Julia Griffin
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Town Meeting 2004

2004 TOWN MEETING
TOWN OF HANOVER
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Hanover High School Gymnasium

The annual Town Meeting of the Town of Hanover, New Hampshire convened on May 11, 2004 at 7:00 am by the Town Moderator, Marilyn "Willy" Black, at the Hanover High School Gymnasium. Moderator Black explained that 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 Nine of the Town Meeting Warrant.

ARTICLE ONE: To vote (by nonpartisan ballot) for the following Town Officers:
One Selectman, to serve for a term of three (3) years;
John L. Currie 261 (defeated)
Allegra B. Lubrano   531 (elected)
One Moderator, to serve for a term of two (2) years;
Marilyn (Willy) Black 754 (elected)
One Treasurer to serve for a term of one (1) year;
 Michael J. Ahern 718 (elected)
 
One Library Trustee to serve for a term of three (3) years;
Caroline Tischbein 727 (elected)
One Supervisor of the Checklist to serve for a term of six (6) years;
M. Lee Udy 739 (elected)
One Town Clerk to serve for a term of three (3) years;
Julia N. Griffin 743 (elected)
One Trustee of Trust Funds to serve for a term of three (3) years.
Lawrence R. Draper 734 (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 amend Table 204.8 so that the minimum lot size in the "F" Forestry and Recreation zoning district would be increased from 10 to 50 acres and so that no new public or private roads would be permitted in this zoning district.
At a Public Hearing held on March 23, 2004, the Hanover Planning Board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.
 RESULTS: YES: 619 NO: 207 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 establish a new "RO" Residence and Office zoning district. The amendment would set up a new Table 204.2C that would detail the objective, uses, and area and dimensional standards for this district. It would also create a new Section 327.1 requiring properties to maintain both a residential appearance and the existing number of dwelling units. It would amend several other Sections of the Zoning Ordinance to reference this new district with respect to such matters as parking, signs, and noise limitations. It would amend the Hanover Zoning Map so that such an RO zoning district would be created in the area, now zoned "GR-2" General Residence, near Lebanon, Summer, and South Park Streets.
At a Public Hearing held on March 23, 2004, the Hanover Planning Board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.
 RESULTS: YES: 686 NO: 135 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 Section 902 Term Definitions by adding a definition of Conservation Lots and would add a new subsection to Section 209.1 Minimum Lot Dimensions so that such conservation lots would not be required to be subject to any minimum frontage requirements.
At a Public Hearing held on March 23, 2004, the Hanover Planning Board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.
 RESULTS: YES: 722 NO: 96 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 Sections 209.2 and 209.3 so that certain essential service uses, specifically bus shelters and such public utility structures or equipment as water and wastewater treatment and filtration plants and their appurtenances, would not be subject to front, side, or rear setback requirements when because of function they cannot reasonably be located outside of these setbacks.
At a Public Hearing held on March 23, 2004, the Hanover Planning Board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.
 RESULTS: YES: 716 NO: 107 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 allow for Park and Ride Facilities in the Business & Manufacturing, Office & Laboratory, Institution, and General Residence zoning districts; would define Park and Ride Facilities; would require that they be the principal use of a parcel of land of at least five acres in area; and would amend the definition of Parking Facility to include Park and Ride Facilities.
At a Public Hearing held on March 23, 2004, the Hanover Planning Board voted 6-0, with one abstention, to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.
 RESULTS: YES: 660 NO: 165 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 establish a new "GR-3" General Residence-3 zoning district. The amendment would add details to Table 204.5 that would describe the objective, uses, and area and dimensional standards for this district, including allowing Planned Residential Developments (PRDs) by right in GR-3 zoning districts. It would amend several other Sections of the Zoning Ordinance to reference this new district with respect to such matters as noise limitations, minimum PRD parcel acreage, perimeter setback, building separation, lot size, frontage, height, and open space; and maximum PRD density. It would amend the Hanover Zoning Map to reflect a new GR-3 zoning district in the area east of Grasse Road. Other accompanying zoning map changes would rezone adjoining land within the watershed of Fletcher Reservoir to "F" Forestry and Recreation, and would rezone land on the easterly side of Balch Hill to "NP" Nature Preserve.
At a Public Hearing held on March 23, 2004, the Hanover Planning Board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.
 RESULTS: YES: 629 NO: 197 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 M so as to allow satellite dish antenna systems in the "D-1" Downtown zoning district.
At a Public Hearing held on March 23, 2004, the Hanover Planning Board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend that Town Meeting approve this zoning amendment.
 RESULTS: YES: 627 NO: 201 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 petition 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 petition for the Hanover Zoning Ordinance as follows?"
Amendment No. 8 would add a new Section 327 Building Characteristics, which would establish criteria for structures in new subdivisions, including requiring variation in the placement of buildings, landscaping and house design.
At a Public Hearing held on March 23, 2004, the Hanover Planning Board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend that Town Meeting NOT approve this zoning amendment.
 RESULTS: YES: 344 NO: 478 ARTICLE DEFEATED

Moderator Marilyn "Willy" Black called to order the Business Session of the 2004 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; Peter Christie and Judson "Jay" Pierson. Town Manager, Julia Griffin and Town Attorney, Walter Mitchell were also in attendance. Community Access Television (Channel 8) broadcasted the Town Meeting live and recorded to rebroadcast.

ARTICLE TEN: 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.
 It was MOVED by Vice Chairman Connolly and SECONDED by Chairman Walsh to nominate the following persons for the following offices:
One member of the Advisory Board of Assessors for a term of three (3) years; - Paul Young
Three Fence Viewers, each for a term of one (1) year;
-Edward Lathem, Lucy Minsk, and Bill Garrity (Robert Morris, Deputy Fence Viewer)
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.
There being no further nominations, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Connolly's motion. The motion PASSED and the nominees were ELECTED.

ARTICLE ELEVEN: 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.
It was MOVED by Vice Chairman Connolly and SECONDED by Chairman Walsh that the reports from the Selectmen, Town Clerk, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes and other Town Officers as printed in the 2003 Town Report be accepted, as well as any Special Resolutions.
Vice Chairman Connolly acknowledged the following retirees:
Allen Wheeler, Public Works;
Madalyn Sprague, Administrative Services
Tim Bent, Fire Department.

