Town Meeting Minutes 2023

PDF of Town Meeting 2023 Downloadable File

Town Meeting 2023

David Sturm introduces everyone on stage. Selectmen John Quinlan (chairman), Jack Esposito and Howard Brown. Town Administrator Joan Cleary and Town Clerk Belinda Yeaton

Sergeant D lead us in the pledge.

David thanked all of the town volunteers, veterans, firefighters, DPW, policeman.

Moment of silence for those we’ve lost this past year.

Officially called to order at 7:12pm

David went over all the rules of the meeting.

John Quinlan announced the formation of the Strategic Advisory Committee to come up with a master plan for the town.

Article 04

Construction of New Library Building

Proposed Warrant Article
Construction of New Library Building
To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $5,950,000 for the construction of a new library building on land owned by the Town; for equipping and furnishing said building, for site development, architectural and other service fees; and for any other items incidental thereto and necessary for said construction.
Said appropriation to be raised in part by the issuance of not more than $2,640,000 of bonds or notes, $2,360,000 passed in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33), and to authorize the Select Board to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon.
The balance of said funds shall be raised as follows:
* Capital Reserve Funds
* To authorize the withdrawal of the 12/31/22 balance ($89,849) from the Library Capital Reserve Fund created for the above stated Purpose.
* To further authorize the withdrawal of the 12/31/22 ($223,151) from the Daland Matching Funds created for the above stated purpose.
* Gifts to the Town
To authorize the Select Board to accept the following gifts to the Town in support of the above stated purpose:
* The Sophia G. Daland Trust in the amount of $855,000,
* The Friends of the Daland Memorial Library in an amount not less than $42,000 and
* The Mont Vernon Library Charitable Foundation in an amount not less than $2,100,000. $2,380,000 passed
* Town funds voted in this article may partially match NEH Challenge Grant (CHA-286624) funds included in this contribution.
* Any State, Federal, or any other aid that becomes available for the above stated purpose.
And to authorize the Select Board to take any other necessary action relative to the above stated purpose. The building will be owned by the Town of Mont Vernon and will house the public library, known now and in the future as the Daland Memorial Library. Recommendations required (3/5 ballot vote required)

The Selectmen are two for, one against this article.

There is no tax impact for 2023.

2024 tax impact = .72 per thousand.

2025-2053 tax impact ranges from .75-.28 per thousand each year.

Failed 285 yes 223 no

Amendment Moved by John second by Howard Brown

Cindy Raspiller Blood Rd

Library Presentation

Spencer Lovette Treasurer of MVLCF made an amendment to raise the amount that the MVLCF puts in to $2,380,000. Reducing the Cost to the town.

Jane King read a letter from David Sturm Trustee

Pete Tedder 70 Salisbury Rd spoke on wetland permits, Carlton Pond Park. Did the Library supply an itemized cost to the selectmen. Upset that the Conservation Committee couldn’t view ….

Asked about full-time staff. Cindy answered.

Concerned that 25 households are the only ones that use the library.

Christine Hamilton supports the library, heart of the community

Tim Allen 81 Salisbury rd. lifetime member of friends of the library 28-year resident grateful for the library and the staff. Started senior program had many people attend. Current build is non-conforming.

Cindy Raspiller 2 blood rd. in favor of the library. Building should welcome all residents of the town. New building is all one level. Does not want to fail another generation.

Pete Teder 8.3 inflation. Crippling impact come tax time.

Emily Pease 4 Southview dr. Current programs for kids and will they be expanded?

Joanne Kitchel 13 Main st Listed all the programs for kids currently.

Sheila Sturm 14 north Main st in favor. Address the comment that library will be dysfunctional in 20 years. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Libraries are changing to community centers research centers, books are still available but you can also get eBooks through the library

Spencer Tate Project Manager.

Derek Jamison is the RFP publicly available. Would like to see the response

Anne Dodd 36 Mason Rd they are available with her.

Chip Spaulding Planning board civil engineer unclear absence of planning. No formal application sent to planning board or fire department. 41 acres picked the most restrictive parcel.

