TOWN OF BRADFORD
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Town Warrant and Minutes of town Meeting March 10, 2009
The Polls opened at 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on March 10, 2009.
To the inhabitants of the town of Bradford in the Countyof Merrimack in said State qualified to vote in town affairs; You are hereby notified to meet at the Bradford Elementary School on Old Warner Road in said Bradford, NH on Tuesday, the tenth of March next, at eight o‘clock in the morning to act on the following articles:
Article 1. To choose all necessary Town officials for the ensuing year.
Selectman for 3 Years – Vote for 1
Harold J. Liberty 175
John ―Jack‖ Meaney 173
Don Stumph 26
Recount was requested on March 11, 2009. The recount date was set for March 17, 2009 at 9:00 A.M. The recount took place at the Town Hall in the main meeting room. The Board of Recount performed the recount according to secretary of State‘s procedures and the States RSA‘s. The Board of Recount consisted of Peter Fenton, Charles Meany III, Selectmen, Marilyn Gordon, Selectman designee, Mildred Kittredge, Assistant Moderator, Susan Pehrson, Town Clerk andEverettKittredge, Counter Designee. Two of the three candidates were in attendance, along with one observer. There was one bystander. At the conclusion of the recount, there were no contested ballots and the count changed to become a tie vote. The Town Clerk had a member of the Board fold two papers each containing the name of a candidate and put them in a box. The Town Clerk then drew a name from the box. The winner was declared to be John ―Jack‖ Meaney. The recount ended at 9:30 A.M.
Town Clerk/Tax Collector for 3 Years – Vote for 1
Susan Pehrson Elected 375
Treasurer for 3 Years – Vote for 1
Marilyn Gordon Elected 363
Trustee of the Trust Funds for 3 Years – Vote for 1
George P. Morse Jr. Elected 359
Trustee of the Brown Memorial Library for 3 Years – Vote for 2
Erica Gross Elected 338
Beatrice Howe Elected 325
Trustee of the Brown Memorial Library for 2 Years – Vote for 1
Patricia Furness Elected Write-in 26
Scholarship Committee for 3 Years – Vote for 1
Gilberte ―Jill‖ Pinard Elected 228
Denise T. Renk 123
Budget Committee for 3 Years – Vote for 2
GaryWall Elected 305
Robert Stewart Elected Write-in 53
Planning Board for 3 Years – Vote for 2
Barbara Vannata Elected 295
Barry Wheeler Elected 287
Zoning Board for 3 Years – Vote for 2
Richard Dionne Elected 270
Harold Wright Elected 288
Cemetery Commission for 3 Years – Vote for 1
Janet Riley Elected 363
Article 2. Zoning Ordinance. – This is a petition to repeal the definition of a building lot in accordance with RSA 675:4. The article is to see if the Town ofBradfordwill vote to amend the lot size requirements to read minimum lot size required is 2 acres and delete the word buildable. By Petition.
Are you in favor of an amendment to repeal the definition of a building lot in accordance with RSA 675:4 as proposed by the planning board for the Bradford Zoning Ordinance as follows? To amend the lot size requirement to read minimum lot size required is 2 acres and delete the work buildable.
Lot Size Regulation – MinimumLotSize
Lot Size is determined by the minimum lot size required by the particular zoning district.
Zoning District Min. Lot Size Min Frontage
Residential Business 2 Acres 250 Feet
Residential Rural 2 Acres 250 Feet
Conservation 5 Acres 400 Feet
Yes 160 No 224
Article Did Not Carry
There was also a school ballot.
Question 1. To see if theSchool Districtwill vote to raise and appropriate the Municipal Budget
Committee‘s recommended amount of $35,375,765 for the support of schools, for the payment of salaries for the school district officials and agents and for the payment for the statutory obligations of the district. The School Board recommends $35,950,200. This article does not include appropriations voted in other warrant articles. This warrant article asks the voters to raise and appropriate for the support of schools, the salaries of School District Officials and Agents and for the Statutory obligations of said District and to authorize the application against said appropriation of such sums as are estimated to be received from the State sources, together with the other income, the School Board to certify to the Selectmen of each of the Towns of Bradford,New London, Newbury,Springfield, Sutton, Warner and Wilmot, the amount to be raised by taxation by said towns.
Vote for Only One: A or B
A. $35,950,200 for the proposed Operating Budget recommended by School Board.
126 Votes
B. $35,375,765 for the proposed Operating Budget recommended by the Municipal Budget Committee.
The Lower Budget Carried District Wide
Question #2. To see if the School District will vote to approve the cost item included in the memorandum of agreement reached between theSchool Districtand the Para Educators at Kearsarge (PEAK) which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing levels.
