Town of Colebrook, NH - Town Meeting Minutes

To see if the Town will vote to adopt the provisions of Senate Bill 76 (Chapter 84) authorizing a new construction property tax exemption for public accommodation and industrial construction for the purpose of fostering the economically depressed municipalities to encourage new construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of property for public accommodation and industrial use through the adoption of tax exemptions subject to all other provisions of said law. This exemption applies to the municipal tax and local school tax only for 100% of the new assessed value for no more than five years upon approved application by a qualified public accommodator.

Are you in favor of the adoption of the following amendment to the existing Town of Colebrook Zoning ordinances, as proposed by the Planning Board? (The proposed amendment will increase the process time for applications of certificates of occupancy from five business days to ten business days.)

iv. Timely process. All applications for Certificates of Occupancy, once accepted and marked as complete by the Town’s designated employees shall be processed within ten business days or the application shall be considered as automatically approved.

Sally Wentzell explained it was necessary to include monies for tax anticipation note interest; therefore she moved to amend the article to raise and appropriate the sum of $340,817.00 Larry Pryor seconded the motion. Other items increased this year included selectmen’s salary; workmen’s compensation due to three claims the past year; the necessity to update the two tax maps to meet requirements for recertification; and the addition of one more person in the town manager’s office.

Article 7 Sally Wentzell made a motion, seconded by Larry Rappaport, to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000.00 for the purpose of conducting the Annual Assessing Update. The motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 9 Sally Wentzell made a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $59,406.00 for the operation and maintenance of the Colebrook Cemeteries, the sum of $39,406.00 to be raised through taxation and $20,000.00 to be raised from burials, cemetery trust funds and other Colebrook Cemetery revenues. Sally stated that the Trustees would like to begin work on reclamation of the old stones, relocate where refuse is currently dumped and begin filling in and leveling the back section so it can be used for burials. Larry Rappaport seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 10 Sally Wentzell made a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 for the Colebrook village Cemetery Fence Expendable Trust Fund. Larry Pryor seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 13 Larry Rappaport made a motion, seconded by Sally Wentzell, to raise and appropriate the sum of $505,461.00 for the expense and maintenance of Highways and Streets for the ensuing year.

Mr. Rappaport explained that the expense for the backhoe needed to be divided equally between highway, water and sewer; therefore, he made a motion to amend the article to raise and appropriate the sum of $503,251.33 for the expense and maintenance of the Highway and Streets. The amount raised for street lighting and snow plowing would remain the same; however, the amount for highways would be amended to $334,461.33. Sally Wentzell seconded the motion. He further explained that it was planned to gravel all roads within the township this year which would mean hiring an extra truck to help haul the gravel.

The motion to amend the article passed with a voice vote. The article as amended, to raise and appropriate the sum of $503,251.33 for the expense and maintenance of Highways and Streets passed with a voice vote.

Article 14 Larry Rappaport made a motion, seconded by Sally Wentzell, to authorize the selectmen to enter into a long-term lease/purchase agreement for a period of five years in the amount of $199,000.00 for a new Highway Grader and to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate $74,800.00, the sum of $24,800.00 to be raised through taxation and $50,000.00 to be withdrawn from the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. Will trade in the old grader at a value of ($25,000.00). Due to the fact that this was a capital lease article for over $100,000, a ballot vote was necessary. This article would need to receive a 2/3 majority vote. Moderator Jon Frizzell declared the polls open at 8:03 and they remained open for one hour. After the residents present voted, Mr. Frizzell asked to continue with the remaining warrant articles while the polls remained open. Everyone agreed. The article was defeated with the following ballot results:

Article 15 Larry Rappaport made a motion, seconded by Sally Wentzell, to raise and appropriate the sum of $9,615.00 for the third year of a five-year lease agreement entered into in the year of 2000 for a Backhoe for the Public Works Department. The sum of $5,415.00 will come from the Highway Department to be raised through taxation. The sum of $3,200.00 will come from the Colebrook Water Works Department and the remainder of $1,000.00 will come from the Colebrook Sewer Department.

Mr. Rappaport explained that the expense for the backhoe needed to be divided equally between highways, water and sewer; therefore, he made a motion to amend the allocations as follows: the sum of $3,205.33 to come from the Highway Department; $3,205.33 from the Colebrook Water Works Department and $3,205.33 from the Colebrook Sewer Department. The motion to amend the article passed with a voice vote. The article as amended passed with a voice vote.

