Julia Griffin
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townmgr@hanovernh.org

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Town Meeting 2002

The annual Town Meeting of the Town of Hanover, New Hampshire convened on May 14, 2002 at 7:00 am by the Town Moderator, Harry Bird, at the Hanover High School Gymnasium. Moderator Bird explained the polls would be open from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm for the purpose of voting for candidates for Town Offices and for all other articles requiring vote by official ballot as set forth in Articles One through Fourteen of the Town Meeting Warrant.

Moderator Bird advised hearing assistive devises were available for those with hearing impairments.

After the polls were closed at 7:00 pm, the following fourteen articles voted on throughout the day were tabulated.

ARTICLE ONE: To vote (by nonpartisan ballot) for the following Town Officers:

Two Selectmen, each to serve for a term of three (3) years:

Peter L. Christie 765 (elected)
John L. Currie 467 (defeated)
Philip D. Harrison 167 (defeated)
Brian F. Walsh 920 (elected)

One Treasurer to serve for a term of one (1) year:

Michael J. Ahern 1188 (elected)

One Library Trustee to serve for a term of three (3) years:

Mary Sullivan King 1192 (elected)

One Supervisor of the Checklist to serve for a term of six (6) years:

Elaine K. Hawthorne 1216 (elected)

One Moderator to serve for a term of two (2) years:

Marilyn "Willy" Black 1169 (elected)

One Trustee of Trust Funds to serve for a term of three (3) years:

Paul B. Gardent 1179 (elected)

ARTICLE TWO: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 1. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 1 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 1 would establish a new zoning district, Downtown "D" consisting of two parts, Downtown Core "D-1" and Downtown Edge "D-2", each allowing mixed residential and commercial development, with D-2 allowing a lower density and requiring a larger proportion of residential use of property so as to be compatible with adjacent neighborhoods. This amendment includes new sets of uses to promote residential intensification, front setbacks established by map reference to increase variety along the street, building mass controlled by floor area ratios rather than density controlled by minimum lot size, modifications to the parking controls to create a system of parking credits, simplification of parking calculations, and a number of "housekeeping" changes. These Downtown "D" zoning districts would replace the majority of the existing "B-2" Central Business and "GR-1" General Residence zoning districts in the vicinity of South Main, Lebanon, Allen, and East South Streets, Currier Place, and Sanborn Lane; land currently zoned "B-2" on the north side of Lebanon Street and a currently "GR-1" zoned lot on Hovey Lane near Sanborn Lane would become part of the "I" Institutional zoning district; and a lot on Currier Place and small rear portions of lots fronting East South Street currently zoned "SR-2" Single Residence would become part of the proposed "D-2" zoning district.

At Public Hearings held on April 2 and 9, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 735 NO 698 ARTICLE PASSED

Recount requested by petition.

Recount held May 27, 2002.

RESULTS: YES 739 NO 712 ARTICLE PASSED

ARTICLE THREE: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 2. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 2 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 2 would amend sections 317.1 F and J and sections 317.3 B and F to allow signs which project perpendicularly from a building, to allow either the name of a business or the logo of a business on awnings and establishing size limitations for both, to replace the 100 square feet limit with a 200 square feet limit on signage per building with a 25 square foot cap for each sign, and to allow up to a 100 square foot limit for buildings with less than 100 foot street frontage; and to increase the number of temporary signs from 3 to 5 per building. This amendment would also add a new section 317.3 G which would allow as a permitted use one sign per alley hung over the alley above an established minimum height but limited to 15 square feet per building and 30 square feet per sign.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 780 NO 638 ARTICLE PASSED

ARTICLE FOUR: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 3. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 3 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 3 would amend the use and dimensional tables in Section 204 by transferring some uses from the list of uses "Allowed by Special Exception" to the list of "Permitted Uses", adding or deleting some Permitted Uses and uses Allowed By Special Exception, and modifying some dimensional requirements, and amending other related sections in Article II of the Zoning Ordinance for internal consistency. This amendment would also amend Section 210.3 regarding produce stands; delete the text of Section 301; and add a new Section 1007 to provide for Equitable Waivers according to State Law and renumber existing Sections 1007 and 1008.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 865 NO 476 ARTICLE PASSED

ARTICLE FIVE: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 4. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 4 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 4 would amend Table 204.8 relative to the Forestry and Recreation zoning district by adding parking associated with a recreation area to the list of permitted uses.
At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 1036 NO 349 ARTICLE PASSED

ARTICLE SIX: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 5. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 5 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 5 would amend Section 210.1 L by deleting the current text and adding text that would allow accessory dwelling units as permitted uses in the SR Single Residence Zoning District provided a detailed list of criteria are met. These criteria would allow the accessory unit only in the principal building on the lot and specifies conditions that are intended to protect the integrity of the single-family owner-occupied property and neighborhood in which the accessory dwelling would be created.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 952 NO 425 ARTICLE PASSED

ARTICLE SEVEN: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 6. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 6 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 6 would add a new paragraph to Section 702.7 that would allow Administrative Permits to be issued for regular repair and maintenance work in and near wetlands and water bodies on structures, improvements or features that have been legally built or grandfathered. This amendment would further specify that repair and maintenance could not result in expansion of any structure, improvements, and features or in the reduction of a wetland or water body.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 1135 NO 265 ARTICLE PASSED

ARTICLE EIGHT: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 7. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 7 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 7 would amend Section 210.1 by adding a new subparagraph O that would require that in the "GR" General Residence and "SR" Single Residence zoning districts, above ground fuel tanks of a size greater than 120 gallons shall be screened from view from abutting properties.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 1149 NO 254 ARTICLE PASSED

ARTICLE NINE: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 8. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 8 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 8 would amend Section 210.1 N to allow the use of accessory buildings for bed and breakfast use and to add two subsections to allow for larger numbers of guests and bedrooms in Bed and Breakfast establishments on larger lots in the "SR" Single Residence and "RR" Rural Residence zoning districts; and this amendment would amend the definition of bed and breakfast in Section 902 to allow for 16 or fewer in-house transient guests in a maximum of 8 bedrooms.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 921 NO 479 ARTICLE PASSED

ARTICLE TEN: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 9. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 9 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 9 would amend Table 204.3 "OL" Office and Laboratory, and Section 502 Planned Residential Development (PRD) so as to permit PRD in the "OL" zoning district as a Permitted Use.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 818 NO 582 ARTICLE PASSED

ARTICLE ELEVEN: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 10. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 10 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 10 would amend Table 204.6 "SR" Single Residence, and Section 502 Planned Residential Development (PRD) so as to permit PRD in the "SR" zoning district as a Permitted Use.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 552 NO 893 ARTICLE DEFEATED

