July 2008 Archives
What are Moultonboro Selectmen doing to reduce fuel consumption?
Note from the MCA: We applaud this effort and the expenditure cap put forward by the Meredith Selectmen. By themselves, they are small steps, but combined with many other small steps considerable savings can be obtained. Meredith and many other towns are being proactive and taking steps in response to a serious problem. Moultonboro seems to be in denial as no actionable plan has yet been put forward by the selectmen. What are they waiting for?
MCA
July 29th, 2008
BY MICHAEL KITCH
THE
MEREDITH — In an effort to reduce fuel consumption by the town fl eet the Board of Selectmen have trimmed the number of municipal vehicles that personnel drive from home to work and back from seven to four. However, Town Manager Carol Granfi eld said yesterday that “while we intend to track the affect on the cost of fuel, we do not project to realize substantial savings from the change.” The decision followed a discussion of ways to pare fuel costs at a selectmens’ workshop earlier this month. Selectmen Colette Worsman, who raised the issue when the 2008 budget was prepared last year, pointed out that taxpayers bore the cost of the maintenance and depreciation of municipal vehicles and should be spared unnecessary fuel costs. The police chief and his lieutenant and the fire chief will continue to drive municipal vehicles between work and home while a fourth vehicle assigned to the Department of Public Works will be used by the director or his assistant, whoever is on duty. All four are considered emergency vehicles, fitted with communications gear and carrying other equipment required to enable officials to respond to an incident. Two other vehicles assigned to the Department of Public Works and a third driven by the Code Enforcement Officer will no longer be driven to and from work. Brenda Vittner, director of administrative services, said that the use of municipal vehicles for commuting to and from work is governed by regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. Other than qualified emergency vehicles, municipal vehicles are treated as a taxable benefi t with a value of $3 per day or $21 per week to the driver. Likewise, municipal employees using their personal vehicles for approved town business are reimbursed at the prevailing rate of 58.5 cents a mile set by the IRS. Both Peter Brothers, who chairs the board, and Bob Flanders questioned whether the savings would outweigh the costs incurred by employees driving to collect a vehicle in order to respond to an emergency. In particular, he suggested that during the winter the Department of Public Works should have a vehicle equipped with a plow and carrying sand ready to be deployed whenever and wherever it was needed.
July 29th, 2008
BY MICHAEL KITCH
MEREDITH — The Board of Selectmen threw a tight rope around the 2009 town budget after a lengthy debate at a workshop yesterday, asking Town Manager Carol Granfield to limit any increase in expenditures to 2-percent and incorporate job performance in any cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The guidelines represented something of a victory for Selectmen Colette Worsman and Miller Lovett, whose past efforts at paring budget increases have failed to win support from their colleagues. Yesterday, however, Chairman Peter Brothers found himself in the minority when both Bob Flanders and Chuck Palm met Worsman and Lovett halfway. The board set its ambitious objectives despite a memorandum from Brenda Vittner, director of administrative services, indicating that projected increases in the cost of utilities, fuel and salt as well as wages and benefits would boost spending by at least $339,500, .......
Note from the MCA: The MCA will continue its practice of thoroughly reviewing the "draft" selectmen minutes and highlight areas that require clarification or correction. We anticipate that the video of the meeting will be available on the MCA web in the next few days.
In the interim, please note the following clarifications/corrections from the MCA members present:
1. Re: The MPD proposed firing range-" Chief Scott Kinmond commented that he has received a few phone calls regarding inaccuracies being circulated about the proposed firing range. He clarified that it is for the MPD use only." If the selectmen had offered accurate minutes and allowed the video to be broadcast on TWC public access, this would not be the case. The MCA highlighted these errors after the July 10th minutes were posted, and wrote to the selectmen to correct the minutes. The selectmen chose to ignore this and thus the public remained misinformed.
2."The Selectmen agreed by consensus to conduct the test and come back and then make their decision. Chief Kinmond will let the Selectmen know when this can be conducted." The actual decision was that a plan for a test would be offered at the next selectmen's meeting for approval.
6 HOLLAND STREET
PO BOX 139
MOULTONBOROUGH, NH 03254
Selectmen’s Meeting July 24, 2008
DRAFT
MINUTES
Present: Selectmen: Karel A. Crawford, Edward J. Charest, James F. Gray, Joel R. Mudgett, Betsey L. Patten; Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator; Hope K. Kokas, Secretary.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Karel called the meeting to Order at 7:00 P.M.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES: Joel Made the Motion to approve the Minutes of July 10, 2008 as written. Ed Seconded. The Motion carried unanimously.
IV. NEW RESIDENTS: Michelle L. Latuch, Douglas A. Dubois, Alice C. Richmond, Alyssa L. Guillbeault, Pamela J. Urda, Philip J. St. Onge, Jeffrey P. & Patricia W. Innis, Marybeth Partipilo, Henry & Josephine Hoppe, Henry G. Hoppe, R. Lacey & John P. Colligan.