Vice Chairman Connolly turned the microphone over to Aileen Chaltain to present the award for Rec Board Volunteer of the Year Award.
The 2004 Rec Board Volunteer of the Year Award is being presented to a man who epitomizes timeliness.  Off and on for the last fourteen years this person was chair of the Rec Board and was known for not allowing meetings to go on for more than one hour.  According to Ms. Chaltain's sources this person was "merciless" at cutting off people mid-sentence, glaring when they dared to continue and even shutting off the lights for the meeting when time was up. 
 For many years John Buck was one of the finest volunteers at Hanover Parks and Rec.  As former Rec Board Chair Terry Hall said, "If there was ever an issue where the Board was split or I was asking the impossible, John's good sense brought us to a consensus.   John is a strong and sensitive man, who has given his time to the Town of Hanover. Bravo to the Town and Board for honoring him!"
According to Hank Tenney, John is an individual who is always looking to help.  He is a person who feels the success of the event is not who gets the credit, but who gives the credit.  His involvement as a Rec Board member has set higher standards for those who follow him.  He will be greatly missed.  Hanover was very lucky to have John serving the community. 
Ms. Chaltain said John Buck is all about undying support for his family and his community.  He delighted in watching his beloved daughter Lauren play tenacious defense on the two State Championship Hanover High School soccer teams.  He never missed one of her ice hockey matches, even when they were in New York or Connecticut. He even helped out her tennis coach when he was sick, by actually coaching the matches. 
You can imagine how easy it was to get John here under the false pretense that his daughter Lauren was receiving an award. 
John volunteers at DHMC and works one night a month at the Hostel in Hanover.  John was instrumental in helping create the Richard Black Community Center.  Unbeknownst to many people, John also contributed the flagpole at the Black Community Center in honor of all the American vets.  The plaque below the flagpole is a reminder of John's quiet support of our community.
Ms. Chaltain said it is her great pride to present Mr. John M. Buck with the 2004 Hanover Parks and Recreation Volunteer of the Year Award.  Congratulations John!
Mr. Buck stepped forward to accept his award.  He said this is a great honor.  The Hanover Rec Board is a great committee and he is sorry he is leaving. The Rec Board is a tremendous place to serve with a tremendous group of people. Mr. Buck thanked everyone. 
Moderator Marilyn Black said before we go any further on the Warrant, she would like to explain the packet distributed to all voters.  The white cards are for anyone who may have a question on one of the warrant articles and is uncomfortable standing up and speaking in public.  The voter may write their question on the white card. There will be tellers in the aisles with microphones, who will collect the cards and bring them forward so the question can be asked.  All that is asked is that the name of the voter and address be put on the card. 
Also included in the packet are four yes/no paper ballots.  So far there have been no requests for paper ballots.  If there is a request for a paper ballot, a paper ballot vote will be held for any article when five people sign a sheet or white card saying they want a paper ballot.  If there is a paper ballot, it will be announced what color yes/no ballot to use. The voter will tear off the yes or no portion of the ballot, depending on the way they wish to vote, and those ballots will be passed to the teller on the right-hand side of each aisle.  It will not be necessary to get up and go to the ballot box; the tellers will put the ballots in the ballot box.  Everyone in this portion of the room has gone through the checklist. 
The pink cards are for hand votes.  If there is a hand vote, each voter will raise his or her pink card.  These will be easier to count than hands.
Moderator Black said there are no standing microphones this year.  If anyone has a question about an article, there will be a teller on each aisle with a handheld microphone.

ARTICLE TWELVE:  To receive the report of the Town Meeting Taskforce.
No motion was necessary for this article.
Moderator Black turned the podium over to Brian Walsh, Chairman of the Town Meeting Task Force.
The Selectmen appointed the Town Meeting Task Force this past fall.  It is comprised of individuals who expressed an interest in working on this subject.  The Task Force has been meeting for about 6 months.  Mr. Walsh introduced his fellow members of the Task Force: Tom Hall, Bernie Waugh, Sallie Johnson, Julia Griffin, Cary Clark, Kari Asmus, Sharon Nordgren, Ann Downey, John Chamberlin, Willy Black and Margaret Fanning.  The Selectmen gave the members of the Town Meeting Task Force a specific charge, to report to this Town Meeting on three factors: 1) How does this legislative process work currently; 2) What options are available under current state law;  3) What kind of changes would the citizens of Hanover like to consider relative to Town Meeting? Some of the changes made by the Task Force and Selectmen are to simplify Town Meeting using the consent calander and the paper ballot voting procedure, which Willy Black just explained.  The objective is to make the legislative process as efficient and effective as possible. Some changes include reducing the length of the meeting by reducing the number of times each warrant article is read out loud and allowing as much opportunity for substantive discussion as possible.  It is important to respect the value of people's time and not make the meetings any longer than they have to be.  It is also important to respect people's rights to ask questions and have public-spirited discussions. 
There have also been some changes made relative to accessibility. Babysitting service has been made available, which was well utilized tonight.  Transportation was also made available for people who could not get to the meeting on their own.  Some of the community aspects which are new to this meeting are the community dinner and the desserts made available. 
Chairman Walsh said one of the most important things is how everyone conducts himself or herself.  Everyone deserves the respect to be listened to and to voice his or her opinions and questions.  Chairman Walsh asked everyone in the room to be kind and respectful whether or not they agreed with others comments and questions. 
The report of the Town Meeting Task Force will be presented in two parts.  First Bernie Waugh will review the options that are available legally in the State of New Hampshire; then Bob Sokol will review the results of the questionnaire, which the Town mailed out. Last, Brian Walsh will talk about the next steps. After these presentations there will be 15 or 20 minutes for discussion about the presentation.  The discussion will end by 8:00 pm with the understanding that anyone who wishes to talk about this further can resume the discussion after the warrant.  The reason for this is because there is a fear that if this is opened up to a wide-ranging discussion, we will never get to the business of the meeting.  There will also be many opportunities in the late summer and fall to have much more spirited discussions with much more information.  This is the beginning of the process, not the end of the process. 
Brian Walsh asked Bernie Waugh to stand so he could introduce him.  Bernie was previously the chief legal Council for the New Hampshire Municipal Association.  He is one of the most knowledgeable attorneys in the State as far as what towns are allowed to do.  He is now a private Council operating in Lebanon.  He has been the Chair of the Hanover Zoning Board of Adjustment for a long time.  He has been asked to give a brief lesson regarding what New Hampshire law allows. 
Mr. Waugh stepped forward to make his presentation.  Mr. Waugh referred to the handout distributed prior to the meeting.  Point number one is to show how many options there are in terms of town government.  There is the traditional Town Meeting, but there are many options in terms of how the meeting can be run. Town Council is another option; this is similar to a City Council type of government.  Another option is Town Council with budgetary Town Meeting; which would mean the town budget goes to Town Meeting.  Representative Town Meeting is another option.  This is where there is a meeting similar to Town Meeting, but all the participants are elected delegates.  It is like a very large City Council. 
There are three options for use of an official ballot.   The SB2 Official Ballot Referendum system, under RSA 40:13; is the one for which all the details are outlined in the statute.  The Official Ballot Charter is one that allows a town charter commission to custom design the official ballot process for use by a particular town.  There is also Official Ballot Town Council; where there is a Town Council, but all the official policy questions go on an official ballot for voting.
Mr. Waugh said when looking at what these options do, it is important to recognize the open Town Meeting form of government where the body that determines the final form of the question is also the body that votes on that question.  All the other systems separate those functions.
Brian Walsh introduced Bob Sokol.  Mr. Sokol is an advisor to the Task Force on the questionnaire distributed to Town residents.  He is a distinguished professor in sociology.  He has been a resident of Hanover since 1961.  He has helped the Town previously with many questionnaires.  Bob will go through the results of the questionnaire. 
Mr. Sokol said it is evident from the handout that the Town Meeting Task Force had some complexities to deal with.  The questionnaire was sent out to virtually all the households in Hanover to get the community's sentiment.  The questionnaire was also deposited at Town Hall and in the various libraries.  As you can see from the handout, 655 residents responded. It is evident from the results of the questionnaire that there is a great deal of difference of opinion.
As shown on the results of the questionnaire, 71% of the respondents said they do attend the all day voting.  Only 28% of the respondents say they attend the evening voting session regularly, 24% of the respondents said they attend occasionally; 24% said they attend rarely and 21% said they never attend.  The full report including the comments made will be available at the Town website, www.hanovernh.org.
The questionnaire asked if the Town should change the current form of government to another form; 26% said yes it should change, 32% said no, 32% said they are not sure and 10% did not answer the question.  With respect to the types of government they would like to see if it should change, the following question was asked: New Hampshire law permits several forms of government; these include Town Meeting, Official Balloting and elected legislative body (Town Council).  It is also possible to create a form that combines elements of these.  Which form of government would you prefer?  Only 4% prefer the elected legislative body, so we can probably forget about Town Council.  The largest percentage, which was 37%; indicated they would like to have Official Ballot as the format.  This would be all day voting in voting booths.  The current form, open Town Meeting, received 21% of the votes and another 24% of the votes said they would like open Town Meeting with procedural improvements.  Essentially 45% said they would like to continue with open Town Meeting but they would like some improvements.  Finally another 22% said they would like some kind of combination.
Brian Walsh, Chairman of The Town Meeting Task Force took the podium next.  He said the Selectmen are receiving this report for the first time tonight and the Task Force has not had a chance to sit down and go over the results of the questionnaire.  The charge to the Task Force was to present this information to Town Meeting and then the Selectmen can decide what to do as the next steps.  The Selectmen have not met, but Mr. Walsh assumes that the Selectmen will ask the Task Force to continue to pursue the multiple options that have come out of this questionnaire.  There will be public hearings and discussions in the summer and fall and the Task Force will make recommendations to the Selectmen by the year-end.  This will give the Selectmen time to hold their own hearings in advance of anything that might go on the warrant for next year.  This is the beginning of the process, not the end of the process. 
Mr. Walsh said that there is 20 minutes to talk about this or we can move right on to the business meeting and talk about this later if anyone wishes.
Moderator Marilyn Black asked if there are any questions or comments.  Ms. Black said all that is asked is that residents raise their hand to speak and they will be given the microphone. 
Len King stepped forward.  Mr. King said he is one of the people who votes every single time.  He cannot come to these meetings all the time because he has three (3) small children.  He feels there are other people who have accessibility issues.  He feels the open Town Meeting format actually restricts his right to vote. He feels that open Town Meeting restricts or takes away the right to vote for at least half the parents of small children and many others.  Mr. King urged the committee, the Selectboard and all the voters to consider a more inclusive system that allows more participation. 
Ellis Rolett of Balch Hill Lane asked for a show of hands for parents of young children who are present because of the availability of free babysitting.  Five parents raised their hands.
Len King said the babysitting only goes until 9 PM and then he would have to leave and furthermore, younger kids can't always stay that late anyway. 
Richard Denton of Woodmore Drive asked Mr. Sokol about the interpretation of survey question number 10, which refers to the different options for forms of government.  If you take all the percentages it adds up to 120%, what does that mean?   Mr. Sokol said that in some instances respondents picked multiple answers.   
Moderator Black asked if there was any further discussion. 
Finding no further discussion Moderator Black decided to move on to the consent calendar.  She said this is part of the streamlining of Town Meeting.  Articles Thirteen through Twenty-Four will be voted on in a single vote.  Voters may ask questions or discuss any one of the articles.  When the vote comes, voters may request any article be taken out for separate voting, otherwise they will be voted on as an entity.  A motion will be made to approve Article Thirteen through Article Twenty-Four jointly as written, however anyone is free to discuss any part of these articles and may move for separate action on any one article.
It was MOVED by Chairman Walsh and SECONDED by Vice Chairman Connolly to approve Articles Thirteen through Article Twenty-Four jointly as written.
Chairman Walsh explained this is not an attempt to make this meeting shorter, it is an attempt to take care of those things that do not draw a lot of conversation in less time so we can get on to the meat of the meeting. By State law, many of these things have to be done in advance of the budget because they deal with money.  We are trying to dispense with as much form as possible and get to as much substance as possible.  There will not be multiple readings of each article. There will be a brief one-line explanation on each of these articles, after which, anyone can ask any questions they wish. They may also request that any particular article be pulled out for separate voting or discussion.  The object is not to railroad these articles through; the objective is to take the time to discuss those things that need discussion. 