ARTICLE TWELVE: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 11. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 11 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 11 would establish a "GR-3", General Residence--Three Zoning District by amending Sections 201 (Establishment of Districts), 204.5 (General Residence Uses and Area and Dimensional Controls), 323 (Noise Standards), and 502 (Planned Residential Development) of the Zoning Ordinance; and would amend the Zoning Map to set out a GR-3 zoning district along the west side of Lyme Road to include the following parcels currently zoned "SR-3": 49/1, 49/2, 49/3, 49/7 and 49/10.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 567 NO 884 ARTICLE DEFEATED

ARTICLE THIRTEEN: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 12. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 12 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 12 would amend the Zoning Map so that in an area east of Grasse Road the boundary between the "SR-1" Single Residence--1 and "F" Forestry and Recreation zoning districts would be altered so as to generally coincide with the watershed of Fletcher Reservoir which is within the Hanover Water Works Company property: the "SR-1" zoning district would be extended to include a piece of land of 13.8 +/- acres currently zoned "F", and the "F" zoning district would be extended to include 8.4+/- acres of currently zoned "SR-1" land.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 588 NO 872 ARTICLE DEFEATED

ARTICLE FOURTEEN: (to vote by ballot) To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing Hanover Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Hanover Planning Board in Amendment No. 13. The following question is on the official ballot:

"Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 13 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"

Amendment No. 13 would change the zoning district designation of portions of parcels 33/83, 33/81, 33/21 and 33/22 currently in the "GR-2" General Residence--2 zoning district to "I" Institutional zoning district.

At a Public Hearing held on April 2, 2002, the Hanover Planning Board voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.

RESULTS: YES 560 NO 872 ARTICLE DEFEATED

Moderator Harry Bird called to order the Business Session of the 2002 Town Meeting of the Town of Hanover, New Hampshire at 7:00 pm. Selectmen present included: Brian Walsh, Chairman; Katherine Connolly, Vice-Chairman; William Baschnagel; Marilyn Black and Judson Pierson. Town Manager, Julia Griffin was also in attendance. Community Access Television (Channel 6) broadcasted the Town Meeting live and recorded to rebroadcast.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN: To choose the following Town Officers to be elected by a majority vote:

One member of the Advisory Board of Assessors for a term of three (3) years;

Three Fence Viewers each for a term of one (1) year;

Two Surveyors of Wood and Timber each for a term of one (1) year;

Such other Officers as the Town may judge necessary for managing its affairs.
Selectman Walsh moved to nominate the following persons for the following offices:

One member of the Advisory Board of Assessors for a term of three (3) years - Xenia Heaton.

Three Fence Viewers each for a term of one (1) year - Frederick Crory, Edward Lathem and Robert Morris

Two Surveyors of Wood and Timber each for a term of one (1) year - Willem Lange and John Richardson

Such other Officers as the Town may judge necessary for managing its affairs.

Selectman Black seconded the motion.

There being no further nominations, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Walsh's motion. The motion PASSED and nominees were ELECTED.

Selectman Walsh introduced Selectman Black to read the following resolution:

Resolution for Harry Bird

Town Moderators are absolutely critical to the lifeblood of Town Meetings. To be truly effective, they must preside over meetings with the patience of Job, the humor of David Letterman, the wisdom of Solomon, the diplomacy of Colin Powell, the leadership of Lou Bressett, the take-charge presence of Attila the Hun, a confident command of state law and Robert's Rules, and the ability to read the mood of a meeting like a book. Who is this great moderator? Our very own, Harry Bird!

In the midst of an esteemed medical career with DHMC and the inevitable busy family life, somehow Harry stumbled upon a desire to be of service to the Town of Hanover. Thirty-three years later, he has decided it is time to retire from public serviceÓat least in Hanover. Inevitably, all good things must come to an end, and this is a big one!

Harry began his career with the Town of Hanover in 1969, when he was appointed to the Finance Committee. By 1971 he had advanced to Chair, and served until 1972. Hungry for more involvement, Harry was drafted to fill a seat on the Board of Selectmen in 1973. He ably served until 1974, and then spent a brief time apprenticing, first as Moderator Pro Tem for the Town and then as Moderator for the Dresden School District and Moderator Pro Tem for the Hanover School District. In 1976 he found his true calling however, and successfully ran for Town Moderator. As the result of his training as Moderator, Harry went on to orchestrate the moving of DHMC, served as New Hampshire's Commissioner of Health and Human Services, and chaired the University of New Hampshire's Board of Trustees. And all the while, Harry has continued to orchestrated Hanover's local elections and Town Meetings. This community has benefited from his leadership.

Over 26 years, as many an election day has dawned, Harry has been found at Town Hall and then at the polling place, assuring together with the Town Clerk that no detail has been overlooked. Presiding over day-long voting activity with confidence and certainty, Harry has handled many delicate situations over the years, including "enthusiastic" poll workers, "new and creative" attempts to provide information to voters, and inquiring or just downright cranky voters. The familiar refrain, "You need to ask the Moderator," has enabled many of us associated with voting to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Harry was in charge and had, no doubt, handled the question before. He has often served as the calming influence when the going got tough, including the controversial malfunction of the voting machines due to a programming error in 1996. He has provided quiet and confident leadership to Town staff and the public as we have worked our way through delicate issues. He has never shied away from tough assignments, like the year he had to assist the Hanover Police Department in chasing away the young bull moose blocking the entrance to the High School gymnasium, just before the polls opened. A Harry- moderated meeting has always run smoothly. He has maintained that delicate balance between allowing sufficient time for public input while insuring that the meeting moved along at an efficient pace. That skill is truly a combination of experience gained over the years and just plain natural talent.

Thank-you, Harry, for serving the Town of Hanover so thoughtfully, wisely and skillfully. We wish you all the best in full retirement, but just want you to know that Town Meeting will not be quite the same without you.

Moderator Bird stated it had been his privilege to serve the citizens of Hanover all these years. He spoke of a task Governor Shaheen had asked of himself and others a few weeks ago; to write in one or two phrases what they thought was the essence of New Hampshire. Moderator Bird believed his response described the Town of Hanover as much as the State of New Hampshire as a place of physical beauty, one where volunteers are a long tradition and where people have a passion for citizen government. Moderator Bird said if he had one wish for the citizens of Hanover in the years ahead it would be that they fight fiercely to keep this town beautiful, that they work to keep the volunteer spirit that makes our culture so special and that they keep their hand on the citizen government that governs this town.

Selectman Walsh introduced Selectman Connolly for the reading of the following resolution:

Resolution for Marilyn "Willy" Black

This is not a happy moment for the Town of Hanover. Marilyn "Willy " Black, who has served the citizens of the Town of Hanover as a Selectwoman for a record-setting 21 years, is stepping down. What follows is a litany of achievement and service, which translates into a list of future losses for the Town. Willy's shoes are not likely to be filled anytime soon.

