
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