SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
BOND FOR A SAFETY COMPLEX BUILDING & LAND
JANUARY 16, 2007
In accordance with RSA 33:8-a, I, notice was given to all residents of Newton, New Hampshire, of a Public Hearing for the purpose of gathering public input on the proposed bonding of $2,967,500 for the land acquisition, design and engineering, site preparation and building construction, equipment and furnishing of a Public Safety Complex. The public hearing on the bond issue was held on the snow date of Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 6pm for on Monday, January 15, 2007 the Town experienced an ice/sleet/freezing rain storm.
Chairman Nelson motioned to open the Public Hearing at 6:10pm. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous. In attendance were Chairman Gary F. Nelson, Selectman John P. Ulcickas, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Mary Winglass.
Chairman Nelson read the following information notifying the residents of Newton of the First and Second Session of the Annual Town Meeting:
THE POLLS WILL BE OPENING FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
To the inhabitants of the Town of Newton, N.H. in the County of Rockingham, in said State, qualified to vote in Town Affairs; you are hereby notified to meet for the first session of the annual meeting, which shall be for the explanation, discussion and debate of each warrant article and the transaction of all business other than voting by official ballot to be held at the Sanborn Regional Middle School on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 7:00 PM; the second session to be held at the Memorial Elementary School, in said Newton, on Tuesday, the thirteenth day of March next, at eight o’clock in the forenoon, to choose all necessary Town officers for the ensuing year by official ballot, and to vote on all issues before the Town of Newton on the official ballot; the polls to be open at eight
o’clock in the forenoon and to close not earlier than eight o’clock in the evening.
Selectman Ulcickas read warrant article #10 as follows;
10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Million Nine Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,967,500) for the design, construction, equipping and furnishing of a PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX and for the purchase of land upon which it will be erected, said parcels of land are located on Merrimac Road and identified as Lot 12-6-10 and Lot 12-6-11 with portions of said parcels combining to include 7.92 (+/-) acres, said land to be subdivided for the sole use and purpose of building a public safety complex, and to further authorize the issuance of not more than Two Million Nine Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,967,500) in the form of bonds and/or notes under and in compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act, NH RSA Chapter 33 as amended,
and to invest the proceeds of the bonds and to raise and appropriate up to the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) of investment earnings for said project; to authorize the Selectmen to apply for, obtain and accept federal, state or other aid, if any, which may be available for said project and to comply with all laws applicable to said project; and to authorize the Selectmen to issue, negotiate, sell and deliver said bonds and/or notes, and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof. (3/5 ballot vote required)
The Board opened up the hearing to take comments by the public regarding this warrant article. Resident Barbara White of 22 Bear Hill Road asked what the impact this article will have on her taxes. Chairman Nelson responded that the Safety Complex Building Committee recommends bonding for this project and the estimated impact on the first year will be .59 per thousand which calculates out to be approximately $120.00 based upon a $200,000 property assessment. Per the 20 year estimated debt schedule for this project, the tax rate impact decreases each year. Chairman Nelson added that the projected schedule from the bond bank uses the 2006 net valuation of the town as the estimated net valuation throughout the 20 year schedule, therefore the schedule is only a projection. Additionally, the article
includes the investment of the bond proceeds and to use up to $100,000 of earnings to apply towards the project.
Resident and President/CEO of Merrimac Savings Bank John Meserve added that he spoke with the bond bank on behalf of the Safety Complex Building Committee and was told that the rate given was estimated at 5% and this would be the worse case scenario for it is very likely that the rate could be lower.
Resident James White of 22 Bear Hill Road asked if the committee looked into other sources of funding for this project. Fire Chief Bill Ingalls stated that grants are available to modify an existing facility only. Selectman Ulcickas concurred that his understanding is that grant money is only available to upgrade an old building, not for the building of a new structure. Mr. White added that the town should look into Homeland Security as a possible source of funding for this project.
Resident Norman Harding asked if there were any proposed building plans for this project. The Board discussed that they expected the Safety Complex Building Committee to attend tonight’s meeting to provide the plan for the public to view. Mr. Harding added that it will be necessary to have the plan at the Deliberative Session (First Session of the Annual Town Meeting) to give the residents something to look at and it would also be helpful to have a breakdown of the cost per year.
Bond Council Renelle L’Huillier from Devine, Millimet & Branch discussed that there are a few different bonding options such as a Capital Appreciation Bond and the best resource for determining the best financial proposal for the town would be to contact the Bond Bank.
Chairman Nelson motioned to recommend this warrant article as written and for the Deliberative Session to get information from the committee to the residents. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to close the Public Hearing at 6:42pm. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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