In an eye opening article in the Wednesday edition of the Keene Sentinel, the proficiency of the students being taught at our school has been brought to light in a very unflattering manner:
Winchester Students Are Far Behind
Who's responsible for the test results of juniors at Keene High School, is it the principal and his staff or the staff at the five schoolswho send students to Keene High? Keene officials agree more work has to be done at the high school; but Tuesday night, they saw graph after graph, showing 11th - graders from other towns vastly outperforming their peers from Winchester.
Of the 50 Winchester students who took the New England Common Assessment Program test at Keene High School this fall, 60 percent failed the test! If they are that far behind when they are juniors, it stands to reason they are already well behind when they get there. The scores do show progress has been made in the five years that Winchester students have been attending Keene High, but it's evident that there is a long ways to go to get to a level of proficiency with their peers from schools in Chesterfield, Nelson, Harrisville, Marlborough, Stoddard and Westmoreland.
"We are seeing growth; but the bottom is so low, even with great gains, we still don't get to a level of proficiency", Principal Alan E. Chmiel stated. A high number of low scores can drag down the average for the entire school and Winchester students are "a large group". "And it's a large, large problem", Keene Board of Education Chairman Neil Donegan said. Donegan also stated that it may not be a problem for Keene much longer if the voters in Winchester decide they want to break their contract with keene and re-open Thayer High School.
"Let'em go if they want to go", he stated,If they're not gonna try
(to ready the students for high school) why should we care". Carol Brown, chairman of the Keene Board of Education was a bit more sympathetic; but said even sympathy runs out eventually. "I care about the students and the greater community as much as anyone; but I'm not going to carry the water for them. I think they are squandering an opportunity for their students ".
Wow, sure doesn't sound like a glowing review for the education system in our town of Winchester. It doesn't seem that these students, nor their parents or the overly taxed taxpayers of Winchester are getting their monies ( $10,475,158.00 ) worth, now
does it?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Planning Board Continues To Disappoint ...
and bend over backwards for developer Robert Van Dyke in his efforts to build his proposed Planned Rural Development behind Shamrock Realty on Route #10. In April of 2008, the board granted him a conditional approval despite him not having the necessary permits or a joint use agreement from PSNH needed to comply with the town's regulations. They also ordered him to perform the required erosion controls he was to have done back in December of 2007. As most of us know, he didn't do what was asked and as a result, Route #10 and Shamrock Realty's parking lot flooded out as silt and debris from the site clogged the storm drains on the highway and across the street; which also resulted in flooding a section of an abutters property. The State had to come out and clean out the drains and yet despite not adhearing to the Planning Board's directions, no C&D order was issued and no fines were levied against Van Dyke. Why not?
In October of 2008, under the guise of finally doing the required erosion control work, Van Dyke's crew excated more area and removed more vegetation; yet they still did not perform the work they had been asked to do in the manner they had agreed; seeding exposed areas, covering the seed with straw and putting down erosion control blankets, year round, to control run off and erosion was still visible on the site as water continued to flow towards the highway until the snow fell.
He later asked and was granted a meeting to discuss the 27 conditions he was given by the board and was asked if he understood each one and if he agreed to meet them all, he replied he did; and yet at the meeting on February 2nd, he asked for waivers on several conditions he had agreed upon earlier, claiming once again that performing the necessary work and meeting the town's regulations would put undue hardship on him finacially. If he doesn't have the money to build this condo development by following the conditions set forth by the board under the Town's regulations, should the board keep waiving things until he's satified? Shouldn't the board be working in the best interest of the town and follow the rules and regulations required by the ZBA and enforce them to the letter and stop this pandering? At Monday night's meeting, despite him still not meeting the requirements he agreed to do and still not having a joint use agreement from PSNH and once again, changing his plans to get around the requirments they had set and asking for several conditions to be waived, the board, led by Margaret Sharra once again, ignored the regulations and continued to bend over backwards for him. The board's conduct is becoming unethical and this process has turned into a charade. It's quite obvious that their lack of conviction to follow the rules and regulations set forth in the Planned Rural Development section of the Town of Winchester's Zoning Board Ordinances is being driven by special interests. How else to explain the favoritism, leniency and overall pandering this board has given this applicant? How much more money will have to be spent out of the town's legal budget to defend their actions in a court of law?
In October of 2008, under the guise of finally doing the required erosion control work, Van Dyke's crew excated more area and removed more vegetation; yet they still did not perform the work they had been asked to do in the manner they had agreed; seeding exposed areas, covering the seed with straw and putting down erosion control blankets, year round, to control run off and erosion was still visible on the site as water continued to flow towards the highway until the snow fell.
He later asked and was granted a meeting to discuss the 27 conditions he was given by the board and was asked if he understood each one and if he agreed to meet them all, he replied he did; and yet at the meeting on February 2nd, he asked for waivers on several conditions he had agreed upon earlier, claiming once again that performing the necessary work and meeting the town's regulations would put undue hardship on him finacially. If he doesn't have the money to build this condo development by following the conditions set forth by the board under the Town's regulations, should the board keep waiving things until he's satified? Shouldn't the board be working in the best interest of the town and follow the rules and regulations required by the ZBA and enforce them to the letter and stop this pandering? At Monday night's meeting, despite him still not meeting the requirements he agreed to do and still not having a joint use agreement from PSNH and once again, changing his plans to get around the requirments they had set and asking for several conditions to be waived, the board, led by Margaret Sharra once again, ignored the regulations and continued to bend over backwards for him. The board's conduct is becoming unethical and this process has turned into a charade. It's quite obvious that their lack of conviction to follow the rules and regulations set forth in the Planned Rural Development section of the Town of Winchester's Zoning Board Ordinances is being driven by special interests. How else to explain the favoritism, leniency and overall pandering this board has given this applicant? How much more money will have to be spent out of the town's legal budget to defend their actions in a court of law?
Friday, February 6, 2009
Let Voters Have a Say ..
We've received a request to post the following from Terry Qualters.
To Winchester Voters.
This year I submitted a petition to change the board of selectmen from five members to three. My petition had 37 signatures; but now the selectman's attorney says that's not enough; because a state statute says 2% of the town's voters, 59 people would have had to sign the petition. I don't think the state's statutes back up this ruling.
