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Town of AmherstBoard of SelectmenMarch 12, 2007
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Chairman Bruce Bowler called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Selectmen present: Jay Dinkel, George Infanti, Reed Panasiti and Thomas Grella. Also present Town Administrator Gary MacGuire and Executive Assistant Sharon Frydlo.
Fire Department Promotion
Mr. Bowler advised Chief John DeSilva and Town Clerk Nancy Demers was present to swear in Brian Disco as the new Deputy Chief. The Chief commented that he had four excellent candidates along with Mr. Disco. Mr. Infanti moved to appoint Brian Disco as Deputy Chief, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mrs. Demers swore in the Deputy Chief, his wife Sheri pinned on a new badge while his three children looked on. Chief DeSilva presented him with a white helmet depicting his new rank. Each Selectman shook Deputy Chief Disco’s hand as they congratulated him on his promotion during a round of applause.
Announcements
Mr. Bowler reported he would like to make several comments before addressing the Citizens’ Forum. The first was on Article 24 and he read a notice as follows … “Please be advised that a printing error occurred in the Voter’s Guide that was mailed to all Amherst voters. Article 24 (NH Climate Change Resolution) contains a statement that the Ways & Means Committee does not support this article. This is in error. The Ways & Means Committee did not take any position on Article 24.” The Board, he said, apologized for the misprint and hoped the voters will see the notices at the polls. Moderator Bob Schaumann was in contact with the Secretary of State and Attorney General’s offices. While they were told there was no need to address this, the Selectmen wanted to bring this to the voters’ attention anyway.
Mr. Bowler next read a statement explaining the difference between a tax rate and a tax impact as follows … “It appears that some local newspapers have written articles using the tax impact instead of a tax rate. These articles projected a tax rate increase on the gross operating budgets and warrant articles without the revenue offset of $4,731,942. These amounts would be correct if the town were looking for 100% funding from the taxpayer.
Tax impact is the dollar amount to be expended in order to increase the tax rate by $.01. That amount for the FY 2008 budget is $18,333.57. For every $18,333.57 spent the tax rate increases $.01. The tax impact is NOT the same as the tax rate. It is the tax rate that determines the amount of property taxes a property owner pays.
The tax rate is based on the dollar amount needed to be raised through taxation to fund the difference between the budgeted dollar amounts reduced by the projected revenues. This is referred to as the net budget or net town appropriation. This is the amount that needs to be funded by the taxpayers. Not the gross budget.
For FY 2008, the net operating budget is $5,167,342 which is the $9,393,309 gross operating budget AND $435,400 in taxable warrant articles less projected revenues of $4,661,367. Should the operating budget and all taxable warrant articles pass, the amount to be raised through taxation is $5,167,342 before calculating war service credits and abatements.
The estimated tax rate to be set by DRA in September 2007 on the FY 2008 budget and warrant articles for the Town of Amherst is $3.01 based on a conservative 2% growth in town valuation. This was the valuation amount utilized for the estimated FY 2008 tax rate and tax impact projections. The current tax rate set by DRA in September 2006 is $2.67. The FY 08 estimated tax rate increases by $0.34 or 12.85%. Should the town valuation increase by 4%, the estimated tax rate increases by $0.29 or 10.68% to $2.96.”
Citizens’ Forum
There were no questions or concerns raised.
