Selectmen Once Again Fail to Act Responsibly

During last night's Board of Selectman's meeting, Mr. Brian Moser approached the board and acting on behalf of Mr.Danny Black and with his permission, Mr. Moser attempted to provide the board with Mr. Black's complaint against officer Nate Jette and the Winchester Police Department for an incident that occurred March 21st in Winchester. Officer Jette tasered Mr Black during a routine traffic stop and failed to retrieve both barbs as required by police procedure; nor did he have Mr. Black examined by medical personal as also is required when a subject is tasered. The result was that Mr. Black ended up with a bard buried deep within his sternum requiring surgery to remove. Mr. Moser attempted to provide the board with a copy of the complaint, the Surgical Pathology Report from Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and a video recording of the surgical proceeding conducted by Mr. Black's primary care physician. Citing the usual malarkey and double speak we've all become all too familiar with, the board refused to hear or accept the documents and video. Just what does it take to get these elected officials to do their job and to act in the responsible and professional manner they are required by law to exercise when serious issues are brought before them? Perhaps they should all resign and find something else to do with their time instead of continuing to waste ours. This will no doubt; because of their refusal to act as the governing body representing our town in another costly lawsuit that taxpayers will end up paying for.

On another note, did they act irresponsibly and illegally when they voted to approve giving the winning contractor, that had won the right to do the repair work on the beach wall, another $3000.00 over their original bid when they, the contractor suggested instead of stuccoing the wall, that they change the specs and just smoothly finish the surface? Since they were now changing what was originally requested when put out to bid, should it not have been put out to bid again with these changes giving the other bidders a fair chance to compete for the work and possibly saving us taxpayers some money to boot? To be fair, neither Selectman Sepe or Fraser voted to approve, it was just the three amigos, Tedford, Ruth and Gardner who went along with the contractor doling out more of our tax dollars without so much as a care.

Property Tax Evaluation Unfair -- Fight Back

By now most of you have received a letter from the Selectman's Office explaining how you can appeal your new property tax evaluation. Many owner's, including retirees and the disabled living on fixed incomes, had been counting on some form of financial relief in the form of lower tax bills seeing as how on average home prices have plummeted over 22 percent over the past three years and the situation isn't getting any better. But to everyone's disbelief, our town officials, with the help from Avitar Associates are keeping our property taxes high to make ends meet, rather than cutting back services or hours or laying off high salaried employees or putting a moratorium on spending; it's business as usual in Winchester. Our officials have an obligation to each and everyone of us and must balance the town's budgets responsibly, not on the backs of us homeowners. I'm not opposed to paying my fair share of taxes, but it has to be a fair and accurate valuation. It's time we take a stand and fight back and join the millions of other taxpayers revolting against unfair taxation.

CHECK your tax bill to make sure your land size, house square footage and other information are accurately recorded.
DECIDE if you should hire a consultant, such as a lawyer or real estate appraiser.
Helpful online sites include;
EasyTaxFix.com
ValueAppeal.com
ReduceHomeTaxes.com
COLLECT documents that show your home's value should be lower, such as recent sales of at least three comparable homes in your neighborhood. The papers are generally publicly available at your tax assessor's office.
TAKE PHOTOS If your home needs major repairs-It won't be worth as much as homes in excellent shape.
CHECK if you qualify for property tax relief. Most towns offer this based on age, disability or military status.

Another good source of information is; www.lincolninst.edu
click on "Resourses & Tools," then "Significant Features of The Property Tax"

Don't just sit back and take this, take a stand, join your neighbors and contest your latest property tax bills and send a message that you will hold your local government accountable and let them know that you want fair and just taxation.

AG's Office Investigating Numerous Voting Irregularities

The State Attorney General's office is conducting an investigation of numerous complaints regarding the conduct of Winchester's town officials during the town's annual election. Many of the State's statutes regulating elections were not followed properly; absentee ballots were mishandled by unauthorized town officials, illegal restrictions were put on new candidates, incumbents were allowed to campaign at the entrances and inside the building and other infractions of State law were observed. Rick Velenti of the State Attorney General's Office is conducting the investigation on behalf of Winchester's citizen's.

