Board of Selectmen Work Session 12-20-11

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More spending proposed

Cracks in the "Blue Wall" Another fine mess in Winchester.

Sent in for publication on the blog ...

What was it that someone said about no press in your little town?  

Where is your Police Chief? Could he be on administrative leave? Was he suspended until Jan 6th 2012?
What did he do to have the Winchester BOS, particularly Sherm Tedford and Ken Gardner, warrant a suspension? Why was this hushed up and not relayed to the public? 

Did you all know Officer Parker filed a sexual harassment complaint against the Police Department and  ex-Sergeant Nate Jette who "showed his junk" to Parker last summer while they were in the Sergeant's office, shortly before she went to the academy, ... Yes, he deliberately unzipped his pants pulled out his junk and adjusted it (if you know what I mean ) while she was sitting in a chair opposite of him at the station. This came straight from Officer Parker. The town of Winchester has been given legal notice and has to respond to the complaint.

Also folks, Officer Ziegler is on administrative leave and is not happy with  Lieutenant Roberts who is messing with Ziegler's schedule. Could it be that Ziegler may be looking at transferring to the Keene PD or Swanzey PD as well ?

And Officer Cameron is on Swanzey's list to be hired and he also has a job offer from Hinsdale's PD. Hmmm.

Could it be that Roberts and officer Fisher have been funneling info to the BOS about Chief Phillips, going behind his back and undermining his command?

Go back a couple of years and do a chronology of the issues and you will find it all started when Chris Roberts was hired. You all have to look closely at Roberts.."where there is smoke...there is fire " and Roberts is holding the box of matches and a gallon of gasoline. Sounds like Hinsdale all over again.

Oh yeah, rumor has it that Kenny Smith isn't exactly a happy camper either. Wonder why?

Talk about a dysfunctional group .. who's watching the hen house ?

Group sues to block Winchester dollar store

Looks like our little town is getting a lot of press lately

By MEGHAN PIERCE
Union Leader Correspondent

Published Dec 26, 2011 at 3:00 am (Updated Dec 25, 2011)

WINCHESTER — Zoning board approval of a Dollar General store on Main Street is being contested by a group of residents in a lawsuit filed in Cheshire County Superior Court last week.

In October the zoning board approved the demolition of the 200-year-old Wheaton-Alexander Home at 71 Main St. to make way for the construction of the 9,100-square-foot store.

Approval of the Dollar General flew in the face of a decision made by the Historic Commission during the summer that denied the applicant permission to demolish the home that sits in the town historic district. The 1810 home was once a residence for prominent doctors in the community.

The project was proposed by the Zaremba Group, a Lakewood, Ohio, company for the Tennessee-based Dollar General chain of stores.

The project required a special exception to town zoning regulations which forbids a 5,000-square-foot or greater footprint of commercial buildings, petitioners say in the lawsuit.

In its special exception decision, zoning board members agreed with property owners, Margaret Sharra, current town land use clerk, and her two brothers, James S. Shannon and Michael P. Shannon, that rehabilitation of the old home was cost-prohibitive.

This reasoning undermines the work of historic building preservation, the petition says. “The Wheaton-Alexander House is part of a cluster of Federalist houses that were part of the original Winchester Village. It is also on the border of the historic district. Tearing it down permanently impairs the historic and cultural value of the entire historic district. … Given that many of the structures in the historic district are dilapidated, this decision creates a precedent that undermines the integrity of the entire district.”

In its approval the zoning board also referred design plans for the new store to the Historic Commission for approval.

“The Zoning Board of Adjustment has no legal authority to partially remand the decision to the Historic District Commission, and erred in remanding the matter back to the Historic Commission,” the petition says.

Petitioners also said the zoning board violated the right-to-know law by holding a secret site walk of the property the day before it met to deliberate on the matter.

The petition asks the court to vacate the special exception approval. The lawsuit was filed by four residents and Kulick’s Inc., a market located about 2,100 feet from the proposed project on Warwick Road.

The court requires the town to file a plea by March 8.

Zaremba has proposed other Dollar General stores in the area recently. The Marlborough zoning board unanimously denied a special exception to Zaremba Group on Dec. 7 that would have permitted a Dollar General store on Main Street/Route 101.

The project had included the demolition of a 150-year-old farmhouse. And Zaremba recently made preliminary inquiries about building a Dollar General in Swanzey, said Sara Carbonneau, Swanzey town planner.

NO EXCUSES

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Please pass this info on to help save lives.

Board of Selectman's Minutes 12-07-11

 

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WINCHESTER: Group sues over store

Sent to us by a concerned citizen ....

Posted: Saturday, December 17, 2011 8:00 am | Updated: 8:04 am, Sat Dec 17, 2011.

By Abby Spegman Sentinel Staff 

WINCHESTER — A group of Winchester residents have filed a lawsuit against selectmen and the town’s zoning board over the decision to allow a discount store on Main Street.
The Zaremba Group of Cleveland won approval from the zoning board in October to demolish a 200-year-old home and build a Dollar General store in its place.