ARTICLE THIRTEEN:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $40,775 for deposit into 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 2002-2003. 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.
 
ARTICLE FOURTEEN:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $40,775 for deposit into 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 2002-2003. Funding deposited into the Conservation Fund derives from 50% of the land use change tax proceeds, paid by property owners when they take land out of current use.
Articles Thirteen and Fourteen are articles that annually come up at Town Meeting.  The articles are ones in which the Town takes the money raised from the current use land tax when land come out of current use; and puts half into the Land and Capital Improvements Fund and half into the Conservation Fund.
Chairman Walsh asked if anyone would like to discuss these articles separately.  There was no request to discuss separately.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $34,400 for deposit into the Municipal Transportation Improvement Fund, and to authorize funding of this amount by transfer from the Transportation Improvement Fee Reserve, with no funds being raised by taxation. This amount is equivalent to the total Transportation Fee surcharge for each motor vehicle registered in the Town of Hanover ($5.00 per vehicle) during fiscal year 2002-2003.
Article Fifteen is another article dealt with annually.  These are funds collected annually when vehicles are registered.  This article takes those funds raised and moves them into the Municipal Transportation Improvement Fund.
Chairman Walsh asked if anyone would like to discuss this article separately. There was no request to discuss separately.
 
ARTICLE SIXTEEN:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $5,000 for the construction of certain roadway improvements to insure safer travel by bicycles within the Town, and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the withdrawal of this sum from the Municipal Transportation Improvement Fund. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until these improvements are complete or June 30, 2010, whichever is sooner.
Article Sixteen takes $5,000 of the money put into the Municipal Transportation Improvement Fund last year and uses this money to undertake roadway improvements for safer bicycle travel. 
Kari Asmus asked Chairman Walsh, if she just has a quick question should she ask it now or wait until he is done.  Chairman Walsh replied that if it is just a quick question she can ask him now and then she can decide if she wants to take it out for a separate vote.  Ms. Asmus asked why these funds would not lapse for 5 years.  If these funds are for improvements to be made in the coming year, why is it done this way?  Chairman Walsh said these funds are intended for improvements to be made this year but if they do not get the improvements done this year, they don't want to be in the position to have to bring this before Town Meeting next year.  Ms. Griffin further clarified; often times we run into delays in these projects for one reason or another. The Trustees of the Trust Funds have requested that the warrant article make it very clear when the lapsing would occur, so they feel comfortable that if these projects end up extending over more than one year, there is still a legitimate purpose for withdrawing these funds.
Chairman Walsh asked if this should be left in the consent calendar.  There was no objection made and the article remained in the consent calendar.

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $556,292 and authorize payment into existing capital reserve funds in the following amounts for the purposes for which such funds were established:
Ambulance Equipment Capital Reserve Fund $  39,132
Highway Construction and Maintenance
 Equipment Capital Reserve Fund $145,000
Fire Department Vehicle and Equipment
 Capital Reserve Fund $  98,500
Police Vehicles and Equipment Capital
 Reserve Fund $  58,500
Dispatch Equipment and Dispatch Center
 Enhancements Capital Reserve Fund $  10,000
Parking Operations Vehicles and Parking Facility
 Improvements Capital Reserve Fund $    2,660
Howe Library Building Repair and Equipment
 Capital Reserve Fund $    2,500
Sewer Equipment and Facilities Improvements Capital
 Reserve Fund $200,000
 
Article Seventeen is the article where money is put into the capital savings accounts for future equipment purchases. This includes things like Police equipment, Fire trucks and Public Works vehicles. The amount this year is $556,292.
Chairman Walsh asked if anyone would like this article pulled out of the consent calendar.  There being no objections, this article remained in the consent calendar. 

