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Warner Budget Committee Public Hearing February 7, 2008 Meeting opened at 6:10 p.m. In Attendance:
Mike Cutting – Chair
John Warner
Marc Violette
David E. Hartman – Selectmen’s Rep.
David Karrick
Harold Whittemore
Pete Newman Others Present: Laura Buono – Town Administrator
Richard A. Cook - Selectman Chris Perkins – WVWD Treasurer
Lynn Perkins – Precinct Commissioner Jim McLaughlin – WVWD Clerk
Peg
McLaughlin – WVWD Administrative Assistant Brian Hotz – Conservation Commission
Martha Mical – Assessing Clerk/Resident Ed Mical – Maintenance Tech. /Emergency
Management/Resident Marianne Howlett – Tax
Collector/Resident
Barbara Annis – Planning Board Chair/Resident Rebecca Courser – Resident
Richard
Senor – Resident Jeanne Hand – Resident
Jim Hand – Resident Clyde Carson - Resident 1. Warner Village Water District Public Hearing 2008 Proposed Budget Mr. Cutting opened the Public Hearing for
questions: Jeanne Hand asked if the Precinct tax is
included in the total tax structure.
Mr. Cutting explained the Precinct tax is for the Warner Village
Water District only, not the Town.
Ms. Hand confirmed that the exit 9 businesses are included within
the precinct and pays the two taxes.
Mr. Violette explained there is only one tax on the property, and
fees for water and sewer. Last
year the entire Town paid for the second tank for a one year period.
Ms. Hand now understands that this is income for the Precinct
only, not the Town. Mr. Cutting called for anymore question
regarding the $397,839 Warner Village Water District budget. Marc Violette asked Peg McLaughlin about a
highlighted number. Ms.
McLaughlin explained the pump‘s at the McDonalds pump station needed
to be rebuilt costing $6,700. Mr.
Perkins explained that the pumps have already been rebuilt and paid with
2008 funds; the budget is reflecting the cost.
Jim McLaughlin explained that the overall
budget has been reduced since the last meeting in terms of truck
replacement. Mr. Cutting closed the Public Hearing at
6:17 p.m. Marc Violette made the motion to accept
the Warner Village Water District budget for 2008 in the amount of
$397,839. Motion was
seconded. Mr. Violette
amended the motion to recommend
the Warner Village Water District budget for 2008 in the amount of
$397,839. Motion was
seconded. All were in
favor. The motion passed. A petition was received by the Precinct: To see if the District will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of no more than $700.00 for the purchase of one
professional grade, real time digital audio recording system (CD burning
capabilities), several wireless microphones (3 or 4), and an appropriate
multi-microphone mixer to properly duplicate and index/archive said
CD’s for posterity. CDs
require little space, do not degrade, and can be stored indefinitely.
The practice will allow reference and establish an official,
traceable, permanent historical record of those meetings of boards
and/or committees of the Warner Village Water District that are required
by law or policy to be recorded. The
purpose of this equipment is too digitally and indelibly record public
meetings. At least one microphone shall be available for the public.
This will capture an immediate, permanent audio record, and
require it to be posted on the town website as a downloadable audio file
within 48 hours of recording. It
will facilitate and authenticate meeting minute transcriptions as well. Mr. Cutting asked if there is anyone
available to speak about the petition.
No response. Mr. Cutting opened the meeting to the
public for questions regarding the petition: Mr. Perkins understands that the first
signature on the petition should be available to speak.
Mr. Cutting said that is usually the case. Mr. Perkins explained the District maintains hard-copies of
minutes, since he has been Commissioner no one has inquired about
minutes. The Precinct has
had informal discussions about tape recording the meetings, meetings
typically run for two hours and the Precinct does not have a transcriber
for creating the minutes. The
Commissioner’s are not in favor of recording the minutes; currently
the Clerk attends the meetings and creates the minutes from his notes.
In over 3 years no one has come forward and asked to read the
minutes, usually it’s a problem with a water bill or a sewer issue.
