Jackson Warrant Article
Public Hearing
February 11, 2014
Present: John Allen, Chairman; Bob Thompson and Bill Lockard, Selectmen
Visitors: Town Office Administrator Julie Atwell, Office Adminstrative Assistant Julie Hoyt, Videographer Hank Benesh, Town Clerk/Tax Collector Karen Burton, Jerry Dougherty, Kathleen Dougherty, Bea Davis, Bob Davis, Gino Funicella, Bob Burton, Diana Cataldo, Bill Wogisch, Denise Sachse, Joyce Allan, Edith Houlihan, Joan Aubrey
Chairman John Allen opened the Warrant Article Public Hearing for 2014 at 6:00 p.m. He welcomed all and let folks know the Board would appreciate any input folks care to provide.
ARTICLE 1: To choose the necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
1 Selectmen 3 year term
1 Town Clerk/Tax Collector 3 year term
1 Town Treasurer 3 year term
1 Town Moderator 2 year term
1 Financial Auditor 1 year term
1 Supervisor of the Checklist 6 year term
1 Trustee of the Trust Funds 3 year term
1 Cemetery Trustee 3 year term
Chairman Allen reviewed the open seats; this business will be transacted on Tuesday March 11, 2014 with the vote.
ARTICLE 2: To see if the Town will vote to rescind Article 59, which was passed at the March 10, 1987, Town of Jackson Annual Town Meeting.
Article 59 said:
To see if the town will vote, pursuant to RSA 31:41-C to prohibit the distribution of campaign material or electioneering or any activity which affects the safety, welfare, and rights of the voters in or around the Town Hall and on adjacent land owned by the town at any election held for any purpose in the Town of Jackson.
Chairman Allen noted this article is required due to the court case settlement; the wording of the previous ordinance was challenged and it put Jackson in a precarious position because the town no longer does elections at the town hall. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 2. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 3: To see if the Town will vote to ratify the electioneering policy as adopted by the Jackson School Board on August 19, 2013, which states as follows:
The Whitney Center may be used for federal, state, and local elections provided that electioneering is limited to the grassy area between the school parking lot and the entranceway to the Whitney Center, from the tree to Route 16B, as shown on the attached Plan.
The “attached plan” is available for review at the Jackson Town Office and will be available for review at the Annual Town Meeting.
Chairman Allen noted this article clarifies electioneering boundaries and locales as a result of the court case. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 3. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 4: To see if the Town will vote to approve the Electioneering Ordinance proposed by the Board of Selectmen, which prohibits the placement of political signs on Town-owned property.
The Ordinance is available for review at the Jackson Town Office and will be available for review at the Annual Town Meeting.
Jerry Dougherty asked if these four articles will be part of the assembly meeting or ballot voting; he was informed these will be part of the ballot voting. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 4. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 5: To see if the Town will vote to permit the public library to retain up to $10,000 received from its income-generating equipment to be used for general repairs and upgrading and for the purchase of books, supplies and income-generating equipment.
Denise Sachse is concerned with the addition of the $10,000 limit; the Library has never raised more than six-hundred dollars. Selectman Lockard had added it; he feels limits should be applied. Denise thinks folks will be concerned with that figure; this is income from copies, faxes and the coffee pot. This article was reviewed by Town Counsel who said it needed limitation; it was also run by the DRA. There were a number of concerns raised by members of the public regarding adding the limitation especially given that the total town budget is about four million dollars. The town has the right to look at that money. Selectman Thompson noted Jackson’s Town Counsel has said to put a number in there; Selectman Lockard is willing to look at any advice that trumps what the Board got from
Counsel; the Board submitted suggested wording and this is what came back. The RSA requires this to be a ballot article. Denise would like a historical statement about what the Library has been receiving for funds; the Board has no issue with adding that. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 5 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the Selectmen’s recommended Operating Budget of the Town in the amount of $1,855,182, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately (see 2014 Budget).
Chairman Allen noted the budget is up about sixty-five thousand dollars. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 6. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 7: To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the Library Capital Reserve Fund (0061) created in 2008 for the purpose of constructing the new library, (Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $0.00).
This Fund is being closed out. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 7. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 8: To see if the Town will vote to approve the Ordinance Pertaining to State and National Criminal Backgrounding of Persons Engaged in Municipal Affairs.
The Ordinance is available for review at the Jackson Town Office and will be available for review at the Annual Town Meeting.
Gino Funicella wants to know who this applies to; is it employees? Office Administrator Atwell noted this basically pertains to vendors. Jerry asked to hear the ordinance. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 8. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 9: To see if the Town will vote to change the office of Town Treasurer from an elected position to an appointed position in accordance with RSA 41:26-e. Such appointment shall be made in accordance with RSA 669:17-d by the board of selectmen. Such appointment shall be made in writing and shall include the compensation to be paid. If approved the person holding the elected office shall continue to hold such office until the next annual town election following the vote.
Selectman Lockard believes making this an appointed position would allow for controlled transition whenever a Treasurer steps down. Bea Davis noted turnover is not often enough to warrant the change. Selectman Thompson is in favor of letting the voters decide. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 9. The motion passed 2-1-0 (Allen).