V. PUBLIC MEETING:
1. John Anderson asked the Selectmen if they could look into the possibility of offering health insurance to residents under the Town’s group plan, with the resident paying total cost. Karel replied that she was not sure this was legal, but they will look into it. Mr. Anderson also asked the Selectmen to consider budgeting $50,000 for milfoil treatment, as many waterfront properties are being negatively impacted and will result in reduced market values.
2. Chip Albee, Candidate for Carroll County Commissioner: Mr. Albee introduced himself to the Selectmen and stated that his family, the Severances have been in Moultonborough from before the American Revolution. He recognized that Moultonborough pays 21% of the Carroll County budget. He expressed concern about how money is being spent in the county and that the lack of public input is also a problem. Mr. Albee feels that the County needs to consider the cost to heat the old nursing home building vs. constructing a new energy efficient one. He commented that the County has responded to today’s storm emergency as it should and it also needs to address public transportation. Karel thanked him for coming.
3. Non-Public Session, Personnel Matters:
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Public Hearing Continuation/Deliberations Re: Proposed Shooting Range for MPD at Holland Street Transfer Station: Karel opened the Public Hearing. Al Hume presented a citizens’ petition.....
Click below the full presentation in PDF:
nh_2018_norton_presentation.pdf
The NH Center for Public Policy Studies compiled this collection of graphs and tables for the use of Leadership New Hampshire, a program intended to introduce rising leaders to the people, strengths, and challenges of the
This paper, like all of the Center’s published work, is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Indeed, the Center welcomes individuals’ and groups’ efforts to expand the paper’s circulation. Copies are also available at no charge on the Center’s web site: www.nhpolicy.org. Many of the pages that follow are excerpts from other Center reports, all of which are available at the same site. Contact the Center at info@nhpolicy.org; or call 603-226-2500.
Write to: NHCPPS,
New Hampshire Center for Public Policy
Estimated Percent Change in Population 2000-2030 by
In the last two decades
By JOHN DISTASO
Senior Political Reporter
Umion Leader Thursday, Jul. 17, 2008
The state received a total of $25 million in LIHEAP funding last winter, and, “Essentially New Hampshire funding would double under this bill. Instead of receiving the $25 million, it would receive more than $50 million,” said Gregg spokesman Laena Fallon. Gregg said his bill doubles funding for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program “in a fiscally responsible manner.” It would offset the $2.5 billion overall cost by repealing a provision that allows major oil companies to take deductions for “domestic production activities.” The tax break was enacted in 2004. Oil company executives told Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., during a Senate commerce committee hearing in November 2005 that once oil tops $55 a barrel, they do not need federal incentives for oil and gas exploration. Gregg said, “Low-income individuals families and seniors should not be forced to choose between keeping their homes warm this winter and other basic necessities such as food and medicine. It is high time for Congress to take action to ensure that these critical funds are available for states to distribute when they are needed.” But Gregg also said the increase "must be done in a fiscally responsible manner." Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., an original co-sponsor of the Gregg bill, also said that “it is critical for Congress to address this issue now.”
Both senators co-sponsored a bill by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to provide the same amount of additional funding but without the repeal of the oil industry tax break to pay for it. Fallon said Sanders’ bill would add to the federal deficit. A spokesman for Gov. John Lynch said all
"In
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By WILLIAM L. CHAPMAN
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July 19, 2008 - 12:00 am |
Earlier this week, the Concord Monitor carried an article by the Associated Press reporting on a 50-state survey it had conducted on the retention of government e-mail. The survey found that "most of the states with e-mail laws allow officials to choose which ones to turn over in Freedom of Information requests and to decide on their own when e-mail records are deleted."
Public officials in
The Meredith News July 24th, 2008
To the Editor:
The 2009 Summer Informational Meeting that the town of
The Meredith News Jul4 24th, 2008
SARAH SCHMIDT
MEREDITH — A crowd of new and long-time Meredith residents yielded nearly 50 suggestions for improving the town, ideas ranging from the installation of a wind turbine near the Water Department to installing a Web camera for residents to observe traffic situations. The program repeated the style of one done back in 2004, which yielded 36 resident generated ideas to improve infrastructure, efficiency, and to try and enhance the town. Lots of suggestions in this session centered around improving traffic or pathways for pedestrians and bikers, while others asked for restroom facilities to be open for longer hours, and in different places. Meredith resident Jack Armstrong asked about the possibility of putting a bicycle path on
Deborah Gage, Chronicle Staff Writer dgage@sfchronicle.com.
Monday, July 7, 2008
(07-06) 17:35 PDT -- A Colorado woman logged on to her computer in April, voted on a CNN poll, shopped for airline tickets and calculated payments for a $25,000 car loan from Wells Fargo.
She didn't suspect that a malicious software program was recording every keystroke - frequent-flier numbers and passwords, her home address and phone number, an online conversation she was having with some friends.
But it was, and months after authorities were alerted to the breach and disabled the server in
The woman, who asked not to be named, was shocked.....
Information from: The Burlington Free Press http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com
BRIDPORT,
The Lake Champlain Restoration Association is planning to haul tons of the unwanted lake vegetation inland to a farm that uses methane from manure to make electricity.
