Results of 2018 Town Meeting

OFFICIAL BALLOT ARTICLES – May 8th, 2018

Article 1. Election of Officers

SELECTMAN for Three Years;

Karen Hatcher

TRUSTEE OF THE TRUST FUNDS for Three Years;

Thomas P. Mullins

TOWN TREASURER for Three Years;

Jane Bowman

TOWN MODERATOR for Three Years;

L. Phillips Runyon III

TOWN CLERK for Three Years;

Linda M. Guyette

BUDGET COMMITTEE for Three Years;

Roland Patten

Robert A. Hanson

Donald H. Parkhurst

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT for Three Years;

Dario A. Carrara

Loretta R. Laurenitis

CEMETERY TRUSTEE for Three Years;

Charles Peter LaRoche

LIBRARY TRUSTEE for Three Years;

Laura Hanson

Karen Struthers

PLANNING BOARD for Three Years;

Dario A. Carrara
Alan Zeller

RECREATION COMMITTEE for Three Years;

Ryan Griffiths

SUPERVISOR OF THE CHECKLIST for Six Years;

Karen Bannister

Article 2. Zoning Amendments

Zoning Amendment A: PASSED

Are you in favor ofthe adoption of Amendment A as proposed by the Planning Board for the Peterborough Zoning Ordinance §245-14 “Ground Water Protection Overlay District” as follows (section number to be updated to §245-3.2 if Amendment C is adopted):

To add uses requiring a “Conditional Use Permit” to Paragraph D “Applicability”; and to clarify Paragraph E “Performance Standards” with respect to how the overlay zone applies in higher density developments permitted in the zoning ordinance.

Zoning Amendment B: PASSED

Are you in favor ofthe adoption of Amendment B as proposed by the Planning Board for the Peterborough Zoning Ordinance Chapter §245-24.7 “Solar Energy Systems” as follows (section number to be updated to §245-4.9 if Amendment C is adopted):

To add a new section that establishes permitted uses, standards, and regulatory review requirements for solar energy systems.

Zoning Amendment C: FAILED

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment C as proposed by the Planning Board for the Peterborough Zoning Ordinance Chapter §245 Articles I, II, III, IV. V XI and XII (new) as follows:

To repeal the §245-6 Family, §245-7 General Residence, §245-8 Rural, §245-9 Village Commercial, §245- 9.1 West Peterborough, §245-10 Downtown Commercial, §245-10.1 Commercial, and §245-11.1 Office zoning districts in Article II “District Regulations” and the §245-15.3 and 15.4 Traditional Neighborhood Overlay Zones I and II in Article III and replace with new districts and regulations that:

integrate and consolidate the uses and standards embodied in the recently adopted Traditional Neighborhood Overlay Zones I (2014) and II (2017) and the existing residential, commercial and mixed-use districts, into five new simplified residential and mixed-use districts;
retain existing uses and standards permitted in the Rural District;
add a simplified table of “Allowed Uses by District” and clarify uses in the Monadnock Community Health Care District.
add “Building Types” that are permitted in each new district in Article II with the intent of replicating the look and feel of the existing development in Peterborough (detail descriptions of Building Types and Standards appear in Article XII);
revise and integrate minimum parking standards into Article II and relocate other parking regulations and design requirements from Article V of the Zoning Ordinance to Chapter 233 Planning Board Site Plan Regulations.
update purposes and definitions in Article I to be consistent with proposed changes to Article II;
revise the official zoning district descriptions and zoning maps to reflect the proposed changes in Article II (Zoning district descriptions and maps formerly in Article X, are now in Article XI).

This proposed zoning ordinance amendment as presented includes changes to the organization and numbering of the ordinance sections to improve ease of use in applying, interpreting and administering the ordinance. These proposed changes do not affect the standards or uses. The Articles listed above reflect the new organization.

Zoning Amendment D: FAILED

Are you in favor ofthe adoption of Amendment D as proposed by the Planning Board for the Peterborough Zoning Ordinance Chapter §245-24.1 “Accessory Dwelling Unit” as follows (section number to be updated to §245-4.1 if Amendment C is adopted):

To eliminate the requirement of owner occupancy for Accessory Dwelling Units and ensure minimum parking requirements are consistent with other sections of the zoning ordinance.

Article 3. Budget for Fiscal Year 2019 - $15,247,314 PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Million Two Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Three Hundred Fourteen Dollars ($15,247,314) for the support of General Government, Water, and Wastewater. This represents the fiscal year 2019 budget period, July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. This article does not include appropriations in special or individual articles addressed separately.

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 7-1

Article 4. Geographic Information System Capital Reserve Fund - $5,000 PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) to be placed in the previously established “Geographic Information System Capital Reserve Fund” for the purpose of upgrading and maintaining the aerial maps and planimetric data.

