TOWN OF STODDARD, NH
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
AUGUST 3, 2009
@ TOWN HALL, 7:00 PM
ATTENDANCE: John D. Halter, Chairman
Sandra L. Holland
Arnold R. Stymest
Administrative Assistant: Evelyn Nadeau
REVIEW/SIGN MANIFEST & BILLS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter, seconded by Selectman Holland and approved by unanimous vote to transfer $40,000 from savings to checking.
New House Rules for conduct of Selectmen’s meetings were read aloud by Chairman Halter. A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter, seconded by Selectman Holland and approved by unanimous vote to enact the House Rules. The rules will be posted each week by the entryway.
SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS
1. DAVID YOUNG - presented quoted for vacuum cleaners, recommending a Bissell Powerforce priced at $69.94 at Walmart. The same model machine was priced $79.00 at Sears. A MOTION was made by Chairman Halter to buy the Bissell Powerforce at Walmart recommended by David Young. Motion seconded by Selectman Stymest and approved by unanimous vote. The Administrative Assistant offered to pick up the vacuum with the Town’s credit card.
2. LINDA & BLAIR LOUNSBURY - indicated their 2008 abatement application had been rejected on the basis of not filing an inventory. Chairman Halter explained the State Statutes require the inventory to be filed with the Town each year by April 15th. The penalty for failure to file is $10.00 and it precludes the property owner from the abatement process. Mrs. Lounsbury asked what the inventory is. Chairman Halter said the form goes out to all property owners in March each year asking for information about the property, changes to the property and census information. Stoddard relies on the information provided to keep property assessment information current. Mrs. Lounsbury indicated having problems with not receiving tax bills and other mail from the Town. She has talked with Cross Country Appraisal about the wetlands on the property. Chairman Halter explains that Cross Country Appraisal is currently conducting a statistical update for the town, and when it is completed hearings will be held and the Lounsburys will have an opportunity for review of their assessment at that time. The town is divided into several different neighborhoods, each with its own base rates that are used to determine assessed values for the properties. The base rate is considered average and may be adjusted up or down depending on the quality of the land, so if the land is wet and marshy the base rate would be reduced to account for that. Different neighborhoods move in the market at different rates. Mr. Lounsbury asked if there is another factor besides the assessment in determining the taxes. Chairman Halter indicated the town’s budget is another factor, that the amount approved by the voters is applied to the assessed values to determine taxes. Mr. Lounsbury asked if the assessors will come out and look at his property. Chairman Halter noted that under the cyclical revaluation contract, at least once every four years each property in town will be visited and measured. Mrs. Lounsbury indicated she thinks the wetland on the property is increasing or was not caught in the prior assessment. Chairman Halter reviewed the assessment record and noted a 15% deduction from the overall land value as well as a 70% reduction and a 15% reduction from the value of the water frontage. It was not stated on the card why those reductions were applied to the land values. Asked the percentage of abatements granted, Chairman Halter noted that this year two were turned down because of inventory issues and all others were granted some reductions. Mrs. Lounsbury provided a new mailing address for all tax bills, inventories and correspondence.
3. DICK BRIERE - reported to the Board that the electrical work in Town Hall is done. A sub panel was put in the kitchen and all the main hall receptacles are off the new panel. The main hall lights are still on the old panel. PSNH will be installing a new meter in the near future. As for other Town Hall work, the Building Committee is looking at priorities. Selectman Stymest inquired about the status of the cabinets in the Gould House. Mr. Briere noted they have not been sold or removed yet.
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLIC SESSION
1. BEV GAY - asked why not write a check to Walmart for the vacuum so David Young can pick it up. The consensus of the Board was in favor of this option.
2. PATRICIA PUTNAM - requested and was given a replacement check for a voided staled check.
3. ARLENE DICORCIA - asked if anyone has looked at King’s Highway by Ken Hill’s, noting there is a wet area there. Selectman Holland said she thinks there is a spring there. Chairman Halter noted the water tables are also up due to the rains.
WORK SESSION
ITEMS FOR SIGNATURE:
1. Dog Warrant
2. Letter to Police Standards and Training
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
1. Selectmen’s Minutes 7/27/09 - A MOTION was made by Selectman Stymest, seconded by Selectman Holland and approved by unanimous vote to accept the minutes as written.
2. Informational Meeting minutes 7/22/09 - A MOTION was made by Selectman Stymest, seconded by Chairman Halter and approved by unanimous vote to accept the minutes as amended.
3. Administrative Assistant’s Report –Survey update from TF Moran was read aloud by Chairman Halter. A telephone call from Donna at the Marina reported the town parking and landing areas had washouts from the rains, causing hazardous ground to walk on. The consensus of the Board was for Chairman Halter to contact David Vaillancourt about the washouts.
4. Building Permit - Senna Construction - TM# 108-25 - New House --Application on hold until the septic information is received.
5. Sample Health Officer job description, complaint form and Certificate of Occupancy checklist used by the Town of Washington. These forms were provided by Jim Berry for our reference.
6. Letter from Vachon Clukay re: preparing our MS-5 form - Chairman Halter explained problems encountered with the Financial Report (MS-5) back in the early 1990’s when the amount due the school district was continually mis-stated, thus causing the town’s fund balance to be in error. Vachon Clukay were called in to conduct an audit. They have been preparing the MS-5 each year since.
7. Chairman Halter reports that a piece of ash tree fell on the new tent at the Library. David Vaillancourt brought in a bucket truck and took care of the limbs and brush. The tent cover is in good shape, but the poles are bent. We looked into insurance and learned we have a $1,000 deductible. The tent cost around $450.
8. Selectman Stymest noted that Fire Chief Lamothe had cited a grill violation at the Marina, and asked if the Board should get a copy of any letter she sent. Chairman Halter indicated the Board did not usually get copies of letters the Fire Chief sends, but had never requested them.
9. It was noted that Fire Chief Lamothe rescued a person at the Highland Lake dam recently.
10. Ken Holland follow-up. Another letter is to be sent with seven potential dates listed, asking Mr. Holland to select one for the Board to conduct a site visit. The letter is to be reviewed by the Town Attorney for recommendation.
OLD BUSINESS
11. Administrative Procedures:
a.) Purchasing Policy - Selectman Holland recommends turning this proposed policy over to the Financial Advisory Committee for review. The consensus of the Board favored this recommendation.
b.) Review of old Selectmen’s policies - The Board agreed to review these individually over the next few weeks, then bring recommendations to a meeting.
12. Anytime Auto septic system (from 2 weeks ago) - To be followed up on after the Chairman’s vacation.
13. Update from Chairman on Police Report requests (from 3 weeks ago) - No discussion or action.
14. The Administrative Assistant reported receiving an email from the Police Department stating there was no Police Call Sheet because there had been no calls.
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLIC SESSION:
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/READING:
1. DRA Technical Information Release re: Reducing Appropriations to Offset State Revenue Reductions.
2. DRA Technical Information Release re: Special Meetings
3. Community Kitchen letter
4. Multiple registration forms from UNH Technology Transfer Center
5. Miscellaneous newsletters, solicitations, etc.
ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Selectman Stymest to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Holland and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Evelyn Nadeau
Administrative Assistant