ARTICLE 10: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $32,500 for the purpose of granting Health Insurance Benefits to the Town Clerk/Tax Collector which is offered to all full time town employees as stated in the Jackson Personnel Policy. If approved, Health Insurance will be included in future operating budgets.
This article is being brought forward as Town Clerk/Tax Collector Karen Burton has proposed to take on additional hours which would bring her, if elected, to the hours where employees are offered health insurance. There are members of the public that don’t feel it’s appropriate to bring forward an article with a specific person in mind for the position; it was noted the town would need to raise the funds to cover these benefits, which are provided for all full time employees; if not elected, the article would be moot. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 10. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 11: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000 for the purpose of granting New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) Benefits to the Town Clerk/Tax Collector which is offered to all full time town employees as stated in the Jackson Personnel Policy. If approved, NHRS Benefits will be included in future operating budgets.
This is also in place should Town Clerk/Tax Collector Burton win re-election and take on full time hours. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 11. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 12: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,500 for the purchase of a phone system for the Town Offices for the purpose of upgrading the current system that all town buildings can be interconnected.
The Office phone system is antiquated; Northledge Technologies made a presentation to the Board about three months ago; the Board agreed to put this out to the public to see if they want to spend the money on a new phone system. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 12. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 13: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500 for the purchase of a portable sound system for the purpose of amplifying Town Meetings and special events.
The Board has been looking into a portable sound system that would make it easier to hear at meetings and special events; this system would fulfill that need. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 13. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 14: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $500 for the Eastern Slope Airport Authority for the purpose of operating the Eastern Slope Regional Airport. Submitted by petition. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Gino noted that typically these articles come at the end of the night when most folks have left the meeting; he recommends moving the gifting articles to the rear. The Board noted the articles can be reordered after approval. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 14. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 15: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500 for the Gibson Center for Senior Services, Inc., for the purpose of supporting Jackson home delivered meals, congregate meals, transportation and program services. Submitted by petition. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 15. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 16: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,600 for Children Unlimited, Inc. for the purpose of supporting the Early Supports & Services Program (birth to 3 years). Submitted by petition. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Bill Wogisch asked if this is a new request; this has been on the ballot for years. It was noted this isn’t a lot of money but it adds up to them. Gino noted Children Unlimited does a lot of work with autistic children; they help a lot of kids here; they have been there for years. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 16. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 17: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000 for Tri-County Community Action for the purpose of continuing services of the Fuel Assistance Program for the residents of Jackson. Submitted by petition. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 17. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 18: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $75 for VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) for the purpose of placing flags at the Jackson and Dundee Cemeteries just prior to Memorial Day festivities.
Bill Wogisch would like to pay for this. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to drop Article 18. This article was not submitted by petition so can be removed from the ballot. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 19: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $716 for Northern Human Services for the purpose of providing Jackson residents who are uninsured, services at a sliding fee scale. Submitted by petition. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 19. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 20: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,336 for White Mountain Community Health Center for the purpose of providing Carroll County residents who are uninsured or underinsured medical care. Submitted by petition. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 20. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 21: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $679 for Starting Point for the purpose of providing advocacy and support to victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children. Submitted by petition. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 21. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 22: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000 for the Jackson Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of contributing to the Fireworks Fund.
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 22. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 23: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 for the Jackson Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of contributing to the Holiday Beautification Project.
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 23. The motion passed unanimously.
It was reiterated Articles 14 - 23 would all be moved to the end of the ballot and renumbered after approval.
ARTICLE 24: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $60,000 to be placed in the Old Library Capital Reserve Fund (0069 – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $4,895.15) for the purpose of constructing a restroom and septic system, supplying water to, and maintenance of the Old Library. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 24. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 25: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 to be placed in the Bridge Repair Expendable Trust Fund (0034 – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $31,646.14) for the purpose of repairing and maintaining bridges. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 25. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 26: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 to be placed in the Dry Hydrant Expendable Trust Fund (0049 – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $184.54) for the purpose of repairing dry hydrants. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Bob Davis noted dry hydrants were put into most of the ponds in Jackson and most were pulled out; the town put them in and two or three years later they pull them out. Chairman Allen noted this is Road Agent Henry’s gig; there weren’t many left that Chairman Allen knows that. There is sure to be further discussion on this at the meeting. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 26. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 27: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $18,000 for sidewalk repairs for the purpose of repairing the sidewalk from the Wildcat Service Station to the covered bridge.
