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| Town Hall 16 School St. Allenstown, NH 485-4276 Check town web site for current business hours. |
Allenstown voters once again turned down most spending articles including the town budget. The actual cost of the default budget is yet to be published.
Other major articles like the dump truck, the second fire engine, and the fire station renovation failed to pass. Thankfully the two zoning articles passed, the second of which will severely restrict any attempts to bring sex-oriented businesses into town.
The following links present the warrant articles one by one with voting results and commentary.
Article 1 – Zoning Amendment for Development in a Flood Plain
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 1 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows: Repealing Article XII of the Zoning Ordinance entitled Floodplain Development Regulations, and replacing it with a new Article XII entitled Flood Hazard Area Overlay District? This Article generally amends uses and development in the 100-year flood plain, including but not limited to, requiring the lowest floor of any building to be at least two feet above base flood elevation; incorporating updated flood maps; revising definitions generally along with numerous other changes. This Article is recommended by the Planning Board. Commentary: Several properties on Riverside Drive were flooded and later condemned after the last major spring flood of a few years ago. With this article, the Planning Board hopes to prevent future loss by requiring that builders ensure that any construction done in a flood plain uses construction techniques that put the lowest floor of the building above the level of possible future floods. For example, if the houses on Riverside Drive had been built on pilings that elevated the houses above base flood levels (and the pilings hidden by landscaping or some sort of screening), they would probably still be habitable.
Article 2 – Zoning Amendment for Sexually-Oriented Businesses
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 2 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows: Adopting Article XXII of the Zoning Ordinance entitled Adult Business Ordinance? This Article permits sexually oriented businesses in the Industrial Zone subject to multiple limitations and setbacks; it also requires annual licensing of such businesses by the Town, and requires separate licenses for the business to have employees and for employees to work in a sexually oriented business. Adult or sexually oriented businesses include, but are not limited to, adult bookstores and novelty stores, adult cabaret which would incorporate what is colloquially known as a strip joint, adult arcade which would incorporate what is colloquially known as a peep show, adult motion picture theatre, escort agency, and adult motel. This Article is recommended by the Planning Board. Commentary: No one has requested a permit for such a tawdry, unwholesome business, but the Planning Board realized that there is nothing in the current zoning ordinances to prevent such a business from opening next to places like the Bi-Wise Market, the Family Dollar, or Sunrise Baptist Church. To severely limit where such a business can set up shop, the Planning Board limited such a business to the Industrial Zones, of which there are few.
Article 3 – Town OfficersTo choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year. The results are covered on the Candidates for Town Offices page. Commentary: It would be very interesting to see what might happen if this article was voted down. Without Town Officers, would the town government come to a grinding halt? Hmmm.
Article 4 – Operating Budget
Shall the Town of Allenstown 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 Six million four hundred forty-one thousand forty-five dollars ($6,441,045). Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be Six million two hundred eighteen thousand nine hundred seventy-six dollars ($6,218,976) which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Allenstown 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 operations budget only. NOTE: This warrant article (operating budget) does not include appropriations in ANY other warrant article. This article is not recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Commentary: The total amount is misleading because it includes the Sewer Dept. budget ($1,995,732.00) and expenditures that will be offset by grant money. The actual town budget that needs to be covered by taxes is $3,384,466.00.
Article 5 – Highway Equipment Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to be added to the Highway Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 5 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This fund is for purchasing dump trucks and plows.
Article 6 – Highway Garage Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to be added to the Highway Garage Capital Reserve Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 6 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This fund is for replacement of the existing, aging highway garage on River Rd. The balance of this fund was $78,000.
Article 7 – Land Closure Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to be added to the Landfill Closure Expendable Trust Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 7 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: The balance in the Landfill Closure Fund was $20,144.06 as of the end of December 2009. This fund is to be used to eventually cap the buried trash in the old landfill.
Article 8 – Dump Truck
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to enter into a long-term lease/purchase agreement in the amount of One hundred forty-two thousand dollars ($142,000) payable over a term of five (5) years to purchase a 2010 six wheeled dump truck with front plow, wing plow and sander and to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty one thousand one hundred forty-eight dollars ($31,148) for the first year’s payment for that purpose. This lease/purchase agreement contains an escape clause. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 8 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: The balance in this fund was $17,712.83 as of December 31, 2009. This truck will replace a 1990 truck. Since this is a lease, the capital reserve fund cannot be used.
Article 9 – Town Safety Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) to be added to the Town Safety Expendable Trust Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 9 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This fund is for the Joint Loss Management Committee (town employees) which meet quarterly to discuss safety issues in town buildings and property.
Article 10 – Police Computer Equipment Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) to be placed in the Police Computer Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee Article 10 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: The balance in this fund is $4,696.21. This fund will be used to replace a computer server.
Article 11 – Police Cruiser Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) to be placed in the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 11 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: The balance in this fund was $4,262.82. This fund is used to purchase police cruisers.
Article 12 – Police Safety Equipment Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six thousand dollars ($6,000) to be placed in the Police Safety Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 12 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This fund is used to purchase police safety equipment.
Article 13 – DARE Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to be placed in the Special Revenue D.A.R.E. Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 13 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: Roger LaFleur stated that the D.A.R.E. project (drug education for school children) had not been funded for two years and he would like to see it back in place.
Article 14 – Recreation Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two thousand five hundred ($2,500) dollars to be added to the Recreation Capital Reserve Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 14 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This fund is for repairs (if needed) to the Boys' and Girls' Club recreation building on Whitten Street (near the Town Library).
