TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

MEETING OF THE SELECTMEN

Monday August 4, 2003

 

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*Accepted*  8-11-03

 

Selectmen present: Rick Chellman, Susan Weeks and Bill Stockman.

 

Selectmen reviewed mail, which included:  Building Permits for Robert & Brenda Whitten, Richard A. Rollins, Maryann Whisman, Kikokiwi Trust (Roger Read Trustee), Lance Williams; Approval for Operation for Glen/Rhonda Carpenter, Denis Gillum; Approval for Construction for Camp Sentinel, Paul Dubuc, Dennis/Mary Ann Whisman; DES Notice of Incomplete Application for Sauve; Tom Sweeney response to Selectmen re: Recycling Center Review; Copy of Response to DES from Tom Sweeney re: Landfill Groundwater Permit; Copy of Response to G. C. Engineering from FEMA re: revision to Flood Insurance Rate Map; Memo fro Lisa Herder re: www.tuftonboro.nh.gov activation; Letter from Division of Parks and Recreation re: Grant Round Nineteen; Memo re: telephone answering system; Memo re: benefits probation; Memo re: veterans tax credits; Notice from DTC at Law re: new associate; UNH News & Views; HealthTrust Coordinator Connection; Periscope; The Inner Chamber; Governing Magazine; Litigation Review. 

 

Items for signature: Blind Exemption for Boll; Revised Agreement & Release for Holland.

 

Minutes: The minutes of the 7/28/03 meeting were approved. The minutes on the 7/28 non-public meeting were approved.

 

At approximately 6:30, the Selectmen met with David Hynes, Appraisal Supervisor, DRA. Mr. Hynes announced that he would be the Town’s representative until the vacancy created when Scott Dickman was transferred is filled. Mr. Hynes explained how approval of SB54 has changed the reval process. The standards and rules are now called guidelines so they are not mandatory. This will enable DRA to better gauge how the Town’s are doing with certification. It does not change the certification so the same requirements still apply. The equalized ratio should be between 90% -110%, Tuftonboro is at 62.4%. The COD should be 20 or lower, Tuftonboro is at 21.3. The PRD, which shows how we are assessing our higher vs. our lower properties should range from .98-1.03, Tuftonboro is at 1.17. This means the Town is over assessing our lower priced properties or under valuing high priced properties. There are 3 strata groups that are reviewed – residential improved, commercial/industrial improved and vacant. Each strata needs a minimum of 8 valid sales. The law requires that assessments have to be brought up to 100% every 5 years. Mr. Hynes thought that in theory after the reval is done in 2005 another full blown reval would not have to be done because we have the software in place to adjust the values to keep them in line. Mr. Hynes stressed that the community has to be pro active. The Town has to have all properties up to market value by 4/1/05 so that the tax rate can be set for 2005.  If the Town were to not approve the funding, the BTLA would step in and order a reval to be done. It would be given to DRA and they would pick the contractor. The total cost would then be added to the tax rate. The DRA would go to the Governor’s Council for approval and therefore the expenditure

 

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 would not require approval at Town meeting. Chairman Chellman requested a list of companies that have done work around the lake. Mr. Hynes mentioned Vision, Earls, Nieder & Perkins and Nyberg, Purvis and Associates. Mr. Hynes said there is still time to get everything done but we need to put out an RFP. DRA no longer approves contracts but they need to get a copy. DRA monitors the reval for accuracy. The average cost is $76 per parcel. Mr. Hynes recommended exemptions be tied to the CPI so that it would rise and fall with the market. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Hynes for his time.

 

At approximately 7:25, Selectmen met with Bill Kaiser. Mr. Kaiser stated that Adelphia, according to the contract, should have had the high-speed access completed by 8/1. Since this has not happened he requests that the Town call the performance bond of $25,000.00. Chairman Chellman stated that he has been in constant contact with Adelphia and the reason they have not continued is due to the supplier of the fiber optic. Chief Shagoury said that he was told that the crews are ready to finish in a 2-3 week timeframe as soon as the fiber optic is available. Lew Williams advised he had spoken to John Bailey and Rodney King in Conway. They thought it did not have to done by 10/1 and that they are waiting for the fiber. Mr. Kaiser thought this was not acceptable, as he has seen a lot of work in surrounding towns. Chairman Chellman will contact Adelphia. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Kaiser for his time.

 

At approximately 7:35, Selectmen met with Maryann Murray. Ms. Murray gave her report on the swim program. Two thirds of the 91 participants are Town residents. There 38 kids on the swim team. Ms. Murray had a t-shirt that was designed by Terry Colby and sold to participants. Ms. Murray said she would like to join the Granite State Swimming Association and have meets throughout the season. There will also be lifeguard training in mid to late June. The Selectmen thanked Ms. Murray for her time.

 

At approximately 7:40, Selectmen met with Road Agent Steve Hunter. Chairman Chellman said that he has seen a lot of good work being done but that most people might not see that. Mr. Hunter reported that he has been working on paving, shoulders, culverts and bushes. There are also some dead trees to be cut down. The next section of Dame Road is to be done this fall. Mr. Hunter would like to use the remaining paving money to do Crossneck Road. Mr. Hunter questioned what is being done about County Road Bridge. Selectman Weeks said that a decision has to be made and then get it out for pricing. This will be discussed at the meeting on the 18th. Chairman Chellman said that a big issue that came out of the Road Committee is accountability. Can Mr. Hunter provide more detail if a form is provided? Selectman Stockman said that the information is needed so that people will know what you are doing. Mr. Hunter said that he would provide more detail. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Hunter for his time.

 

Fred Sargent reported it was a misunderstanding that caused the dumpster to not be delivered for the island rubbish pick-up.

 

 

 

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Selectman Stockman reported on the meeting he attended with the Wildwood Association. They plan on doing some road repairs and if there were extra material leftover they would patch some of the town road. Selectman Weeks said they should sign a waiver.

Selectman Stockman also attended the Mirror Lake Protective Association meeting. Ed Roundy from the Wolfeboro Scenic View Committee attended. He presented a plan to cut trees and bushes on a parcel owned by Wolfeboro, which is on Mirror Lake. The Association was not in favor of this and will be sending a certified letter to the Selectmen of both Towns.

 

There has been no further news from NHDOT on the fence at 19 Mile Bay.

 

Chairman Chellman reported that the cost to move the fiber optic cable from the old pole location to the new at 19 Mile Bay would be about $3600.00

 

At approximately 8:10, Selectman Stockman made a motion to go into non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A: 3 II (b) to discuss a personnel issue. Selectman Stockman seconded the motion. Roll call: Chairman Chellman – yes, Selectman Weeks – yes, Selectman Stockman – yes.

 

After returning to public session, Chairman Chellman left. Selectman Weeks and Stockman discussed the memo regarding a telephone answering system. It was agreed that a system is needed for the town office building so that messages could be left for every office and hours of operation for the various offices can be stated on the answering system. This should free up the time of office personnel as well as benefiting the public. Administrative Assistant Carolyn Sundquist will pursue this.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.