2008Annual Meeting
Minutes
WARRANT FOR 2008 ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE TOWN OF GROTON
ARTICLE 1: To choose all necessary Town Officers for the year ensuing.
MARCH 11, 2008
ARTICLE 2: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred thirty-six thousand, nine hundred forty-one dollars ($536,941), which represents the Operating Budget for the ensuing year. Said sum does not include special or individual articles addressed.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 2 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 3: To see if the town will authorize the planning board to review and approve or disapprove site plans for the development or change or expansion of use of tracts for nonresidential uses or for multi-family dwelling units, which are defined as structures containing more than 2 dwelling units, whether or not such development includes a subdivision or resubdivision of the site.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 3 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 4: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000.00) for the preparation and shimming of North Groton Road.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 4 was PASSED as written
A motion was made to move ARTICLE 30 before ARTICLE 5
ARTICLE 30: To see if the Town will vote to change the Groton Police Department from a full time department to a part time department. (Petitioned Article)
(The Board of Selectmen Do Not Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 30 was DEFEATED
ARTICLE 5: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the selectmen to enter into a 3 year lease agreement for $28,000 for the purpose of leasing a 2008 Ford Expedition for the Police Department to be offset by $2,800 from the trade in value of the 2002 Ford Explorer and $10,000 to be withdrawn from the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund, and to further raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand, sixty-seven dollars ($5,067) for the first year's payment for that purpose. This lease contains an escape clause. (Majority vote required)
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article 2-1)
ARTICLE 5 PASSED as written
ARTICLE 6: To See if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of six thousand, nine hundred fifty-five dollars ($6,955.00) for the third year's lease payment toward the purchase of the 2006 Ford F350 Cab/Chassis for the highway department and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the transfer of $6,955.00 from the unexpended fund balance as of December 31, 2007. This lease contains an escape clause.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 6 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 7: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.00) to be put into the Groton Recreation Capital Reserve Fund. This money will allow for the completion of existing projects at the Everett Hobart Memorial Park.
(The Board of Selectmen Do Not Recommend This Article 2-1)
ARTICLE 7: An amendment was made to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of eight thousand dollars ($8,000.00) to be put into the Groton Recreation Capital Reserve Fund. This money will allow for the completion of existing projects at the Everett Hobart Memorial Park.
ARTICLE 7 PASSED as AMENDED
ARTICLE 8: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifteen thousands dollars ($15,000.00) for the purchase and installation of an on demand generator for the Town House/Emergency Shelter, and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the transfer of $15,000.00 from the unexpended fund balance as of December 31, 2007.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 8 was DEFEATED
ARTICLE 9: To see if the town will vote to discontinue the Roof Capital Reserve Fund created in 1993. Said funds, with accumulated interest to date of withdrawal, are to be transferred to the Town's General Fund.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 9 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 10: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two thousand, five hundred dollars ($2500.00) for deposit into the Town House Capital Reserve Fund and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the transfer of $2,500.00 from the unexpended fund balance as of December 31, 2007.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 10 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 11: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for deposit into the Truck/Sander Capital Reserve Fund and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the transfer of $5,000.00 from the unexpended fund balance as of December 31, 2007.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 11 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 12: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) for deposit in to the Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve Fund and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the transfer of $3,000.00 from the unexpended fund balance as of December 31, 2007.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 12 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 13: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5000.00) for the purchase of a commercial Riding Mower in order to maintain town properties.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 13 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 14: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for the purpose of repairing Province Road.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 14 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 15: To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the Bicentennial Capital Reserve Fund created in 1995. Said funds, with accumulated interest to date of withdrawal, are to be transferred to the Town's general fund.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 15 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 16: To see if the Town will vote to create an expendable trust fund under the provisions of RSA 31:19-a, to be known as the Old Home Day Expendable Trust Fund, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of Old Home Day activities and to raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) for this fund and to furthermore, appoint the selectmen as agents to expend from this fund, and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the transfer of $500.00 from the unexpended fund balance as of December 31, 2007. (Majority vote required)
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 16 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 17: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for deposit in to the Disaster Relief Capital Reserve Fund.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 17 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 18: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for deposit in to the Atwell/Orange Brook Bridge Replacement Capital Reserve Fund and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the transfer of $5,000.00 from the unexpended fund balance as of December 31, 2007.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 18 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 19: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) to dispose of the town owned building located on Map#5 Lot#62 63 North Groton Road and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the transfer of $10,000.00 from the unexpended fund balance as of December 31, 2007.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 19 was DEFEATED
ARTICLE 20: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to establish or amend fees as provided in RSA 41:9-a. Such a vote shall continue in effect until rescinded.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 20 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 21: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to amend the building permit fee established by Town Meeting in 1975.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 21 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 22: To see if the Town will vote to authorize 3% of the Land Use Change Tax collected pursuant to RSA 79-A:25 to be deposited into the existing Conservation Fund in accordance with RSA 36-A:5, III, as authorized by RSA 79-A:25,II. If adopted this article shall take effect April 1, 2008, and shall remain in effect until altered or rescinded by a future vote of the town meeting. (Majority vote required).
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 22 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 23: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of four hundred twelve dollars ($412) for deposit in the Conservation Fund and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the transfer of $412 from the unexpended fund balance as of December 31, 2007. This sum represents 3% of the Timber Tax revenue for 2007.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTCLE 23 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 24: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two thousand dollars ($2000.00) for deposit into the Fire & Emergency Capital Reserve Fund.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 24 was DEFEATED
ARTICLE 25: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of three thousand six hundred dollars ($3600.00) for the purchase of fire proof file cabinets for the Police Dept.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 25 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 26: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand, four hundred dollars ($1,400.00) for the purchase of a Dell computer system to be used in the normal operation of the Police Department. System consists of a keyboard, monitor, hard drive, and all hardware needed for set up and operation.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 26 was DEFEATED
ARTICLE 27: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) to be place in the Conservation Fund for future projects.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article 2-1)
ARTICLE 27 was DEFEATED
ARTICLE 28: To see if the town will vote to establish a Disaster Relief Non-Capital Reserve Fund under the provision of RSA 35:1-c for the purpose of unexpected disaster relief and to raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500.00) to be placed in this fund, and to appoint the selectmen as agents to expend from this fund.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 28 was DEFEATED
ARTICLE 29: To see if the Town will vote to have the town owned property listed on Map 5, Lot 62, Sub 1, the pond area, changed into conservation land and to further have it entrusted to the Conservation Commission.
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 29 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 31: To see if the town will vote to amend the optional exemption for the blind as prescribed in RSA 72:37 from $15,000 to $30,000. (Petitioned Article)
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 31 was PASSED as written
ARTICLE 32: To see if the Town will vote to approve the following resolution to be forwarded to our State Representative, our State Senator and our Governor:
Resolved: We the citizens of Groton, NH believe in a New Hampshire that is just and fair. The property tax has become unjust and unfair. State leaders who take a pledge for no new taxes perpetuate higher and higher property taxes. We call on our State Representatives, our State Senator and our Governor to reject the “Pledge”, have an open discussion covering all options, and adopt a revenue system that lowers property taxes. (Petitioned Article)
(The Board of Selectmen Recommend This Article)
ARTICLE 32 was DEFEATED 23 NO, 19 YES
ARTICLE 33: To see if the Town will vote to transact any other business that may legally come before the Town.
ARTICLE 33 was PASSED as written
A TRUE ATTENT OF WARRENT AND TOWN MEETING
Joyce A. Tolman
Town Clerk