TOWN OF NEWTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2014 TOWN BUDGET AND WARRANT ARTICLES
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014 @ 7PM
NEWTON TOWN HALL
PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
Selectman Melvin opened the public hearing at 7:02pm. Second by Donovan, motion passed. Melvin read the 2014 Town Warrant as follows;
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 Newton Town Hall on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 9:00 AM; the second session to be held at the Newton Town Hall, in said Newton, on Tuesday, the eleventh 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.
3. “Shall the Town of Newton raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $2,978,251.00? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $2,978,351.00, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Newton or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only.”
Selectman Melvin motioned to approve Warrant Article#3. Second by Donovan. Motion passed.
4. To see if the Town will vote to require that the annual budget and all special warrant articles having a tax impact, as determined by the governing body, shall contain a notation stating the estimated tax impact of the article.
Town Administrator Wrigley explained that the Department of Revenue Administrations new state regulation requires that we receive approval to contain a notation stating the estimated tax impact of the article. This would allow the information to print on the ballot.
Melvin asked for all those in favor of article #4; Melvin aye; Donovan aye.
5. To see if the Town will vote to change the Office of Town Treasurer from an elected position to an appointed position, per 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.
Melvin explained that the town has had many Treasurers’ resign over the years and feel that the town should move forward with so the Board can hire verses waiting until the next election.
Selectman Melvin motioned to approve; Selectman Donovan aye, Selectman Melvin aye.
6. To see if the Town will vote to change the position of Director of the Gale Library from part-time to full-time effective April 1, 2014 and further to raise and appropriate $10,065 for the additional costs in salary and benefits. If approved, the appropriation will be included in the operating budget in coming years.
Kathy Meserve Trustee of the Gale Library spoke on how this article has been put forth to the voters before and the Trustees are resubmitting it again for they believe that the Gale Library Director is an important position and should be full time. Meserve went on to discuss that the library last year had over 11,000 visitors and the director is the manager to make sure it all runs smoothly.
Both Donovan and Melvin approved this article.
7. To see if the Town of Newton will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund to be known as the “Newton Municipal Complex Study Fund” under the provisions of RSA 35:1 and to raise and appropriate the sum of $54,562 to go into this fund with $4,562 to come from the unreserved fund balance created upon the discontinuance of the Safety Complex Building Capital Reserve Fund in Warrant Article 8, further to name the Board of Selectmen as Agents to expend.~ The purpose of this fund is to support the ongoing work and administrative costs to develop plans for the Town-owned properties, to maximize their use to benefit the Town of Newton and have these plans included in the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan. If Warrant Article 8 fails, then this article will be reduced
by $4,562.
Donovan approved and Melvin disapproved this article.
John Meserve, member of the Municipal Complex Committee spoke on how diligently the committee has worked to look at the future of 8 Merrimac Road once the town takes ownership in a few years as well as looking at the town’s existing structures to repurpose them. An expert is now needed to develop a site plan.
Melvin motioned to approve or disapprove warrant article #8; Donovan approved and Melvin disapproved. Town Administrator Wrigley asked for clarification on the wording for the warrant with one approving and the other disapproving. It was discussed that it can be amended at the deliberative session.
8. To see if the Town of Newton will vote to dissolve the Capital Reserve Fund established in 2005 known as the “Safety Complex Building Fund” with the balance of $4,562 with accumulated interest to date of withdrawal to lapse to the general fund unreserved fund balance. If this article fails to pass, then Warrant Article 7 will be decreased by $4,562.~
Resident Bill Landry explained that the previous warrant article was for $54,562; this article deals with the $4,562 which is funds left over from the Safety Complex Committee in years past and this what was left in the fund. The warrant article will allow the new committee to use the funds left over. This will not raise anyone’s taxes, no tax impact. A discussion took place on if this article is approved and article #7 is not approved then the funds will go into the general fund to be used to offset taxes.
Donovan does recommend this article; Melvin does not recommend this article.
9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $90,842 for the repair and maintenance of town roads to be offset by the NH Highway Block Grant. This is a non-lapsing appropriation and will not lapse until the completion of the project or until December 31, 2019, whichever is sooner.
Road Agent Mike Pivero was present and explained that every city and town in NH receive grant funds from the state for the repair and maintenance of town roads. The town has been able to complete a good amount of road improvements with these funds.
Both Melvin and Donovan recommend this article.
10. To see if the Town will vote to change the position of the Highway Foreman from a permanent part-time position to a full-time position effective April 1, 2014 and further to raise and appropriate $ 13,523 for the additional costs in salary and benefits. If approved, this appropriation will be included in the operating budget in coming years.
Road Agent Mike Pivero explained that the town’s Highway Foreman Ron Jackson is a good and dedicated employee and most do not see what he does for the town. No matter the time of day or weather, Ron has been available when needed by the town and never once has he come up with an excuse. Ron has worked for the town since 2008 is an asset to the town at a cost of $7.06 per year per property owner.