I'm sorry to the people who signed the petition. I knew this wasn't going to be well received by town officials; but I hadn't expected the town's attorney to try this game.
In my opinion;
This notice is for the residents of Winchester who signed the petition (37) to return the number of selectmen from 5 back to 3 under the authority of RSA 48:1-def. June 26, 1990; which is an update from RSA 41:8b eff. July 24,1987; which allowed increasing the board from 3 members to 5 in person. The requirement of 2% of the registered voters is not stated in the statute and only the matter pursuant to RSA 656:13 eff. June 8,1994 applies. If the 2% is not stated in our statute, RSA 48:1-d, it's petition of 25 signatures must stand!
To Winchester Voters.
This year I submitted a petition to change the board of selectmen from five members to three. My petition had 37 signatures; but now the selectman's attorney says that's not enough; because a state statute says 2% of the town's voters, 59 people would have had to sign the petition. I don't think the state's statutes back up this ruling.
I'm sorry to the people who signed the petition. I knew this wasn't going to be well received by town officials; but I hadn't expected the town's attorney to try this game.
In my opinion;
This notice is for the residents of Winchester who signed the petition (37) to return the number of selectmen from 5 back to 3 under the authority of RSA 48:1-def. June 26, 1990; which is an update from RSA 41:8b eff. July 24,1987; which allowed increasing the board from 3 members to 5 in person. The requirement of 2% of the registered voters is not stated in the statute and only the matter pursuant to RSA 656:13 eff. June 8,1994 applies. If the 2% is not stated in our statute, RSA 48:1-d, it's petition of 25 signatures must stand!
School Board Overrides Budget Committee Recommendations
At the school deliberative session, Thursday Feb 5, 20009, only 85 out of 2905 registered voters showed up. Most were supporters of increasing the schools budget. Colleen Duquette and her supporters were jubilant after getting the budget increases they had lost and who were extremely upset about it, when the town budget committee cut the school budget to $10,048,107. This was still a big increase over last years budget; but Colleen Duquette and the school board wanted more and they made a motion to increase the school budget by $200,000.00. The motion passed as 18 people who showed up voted no and 44 voted yes. Bob Davis, tried to defend the town budget committee cuts with the fact that all towns will get additional state aid funding in 2009 and that Winchester’s share will be $529,445. The town budget committee wanted to hold that money back and give the tax payers of Winchester a break in their tax bills, during these hard economic times; but the School Board had it's way, not happy with the increases they had already received, they wanted more. It is time we voted out people like Colleen Duquette, who continue to add to the tax burden of the citizen's of Winchester.
( submitted by email )
( submitted by email )
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Planning Board Chairperson Continues To Pander
Monday night, February 2nd, the Winchester Planning Board confused and unsure of themselves, continued on with the public hearing of the Planned Residential Development of Rindge contractor Robert Van Dyke. Despite making major, last minute changes to his plans, calling for individual septics and wells, instead of a community water supply and septic design, as well as changing the phase plans of the development, the boards chairperson, Margaret Sharra took it upon herself to continue the hearings despite objections from other board members and the public. As the board went through the list of 27 conditions Van Dyke was to meet to get final approval, it became apparent to everyone in the room they were in way over their heads and should have postponed the meeting until they had sought advice from town council; but instead muddled on and at times seeked advice from not only the applicants attorney; but from the applicant himself.
Chairperson Margaret Sharra continued to ignore the facts that Van Dyke had NOT met numerous conditions and in fact was asking the board to waive several conditions they had set forth. This whole process has turned into a fiasco as the board continues to be swayed and influenced by Margaret Sharra and continues to grant Van Dyke more time to do what he was required to do last year. Is it any wonder why the town has been sued over this ? How many law suits will have to filed before the Planning Board enforces it's own regulations and shuts this project down? We ask that every citizen of Winchester attend the upcoming meeting on February 16th at 7:00pm at the Town Hall and judge for yourself if the Planning Board is acting in the best interest of the town.
Chairperson Margaret Sharra continued to ignore the facts that Van Dyke had NOT met numerous conditions and in fact was asking the board to waive several conditions they had set forth. This whole process has turned into a fiasco as the board continues to be swayed and influenced by Margaret Sharra and continues to grant Van Dyke more time to do what he was required to do last year. Is it any wonder why the town has been sued over this ? How many law suits will have to filed before the Planning Board enforces it's own regulations and shuts this project down? We ask that every citizen of Winchester attend the upcoming meeting on February 16th at 7:00pm at the Town Hall and judge for yourself if the Planning Board is acting in the best interest of the town.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Deliberative Session, Saturday February 7th 2009, 9:00am on the main floor of the Town Hall
Evidently the televisions have been turned off at the homes of the town's department heads, Selectmen and Winchester's School Board members; how else to explain their actions and attitudes towards the citizens of Winchester. Perhaps it's just an inability to read and understand that the whole country is facing a fiscal crisis and now is not the time to be rewarding themselves with cost of living raises, performance raises and department budget increases, while the rest of us are forced to face reality and tighten our belts and go without. Where is the fiscal responsibility that we entrusted them with when we cast our votes? Why do they continue this trend of wasteful, unnecessary spending at a time when the state and other towns are laying off employees and cutting back on expenditures in an effort to reduce the strain on families and working parents struggling to make ends meet? It's time to stop this shameful conduct and greed and to send a loud and clear message to those that just don't seem to care about the rest of us. It's time to stand up and be heard and let them know that the citizens of Winchester won't stand for this irresponsible conduct and indifference any longer. Join us at the Deliberative session and raise your voices. Let them know that if they turn a deaf ear to us, we will cast them out come March.
Monday, January 26, 2009
A complete listing of all the town's warrants that will be on the March ballott
TOWN MEETING WARRANT
SB2
TOWN OF WINCHESTER
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
To the inhabitants of the Town of Winchester, in the County of Cheshire in said state, qualified to vote in Town affairs:
You are hereby notified to meet in the Town Hall in said Winchester on Saturday the 7th of February next 2009 at nine o’clock in the forenoon to discuss, debate and amend warrant articles #1 through #40 and to receive the reports of the selectmen, town treasurer and other town officers including the agents and committees and act thereon. Final vote will be by the official ballot on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
You are hereby notified to meet in the Town Hall in said Winchester on Tuesday, the 10th of March next 2009 at eight o’clock in the forenoon to act upon the following subjects. The Polls not to close an hour earlier than seven of the clock in the afternoon.