Mr. Perkins is not in favor of the petition. Martha Mical verified with the Town
Administrator that CD’s are not considered permanent records by the
State of NH. The minutes
(summary) are required whether they are stored on CD or not.
Laura Buono explained that microfiche is recognized as record
preservation. The RSA’s
do not require meetings to be recorded or retention of the recording;
it’s a preference of the Town or Precinct.
The part of the petition that is advisory is what you can do with
the recordings and you can only purchase what is listed in the petition
article. In speaking with
the Webmaster it would be difficult to put the recordings on the
web-site based on the size of the files; the Town also received the same
petition article. At the very least on the Town side your looking at
Planning, Zoning, Budget Committee and Selectmen’s meetings, these are
the Board’s that currently tape their meetings. The TDS website package is currently at no cost to the Town,
for the next package the cost would be $19 per month. There is technology available to provide the public with a
copy of a CD. Another issue
is for those who do not have DSL; it would be a slow process to download
the audio. Is this
something a lot of residents will download and listen when they can come
to the meeting? The Board
of Selectmen has recently tasked the Town Administrator in creating a
policy for recording meetings. There
are other digital recording devices that are cheaper and can give the
same results. Mr. Carson asked the Town Administrator if
the Town is going purchase a recording system could it be made available
to the Precinct. The Town
Administrator said yes, if the Town voted to approve an article to
purchase what is indicated in the petition there is no reason to have
two of them in one building. Mr. Cutting added that he Precinct holds
their meetings at the Treatment Plant and the Town holds their meetings
at the Town Hall. The
equipment may be cumbersome to move around. Mr. Violette does not see the need for
this state of the art system. Mr. Karrick asked if the equipment will be
more difficult to use than the tape recorder, if so, who is going to
operate it. Jim McLaughlin is the Clerk for the Warner
Village Water District and in his twenty year tenure no one has asked
for a copy of the minutes. Ms. Buono added when you retain recordings
of meetings and they are archived, is the Town considering them official
record? If so, then you
have two official records; the meeting minutes which are not verbatim
and are not required to be verbatim and the recordings.
Ms. Buono contacted other municipalities and has not found
another town that uses audio unless it’s a taped meeting for cable TV.
There is a lot to consider; currently the public has every chance
to record a meeting. The Selectmen record their meetings and retain them
for six months, and Planning & Zoning retain them indefinitely.
Ms. Hand said as a new person in Town she
wanted to remind everyone that taxation without presentation is the rule
of the law and when there is talk about legal action, unless we present
to the taxpayers exactly what happens to take their money she feels that
it is an absolute must in today’s litigation society to have
everything on record permanently. Ms.
Buono explained meeting minutes are the permanent record.
Mr. Cutting explained to Ms. Hand that the Budget Committee
meetings are recorded, then the Selectmen’s secretary transcribes (not
verbatim) from the tape. The
hard copy is retained forever, and then the tapes are erased after six
months. Selectman Cook asked if the petitioned
equipment requires additional equipment for the person transcribing the
minutes. Mr. Cutting closed the public portion at
6:34 p.m. Selectman Hartman made the motion to not recommend the appropriation of up to $700 for the audio
recording system. Motion
was seconded. All were in
favor. Mr. Warner feels the
petition is a good idea because there is still the ability to transcribe
the minutes and the ability for long term storage, but does not feel
it’s the appropriate time to do it.
All were in favor of the motion.
The motion passed. Warner Village Water District - Warrant Article #6 Peg McLaughlin said the Budget Committee
approved the whole budget which includes $10K for the installation of
wells on North Village Road; it’s presented in the warrant as two
separate articles, funding for the capital reserve is not included in
the budget. Mr. Cutting
said for clarity the Budget Committee will discuss it as a separate
article and vote on it. Mr. Cutting opened for questions at 6:38
p.m. regarding Warrant Article #6: To see if the District will vote to
establish a Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for
the purpose of installation of wells on the properties of the four
existing customers on North Village Road, and to raise and appropriate
the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to be placed in this fund.
