TOWN MEETING – 2003
The checklist was posted and the meeting called to order
by Moderator Fred Mullen. The Town
Warrant was read. The motion by
Selectmen Leslie Hammond to waive further reading of the warrant passed. Mr. Mullen announced that Absentee Ballots
will be cast at
The business portion of the meeting opened at
Voters
were directed to obtain voting cards from the Supervisors of the Checklist. Town Officers were introduced. Dan and Gayle Troy were thanked for
volunteering to run the sound system. It
was noted that the Town Report contained a Memorial to Charlie Williamson who
passed away in July 2002. The Town
Report was dedicated to Jim and Judy Stone.
They are the seventh generation of Stones in Dunbarton and own and
operate Stonehurst Dairy Farm. The farm
is in its 150th year of operation and is the last dairy farm in
town. The rules for the meeting were
outlined.
Mr. Mullen noted the following errors contained in the
2002 Town Report:
- The heading on pages 17-21 should read 2003
Warrant, not 2002 Warrant
- The School Clerk shown on page 92 should be
Joanne Johnson, not Linda Peters
- Add Theresa Francoeur to the list of School Board
Members on page 98
- The Budget Summary figures on page 27 were
incorrect. Estimated amount of
taxes to be raised should read $ 552,988 not 512,988. A supplemental page was distributed.
The
warrant was read. Selectman Leslie
Hammond made the motion to waive the reading of the body of the warrant. The motion, seconded by Selectman John R.
Swindlehurst III passed. Voters were
instructed to refer to the 2003 Warrant contained in the Town Report.
ARTICLE I To choose all necessary town officers
for the ensuing year. Mr.Hammond
nominated Margaret Venator for the position of Overseer of Welfare. The Article PASSED. Mr. Hammond thanked outgoing Overseer of
Welfare Brian Little for his years of service to the town in that position.
The following nominees were elected to the position of
Hog Reeve:
Justin Pinard and Cindy Lou
Stone, Richard Baynes and Susan Lewis.
Justin and Cindy Lou were sworn into office. Mr. Mullen reminded them in days past Hog
Reeves were fined 25 shillings for not performing their duties.
ARTICLE II Are you in favor of authorizing the
Building Inspector for the Town of
YES: 384 NO:
138 The Article PASSED.
ARTICLE III Are you in favor of changing the method of
selection of Planning Board members from appointment to election by adopting
the provisions of RSA 673:2, II(b)(2) which provides that the Selectmen shall
choose one Selectman as an ex officio member and the remaining Planning Board
positions shall be filled on a staggered basis at the subsequent regular town
elections pursuant to RSA 669:17 as the term of an appointed member expires,
until each member of the board is an elected member? The maximum number of elections to occur
annually shall be as provided in RSA 673:5, II as follows: “The term of an elected or appointed local
land use board member shall be 3 years.
The initial terms of members first appointed or elected to any local
land use board shall be staggered so that no more than 3 appointments or
elections occur annually in the case of a 7 or 9 member board and no more than
2 appointments or elections occur annually in the case of a 5 member board,
except when required to fill vacancies.” (By Petition)(By Official Ballot) YES:
232 NO: 338 The
Article FAILED.
ARTICLE IV Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 1 as proposed
by the Dunbarton Planning Board to include the definition of Site Plan
Review within Article 2, Definitions, between the definition of Setback
and Sign on page 7 of the Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance? The Dunbarton Planning Board recommends
passage of this amendment. (By Official
Ballot)
YES:
401 NO:129 The Article PASSED.
ARTICLE V Are you in favor of changes as proposed by
the Dunbarton Planning Board to add the requirement of Site Plan Review
within Article 4, Table of Uses on page 13 and 14 of the Dunbarton Zoning
Ordinance to all Multi-Family of three or over units, all Commercial,
Industrial and Veterinary Office, animal hospital, or kennel under
Agricultural, Public Institutional Uses, and Planned Residential Development
which require a Special Exception. The
Dunbarton Planning Board recommends passage of this amendment. (By Official
Ballot) YES: 407 NO:
128 The Article PASSED.
ARTICLE VI Are you in favor of the adoption of
Amendment No. 2 as proposed by the Dunbarton Planning Board to add Phasing
of Building Permits for New Subdivisions of various sizes within
Article 4 on page 19 after Section D. as a new Article E. of the Dunbarton
Zoning Ordinance? The Dunbarton Planning Board recommends passage of this
amendment. (By Official Ballot)
YES: 396 NO: 139
The Article PASSED
ARTICLE VII Are you in favor of the
adoption of Amendment No. 3 as proposed by the Dunbarton Planning Board to
clarify the original intent of the multi-family dwelling acreage criteria under
Article 4, page 14 of the Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance? The proposed additions are the words
and sentences in bold and underlined below. The Dunbarton Planning Board recommends
passage of this amendment.