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 8-0

Article 5. Transfer from Cemetery Fund - $3,000 PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) to be added to the previously established Cemetery Expendable Trust Fund, and further, to transfer said amount from the Cemetery Trustee’s checking account to the Cemetery Expendable Trust Fund. This amount is funded 100% by the sale of deeds for burial lots.

The Select Board recommends this article by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 8-0

Article 6. Refurbish the Ladder Truck $200,000 PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) for refurbishing the Fire Department Ladder Truck.

The Select Board recommends this article by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 8-0

Article 7. Financial Management Software/Hardware Capital Reserve Fund - $50,000 PASSED

To see if the Town will authorize the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund (pursuant to RSA Chapter 35) to be known as the “Financial Management Software/Hardware Capital Reserve Fund” for the purpose of the orderly replacement and upgrades of the present Financial Management Software/Hardware Systems and further to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) toward the purpose and to designate the Select Board as agents to expend.

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 8-0

Article 8. All Veterans Tax Credit RSA 72:28-b PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 72:28-b, All Veterans’ Tax Credit. If adopted, the credit will be available to any resident, or the spouse or surviving spouse of any resident, who (1) served not less than 90 days on active service in the armed forces of the United States and was honorably discharged or an officer honorably separated from services and is not eligible for or receiving a credit under RSA 72:28 or RSA 72:35. If adopted, the credit granted will be $500, the same amount as the standard or optional veterans’ tax credit voted by the Town under RSA 72:28.

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

Article 9. Reclamations Trust Fund – Re-Adoption PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to readopt the provisions of RSA 262:153, V and RSA 149-M:13-a and continue the Town reclamation trust fund for the purpose of paying for the town's vehicle waste in which the town can use any monies in the fund for the recycling and reclamation of solid waste and designate the Select Board as agents to expend. If approved the Town will assess an additional fee to any motor vehicle registered in town pursuant to the fee schedule as follows:

the fee for heavy vehicles, including mobile homes and house trailers, heavy trucks and truck-tractors whose gross weight exceeds 18,000 pounds, and buses shall be $5.00
unless otherwise provided, the fee for automobiles, light vehicles including trucks, and commercial motorized vehicles including tractor trailers, shall be $3.00
unless otherwise provided, the fee for special use vehicles including all-terrain vehicles, agricultural and farm vehicles, and historic vehicles and for 2-wheeled vehicles including mopeds, motorcycles and non-motorized car and boat trailers, shall be $2.00

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

Article 10. Pay as You Throw Fund PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to expand the allowed expenditures from the Pay-as-You-Throw fund to include the orderly maintenance and replacement of equipment necessary to the operation of the Pay-as-You-Throw program.

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

Article 11. Resolution to Move Forward on Offshore Wind Development (By Petition) PASSED

Whereas the State of New Hampshire has committed to 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050, but has yet to develop a plan to achieve that goal, and needs to work toward a sustainable energy system to ensure protection of the health of its people, environment, and economy before this date, and

Whereas the federal Department of Energy has determined that the Gulf of Maine has a total potential wind power capacity in excess of 200,000 Megawatts within 50 miles of the coasts of New Hampshire, Maine and northeast Massachusetts, and that utilizing just a small percentage of this potential, combined with other renewable resources, could provide most of the future power needs of our region, and

Whereas operation of floating wind farms 10 to 50 miles off our coast is expected to have much less impact on our environment and public health than all existing power sources, as well as create less aesthetic concern than terrestrial wind farms, and

Whereas development and operation of offshore wind farms have the potential to create large numbers of jobs and other economic activity within Portsmouth Harbor and other NH coastal communities, and

Whereas a bipartisan NH legislative study committee report in 2015 concluded that "The wind resource off of New Hampshire's coast has the potential to generate significant amounts of electricity," and that "offshore wind development has the potential to generate significant economic activity within Portsmouth Harbor…" recommending that the Governor request formation of an intergovernmental Task Force and stakeholder process to plan for regional offshore wind development,

Resolved, the Town of Peterborough supports efforts to develop wind power off the New Hampshire coast and urges Governor Sununu to make a formal request to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to form a Task Force and stakeholder process to plan for regional offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine. Further, the Town will send written notice of support for this resolution to Governor Sununu within 30 days of its passage.

OPEN SESSION ARTICLES – May 9^th, 2018

Article 12. Renovations and Improvements to the Library - $8,500,000 PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($8,500,000) for the purpose of designing, engineering, constructing renovations, interior fit out, and improvements to the Library and to authorize the issuance of not more than Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) of bonds or notes for such purpose in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the Select Board to issue, negotiate, sell and deliver such bonds and/or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof and to authorize the Select Board to apply for, obtain and accept Federal, State, or any and all other aid, grants, gifts or revenue source that may be or may become available for said project and to comply with all laws applicable to said project and to take any and all action necessary to carry out any vote hereunder or take any other action relative thereto. Without impairing the general obligation nature of the bonds and/or notes, it is intended that this appropriation will be supported by donations, gifts, grants, and other revenue sources in the amount of $5,500,000.

