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Board of Aldermen 08-13-2019 Page 31

Alderman Gidge

Yes I’m sorry if | made an error a while back but | am quite excited about it. Mrs. McCarthy has agreed to
open the 66" Consecutive Year Art Show at the Greeley Park, 9:45 she will ring the bell to get the
festivities going. The Mayor will be there hopefully everybody will be there. Please buy art. One at least
two | will come over and shake your hand at your house; if you buy three | won’t come over to shake your
hand. But if you buy four the Mayor will go to your house and sing Happy Birthday. So anyway by the way
the Art Show at Greeley Park brings the second large amount of people into the City. The first is the Stroll.
The numbers we are not sure of or how much money it brings in, we are not sure of. But we are going to
start bringing those numbers in and | think the Arts, especially at Greeley Park is very important. And also
Mrs. McCarthy is going to have a good time. So please come if you can.

Alderman O’Brien

Thank you. First my apology to Alderman Lopez | didn’t know what you were doing so | was a little bit
confused there, perhaps my motion to adjourn would have been in order. But anyways to get back to
focus, | would just like to mention briefly on R-19-148 and that’s Land Purpose down on Bridge Street. |
agree with some of the other Aldermen that we were going to redesign this neighborhood basically from
scratch, a lot of vacant land and everything else like that. We do need recreational fields; but a field is not
a field. It is what is underneath it particularly if it had a history of a past industrial history. And you are
talking about this particular field that was what | consider a brown field. The former occupancy of that site
was the former John Mansfield which made asbestos. And if you put sports activity on that particular filed,
anything that’s kicking the ball, you are kicking the dirt and | don’t know, not enough information was there
on that particular. But that wasn’t the question that came before the Infrastructure. | would like to thank Mr.
Schaefer for bringing it up because Mr. Schaefer is very in tune also with the Rail Committee and he has
been to many of those meetings and come up. So this definitely needs to be addressed to look at other
fields | think in the area and try to keep that recreational part alive. And that is going to be our choice, we
are going to have several different choices because of this as it comes forward.

The other thing | would like to say is very happy to see that Ms. Piecuch has got the job with Secretary
Gardner, I'll be seeing you up in Concord you know. This is definitely going to be a loss to us but | take
solace in the fact that Ms. Lovering has been nominated by the Mayor for the position of City Clerk. | wish
you Godspeed through your nomination process, I'll let the cat out of the bag, you’ve got my vote kid. |
wish you the best of luck Trisha in your new job up there and like | say we’ll be seeing you up there. And
thank you.

President Wilshire

I’d just like to thank the Assessing Department for coming out tonight. Everything they do | appreciate. |’d
also like to thank the Committee that does the Back to School; 15 year project of Back to School that is a
lot of kids you serve. So thank you for investing your time there, | think it is very worthwhile and goes a
long way.

Committee announcements:
Alderman Dowd

Yes next Thursday Joint Special School Building Committee at 7:00 p.m. at Nashua High School North
Board Room. It won’t be a lot of things presented, just a sort of status of where they are at, but no final
report yet. | was going to mention it before and | was remiss, as Treasurer of the Brian Memorial
Foundation, we have been granted our 501(c)3 from the IRS so we are a charitable organization for raising
money for STEM students out of both high schools.

Board of Aldermen 08-13-2019 Page 32

Alderman Lopez

Substandard Living Conditions Committee is going to be the next meeting in September; September 12".
We will be discussing issues such as bed bugs and other exciting things.

Alderman Caron

Yes thank you. Due to the fact that Labor Day is the 1° Monday in September, Human Affairs Committee
has given up their September 9"" so Personnel can meet. Two of the most important things is Ms.
Lovering’s nomination as City Clerk. | don’t know if | want to vote for that because | don’t want to lose you
and the other thing is for setting the times for elections. So we certainly want to make sure everybody is
there. Thank you.

Alderwoman Melizzi-Golja

PEDC will be September 3", so the day after Labor Day here in the Chamber at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY ALDERMAN O’BRIEN THAT THE AUGUST 13, 2019, MEETING OF THE BOARD
OF ALDERMEN BE ADJOURNED

MOTION CARRIED

The meeting was declared adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

Attest: Patricia D. Piecuch, City Clerk

la Vi Fees, Subsection 105-27

%

In acconiat
Permits

rel Fa
~ =. 7 a Lh
an it fees may be jax d for discontinued or
abandoned requested by the aoplicarti.

aS

Que io the length of tivie that i sed, & years, and thai the permits expired in July of
2006 it is my position it hat ine t request | 0 apply the prior fses to newly applied for permis
Would equats to a permil fee waiver request in 20716.

Ch

in accordance with Nashua City Ordinarice or 108 Building Consiruciion, Article VI
Fees, Subssciion 105-21 Permits and fees the e ability io waive fees is granted and
intentionally restricted fo io the Board of Aldermen.

§ 105-21 Permits and fees.