Ron will help out any department and is also a volunteer with the Newton Fire Department and is available to help during the day when a lot of volunteers are at work. Selectman Donovan added that he saw Ron at the Transfer Station on a Sunday and told him about a huge pot hole in town and one hour later the pot hole was filled in.
Donovan recommends this article; Melvin does not recommend this article
11. To see if the Town will vote, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen, to raise and appropriate the sum of $60,000 to be paid toward the 2014 SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL BUDGET as an offset to the disposal costs and to authorize the withdrawal of $60,000 from the Transfer Station/Recycling Special Revenue Fund created in 2003 for this purpose.
(As of 12/31/13, account has $206,146.94 )
The article results in a positive impact on the budget for the funds are used to offset the budget.
Both Donovan and Melvin approve this article.
12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $28,812 or the following Community Services:
A SAFE PLACE $ 2,500.00
AREA HOMECARE & FAMILY SERVICES $ 3,800.00
CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER $ 2,000.00
DRUGS ARE DANGEROUS $ 2,500.00
FAMILY MEDIATION $ 5,947.00
LAMPREY HEALTH CARE $ 1,600.00
NHSPCA $ 750.00
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION $ 5,000.00
ROCKINGHAM NUTRITION MEALS ON WHEELS $ 1,465.00
SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT SERVICES (SASS) $ 550.00
VIC GEARY CENTER $ 2,700.00
$ 28,812.00
Both Donovan and Melvin recommend this article.
13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, as proposed by the Recreation Commission the sum of $4,000 for Recreational Programs and Trips for Newton Senior Citizens.
Annie Collyer, Chairman Recreation Commission discussed that for the past couple of years the town has appropriated funds for programs and trips for Newton Seniors. The plan is to put on three or four trips with the voters approval. Donovan talked about his involvement many years ago to start this program for elderly.
Both Donovan and Melvin recommend this article.
14. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate $19,000 as proposed by the Recreation Commission, to start the renovation of the skateboard park and to add an outdoor ice rink at Greenie Park to make the Park safer, more functional and multigenerational. This will be a non-lapsing article and will not lapse until the work is completed or until December 31, 2019 whichever comes first.
Annie Collyer, Chairman Recreation Commission discussed that they are looking at renovating Greenie Park and recently found a petition in the Recreation files asking for an outdoor ice rink. With these funds will allow the town to start renovating Greenie Park.
Both Donovan and Melvin recommend this article.
15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen and the Fire Chief, the sum of $89,900 for the installation and completion of a “Fire Suppression Pump System And Cistern” for the Newton Town Hall. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the sprinkler system is completed or by December 31, 2019, whichever is sooner. (Per Selectmen’s Bid Policy)
The town has paid for a dry sprinkler system to be installed at the town hall, built a pump house on the side of Town Hall, purchased the water tank and now we need get in the ground and hooked up to a pump system. Our Town Hall is precious to us and we need to complete these safety measures so that it is protected.
Both Donovan and Melvin recommend this article.
16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate as proposed by the Fire Chief, the sum of $345,000 to purchase a tank truck for the Fire Department and further to authorize the withdrawal of $246,000.00 from the Fire Apparatus & Equipment Capital Reserve Fund created for this purpose. The balance of $99,000 is to come from taxation.
Fire Chief Bill Ingalls discussed the need to replace the 1983 tank truck which needs some work; it is a 30 year old truck that has a life expectancy of lasting no more than 20 years.
Donovan approved of this article; Melvin disapproved this article.
17. To see if the Town will vote, as proposed by the Fire Chief, to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 to be placed in the existing Capital Reserve Fund known as the “Fire Apparatus and Equipment Fund” created in 2005.
Fire Chief Bill Ingalls explained that with the passing of warrant article #16 will deplete the fund therefore he is asking the voters to continue to set funds aside in order to replace a 1987 GMC down the road.
Both Donovan and Melvin approved this article.
18. To see if the Town will authorize the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund to meet our constitutional and statutory requirement that assessments are at full and true value at least as often as every fifth year. Furthermore, to raise and appropriate the sum of $25,000 towards this purpose and appoint the Selectmen as Agents to expend from the fund. It is anticipated that a Revaluation will take place in 2015.
Melvin strongly recommends this article to put aside funds for a state mandated revaluation of town properties in 2015. Town Administrator Wrigley added that the state mandates that every town complete a revaluation or a statistical update no later than every five years and most towns put aside funds every year so the cost does not hit the tax payers all in one year. The last statistical update took place in 2010 at a cost of approximately $50,000.
Both Donovan and Melvin agreed to recommend this article.
With no further comments from the public, Melvin motioned to adjourn at 7:56pm. Second by Donovan. Motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
| 
