Alexandria Board of Selectmen

June 28, 2007

Members Present:     Peg Reilly, Cindy Williams and Don Gangemi

Work Session came to order at 5:05 p.m.  Tonight’s work session includes a meeting between the selectmen, Chris Murdough of Avitar Associates and Ann and Bill Hall. 

Ann said she had missed the last two meetings and did not know what is going on with hers and Bill’s situation.  Peg said that nothing has gone on, that is why the Halls are on the agenda this evening.  The Halls are concerned with the abatement for 2004 and 2005.  Chris Murdough asked if the Halls had received a copy of the letter she wrote.  They did not. Ann asked if Chris had received a copy of the letter she wrote to the selectmen.  She had not.  Copies were made and distributed.  Ann and Bill were concerned that their gravel pit was broken off into a separate card from the rest of the property while other pits in town were not treated the same way.  Chris Murdough said she could not explain why it was broken into two cards, but that has been corrected.  She said typically that would only happen if the property owner requests it.  Bill said it had not been requested; he heard it was zoned commercial and there is no zoning in town.  Chris also explained that the difference in the Hall’s assessment now is due to a change in the way gravel pits are assessed.  She believes that all applicable abatements have been approved and applied.  Christie asked if there would have been any difference n the old assessment whether it was on one card or two.  Chris Murdough said it would not because it still would have been listed as active pit and inactive pit area.  The increase in the value between 2004 and 2005 was due to the cease and desist order being lifted.  The increase in value between 2005 and 2006 has been taken care of through the abatement process.  The new value is considerably lower.  Bill had thought that the pit reopened in August of 2005 when it was actually in August of 2004.  Bill said that no assessor has ever taken measurements to determine the area of the pit.  Cindy said the area was determined by the report that Bill’s engineer made out.  Don asked what caused the valuation to change so drastically.  Chris said it was the lifting of the cease and desist order.  Don asked that a property card for a comparable pit be pulled to review. Bill feels that he has been totally honest about the active area of his pit where others may not have been.  Bill said they should not be getting two tax bills.  Cindy said the cards have been combined.  Bill replied that he still got two tax bills this time.  It was pointed out that one of them was for zero because there is no value on the card.  It needs to be voided by Avitar during the update process.  Chris Murdough stated that she stands behind the assessments and abatements that have been recommended and given.  Bill said that Hill is charging less per acre for gravel pits than Alexandria, and he would like to know why.  Chris explained that every town is different.  Bill stated that no matter what, they are still getting the short end because they have to pay interest and penalties.  Cindy told him that was his choice; the way that the law is written it encourages owners to pay the property tax first and then file for abatements.  Bill asked for a correction of his bill.  Christie left the meeting to ask the tax collector for a printout of Bill’s account.  Peg asked Chris Murdough how the people were chosen that got a letter this year requesting an interior inspection.  She was told that anyone whose interior had not been seen got a letter.  Cindy asked Chris to review the Rhude Land Use Change Tax to make sure that the amount is correct.  Bonnie O’Brien asked what happens if you get a letter and don’t let the assessors see the inside.  Chris said that they will make estimates on what may be there.  Bill Hall asked what happens when people fudge their paperwork and don’t put down as many acres as they are supposed to for a pit. Chris said that she reviews the gravel pits each year and can tell the difference between a five acre pit and a fifteen acre pit.  She looks at the intents and then reviews the land. Chris said that preliminary values will be set soon and the information will be submitted to the selectmen.  Cindy asked if the town will get a list of people who do not respond.  Chris explained that Christie will get a list back of those who responded and those who did not.  Bonnie O’Brien asked if there is or isn’t a view tax.  Chris replied that there is a view factor. Bonnie asked where the view factor is determined; front door, back door, deck, etc.  Chris said it is different with each property.  It could be front, back or side. 

Deliberative Session:

Came to order at 6:00 p.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Bonnie O’Brien.

There are no minutes to distribute.

Approval was tabled until the next meeting. Peg announced there will be no meeting next week.

