TOWN OF PITTSFIELD
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TOWN HALL, 85 MAIN STREET
PITTSFIELD, NH 03263
_____________________________________________________________

MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY MAY 14, 2013

CALL TO ORDER

Call to order at 6:00 P.M. by Larry Konopka, Chairman. Eric Nilsson (EN), Vice-Chairman will be chairing the meeting tonight.

MEMBERS PRESENT

Larry Konopka (LK), Chairman, Eric Nilsson (EN), Vice-Chairman,
Gerard LeDuc (GL), Paul Skowron (PS), Town Administrator, and Delores
Fritz, Recording Secretary

MEMBERS ABSENT

Linda Small (LS), Al Douglas (AD),

PUBLIC INPUT

None.

NEW BUSINESS
ACTION ITEMS:

1. Proposed Fire Chief

(LK) This will be addressed later in the meeting with the anticipation Selectman Douglas will be present.

2. Transfer from Skate Park Fund to General Fund in the amount of $91.44

(LK) Motion to approve transfer of $91.44 from Skate Park Fund to
General Fund. (GL) Second. Carried 3-0.

(PS) This is for the material purchased to fix the seams at the Skate Park though there may be one additional outstanding cost. The Skate Park is being used.

3. Authorize Chairman to Request Information from utility companies on behalf of the assessors

(PS) Avitar is looking for specific information relative to several utility companies (NH Electric Co-op, Fairpoint Communications and Public Service of NH) authorizing Chair to request information.

(GL) Motion to approve requesting information from utility companies on behalf of the assessors and authorize Chair to sign letter. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

Discussion: (GL) What is this information going to be used for? (PS) Potential taxation and that tax is correct.

4. Board of Selectmen to Act on Abatement Application Recommendations

(PS) I believe this is the last batch of abatement recommendations filed previously with the Town. Assessor has indicated recommendations for each of these as noted.

Duhmel – Tax Map R46, Lot 13:

(GL) Motion to deny abatement Tax Map R46, Lot 13 due to untimely filing per Assessor recommendation. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

Bissonnette – Tax Map R24, Lot 1:

(PS) Assessor has recommended denying abatement due to late filing. Some adjustment in data is noted based on applicant information.

(GL) Motion to deny abatement Tax Map R24, Lot 1 due to untimely filing per Assessor recommendation. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

Bond – Tax Map R21, Lot 2:

(GL) Motion to deny abatement Tax Map R21, Lot 2 due to untimely filing per Assessor recommendation. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

Dukette – U02, Lot 15:

(GL) Motion to deny abatement Tax Map U02, Lot 15 due to untimely filing per Assessor recommendation. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

Rojas – Ta Map R04, Lot 2-5:

(GL) Motion to approve abatement Tax Map R04, Lot 2-5 for value difference of $1,100 per Assessor recommendation. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

Beaucher and Meader – Tax Map R07, Lot 17:

(GL) Motion to approve abatement Tax Map R07, Lot 17 for value difference of $19,600 per Assessor recommendation. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

Marland – Tax Map R15, Lot 19:

(GL) Motion to approve abatement Tax Map R15, Lot 19 for value difference of $18,700 per Assessor recommendation. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

Garrity/Fischer – Tax Map R38, Lot 1-1:

(GL) Motion to approve abatement Tax Map R38, Lot 1-1 for value difference of $2,200 per Assessor recommendation. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

Angelakis – Tax Map R12, Lot 3:

(GL) Motion to approve abatement Tax Map R12, Lot 3 for value difference of $80,200 per Assessor recommendation. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

(EN) Please provide Building Inspector with map and lot number to clarify Building Permits.

Northern New England Telephone Operations (Fairpoint Communications):

(PS) As you know, Fairpoint Communications took over Verizon landline business in New Hampshire. They have challenged assessments in all communities in which they pay taxes. In 2011, it was internally discussed and several communities were taken to Court by Fairpoint though Pittsfield was not one of these communities. Town did not assess them with the anticipation that had we assessed them, there would be a “gigantic” overlay if they were successful. Avitar has recommended denying abatement and see what happens as noted by Gary J. Roberge, Sr. Assessor, CNHA/CEO:

As this is already in court for 2011, I recommend denial at this point in time and see what comes out of the 2011 appeals. That is ongoing and we should get some direction from counsel very soon. At that time, we can revisit this abatement to see if a reasonable settlement can be reached. I will keep you up-to-date as to what is happening and if a possible settlement is advised based on counsel’s finding regarding the valuation of the public right-of-way.

(GL) Motion to deny abatement of property owned by Fairpoint Communications for 2011 per Assessor recommendation. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

5. Board of Selectmen to Discuss Adopting an Assessment
Methodology for Income Producing Properties

(PS) This pertains to a request made a while ago by assessors concerning the way the Board wished to review assessments conducted for rental properties. I have been in touch with Loren (assessor) and she has forwarded an E-Mail noting that she does not believe there is any great variance in the outcome of these assessments. Some of these rental property owners reside out of Town. I have scheduled her to visit next week (May 21, 2013) at 6:00 P.M. and will forward a copy of her E-Mail.