(1)
LOW DENSITY DISTRICT - Multi-Family dwellings, up to four units per
structure, provided such structures are located on lots of a size to provide
five (5) acres for the first unit and two (2) additional acres for each
additional unit. Additional
structures require an additional five (5) acres for the first unit and two (2)
acres for each additional unit up to four. No more than four (4) dwelling units per
building are permitted. This results in
the following density.
|
Number
of Units/Building Acres |
|
Acres/Unit |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
5 |
5.00 |
|
2 |
7 |
3.50 |
|
3 |
9 |
3.00 |
|
4 |
11 |
2.75 |
(2)
MEDIUM DENSITY DISTRICT - Multi-Family dwellings,
up to four units per structure, provided such structures are located on lots of
a size to provide three (3) acres for the first dwelling unit and two (2) acres
for each additional dwelling unit. Additional
structures require an additional three (3) acres for the first unit and two
acres for each additional dwelling unit. No more than four (4) dwelling units per
building are permitted. This results in
the following density:
|
Number
of Units/Building Acres |
|
Acres/Unit |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
3 |
3.00 |
|
2 |
5 |
2.50 |
|
3 |
7 |
2.33 |
|
4 |
9 |
2.25 |
(3) VILLAGE DISTRICT - Multi-Family dwellings,
up to four units per structure, provided such structures are located on lots of
a size to provide two (2) acres for the first dwelling unit and two (2) acres
for each additional dwelling unit. Additional
structures require an additional two (2) acres for the first unit and two acres
for each additional dwelling unit. No more than four (4) dwelling units per
building are permitted. This results in
the following density:
|
Number
of Units/Building Acres |
|
Acres/Unit |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
2.00 |
|
2 |
4 |
2.00 |
|
3 |
6 |
2.00 |
|
4 |
8 |
2.00 |
(By Official Ballot) YES:
397 NO: 142.
The Article PASSED
ARTICLE VIII Are you in favor of the
adoption of Amendment No. 4 as proposed by the Dunbarton Planning Board to
replacing Article 9, Section E. on page 45 of the Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance to
bring the existing ordinance into conformance with State RSA 676:3 Issuance of
Decision. The Dunbarton Planning Board
recommends passage of this amendment.
The
proposed new verbiage will be as follows:
E.
Issuance of Decision.
I.
The local land use board shall issue a final written
decision which either approves or disapproves an application for a local
permit. If the application is not
approved, the board shall provide the applicant with written reasons for the
disapproval.
Whenever
a local land use board votes to approve or disapprove an application or deny a
motion for rehearing, the minutes of the meeting at which such vote is taken,
including the written decision containing the reasons therefore, shall be
placed on file in the board’s office and shall be made available for public
inspection within 144 hours of such vote.
The verbiage to be replaced is as follows:
The
Zoning Board of Adjustment shall issue a final written decision which either
approves or disapproves an application for a special exception or
variance. If the application is not
approved, the Board will provide the applicant with written reasons for the
disapproval. Whenever the Zoning Board
of Adjustment issues a decision, the decision shall be placed on file in the
Board’s office and shall be made available for public inspection within 72
hours after the decision is made. (RSA
676:3) (By Official Ballot) YES:
428 NO: 101 The
Article PASSED.
ARTICLE IX To raise
such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town charges for the ensuing
year and make appropriations of the same in amounts as follows:
The
Selectmen recommend passage of this article.
*Selectman
Charles Graybill moved that the highway appropriation be increased by $50,000
(from $ 377,418 to $ 427,418) for emergency snow removal. Les Hammond seconded the motion. Mr. Graybill reviewed the article line by
line and reviewed the cost changes over last years’ budget. The article was moved to the floor for
discussion.
There
was a request for a breakdown of the transfer station budget for last year
(Articles IV and V). Mr. Hammond
furnished voters with the breakdown.
Capital improvements: $ 81,593. These capital improvements had to be
done whether we bought the equipment or whether we continued to rent from Waste
Management. We had to change/upgrade and
we would have had to do these capital improvements anyway. New equipment: $ 42,407. This included for two forty-yard open-tops,
two fifty-yard closed containers, a four yard compactor and a converter and
miscellaneous equipment related to that.
The estimate of rental cost for the equipment, the $42,000 we spent,
from Waste Management was $ 44,620 for the next four years. The equipment will pay for itself in four
years and it has a life of 20 years. The
truck will cost us a total of $ 124,810.
That will be five payments over a five year lease. We would have paid Waste Management $ 134,000
for trucking in those five years. The
truck pays for itself in five years and it too has a life of 20 years. The combination of capital improvements and
equipment has enabled us to increase recycling income and increase our
avoidance cost – that is the tonnage that we didn’t send at $71 per ton to
Penacook because we recycled. Adding
that together give us an income or cost avoidance of $ 9,000 a year. This amount covers our annual maintenance of
the equipment. The total expenditures
for Articles IV and V are $ 248,810. We
will realize that amount in savings in seven years and it does have a twenty year
life. For 13 years we will be avoiding
those costs. There are many different
ways to look at it. We get our
investment back in seven years and then for the next 13 years we save $ 36,000
a year by doing this. We have an
excellent rate of return on that investment.
