BOARD MEETING MINUTES
October 4, 2007
Selectmen Present: Michael Methe, Chmn., Thomas Parker, & Carmen Yon
Chairman Michael Methe opened the meeting at 10:15 AM
PRIMARY
9:00 MEET WITH GARY ROBERGE, AVITAR APPRAISAL: Gretchen Wittenborg and Rita Skiffington were in
attendance . Mr. Methe stated that the board is concerned with waterfront on so called beaver dams. Mr. Methe
stated that the beaver come and go. There is very little water in the pond in the village. Gary stated that he based
this information on sales. He would go along with what the board determines. Gary stated that there is a market, it
may be limited but it does exist. Gary stated that they cannot pick and choose sales to use and sales to no use.
From the sales the swamp added value. He did speak with the buyers and they felt the view added a value. Mr.
Parker feels that a lot of people would not pay extra for a view. Gary stated that sales indicate that someone is
willing to pay for views, you cannot ignore it. They are trying to set up a system based on facts. Carmen stated that
maybe the whole picture is right but the board is having a problem with defending a piece of the information such as
the view. Gary stated in court you can’t argue each piece, you have to argue the overall assessment. It is arguable if
you have a feature and your neighbors which have the same feature and are not being assessed for it. Mr. Parker
feels that we need to reduce the factor for the beaver ponds. Mr. Parker stated that there are two places on Stones
Pond. The dam had been breached. Mr. Parker stated that Stateline Campground does not have any waterfront.
Gary stated that the campground is valued based on the sites, the value of the waterfront is built into the sites. Gary
stated he feels that all of the campgrounds in town need to be re-listed. Mr. Parker stated that there a two people on
West Lake Road that are assessed with a swamp view. Gary stated that at some point the board has to decide to
accept and then we make any changes in the future for problems. Gary stated that he would encourage the board
not to ignore the value on swamps, they could reduce, but he doesn’t think it should be completely eliminated, there
is some value. Mike questioned if they should take a set value to this waterfront. Gary stated they would be better
off with a range of values. Mr. Methe stated that he would recommend going from 0-$15,000. Mr. Parker feels that
Shantel Curtis needs to be looked at and the waterfront reduced. Gary questioned if the board want to include the
three properties on Richmond Road. Gary questioned if the board would accept $20,000 on these three properties.
The board agreed.
Gretchen wanted explanation why laurel lake parcel with a view do not have a view. All of sales on Laurel Lake had
views across the lake. Gary on Laurel lake because of limited sales whether or not view supercedes waterfront is
questionable. They did not consider view above waterfront. He did not have enough information to prove that a
view of Monadnock adds value over and above the water view. If in the future he has sales that proves this different
he will make a change.
Do you consider the concept of control of view? Gary when the view is a distant view over someone’s property the
view does not have the same value as the person who controls it.
Inconsitency of the application of the view factor. Gretchen indicated Kelly old house. They have a view easement
in their deed, which gives them the right to clear on Gretchen’s property. Gary stated that he did view this property
from the back and the view is blocked.
There are some properties that through successive revaluations are at the top of their categories. Gary exterior
appeal of a property adds value to a property. They were dealing with notes and past information. They did not view
the interior. Gary stated that these properties need to be treated individually and looked at.
Mr. Parker feels that we need a breakdown of values of views. He does not feel that a ridgeline view adds value.
Mr. Parker feels there should be a cap on the horizon view. Mr. Parker stated that he has been keeping track of the
sales on a month by month basis. Gary stated that he feels we need to leave the views where they are. Are there
views that are not being assessed, probably. We need to go forward and if there are views we did not assess, we
add them.
Gary stated that they should be starting on 20% inspection each year. Carmen questioned who would be Fitzwilliam
representative to Fitzwilliam. Gary stated he and Brian.
Gary stated that some of the properties on ponds have a waterfront and view, the waterfront quality did not
supercede the view. He did not feel that is the case on Laurel Lake.
The board scheduled a public meeting for October 24, 2007 at 7:00.
SIGN:
· Minutes
· Correspondence
· Payroll and Accounts Payable Manifests
Mr. Parker moved to adjourn at 12:45 PM, the motion was seconded by Mr. Yon, the motion passed 3-0.
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