Town of Bristol
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of 07-26-07
Members Present: Joe Denning (JD), Steve Favorite (SF), Rick Alpers (RA), Bruce Van Derven (BVD), Town Manager Elizabeth Corrow
Members Absent: Paul Fraser (PF)
Chairman Rick Alpers called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
Purchase Orders
Highway Department - Pike Industries - Pave Streets listed on contract @ $51.70 per ton from sealed bid - $174,730. The streets would include King Arthur Lane, Tristan Lane, Lancelot Lane, Hector Lane, Kay Lane, Gareth Lane, Gallahad Lane, Holiday Hills Drive, Old Route 3A, Mt. View/ Prestige Drive, Maple Grove Lane. Highway Superintendent Mark Bucklin stated he received 2 sealed bids and Pike was the lowest by $3.00 per ton. He has $256,000.00 budgeted for paving projects this year. This bid will pave 4-5 miles of road. Mr. Alpers stated these roads do need attention. He also questioned if they would be working on any drainage issues before paving and Mr. Bucklin stated they were doing that now. Mr. Bucklin stated the paving would begin in August; however, the roads near the lake would be paved after Labor Day. Mr. Bucklin also confirmed everything would be paved in Red Fox Village as in the agreement. Motion by JD to approve the Purchase Order for Pike Industries for paving: seconded by SF; vote was 4-0.
Highway Department - Morrison Construction – Build a retaining wall at Danforth Brook Road & Hall Road for $12-15,000. Mr. Alpers questioned whether the Town would get any money from FEMA for this project due to the heavy rains in April. Mr. Bucklin responded that this project was not due to the heavy rains in April but that we were in fact getting money for other repairs done in April. Mr. Alpers stated Ken Braley and Sons Construction were minimally more expensive. Mr. Bucklin stated any money that is left in the paving line will be used to pave the beginning of Hall Road. Motion by JD to approve the Purchase Order for Morrison Construction to build a retaining wall: seconded by SF; vote was 4-0.
Introduction of Angela Bergeron (new patrolman)
Chief Clark introduced Angela Bergeron to the Board of Selectmen as a new patrolman. He stated all the positions have been filled in the Police Department. He stated she has been a NH resident for her whole life, is a Plymouth State University Graduate and has worked at the Ashland Police Department for the last few years. The Board welcomed and congratulated Ms. Bergeron.
Citizen Corps
Fire Chief Skantze stated there is a group of volunteers from the community that has agreed to serve on the Citizens Corp Council. This board would establish a community response team to help prepare the community for threats, crime, public health and disasters. Mr. Alpers questioned whether this is being done stated wide or nationally. Chief Skantze stated this is a national initiative through Homeland Security. He stated they would like more of a regional approach rather then Town by Town therefore; he would like to start it and encourage the surrounding communities to be a part of the council. Mr. Alpers questioned if this would make grant money more available. Chief Skantze stated Donna Quinn from Alexandria is working as a coordinator for the Citizens Corp Council and is working to get a grant that will get the program up and running. Mr. Denning stated this would be another step in working with the area Selectboards. Chief Skantze stated this team would help out with extra staffing in events like Montreal to Boston, NH Marathon or a disaster like the flooding. Phil and Les Dion and Del Woodard worked hard with the logistical aspects of the flooding but were strapped if they needed anything. This will establish a group of people that can help with the logistics of such an occurrence. Mr. Van Derven questioned if one wants to get involved they could call the fire station and Chief Skantze confirmed. Mr. Favorite asked if the grant was already processing and Chief Skantze stated they need to form the council and then apply for the grant which should happen soon.
Chief Skantze then had five purchase orders which were all budgeted routine orders.
Fire Department – Purchase Order # 003493 & 003494 – Station House Supply / Fire Barn – $ 3,141.07 - Routine equipment. Approved by the Selectboard.
Fire Department – Purchase Order # 003495 & 003496 – Fire Tech. and Safety – $2,264.00 - Purchase routine Hazard Material clean up products. Approved by Town Manager Corrow.