ARTICLE EIGHTEEN:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $640,271 for the purposes listed below, and to authorize funding these amounts by withdrawal from the listed capital reserve funds in the following amounts:
Highway Construction and Maintenance
 Equipment Capital Reserve Fund $224,609
 For roadside mower, roller compactor,
 4 trucks, one trailer 
Fire Department Vehicle and Equipment
 Capital Reserve Fund $340,000
 For replacement of Engine #4 
Sewer Equipment and Facilities Improvements Capital
 Reserve Fund $  75,662
 For general purpose vehicle, one truck,
 lawn mower and bagger 
This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until these specified purchases are complete or June 30, 2010, whichever is sooner.
Article Eighteen is the article where money is spent, that has been set aside previously in various Capital Improvement Funds.  The request is to withdraw $640,271 from various Capital Improvements Funds this year.  A major item, which is more than half of this amount is $340,000 for the replacement of Engine #4, which was purchased in 1974.
Chairman Walsh asked if anyone would like this article pulled out of the consent calendar.  There being no objections, this article remained in the consent calendar.
 
ARTICLE NINETEEN:  To see if the Town will vote to establish a Bridge Replacement and Renovation Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for the ongoing necessary reconstruction and improvements to the Town's bridges, and to raise and appropriate Thirty-Four thousand dollars ($34,000) to be placed in this fund towards this purpose. 
Article Nineteen is to establish a Bridge Replacement and Renovation Capital Reserve Fund and to fund that with $34,000.  We have been annually putting in the budget approximately $30,000 to $35,000 to replace bridges.  The four (4) bridges on Ruddsboro Road were redlined.  We have replaced three (3) of these.  There are other bridges around Town that will need replacing in time.  This article creates a Capital Reserve Fund so the Town is not trying to deal with the issue in every budget. 
Chairman Walsh asked if anyone would like to discuss this or have it removed from the consent calendar.    There being no objections or discussion, this article remained in the consent calendar. 

ARTICLE TWENTY:  To see if the Town will vote to establish a Town Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for the scheduled 2008 revaluation of the Town, and to raise and appropriate ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to be placed in this fund towards this purpose, and appoint the Selectmen as agents to expend from the fund. 
Article Twenty deals with the Town revaluation.  Since the taxes in the State of New Hampshire are based on property taxes, we now have to do a revaluation every five (5) years.  So rather than having the cost of that happening in the 5th year, which is approximately $50,000; we are suggesting that money be set aside each year to pay for that.
Chairman Walsh asked if anyone would like this article pulled out of the consent calendar.  There being no objections, this article remained in the consent calendar. 

ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $25,000 for the construction of certain roadway improvements along Lyme Road, and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the withdrawal of this sum from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund.

ARTICLE TWENTY-TWO:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $50,000 for the construction of certain roadway improvements along Lyme Road, and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the withdrawal of this sum from the Municipal Transportation Improvement Fund. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until these improvements are complete or June 30, 2010, whichever is sooner.
Articles Twenty-One and Twenty-Two go together.  They appropriate $25,000 in Article Twenty-One and $50,000 in Article Twenty-Two; they appropriate money from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund and Municipal Transportation Improvement Fund, respectively.  These are for improvements in the Lyme Road area, which are in support of the Master Plan. This calls for a village center in the Lyme Road area  anchored by the new Middle School.  There is a further $50,000 in the line-item budget for a total of $125,000 in this year's budget.  There is also the expectation that there will be another $125,000 in next year's budget to complete the improvements on Lyme Rd.
Chairman Walsh asked if anyone would like this article pulled out of the consent calendar.  There being no objections, this article remained in the consent calendar. 

ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE:  To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Fire Department to continue to provide services outside the community under the established mutual aid system pursuant to RSA 154:24, particularly with respect to development of and participation in a regional hazardous materials response team.  Any town may authorize their respective fire department to go to the aid of another city, town, village or fire district within or without the state, for the purpose of extinguishing a fire, rendering other emergency assistance, or performing any detail as requested.
Article Twenty-Three is a housekeeping article.  The Fire Department has been providing and receiving mutual aid for many years. The Town has never really authorized them to do that.  This article is to authorize them to provide and receive mutual aid.
Chairman Walsh asked if anyone would like this article pulled out of the consent calendar.  There being no objections, this article remained in the consent calendar. 

ARTICLE TWENTY-FOUR:  To see if the Town will accept the provisions of RSA 202-A: 4-c providing that any town at an annual meeting may adopt an article authorizing indefinitely, until specific rescission of such authority, the public library trustees to apply for, accept and expend, without further action by the Town Meeting, unanticipated money from a state, federal or other governmental unit or a private source which becomes available during the fiscal year.
Article Twenty-Four is a housekeeping article.  This is a blanket authorization for the Etna Library to apply for and receive gifts.  It is necessary for Town Meeting to authorize this. 
Margaret Fanning requested that this article be pulled out for a separate vote. 
Chairman Walsh's original motion was modified to reflect the removal of Article Twenty-Four from the consent calendar per the request of Margaret Fanning.
 
It was MOVED by Chairman Walsh and SECONDED by Vice Chairman Connolly to approve Articles Thirteen through Article Twenty-Three jointly as written.
There being no further discussion on Articles Thirteen through Twenty-Three, a voice vote was taken on Chairman Walsh's motion. The motion PASSED and Articles Thirteen through Twenty-Three were ADOPTED jointly as written.
It was MOVED by Chairman Walsh and SECONDED by Barbara Price to approve Article Twenty-Four as written in the warrant.
Margaret Fanning stated she is concerned that if there are private sources of funding that might come from sources, they may want some type of commercial endorsement. 
Margaret Fanning MOVED and was SECONDED that the wording of Article Twenty-Four be modified to add the phrase "so long as there is no endorsement or advertising of commercial entities or products resulting". Chairman Walsh, as mover of Article Twenty-Four, ACCEPTED the motion.
Tom Jacobs, Etna Library Trustee, wants to make sure the wording is carefully written so the Trustees have the ability to acknowledge someone's contribution, even if they are a company or foundation.  The Trustees should have the freedom to acknowledge them. 
Moderator Black read the amendment that states that the Etna Library would be able to accept monies or gifts" so long as there is no endorsement or advertising of commercial entities or products resulting".
Bill Harper, of Crowley Terrace said he feels that this should be left to the discretion of the Trustees and residents should vote no on the proposed modification.
Winifred Stearns, 5 Dorrance Place said in this day when everybody is for sale, she would be very happy to see donors remain anonymous. She would vote yes on this amendment.
Nory Snell asked if gifts from individuals or foundations could be acknowledged.  Chairman Walsh said that the amendment reads" so long as there is no endorsement or advertising of commercial entities or products resulting". It is his understanding that gifts from individuals or foundations could still be acknowledged. In the event that the gift was from an entity or person seeking endorsement or advertising for commercial purposes, the gift could not be accepted."
Martha Cassidy of Low Road said that there should not be a plaque on a bookcase that says "Coca Cola", but if a company sees fit to give a bunch of money to the library, it would be a sad day when we couldn't write them a letter of acknowledgement saying that an addition or repair was done through the generosity of that company. She said that an addition shouldn't be named for them, but they should at least receive a thank-you.  She asked if that could be done the way this modification is written.  Moderator Black said the wording says "commercial entities".
Moderator Black asked Ms. Fanning if she would like to speak to this.
Ms. Fanning said she would like to see individuals acknowledged and she would not like to see the Library prevented from accepting money from Coca Cola.  What she would not like to see is Coca Cola plastered all over everywhere or even a small plaque left there permanently.  She would be happy to defer the wording to someone who can do it better.
Chairman Walsh suggested that Ms. Fanning withdraw her motion and that we have a process where the elected Trustees have a meeting where they develop a policy and bring that forth to the Selectboard for a public hearing to bless that policy.
Tom Jacobs said as a Trustee, he would not like to have names plastered all over the Library.  He feels that the Trustees should be allowed to handle this and the original motion to approve the article stand the way it is.
Margaret Fanning MOVED and was SECONDED to withdraw her request to amend the wording of Article Twenty-Four to add the phrase "so long as there is no endorsement or advertising of commercial entities or products resulting".
Moderator Black reverted to Chairman Walsh's original motion to approve Article Twenty-Four as written in the warrant. She asked if there was any further discussion on this motion. 
There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Walsh's motion to approve Article Twenty-Four as written. The motion PASSED and Article Twenty-Four was ADOPTED.

