Results of the 2003 Lisbon Town Meeting
ARTICLE 1: To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
ELECTED:
Selectman ……………………………..Regan Pride
Treasurer …………..………… Barbara Menchin
Library Trustee ………………... Paula Hapgood
Tax Collector …………………...Charlotte Derosia
Town Clerk ……………………..Charlotte Derosia
Moderator ……………………..…. Barry Liveston
ARTICLE 2: To hear reports of agents, and special committees heretofore chosen and pass any vote related thereto. Motion by Regan Pride, second by Jerry Hite to approve the reports as printed in the town report. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 3: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Million Three Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand and Four hundred and Seventy–nine Dollars ($1,368,479.00) which represents the operating budget of the Town as prepared by the Board of Selectmen, and posted with this warrant as required by RSA 31:95. Said sum does not include individual or special articles addressed. (Majority vote required)
The Board of Selectmen recommends this article.
Executive $ 109,810.00
Election, Reg. & Vital Stat. $ 1,050.00
Financial Administration $ 37,600.00
Revaluation of Property $ 7,500.00
Legal Expense $ 8,500.00
Personnel Administration $ 37,900.00
Planning & Zoning $ 500.00
General Gov't Buildings $ 34,300.00
Cemeteries $ 16,000.00
Property/Liability Insurance $ 28,434.00
Advertising & Reg'l Assoc. $ 2,254.00
Refunds
Police $ 238,864.00
Ambulance $ 8,495.00
Fire $ 60,000.00
Life Squad $ 10,075.00
Building Inspection $ 4,600.00
Emergency Management $ 200.00
Other Public Safety $ 27,278.00
(including communications)
Hwys and Streets $ 274,432.00
Hwy Labor Credits
Street Lighting $ 14,000.00
Hwy Block Grant $ 76,243.00
Solid Waste Disposal $ 161,500.00
Health Agencies, Hospitals $ Services:
Health Officer 500
North Country Home Health 4469
White Mtn Mental Health 2583
Hospice of Littleton Area 1066
Red Cross 700
Grafton County Seniors 2775
orth Country YMCA 250
Community Action Program 5750 TOTALS $ 18,093.00
Welfare: Direct Assistance $ 7,250.00
Parks & Recreation $ 21,800.00
Library $ 48,747.00
Patriotic Purposes $ 1,200.00
Other Cultural & Rec. $ 1,000.00
Economic Development $ 3,500.00
Principal-Long Term Notes & Bonds $ 80,566.00
Interest-Long Term Notes & Bonds $ 20,788.00
Interest on TAN $ 6,000.00
TOTALS $1,368,479.00
Regan Pride moved and Wallie Berry second to approve the article as proposed. Regan Pride spoke on the budget preparation process. The Board, Town Administrator and department heads worked hard on preparing a lower budget than last year due to the current economic hard times. Increases in health insurance and fuel were absorbed into the lower budget. Some cutbacks in staff are required to meet the lower budget. The moderator read each budget line item and offered the voters the opportunity to question any line they wished. Regan Pride noted a new method of budgeting health insurance into the individual departments was adopted this year. Frank Clark questioned the amount the officers and call fire department members received. Kevin Clement made a motion to amend the highway budget up by $28,000, ($20,000 for
salary and $8,000 for benefits), to allow for hiring a replacement employee for the highway department. The increase would bring the highway line to $302,432, the motion was seconded. Kevin Clement explained operating the department with only four members was creating a burden on the personal lives of the department members because it required more overtime. Selectmen Hite, Pride and Berry all voiced opposition to the amendment noting departments were asked to tighten their belts to meet the zero budget increase goal and with proper management, the department could still function effectively with four members. After other comments in support of the amendment by voters, moderator Liveston recommended voting on the amendment. Moderator Liveston also noted that this amendment can only be advisory to the selectmen and the dollar increase will be applied to the bottom line budget total. The new total budget with the amendment for approval is $1,396,479. Vote results: affirmative. Few
additional questions were asked on the remaining line items of the budget. A vote was called for to approve Article 3 as amended. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 4: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-seven Dollars ($125,227.00) for the operation and maintenance of the Water Department, funds to be raised by users. (This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #3, the operating budget article.) The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Regan Pride moved and Wallie Berry second to approve the article as written. Regan Pride explained this was pass through item and the users fees pay for the operation costs. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 5: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred and Eighty-two Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty-six Dollars ($182,266.00) for the operation and maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Operation, funds to be raised by users. (This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #3, the operating budget article.) The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Regan Pride moved and Wallie Berry second to approve the article as written. Regan Pride this article was the same as article 4. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to support Lisbon Main Street, Inc. (This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #3, the operating budget article.) The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Regan Pride moved and Jerry Hite second to approve the article as written. Jerry Hite spoke on the merits of the program. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 7: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-four Thousand Dollars ($24,000) for the purchase of a new sedan police cruiser and to further authorize the Selectmen to withdraw the full amount, Ten Thousand Dollars plus all earned interest, in the Capital Reserve Fund established for this purpose in 2002. (This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #3, the operating budget article.) The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Regan Pride moved and Wallie Berry second to approve the article as written. Regan Pride explained this purchase is in keeping with our capital replacement plan for the police department vehicles. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 8: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty-five Thousand Dollars ($35,000) for the purchase of a new pick-up truck, plow and accessories for the Town highway department and to authorize the issuance of not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) 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 further authorize the Selectmen to withdraw the full amount, Ten Thousand Dollars in the Capital Reserve Fund established for this purpose in 2002. (This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #3, the operating budget article.) The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Regan
Pride moved and Jerry Hite second to approve the article as written. Moderator Liveston noted that this article required a ballot vote and 2/3 majority to pass because it requires borrowing money. Regan Pride explained that the present vehicle needs to be replaced and this purchase is in keeping with our capital vehicle replacement program for the highway department. Ballot vote results 76 yes, 14 no, vote declared in the affirmative.