Fire Department – Purchase Order # 003497 - American Fire Equipment Inc. Co. - $1,500.00 – 2 Kocheck Jumbo Siamesc. Approved by Town Manger Corrow.
Fire Department – Purchase Order # 2059 – Bergeron Protective Clothing - $5,521.68 – 4 sets of Firefighter Protective Clothing. Approved by the Selectboard.
Continuation of Land Use Tax abatement request discussion:
Mr. Larry Denton explained to the board that he is building a house on a 10 acre lot and has a contiguous 5 acre piece across the street. He stated during the initial construction phase he did not realize the entire 10 acre parcel would need to come out of current use. He thought he could combine the 10 acre parcel with the 5 acre parcel and then take out the 2 acres that the house is on. He only wants to take out the portion that the house is on. Mr. Alpers stated they held this issue over from last meeting as it will set a precedence for the future. Ms. Corrow stated Mr. Denton did not realize the proper steps and stated if the Board decides to make an adjustment, the amount of property to be taken out of current use should be calculated by the assessor. She stated they should have combined the two lots first and then taken the couple of acres out that are needed to build the house. She stated they currently have a bill for $14,000.00 and if they had done it correctly it would have only been approximately $2,000.00. Mr. Alpers stated Current Use is a privilege to lower ones taxes but when it is taken out for development it is time to pay back for the years they were not paying the full amount of taxes. Motion by BVD to grant the petition of Mr. Denton and Ms. McGuire as described in their letter of 6-29-07upon determination for the amount of the penalty of the land by the assessor: seconded by SF; vote was 4-0.
Franchise Fee
Town Manager Corrow stated as a result of previous board discussion regarding the need for expansion of our current town channel she has asked Jamie Cadorette to explain the process for expansion. She stated Plymouth’s channel was similar to Bristol’s current channel when she began in Plymouth; however, upon hiring Mr. Cadorette and implementing the franchise fee, Plymouth has been able to increase their level of production. Mr. Cadorette stated that the channel never really progressed for the 13 years prior and in 2004 when he came on board he got the Selectboard, Zoning and Planning Board meetings to broadcast on the channel. He stated Plymouth began collecting the franchise fee in 2003 to begin raising money for the improvements to the channel. He stated Plymouth had a 2% franchise fee and with about 6,000 residents it brought in $15,000.00. Plymouth has recently been broadcasting the Parades live. Mr. Cadorette stated each meeting runs about 3 times a week and has a set schedule so citizens can plan ahead if they would like to watch a particular meeting. Mr. Van Derven questioned whether the meeting would be broadcasted live and then replayed. Mr. Cadorette confirmed and stated Plymouth went from a 2% fee to a 5% fee and no one was objected. He stated the fee is only applied to video services, internet services are not included. Mr. Van Derven thought there were 1300 subscribers when they discussed this previously. He also suggested the many other possibilities this could bring down the road such as school events. Mr. Denning questioned whether we would withdraw from Lakes Region Public Access. Mr. Denning thinks if a good plan is put in place you can broadcast many events. Ms. Corrow believes we have 2 channels. One can be used to broadcast all the meetings and the other will be for the scrolling bulletin board. Mr. Van Derven questioned if they could have advertisements on the channel as an additional way to raise revenues. Mr. Cadorette stated you probably can not do advertisements but might be able to have paid sponsors. Mr. Van Derven questioned what the bad side of this would be. Mr. Cadorette stated someone would need to be hired and it takes a little for this to get up and running. He stated a part-time person would be sufficient for now and will probably need to turn it into a full-time position in the future. He stated it is hard to make it work with volunteers but you can partner with the school and have kids get involved that are interested in production. He suggested partnering with other towns in the future if you came up with some type of service agreement. Mr. Van Derven thought generating revenue by having other towns pay Bristol a fee for broadcasting there recorded meetings would be a great benefit. Mr. Cadorette made recommendations on the various equipment needed. He stated Plymouth State University’s board of directors donated money for equipment in return for having there meetings broadcasted. Town Manager Corrow stated she would do the calculations to see the impact on the customer and how much revenue would be brought in with the adoption of a franchise fee. Mr. Cadorette stated most towns have a 3% or higher franchise fee.
