TOWN OF TUFTONBORO
MEETING OF THE SELECTMEN
Monday August 29, 2005
*Accepted* 9-12-05
Selectmen present: Bill Stockman, Chip Albee and Susan Weeks.
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included:
Building Permits for H. C. Colby & Son, Dan & Raina Chick, Janet
Tognazzi, PAK 2000, Dana Pope, Brad Beveridge; Demolition Permit for Dana Pope;
Electrical Permit for Judy & Greg Herr; Plumbing Permit for David Donnelly;
Letter of Complaint from Fran Laase to Code Officer re: Poirier; Approval for
Construction for W. Perry Wilson Jr.; Property Transfer from AHR
Builders to Brian P. Talbot et al, William Deterling to Shane P. & Michele
C. Folsom; Police Dept. Press Release; NHDES re: Beach Water Test Results; Copy
of Letter from Code Officer to Reginald Colby re: building permit; LRHHPF
Minutes and Agenda; 2005 HHW participant Survey; Business Review; Notice of
Administrative Completeness for Stephen & Jennifer Yamane; Application for
Temporary Groundwater Discharge Permit for Lakes Region Water.
Minutes:
The Selectmen’s meeting minutes of 8/22/05 were approved as corrected.
Items for Signature: Supplemental Intent to
Cut for Graydon Hodgdon.
At approximately 3:00
Selectmen met with Tom Hanson regarding an issue with over development and
water use at Hidden Valley.
His property abuts Hidden Valley
and he is very concerned about the impact on his water supply. Lakes Region
Water Company has applied to dig another well very close to his property, as
the six wells that have been dug in the past 10-15 years have been completely
drained. Mr. Mason of Lakes Region Water has been trucking in water for some
time. There has been a dramatic shift from summer homes to year round
residences and a lot of additional building in Hidden
Valley, which has put a strain on
water resources. Diana Morgan from NHDES informed Mr. Hanson that it could have
an effect on his well. Mr. Hanson asked the Selectmen to put a moratorium on
development in Hidden Valley.
Dick Oedel, who was also in attendance to discuss this problem, advised that the
water level in the aquifer is now 200 feet lower. He stated that NHDES does have the authority
to stop building in Hidden Valley
but they prefer that the Selectmen resolve the problem. Mr. Oedel said it is
possible that LRW Co. will not be
recertified by the PUC as a water supplier. The Selectmen asked for more
information from NHDES and the PUC to make an informed decision. The Selectmen
are very reluctant to take away property rights from owners on just the advise of 2 abutting property owners. Mr. Hanson also
submitted a letter from another property owner stating the same concerns. Mr.
Hanson and Mr. Oedel will gather the pertinent data to give to the Selectmen.
Barbara Haskell asked for a yellow line to be painted down
the center of Ledge Hill Road.
The road is very hard to see at night. The Selectmen will discuss this issue
during the budget process for next year.
At approximately 3:30
Selectmen met with Jay Poulin from H. E. Bergeron. Mr. Poulin presented the
final plan for the Transfer Station project. Finishing touches on the plan will
be done this week and the job will be advertised next week in several trade
papers and the local Granite State News. It was decided the bid opening date
would be Monday 9/26/05 at 3 pm at the Town Office. An optional pre-bid
meeting would be held on Friday 9/16/05 at 9 am at the Transfer Station. Since it is a
six-week construction duration, which brings it into November it was decided
that the contractor would only have to mulch the site. This would enable the
contract to be closed out this year. The cost estimate was put at $162,900. Mr.
Poulin mentioned that there is no way of knowing if the electric is up to code
until it is exposed at which time it will have to be fixed. Mr. Poulin will
provide the Administrative Assistant with the advertisement to be placed in the
GSN for next week.
Selectman Weeks said that she had received an e-mail from a
very satisfied customer of the Transfer Station. It especially mentioned Scott
and Paul. Copies will be distributed to all employees at the Transfer Station.
Selectman Albee advised that he spoke to Attorney Ciandella
and was advised that a public hearing will have to be held regarding the
Adelphia takeover. The hearing will be either 9/19/05 or 9/26/05. Selectman Albee will schedule with the
attorney, as the attorney will be attending. DTC
at Law will handle the notice.
Selectman Weeks wanted to clarify a statement in the minutes
of 8/22/05
regarding the payment of legal fees by the Conservation Commission. She stated
that the payment of legal fees was never discussed with the Commission and when
the Selectmen decided to hire a lawyer the fees would have been paid from the
town’s Legal budget.
At approximately 4:00
Selectmen met with Loren Martin from Avitar.
Selectman Weeks had faxed some general questions to Avitar
and requested someone from the company attend this meeting. The first item was
an explanation of exempt-municipal. There are only 3 exempt categories –
federal, state and municipal. Other properties that do not fall into any of
those categories would be designated exempt-municipal. They are not necessarily
town properties. Current Use value was also explained. Avitar
will try to accommodate all requests for appointments but there has to be a
cutoff since the data has to be finalized and turned over to the town. Property
owners will still have an opportunity to ask for a change in assessment through
the abatement process. Gravel pits are listed as commercial but only the active
area is valued at a commercial value. Chairman Stockman and Selectman Albee
questioned the value of large parcels on ROW
or class VI roads. Ms. Martin said that she would need an example in order to
answer the question. The Selectmen will discuss this issue at their own
appointments with the assessors.
Selectmen Albee and Weeks attended the County
Forum hosted by the Town of Sunapee.
The towns invited were ones that are apparently paying more than their fair
share of county taxes. A general discussion took place about why and what could
be done. About 25 people attended many being legislators.
Selectman Weeks proposed not sending an article to the
Tuftonboro Times for the next edition. Selectman Albee asked if it should be
used as a forum as proposed by Mr. Phillips last week. Selectman Weeks said she
would reconsider if any of the other selectmen were to write an article.
Barbara Wood responded to a comment made by Selectman Albee
a couple of weeks ago and said she is more than willing to serve on the ZBA
since she is no longer on the Planning Board. The Selectmen will note this for
the next time an opening is available.
No meeting next week as it is Labor Day.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn Sundquist
Administrative Assistant