ARTICLE 9: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000) for the purchase of property located at # 50 North Main Street, the former Parts Town store property, to be used for the future site of the new fire station and further to authorize the Selectmen to withdraw up to the full amount, Forty-five Thousand Dollars ($45,000) plus all earned interest, in the Capital Reserve Fund established for this purpose in 2000. (This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #3, the operating budget article.) The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Regan Pride moved and Wallie Berry second to approve the article as written. Regan Pride made the following motion to amend the article: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of
Fifty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000) for the purchase of property located at # 50 North Main Street, the former Parts Town store property, to be used for the future site of the new fire station and further to authorize the Selectmen to withdraw up to the full amount, Forty-five Thousand Dollars ($45,000) plus all earned interest, in the Capital Reserve Fund established for this purpose in 2000 and to further authorize the Selectmen to negotiate and execute the exchange of this property for the parcel of land to the west of 50 N. Main Street owned by Lisbon Chevrolet known as parcel U5-31 on which the town will construct a new fire station. If however the Selectmen are unable to negotiate the exchange of 50 N Main Street for U5-31 or deem such exchange not in the best interest of the town, the town authorizes the Selectmen to purchase 50 N Main Street for the purpose of constructing a fire station thereon. (This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #3, the operating
budget article.) The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Jerry Hite moved and Wallie Berry second the motion to amend the article. Regan Pride explained the Board of Selectmen see this purchase as an opportunity to secure a site for the future construction of a new fire station that has been in the planning for the last few years. Just recently an opportunity to swap the property with the owners of Lisbon Chevrolet came about and it could workout to benefit both parties. Frank Clark moved to pass over the question and the moderator ruled him out of order as only the amendment was being considered at this time. Several questions were asked about the proper location and size of the site and if there are any plans for the new building. Walter Johnson explained if approved the town would have some time to review the site to be sure it would meet the requirements of the department, if not the purchase could be canceled. A vote was called on the amendment. Vote results on the
amendment: affirmative. Frank Clark moved to pass over the question again, Michael Carver second the motion. The motion is not debatable and requires 2/3 to pass, the matter could be reconsidered later in the meeting if passed over. Standing vote on the motion to pass over. Vote results: 55 no 16 yes, motion to pass over defeated. Discussion on the article continued. Motion and second made to call the question. So voted. Vote results on amended article 9, affirmative.
ARTICLE 10: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000) for the reconstruction and paving of Town roads in the area of Barrett Street, Bergin Terrace and Riverside Avenue. This sum to be taken from fund balance, no amount to be raised from taxation. (Majority vote required). (This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #3, the operating budget article.) The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Regan Pride moved and Wallie Berry second to approve the article as written. Regan Pride explained this money would be used in conjunction with the water improvement project on these streets to repair drainage and do additional paving. This money would normally go into the numerous capital reserve funds we have but is being used for this special
project. Next year funding of the capital reserve funds will resume. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 11: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand Dollars ($4000) for the update of the Lisbon Master Plan by the Lisbon Planning Board. (This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #3, the operating budget article.) The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Regan Pride moved and Jerry Hite second to approve the article as written. Walter Johnson explained the need to update our town master plan every ten years and the last was completed in 1992. The Planning Board has scheduled the update over three years with a total cost of approximately $15,000. The Planning Board will contribute $1000 this year towards the cost from their operating account. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 12: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eighteen Thousand Dollars ($18,000) for structural repairs to the town public works garage. (Majority vote required). (This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #3, the operating budget article.) The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Regan Pride moved and Jerry Hite second to approve the article as written. Regan Pride explained these repairs are the result of a structural engineer’s study of the building and the need to widen the bay doors to accommodate our larger trucks. Kevin Clement added additional information to the subject concerning the need for the repairs sooner than later. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 13: To See if the Town will vote to deposit 10% of the revenues collected pursuant to RSA 79-A (the land use change tax) in the conservation fund with RSA 36-A: 5 III as authorized by RSA 79-A: 25II. The Board of Selectmen recommends this article. Regan Pride moved and Wallie Berry second to approve the article as written. Walter Johnson explained this article would allow the conservation commission to have some financial resources for things like training, special studies and the purchase of additional conservation land some day. The amount of money put in the fund each year will vary according the amount of the penalties collected from current use change. Some years it may be only a few hundred dollars. The commission would be able to spend the money with out additional approvals. Vote results:
affirmative.
