TOWN OF TUFTONBORO

MEETING OF THE SELECTMEN

Monday January 30, 2006

*Accepted* 2-6-06

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

Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Building Permits for Melvin Village Community Church, John Malinick & Diane Bimler, Ron & Carolyn Sundquist; Plumbing Permit for Steve Farrell; Notice of Denial for Browne Family Trust; Formal Complaint on property at 27-1-3; Approval for Operation for Kathleen/John Donovan; Property Transfers from Joan Riordan Trust to Edward Riordan Trust, Hansen to Hansen Trust; MS61 – Tax Collectors Report; Letter reporting payment of Franchise Fees from Adelphia; Copy of Letter sent to Loren Martin of Avitar from David Hynes, DRA; letter From Loren Martin of Avitar re: DRA report; Memo re: land acquisition advice from DRA; Notice of Seco9nd Annual Road Cleanup Day – April 22^nd; Memo re: Paul Zimmerman; Memo re: E-mail addresses; Parks & Rec Minutes for 1/5/06 and Agenda for 2/2/06; Legislative Bulletin #5 & 6; Lakes Region Septic Report; Business Review; Executive Council Report #2; Jeb Bradley representative at Town Office 2/15/06; Certificate of Training for Officer Lafavre.

Minutes: The Selectmen’s meeting minutes of 1/23/06 were approved.

Items for Signature: Veterans Credit Application for Jalbert; Application for Veterans Credit for Currier; Supplemental Intent to Cut for Townsend; H. E. Bergeron Additional Work Authorization for Transfer Station.

At approximately 9:00 Selectmen met with Barbara Wood regarding the petition to increase the board to 5 members. Ms. Wood advised the board that a public hearing should have been scheduled within 10 days of receipt of the petition as per RSA 41.8-c. Ms. Wood asked to be notified when the hearing is scheduled. Ms. Wood also asked if the selectmen’s meeting agendas could be posted at the local post offices. The Selectmen felt that this was not practical. The agendas are posted at the town office and on the town website.

At approximately 9:05 Selectmen met with Jay Poulin of H. E. Bergeron who presented the results of the Transfer Station bid opening. Five of the seven firms with plans submitted bids. The low bidder was Kimball Lumber Center followed by Stephen Hunter and then PRB Construction. Mr. Poulin said that Kimball was very responsive and had all the requirements and recommended awarding the contract to Kimball. Mr. Poulin said that the Selectmen made a good decision to rebid the project since more bids were received, which saved about $20,000. The awarding of the bid will not be made until after it is approved at town meeting, which is within the 60-day window. Mr. Poulin mentioned that Paul Kimball may make a recommendation to change the plans regarding the sheetrock, trim and roof pitch. The proposed warrant article will be about $225,000, which will include the construction work and siding, windows and doors and Atlantic Leasing (to move the compactor and do some fabrication). Tony Lyon questioned having Kimball Lumber Center do the job since the work done at the Town House was very slow to completion. The Selectmen said this project would require more specific deadlines.

Selectman Weeks presented the map with the 5-mile radius for review. The Fire Chief mapped the roads and all are within the 5-mile radius. Selectman Weeks wanted to state for the record and for clarification that the central location covers all houses except for Wildwood Estates. The one central location covers more of the town than the 2-separate locations and that it is easier for the firefighters to respond to. A question arose regarding the ambulance contract and what that covers. The Selectmen explained that it is a guarantee that an ambulance would be available to respond to calls in town. The town pays for this contract but the user pays for the actual use of the ambulance. The rates are much higher this year due to the contracts the ambulance services have with surrounding towns.

Bill Kaiser asked why he has not received a response from the board to his letter of January 6, 2006. Selectman Weeks said that Avitar was asked to respond. Mr. Kaiser replied that he did receive a response from them but is still not satisfied. The Selectmen asked Mr. Kaiser to put his specific issues in writing, not generalities. Mr. Kaiser said that it doesn’t affect him personally but he is looking for accuracy in the assessments. The Selectmen said that the state found the work done by Avitar satisfactory. The state had criticized the current use methodology but this has since been retracted by the state, as they had no basis to make their claims. Selectman Albee said that sales are reflective of a good reval and the sales being seen are right in line with the assessments. The response by the public is typical of any revaluation that has been done.

Mr. Kaiser reported that he has set up a website as a vehicle for discussions concerning town issues because he felt the town was lacking in communication. Mr. Kaiser wanted to make it clear that this has not been endorsed by the town and will be more controlled than the town forum had been. Selectman Weeks said in response that the town has a website, the selectmen’s meetings are reported in the paper and the meetings are taped and televised on cable, so there are many ways that information is being provided.

A representative from Congressman Jeb Bradley’s office will be at the Town Office on February 15 from 10:30 to 11:30 to meet with the general public.

The Annual Roadside Cleanup will be held this year on Earth Day, which is Saturday April 22^nd.

The Selectmen approved the list of the new e-mail addresses. This will alleviate the need to change addresses whenever providers change. The list will be available on the town website.

Chairman Stockman reported that the Cheney Farm appraisal was received and that the value of the property has gone up quite a bit. It was felt that it was higher than it needs to be. Selectman Albee would like to meet with the appraiser. The Cheneys need to be contacted to see what their expectations are. Chairman Stockman stated that this has to be done as quickly as possible. The Selectmen have a meeting scheduled for 10 am on Wednesday with Attorney Ryan. Selectman Albee will ask Conservation Commission Chair Ann Hackl to attend. Chairman Stockmen mentioned that the bill for the new assessment would be paid for (up to $1500) by the Wolfeboro-Tuftonboro Land Bank as long as the easement goes through. The bill for $2000 will be sent to the Land Bank.

The Selectmen approved and signed the following:

• Application for Veterans Credit for Jalbert
• Application for Veterans Credit for Currier
• H. E. Bergeron Additional Work Authorization for Transfer Station Project
• Sullivan Tire Tax Exempt Authorization

Bruce Pigott commented on a subject from last week saying that he felt having a police log reported in the paper is a great way for the department to communicate with the town and could possibly be an investigative tool. Selectman Albee said he had second thoughts about the subject and thinks that it is important to produce a weekly log. The Selectmen decided to revisit the issue.

Selectman Weeks presented the Executive budget with the suggested board increases and a separate line for a Town Administrator position. The position would be part-time, 8-10 hours per week at $55 - $70 per hour. This year would be about $22,000. Selectman Weeks said there are companies, like MRI, that provide staffing. This could be a one-year experiment to see if it would make the town work more efficiently. After some discussion the Selectmen approved including it in the budget and will present the Executive budget to the Budget Committee. There may be a need for a separate warrant article for the Town Administrator.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 am and the Selectmen moved into a work session.

Respectfully Submitted,

Carolyn Sundquist

Administrative Assistant