2001 Town Meeting

March 13, 2001

The checklist was posted and the meeting called to order by Moderator Fred Mullen. The Town Warrant was read. The motion by Selectman Merton Mann to waive the reading of the body of the Warrant passed. Absentee ballots would be cast at 1:00 PM. The polls opened at 8:02 AM.

The business portion of the meeting opened at 7:01 PM. Moderator Mullen noted that this was the 236th annual meeting for the Town of Dunbarton. The first meeting was held on September 3, 1765 at Captain William Stark's house. The Silver Birch 4H Club led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members of the Town Common Committee were present and had set up a toy and craft sale and a raffle to raise money to beautify the Town Common.

Voters were directed to obtain voting cards from the Supervisors of the Checklist. The town officers were introduced. Jeff Nelson, Dunbarton's first full time police chief was introduced. It was noted that the Town Report was dedicated to the late Forrest Fogg. Mr. Fogg, his wife Vera (as well as other landowners in town) contributed to the land now known as the Kuncanowet Town Forest.

The rules of the evening were announced. Moderator Mullen directed voters to open their Town Reports to the 2001 Town Warrant. The warrant was read. The motion by Selectman Mann to waive the reading of the body of the Warrant passed.

ARTICLE I

Selectman Mann made the motion to choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year.

Brian Little was nominated for and elected to the position of Overseer of Welfare.

Moderator Mullen gave an explanation of the position of Hog Reeves: By an act of King George I in 1719, towns are required to choose two or more persons to enforce the laws and order relating to the swine with a penalty of 20 shillings for not serving. This official town position has been in effect since that time. Usually newly married couples have filled this position. The floor was open for the nomination of Hog Reeves. The following nominees were elected to the position:

Moderator Mullen swore the Williamsons, Tabers, and Meehans into office.

ARTICLE II

To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town charges for the ensuing year and make appropriations of the same in amounts as follows:

Selectman Mann moved the article to the floor. The article PASSED.

ARTICLE III

The motion by Selectman Charles Graybill to see if The Town will vote to appropriate from surplus the sum of $25,000 to update the Dunbarton Tax Maps PASSED.

ARTICLE IV

The motion by Fire Chief Jonathan Wiggin to see if The Town will vote to appropriate from surplus the sum of $60,000 to replace the tank and body on Fire Tanker #1 PASSED.

ARTICLE V

The motion by Selectman Graybill to see if The Town will vote to appropriate from surplus the sum of $15,000 for the costs relating to the consolidation of the Town Office/Town Hall Buildings and to establish a committee for this purpose PASSED.

ARTICLE VI

The motion by Transfer Station Manager Brian Little to see if The Town will vote to appropriate from surplus the sum of $10,000 for a second baler for the Transfer Station PASSED.

ARTICLE VII

The motion by John R. Swindlehurst II of the Town Forest Committee to see if The Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $688.44 to be used as determined by the Town Forest Committee; the same to be withdrawn from the Winslow Town Forest Fund PASSED.

ARTICLE VIII

The motion was made by Jonathan Wiggin to see if The Town will vote to establish a non-lapsing special revenue fund pursuant to RSA 31:95-c for the purpose of Fire Department Equipment replacement from money collected from reimbursement of ambulance services. Such revenues and expenditures shall be accounted for in a special revenue fund to be known as the Fire Department Equipment Fund, separate from the general fund. Any surplus in said fund shall not be deemed part of the general fund accumulated surplus and shall be expended only after a vote by the legislative body to appropriate a specific amount from said fund for a specific purpose related to the purpose of the fund or source of revenue. The article was voted on by paper ballot (RSA 31:95-d). The article PASSED. YES: 136 NO: 14

ARTICLE IX

The motion was made by Selectman Mann to see if The Town will vote to adopt the Code of Ethics proposed by the Ethics Committee. The code establishes guidelines for the ethical standards of conduct for town officials, board members and employees, and establishes an elected Ethics Committee to resolve complaints of violations of the code. A lengthy discussion followed.

The motion was made by Dennis Beaulieu to amend Article IX so that it is split into two separate articles to read: (1st article) "To see if The Town will vote to adopt the Code of Ethics as proposed by The Ethics Committee; (2nd article) To see if The Town will vote to establish an elected Ethics Committee to resolve complaints of violations of the code". The amendment voted on was DEFEATED.

The original article was returned to the floor. John R. Swindlehurst II requested that the article be voted on by secret ballot. The written request bearing the signatures of J. Milioto, Mark C. Lang, Pamela Milioto, Chuck Graybill, and John R. Swindlehurst III was presented to Moderator Mullen.