Moderator Black said the voters might be noticing that they are doing something different this year. In previous Town Meetings these warrant articles have been read three times.  Tonight it is up to the discretion of the Selectmen as to whether they will read the warrant article at all.  If the Selectman does not read the article, he or she will refer to the page in the Town report, and it will be the motion that is printed there. 

ARTICLE TWENTY-FIVE:  To see if the Town will vote to rename the North College Street Reconstruction Capital Reserve Fund to the Road Construction and Improvements Capital Reserve Fund, and to ratify its purposes, authorizing its use for future reconstruction and improvements of Town roadways, and to raise and appropriate eighty-five thousand dollars ($85,000) to be placed in this fund towards this purpose. A two-thirds vote is required.
Selectman Baschnagel MOVED and was SECONDED that the Town vote to rename the North College Street Reconstruction Capital Reserve Fund to the Road Construction and Improvements Capital Reserve Fund, and to ratify its purposes, authorizing its use for future reconstruction and improvements of Town roadways, and to raise and appropriate eighty-five thousand dollars ($85,000) to be placed in this fund towards this purpose.
Selectman Baschnagel said the purpose of Article Twenty-Five in the Town Report is to rename an existing Capital Reserve Fund.  This article requires a two-thirds vote because of the nature of the article.  This fund was originally set up to collect money to upgrade and rebuild North College Street.  By renaming this Fund, it will be expanded to become a more general-purpose fund.  These funds will be used for road construction and associated improvements within the Town.  Also in this article, voters are being asked to raise and appropriate $ 85,000 to be added to this fund.
Kim Perez asked if this fund would cover bicycle paths and sidewalks as well. Selectman Baschnagel said it is the intent of the Selectboard that this fund becomes a general-purpose fund, which would include bike lanes as well.
Selectman Baschnagel said the goal of this Capital Reserve Fund is to even out expenditures that will ultimately come.  The focus of these funds will be the Lyme Road improvements, in the near future.
Bob King of Etna asked if it is clear that this is a new appropriation of funds and not a transfer of funds.  Selectman Baschnagel said if it is not, it should be. This is to raise and appropriate funds in the amount of $85,000. 
Dave Bradley of Foxfield Lane asked if there is money in the fund that is being renamed or is this establishing a new fund?  Ms. Griffin said she believes there is a small amount of money remaining in this fund, approximately $20,000, from the North College Street improvements, that were completed last summer.  We recognized that we needed to create a more generic fund and transfer the money from the North College Street Fund and appropriate some additional funds. 
Moderator Black asked if there was any other discussion of this article.
There being no further discussion, a hand vote was taken on Selectman Baschnagel's motion to approve Article Twenty-Five as written. The motion CARRIED with only 4 votes in opposition. Article Twenty-Five was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE TWENTY-SIX:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $2,500 for support of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance project, "Upper Valley Trails for Life," substantially underwritten by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the withdrawal of this sum from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund.
Selectman Baschnagel MOVED and was SECONDED to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $2,500 for support of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance project, "Upper Valley Trails for Life," substantially underwritten by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and to fund this appropriation by authorizing the withdrawal of this sum from the Land and Capital Improvements Fund.
Article Twenty-Six is a motion for the Town to raise and appropriate $2,500 to support the matching funds grant that the Upper Valley Trails Alliance received this past year.  They actually received a $200,000 grant, they are looking for $50,000 in matching funds.  They have asked Hanover for $10,000 over four years.  This appropriation is for $2,500 for the first year.  The other funds will come before subsequent Town Meetings.  The proposal they have put on the table and are talking about with the Conservation Commission is looking at the trails in the Dresden area, near the Ray School.  The focus of the grant is on healthy living.  They will be looking at opportunities to put together a more integrated trail network. 
Don Kollisch of East Wheelock ask if it would be possible to reword this article so we vote on it just once this year, rather than having to revisit it each year.  Selectman Baschnagel said one of the reasons why we are looking at only this year is a timing issue.  They received a grant late last year and they have not really had time to look at the details as to what this study might address.  We are anticipating that all this is coming together, but we don't want to commit ourselves to something that is undefined in material respect at this point.  Mr. Kollisch asked if the vote could charge the Board of Selectmen with that responsibility at this time.  Moderator Black said it could be added to the consent calendar for next year's Town Meeting.  Chairman Walsh said he would not like the Selectmen to have that authority, because there are other towns contributing money to this, he would not like to see Hanover be the only town that is committed for four years.  Selectman Walsh would like to see the Upper Valley Trails Alliance raise money from these other towns. 
Moderator Black asked if there was any further discussion.
There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Baschnagel's motion to approve Article Twenty-Six as written.  The motion PASSED and Article Twenty-Six was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE TWENTY-SEVEN:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $14,114,969 to pay the operating expenses of the Town for the 2004-2005 fiscal year, for the purposes set forth in the Town budget.  This sum does not include the funds voted in any of the preceding or succeeding articles.
Selectman Christie MOVED and was SECONDED to raise and appropriate $14,114,969 to pay the operating expenses of the Town for the 2004-2005 fiscal year, for the purposes set forth in the Town budget.  This sum does not include the funds voted in any of the preceding or succeeding articles.
Selectman Christie said that 14 million dollars is a lot of money.  The departments, Betsy McClain, Julia Griffin and the Selectboard have scrutinized every dollar in this budget. 
Selectman Christie said he would like to give the voters a sense of the process to achieve this budget.  It is not his intention to take the voters through each line item; these are included in the Town Report.  He will welcome line item questions after his presentation.
Selectman Christie said the budget process kicks off in November when the Selectboard sets the budget guidelines with Ms. Griffin.  The Board targeted to mirror the tax rate to the forecasted inflation rate, which was 2.1% in November.  This year we also had to budget the first of twenty $100,000 payments voted by the Town, to support the Tri-Party Agreement for the new middle school and high school.  This $100,000 payment alone would result in a 1.9% increase in the municipal tax rate.  It was decided that this special payment should be considered incremental to the nominal increases.  Thus the 1.9% was added to the 2.1% inflation factor to arrive at a 4% budget guideline.  Selectman Christie is pleased to report that the budget presented meets the guidelines established. 
 Selectman Christie said it was looking like this year's budget deliberations were going to be a "walk in the park".  All the Selectboard needed to do was take advantage of the higher than forecasted inflation rate, find a few items to drop and pick through those high priority items from the Wish List.  No such luck.  The Board saw that the general fund utilized about $186,000 from its undesignated fund reserves.  Undesignated fund reserves are the cumulative budget surplus over many years.  In general we would like to have between 5% and 10% of the operating budget available in undesignated reserves as a hedge against unbudgeted shortfalls. If the Board had accepted the $186,000 utilization, the undesignated fund balance would have been depleted from a high of 11% in 2002 to a forecasted 6% at the end of 2005.  Since we had operated with a real surplus in each of those years, this told us that we have built on-going expenses into the budget during those three years that have not been built into the tax rate. That may feel good to the taxpayer in the short term, but the undesignated fund reserves will soon slip below the 5% floor.  We implemented new guidelines in mid-process that require us to focus on using undesignated fund balances for only those expenses that are non-recurring and thus don't need to be built into the tax rate.  Ms. Griffin and Ms. McClain went back to the budget to identify those costs and ultimately came up with a list of approximately 10 items that total $120,000.  This left us with $65,000 to fund in addition to selected items from the Wish List.
Selectman Christie said we are proud to present to the voters, a budget that meets the original guidelines, does not take advantage of the higher than forecasted inflation rate, and draws from undesignated reserve funds in a sustainable way. 
During the deliberations the Board also identified the need to establish  a policy relative to what capital expenses should be considered for bonding, rather than being funded from the Capital Reserve Fund.  We will leave that for next year's Town Meeting.
This year the Board challenged the Town's staff to take a crack at zero- based budgeting.   This is a buzz word to describe the process whereby, rather than looking at this year's expenses as incremental to last, you wipe the slate clean and work from the bottom up at what services are being provided, how much they cost and the cost-to-benefit-trade-off of each.  This is actually very hard to do.  The Ambulance Service was selected for this effort. Ms. Griffin and Ms. McClain said they found this effort very helpful.  It helps to quantify the fiscal interdependency of the Fire Department and the Ambulance Fund.  It helped us to recognize that the high quality of the ambulance service the Town provides cannot be funded by average user rates.  It also helped us identify that we are not adequately charging neighboring towns for unrecovered ambulance costs for Medicare.  These unrecovered costs result from federally set reimbursement ceilings that do not cover actual expenses.  This was a ton of work, but proved valuable and will be applied to other budgets in future years. 
Selectman Christie said he did not intend to take the voters through the line item budget, he would like to point out some of the major drivers in this year's budget.  These include the need to fund $125,000, the first of two such expenses to cover improvements started on Lyme Road.  This budget also includes additional funds to staff the new Richard W. Black Community Center over the weekends and some evenings.  The need for new windows and a new furnace at the Howe Library are also in this budget. 
 The Moderator asked the voters if anyone had any discussion regarding this article.
Weyman Lundquist asked if there is a process for allocating expenses for Highway, Police, Fire and the like to the Dresden School District and the Town.  Ms. Griffin said the Town of Hanover does not charge the Town of Norwich for services we provide as a Town to the Dresden School District.  The only costs that are allocated to Norwich are school specific costs allocated through the Dresden budget process.
Kim Perez of Trescott Road asked about page 13 of the Town Report that says that the Town borrowed three trillion dollars.  Ms. Griffin said this is a typo.
Athos Rassias presented the Hanover Finance Committee's perspective on the budget.  Back in March the Finance Committee had it's final meeting on this budget and the Finance Committee voted unanimously to support this budget. They agree with the guidelines set by the Selectboard.  This budget preserves the undesignated fund balance at an acceptable level.  The Finance Committee would also like to note that all negotiated settlements with Town employees are at mid-cycle which lends some stability to the budget.   
Ellis Rolett of Balch Hill Lane said on page 18 in the General Fund and Assessment there is an item called "unallocated" for $1,800,000.  He would like to know what this is.  Ms. Griffin said there are a number of expenses in the budget that are not allocated to the department budgets, the largest being our benefits package.  We budget for those items separately in their own set of accounts, we call that section of the accounting division the unallocated division.  We don't sprinkle those costs across all the operating budgets.  We like to see them in lump sums, so we can appreciate how expensive they are. 
Moderator Black asked if there was any other discussion on the budget. 
There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Christie's motion to approve Article Twenty-Seven.  The motion PASSED and Article Twenty-Seven was ADOPTED.
 
ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of not to exceed $200,000 for purchase of, or acquisition of conservation easements restricting development of, seven parcels of land located east of Moose Mountain (Map 3 Lot 87, Map 7, Lots 2, 3, 6, 7 and 14, and Map 11, Lot 21), and to fund this expenditure by authorizing the withdrawal of that sum from the Conservation Fund.  Funding deposited into the Conservation Fund derives from 50% of the land use change tax proceeds, paid by property owners when they take land out of current use.  This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the purchases are complete or June 30, 2010, whichever is sooner.
Selectman Baschnagel MOVED and Vicki Smith SECONDED to raise and appropriate the sum of not to exceed $200,000 for purchase of, or acquisition of conservation easements restricting development of, seven parcels of land located east of Moose Mountain (Map 3 Lot 87, Map 7, Lots 2, 3, 6, 7 and 14, and Map 11, Lot 21), and to fund this expenditure by authorizing the withdrawal of that sum from the Conservation Fund.  Funding deposited into the Conservation Fund derives from 50% of the land use change tax proceeds, paid by property owners when they take land out of current use.  This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the purchases are complete or June 30, 2010, whichever is sooner.
Selectman Baschnagel said for years one of the housekeeping articles has been to take funds and deposit them into the Conservation Fund.  This fund has accumulated over a number of years.  The Town now has an opportunity to approve the use of those funds. The purpose of this, as requested by the Conservation Commission, is for the funds to be made available to pursue either ownership or conservation easements on three large parcels on the east side of Moose Mountain in the forestry zone.  This land has come available recently at quite reasonable prices.  The intent is that the funds be used to either purchase the property or find someone to purchase the property, at which point we could buy conservation easements from that buyer. There is the potential here to put over 1,000 acres into conservation easements for use by the public and the Town. 
Rich Howarth supports this expenditure, but has a legal question.  His understanding is that the Conservation Commission has the legal power to expend money without prior consent from Town Meeting.  He would like clarification on this point.  Selectman Baschnagel said when the Town set up the Conservation Fund several years ago at Town Meeting, the Town Meeting asked the Conservation Commission to bring back before the Town any expenditures of funds over a certain threshold.  That threshold is based on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Selectboard and Conservation Commission, which is currently $50,000.  Any expenditures over $50,000 must be brought before Town Meeting.
Mary Dennison asked if Article Two would change the value of this land; was this appraisal still valid? Ms. Dennison said it is a little ironic that you are taking away value from people who live in part of this forestry zone and at the same time paying money to buy land from other landowners.  Ms. Vicki Smith, Senior Planner and Conservation Commission staff member said she has read the appraisal and made the appraiser aware of this zoning amendment.  This was taken into account when the appraiser made the appraisal.
Dave Cioffi asked if all this land is within the Town of Hanover.  Selectman Baschnagel said all three parcels are within the Town.
Winifred Stearns said that if this land goes into conservation the Town would lose some tax base.  She would like to know how much the Town will lose if this goes into conservation.  Ms. Vicki Smith said currently all the land is in current use and the taxes paid by the whole 1,000 acres is $500.
Pete Hall asked if this is a one-time expenditure.  Moderator Black said yes.
Helen Lacoss said this is a one-time expenditure on 400 acres, but you are talking about three pieces of land.  Selectman Baschnagel said what the Conservation Commission is asking for is authority to spend up to $200,000 of what's in the Conservation Fund. The final details depend on how successful Vicki Smith's discussions with several private landowners are.  We are hoping that someone else will buy the property and the Town will just have to buy the conservation easements.  This is the least expensive way to accomplish our goals.
Moderator Black asked if there was any further discussion on Article Twenty-Eight.
There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Baschnagel's motion to approve Article Twenty-Seven as written.  The motion PASSED and Article Twenty-Eight was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE:  To see if the Town will vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 31:120, allowing the establishment of a Downtown Business Service District for purposes of assessing a fee against businesses located in the D1, D2 and B1 zone located at the intersection of Lebanon and Park Streets.  Such fee will be utilized to develop and implement a marketing program for Downtown Hanover and has been requested by the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown business community.  And further, to delegate to the Board of Selectmen the authority to appoint an Advisory Board, to define the Central Business District, to select specific downtown marketing services and identify the level of those services to be provided on behalf of the district, to determine which specific department, agency or other party is to undertake the work, and to adopt those ordinances as may be necessary to implement the goals of the district; and further to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 for this purpose, which shall be funded by the assessment of fees to the businesses within the defined Central Business Service District.
Selectman Christie MOVED and Elizabeth Crory SECONDED that the Town  vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 31:120, allowing the establishment of a Downtown Business Service District for purposes of assessing a fee against businesses located in the D1, D2 and B1 zone located at the intersection of Lebanon and Park Streets.  Such fee will be utilized to develop and implement a marketing program for Downtown Hanover and has been requested by the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown business community.  And further, to delegate to the Board of Selectmen the authority to appoint an Advisory Board, to define the Central Business District, to select specific downtown marketing services and identify the level of those services to be provided on behalf of the district, to determine which specific department, agency or other party is to undertake the work, and to adopt those ordinances as may be necessary to implement the goals of the district; and further to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 for this purpose, which shall be funded by the assessment of fees to the businesses within the defined Central Business Service District.
The Town is interested in keeping Downtown a vital part of Hanover.  This article would allow all the Downtown merchants to have a combined marketing effort. The Chamber of Commerce has been busy making sure the Town remains vital.  They held a number of forums for the commercial businesses.  This statute allows the Board of Selectmen to identify various committees that will administer such a district.  There is no impact on the General Fund.  Since the parking district was put into place there has been a parking tax put on the Downtown business merchants.  This tax was not assessed this year nor will it be next year.  In addition, with the revaluation, the assessed valuation for businesses is less than the residential valuations.  This results in $70,000 less in tax on the Downtown properties.  The method of assessment may be by square footage and may be less than a dollar a square foot.  The Downtown merchants and the Selectboard are strongly in favor of this. 
Elizabeth Crory asked about the tax assessment the business district pays for the parking garage and why it is not being collected.  Ms. Griffin said that Ms. Crory is confusing two sources of revenue.  The Town is still collecting the tax increment financing district incremental tax.  This is the tax generated by the 7 Lebanon St. property.  The Downtown parking tax is a different revenue source.  This tax is collected from businesses throughout the Downtown Parking District.  Fortunately the Parking Fund has done so well, the Selectboard has not needed to collect this tax.
Elizabeth Crory asked if the parking garage is operating in the black on it's own.  Ms. Griffin said the parking garage itself does not operate completely in the black.  What does generate net revenue over expenses are the parking fines and fees collected.
Winifred Stearns said she would love to see the Downtown businesses succeed, but she does not like seeing residential areas included in the Downtown Service Business Service District.  Ms. Stearns pointed out several areas residential in nature, which are included on the map for the Business Service District.  Ms. Griffin said it is confusing, but if you look at the actual wording in Article Twenty-Nine; the wording allows the Selectmen to define the Central Business Service District for the purposes of implementing a Downtown Central Business Service District fee.  The Selectmen will hold a public hearing, once they are prepared to define that district.  In that district will not be included; the Howe Library, the Hostel or any residential property.  Ms. Stearns asked about District D2, which has a ground level of commercial property, but has residential properties above it.  Ms. Griffin said the Board would take up that issue when they define the boundaries of the district.  Ms. Stearns asked about Casque and Gauntlet, which is 100% residential; right across from the Hanover Inn.  Ms. Stearns would like to see this property excluded too. 
Bill Harper asked if there is any reason why the Co-op was included in this and has the Co-op addressed this at all.  The Co-op is the only grocery store and he doesn't think they would get benefit from the Downtown Business Service District.  Ms. Griffin said there are actually three properties in that district that would be affected; the Co-op, Ledyard Bank and the Co-op Service station.  They have all agreed to be part of this. 
Steve Crory said the square foot cost Downtown is pretty high.  The stigma Downtown is the parking.  The Town pays $200,000 a year in parking enforcement to make $300,000 in fees and fines.  The stigma that goes on now is that if you come to Hanover you are going to get a $10 dollar parking ticket.  Why not take the $50,000 in parking fees and use that to help in the advertising of the Business District.  He said it is pretty expensive to be a business owner in Hanover.  Selectman Christie said there is not $50,000 in the Parking Fund to give.  The Parking Fund has to do with providing access to customers through the parking facility. 
Jim Rubens clarified as to the cost to the merchants.  He said the cost impact to Downtown properties is less than 1 cent per square foot per month. The tax is quite low.  This is under 60 cents per $1,000 of valuation per year.  For those businesses that wish to participate, there is a program called the Downtown Parking Validation Program.  This provides free parking to all customers who buy anything in the building.  Any merchant in Town may participate. 
Moderator Black asked if there was any further discussion.
There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Christie's motion.  The motion PASSED  and Article Twenty-Nine was ADOPTED.
Chairman Walsh asked Town Meeting to thank Judson "Jay" Pierson for his service to the Town.  Jay has been a Selectman for the past four years and also chaired the Parking Garage Task Force.  He has also been a Trustee of the Trust Funds and has done a tremendous amount for the Town over the past few years.  Tonight is his last night as a Selectman.  Selectman Pierson received a round of applause for his service to the Town of Hanover. 