Willy moved to Hanover with her family in 1969 and began a teaching career, first as a kindergarten teacher and then as the art teacher for the Ray School. Willy inspired the imaginations of a couple of generations of our children. In 1979, the Federal Government reinforced our local recognition of her excellence when Willy was made "Teacher of the Year" for the entire country. Since her official retirement from her day job in 1992, Willy has kept her artistic life alive by continuing to produce many wonderful and much-desired chainsaw sculptures. In addition to her teaching and artistic pursuits, Willy, expert in the trombone and bassoon, has been a part of some seven pit orchestras, the Vermont Philharmonic as well as several local bands. On any given weekend during the summer, chances are you could catch her performing in a wedding ensemble, a Town band shell, a theatrical performance and a church service, all in a two-day period.

Willy began her civic career by serving with the newly formed Parks and Recreation Board in 1974. Willy, in fact, played a major part in the formation of that Board, serving as a member until 1981. Willy was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 1981 and has served with intelligence, energy and distinction, along with her roles as the Selectmen's representative to the Parks and Recreation Board, the Conservation Commission, the Water Company, the Hanover Improvement Society, the Senior Citizen Steering Committee, the Parking and Transportation Board, the Substance Abuse Advisory Committee, CATV-6, the Recycling Committee and the Howe Library. Willy has juggled all of these responsibilities over the years while willingly taking on more than her full share of other Selectmen's duties, from fundraising to event planning and almost everything else in between.

And now the highlights! In 1994 the Hanover Chamber of Commerce decided that Willy should be the Citizen of the Year, an event celebrated by a large number of people in concert with an amazed Willy. Willy was alternatively Vice-Chairman or Chairman of the Board of Selectmen during most of the decade of the 1990's, which made her the Town's chief diplomat for our "Twinning Ceremony" with the city of Joigny, France and for our first trip to our "Friendship City", Nihonmatsu, Japan, to celebrate their anniversary of incorporation. It was a pleasure to observe first hand the ease, intelligence and grace of an apparently seasoned diplomat, by whom the Town was beautifully represented in both places. In 1993, Willy and other representatives from Hanover, Norwich and the communications industry contracted with the local cable company to begin broadcasting on CATV-6, our local community access television channel. Since that time we have enjoyed a variety of programming, national as well as local, and the telecasting of the Selectmen's and School Board meetings, making our local government processes widely available to many more citizens. The broadcast facility that was assembled for the channel has become a broadcast teaching facility for our region.
Perhaps Willy's most important contribution as a Selectman is the many years she has spent researching, coordinating, facilitating and bringing to the voters of this assembly a plan for a combined Community and Senior Center. This facility will serve the needs of our popular Recreation Department and the needs of our Senior Citizens, whose programs are the envy of many municipalities and whose facilities are not. The result is a beautifully balanced and attractive facility that will have a minimal financial impact, less so by the day thanks to the many generous contributions of our citizens. Willy deserves enormous credit for bringing this facility to us and inspiring the hundreds of contributions, both financial and intellectual. The wonderful irony is that the name of the major donor for whom the center will be named is Black.

It will be with extreme unhappiness that we will carry on. We will miss the care for all members of the Town - employees as well as citizens - that Willy has expressed in her actions and writings. We will miss the energy and intelligence with which she has attacked (a word used with absolute accuracy) every task she has undertaken. And at the last we will miss the affection that Willy exudes for every living thing, a propensity that has become happily infectious throughout the Town. Willy assures us that when she leaves the Board of Selectmen she will become outspoken, which is probably the only interesting prospect we can look forward to. Thank you Willy. Simply put, we will miss you!

Selectman Black said it was her privilege to serve the Town of Hanover for twenty-eight years. She most enjoyed working with the citizens and Town Staff. Selectman Black said the work of this town was not done by the Town leaders in attendance at the current meeting but by the fine Town staff. Selectman Black hoped the citizens appreciated their efforts.

ARTICLE SIXTEEN: To see if the Town will vote to construct a new Community and Senior Center on two adjoining Town-owned parcels of land located at 34 South Park Street and 48 Lebanon Street, and to vote to raise and appropriate up to $1,500,000 for that purpose, and further to authorize the Selectmen to borrow such sum under the New Hampshire Municipal Finance Act, RSA 33, by issuance of bonds or notes, and to take all action as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this vote. The guaranteed maximum cost of the Community and Senior Center is $2,860,336, including construction costs, architecture and engineering fees, furnishings, geo-technical and a contingency. Of this amount, $100,000 was already appropriated for architectural design at the 2001 Town Meeting; $1,500,000 is proposed for funding by issuance of bonds or notes in this Article; $1,186,511 is funded through private donations already received and appropriated in Article Seventeen; and $73,825 is funded through an appropriation from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund in Article Eighteen. To the extent additional private donations are received, the amount utilized from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund will be reduced first, and, then, the amount of the bond will be reduced accordingly. Funding for the debt service for the first year of this bond is included in Article Thirty. A two-thirds ballot vote is required.

Selectman Black moved that the Town vote to construct a new Community and Senior Center on two adjoining Town-owned parcels of land located at 34 South Park Street and 48 Lebanon Street, and to vote to raise and appropriate up to $1,500,000 for that purpose, and further to authorize the Selectmen to borrow such sum under the New Hampshire Municipal Finance Act, RSA 33, by issuance of bonds or notes, and to take all action as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this vote. The guaranteed maximum cost of the Community and Senior Center is $2,860,336, including construction costs, architecture and engineering fees, furnishings, geo-technical and a contingency. Of this amount, $100,000 was already appropriated for architectural design at the 2001 Town Meeting; $1,500,000 is proposed for funding by issuance of bonds or notes in this Article; $1,186,511 is funded through private donations already received and appropriated in Article Seventeen; and $73,825 is funded through an appropriation from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund in Article Eighteen. To the extent additional private donations are received, the amount utilized from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund will be reduced first, and, then, the amount of the bond will be reduced accordingly. Funding for the debt service for the first year of this bond is included in Article Thirty. A two-thirds ballot vote is required.

Selectman Baschnagel seconded the motion.

Selectman Black explained the current plans for the Community and Senior Center were different from what was shown last year as a full second story and full basement were added to utilize the maximum amount of space the site offers. Selectman Black offered to walk the citizens through the sketch of the floor plans provided and displayed at Town Meeting. Selectman Black thanked the Hanover Community/Senior Center Taskforce members who put this project together: Dale Peters Bryant, Constance Carr, Frances Cobb, Barbara Doyle, Jonathan Edwards, Bruce Genereaux, Julia Griffin, Maureen Hall, Mary Kirk, Marlene McGonigle, Dena Romero, Gail Schaal, Evelyn Spiegel, Hank Tenney, Sue Young, John Buck, Pete Tennant of Tennant/Wallace Architects and Ted Kupper of Provan & Lorber Engineers & Planners. Selectman Black explained the Taskforce met every two weeks over an eighteen-month period. It was an amazing process. In the beginning everyone was territorial and in the end everyone worked with mutual respect for everyone's needs. There were a number of compromises reached to create a wonderful facility that will meet the needs of Hanover citizens of every age from toddlers to seniors.