The group uses a harvester to clear the weeds and give boaters access to deeper water.
Last week the Central Vermont Public Service Corp. awarded $10,000 to the association to haul greens generator at the Blue Spruce Farm in Bridport and monitor its viability as a power source.
Experts will study if the costs of transportation and other factors are met by the amount of power generated by burning the vegetation.
By TIM GRANT
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Sunday, Jul. 20, 2008
These are tough economic times for people of all ages, but few are affected more than senior citizens living on pensions and Social Security, and juggling medical bills, credit card payments and mortgages along with soaring food and gas costs.
Americans age 55 or older experienced the sharpest rise in bankruptcy filings during the 16-year period between 1991 and 2007, according to a report released by AARP, "Generations of Struggle." The rate of personal bankruptcy filings among those ages 65 or older grew by 125 percent, while the bankruptcy rate of seniors ages 75 to 84 jumped a stunning 433.3 percent.
"It's frightening. It's a horror story in the making. It will not get better. It will continue to get worse," said Thomas Mackell, chairman of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of
Gilford police introducing measures
to cut back on fuel consumption
BY MICHAEL KITCH
The Laconia Daily Sun July 24th, 2008
GILFORD — With the high cost of gasoline, local police departments are stepping up their efforts to conserve fuel in order to keep cost as close to budgets, which did not anticipate the sharp spike in prices during 2008, as possible. Yesterday Captain Kevin Keenan of the Gilford Police Department issued a special order to all officers prescribing a series of measures designed to reduce fuel consumption by the police fleet. “It is difficult for law enforcement to make drastic cuts without compromising the level of service,” he said, “but we want to be as proactive as we can be. We have a lot of area to cover,” he continued, estimating that each front-line cruiser on patrol burns between 18 and 20 gallons of gas every 24 hours. Dustin Muzzey of the Department of Public Works said that by July 18, the town had spent $86,933, or 62- percent, of its overall annual fuel budget of $140,000, a significant share of which is allocated to the police. Except in special circumstances, two cruisers will be on the road......
Note from the MCA: At the selectmen's meeting on July 10th, 2008 a presentation was made by the Moultonboro Police Department regarding a qualifying firing range at the transfer station. It generated a lot of debate. Despite this, the selectmen posted minutes that were incomplete and did not cover vital aspects of that debate. The MCA wrote to the selectmen to correct the minutes. They declined to do this and approved the minutes as written. We reviewed the video and provided to the selectmen the following:
1. MPD firing range- Cpl. Canfield clearly states that the range would only be used by MPD and no other departments. This is not in the minutes. This is a critical point for resdents to consider before the public hearing continues.
2. MPD firing range- Cpl. Canfield explained that they will try and use the facility on Wednesdays mostly and Chief Kinmond mentioned that this may not always be possible due to trying to avoid overtime. This is not mentioned in the minutes and again is an important point for the public to be aware of before a decision is made.
As per Chief Kinmond at part 2 of the public hearing on this issue on July 24th a lot of misinformation was out there. This could have been avoided by the selectmen by firstly providing accurate, substantive and complete minutes and secondly, by allowing broadcast of the video of the meeting on public access TV.
MCA
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The Citizen Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The practice of allowing certain town officials to take town-owned vehicles home is being examined by the selectmen, with some board members seeing it as a potential source of cost savings. Personnel in various Meredith departments use take-home vehicles to go directly to a scene instead of picking up the vehicle in a separate location. The selectmen examined costs of the use of these vehicles during Monday's workshop.
Town administrative regulations state that the positions with take-home vehicles are the Fire and Police Chiefs, police lieutenant, code enforcement officer, public works director and assistant public works director, and the public works operations manager.
Administrative Services Director Brenda Vittner said the town has been carefully following Internal Revenue Service regulations regarding taxing take-home vehicles. The vehicles operated by the Police and Fire departments are tax exempt because they are emergency vehicles. The vehicles used by the director and assistant director of the Public Works department are also considered emergency equipped vehicles as they are equipped with items such as hydraulic lifts and other forms of heavy equipment that can be used in an emergency. The drivers non-exempt vehicles are charged $3 a day……
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By GAIL OBER |
The Citizen Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Belmont General Assistance Director Director Donna Cilley looked around at her peers and put it all on the table. It's not even August and her community has already overspent its heating assistance budget allocation by $6,400. "We're seeing more seniors, more in the middle class," she said. "It's pretty scary. Individuals that would never, ever speak out are coming to us for help." Cilley and her community are not alone. As the cost of heating oil tops the $5-per-gallon mark and many Lakes Region residents wonder how they'll heat their homes this winter, state Sen. Kathy Sgambati brought Cilley and other state and local officials together Monday at the Lakes Region Community College in Laconia."It's the larger community that needs to come together and help each other," said Sgambati who said her office has been reaching out to first responders, shelters, preparedness workers, and other agencies to assess their needs and see if there are adequate resources. While there are a variety of heating assistance programs available to
These programs are jointly administered and funded by the electric and utility companies and are administered by Community Action Programs or individually with CAP assistance and provided $36.7 million in assistance to
Union Leader Sunday July 20th, 2008
By BENJAMIN KEPPLE
New Hampshire Union Leader Staff
Sunday, Jul. 20, 2008
Most middle-class families in New Hampshire will outlive the money they've saved for retirement unless they reduce their standards of living, an insurance group has warned. In a report which accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP conducted for Americans for Secure Retirement, analysts predicted 65 percent of state residents retiring now would outlive their assets, while the same could be said for 76 percent of those now within seven years of retirement. The higher percentage for those soon to retire is due to several factors, including wage inflation, market volatility, and savings rates. "We found that middle-income Americans are not prepared for retirement," ASR chairman Joe Reali said. "Six in ten are at a substantial risk of outliving their assets in retirement if they try to maintain the same standard of living."