Year Estimated Increase
2009 – 2010 $41,267
And further to raise and appropriate the sum of forty-one thousand, two hundred sixty-seven dollars ($41,267) for the upcoming fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits over those of the appropriation at current staffing levels paid in the prior fiscal year.
(School Board Recommends) (MBC Recommends) Yes 185 No 195
Article Carried District Wide
Question #3. To see if theSchool Districtwill vote to authorize the School Board to sell the SAU 65 office building,169 Main St,New London, on such term and conditions as the School Board shall determine are in the best interest of theSchool District; and further to establish an expendable trust fund under the provisions of RSA 198:20-c, to be known as the SAU Office Relocation Fund, for the purpose of paying all expenses, including construction, renovation, equipment and moving costs, for relocation the SAU to new office space and to raise and appropriate the money received from the sale of the existingSAUOfficeBuilding, up to the sum of six hundred thousand ($600,000) to be placed in this fund, and to name the School Board as agents to expend from this fund. (School Board Recommends) (MBC Recommends)
Yes 239 No 141
Article Carried District Wide
Question #4. To see if theSchool Districtwill vote to raise and appropriate the sum of seventyfive thousand dollars (75,000) to be placed in the Special Education Expendable Trust Fund, established in 2008 within the provisions of RSA 198:20-c for the purpose of emergency funding of unforeseen Special Education costs incurred by the District.
(School Board Recommends) (MBC Recommends) Yes 177 No 204
Article Carried District Wide
Question #5. To see if the School District will vote to create an expendable trust fund under the provisions of RSA 198:20-c, to be known as the School Buildings Maintenance Fund, for the purpose of repair, unanticipated utility costs and maintaining the school buildings and equipment. Furthermore, to raise and appropriate the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) toward this purpose, from surplus funds remaining on hand as of June 30, 2009 and to name the School Board as agents to expend from this fund.
(School Board Recommends) (MBC Recommends) Yes 211 No 204
Article Carried District Wide
Question #6. To see if theSchool Districtwill vote to raise and appropriate the sum of seventytwo thousand dollars ($72,000) to contract with the Town ofSuttonfor the services of a position of a school resource officer. (By Petition) (School board Does Not Recommend) (MBC Does Not Recommend)
Yes 45 No 332
Article Did Not Carry District Wide
Moderator for 1 Year – Vote for 1
Robert Bowers Jr. Elected 327
School Board for 2 Years – Vote for 1
Andrew Pinard Elected 299
There were a total of 394 votes cast including 35 Absentee Ballots.
Election Officials present: Jonathan Steiner, Moderator, Mildred Kittredge, Assistant Moderator, Peter Fenton, Andrew Pinard, Charles Meany III, Selectmen, Susan Pehrson, Town clerk/Tax Collector, Ann Lucier, Judith Marshall, Ruth Marden, Supervisors of the Checklist, Audrey Sylvester, Caroline Verity, Beth Rodd, George Cilley, Marjorie Cilley, Margaret Ainslie, Phyllis Wilcox, Harriet Douglass, Linda Niven, Robert Wrisley, Ann Marie Ball, Jane Johnson, Mary Keegan Dayton, Inspectors of the Election, Steven Pierce, Marancy Pehrson, Counters.
Article 3. Meeting was adjourned at 10:45 P.M. until Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 7:00pm, at theBradfordElementary Schoolon theOld Warner Road. The raising of money and remaining articles in the Warrant to be taken up at the adjourned meeting.
Meeting reconvened at 7:05, on March 11, 2009 at theKearsargeRegionalElementary SchoolatBradford. There were approximately 200 people in attendance. Robert Selig led the group in the pledge of allegiance. Moderator, Jonathan Steiner explained the process and gave a quick overview of the procedures that would be followed for the evening Joe Conway cautioned those present that any money spent would result in a higher tax rate.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Million Eight Hundred and Twenty Thousand Six Hundred Seventy Six Dollars ($1,820,676.00) for the general municipal operation. This article DOES NOT include amounts appropriated by other warrant articles. (Majority vote required)
1. Executive 107,833.00 Carried
2. Elections and Vital records 4,550.00 Carried
3. Financial Administration . 83,401.00
Article was amended to 75,401.00 Carried
4. Revaluations 19,950.00 Carried
5. Legal 15,000.00 Carried
6. Employee Benefits 243,924.00 Carried
7. Planning and Zoning 20,800.00 Carried
8. General Government Buildings 42,732.00 Carried
9. Cemetery 18,310.00 Carried
10. Insurance 62,292.00 Carried
11. Other General Government 12,090.00 Carried
12. Police Department 287,005.00
Article was amended to 267,005.00 Carried
13. Fire Department 92,000.00 Carried
14. Rescue Services 82,320.00 Carried
15. Building Code Department 14,650.00 Carried
16. Emergency Management 500.00 Carried
17. Highway Department 372,495.00 Carried
18.BridgeMaintenance 100.00 Carried
19. Street Lighting 4,100.00 Carried
20. Solid Waste Collection 50,877.00
Article was amended to 57,377.00 Carried
21. Solid Waste Disposal 56,600.00 Carried
22. Inoculations 800.00 Carried
23. Welfare Administration 4,012.00 Carried
24. Welfare Vendor and Direct Payments 43,350.00 Carried
25.Parksand Recreation 4,380.00 Carried
26. Library 62,525.00 Carried
27. Patriotic Purposes 14,500.00 Carried
28.Community Center77,830.00 Carried
29. Other Conservation 750.00 Carried
30. Long Term Debt payments 18,000.00 Carried
31. Interest on T.A.N. 3,000.00 Carried
Total $ 1,799,176.00
The total budget was moved and seconded. The total amount of the operating budget is $1,799,176.00. Article Carried.