Selectman Black advised that the $1,186,511 received in private donations had come from a number of sources. There were over 450 individual family donors but the major donors were as follows:

Katherine Black, widow of Richard W. Black $550,000
Hanover Improvement Society $100,000
The Cunningham Family Trust $100,000
The Almy Family Trust $103,000
Justine Griffith's will included contributions to six Upper Valley
groups including the Community/Senior Center $220,795
The Bressett Family $ 50,000
The Stockbridge Fund $ 15,000
The Manchester Family $ 5,127
The Byrne Foundation $ 5,000

Selectman Black said the citizens had really come forward for this project and the Selectmen and Taskforce were overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who had contributed.

Kim Perez of Etna moved that Article Sixteen be amended by inserting the following sentences after the word, "contingency": "Prior to beginning construction of the Community Center, the Town will make its best effort to have the plans evaluated by an energy consultant and to see that the building undergoes a life cycle cost analysis. If there are improvements to the design that will improve the durability, comfort and energy efficiency of the building without increasing the estimated combined costs of constructing and operating the building over the term of the bond the Town will do its best to have these alterations incorporated into the design and construction of the building." The motion was seconded.

Ms. Perez explained the New Hampshire Energy Office forecasted that by the year 2020, the State of New Hampshire would be using over twice as much energy than it did in 1990. Ms. Perez spoke of the impact of global warming such as melting glaciers, resulting in increased temperatures and rising sea levels that are happening worldwide. Ms. Perez felt very strongly that the citizens of Hanover should not have to choose between being socially and fiscally or environmentally responsible. Ms. Perez said the Community Center Taskforce created a project that addressed the fiscal and social issues beautifully in this town and they are now beginning to incorporate the energy efficiency issues as well. This proposal will show Hanover's commitment to that issue and to supporting that effort on the part of the Community/Senior Center.

Bob Norman spoke in support of Kim Perez's motion. Mr. Norman believed this would be a good move in the direction of trying to ensure that cost consideration is given not only to the construction aspect but also to the building's performance throughout its lifecycle. Mr. Norman believed private individuals would meet any additional costs for this investigation.
There being no further discussion Moderator Bird reread the amended motion for the record as:

ARTICLE SIXTEEN: Move that the Town vote to construct a new Community and Senior Center on two adjoining Town-owned parcels of land located at 34 South Park Street and 48 Lebanon Street, and to vote to raise and appropriate up to $1,500,000 for that purpose, and further to authorize the Selectmen to borrow such sum under the New Hampshire Municipal Finance Act, RSA 33, by issuance of bonds or notes, and to take all action as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this vote. The guaranteed maximum cost of the Community and Senior Center is $2,860,336, including construction costs, architecture and engineering fees, furnishings, geo-technical and a contingency. Prior to beginning construction of the Community Center the Town will makes its best effort to have the plans evaluated by an energy consultant and to see that the building undergoes a lifecycle cost analysis. If there are improvements to the design that will improve the durability, comfort and energy efficiency of the building without increasing the estimated combined costs of constructing or operating the building over the term of the bond the Town will do its best to have these alterations incorporated into the design and construction of the building. Of this amount, $100,000 was already appropriated for architectural design at the 2001 Town Meeting; $1,500,000 is proposed for funding by issuance of bonds or notes in this Article; $1,186,511 is funded through private donations already received and appropriated in Article Seventeen; and $73,825 is funded through an appropriation from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund in Article Eighteen. To the extent additional private donations are received, the amount utilized from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund will be reduced first, and, then, the amount of the bond will be reduced accordingly. Funding for the debt service for the first year of this bond is included in Article Thirty. A two-thirds ballot vote is required.

There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Kim Perez's motion. The motion PASSED and Article Sixteen was AMENDED.

Moderator Bird noted the time as being 7:32 pm and announced the voting would now commence for a one-hour period on Article Sixteen. Moderator Bird instructed the citizens of the voting process; those in favor should vote yes, those opposed should vote no and then declared the polls open. Moderator Bird acknowledged the live television coverage and announced baby-sitting services were available for the voters who might want to come in to vote on the article.

Moderator Bird said in an effort to expedite the meeting he would entertain a motion to postpone consideration of Article Seventeen until the vote on Article Sixteen was counted. Moderator Bird explained both Articles Seventeen and Eighteen were related to this bond so it seemed appropriate to address these Articles after Article Sixteen was decided. The motion was made and seconded. A voice vote was taken. The motion PASSED and CONSIDERATION OF ARTICLE SEVENTEEN WAS POSTPONED until the vote on Article Sixteen was announced.

Moderator Bird stated it would be appropriate for him to receive a motion to postpone business under Article Eighteen until the vote was announced for Article Sixteen. The motion was made and seconded. A voice vote was taken. The motion PASSED and BUSINESS UNDER ARTICLE EIGHTEEN WAS POSTPONED until the vote on Article Sixteen was announced.

ARTICLE NINETEEN: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $13,250 for deposit in the Land and Capital Improvements Fund, and to authorize funding of this amount by transfer from the Land Use Change Tax Reserve, with no funds being raised by taxation. The amount appropriated is the equivalent of 50% of the total collected in the Land Use Change Tax Reserve in the fiscal year 2000-2001. Funding deposited into the Land and Capital Improvements Fund derives from 50% of the land use change tax proceeds, paid by property owners when they take land out of current use.

Selectman Baschnagel moved that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $13,250 for deposit in the Land and Capital Improvements Fund, and to authorize funding of this amount by transfer from the Land Use Change Tax Reserve, with no funds being raised by taxation. The amount appropriated is the equivalent of 50% of the total collected in the Land Use Change Tax Reserve in the fiscal year 2000-2001. Funding deposited into the Land and Capital Improvements Fund derives from 50% of the land use change tax proceeds, paid by property owners when they take land out of current use.

Selectman Walsh seconded the motion.

Selectman Baschnagel explained this process was done every year. It involved taking money collected from land that was taken out of current use in fiscal year 2000-2001. Selectman Baschnagel reported $26,000 was collected during that period. The purpose of this Article was to allocate 50% of the $26,000 into the Land and Capital Improvements Fund.

There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Baschnagel's motion. The motion PASSED and Article Nineteen was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE TWENTY: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $13,250 for deposit in the Conservation Fund, and to authorize funding of this amount by transfer from the Land Use Change Tax Reserve, with no funds being raised by taxation. The amount appropriated is the equivalent of 50% of the total amount collected in the Land Use Change Tax Reserve in the fiscal year 2000-2001. Funding deposited into the Conservation Fund derives from 50% of the land use change tax proceeds, paid by property owners when they land out of current use.