►Bankruptcy filings are on the rise for seniors
►Click here to visit the Americans for Secure Retirement Web site.
►Fore more on the ASR study, click here (.pdf.format).
Those with a traditional pension, however, will fare far better than those without such a defined benefits plan, the report said, and real estate assets were not factored in.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Proposed by residents Eliza Conde and Cathy Thibeault in reaction to soaring energy prices, the committee is empowered to review all invoices that pertain to the town's energy consumption and are authorized to contact energy providers and other organizations as needed while doing their research.
The official start date is Aug. 1, 2008 and the committee will remain in existence until Aug 1, 2010 unless extended by a vote of the selectmen
Click for Moultonboro School Board July 2008 Meeting Minutes
Note from the MCA: Questions were raised at this meeting regarding attachments and minutes mentioned in the minutes being made available online so readers could follow the full context of the meeting.
An excerpt of the discussion follows. The MCA questions why advance publication of important items such as the monthly budget report would not be available online so the public could review them and be better prepared to ask questions. It is not acceptable in a "transparent " school district to not publish this data for fear of the public asking too many questions or playing " electronic ping-pong". For the benefit of our citizens a copy of the monthly budget report will be posted on this site in the next few days.
Jim Leiterman read an e-mail he sent to the School Board dated July 6th, requesting additional information be added to the District website, and asked for a response from the Board. (A hardcopy of Mr. Leiterman's e-mail is available in the SAU office). Mr. Blackadar explained that minutes from all Board subcommittees and Board appointed committees are in the process of being posted. Minutes will be an overview of each meeting, not a verbatim transcript. Mrs. Whitley added that the eighteen page monthly financial report would not be posted on the website. When Mr. Leiterman asked why it would not be posted, Mrs. Whitley replied that she did not want to see staff involved in answering questions via 'electronic ping-pong', and would rather have hard copies of the reports available at each meeting where questions could be answered by the Board. Al Hume asked Mrs. Garry if the Advisory Budget Committee had met yet, and she replied that they had not. Mr. Leiterman expressed his disappointment that a discussion of the pros and cons of a proposed electronic Board agenda was not contained in the May minutes. Mr. Blackadar explained that the electronic agenda was being proposed as an alternative to the amount of paper generated for each Board member's packet. The Board will continue their practice of making hardcopies of agenda packets available to the public at each meeting.
Click for June 2008 Moultonboro School District Meeting Minutes
Note from the MCA: There are key areas of information not present in the minutes that should be clarified so the public could better understand the discussions:
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Michael Lancor reviewed with Board members recommendations from members of the Wellness Advisory Committee for the School Boardʼs consideration and action . … Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to accept the recommendations of the Wellness Advisory Committee as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Laurie Whitley commented on what a wonderful job the committee did in putting these recommendations together. What were the "wonderful" recommendations? Not in the minutes.
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High School Competencies and Assessments*: Board members reviewed a revised proposal for implementation in the upcoming 2008-2009 school year. Mr. Coppinger presented the proposal and members of the Parent Advisory Council were also present to support the proposal. Laurie Whitley moved, and Fox Smith seconded a motion, to accept the revised proposal as presented for implementation in the 2008-2009 school year.The motion carried unanimously.-Again, what is the proposal? Not in the minutes.
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Imaginations Request: Board members reviewed an email to Mr. Lancor from Ms. Elizabeth Morin, Director of Imaginations, as well as a copy of Board Policy KF-R. Mr. Lancor communicated with Ms. Morin, Mr. Laliberte and Mrs. Peranelli before the Board meeting in an effort to determine if the District could meet this request at MCS, and if so, a reasonable charge for use of a classroom. After some discussion with Principal Laliberte regarding summer scheduling and logistics at MCS, Mark Borrin moved, and Fox Smith seconded a motion, to approve Imaginationsʼ request for use of MCS pending Scott Laliberteʼs resolution of summer scheduling issues. The motion carried unanimously.-What was the request? We'll never know as it is not in the minutes.
In addition. various reports and minutes mentioned in the minutes are not available online.
