2006 TOWN MEETING MINUTES
TOWN OF BARTLETT, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Due to
Town Moderator Robert Clark being on the ballot in a contested race
for a School Board term, appointed School Moderator Geraldine Tilton
presided over the voting, swore in the election officials and read
the following to open the meeting at 8:00AM:
To the inhabitants of the Town of Bartlett, New
Hampshire in the County of Carroll in said State, qualified to vote
in the Town affairs: You are hereby notified to meet in the Town
Hall in said Bartlett on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at eight o’clock in
the forenoon to act upon the following subjects hereinafter set
forth. The voting on Article 1 will be by official ballot at the
Town Hall and the polls shall open for balloting at eight o’clock in
the forenoon and shall not close before seven o clock in the
evening. The following articles (Articles 3 - 24) in the warrant
will be acted upon on Thursday, March 16, 2006 at six thirty o’clock
in the evening at the Josiah Bartlett Elementary School in Bartlett
Village. We hereby certify that we posted a like copy of said Town
Warrant and Budget on February 27, 2006 at the Post Offices in Glen
and Bartlett, at the Town Hall in Intervale (Bartlett) and the
Josiah Bartlett Elementary School (the places of meeting), all being
public places within the said Town of Bartlett, New Hampshire. A
true copy of warrant attest: Board of Selectmen: Gene G. Chandler,
Douglas A. Garland, and Jon Tanguay
ARTICLE
1. To choose all necessary Town Officers
for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 2. Are you in favor of
adoption of AMENDMENT No. 1 as proposed by the Planning Board for
the Town of Bartlett Zoning Ordinance as follows: To change the
title of Article V “Height Limitations” to read “Size
Limitations” and to add Paragraph “B. Maximum Building Footprint:
The maximum footprint of any individual building at finished ground
level shall not exceed 25,000 square feet. The calculation of the
footprint shall include all enclosed areas and all attached roofed
structures associated with the building, including but not limited
to decks, porches, patios, storage sheds, vehicular parking areas,
and maintenance areas. Covered exterior walkways intended to
provide pedestrian access between separate buildings shall not be
included.” YES [ ] or NO [ I (Planning Board favors)
The polls
were then opened at 8:00AM on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 for voting on
Articles 1 and 2. Voting occurred until 7:00PM when the polls were
closed and ballots were counted. There were 482 ballots cast and the
results were announced as follows (* denotes winners):
ARTICLE
1. To choose all necessary Town Officers
for the ensuing year.
TOWN BALLOT
Selectman (3 yrs) -
Ruth Ainsworth (withdrew) = 19
Lise Brennick = 29
Douglas Garland = 338*
Ward “Tom” McAllister = 92
Library Trustee (Vote for Two - 3 yrs) - Marcia
Burchstead 361*
Susette Villaume = 259*
Trustee of Trust Funds (3 yrs) - Deni Dufault = 350*
Auditor (1 yr) - various write-ins of 5 votes or less
Supervisor of the Checklist (6 yrs) - Elaine Ryan =
420*
Planning Board (Vote for Two - 3 yrs) - Brenda
Monahan = 400*
Patsy Rogerson = 288*
Treasurer (1 yr) - Jean Mallett = 418* (This was an
accidental inclusion on the ballot as Mallett won a 3 yr. term last year so her term ends in 2008)
Art. 2 - Zoning Amendment - Maximum Footprint Size -
Yes = 322 /
No 101 (Passed)
SCHOOL
BALLOT
School Board Member (Vote for Two - 3 yrs) - Robert
Clark = 356*
Michael Murphy 275*
Michael Wagner = 169
Moderator (1 yr) - Geraldine Tilton = 424*
Treasurer (1 yr) - Sheila Glines = 437*
Clerk (1 yr) - various write-ins with 4 votes or less
There were
write-ins for various positions and a copy of those are available at
the Town Clerk’s Office. Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the
meeting until Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 6:30PM at the Josiah
Bartlett Elementary School. Vote was taken - adjourned at 7:01 PM to
Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 6:30PM at the Josiah Bartlett Elementary
School.