Selectman Baschnagel moved that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $13,250 for deposit in the Conservation Fund, and to authorize funding of this amount by transfer from the Land Use Change Tax Reserve, with no funds being raised by taxation. The amount appropriated is the equivalent of 50% of the total amount collected in the Land Use Change Tax Reserve in the fiscal year 2000-2001. Funding deposited into the Conservation Fund derives from 50% of the land use change tax proceeds, paid by property owners when they land out of current use.

Selectman Connolly seconded the motion.

Selectman Baschnagel explained this Article represented the other half of the $26,000 generated a year ago associated with people taking land out of current use. Selectman Baschnagel advised of a decision the Town made several years ago to institute a policy to apply 50% of the Land Use Change Tax to the Conservation Fund for use and oversight by the Conservation Commission.

There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Baschnagel's motion. The motion PASSED and Article Twenty was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE: To see if the Town will vote to terminate the Sidewalk Capital Reserve Fund, and deposit the Fund's balance (presently $96,119) into the General Fund, undesignated fund balance. And further, to see if the Town will raise and appropriate $96,119 for deposit into the Public Works Capital Reserve Fund, and to fund this appropriation by transferring this sum from the General Fund undesignated fund balance. At Town Meeting in 2001, voters amended the Town Charter by abolishing the sidewalk special services district, thereby transferring amounts held in the Sidewalk Fund to the General Fund. This article would take funds from the terminated Sidewalk Capital Reserve Fund and transfer them to the Public Works Capital Reserve, from which future purchases of sidewalk plows would be funded. A two-thirds vote is required.

Selectman Black moved that the Town vote to terminate the Sidewalk Capital Reserve Fund, and deposit the Fund's balance (presently $96,119) into the General Fund, undesignated fund balance. And further, to see if the Town will raise and appropriate $96,119 for deposit into the Public Works Capital Reserve Fund, and to fund this appropriation by transferring this sum from the General Fund undesignated fund balance. At Town Meeting in 2001, voters amended the Town Charter by abolishing the sidewalk special services district, thereby transferring amounts held in the Sidewalk Fund to the General Fund. This article would take funds from the terminated Sidewalk Capital Reserve Fund and transfer them to the Public Works Capital Reserve, from which future purchases of sidewalk plows would be funded. A two-thirds vote is required.

Selectman Walsh seconded the motion.

Selectman Black explained these funds could not be transferred from this account until the vote to eliminate the Sidewalk District was approved. As that was done the previous year at Town Meeting the purpose of this Article was now to transfer the funds from the district to the Public Works Capital Reserve. Steve Crory spoke in favor of transferring the funds and further suggested using the money to paint and maintain sidewalks and crosswalks. Mr. Crory noted the poor condition of the crosswalks throughout town and asked that the Selectmen consider funding a second round of painting for the crosswalks in the latter part of the year. There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Black's motion. The motion PASSED clearly in excess of a two-thirds vote and Article Twenty-One was ADOPTED.

Selectman Baschnagel moved that the Town vote to ratify the Parking Capital Reserve Fund and its purposes, authorizing its use for the replacement of Parking vehicles and for major repairs and enhancements to the Parking Facility, and to raise and appropriate $50,000 for deposit into that Parking Capital Reserve Fund, and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the withdrawal of the $50,000 sum from undesignated fund balance. These monies are currently budgeted in the FY 2001-2002 Parking Fund budget. A two-thirds vote is required. Selectman Baschnagel explained this was in recognition that the parking system now has much more associated with it than line painters and portable ticketers. There is now a parking facility in operation that is working well. This year the operating budget included a line item in the amount of $50,000 to be applied into a capital improvement fund. Selectman Baschnagel said, as the parking facility was new it did not require improvements at this time but at some point it probably would. The purpose of this Article was to restate the funds' purpose to include the facility maintenance and to establish a capital reserve fund in anticipation of future needs. Selectman Connolly seconded the motion.

There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Walsh's motion. The motion PASSED and Article Twenty-Eight was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $2,000 to support the services provided to the residents of Hanover by the Family Place. This is the third and final year this article will appear separately on the warrant.

Selectman Connolly moved that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $2,000 to support the services provided to the residents of Hanover by the Family Place. This is the third and final year this article will appear separately on the warrant. Selectman Black seconded the motion.

Selectman Connolly explained the Town included new agency funding requests for three separate years as separate articles on the Warrant. If they were passed for three consecutive years they were then folded into the contributions portion of the Human Services Budget. Recognition of these articles then occurs at budget review at the Selectmen's meetings rather than at Town Meeting. Selectman Connolly again stated this was the third and final year this funding request had appeared as a warrant article and if passed would be considered in the following year during the Selectmen's meeting when the budget was reviewed.

Mary Brown of Hanover and Board member of the Family Place said the Family Place was an extended organization that provided services to people of various economic backgrounds. Ms. Brown said those services ranged from playgroups for mothers who have needs for young children to parent education classes. Ms. Brown said the organization's mission simply stated was to support healthy families in the Upper Valley. Ms. Brown noted Hanover's community as having strong family values and said this much-needed donation could be received by the Family Place as a statement of support if nothing else

Caroline Tischbein felt obligated to offer background information to her fellow citizens concerning the topic of vendor payments. Vendor payments to social service agencies is money paid for services provided to Hanover citizens that otherwise would have to be paid at the Town level to one of its citizens as a result of New Hampshire Welfare Laws. Ms. Tischbein said for a town to give more than set standards would be considered a charitable contribution. Ms. Tischbein pointed out if both social service articles were approved the budget in this area would increase 30% as opposed to the Town staff's recommended increase of 3.5%. The Selectboard decided to put the Warrant Articles to the voters with only the amount requested by the agency and not include the staff's research and proposed amounts. Ms. Tischbein said West Central Behavioral Health served 6,000 clients in 2001, only 97 or 1.6% of which resided in Hanover. Yet of the $82,500 in funding requested from area communities over 11.3% was requested from Hanover. Ms. Tischbein was sure many of the voters thought it was reasonable or most honorable to think an affluent town such as Hanover could contribute any amount to any agency that made a request. Ms. Tischbein reminded the voters these were tax dollars they were spending, not their personal income, and that not all Hanover residents were wealthy. Many were overburdened with high taxes and feared greater additional taxes in the near future. Ms. Tischbein asked that those fortunate enough to have a large family income consider giving privately to these social service agencies and not decide to spend everyone else's money

There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Connolly's motion. The motion PASSED and Article Twenty-Nine was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE THIRTY: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $9,300 to support the services provided to the residents of Hanover by West Central Behavioral Health. This is the first year this article has appeared separately on the warrant.

Selectman Connolly moved that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $9,300 to support the services provided to the residents of Hanover by West Central Behavioral Health. This is the first year this article has appeared separately on the warrant.