MCA
Notes from
(Video will be available on this website in the near future)
July 19th, 2008
Attendees
Audience: 43 (Including one reporter and photographer)
Town Officials on Stage: 12 (Included all 5 selectmen and only 1 school board member)
It should be noted that this was advertised as an informational meeting. It was unfortunately moderated as if it were a voting town meeting and as an audience member it felt as though time was going to be very limited (“we will have a short period at the end for questions”). In fact, select board chair Karel Crawford left before the last questions were even asked.
We do not think this format is very conducive to citizen participation.
Instead of a moderator, a facilitator would have been far more appropriate. Without being overly critical of Mr. Borrin, his style of moderating does not allow the audience to feel comfortable and he certainly did not encourage a two way informative conversation. He even prefaced a question from an audience member from the MCA. He inserted himself in the conversation which is not appropriate in this informal setting. We hope that Moultonboro will learn from other communities such as Meredith and their recent brainstorming session which was very open and successful.
Lastly, if this was truly an important and value added meeting as advertised by the selectmen, we would have hoped that our elected officials had stayed the course and not left early and that more members of the school board were present. The impression of some attendees was that the elected officials did not really want to be there and with some exceptions, ( the very informative messages from Betsy Patten, Chief Kinmond, Chief Bengston, Library and the seniors group ) not much was really said by either board. The Master Plan presentation was thorough, but did not receive any follow up or input from the officials in attendance. A real Q&A with audience participation during the presentation would have helped the public learn more about this important project.
How to make the process better? Make people feel comfortable. This is an informal meeting, make it feel that way. Facilitate the discussions by asking for follow up and encouraging participation from both sides. Most of all, don’t rush through it as if it were a burden to be there.
MCA
Meeting Highlights
- Only 4 non voting attendees
- Ed Charest updated the process for the new Advisory Budget committee. Stated he is looking forward to it.....
The Citizen Tuesday, July 15, 2008
MOULTONBOROUGH — The town will hold a summer informational meeting with town officials and residents discussing various topics. The Summer Informational Meeting will take place on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. in the Moultonborough Academy Auditorium.Town and School Board elected and appointed officials will meet to share information as well as hearing and responding to the comments and concerns of summer and year-round residents. The meeting begins the process of preparing for the upcoming budget cycle. Discussion items will include town/school cooperative efforts, the new advisory budget committee, review of common town meeting day, important changes in public safety law and public safety programs, update on the master plan, presentation by seniors, and update on changes in state law and donor town status. For further information, contact Town Administrator Carter Terenzini at 476-2347.
The Citizen July 12th. 2008
The Moultonboro Citizens Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to public involvement in town government, is pleased to announce that beginning on July 15th, 2008 at 7pm, the Moultonboro Selectmen’s meetings as well as other public meetings, will be broadcast in their entirety on Time Warner Cable’s public access channel. The first meeting to be broadcast will be the most recent Selectmen’s meeting, July 10, 2008. In addition and soon after broadcast, the meetings will also be available on the Moultonboro Citizens Alliance website: (Http://www.MoultonboroCitizensAlliance.org). This service is provided at no cost to the taxpayers of Moultonboro. It is completely a volunteer effort. We wish to thank all those who made this possible by contributing their valuable time and resources to this effort. The Moultonboro Citizens Alliance believes that providing this service to the public will greatly enhance citizen involvement and participation in local government. We are confident that our selectmen ,school board members and other public bodies will welcome this increased access to local government for the citizens they serve. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting our organization, please contact us via email at : MoultonboroCitizensAlliance@Yahoo.com or via regular mail : Moultonboro Citizens Alliance,
6 HOLLAND STREET
PO BOX 139
MOULTONBOROUGH, NH 03254
Selectmen’s Meeting July 10, 2008
DRAFT
MINUTES
Present: Selectmen: Karel A. Crawford, Edward J. Charest, Joel R. Mudgett; Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator; Hope K. Kokas, Secretary.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Karel called the meeting to Order at 7:00 P.M.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES: Ed Made the Motion to approve the Minutes of June 26, 2008 as written. Joel Seconded. The Motion carried unanimously.
IV. NEW RESIDENTS: Margo E. Reasner, Emily M. Litcof, Curtis P. LeBlanc, Christopher F. Swenson, Randall G. & Candice L. Washburn, Jennifer K. Stanford, Valerie A. & William J. Hynes, Erin A. Dibenedetto, Eric S. Perl, Jay C. Hurd.
V. PUBLIC MEETING:
1. Jim Hambrook, PAD Realty Corp., Request Additional Parking on Town Property: Mr. Hambrook stated that he is representing Peter DiSalvo owner of PAD Realty Corp. and of the building located on 4 Whittier Highway, Town owned property. They have requested from the Planning Board a change of use for the building (from accounting office to real estate). ......
The MCA applauds Meredith for this great way to get the public involved and generate real ideas to help improve the community. How about it Moultonboro Selectmen?