Assessing Concern
Mr. Mike Bannan stated he is very concerned with last year’s reevaluation. He does not think it was done properly. He is concerned because the Board of Selectmen went ahead with the way the reevaluation was done. He submitted 14 abatements for his association and they were all denied. Ms. Corrow thought there was an adjustment for the land. Mr. Bannan stated there was an administrative abatement done previously as the land value was charged twice. Mr. Bannan read a letter to the board of his findings. He felt the methodology was not fair or consistent. He reviewed some calculations to point out inconsistencies. He felt there was not any real thought put into the process. He has reviewed and compared many properties and believes he has found many inconsistencies in the values throughout the properties. Mr. Bannan stated he was very concerned and explained the State made Sanbornton reassess the entire town. He hopes the new assessing company understands the Lake District. He will be going to the State because he thinks the assessment of his association is drastically wrong. Mr. Alpers understands that there were some errors and we have begun to try and fix them. They have hired CNP to fix the issues as they arise. He stated some of the workers have worked for DRA. Mr. Alpers stated CNP has started the first ¼ of the measure and list process to make sure the data is correct. He understands Mr. Vincent was not doing the measuring and listing and was just driving by. Town Manger Corrow stated Jo Jo is working on the town’s certification and has not expressed any need to do a reassessment. She has pointed out some areas that need improvement and Phil is trying to fix the issues as soon as possible. Mr. Alpers agreed that there are some issues and that is why they have hired the new company. Mr. Bannan wants to be sure the Selectmen are working with the new company closely and stated he does not feel the building data is wrong, only the land values. Mr. Bannan feels the view portion of the assessment is more of an opinion and it shouldn’t be. Mr. Alpers stated in the contract with CNP, they need to measure and list every house and get the proper characteristics for a proper assessment. This is being done in an effort to fix errors that were not addressed with the old company. Ms. Corrow stated items like the view and grade of the land are addressed at the end of the contract (in the last year). Each town has a different opinion of how to tax view and the Board will have that discussion with the assessor. Ms. Corrow admitted it was not perfect and we have already made a lot off corrections. She also stated that the Department of Revenue Administration reviewed the numbers and the data before the Selectboard accepted them. She explained there are always issues and that is why there is the abatement process. Mr. Alpers stated when CNP was hired there was a serious discussion with them and how the board wanted them to help clean any issues up. Mr. Bannan stated many of the residents that he did the abatement for in his association did not have the time to file an abatement and that is why he did it for the entire association. Mr. Van Derven stated the Board has acknowledged there were mistakes in the assessment process and the abatement process followed. Now Mr. Bannan has brought forward information and the best thing the Board is saying they can do is to fix it in the future. He felt something additional should be done. Ms. Corrow stated the Board could do a lake district reevaluation which could cost $10,000.00 - $20,000.00 or more, an entire reevaluation (costing several hundred thousand dollars) which she did not recommend as they did take the necessary steps to comply with the State. She explained there will still be angry people because they may feel they are being picked on again and she does not think we are that far off from where we need to be. She stated Mr. Bannan could set up a meeting and review his abatement application with the new assessor for a second opinion as he has done with a few others. Mr. Van Derven was concerned with having Mr. Bannan come in and present a noticeable problem and be told that he has to wait until the next reevaluation. Mr. Van Derven is concerned with the gross disparity of numbers since the board just reviewed another abatement that had thousands of dollars difference. Mr. Bannan felt the abatement process is wrong because the person that sets the values then reviews their values and it is not often that they are going to say they were wrong. Ms. Corrow agreed that is a consideration but stated she did see a good portion of abatements that were approved. She felt Mr. Vincent did review them fairly and they did question a couple. Mr. Van Derven did not feel the entire assessment was wrong but questioned if on individual circumstances they be reviewed if brought forward. Ms. Corrow agreed.
