WINCHESTER
TOWN MEETING
MARCH 9, 2010
RESULTS
ARTICLE 1. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
SELECTMAN TERM ENDS 2013
3 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR TWO
JOHN PASQUARELLI 136
GUSTAVE (GUS) RUTH 373
THERESA SEPE 526
FRANCIS (MIKE) TOWNE 167
ROBERT (BOB) DAVIS 239
MODERATOR TERM ENDS 2012
2 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR ONE
KENNETH HARVEY 711
TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR TERM ENDS 2013
3 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR ONE
JAMES M. TETREAULT 739
SUPERVISOR OF THE CHECK LIST TERM ENDS 2016
6 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR ONE
CHRISTY MENARD 712
TRUSTEE OF TRUST FUNDS TERM ENDS 2013
3 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR ONE
THEODORE WHIPPIE 623
CONANT PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEE TERM ENDS 2013
3 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR THREE
MARILYN BAKER 600
BARBARA KELLEY 580
TAMMY POOLE 7
CONANT PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEE TERM ENDS 2012
2 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR ONE
ALICE J. PICARD 634
THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEE TERM ENDS 2013
3 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR TWO
DIANNE SKAWSKI-PRIDE 253
SHELLY WALKER 288
LINDA CROWELL 356
PEGGY CUSHING 378
BUDGET COMMITTEE TERM ENDS 2013
3 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR THREE
JOHN PASQUARELLI 239
HARVEY SIERAN 307
FRANCIS (MIKE) TOWNE 217
HUBERT CROWELL 362
ROBERT DAVIS 290
KATHLEEN HEBERT 375
PLANNING BOARD TERM ENDS 2013
3 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR TWO
DEAN BEAMAN 284
ARTHUR CHARLAND 149
WILLIAM DOURDOUNAS 106
KIM N. GORDON 310
JOHN KEENAN 68
MARGARET SHARRA 332
FRANCIS (MIKE) TOWNE 153
PLANNING BOARD TERM ENDS 2012
2 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR ONE
JOHN PASQUARELLI 261
BRIAN MOSER 393
MUSTERFIELD CEMETERY COMMITTEE TERM ENDS 2013
3 YEAR TERM VOTE FOR ONE
KARI CALDWELL 236
ROBERT DAVIS 208
CHARLES GREGORY 279
ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $545,500 for the purpose of preparing plans and specifications for additional work required for the reconstruction of the Winchester Wastewater Treatment Plant that will qualify the Town for Federal and State funds; $300,000 of such sum to come from a federal State Tribal Aid Grant (“STAG”), which the Town is hereby authorized to accept, and to authorize the issuance of not more than $245,500 bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes, to determine the rate of interest thereon. Without impairing the nature of such bonds, notes or
loans as a general obligation of the Town, it is the intention and expectation of the Board of Selectmen that the principal and interest thereon shall be paid by the users of the sewer system. All expenditures related to receipt of federal funds shall be contingent on the receipt of such funds, otherwise these expenditures will not be made nor funds collected for these purposes.
To be enacted, this article requires a 3/5 vote.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 7-3, 1 abstention
YES: 573 NO: 196
ARTICLE 3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the additional sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) for the purpose of preparing plans and specifications, and for the reconstruction of the Winchester Wastewater Treatment Plant, that will qualify the Town for federal and state funds, such sum to be raised by serial bonds and notes, under and in compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (NHRSA 33:1 et seq as amended) and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes, to determine the interest rate thereon, and to take such actions as may be necessary to effect the issuance, negotiation, sale and delivery of such bonds or notes as shall be in the best interest of the Town of
Winchester; and further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept, and expend grants, donations, and gifts, and to participate in the State Revolving Fund, established pursuant to RSA 486:14.
To be enacted, this article requires a 3/5 vote.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-2
YES: 542 NO: 216
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $317,400 for the purpose of reconstructing the westside downtown Main Street sidewalks and to install new sidewalks from downtown to Kulick’s Shopping Center, including a pedestrian bridge crossing over Mirey Brook (the “Project”); and to authorize the issuance of not more than $253,920 bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes, to determine the rate of interest thereon, the remaining $63,480 to come from taxation. Without impairing the nature of such bonds, notes or loans as a general obligation of the Town, this article is
contingent upon the town receiving a Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant ($253,920) which the Town is hereby authorized to accept.