ARTICLE 1. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of up to Three Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,400,000.00) for the purpose of preparing plans and specifications, and for the reconstruction of the Winchester Wastewater Treatment Plant, that will qualify the Town for federal and state funds, such sum to be raised by serial bonds and notes, under and in compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (NHRSA 33:1 et seq as amended) and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes, to determine the interest rate thereon, and to take such actions as may be necessary to effect the issuance, negotiation, sale and delivery of such bonds or notes as shall be in the best interest of the Town of Winchester; and further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept, and expend grants, donations, and gifts, and to participate in the State Revolving Fund, established pursuant to RSA 486:14.
To be enacted, this article requires a 3/5 vote.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-2
ARTICLE 3. Shall the Town of Winchester raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $3,555,071.00? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $3,564,362.00, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Winchester or by law or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 10-1
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $40,000.00 for the Town’s share of State road grant reconstruction costs for bridges and place it in the non-lapsing Capital Reserve Fund established at the March 2006 Town Meeting under Article 19 for that purpose?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $28,677.00 to be placed in the Capital Reserve Fund established under Article 16 at the 2006 Town Meeting for the purpose of performing the assessing update or revaluation of the real estate in the Town of Winchester scheduled for 2009-2010?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate $24,800.00 as the fourth of five lease-to-purchase payments for the 2004 International dump truck, plow, and sander package?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Account under the provisions of RSA 35:1 III for the purpose of future upgrades and/or purchase of the town’s computers and networking system, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 to be placed in this fund with the Board of Selectmen being the agent of said fund?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-1, 1 abstention
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 for promoting commercial and industrial development in the Town, and name the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend said funds? This is to be a non-lapsing account.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 to be placed in the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund established in 2006 at the Town Meeting under Article 14?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 10-1
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $18,340.00 to payoff frozen sick time for Town employees?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 10-1
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to hire a professional firm to prepare an impact fee schedule?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000.00 to support the annual Pickle Festival?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate an amount not to exceed $18,000.00 to be deposited in the Evergreen Expendable General Care Trust Fund established by an affirmative vote by the 1998 Town Meeting as Article 11; the source of these funds to be withdrawn from the surplus generated by the perpetual care funds already established for the care and maintenance of lots within the Evergreen cemetery, and not from taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 for the purpose of subsidizing youth recreation in the Town to be paid to the E.L.M. Memorial Community Center on a contractual basis?
Inserted by petition
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-2
ARTICLE 15. Are you in favor of raising and appropriating the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) for the support of The Winchester Learning Center, provided that the Winchester Learning Center raises an equal or greater amount from other sources?
Inserted by petition
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 3-0, 2 abstentions
Recommended by the Budget Committee 6-5
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate up to $10,000.00 to reimburse the Conant Public Library Investment Account at Ocean Bank for the purchase a new boiler for the Conant Public Library?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-2
ARTICLE 17. Shall the Town vote to discontinue the Class 6 portion of Fullam Pond Road?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
ARTICLE 18. Shall the Town vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 36-A:4-a, I(a) to authorize the conservation commission to expend funds to purchase interests in land outside the boundaries of our municipality, subject to the approval of the local governing body?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will adopt the provisions of RSA 466:30-a which make it unlawful for any dog to run at large, except when accompanied by the owner or custodian, and when used for hunting, herding, supervised competition and exhibition or training for such?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the Reassessment Capital Reserve Fund established by Warrant Article #21 at the May 1987 Town Meeting? These funds were expended in full June 1996. This is a clean-up Warrant Article per the Department of Revenue.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
ARTICLE 21. “Shall we adopt the provisions of RSA 72:37b, for an optional tax credit of $750.00 on residential property for the expanded local property tax relief for all residents who have been declared to be disabled under the U.S. Federal Social Security Act?”
ARTICLE 21. cont. Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 22. Pursuant to RSA 41:8-d, “Are you in favor of decreasing the board of selectmen to 3 members?”
Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 23. In accordance with RSA 231:62 are you in favor of electing a Highway Agent for a three year term?
Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 24. Shall the Town, in accordance with RSA 79-A:25, deposit in the conservation fund up to $4,000.00 of the revenues per year collected in Land Use Change taxes, and deposit the balance of all such revenues in the general fund for the purpose of reducing taxation?
Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town of Winchester will accept the road known as Ashten Rue in the subdivision known as Woodward Heights Subdivision, as a town road.
Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 26. We the town’s people of Winchester, New Hampshire would like to have it put into the town’s policy that the animal control officer position be elected rather than being appointed by town officials.
Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 27. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #1 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III, Q to read: Uncommon multiple uses of a property will require a special exception.
ARTICLE 28. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #2 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III, T: Replace paragraph on signage with a new sign ordinance.
ARTICLE 29. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #3 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III, J: Duplexes and multifamily housing, decrease minimum lot size requirements and density would be calculated by number of bedrooms and not units.
ARTICLE 30. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #4 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III, K: Delete conversion and accessory apartments terms and consolidate the minimum housing requirements. (Homes are either single family, duplex or multifamily).
ARTICLE 31. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #5 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article XXII(Table of usage): Updates to A4, A5a, A5b, H1 & F5.
ARTICLE 32. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #6 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article XXI (Definitions): Delete A, accessory apartments & H, Conversion.
ARTICLE 33. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #7 as proposed by the Planning Board? Adopt the Small Wind Energy Ordinance.
ARTICLE 34. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #8 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III, U: Delete existing paragraph and replace with a new Steep Slopes Ordinance?
ARTICLE 35. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #9 as submitted by the Board of Selectmen? To amend Article XXII,(Table of Usage) J3: Change J3 and add J4 & J5; To allow composting facilities by special exception in the agricultural & commercial districts, subject to multiple conditions and still prohibit facilities designed to incinerate or dispose of solid waste, unless owned by the town and continue to allow storage of waste generated on site pending removal, recycling or collected by volunteers.
Recommended by the Planning Board
ARTICLE 36. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #10 as submitted by petition? To amend by removing all the Planned Residential Development Ordinances?
