Annual report of the Town of Grantham, New Hampshire

124 Pages·2002·5 MB·English

by  Grantham (N.H. : Town)

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2001 Annual Town Report
Town ofGrantham 2001 AnnualReport Page2
Town Information
Selectmen's Office Transfer Station
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Route 114
E-mail: [email protected] Sunday
PO Box 276 34 Dunbar Hill Road l:00p.m.^:00p.m.
Monday—Thursday Monday
7:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m.—Noon
CLOSED FRIDAY Wednesday
1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Town Clerk / Tax Collector Friday
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]:00 a.m.—Noon
PO Box 135 34 Dunbar Hill Road 1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Monday—Thursday Saturday
8:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m.—Noon
Tuesday & Wednesday
7:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m. SCHOOLS
CLOSED FRIDAY
Grantham Village School
Road Agent
Phone: [phone]
Phone: [phone] Learning Drive
34 Dunbar Hill Road
SAU #75
Police Phone: [phone]
Non-Emergency Phone: [phone] PO Box 287 Sawyer Brook Plaza
Emergency: 911
PO Box 704 34 Dunbar Hill Road Lebanon Jr. High School
Phone: [phone]
Burn Permits 75 Bank Street—Lebanon
Fire Warden Kenneth Barton Sr
Phone: [phone] Lebanon Sr. High School
Phone: [phone]
Fire 195 Hanover Street—Lebanon
Non-Emergency Phone: [phone]
Emergency: 911 OTHER
Dunbar Free Library
Eastman Community Association
Phone: [phone]
Phone: [phone]
PO Box 1580 Main Street
Monday & Wednesday
Village District
9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Phone: [phone]
6:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m.
Thursday
9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday
9:00 a.m.—Noon
Town ofGrantham 2001AnnualReport Page3
6\
10
The BoardofSelectmen dedicates this 2001 AnnualReport to:
B. Joey Holmes
Joey is atrue Granthamnative
This has always been her home
Here is where she chose to Uve
And never far did she roam.
Her contributions to this town
Are given fromthe heart
Parading dressed as a clown
A
true sport fromthe start.
Serving as our Town Clerk
A
position once held by her father
From her home she did the work
Never seeming like it was abother.
A life-long contributor at the Dunbar Free
She's happy helping patrons ofany age
Among the books is where she'll be
Ready and waiting to turnthe page.
Joey, you are one ofa kind
Unique inevery way
Never hesitant to speakyour mind
People Ustento what you say.
The flags you place at Veteran's graves
Showthe quality ofpersonyou are
Families silentlythank you as the flags wave
To them you are a shining star.
Always present at fimctions ofthe Church
Busyas abee, never sitting still
For a better volunteer you'd have to search
She'll do what she canwhile she's able.
Thankyou, Joey,for takingpride inyour town;
Toyou, we dedicate thesepages
TinaM. Steams
January2002
Town ofGrantham 2001AnnualReport Page 4
Publication Notes
&
Design, Editing, Formatting, Gathering Photos Information
by
Tina Stearns
Valuable Assistance
by
Sarah Barton
Cover Photo & Design: Tina Stearns
Printing & Binding: Whitman Communications
Specialthankyou to allthe departments within Grantham for
theirtimelyreports^ comments andinput
On the Cover
Tfie newHighway
Departmenttruck
Town ofGrantham2001AnnualReport Page5
Table of Contents
2001 TownMeetingMinutes 27
2002TownBudget(MS-6) 20
2002Town Warrant 13
AuditReports 48
BoardofSelectmen'sReport 10
CemeteryTrustees —•• 65
CommunityCrisisFund • • •— 89
Congressional Delegation 94
CcmservationCommissicm 77
Dedication — 3
DepartmaitBudgets FiveYearComparison 12
DunbarFreeLibrary 78
EmCTgoicyManagem—entDirector 82
ExecutiveCouncilor ^Raymond S. Burtcm 97
FireDepartment 83
HealthOfficer'sReport 81
Historical Society 67
KearsargeCouncil on Aging 87
LakeSimapeeRegion VisitingNurseAssociatirai 84
LibraryTrustees 81
NewLondonHospital 86
OldHomeDayPhotos • 93
PlaimingBoard 74
PoliceDepartment'sReport 71
Recreation Department 90
RighttoKnowLaw 8
RoadAgentReport 69
SAU#75 Reports 100
ScheduleofTown OwnedProperty 47
SouthwesternCommunityServices 88
StateRepresentative'sReport 95
&
StatementofAppropriations Expaiditures 53
StatementofRevenues 52
SummaryofValuation 44
TaxCollector'sReport(MS-61) 57
TaxRateComputation 45
TaxRateReview 46
TownAdministrator'sReport 11
TownArchivist 68
Town ClCTk'sReport 56
TownFees 6
Town Information 2
TownMeetingRules 9
TownOfficers 7
Transfer StationReport 70
Treasurer'sReport 60
TrustFunds — 61
UnredeemedTaxes ^Liens 59
UVLSRPCReport 75
Vital Statistics 98
ZoningBoardofAdjustment 76
Town ofGrantham2001AnnualReport Page 6
Town
Fees
Regulations& Ordinances: Building Codes,. Site Plan Review, Zoning Ordinance, CurrentUse
Regulations, Subdivision Regulations, 1993MasterPlan
Non-Residents $5.00
Residents No fee
. '
*Add $2.00 to cover mailing costs.