‘Meredith Ideas’ session to be held on Tuesday evening
MEREDITH — Town Manager Carol Granfi eld will facilitate another “Meredith Ideas” session on Tuesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. at the
Anyone who prepares a budget knows that it’s not an easy process, especially as wants have to give way to needs nowadays, and even needs have to be prioritized. Multiply that by a hefty number, and with a far more needs to consider, and you’ve got any town budget. It’s a grueling process for any town, but was especially true for Moultonboro last year. Without a town administrator, the selectmen took on multiple duties and budget sessions in order to see the budget to its presentation this year. It’s why we’re happy to see Moultonboro establishing an advisory budget committee in town. Extra pairs of hands and eyes are always useful when it comes to financial matters, and especially so in a time when hard decisions may have to be made. The more opinions that can be voiced, the more complete picture the selectmen and the school board will have to work with in the next budget season. As to whether this becomes an annual occurrence, we hope everyone looks at the committee with an open mind. Fears have been expressed to us in the past that if Moultonboro gets a budget committee, the budget process will become rancorous and would divide the community. It’s true that money can be a divisive issue – most married couples we know will admit to an argument or two (or three).
The Citizen July 12th, 2008
Editorial
Few issues are as important to residents of
House Bill 1408, passed this year, defines as a public meeting any electronic communication among a quorum of public board members. By forwarding city e-mails to their home accounts, councilors are opening their private e-mail records to possible subpoena
The Union Leader Sunday July 13, 2008
BELMONT — Two members of the Board of Selectmen decided last night not to support a proposal from Town Administrator Jeanne Beaudin to spend an extra $2,000 to implement a plan that would allow the town to begin recording from two camera angles the board’s bi-weekly selectmen’s meetings for showing on Lakes Region Public Access television. Instead, the project will proceed with just a single camera. At the board’s meeting in the Corner Meeting House, Chairman Ron Cormier suggested spending the money to make up for a gap between what the town currently has available for the project and what Beaudin said is needed for making a “quality” recording to show later on MetroCast Cablevision Channel 26. But board members Jon Pike and Reggie Caldwell refused to support the idea, noting that March Town Meeting voters approved only $5,000 for the recording equipment and they did not want to go beyond that figure. “That’s what we (town voters) appropriated because someone stood up (at the annual meeting) and said this is what it’s going to cost,” Pike said. “It’s typical
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Increased Federal LIHEAP Commitment Needed to Avert Winter Fuel Crisis for |
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Office of the Governor Press Release July 9th, 2008 |
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“The rising cost of fuel and a continuing national economic downturn is having an impact on hard-working families in “That is why we need to stand together, and send a strong message to Last year, $25 million in LIHEAP assistance was distributed to 33,000 homes in “But that $50 million does not take into account far greater out-of-pocket costs to cover the non-LIHEAP portion of their heating bills. We are not talking about a small increase in additional costs, we are talking about thousands of dollars in additional costs for families already struggling to pay their bills,” Gov. Lynch said. In addition to additional LIHEAP funding, the Governors discussed a number of other common energy issues including the development of renewable energy, the promotion of energy efficiency and expanding transmission capacity. “Increasing renewable energy will create jobs right in Gov. Lynch and the other New England Governors agreed to work collaboratively at strategies for upgrading the transmission infrastructure of the region. “We have multiple renewable facilities interested in sighting projects in
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Public meetings and right to know have been in the news lately with the Belknap County Convention and the successful lawsuit brought to the NH Supreme Court by two Gilford Citizens. The New Hampshire Local Government Center has published a very concise article called "Meeting Minutes 101" intended as a guide for local government to properly capture public meeting minutes. Click on the link above for the full publication. Remember, you have a right to know!
MCA
The Citizen July 8th, 2009
Editor, The Citizen:
The Moultonborough selectmen and school board have finally appointed the Advisory Budget Committee (ABC). The three appointees (Jean Beadle, Ed Marudzinski and Gary Haracz) are well qualified and will be doing an incredible amount of work in the inaugural year of this effort. They will not only have the budgeting recommendations to work towards, but they will be establishing precedence with almost every step they take. Knowing two of the three appointees, I have no doubt they will take their charge very seriously. If this new effort is like most similar efforts, I am sure they will have stumbling blocks of resistance to overcome along the way. I only hope that they will not be discouraged and that the road to success for this committee will be smoother that I expect. I further hope that any resistance does not come from the above mentioned boards. It was, remember, a town meeting change (late night) in the warrant article that asked for an "elected budget committee" that made this committee "appointed" and so therefore it exists at the will of the two boards…
"Selectman James Gray asked Whitley if the AdvisoryBudget Committee will become an elected board in the future or remain appointed by the Selectmen and School Board. Whitley replied that the School Board and the Board of Selectmen will, after the annual meetings, be asked to give input on “what went well and what didn’t” during the budget committee’s maiden year. “That’s when we’ll decide,” Laurie Whitley, SAU45 School Board Member
From the MCA: In light of the recent “charter” to the newly formed Moultonborough Budget Advisory Committee a little history is in order to better understand how we got to this point and the implications
In brief , a petitioned article was placed on the 2007 Town Warrant (below) to establish an elected municipal budget committee. The article was amended at the meeting to become a “committee” to study the effects of a budget committee on the town and report back to the selectmen. The intent of the petitioned article was completely changed by a small number of attendees at Town meeting 2007. The amendment was then approved as was the article.
