Selectmen Provide Answers – Small Crowd Attends

The special meeting was held last night to provide answers and solutions from the meeting held on Sept 29,2008. At that meeting many issues were raised and so this meeting was to provide the answers and some possible solutions (see that post 9/29/08). Here are the highlights..

Upon arriving at the school it was obvious the impact of the date change was having on attendance. There were maybe 15 people not counting the reporter and the towns employees. Three representatives for the town were seated at the main table. None were introduced to the room, for the record they were Selectmen Judy Churchard, Selectmen Jason Cole and Selectmen Secretary Sue Collins. When asked why the meeting date was changed, Selectmen Churchard explained Selectmen Cole could not make Oct 28. Selectmen Frizzell was not attending this evening due to illness.

So the net result was two selectmen and a very reduced amount of resident participation which one might think was the intention all along.

Selectmen Churchard started by explaining they had looked into the issues raised at the previous meeting and began by stating the Tax Rate could not be changed since the Tax Obligation form had been filed to the State, so that option was out. The rate and billing would have to stay as is.

A gentlemen spoke on the Public Access request of showing the Selectmen, Budget and Town Meetings. He explained a company called Stone Mountain from Georgia could provide streaming video over the internet of the live meeting with archival of the meetings equal to 600 hours. The meetings would be available to view on demand and for download to residents as well. An estimate was provided of $175-200 per month which included all the equipment, set-up and maintenance.  So this option would be $2,100-2400. per year and provide resident full access to the meetings via the internet. Alternatively the town could try to renegotiate it’s contract with Metrocast which still has several years. The equipment and set-up charges are likely more expensive (estimated 7-10k) and there is no availability for on demand viewing or archive, you only see the live feed on the tv. At first blush the internet based service is a no brainer, however it would be good to see an example of the service from an existing client.

Chris Gilpatrick a budget committee member for last year and this year asked the Selectmen why it was when they (the budget committee) worked out the budget for 2008 it was $100 more than the previous year and the 3 inch binder he held up, prepared by the town, full of ledger information showed $10,750,000 in revenue, $6,200,000 in expenses and $4,500,000 in surplus?  Selectmen Churchard had no response other than to say they had some bookkeeping issues and he could ask the auditor. She did not know anything further.

Chris further pressed regarding the Budget Committee and asked if they would be allowed to speak with department heads this year since last year they were required to got through the selectmen? Judy said that the budget committee would be able to and that last year what they did was wrong and apologized. She also stated that the budget committee would be provided accurate information and that current spending and budget are reviewed monthly by department heads, selectmen and the auditor.

Another gentlemen spoke on the taxes in general stating the method of assessing was unfair. As an example a mobile home on property may be accessed at 100k and a home accessed at 200k. His argument was the home owner pays twice what the mobile home owner pays and receives the same town services.  It is true that the taxes are accessed on value but that is the way it is done everywhere. He was looking for more a head tax i believe. He was directed to the state level to make a change on tax assessment. When asked what alternative he suggested none was given.

A woman inquired about the $100 tax bill that was brought up at the last meeting. It was looked into and Selectmen Churchard explained the tax bill was for personal property not a real estate or structures.

A gentlemen spoke on assessment of his property. He lives in a neighborhood known as the “dirty dozen” and demonstrated his neighbor had made several improvements to his home including an in ground pool and his tax bill was the same. Selectmen Churchard explained residents of the town repeatedly voted down hiring an Assessor and that Selectmen only do a “drive by” assessment when new construction is completed. She further explained he could apply for tax abatement. the gentlemen said he he had done this but abatement was denied.

The Timber project that has gained much publicity has been rapped up. The town received roughly $37,000 for the cutting. The original contract estimate was for $25,600. If you look at earlier articles you will see the Logger likely realized he had a great deal and likely decided to squeeze out 50% more cord in order to give the town additional revenue. Selectmen Churchard explained anyone is welcome to review the documents (3 inches worth) at the town hall.

Selectmen Churchard said that any town records are available for review and copy to the residents. If the effort required to obtain the document is lengthy then you will be charged $10 per hour and if you would like copies they are .50 per page.

The meeting was adjourned and everyone left for the Town Hall for the regular Selectman’s meeting.