NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MAY 19, 2008 MEETING
Selectmen: Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Donna Long, Admin.; Normand Bernaiche, Tri-town Assessor
Public: Doris Dunn, Michael Prozzo, Dave Fanning, Dianalee Velie, Holly von Svoboda, Michael MacDonald, and Katherine Feeney, Steve Russell and Charlie Hirshberg.
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Doris Dunn approached the Board with concerns and questions regarding her property’s assessment value. She said that there is a business location that is similar to her property that is less than her assessment. Bernaiche explained that commercial properties are assessed differently than residential properties. Budd looked at comparison residential properties and stated that he thought Dunn’s assessment is on target. Bernaiche said that he had already adjusted the land assessment by 15% for topography issues. Wright stated that he thinks the assessment reflects the market value of her home. This case will be heard by the NH Tax and Land Appeals Board.
Michael Prozzo addressed the Board with a request to reimburse him for a mirror that was hit off his truck by the highway department during the pushing back of snow banks this past winter. The estimate that he presented to the Board to replace the mirror was in the amount of $99.35. Prozzo distributed a map illustrating where his truck was in comparison to the side of the road. He stated that he was parked approximately five feet from the road in his own driveway. Pavlicek stated that he believed the right of way of Gerald Drive is 2 rods which equals 33 feet total. With the dimensions given, it was determined that Prozzo’s truck was outside of the right of way dimensions. Wright asked why he parked so close to a town road in the
winter. Prozzo said that he thought it would be easier to pull out of the driveway if it was close to the road. He said he will try to park it in closer to the house next year. Wright said that he was reluctant to reimburse the money due to the fact that he knowingly put the truck in harm’s way. Prozzo argued that he was technically not in the right of way and on his own property and therefore should be reimbursed. Budd agreed that he should be reimbursed. A vote from absent Powell will determine the fate of the reimbursement. Pavlicek will notify Prozzo of Powell’s decision.
Steve Russell and Charlie Hirshberg approached the Board representing the Sunapee Hills Association with goals set forth for the Sunapee Hills Co-operative Drainage & Road Maintenance Program. The goals outlined by Russell and Hirshberg were: to assist the Town in minimizing impacts from sediments that degrade the road and drainage system, to provide consultation and analysis of drainage and runoff issues and suggest corrective action, to develop a program of corrective action that is cost effective, to provide a monitoring program that can identify key areas where maintenance may be required, to create a program that encourages homeowners to maintain driveway culverts, to develop a program where homeowners can, if necessary, contract to have new drive
culverts installed or cleaned out. The Board also reviewed a map that showed ideas of where and when things might be worked on in this area. The Board will keep one map, Cal Prussman, Highway Administrator, will get a map. The Committee is also looking into some grant money to work on these issues. The Board has agreed to work with this committee on these forthcoming goals.
APPOINTMENTS:
Holly von Svoboda thanked the Town on behalf of the Velie Memorial Group for all the help with the site work for the playground. The group presented their landscaping design which includes granite benches, stepping stones and native plants. There will also be a reflective area that will have all daisies. A design plan for the welcome train station was presented by Michael MacDonald. It will be a replica of an old fashioned train station. It is a three sided structure that is four feet wide and has an opening. It will be a post and beam building with no glass. The group also asked if it was possible to have the town acquire some loam and fill for the playground to layer under the fiber fill and help spread it. Pavlicek
will have Hank Thomas check out the site to get a feel to how much loam and fill should be ordered. Wright said that the loam will need to be leveled by hand, since the equipment would leave divots in the loam. The Board approved both the landscaping design and the proposed train station design.
NEW BUSINESS:
Pavlicek read a request from a Newbury resident that has relocated to Australia. She was requesting a reimbursement for an RV registration. The Board denied this reimbursement.
The Board discussed where the irrigation water pipe will be installed at Fishersfield. This will be contracted out within the next three weeks.
Pavlicek read an email notice from the company doing the boring and survey work on the two bridges. The company was requesting that all abutters to the bridges be notified of the work to be done.
Pavlicek read a letter from Richard Matte stating that due to prior obligations, he will be unable to sit on the South Newbury Buildings Committee.
Pavlicek reported that Clayton Pratt was currently working on the town property surveys. A committee will be formed to discuss what direction to move in on the Bald Sunapee property. Members of this committee will include, all Selectmen, Town Administrator Dennis Pavlicek, Police Chief Bob Lee, Fire Chief Hank Thomas, Pat Sherman and another resident at large.
Pavlicek reported he had received 4 applications for the Transfer Station position. Pavlicek and Budd will begin interviewing later this week.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending May 17, 2008 were approved and signed.
MINUTES: Minutes of May 5, 2008 were approved to file.
INTENT TO CUT: One intent to cut for Scott Hill, Map/lot # 026-274-333 was signed.
PROPERTY TAX WARRANT 2008: The town tax warrant for 2008 was signed in the
amount of $4,530,535 with a 12% interest due for each day late after the July 1st deadline.
ABATEMENTS/REFUNDS/EXEMPTIONS: Nine veteran credit applications were
reviewed. Five were approved and four were denied for not meeting qualifications.
SIGN PERMIT: Two temporary sign permits were signed and approved.
TIMBER TAX LEVY: One timber tax levy for Kenneth Rezendes (Map/lot #048-673-161)
in the amount of $493.21 was signed.
CURRENT USE: Two current use applications were signed for Emily Welsh, Map/lots
#033-197-164 and #043-592-097.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:45 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, May 5, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
_______________________ _____________________ _______________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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