The board required the new building’s plans be approved by the town’s historic district commission, which earlier this year denied the company’s application.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, filed this week, are five residents and Kulicks, Inc., a market on nearby Warwick Road about 2,100 feet from the site of the proposed Dollar General.
The group previously asked the zoning board to reconsider its decision and was denied.
They are now suing to have the decision be deemed invalid and to have the case be sent back to the board for further review.
The home in question is at 71 Main St. within the town’s historic district. Known as the Wheaton-Alexander House, it was built in 1810 and was the residence for prominent doctors in the community.
In court document, the plaintiffs argue the plan is contrary to the stated purpose of the town’s historical district: “The destruction of a historical asset and its replacement with a box store will undermine the historical, cultural and architectural value of the Historic District.”
The lawsuit also states the zoning board held an unauthorized nonpublic meeting on the issue and it wrongly concluded the building could not be sold for a profit or rented as is.
“Based on the record, it is clear that there were several viable alternatives to demolition, and that the Zoning Board of Adjustment failed to inquire sufficiently to make a reasonable assessment of the alternatives to demolition on the record,” according to court documents.
The lawsuit also says the store is not a permitted use in the town’s Central Business District given its size — 9,100 square feet.
This is one of a handful of projects Zaremba has proposed for the area.
Its plan to build a Dollar General on Main Street in Marlborough was rejected by that town’s zoning board last week. It is also working to develop a Dollar General in Chester, Vt., and is under contract to buy 1.3 acres along Route 10 in Swanzey.
Abby Spegman can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1409, or aspegman@keenesentinel.com

Unhealthy air pollution levels in NH

Thursday, December 15, 2011 CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services is expecting a second day of unhealthy air pollution levels in parts of the state, especially in Keene.

The DES says much of the pollution expected Thursday comes from heating devices, especially wood-burning stoves and boilers. It gets trapped and concentrated near the ground. Communities in valleys or other low-lying areas are more strongly affected.

The department advises that children, older adults, and anyone with heart or lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis may want to limit their time outside.

The warning was first issued for Wednesday.

Dollar store developer plans land buy in Swanzey

By Abbey Spegman,  Sentinel Staff
SWANZEY — The company that has proposed building two Dollar General stores in the area this year is planning to buy a third piece of land on Route 10.
The Zaremba Group of Cleveland is under contract to buy 1.3 acres of vacant land from Stephen and Joan Pappas of Swanzey Center, Stephen Pappas said in an interview Tuesday.

The land is part of 7 acres the couple owns across Route 10 from Gallery at Knotty Pine Auction Service, owned by their son John Pappas. Stephen Pappas said the company approached the couple several months ago and has already surveyed the land.
The town’s zoning board has not received an application from Zaremba, according to Town Planner Sara Carbonneau.
Last week, the Marlborough zoning board unanimously denied a waiver for Zaremba to build a Dollar General in place of a 150-year-old Main Street home. The board ruled the project would be inconsistent with the “essential character” of the neighborhood.
In Winchester, however, plans are moving forward for the company to tear down a 200-year-old house in the town’s historic district to build a Dollar General.
The zoning board decided unanimously in October that the building can be demolished, overturning the historic district commission’s decision, which denied the project.
A group of property owners asked the zoning board to reconsider its decision last month, but that request was denied.
A representative from Zaremba did not return calls for comment.

Abby Spegman can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1409, or aspegman@keenesentinel.com

One Reason Why Our Taxes Are So High

All of the information below can be verified with a simple Right To Know request 

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Of the $3,555,051 allocated for the Town budget for the year 2010 - 2011 almost half,  $1,666,090 was spent on our town employees, who despite the economic situation continue to be rewarded with performance bonuses and cost of living raises. These totals will increase this year with more performance bonuses being handed out and an 11.8% increase in the costs for health insurance .
 ( Why didn't the Selectmen look elsewhere instead of voting to approved the extra costs? )

.. and I don't know about the rest of you but this really makes me wonder just how hard the Selectmen are working to keep costs down, or are they?

If you ask me, it's time we elected governing official that will act in the best interests of the town as a whole and not just the few employees they wish to keep happy to continue having their support.

Budget Committee Minutes 12-06-11

Town of Winchester, NH
Budget Committee Meeting

December 6, 2011

Members Present:  Jack Marsh, Ted Ryll, Harvey Sieran, Brian Moser (Chairman), Hubie Crowell (Vice Chairman), Ken Gardner (Selectmen Rep.), Elisha Jackson, Bob Davis, Rick Horton, Kathy Hebert, Rikki Bolewski

Meeting called to order at 7pm

-Because nobody from the School Board is present to present their budget, Brian makes a motion to approve $8,000,000 today, then Brian will go to the School Budget Meeting immediately following the Budget Committee meeting to let them know this has happened and let them know if they want the board to consider anything above that, they need to get the board the documents and then they will consider it, Bob seconds
Kevan sent Brian an e-mail stating that the School Board was not ready tonight and will let the Budget Committee know when they are ready
-Motion carries 7-1 with 2 abstentions

-Harvey makes a motion to approve the minutes from the November 29th meeting with one correction – Elisha would like to add under Financial Administration that under the discussion about changing the auditors that Elisha mentioned that it is recommended that the auditors be changed every 3 years, Rikki will make the correction, Ted seconds
-Motion carries 9-1

-Brian will notify the board as soon as he gets an answer on when they want to talk to the board regarding the budget

-Jack requests a complete copy of all the budgets with all the changes and suggested cuts a week to 10 days before the Public Hearing, Ken will get that for anyone who would like it.

