Prospect Town Council

November 4,2008

Chairman Thomas Galvin called the meeting to order @ 7:00 p.m. The meeting was taped.

Members Present: Robert Doyon, Tom Galvin, Theresa Graveline, Stan Pilat, Pat Geary, Roger Kergaravat, D. Merriman and Carl Graveline.

Mayor's Report:
Diane Lauber, Tax Collector, presented to the Council a request for a homeowner to purchase a new furnace through the Town's grant program. D. Lauber stated the homeowner, Mr. Hoxie, of 25 Deerfield Dr. owes delinquent taxes in the amount of $664.53 for January 2008 and July 2008. D. Lauber also stated, until November 2007 Mr. Hoxie was several years behind in taxes due to personal issues, he then paid $8000.00 and previous to that time he paid $700.00; as of November 2007 he became current. D. Lauber advised Mr. Hoxie qualifies for the grant program and in emergency situations he is eligible, but based on delinquent taxes he cannot acquire a Building/Heating Permit without approval from the Council. R. Kergaravat questioned how many people hi town are behind hi their taxes. D. Lauber advised most are from the Mobile Home Park. R. Kergaravat stated this is the 2nd time within a two week timeframe that this type of request has been made to the Council. R. Kergaravat inquired of the grand list price of the home. D. Lauber stated the home is listed at $24,930.00. D. Merriman questioned the amount of the lot fee and if he was current. Mr. Hoxie advised he is current and the fee is $375.00 per month or more depending on if pets are living on the premise. D. Merriman inquired of the age of the home. Mr. Hoxie stated it was built in 1986. R. Kergaravat was concerned with the taxes owed. T. Galvin stated the intent is to acquire a Building/Heating Permit to obtain the grant to allow the purchase of the furnace. Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the request for a Building/Heating Permit to allow the homeowner to purchase the new furnace. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. C. Graveline commented the grant would be a loan. R. Doyon stated he did not have a problem with the homeowner obtaining a Permit because the homeowner in the past had made an effort to pay his taxes and tried to stay current. T. Galvin commented the Town would not be losing if the Council agreed to allow the Permit. T. Galvin inquired if the Town were to take over the home in the event that a homeowner vacated, would the Town benefit from a resale. D. Lauber stated it would be costly due to more investment would be needed in the home for resale. D. Lauber also stated the Mobile Home Park does repurchase the homes for $1.00 once they are aware the home is abandoned and the Tax office is looking to put a lien on the home; the home is then demolished and a double-wide is put on the same lot. D. Lauber explained there are no bites in the law to force payment; once this happens there is no way to recoup. R. Kergaravat was concerned that if Mr. Hoxie could not pay the $664.53 and if he left town, what condition he would leave the property in. T. Galvin stated this is a dire situation given the time of year and the weather. T. Graveline questioned how long Mr. Hoxie lived in town and if he would be leaving the town anytime soon. Mr. Hoxie advised he has lived in Town for 10 years and he had no intentions of leaving town. T. Graveline also requested the condition of the mobile home. Mr. Hoxie advised he had the roof repaired last year and it lasts for approximately five years. The Council questioned if a quote for the price of the furnace was given. Mr. Hoxie advised he had received two quotes for the furnace price, both approximately $3700.00 and was awaiting another quote on Wednesday. C. Graveline revisited a concern for the grant money given by the Grants Director Gina Ash; the loan should be used for Real-Estate property and not Personal Property especially when loaned to mobile homeowners for oil tanks. D. Lauber advised for tax purposes the mobile homes are listed as Real-Estate property; once the homes are moved then they are considered Personal Property. T. Graveline commented on the Ordinance # 61-07-02-96; this Ordinance was not meant to ignore homeowners that fell into situations such as this and supported the waiver of the Ordinance in order for the homeowner to acquire the Permit. A question was raised to the homeowner if he was up to date with his mortgage payments. Mr. Hoxie advised he was current and stated there was approximately 18 months left on the mortgage. P Geary commented this was an emergency situation for a home; consideration should be made to this issue. P. Geary also stated Mr. Hoxie was in good standing and the price for the furnace of $3700.00 seemed to be a reasonable price. P. Geary also reiterated this is a loan. R. Kergaravat advised to take into consideration if other mobile homeowners were in the same situation would that effect the Town if the homeowner moved. T. Galvin commented the situation qualifies for a grant. R. Doyon commented there would be less grant money to give out until the loans are paid back. C. Graveline reiterated his concern for the grant money loaned to mobile homeowners for oil tanks; the loan should be used for Real-Estate property and not Personal Property. T. Galvin stated the Council should move forward to allow the Building/Heating Permit. T.Graveline advised the Council this is a type of investment of the Council to the homeowners; if not allowing this waiver of the Ordinance, the homeowner could leave town and leave the home in dire need. 7 Approve/1 Abstained, R. Kergaravat. Motion Passes.

Motion made by D. Merriman @ 7:31 p.m. to go into 'Executive Session' for Union Negotiations. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.

The Council came out of the 'Executive Session' @ 7:51 p.m. No decisions or actions were taken.

Chair's Report: T. Galvin commented on the Affordable units at Regency. He advised the units will be built throughout the 6 Phases not just confined to one street. T Galvin also stated 2 Phases are almost complete.

Guests: None

Public Participation: None

Approval of October 21, 2008 minutes:
Motion made by D. Merriman to approve the minutes of 10/21/08. Motion seconded by C. Graveline. T. Graveline advised to approve the minutes with corrections. Motion made by P. Geary to approve the minutes as amended. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous.

Correspondence: Zoning Inspector’s Report/October, Reports of the Building Department, Ordinance #61-07-02-96, Tax Bill for 25 Deerfield Dr., Award Letter to Toll Brothers. Motion made by D. Merriman to place correspondence on file. Motion seconded by P. Geary. Unanimous.

New Business:
Transfers – None
Refunds – None
Resignations – None
Appointments – None

Old Business:
Subcommittee Reports – T. Galvin requested a meeting on the Ordinance Committee (S. Pilat, T. Graveline & T. Galvin) to be scheduled for Friday November 7th.

C. Graveline questioned again if the cost for fuel for the Town buildings and Public Works could be renegotiated; currently the Town is locked in @ $3.519. T. Galvin stated at the end of September all tanks were “topped off”. T. Graveline questioned the amount of gallons the Town was committed to purchasing. T. Galvin stated he would check into the situation.

R. Kergaravat asked the Council to give some consideration to eventually hiring a Police Chief with the possibility of having a Police Commission. P. Geary stated the Town has only one fulltime officer.

Adjournment: Motion made by D. Merriman to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by R. Doyon. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

Thomas J. Galvin, Chairman

Rosalyn B. Moffo, Clerk