Mr. Perkins explained a few years ago the
Precinct attempted to disconnect water services on North Village Road.
The Public Utilities Commission said that the Precinct could not
do that. The Precinct
looked at different scenarios and decided upon installing 4 separate
wells. However, because of
the size of the budget the Commissioners decided not to fund the entire
project this year and will be presenting $10K to be placed in the
Capital Fund. The Precinct
will look at funding the entire project in 2009. The estimated cost is
$30,000 for four wells. Martha Mical asked if the installation of
the wells ends the Precincts commitment on North Village Road. Mr. Perkins is hoping so; the well proposal needs to go back
to the Public Utilities Commission.
Mr. Cutting confirmed that the PUC has not approved providing
wells in replacement of the existing water supply.
Mr. Perkins said the PUC said the water lines could not be cut,
this is an alternate solution. The
Precinct has not yet contacted legal council.
Mr. Cutting asked Mr. Perkins if there will be clarification from
PUC before spending from the reserve.
Mr. Perkins said yes. If
for some reason the PUC does not approve the well installation the money
in reserve would be placed on the 2009 ballot to be discontinued.
Selectman Hartman recommended adding
“agents to expend” to article #6 in case the money needs to be drawn
upon this year. Mr. Perkins
explained the four wells will be drilled at the same time.
Warrant Article #6 will now read as:
To see if the District will vote to establish a Capital Reserve
Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for the purpose of installation of
wells on the properties of the four existing customers on North Village
Road, and to raise and appropriate the sum of ten thousand dollars
($10,000) to be placed in this fund and to appoint the Commissioners as
agents to expend. Mr. Cutting closed the Public Hearing at
6:49 p.m. Marc Violette made the motion
to recommend Warrant Article #6 as presented and amended.
Motion was seconded. All
were in favor. The motion passed. 2. Town of Warner Public Hearing 2008 Proposed Budget Mr. Cutting opened the Public Hearing at
6:51 p.m. for questions on the operating budget which amounts to
$2,871,082. Hearing no
questions Mr. Cutting closed the Public Hearing at 6:54 p.m. Marc Violette made a motion
to recommend $2,871,082 for the 2008 Operating Budget.
Motion was seconded. All
were in favor. The motion passed. Mr. Cutting opened the Public Hearing at
6:56 p.m. for the 2008 Warrant Articles. Ms. Hand asked about Article 15, $20K for
Exit 9 improvements. Ms.
Hand believes the bids for exit 9 have already been sent out, it was
clarified that bids have not gone out.
Mr. Cutting explained that two years ago $10K was placed in a
capital reserve fund to begin the process of what the costs may be at
exit 9 (traffic light, etc.). Ms.
Buono explained two years ago an Exit 9 traffic light fund was
established, the Planning Board wanted to make sure the fund was not
specific to a traffic light. This
year, Article 15 is a new reserve fund, next year the old fund will be
discontinued, $10K is being raised by taxation the other $10K will come
from the general fund. Ms.
Hand asked when the money will be moved to start what ever is proposed.
Mr. Cutting explained when a decision is made.
Barbara Annis, Planning Board Chair, explained the Planning Board
has met with the Department of Transportation; it is now the up to the
Town of Warner to come forward with recommendations to DOT. Eight RFP’s have been sent to various engineering firms to
see if the firms are qualified to complete a study.
Ms. Hand asked who vote’s to expend the money. Mr. Cutting explained the Board of Selectmen is the spending
agents. Mr. Hand asked if
the RFP’s have return dates. Ms.
Annis said they are due back by the end of February.
Selectman Cook asked if $20K will be enough to complete a study.