ARTICLE THIRTY:  To see if the Town will vote to modify the constitution of the Hanover Finance Committee, as previously approved by the 1959 Town Meeting and initially modified by the 1971 Town Meeting, particularly related to the duties of the Finance Committee.  The proposed modified constitution is contained in the section entitled Explanatory Information in the Town Report
Selectman Christie MOVED and was SECONDED that the Town vote to modify the constitution of the Hanover Finance Committee, as previously approved by the 1959 Town Meeting and initially modified by the 1971 Town Meeting, particularly related to the duties of the Finance Committee.  The proposed modified constitution is contained in the section entitled Explanatory Information in the Town Report.
Tom Curphey of Dresden Road said this is a vital committee and is essentially an oversight committee.  With the changes proposed, there will be a drastic change as to the impact the Finance Committee will have on the budget process.  Under the current constitution the Budget Committee has the right to request any and all financial records.  This is not mentioned at all in this proposed new constitution.  Mr. Curphey said he is against this proposal.  He would like to see a member of the Finance Committee explain why they are willing to give up so much control. 
Athos Rassias stepped forward to speak on behalf of the Finance Committee.  This constitution was created in 1959 and modified in 1971, to meet the specific needs at that time.  Over a period of time, the Town's concerns have changed and the Finance Committee has evolved to meet those needs.  A recent review of the Finance Committee charter found that it is out of date.  The proposed changes more accurately reflect the needs and constraints of the taxpayers today.  Mr. Rassias has heard some people voice concerns that the Finance Committee is trying to lessen it's presence at Town and School Meetings.  This is not the case at all. These changes are a way to focus the energy that has recently, over the past few years, been created through it's current operating system. 
Tom Curphey asked Mr. Rassias why the right to request financial records is not included in the new constitution.
Mr. Rassias said the format the Finance Committee has been working well with over the last several years, has been in-depth meetings with the Selectboard and Town Manager and on the school side, the Superintendent.  In those meetings the Finance Committee goes through the review.  That power to request financial records has never been utilized. 
Hilary Pridgen of Etna said she is concerned that whether or not the Finance Committee chooses to do all the things it has a right to do or not, changing this constitution weakens them. The fiscal planning section, which is very useful, goes away entirely. This is the ability to review long-range plans.  While they may not always do it, they should retain the power to use the fiscal planning.
Athos Rassias said one of the primary concerns is the intent of the new charter to give the Finance Committee the ability and the responsibility to take a look at the budgets from a forest vs. trees point of view.
Hilary Pridgen said she can appreciate there is nothing in the long-range plans in terms of monitoring the budget.  The Finance Committee should have the ability to say it is their duty to obtain long-range plans and correlate those plans in the budget.  This proposal is just monitoring the process.
Nick Harvey said the Finance Committee has been working on this for a few years.  The new charter reflects what the Finance Committee has been doing.  They feel that the initial responsibility for the budget is on the elected bodies.  Everything listed gives them the same authority and review that was in the old charter.  They still have complete access to financial information from the school district and the Town. 
Hart Crowe said he served on the Finance Committee in the 80's.  He found it was useful, at that time, for the Finance Committee to set the budget guidelines.  It is useful to have an independent body looking at the pressures on the expenses, rather than relying on the people developing the budget.  He finds it distressing that the ability to develop budget guidelines is missing from this new constitution. 
Gill Tanis, who has lived in Hanover for over fifty years, said he considers himself very fortunate.  DHMC is considered one of the finest medical facilities in the United States and everyone benefits from that.
Moderator Black called for a voice vote on Selectman Christie's motion to modify the constitution of the Hanover Finance Committee. The result of the voice vote was UNDETERMINED.
Moderator Black called for a hand vote on Selectman Christie's motion to modify the constitution of the Hanover Finance Committee. The motion CARRIED with 84 yeah votes and 70 nay votes.  Article Thirty was ADOPTED.
Selectman Baschnagel said that Articles Thirty-One and Thirty-Two are quite timely in terms of where our country is today.  They reflect recent changes authorized by our State Legislature relative to recognizing our veterans in this country.
Selectman Baschnagel took the time to recognize veterans sitting in the audience.  Selectman Baschnagel asked the various veterans to stand, by generation, starting with the World War II veterans, and be recognized by the Town.  All the veterans received applause in recognition of their contribution to our country.  Each veteran received a carnation.

