TOWN OF
Selectmen present:
Chip Albee, Susan Weeks and Bill Stockman.
Selectmen reviewed mail, which included: Building Permits for Richard Young, Glenn Wilson, Diane Adams; Sign Permit for Zadeda Farms; Plumbing Permit for Eleanor Lecours; New versions of building permit application and permit; Approval for Construction for Richard Milnes, Zadeda Farm Inc (2); Minimum Impact Expedited Application for Barbara Fioravanti; NHDES Beach Water Testing Results; NHDES Letter to Wolfgang Kaiser re: Lower Beech Pond Dam; Letter from Doug Barker re: traffic pattern at Transfer Station; Wolfeboro Planning Board Abutters Notice re: 8/1/06 hearing; Memo re: DRA notification of operating budget issue; Letter from Primex re: Sergeant Boucher participation in Supervisors Academy; E-mail from Richard Stone re: thanks for island trash pickup; LGC Mater of Trust newsletter; Tri-County Community Action info re: prescription drug discount cards
Items for Signature: Right to Burial for Wuehrmann; Lien Discharge for Imhoof; Abatement recommendation from MRI for Mirror Lake Estates.
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: None
Chairman Albee called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. The first order of business was review of the minutes. Selectman Weeks and Chairman Albee suggested corrections to the minutes. Selectman Weeks made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor.
The Selectmen approved and signed the following:
The abatement recommendation by Scott Marsh of MRI for the Mirror Lake Association was put on hold until they hear from Avitar regarding common land.
Mike Phelps is working on the baseline checklist for the Cheney Farm easement.
Selectman Weeks stated she would not be at next weeks meeting.
Selectmen Weeks had completed the research package for the
Selectmen received a copy of a letter from NHDOT regarding the new fence on Rte 109. The state has requested it be removed as it is in the state right-of-way.
Selectmen discussed the High Street culvert. Selectman Weeks asked to review the file to see who did the inspection.
Selectmen Weeks and Stockman went out to the cemetery to inspect the granite posts. It may present a problem with mowing and will be discussed at the meeting with the trustees.
Selectman Stockman reported that $3500.00 worth of painting has been done as of Saturday. The painter will sweep the inside of the cupola and just paint the outside. The inside of the cupola is not as bad as first thought but may need to be addressed in future years. Chairman Albee thought that architect Mo Gagon would have some suggestions as to what could be done to solve the problem since he is in the business.
Chairman Albee reported that the town was requested by NHDRA to reduce the operating budget by $28,092.00. The selectmen’s budget was more than 10% greater than the Budget Committee’s budget. Selectman Weeks made the following recommendations to cut the budget:
This comes to $28,125.00. Selectman Weeks made a motion to make the suggested cuts to the Operating Budget. Seconded by Selectman Stockman with all in favor.
At approximately 9:20 Selectmen met with Fire Chief Adam
Thompson. Chief Thompson submitted his explanation of budget items over 60%.
Chief Thompson had found one item charged to the department, which actually
belongs to the Highway Department. Several other items were explained to the
Selectmen’s satisfaction. Chief Thompson reported he would have further
information soon regarding the pandemic meetings. The Tuftonboro Firefighters
Association had mentioned in the letter recently mailed to all property owners
in town that the association was looking to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
After checking out several models it was decided they would purchase an MSA.
The camera allows the firefighters to find the fire without breaking down walls
and could help firefighters find their way out of a burning building. It has
also been used to find people who are lost. The purchase of the camera includes
training. The cost is over $1,000 so it requires Selectmen authorization.
Selectman Weeks asked to have the association discuss future purchases with
them before the letter goes out just in case they are not in agreement with the
purchase. The Selectmen approved and signed the authorization to purchase the
MSA thermal image camera. Chief Thompson reported on two issues brought to his
attention by the Code Officer Jack Parsons. He contacted NHDES regarding the
gas tank at Idlewild. NHDES does not regulate gas tanks so Chief Thompson has
contacted the EPA and is waiting to hear. As far as the propane tanks on the
island are concerned apparently there are no regulations for propane tanks. The
tanks are owned and stored there by Amerigas and are being used to supply
propane to islanders. Chief Thompson is taking Code Officer Jack Parsons out to
At approximately 9:35 Selectmen met with James and Joyce Greenwood regarding their abatement application, which had been denied by the Selectmen. The lot in question is 38-1-275. According to the Greenwoods, this property has a natural breakwater about 4 to 5 feet wide and was used to determine the noted 300 feet of lake frontage. The plan that is recorded at the Carroll County Registry of Deeds makes it look much larger across than the 5 feet that it actually is. Mr. Greenwood stated that the recorded frontage is 116 feet. Selectman Weeks said that the map on record is what is used to create the tax maps and since there is no explanation as to what the 116 feet is the frontage was calculated. Mr. Greenwood had pictures to show how narrow it really is. The Greenwoods had all of the properties assessed by 4 real estate agencies and calculated the average assessment to be $479,000 as opposed to Avitar’s assessments, which came to $612,000. Mr. Greenwood also brought to the Selectmen’s attention the fact that 2 of his lots (38-1-273 & 38-1-274) had been merged and he didn’t know why or when. The Selectmen advised Mr. Greenwood that he would get one more tax bill next year and that his total assessment would probably go up because one lot was usually cheaper than two separate lots. Selectman Weeks offered to look at the real estate opinions.
At approximately 10:00 Selectmen met with Swim Instructor Mary Ann Murray. Ms. Murray gave her report on the swim program – 85 children took swimming lessons and 45 children participated on the swim team. This was an excellent year with more children on the swim team than usual. The kids had a ball participating in the swim meets and Ms. Murray plans to arrange additional meets next year. Ms. Murray advised that she has had parents express concern about not having lifeguards. There have been huge crowds at the beach this year because of the weather. Ms. Murray also said that she and swim instructor Kathy Roseen wanted to switch to an hourly basis and bring teenagers on board to help out. She would like the town to provide training as instructors as part of their payment. The four girls already qualify as water safety instructors and are trained as lifeguards. Selectman Weeks said in response that having lifeguards is a liability issue. The town is more liable having lifeguards as it changes the expectations of parents. There are many issues – hours, staffing, scheduling, publicity, etc. Chairman Albee mentioned that the swim docks should be removed but Ms. Murray said that many people love having them and the swim lanes. Chairman Albee said that he was more inclined to have beach monitors rather than lifeguards since there would be no expectations. Ms. Murray said that was something they had not thought of and would mention it to the Parks & Rec Commission at the next meeting. Ms. Murray mentioned that the Swim for Scholarship was held on 7/24 and it worked out well and they would like to do it again next year.
At approximately 10:20 the Selectmen discussed the
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 am.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn Sundquist
Administrative Assistant