Many people have wondered how certain people keep getting elected year after year despite the outrage over their conduct while in office and how time after time large expenditures which adds to our tax burden constantly get approved by voters; perhaps this investigation will shed some light and provide some answers to those questions.

Board Of Selectmen's Meeting May 19th

MINUTES of the
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Wednesday May 19, 2010

Board Members Present: Sherman Tedford-Chairman; Roberta Fraser; Gustave Ruth; Theresa Sepe; and Kenneth Gardner. Also present Bob Gray, Town Administrator and Ellen Cole, Executive Assistant. The meeting convenes at 7:00PM.

1st Order of Business: Open Meeting and Acceptance of Minutes
Minutes of the May 12, 2010 regular minutes: Selectman Fraser makes a motion to accept the minutes. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.

2nd Order of Business: Other Business
The Winchester Community Band would like to use the Town Hall on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 6:00PM, in case of bad weather. Weather permitting-the band will play on the green at the gazebo. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to allow the band to use the Town Hall on this day, if it rains. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.

Fire Chief Barry Kellom is seeking permission on behalf of some residents to host a car wash on May 28, 2010 at the Fire Station. The proceeds are to benefit Jack Marsh, Sr., who is receiving medical treatments for cancer. Barry has offered to use the Fire Association’s fund (separate from town funds), to pay for the water usage at an estimate of $10.00. Selectman Ruth makes a motion to allow this benefit to be held at the Fire Station, with no expense imposed by the Town. Selectman Sepe seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.

On May 6, 2010, the Board voted to tax deed six properties, and Bob asks the Board if they wish to proceed with auction, or wait. Counsel advises the Town not to keep them longer than needed, unless it is vacant land. Three of the 6 properties are located in the campground and coop, and the Town is responsible for rent, if the former owner does not pay. Selectman Sepe is not familiar with this procedure and asks what the Board’s options are, to which Chairman Tedford responds the Town can hold onto the property for 3 years and be liable for rent, or sell to auction in 90 days. Bob advises the Town needs to abide by the laws provided under RSA 80:89, properly notifying the former owners 90 days before the auction. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to proceed with the tax sales. Selectman Gardner seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.

Selectman Sepe asks if the River Court water leak situation has been resolved, to which, Bob responds, the owners have made arrangements with Marvin Smart to repair the leak tomorrow morning, under the supervision of the Water Superintendent Gary Puffer.

3rd Order of Business: Open to the Floor (15 minutes)
Billie Jo Knoll encourages the Board to purchase tickets for a spaghetti feast on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at the VFW, to benefit the Winchester Historical Society. Ms. Knoll and Ted Whippie are selling tickets, and a flyer is on the bulletin board in the Town Hall with contact information, as tickets are limited.

Kim Gordon asks the Board if they are in receipt of a letter dated April 5, 2010 from Chris Brison at the DES regarding erosion control on the Van Dyke property. Ms. Gordon informs the Board that Van Dyke had until April 20, 2010 to comply, which he has not. Ms. Gordon believes that Van Dyke’s alteration of terrain permit has expired. Most members have read this letter, but Selectman Sepe is not familiar with it, and will check the reading file for review. The Board understands that they do not need to take action on this item; the matter is between Van Dyke and enforcement by the DES.

4th Order of Business: Office Documents

* Permit authorizing the Sale of Raffle Tickets for the Winchester School’s Talent Show held at Town Hall on May 22, 2010. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to give permission for said displays and to sign. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 4-0, 1 abstention. Selectman Sepe is not comfortable to vote on this matter because she does not what know what the prizes are.

5th Order of Business: Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:3II (a) and (c)
Selectman Fraser makes a motion to enter non-public session under (a) and (c). Selectman Gardner seconds the motion. A role call vote is taken and all members vote “yes”, and the Board convenes in non-public session at 7:15PM (after a 5-minute break).

6th Order of Business: Reconvene Public Session
The Board reconvenes in public session at 8:30PM. The non-public minutes under (a) were not sealed; and the minutes under (c) were sealed.

7th Order of Business: Adjournment
The Board thanks Ellen for her service to the Town.

Selectman Fraser makes a motion to adjourn. Selectman Ruth seconds the motion and it passes 5-0. The meeting adjourns at 8:50PM.

Respectfully recorded,
Ellen A. Cole
Executive Assistant