-Jack makes a motion to adjourn, Harvey seconds
-Motion carries 10-0

-Meeting adjourns at 7:10pm

Budget Committee Minutes 12-01-11

Town of Winchester, NH
Budget Committee Meeting

December 1, 2011

Members Present:  Hubie Crowell (Vice Chairman), Bob Davis, Ted Ryll, Harvey Sieran, Brian Moser (Chairman), Rick Horton, Elisha Jackson, Kathy Hebert, Ken Gardner (Selectmen Rep.), Rikki Bolewski

Others Present:  Joan Morel

Highway:
-    Rick makes a motion to level fund at $506,470, Elisha seconds
-    Discussion regarding budget
-    Motion carries 5-4

Welfare:
    Administration:
        -Ken makes a motion to approve $9,000, Elisha seconds
        -Discussion regarding budget
        -Motion carries 9-0

    Direct Assistance:
        -Ken makes a motion to approve $113,365, Rick seconds
        -Discussion regarding budget and how money is spent
         -Legally, if someone comes in and qualifies, the town has to assist them    
        -Differences in town comparisons may have to do with town’s interpretation of the law regarding welfare
        -Motion carries 5-4

Health Officer:
    -Ken makes a motion to approve $5,100 – level funding from last year, Rick seconds
    -Discussion regarding budget
    -Discussion regarding the Deputy Health Officer, who is currently John Gomarlo.  Question regarding John Gomarlo being paid out of more than one department.  Bob reads from previous minutes stating a discussion questioning whether John was paid out of more than one department where it was stated that John was only paid out of Landfill.  Ken states that he was wrong.  Leroy (Health Officer) explains that he was just been brought back in, he had resigned out of all positions and retired except for Landfill, John had been Leroy’s health officer in the past and the state required that he had a deputy, so he asked John to reapply.  He went to the Selectmen’s meeting and they appointed him back on as a deputy health officer for him.  This just happened in October.  Bob reads minutes from the Selectmen’s meeting where this took place (October 4th) and the Budget Committee minutes where it was stated that John was only paid out of the Landfill budget was dated November 10th, therefore that was stated incorrectly.
    -Continued discussion regarding the budget
    -Motion carries 6-3
Emergency Management:
    -Ken makes a motion to approve $9,750, Kathy seconds
    -Discussion regarding budget
    -Rick makes a Friendly Amendment to approve $8,750, Ken and Kathy accept
    -Motion carries 7-2

-Harvey makes a motion to adjourn, Harvey seconds
-Meeting adjourns at 7:50pm

Marlborough board shoots down dollar store

MARLBOROUGH - The zoning board has denied a developer’s proposal to build a Dollar General store in place of a 150-year Main Street home.

At a public hearing Wednesday evening, residents blasted the plan and board members agreed that the store is inconsistent with the “essential character” of the neighborhood.

The Zaremba Group of Cleveland had proposed building a 9,100 square foot store near the intersection of Main and Canada streets at the entrance to downtown.

Representatives for the company had no comment after the decision.

Common sense prevails. Kinda makes you wonder what is really going on here with our ZBA and the  real reason for it's decision in favor of this store in our Historic District.

part two;

 Marlborough board says project doesn’t fit downtown

MARLBOROUGH — The zoning board has unanimously denied a waiver for the developer proposing to build a Dollar General store in place of a 150-year-old Main Street home.
At a public hearing Wednesday evening, residents blasted the plan and board members agreed that the store is inconsistent with the “essential character” of the neighborhood.
The Zaremba Group of Cleveland had proposed building a 9,100-square-foot store at 82 Main St. near the intersection of Main and Canada streets and the entrance to downtown.
Zaremba is the company behind a controversial plan in Winchester, also to build a Dollar General.
The Marlborough development would have included a parking lot, bringing the total project size to 31,680 square feet, according to the company’s application.
The zoning board requires a special exception for any project that exceeds 10,000 square feet total.
The store, with a barn-like facade, would be set back 100 feet from the road. Matt Casey of Zaremba said the company was willing to adjust the design if it reached the planning board. It would have deliveries during business hours only.
The proposed site is in a row with two- and three-story 19th-century homes.
“I can’t see that this has any harmony with that feeling,” said board member Jerry Germer.
Members of the zoning board and residents asked how the store would affect traffic on Main Street, which is also Route 101, and if a turning lane could be installed.
That would be up to the state Department of Transportation, said Silas Little 3rd of Peterborough, an attorney for Zaremba.
Little said the store would generate 160 trips per day from customers, which, compared to current traffic, is insignificant. He read from a transportation department survey from 2009 that said Route 101 in that area sees 12,000 vehicles per day.
Nicole Smalley lives across the road from the site. She has two small children and said she worried about getting out of her driveway with so much traffic turning into the store.
“I just don’t think it’s safe at all,” she said.
This area of Main Street has few sidewalks and no crosswalks, prompting some to question the safety of children walking home from school.
Residents also asked how the store would affect neighboring property values. Little said the area already has commercial buildings mixed in, but resident Jeffrey B. Miller argued the store would have a much larger footprint than any other business in town.
Deb Sylvain owns a pet grooming and care business up the road. “If you’re going to allow this, can my building turn into a McDonald’s?”
Added resident Mary Iselin, “Why would your company want to move into a community that doesn’t welcome it?”
The property owners, William and Theresa Thomas, did not speak, and no one who spoke at the hearing was in favor of the project.
In an interview last month, William Thomas said a company working with Zaremba approached him in the spring of 2010 about buying the property and has since done extensive surveying of the land.
Representatives for the company had no comment after the decision.
Meanwhile in Winchester, Zaremba has proposed tearing down a 200-year-old house in Winchester’s historic district to build a Dollar General.
The zoning board unanimously decided in October that the building can be demolished, but that plans for the new building must be approved by the town’s historic commission, which this summer denied Zaremba’s application.
It was later overturned by the zoning board.
A group of property owners asked the zoning board to reconsider its decision last month,but that request was denied.