There was a request to move Articles #29 & #30 next. Request accepted.
Article 29. Shall the Town vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 36-A:4-a. 1(b) to authorize the conservation commission to expend funds for contributions to ‗qualified organizations‘ for the purchase of property interests, or facilitating transactions related thereto, where the property interest is to be held by the qualified organization and the town will retain no interest in the property?
Article Did Not Carry
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $96,000 (Ninety Six Thousand Dollars) for the purpose of contributing to the purchase of a conservation easement and associated expenses on a portion of the Battles Farm (Map 6, Lots 96 and 46). Said land is located at the intersection ofCenter RoadandJewett Road. The purpose of this easement will be to protect valuable agricultural and forest land, wild life habitat, wetland and flood control areas. This vote authorizes the Town ofBradfordto accept a back-up executory interest in said conservation easement. Submitted by petition. Selectmen do not recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend. (If passed this will add an estimated $.42/thousand to the 2009 tax rate)
Paper Ballot Yes 72 No 131
Article Did Not Carry
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($120,000) to build a salt shed for the Highway Department Facility. This will be a non lapsing appropriation to continue until the money is spent or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend. (If passed, this will add and estimated $.52/thousand to the 2009 tax rate) Article was amended to $2,500.00 by the Selectmen
Article Carried
Article 6. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of Twenty Four Thousand Dollars ($24,000) for the purchase and installation of a new air quality system for the Bradford Highway Garage. This will be funded from surplus and no additional money will be raised by taxation. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends.
Article Carried
Article 7: To see if the Town will vote to establish a Non-Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1-c for the purpose of offsetting expenses associated with unexpected increases in the costs of petroleum-related products and winter road salt, and to fund from surplus the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) to be placed in this fund, and further to appoint the board of selectmen as agents to expend from this fund. No money to be raised by taxation. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends.
Article Carried
Article 8. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Four Thousand Dollars ($24,000) to re-roof theBementCovered Bridgewith a metal standing seam roofing material. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and continue until the money is spent or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.10/thousand to the 2009 tax rate).
Article Did Not Carry
Article 9: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) to fund the Highway Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.13/thousand to the 2009 tax rate). Article amended to $15,000.
Article Carried
Article 10. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) for Road Sealant. This is a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until the money is expended or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add as estimated $.17/thousand to the 2009 tax rate).
Article Carried
Article 11. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Thirty Three Thousand Dollars ($133,000) to repair and resurfaceSunset Hill Road. This will be a non lapsing appropriation to continue until the money is expended or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend. (If passed this will add an estimated $.58/thousand to the 2009 tax rate).
Article Did Not Carry
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Ninety Five Thousand Dollars ($595,000) for the design and construction of Bridge #098-114 onWest Road. This project is under the municipal managed bridge project with the State ofNH. Five Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($520,000) will come from the State ofNHand the remaining Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000) to be raised by taxation. The town has already raised $55,000 for this project for a total construction cost of Six Hundred And Fifty Thousand Dollars ($650,000). This will be a non lapsing appropriation until the funds are expended or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.32/thousand to the 2009 tax rate).