Moderator
Clark opened the deliberative portion of Town Meeting held on
Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 6:30PM at the Josiah Bartlett Elementary
School. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Girl Scouts Keara
Wagner, Lara Murnik, Suzie Dolan, and Courtney Ainsworth. Clark
outlined where the various documents and information was available
as well as the location of the automatic defibrillator, where the
emergency exits were and read the results of Article 1 and 2 as
outlined above. Clark then proceeded with the rest of the warrant
as follows:
ARTICLE
3. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $300,000.00 for the purchase of a new
fire truck, and to authorize the issuance of not more than
$300,000.00 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of
the Municipal Finance Act (NH RSA 33) and to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to
determine the rate of interest thereon. Selectmen favor. (2/3 ballot
vote required) Clark announced that this would be a secret ballot
article and that voters needed to check in with the Supervisors of
the Checklist at the back of the room in order to be able to vote on
this article. Motion was made and seconded to accept the article as
read. Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Gene Chandler spoke to the
article explaining the type of truck, the fact that two committees
worked toward coming up with this proposal, a building committee and
a truck committee, and the need to expand the Bartlett Village
Station in order to house the new truck (see Art. 10). Garry Roy
expressed concern that we were voting on the truck before we knew
whether we were going to expand the building and requested to move
Article 10 ahead of this article. Chandler explained that because
this was a bond article, that State law requires that it be acted on
first on the warrant. Chandler went on to explain that the cost of a
custom built truck to fit the existing station would cost
approximately $30,000 more which is half the cost of the proposed
renovation and would apply to any future trucks that would be
purchased as well, so the investment in the station renovation would
be made up. Roy then asked what the prices were that were received
on the truck. Fire Chief Pat Roberts stated they received estimates
of between $290,000 to $350,000 and felt comfortable they could get
what they wanted for the $300,000 listed in the article. Roy then
made a motion to amend the amount of the article to $290,000. There
was no second to the motion so Moderator Clark stated the proposed
amendment failed due to lack of a second. Some discussion continued
on details of the truck which were answered by Fire Chief Roberts
and Selectman Chandler. Moderator Clark then opened the polls at
6:50PM for voting, instructed voters on the proper procedure to
follow, and stated the polls would remain open for at least one
hour.
ARTICLE
4. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $1,578,250.00 to defray Town charges for
the ensuing year and make appropriations of the same. Selectmen
favor. Motion was made and seconded to accept the article as read.
Selectman Chandler spoke to the article alerting voters to make
corrections to the Revenues page 8 in the “Actual” column total
which should be $1,145,600 (instead of $1,116,200 as shown) and this
changes the figure in the second paragraph of the Selectmen’s
Report on page 14 of the amount that revenues exceeded estimates to
$85,080 (instead of $55,680 as shown). Chandler then proceeded to
review the budget by category taking questions along the way. No
discussion. Vote was taken = PASSED
($1,578,250).
ARTICLE
5. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate $110,000.00 for town road improvements. Selectmen
favor. Motion was made and seconded to accept the article as read.
Chandler spoke to the article, directing voters to review the
Selectmen’s Report in their Town Report, outlining the revenue that
was received last year for a snow emergency grant and how the Town
works with local precincts to improve roads during water line
installation projects. No discussion. Vote was taken =
PASSED ($110,000).
ARTICLE
6. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $105,000.00 for the purchase of a four
wheel drive highway truck, plow, plow frame, wing and installation
of said equipment for use by the highway department. Selectmen
favor. Motion was made and seconded to accept the article as read.
Chandler spoke to the article, clarifying that there will be no plow
as part of this package as we have one to go on it already but the
price will stay the same, however, there will be a trade in or sale
of the 1998 International Truck which should net approximately
$20,000. Julia King asked for clarification on the cost of the truck
and trade in which Chandler clarified. Some clarification was asked
for about the size and weight of the truck (it is a big one) and
whether it included a sander (no because we have one already from
the other truck). No further discussion. Vote was taken =
PASSED ($105,000).
