TOWN OF TUFTONBORO
MEETING OF THE SELECTMEN
Monday October 31, 2005
*Accepted* 11-7-05 CORRECTIONS IN BOLD
Selectmen present: Bill Stockman, Chip Albee and Susan Weeks.
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included:
Building Permits Cindy Moore, Kim & Thomas Wood, Mark & Diane Tremblay,
Peter & Scott Stanard; Plumbing Permit for Michael & Mary Jarvis;
Electrical Permit for Reg Colby, Maughn, Dave McLaughlin, David Rembis, Richard
Arnald, Ed Moore, Margaret Bashe, Susan & Ed MacDonald, George & Joan
Leclair; Certificate of Occupancy for George Paul & Jill Warner, Robert
& Joyce Wood; Demolition Permit for Thomas Wood; Approval for Construction
for Catherine/Dana Difiore, Christopher/John/Gregory Dorn; Property Transfers
from Lake Corner to Scott Giessler et al, Patricia Luby to Trust, John Goggin
to Stanley Shimkus & Martha Newport-Shimkus, Frances Diskin Revocable Trust
to AMG Nominee Trust, Herbert Sauve to
Catherine Nesbit, Roger Risoldi et al to Trusts; NHDES Notice of Discharge
Permit Application for Gilman (Zingale); Minimum Impact Expedited Application
for Evan Boris; Notice of Voluntary Merger for Scott Stanard; Parks & Rec 11/3/05 Agenda & 10/13/05 minutes; Notice of
BudCom meeting on 11/8/05;
Memo re: breezeway doors; Coalition Communities; Breakfast Forum Invitation –
Eastern Lakes Region Housing Coalition; Alton ZBA Notice of Public Hearing 11/3/05; NH Dept. of State
Notice of Election Budget Considerations.
Minutes:
The Selectmen’s meeting minutes of 10/24/05 were approved.
Items for Signature: MS-5; Intent to Cut for
Mary Procter; Appointment of Deputy Tax Collector; Appointment of Parks &
Rec Member; Letters to Prospective Property Owners (9).
At approximately 3:05
Selectmen met with Gary Roberge and Loren Martin of Avitar. Selectmen Weeks stated
that they were asked to attend this meeting in order to discuss the completion
of the reval as it gave the appearance of closing up
shop and leaving town. The final letters were mailed and the website was shut
down so residents were not able to see why their assessments had gone up or
have anyone to question. Mr. Roberge said that it may have seemed that way but
that everyone was notified the website was only available until 9/30/05 and it is Avitar’s
practice to not update the website with the final assessments. He explained
that the website was not part of the contract but something provided by Avitar
at their own expense. Mr. Roberge said that he has
considered changes for next year to bring the website back up. He also
explained that the preliminary numbers were not final and that changes were
made because an error was brought to their attention that affected lake and
road frontage which caused a fair number of changes. The final values given to
the town were accepted by the signing of the MS-1 by the Selectmen. Mr. Roberge
stressed that no one has lost their right to have their assessment changed. The
abatement process is still an option once the tax bill is received. Avitar
provides unlimited defense for abatements. Mr. Roberge stated that property owners
can file an abatement in writing or on a state
approved form. It must clearly state it is an abatement application and it is
in the property owner’s best interest to submit as much supporting paperwork as
possible. Just a letter to the Selectmen does not give a property owner any
legal rights. Anyone who has sent a letter to the Selectmen will be sent a
letter explaining the process. If the abatement is denied then the owner may
appeal to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals or the Superior Court. This must be
done by 9/1/06. There is a
fee to appeal to the BTLA but no fee for an abatement
and it is not necessary for anyone to get a professional appraisal. Avitar will
start checking abatements as soon as they start coming in and not wait until 3/1/06. The Selectmen have until 7/1/06 to respond abatement
requests. A couple of property owners were in attendance and referred some
issues to Mr. Roberge. They will be checked for accuracy and if errors are
found then Avitar will review the rest
of the properties. Any changes will go through the Selectmen. It was noted that
sales are already above the assessed values. Avitar has the town’s current
information up on their website and people may contract to have access to the
database for $25 per year.
At approximately 4:30
Selectmen met with Dave Hynes of the NH Dept. of Revenue Administration. The
Selectmen had questions regarding tax exemptions in particular those for camps.
Mr. Hynes first reported that he has monitored the reval process and will have
a full written report for the Selectmen in a couple of weeks. Since the town is
in an assessment review year, Mr. Hynes has already been sampling the
exemptions for accuracy. He explained that all properties that claim tax-exempt
status have to file an A-9 yearly and if they claim a charitable exemption they
need to also file an A-12. Not every 501c-3 is eligible for exempt status. The
Selectmen can request any and all information to prove the organization is
eligible and if the info is not received the exemption can be revoked. The
charter of the organization is a good place to start because it will explain
what happens to the property if the organization dissolves. The
use of the property is also another indication. Payment in Lieu of Taxes is
voluntary and for those qualifying for tax-exempt status. RSA
72:28k defines exemptions.
The Selectmen approved and signed the following:
- MS-5
- Intent
to Cut for Procter
- Letters
to Property Owners
Selectman Weeks made a motion to appoint Anne Chapel as
Deputy Tax Collector. Seconded by Selectman Albee with all in
favor.
The appointment for Paul Askew for Parks & Rec will be
held until next week to check on when the appointment expires.
Chairman Stockman reported that the road agent checked the
new caps put on the 21 6x6 posts. The 14 8x8 posts were not capped. Chairman
Stockman suggested sending the payment to Moores Marine with a note saying that
the town appreciates the caps being placed on the posts and that maybe the
other 14 could be done. The Selectmen were in agreement in closing out the job
and sending the final payment.
Chairman Stockman also reported that Pike will be paving Dame
Road this Wednesday and the Transfer Station after
that but will not be doing any additional paving in town this year.
Selectman Albee commented on the questionnaire on Basic
Internal Controls completed by the Administrative Assistant. There are about 10
questions that need to be addressed so he will meet with the Town Clerk and
Administrative Assistant on Wednesday.
Chairman Stockman will speak to Wayne Cheney now that his
contract with the real estate agent has expired.
Chairman Stockman stated he has information on water
withdrawal, which he will copy for the other Selectmen.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15
PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn Sundquist
Administrative Assistant