Mr.
Hammond also commented on the line item for the Historical Awareness
Committee. The Committee is publishing a
pictorial history of Dunbarton’s old homes and structures. A loose-leaf binder containing those pictures
is on display and Mr. Hammond suggested people view it if they get a
chance. The Committee is hoping people
will sign up to order the History. He
recognized Bud Noyes for the tremendous amount of research dedicated to the
history. Bud’s family dates back to some
of the original settlers in town. He
invited Betty Ann Noyes to address the assembly. Mrs. Noyes gave a brief description of the
book. It contains over 200 pages and
over 100 photos including text and historic anecdotes. The book will contain about 12 maps and a
cross reference for homes and owners.
She thanked Committee members for the countless hours of research,
editing, and proof reading. The figure
contained in the above line item is to help with the costs of publishing the
book.
Discussion
turned to repairs on Robert Rogers Road.
Hilliard Burnside asked that the Selectmen confirm that the necessary
funds are budgeted. Mr. Graybill
responded that they are prepared to address the issue of the repair of the
shoulders of the road. Repairs should
take place when school is out of session.
Richard
Gleason commented on the transfer station.
He felt that funds expended last year were not used efficiently as the
building is unable to house the truck that was purchased for transfer station
use. He also felt the building left no
room for expansion. Mr. Graybill
commended those who put forth the effort in transfer station improvements and
felt it was more than adequate to cover what the town requires over the next 20
years. The Board realized that they had
not included funds for a garage for the new truck in the warrant article last
year. The felt it was unfair to take any
unexpended funds for the project without going back to the townspeople for
authorization. There were funds carried
over from the completion of that job and something will be done to address that
issue.
There
was no further discussion. The Article
PASSED.
ARTICLE X The motion
was made by Jeff Trexler to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of $ 18,000 for the costs relating to the development of plans to
consolidate the Town Hall/Town Offices and Public Library into a single
building (as recommended by the Dunbarton Center Planning Committee) and to
establish a “Building Committee” to develop a detailed building plan and budget
to be presented to the voters at a future Town Meeting. The Selectmen recommend passage of this
article.
Mr.
Trexler referred the assembly to review page 75 of the Town Report which gave a
summary of the recommendation of the committee.
He sited the physical deficiencies and space needs of the Town Offices
and recommended that voters act soon to address this. Currently the cost to borrow money is low at
this time and we are at a lull in school building construction. There was no discussion. The Article PASSED.
ARTICLE XI The motion
was made by Timothy Terragni to see if the Town will authorize the
establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund, pursuant to RSA 35, for the future
revaluation of the Town and to raise and appropriate from surplus the sum of
$60,000 and appoint the Selectmen in conjunction with the Board of Assessors to
act as agents to administer the funds.
The Selectmen recommend passage of this article.
Mr.
Terragni referred voters to page 60, paragraph 8 of the Town Report which
addresses the revaluation. The Board of
Assessors would like to begin preparation for revaluation in 2005. This is something that can be mandated by the
State. There was no discussion. The Article PASSED.
ARTICLE XII The motion
was made by James Marcou to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
from surplus the sum of $ 40,000 to update the Master Plan. The Selectmen recommend passage of this
article.
Mr.
Marcou explained that the Master Plan is its foundation for all planning and
zoning. The Planning Board has met with
prospective bidders for re-working the Master Plan and along with the Board of
Selectmen feel the project can be brought in for this amount. The Boards will be looking for input from the
public on this plan. The article was
moved to the floor for discussion.
Michael
Dailey asked Selectmen where the surplus was coming from as there are three
articles totaling $ 125,000 to be taken from surplus. He felt that if we were being taxed too much
the rate should be lowered so the Town does not have so much left over every
year. Les Hammond referred voters to
pages 28 and 29 of the Town Report.
Column 4 of page 29 shows $ 209,355 that had been raised but
unexpended. The tax rate was based on
the $ 209,000. There was
$
10,000 appropriated for temporary help in the Selectmen’s office that was not
used. Legal expenses were raised based
on a suit by the Public Service which we did not get into last year. The Highway Department returned $ 47,000 from
projects that came in lower than expected or had not been completed. Solid waste recognized a savings of $ 24,000
some of which was because new equipment was placed sooner than expected. The Conservation Committee negotiated with
the State on the State Tax for the purchase of the Nassikas property. This resulted in a reduction of $ 25,000. He
explained that the Boards do their best to estimate without
underestimating. To underestimate would require
a special meeting to get money, so some figures tend to be overestimated. The Selectmen propose to apply some of this
surplus to the tax rate. Excess
revenues, which are difficult to gauge, also contribute to surplus. Mr. Dailey asked if $ 200,000 to $ 300,000
was the average per year. Mr. Hammonds’
response was that it’s not unusual to have some surplus, though this is more
than normal. The Town is proposing to
spend $144,000 surplus in this budget and apply the rest to the tax rate at the
end of the year.
Mr.
Hammond returned discussion to the Master Plan.
The Town’s Master Plan is 13 years old.
