MINUTES
HOLDERNESS BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
August 29, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
PRESENT: Chairman Peter Francesco, Vice-Chairman Sam Laverack, Selectmen Barbara Currier, Peter Webster, and Suzanne Peoples, and Town Administrator Walter Johnson.
PAYROLL AND PAYABLES: The Selectmen reviewed and signed payroll and
payables.
The public meeting was moved upstairs to the meeting hall at 6:30 PM and
Municipal Secretary Dee Canavan joined the meeting.
MINUTES: Mr. Laverack motioned, Mr. Webster seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the minutes of August 22, 2005 as written. 5-0 in favor.
REPLACEMENT OF JANITORIAL/MAINTENANCE PERSON: Town Administrator Walter Johnson reported there is one application and several inquiries for the Janitorial/Maintenance position.
VILLAGE SIDEWALK UPDATE: Mr. Webster reported the requests for bids have been mailed out by Horizon Engineering and the bid opening is scheduled for Sept. 13 at 3:00PM at Town Hall.
BRIDGE PROJECT/VOLUNTEER SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT: Mr. Johnson reported on his meeting with Plymouth State University’s (PSU) Bill Crangle, Ellen Shippee, and Plymouth Town Administrator Elizabeth Corrow to discuss sidewalk maintenance. PSU estimates the cost of winter maintenance to sidewalks proposed in the Volunteer Sidewalk Maintenance Agreement to be approximately $5,000 per month. Mr. Crangle would like to have the Holderness Selectmen discuss the cost estimates. Mr. Johnson stated he reviewed the Holderness Ordinance which states the Town of Holderness does not perform winter maintenance of sidewalks. Mr. Crangle stated PSU is prepared to maintain what sidewalks they have in the past. After discussion the Board asked Mr. Johnson to research the exposure to the Town by
not having the volunteer agreements in other areas of Town where sidewalks are maintained by business or private citizens. Mr. Johnson stated he will be scheduling a meeting with Holderness School on the same subject.
MS-1 EXTENSION REQUEST: After review Mr. Laverack moved, Mrs. Currier second and the vote was unanimous (5-0 in favor) to sign the MS-1 Extension Request to the Dept. of Revenue Administration. The extension is requested to September 21, 2005.
INTEREST ON SEWER BILLS DISCUSSION: The Board of Selectmen reviewed a memo on delinquent sewer bills from Tax Collector Ellen King. The Dept. of Revenue Administration states it is up to the Board as to whether the 12% APR interest shall be applied in addition to the $10 late fee. After discussion Mr. Laverack moved, Mr. Webster seconded, and the vote was unanimous (5-0 in favor) not to charge interest on the 6 delinquent accounts this billing cycle and to research what avenues we may use for incentive to have users in the sewer district pay their future bills in a timely manner.
HOLDERNESS CERTIFICATION WITH THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE:
A meeting is scheduled with our DRA Monitor Jessie Bushaw on September 1 at 9:30 AM to review the draft report on the review of assessment practices conducted by the NH Dept. of Revenue Admin. for 2004. Assessor’s Agent Wil Corcoran, Chairman Peter Francesco, Town Administrator Walter Johnson, and Municipal Secretary Dee Canavan are scheduled to be in attendance.
DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES REVIEW OF TRANSFER STATION: Chairman Francesco reported Don Maurer from DES e-mail a report of the inspection conducted last month at the Transfer Station. Mr. Maurer stated Holderness recycles 38% of its total trash and this is an excellent percentage for a voluntary recycling program. He said the City of Concord has a mandatory program and only recycles 2%. The site setup is very efficient and that contributes greatly to the percentage. The Board congratulated Mr. Furmanick on an excellent job.
HIGHWAY DEPT. PURCHASE ORDERS: The Board signed the purchase orders for the 2006 truck bids approved at the August 22, 2005 Selectmen’s meeting.
· Meredith Ford – $27,230.61 for Cab and Chassis including recommended options and $10,500 trade in for the old truck.
· Hawkensen Equipment - $8,228 for plow and sander
· E. W. Sleeper - $10,626 for dump body and hydraulics
HOLDERNESS ROAD RECONSTRUCTION: Road Agent Peter Furmanick reported he is ready to move forward with Request for Bids for road reconstruction of the following roads:
· Marston Road – 775’, approx. 20’ wide
· Oak Hill Road – 1,300’ approx. 20’ wide
· Stone Post Road – 1,500’ approx. 20’ wide
· Shepard Hill Road (formerly College Rd. North) – 2,100’ approx. 20’ wide
The bids will be scheduled for opening on Sept. 12 or Sept. 19. Also discussed was constructing an asphalt swale in the ditch in front of the Squam Lake Inn. Mr. Furmanick was asked to contact the owners to discuss what is planned. Coxboro Road is scheduled for sealing cracks and Mr. Francesco asked Mr. Furmanick to inspect Pinehurst Road for sealing also.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Town Administrator Walter Johnson stated the Public Hearing to accept the Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for the two snow emergencies in January of 2005 is scheduled for Monday, September 12, 2005 at 6:30PM.
SPECIAL EVENTS PERMITS: The Board reviewed and moved, seconded and voted to sign the following Special Events Permits:
· Holderness School – for annual events for the 2005-2006 school year.
· Fisher/Wise Barn Dance and Wedding – Sept. 4 and 5. Mr. Webster abstaining.
ABATEMENT APPLICATION DISPOSITION: After discussion and review of documents Mr. Francesco moved, Mr. Laverack seconded and the vote was unanimous (5-0 in favor) to deny the abatement of Sanfracon, Map 244-5-8.
Owner |
Parcel |
Approve/Deny |
Prior Assessment |
Recommended Assessment |
$ Difference |
Explanation |
Safracon Westwind Shores |
244-5-8 |
Deny |
422,900 |
422,900 |
-0- |
It is not unreasonable that a detached condominium located on the waterfront would be more valuable that a condominium located away from the waterfront on the same parcel. |
VETERANS CREDIT APPLICTION: After review Mr. Laverack moved, Mr. Webster seconded, and the vote was unanimous (5-0 in favor) to approve the Veterans Credit Application for Mrs. Alida Buckland, Map 210-3-47, as surviving spouse.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION: At 7:15 PM Mr. Francesco moved, Mr. Webster seconded, to enter nonpublic session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3,II(a) to discuss a personnel matter. Town Administrator Walter Johnson was also in attendance.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Webster (Yes), Laverack (Yes), Currier (Yes), Francesco (Yes), and Peoples (Yes).
ADJOURNMENT FROM NON-PUBLIC SESSION: At 7:45 PM, Mr. Laverack moved, Mrs. Currier seconded and the vote was unanimous (5-0 in favor) to come out of non-public session.
ABATEMENT APPLICATION DISCUSSION: Chairman Francesco requested the Board advise him on his application for property tax abatement for his property located on Bennett Cove. Chair Francesco brings the matter to the Board for the public record. He believes his property, based on a recent sale of an abutting property, is over assessed by approximately $300,000. The abatement application is pending a review report from Assessor Agent Wil Corcoran. It was the consensus of the Board; Chair Francesco is entitled to the same rights and due process under NH law as any Holderness taxpayer. It was also suggested Vice Chair Sam Laverack contact Town Counsel on the matter for an opinion/advice. It was agreed Chair Francesco should continue his application over await a decision from the Board of
Selectmen on his application.
ADJOURNMENT: Mrs. Currier moved, Mrs. Peoples seconded and the vote was unanimous to adjourn at 8:00PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Dee Canavan, Municipal Secretary
Town of Holderness
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