Bill Wogisch wants to clarify this is the sidewalk across from the service station. Bea would like to know what the plan is; it’s going to be resurfaced. Bill noted this seems like a lot of money; Selectman Thompson noted ripping the sidewalk out was cost prohibitive. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 27. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 28: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 to be placed in the Highway Truck Capital Reserve Fund (0048 – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $75,179.88) for the purpose of purchasing a new highway truck. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Bob asked if the town is getting two trucks; Office Administrator Atwell noted Article 28 puts the money in the Fund and Article 29 makes the purchase. Bea asked if the town still has the International; it was explained that the town will be going to two large plow trucks and two smaller trucks instead of the current three large and one small. The Highway Department will be getting rid of a big one and replacing it with a small one; they are not increasing the fleet. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 28. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 29: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $95,000 for the purchase of a new highway truck, and to approve the withdrawal of $70,000 from the Highway Truck Capital Reserve Fund (see article 28) for the purchase, and to approve the proceeds from the sale of the 2005 highway truck (approximately $25,000) to go toward said purchase. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Joan Aubrey noted the article says the town is taking seventy thousand dollars out of the Reserve Fund plus raising ninety-five thousand; she thinks the article should say expending not raising and appropriating. Town Counsel has already approved the wording but after review the Board did agree that the article does sound like it’s raising a lot more money; Joan was thanked for pointing this out. The article will be sent back for review following approval. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 29. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 30: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $30,000 to be placed in the State Aid Reconstruction Expendable Fund (0058 – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $9,440.92) for the purpose of repairing and maintaining state roads in Jackson. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Bea asked if the state is matching this; Road Agent Henry is trying to get the state match up to thirty thousand dollars. Selectman Thompson noted the point is not to spend more than the state gives Jackson; if they only give the town twenty then that’s what they’ll use. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 30. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 31: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100,000 to be placed in the Road Reconstruction Capital Reserve Fund (0064 – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $5,180.34) for the purpose of road reconstruction of town roads. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Chairman Allen noted in the past Jackson has withdrawn money from its Unreserved Fund; this article is to actually raise the funds. This year the Board decided to give the money back to the taxpayers and to let the voters decide how they want to spend it. According to Road Agent Henry the town is slightly ahead on the roads and this would keep Jackson at status. Bob noted it would be nice if they did prep work before they put the hot top down; on Carter Notch there were rocks that were topped over and the road is already cracked. He would rather see less done then do the grinding down. When it was noted that grinding down is too expensive Bea noted they need to take the rocks up first so the road work lasts. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve
Article 31. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 32: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $38,000 to be placed in the Highway Repair and Reconstruction Fund (MM – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $4,777.95) for the purpose of highway repair and reconstruction. The sum of $38,000, which is contingent upon the Town receipt of that amount from the anticipated State Highway Block Grant in 2014-2015. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 32. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 33: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $30,000 to be placed in the Heavy Highway Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund (0068 – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $39.59) for the purpose of purchasing, heavy highway vehicles. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Chairman Allen noted this is to get the Fund rolling again; Jackson just used the funds to purchase a grader last year. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 33. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 34: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000 to be placed in the Police Department Equipment Expendable Trust Fund (0051 – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $8,729.82) for the purpose of purchasing, repairing or maintaining Police Department Equipment. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 34. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 35: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,350 to be placed in the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund (0027 – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $27,681.50) for the purpose of purchasing a new police cruiser. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
The amount being requested is what is needed to purchase the cruiser. Bob asked what the mileage is on the one being rotated out. Chairman Allen doesn’t know; he can find out. The cruiser will be put out to bid. Bob would like to see the cruisers kept longer; Chairman Allen agreed but Bill noted it only takes one transmission to go and it would undo all the work the town has put into the trade in. To date the town hasn’t had any major repairs on the cruiser and the town will get some of this money back when the cruiser is sold; the last one went to George Howard and the town got six thousand dollars. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 35. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 36: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100,000 to be placed in the Fire Department Truck Capital Reserve Fund (0003 – Fund Balance as of 12/31/13 $259,173.04) for the purpose of purchasing a new fire truck. (Selectmen recommend/do not recommend?)
Jerry asked why this is up from fifty thousand dollars; the Fund amount is behind; a new truck will be around four-hundred thousand dollars and Fire Chief Henry wants to push towards the five-hundred thousand dollar mark for it. The town needs to replace two pretty closely and there won’t be enough to replace the vehicles if it puts away fifty thousand dollars. Jerry believes at some point the town needs to discuss establishing large capital reserve funds for a vehicle that benefits taxpayers ahead but is being paid by the taxpayers behind. It is better to bond these items; the taxpayers for the next ten years who are getting the benefit of the vehicle should be paying for it. Gino noted Jerry makes a good point; Bartlett bonds everything that moves; it passes the rate to the next generation. Selectman Thompson noted the suggestion was that Jackson finance in part rather than bonding in full; Jackson may need to bond the second one; this will be looked at; how do we want to
finance it and what is in the best interest of the taxpayer. It was noted that Jackson’s fire insurance rating could be impacted if it has trucks that are beyond serviceable. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 36. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 37: To see if the Town will vote to change the Bartlett Jackson Ambulance by-laws to provide for grammatically gender neutral wording and change the number of required meetings to two per calendar year. This same article is being voted on in the Town of Bartlett. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 37. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 38: To act upon other business which may legally come before this meeting.
Joyce Allan asked where the Library’s warrant article is; Office Administrator Atwell will add it to the Warrant.
***add verbiage of the article here****
ARTICLE 38: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $53,816 for Library Operations. Selectman Thompson, seconded by Selectman Lockard, made a motion to approve Article 38 as added. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Allen closed the Public Hearing at 7:41 p.m.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Martha D. Tobin
Recording Secretary
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