Article Carried
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to evaluate and repair the deck on Bridge #098/117 onWest Meadow Road. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and continue until the funds are expended or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.04/thousand to the 2009 tax rate)
Article Carried
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand One Hundred Seventy Two Dollars ($10,172) for the first year of a four year lease to purchase and outfit a four wheel drive police vehicle. The cost of the vehicle is Thirty Six Thousand Nine Hundred Forty One Dollars ($36,941) with financing charges of an additional Three Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Seven Dollars ($3,747) to total Forty Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty Eight Dollars ($40,688). Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.04/thousand to the 2009 tax rate and continue to 2010-2012)
Article Did Not Carry
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to change the purpose and title of the existing New Police Facility Capital Reserve Fund to the Police Facility Updating and Renovation und. Two thirds vote required. Article was amended to read: To see if the town will vote to change the purpose and the title of the existing New Police Facility Capital Reserve Fund to the Police Facility Capital Reserve Fund. Two thirds vote required.
Article Carried
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000) to purchase and install a fence around the Fire Pond located on property owned by Karen andChristopher Wayat Map17Lot19. This is a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until the money is used or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.04/thousand to the 2009 tax rate)
Article was amended to read: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Three Hundred Dollars (5,300.00) to purchase and install a fence around the Fire Pond located on property owned by Karen andChristopher Wayat Map 17 Lot 19. This is a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until the money is used or December 31, 2014. (If passed this would add an estimated $.20/thousand to the tax rate.) Amendment Carried
Article Carried
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the Ambulance Capital Reserve. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.04/thousand to the 2009 tax rate). Article was amended to $5,000.00. Article Carried
Article 18. Shall we rescind the provisions of RSA 31:95-c to restrict 100% of the revenues from ambulance transportation to the expenditures of the purpose of operating the Bradford Rescue Squad, including salaries and new equipment? Paper Ballot required. Majority vote.
Paper Ballot Yes 95 No 41
Article Carried
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to establish a revolving fund pursuant to RSA 31:95-h, for the purpose of ambulance services, including salaries and new equipment. All revenues received for ambulance services will be deposited into the fund, and the money in the fund shall be allowed to accumulate from year to year, and shall not be considered part of the town’s general fund unreserved fund balance. The town treasurer shall have custody of all moneys in the fund, and shall pay out the same only upon order of the governing body and no further approval is required by the legislative body to expend. Such funds may be expended only for purposes for which the fund was created.
Article Carried
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the Town Facilities Capital Reserve. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.02/thousand to the 2009 tax rate)
Article Carried
Article 21. To see if the town will vote to withdraw Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500) from the Town Facilities Capital Reserve to design of a new front handicap entrance and Drive for theBradfordTown Hall. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend.
Article Did Not Carry
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the Repair of Town Buildings Capital Reserve. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.04/thousand to the 2009 tax rate)
Article Carried
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) for the Fire Dept Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.09/thousand to the 2009 tax rate)
Article Did Not Carry
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for theFireDeptBuildingRepair Capital Reserve. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.02/thousand to the 2009 tax rate)
Hand Count Yes 60 No 38
Article Carried
Article 25. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for the Gravestone Repair Expendable Trust. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated <$.01/ thousand to the 2009 tax rate) Article Passed Over
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,750) for the Bradford Newbury Sutton Youth Sports. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend. (If passed this will add an estimated $.01/thousand to the 2009 tax rate)
Hand Count Yes 64 No 39 Article Carried
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000) for the monitoring of the boat launch. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend. (If passed this will add an estimated $.02/thousand to the 2009 tax rate)Article Carried
Article 28. To raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the Revaluation Capital Reserve. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends. (If passed this will add an estimated $.06/thousand to the 2009 tax rate) Article Carried
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to require that all votes by an advisory budget committee, a town budget committee, and the governing body relative to budget items or warrant articles shall be recorded votes and the numerical tally of any such vote shall be printed in the town warrant next to the affected warrant article. Article Carried
Article 32. To see if the Town of Bradford, New Hampshire will vote to adopt the following resolution, and shall upon adoption notify in writing members of our congressional representatives, Representatives Hodes and Shea-Porter, and Senators Shaheen and Gregg, to do the following:
Actively work in support of the creation of a US Department of Peace and Non Violence, as described and presented to theUSHouse of Representatives in the 110th Congress as HR 808, the purpose of which ―shall be dedicated to peacemaking and the study of conditions that are conducive to both domestic and international peace.‖
Article Did Not Carry
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to accept the reports of the Town Officers. To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
BradfordBoard of Selectmen
Peter Fenton, Chairman
Andrew Pinard
Charles Meany
The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 P.M.
A true copy attest:
Susan Pehrson
Town Clerk/Tax Collector
TOWN OF BRADFORD
The Recount for the Selectman‘s seat for the Town of Bradford was held on March 17, 2009 at 9:00 A.M. in the town hall.
At the close of the recount it was determined that there was a tie between Mr. Harold Liberty and Mr. John Meany.
The winner was selected by drawing of lot by the Town Clerk. Mr. Meany was declared the winner.