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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes October 21, 2003
In attendance: Selectman Edward F. Mical – Chairman Selectman John C. Brayshaw Selectman Allen C. Brown Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen. George Saunders met with the Selectmen to review the Parks & Recreation Commission 2004 budget. The Commission has proposed $5000.00 into the 2004 budget to begin the rehabilitation of the skate board park, discussion followed. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to accept the Parks & Recreation 2004 budget with corrections. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed. Chairman Mical made a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91A-3; II (c) matters if discussed in public would likely affect a reputation of a person. Selectman Brayshaw seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to come out of non-public session. Chairman Mical seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to seal the minutes, Chairman Mical seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to approve abatements for elderly exemptions. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. The Assessing Clerk and the Tax Collector met with the Selectmen to confirm the procedure for abatements regarding a disagreement toward the assessment that is stated on the tax bill. Taxpayers who wish to file for an abatement may pick up the proper form at the Assessing Clerk’s office, complete the form, return the form to the Assessing Clerk, which will then be forwarded to Earls, Nieder, Perkins, LLC, for their review and recommendation. The Assessing Clerk asked the Selectmen if they would prefer to sign the forms. The Board agreed to sign the forms. Selectman Brayshaw commented for the record that it is proper for the Selectmen as agents of the Town to sign the forms. The Selectmen would at that time agree or disagree with the recommendation, following which, a notice would be sent to the applicant with the decision. The Tax Collector explained to the Selectmen that because this is a revaluation year there are 60 – 70 overcharges on the first issue of the tax bills. The Tax Collector requested that all overcharges be refunded. The Selectmen agreed. The Tax Collector and Assessing Clerk asked the Selectmen to reconsider implementing the State Inventory of Taxable Property form. The inventory form helps the Town know about improvements/changes to properties, it provides information for 911, it provides information regarding dogs, and the inventory form will be a resource for the Town Clerk to use in order to verify residency. The inventory form may help keep the Town at an accurate valuation. Selectman Brown made the motion to implement the inventory form for a period of one year, following which its usefulness will be reviewed. Chairman Mical seconded the motion. Discussion between the Board members continued. Selectmen Brayshaw is not in favor of the form for assessing purposes. Public Comments Mr. Marty Nogues asked what the percentage is of Towns that were able to hold off reevaluations by using the inventory form.
Mr. Nogues asked how many Towns use this form.
Mr. Ron Wirth asked what the impact would be on the Assessing Clerk’s office hours by implementing the inventory form.
Chairman Mical took a vote on the motion. Selectman Brown in favor, Chairman Mical in favor, Selectman Brayshaw opposed. Motion passed 2-1. The Selectmen discussed the creation of a Coordinator position for the Planning/Zoning Board that has been submitted by the Zoning Board. This is a position that the Zoning/Planning Board Secretary can grow into. The Wage Study Committee has requested the Selectmen to approve the position before it is placed on the wage scale. The Selectmen have not received input from the Planning Board regarding the position. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to forward the Coordinator position to the Wage Study Committee for positioning on the wage scale. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. The Selectmen will have the Wage Study Committee define the terminology between a Secretary and an Administrative Assistant. Selectman Brayshaw made the motion to approve meeting minutes from a September 15, 2003 work session. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. A budget work session is scheduled for October 28, 2003 at 5:00 p.m. The Selectmen discussed advertising signage at convenient stores. Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to accept the resignation of the Budget Committee Secretary. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed. The Selectmen’s Secretary will summarize the meeting minutes for the Budget Committee. The Selectmen received correspondence from the Town of Hopkinton regarding land bordering the landfill. Town Counsel will be contacted for advisement. The Selectmen cancelled the October Department Head meeting. Selectman Brown commented that Catherine Wright from the Department of Environmental Services contacted Selectmen Brown regarding the disposal of the ash at the Transfer Station. A memo will be sent to Paul Fouliard, Department Head of the Transfer Station explaining the conversation with Catherine Wright. Selectman Brayshaw commented that liability section of New Hampshire Municipal Association contacted him regarding an insurance claim from a vehicle crossing a grading pile. It was noted the road was properly posted with signs while it was being graded. Chairman Mical attended a meeting in New London with the Joint Boards of Selectmen regarding the building of a new middle school and the addition to the present high school. Chairman Mical returned with information for the Board to review. The school district is currently looking at a bond for $23,000,000.00 for the addition to the high school and a new middle school. Selectman Brown briefed the Board about the last Budget Committee meeting that took place on October 20, 2003. Public Comment Mr. Wirth updated the Selectmen on his work on the old generator (army surplus 60 KW) at the Highway Department. The generator is putting out power. The Argus Champion inquired about the Safety Awareness Day that is being sponsored by the Men’s Club. The Selectmen reviewed current correspondence. Selectman Brayshaw also commented that he spoke to the Planning Board about having the dumpsters screened in at Aubuchon Hardware. The Planning Board did not respond to the request. The Selectmen signed the following: Purchase order for new valance flags for the Town Hall. Two cemetery deeds Town Hall rental Intent-to-cut A letter, to a property owner regarding their current use. 2 Building Permits September 30, 2003 meeting minutes Selectman Brayshaw made a motion to adjourn at 8:47 p.m. Selectman Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.
Edward F. Mical – Chairman John C. Brayshaw Allen C. Brown
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