At the January 10th, 2008 selectmen meeting, the selectmen voted to create an “Advisory Budget Committee that would serve until March 2009, thereby preventing an anticipated warrant article to allow the voters to elect a budget committee. This followed the vote by the school board a month earlier to create a budget advisory committee :
Other Matters - Budget Study Committee: Chairperson Whitley updated the Board on the Budget Study Committee. RSA 32:24 would provide the most flexibility. There was discussion on Budget Study Committee. There was discussion on supporting the Selectmen and clarification of establishing a committee on January 3rd. There was further discussion on following the recommendations of the Budget Study Committee. Mark Borrin moved, and Kathy Garry seconded a motion, to adopt an Advisory Budget Committee as outlined in RSA 32:24 to work with both the Town and School budgets, and would consist of a five member board, which would include a flex board person, a school board person, and three members appointed at large. There was discussion on why this motion was being made. All voted in favor. Kathy Garry has agreed to act as the School Board representative on this Committee.
It was clear during 2007 that many in our town government and school district did not want a budget committee with anything other than advisory powers including the school district superintendent, the school board and the library trustees.
Interestingly, there is no mention of this discussion or decision in the minutes of the January 10th 2008 selectmen's minutes. It is not mentioned again until the February 14th, 2008 meeting as follows:
“Betsey asked if there was a warrant article for the Town to vote for members of the Advisory Budget Committee. Karel replied that there was not. Discussion took place, with Ed and Betsey recalling that there would be a vote this year, allowing candidates to run in 2009. Karel, Joel and Jim recollected that the plan was to set up the advisory committee, with the Selectmen, School Board and Library Trustees appointing five qualified people for the first year. After the first year, the Selectmen would be able to make an informed recommendation for the 2009 Town Meeting and deciding about electing committee members with a warrant article. Mr. Hopkins, The Chair of the Budget Study Committee, stated that all that was required is that the committee report to the Selectmen. Karel stated that she would review the Minutes for clarity. The sentiment by a 3-2 polling of the Selectmen was to not have a warrant article.”
At best, the citizens of Moultonborough will not even have an opportunity to vote for an Advisory Budget Committee member until March 2010 (if the selectmen and school board allow it). As stated in the article that follows, school board member Laurie Whitely stated: “ the School Board and the Board of Selectmen will, after the annual meetings, be asked to give input on “what went well and what didn’t” “That’s when we’ll decide,”.
So the bottom line is that the issue of a budget committee has been taken out of the hands of the citizens as originally presented as a petition warrant article in 2007. It is now firmly and undeniably in the control of the people who want it the least.
Following is the original Article in the March 2007 warrant and then the article in the July5th 2008 Meredith News.
ARTICLE 8
To see if the Town shall establish an elected municipal budget committee in accordance with NH RSA - Title 32, Chapter 3. The budget committee shall consist of five (5) members elected at-large, one (1) member of the governing body of the municipality and one (1) member of the school board. If adopted, the Moderator shall appoint members to serve until the next annual meeting, as provided in RSA 669:17. (The vote on this Article shall be by paper ballot; the Polls shall remain open and ballots accepted for at least one hour.) (By Petition)
A motion was made by Chris Shipp and seconded by Richard Plaisted.
After discussion a motion was made by Richard Buckler and seconded by Kathy Erving to amend the article to read:
To see if the moderator will appoint 5 registered voters to a committee to study the effects of a municipal budget committee on the Town of
The amendment was voted in the affirmative by a hand vote.
Yes 200 No 126
The article as amended was voted on in the affirmative by a majority voice vote.
The Meredith News July 3rd, 2008
BY ERIK ZYGMONT
mailto:EZYGMONT@SALMONPRESS.COM
MOULTONBORO — The Board of Selectmen and the School Board have formally appointed five members to the Advisory Budget Committee, the result of a 2007 request from voters to explore the possibility of a Moultonboro budget committee. The Advisory Budget Committee will analyze school district, library, and town budgets, giving recommendations first to those respective boards, and, later, directly to the voters.Acting on the recommendations of the Town/SAU Working Group, formed to establish the framework and membership of the Advisory Budget Committee, the School Board and the Board of Selectmen appointed three at-large members— Jean Beadle, Gary Haracz, and Edward Marudzinski—to the fledgling committee. “All of them have excellent backgrounds, in accounting and finance,” said Selectman Ed Charest. “That’s what we’re looking for.” In addition to the at-large members, Selectman Karel Crawford will serve on the Advisory Budget Committee as the Board of Selectmen representative, and Kathy Garry will represent the School Board. At the June 26 Board of Selectmen meeting, Town/SAU Working Group member Laurie Whitley presented the Advisory Budget Committee’s charge. After a multi-step review process, the committee will ultimately make recommendations to the voting public on both the town and school budgets, and every monetary warrant article. Additionally, according to literature provided by the Working Group, the Budget Committee members are invited to attend all Board of Selectmen, School Board, and Library Trustee meetings related to budget development.The committee will also review all budget proposals made by the town and school, and make recommendations directly to the select selectmen and the School Board.The meat of the committee’s work will come as budget hearings and annual meetings draw closer. Four weeks before the annual budget hearings, the Board of Selectmen and the School Board will forward their budgets to the Advisory Budget Committee, which will make recommendations and include reasoning for any recommendations that differ from the original budgets. According to its charge, the committee must make these recommendations two weeks before the budget hearings. ......