Budget Committee Minutes 11-29-11

Town of Winchester, NH
Budget Committee Meeting

November 29, 2011

Members Present:  Jack Marsh, Hubie Crowell (Vice Chairman), Ted Ryll, Harvey Sieran, Brian Moser (Chairman), Rick Horton, Elisha Jackson, Bob Davis, Kevan Whippie (School Board Rep.), Ken Gardner (Selectmen Rep.), Kathy Hebert, Rikki Bolewski (Secretary)

Others Present:  Joan Morel
Discussion regarding the minutes from the November 22nd minutes.
·    Question regarding expending a zeroed out line items.  Local Government explained to Brian that zeroed out line items cannot be expended.  Ken states that the bottom line budget is considered to be the line item.  Still questions surrounding this subject, Brian will look into more to get a definition about what is considered a line item.
·    Bob questions the wording used regarding the discussion about the Land Use Assistant. Rikki agrees to change the wording to state that He initiated the discussion and it turned heated rather than he initiated a heated discussion – Bob agrees to that change.
- Jack makes a motion to approve the minutes with the change in wording, Hubie seconds
Motion carries 9-0 with 3 abstentions

Legal:
- Joan goes over budget
- Discussion regarding proposed budget
- Brian makes a motion to approve $24,001, Harvey seconds
·    Brian proposes to reduce Selectmen line by $10,000 and Land Use line by $5,000
·    Brian explains that part of his decision making process has to do with the fact that the attorney never replied to a request that the Budget Committee asked him to send.
·    Continued discussion regarding budget and costs
·    Rick wants it known that he thinks it’s irresponsible to cut a budget because we feel that an individual isn’t doing their job
Motion carries 6-5

Personnel Administration:
- Rick makes a motion to approve $445,818, Kevan seconds
·    Discussion regarding retirement funds for State and Police Department employees – rate is set by the state.
Motion fails 5-6
- Bob makes a motion to approve $413,256, Brian seconds
·    Bob proposes reducing Health and Dental by 10% each
Elisha questions which budget they are working with, Bob has one dated 11/29/11 and Elisha has one dated 9/26/11.  There was a new budget that was dated 11/29/11, with the new health rate, which was put in Brian’s box today. Brian asks if the board wants to look at the new budget.  Rick wants it noted that he feels it is irresponsible that Brian didn’t give the new documents to the board members before discussing the budget.
·    Discussion about the budget
Motion carries 7-4

Financial Administration:
- Ken makes a motion to approve $118,564, Rick seconds
·    Elisha questions how often the town changes auditors – they don’t, they did in the past and it didn’t work; they have different actual auditors, but stay with the same company
·    Discussion regarding budget
·    Kevan makes a Friendly Amendment to reduce the motion to $118,064 – reducing bank fees by $500 – Ken and Rick accept
- Motion carries 9-1 with 1 abstention – Ted abstains, as he is the Assistant Treasurer

Insurance:
- There is a correction in the proposed budget – after the board approved it, there was notification from the local government center that these rates will not increase, so changing figure back to $60,998 – level funding from current year.
- Rick makes a motion to approve $60,998, Kevan seconds
- Motion carries 11-0

Conservation:
- Before budget discussion began, Gus Ruth asks that Bob recuse himself due to perceived bias towards himself as well as the Conservation Committee.  In support of this position, Gus cited a number of statements Bob had made in the past including that Bob had stated that Gus was a hypocrite. For each statement that Bob was alleged to have made Gus offered information to refute the statement. Brian allowed Bob the floor to respond advising that the decision to recuse himself was Bob's decision alone. Bob stated that Gus's examples were accurate and he would not recuse himself as he feels the statements are true. Bob reiterated his statement that Gus was a Hypocrite. Kevan wanted it noted for the record that he felt this was slander and not the opinion of the board and that he has demonstrated why he should recuse himself due to the fact that he cannot divorce himself, personally from his emotions and the matter before the board.  Bob reiterates that he will not recuse himself
- Bob makes a motion to approve $1,252, Brian seconds
·    Bob recommends zeroing out the Exotic Plants line, supplies to $1, Building Grounds and Maintenance to $1
·    Discussion regarding the budget
- Motion carries 6-4 with 1 abstention

- Jack makes a motion to discuss the Highway Block Grant, Harvey seconds
- Motion carries 9-0 with 2 abstentions
- Kevan makes a motion to approve $142,000, Kathy seconds
- Motion carries 9-0 with 2 abstentions

- Rick makes a motion that all budgets and information relating to budgets be distributed before the first motion is made and that no information be held from the board at the Chairman’s discression, Kevan seconds
- Motion carries 11-0

- Rick makes a motion that requires all e-mail communication that the Chairman does on behalf of the committee have all members cc’d and kept informed on all committee business and communication.  Kevan inquires whether doing this might be construed as a meeting that was not duly posted and getting into a gray area.  Brian states that he will bring in copies of any e-mail correspondence to the meetings in case anyone would like to see it.

-    Bob wants to make a point of order. He wants to read into the minutes a note that has been he heard that Gus Ruth passed out to the public regarding the Transfer Station Closing, which has Budget Committee names and numbers. He has received numerous threatening phone calls regarding it.  The note reads as follows:

TRANSFER STATION CLOSING  ???
The Winchester Budget Committee, meeting on November
10, voted to zero the pay line for the Winchester employee
  who holds the license to run the transfer station.  As a result,
   If the budget passes as presented by the budget
Committee. The transfer station will close on July 2012.
Members voting to zero the personal payroll for the transfer
   station were:

Bob Davis, ph# 239-7299
Hubert Crowell, ph# 239-6197
Ted Ryll, ph # 239-4745
Harvey Sieran, ph# 239-6240
Brian Moser, ph# 239-8952

- Gus states that he gave that note to one person at the transfer station, he didn’t stand down at the transfer station passing them out. He further states that if there’s something wrong with that note to tell him and he will apologize.