Public Comments
Mr. JP Morrison questioned why he had not received a response for his abatement request. He was concerned with his land value as it was much higher then his neighbors 3 doors down and they have twice the acreage.
Mr. Morrison was also concerned with some issues at the foot of the lake. He feels the moorings have spread out significantly and the Town of Bristol has spent a lot of money over the years over this issue. Mr. Morrison is also concerned because the residents across from the town beach benefit from being able to use the beach but are not paying for it. They have the benefit of the frontage but are not paying any taxes on it. He feels the moorings are getting out of control and is concerned with the boats pulling up on the beach to go to the Big Catch where they don’t even own any of the beach. He does not think people living along the beach should get a sticker that would allow them to park at the beach since they are so close. The residents at the foot of the lake block the parking spots so the residents that don’t have the benefit of the lake do not have any place to park. He would like the Selectmen to address the issues at the foot of the lake. He explained the main reason the mooring field was moved in front of the Big Catch is because of Marine Patrol. He is not sure why people are allowed to beach their boat since Swiss View owns that portion of the Beach. Mr. Alpers stated it has changed. Mr. Morrison stated it had not and was dated back to the 1800’s. Mr. Alpers again stated it had recently changed. Mr. Denning understands and agrees that the boats should not be there. He suggested posting a sign stating it is not safe for swimmers or one that would prohibit boats. Mr. Morrison questioned how people are still getting mooring permits. He felt Silver Shores got a certain amount of moorings in the 1996 Settlement and thinks there are more then what was allowed. Town Manager Corrow stated Silver Shores is in the final stages of approval for a dock and Swiss View owns the property from the rock in the lake with an X and around the bend towards route 3A. She stated she will do research as to how many moorings are allowed and make sure there are not any placed that should not be there. Mr. Alpers stated they could not stop the boats that are anchoring in the water in front of the Big Catch. Only Marine Patrol can stop the boats that are in the water. He stated the Town can apply for an extension to move the swim line down and ask the Police Department to monitor the boats and make sure citizens are not beaching their boats. Mr. Morrison does not want people to bring their boats to the Big Catch. Mr. Denning does not think it is safe for the boats to be parking and going through the mooring field. Mr. Van Derven suggested the Board put his concerns on the to do list and give him a date when the items will have been addressed. He stated the Board has now heard Mr. Morrison’s concern and will now try and address the issues. Ms. Corrow stated it was too late to try and solve the beach sticker issue this year because the majority of permits have been issued but we can discuss the issue to ensure a better plan be put in place for next summer. She will also research the mooring concern. Mr. Van Derven suggested writing a letter to the residents on Shore Drive regarding the parking issue. Mr. Morrison stated all the residents along Shore Drive want to do is dominate the foot of the lake.
Summer Town Meeting
Ms. Corrow questioned the board as to how they would like to run Summer Town Meeting. She suggested starting with an introduction and then a presentation from CDM (engineers) regarding the sewer to the lake project that would be a little more in depth then the one provided at Town Meeting. Mr. Van Derven suggested having a question and answer period. Ms. Corrow wanted to make sure the residents with specific concerns and questions realize they can have additional meetings to address their problems and it didn’t all need to occur at town meeting because two hours is not a lot of time. Mr. Van Derven agreed and stated the questions should try and remain broad. Mr. Alpers questioned if we should have an agenda and wanted to make sure there are town reports. Mr. Van Derven questioned if the moderator would be there. Ms. Corrow stated it would be a last minute invite at this point. She proposed Mr. Alpers to do an introduction, and Ms. Corrow can do an overview of the departments. Ms. Corrow does anticipate assessing as a hot topic and feels many of the individual issues may need to be discussed on a one on one basis.
Selectboard Items
Joe Denning –
Mr. Denning was concerned with the slope at Plankey Springs. He stated we need to put a fence in because someone fell down the slope the other day. He has spoke with Mason Westfall on the Conservation Commission. Ms. Corrow stated she would check and make sure no one is opposed to the fence and then price it out.
