TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

MEETING OF THE SELECTMEN

Monday January 5, 2004

 

PAGE 1

*Accepted*  1-12-04 CORRECTIONS IN BOLD          

 

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

 

Selectmen reviewed mail, which included:  Property Transfer from Richard & Neona Cole to Allan. M. & Gail S. Gerrish, Lyle G. Cheney to Douglas L. Cheney; Perambulation Report from Moultonborough Town Administrator; Parks & Rec Minutes for 12/4/03 and Agenda for 1/8/04; Adelphia notice re: Digital Video Recorders; BTLA re: Reassessment inquiry; Letter from Robert Parmenter re: Cow Island Easement; Legislative Bulletin #1; Business Review; Proposed Holiday Schedule for Town Office 2004; Letter of Resignation from Ted Bense re: HHHW; Pay approval request from Chief Shagoury; Town House ADA Initial Review from Wes Flierl; Electric Quotes for Generator from Scott Thompson and Bob Watson.

 

Items for signature:  Franklin Septage Agreement

 

Minutes: The Selectmen’s meeting minutes for 12-22-03 were accepted and for 12-29-03 accepted as corrected.

 

At approximately 6:30, Selectmen met with Joe Lessard and Scott Marsh from MRI. Mr. Marsh went over the Data Integrity Review and advised that the physical data overall was good (less than1% error of 185 properties sampled) but some administrative errors were found. Mr. Lessard stated that the DRA does require property inspection when doing a full revaluation. MRI’s work will not change for 2004, they will still be doing the pickups but in 2005 it will be included in the revaluation price. Mr. Lessard offered the services of MRI to go over the bids, which are due 1/12/04, for comparison. They would also be available to spot check the revaluation process – they are willing to do whatever the Town needs. In their experience appeals run about 10-15%. Approximate cost of the revaluation is $240,000.00. It was confirmed that the non-waterfront properties are currently subsidizing the waterfront properties. Mr. Marsh will be in next week to look at the bids. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Lessard and Mr. Marsh.

 

At approximately 6:55, Selectmen met with Joe Kowalski and Recycling Supervisor Fred Sargent. Mr. Kowalski has been working with Mr. Sargent in preparing the 2004 budget. Mr. Kowalski made several observations:

  • A third full-time person is needed instead of summer part-time.
  • Getting the second compactor will save thousands of dollars by not sending out half empty containers.
  • The computer needs work.
  • Look into purchasing the uniforms instead of renting.
  • Look at rates for disposal of certain items and charge accordingly.
  • Proposed buying a new bucket loader and keep the old one (Bobcat).

Mr. Kowalski also mentioned the need to finish the siding of the main building and to fix the leaky roof. The oil burner also needs to be serviced. He will continue to help organize the files. Mr. Sargent is still waiting for some numbers to come in and can then finalize his budget. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Kowalski for his efforts.

 

At approximately 7:35, Selectmen met with Road Agent Steve Hunter. Mr. Hunter submitted the estimate for paving by Pike Industries. No decision as yet which roads will be paved this year. Road Agent budget will be finalized next week.

 

At approximately 7:45, Selectmen met with Steve Berry. Mr. Berry was upset about the article in last week’s paper, which he thought accused him of being the person responsible for the rutting and tearing up of the Great Meadow. Mr. Berry stated that he has always been very respective of other people’s property and is not the person responsible for causing the damage. Chairman Chellman advised that it was two different conversations and that the Selectmen had asked the Code Officer to check the cabin he is building on his property in the Great Meadows and did not mean to imply that he was causing the damage. Mr. Berry said that he has received many telephone calls and wanted to clarify the issue. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Berry for his time.

 

Selectman Weeks made a motion to approve the Franklin Septage Agreement. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor.

 

At approximately 7:55, Selectmen met with Fire Chief Adam Thompson. Chief Thompson was in to speak about the Emergency Management budget. Before getting into that issue Selectman Weeks submitted salary comparisons of Fire Departments of a similar size. The proposed increases are the minimum that personnel should be paid. After some discussion Selectman Weeks made a motion to approve the Fire Department budget as presented on 12/22/03 for a total of $186,905.00. Chief Thompson submitted two proposals for the electrical work associated with the hookup of the generator. After review the Selectmen approved the bid by Scott Thompson. Chief Thompson stated that he would like to get the generator up and running to be used in other places besides the school. This would require an additional panel.

Chief Thompson also reported that the total calls for the year was 306 (183 fire, 103 medical, 20 service) as compared to 312 for 2002. He has also done 32 oil burner inspections and 6 wood stove. Chief Thompson said he has checked into the insurance issue in respect to not having a fire truck at Winners Circle Farm. He was told that if our ISO rating goes from 9 to 10 (10 being the worst) by losing the 5 mile rating, homes over $75,000 would have a problem getting insurance. Only 2 of the 12 insurance companies handle a 10 rating. The new fire truck will be discussed next week. The Selectmen thanked Chief Thompson for his time.

 

Selectmen discussed the proposed 2004 holiday schedule for the Town Office. Selectman Weeks advised that the Town Office should be closed on Election Day and that it should be one of the float days and not 1/2/04. It was decided that 1/2/04 would still be a no-pay day but that the issue of closing on Election Day would be verified.

 

The Road Agent will be asked to estimate the cost to regrade the parking lot at the Town House as proposed by the plans for ADA compliance.

 

The following budgets were approved by the Selectmen and will be sent to the Budget Committee: Legal, Contingency, Direct Assistance, and Animal Control. Executive was approved except for line one (salaries). Code Officer budget was also approved for $30,095.00.

 

Selectmen approved the purchase of a new Pitney Bowes Mailing System.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Carolyn Sundquist

Administrative Assistant