Sign & Approve Recommendations
Recommend Denial: David Hall Trustee M/L 8-77-83 – Mr. Dinkel reminded the Board they had asked the landowner to prove his lot was unbuildable. Mr. Hall sent back a letter indicating they believe they will have a design to make this lot buildable and would be going to the ZBA. He requested his application be put on hold. The Board was unsure what the timeframe was on how long this could be put on hold during this process. Mr. Bowler suggested putting this on hold until they get the correct timeframe. Mr. Infanti moved to table until further notice, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Veterans Tax Credits: Mr. Dinkel read the following recommendations for approval: Arthur Woodbury M/L 8-28, 27 Horace Greely Road; Richard Valvano M/L 9-3, 197 Mack Hill Road; Kenneth Bell M/L 4-161-5, 5 Saw Mill Lane; Catherine Oteri M/L 3-86-33, 33 Josiha Bartlett. Mr. Infanti so moved, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Recommended Abatement: 1 Route 101A Ledges Unit 1 M/L 1-29-6-11 - Mr. Dinkel indicated the previous assessment was $537,600, the new assessment $234,100, the abatement $303,500, tax dollars $5,714.91. Mr. Infanti thought it had been explained to him that originally the land [associated in this condo complex] was figured into this property owner’s tax bill. His question was, after the abatement, who was now paying the taxes for the land – if there were four condos on the 3-4 acre parcel, someone had to be paying for it. Mr. Bowler indicated he had read this recommendation over the weekend and agreed - where is the land assessment. Mr. Dinkel verbally read MRI’s explanation on the abatement. Mr. Infanti said he still disagreed in that the land had to be worth something and someone had to own one fourth of the real estate that the building was on and he did not understand how MRI could take the land off the assessments - it made no sense to him. Mr. Dinkel agreed and stated they could condominimize the entire Town and do away with all the land [based on the recommendation]. Mr. Bowler also agreed and felt Scott Marsh needed to sit down with the Board and explain the matter, since they felt the land was worth something. Someone was missing something and he was not convinced it was the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Infanti moved to table this recommendation until the Assessor can explain the rationale, second by Mr. Grella. Discussion: Mr. Infanti commented that he has had this conversation before and still did not understand it. Vote: Unanimous.
Current Use Application: Mr. Dinkel recommended they approve a current use application by Connie Bielagus M/L 5-171, Mack Hill Road of 18.59 acres. Mr. Infanti so moved, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Bowler stepped down, Mr. Dinkel chaired.
Recommend Denial: Bowler & Stratton M/L 25-22, 11 Washer Cove - Mr. Dinkel advised that the applicants questioned the value of their land based on comparables in the area, two of which have water frontage on Baboosic Lake that had lower assessments than theirs. This was a .06 acre of land with a $115,900 assessment. According to Scott Marsh, two nearby waterfront lots had been reviewed and they had received adjustments. The applicants’ property had been reviewed and a correction was made to the physical description, but it did not change the assessment and he recommended denial. Mr. Bowler advised he had presented several pieces of property as comparables.
Mr. Infanti did not understand why the value of a piece of property on the lake was less than one not on the lake. The Board reviewed the comps by the homeowner as well as those the Assessing Department gave them. Mr. Dinkel’s conclusion was that the waterfront properties were the ones “out of whack” based on what was presented. Mr. Infanti indicated this did not make sense to him and he would have to look over the paperwork. Mr. Infanti moved to table this until MRI meets with them to explain the land value on The Ledges, second by Mr. Grella. Discussion: Mr. Panasiti commented they did not have the assessment cards on the applicants’ comparisons to see what the adjustment factor was. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Dinkel stepped down and Mr. Bowler returned as Chairman.
Working Budget Transfers
Finance Director Merri Howe explained the first transfer contained a list of unanticipated revenues approved in October 2006. If approved, the departments will be able to expend from these revenues. The Board briefly reviewed the list which contained, for example, revenues received from FEMA, the Lions Club apparel donation and Planning Board review fees. Mr. Infanti moved that they approve the working budget transfer request of unanticipated revenue approved on October 30, 2006 in the amount of $57,276.88, second by Mr. Dinkel. Vote: Unanimous.
Mrs. Howe explained the second request was to transfer funds formerly under Part Time IT Wages because they no longer have this person to Outside Hire – IT. Mr. MacGuire advised the dollar amounts are the same, they were just changing the category. In response to Mr. Dinkel’s question, he advised that the quality of service and pricing received is working out well for all Departments. Mr. Dinkel moved to approve the working budget transfer of $9,600 from the various departments IT Wages to the corresponding Outside Hire, second by Mr. Infanti. Vote: Unanimous.