Department Heads:

Jeff Cantara:  The trucks are in and the crew says a big thank you.  The paving of Mundy Road will happen tomorrow.  Washburn Bridge repairs are under way.  Fowler River Road is going well.  Jeff met with Harold Platts and he has agreed to let the town use a portion of his land to improve the road.  It would be difficult to put it all in writing.  Cindy said to make sure that the land in question is owned by Harold and not Weslou Trust.  Christie reviewed the property file and said that it is owned by Harold.  Jeff explained that if the town wants agreements from the landowners in writing, he needs assistance with this and the project could be held up.  He feels the town is in the right of way and should not need approval.  Christie said that town counsel has requested that these types of things be in writing in order to avoid future litigation.    A general letter will be written to let people know the work is going on.  All work is being done within the right of way.  Jeff suggested sending Mr. Benton a letter letting him know that the town will not remove what it has done, but will dress up that area and find an alternative way to perform the work on the other side of the road. Mr. Benton sent a letter stating that he does not want any further work done on his property; the town feels they are within their right of way on a three-rod road.  Ledge removal on this project will be done with a rock hammer rather than by blasting.    Jeremy Hiltz has purchased mineral rights in town and has offered the town crushed gravel delivered to the job site for $10/yard.  He will also commit to providing up to thirteen trucks in order to deliver material.  All gravel will meet NHDOT standards.  Therefore, Jeff will not be using Boake Morrison’s material.  The location of the pit is adjacent to the project site. Cindy asked Jeff to communicate that to Boake.  Jeff said it is nothing personal, his not using Boake, it is a matter of location, value, availability, etc.  Jeff stated that he took the job as road agent in order to provide the town with good roads. Last week he was insulted at the selectmen’s meeting.  He felt the selectmen should have asked Mr. Fredericks to leave.  The department realizes theirs is a public service position, but it shouldn’t put them on a lesser social level than anyone else.  Peg said that to a point she agreed with Jeff, but Mr. Fredericks is a member of the public and needs to be able to present his case. 

Maggie LaBerge:       Two people came before the planning board for subdivisions and lot line adjustments.  A group of people interested in the power plant made a presentation to the board.  The plan is for the plant to reopen and employ approximately 23 people.  It has not yet been purchased from Indeck and no work has been completed; no permits received.  The Capital Improvement Plan group is going to meet on the 17^th of July at 9:00 a.m. at the municipal building.  The next meeting is on the 3^rd Wednesday of July and at 6:00 there will be a forum for any interested in discussing the land use ordinance.  Everyone is in charge of doing their own thing on Community Day and they are doing it beautifully.  A map will be available to show people where the exhibits are.  The event has been well publicized.  Dennis Manchester will be donating some signs.  There are three photos to be judged for the cover of the town report. Peg asked Maggie to make sure that all the workers get listed.  The church will be open at 8 for a pancake breakfast. 

Michael Beauregard:             Mr. Beauregard came in to talk with the selectmen about Eastman Hill.  Since the last time he was in, Mr. Beauregard has met with the road agent who made some recommendations about the road. 

The road agent did put his recommendations in writing, and a copy was given to Mr. Beauregard.  Michael said that he just came from Eastman Hill and noticed that someone is working on the road.  Nobody seemed to know who it is, but Jeff will go up and take a look.  The selectmen are in agreement with Jeff’s recommendations.  Class V and Class VI roads are under the selectmen’s jurisdiction, but Mr. Beauregard will still need to meet with the planning board for work on the subdivision road itself.  Maggie suggested that Mr. Beauregard call the planning board number to get a spot on the agenda. 

Old Business:

            Gale Road:       Terry and Bill have graded Merry’s driveway down to the Bliss property and she
                                    seems to be happy with the work.

Signature Items:

A purchase order was approved for Maine Drilling & Blasting in the amount of $2250.  The question
was asked if the town crew is using the drill hammer and whether or not they are properly trained. Jeff
explained that Maine Drilling will run the equipment.  The resulting rock is to be processed for use by the town.

A timber warrant was signed for Will Fulton on Thomas Road.

 

An abatement was signed for Donald and Martha Flanders.

A dog warrant was signed and will be presented to the police department for processing.  The date
was changed to coincide with the state statute. 

Other:

            Hazard Mitigation Update-take off

            Generator-no update

            Gale Road-take off

            An estimate was received from 1-2-3 Lock & Key to supply combination smoke/heat detectors in
            the municipal building. The combination units were not required in the specifications, but the insurance
            company has recommended having them. 

A proposal was also received from 1-2-3 with regard to the installation of video cameras, both interior
and exterior.  $4,748.80.  Peg asked if there is someone else that could be asked for a quote.  It was suggested to contact Mango Security and A+ Alarms.  George Whittaker said he supplied Frank with a catalog that has security cameras in it.  The issue with buying the cameras separately is that you still have to pay someone for installation.  Christie will contact the insurance company to see if there will be any discount given to the town if the cameras are installed.  Also, ask whether or not the insurance companies’ recommendation included a camera inside the cell. 

Barbara Emery, the tax collector, came in to let the selectmen know that just over $500,000 has been collected in the past two days.

