Minutes of Meeting

                                                      Board of Selectmen

 

Meeting held upstairs in Town Hall                                 Monday – July 23, 2007

 

Attending: Town Manager Edward Samson

                   Selectmen David Stickney and Allan Carr.

Excused:   Selectmen Leo Enos, Sr.

Others attending: Alan Savage, Murray Vashaw, Joe Bachofer, Rev. Don Williams and Aurore Hood.

 

            The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Chairman David Stickney followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

            Aurore Hood appeared before the Board regarding issues with a building permit.  The permit said that there was not a dwelling built, but she felt that it was and the septic system will not handle the addition that was put on.  She felt that the Zoning Board, Planning Board and Board of Selectmen should review the permits and make sure that all of the things are correct.  Alan Savage said that the septic system laws could be revisited, but there should not have been a building permit issued until the system had been checked.  She also asked if it was listed as a 2 bedroom house on the application.  Edward Samson said that he did not have the application at the meeting, but would check it and get back to her with the information.  He felt that the burden was on the applicant and not the Boards.  Aurore said that the system is failing and had only been installed 6-7 years ago.  Alan Savage said that a properly installed septic system could last a lifetime if properly maintained.  A 1,000 gallon system is for a 2 bedroom home not a 3 bedroom.

 

OLD BUSINESS;

 

            Review and approve the minutes of the July 9, 2007 meeting.

A motion was made by Allan Carr and seconded by David Stickney to approve the minutes as written.  A vote was called for and the motion carried.

 

            Department Head Up-dates:  None.

 

            Signing of Various Paperwork:  An application for reimbursement to towns & cities in which Federal & State Forest Land is situated.  This is an annual thing.

 

NEW BUSINESS;

 

            Easter Seals PILT negotiation.  Edward Samson said that he had a request from the Easter Seals that they not have to pay any taxes.    When they came to the Town when they were putting up the school they said that they would pay taxes.  They have spoken to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals due to the fact that the taxes had increased from $4,800.00 to $16,000.00 over the years.  Edward Samson said that he would like to negotiate with them and see if they would pay $5,000.00.

A motion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr for Town Manager Edward Samson to negotiate with the Easter Seals School and make the best deal possible for both, the Town and the School.  A vote was called for and the motion carried.

 

            Abatements:  Brian Bloom of 9 Woodcrest Lane felt that his assessment should be lower than those on Pleasant Valley Road as he lives on a Private Road. Jason Call recommended not lowering the assessment.

A motion was made by Allan Carr and seconded by David Stickney that they not grant the abatement.  A vote was called for and the motion carried.

                                    Thomas and Nancy Kingston – property on 81 Main St.  The property had been assessed at $285,400.00.  It had been reassessed for $209,980.00. They have since sold the property and are asking for an abatement of $75,420.00

A motion was made by Allan Carr and seconded by David Stickney to grant the abatement.  A vote was called for and the motion carried.

 

            Jude Gessel who has purchased the Evans Block on Main St. has applied to the Coos and Economic Development Corporation for a loan to continue work on the building.  The CEDC has $85,000.00 in their account with several small loans that are about to be paid off.  The CEDC is asking the Board to approve a grant in the amount of $7,500.00.  This grant will be taken from the Lancaster Loan Fund.  The Board agreed that he has done a great deal to the building and felt that it was a good idea.

A motion was made by Allan Carr and seconded by David Stickney to provide a grant in the amount of $7,500.00 to Mr. Gessel from the Lancaster Loan Fund.  A vote was called for and the motion carried.

 

INFORMATION;

            Included in the packet for the Boards information were building permits for Stan Remick, Bruce Savage, Caouette & Pratt, Lance Whipple and Jason Aldrich.

 

            Edward Samson said that he is getting ready to send out requests for fuel bids.. He had talked to Stiles Fuel and they quoted a price of 30cents over wholesale of $2.467 a gallon and a fixed price of $2.429.  The fixed rate would be from November through February and have to re-visit it.  Ed said that he would look at all of the other prices and have figures for the next meeting.  Bids will go to all of the local dealers. (Fitch, Rhymes,Munce and Irving)

 

            Ed also told the Board that the Fund Balance as of July 1st was 2.2 million.  It is invested in a Peta Account.  It has earned about $5,000.00 in interest for the month of July.

 

            Noting that there was no further business to come before the meeting a vote was called for to adjourn.

A motion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr to adjourn.  A vote was called for and the meeting adjoined at 7:23 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted:                                                        Approved:

 

 

Sandra E. Doolan – Clerk                                                     David Stickney

                                                                                                Chairman

 

 

                                                                                                Leo Enos, Sr.

 

 

                                                                                                Allan Carr

 

 

 

                                                                                                Board of Selectmen