Office of the Board of Selectmen
2 Town Hall Road, Newton, NH 03858
Tel: 382-4405 ext. 10 * Fax 382-9140
Town of Newton, New Hampshire
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2017 TOWN BUDGET
AND WARRANT ARTICLES MINUTES
DATE: MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017
TIME: 7:15PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
In accordance with RSA 32:5, notice is hereby given to all residents of Newton, New Hampshire, that a Public Hearing for the purpose of gathering public input on the proposed 2017 Town Budget and Warrant Articles will be held on Monday, January 16, 2017 at the Newton Town Hall starting at 7:15pm. Snow date is Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 7:15pm. The public is encouraged to attend.
Chairman Doggett opened the Public Hearing for the 2017 Budget and Warrant Articles at 7:10pm
Warrant Article #4 as read by Chairman Doggett
4. “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 $3,165,537.00? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $3,168,716.00, 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.”
The budget increase from the 2016 ACTUAL budget to the 2017 PROPOSED budget represents a tax impact increase of $0.11 per $1,000.00 of assessed value.
Chairman Doggett explained how the Board was able to keep the Proposed budget below the Default budget. Some department budgets were cut while others were increased yet keeping the Proposed budget lower than the Default budget.
Resident Annie Collyer asked for an explanation where by the Town could hold a special meeting to revise the Operating budget. Chairman Doggett explained that it was part of the legal process to warn residents that it is possible to revise the Operating budget should the need arise. The DRA and State mandate the wording for the Proposed budget article. Resident Collyer asked what the process would be. Chairman Doggett explained what the process would be should the need arise.
Selectman Gonyer reiterated the Proposed budget is less than the Default budget. Should Article 4 be defeated the tax increase would be more than $0.11 per $1,000.
Resident Jim Baker congratulated the Board on keeping the Proposed budget below the Default budget.
Selectman Gonyer moved to recommend the Proposed budget as written. Second by Selectman Foote with a unanimous vote.
Warrant Article # 5 as read by Selectman Foote
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $12,000.00 to be deposited into the Engineering and Renovation Capital Reserve Fund, created in 2015; said funds to come from the unassigned fund balance. This represents rental fees received.
This article would result in no increase in the amount to be raised by taxes.
Town Administrator, Nancy Wrigley, explained that the article allows the rental money that is collected during the year, 2017, to be deposited into the Engineering and Renovation Capital Reserve Fund.
Selectman Gonyer asked what the fund money could be used for. Town Administrator, Nancy Wrigley, explained it could be used for engineering and or renovation at 8 Merrimac Road. Selectman Burrill added that “8 Merrimac Road” should be added to the last sentence to ensure the funds are used only for the site.
Resident Mary Riordan asked for the balance of the fund. Selectman Burrill estimated the amount was around $20,000. Resident Riordan asked if the money in the fund could be used in conjunction with the Bond for the Fire and Rescue Station. Town Administrator, Nancy Wrigley, explained that it could be used for engineering or renovations at 8 Merrimac Road.
Selectman Burrill stated that should Article 3 fail the money collected from 8 Merrimac Road will still be available in the Engineering and Renovation Capital Reserve Fund.
Resident Kathy Meserve asked if the Board has the authority to expend the funds or would they need to have a public hearing. Chairman Doggett explained that the Board has the authority to expend but would still need to hold a public hearing before expending any funds.
Selectman Foote moved to recommend Article 5 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan with a unanimous vote.
Warrant Article #6 as read by Selectman Foote
To see if the Town will vote, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen, to raise and appropriate the sum of $35,000.00 to hold a HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY for Newton Residents only and to authorize the withdrawal of $35,000.00 from the Transfer Station/Recycling Special Revenue Fund created in 2003 for this purpose.
This article would result in no increase in the amount to be raised by taxes.
Selectman Gonyer spoke to the article explaining that one year the town uses vouchers and the next year a Hazardous Waste Day is held. Typically, the Hazardous Waste Day is very successful and well used.
Selectman Gonyer moved to recommend Article 6 as written. Second by Selectman Foote with a unanimous vote.
Warrant Article # 7 as read by Selectman Burrill
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $31,547.00 for the following Community Services:
AREA HOMECARE & FAMILY SERVICES $ 3,800.00
CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER 2,000.00
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES 2,000.00
DRUGS ARE DANGEROUS 2,500.00
FAMILY MEDIATION 5,947.00
HAVEN 3,050.00
LAMPREY HEALTH CARE 1,600.00
NHSPCA 750.00
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION 5,000.00
ROCKINGHAM NUTRITION MEALS ON WHEELS 2,200.00
VIC GEARY CENTER 2,700.00
$31,547.00
This article would result in a $0.06 increase per $1,000.00 of assessed value to be raised by taxes.
Resident Mary Riordan asked if the tax impact is actually $0.06 per $1,000 of assessed value. To be in compliance with state regulation, the amount of the actual impact must be posted. Town Administrator, Nancy Wrigley, explained that these services help keep the Town Welfare budget down.
Selectman Burrill moved to recommend Article 7 as written. Second by Selectman Gonyer with a unanimous vote.
Warrant Article # 8 as read by Selectman Burrill
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, as proposed by the Recreation
Commission the sum of $4,200.00 for Recreational Programs and Trips for Newton Senior Citizens.
This article would result in a $0.01 increase per $1,000.00 of assessed value to be raised by taxes.
Both Chairman Doggett and Selectman Burrill spoke to the article and how it is much appreciated by the Newton Senior Residents who might not have the opportunity to make these types of trips on their own.
Selectman Burrill moved to recommend Article 8 as written. Second by Selectman Foote with a unanimous vote.
