DUNBARTON BOARD OF ASSESORS

MINUTES OF MEETING

APRIL 15, 2003

7:15 PM

Present: Bryan Clark, John R. Swindlehurst II

Linda L. Peters, Recording Secretary

Mr. Donald Gravel of 10 Clifford Farm Road (H2-1-4) appeared before the Board with questions regarding his assessment. His taxes had increased from $3700 in 2001 to $4900 to 2002. He had added a garage to the property. The Board reviewed the details of his property card and explained the increase. The value of the building increased $21,000 with the addition of the barn. The tax rate for the year went from $20.76 to $24.78 per thousand. The increase in Mr. Gravel’s property tax bill was a result of the combination of those two factors. Mr. Gravel asked if he could get a Veteran’s exemption. He was instructed to bring his DD214 to the Town Administrator to obtain the necessary forms for the exemption. The Board answered Mr. Gravel’s questions regarding how the tax rate is set. They also discussed the upcoming revaluation.

There were a few items on the agenda that the Board wished to discuss with Compton French. Due to extenuating circumstances it was difficult for Compton to attend the meeting. Linda Peters arranged to have the Board and Compton communicate via speakerphone. The Board spent some time reviewing the documents that would be specific to the conference.

Letter from Ann Hanlon regarding the assessed value of her property.

Mrs. Hanlon felt that her property was assessed at a higher value than homes larger than hers. She filed an abatement February 25. Compton informed the Board that she was given appreciation in 1997 and that no further action would be taken.

Alan Cushing Current Use Abatement H4-2-7. The Town Administrator (not present) furnished the Board with history on the current use penalty: “On November 21, 2001 the Planning Board approved a lot line adjustment and minor subdivision of the John Kinosh property in which current use land was annexed to Mr. Cushing’s property. Due to the lot line adjustment (annexation) of this current use land, we felt that this disqualified this portion of current use land and imposed a penalty. A warrant was issued and mailed to Mr. Cushing for a penalty of $411 for this land…” The Town Administrator had a conversation with Mr. Cushing and was told that Mr. Kinosh would not give him a clear title to the land. He feels that the penalty should not have been imposed at the time of the lot line adjustment.

Mr. Cushing felt that land use change tax for the period from 4/1/02 through 12/10/02 should be abated. No current use penalty was imposed for 2001 when the lot line adjustment was made. The penalty was imposed 5/21/02. The property was deeded in December 2002. Current use penalties are not pro-rated. The Board denied the abatement.

Alan Cushing Property Tax Abatement (H4-2-8). The Board reviewed the assessment data on the land and the building between the 1997 appraisal and the 2002 appraisal (done at the time the land was purchased). The house went from $ 86,450 to $94,850. There had been some improvements that had been picked up. The land went from $44,200 to $62,600. Because the assessment had been made in April of 2002 but the land not deeded till December 2, 2002, the Board agreed that Mr. Cushing should be abated for the land. Compton will straighten this out and come up with figures for the next board meeting.

Dan Terrell, Current Use Penalty F2-3-11 (4.28 ac), F3-3-12 (4.54 ac), F3-1-11 (4.2 ac). Building has begun on second lot. All land must come out of current use. The ground has been disqualified. Mr. Terrell needs to arrange a meeting with Compton. Action on these properties will be tabled till all the figures can be reviewed by Compton.

Jay Pitochelli, Application for Current Use C4-2-28. The application was reviewed and approved by the Board. The Board will need to agree to his classification.

Richard Murphy, Application for Veteran’s Exemption (Total Disability). The application was reviewed and approved by the Board.

Sheree Westerlund, Timber Tax – Intent to Cut. According to the information furnished by the Town Administrator, taxes were not paid. Town received payment for the timber cut in advance. The Board did not sign pending information as to how much was cut and how much was paid in advance.

The Board had planned to discuss exemptions for church properties but agreed to table that discussion for another date.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM

Bryan Clark John R. Swindlehurst, II