TOWN OF
Selectmen present:
Chip Albee, Susan Weeks and Bill Stockman.
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Building Permits for Carl Peterson, Brad Beveridge; Sign Permit for Gary Matthews; Electric Permit for Jim & Cindy O’Brien, C& J Realty Trust; Certificate of Occupancy for Stephen Rembis; Plumbing Permit for Jim & Cindy O’Brien; Property Transfers from Janet Paddleford to Trust, Indenture of Trust to Christopher Anderson et al, Batchelder, Milan, Conant to Richard Rowsell; Town & City; Fuel Usage for police, fire, code officer, highway; NHDES results of well samples at Marriott Estate; LRHHPF minutes for 6/23/06 and agenda for 7/27/06; Final Legislative Bulletin; Standard Dredge & Fill for State of NH; Minimum Impact Expedited Application for Ronald & Deborah Harrison; Memo re: status of Terex wheel loader from Knoxland Equipment; Request from Ann Hunt for requirement of sanitation be included in permit process; Legislative Policy Process information from LGC; Response from DMA, attorneys for NHEC, re: asset listing.
Items for Signature: Appointment to Parks & Rec for McCarthy; Appointment as Firefighter for Christopher Morgan.
To Do Folder: MRI Memo re: sales review; Kaiser Letter re: assessment; HEB High Street Bridge; Web Site Survey; Cheney Conservation Easement Deed; Letter Agreement with H. E. Bergeron re: public safety building site; Abatements for Barnard, Zedalis; Kaiser letter; Required paperwork for closing on Cheney easement.
Correspondence Folder: Response to Phaneuf.
Chairman Albee called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. The first order of business was review of the minutes. Selectman Weeks made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor.
The Selectmen signed the appointments for Betsy McCarthy and Christopher Morgan as approved last week.
Selectman Weeks reported on the following:
·
Planning Board - The first item discussed at the
last meeting was a preliminary discussion on subdividing the Bellemeur property
on
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· Public Safety building – On Friday afternoon Selectman Weeks and Chairman Albee met with architect Mo Gagnon. They did a walkthrough of the current police department and library to determine whether to renovate or enlarge the police department. Mr. Gagnon will look into future uses for the current library in the event a new library is built.
·
Selectman Albee reported on the Mirror
Lake Protective Association Annual Meeting – Chairman Albee reported that he
and Selectman Weeks attended the meeting on Saturday. The major topic was boat
launching on
Chairman Albee reported on his meeting at the Transfer Station last Monday with Jay Poulin and Paul Kimball. They went over the punch list of items to be corrected or completed. Everyone was in agreement and the work should be done shortly.
Selectman Stockman said he spoke with Terry Wakefield
regarding a boundary line pin that was missing between her property and the
Chairman Albee said he received a call from Attorney Ryan regarding the Cheney Farm easement. He reported that the 50-year-old mortgage issue has been settled.
At approximately 9:15 Selectmen met with Chris Stevens regarding the denial of his abatement application. He did not understand the reason given by Avitar as it stated the appraisal was not time adjusted to the date of sale. The bank did the appraisal when he purchased the property in August of 2005. His assessment is $319,500 and the appraisal was for $250,000. In response to his questions the Selectmen stated that bank appraisals are typically low and the assessment of his property seemed to be in line with other island properties. The meaning of time adjusted was taken to mean not adjusted back to 4/1/05, which is the date used to determine the assessment. The BTLA determined there was no problem with Avitar’s methodology. Chairman Albee stated that sales are driven by many factors other than market. The Selectmen asked if there were any factors that would make the property less valuable than the other island properties or if Mr. Stevens felt the house was over assessed. Mr. Stevens had no additional factors that would warrant reconsideration by the Selectmen.
At approximately 9:30 Selectmen met with Mike Phelps, Conservation Commission Chair. Mr. Phelps was looking for the Selectmen’s opinion of conservation easements in general – whether or not they were in favor of them. Selectman Weeks said it would depend on the property and that generally she was not in favor of the town going out and looking for them. If there was one that the town and the commission felt was critical then it should be pursued. There are many ways to restrict property uses other than easements. Restrictions could be put into a deed rather than enter into a conservation easement. Mr. Phelps said that in his opinion waterways, aquifers and major wetland areas were critical. In addition, properties with historical value, wildlife habitats and properties that would preserve the character of the town. Selectman Weeks replied this could all be addressed through planning and zoning. Mr. Phelps should first discuss this with the Planning Board especially since they are working on the Master Plan. Chairman Albee felt ongoing community action and current use are also forms of protection. Selectman Stockman was in agreement and said there are many ways of managing and protecting critical areas. The camps in town have a lot of acreage that is protected already. Mr. Phelps said that the ideal level of protection is for the property to be owned by one non-profit entity and have the easement held by another non-profit. The Selectmen did not feel that this offered the best protection. Selectman Weeks advised Mr. Phelps to speak to the Planning Board about the areas he is concerned about. A lot of protection can happen with zoning ordinances. Mr. Phelps felt that an information packet should be given to anyone getting a building permit. Chairman Albee felt the commission could do more to educate the public.