He explained that it will encompass planning, zoning, school, capital
improvements and other things that speak to the quality of life in this
town. These are all based on a Master
Plan and we as a Town need to plan our future and decide how we want to
live.
David
Breault spoke in favor of the Master Plan as a crucial foundation to the
capital improvements plan which can help us as a town keep our feet on the
ground to protect our tax base. He feels
it is a very responsible move by the Planning Board.
There
was no further discussion. The article
PASSED.
ARTICLE XIII The motion
was made by Selectman John R. Swindlehurst III to see if the Town will
authorize the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund, pursuant to RSA 35, for
the future construction of an environmentally safe road salt storage building
and to raise and appropriate from surplus the sum of $ 25,000 for this
purpose. The Selectmen recommend
passage of this article.
Mr.
Swindlehurst informed the assembly that having this shed would allow the town
to purchase and store a larger quantity of salt for the use of the Highway
Department. We currently use
approximately 1,000 tons of salt per year.
Our current shed holds approximately 70 tons. The shed would also slow down any
environmental impact from mixing the salt with sand when loading the
trucks. A committee has been established
to review the site and look at sheds in other towns and bring forward a
proposal at another date. Mr. Hammond
explained that the sand pile is exposed to the weather and freezes and should
be put under cover. The current salt
shed was built for a 10 wheeler to back up and dump salt. We now get our salt from Chelsea in trailer
dumps. The salt is dumped then we push
it under cover. Because not all of the
salt goes into the shed the town is impacted both environmentally and
financially. Selectmen have not yet
decided if the shed will be located at the town garage. Space may be a problem. There was no discussion. The article PASSED
ARTICLE XIV The motion
was made by Jeffrey Nelson to see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate up to $ 57,452 for the Town to hire and equip a police officer full
time. Said amount reflecting funds for
this position starting April 1, 2003 with full funding in subsequent
years. The Selectmen do not recommend
passage of this article.
Mr.
Nelson informed the assembly that the main purpose for this officer would be to
cover the 3 to 11 time period. The
majority of calls for police assistance come between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM. He felt that a lack of resources and
consistency has been a hindrance in investigations by the department. Mr. Nelson explained that this is part of the
five year plan he presented to the Selectmen when he first became chief. He reported that the department has completed
their on-site for State Accreditation and has been recommended to the
council. He hopes that within the next two months the
department will be State accredited for Level I and II out of four levels. He gave a presentation based on the 2000 NH
Municipal Trust Law Enforcement Survey.
The survey demonstrated that Dunbarton is undermanned for a town of its
size. He also sited a survey that had been done in 2002 by Director Sweeney
which covered 136 departments in the State.
Based on the 2000 population of Dunbarton we should have over 3 full
time officers. He discussed the increase
in calls to the Department from 2001 to 2002.
Total calls went from 748 to 1,166.
Many of these calls are time intensive.
He stated that if all the warrant article pass this evening including
this position, there will be no increase in taxes. Insurance and benefit cost will be $14,000+. There will be expenses for testing. This salary range presented enables the Town
to hire an officer from entry level range to a full time certified current
officer. He invited questions from the
assembly.
Richard
Mitchener referred to the survey on page 67 of the Town Report. He noted that if we combine the $ 132,300
currently budgeted for the Police Department plus the $ 57,400 for the
additional officer we would be spending $ 189,000. Other towns in the survey are getting three
officers for much less money. He asked
why it would cost Dunbarton so much more.
Mr. Nelson reminded him that the figures in the survey were done in the
year 2000. Also, he was unaware of what
the officers in other towns were being paid. He felt that if you pay someone a
substandard rate you will have substandard performance most of the time. This officer will need to work unsupervised
and will need to make good decisions.
This can present a liability issue for the town. He would prefer to pay a good rate of pay to
get good people.
Richard
Gleason spoke in favor of the article and commended him for the fine job he has
done. He felt that $ 57,000 was too low
and suggested it be increased to $ 60,000.
He made the following motion for an amendment to the article:
To see if the Town will increase the police department
to $ 60.000. Mr. Mullen called for a vote on the
amendment. The amendment FAILED. Discussion returned to the original article.
Michael
Dailey noted that the $ 57,000 figure only covered 9 months and asked if that
would bring it to over $ 70,000 for a year.
Mr. Nelson replied that the salary maximum is $ 47,000 and while he did
not have all of the figures handy, he believed that the $70,000 was
correct.
Jim
McLaughlin spoke in support of the article. He is currently retired from law
enforcement and recognizes the requirements to maintain a good department. He congratulated Chief Nelson for the steps
he’s taken towards accreditation.
Richard
Mitchener asked if there was any funding available through grants to get us
started on this. Mr. Nelson replied that
most of the state funding available is for school resource officers and we do
not have the activity level to justify such a position.
Audra
Breault noted that currently there is not a police presence on the roads
therefore making the roads dangerous for pedestrians as well as drivers. She asked if the addition of another officer
would help correct this. Mr. Nelson said
that more manpower will help address this.