Article 16 Larry Rappaport made a motion, seconded by Sally Wentzell, to raise and appropriate the sum of $181,923.00 for the maintenance and expenses of the Transfer Station for the ensuing year. The motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 18 Sally Wentzell made a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $28,400.00 for Monitoring Wells at the landfill. Larry Rappaport seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 21 Sally Wentzell made a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,750.00 for General Assistance for the ensuing year. Larry Pryor seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 22 Sally Wentzell madea a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $59,838.00 for the Colebrook Recreation Department. Larry Rappaport seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 23 Sally Wentzell made a motion, seconded by Larry Rappaport, to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,500.00 for Parks and Patriotic Purposes. The motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 24 Larry Rappaport made a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $35,000.00 to be added to the existing Equipment Purchasing Capital Reserve Fund with the sum of $25,000.00 to be used for the purchase of highway equipment and the sum of $10,000.00 for the purchase of a new police cruiser. Larry Pryor seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 25 Sally Wentzell made a motion, seconded by Larry Rappaport, to discontinue the Corliss Lane Sidewalk Expendable Trust Fund, created in 2000, Article #21, as the Hospital Road Sidewalk Expendable Trust Fund and renamed in 2002, Article #22. Mrs. Wentzell explained that the money currently in the fund would be moved into the Main Street Reconstruction Expendable Trust Fund. The motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 26 Sally Wentzell made a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $54,240.00 for the Main Street (Route 3) Reconstruction Expendable Trust Fund. Larry Pryor seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 27 Larry Rappaport made a motion, seconded by Sally Wentzell, to raise and appropriate the sum of $ 308,394.00 for the Colebrook Water Works and the Colebrook Sewer Facilities.

Mr. Rappaport explained that the expense for the backhoe needed to be divided equally between highways, water and sewer; therefore, he made a motion to amend the article to raise and appropriate $306,183.37, allocated as follows:

Sally Wentzell seconded and the motion to amend passed with a voice vote. The article as amended, to raise and appropriate $306,183.37 for the Colebrook Water Works and the Colebrook Sewer Facilities, also passed with a voice vote.

Article 28 Larry Rappaport made a motion, seconded by Sally Wentzell, to raise and appropriate the sum of $84,900.00 for the support of the Colebrook Public Library, $73,245.00 of which to be raised through taxation and $11,655.00 of which to come from other sources such as Library balance on hand January 1, 2003, book sales, donations, trust funds, non-resident fees, other communities, over due fines, book resale’s, copying fees etc., such funds to be expended under the direction of the Board of Library Trustees. Rosalie Smith, Library Trustee, explained she needed to amend the article to $93,459.00. This amendment was necessary to reflect the money received from the Gates Foundation. The motion to amend the article passed with a voice vote.

The article as amended, to raise and appropriate $93,459.00 for the support of the Colebrook Public Library, $73,245.00 of which to be raised through taxation and $20,214.00 of which to come from other sources such as Library balance on hand January 1, 2003, book sales, donations, trust funds, non-resident fees, other communities, over due fines, book resale’s, copying fees etc., such funds to be expended under the direction of the Board of Library Trustees passed with a voice vote.

Article 29 Larry Pryor made a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $139,264.51 for the Colebrook Dispatch Center, of which $ 85,977.20 will be raised through taxation and the remainder to be offset by revenues raised from the participating towns. Sally Wentzell seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 30 Sally Wentzell made a motion, seconded by Larry Rappaport, to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,889.00 for the support of the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital Ambulance Fund which only purchases ambulance services and equipment, including ambulances, for the town that support the fund. (By petition) The motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 31 Larry Pryor made a motion to raise the sum of $1,000.00 as a contribution for the support and services of the Vershire Center. (By petition) Larry Rappaport seconded and the motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 32 Sally Wentzell made a motion, seconded by Larry Rappaport, to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($2,150.00) for the support of the Tri-County Community Action Program. (By petition) The motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 33 Irene Bean made a motion to support the request being made by Tri-County CAP, Inc. North Country Elderly Programs for the Colebrook town funding in the amount of $3,000.00 to be raised and allocated to the North Country Senior Wheels Program. Sally Wentzell seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 34 Larry Rappaport made a motion to support the request being made by Tri-County CAP, Inc. North Country Elderly Programs for Colebrook Town funding in the amount of $3,775.00 to be raised and allocated to the Senior Meals Programs. (By petition) Sally Wentzell seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 35 Larry Rappaport made a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,500.00 to be used to continue to partially support the local Main Street Village Program. The Colebrook Downtown Development Association Main Street Village Program Board of Directors and Main Street Director will expend the funds.

Having come before the Town last year for the second year of funding and been approved, this is the third year (of a total of three year commitment initially explained to the voters when seeking funding to secure a Main Street Community designation). A vote to appropriate the funds will enable us to continue to meet our commitment made to the Main Street Program when we sought designation as a Main Street Community. (By petition) The motion was seconded by Sally Wentzell and passed with a voice vote.

