Notes from the Informal Meeting held Monday, June 5, 2006, at 5:30 PM, at the Town Annex. The following individuals were present: William Ferebee, Supervisor, Paul Martin, Marcy Neville and Larry Jaques, Members of Council, Jim McDonough, William Washburn and Scott Buysee, Assessors, John Stack, an ORPS Representative, 2 of John’s colleagues and Ellen Estes, Town Clerk.

Mr. Ferebee began the meeting at 5:35 PM introducing Mr. Stack and his colleagues and turning the floor over to him.

Mr. Stack began his presentation by handing out a pamphlet and discussing the advantages (occasionally the disadvantages) of Sole Assessing.

The next discussion was in regards to questions Mr. Ferebee asked Mr. Stack about reevaluations and arms length sales.
Mr. Jaques asked who picks the sales that are used to determine valuations, and Mr. Ferebee pointed out a $100,000 mistake on one of the nine sales used.

Mr. Martin spoke on his concern that the State Land should rise at the same parody as the Town value.
Mr. Stack assured him that it had with the waterfront values being raised.

Mr. Martin asked about the Homestead Act, to which Mr. Stack replied that it wouldn’t work in Keene because of the lack of commercial businesses.

Mr. Stack then spoke about transitional assessment on State land.

Mr. Ferebee asked about consistency, for example, the same contractor building the same house in two different towns and the value being different.
Mr. Stack said what the market will pay makes a difference.

Mr. Jaques said that a concern of his is that an assessment value is placed on land per acre in the same neighborhood and that is not fair since, for example, sometimes there is a view and sometimes there is not.

The next discussion was on modular homes and trailers.
Mr. Stack explained the difference in assessing between a single trailer, a doublewide and a modular home.

Mr. Martin asked for clarification, he asked if assessing was broken down into 3 elements, the land, the house and the intangibles (referring to views, etc.).
Mr. Stack said the house is one part and the land includes the intangibles equaling the full value.

Mr. Ferebee asked if it is fair to compare Keene to Lake Placid.
Mr. Stack said there is nothing close to Keene.
Mr. Martin said he is afraid that assessments could be the demise of this community.

Ms. Neville asked Mr. Stack what kind of argument he would make to the Town of Keene which includes Mt. Marcy and many major trailheads as having State land worth more than other State land.
Mr. Stack responded that the State land in the Town of Keene (& Lake Placid) is valued 50% higher than other Towns.

With all questions answered, Mr. Ferebee thanked Mr. Stack and his colleagues for coming and adjourned the meeting at 6:49 PM.
Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
June 13, 2006

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Robert M. Biesemeyer, Marcy A. Neville and Lawrence Jaques, Members of Council