Selectmen's Minutes
March 24, 2008
Present: Jim Trudell, Elaine Sherry, Steve Moscicki, Donna Clark, Celine Presby
Other Attendees: Phil Bodwell, Ron Cote
4:05 pm Chairman Trudell called the meeting to order.
Guests:
Assessor Phil Bodwell from Commerford Nieder Perkins (CNP) and Ron Cote from the Dept of Revenue Admin (DRA) met with the Selectmen. 2008 is Lyman's assessment review year, a process that takes place every five years. Mr. Cote explained the methods that would be used to review the Town's assessing records and the guidelines that must be met. Even though Lyman had a full revaluation in 2005 at a cost of $48,500, some sales statistics used by the DRA are already out of acceptable ranges. Mr. Cote recommended a valuation update be done in 2008 to bring the values back to 100% of market value. CNP's price for this update would be $23,000. The Selectmen will discuss this matter further and make a decision. If necessary, there is money available in the Property Tax Revaluation capital reserve fund. Mr. Bodwell said 2008 pickups would be completed by June 1st. Mr. Cote made an appointment to work with Clark on Apr 2nd and left the meeting at 5:30 pm.
Phil Bodwell stayed to offer his recommendations for three 2007 property tax abatement requests. After detailed discussions of each application, valuations were adjusted and abatements were granted for Clark & Cindy Brooks for Map 53-17-2, John & Janice Watson for Map 170-126, and Sara Crowell for Map 170-119.
Manifests & Invoices:
The manifest for Mar 24th was authorized and new invoices for future payment were reviewed and initialed.
Treasurer's Report:
- The Treasurer's Report was read showing a balance of $67,772.54 in the checking account, $61,232.44 in the NHDIP fund and $46,232.79 in the Laconia Bank savings account.
- Presby asked Clark to research two outstanding checks from Dec 2007.
Committee Reports & Needs:
- The Selectmen signed re-appointment papers for James Seidel for Conservation Commission member, and oath of office papers for Beth Hubbard for Trustee of Trust Funds.
- Moscicki reported that the Planning Board is currently working on a road policy based on existing zoning and subdivision regulations.
Permits and Applications:
The following was approved:
- Pistol Permit for Michael Proctor
Meeting Minutes:
Minutes for Mar 17th were reviewed. Moscicki motioned to approve the minutes as written, 2nd by Sherry, so voted all.
Correspondence:
- Legislative Bulletin #14 and North Country Council's March 2008 Points North newsletter were distributed to the Board.
- Minutes from the Feb 26th Dept of Transportation public meeting regarding Salmon Hole bridge repairs were reviewed. It was noted that Sherry spoke about poor sight distance looking west across the bridge when stopped at the Lyman Road/Route 302 intersection. Her request for the installation of a permanent yellow flashing light at that location will be reviewed by the District Engineer and the Bureau of Traffic.
- Invitations to the 2008 NH Selectperson Institute were received.
- State Rep Rusty Bulis forwarded Senate Bill 539 regarding the changes to education funding that he discussed with the Board last week.
- Bulis also confirmed that he spoke to Greg Placy about lower Clough Hill Road and that Placy would contact the State shed in Lisbon to see if anything temporary could be done until permanent repairs can be made.
Old Business:
- The Selectmen further discussed the pros and cons of having a valuation update done in 2008 versus holding off for another year or two. Tudell motioned to not take any action this year, but continue putting money into the Property Tax Revaluation capital reserve fund towards a full revaluation in 2010, 2nd by Moscicki, so voted all.
- School Board member Trudell reported on the Annual School Meeting. The proposed budget had been lowered prior to the meeting and passed as presented. This should result in a lower 2008 local school tax rate but the exact amount depends on actual revenues received. Write-in candidate Wendy Ho-Sing-Loy won the open Lyman School Board seat.
- Grafton County has been served with an injunction regarding the jail project bond vote. It was prompted by the fact that a meeting held during a recess was illegal and should have been public. The County is fighting the petition and a hearing is scheduled for March 27th at Grafton Superior Court.
- Trudell and Clark were appointed to serve as Lyman's representatives on the North Country Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC).
New Business:
- The Selectmen signed 2008 wage and benefit agreements for Tom Smith, Scott Stuart, Carol Messner and Donna Clark.
- The Cemetery Committee will meet Wed, Mar 26th, at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall.
Moscicki motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 pm, 2nd by Trudell, so voted all.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Mar 31st, at 6:00 pm.