Elaine & Brian Glass submitted a letter to the town regarding Map 410, Lot 49.  They are designating the parcel as a private cemetery for the Jacobs/Glass family.  Any applicable state statutes will be adhered to.

Sue Hunt dropped off loan paperwork for the highway trucks.  The selectmen signed where necessary.

Barbara has requested that she be given access to change addresses in the assessing system.  Christie checked with Avitar and if a person has the ability to change an address, they also have the ability to change values, etc.  The selectmen denied the request due to security issues and the fact that the selectmen’s program should overwrite the tax collector’s when she downloads the warrants.  Cindy asked if it corrects addresses on prior years.  Christie did not know the answer to the question. 

A memo was received from the chief of police stating that the department has responded to 801 calls as of June 20.  At the current rate, 2007 calls for service will increase over 2006 by 19%.  By assured that we are keeping very close track of the budget expenditures and will do everything within our power not to exceed appropriations. 

Phil Preston, a state representative, sent the selectmen a letter indicating that the legislature passed
the 12.5% state portion of reimbursement from last year’s flood.  This year’s flood has yet to be determined. 

Because of the proposed increase in the Grafton County Budget, the Grafton County Selectmen are being asked if they are interested in forming an association to take a closer look at the proposals of the county and how money is being spent.  Alexandria’s board is interested and Peg suggested that the local budget committees be included as well. 

Don Gangemi drafted a building permit notice to be included with the application that outlines the ordinance for Class V and Class VI roads.  Don said that the RSA specifically states that a waiver on a Class VI road has to be in the deed.  Cindy said it only has to be recorded with the registry.  Don said that his reason for drafting the notice in the first place was to let applicants know what they might have to do if they wish to build on a Class VI road.

Public Input:

Kate Barrett asked if the town had been notified of herbicide spraying on the power lines.  George said that they are not spraying in Alexandria, they are just cutting brush.  He stated that Alexandria is a water protection area and spraying would not be done except up near the Hebron line. 

Bonnie O’Brien requested that arrows and parking space stripes put on the parking lot to show people what direction to go in.  Jeff said he is waiting for the Mundy Road paving and the lawn work to be completed.  She also requested a sign at the edge of the road to let people know where the building is.

Bonnie asked if the selectmen are going to ask for concessions from the power plant.  There are no plans to do so at this time.  Cindy said the state is the organization to regulate them, not the town because the town does not have any ordinances.  Bonnie suggested that the lights be changed so they don’t look like the aliens are about to land over there.  Something to think about.  George is concerned about noise from the plant.  Again, Cindy said there are no local ordinances against things such as noise and lighting. Maggie said she suggested to the people interested in the power plant to do a public relations campaign with the residents of the town and to visit the selectmen.  She also reminded everyone that the sale has not happened yet and the town has no rules. 

Christie was reminded to call NH The Beautiful to find out if there is any money available to get rid of used oil.  Cindy said that the town is not supposed to accept contractor oil in 55 gallon drum, only homeowner oil in gallon+ containers.  Christie explained that the oil is brought to the transfer station and is put into the drums without being tested.  By letting that happen, there are other liquids that are getting into the waste oil and making it unsuitable for use by the highway department’s heaters.

Ed Skroback submitted some photos and video of a past flood for the selectmen to look at.

Maggie said the road inventory is continuing and the conservation commission is working on a natural resources inventory. 

Jeff said that he will continue to work on the Fowler River Road Project in lieu of having letters at this time.  Cindy said she would like to see something in writing from Platts and Robie allowing the town to work on their property outside of the right of way. 

Jeff and Christie will continue to work with Keith and others to get the lawn issue completed by community day.  Peg and Cindy will get together on the mowing issue. 

Jeff asked if the state is not going to kick in their money for this year’s flood, what should be done about the remaining work to be done on the roads.  At the present time, Christie said, the town has expended $1,000 more than the 75% federal share of the reimbursement.  In order to complete the remainder of the work, the state’s 12.5% is needed or it will have to come out of the highway’s operating budget.  Jeff said he has eighteen months to complete the work, but it cannot be ignored; it needs to be done.  The estimate for the remaining work is $23,000, but Jeff said he can probably get it done for less.  Cindy asked Jeff to prep an estimate of what it will actually cost him to do the work. 

The engineering bids for Washburn Road will be reviewed on July 12 during the work session. 

Sue Cheney said the floor at the Alexandria Village School has been refinished and reports are that it looks beautiful.  The work will be paid for through the Perkins Trust Fund. 

Motion made, seconded and approved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Christie Phelps, Admin. Assistant