Ms. Annis explained that the RFP’s will include a cost for a
study. Martha Mical requested that the Public
Hearing remain open in order for the public to speak about a Warrant
Article’s. Article 9 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the non-transferable
sum of $33,330.00 (Thirty Three Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty
Dollars) for the purpose of purchasing a police cruiser for the Police
Department? Recommended by
the Board of Selectmen. Selectman
Hartman made the motion to
recommend Article 9. Motion
was seconded. No questions
from the public. All were
in favor. The motion
passed. Article 10 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00
(Fifty Thousand Dollars) to be added to the Conservation Fund in
accordance with RSA 36-A:5, III as an additional source of revenue for
the purpose of conserving open land in Warner? Recommended
by the Board of Selectmen. Selectman
Hartman made the motion to
recommend Article 10. Motion
was seconded. Ms. Hand
asked if the Town can afford this expenditure because the school budget
is unknown at this time and the county tax is expected to increase by
22%. Mr. Cutting explained
the Conservation Fund is funded by the change of use tax as well as
through warrant articles. Ms.
Hand asked if the Town could wait to see if it could afford this
funding. The answer was no,
the article will be voted upon at Town Meeting which would be the
opportunity for Ms. Hand to stand and speak about her concerns.
The school budget will be known before Town Meeting.
Mr. Senor commented that the amount could be amended on Town
Meeting floor. Brian Hotz
from the Conservation Commission explained in order to continue land
conservation efforts the Commission needs funds beyond the change of use
tax. Ms. Hand said until
the 22% increase from the County is known, that’s when the Town can
say what expenditures can be afforded other than absolute necessities.
Martha Mical explained the 22% increase is on the current rate,
$2.60 and $50K amounts to .25¢ per thousand.
Marianne Howlett asked what the current amount is in the
Conservation Fund. Mr. Hotz believes the amount to be about $120K with $75K
committed. The funding will
assist in seeking matching grants.
Selectman Cook asked Mr. Hotz if he knows how much money is spent
on land conservation and how much is leveraged.
Mr. Hotz explained in review of the Conservation Commission’s
projects approximately $1.8 million worth of land conservation costing
the Town approximately $450K, (approximately 2,400 acres).
Mr. Karrick asked Mr. Hotz if the Commission has ever attempted
to raise funds privately. Mr.
Hotz explained that many of the projects are leveraged through donations
and grant programs. The Commission has not raised funds privately but it is
possible to do so. Mr.
Cutting asked how long the Conservation Commission will seek $50K.
Rebecca Courser has seen other Towns trying to raise $1- $5
million for land conservation because there are towns with very little
open space available. Ms.
Courser believes long term is a better investment, its much better to
have open space than large developments.
Mr. Hotz explained when the Management Resource Inventory that
the Commission is creating is completed, that will lead to the funding
request answer. All in favor of the motion.
The motion passed. Article 11 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $200,000.00
(Two Hundred Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already established
Highway Road Construction Capital Reserve Fund?
Selectman Hartman made the motion
to recommend Article 11. Motion
was seconded. Ed Mical
mentioned that this article ties into article 20.
All were in favor. The
motion passed. Article 12 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $110,000.00
(One Hundred and Ten Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already
established Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund? Recommended
by the Board of Selectmen. Motion
was made to recommend Article 12.
Motion was seconded. Part
of this fund will be used to replace the F350 with a F550.
Selectman Cook explained the expenses have been averaged in order
to keep the funding level. All were in favor of the motion.
The motion passed. Article 13 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already
established Property Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Motion was made to
recommend Article 13. Motion
was seconded. Mr. Hand
asked what the Property Revaluation is.
Mr. Cutting explained this is mandated by the State every 5
years, reevaluating the property values.
The next revaluation is scheduled for 2010; contract to be signed
in 2009. All were in favor of the motion. The motion passed. Article 14 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00
(Five Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already established
Expendable Trust Fund for the Cemeteries per RSA 31:19-a for headstone
restoration? Recommended by the Selectmen.
Motion was made to
recommend Article 14. Motion
was seconded. No
discussion. All were in
favor. The motion passed. Article 15 Shall the Town establish a capital reserve fund for the
purpose of Exit 9 Improvements and to raise and appropriate the amount
of $20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Dollars) for that purpose and to appoint
the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend?