Selectman Walsh seconded the motion. Jesse Turner, CEO of West Central Behavioral Health advised this was the first time in his agency's twenty-five years of service that they had come to the Town requesting support. Mr. Turner said an inadequate level of state and federal support accompanied with lower levels of commercial insurance rates paid to West Central Behavioral Health was forcing them to either raise money from the communities they serve or continue to reduce the services they make available to the region. Mr. Turner said his agency did not take this step lightly and acknowledged the complexity of making requests to town meetings. Over the past several years West Central Behavioral Health has provided more service to uninsured and underinsured individuals than their organization can afford. Consequently they have been operating in the red and can no longer continue to do so. Mr. Turner said West Central Behavioral Health had reduced their labor force by 10% to also address this issue. Over the past year West Central Behavioral Health provided 97 Hanover residents 1,500 hours of psychiatric service. The cost of providing these services exceeded the revenue generated by over $20,000. This results in a very bleak financial picture for the agency.

Kari Asmus of Etna believed this was one of the social service agency requests where staff recommendations were significantly lower than the amount requested. Ms. Asmus asked if someone could explain what the staff recommendation was about and why the decision was made to list the $9,300 on the Warrant Article.

Julia Griffin explained West Central Behavioral Services requested funding from the town in the amount of $9,300. When staff reviewed the breakdown of services provided to Hanover residents over the past year, there was only one category of service defined as case management, which, in the opinion of staff, was the sort of service, if not provided by West Central Behavioral Health, would have to be funded through the Town≠s welfare budget. The other services such as child therapy, elderly therapy, adult therapy, substance abuse therapy, mental illness recovery, borderline personality recovery and vocational services such as anger management were not typically expenditures the Town would cover but for another agency providing those services through its welfare budget. That was the basis of the staff's original recommendation that the Town provide funding in the amount of $2,140.73, which is essentially a reimbursement as opposed to the $9,300 requested. This gets to the issue of when a social service agency requests funding, on what basis do we determine the amount the Town will fund.

Robert Morris believed this Article was mentioned in the bottom of Article Sixteen and questioned the connection. Selectman Walsh explained that was a typographical error. Article Sixteen should make reference to Article Twenty-Eight and not Article Thirty.

Kim Perez from Etna spoke to the obvious need for these services in the community. Ms. Perez said many members of the community were affected by what happened on Trescott Road a little over a year ago. The kinds of services that this institution provides in the form of anger management and helping people with personality disorders seems like a very important contribution to the community. Ms. Perez believed they deserved to be funded.

Moderator Bird noted the time as being one minute past the hour from which voting for Article Sixteen began. He asked if anyone in the audience had not yet voted on the bond issue. Hearing no response Moderator Bird closed the polls and asked the Town Clerk and Ballot Clerks to count the votes and report the results. Eileen LeClaire of Hanover advised of her employment with the Lebanon School system as a counselor and of her twenty-year work experience in the social service field. Ms. LeClaire believed these services were very much needed in the community but questioned providing $9,300 to West Central Behavioral Health without really researching the effectiveness of their services. Ms. LeClaire believed there were some very qualified private therapists and agencies in the region in comparable positions. Ms. LeClaire spoke of her enormous amount of unfortunate experience with West Central Behavioral Health and said she felt the Town should be made more aware of the bottom line as to the outcome of the services before committing to that amount of funding.

Jean Allen questioned the precedent this might set for answering the needs for a number of other organizations that are going to be requesting similar things. Ms. Allen felt the Town needed to stop and think very carefully about their commitment to these agencies when there are others out there that are volunteer based and/or have funds from other sources.

Selectman Walsh spoke of the process of downshifting the costs of mental health that were first downshifted from the national government to the state government and now to the towns. Selectman Walsh said this issue would continue, it would not go away. The Town has a responsibility and also has limited means. Selectman Walsh believed this to be a legitimate conversation that should be held every year, but the pressure for this was not coming because it would be nice for these agencies to receive town funding. It is coming because the state and private insurance companies are moving away from responsibility for mental health and the towns are being asked to pick up a piece of that as part of their responsibility for the general welfare.

Pat Glowa of Hanover, a healthcare employee, said though she could not speak to the relative quality of services provided by West Central Behavioral Health as compared to any other mental health organization, it was very apparent that West Central Behavioral Health serves a critical role in being available to those with the least resources. As such, Ms. Glowa believed the community had an obligation to try to pick up some of the precise deficit Selectman Walsh addressed in terms of the downshifting or shirking responsibility on the part of the federal and state governments and health insurance companies. Ms. Glowa said not only had Hanover experienced the community trauma from the Trescott Road events but they had all experienced the trauma of September 11th events and those ramifications have been visible in healthcare over this last period of time. Ms. Glowa said as a community, Hanover needed to take care of mental health needs particularly for its most vulnerable citizens. Ms. Glowa said she would support appropriations to help West Central Behavior Health continue its work.

Moderator Bird confirmed there were approximately six agencies in the current Town Report that were funded in this manner. Moderator Bird thought it was important to point out that a vote to remove them from the warrant would not eliminate them from further consideration. They must each still be considered during the budget process at the Selectmen≠s public hearings. No funding request is automatically inserted into the budget. The difference is whether they are considered at the public budget hearings or on the agenda for Town Meeting.

There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Connolly's motion. The motion PASSED and Article Thirty was ADOPTED.

Announcements

Jonathan Edwards, Director of Planning and Zoning spoke on behalf of the Planning Board to announce they would be holding two Master Plan workshops. The first is scheduled for May 28, 2002 at 7:30 pm in the Mayer Room at the Howe Library and the second is scheduled for June 11, 2002 at 7:30 pm at Trumball Hall. The workshops will include a presentation of and discussion about the so-called Final Strategic Concept and Master Plan now in Draft Three that is available on the Town's website at www.hanovernh.org Mr. Edwards encouraged the public to attend or submit their comments to the Planning and Zoning Office at 643-0708.

Moderator Bird announced the results of the election of town officers and for voting on the zoning amendments would also be posted on the town's website first thing in the morning.

ARTICLE THIRTY-ONE: To receive reports from the Selectmen, Town Clerk, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes and other Town Officers and to vote on any motion relating to these reports and to receive any special resolutions that may be appropriate and to vote thereon.

Selectman Walsh moved that the reports from the Selectmen, Town Clerk, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes and other Town Officers as printed in the 2001 Town Report be accepted, as well as any Special Resolutions.

Selectman Black seconded the motion.

Selectman Walsh explained the reports that we are asking to be adopted are listed in the Town Report. The Special Resolutions mentioned will follow.

There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Walsh's motion. The motion PASSED and Article Thirty was ACCEPTED.

Selectman Walsh introduced Selectman Connolly for the reading of the following resolution:

Resolution for Robert McLaughry

In 1940, Bob McLaughry came to Hanover from Providence, Rhode Island as the son of the Dartmouth football coach. By 1947, Bob was both a Dartmouth graduate and a veteran World War II marine combat pilot in the Pacific. He then returned to the military for the Korean conflict. Bob's professional life began as a service station selector for what was then the Socony-Mobil Company, and resulted in a life-long career in Real Estate and the establishment of a company that has served the region for what is probably 50 years.