Not recommended by the Planning Board
ARTICLE 37. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #11 as submitted by petition? To request the Planning & Zoning Board to uphold & enforce the Steep Slopes Ordinance?
ARTICLE 38. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #12 as submitted by petition? To amend by removing all the Back Lot Ordinances.
Not recommended by the Planning Board
ARTICLE 39. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #13 as submitted by petition? To amend by prohibiting the installation of any new underground or fuel storage tanks in the downtown business district zone.
Not recommended by the Planning Board
ARTICLE 40. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #14 as submitted by petition? To amend with new language, item #3 under J, Industrial uses, to allow by special exception facilities designed to process, recycle, treat and transport solid waste, refuse and putrescible materials as defined by RSA’s only in the agricultural or highway commercial districts with restrictions.
Not recommended by the Planning Board
We, the undersigned Selectmen of the Town of Winchester, hereby certify on the 26th day of January, 2009 an Attested Copy of the Original Warrant was posted at the place of meeting within specified, at the Post Office in Winchester and the Post office in Ashuelot, New Hampshire being public Places in said Town.
True Copy of Warrant-Attest:
Sherman Tedford, Chairman
Kenneth Berthiaume
Roberta Fraser
Gustave Ruth
Theodore G. Whippie
Then personally appeared, Sherman Tedford, Kenneth Berthiaume, Roberta Fraser, Gustave Ruth and Theodore G. Whippie, Selectmen of the Town of Winchester, and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by them is true.
Before me:
Ellen A. Cole
Notary Public
Commission Expires:
SB2
TOWN OF WINCHESTER
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
To the inhabitants of the Town of Winchester, in the County of Cheshire in said state, qualified to vote in Town affairs:
You are hereby notified to meet in the Town Hall in said Winchester on Saturday the 7th of February next 2009 at nine o’clock in the forenoon to discuss, debate and amend warrant articles #1 through #40 and to receive the reports of the selectmen, town treasurer and other town officers including the agents and committees and act thereon. Final vote will be by the official ballot on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
You are hereby notified to meet in the Town Hall in said Winchester on Tuesday, the 10th of March next 2009 at eight o’clock in the forenoon to act upon the following subjects. The Polls not to close an hour earlier than seven of the clock in the afternoon.
ARTICLE 1. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of up to Three Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,400,000.00) for the purpose of preparing plans and specifications, and for the reconstruction of the Winchester Wastewater Treatment Plant, that will qualify the Town for federal and state funds, such sum to be raised by serial bonds and notes, under and in compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (NHRSA 33:1 et seq as amended) and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes, to determine the interest rate thereon, and to take such actions as may be necessary to effect the issuance, negotiation, sale and delivery of such bonds or notes as shall be in the best interest of the Town of Winchester; and further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept, and expend grants, donations, and gifts, and to participate in the State Revolving Fund, established pursuant to RSA 486:14.
To be enacted, this article requires a 3/5 vote.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-2
ARTICLE 3. Shall the Town of Winchester raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $3,555,071.00? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $3,564,362.00, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Winchester or by law or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 10-1
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $40,000.00 for the Town’s share of State road grant reconstruction costs for bridges and place it in the non-lapsing Capital Reserve Fund established at the March 2006 Town Meeting under Article 19 for that purpose?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $28,677.00 to be placed in the Capital Reserve Fund established under Article 16 at the 2006 Town Meeting for the purpose of performing the assessing update or revaluation of the real estate in the Town of Winchester scheduled for 2009-2010?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate $24,800.00 as the fourth of five lease-to-purchase payments for the 2004 International dump truck, plow, and sander package?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Account under the provisions of RSA 35:1 III for the purpose of future upgrades and/or purchase of the town’s computers and networking system, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 to be placed in this fund with the Board of Selectmen being the agent of said fund?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-1, 1 abstention
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 for promoting commercial and industrial development in the Town, and name the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend said funds? This is to be a non-lapsing account.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 to be placed in the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund established in 2006 at the Town Meeting under Article 14?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 10-1
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $18,340.00 to payoff frozen sick time for Town employees?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 10-1
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to hire a professional firm to prepare an impact fee schedule?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000.00 to support the annual Pickle Festival?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate an amount not to exceed $18,000.00 to be deposited in the Evergreen Expendable General Care Trust Fund established by an affirmative vote by the 1998 Town Meeting as Article 11; the source of these funds to be withdrawn from the surplus generated by the perpetual care funds already established for the care and maintenance of lots within the Evergreen cemetery, and not from taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 11-0
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 for the purpose of subsidizing youth recreation in the Town to be paid to the E.L.M. Memorial Community Center on a contractual basis?
Inserted by petition
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-2
ARTICLE 15. Are you in favor of raising and appropriating the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) for the support of The Winchester Learning Center, provided that the Winchester Learning Center raises an equal or greater amount from other sources?
Inserted by petition
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 3-0, 2 abstentions
Recommended by the Budget Committee 6-5
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate up to $10,000.00 to reimburse the Conant Public Library Investment Account at Ocean Bank for the purchase a new boiler for the Conant Public Library?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-2
ARTICLE 17. Shall the Town vote to discontinue the Class 6 portion of Fullam Pond Road?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
ARTICLE 18. Shall the Town vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 36-A:4-a, I(a) to authorize the conservation commission to expend funds to purchase interests in land outside the boundaries of our municipality, subject to the approval of the local governing body?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will adopt the provisions of RSA 466:30-a which make it unlawful for any dog to run at large, except when accompanied by the owner or custodian, and when used for hunting, herding, supervised competition and exhibition or training for such?
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the Reassessment Capital Reserve Fund established by Warrant Article #21 at the May 1987 Town Meeting? These funds were expended in full June 1996. This is a clean-up Warrant Article per the Department of Revenue.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0
ARTICLE 21. “Shall we adopt the provisions of RSA 72:37b, for an optional tax credit of $750.00 on residential property for the expanded local property tax relief for all residents who have been declared to be disabled under the U.S. Federal Social Security Act?”
ARTICLE 21. cont. Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 22. Pursuant to RSA 41:8-d, “Are you in favor of decreasing the board of selectmen to 3 members?”
Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 23. In accordance with RSA 231:62 are you in favor of electing a Highway Agent for a three year term?
Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 24. Shall the Town, in accordance with RSA 79-A:25, deposit in the conservation fund up to $4,000.00 of the revenues per year collected in Land Use Change taxes, and deposit the balance of all such revenues in the general fund for the purpose of reducing taxation?
Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town of Winchester will accept the road known as Ashten Rue in the subdivision known as Woodward Heights Subdivision, as a town road.
Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 26. We the town’s people of Winchester, New Hampshire would like to have it put into the town’s policy that the animal control officer position be elected rather than being appointed by town officials.
Inserted by petition
ARTICLE 27. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #1 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III, Q to read: Uncommon multiple uses of a property will require a special exception.
ARTICLE 28. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #2 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III, T: Replace paragraph on signage with a new sign ordinance.
ARTICLE 29. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #3 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III, J: Duplexes and multifamily housing, decrease minimum lot size requirements and density would be calculated by number of bedrooms and not units.
ARTICLE 30. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #4 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III, K: Delete conversion and accessory apartments terms and consolidate the minimum housing requirements. (Homes are either single family, duplex or multifamily).
ARTICLE 31. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #5 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article XXII(Table of usage): Updates to A4, A5a, A5b, H1 & F5.
ARTICLE 32. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #6 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article XXI (Definitions): Delete A, accessory apartments & H, Conversion.
ARTICLE 33. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #7 as proposed by the Planning Board? Adopt the Small Wind Energy Ordinance.
ARTICLE 34. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #8 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III, U: Delete existing paragraph and replace with a new Steep Slopes Ordinance?
ARTICLE 35. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #9 as submitted by the Board of Selectmen? To amend Article XXII,(Table of Usage) J3: Change J3 and add J4 & J5; To allow composting facilities by special exception in the agricultural & commercial districts, subject to multiple conditions and still prohibit facilities designed to incinerate or dispose of solid waste, unless owned by the town and continue to allow storage of waste generated on site pending removal, recycling or collected by volunteers.
Recommended by the Planning Board
ARTICLE 36. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #10 as submitted by petition? To amend by removing all the Planned Residential Development Ordinances?
Not recommended by the Planning Board
ARTICLE 37. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #11 as submitted by petition? To request the Planning & Zoning Board to uphold & enforce the Steep Slopes Ordinance?
ARTICLE 38. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #12 as submitted by petition? To amend by removing all the Back Lot Ordinances.
Not recommended by the Planning Board
ARTICLE 39. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #13 as submitted by petition? To amend by prohibiting the installation of any new underground or fuel storage tanks in the downtown business district zone.
Not recommended by the Planning Board
ARTICLE 40. Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #14 as submitted by petition? To amend with new language, item #3 under J, Industrial uses, to allow by special exception facilities designed to process, recycle, treat and transport solid waste, refuse and putrescible materials as defined by RSA’s only in the agricultural or highway commercial districts with restrictions.
Not recommended by the Planning Board
We, the undersigned Selectmen of the Town of Winchester, hereby certify on the 26th day of January, 2009 an Attested Copy of the Original Warrant was posted at the place of meeting within specified, at the Post Office in Winchester and the Post office in Ashuelot, New Hampshire being public Places in said Town.
True Copy of Warrant-Attest:
Sherman Tedford, Chairman
Kenneth Berthiaume
Roberta Fraser
Gustave Ruth
Theodore G. Whippie
Then personally appeared, Sherman Tedford, Kenneth Berthiaume, Roberta Fraser, Gustave Ruth and Theodore G. Whippie, Selectmen of the Town of Winchester, and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by them is true.
Before me:
Ellen A. Cole
Notary Public
Commission Expires:
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Town Continues to Claim Information is False
We have received several more emails from citizens in town, who tell us they have called the town to check on the information being posted here and have been told that
the information on this blog is not true and in some instances it is pure lies.To that we say hogwash, just more attempts to discredit us and promote doubt. The information we have provided has come directly from the town itself and invite anyone who claims otherwise to put up or shut up. Anyone wishing to verify any information found on this Blog or on our home page ( WinchesterInformer.com ) may do so by simply filling out a Citizens Right To Know form; which can be downloaded from a link on our homepage and submit it to either Bob Gray or Ellen Cole in the Selectman's office on the main floor at the town hall. That old adage that "people who live in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones" still holds true today.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Did the Board of Selectmen Act Illegally
At their most recent work session meeting held on 01/07/09,did several members of the board act illegally when they appointed alternates for themselves?
Below is a c&p from the meeting minutes,
This from the NHLGC; New Hampshire law does not authorize selectmen to create a standing pool of alternates, or even to appoint a “temporary” alternate to fill in for an absent selectman. This may present certain logistical challenges, particularly with three-member boards of selectmen, but that is the way the law is written. However, if a selectman is disqualified from participating in a specific matter because of a conflict of interest, the remaining members of the board may appoint a former selectman to fill in for that one specific matter. RSA 43:7. The disqualified selectman continues to be a board member and to participate in all other matters as usual except the one from which he or she is disqualified. In the unlikely event that an entire board of selectmen is disqualified, the board may ask the superior court to appoint former selectmen to handle the matter. RSA 43:8.
It would seem that by appointing alternates for themselves they have acted in an illegal manner.
Below is a c&p from the meeting minutes,
Pursuant to RSA 673:11, Chairman Tedford would like to appoint alternate officials when a representative of the Selectboard is unavailable to attend a committee meeting. Selectman Fraser makes a motion to appoint Sherman Tedford as her (Roberta Fraser) alternate member for the Budget Committee. Selectman Whippie seconds the motion and it passes 5-0. Chairman Tedford makes a motion to nominate Ted Whippie as Kenneth Berthiaume’s alternate representative for the Planning Board. Selectman Fraser seconds the motion and it passes 5-0.
This from the NHLGC; New Hampshire law does not authorize selectmen to create a standing pool of alternates, or even to appoint a “temporary” alternate to fill in for an absent selectman. This may present certain logistical challenges, particularly with three-member boards of selectmen, but that is the way the law is written. However, if a selectman is disqualified from participating in a specific matter because of a conflict of interest, the remaining members of the board may appoint a former selectman to fill in for that one specific matter. RSA 43:7. The disqualified selectman continues to be a board member and to participate in all other matters as usual except the one from which he or she is disqualified. In the unlikely event that an entire board of selectmen is disqualified, the board may ask the superior court to appoint former selectmen to handle the matter. RSA 43:8.
