BOARD MEETING MINUTES
May 18, 2010
Selectmen Present: Thomas Parker, Chmn., Susan Silverman, & Nancy Carney
Mr. Parker opened the meeting at 9:00 Am
PRIMARY:
Abatements:
Tomasovic ( Map 17, Lot 08-02): This was a forclosure sale. They are claiming they are being assessed for a finished basement. The assessment card does not indicate this. They state that the number of bedrooms are incorrect. The house plans submitted for the building permit show four bedrooms. The number of baths is indicated as three. We will change the number of bathrooms. The water damage that they state is not indicated on the assessment card.
Farrand (Map 8, Lot 55): The board reviewed the assessment card and comparables that they submitted. The comparables that they submitted are smaller houses. They do not have all of the amenities that this house does. The board feels that this property is being correctly assessed. This abatement will be denied.
Owens (Map 11, Lot 30-02): They are assessed at $324,800. They purchased the property for $250,000, submitted an appraisal for $256,000. This is a bank appraisal, which determines how much money they loan, not necessarily market value. They are stating that the measurement for the house is incorrect. Some of the comparables that they submitted do not have a garage. The comparables also have less square footage. The board does not feel that they have submitted a strong case for an abatement. The appraisal was done in 2009. The board feels that this property is being correctly assessed. This abatement will be denied.
CCCP, LLC - Crossroads (Map 12, lot 37) : Andre Snegach, owner of Crossroads and Judy Johnson , H.G. Johnson attended this meeting. Nancy Carney recused herself from this discussion. Mr. Parker stated that the board has reviewed this application. The board has confirmed that the gazebo is not on his property and we will remove this assessment. Mr. Parker stated that the paving was done by the previous owners of crossroads. Mr. Snegach stated that the pavement is broken. Mrs. Thompson stated that there is a 70% adjustment for condition. Mr. Parker stated that the basis of the assessment is as of 2007. Mr. Parker stated that we do not adjust the price of the assessment based upon sales price. Mr. Parker stated that none of the comparables are similar to this building. Mr. Parker looked at other commercial property that have sold in town. Mr. Snegach stated that other businesses are doing a lot more business than crossroads. Mr. Parker stated that the
appraisal is based upon the building not the business.
Mr. Snegach stated that the assessment for the cranberry house includes paving which he states is the States right of way. Mr. Parker stated that this is access to the property. We will remove the .18 acres from the cranberry house. Mr. Snegach stated there are fireplaces in the cranberry house that are not used. Mr. Parker stated that they are being depreciated 50%.. Mr. Parker stated that the assessments are based upon values in 2007. Ms. Johnson stated that they cannot uses sales dated that far back. Mr. Parker stated that he does not see any validity on making an adjustment to this property. Mrs. Silverman moved to remove the assessment for the gazebo and change the acreage. Mr. Parker
seconded, the motion passed 2-0.
*** POLICE: Mr. Parker would like to schedule a meeting with Chief Kassotis. He does have some issues he would like to discuss with him. Yesterday we received six weeks worth of reports. Mr. Parker stated that the board never hears any report of the results of any crimes in town. We do not see what the officers have accomplished. Mr. Parker wants to know how Chief Kassotis is operating this department. He feels that there should be more communication with the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Carney stated that when we had spoke with Chief Kassotis in the past we had indicated that we would look into a wage study to determine if our pay range is in line with other towns. Nancy Carney stated that there may be some system we
could come up with for Chief Kassotis to report to the town the status of cases.
*** HEALTH OFFICER: Mrs. Thompson received an email from Beth Fox, Swanzey Town Administrator, with regard to the rate of pay we are going to be paying. We paid an hourly rate to the previous officer. He told us his rate when he started this position. Mrs. Thompson feels that if we can get a range of pay and let Swanzey know this range. Mr. Parker stated that he would be looking at $18.00 to $20.00 an hour. We are asking her to be available on an on call basis. We will let Swanzey know we are looking at around $18.00 and see what they are thinking.
Mrs. Silverman moved to adjourn at 11:30 am, the motion was seconded by Ms. Carney the motion passed 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Favreau
Administrative Assistant
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Thomas Parker, Chmn.
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Susan Silverman
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Nancy Carney
Board of Selectmen
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