Article 36 Larry Rappaport made a motion, seconded by Larry Pryor, to raise the sum of $2,400.00 as a contribution for the support and services of the Upper Connecticut Valley Mental Health & Developmental Services. (By petition) The motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 37 Larry Pryor made a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,600.00 for the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital to help defray the costs of providing Emergency Services. (By petition) Larry Rappaport seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 38 Larry Pryor made a motion to raise and appropriate the sum of $9,500.00 for the Upper Connecticut Valley Home Health Services. (By petition) Larry Rappaport seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 39 Sally Wentzell made a motion, seconded by Larry Rappaport, to list the Selectmen as agents of the following trust funds: Bridge Fund, Highway and Police Cruiser Equipment Purchasing Fund. Sally Wentzell explained that unless the words until rescinded were added to the article, it would need to come back before the voters each year; therefore, she made a motion to amend the article by adding the words “until rescinded” to the very end. Larry Rappaport seconded the amendment. The motion to amend the article passed with a voice vote. The amended article to list the Selectmen as agents of the following trust funds: Bridge Fund, Highway and Police Cruiser Equipment Purchasing Fund, until rescinded, passed with a voice vote.

Article 40 Larry Rappaport made a motion, seconded by Sally Wentzell, to authorize the Selectmen to begin negotiations towards the purchase of the railroad bed within the geographical confines of the Town of Colebrook, NH. Mr. Rappaport explained that this might be a mute article as the current offer to purchase the railroad by a private person has been taken off the table; however, approval of this article would give the Selectmen the authorization to act as the town’s representatives to begin discussion. After much discussion, the motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 41 Larry Rappaport made a motion, seconded by Sally Wentzell, to authorize the Selectmen to convey ownership of the new industrial building located on Colebrook Development Corporation’s property (Tax Map U-7, Lot 20, subdivision lot #5) to the Colebrook Development Corporation. (This building was built with EDA grant money.) The motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 42 Larry Rappaport made a motion to authorize the Selectmen to accept conveyance of lot #4A as shown on a plan entitled subdivision for Utility Installation for Town of Colebrook (sewer pump house), part of Colebrook Industrial Park, Colebrook Development Corporation, Owner. Lot 4A is 50’ x 75’ and is adjacent to the 50’ right of way known as Bill Bromage Drive. Sally Wentzell seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 43 Sally Wentzell made a motion to authorize the Selectmen to sell the Old Town Garage (located at the rear of CN Brown buildings) by sealed bid process. Larry Pryor seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 44 Larry Pryor made a motion, seconded by Larry Rappaport, to authorize the Board of Selectmen to deed the Nugent Spring Street Property (Tax Map U-13 Lot 66) for $1.00 to the Colebrook Downtown Development Association.

(Intent: CDDA would apply for grants as a non-profit organization to refurbish the building and when sold repay the Town of Colebrook for property taxes due. If at the end of a five-year period no grants have been received or no progress made, the property will be sold back to the Town for $1.00.) (The Selectmen recommend passage of this article.) In answer to many voters concern, Rick Tillotson explained that the building cannot be kept by the non-profit organization and has to go back on the tax roles as part of the grant. After more discussion, the motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 45 Sally Wentzell made a motion, seconded by Larry Pryor, to authorize the Colebrook Cemetery Trustees to apply for, accept and expend, without further action by Town meeting, money from the State, Federal or other Governmental unit or a private source which, becomes available during the year, in accordance with RSA 31:95-b, until rescinded. The motion passed with a voice vote.

Article 46 Sally Wentzell made a motion for the voters of Colebrook to vigorously oppose any reduction from the present level of state adequate education funding, any shirking of the State’s responsibility for providing and funding public adequate education, and any other measures that disregard the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the constitution in the Claremont court decisions. Larry Pryor seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 47 Sally Wentzell made a motion for the Town of Colebrook to will work closely through its Board of Selectmen and with other North Country communities to communicate our common interests in actively participating in the revision of the White Mountain National Forest Plan, focusing on continued management for the multiple uses of timber, recreation, wilderness, and clean water. Larry Rappaport seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Article 48 Larry Rappaport made a motion that we, the citizens of Colebrook, 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. (By Petition)

Article 49 Granyvl Hulse made a motion to accept, ratify and confirm the reports of the Agents, Selectmen, Auditors and all other Town Officers. Ronald Hughes seconded the motion and it passed with a voice vote.

Sally Wentzell welcomed all the new officers and thanked all the following people for the time they served: Bruce Lyons and Eugene Jannenga on the Planning Board; Mary Jannenga as a Supervisor of the Checklist; and Richard Hicks as a Cemetery Trustee. Outgoing Selectman Larry Pryor was given a round of applause.