Of that sum, $10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Dollars) will be withdrawn
from the General Fund Balance with $10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Dollars) to
be raised by taxation. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. A
motion was made to recommend Article 15.
Motion was seconded. No
discussion. All were in
favor. The motion passed. Article 16 Shall the Town establish a capital reserve fund for the
purpose of Town Hall Building Improvements and to raise and appropriate
the sum of $25,000.00 for that purpose and to appoint the Board of
Selectmen as agents to expend? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
Motion was made to
recommend Article 16. Motion
was seconded. Ms. Buono
explained there is a dire need to find space for record keeping, there
are ideas for the space that is available. One
preliminary plan is to move the Town Clerk’s office down to the
Selectmen’s office installing climate control for record keeping.
There are many records at this time that are not protected. There
is a mirra back up system for the computers, and there will also be an
off site back-up system. This
fund is a start; there is also grant money available for record
retention. Martha Mical
added that the property assessments are stored with the company that
completes the revaluations. Selectman
Cook added that $25K is looked upon being funded for a period of time in
order to maintain level funding. Eventually
additional office space will be needed.
All were in favor. The
motion passed. Article 17 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the non-transferable
sum of $27,000.00 (Twenty Seven Thousand Dollars) for the purpose of
repairing the roof on the Old Graded School? Recommended by the Board of
Selectmen. Motion
was made to recommend Article 17.
Motion was seconded. Martha
Mical asked why the article is non-transferable.
Ms. Buono explained this money is solely for repairing the roof
at the Old Graded School. Mr.
Cutting asked about any other needed major repairs.
Martha Mical said the flat roof is leaking.
Ed Mical said money was spent to do the back left of the roof.
It was suggested to look into the warranty.
All were in favor. The
motion passed. Article 18 Shall the Town establish a capital reserve fund for the
purpose of Transfer Station Acquisition and Improvements and to raise
and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Dollars) for that
purpose and to appoint the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
Motion was made to
recommend Article 18. Motion
was seconded. Jim
McLaughlin asked if the Town is looking to purchase the land. Mr.
Cutting explained the lease expires in December 2008; the State has
submitted their proposal, purchase for $106K, and lease for $10.6K per
year or vacate. The Town
feels that purchasing is more viable.
The Town did respond to the State’s sale proposal because the
property does not have road frontage.
Ms. Hand asked if there is money generated from the
Transfer Station. Mr.
Cutting explained the revenue is generated from fees and selling
recyclables. Ms. Hand asked
why the cardboard is sold to China.
Mr. Cutting explained the product is sold to the best market.
Ms. Hand recommends selling to any other market but China; she
asked who makes that decision. Mr.
Cutting explained that the Department Head makes that decision.
Martha Mical clarified that it is the broker that sells to China,
not the Town of Warner. Ms. Annis asked if the Town approached the State about a
lease/purchase program. The
Selectmen are still waiting to hear back from the State.
Ms. Annis asked if the article could be reduced if the Town hears
from the State before Town Meeting.
Selectman Cook said no because the Town is in the process of
completing a study in order to make changes at the Transfer Station that
are necessary to deal with the growth.
All were in favor of the motion.
The motion passed. Article 19 Shall the Town establish a capital reserve fund for the
purpose of Bridge Replacement & Maintenance and to raise and
appropriate the sum of $25,000.00 (Twenty Five Thousand Dollars) for
that purpose and to appoint the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
A motion was made to
recommend Article 19. Motion
was seconded. It was asked
if there is a priority list for bridges.
The Director of Public Works has recommended this reserve for a
number of years, such as for when Connors Mill Bridge washed out.
All were in favor of the motion.