John
Herlihy asked why the Selectmen did not recommend the article. Selectman Graybill began by complimenting
Chief Nelson on the work ethic he has provided.
He stated that the Selectmen considered the huge tax increase from the
year before and that passage of this article would cost between $ 75,000 and $
80,000 in the future. The Board felt
that now was not the appropriate time and they should have done more with the
part time participation for off-hour items.
They also felt it could be done less expensively without compromising
the safety factor to the Town.
Les
Hammond noted that at some point in the growth of a town, certain factors kick
in. The costs incurred are with the Town
forever and are not always covered by surplus.
We need to start planning for providing for more people. Although the Board was not comfortable doing
this right now, we must think about full time people and the long term costs.
Carl
Metzger asked why the hours for our part-time officers could not be increased,
and perhaps make one of them full time. Mr. Nelson stated that the part time
officers we currently have also have full-time jobs elsewhere. They do provide excellent support. His role as Chief is to invest in the town
and he feels this is the way to do so.
Discussion
continued with many Town residents speaking in favor of the article.
A
request for a secret ballot was made by Lori Davis, John R. Swindlehurst II,
Donald Andrews, Peter Montgomery, John Colter, Richard Mitchener, Pat Whittier,
Pamela Bedford, and Alan Rockenbach.
There were 230 ballots cast.
(Presentation of the article began at 8:23. The results of the vote were announced at
9:45)
YES: 137
NO: 92 (1 ballot undetermined). The article PASSED.
ARTICLE XV The motion
was made by Jeffrey Nelson to see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of $ 28,673 for the Town to purchase an information system
for the police department and to authorize the Selectmen to accept a Federal
Grant in the amount of $ 25,703 for this purpose. The Selectmen recommend passage of this
article. There was no discussion. The article PASSED.
ARTICLE XVI The motion
was made by Jeffrey Nelson to see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of $ 15,946 for the Town to purchase portable radios for
the Police Department. The Selectmen
recommend the passage of this article.
There was no discussion. The
article PASSED.
ARTICLE XVII The motion was
made by Jonathan Wiggin to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of $ 43,000 for the Town to purchase new breathing apparatus and an air
cylinder filling system for the Fire Department and to authorize the Selectmen
to accept a Federal Grant in the amount of $ 38,700 for this purpose. The Selectmen recommend passage of this
article.
Fire
Chief Wiggin informed the assembly that since the events of 9/11 the US
Congress established Fire Act Program to fund fire departments in the purchase
of equipment, training, safety and health and fire prevention activities. This is the first time this money has ever
been offered to the fire service. The
grant is a 90/10 split between the Federal Government and the town. It is the fire chief’s job to ensure the
safety of the firefighters. This
encompasses everything from protective gloves on a medical call to protective
clothing on a fire call. Breathing
apparatus is one of the most important pieces of equipment. Our newest breathing apparatus is 12 years
old; our oldest 25 years old. Standards
and technology have changed greatly since these were manufactured. We have trouble filling these cylinders after
we use them. Currently Bow, Hopkinton,
and Concord allow us to fill our tanks at their location. This takes a minimum of two hours. Part of this grant is to purchase a new air
compressor for the fire station which will be used to fill these
cylinders. At the current price of air
packs we may be able to purchase eight packs at this time although we had hoped
to purchase twelve.
Chief
Wiggin informed the assembly that this years’ grant program has a category for
apparatus replacement. Currently we have
an apparatus replacement program that we replace our engines every 25
years. We have a truck now that is in
very poor condition and try not to use it except in extreme emergencies. This truck is up for replacement next year. Chief Wiggin plans to apply for another grant
for funds to purchase another engine.
This may appear on the warrant next year. There was no discussion. The article PASSED.
ARTICLE XVIII The motion was
made by Leslie Hammond to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of $167 to be used as determined by the Town Forest Committee; the same
to be withdrawn from the Winslow Town Forest Fund. The Selectmen recommend passage of this
article. There was no discussion. The article PASSED.
ARTICLE XIX The motion
was made by Patty Shearin to see if the Town will vote to establish a Heritage
Commission in accordance with provisions of RSA 673 and RSA 674, or take any
other action relating thereto and to raise and appropriate the sum of $ 50 for
this purpose. The Selectmen recommend passage
of this article.
Mrs.
Shearin addressed the assembly. With the
pressures of impending growth, New Hampshire towns across the state are
struggling to keep the special qualities that make them such wonderful places
to live. There are currently 76 towns in
NH that have taken steps to help preserve their towns historical resources by
establishing commissions involved in historic preservation. Now is the time for Dunbarton to take
pro-active steps and join these communities and establish a Heritage Commission
for our community. The Heritage
Commission will help preserve our towns character and way of life by
participating in town planning and assisting and advising our local boards and
committees in matters pertaining to our historical resources. The Heritage Commissions objective initially
is to inventory and document all the historical resources in our community so
we know what we have and where so they will forever be preserved on paper. Other objectives include steps to increase
public awareness and educate our community on issues relating to preserving our
towns resources. There will be a fund
established as a non-lapsing fund with tax-exempt status. Mrs. Shearin is aware
that there was some public concern that this would mean the establishment of
historic districts in our community. The
RSA’s stage generally a series of possible avenues that the Heritage Commission
can look into. It is a menu, not a
mandate. They are suggestions. The floor was opened to discussion.
