Present: Selectpersons Coolidge, Danforth, and Viandier; Town Administrator Roy; Mark Stetson of Avitar; Stephan Hamilton of New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA).

Stephan Hamilton, Director of the Municipal/Property Division at New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration came to the Board at Mark Stetson’s request.

Mr. Hamilton received a report from Avitar that there was a misunderstanding on the part of the Town regarding a requirement that all towns must change assessing companies every five years. Mr. Hamilton explained that there is no recommendation from the DRA that towns must contract with a new assessing firm at any time.

The Board reported to Mr. Hamilton that when here for a Pre-Assessment Review Meeting on April 7, Diane Frechette from the Department of Revenue Municipal-Property Division had, during the course of conversation, told the Board that “fresh eyes are always a good idea.”

Mr. Hamilton reported that the tri-town assessing unit in Newbury, New London, and Sunapee has the common bond of Lake Sunapee. This is considered an inter-municipal cooperative.

Other groups have thought about putting together that type of agreement but have then taken pause because there is such obligation for each town. There are special statutes for engaging and disengaging in this type of arrangement.

Mr. Hamilton indicated that assessment reviews can be found on the Department of Revenue Administration Web site. There is little room for difference in interpretation. Statutes around charitable or religious exemptions are clear. The Selectmen are the assessing officials for the town, and that type of determination will be made by them. Recommendations come from the assessing firm, but the Selectmen have the final decisions.

Update on the update: Mark Stetson reported that preliminary notices will be going out to every taxpayer within the next two weeks. These notices will state the new overall assessments and will offer taxpayers an opportunity to meet with the assessors if they wish to discuss their new assessment amount.

Road Agent’s Report

Road Agent John Thompson has done the bridge inspections and will present a separate report for each bridge.

John reported that a large section of Beech Hill Road washed out Friday night. His crew worked on repairs there all day today and will finish tomorrow morning.

There is only $9,981 remaining in the plowing budget. There needs to be $50,000 in case of heavy snow between November and January.

Richard Powers and Connie Powers are willing to give Johnson Lane back to the Town. The Board feels this would be advantageous to the Town as it gives access to Cilleyville-Bog Bridge.

John reported that an engineer should be hired before changing the status of Dodge Lane. There are drainage issues that may involve the Department of Environmental Services, fiber optic cable is present, and guardrail is needed.

John reported that an engineer should inspect Switch Road for perculation rate, water tables, etc. The potential use of recharge basins there should also be evaluated.

It would be cost effective to have the engineer do as many inspections as possible at the same time. Lou Caron worked with the town previously. The town’s purchasing policy will determine the need for bidding or request for information.

The Town administrator will contact Immaculate Conception about the possibility and implications of the Town continuing to plow Church Street. Letters will also be sent to residents on Dodge Lane and Johnson Lane. The Board will discuss these streets at the June 16 meeting and will invite residents who live on those roads.

If the Town offers the plowing of private roads, no profit can be made, but fees need to cover the cost, because no taxpayer money can be spent on private roads.

The Board stated that the Town is already plowing some private roads (historically), so fairness must be applied.

The Road Agent said that he thinks that the Town should concentrate on Town roads before attempting to take care of private roads.

The Road Agent reported that approximately 40% of the street sweeping has been completed.

EMS

John Kinney: Andover was awarded a LUCAS device, which is an automated chest compression unit. This device never tires and allows steady compressions when IVs are put in, patients are moved, etc.

Cardiac monitors use wave form capnography to gauge a patient’s condition in a cardiac emergency, as well as the effectiveness of the treatment being administered. This technology will soon be required for emergency medical services, and our current unit does not provide the technology. A new unit will be approximately $30,000.

Even if our paramedics aren’t available, we have paramedic gear on board, and any paramedic who steps in to assist can use the equipment because it is standard.

Transport cost depends on whether care is Basic, Basic Emergency, Advanced Trauma Life Support, or Advanced Trauma Life Support 4. The billing company determines cost based on the care data that has been entered in the Tempsis system. Paper checks come to the Town. Electronic payments are deposited into the Town’s bank account.

Mutual aid is typically used for fires, but does apply for Emergency Medical Services. This type of aid is necessary when there is more than one patient.

Our Emergency Medical Service is staffed by volunteers, and many of them work out of town. There are times when no one is available to respond to a call. When Franklin covers for us in those situations, it is not mutual aid. There has, in the past, been talk of entering into a contract, but the cost was prohibitive and the contract was for only six months. Soon after this, volunteerism increased, and the need for coverage was not as critical.

However, volunteerism ebbs and flows, and we have been in a needy position. Kevin LaChapelle, Franklin Fire Chief, and John Kinney have drafted a Memorandum of Understanding that stipulates a charge from Franklin to Andover of $100 per hour for ambulance response. The bill will be generated only if Franklin’s ambulance has crossed over the town line before Andover signs on to respond to the call. Franklin will charge a one hour minimum.

The average call is anticipated to be $350 to $400. If Franklin does the transport, they will bill Andover for coverage and re-staffing their fire station. Franklin will bill the patient. Andover required Franklin’s service five times in 2013.

Franklin wants Andover to pay if the patient does not pay the bill. When you take on the responsibility of emergency medicine in your town, you realize that some people cannot pay, and some debt will have to be written off. It would be worthwhile to consider a worst case scenario call that could cost as much as $1,800.

The run forms at Lakes Region Dispatch will be changed if the Memorandum of Understanding is approved. The start time will be programmed into the computer so that Franklin is toned when Andover is. Response time is critical. The current nine minutes is not acceptable.

Police Department

Chief Laramie: The oldest cruiser will be advertised for bid in the July issue of the Beacon. The new cruiser should be delivered on June 6.

Selectman Danforth made a motion to authorize Chairperson Coolidge to sign the renewal form for the 2014-2015 Property/Liability Insurance coverage.

The Board discussed a buyout of the Bobcat lease. The Town Administrator will contact GE Capital. The amount of the buyout would be $15,000.

Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse Association (LSRVNA): Selectman Danforth reported the LSRVNA is willing to talk to the Board about extended services. The Town Administrator will call Scott Farby to set up a meeting with the Board.