Bruce Van Derven –
Mr. Van Derven questioned the possibility of changing to a fiscal year and whether this had to be done at Town Meeting. Mr. Corrow stated it is a primary objective and the budget process has began. Ms. Corrow stated that she has a meeting with the department heads to begin looking at capital needs for next ten years. There would have to be one 18 month budget and it would have to be a warrant article or either a 2/3 vote or unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee. Ms. Corrow thinks it is a great idea however; there are a lot of capital items on the list for this year. She is not sure if it is the best timing, but does not know if there will ever be a good time. Mr. Favorite questioned whether you could use a TAN. Ms. Corrow stated there are many options. A reserve account could be set up this year and raise the remainder next year, the tax rate could be raised or there could be a bond for the 6 month period. Ms. Corrow likes working with a fiscal year and it would eliminate many cash flow issues. Mr. Van Derven agreed and thinks it is a great idea. Ms. Corrow would like the board to think about it. Mr. Van Derven questioned the Budget Schedule and Ms. Corrow felt it was a fair schedule and meets all the deadlines. She said there is a little room for change and will submit her proposed budget to the Board by the end of October. Ms. Corrow stated the Department Heads have already started their budget and will work on them through July and August.
Rick Alpers –
Mr. Alpers questioned if anyone had heard anything from Freudenberg. Mr. Denning stated he had not and the Board might want to write a letter to the state questioning the status. He suggested the attorney might draft a letter. Mr. Denning stated Steve Doyan explained the issues with the plan but thinks the state needs to also explain. Mr. Van Derven suggested writing a letter to Freudenberg requesting the status of the repairs and volunteered to draft the letter. The board agreed.
Mr. Alpers stated they need to make sure to include a maintenance line for the Bike Path in next years budget because he has heard a few complaints regarding the trash and dog poop. Mr. Van Derven suggested a few stations with bags for citizens to use if their dog goes to the bathroom. Mr. Denning suggested a sign requesting citizens to clean up after their dogs and thinks the dog stations would be good.
Town Manager Corrow has made a final decision regarding the porta potty “roulette” that she has had to play this year. She has placed two at the Big Catch and will place signs along the beach to state where the public restrooms are. Mr. Van Derven stated Mr. Fraser also thought having the porta potties at the end of the beach is fine and if one has small children or uses the bathroom often then they should place there towels at that end of the beach.
Mr. Denning stated he had not seen the parking issue that Mr. Morrison spoke about
Town Manager Corrow stated that it appears DES will allow us remove the metal pieces from Cummings beach. Ms. Corrow would also like to clean it up more, fix the parking lot, bring in new sand, work on the drainage and put in a handicap access. She would like to do this all in one permit for sometime in October.
Mr. Corrow wanted to remind the board to nominate a volunteer for the LGC volunteer award.
Ms. Corrow stated they are still waiting for federal approval for the Central Street Bridge. She has a meeting in Concord on Thursday regarding the bridge. She stated they are still moving forward and will try and work around getting an easement from the property owner on the Bristol side. They will be working around the property and remaining on the Towns property while pursuing other legal options.
Ms. Corrow stated the Regional Meeting is set for August 15th at 6:30.
Town Manager Corrow stated there were not any other towns that went out to bid with Bristol for paving but we have tried again for Fuel. We have had a couple of responses.
Mr. Van Derven wondered if the Regional Meeting would be on Contracting Services. Ms. Corrow stated they would and she would like to get a Planner that is shared throughout the towns.
Mr. Alpers made a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II(a), seconded by Mr. Denning: roll call vote taken all members agreed to enter into non-public session. At 9:40 PM the BOS entered a non-public session.
Motion to return to public session made by Mr. Denning, seconded by Mr. Favorite; vote was unanimous.
Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Bruce Van Derven; seconded by Mr. Alpers; vote was unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Krystal Alpers
Administrative Secretary
____________________________ _____________________________
Richard Alpers, Chair Steve Favorite
_____________________________ _____________________________
Joe Denning Paul Fraser
____________________________
Bruce Van Derven