Alison
Vallieres stated that she had attended a meeting with a group of townspeople as
well as Jim McConnor of the Historic Preservation Office and Mike Tardiff of
the Central Regional Planning Office.
She stated that the discussion of the meeting was how to best create
historic districts, specifically at Pages Corner and the Dunbarton Center to
protect existing historic homes. Jim
McConnor suggested the creation of the Heritage Commission. The first year then
propose historic districts the second year.
She asked if the Commission will be proposing historic districts in the
future.
Mrs.
Shearin responded that if the commission chose to create historic districts
they would do a study and present the results to the town then put it before
the town for a vote. Neither the
commission nor the Selectmen can create historic districts without the approval
of the town. If after researching it they find it is not something the town
wants, it would not be proposed.
David
Breault noted that even if there were historic districts made, houses don’t
have to be one concrete way and if people did vote for historic districts it
would be the same people sitting in this room.
It could be a very positive thing for this town. There are many ugly little towns because
there was no motif to go by.
Gertrude
Dulude feels we have two very good committees in town: The Historical Awareness Committee on which
she’s served, She still serves on the Historical Society. These two groups are historically interested
in history. She feels we do not need
another committee to regulate the community in any other way. t is necessary to have some regulation but
does not want to overbuild with these provisions if we don’t absolutely need
them. She asked how many people in town
visit the Awareness Committee meetings or stop to see the Historical Society
Museum or attend their functions. These
two groups don’t impose restrictions on the community. She feels the community will be facing
restrictions if this is passed.
Lyle
Brandt asked that if the Heritage Commission should receive a gift of property
to come off the tax rolls, what the Commission would do with the property. Mrs. Shearin stated that the property would
be given in the name of the town. The
town would own the property but the Commission would oversee the care of that
property. Mr. Brandt asked about the
cost of maintaining the property. Mrs.
Shearin replied that typically when people donate a property, they usually give
sums of money to maintain that.
Mrs.
Shearin also commented in response to the statements made during the discussion.
She stressed that the Heritage Commissin is a non-regulatory committee. It does not regulate. It simply gives input. One of the most important things that is
facing this Town is the Master Plan that is being re-designed. The Heritage Commission can give input and
perhaps maintain the historical flavor of the Town. It can also assist and advise the Planning
and Zoning Boards when they are dealing with issues on the historical resources
in Town. For the first time Dunbarton
can have a committee that can legally participate in Town Government and have
the best interest of the Town at heart when it comes to historical resources.
Carter
Higginbotham owns a 17th century English barn. His concern that a Heritage Commission has
authority in its second year and he does not want to be told what he can do
with his barn.
Norman
Roberge stated that the Town already has the authority to accept any gifts and
the Selectmen already have full authority to appoint committees without a vote
of the town.
With
the upcoming Master Plan he hopes the citizens that are putting forward the
proposal for this commission will volunteer their time into the Master Plan as
private citizens but not under a commission format.
Brigitte
Holmes thanked Mrs. Shearing for putting together the proposal. She stated that growth is happening in
Dunbarton. Those who travel from town to
town see unfettered growth which has hidden the treasures which exist in so many
towns. We’ve also seen it preserved
nicely in a way that is easily co-existed with.
She hopes that Dunbarton will be one of the latter. The recognizes that people who have been here
for generations may have the best interest of the town at heart but they are
being outnumbered by people coming here from other places who may not have that
appreciation. The fear of input from a
Heritage Commission may be based on assumptions. She agrees that the two historical groups we
currently have are doing a fine job with the projects they have done and are
currently working on. These groups,
however, are not charged with the responsibility of providing the input and
documenting for the Town for purposes of consultation when building proposals
are made.
John
Colter felt that the Heritage Commission wants to have control of something and
that the people who are in favor of it are people who have come to town
recently.
Ron
Slocum objects to looking at this as an avenue to work with the various
committees make sure zoning and building standards are met. We have a Planning and Zoning Board but the
only people who attend the meetings are people who are up before them with an
application for something. These are
public meetings and the organizations will listen to the public. If people would go to the meetings and state
their opinions then we wouldn’t have this problem. He is also concerned that a heritage
commission would become like a homeowners association.
Peter
Montgomery is concerned that a Heritage Commission would tell him what to do
with his property for paint and siding and the like.
Mrs.
Shearin stated that many of the comments and concerns expressed are historic
district ordinances. The proposal is for
a Heritage Commission not a historic district.
The suggestions are simply a menu not a mandate. It is obvious that the town does not want to
look into historic districts so it is something that the Heritage Commission
would choose not to do. She feels it
would be a benefit to the town to have a group that could sit with the Planning
and Zoning Boards and give input – simply input. It is not a regulatory body. They merely make suggestions and look out for
the historical resources in this town.