ARTICLE THIRTY-ONE:  To see if the Town will vote to adopt the optional tax credit for a military connected total disability in the Town of Hanover in the amount of $2,000, pursuant to RSA 72:35, I(a).  This article represents a recommended modification from the current tax credit of $700 for any person with a service-connected total disability.
Selectman Baschnagel MOVED and was SECONDED that the Town vote to adopt the optional tax credit for a military connected total disability in the Town of Hanover in the amount of $2,000, pursuant to RSA 72:35, I(a).  This article represents a recommended modification from the current tax credit of $700 for any person with a service-connected total disability.
Article Thirty-One is the adoption of the State statute that offers the Town the opportunity to recognize our veterans in three ways.  The first is a standard veteran's tax credit. The Town offers a $50 tax credit to any veteran who applies.  The optional tax credit offers a tax credit to a veteran with a total disability.  The Town currently offers $750 to disabled veterans, and this will raise that credit to $2,000 per year. 
Don Hollis of East Wheelock Street asked if there is any fiscal basis for this motion?  Selectman Baschnagel said this is intended to recognize the contributions of disabled veterans. Selectman Baschnagel said this credit has been taken into account in the budget. 
Don Hollis asked if this opens us up to recognizing other people who have made other contributions to our country. Selectman Baschnagel said the RSA is very specific in terms of the authority given to the Town in this regard.
Moderator Black asked if there was any other discussion on this motion.
There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Baschnagel's motion.  The motion PASSED and Article Thirty-One was ADOPTED.
 
ARTICLE THIRTY-TWO: To see if the Town will vote to adopt the optional tax credit for a surviving spouse of any person who was killed or died while on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or any of the armed forces of any of the governments associated with the United States in the wars, conflicts or armed conflicts, or combat zones set forth in RSA 72:28, in the amount of $2,000, pursuant to RSA 72:29-a, II.  This article represents a recommended modification from the current tax credit of $700 for any surviving spouse.
 
Article Thirty-Two is a companion piece to Article Thirty-One,  that offers a tax credit to any surviving spouse of a person killed while on active duty in Armed Forces of the United States.
Selectman Baschnagel MOVED and Selectman Christie SECONDED that the Town vote to adopt the optional tax credit for a surviving spouse of any person who was killed or died while on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or any of the armed forces of any of the governments associated with the United States in the wars, conflicts or armed conflicts, or combat zones set forth in RSA 72:28, in the amount of $2,000, pursuant to RSA 72:29-a, II.  This article represents a recommended modification from the current tax credit of $700 for any surviving spouse.
Moderator Black asked if there was any discussion on the motion.
There being no discussion, a voice vote was taken on Selectman Baschnagel's motion.  The motion PASSED and Article Thirty-Two was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE THIRTY-THREE:  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 third and final year this article has appeared separately on the warrant.
Vice Chairman Connolly MOVED and Chairman Walsh SECONDED 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 third and final year this article has appeared separately on the warrant.
Hilda Sokol was on hand to speak about Article Thirty-Three.  She encouraged the Town to support West Central Behavioral Health, which is part of DHMC.  This $9,300 reflects $1.00 per Hanover resident.  West Central Behavioral Health covers Hanover, Southern Grafton County and Sullivan County.  This serves uninsured and underinsured citizens of Hanover.  This $9,300 is actually only 1/3 of what Hanover residents actually use. 
Tom Curphey asked what the last sentence, referring to this being the third year, means? Moderator Black referred Mr. Curphey to the section of the Town Report that explains this.  If any social service agency appears on a warrant article for three years, it goes into the budget from that point on. 
Tom Curphey asked what other social service agencies the Town supports?  Moderator Black said the list is on page 19 in the yellow pages of the Town Report.
Margaret Bragg asked if the Town only pays 1/3 of what residents' use, who comes up with the other 2/3?  Jesse Turner, CEO of West Central said the balance is picked up from revenues generated by fees charged.  They are limited in the amount of low-fee and no-fee services they can provide.  They also do some fundraising each year.
Kim Perez said one of the things that we have talked about looking at in prior years, is the amount of money given to social service agencies.  She would like to know if the Selectboard is considering looking at this.  Ms. Griffin said two years ago the staff decided to come up with a more scientific method for evaluating how Hanover residents benefit from social service agencies.  Last year, for the first time, the Selectboard looked at this.  The funding for all the social service agencies listed on page 19 of the yellow pages in the Town Report, is in accordance with the level of services received by Hanover residents. 
Brian Walsh said the reason West Central came to Town three years ago, was because the State cut their funding dramatically.  The same thing is happening now with the county, relative to Medicaid, because the state is deciding not to fund Medicaid. The same thing is happening with the ambulance funds as the State tries to drive down ambulance costs.  This is an example of what happens when the State cuts funds; the Town has to pick up those costs.
Moderator Black asked if there was any further discussion.
There being no further discussion, a voice vote was taken on Vice Chairman's motion.  The motion PASSED and Article Thirty-Three was ADOPTED.

ARTICLE THIRTY-FOUR:  To transact any other business that may legally be brought before this Town Meeting.
Selectman Pierson MOVED and Dena Romano SECONDED to transact any other business that may legally be brought before this Town Meeting.
A resident asked about the results of the ballot voting.  Moderator Black said the votes would be tallied immediately after Town Meeting.
Kari Asmus asked residents to please mark their calendars for the special Hanover and Dresden School District meeting the last week of May.
The meeting dissolved at 9:10 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julia N. Griffin, Town Clerk
These minutes were transcribed by Susan Love