Minutes of Meeting

Board of Selectmen

Meeting held upstairs in Town Hall Monday – July 21, 2008

Attending: Town Manager Edward Samson

Selectmen Leo Enos, Allan Carr and David Stickney

Administrative Services Manager Becky Newton

Others attending: Alan Savage, Murray Vashaw, Don Williams, Joe Bochefor, Mary Bates and Robert Kapp.

The meeting was opened at 6:30 P.M. by Chairman Leo Enos followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPOINTMENTS:

At this time Town Manager Edward Samson said that those who were to be here were not as of yet so that the meeting would proceed until they arrived.

OLD BUSINESS:

To review and approve the minutes of the July 7, 2008 meeting. It was noted that on page one of the minutes under the Beattie case. Dr. Beattie stated that there are 4 places on the “town” with only 2 occupied. Town should have read “tower”

A motion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr to approve the minutes as written with the correction noted. A vote was taken and the motion carried.

Decisions regarding tax appeals that were reviewed at the July 7, 2008 meeting.

Brian Beattie appeals of LUCT and assessed value of property located at Town Tax Map R21, Lot 4. Leo Enos recommended that l.5 acres not be taxed as part of the cell tower site. He offered that the road was for construction purposes only and would be allowed to revert to its original condition. He also asked fellow board members if the cell tower site should be assessed at its full value it is was not fully tenanted.

A motion was made by Leo Enos and seconded by David Stickney that l.5 acres be removed fro the assessment and only 2 acres be assessed for the cell tower siting. A vote was taken and the motion carried.

Denise Boynton Town Tax Map R16 Lot 15 – Allan Carr stated that because Jason Call considered its current condition in deciding the assessment. He felt that the board should agree with Jason’s recommendation.

A motion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr to accept Jason Call’s recommendation regarding the Boynton property, R16-015. A vote was taken and the motion carried.

Edward Samson asked the board to decide the following tax appeals.

McGee/Sansoucy – Map R17, Lot 008

Mary Snowman – Map P06, Lot 011

Lancaster Associates/Eastpoint properties – Map R09, Lot 007

Pallaria - Map P08, Lot 069

Watkins – Map R24, Lot 002

A motion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr to accept Jason Call’s recommendations concerning R17-008, P06-011, R09-007, P08-069 and R24-002 A vote was taken and the motion carried.

APPOINTMENTS; continued.

At this time Robert Kapp of Marshall Road came to the meeting and presented his case. He stated that there was a lack of follow thru on the Towns part regarding building permits.

He stated that in December of 1995 the property owners were told to remove the trailer that was there as it was a hazard.

In May 1997 they ignored the Town Attorneys letter and came to the town for a building permit to build a camp. Permit also stated to remove the trailer. This is on 6/10ths of an acre.

In August of 1997 they received a permit to change from camp to shed. Granted with conditions. If new building is used for camp they were to remove trailer.

In September of 1997 they received a letter from then Town Manager Pat Kelly.

In December of 2001 nothing has happened, they received a new building permit to make shed a camp and the trailer is now storage shed.

As of today nothing has been changed. Mr. Kapp is requesting the Selectmen to enforce the building permit.

Mary Bates an abutter to the property stated that there are now three buildings on the property. They have drilled a well and it is covered with a 55 gallon drum. There have been fixtures delivered to the house.

Edward Samson said that when he went out to check it there was not any water hook-up.

Mrs. Bates said that they go to the woods for their bathroom needs. The people who own it only come up 2 weeks out of every year and they are afraid to leave their property while they are there, she will not let her children play out during that time.

Edward Samson said that there is documentation lacking in the files. The latest building permit would supercede the previous ones.

Mrs. Bates how much of the buildings were taxed. She was told that the box trailer and the storage building are taxed. They are however in violation of setbacks as they are 10’ off the road instead of 50.
Mr. Kapp asked how much space is allowed to put it on land as the lot is narrow and he stated that the Selectmen have the authority to have it removed.

Edward Samson stated that the Selectmen cannot go against the Zoning Regulation.

Alan Savage stated that the Town had no authority to allow the swapping of the buildings. He also stated that he is not in favor of occupancy permits.

Becky Newton said that back woods camps should have containers for grey water.

Mr. Kapp once again asked what could be done about the building permits.

Mr. Samson stated that it was a change of use and the trailer was not to be occupied as a domicile. Mr. Samson stated that he would do an on-site inspection when occupants are there. It was asked if he could go unannounced and he said that he would announce that he was coming and then make another visit also.

It was asked if when there was an inspection and deficiencies were found, would it be shut down immediately and the answer was if would depend on what was found.

Mr. Kapp said that it has been 15 years and really nothing had been done and he hoped that things would happen now.

Mr. Kapp and Mrs. Bates were thanked for coming to the meeting with their concerns and they would be notified.

Old Business – continued:

Letter to be signed by the Select Board regarding the yearly inventory of property. It was recommended by the Tax Collector that we not do it again this year. This is a yearly letter that has to go to the state.

A motion was made by Leo Enos and seconded by David Stickney to go with the recommendation of the Tax Collector. A vote was called for and the motion carried.

A letter from DES pertaining to the Bunnell Brook Bridge replacement. The Select Board is asking that it be a board rail fence and the ends will be tilted down.

A CDBG pay request from Lancaster Play and Learning Center in the amount of $2,250.00. The Select Board and the Town Manager signed said letter.

Intent to Cut – Doug Copson – cutting 10 acres of 41

NEW BUSINESS:

Weeks Memorial Library would like to have $10,000.00 from their Capital Reserve Fund to do repairs to the front of the building. They wanted to take the money from the funds that they have but they would have to go to Town Meeting with a request. They would like to have the Select Board authorize expending up to ten thousand dollars ($l0,000.00) from the Capital Reserve Fund and then they will come to Town meeting to have it put back in from their own funds. It was asked if they had gotten more than one quote for the job and the answer was no. It was also suggested that they go back to the architect who built it.. Edward Samson said that he would tell them that they need to have more than one quote on repairs that they need to have done.

A motion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr to take up to $10,000.00 from the Library Capital Reserve fund for repairs to the building. A vote was called for and the motion carried.

INFORMATION:

Building permits:

Alicia Cunningham – concrete slab and placement of mobile home

Redmond Thayer- wood storage shed

Don Williams asked it they were working on the bricks for the front of the building. Ed Samson advised they were attempting to get an affordable quote so as to complete the entire project.

Noting that there was no further business to come before the meeting a motion 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 adjourned at 7:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted: Approved:

Sandra E. Doolan – Clerk Leo J. Enos, Sr.

Allan Carr

David Stickney

Board of Selectmen