PropertyInformation:Tax payer information. Written request with applicable payment is
required.
Grantham & Eastman Information $50.00
Mailing labels are available for a fee of $20.00 and requesting person must provide 3,000 laser
quality labels.
VoterChecklist:
Disk or hard copy $25.00
Zoning BoardofAdjustment
:
Appeal application $75.00
Additional fees of $4.00 per abutter, applicant & owner.
Planning Board:
Annexation (merger) application $50.00
Additional fees of $4.00 per abutter, applicant & owner.
Minor Subdivision (up to 3 lots) $50.00
Additional fees of $4.00 per abutter, applicant & owner.
Major Subdivision (More than 3 lots) $50.00
Additional fees of $4.00 per abutter, applicant & owner.
Additional fees of $10.00 for each site over three (3)
Building Permits:
New Construction of Residential/Commercial Unit $25.00
Manufactured Housing/Additions $15.00
Barn/Garage/Shed/Deck/Porch/Renovations $10.00
Town ofGrantham 2001 AnnualReport Page 7
—
Town
Officers ^Year 2001
Moderator JeffFigley RoadAgent
MerleSchotanus, 2002 DavidNegron JosephNewcomb
Board ofSelectmen JaneUnderbill JeffHastings,Assistant
WilliamHutchins, 2002 FireDepartment SchoolBoard
MichaelHaywardSr., 2003 Robert Seavey, Chief DanMcClory
ConstanceJones, 2004 DougDemers,Deputy HowardBeardslee
TownAdministrator MikeBenoit HollyMolinaro
TinaSteams ChrisPalermo JeffFisher
AdministrativeAssistant BobGuyette DonGobin
SarahBarton RobinPalermo SAU#75 Superintendent
Town Clerk/TaxCollector FireWarden Dr. GordonSchnare
RitaEigenbrode, 2003 KennethBartonSr KellyCornish,Admin. Asst.