There have been and are many dedicated volunteers for many Town boards and commissions, but Bob McLaughry probably has set some sort of Town of Hanover record for length of service in an assortment of volunteer capacities. Our research is probably incomplete but this is a short history. Bob was elected a Precinct Commissioner in the late 1950's, serving as the Fire Commissioner during that period. At that time the elected officials had the unenviable and surely time-consuming task of overseeing the Town departments, duties now performed by our Town Manager. In 1963, Bob was one of the three Selectmen who negotiated the merger of the Town and Precinct, creating the Town structure that that has grown and prospered intact to this day. As Selectman, Bob served with only one interruption until 1969, while simultaneously serving on the Planning Board.

The 1969 Town Report contains a tribute to Bob, written by Hanover's Honorary Mayor, Lou Bressett, who could possibly generate a plagiarism charge against this author. Lou wrote "Bob has been Secretary of the Board for one year and Vice Chairman of the Board for two years. He was instrumental in the acquisition of various properties to expand the Town's much needed parking facilities. His knowledge and keen sense of fairness was of the utmost help during the tax reappraisal of local properties. He has been active on the Town Planning Board and on the Board of Assessors and his advice and counsel on many matters of town business will always remain in the record, an indelible imprint of his honesty and integrity. It has been a great honor for all of us to have served with this man.

In 1969, Bob became a member of the Advisory Board of Assessors, a post he has held until stepping down tonight. His absence will be a major loss to all taxpayers. I have had the pleasure of serving on the Assessors Board with Bob for a mere twelve years, and I have witnessed his encyclopedic knowledge of real estate used to insure fairness and equity to all of our taxpayers. Bob has generously shared his immense knowledge of the Town and its' history with the other members of the board, making service on the Board of Assessors a comprehensive course in real estate combined with the joy in serving with a genial gentleman in whose company it is a pleasure to serve. Bob, if you decide that you wish to do anything that will generate another tribute in the future we encourage it. Thank you.

Resolution for Michael Doolan

Mike started his fire service career as a young man while growing up in Franconia, New Hampshire. He was a Volunteer Firefighter in Franconia until he moved south to join the Hanover Fire Department as a full-time Firefighter on December 29, 1975. Mike retired on March 28, 2002, having served the citizens of Hanover as a Firefighter and later as one of the Department's four Captains for 27 years.

As the department's "Training Officer" for several years, Mike made sure to identify the latest training needs and either taught his fellow firefighters what they needed to know or identified training resources to insure that they could do the best job possible to protect people and their property. He was a good firefighter and a caring and compassionate Emergency Medical Technician. Many times the Town would receive letters from individuals that had been treated and transported by the Hanover Fire Department, citing Captain Doolan for his medical expertise and thoughtful care.

When Mike wasn't planning for the training needs of the Fire Department staff, he was often helping to maintain the Fire Department's buildings. As a carpenter and home improvement 'jack of all trades', the Town could always count on Mike to come up with cost-effective solutions to Fire Department building maintenance challenges. The Town could also count on Mike to insure that all buildings were accessible for Fire vehicles. The bane of every illegal parker's existence, Mike was famous for prowling Dartmouth facilities, insuring that "creatively parked" vehicles were not crowding fire lanes.

As he neared retirement, Mike received much personal satisfaction from designing and overseeing the delivery of the new pumper for the Etna Station. Ordering new fire apparatus is never easy; expectations are high and every individual involved in the decision inevitably has an opinion. Working together with the Etna call force, Department staff, and the Fleet Maintenance Division, Mike developed a vehicle that will serve the citizens of Etna and Hanover for many years to come.

We wish Mike a well-deserved and happy retirement, including more time to enjoy life with his wife Kathy at his home in Sunapee. Mike, thank-you for your 27 years of service to the Town of Hanover. We salute you.

Selectman Walsh introduce Aileen Chaltain for the following Volunteer Service Award presentation:

Volunteer Service Award for Sue Young

I was just asked to fill in last minute for John Buck who was to present the Volunteer Service Award but was called out of town.

Actually, that's a lie but we've had so much fun misdirecting this year's recipient, that we wanted to continue the ruse as long as we could. True to form, I doubt the thought ever crossed her mind that she would be receiving this award. In fact, for the last several years she has actually presented the award at Town Meeting so it's fun to turn the tables a bit and say, Sue Young, this year it's your turn!

Sue is probably no stranger to many people here and by all accounts, admired by many. As her husband, Tracy, told me, "aside from being a full time employee of DC, a full time mom-volunteer to 3 VERY active and supportive of my lunacy" (Tracy, I'm not sure what you meant by that and I'm not going to ask now!), Sue is also a committed and passionate chair of the Hanover Parks & Recreation board, is a long-standing member of St. Denis Church, has worked with her husband as a scheduler for the Hanover Hockey Association (which I gather is no easy task!!), served as tournament publicist for the HHA and was a team parent coordinator numerous times. She even jumped in and coached her son's hockey team when there was a coaching gap. "I didn't really know what I was doing, but hey, they needed a coach and I was willing to try," she said.

And as her brother, Chris Wiley always says, Sue sprang from the womb with more energy than any ten people, and nothing's changed in the forty-odd years since. During the winter months Sue plays on a woman's hockey team, and for the last several years, she has even found time to play softball for 2 different teams in two different towns! As her children report, all she wanted for her birthday this year were new catcher's pads She got 'em. And let me tell ya, you don't mess with Sue Young at home plate cause of it isn't the new gear that makes her tough it is certainly the moves she learns in a kick-boxing class she takes at lunch time!

This past winter, she volunteered to be a Hanover representative to the U.S. Olympic Torch Run committee. Her job was to help recruit volunteers for the event on the Lebanon Green and coordinate with the Lebanon committee the arrival of the torch through Hanover and down to Lebanon. It should be stated the large group of volunteers she recruited for that night made up of friends, relatives, co-workers and the Hanover Lion's Club, were simply but clearly identified as "Sue's Volunteers". The event was a huge success and the Hanover/Lebanon Torch events were considered by the Salt Lake Olympic Committee to be among the best on the run.

A New Hampshire native, Sue went to Laconia High School where she graduated with honors, won a Merit Cup, was a member of the National Honor Society, was a class officer, and was even named Outstanding Sophomore. The seeds of the dynamo leader we all know and love appear to have been planted in eastern NH!

Sue came to the Upper Valley to attend Dartmouth where she majored in biology and graduated cum laude in 1977. She was a teaching assistant in biology, earned a varsity letter in skiing, was the assistant Hanover High School Girls Soccer Coach in 1977and worked as an assistant ski team coach in 1978.

