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Warner Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes January 9, 2008 Meeting opened at In Attendance:
Selectman David E. Hartman – Chairman Selectman
Richard A. Cook Selectman
Wayne Eigabroadt Absent:
None Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen Others Present: Laura Buono – Town Administrator Jim McLaughlin – Martha Mical Richard Senor 1. Jim McLaughlin – RSA
79-E Tax Deferral for Historical Properties Mr. McLaughlin asked the Board of
Selectmen to consider presenting a warrant article adopting RSA 79-E.
Once the RSA is adopted this would allow a property owner who
wants to substantially rehabilitate a building that is located in the
village center or downtown area the opportunity to apply to the
Selectmen for a period of temporary tax relief.
The temporary tax relief is for a period during which the
property tax on the structure will not increase as a result of its
rehabilitation. In exchange
for the tax relief the property owner ensures the continuation of public
benefit during the period of the tax relief.
Once the period expires the structure is taxed at its full market
value. The adoption of RSA
79-E encourages the rehabilitation of under-utilized buildings located
in the downtown area. Applications are made to the Selectmen by
the property owners, the application is presented in a public hearing
where the Selectmen could accept or deny such application.
A property owner can only apply for the tax relief if the
building is located in a downtown district, the rehabilitation costs at
least 15% of the pre-rehab assessed value or $75K whichever is less and
rehabilitation is consistent with the Town’s Master Plan. The tax
relief would be for a period up to 5 years from the start of the re-hab
with a possible extension of up to 4 years depending on the status of
the structure. Selectman Cook confirmed that the property
owner would still be required to pay property taxes on the structure
amounting to the value prior the rehabilitation.
Martha Mical asked if a specified tax
relief amount could be presented to the voters.
Chairman Hartman understands that the property taxes would not
increase based on the improvements for up to 5 years, it would be
difficult to present an amount because of varied assessed values. The
Selectmen discussed how RSA 79-E increases the opportunity to
rehabilitate the The Selectmen agree the adoption of RSA
79-E should be brought before the voters.
There are four municipalities that have adopted the tax
incentive, 2. Town Report The Selectmen reviewed the submitted
quotes, Selectman Cook made the motion
to accept the submitted quote from Kase Printing, *Brayshaw Printing was solicited for a
quote but declined. The Selectmen determined who the report
would be dedicated to, all submitted recommendations were considered. 3. State Proposal – A proposal from the State was received on Richard Senor recommends if the State
property use changes, any change in water usage should be the
responsibility of the State. Martha
Mical recommends shared responsibility for the water pump. Selectman Cook noted that the comparables
the State used for the Transfer Station property have road frontage.
The final adjustment was reviewed and was noted that there was no
adjustment made for the lack of road frontage in the final assessed
value; Selectman Eigabroadt added that the topography does not appear to
be adjusted also. Selectman
Cook recommends disagreeing with the selling price because of the lack
of road frontage as well as the topography.
Martha Mical said the State should also be notified that a land
locked parcel cannot be created even with a deeded right-of-way.
Selectman Cook made a motion
to respond to the Department of Transportation expressing the Town’s
interest in the parcel as well as stating the Selectmen’s concerns
about the appraisal not considering the lack of road frontage,
topography or the State Law (can’t create a land locked parcel (even
with a right-of-way)). Selectman
Eigabroadt seconded the motion. All
were in favor. The motion
passed. 4. Tax Collector Refund Requests Selectman Eigabroadt made a motion
to authorize the Tax Collector for the proposed refunds for Map 31 5. Planning Board Alternate Vacancy Stacey Cooper recently resigned from the
Planning Board due to residency but since has resolved her residency
issues and is requesting to be re-appointed as a Planning Board
Alternate. Since her
resignation Harold French was appointed in her place.
Selectman Eigabroadt on behalf of the Planning Board asked the
Selectmen to re-appoint Ms. Cooper to another alternate position.
In order to keep the positions staggered Selectman
Cook made a motion to appoint Stacey Cooper as a Planning Board
Alternate, term expiring April 2009.
Selectman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.
All were in favor. The
motion passed. 6. Manifest Selectman Eigabroadt made a motion
to authorize the Selectmen to sign the manifests and order the Treasurer
to sign payroll and accounts payable check numbers 40657-40738 dated
12/20/2007 through 01/02/2008 totaling $598,595.25 and payroll check
numbers 002-045 dated 01/01/2008 in the amount of $41,169.23 and
accounts payable checks numbered 40739-40742 dated 01/08/2008 in the
amount of $50,394.80. The
payables included a check in the amount of $461,428.00 for the 7. Nancy Sibley Wilkins NSW Trustees met on 8. Meeting Minutes Selectman Cook made the motion
to approve: Selectman Eigabroadt noted that he was not
present during the December 18 non-public, minutes were corrected.
Selectman Eigabroadt seconded the motion.
All were in favor. The
motion passed. 9. General Business Selectman Cook asked Ms. Buono if the
Selectmen approved the Safety Policy.
Ms. Buono said yes. Chairman Hartman added that Nancy Sibley
Wilkins Trustees also awarded the Pillsbury Free Library $4K for
digitizing newspapers. Selectman
Cook asked if the process would be better than what has already been
digitized because the newspapers are difficult to read.
10. Chairman Hartman, Director of Public Works
and the Highway Foreman met with Provan & Lorber to discuss Connors
Mill bridge replacement. The
construction of a 55’ span is estimated to cost $316K; this cost does
not include engineering fees. One
of the concerns Chairman Hartman had was how substantial was the impact
of the flood control reservoir overflow (Blackwater Dam) on the damage
that was sustained on the bridge. Provan
& Lorber indicated in their report that the overflow is a cause of
increased flood waters. Chairman
Hartman feels that the overflow issue needs to be discussed with the
Town of Selectman Eigabroadt asked when a decision
is needed on the proposed construction.
Chairman Hartman said the next step is to meet with the State
which will review the proposed cost and design submitted by Provan &
Lorber. Selectman Eigabroadt
understood that the Board of Selectmen was waiting for Provan &
Lorber’s recommendation, the State’s input, and then meeting
collectively to make a decision on which bridge based on the
recommendations from DOT and Provan & Lorber.
Selectman Eigabroadt confirmed that the bridge proposal being
sent to the State has not received final approval from the Board of
Selectmen. 11. Ms. Buono researched prior warrant
articles and found in 1993 an article was passed giving the Selectmen
authority indefinitely or until rescinded by Town meeting to sell
property taken for taxes by sealed bid or public auction or as justice
may require after notifying abutting property owners of pending sale. 12. Non Public Session Selectman Eigabroadt made a motion to go
into nonpublic session as allowed by RSA 91-A: 3 II (e) consideration or
negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in
writing or filed against the body or agency.
Selectman Cook seconded the motion.
Roll call vote was taken: Selectman Cook, Aye; Selectman
Eigabroadt, Aye; Chairman Hartman, Aye.
The motion passed. Selectman
Eigabroadt moved that the Board of Selectmen come out of Nonpublic
Session at Selectman
Eigabroadt moved to seal and restrict the minutes of the Nonpublic
Session pursuant to the authority granted in RSA 91-A:3 III.
Selectman Cook seconded the motion.
A roll call vote was taken: Selectman Cook, Aye; Selectman
Eigabroadt, Aye; Chairman Hartman, Aye.
The motion passed. Motion to adjourn Board of Selectmen David E. Hartman – Chairman
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