It would seem that by appointing alternates for themselves they have acted in an illegal manner.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Budget Committee Cuts School Budget
At Thursday's meeting, despite loud protests from school committee members, the Budget Committee voted to cut nearly $700,000.00 from the school budget in an attempt to reign in run away spending. Kudos to those members who voted in favor of the cuts and who acted in a responsible manner to the taxpayers of Winchester. It's a start in the right direction, let's hope we get enough support at the Deliberative Session to make some more needed cuts in our over inflated, pork filled budget and send a message loud and clear to those who continue to waste our hard earned tax dollars.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
WINCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT WARRANTS FOR 2009-2010
Hope you all have really deep pockets and some money left in your 401ks, you're going to need it if these articles are placed on the ballot and are voted in.
WINCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT WARRANTS FOR 2009-2010
To the inhabitants of the Town of Winchester in the County of Cheshire and the State of New Hampshire, qualified to vote in school affairs: You are thereby notified to meet at the Winchester Gymnasium at 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 5th, 2009, to consider the following articles in deliberative session, pursuant to RSA 40:13. The official voting of the business of the School District as determined at the deliberative session and the election of School District Officers will be held at the Winchester Town Hall on Tuesday, March 10th, 2008 with the polls open between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M.
ARTICLE ONE: Shall the Winchester School District raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $10,288,109? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $10,475,158, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Winchester School District or by law or the
governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. [NOTE: This operating budget warrant article does not include appropriations contained in ANY other warrant articles.]
ARTICLE TWO: Shall the voters of the Winchester School District adopt a School
Administrative Unit budget of $1,816,479 for the forthcoming fiscal year in which $258,279 is assigned to the school budget of this School District? This year's adjusted budget of $1,776,609, with $252,610 assigned to the school budget of this School District, will be adopted if the article does not receive a majority vote of all the school district voters voting in this School Administrative Unit. The operating budget for the SAU includes operating expenses for four school districts.
ARTICLE THREE: To see if the Winchester School District will vote to raise and appropriate “up to” $150,000 to be placed in the Special Education Expendable Trust Fund, with such amount to be funded from the June 30, 2009 unreserved fund balance
available for transfer on July 1, 2009? [NOTE: This article will not require any additional funds to be raised through general taxation.] The School Board recommends this article. The Budget Committee [does not] recommend this article.
ARTICLE FOUR: Shall the Winchester School District receive the reports of its agents, auditors, committees and officers?
ARTICLE FIVE: Are you in favor of re-opening Thayer High School starting in the 2009-2010 School year beginning with the freshman class and progressing one class per year until the Keene School District contract has expired? This will only take effect if the Keene School district is in agreement. (The current contract requires grades 9 thru 12.) By Petition
ARTICLE SIX: Shall the Winchester School District vote to transact any other business as may lawfully come before the meeting?
WINCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT WARRANTS FOR 2009-2010
To the inhabitants of the Town of Winchester in the County of Cheshire and the State of New Hampshire, qualified to vote in school affairs: You are thereby notified to meet at the Winchester Gymnasium at 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 5th, 2009, to consider the following articles in deliberative session, pursuant to RSA 40:13. The official voting of the business of the School District as determined at the deliberative session and the election of School District Officers will be held at the Winchester Town Hall on Tuesday, March 10th, 2008 with the polls open between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M.
ARTICLE ONE: Shall the Winchester School District raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $10,288,109? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $10,475,158, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Winchester School District or by law or the
governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. [NOTE: This operating budget warrant article does not include appropriations contained in ANY other warrant articles.]
ARTICLE TWO: Shall the voters of the Winchester School District adopt a School
Administrative Unit budget of $1,816,479 for the forthcoming fiscal year in which $258,279 is assigned to the school budget of this School District? This year's adjusted budget of $1,776,609, with $252,610 assigned to the school budget of this School District, will be adopted if the article does not receive a majority vote of all the school district voters voting in this School Administrative Unit. The operating budget for the SAU includes operating expenses for four school districts.
ARTICLE THREE: To see if the Winchester School District will vote to raise and appropriate “up to” $150,000 to be placed in the Special Education Expendable Trust Fund, with such amount to be funded from the June 30, 2009 unreserved fund balance
available for transfer on July 1, 2009? [NOTE: This article will not require any additional funds to be raised through general taxation.] The School Board recommends this article. The Budget Committee [does not] recommend this article.
ARTICLE FOUR: Shall the Winchester School District receive the reports of its agents, auditors, committees and officers?
ARTICLE FIVE: Are you in favor of re-opening Thayer High School starting in the 2009-2010 School year beginning with the freshman class and progressing one class per year until the Keene School District contract has expired? This will only take effect if the Keene School district is in agreement. (The current contract requires grades 9 thru 12.) By Petition
ARTICLE SIX: Shall the Winchester School District vote to transact any other business as may lawfully come before the meeting?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
We deserve better from our leaders at the town hall!
The selectmen set the warrant articles for the budget, most voters respect the judgment of the selectmen when they go into the polling booth. Most votes see the warrant article has been approved by the selectmen most people will vote yes. Trusting the judgment of the selectmen. The past few years we have followed our leadership over a cliff. We trusting their judgment. Our tax rate for town government is steadily increasing. We were number one in the county in the year 2000 at $9.09. It steadily declined to $4.73 in 2004 about the time John Stetser took control, now it has steadily increased till we are now number 6th highest in the county at $7.01. This year in March we must use our good judgment in excepting what the selectmen approved.
The school budget shows the same trend. We went from 7th highest in the county in 2000 to the highest in 2007 at a tax rate of $17.13 and in 2008 we are the second highest behind Monadnock School at $16.22. Yes! We can not blame the leaders at the town hall for the school, but we can blame our budget committee for both budgets. Replace the people up for election this year with people with people that have an interest in saving our town from being the highest taxed community in the state.
The Winchester Residents deserve better from our elected leadership for what we are getting for our tax dollars.
The town doesn't look like it did one year ago. We have two tools here in place now. One: the winchesterinformer.com keeps asking hard important questions, where is the accountability for our tax dollars. Two: The people should keep posting their concerns on the winchesterinformer. It is having an affect on our town government toward being more accountable.
