BOARD MEETING MINUTES
May 31, 2006
Selectmen Present: Andrew Clukey, Chmn., Thomas Parker, & Michael Methe
Others Present: Margaret Wittneborg, Ashley Fletcher, Joan Knight & Susan Silverman
Chairman Andrew Clukey opened the meeting at 7:00 PM.
PRIMARY:
7:15pm MEET WITH MARGARET WITTENBORG: Mrs. Wittenborg stated that she has a couple of questions. They are in the discovery phase of the BTLA hearing. Mrs. Wittenborg stated that yesterday they received the 2005 preliminary townwide report which they had been asking for quite a while. David Green has done some work prior to this and figured the increase to be 260,761,960 this is up from 156,302,952 in 2001 which is a 67 % increase. We had a 71.5% equalization rate, which the increase should have been 38%. Mr. Parker stated that this report includes tax exempt properties which need to be deducted. Mrs. Wittenborg stated that after the informal hearings there was a reduction of 25,000,000, of
which 6,000,000 was on Laurel Lake property. They have never received an adequate explanation for this decrease. She expected to find some discussion of the scope of the increase. She has gone through the minutes made available and did not find any discussion in the minutes for this increase. Mr. Clukey stated that if it was discussed it would be in the minutes. Mr. Clukey stated he could not recall any specifics as to discussions. Mr. Clukey stated that they are only required to record votes in the minutes. We are now tape recording the minutes. Mrs. Wittenborg stated it seems like there should have been a big discussion with regard to this matter. Mrs. Wittenborg questioned if there are any minutes for discussions that were taken off the record. Mr. Clukey stated that there was never any discussion with regard to this matter that were held outside of the office. Mrs. Thompson questioned if this is
a discussion that we want to be having prior to the hearing without our attorney present. Mr. Clukey stated he feels like he is being cross-examined. He stated that since this is in litigation we should not be discussing this. Mrs. Wittonberg stated that this is an administrative meeting, she stated that the town attorney has not filed an appearance. Then we would have to pass questions on to our attorney. Mrs. Thompson questioned if she had them in writing. Mrs. Wittenborg stated that she would like them written into the public record.
Mrs. Wittneborg stated that she has the following questions;
She would like to request the date the Selectmen voted to withhold the Vision Manual and tax cards. It is her guess from reading the minutes this was done on 9/21/06.
Mrs. Wittenborg stated the remaining questions are factual to the board.
What exactly did the $50,000 vote for revaluation buy? Mrs. Thompson stated that Mrs. Wittenborg was given a copy of the contract.
What did the measure and list cost? Mrs. Thompson stated she would have to look up the bills, this was in the operating budget.
How much can the Selectmen pay without a town meeting vote or going out to bid? Mr. Parker stated that there is no limit as long as they have sufficient money in the budget, he does not recall any RSA pertaining to this issue. The bid policy has been to go out to bid with three vendors for expenditures over $250. Or in some case we have taken the state bid price.
Mr. Methe stated that he was accused last week of given Mrs. Wittenborg information to ask for e-mails that were sent to the former board. Mr. Clukey stated he made this comment. Mr. Methe stated that it was an accusation, Mrs. Wittenborg stated that Mr. Methe did not speak to her with regard to this. Mr. Clukey stated that he had this conversation with Mr. Methe, and about 20 minutes later Mrs. Wittenberg made this request. Mrs. Wittenberg stated that this is the discovery phase and e-mails are part of this, the e-mails have already led her in a different direction. This is a very complex case. They are entitled to information under public access law.
*** REVIEW LETTER FROM DOT: The board reviewed this letter. Mr. Parker was surprised that they
haven’t approved the traffic study, but the planning board approved the Site Plan. Mr. Clukey stated he
was under the impression this was approved. Mr. Parker would like a copy sent to Chairman of Planning
Board.
*** LETTER AND LIST STUDENTS FROM MRSD: The board will review. Mrs. Thompson stated that in
the past we requested Wayne Kassotis review this list. The board would like him to review this.
*** INVOICE FROM VISION FOR PICK-UPS: $1680. Mr. Parker moved to approve, Mr. Methe seconded.
The motion passed 3-0. Mr. Methe questioned if mileage was included. Mrs. Thompson stated that it
was.
