TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

MEETING OF THE SELECTMEN

Monday July 11, 2005

 

 

*Accepted*

 

Selectmen present:  Bill Stockman, Chip Albee and Susan Weeks.

 

Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Letter of Transmittal from H. E. Bergeron to NHDOT re: County Road Bridge; NHDOT Letter of Conformity re: County Road Bridge; NHDOT Contract Award re: County Road Bridge; Correspondence regarding County Road Bridge from Moores Marine and International Fidelity Insurance Company; H. E. Bergeron memo #10 re: County Road Bridge; Building Permits for Donald & Tamara Weeks, David Donnelly, Tim Christian, Joseph & Linda Roy, Allen & Nancy Randlov; electric Permit for John Goggin, Tom Lennon, Stephen Rembis, Jean Whitten, Jeffrey Scipione, Robert Cramm, Michael & Sandra Moraros; Plumbing Permit for Michael Moraros, Bruce Campagna, Jeffrey Scipione, Joseph & Linda Roy; Certificate of Occupancy for Peter Morrill, American Youth Foundation, Jack Munsey, Harold & Kristen Isley; Driveway Permit for Dave Locke/Brian Eaton, Richard Hopgood; Approval for Operation for Joseph/Linda Roy, American Youth Foundation (2), Donald/Tamara Weeks, Karla/Michael Danais, Dana A Hamel, John Ratcliffe, Christopher Burnett; Approval for Construction for North Country Village; Property Transfers from New Style Homes to Carol S. Zimmerman, et al, Martha Altemus to Brian & Linda Palmer, Jeremiah & Christine Feeley to Fred & Mary Beth Hertel, Stanley & Patricia Fredriksen to Fredriksen Trust, Helen Meehan Trust to Charles Meehan Trust, Helen Meehan Trust to Helen Meehan Trust, S. Warren Farrell Jr. to Lois Farrell, S. Warren Farrell Jr. to Stephen & Dawn Farrell, Lois Farrell to Stephen & Dawn Farrell; Standard Dredge & Fill for State of NH, Catherine & Dana Fiore; Notice of Administrative Completeness for Ronald & Deborah Harrison; White Mountain Oil & Propane re: Price Cap Insurance Program; HealthTrust Slice of Life; LGC notice of acceptance payments for COBRA and retirees; The Inner Chamber; PeriScope; ZBA Notice of Decision for Folsom, Wood; NHDES water test results for 19 Mile Bay Beach and Melvin Beach; Business Review; Executive Council Report #10.

 

Minutes: The Selectmen’s meeting minutes of 6/27/05 were approved as corrected.

 

Items for Signature:  Right to Burial for Malmgren; Planning Board Appointment for Derby, Stewart; ZBA Appointment for Cubeddu, Kaiser; Conservation Commission Appointment for Evans, Wright; Firefighter Appointment for Delaney; Unlicensed Dog Warrant; Intent to Cut for Palmason.

 

At approximately 3:00 Selectmen met with David Hynes from DRA. Mr. Hynes reported that he has been monitoring the revaluation and other than some minor errors the work done by Avitar has been excellent and appears to be on schedule. Each data collector’s work has been reviewed. Mr. Hynes said he would accompany Avitar when they visit the islands on the 22nd and 23rd of July. Mr. Hynes was in the town office today reviewing tax exemptions and credits. The assessment review will be ready in about a year. It cannot be started until values are in place. Selectman Albee was concerned about the large number of people who needed appointments. Mr. Hynes stated that every attempt would be made to accommodate everyone. A list of properties that were not inspected will then be given to the Selectmen who then have the option of attempting to schedule appointments. Mr. Hynes stressed the importance of inspections in order to get a fair and equitable assessment. Mr. Hynes was also questioned about current use values and whether or not the ad valorem values will also be listed. Mr. Hynes stated that state law changed on 9/3/01 requiring that current use be valued at current use values and does not have to be assessed at current market value. The idea being that the property in current use is only at market value at the time it is taken out of current use.

 

The Selectmen approved and signed the following:

·        Vacation request for Sundquist

·        Town House ADA Renovation Contract with Kimball Lumber Center

·        Warrant for Unlicensed Dogs

·        Intent to Cut for Palmason

·        Right to Burial for Malmgren

·        Letter to Wolfeboro-Tuftonboro Land Bank

 

A motion was made by Selectman Weeks to appoint Dawn Evans as a member of the Conservation Commission. Seconded by Selectman Albee, with all in favor. Selectman Weeks stated that the article in the Tuftonboro Times is clearly one-sided and that a board should reflect many viewpoints therefore it is important to appoint people who may have different views.