[Amended 9-9-2002 by Ord. No. 0-02-74; 7-8-2003 by Ord. No. 0-03-184; 5-24-
2004 by Ord. No. 0-04-13; S-13-2005 by Ord. No. 0-05-1089; 8-14-2007 by Ord. No.
0-07-1086]

A.

A permit shall not de valid until ihe prescribed fees have been paid and the permii
issued. No permit to begin work for new consiruction, alteration, removal, demolition
or other building operation shail be issued until the fees prescribed in this section
nave been paid to the Deparirnent of Building Safety, nor shall an amendment io a
permit necessitating an additiona! fee because of an increase in the estimated cost
or scone of work involved be approved uniil the additional fee has been paid.
Where a permit has either been revoked or a project discontinued or abandoned
within six montiis of the issuance of such permit, sucn permit may be returned to
the Buliding Ojficial for cancellation. One-haif of the permit fee shall be refunded by
the City Treasurer on certificate of ihe Building Official, excepi all penalties that may
nave been imposed on the permit held under the requirements of this chapier shall
first be collected. If a project is abandoned without notice being made to the Code
Official beiore 2 six-month interval has elapsed since the date such permit was
issued, no reiurid shall be made. Resideniiai or nonresideritial use shall be in
accordance with the intent of the Building Code of the City of Nashua, New

baie £
Hampshire.[1

POTS,
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ari. Il of this chapier.
(2
‘The fees for permits shall be charged as follows: The total amount of the perrnit
shail be rounded to the nearest dollar (drop the total amount due under $0.50 and
increase the total arnouni due from $0.50 to $0.88 to the next whole dollar).
B.
The Goard of Aldermen may, at its option, waive or reimburse, as the case may be,
payment of lees payabie under this section, in whole or in pari, to the extent of the
value of municipal public improvements and/or land dedication which an applicant
obligates iiseli io make over and above impact fees and the applicant's fair share of
off-site improvements imposed as 2 condition of site plan or suddivision approval.

Dus to the economic circumstances that resuited in the consiruction delay, that ihe
applicable codes the original permits were granted rernain valid and that the applicant paid
all fees in advance, including impact fees, the Depariment of Building Safety supports the

Board of Aldermen Page 26
April 26, 2016

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY ALDERMAN WILSHIRE THAT THE APRIL 26, 2016, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF
ALDERMEN BE ADJOURNED

A Viva Voce Roll Call was taken, which resulted as follows:
Yea: Alderman Wilshire, Alderman Clemons, Alderman Cookson, 13
Alderman Dowd, Alderman Caron, Alderman Siegel,
Alderman Schoneman, Alderwoman Melizzi-Golja,
Alderman McGuinness, Alderman LeBrun, Alderman Moriarty
Alderman O’Brien, Alderman McCarthy
Nay: Alderman Lopez 1
MOTION CARRIED

The meeting was declared adjourned at 9:18 p.m.

Attest: Patricia D. Piecuch, City Clerk

a) THE CITY OF NASHUA ‘The Gate City”

Administrative Services

Assessing Debarturent

To: Mayor Jim Donchess; Board of Aldermen; and Board of Assessors
From: City Assessors; and Ms. Kimberly Kleiner, Administrative Services Director
Date: August 13, 2019

RE: Answers to the Ortolano Memos

We have reviewed the following memos presented to us for factual checking,
References made to the following correspondence:

1) Memo dated August 11, 2019, by Michael Ortolano, to the Board of Aldermen and the
Mayor of Nashua;
2) Memo dated August 11, 2019, by Laurie Ortolano, to the Board of Aldermen;

We, the Nashua Assessors, offer this response out of concern for the allegations made by Ms.
Laurie and Mr. Michael Ortolano because we believe that they contain inaccuracies,
misinformation, falsehoods, unsupported data and gross assumptions that would otherwise
negatively influence this Honorable Board of Aldermen, the Nashua taxpayers and the general
public.

Regarding Memo from Michael Ortolano

e “A Full List and Measure IS NOT REQUIRED by the State of New Hampshire.”

As the board already knows, the City has wanted to conduct a full measure and list for some time
since none have been conducted in almost 30 years. Although not required by law, the
International Association of Assessing Officers, (IAAO), guideline recommends a full measure
and list at least every 9 years. This is their guideline.

Note: “I want to emphasize that by itself, the list and measure, though needed, will not restore
trust and do away with all problems, indeed it may exacerbate some. (Emphasis added.)”
Statement by Ms. Laurie Ortolano, presented to the NH Board of Tax and Land Appeal, August
6, 2019, Docket #:29261-19RA, Page 62.

229 Main Street * Nashua, New Hampshire 03060 + Phone (603) 589-3040 + Fax (603)
589-3079

© “City should wait to move forward on the Full List and Measure until the results of Mr.
Cornell’s Review are issued.”

The purpose of the technical audit currently being conducted is only to review practices and
procedures of the assessing department on behalf of city management. The scope of work does
not address a recommendation for a full measure and list.

e “The City should wait to move forward on the Full List and Measure until the Inquiry of
the New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals (NHBTLA) is Closed.”