*** INFORMATION ABOUT REGIONAL PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PLANNING: Mrs. Thompson attended
this meeting last evening. This is a way to develop a plan without costing the town any money. They
would hire a consultant from a grant from the State. The balance of money would be distributed to the
towns. They have created PODS grouped with Richmond, Winchester and Troy. This group would
decide what town would be the point of distribution. Mrs. Thompson stated that we may want to have
Nancy Carney be the towns representative since she is the Emergency Management Director. She also
attended this meeting last evening. Mr. Parker stated that he would need to review this information.
*** QUESTION FROM DEBLIEU REGARDING DENIAL OF ABATEMENT APPLICATION: Mr. Parker
stated he does not feel that this road has any bearing on the assessment. The fact that there is a right of
way does not have any bearing. The property goes right down to the water. We will write a letter stating
that the property extends to the water and the right of way has no bearing.
*** DETERMINE ATTENDANCE FOR SOUTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING DINNER: The board will
attend.
*** LETTER FROM MARGARET WITTENBORG:
*** DISCUSS SHERMAN COMPLAINT: Mr. Parker stated that Mr. Exel has received a letter from the board,
and has chosen to ignore it. Mr. Parker thinks we need to take him to court. Mr. Parker stated that if our
staff can’t handle this call to the attorney then he will make the call. He feels we should send a letter to
the Police Chief and question why the Animal Control Officer cannot handle this situation. The board
would like Tom Mullins contacted with regard to this matter.
*** BUILDING PERMIT:
- Jason Fortunato (Map 25, Lot 1-F) The board approved this request
*** JOAN KNIGHT: Mrs. Knight stated she would appreciate if she could meet with the Jim Basset when
the board meets with him since she has been requested to attend the BTLA hearing. The board agreed
that she could meet with him. Mr. Parker requested Mrs. Thompson contact Jim Bassset when a time to
meet would be. Mr. Parker stated that Mrs. Knight can review any records available with regard to this
matter.
*** NON-PUBLIC SESSION – PERSONNEL ISSUE
At 8:10 PM, Mr. Parker made a motion to go into Non-Public Session under RSA 91 A:3 II (a). Mr.
Clukey seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. Roll Call Vote; Mr. Clukey – yes, Mr. Parker
yes, Mr. Methe – yes.
At 8:40 PM. Mr. Clukey made a motion to go out of Non-Public Session under RSA 91 A:3 II (e). Mr.
Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0
*** JARVIS DEED: Mr. Parker questioned where we stand on this deed. Mrs. Thompson stated that the last
time she talked to Attorney Prigge he had called Doug Wattson and stated that the board agreed to go
ahead with this deed.
**** CODE ENFORCEMENT: Mr. Parker would like to schedule a meeting with the Code Enforcement
Officer to discuss how violations are handled.
*** 1/3 STUDY: Mr. Parker would like to have Vision complete its review of the State Line and Laurel
campgrounds as soon as possible since we have an abatement request.
*** IMPACT ORDINANCE: Mr. Parker feels the board needs to talk to the Planning Board with regard to
enacting an impact ordinance.
*** MEETING SCHEDULE: Mr. Methe stated that he will be leaving town at noon next Wednesday. The
board agreed to switch this meeting to Wednesday morning at 8:30.
*** PURCHASING POLICY: Mr. Parker would like to review the town purchasing policy.
*** BOARD MEETING: Mr. Parker stated that he would like to schedule a meeting of the Board of
Selectmen, Planning Board and ZBA and how all of these boards interface. He would like to know if
there is any one we can bring in with expertise. Mrs. Thompson will speak with the Local Government
Center. Mrs. Thompson suggested inviting other towns and having an attorney. Mr. Methe feels that
we should get a regional Selectmen’s group together. Mr. Parker stated he would be in favor of
hosting the first meeting.
*** ASSESSMENTS ON-LINE: Mr. Parker would like to find money in budget to put the assessments on-
line.
*** HOLOMBO OFFICE EXPANSION: Mr. Methe feels they are pretty close to the wetlands for this
expansion. Mr. Parker would like to measure and if this a problem then he will bring this up at the
Planning Board
SECONDARY:
· Various committee/board minutes
· Newsletters
· Review Police logs/reports
SIGN:
· Minutes
· Correspondence
· Payroll and Accounts Payable Manifests
There being no further business Mr. Parker moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM, Mr. Methe seconded, the motion passed 3-0.
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