Bruce Schmidt 3 Southview dr supports the library Kids grew up using the library.

Anne Dodd 36 Mason Rd 1986 Daland Trustee 2006

Anna Szok Old Milford Rd New Library teacher we were told that there would be no tax impact. Why do we need such a big library? Concerned that money won ‘t be enough.

Sheila Sturm 44 % is what the library is asking for. Need assessment shows that we need a building this big.

Eileen Nabor 14 beech hill rd move the question

Christine Hamilton Main Job is writing budgets. Understands that people are concerned that we are just throwing money at this project. Feels that this amount will cover the entire project.

Steve Bennett 76 Old Amherst Rd Planning board reviewing no requirement to file an application library did do a presentation to the board. Been here 30 years and the library is to small

Lorri Hayes 4 Cranes crossing Mont Vernon deserves a new library. We deserve great things!

Kim Roberge Salisbury Rd Need a new library but not one this big 29 years believe in being fiscally responsible.

Spencer Lovett 14 Dow Rd all about the numbers if you vote no you will be rejecting 1.8 million.

John Quinlan 4 bonds on warrant and we have the right to choose which bond we choose.

Kim Roberge yells from the back of the room $600,000 worth of interest. Told she was out of order.

David Sturm asked if the bonds discussion will be on the agenda the answer was yes

Jack Esposito wants a level bond.

Question Called

Article 05

New Library Sprinkler System Design & Installation

To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $150,000 for the addition of a fire sprinkler system to the new library building; for architectural and other service fees; and for any other items incidental thereto and necessary for said installation. Said appropriation to be raised by the issuance of not more than $150,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the Select Board to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon.
Recommendations required (3/5 ballot vote required).
The Selectmen support this article.

There is no tax impact for 2023.

2024 tax impact is .07.

2025-2033 tax impact ranges from .05-.07 per thousand.

David announced library results failed

Motion for reconsideration made by Eileen Nabor Second by Kim Roberge Hand count needed.

Yes 116 No 182 vote on Reconsideration failed.

Jerry Griffin Motion to table Article 5 second by John Quinlan

Passed by Hand Count

Article 06 Construction of Access Road

To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate

the sum of $700,000 (gross budget) for the construction

of an access road to the new cemetery and proposed

library, including parking lots for said library, and to

authorize the issuance of not more than $700,000

$653,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the

provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and

to authorize the Selectmen to issue and negotiate such

bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest

thereon.

Recommendations required (3/5 ballot vote required).
The Selectmen support this article.

There is no tax impact for 2023.

2024 tax impact = .19 per thousand.

2025-2043 tax impacts range from .17-.19 per thousand.

John Arrico Budget Committee

Tim Berry Old Milford Rd Penny wise pound foolish

Kim Roberge

Jay Wilson Fire Chief

Peter Ecklund how does it work?

Jay Wilson

Beech Hill Rd Jay answered

Jack Johnson Cemetery Rd

Peter King Kendall Hill rd. John Arico Budget 6 to 2

John Quinlan Selectman’s warrant for Library and Cemetery

Cindy Raspiller Presentation

Peter Tedder Conservation Commission Very Concerned about Carleton Pond would be salting on the rd. Afraid that we will treat the pond like the fire ponds.

Lou Springer Cemetery Trustee need the road constructed by 2027 so cemetery can be constructed by 2030

Spencer Meridian Land Services.

Sheila Sturm this road has passed all state requirements to be permitted. Now costs 300,000 more than last year.

Randy Wilson

Kim Roberge Selectmen never discussed the RFP’s for the road Why wasn’t an independent review done. Bid that was given.

John Quinlan

Chip Spaulding Misinformation out there Trying to inform the town.

Alison Miller Cemetery Trustee All For the road does not want a road on Westin hill rd.

David Hall What happens if the library passes and the road fails?

Sheila Sturm Call the question

Kim Roberge didn’t get the answer “Will the road fail.

John Quinlan number is different because the quote is not the same as last year. Asphalt has sky rocketed. After review we hired meridian and the state approved the road.