The school budget shows the same trend. We went from 7th highest in the county in 2000 to the highest in 2007 at a tax rate of $17.13 and in 2008 we are the second highest behind Monadnock School at $16.22. Yes! We can not blame the leaders at the town hall for the school, but we can blame our budget committee for both budgets. Replace the people up for election this year with people with people that have an interest in saving our town from being the highest taxed community in the state.
The Winchester Residents deserve better from our elected leadership for what we are getting for our tax dollars.
The town doesn't look like it did one year ago. We have two tools here in place now. One: the winchesterinformer.com keeps asking hard important questions, where is the accountability for our tax dollars. Two: The people should keep posting their concerns on the winchesterinformer. It is having an affect on our town government toward being more accountable.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
RECYCLING CENTER ISSUES
The Informer has received the following email from a concerned Winchester citizen in regards to a problem they observed at the Town recycling center due to lack of employee attention.
This person is absolutely right. By not properly disposing of your trash, it costs us all more money when these containers have to be gone through by the disposal company to remove recyclables that were thrown into them instead of the proper bins the town supplies just for this purpose. Are we just too lazy to do this or is it a case of lack of supervision by the center's employees and an attitude of "I just don't care " by those who circumvent the centers spirit of recycling? In any case this is a matter that needs to be addressed by the BOS and anyone who sees this happening should report the person doing this by simply taking down a plate number and making a complaint at Town Hall ..
I have been to the dump on Saturday and today. I thought that we were supposed to be recycling. Both days the attendant was in the shed and people unloaded any kind of rubbish from pickup trucks and put it into the container. On Saturday , my husband asked about why trash was not separated and did not get a satisfactory answer. I wonder how many citizens are doing this with no regard to the cost to the town. Perhaps you could ask the select people why they are not monitoring this situation as it is costing us money.
Thanks for your help.
This person is absolutely right. By not properly disposing of your trash, it costs us all more money when these containers have to be gone through by the disposal company to remove recyclables that were thrown into them instead of the proper bins the town supplies just for this purpose. Are we just too lazy to do this or is it a case of lack of supervision by the center's employees and an attitude of "I just don't care " by those who circumvent the centers spirit of recycling? In any case this is a matter that needs to be addressed by the BOS and anyone who sees this happening should report the person doing this by simply taking down a plate number and making a complaint at Town Hall ..
Friday, January 2, 2009
"Are you in favor of decreasing the board of selectmen to 3 members?'' pursuant to RSA 656:13.
One way to correct the direction our town has been taken in, is to start over with our elected officials; the Selectmen. If the voters agree; According to RSA 41:8-d, we can petition the voters to rescind our previous action of increasing the board to 5 Selectmen and reduce it to 3 Selectmen by petition.
According to RSA41 8-e: If a town votes to decrease its board to 3 members, at the annual meeting following the meeting at which it so voted, the terms of office of all members of the Board of Selectmen shall end and the town shall elect 3 new members to the Board of Selectmen. We can vote to start over and any selectmen would have to rerun for the office. This would be the first step to regaining control of our town an insuring that Winchester would become a town of it's people, governed in a manner in which everyone had a voice and those voices would be heard. No more " we'll take it under advisement, thank you for your comments" and then nothing is done. It's time to elect officials who will listen and then act on the concerns of it's citizens. What say thee?
For those who question the legality of this issue .. we'll go one step farther.
41:8-d Revocation. – A town which has voted to enlarge its board of selectmen may rescind its action in the manner described in RSA 41:8-b, except that the question shall read: "Are you in favor of decreasing the board of selectmen to 3 members?''
and pursuant to RSA 656:13.
41:8-e Effective Date and Manner of Increase or Decrease. – If a town votes to enlarge or to decrease its board of selectmen the change does not take effect in either case until the first annual meeting following the meeting at which the questions were acted upon. If the town votes to enlarge the board to 5 members, at the first annual meeting following the meeting when the action was taken the town shall elect 2 members for a 3-year term and one member for a one-year term. At the next succeeding annual meeting 2 members shall be elected for a 3-year term, at the next following annual meeting one member shall be elected for a 3-year term, and at succeeding annual meetings members shall be elected to fill the vacancies regularly occurring. If a town votes to decrease its board to 3 members, at the annual meeting following the meeting at which it so voted, the terms of office of all members of the board of selectmen shall end and the town shall elect 3 members of the board of selectmen, one for one year, one for 2 years, one for 3 years and at all succeeding annual meetings shall elect a member to the board for a 3-year term.
According to RSA41 8-e: If a town votes to decrease its board to 3 members, at the annual meeting following the meeting at which it so voted, the terms of office of all members of the Board of Selectmen shall end and the town shall elect 3 new members to the Board of Selectmen. We can vote to start over and any selectmen would have to rerun for the office. This would be the first step to regaining control of our town an insuring that Winchester would become a town of it's people, governed in a manner in which everyone had a voice and those voices would be heard. No more " we'll take it under advisement, thank you for your comments" and then nothing is done. It's time to elect officials who will listen and then act on the concerns of it's citizens. What say thee?
For those who question the legality of this issue .. we'll go one step farther.
41:8-d Revocation. – A town which has voted to enlarge its board of selectmen may rescind its action in the manner described in RSA 41:8-b, except that the question shall read: "Are you in favor of decreasing the board of selectmen to 3 members?''
and pursuant to RSA 656:13.
41:8-e Effective Date and Manner of Increase or Decrease. – If a town votes to enlarge or to decrease its board of selectmen the change does not take effect in either case until the first annual meeting following the meeting at which the questions were acted upon. If the town votes to enlarge the board to 5 members, at the first annual meeting following the meeting when the action was taken the town shall elect 2 members for a 3-year term and one member for a one-year term. At the next succeeding annual meeting 2 members shall be elected for a 3-year term, at the next following annual meeting one member shall be elected for a 3-year term, and at succeeding annual meetings members shall be elected to fill the vacancies regularly occurring. If a town votes to decrease its board to 3 members, at the annual meeting following the meeting at which it so voted, the terms of office of all members of the board of selectmen shall end and the town shall elect 3 members of the board of selectmen, one for one year, one for 2 years, one for 3 years and at all succeeding annual meetings shall elect a member to the board for a 3-year term.