To be enacted, this article requires a 3/5 vote.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-2
YES: 491 NO: 284
ARTICLE 5. Shall the Town of Winchester 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 $3,464,356? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $3,600,975 which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Winchester 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.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 3-1, 1 abstention
Recommended by the Budget Committee 6-4
YES: 578 NO: 180
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500,000 for the purpose of preparing plans and specifications, and for the construction of a new bridge to replace the closed bridge over Wheelock Brook on Old Westport Road. $400,000 (80%) will be reimbursed through the State of New Hampshire Bridge Aid (which the Town is hereby authorized to accept), and the remaining $100,000 to come from the Bridge Reconstruction Capital Reserve Fund established in 2006 (Warrant Article 19).
(This article will not impact taxation.)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
YES: 616 NO: 160
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to enter into a 3-year lease/purchase agreement with a non-appropriation clause in the amount of $64,996 to be paid in 3 annual principal and interest payments of $23,174 for the purpose of purchasing a 2011 1-ton dump truck, with central hydraulics system, flat bed dump body and plow set-up? At the end of the 3-year lease agreement, no additional payment will be required and the Town will own the truck.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Not Recommended by the Budget Committee 6-4, 1 abstention
YES: 421 NO: 348
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of up to $25,000 for the cleaning, repair, and refinishing of the concrete retaining wall at the Town Beach?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Not Recommended by the Budget Committee 8-3
YES: 417 NO: 371
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate $24,800 as the fifth and final lease-to-purchase payment for the 2007 International dump truck, plow, and sander package?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
YES: 623 NO: 160
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate an amount not to exceed $18,000 to be deposited in the Evergreen Expendable General Care Trust Fund established by an affirmative vote by the 1998 Town Meeting as Article 11; the source of these funds to be withdrawn from the surplus generated by the perpetual care funds already established for the care and maintenance of lots within the Evergreen cemetery, and not from taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-0, 2 abstentions
YES: 618 NO: 150
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,500 as the Town’s local match to be combined with available federal funding programs to establish public transportation service between the communities of Winchester, Hinsdale, New Hampshire and Brattleboro, Vermont. If the towns are not successful in obtaining the anticipated federal grants, the funds will not be expended.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 6-5
YES: 453 NO: 338
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 for the Town’s share of State road grant reconstruction costs for bridges and place it in the non-lapsing Capital Reserve Fund established at the March 2006 Town Meeting under Article 19 for that purpose?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
YES: 585 NO: 188
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000 to support the annual Pickle Festival?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 7-4
YES: 465 NO: 322
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the purpose of subsidizing youth recreation in the Town of Winchester to be paid to the E.L.M. Memorial Community Center on a contractual basis?
Inserted by Petition
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0, 1 abstention
Recommended by the Budget Committee 5-4, 2 abstentions
YES: 502 NO: 284
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500 to be used along with the $10,000 grant money we received, to preserve the original clapboards, restore the shutters, and to scrape, paint and restore the exterior of the Thayer Library in Ashuelot?
Inserted by Petition
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 3-2
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
YES: 563 NO: 222
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town would be in favor of removing streetlights at various locations in the Town?
YES: 292 NO: 479
ARTICLE 17. The citizens of New Hampshire should be.
Inserted by Petition
YES: 174 NO: 260
ARTICLE 18. Shall the Town, in accordance with RSA 72:37-b, Disabled Exemption - adopt this property tax exemption for persons eligible under Title II or Title XVI of the Federal Social Security Act for benefits to the disabled in the sum of $750?
Inserted by Petition
YES: 480 NO: 242
ARTICLE 19. To see.
Inserted by Petition
YES: 107 NO: 254
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to continue to operate under an appointed road agent.
Inserted by Petition
YES: 413 NO: 260
ARTICLE 21. Shall the Town, in accordance with RSA 79-A:25, deposit in the Conservation Fund 76% of the revenues, collected in Land Use Change taxes and deposit 24% of Land use change tax revenues in the general fund for the purpose of reducing taxation?
Inserted by Petition
YES: 456 NO: 233
ARTICLE 22. Shall the Town adopt RSA 669:7 in accordance with RSA 31:39-a, as a Town of Winchester Conflict of Interest Ordinance?
Inserted by Petition
YES: 342 NO: 249
ARTICLE 23. Shall the Town continue its relationship with its current legal firm and commend present counsel for exemplary service?