Article 15 – Fire Dept. Safety Equipment Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to be placed into the Fire Department Safety Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 15 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This fund is for the purchase of major equipment other than items such as protective clothing, chain saws, axes, and breathers. The current balance was $7,132.71.
Article 16 – Fire Dept. Equipment Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to be placed into the Fire Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 16 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This fund is for purchasing fire trucks. The current balance was $541.11. Chief Hart stated that we have only one truck less than 20 years old.
Article 17 – Public Safety Facilities Fund
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) to be placed into the Public Safety Facilities Capital Reserve Fund. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 17 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This fund covers both the Fire and Police Departments and they work together. The current balance is $5,582.47.
Article 18 – Fire Truck (Grant)
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) to purchase a Tanker Truck to replace the 1960 Tanker Truck and the 1981 Pumper Truck, and to further authorize the Selectmen to offset a portion of said appropriation by applying for an Assistance to Fire fighters Grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or any other available grant program in the amount of Two hundred eighty-five thousand dollars ($285,000). With the sum of Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) to be raised through taxation. This article is contingent upon receipt of said grant. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 18 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This article is to replace two old pieces of equipment by using a federal grant to purchase a new truck. The net cost to the town would be $15,000. The rest would be paid by every taxpayer in the U.S. (from federal taxes). Chief Hart estimates that it cost the town $24,000.00 in 2009 to maintain the current fleet of fire trucks, and this cost was low because two fire fighters are skilled in truck repairs.
Article 19 – Fire Truck (Lease/Purchase)
a.)To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($275,000) for the purchase of a New Medium Duty Rescue/Pumper Fire Truck to replace the 1976 Pumper Truck. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. If you are not in favor of Article 19a. b) To see if the Town will vote to authorize the selectmen to enter into a long term lease/purchase agreement in the amount of Two hundred Seventy five Thousand Dollars ($275,000) payable over a ten year term to purchase a New Medium Duty Rescue/Pumper Fire Truck to replace the 1976 Pumper Truck and to raise and appropriate up to Thirty Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000) for the first year’s payment for that purpose. This lease purchase agreement contains an escape clause. If both articles 19a and 19b are approved the New Medium Duty Rescue/Pumper Truck will be purchased not leased. Article 19 will appear on the ballot as amended. Commentary: This article is for purchase or lease of a second new fire truck. This medium-duty truck will be used as a first response vehicle since it is better for our needs than a heavy-duty truck. By law the town can apply for only one equipment grant per year. Chief Hart noted that the town has the worst equipment he has seen in his long history in fire departments. Recently as many as three trucks were out of commission for weeks due to breakdowns.
Article 20 – Fire Station Grant
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) to complete renovations to the second floor of the Fire Station; and further authorize the Selectmen to offset the entire appropriation by applying for a grant in the amount of One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or any other grant program available and to further authorize the Selectmen to enter into a contract or contracts to complete the renovations. This article is contingent upon receipt of said grant. This article is recommended by the Board of Selectmen. This article is recommended by the Budget Committee. Article 20 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: Completion of the fire station would include an elevator, exterior stairs, sleeping quarters, and an exercise room (equipped with donated exercise equipment). This would also allow the Emergency Response Center to be installed on the second floor (currently unfinished) instead of kept in storage.
Article 21 – Town Hall Roof Fund
To see if the Town will vote to change the purpose of the Town Hall Roof Capital Reserve Fund to the Town Hall Repair and Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund. This is a non-appropriation article. This warrant article has no tax impact. (2/3 vote required). Article 21 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: The current balance in this Capital Reserve Fund was $9,979.80. Since at least 2005 all of the necessary repairs to the Town Hall roof have been done. Tom Gilligan stated that the name of the fund needed to be changed to allow the fund to be used for general Town Hall repairs and upgrades.
Article 22 – Rescind Authority – BY PETITION
Shall the town of Allenstown rescind the authority for the Selectmen to act as agents to expend from the Fire Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. Article 22 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This article would take away the ability of the selectmen to withdraw money from this fund for various expenditures without voter approval. A Yes vote will give spending authority back to the voters and will require a warrant article to expend these funds.
Article 23 – Rescind Authority – BY PETITION
Shall the town of Allenstown rescind the authority for the Selectmen to act as agents to expend from the Highway Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. Article 23 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: This article would take away the ability of the selectmen to withdraw money from this fund for various expenditures without voter approval. A Yes vote will give spending authority back to the voters and will require a warrant article to expend these funds.
Article 24 – Rescind SB 2 – BY PETITION
Shall we rescind the provisions of RSA 40:13 (known as SB 2), as adopted by the Town of Allenstown on March 11, 1997, so that the official ballot will no longer be used for voting on all questions, but only for the election of officers and certain other questions for which the official ballot is required by State law?” (3/5 Ballot Vote Required). Article 24 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: If this article is approved, the town would go back to the traditional town meeting at which voters gather to deliberate on town business and then cast votes.
Article 25 – Definition of Marriage – BY PETITION
To see if the Town will vote to approve the following resolution to be forwarded to our State Representative(s), our State Senator, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President. Resolved: The citizens of NH should be allowed to vote on an amendment to the NH Constitution that defines "marriage." Article 25 will appear on the ballot as read. Commentary: The warrant article asks the Legislature to allow the citizens of New Hampshire a chance to vote on this important issue. This warrant article will be voted on by a majority of the towns in NH. For more information about elections, go to the 2010 Voting Results on the town web site. |
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