6. Board of Selectmen to Consider Awarding Paving Bid

(PS) There are four bids regarding the paving contract: Continental Paving, Advanced Excavating and Paving, Brox Industries, Inc. and Pike Industries, Inc.
George has recommending awarding contract to Continental Paving for Projects 1, 2, and 3 (see attached including revised (corrected) list of projects.)

(LK) Motion to approve Continental Paving for Projects 1, 2, and 3 as proposed and as recommended by George Bachelder, Highway Department. (GL) Second. Carried 3-0.

INFORMATION ITEMS

1. Report from Selectmen’s Representative to the Planning Board

(EN) The next meeting is June 6, 2013.

2. Report from Selectmen’s Representative to the Suncook Valley
Regional Town Association

(GL) There is a meeting tomorrow night.

OLD BUSINESS

Pending.

APPLICATIONS and WARRANTS

1. Intent to Cut: Tax Map R54, Lot 7

(LK) Motion to approve Intent to Cut Tax Map R54, Lot 7.
(GL) Second. Carried 3-0.

2. Intent to Cut: Tax Map R18, Lot 5

(GL) Motion to approve Intent to Cut Tax Map R18, Lot 5.
(LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

3. Timber Yield Tax: Tax Map R35, Lot 6

(GL) Motion to approve Timber Yield Tax for Tax Map R35, Lot 6
for $2,772.64. (LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

CHECKS and MANIFESTS

(GL) Motion to approve Accounts Payable and Checks Register.
(LK) Second. Carried 3-0.

(LK) Motion to approve Payroll and Direct Deposit. (GL) Second. Carried 3-0.

MINUTES

1. Public Session Minutes of May 7, 2013

(LK) Motion to approve Public Session Minutes of May 7, 2013 with correction. (GL) Second. Carried 2-0. (GL) Abstain.

Correction:

Page 10, Paragraph 3, Line 3 should read: (LK) $3,750 for three years.

OTHER

1. Vacation – Delores Fritz

(PS) Delores will be taking a vacation with her family the week of July 15th which is the week of the Board of Selectmen meeting. The vacation has been approved by me and Board needs to decide to either have someone else complete Minutes or change week. Board agreed they would not have a meeting on July 16th but hold the meeting on July 23rd instead.

Break 6:35 P.M. Resume 6:40 P.M.

The meeting resumed at 6:40 P.M. with Chairman Konopka conducting the meeting.

NEW BUSINESS – ACTION ITEMS – Continued

1. Proposed Fire Chief Warrant Article for Special Town Meeting

(PS) The Special Town Meeting Warrant Article has been drafted to be held on Tuesday, June 4th because of conflicts with the Moderator’s schedule. The Article has been “recast” by Atty. Mayer based on the Board’s discussion. The Fire Department has offered their approval on the wording. Fire Chief Nick Abell: “This looks good to me.” If Board approves, I will contact the School to reserve the Auditorium and make arrangements for Public Hearing (May 28, 2013) and Special Town Meeting scheduled on Tuesday, June 4th. (See attached.)

(EN) Motion to approve Warrant Article for Special Town Meeting for
June 4th as proposed. (GL) Second. After Discussion: Carried 2-1 (EN).

Discussion: (EN) I agree with the wording; the only thing is the term. Two years is more than sufficient. One year for a learning/working period and then second year as “working fire chief.” (LK) I support the three-year term and so does the Fire Department which is what they had in the past. (EN) I will not support three years. (GL) It should not be longer than three years. (EN) The reason I would not like to see it for three years is that if there are issues there is nothing you can do about it but are locked into the three years.

PUBLIC INPUT

Adam Gauthier: Who did the base on Wildwood Drive? There is a rumor that it is breaking and cracking and has some other issues. (PS) Continental Paving – if George notes any damage which occurs over the winter, he will contact Continental Paving and they always go back and correct it.

Adam Gauthier: Project 3 – what is that for? (PS) All the roadways noted in Projects 1 and 2. Adam Gauthier: That is kind of steep for edging roads; you would think paving costs more than packing edges? (PS) I could have George get in touch with you to explain. They will do the work first and then bill Town. I will check with George about your question. (LK) We will have George put something in writing for you on this.

Adam Gauthier: Are they going to repair Tilton Hill Road also which you have to use in order to get to Wildwood Drive? (PS) It has not been recommended by George as a 2013 project. Adam Gauthier: You would think that the road leading to the “nice” road would also be nice. (LK) I think the rationale was that Wildwood Drive was washing away.

Close Public Input

ADJOURNMENT

(GL) Motion to adjourn. (EN) Second. Carried 3-0.

Meeting adjourned at 6:52 P.M.

Approved: May 21, 2013

____________________________ ________________________
Lawrence Konopka, Chairman Date

I hereby certify that these Minutes were recorded by me on May 14, 2013, transcribed and public posted on
May 15, 2013.

__________________________________________
Delores A. Fritz, Recording Secretary

I Tape – Attachments