ARTICLE
7. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $70,000.00 for the purchase of a four
wheel drive backhoe/loader for the highway department. Selectmen
favor. Motion was made and seconded to accept the article as read.
Chandler spoke to the article explaining the increased use by the
highway dept. in renting this type of machine, having to rent by the
month which is not always practical and that for what we are paying
in rental fees we could purchase one. Garry Roy asked for an
estimate of what we have paid for rental in the last four years.
Chandler responded with a rough estimate. Roy stated he would
rather own this equipment then instead of renting it if it would
last for at least the next 7 years. No further discussion. Vote was
taken = PASSED ($70,000).
ARTICLE
8. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $23,000.00 for equipment at the Transfer
Station, with $19,000.00 as Bartlett’s
50% share
(to be matched by the Town of Jackson) for a new skid steer,
$4,000.00 as Bartlett’s 50% share of the purchase and installation
of a baler (to be matched by the Town of Jackson). Selectmen favor.
Motion was made and seconded to accept the article as read. Chandler
spoke to the article explaining that these are shared purchases with
the Town of Jackson with the cost split 50/50 and that revenues from
recycling are good and can be seen on pg. 70 of the Town Report. Garry Roy asked when we were going to get a better or a mandatory
recycling program. Chandler stated recycling for certain materials
has been mandatory for a long time and that although certainly not
100%, that compliance is pretty good. Jon Edgerly, Transfer Station
Supervisor, requested permission to speak as he was not a Bartlett
resident. Moderator Clark asked the body’s permission which was
given. Edgerly responded to questions on recycling revenues. A voter
asked what a skid steer was and Selectman Jon Tanguay explained it.
No further discussion. Vote was taken =
PASSED ($23,000).
ARTICLE
9. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $18,000.00 to rebuild the town’s
compactor at the Transfer Station. Selectmen favor. Motion was made
and seconded to accept the article as read. Chandler spoke to the
article explaining that this was probably the original compactor the
town got when it opened the transfer station in 1990 and that it was
a used one then and the repairs are badly needed. No discussion.
Vote was taken = PASSED($18,000).
ARTICLE
10. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $60,000.00 for renovations to the
Bartlett Village Fire Station. Selectmen favor. Motion was made and
seconded to accept the article as read. Garry Roy asked if we still
needed to do the renovation if we don’t buy the fire truck in Art.
3. Fire Chief Pat Roberts responded that yes we do to a certain
extent. Roy asked how many firefighters were in the Village to work
the truck. FC Roberts stated there were 8 right now. Roy asked what
the response time difference was from the Glen Station. Selectman
Doug Garland stated that he had a fire at his cabins a few years ago
and the time difference was about 10-15 minutes for the truck to
come from Glen but to remember that we will be having more
development in the village area. Roy asked if it would meet all
safety codes and will this money cover it. Garland stated he would
be asking for an amendment to put it to $70,000 but thought that
would cover it however, it is an old building and we are just trying
to be sure we have enough but that renovations don’t have to follow
as many codes as new construction. We have had an engineer look at
it as well as local builders and believe we can do it for the
$70,000. Chandler stated that he has checked with insurance
companies with regard to the ISO rating and distance to the
firehouse is something that will effect the insurance rates in the
Village with possible increases of 30-40% if we don’t have the
village station. Garland stated that this was the most economical
way to do it considering all the alternatives. Paul Harlow stated
that some insurance companies won’t even insure properties if not
within 5 miles of a firehouse. Motion was made and seconded to
amend the amount to $70,000. No discussion. Vote was taken =
AMENDMENT TO $70,000 PASSED. No further discussion on the
article as amended. Vote was taken on Article 10 as amended =
PASSED AS AMENDED ($70,000).
