Board of Assessors

Minutes of the Board of Assessors Meeting of February 16, 2012 A meeting of the Board of Assessors was held on Thursday, February 16, 2012, in Room 208, 2nd floor of City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 8:15 AM by Chair Marylou Blaisdell. Members Present: Marylou Blaisdell Dominic D'Antoni Kevin Moriarty Assessing Staff Present: Drew LeMay Louise Brown Gary Turgiss Greg Turgiss Cheryl Walley Minutes of the Meeting: Approval of the minutes for the meeting held on February 2, 2012 were approved. Abatement Requests Presented: A complete listing of approvals/denials is available in the Assessor’s Office. Appointments: None Staff Items: Supervisor of Assessing Administration, Louise Brown, presented a warrant for two supplemental bills for the 2011 tax year. One supplemental bill is for a property owner who was receiving the elderly exemption, but for 2011 did not qualify due to the income going over the allotted amount set by the Board of Aldermen. She advised this taxpayer is re-applying and may qualify for 2012. Another supplemental bill is for a taxpayer who was receiving the $500 veteran's credit as the spouse of a veteran beginning last year, tax year 2011. It was recently discovered that the veteran has been receiving this credit in another municipality since 2003 and it appears they live in that other municipality. Ms. Brown advised no reply was received to a letter sent to this taxpayer asking for verification of the veteran's residence. According to the laws of the State of NH (RSA 72:28), the credit can only be applied to the residential property of the veteran and therefore a supplemental bill is being issued for tax year 2011 in the amount of $500. Each taxpayer will be receiving a letter with their bill explaining why it has been issued. The Board signed the warrant and approved both supplemental bills. 1 of 2 Deputy Assessor Drew LeMay presented the 2012 religious exemption request for the Chinese Bible Church for their property located at 45 Pine Hill Road. Chair Marylou Blaisdell recalled that this property was denied a religious exemption for 2011 as the use was not religious as of 4/1/2011. She confirmed that this property's use is religious and that it would qualify to receive the religious exemption for 2012 and then made the following motion: MOTION BY Marylou Blaisdell to approve the religious property tax exemption application for property located at 45 Pine Hill Road as it meets the criteria set forth in RSA 72:23 to receive a religious property tax exemption as of April 1, 2012. SECONDED BY Kevin Moriarty. MOTION CARRIED unanimously. Old Business: Mr. LeMay told the Board that Chief Assessor Angelo Marino is looking at a few more details before the bills are sent out for the right of way used by the utility companies, as was mentioned at the last meeting. Mr. D'Antoni asked if the $1,000 per pole is a value statewide. Mr. LeMay said the range is actually $800 to $1,200 per pole and they are trying to apply some uniform depreciation across the state. Mr. LeMay told the Board that there is a draft agreement being worked on for the settlement of the Foundation Medical Partners/Southern New Hampshire Medical Center appeals. It may be ready to bring before the Board for signature in a couple of weeks. He told the Board that he and Commercial Appraiser Doug Dame had met with CPTM and discussed settling 21 appeals, which if agreed upon by both parties, will be subject to the Board's approval. A list of those properties applying for the special assessment for a residential property in a commercial zone was presented and signed by the Board. MOTION BY Marylou Blaisdell to adjourn at 8:30 AM. SECONDED BY Kevin Moriarty. MOTION CARRIED. Transcribed by Cheryl Walley Department Coordinator 2 of 2