Selectman want to add another $3,641,817.00 to budget spending
Here are the final BOS Warrant Articles to be place on the 2009 ballot. In a time when every area town and the state is cutting back expenses and laying some employees off, our town's elected official continue on with the status quo of adding more expenditures to an already over bloated budget. Are they really working for us the taxpayer and the best interest of Winchester? You be the judge ...
$ WARRANT ARTICLES APPROVED BY THE BOS $
ARTICLE 1 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,400,000.00) for the purpose of preparing plans and specifications, and for the reconstruction of the Winchester Wastewater Treatment Plant, that will qualify the Town for federal and state funds, such sum to be raised by serial bonds and notes, under and in compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (NHRSA 33:1 et seq as amended) and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes, to determine the interest rate thereon, and to take such actions as may be necessary to effect the issuance, negotiation, sale and delivery of such bonds or notes as shall be in the best interest of the Town of Winchester; and further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept, and expend grants, donations, and gifts, and to participate in the State Revolving Fund, established pursuant to RSA 486:14? To be enacted, this article requires a 3/5 vote. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0. [If passed, taxation will not be impacted by this appropriation until 1 year after the completion of this project in 2012]
ARTICLE 2 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $40,000.00 for the Town’s share of State road grant reconstruction costs for bridges and place it in the non-lapsing Capital Reserve Fund established at the March 2006 Town Meeting under Article 19 for that purpose? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $28,677.00 to be placed in the Capital Reserve Fund established under Article 16 at the 2006 Town Meeting for the purpose of performing the assessing update or revaluation of the real estate in the Town of Winchester scheduled for 2009-2010? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0.
ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will raise and appropriate $24,800.00 as the fourth of five lease-to-purchase payments for the 2004 International dump truck, plow, and sander package? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0.
ARTICLE 5 To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Account under the provisions of RSA 35:1 III for the purpose of future upgrades and/or purchase of the town’s computers and networking system, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 to be placed in this fund with the Board of Selectmen being the agent of said fund? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 for promoting commercial and industrial development in the Town, and name the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend said funds? This is to be a non-lapsing account. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 to be placed in the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund established in 2006 at the Town Meeting under Article 14? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0. Budget recommendation?
ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $18,340.00 to payoff frozen sick time for Town employees? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to hire a professional firm to prepare an impact fee schedule? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 10 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000.00 to support the annual Pickle Festival? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0.
ARTICLE 11 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate an amount not to exceed $18,000.00 to be deposited in the Evergreen Expendable General Care Trust Fund established by an affirmative vote by the 1998 Town Meeting as Article 11; the source of these funds to be withdrawn from the surplus generated by the perpetual care funds already established for the care and maintenance of lots within the Evergreen cemetery, and not from taxation. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0.
ARTICLE 12 To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 for the purpose of subsidizing youth recreation in the Town to be paid to the E.L.M. Memorial Community Center on a contractual basis? Inserted by Petition. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 13 Are you in favor of raising and appropriating the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) for the support of The Winchester Learning Center, provided that the Winchester Learning Center raises an equal or greater amount from other sources? Inserted by Petition. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 3-0, with 2 abstentions.
ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate up to $10,000.00 to reimburse the trust fund for the purchase a new boiler for the Conant Public Library? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0.
$ WARRANT ARTICLES APPROVED BY THE BOS $
ARTICLE 1 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,400,000.00) for the purpose of preparing plans and specifications, and for the reconstruction of the Winchester Wastewater Treatment Plant, that will qualify the Town for federal and state funds, such sum to be raised by serial bonds and notes, under and in compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (NHRSA 33:1 et seq as amended) and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes, to determine the interest rate thereon, and to take such actions as may be necessary to effect the issuance, negotiation, sale and delivery of such bonds or notes as shall be in the best interest of the Town of Winchester; and further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept, and expend grants, donations, and gifts, and to participate in the State Revolving Fund, established pursuant to RSA 486:14? To be enacted, this article requires a 3/5 vote. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0. [If passed, taxation will not be impacted by this appropriation until 1 year after the completion of this project in 2012]
ARTICLE 2 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $40,000.00 for the Town’s share of State road grant reconstruction costs for bridges and place it in the non-lapsing Capital Reserve Fund established at the March 2006 Town Meeting under Article 19 for that purpose? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 3 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $28,677.00 to be placed in the Capital Reserve Fund established under Article 16 at the 2006 Town Meeting for the purpose of performing the assessing update or revaluation of the real estate in the Town of Winchester scheduled for 2009-2010? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0.
ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will raise and appropriate $24,800.00 as the fourth of five lease-to-purchase payments for the 2004 International dump truck, plow, and sander package? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0.
ARTICLE 5 To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Account under the provisions of RSA 35:1 III for the purpose of future upgrades and/or purchase of the town’s computers and networking system, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 to be placed in this fund with the Board of Selectmen being the agent of said fund? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 6 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 for promoting commercial and industrial development in the Town, and name the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend said funds? This is to be a non-lapsing account. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 7 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 to be placed in the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund established in 2006 at the Town Meeting under Article 14? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0. Budget recommendation?
ARTICLE 8 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $18,340.00 to payoff frozen sick time for Town employees? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to hire a professional firm to prepare an impact fee schedule? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 10 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000.00 to support the annual Pickle Festival? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0.
ARTICLE 11 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate an amount not to exceed $18,000.00 to be deposited in the Evergreen Expendable General Care Trust Fund established by an affirmative vote by the 1998 Town Meeting as Article 11; the source of these funds to be withdrawn from the surplus generated by the perpetual care funds already established for the care and maintenance of lots within the Evergreen cemetery, and not from taxation. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0.
ARTICLE 12 To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 for the purpose of subsidizing youth recreation in the Town to be paid to the E.L.M. Memorial Community Center on a contractual basis? Inserted by Petition. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 4-0.
ARTICLE 13 Are you in favor of raising and appropriating the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) for the support of The Winchester Learning Center, provided that the Winchester Learning Center raises an equal or greater amount from other sources? Inserted by Petition. Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 3-0, with 2 abstentions.
ARTICLE 14 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate up to $10,000.00 to reimburse the trust fund for the purchase a new boiler for the Conant Public Library? Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, 5-0.
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