TOWN OF STODDARD, NH
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
@ TOWN HALL, 7:00 PM
ATTENDANCE: John D. Halter, Chairman
Arnold R. Stymest
Administrative Assistant: Evelyn Nadeau
REVIEW/SIGN MANIFEST & BILLS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS
1. JON & MARY HICKS - Mrs. Hicks read aloud a letter detailing her account of events as follows:
-August 24, 2009 4:20 pm:
Joe Sarcione, Joel Hicks and David Vaillancourt arrived unannounced, no search warrant or state/town ID tags. Joe and Joel walked along our abutting property lines making sure we weren’t doing/stepping on his property. Jon and I were told to move our fire pit because the rocks/trees are on the east side which Joel claims he owns. When that pit was made in June, 2008 Joel came to visit and said he liked it and would keep the fire well-contained. Dave Vaillancourt stated he came to keep the peace - no other reason.
-September 1, 2009 3:30 pm:
Matthew Apgar showed up. The only way we know who he was was by the Forest Ranger writing on the back of his shirt. Shouldn’t he have had a state ID tag or warrant? Matt spoke to us about complaints he received from Joel Hicks. Jon and I answered his questions appropriately. He was going to talk to Joel and come back; he never returned.
-September 7, 2009 10:50 am:
Jena (Joel’s dog) was visiting - called police - never received message. I gave to a woman. Aren’t the officers suppose to return the call like they’ve done previously?
-September 9, 2009
Jena’s back - I didn’t call the police this time because 2 days ago I did and nothing happened - what was the sense of it?!
- Money is in the budget for a dog officer - who is it? Do they claim to respond to every call - is it recorded? Where is the paperwork that goes along with a complaint form for the person complaining suppose to sign?
- Jon and I were here the 1st time last month discussing the same thing - what’s the problem - can’t this be rectified? It only takes a minute to tie a dog up, it isn’t that hard to do! My 3 are tied as the law states, what’s wrong with this picture?!
Mrs. Hicks stated she used to feed Joel Hicks’ dog at first, then she went on to say the dog came over to her property and stole her food.
ARLENE DICORCIA - spoke up to say the Animal Control Officer’s name is Tom Chagnon.
JOE SARCIONE, FIRE WARDEN - spoke to indicate it is not true what was said of him. The Fire Warden has the right to go check anything to do with fires or timber cuts, and he did identify himself. It was a complaint the was responding to. Lewis Clark had issued the burn permit to the Jon and Mary Hicks. Joel Hicks, the neighbor, had said he had surveyed his property. At this point Jon Hicks stated he had surveyed his property. Fire Warden Sarcione went on to say the fire pit was on Joel Hicks’ land, so he asked Jon and Mary Hicks to remove it. A new fire permit was issued for a fire pit at a new location.
Chairman Halter called for the meeting to recess so Police Chief David Vaillancourt could be called to come to the meeting. Chief Vaillancourt could not be reached. The meeting resumed.
Mrs. Hicks asked why Matt Apgar was on her property. Fire Warden Sarcione said Matt Apgar is the new Forest Ranger who took over for Bob Stewart; Joel Hicks had asked who to talk to about trees cut on his property so Joe had given him Matt Apgar’s number to call.
Chairman Halter indicated the discussion would need a continuance to next week when Police Chief Vaillancourt can be in attendance.