ARTICLE
11. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 for the purchase of 2,000 feet
of 4” fire hose, 600 feet of 2½” fire hose, and 500 feet of 1¾” fire
hose for the Fire Department. Selectmen favor. Motion was made and
seconded to accept the article as read. Chandler spoke to the
article explaining that this was all replacement hose to replace
old hose and not additional hose. No discussion. Vote was taken =
PASSED ($15,000).
ARTICLE
12. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $20,000 for the purchase and installation
of new street signs. Selectmen favor. Motion was made and seconded
to accept the article as read. Chandler spoke to the article
explaining the need is due to the institution of the E9 11 system.
John Murphy (Dundee Rd) asked whether the signs would be installed
so they can’t be stolen. Chandler stated that they would be the
theft proof hardware but there is no guarantee they won’t be stolen
somehow. No further discussion. Vote was taken =
PASSED ($20,000).
ARTICLE
13. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $6,000.00 for an Assistant to the
Recreation Director for the Bartlett Recreation Department. Garland/Tanguay
favor/Chandler opposes. Motion was made and seconded to accept the
article as read. No one spoke to the article. No discussion. Vote
was taken = after a voice vote, standing count, and second standing
count — FAILED (Yes= 49/No= 57).
ARTICLE
14. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate $25,000.00 to be added to the Capital Reserve Fund
established in 2005 under the provisions of NH RSA 35:1 for the
purpose of acquisition of land and construction of a new Bartlett
Public Library. Agreeable to a petition signed by Julia King and
others. Chandler opposes/Tanguay favors $10,000/Garland abstains.
Motion was made and seconded to accept the article as read. Library
Trustee Julia King spoke to the article. Garry Roy stated he has
been away for a few years and wondered whether the town had put
money away before and was there a desperate need for a library. King
explained there was an article last year for $10,000, the current
crowded situation, lack of shelves, lack of parking, and no meeting
room. Motion was made and seconded to amend the article to $10,000.
Moderator
Clark took a moment to ask if there were any voters who still wished
to vote on Article 3. Seeing none - POLLS WERE CLOSED AT 8:02 PM
FOR VOTING
ON ARTICLE 3. Moderator Clark asked the Supervisors of the Checklist
to count the ballots.
Discussion
then continued on the amendment to $10,000.
Gail Paine
spoke in support of the original amount of $25,000 stating that the
library trustees know more about this than we do and we should
support their request. Frank Graham spoke in support of the need of
the library. Garry Roy clarified that he was out of town for four
years but has lived across the street from the library for 17 yrs.
and is not sure there is that much of a need at this time and that
$10,000 was enough for now. Brian Mustapha asked where does the
money go, is it invested. Holly Huhn spoke in support of the
$10,000. John Murphy (Dundee Rd.) claims he has seen people throwing
away books at the transfer station saying that the people told him
the library didn’t want them. Librarian Jean Garland spoke in favor
of the $25,000 as we need to move forward now. No further
discussion. Vote was taken on the amendment to $10,000 = FAILED.
Brian Mustapha again asked what happens to the funds when they want
them and where are they. Chandler explained that they are given to
the Trustees of the Trust Funds to invest and that before any of the
funds can be used the town must vote to do so at Town Meeting to
remove money from the Library Capital Reserve Fund. No further
discussion. Vote was taken = PASSED
($25,000).
Motion was
made and seconded to combine Articles 15 through 22 as a block for
voting purposes. Vote was taken = PASSED TO TAKE ARTICLES
15-22 AS A BLOCK. Moderator Clark asked for any discussion on
Articles 15-22. Seeing none - he called for a vote on the Articles.
Vote was taken = PASSED ARTICLES 15-22 AS SHOWN.
ARTICLE
15. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $500.00 and grant to the Eastern Slope
Airport authority for its use in operating the Eastern Slope
Regional Airport in 2006. Selectmen favor.