Note from the MCA:We have included additonal information to the Meredith News article covering this issue from the last selectmen's meeting so our readers can see this issue in proper context. Article 12 as well as the entire excerpt from the Selectmen meeting in February 2008 where the article was approved preface the newspaper article.
MCA
“The voters expectations should be followed,” he said. “It was made clear to them what they were voting on.” Hollis Austin, Letter to Selectmen
From Town Warrant 2008 :
ARTICLE 12
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nine hundred ninety two thousand dollars ($992,000.00) to reconstruct Ossipee Park Road, a 7,200 linear feet Town road. The sum of Six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000.00) to come from a donation already made by CG Roxane to offset the cost of construction the balance of Three hundred ninety two thousand ($392,000.00) to be raised by taxation.
From the Selectmen's Meeting Minutess, February 14th, 2008:
Karel read the article and commented that Ossipee Park Road is a Town road, which is in very poor condition and has not had reconstruction in many years. She feels it is a liability issue to the Town. CG Roxane has donated $600,000 towards the repair of the road, resulting in the Town having to raise $392,000 to pay for the balance. Karel added that LRCT has not offered to pay for any of the cost. Ed expressed his disappointment that LRCT hasn’t offered to pay a share of the repair. Al Hume commented that the Town will continue to be financially responsible for the road which will have a life expectancy and suggested turning it over to CG Roxane. Ed stated that he and Betsey have explored this and as the Town has a cemetery on the road; it still needs to maintain a road or at least a right of way. The Selectmen were asked if there had been an agreement between CG Roxane and LRCT about sharing the responsibilities for the road. Karel stated that she is not aware of any agreement. There was discussion about bonding the road during mud season and the necessary requirements. Natt King expressed his feeling that it is unfair that LRCT is blamed for not funding the road, adding that they contribute by preserving over 7,500 acres of open land in Town. The Selectmen were asked if LRCT pays taxes and they stated that they are exempt as they are a charitable organization. Karel asked for a vote. Recommended by Selectmen, 4-1. (Betsey)
The Meredith News July 3rd, 2008
BY ERIK ZYGMONT
MOULTONBORO — A couple residents have expressed disapproval of the selectmen’s May decision to amend the proposed plan for reconstructing
"It’s an attempt to be transparent and accessible to the
public... It’s better for the people."
Frank Michel . Former Meredith NH Selectmen.
BY ADAM DRAPCHO July 1st, 2008
MEREDITH — As the Inter-Lakes School Board tries to decide if it should record its meetings for broadcast, it will not have to look far to fi nd an opinion on the matter. Bob Longabaugh, an
"This is what it’s all about openness in government"
Denise Beauchaine,
Executive director for Lakes Region Public Access television
BY ADAM DRAPCHO July 1st, 2008
as cable channels 24, 25 and 26. There are twelve communities affi liated with LRPA through Metro-Cast, including
Town Administrator
6 Holland St - PO Box 139
Moultonborough, NH 03254
6 HOLLAND STREET
PO BOX 139
MOULTONBOROUGH, NH 03254
DRAFT
MINUTES
Present: Selectmen: Karel A. Crawford, Edward J. Charest, James F. Gray, Joel R. Mudgett, Betsey L. Patten; Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator; Hope K. Kokas, Secretary.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Karel called the meeting to Order at 3:00 P.M.
Ed made the Motion to recess to confer with Town Counsel. Jim seconded the Motion. Karel asked for a roll call: Jim – Aye; Betsey – Aye; Ed – Aye; Joel – Aye; Karel – Aye.
Ed made the Motion to adjourn at 5:10 p.m. Jim Seconded the Motion. The Motion carried Unanimously.
II. CALL TO ORDER: Karel called the meeting to Order at 7:00 P.M.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES: Ed Made the Motion to approve the Minutes of June 12, 2008 as written. Betsey Seconded. The Motion carried unanimously.
V. NEW RESIDENTS: Evan Sangrow, Donald A. & Kathleen A. Margeson, Chad D. Cote, Joe R. Smith, Michael T. & Bonnie L. Donahue.
VI. PUBLIC MEETING:
7:00 SAU & Board of Selectmen Joint Meeting - Advisory Budget Committee/Composition & Appointments: Karel stated that the Selectmen and the School Board are meeting together to hear the recommendations from the working group made up of Ed Charest, Jim Gray, Carter Terenzini, Mike Lancor, Laurie Whitley, and Kathy Garry. Laurie Whitley introduced fellow School Board members in attendance, Mark Borrin, Kathy Garry and Bill Blackadar. Ms. Whitley reminded everyone that the Budget Committee Study Group, sanctioned at the 2006 Town Meeting made their recommendation in the fall to create an advisory budget committee. ....
