Town of Milton
Annual Town Meeting
2013 Warrant
State of New Hampshire
First Session (the Deliberative Session)
Saturday, February 2, 2013
1:00 PM
Nute High School
Second Session
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
8:00-7:00PM
Emma Ramsey Center
TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF MILTON IN THE COUNTY OF STRAFFORD IN THE SAID STATE, QUALIFIED TO VOTE IN TOWN AFFAIRS:
First Session
You are hereby notified that the first session (the Deliberative Session) of the Annual Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, February 2nd beginning at 1:00 PM at the Nute High School. The first session will consist of explanation, discussion and debate of each of the following warrant articles, and will also afford voters who are present the opportunity to propose, debate and adopt amendments to warrant articles, except those articles whose wording is prescribed by state law.
Second Session
The second session of the annual town meeting, to elect town officers by official ballot and to vote on all warrant articles as they may have been amended at the first session, will be held on Tuesday, March 12th at the Emma Ramsey Center. Polls for voting by official ballot will open at 8:00am and close at 7:00pm.
Article 1
To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year for which there are vacancies, for such terms as may be permitted by law.
SELECTMAN – 1 for 3 years
TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR- 1 for 3 years
TREASURER - 1 for 1 year
FIRE CHIEF – 1 for 1 year
PLANNING BOARD – 2 for 3 years
BUDGET COMMITTEE – 1 for 1 year, 1 for 2 years, 1 for 3 years
LIBRARY TRUSTEE – 1 for 3 years
TRUSTEE OF TRUST FUNDS – 1 for 3 years
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT – 2 for 3 years
CEMETERY TRUSTEE –1 for 3 years
Article 2
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,700,000.) for the purpose of constructing a Fire Station in the Town of Milton,
Said sum to be raised by the issuance of serial bond or notes not to exceed Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,700,000.) under and in compliance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (NH Revised Statues Annotated Chapter 33:1 et seg., as amended) and to authorize the Town’s Board of Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes, to determine the rate(s) of interest thereon and to take such other actions as may be necessary to effect the issuance, negotiation, sale and delivery of such Bonds or Notes as shall be in the best interest of the Town of Milton, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept, and pass any vote relating thereto; and further, to raise and appropriate Two Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty One Dollars ($229,331) for the first year’s interest payment and Bond Issuance cost on said Bond.
(If passed, this article will require the Town to raise and appropriate Two Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty One Dollars ($229,331.) in property taxes, resulting in a tax rate impact of $0.63 in FY 14, Two Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty Three Dollars ($218,363.) in property taxes, resulting in a tax rate impact of $0.60 in FY 15, Two Hundred and Thirteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Dollars ($213,975.) in property taxes, resulting in a tax rate impact of $0.59 in FY 16, Two Hundred and Nine Thousand Five Hundred and Eighty Eight Dollars ($209,588.) in property taxes, resulting in a tax rate impact of $0.57 in FY 17, based upon projected assessed values.
(3/5’S Majority Ballot Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (6-0)
Article 3
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to enter into a long-term lease/purchase agreement in the amount of Four Hundred Thirty Three Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars (433,825) payable over a term of 7 years for three (3) Highway Department 6 Wheel Dump Truck with snowplow equipment and sander, and to raise and appropriate Sixty One Thousand and Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Dollars ($61,975) for the first years payment for that purpose; this article does contain a municipal funding escape clause, if this warrant article passes, then warrant article 5 is null and void.
(Majority Ballot Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (6-0)
Article 4
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling Three Million, Five Hundred Eighteen Thousand, Four Hundred and Four Dollars ($3,518,404.00) Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be Three Million, Four Hundred Thirty Thousand Six Hundred and Sixteen Dollars, ($3,430,616.00) which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only.
(Majority Vote required)
(Note: Warrant Article 4, the operating budget does not include special or separate warrant articles.)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (6-3)
Article 5
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Fifty One Thousand Five Hundred and Eighty Three dollars ($151,583) for the purchase of one (1) Highway Department 6 Wheel Dump Truck with snowplow equipment and sander. This Article is contingent on Article 3, if Article 3 passes this Article is null and void.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Not Recommended by the Budget Committee (2-4)
Article 6
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) to be placed in the Milton Highway Department Truck Capital Reserve Fund, previously established.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 7
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($290,000) for Highway and Road reconstruction purposes. Said amount is partially offset by revenues from the Highway Block Grant estimated to be One Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($110,000.00). This is an annual appropriation that provides for the reconstruction of existing roadways. This appropriation will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 VI and will not lapse until completed or by December 31, 2014.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 8
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) to be placed in the Milton Highway Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund, previously established.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 9
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be placed in the Milton Ambulance Vehicles and Equipment and/or Fire Department Vehicles Capital Reserve Fund, previously established.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 10
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) to be placed in the Milton Fire Department Equipment and Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund, previously established.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 11
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be placed in the Milton Fire Department Vehicle Repairs and Improvements Capital Reserve Fund, previously established.
(Majority Vote required
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 12
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to be placed in the Milton Free Public Library Capital Reserve Fund, previously established.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 13
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the purpose of purchasing computers for the Milton Free Public Library.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 14
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to be placed in the Milton Townhouse Capital Reserve Fund, previously established.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 15
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to be placed in the Milton Recreation Department Capital Reserve Fund, previously established.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 16
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to be placed in Milton Cemetery Capital Reserve Fund, previously established.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 17
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to be placed in the Milton/Maine Bridges Capital Reserve Account previously established.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
Article 18
To see if the Town, in accordance with RSA 154:1, IV will change the form of organization of the Milton Fire Department from an Elected Fire Chief to one where the Fire Chief is Appointed by the Board of Selectmen, and with the firefighters being appointed by the Fire Chief. When approved, the change from elected to appointed Fire Chief would take place no sooner than one (1) year following this vote.
(Majority vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Article 19
To see if the Town, in accordance with RSA 231:62 will change the form of organization of the Milton Public Works Department from an Elected Public works Director to one where the Public Works Director is Appointed by the Board of Selectmen, and with the public works employees being appointed by the Board of Selectmen. When approved, the change from elected to appointed Public Works director would take place no sooner than one (1) year following this vote.
(Majority vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
ARTICLE 20
To see if the Town of Milton will vote to discontinue to deposit 50% of the revenues collected pursuant to RSA 79-A (land use change tax) being deposited into the Town of Milton Conservation Fund as previously approved in March 2002 by warrant article 21. If approved 100% of revenues collected pursuant to RSA 79-A will be deposited into the town’s general fund.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Not Recommended by the Budget Committee (2-4)
ARTICLE 21
To see if the Town of Milton will vote to change the agents to expend on Milton Free Public Library Capital Reserve Fund as previously approved in March 2005 by warrant article 11 from the Library Trustees to the Board of Selectmen. The purpose of the fund is for the library renovations, purchase of furnishings, grounds work and building upgrades and improvements, including the use of the fund as matching funds for grants that might come available.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
ARTICLE 22
Shall the Town adopt provisions of RSA 72:37, Exemptions for the Blind, to allow an inhabitant who is legally blind as determined by the blind service program, to be exempt each year on the assessed value, for property tax purposes, of his or her residential real estate to the value of $15,000.
(Majority Vote required)
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen (3-0)
Recommended by the Budget Committee (5-0)
To transact any other business which may legally come before this meeting.
Board of Selectmen
_______________________________________
Bob Srnec, Chairman
_______________________________________
Tom Gray, Chairman
_______________________________________
Bob Bridges