CynthiaTowle, Deputy HealthOfficer Supervisors ofthe Checklist
Treasurer Dr. KennethKerwin Doima Stamper, 2002
ChristopherScott, 2002 BoardofSelectmen JoannPurdy,2002
DavidEigenbrode,Deputy HistoricalSociety DeborahCheever, 2006
CemeteryTrustees AllenWalker TownArchivist
WarrenKimbaU, 2002 BarbaraMutney LeaFrey, 2002
DennisHoward, 2003 ComadFrey TransferStation
T. EdBuckman,2004 EllaReney ChrisPalermo, Supervisor
CemeterySexton Hogreeves PhilCurrier,Attendant
CraigMuir LarryKirkpatrick& LindaRoberts,Attendant
ConservationCommission NancyParsons TrusteesofTrustFunds
CarlHanson, 2002 PlanningBoard TedShort, 2002
RichardHocker,2003 CarlHanson, 2003 Connie Howard, 2003
JerryEllsworth, 2003 AllenWalker, 2002 ConradFrey, 2004
MikeHoldowsky, 2004 PatriciaWells, 2004 WelfareOfflcial
JessicaJansujwicz, 2004 RobertBames, 2004 BoardofSelectmen
AndyEastman,Alt.,2003 MikeHaywardSr., Sel. Rep. ZoningBoard ofAdjustment
AdeleFurdyna,Ah., 2004 MikeHaywardJr., Clerk ConradFrey,2004
Custodian PoliceDepartment BudHennigar, 2004
GaryBroughall RussellLary, Chief DickMansfield, 2002
DunbarFreeLibrary JerryWhitney, DeputyChief JohnClayton, 2002
Trustees GlemiJenkins, Officer PeterGardiner, 2003
Dudley Smith, 2002 MassadAyoob, Special MyronCummings,Alt.,2004
BarbaraJones, 2002 WalterMadore, Special ChickPiUsbury, Alt, 2003
Catherine Seavey, 2003 RobertSchwartz, Special SarahBarton, Clerk
M. HopeHunter, 2004 ToddLique, Special
JohnTrethaway,2002 TeresaCurtis, Secretary
Librarian RecreationDepartment
SallyAllen GaryBroughall, Director
B. JoeyHolmes,Assistant TroyGuerin, Asst. Director
FenceViewers Reps totheGeneral Court
&
Michael SaralynCair ConstanceJones, 2002
FAST Squad GranthamDistrict3
JillDavis RichardLeone,2002
PatSaisi SunapeeDistrict2
NHAT
JonDavie Rep to SolidWaste
ScottJohnson ArthurMagowan
StuartGillespie EdJenik,Alternate
RickMorgan WilliamHutchins,Altemate
SusanFigley
Town ofGrantham 2001 AnnualReport Paged
Right-to-Know Law
1. What is the "Right-to-Know" Law, RSA RSA 91-A:3, II (b).
91:A? • Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely
It is New Hampshire's statute winich emphasizes affect adversely the reputation of any person—
that the business of the Town is the public's however, this cannot be used to protect a
business. It makes clear that, with very few person who is a member ofyour Board,
exceptions, the public has access to Town records Committee or Subcommittee, RSA 91-A:3, II (c).
and meetings held in connection with Town • Consideration ofthe purchase, sale, or lease of
Government. real or personal property, RSA 91-A:3, II (d).
• Discussion of pending or threatened (in writing)
2. Who does it cover? litigation, RSA 91-A:3, II (e).
All of us, whether we are elected officials,
employees or volunteers serving on Boards ofthe 6. How do we go into non-public session?
Town of Grantham. A motion must be made which specifically
identifies the statutory category which is the
3. What does it cover? reason for going into non-public session and then
It covers all "meetings." A "meeting" occurs a roll call vote must be taken in which each
whenever a quorum of a Board, Committee or member's vote on the motion must be recorded.
Subcommittee gathers and discusses or acts upon
a matter over which that Board, Committee or 7. Ifwe go into non-public session, what
Subcommittee has supervision, control, then?
jurisdiction, or advisory power. The law also • Minutes must be taken just as you would in an
requires that the business of a Board be open session.
conducted at a meeting, rather than by telephone. • Decisions can be made in nonpublic session.
E-mail, or private gathering of individuals. • You must stick to the subject which was the
reason for going into the non-public session; if
4. If it is a meeting, what does that mean? there is need to discuss other matters which
• A notice ofthe time and place of a meeting must discussion would be covered by a different
be posted at least 24 hours in advance exemption, you need to first come out of non-
(excluding Sundays and legal holidays) in at public session and then vote to go back in under
least two (2) public places. that different exception. It is only in this way
• The public is entitled to attend and may record that a proper record can be prepared for public
or videotape the proceedings. review.
• All votes, with the very few exceptions itemized • The minutes from the non-public session must
below, must be taken in open session and not be made public within 72 hours unless two-
by secret ballot. thirds ofthe members, while in non-public
• Minutes must be taken and made available to session, determine that the divulgence of the
the public within 144 hours. information likely would adversely effect the
reputation of any person other than a member
5. When can we hold a non-public session? of the Board, Committee, or Subcommittee, or
Rarely. The Right-to-Know Law lists certain render the proposed action ineffective. Under
limited situations which allow a Board to go into those circumstances the Minutes may be
non-public session. Those situations are: withheld until those circumstances no longer
• Dismissal, promotion, or setting compensation apply. Action required to sequester.
for public employees, RSA 91-A:3, II (a).
• Consideration of the hiring of a public employee, 8. Which Public Records are accessible?
Tot^n ofGrantham 2001AnnualReport Page 9
The public has access to all records held by the
Town except to the extend they may fall under
one ofthe exemptions listed above.
2001 Town Meeting Rules
^
9. How quickly do the records need to be
^
supplied?
Non-voters who are not officers ofthe
Ifthe requested record cannot conveniently be
town may be allowed to address the
made available immediately, there is a deadline of
five (5) business days for complying with the meeting only ifthe town votes to permit
it.
request.
All voters will direct their remarks to the ^
moderator. Whenever a voter wishes to
t
10. Ifthere is a question as to whether speak, he or she will address the
something is open to the public, what do I moderator and identify himself or
do? herself.