Warrant Article # 9 as read by Selectman Donovan
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, as proposed by the Recreation Commission, the sum of $7,000.00 for the purpose of sponsoring an Olde Home Day to bring the community together with free entertainment and events for families, similar to the event last held in Town on October 3, 2015.
This article would result in a $0.01 increase per $1,000.00 of assessed value to be raised by taxes.
Selectman Gonyer expressed how much it was missed by residents. Selectman Burrill noted that the 2015 was well attended. The budget for the event was decreased.
Resident Jim Baker asked if the name should include Newton. Selectman Burrill agreed.
Resident Annie Collyer spoke to the reduction in the cost. The Recreation Commission removed the fireworks to cut the cost. She spoke to the number of events that are free unlike other towns where you need to pay for activities.
Selectman Donovan moved to recommend Article 9 with the following change, “Newton Olde Home Day”. Second by Selectman Foote with a unanimous vote.
Warrant Article # 10 as read by Selectman Donovan
To see if the Town will vote to modify the Elderly Exemptions from property tax in the Town of Newton, based on assessed value, for qualified taxpayers, to be as follows: for the person 65 years of age up to 74 years of age $85,000; for a person 75 years of age up to 79 years of age $95,000; for a person 80 years of age or older $110,000. To qualify, the applicant must have resided in this state for at least 3 consecutive years, own the real estate individually or jointly, or if the real estate is owned by such a person’s spouse, they must have been married for at least 5 years. In addition, the tax payer must have a net income of not more than $35,000 or, if married, a combined net income of less than $45,000, and own net assets not in excess of $65,000 excluding the value of the person’s residence.
This article would result in no increase in the amount to be raised by taxes.
Chairman Doggett stated that this article will decrease the amount of taxes paid by those that qualify.
Selectman Gonyer moved to recommend Article 10 as written. Second by Selectman Foote with a unanimous vote.
Warrant Article # 11 as read by Selectman Gonyer
Shall the Town of Newton vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 72:61-64 inclusively, which provide for an optional property tax exemption from the property’s assessed value, for property tax purposes, for persons owning real property, which is equipped with Solar Energy Systems intended for use at the immediate site. Such property tax exemption shall be in the amount equal to $20,000.00 of the assessed value of qualifying solar energy system equipment under these statutes.
This article would result in no increase in the amount to be raised by taxes.
Selectman Gonyer spoke to the article stating there are Newton residents that have installed solar systems within the Town. These systems are environmentally friendly and they save energy. Newton is not the first town to offer the exemption.
Selectman Donovan moved to recommend Article 11 as written. Second by Selectman Foote with a unanimous vote.
Warrant Article # 12 as read by Selectman Gonyer
Shall the Town of Newton vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 72:28-b, All Veterans’ Tax Credit? If adopted, the credit will be available to any resident, or the spouse or surviving spouse of any resident, who (1) served not less than 90 days on active service in the armed forces of the United States and was honorably discharged or an officer honorably separated from services and is not eligible for or receiving a credit under RSA 72:28 or RSA 72:35. If adopted, the credit granted will be $500, the same amount as the standard or optional veterans’ tax credit voted by the Town of Newton under RSA 72:28.
This article would result in no increase in the amount to be raised by taxes
Selectman Burrill explained that this article expands the eligibility for Veteran’s who may not have qualified under RSA 72:28.
Selectman Gonyer moved to recommend Article 12 as written. Second by Selectman Foote with a unanimous vote.
Warrant Article # 13 as read by Chairman Doggett
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to develop and implement policies which would allow and regulate private trash haulers wishing to offer, for a fee, Newton residents curb-side pick-up and unloading it at the Newton Transfer Station
Chairman Doggett stated that this article will allow the Board to develop and implement policy for regulating private trash haulers. Selectman Gonyer further explained that the Board would like the residents to decide if they, the Board, should expend the time to develop and regulate private trash haulers. Chairman Doggett explained why the warrant article was submitted. A Newton resident would like to start a private trash hauling business where they would pick up residential trash and deposit it at the Transfer Station. Selectman Burrill would like the residents to have the opportunity to hire someone to haul their trash to the Transfer Station.
Resident Roger Hamel asked if there was a service available to the residents that will haul their trash for a fee. Selectman Gonyer responded in the positive. Currently these businesses do not haul the customer’s trash to the Transfer Station.
Resident Jim Baker asked what the benefit would be to the Town if allowed to use the Transfer Station. Selectman Burrill responded that it could provide revenue for the Town.
Both Chairman Doggett and Selectman Gonyer agree there will be a lot of preliminary work that will need to be done. The regulating of the trash haulers will be difficult. There will need to be a way of determining if the trash is from a Newton resident or not.
Selectman Donovan expressed concern that there could be congestion at the Transfer Station for those that do not have pick up.
Selectman Burrill explained that a yes vote does not mean that the Board will have to come up with a policy. It gives the Board the authority to author the policy if they choose to.
Selectman Gonyer moved to NOT recommend Article 13 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. No vote was taken.
Selectman Burrill stated he feels that a vote to NOT recommend the article will cause confusion for the residents. The suggestion is to recommend the article.
Selectman Burrill moved to recommend Article 13 as written. Second by Selectman Foote. Roll call: Selectman Burrill - aye. Selectman Foote – aye. Selectman Donovan – nay. Selectman Gonyer – nay. Chairman Doggett – aye. Motion carried with 3 ayes and 2 nays.
Chairman Doggett closed the Public Hearing for the 2017 Budget and Warrant Articles at 7:51pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane M. Morin
Board of Selectmen Secretary
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