Kim Roberge interrupted the Spencer from Meridian

Spencer from Meridian

204 yes 149 no failed 57%

Article 07

New All-Wheel Drive Fire Truck

To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $895,000 $934,724 for the purchase of an all-wheel drive fire truck, and to authorize the issuance of not more than $600,000 $568,024 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the municipal officials to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; and to authorize the withdrawal of at least $295,000 from the Fire Truck Capital Reserve Fund created for that purpose. Recommendation of the Board of Fire Wards required (3/5 ballot vote required).
The Selectmen are two for, one against this article.

There is no tax impact for 2023.

2024 tax impact = .25 per thousand.

2025-2035 tax impacts range from .16-.24 per thousand.

Jay Wilson Fire Chief

John Arrico Budget Committee 6-1

Pete King

Jay Wilson

167 yes 157 no failed

Sheila moved to restrict reconsideration.

Article 8 Add to Fire Truck Capital Reserve

To see if the Town will vote to raise and

appropriate the sum of $75,000 $99,000

to be added to the Fire Truck Capital Reserve

Fund previously established for this purpose.

(Majority vote required.)
The Selectmen are two for, one against this article.

Tax impact: .23 per thousand.

Jay made an amendment to up $24,000 Amendment Passed Lorri Hayes asked about the tax impact it would be .30 per thousand Passed by Hand Count
	Article 09	Add to Capital Reserve for Radio Upgrades
		To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $25,000 to be added to the Town Wide Radio Upgrade Capital Reserve Fund previously established for the purpose of upgrading the 1st Responder radios. Further, to name the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend from said fund. Recommendations required from the Fire Chief and Police Chief (Majority vote required.) The Selectmen support this article. Tax impact = .08 per thousand.

Passed by hand count

Article 10

Highway Block Grant

To see if the Town of Mont Vernon will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $94,050 for the purpose of reconstruction of Town roads. To be offset by anticipated Highway Block Grant funds. This special article will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 VI and will not lapse until the purpose is completed or by December 31, 2026, whichever is sooner. (Majority vote required).
The Selectmen support this article.

There is no tax impact for this article.

Passed by Hand Count



	Article 11		2023 SCBA Equipment
			To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 for the purpose of purchasing SCBA equipment (air bottles, brackets, clips, masks). (Majority vote required) The Selectmen support this article. Tax impact = .06 per thousand.

Passed by Hand Count

Article 12

Establish a Capital Reserve Fund for Town Hall Rehabilitation

To see if the town will vote to establish a Town Hall Rehabilitation Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for the use of repairs, rehabilitation and renovation of the Town Hall and to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 to be placed in this fund. Further, to name the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend from said fund, recommendations required from the Heritage Commission.
(Majority Vote Required)
The Selectmen support this article.

Tax impact = .15 per thousand.

John and Jack

Passed by hand count

Article 13

Readoption of the Optional Veterans Credit

Shall the Town of Mont Vernon readopt the OPTIONAL VETERANS TAX CREDIT in accordance with RSA 72:28, II, for an annual tax credit on residential property of $500? (Majority vote required)
The Selectmen support this article.

There is no tax impact for this article.

John and Jack

John Quinlan explains

Passed by hand count

Article 14

Operating Budget

To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,508,371 $3,538,043 for general municipal operations. This article does not include appropriations contained in special or individual articles addressed separately. (Majority vote required)
The Budget Committee supports this article.
The Selectmen support this article.

Tax impact = 1.02 per thousand.

+$1000 Line 422074

+$18,672 Line 431230

+$10,000 Line 431277

Amendment passed

Passed by hand count

Article 15	Act Upon Reports
	To act upon the reports of all Town Officers, Agents, Auditors, Committees, Commissions, etc. and raise and appropriate any money relative thereto.

Jack and John

Passed by Hand Count

Article 16

Other

To transact any other business which may legally come before said meeting.

Passed by Hand Count

David Closed the meeting at 11:30pm

Respectfully Submitted by

Belinda Yeaton

Mont Vernon Town Clerk

Attachment	Size
town_meeting_2023draft.pdf	249.98 KB

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