She feels the Historical Society and Historical Awareness have done a
wonderful job in the Town and a majority of the people who are on the
Historical Awareness Committee have agreed to be on the Heritage Commission if
it gets passed. Where they differ is the
other two committees do not have any input in the planning of the town. The control issue is invalid. It is non-regulatory. They would not have
control but simply a voice. It is very
much like the Conservation Commission.
If there’s something before the Planning Board that involves wetlands,
the Conservation Commission is notified and they can sit down at the table with
them. The same thing would happen with a
Heritage Commission. If there is a
historical resource that is going to possibly be violated due to development,
the Commission can sit in and make suggestions.
It does not regulate or mandate anything, it is simply giving input.
Heather
Radl stated that not everyone in Town is aware of when the Planning Board
meetings are taking place or has the time to attend those meetings. She feels that having a voice at those
meetings that would provide input into the historic flavor of the Town is
important and she would feel better knowing that her interests were represented
at said meetings.
Ron
Slocum reminded the assembly that Planning and Zoning Board meetings are
regular monthly meetings and notice of those meetings is published in at least
three locations including the Concord Monitor.
During the first part of this year the Planning Board has held workshop
meetings to discuss the issue of zoning ordinance changes and there were very few
members of the public in attendance.
There
was no further discussion. The Article
FAILED.
ARTICLE XX The article,
as written on the warrant, was read by Moderator Fred Mullen: To see if the Town will authorize the Board
of Selectmen to appoint seven (7) citizens as members of the Heritage
Commission pursuant to the provisions of RSA 673:4-a and RSA 673:5, and to
appoint not more than three (3) additional citizens as alternate members, or
take any other action relating thereto.
The motion was made by Patty Shearin to pass over the article. There was
no discussion. THE MOTION TO PASS OVER
THE ARTICLE PASSED.
ARTICLE XXI Larry Cook
made the motion to see if the Town will vote to send the following resolution
to the New Hampshire General Court:
Resolved, in its first two years of operation, the Land and Community
Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) has helped communities throughout New
Hampshire preserve their natural, cultural, and historic resources and,
therefore, the State of New Hampshire should maintain funding for LCHIP in its
next biennial budget. There was no
discussion.
Mr.
Cook stated that last year the Town voted to acquire the Nassikas property and
add it to Kimball Pond. Part of the
funding for that came from LCHIP which is a State program. They provide $210,000 which was 20% of the
project. The project would not have
happened without that money. In the
future there will probably be more projects whether they be conservation,
historical, or cultural in this Town as well as other towns in the State. He would like our Town to send the message to
the State Legislature to continue funding this program. There was no discussion. THE ARTICLE PASSED.
ARTICLE XXII The article,
as written on the warrant was read by Moderator Fred Mullen: Should the position of Town Road Agent be
amended and restructured, so as to make the Road Agent reviewable by and
accountable to the Board of Selectmen. (By Petition).
Anne
Carney moved to accept the article as written.
She stated that she presented the petition to the Town was because of
the lack of response of the Road Agent regarding questions of the finished
construction on Robert Rogers Road. She
first contacted the Town Offices and spoke with the Town Administrator on July
of 2002 asking when the shoulders on Robert Rogers would be completed. She was told that Black Brook Road had to be
completed first then they would get back to Robert Rogers. In August she saw a Selectman at the Country
Store and questioned him. He told her
that the machine they would use to fill the shoulders was broken down and they
couldn’t get to it at that time. In
October she questioned it again and was told that the dirt that would be used
to fill the shoulders was wet and needed to dry. The snow came and nothing was done. During this winter there had been a number of
occasions where busses had to be driven on untreated roads. The busses were late picking up the children
which made parents late getting to work.
The children should not be on roads that are not treated. When roads are plowed it’s just one lane and
is not safe. There needs to be some
response/action to the taxpayers requests and concerns. She hopes that the Road Agents is held
accountable for his/her position and performance. Questions and concerns need to be resolved.
Mr.
Hammond responded to the statement. The
Selectman already have the authority under RSA 231:62. “Each Town shall elect by ballot or by major
vote to authorize the Selectmen to appoint one or more highway agents who under
the direction of the Selectmen shall have charge of the construction,
maintenance and repairs of all town highways.”
The Town decides who the Road Agent will be – not the selectmen. Although he is elected, he is still somewhat
answerable to the Selectmen. Some of the
concerns like the shoulders on Robert Rogers have also been concerns for the
Selectmen. The Selectman have been given
several reasons why it didn’t happen and they too are anxious for it to
happen. The petition accomplishes no
more that what’s already covered in the law.
If it is passed, not too much can be expected to change.
Mrs.
Carney asked who one contacts with a complaint.