Consult with the Selectmen and they will get ^3. Unless superseded by State law,
advice from Town Counsel, if necessary. reconsideration of a vote on any article
should be brought up immediately after
11. In what format can the public demand the vote has been declared. A vote on
thatTown records be produced?
the issuance of bonds or notes over
Most records are available for photocopying but $100,000 cannot be reconsidered at the
the Right-to-Know Law also extends the right to same meeting. The town may also vote
obtain computer disks of material already in the to restrict reconsideration of any other
Town's computers. A reasonable charge can be vote in the same manner.
made to cover the cost of providing the copies or
disks. In no case, however, does a member of The moderator will conduct a secret
the public have the right to demand that the "yes-no" ballot vote when five voters
Town collect, search for, or arrange information make a written request prior to a voice
that is not already pulled together forthe Town's or show of hands vote on any article
own purposes. open for discussion .
Any ruling by the moderator can be
777/5documentisintendedasageneral t challenged. The moderator will conduct t
outline ofthe "Right-to-Know"Lawandfor ^ a secret"yes-no" ballot when seven or
ease ofuse issomewhatsimplified. Ifyou ^ more voters question any non-ballot
have anyquestions, please contactthe Board ^ vote immediately after the vote is
ofSelectmen. declared, and before any other business
is conducted.
^
All proposed amendments to articles will
^
be submitted in writing to the moderator
t
prior to discussion ofthe amendment.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Town ofGrantham2001AnnualReport Page 10
Report of the Selectmen
Here we are againpreparing forTownMeeting. Itwas a shortyear fromMay to March...especiallywhenallthe
required information has to becompiledand finalized inthe TownReport by February 11th. This is further
complicatedby our fiscalyear endingJune 30th. So, actually, bythetimeTownReports areprinted andsent outwe
areonly intothefirst six months ofthe fiscal year andonthe second Tuesday in Marchwearevotingon what we
will be spending from July 1st, 2002 fiscalyear.
Asyou can see, wepurchased, for $60,000 fromimreserved fiinds, 41.5 acres ofland on Route 114 fortherelocation
ofthe Transfer Station. As ofthis writing, it is inuseandthe feedback fromthepublic has been very positive. Joe
Newcomb andJeffHastings, Road Agentand Assistant RoadAgent, respectively, traveled far andwidevisiting
various fransfer stations and put their new found knowledgeto good use in settingup this new facility. Starting from
theground up, they clearedthe land, preparedthe site, moved buildings, supervisedthe concretework andthe new
building. Our thanks go to them and also to our new Transfer Station Supervisor Chris Palermo and his assistants
Phil Currier andLinda Roberts. The $90,000 raised and appropriated for this relocation has been utilized well for
this new facility. By movingthe Transfer Station, the landfill closure has been much simplified.
Speakingofthe landfill closure...$25,000 out ofunreserved fiandbalance was placed in a capital reserve fiind forthe
landfill closure which we areaskingto withdrawthis year to proceed withthe closure. The bids fortheclosure were
opened inJanuary and we were pleased withtheprices that came in. Accordingto the bids for constructionandthe
added engineering costs we will beableto closethe landfill for $300,000. This amount will be bonded over a five
yearperiodat a cost of~$0.25/$1,000 ofassessed valuation. Oncethe landfill is completely closed it will need to be
monitored for aminimum of30 years sothe Selectmen will continueto budget a nominal amount annually forthe
testing and monitoring. The relocation oftheTransfer Stationcontributed to a substantial reduction inthe projected
cost ofthe landfill closure. State authorities gave only "grudgingapproval" oftheoriginal plans to placetheTransfer
Stationoverthe existing landfill.
As we approach another TownMeetingthere still is very little progress being done onthe new ball fields. $25,000
out ofunreserved fiind balance was placed ina non-lapsing fijnd for the construction which needs to beused by June
30, 2004. Itappears to us thattheNH DES approved a wetlands permit with so many stipulations thatthere is little
possibility ofgetting a ball field built without spendingan enormous amount ofmoney. TheBoard ofSelectmen
looked into the possibility ofrestructuringtheball fields and changingtheaccess road to minimize thewetland
impact and reducetheamount oflandtheTown would haveto give up to the State inorderto get approval. In order
to proceed thetaxpayers would be looking at an additional $20,000+ dollars in engineering and permitting fees. It
now appears thatthe Board ofSelectmen are between a rock and a hard place. We feel that more than enough money
has been spent onthe engineering ofthe ball fields and donot feel comfortable spendingany more on engineering
fees.
We have had many compliments onthe new look attheTown Office Building. Finally, the much needed external
face lift was completed including whitevinyl siding, a gray metal roofand new windows and doors.
Ourthanks goto the residents ofGrantham for putting your trust in us to makethe right decisions. When a decision
is reached on an issue, you can be assured that a lot ofthought and research has gone into the process and the welfare
ofthe entire town has been taken into consideration.
Respectfullysubmitted,
William E. Hutchins MichaelJ. Hayward, Sr. ConstanceA. Jones