ARTICLE 14: To see if the town will vote to send the following resolution to the New Hampshire General Court: Resolved, in its first two years of operation the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) has helped communities throughout New Hampshire preserve their natural, cultural and historic resources and, therefore, the State of New Hampshire should maintain funding for LCHIP in its next biennial budget. Regan Pride moved and Jerry Hite second to approve the article as written. Regan Pride explained the merits of the LCHIP program and how it could benefit Lisbon in the future with some projects. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 15: To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town road the remaining private portion of Berkshire Road in the Whipple Brook sub-division. Said portion of road being approximately 2000 feet long beginning at lot 26 (R33) and ending at lot 20 (R33). This article is by petition. Joe Shea moved and Kevin Clement second to approve the article as written. Joe Shea, petitioner, stated he had just build a new home on this section of road and will be paying a fair amount of property taxes that would offset the cost of maintaining the road. Mr. Shea called on Kevin Clement to give an assessment of the road condition. Kevin Clement noted some work to a portion of the road would be recommended before he would advise the voters to pass the article, however the Shea property could be accessed from a different
direction and no work would be required. Mr. Shea offered an amendment to the article as follows: “ to see if the town will accept as a town road the portion of Berkshire Road from Lot 26 (R33) and ending at the end of Lot 24 (R33) approximately 900’ of road”. A motion was made and seconded to approve the amendment as proposed. No further discussion. Vote results on the amendment: affirmative. No further discussion on the article as amended. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 16: Whereas, New Hampshire residents pay the 12th highest cost on insurance in the country; and
Whereas, the cost of health insurance premiums for families has increased by 45% over the past three years; and
Whereas, 100,000 New Hampshire residents have no health coverage and 77% of them have a full-time worker at home; and
Whereas, due to these rising costs almost half of New Hampshire’s small business cannot afford health coverage for their employees, therefore be it resolved that we, the citizens of Lisbon, New Hampshire, call on our elected officials from all levels of government, and those seeking office, to work with consumers, businesses, and health care providers to ensure that:
- Everyone, including the self-employed, unemployed, un-and underinsured, and small business owners has access to an affordable basic health plan similar to what federal employees receive;
- Everyone, including employers, consumers, and the state, local and federal government makes a responsible and fair contribution to finance the health care system;
- Everyone receives high quality care that is cost efficient and medically effective; and
- That these efforts help control the skyrocketing cost of health care.
This resolution is non-binding and represents no fiscal impact. This article by petition. Regan Pride moved and Wallie Berry second to approve the article as written. Regan Pride spoke briefly on the subject expressing a general concern on the cost of health care as employers and employees. Ron Lippard representing the petitioners spoke in favor of the article. Vote results: affirmative.
ARTICLE 17: To transact any other business that may legally come before this meeting.
Walter Johnson, in place of the project architect, gave a brief overview of the results of a study conducted on the library building to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disability Act. Johnson explained the architect proposes an addition to the rear of the building that would be two levels, one going down from ground level and one going up. The plan would include upgrading bathrooms and access to all locations in the building as well as adding reading, display and storage space. The lower level of the facility would include a meeting room that could be used by local organizations and committees and boards for monthly meetings, etc. A presentation by the architect with the proposed floor plans and renderings will be scheduled soon for the public to view and comment. Phyllis Armstrong
asked the Board about the tax impact of the events of the meeting. Walter Johnson explained, based on projected revenues coming in as planned and the Selectmen using at least $100,000 from fund balance to reduce taxes the rate would have gone down by approximately $ .20. With the increase of $28,000 to the budget this will cost approximately $ .34 so the rate may increase by $ .14.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. Vote results: affirmative at 9:40 pm.
| 