(PASSED $500)
ARTICLE
16. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of
$1,348.00
to help defray the costs of Service Delivery of the Mt. Washington Valley
Chapter of the American Red Cross. Agreeable to a petition signed by
Dennis
Egan and others. Chandler opposes - not a proper use of town funds
for national
organizations/Garland and Tanguay favor. (PASSED $1,348)
ARTICLE
17. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $3,582.00 to assist The Mental Health
Center. Agreeable to a petition signed by Phil Lawson and others.
Selectmen favor. (PASSED $3,582)
ARTICLE
18. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $4,769.00 to support Bartlett home
delivered meals (Meals on Wheels), congregate meals,
transportation, and program services provided by the Gibson Center
for Senior Services, Inc. Agreeable to a petition signed by Ernest
Menard and others. Selectmen favor. (PASSED $4,769)
ARTICLE
19. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $7,375.00 for the support of the White
Mt. Community Health Center to help meet the healthcare needs of the
uninsured and underinsured residents of Bartlett. Agreeable to
petition signed by Nancy Clark and others. Selectmen favor.
(PASSED $7,375)
ARTICLE
20. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $4,000.00 for support of the Tn-County
Community Action Program for the purpose of continuing services of
the Fuel Assistance Program for the residents of Bartlett. Agreeable
to a petition signed by Ellen Hayes and others. Selectmen favor.
(PASSED $4,000)
ARTICLE
21. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $2,800.00
for the Early Support and Services Program (birth to 3 yrs.) of
Children Unlimited,
Inc. Agreeable to a petition signed by Suzette Chaine and others. Selectmen
favor. (PASSED $2,800)
ARTICLE
22. To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $1,110.00 in support of Starting Point
providing crisis services to the victims of domestic and sexual
violence and their children. Agreeable to a petition signed by
Suzette Chaine and others. Selectmen favor.
(PASSED $1,110)
ARTICLE
23. To see if the Town will vote to accept
the deed for one-tenth of a mile of Ledge View Drive road. The road
begins at an intersecting point at Glen Ledge Rd. in the area of
Glen and runs one-tenth of a mile to a cul-de-sac. Final acceptance
is subject to verification by the Selectmen that all construction
and surfacing has been completed to current town standards.
Agreeable to a petition signed by Missy Birch and others. Motion was
made and seconded to accept the article as read. John Biggio,
developer and builder of the road, spoke to the article stating it
was built to town specs and was always intended to become a town
road. Selectman Chandler explained that he just wanted to clarify
that although it may have been built to town specs at the time, the
road specs changed last year and it would have to comply with the
current specs and that he has concerns that this is a very short
road. No further discussion. Vote was taken =
FAILED.
Motion was
then made and seconded to reconsider Article 23. Vote was taken=
FAILED.
Moderator
Clark then read the results of Article 3 Fire Truck Bond as YES =
92/ NO =17- ARTICLE 3 PASSED BYAT LEAST A 2/3 MAJORITY.
ARTICLE
24. To transact any other business that may legally
come before said meeting. John Murphy (Dundee Rd.) asked if we had
applied for grants for the fire gear last year and how much was it,
citing an article in a newspaper for a fire dept. that had received
grant money. Fire Chief Pat Roberts replied yes we did apply but did
not receive money except for the cribbing. Murphy asked why not. FC
Roberts replied that the money is very much in demand and ran out.
Motion was
made and seconded to reconsider Article 13. Vote was taken = PASSED.
Motion was made and seconded to amend Article 13 to $4,000 with no
discussion. Moderator Clark stated you can propose the amendment but
can’t limit the discussion. Vote was taken on amending Article 13 to
$4,000 = PASSED. Brian Mustapha then questioned the vote on
the Motion to Reconsider. Gary Roy stated he felt reconsidering this
article after many had already left was shifty politics and if you
all decide to vote on this amendment, you’re all part of the game.
Moderator Clark then agreed to take another count of the vote at
which point the Motion to Reconsider Article 13 FAILED (Yes = 39/
No= 44).