There is no telling precisely what the BTLA will order, however, it is known that if the board
orders a full measure and list it will limit the City’s input and most likely be considerably more
expensive.

e 6 6"“The benefit of a Full List and Measure is a matter of speculation.”

Not true. In fact a full measure and list is a widely used tool that will provide the property
owners of the City with an opportunity to help insure that the assessment records are accurate,
up-to-date and provide equity among all.

e “The City should receive formal bids prior to Approving a Bond.”

It is the City financial policy that a funding source be established before issuing a Request for
Proposal, (RFP). If, after choosing a contractor, more funds are required, a formal request will
be submitted to this Board should it be needed.

e “The Assessing Department needs to review and strengthen their contractor oversight
procedures prior to the issuing additional contracts.”

The misinterpretation of section 3.1.6 of the last contract with KRT Appraisal does not in any
way invalidate the results of the 2018 statistical update. All sales were qualified or unqualified
using MLS and other tools. (See Exhibit 2.)

Regarding Memo from Laurie Ortolano
© “Validity of the 1.3 million dollars:”

The 1.3 million dollar bond that the Assessing Department will request is an estimated cost for
the full measure and list. The BTLA only questioned if the bond is sufficient, not whether the
full measure and list is necessary. As stated above, if after choosing a contractor, more funds are
required; a formal request will be made.

229 Main Street - Nashua, New Hampshire 03060 + Phone (603) 589-3307 * Fax (603)
594-3434

e “Entry Rate into Properties”

It is not true that we can expect only a 15% entry rate. Full measure and lists conducted by other
communities indicate we can expect a much higher rate of compliance. It is simply not true that
“experts from other cities” believe only that only a “/0% entry rate” can be expected. (See
Exhibit 1.)

e “The Law”

State law does not require a full measure and list, however, guidelines from the International
Association of Assessing Officers, (IAAO), recommend one be conducted at least every 9 years.
The last one conducted by Nashua was completed in 1991. Full measure and lists are by no
means “obsolete”; they help insure taxes assessed are fair and equitable.

e “performance and Technical Data Capture in the Assessing Office”
“M. Kleiner's Comments at the Special Hearing for R-19-159”
e “Hiring of David Cornell for a Technical Audit.”

This office has gone out of its way to be transparent. In the last 11 months, the assessing office
has answered many requests and provided hundreds records for Ms. Ortolano.

A technical audit is currently being conducted to review the practices and procedures of the
assessing department. It is being done on behalf of the city management.

e “Other Ongoing Investigations:”

It is not true that the City has expanded the “scope of work” conducted by Drummon Woodsum
to include an investigation of management. Also, during the 2018 Update, it was determined that
the base rate for Schools/Colleges, (Code 72), was incorrect. Correcting the table for Code 72
resulted in the bulk of the 24 million dollar adjustment.

e “Breach of Contract with KRT’s 2018 Reevaluation”

As previously noted above there was a misinterpretation of section 3.1.6 of the contract with
KRT Appraisal. However, that does not in any way invalidate the results of the 2018 statistical
update. All sales were qualified or unqualified using MLS and other tools of evaluation. (See
Exhibit 2.)

229 Main Street * Nashua, New Hampshire 03060 » Phone (603) 589-3307 + Fax (603)
594-3434

Exhibit 1

Entry Rate for Full Measure and List

2019 Scarborough, Maine = 55%
2017 Brunswick, Maine = 59%
2015 Longmeadow, Massachusetts = 43%

2006 Manchester, NH = 60%

Note:

Hudson, New Hampshire, is currently undergoing a full measure and list and after
the first pass, has a 24% entry rate.

Exhibit 2

List of Tools for Qualifying Sales

Co-Star subscription
Multiple Listing Service, (MLS)

Inventory of Property Transfer, (PA-34)

Polk City Directory
NH Secretary of State’s Business Name Lookup
Other Name Search Websites
Phone Calls & Letters to Sellers, Buyers & Real Estate Brokers
Inspections Conducted by City Assessors
Deeds Filed in the Hillsborough County Registry of Deeds
Geographic Information System, (GIS)

Pictometry

Memo
August 9, 2019

Su oject: O-19-051 PROVIDING FREE LIBRARY PARKING FOR UP TO THREE HOURS FOR
iWA STUDENTS USING THE NASHUA PUBLIC LIBRARY

At the August 9, 2019 Downtown Improvement Committee meeting discussion was presented regarding
a proposed resolution to provide free parking for students at the Nashua Public Library. The committee
is unanimously not in favor of 0-19-051. If we decide to provide free parking for one demographic we
must also consider requests from others, senior citizens, mothers with children, to name a few.

The DIC is also working with the city parking division to initiate a proposal for a complete parking study
of the downtown area. This would include reviewing rates, times, leases, areas where there are no
meters, etc. This complete study would give us an in-depth review of what is currently in place and
suggestions on what we can do to improve the downtown parking. The committee feels it would be in
the best interest of all to implement any changes when a study is completed.

On behalf of the Downtown Improvement Committee
Marylou Blaisdell

Chair