 

At approximately 3:30 Selectmen met with Peter Stewart, an architect from Gilford, to talk about the Public Safety Building. Chairman Stockman was looking for guidance in what is needed as far as the site was concerned. Mr. Stewart said that if he had a list of rooms and sizes a rough schematic could be drawn up even though the town does not have a site yet. The schematic could be done for different types of sites. Mr. Stewart is willing to work with the Selectmen to give them options to help with the decision-making. Selectmen asked Mr. Stewart for a proposal and requested several references. The Selectmen are planning to have a presentation in place for town meeting.

 

At approximately 3:40 Selectmen met with Transfer Station Supervisor Fred Sargent. Mr. Sargent reported that both containers have been filled up over the past two weekends. He had to make arrangements for Waste Management to bring two containers instead of the usual one. Waste Management picks up containers twice a week – Tuesday and either Thursday or Friday. Mr. Sargent said that most of it is household garbage and that mandatory recycling would help considerably. Selectman Albee will contact Jay Poulin regarding providing additional concrete pads for containers in his plan for the Transfer Station.

 

At approximately 3:50 Selectmen met with Code Officer Ted Wright. Mr. Wright reported 30 new homes so far this year. In 2004 there was a total of 36. He will make a site visit to Mr. Holmes on Tuesday to see how he is progressing with the clean up of his property. There is one issue of concern – a home business that has expanded beyond home occupation. The resident is currently looking for another piece of property to move the business to.

 

At approximately 3:55 Selectmen met with Paul O’Connor. Mr. O’ Connor lives on Durgin Road and wanted to express his concerns about the proposed 25-lot subdivision proposed by Zadeda Farms. He will not be able to attend the Planning Board meeting but his wife will be there. Mr. O’Connor wanted to know if there was any way to judge the impact on the town. The Selectmen informed him that it is the Planning Board’s responsibility to make sure the applicant is following the town zoning ordinances. Any work that has been done has been at risk since no permits have been issued or plans approved. Mr. O’Connor thanked the Selectmen for allowing him the opportunity to express his views.

 

At approximately 4:05 Selectmen met with Fran Laase regarding his recently approved abatement. Mr. Laase felt that he deserved a 50% reduction in value and only received 33%. The Selectmen explained that they rely on the assessors to investigate the claim and make a recommendation to the Selectmen. Selectman Weeks will contact Scott Marsh from MRI for more background information.

 

Selectman Albee reported on the Time-Warner Cable Contract. After participating in the online blog site power point presentation he felt that this was an opportunity for the town to renegotiate any changes they felt were needed.  The next step would be to write a letter to Time-Warner. Selectman Weeks suggested contacting the law firm of Donahue, Tucker and Ciandella for assistance and have them write the letter. Selectman Albee agreed and said he would contact them on Tuesday.

 

The Personnel Policy Committee developed a questionnaire that was sent to about 10 towns asking for salary information. Several responses have already been received.

 

At approximately 4:30 Selectmen met with Police Chief Shagoury. Chief Shagoury reported that the Project 54 grant would be providing equipment for up to 4 vehicles next year. This includes voice-controlled lights, sirens, radar and laptops. It is about $12,000 worth of equipment. The Chief also reported that there were 7 applicants for the sergeant’s position. Four did not pass the agility test and the results of the written test were disappointing. The job was offered to one applicant who declined after speaking to his family. The Chief is considering oral boards for the other two applicants for more information.

 

Chairman Stockman reported on the Islanders Association meeting, which was not well attended. A major topic was water testing which is done by volunteers and tested at UNH. They would like to see more coordination of results. Fire Chief Thompson attended the meeting and brought the airboat for everyone to see.

 

Selectman Weeks stated that she was very upset by the Conservation Commission article in the Tuftonboro Times. She wants the Board of Selectmen to stop participating in the Times and if they do continue she wants her name removed. The article was very negative and there is no opportunity for opposing viewpoints. Statements attributed to her were based on gossip. Selectman Weeks e-mailed the president of the Tuftonboro Association stating her feelings about the article. Resident Pat Cookson said she had read the article and thought it was just a report not an editorial and did not get that same impression. She thought that if Selectman Weeks felt that strongly about the issue the Selectmen should respond. The Selectmen decided to discuss again next week.

 

Selectman Weeks read a memo from the Town Clerk, which advised that the town would not be online with the State for the next 7 weeks because of the change to the Motor Vehicle system. There are certain functions that will not be able to be done until the town is brought online with the new system.

 

Selectman Weeks reported that H. E. Bergeron recommends still going for liquidated damages from Moores Marine. All but one subcontractor has been paid. We are waiting for the checks to clear. The final inspection of the bridge was done Friday.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Carolyn Sundquist

Administrative Assistant