The article PASSED. YES: 94 NO: 59

ARTICLE X

The motion was made by Brett St. Clair of the Conservation Commission to see of The Town will vote to approve in concept the protection of 664 acres surrounding the Kimball Pond Conservation Area. Funds used shall come from the existing Town Conservation Fund and other non-Town grants and donations that may become available. Protection for this property known as "The Nassikas Property" (lots C5-01-04, C5-02-01, C6-01-05 and D5-01-05) will be by outright purchase of the property and/or purchase of a conservation easement. Protection will ensure that the Property is maintained as permanent open space and managed in a way consistent with the Kimball Pond Conservation Area Management Plan now in effect. The article PASSED

ARTICLE XI

To see if The Town will vote to discontinue and abandon a portion of Devil's Step Road, being a four rod road, beginning on the west side of Route 13 where the northeast corner of the Dearborn property (lot # I3-1-12) and the southeast corner of the Allen property (lot I3-1-14) abut Devil's Step Road, westerly to the northwest corner of the Dearborn property across Devil's Step Road to the Allen property.

Selectman J.R. Swindlehurst made the motion to see if The Town will vote to pass over Article XI. He explained that when a Town moves to discontinue and abandon a road, the Town must send notices to the abutters. On this property, six notices were sent - four were to direct abutters; two were to property owners across the street. Of the four direct abutters, three were opposed to the discontinuing and abandoning of the road. Because of this, the Board of Selectmen is withdrawing their wish to close the road. The motion to pass over ARTICLE XI PASSED.

ARTICLE XII

To see if The Town will vote to discontinue and abandon a portion of Old Route 13 beginning where the southeast corner of the Sowle property (lot # G3-1-2) and the southwest corner of the Michael's property (lot # G3-2-1) abut Old Route 13, northeasterly to the New Hampshire Highway Department Bound where it meets New Route 13.

Selectman J.R. Swindlehurst made the motion to see if The Town will vote to pass over Article XII. He explained: the Selectmen were asked by the abutters on the westerly side of Route 13 to close the whole road which runs from the top of Mills Hill to just below the Michaels, property (which is still open as a Town road). The selectmen chose only to put the road from Holmes Road down to the Michaels' property on the warrant because they felt the top section of the road could be opened at some future date to make the intersection of Route 13 and Holmes Road a safer intersection. Notices were sent to four property owners. Two were in favor; one was not. The Board of Selectmen is withdrawing their wish to close the road. The motion to pass over ARTICLE XII PASSED.

ARTICLE XIII

The motion by Selectman Mann see if The Town will vote to accept the reports of agents, auditors, committees and other officers heretofore chosen as printed in The Town Report subject to errors and omissions PASSED.

ARTICLE XIV

To transact any other business that may legally come before this meeting.

Scott Ives asked those in attendance to recognize Donald Andrews for his contribution of over 25 years on the Dunbarton Police Department.

Norman Roberge spoke regarding the Dunbarton Lions Club. Lions Clubs International officially charted The Club on June 25, 2000. On behalf of The Club, he thanked residents of Dunbarton who became members as well as those who have supported the club financially or otherwise. He reminded residents that sight and hearing are the primary focus of The Club, but any community need is of Club interest. Meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at either the Town Offices or at Maple Lodge Tavern. The web address is www.dunbartonnh.com/lions.

Bruce Mathews asked that those in attendance also recognize former Dunbarton Police Officers Tim Locke, Pat Payette, and Ernie Holm who also served our Town.

The polls were closed at 10:35PM.

Moderator Fred Mullen thanked retiring Selectman Mert Mann for his service to The Town and presented him with a bag of "Dunbarton Chads".

The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 PM.

THE RESULTS OF VOTING MARCH 13, 2001

Number of Ballots Cast: 477
Number of names on the Checklist: 1,782

For Selectman for Three Years
Vote for One
Leslie G. Hammond 231*
Scott Ives 231

For Tax Collector for Three Years
Vote for One
Janet B. Dugrenier 108
Martha Rae 361

For Library Trustee for Three Years
Vote for One
Deborah Gelinas 422

For Trustee of Trust Funds for Three Years
Vote for One
William "Bill" Jenkins 421

For Cemetery Trustee for Three Years
Vote for One
Alfons Vaal 420

For Board of Assessors for Three Years
Vote for One
Rhoda Hendley 274
John Herlihy 179

*On March 16, 2001, the candidates applied to Town Clerk Linda Peters for a recount.

A public recount was held at the Town Offices on March 21, 2001. The Board of Recount consisted of Moderator Fred Mullen, Town Clerk Linda Peters, Selectmen Charles Graybill and John R. Swindlehurst III. Both candidates were present as well as several members of the community. At the conclusion of the recount, the tally for Selectman remained tied at 231. RSA 669:35 requires a winner be determined by lot by the Town Clerk. Both names were placed in a hat. The Town Clerk drew Leslie G. Hammond's name and the Town Moderator declared him the winner.


Linda L. Peters, Town Clerk