Mr. Phelps was given the Cheney easement closing checklist to determine what has already been done and what is still left to do. The Selectmen also asked to have the Conservation Commission check out the Cow Island beach lot. Some time ago the commission was supposed to have signs made up and mark the boundaries. Mr. Phelps will check into it.
At approximately 9:50 Selectmen met with Police Officer Jamie-Lynn Sheehy. It was determined an executive session was needed.
At approximately 9:50 Chairman Albee made a motion to go into non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A: 3 II (b) to discuss a personnel issue. Selectman Weeks seconded the motion. Roll call: Chairman Albee – yes, Selectman Weeks – yes, Selectman Stockman – yes.
At approximately 10:05 Selectmen met with Road Agent Steve Hunter. Mr. Hunter has started the mowing at the Transfer Station. The signage for Willand Road is still an open item. A sign is needed for Piper Road, which says – “DEAD END NO OUTLET”. Mr. Hunter said that a decision is needed on the next big road project since Dame Road has been completed. Lang Pond Road and County Road were suggested as possible projects. Chairman Albee asked for an estimated cost on other projects. Selectmen Weeks brought several items to Mr. Hunter’s attention; the boat launch area on Mirror Lake could use some gravel and that the Union Wharf launch ramp has sand that accumulated on the concrete and just needs to be scraped. The approach to the ramp is rough and could use some gravel. The wharf sustained some ice damage this winter.
At approximately 10:20 Selectmen met with Pam Knapp regarding the ongoing problem of speeding on Tuftonboro Neck Road. There were 4 other residents of Tuftonboro Neck in attendance. They stated that this has been brought to the Police Department’s attention many times over the past years. This year, especially with all the work being done on the Marriott properties, the problem has gotten much worse. The workmen come speeding down the road around 7:00 am and anyone walking or jogging has to jump out of the way. Residents on Tuftonboro Neck Road have not seen any police patrols. One resident stated that the speed limit is currently 25 MPH but if it is not monitored then it doesn’t make any difference what the limit is. When the police start giving tickets the word will get out. Chief Shagoury said that typically he has no one on shift that early in the morning. He stated he has about 15 places around town that have the same issue. There have been 293 car stops to date, which is more than all of last year. The department is busy in other areas as well. Chairman Albee suggested adjusting the schedule to have an officer start around 6 am to patrol once or twice a week. The Chief was asked how many of the 293 stops took place on Tuftonboro Neck Road. The Chief said he would find out. Several suggestions were made – speed display sign, speed bump, lines down center of road. A question was also asked about whether or not the 25 MPH speed limit is enforceable. Chief Shagoury replied that it is enforceable because a speed study had been done before the limit was reduced. The Selectmen will check back with the Chief in a couple of weeks on progress.
Chairman Albee reported a letter was received from Ann Hunt of the MLPA regarding proper sanitation at work sites. She requested that it be part of the permit process. This will be referred to the Code Officer.
At approximately 10:45 Selectmen met with Barbara McClure who had a question about how 911 calls are handled at Dan Hole Pond. Chief Shagoury replied that all calls go to 911 in Concord to be routed to the proper dispatch. Center Ossipee would be called first because they are closer and then Tuftonboro would be called. Selectman Weeks advised that maps have been provided to 911 along with phone numbers cross referenced with street addresses. Ms. McClure also mentioned that the Tuftonboro portion of the road could use some patching. In regards to the cemetery, the granite posts have been installed and need some fill.
Next week the Selectmen will vote on the Dearborn property and revisit the Samm Lane issue.
Chairman Albee will contact Don Jutton to set up an appointment to be re-interviewed. Mr. Jutton will then schedule an informal meeting with the Selectmen regarding options for the Town Administrator position.
Chairman Albee received expenditure explanations from the town clerk and administrative assistant.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 am.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn Sundquist
Administrative Assistant