- Kevan makes a motion to adjourn, Harvey seconds
- Motion carries 11-0

- Meeting adjourns at 8:42pm

         

Library officials make things better

Last week a letter written by Mrs. Carol Vogeley was published in the Keene Sentinel in regards to the Thayer Library and her feelings towards certain staff members and recent events. Below is a reply to her letter from the Chairman of the Thayer Library Committee.


I am saddened that Carol Vogeley from a nearby town has had to resort to misquoting members of the Thayer Library.  No one ever referred to the Ashuelot Christmas and holiday event as a “grab and go” except for Mrs. Vogeley herself.  The meeting tapes can prove that.  We were discussing bringing the event inside, into the meeting room at the library. It was also discussed that music did not happen at the one first event, even though a musician was there for the event, and that therefore it had potential to be even more of a community event, were the community engaged more.

We are all glad that this holiday event has been happening, and hope it becomes better and better.

Mrs. Vogeley, unfortunately also is misinformed about her details on expenditures of library finances regarding electricity.  We hope that in the future she is able to attend those meetings in person before writing letters that are pebbled with hearsay and criticism, when we are all working together for the good of the community.

I would like to thank the active, current Thayer Public Library Trustees, and especially Harriet Charland, for obtaining a Children’s Literacy Foundation grant, and bringing in $2,000 worth of books into the community and into our village library, to benefit our children.

Working for the positive, even if that means changes that are uncomfortable, is a goal that we aspire to, and you cannot please everyone, especially when it involves major change and renewal which the Library needed.

JULIA FERRARI
Chairman
Thayer Public Library
P.O. Box 111

Doesn't This Have A Familar Ring To It ?

A lawsuit says Marlborough's selectmen have violated right-to-know laws

 

MARLBOROUGH — Two residents have filed a lawsuit against the town’s board of selectmen, claiming town officials violated state right-to-know laws.
Robert Cameron and Loretta Simonds filed the suit in Cheshire County Superior Court on Nov. 23. In their brief, Cameron and Simonds allege that for months, selectmen have been holding nonpublic meetings without proper reasons and sealing the minutes, illegally altering minutes, and withholding public information.

“None of these six months of nonpublic meetings were legal,” Simonds said. “And the sealing of minutes that were nonpublic — that’s not legal. Our town government is trying to conduct business in secret.”
Cameron and Simonds, both longtime Marlborough residents, said they became concerned with the board’s actions last winter, when they felt that the board was using nonpublic meetings to harass Marlborough Police Chief Christopher J. Lyons.
State law says any meeting of selectmen must be announced at least two days before the meeting is held. Simonds claims that in Marlborough, this does not happen.
Simonds alleged that selectmen frequently discuss town business outside of meetings, communicating through emails and at unscheduled meetings.
“I saw them meeting at the cafe in town, and they were discussing town business,” Simonds said. “When I asked if the meeting had been posted, (Selectman) John Northcott replied, ‘Impromptu.’ ”
Simonds and Cameron are also claiming that the selectmen are abusing the ability to hold nonpublic meetings. They believe selectmen are frequently misinterpreting and over-citing the law to hold nonpublic sessions where they discuss business that should be discussed in public.
Simonds also said many of the minutes are inaccurate, when compared with her recordings of meetings, and in some instances, minutes have been altered without discussion at a meeting. Simonds said she started recording meetings over the summer when she began to suspect the board was violating the law.
“The minutes are supposed to be a summary, but no one can trust the accuracy of them anymore — and if we can’t trust that, then what else are they doing that we don’t even know about,” Simonds said.
Selectman John Northcott said the board is looking forward to straightening everything out.
“We feel that there are cases when it is not appropriate and when it is to have public meetings, and we believe we are following the spirit of the law,” he said. “We don’t believe that the case has much validity. We’re going to respond to those charges in court and we’re going to be correct.”

Winchester's Select Board has been sued before for just this type of violations and still they continue to violate the laws with their new policies and closed door sessions .. maybe Winchester residents should follow this suit closely and perhaps file their own.

Property Taxes Soar !!

Just as we expected, the town's new property tax rate will put many behind the eight ball and others out in the streets. The bills are in the mail and there's nothing left to do but read 'em and weep.

Winchester's new rate is; ..  $30.03

That's right folks an increase of over $4.00 from last year !

That puts us right up there with the city of Keene  $30.82

We would like to thank the Selectmen and School Board and all of you fools who voted for all of the spending warrants last March, shame on you for putting such a heavy burden on your neighbors.

Budget Committee Minutes 11/22/11

Budget Committee Meeting

November 22, 2011

Members Present:  Jack Marsh, Hubie Crowell (Vice Chairman), Bob Davis, Brian Moser (Chairman), Ken Gardner (Selectmen Rep.), Elisha Jackson, Kathy Hebert, Rick Horton, Rikki Bolewski (Secretary)

Others Present:  Joan Morel, Roberta Fraser (Selectman)

Meeting called to order at 7:02pm

Bob makes a motion to accept the minutes of the April 19^th meeting, Jack seconds.  Motion carries 7-0 with 1 abstention.

Jack makes a motion to accept the minutes of the November 15^th meeting, Hubie seconds.  Motion carries 7-0 with 1 abstention.