Between 1977-1990 she worked in advertising for several Upper Valley companies, and at one point was the Senior Manager at Molly's Restaurant when it opened. In 1990 Sue joined the Dartmouth Alumni Fund where she was quickly promoted to Associate Director. In 2000, she changed hats but only slightly and joined the team at the Alumni Relations office where she currently serves as Associate Director.

Nels Armstrong, Director of Alumni Relations, says "a true example of one who believes in the ideals of "community", Sue is committed, dedicated, and loyal to the Town of Hanover. On many a day I hear "Nels, gotta go! I am off to do 'one thing or another' for the town." She loves what she does, and it shows! Hanover AND Dartmouth are lucky to have her.

Volunteerism is at the core of Sue Young's being. It's how she thinks and it's how she has shaped her life. AND she encourages and provides inspiration and leadership to others who have the desire but perhaps not the same motivation. Sue helped me stepped forward and become a member of the Rec. Board by simply saying, "we need your energy and commitment." Sue helped me realize I had a role to play but more importantly that I too could have a voice on matters that I care very much about.

Perhaps Sue's most visible commitment to volunteerism is her representation on the Hanover Parks & Recreation Board. For the past ten years, Sue has been a member of the Board, often chairing the board, at least when John Buck wasn't! They have had this very collegial, "well, my term is up. Do you wanna do it again?" No leadership vacuum there!

According to Hank Tenney, Sue has been a strong stabilizing force on the Rec board, helping to smooth many areas of concern among the residents. She has been, in Hank's own words, a Directors Dream. He says she is always there as a sounding board for any situations that may come up at the management level. Never looking for any recognition for herself, she is always looking for activities, events, programs and ideas that will show the Hanover Recreation Department in a positive light.

Sue has worked with Hank to find fields for adult softball teams and little league alike. She pinch hits at Recreation registrations, Halloween nights at the rec center and annual basketball tournament(even though, as she says, "I'm a hockey mom!")

But I think it's safe to say that some of the things Sue might be most proud of are:

- the revival and rejuvenation in 1992 of the Town's Winter Carnival, now called the Hanover Pond Party. Bill Young, last year recipient of this award, and the main force behind the Pond Party needed someone to Co-Chair and work with him on the many details that needed to be done to make this event a success once more. Who jumped forward? You guessed it, Sue. < The rest is history. Working with Chris Vitale, Sue and Bill worked together to make this one of the most successful community functions to date.

As her husband recalls, " the funny part of all the planning that first year was that after huge numbers of meetings, planning, posters, and scheduling, the pond melted that year and the event had to be cancelled. It was the best Pond Party that never was-and we have a beautiful poster at home to prove it.

But Sue and Bill established the cookie cutter formula that allowed it to become one of the best examples of Town-Gown cooperation. Each year it continues to prosper and grow.

- Then a couple of years ago, upon his return from Lima, Peru, Hank mentioned how great it would be to send the kids down there our old department T-shirts. Sue spearheaded a drive to gather up old Rec department t-shirts and ship them to South America so teams there could have matching uniforms. She got the word out and the department was able to ship over 100 t-shirts to the kids who, in return, showed their appreciation by taking a photo of the team and sending it back to Hank.

Never wanting to take a break

- But certainly the crown jewel for Sue, Hank and Willy, will be the work they have done to get a Community Center built in Hanover. They worked tirelessly to raise the private funds portion of the project which hopefully will be passed overwhelmingly tonight.

Sue's efforts in the Community Center project has helped get the Rec department the recognition it so richly deserves and the home it desperately needs so they can continue to run the programs she so strongly believes in.

So now, it is my complete pleasure, to present to Suzanne W. Young, the 2002 Hanover Parks & Recreation Board's Volunteer of the Year Award.

ARTICLE SIXTEEN: Moderator Bird announced the vote tally for Article Sixteen. The total votes counted were 328. A two-thirds majority vote would require 219 yes votes.

RESULTS: YES 306 NO 22 ARTICLE PASSED

<ARTICLE SEVENTEEN: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $1,186,511 to construct a new Community and Senior Center, and to fund this entire appropriation by donations from private individuals in the amount of $1,186,511, with the balance of the project cost to come from issuance of bonds or notes as contained in Article Sixteen, and an appropriation from the Land and Capital Improvements fund as contained in Article Eighteen. To the extent private contributions exceed the $1,186,511 that has already been raised, those funds shall be utilized to fund the construction of the Community and Senior Center, thereby reducing the funds to be expended from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund first, and, then, the amount of the bond will be reduced accordingly.

Selectman Black moved that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $1,186,511 to construct a new Community and Senior Center, and to fund this entire appropriation by donations from private individuals in the amount of $1,186,511, with the balance of the project cost to come from issuance of bonds or notes as contained in Article Sixteen, and an appropriation from the Land and Capital Improvements fund as contained in Article Eighteen. To the extent private contributions exceed the $1,186,511 that has already been raised, those funds shall be utilized to fund the construction of the Community and Senior Center, thereby reducing the funds to be expended from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund first, and, then, the amount of the bond will be reduced accordingly.

Selectman Connolly seconded the motion.

Selectman Black explained this motion was not required by law but was Hanover's guarantee that every penny donated to this fund would go to this project.

There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Black's motion. The motion and Article Seventeen was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE EIGHTEEN: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $73,825 for the purpose of funding the construction of the Community and Senior Center to be located at 36 South Park Street and 48 Lebanon Street, and to authorize funding of this amount by withdrawal from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund. Such funds will be combined with the $1,500,000 bond proceeds authorized in Article Sixteen and the private donations raised for this project and authorized for expenditure in Article Seventeen to fully fund the construction of the facility. Funding available from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund derives from 50% of the land use change tax proceeds, paid by property owners when they take land out of current use. To the extent additional private donations are received, the amount utilized from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund will be reduced first, and, then, the amount of the bond will be reduced accordingly.

Selectman Black moved that the Town vote to raise and appropriate $73,825 for the purpose of funding the construction of the Community and Senior Center to be located at 36 South Park Street and 48 Lebanon Street, and to authorize funding of this amount by withdrawal from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund. Such funds will be combined with the $1,500,000 bond proceeds authorized in Article Sixteen and the private donations raised for this project and authorized for expenditure in Article Seventeen to fully fund the construction of the facility. Funding available from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund derives from 50% of the land use change tax proceeds, paid by property owners when they take land out of current use. To the extent additional private donations are received, the amount utilized from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund will be reduced first, and, then, the amount of the bond will be reduced accordingly.

Selectman Baschnagel seconded the Motion.

There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Black's motion. The motion PASSED and Article Eighteen was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE THIRTY-TWO: <To transact any other business that may legally be brought before this Town Meeting.

Hearing no other business, Moderator Bird stated he would entertain a motion to permanently dissolve the meeting. The motion was made and seconded. The motion carried and the meeting was dissolved at 9:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sallie B. Johnson, Town Clerk

These minutes were transcribed by Beth Rivard.