APPROVED

TOWN OF PELHAM

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING

MINUTES

January 21, 2003

APPROVED – January 28, 2003

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGAINCE

Chairman Farris opened the meeting at approximately 6:30 pm. 

MINUTES REVIEW

December 23, 2002

Amendment(s) to the minutes are as follows: page 3, the sentence that reads ‘Mr. Bergeron and Mr. Derby will contact the DOT to discuss the report.’ shall be amended to read ‘Mr. Bergeron and Mr. Derby will serve as a committee of two to contact the DOT.’

January 7, 2003

January 14, 2003

OPEN FORUM

None.

APPOINTMENTS

PUBLIC HEARING - To receive public comment on a proposed Bond in the amount of $200,000 for the purpose of funding a betterment project for Spring Street Extension.

Ms. Maureen Pepin, Spring Street Extension asked why the assessed amount was so high.  She wanted to know if she would be paying for surrounding subdivisions and drainage.  Mr. McDevitt discussed the process the Selectmen took and noted that once the decision was made by the residents for the road to become Town owned, it must adhere to Town specifications.  He believed the $200,000 was a reasonable amount and explained that the work would be performed through a bid process.  He said if the amount ended up being less than $200,000 the amount paid by the residents and abutters would be adjusted down.  It was noted that once the road was Town owned, any drainage issues would be paid for by the Town. 

There was a brief discussion explaining that the valuation was done on the total assessed value.

Mr. Ergendino Perrone, Little Island Park was upset about the calculation for the valuation.  He discussed his understanding of what a betterment fund was.  He believed that residents and abutters should pay equally for the work to be done.  He said he understood construction costs but disagreed with having users pay more than abutters.

Mr. Lynde arrived.

Mr. McDevitt was surprised at Mr. Perrone’s objection since the Selectmen had discussed the issue at several meetings before taking a vote.  He noted that it was the residents that made the request to have the road become Town owned.  He went on to explain the RSA that describes how a betterment should be valuated. 

Mr. Farris believed if the residents wanted to object they would have done so by this point.  He informed Mr. Perrone that he could voice his objections during the February 3, 2003 deliberative session, at which point he would have thirty additional days to inform the public of his position. 

There was a brief discussion regarding the valuation process.  Ms. Pepin wanted to know if the costs would be re-valuated if a subdivision were built.  The Selectmen discussed the question.  Mr. McDevitt felt that the people who asked for the road to be upgraded, should pay for it.  Mr. Derby explained that the people moving into the subdivision would be paying impact fees that Ms. Pepin would not. 

There was no further public comment.

PUBLIC HEARING- To receive public comment on a proposed Bond in the amount of $300,000 for the purpose of funding a betterment project for Gaston Street, Andover Street, and Campbell Road.

Mr. Farris noted that Methuen Street had not been included in the valuation and an additional public hearing would be held at the suggestion of Mr. Gaydos so the residents could be notified. 

Mr. Al Lerned, 25 Gaston Street asked how the valuation was assessed.  Mr. McDevitt informed that the Selectmen were following the RSA requirement to hold a public hearing and the formula had not yet been decided.  Mr. Lerned believed that the payment should be equal amongst people using the road. 

Mr. Farris noted that the next public hearing would be held January 28, 2003. 

WARRANT ARTICLES

The Selectmen reviewed the Warrant Articles for the February 3, 2003 Town Meeting and made the following motion.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:15pm.

                                                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                          Charity A. L. Willis

                                                                                          Recording Secretary