The motion passed. Article 20 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $667,000.00
(Six Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Dollars) for the purpose of replacing
the bridge on Connors Mill Road. Of
that sum, up to $563,600.00 to be paid by a combination of State of New
Hampshire Bridge Aid and FEMA funds with the remainder to be withdrawn
from the Road Construction Capital Reserve Fund? Recommended by the
Board of Selectmen. A motion
was made to recommend Article 20. Motion
was seconded. All were in
favor. The motion passed. Article 21 Shall the Town vote to accept the provisions of RSA 79-D
giving the Board of Selectmen authority to grant Discretionary
Preservation Easements based on the specified areas spelled out under
such chapter with the authority to remain in effect until rescinded?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
At the Board of Selectmen’s discretion, it was decided to let
the voters decide to accept or not accept this provision.
Martha Mical asked if this provision includes not only barns but
homes too. Selectman
Hartman explained that the provision is for agricultural purposes only.
Ms. Annis asked if the discretionary easement in perpetuity?
Selectman Hartman explained the easement is for ten years with a
renewable clause. Ms. Buono
explained the Board of Selectmen has granted one easement this past
year. The owner is
receiving an approximate $100 tax break for this easement.
The deduction is for the value of the improvement.
Article 22 Shall the Town vote to accept the provisions of RSA 79-E
giving the Board of Selectmen authority to grant Community
Revitalization Tax Relief based on the specified areas spelled out in
RSA 79-E:4 with such authority to remain in effect until rescinded?
Jim McLaughlin explained the provisions are for within the
village area of Town that entails improvements to a structure that
results in public benefit. The Selectmen would be able to grant up to a
5 year period during the assessed value would be frozen. Article 23 Resolved: We the citizens of Warner, NH believe in a New
Hampshire that is just and fair. The
property tax has become unjust and unfair.
State leaders who take a pledge for no new taxes perpetuate
higher and higher property taxes. We
call on our State Representatives, our State Senator and our Governor to
reject the “Pledge”, have an open discussion covering all options,
and adopt a revenue system that lowers property taxes. Article 24 Shall we adopt the provisions of RSA 72:66 for a property
tax exemption on real property equipped with a wind powered energy
system which exemption shall be in the amount of 100% of the cost of the
wind powered energy system up to $35,000?
(By Petition) Article 25 Shall we adopt the provisions of RSA 72:62 for a property
tax exemption on real property equipped with solar energy system which
exemption shall be in the amount of 100% of the cost of the wind powered
energy system up to $35,000? (By
Petition) Article 26 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the
sum of no more than $700.00 for the purchase of one professional grade,
real time digital audio recording system (CD burning capabilities),
several wireless microphones (3 or 4), and an appropriate
multi-microphone mixer to properly duplicate and index/archive said
CD’s for posterity. CDs
require little space, do not degrade, and can be stored indefinitely.
The practice will allow reference and establish an official,
traceable, permanent historical record of those meetings of boards
and/or committees of the Town of Warner that are required by law or
policy to be recorded. The
purpose of this equipment is to digitally and indelibly record public
meetings. At least one
microphone shall be available for the public.
This will capture an immediate, permanent audio record, and
require it to be posted on the town website as a downloadable audio file
within 48 hours of recording. It
will facilitate and authenticate meeting minutes transcription as well.
(By Petition) A motion was
made to not recommend Article 26.
Motion was seconded. Ms.
Buono spoke with the webmaster who explained that the required space is
beyond the sites capabilities. There
would be an added cost to the Town to upgrade the website to accommodate
the recordings. Ms. Buono
also explained that the Town Meeting cannot dictate policy in reference
to posting the audio file within 48 hours.
All were in favor of the motion.
The motion passed. Mr. Cutting closed the Public Hearing at 8:20 p.m. The Committee discussed the final vote, because the
Committee voted to recommend the operating budget it was determined that
a final vote on the bottom line was not needed as well as for the
revenue. Ms. Buono
explained that the Department of Revenue Administration recommends not
including the warrant articles in the bottom line. February 11, 2008 meeting is canceled. Motion to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen Recorder of the minutes
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