Cemetery:

            Ken makes a motion to approve $47,450, Rick seconds

            Discussion regarding the Trust Fund money – where is it being spent and how does it affect the budget?

            Motion fails 3-5

            Rick makes a motion to level fund at $37,225, Bob seconds

            Motion carries 5-2 with 1 abstention

Land Use:

            Bob makes a motion to table Land Use since the department head isn’t present, Jack seconds

            Motion fails 3-5

            Rick makes a motion to approve $67,477, Kathy seconds

·         Discussion regarding zeroed out lines and whether or not they can be expended after they have been zeroed out

·         Discussion regarding breakdown of the budget

·         Historic District was moved out of the Executive Budget into the Land Use budget.

·         Bob initiates heated discussion regarding Land Use Assistant.  Some debate as to whether discussion was related to the budget or related to the individual in the position rather than the position itself.  Margaret Sharra (Land Use Assistant) wants it noted that she feels that Mr. Davis cannot be impartial and that there is a conflict of interest.

·         Continued discussion regarding budget

            Motion fails 3-5

            Bob makes a motion to approve $39,957, Brian seconds

·         Bob proposes to zero out the Land Use Assistant line

·         Continued heated discussion regarding the Land Use Assistant position/person

Motion fails 1-7

Rick makes a motion to approve $67,000, Kathy seconds

·         Rick proposes to reduce the Historic District by $477

Motion fails 4-4

Hubie makes a motion to approve $66,453, Kathy seconds

·         Hubie proposes to make the Historic District line $1

Motion carries 7-1

Town Clerk:

            Proposed budget is actually $146,986 – this lower than the original proposed budget due to the fact that the health insurance cost didn’t go up as much as expected so adjustments were made

            Rick makes a motion to approve $146,986, Elisha seconds

·         Discussion regarding budget

Motion carries 5-3

Rick questions whether or not the board is willing to open the floor to the public for anyone who would like to ask questions to the board regarding the budget.  Brian agrees to open the floor

·         Maureen Curtis questions zeroed out line items - What is the policy regarding this - Can zeroed out lines have money put back into them at the discression of the department heads or not? –

·         Does Budget committee have the power to zero out a line?

·         RSA 32:10 – It has to be voted on and approved by at the Town meeting - understanding is that if the Budget Committee’s proposed budget goes to the voters and they vote on it and there are zeroed out lines, money cannot be put into it

Health Agencies:

            Rick makes a motion to approve $64,167, Ken seconds

Motion fails 4-4

Elisha makes a motion to level fund at $63,174, Rick seconds

·         Discussion regarding budget

Motion carries 6-1

Bob makes a motion to have the pages numbered continuously for all budgets, for the town and the school, for future budgets, Elisha seconds.

            Motion carries 6-2

Emergency Management:

            Bob makes a motion to approve $7,750, Brian seconds

·         Bob proposes to reduce the Director’s Salary by $500, reduce expences by $500 and phone by $1,000

·         Discussion regarding Emergency Management policy and how it works

Motion fails 4-4

Hubie makes a motion to adjourn, Jack seconds

            Motion carries 8-0

Meeting adjourns at 9:05pm

Store is not the right fit for our town

Once again the actions of Margaret Sharra has a negative effect on others. One has to ask themselves would this Zeremba Group even be here in this area if it wasn't for Sharra's get rich quick scheme and her contacting them in the first place? Too bad our ZBA didn't have the common sense to uphold the HDC's decision and do what was right. Now it seems they have opened a very wide door which will affect surrounding communities with their biased decision and stupidity costing others to fight this group from turning quaint downtown  Marlborough into another strip mall community.


Marlborough dollar store or educational farm?

Talk about the mistake of paving paradise to put up a parking lot!
As many town of Marlborough residents now know, the Zaremba group has proposed to raze the farmhouse and barn on the William Thomas property on Main Street, and put in a dollar store, complete with commodious parking lot. A petition is being circulated, asking the Marlborough zoning and planning boards to reject this proposal.
Many residents feel that a dollar store would be a mistake. Besides the obvious facts that a dollar store is unnecessary (such a large, modern, commercial building would be out of character with Marlborough’s charm and less than compatible with the small businesses our town master plan encourages), there are many better uses for this beautiful property. The land, with a charming house, barn, and ample open, flat, flood-plain land, is adjacent to the Marlborough School playing fields. With the addition of a bridge to safely cross the river, the property could become a wonderful Cornucopia-type school farm, where students and town residents could produce vegetables, eggs and perhaps keep small livestock. Community interface with students would be encouraged, and our children would learn about producing food and caring for the earth.
Would this not be a better use than another dollar store? Keene already has one. Even cluster housing would be a higher use. Once the flat floodplain is paved, it will be difficult or impossible to restore.
It seems that this could be a golden opportunity for Marlborough School and residents. Let’s seize this opportunity. Please sign one of the petitions, available in many Marlborough locations, and plan to attend the public meeting on Dec. 7, at 7 p.m., at the Marlborough Community House.
We gave our children a beautiful school. Now let’s show them that we really care.


GEORGE ISELIN

Marlborough

*note to the the following

'smokin joe' , Winchester Ed,  John P,  Sue and the rest of you who continue to act in a really juvenile and childish manner by attempting to post the most asinine comments on this blog, stop wasting your time and ours., it isn't going to happen. Provide facts with your wild statements, stop with the personal attacks and stay on subject and we may consider allowing you to post again. You all have been warned several times and you have ignored those warnings constantly, so until you can all act like responsible adults, your posting privileges on this blog have been revoked.

What does a quick trip to the town’s finance office reveal?