She has called the Road Agent and the Selectmans Office and her calls
were not returned. She finally got a
return call from a secretary who told her that the reason the roads are
slippery is because people are shoveling out their mailboxes and putting the
snow in the road. She sees plows
following school busses when school busses should be following plows. No one gives her an answer. No one can tell her why half of Robert Rogers
Robert Rogers has a yellow line and the other half doesn’t. Taxpayers paid to have the road repaved and
now the sides are breaking off because the shoulders were not filled. It will all have to be done over in a couple
of years.
Mr.
Hammond responded that he knew about the shoulders but not about the yellow
line and didn’t understand what the problem was if there was no yellow
line. He asked why it would be a
problem.
Mrs.
Carney asked that if someone got sideswiped driving down the road, how would it
be determined who was at fault? With no
line who would know who was on who’s side?
Mr.
Mullen asked if there was a way that the Selectmen could address the issue.
Mr.
Hammond replied that the Selectmen have the Road Agent in and they talk to him
about what they want and what’s going to happen. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it
doesn’t. The people elect him and the
Selectmen work with him. They can’t fire
him. He said that they can work with him
and try to make things happen budget wise and try to get him staffed but if it
doesn’t get done, he doesn’t know what they can do.
Mr.
Mullen asked Mrs. Carney if that answered her questions. She said it did not but she would have to
accept it.
Selectman
Chuck Graybill stated that the Selectmen had been well aware that there have
been major concerns of the citizens of Dunbarton about Robert Rogers Road. They have been voiced numerous times by many
people. As a result of that they have
had discussions and have made it a top priority that they will address the
issue once and for all from the Board’s point of view in the upcoming budget of
the Highway Department to address the side ditch of Robert Rogers Road. The Board realizes there is an inconvenience
to the citizens and apologizes for that.
The Board will take direction to get the job finished.
Mrs.
Carney asked who the Road Agent was accountable to. Mr. Graybill responded that the Road Agent is
accountable to the Board of Selectmen to perform the job that the Selectmen
deem necessary based upon the budget that is accepted by the Town.
Thomas
Gleason stated if the Road Agent isn’t accountable to the Selectmen then he
must be accountable to somebody. Is he
accountable to himself or is it a case where the Town oversees what they direct
him to do or what they would like to see done?
Mr. Gleason was under the impression that the Road Agent got a 4% raise
and asked if that was correct. Mr. Graybill
responded that the Road Agent was not included in the raise categories. His pay is frozen at $18 per hour. But to address the concerns, the Selectmen
are aware of the problems and they will be confronted and resolved.
Stephen
Kennedy commended the presentation because it concerns the fact that we have
raised the expectation of people and that we were not responsive to that
expectation which is really what she [Mrs. Carney] has to say. To remedy that in the future we take a look
at what we’ve committed to and we meet those expectations then our citizens are
properly treated. Things fall through
the cracks. He felt it was admirable
that she had gone through the process to bring this to the publics’ attention.
There
was no further discussion. THE ARTICLE
PASSED.
ARTICLE XXIII The article, as
written on the warrant, was read by Fred Mullen: To see if the Town will vote to adopt the
following resolution:
Whereas,
New Hampshire residents pay the 12th highest cost of insurance in
the country; and
Whereas,
the cost of health insurance premiums for families has increased by 45% over
the past three years; and
Whereas,
100,000 New Hampshire residents have no health coverage and 77% of them have a
full time worker at home; and
Whereas,
due to these rising costs almost half of New Hampshire’s small businesses
cannot afford health coverage for their employees, therefore be it resolved
That
we, the citizens of Dunbarton, New Hampshire, call on our elected officials
from all levels of government, and those seeking office, to work with
consumers, businesses, and health care providers to ensure that:
·
Everyone,
including the self-employed, unemployed, un-and underinsured, and small
business owners has access to an affordable basic health plan similar to what federal employees
receive;
·
Everyone,
including employers, consumers, and the state, local, and federal government
makes a responsible and fair contribution to finance the health care system;
·
Everyone receives
high quality care that is cost efficient and medically effective; and
·
That these
efforts help control the skyrocketing cost of health care.
(By
Petition)
Brad
Asbury spoke regarding the article.
Every year the cost of health care goes up. Costs are rising so fast that it is
impossible to keep up. As a result more
and more people are losing their health care.
Small businesses are finding it impossible to provide their employees
with health care without going under.
Self employed are being forced to go without health coverage because
they can’t afford it. Although the
resolution says that NH has the 12th highest cost of health care in
the country, since it was written, NH has gone to the 2nd highest. Things are going in the wrong direction. We need to act now to reverse this
trend. This is why our community should
adopt this resolution. Over 150 towns
are considering this same resolution.
Bob
Martel noted that this resolution doesn’t ask to sponsor or endorse any
specific health plan. It doesn’t ask for
social medicine. All it asks is for our
legislators to look at doing something to make that cost affordable. Many of us who have insurance may find that
next year or the year after it won’t be so readily available or may assume
greater cost. That was evident Friday at
the School District Meeting.
There
was no further discussion. The article
PASSED.
ARTICLE XXIV The motion was made by Les
Hammond to hear the reports of agents, auditors, committees, and other officers
heretofore chosen and pass any vote relating thereto.