Other Business
Mr. Bowler advised the Town has been offered a parcel of land M/L 8-17 on Horace Greeley Road in the vicinity of Brook Road and Nathaniel Drive from the Odell Heirs. He read a portion of Attorney Cynthia Dokmo’s March 9 letter as follows: “In order to complete the gift, the Conservation Commission authorized this office to request a title search in order to, first, identify all the owners of the property and also to ascertain the correct deed site for this parcel. The latter information was necessary because at one time the various members of the Odell family owned a multitude of parcels including a multitude of parcels in this area of Amherst. Over the years, some of these parcels and portions of other parcels had been deeded and it was the understanding of all the parties that the land to be gifted to the Town was a remnant of a larger parcel the balance of which had already been conveyed out.”
Mr. MacGuire reported this had been a long standing process and it was his suggestion to accept it contingent with the approval of the Conservation Commission. Mr. Infanti moved to accept this property from the Odell’s for the Town of Amherst and request some type of recommendation be given or worked out with Conservation on this gift contingent upon their approval, second by Mr. Grella. Discussion: Mr. MacGuire believed this was voted on by the Commission a long time ago and it would be for them to accept and manage. Vote: Unanimous.
Minutes
Mr. Infanti moved to accept the minutes of January 22, 2007, second by Mr. Grella amended as follows: Line 28 – Remove the word “were” at the end of the sentence; Line 44 – Place a period after “Session” and insert the word “It” after the period. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to accept the minutes of February 13, 2007, second by Mr. Grella amended as follows: Line 27 – Replace “did” with “had”; Line 73 – Replace “hat” with “that”. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Grella moved to accept the Board of Health and Selectmen’s minutes of February 22, 2007 as written, second by Mr. Dinkel. Vote: 3-0-2, Mr. Infanti and Mr. Panasiti abstained.
Selectman Jay Dinkel
Mr. Bowler advised this was Selectman Dinkel’s last meeting. He has served for six years and it was Mr. Bowler’s pleasure to serve four years with him. He has been a huge asset in answering questions and looking out for the Town. It will be a tough job for someone to replace him. He will be missed, hopefully he would not go too far and in the near future return to government life. Mr. Infanti commented that because of him and “his cronies” he was recruited to run for Selectman. He will be missed and the Board will lack his expertise. He added he had also learned a great deal from him. Mr. Grella mentioned it was nice knowing that they could count on his financial background in such matters as abatements, which they faced that night. Mr. Dinkel was a tremendous asset and he wished him the best of luck. Mr. Panasiti remarked that as the “newbie” sitting beside him, he picked up little things he did in checking the numbers – his guidance will be sorely missed. He wished there was a way to keep Mr. Dinkel on the Board for his financial wisdom, as well as the other things he had done for the Board. Mr. MacGuire being both the Police Chief and Town Administrator commented that he had a wealth of information and will be greatly missed. Liz Overholt mentioned that he asked great questions and that was the only thing she had to add.
Mr. Dinkel remarked that the last six years had been a pleasure. All of his fellow Selectmen he had worked with have taken their job seriously doing what was best for the Town and he agreed he would like to think the Town has been very fortunate in having people come forward.
Other Business
Mr. Infanti reported on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. the Planning Board is going to have another Master Plan meeting at the Town Hall. It would be great if they could get more people. As he had preached over and over, this was an important process that will shape the future of Amherst for the next 10-20 years before this was done again. They need more volunteers and help and did appreciate the citizen’s input to make this the best plan they can.
Mr. Dinkel put in a plea for people who were watching on Access TV to get out and “vote your heart”. He also briefly spoke about OSAC meeting with the Board to discuss some ideas.
Elderly Exemption
Mr. Dinkel noticed that when he signed the last veterans tax credit, it was to be actually an elderly exemption. Mr. Infanti moved to amend the motion for Catherine Oteri from a veterans tax credit to an elderly exemption, second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Infanti moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m., second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Frydlo
Executive Assistant