 The following letter was sent into the Informer by someone who had attended the Budget Committee meeting this week and felt people should know what really went on that night. They asked us to publish this letter anonymously for fear of retribution;

 
When asked for the town attorney’s invoices for the past year for the land use department, the conclusion and findings are the misuse of town funds by the land use assistant.  You will find that there is already  a charge of over $5,000 in legal advice for the property at 71 Main and an another $5,000 was spent on legal advice on the removal of Kim Gordon from the planning board’s vote of no confidence. ( Sharra instigated this on her own and convinced her two amigos; Beaman and Blodgett  to sign on. Blodgett has since resigned as a result of being duped )

 Bob Davis asked the board to eliminate the assistant land use position and boldly attempted to get these invoices into the budget committee minutes Tuesday night as evidence of abuse of her position of contacting and seeking legal advice on personal matters. Something we are all faced with paying for. Unfortunately, he was fiercely fought by Selectmen Ken Gardner who strenuously and constantly objecting to everything Mr. Davis had to say.  What was Mr. Gardner afraid of? Was it disclosing this information to public record and hiding it from the tax payers?

Knowing Mr. Davis had this information in hand Selectman Gardner was prepared to not let Mr. Davis ask any questions directly to the land use assistant. All questions were intercepted and answered by Mr. Gardner who made it apparent that he was sheltering his queen bee by being the land use assistant’s advocate and spokesperson.  Mr. Gardner, along with a room full of Ms. Sharra friends and supporters tried to discredit Mr. Davis in his attempt to discuss the incriminating invoices. This hearing turned into a farce, it was clear what their agenda was right from the start .. protect Margaret Sharra!

 With Gardner's continued  loud out bursts and Sharra's  foolish supporters laughing loudly in the front row, along with Irene Ruth, who was busy scribbling notes and jumping up and down recording everything Mr. Davis was saying in an attempt  to intimidate him. But despite all of these distractions, Mr. Davis was undeterred in his attempts to place the facts on the public record.  At one point, Mr. Davis suggested calling the police to have Mr. Gardner removed, to which he replied that he would leave first. Chairman Brian Moser attempted to get Mr. Gardner to calm down and to allow Mr. Davis the floor, but with all of the outbursts and intimidation from other board members, the truth was squashed.  Mr. Davis agrees some of his prepared statement were a prelude to setting-up the facts to ask the tough questions but he was never allowed the opportunity to speak uninterrupted.

 The land use assistant denied that she had asked the board of selectman for a full-time position and refused to answer why she thinks the job should be full time with benefits (see BOS minutes from Sept 13,2011).  Margaret admits that she has a dual role capacity, but this is a direct conflict-of-interest and in violation of policy that was passed by the voters in 2010.  Not only has she been the chair person of the planning board for many years, an employee of the town of Winchester, and paid to take minutes for three boards, we say it is unfair to the tax payers and these cost are unjustified. The town being charged for her personal legal fees, her interactions with the BOS who defend her every action and other questionable conduct is a detriment to the town and that her immediate removal from office would be our only recourse.

After the meeting Mr. Davis said, “I knew the facts were a can of worms and controversial, but I also know that it was the finance office that tipped off the BOS as to what I had requested and they where waiting for me!” This is deplorable conduct by all involved in making last night's Budget meeting a joke. "To me this is not a laughing matter and I'll bet the folks I represent aren't laughing either

Historic home’s saga not done yet

Does anyone find it starnge that this group would allow an appeal from an outside entity; but not even bother to hear from from concerned citizens in their own town? Talk about bias and indifference. So here we go again with the "take us to court " attitude displayed too many times by the people we trust to follow regulations and ensure fair and just hearings.

Historic home’s saga not done yet

WINCHESTER — It’s a no-go for a redo.
The town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment met Nov. 17 and decided against reconsidering its decision regarding the house at 71 Main St.
The panel voted not to have a rehearing on its decision to overturn a controversial ruling by the historic district commission, according to Selectman Gustave Ruth.
Members of the zoning board could not be reached for comment.
The 200-year-old house is unoccupied and lies in Winchester’s historic district.
The owners would like to sell it to a developer that would demolish it and build a Dollar General store, but special permission is required to demolish a building in a historic district.
The historic district commission denied that permission in July, only to have its decision overturned last month when the developer, Zaremba Group of Cleveland, appealed to the zoning board.
On Oct. 31, attorney Kelly Dowd of Keene submitted a motion for the board to rehear that appeal on behalf of a group of five property owners, citing a number of alleged procedural errors.
Now that the zoning board has denied the motion the applicants could take their petition to Cheshire County Superior Court.
If there is no appeal, Zaremba still has work to do before the building can be torn down.
When the zoning board gave permission for the building to be demolished it was on the condition that the historic district commission first approve the design of the new building that would take its place.

In Winchester, a fine-line budget

WINCHESTER — The town’s budget committee is feeling frugal, and deep spending-cut proposals are raising eyebrows.