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLIC SESSION:
1. PAUL FIONDELLA - stated he is not disputing his property assessment, then went on to say the revaluation provides an opportunity to end our status as a donor community. He has no objection regarding the assessments, but the tax base is higher than market value. Fiondella spoke generally about ways for appraisers to review sales and suggested all values be reduced by a set percentage such as 25% to 30%. The decline in values across the country were cited. We have an opportunity now to make sure values are reduced, Fiondella said. Chairman Halter indicated the assessors’ latitude is somewhat restricted in that they have reviewed sales over a set time frame and have statutory requirements, adding he doubts we will find a 30% reduction in Stoddard. HARRY POWER said Stoddard is around 20% down and houses are not moving in the second home market, which is a large part of town. Chairman Halter noted the donor tax situation has not existed in recent years. The pie chart on page 20 of the Town Report was reviewed. DORIS TUTTLE asked how they (the assessors) figure the percentage? Chairman Halter indicated that overall land values are down and building values are up. Mr. Fiondella said our tax base should reflect the decline in the market, and the lack of sales gives the assessors a good amount of latitude. LOU GRANDPRE’ stated all the State Education Tax money goes directly to the school. DENNIS PELLEGRINO noted the number of new families in town have added children to the school system. Chairman Halter indicated it is worth pursuing with the assessors and we might see a reduction in the amount we pay the SAU if the tax base is reduced. Mr. Fiondella said the banks now have to farm appraisals out and they are coming in low, so people can’t borrow as much on their properties. HARRY POWER talked about the NH transfer taxes going down. BEV GAY asked if Mr. Fiondella could address the appraisers with the Selectmen. Mr. Fiondella voiced an objection to that idea.
2. DORIS TUTTLE - asked to renew her building permit for a deck. The permit was dated June 2006. Chairman Halter recommended renewal for one year with payment of $40.00, which is the difference between the original fee of $10.00 and the current fee of $50.00.
3. ARLENE DICORCIA - said she wants to see the lights in Town Hall cleaned. In follow up to having the windows repaired, a written quote will be sent in.
4. DICK BETZ - asked for the Board to sign the paperwork to get the Gould House on the historic register. The papers were signed, copied and the originals given to Mr. Betz.
WORK SESSION
ITEMS FOR SIGNATURE:
1. Building Permit for Helen Flink to construct a barn on TM# 128-14. Approval was recommended by the Compliance Officer. The permit was approved on the condition that it be used for cold storage only.
2. Oath of Office form appointing Maureen Meyer to the ZBA.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
1. Selectmen’s Minutes 8/31/09 - A MOTION was made by Selectman Stymest, seconded by Chairman Halter and approved by affirmative vote to approved the minutes as written.
2. Complaint from Bill Ritchie re: Lewis Clark property on TM# 130-15. Selectman Stymest read aloud the complaint, as noted. Mr. Clark was in attendance and stated there is a discrepancy on the property. Mr. Ritchie planted trees on Mr. Clark’s property, according to Clark. The matter is in litigation. Chairman Halter indicated it appears to be a civil matter the Town will not get involved with as it is not in the jurisdiction of the Board. Joe Sarcione gave the Board a letter of complaint concerning Mr. Ritchie’s dog and stated Mr. Ritchie doesn’t have a dock permit.
3. Administrative Assistant’s report
OLD BUSINESS
4. Administrative Procedures:
a) Review of old Selectmen’s policies - Selectman Stymest suggested he would work on this and pass his suggestions along to the other Board members.
5. Anytime Auto septic system - letter written asking them to attend next Monday.
ITEMS OF INFORMATION/READING:
1. Update on Survey project
2. Letter from Atty. Franco re: property at TM# 134-30
3. Letter from Atty. Little re: Hayes Car & Truck
4. Planning Board preliminary minutes 9/1/09
5. Building Committee Minutes 9/10/09
6. DES letter to Kumpu (TM# 102-40 & 41)
7. DES permit - Huard property (TM# 122-19)
8. CDFA Memo re: CDBG Planning Grant Funds
9. SWRPC Memo re: LCHIP grant round
10. County Commissioners hold Informational Session on the Asian Longhorned Beetle
11. Highland Lake Unified Association - Thank you letter for lake host money
12. PSNH Informational meetings
13. SPhBG - Labor & Employment Law review & update.
14. Miscellaneous newsletters, etc.
15. Police calls
ADJOURNMENT: 9:07 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Evelyn Nadeau
Administrative Assistant