Inserted by Petition
YES: 379 NO: 245
ARTICLE 24. Are you in favor of amendment to the town zoning ordinance: To amend Article III, S: Add to the dumpster ordinance; the purpose, definition, placement, use, compliance of, and violation sections of said ordinance?
Recommended by the Planning Board
YES: 409 NO: 292
ARTICLE 25. Are you in favor of amendment to the town zoning ordinance: To amend Article III, Add W: Reference to the use of site plan review and subdivision regulations?
Recommended by the Planning Board
YES: 360 NO: 286
ARTICLE 26. Are you in favor of amendment to the town zoning ordinance: To amend Article VIII-A, Commercial/industrial special use designation, E- performance standards. Change 1, to 30 foot vegetative buffer and add ”Vegetative criteria will be determined during site plan review based on the activity of the project.” Delete#2 (signage, now there is a sign ordinance), renumber 3 to 2?
Recommended by the Planning Board
YES: 350 NO: 303
ARTICLE 27. Are you in favor of amendment to the town zoning ordinance: To amend Article XV, Enforcement; to include in the powers of the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer to include the use of a violation and plea by mail system to be administered by the Town for the administrative enforcement of violations of any municipal code, ordinance, bylaw or regulation and for the collection of penalties, as authorized under RSA 31:39-c?
Recommended by the Planning Board
YES: 366 NO: 304
ARTICLE 28. Are you in favor of amendment to the town zoning ordinance: To amend Article XVI, Zoning Board of Adjustment; B2(ii). Guidelines–Granting Specific Special Exceptions. Add “ for Senior Housing”. Change “elderly” in B2(ii)a and B2(ii)c to “senior”?
Recommended by the Planning Board
YES: 466 NO: 197
ARTICLE 29. Are you in favor of amendment by citizen petition for the town ordinance: The Aquifer Protection District Ordinance, Section 5b:2 to read: Multi-family residential development; Minimum lot size is two acres per unit. If serviced by town water and sewer, or existing dwelling, lot size is as permitted in the underlying district?
Inserted by Petition
Recommended by the Planning Board
YES: 388 NO: 285
ARTICLE 30. Are you in favor of amendment by citizen petition for town zoning ordinance: Shall the residents of the Town of Winchester vote to prohibit the installation of any “new” gas stations within a one-mile radius of an existing station?
Inserted by Petition
Not Recommended by the Planning Board
YES: 218 NO: 508
WINCHESTER ASSESSING NEWS
Winter-Spring 2010
- Bob Gray is pleased to announce that Avitar Associates of New England will continue to provide Winchester with assessing services for the next 5 years. The Board of Selectmen signed another 5-year contract with Avitar at a significantly lower cost than the first 5 years now that Avitar has worked with our properties and corrected many of the issues that existed from the previous firm’s work and the 2005 revaluation. Avitar provides general assessing, data verification, and update / revaluation services to the Town.
- Data verification from 2009 has concluded. Approximately 435 homes were measured. Winchester conducts data verification on 20-25% of the buildings in town each year to ensure that the physical data for each 5-year update / revaluation is correct. Avitar has mailed letters to those properties that the assessor did not get to enter inviting the owners to make an appointment with the assessor if they choose…it is not required. Allowing the assessor to enter the building gives us the opportunity to check the interior data and find out from the owner about issues that may not be easily observed otherwise. Appointments will be taken 2/1, 2/2, and 2/3 for future visit dates.
- 2010 is Winchester’s revaluation year. This is required every 5 years by the Department of Revenue. Over the next 6 months, the assessors will be in town at various times to check the properties that will be used as sales comparables, to check all of the land parcels, and to do calculations. Avitar will extend the sales monitoring period to go through the summer to obtain as many qualified sales as possible in this low sales volume poor real estate market. When Avitar is finished, letters will be mailed to all property owners with the new values and there will be opportunities to attend hearings with Avitar on these new values.
- Reminder…applications for exemptions, credits, and for current use must be received by April 15th. Also, abatement applications for the tax year 2009 must be received by March 1st.
- The Selectmen’s Office will be recertifying all Elderly Exemptions that were filed during the year 2005. The Department of Revenue requires us to verify and refresh the Elderly Exemptions every 5 years, so we do this on a “rolling” basis 5 years out from the date of the last filing.
Healthy Kids
Healthy Future
Discussions on
April 7, May 5
& June 2, 2010
For more information on this
and Kids Bowling League,
Cub Scouts and becoming
a Volunteer go to
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