“We have some people on the budget committee who are very, very concerned with people in town being able to afford things,” said Brian Moser, committee chairman.
“With the economy the way it is and the number of poor people in Winchester, we really have to ask: ‘can we afford to do this?’ ”
But Selectman Gustave A. Ruth Jr. is worried the committee is proposing cuts with little regard for the government functions the budget supports.
The budget committee has been reviewing town departments’ 2012 spending proposals since September.
“Every time someone’s budget comes up they just cut it. It’s automatic without listening to what they need the money for,” Ruth said.
The committee recently voted to eliminate a part-time town employee at the transfer station, arguing the station is already staffed by employees of Monadnock Disposal Services, Moser said. The selectmen responded by saying the station would have to be closed without a town employee assigned to its operation, he said.
Ruth believes the committee will propose a budget down as much as 20 percent from last year. Voters will be able to increase the proposal at the town’s deliberative session by no more than 10 percent — making a proposal of a 10 percent reduction inevitable.
Moser said the committee’s proposal is unlikely to be a 20 percent reduction, but he does expect it will be lower than the selectmen have requested.
A budget reduction will mean that “some services will be cut, and I don’t know if the people want that,” Ruth said.
The budget committee proposes a total budget number that is submitted to voters for approval, but it is the selectman who decide how the approved money is ultimately spent.
If the budget is reduced, the first cuts will most likely be to snow removal and road maintenance, Ruth said.
The $3.5 million 2011 budget that voters approved in March represented a 1.9 percent increase over the 2010 number.
The budget committee is required to hold a public hearing where voters can express their opinions before the committee makes its final proposal.
The 2012 hearing is tentatively scheduled for the second week of January, Moser said.

Budget Committee Meeting November 1, 2011

November 1, 2011

Members Present:  Kathy Hebert, Jack Marsh, Elisha Jackson, Rick Horton, Brian Moser (Chairman), Harvey Serian, Ted Ryll, Hubie Crowell (Vice Chairman), Bob Davis, Ken Gardner (Selectmen Rep), Kevan Whippie (School Board Rep), Rikki Bolewski (Secretary)

Others Present:  Joan Morel, Dale Gray

Meeting called to order at 7:00pm

Hubie makes a motion to accept the minutes as presented from September 22, 2011, Bob seconds.  Motion carries 10-0.

There will be no meeting on Thursday, November 3, due to a Zoning Meeting that night.

Discussion regarding the RSA sent from Bart Mayer regarding encumbering funds on a future year.  Brian states that it doesn’t answer the question raised.

            Hubie makes a motion for Brian to send an e-mail to Bart Mayer regarding the legality of encumbering funds on a future year, Ted seconds.  Motion carries 9-0 with 1 abstention.

Discussion regarding the training from the town on November 7^th and who will be going; they need to now ahead of time – Elisha and Brian will be there.  Any others will sign up with Joan

Highway:  Dale Gray

            Brian inquires as to why there is no breakdown for the Block Grant; what will it be used for?  Dale and Ken explain that it will not be used until the summer and that they have not made that decision yet.  They usually wait until after the winter and then see what needs to be done.

Discussion as to what some of the projects that the grant was used for this past year.

            Kevan makes a motion to approve $535,062, Ken seconds.

            Jack questions the contracted services and what it was used for and how it was broken down.

·         Dale explains that that is generally used for Lenny Lawrence who covers additional plowing in the winter.

·         Brian questions whether it is and should be sent out for bid.  Dale explains that it isn’t because it fluctuates and sometimes isn’t used at all and that since he is also a part time town employee, it covers him to be able to drive the town trucks as well.

·         Continued discussion about what is included in the cost - time and trucks, as well as how it’s use

Rick questions why repairs have been consistently over budget for the past few years.  Dale explains that the equipment is old and so requires more repairs.

            Discussion regarding the cost of tar – Used the Block Grant first and then took from the budget.  Jack questions whether the cost might go down with the new local plant.  Dale states that it won’t because their prices are about the same as the company they have been using in the past.

            Bob wants to know if we can get by without doing tarring for a year or two to cut down on the budget.  Dale thinks we are actually starting to get caught up on the paving and it would cause the town to have to play “catch-up” again if we let the roads go without paving.

            Continued discussion about possible ways to lower the budget.

            Ken and Bob get into a heated discussion regarding Ken’s reaction to Bob’s questions and remarks and whether Bob is bringing his personal agenda to the budget committee meeting.

            Brian questions why the town just paved an 800ft road that accesses only one house.  Dale explains that they had to pave it in order to get a smooth surface in order to plow it because it was so bad.  It is a town road and there is a residence there and people are living in it, so the town does have to maintain it.

            Continued discussion regarding the budget.

            Discussion regarding the Capital Improvement Plan Project – can’t do anything without a plan from the departments – Planning Board hasn’t gotten anything from any departments – Dale explains that he has worked on a plan but, somehow, the Planning Board has never seen it.

            After continued discussion regarding the budget, the motion for $535,062 was called for a vote.  Motion fails 5-6

            Bob makes a motion for $455,062, Brian seconds.

            Bob suggest cutting the $80,000 tarring line and only use the Block Grant for tarring projects

            After some discussion, the motion is called to a vote.  Motion fails 2-9

            Jack makes a motion to table this discussion until the board gets the breakdown for maintenance records and line item monies returned, Kevan seconds.

            Brian makes a friendly amendment to also have the requested information to include the breakdown of what the Block Grant money was used for.  Jack and Kevan accept the amendment.

            Motion fails 3-8

            Harvey makes a motion for $483,762

            Harvey suggests dropping welding to $500, drop diesel fuel to $30,000, drop salt to $60,000, and drop tarring to $40,000, Brian seconds.

            After some discussion, the motion is called to a vote.

            Motion fails 4-7

            Rick makes a motion for $513,062 dropping the repair line by $22,000, Elisha seconds

            Motion fails 2-8

            Brian makes a motion to table this discussion until we get the information requested, Bob seconds.

            Motion carries 11-0

Rick makes a motion to adjourn, Kathy seconds

            Motion carries 11-0

Meeting adjourns at 8:58pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Rikki Bolewski

Next meeting to be held Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 7pm