By ballot vote (Requires 2/3 vote to pass).

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 6-1

Article 13. Underground Utilities in the area of Main Street and US Route 202 - $460,000 FAILED

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Dollars ($460,000) for the purpose of placing overhead utilities underground in the area of Main Street and US Route 202 and to authorize the issuance of not more than Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Dollars ($460,000) of bonds or notes for such purpose in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and to authorize the Select Board to issue, negotiate, sell and deliver such bonds and/or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof; and to authorize the Select Board to apply for, obtain and accept Federal, State, or any and all other aid or revenue source that may be or may become available for said project and to comply with all laws applicable to said project; and to authorize the Select Board to pass any vote relative thereto and to take any and all action necessary to carry out any such vote or take any other action relative thereto and to take any and all action necessary to carry out any such vote or take any other action relative thereto.

By ballot vote (Requires 2/3 vote to pass).

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 6-2

Article 14. Main Street Bridge Reconstruction and Improvements - $5,974,115 PASSED AS AMENDED

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Million Nine Hundred Seventy Four Thousand One Hundred Fifteen Dollars ($5,974,115) for the purpose of designing, engineering constructing and replacing the Main Street Bridge and related work and to authorize the issuance of not more than One Million One Hundred Ninety Four Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Three Dollars ($1,194,823) of bonds or notes for such purpose in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and to authorize the Select Board to issue, negotiate, sell and deliver such bonds and/or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof; and to authorize the Select Board to apply for, obtain and accept Federal, State, or any and all other aid or revenue source that may be or may become available for said project and to comply with all laws applicable to said project; and to authorize the Select Board to pass any vote relative thereto and to take any and all action necessary to carry out any such vote or take any other action relative thereto and to take any and all action necessary to carry out any such vote or take any other action relative thereto; with $4,779,292 to come from Federal Highway Administration/New Hampshire Department of Transportation Municipal Bridge Aid funds. Funded 80% Federal Highway Administration and 20% Town.

By ballot vote (Requires 2/3 vote to pass).

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 8-0

Article 15. Transcript Dam - $300,000 PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) for the purpose of designing, engineering, constructing improvements to the Transcript Dam and to authorize the issuance of not more than Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) of bonds or notes for such purpose in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and to authorize the Select Board to issue, negotiate, sell and deliver such bonds and/or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof; and to authorize the Select Board to apply for, obtain and accept Federal, State, or any and all other aid or revenue source that may be or may become available for said project and to comply with all laws applicable to said project; and to authorize the Select Board to pass any vote relative thereto and to take any and all action necessary to carry out any such vote or take any other action relative thereto and to take any and all action necessary to carry out any such vote or take any other action relative thereto.

By ballot vote (Requires 2/3 vote to pass).

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 8-0

Article 16. To Rescind Article 8 of the May 2016 Town Meeting PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to rescind Article 8 of the May 2016 Town Meeting. The previous Article 15 of this warrant replaces the funding for the Main Street Bridge Project.

The Select Board recommends this article by a vote of 3-0

Article 17. Reconstruction and Improvements to US Route 202 - $4,280,110 PASSED AS AMENDED

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Million Two Hundred Eighty Thousand One Hundred Ten Dollars ($4,280,110) for the purpose of designing, engineering, reconstructing and improving a segment of US Route 202 (portions of Pine Street and Concord Street), with $3,424,088 to come from Federal Highway Administration (80%) and $856,022 New Hampshire Department of Transportation Municipal Bridge Aid funds (20%), this article is 100% offset by Federal Highway Administration and New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 8-0

Article 18. Budget for Fiscal Year 2019 - $15,247,314 PASSED OVER

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 7-1

Pursuant to the Peterborough Charter, if the Official Ballot Session adopts an annual budget by approving Article 3, this article will be passed over.

Article 19. Municipal Facilities Review $200,000 PASSED

To see if the town will vote to raise and authorize the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) for developing a conceptual design, preliminary cost estimate, and construction drawings for a new Department of Public Works Facility on a town owned parcel on Water Street adjacent to the wastewater treatment facility.

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 8-0

Article 20. Roadway System Upgrades Capital Reserve Fund $236,035 PASSED

To see if the town will authorize the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund (pursuant to RSA Chapter 35) to be known as the “Roadway System Upgrades Capital Reserve Fund” for the purpose of the orderly repairs and upgrades of the roadway system and further to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Thirty-Five Dollars ($236,035) toward this purpose and to designate the Select Board as agents to expend.

The Select Board recommends this appropriation by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 7-1

Article 21. Rescind the Ambulance Operating Special Revenue Fund PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to rescind the provisions of RSA 31:95-c to restrict 100% of the revenues received from fees charged for ambulance usage to expenditures for the purpose of defraying the ambulance service expenses. Such revenues and expenditures shall be accounted for in a special revenue fund to be known as the Ambulance Operating 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 of 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 the revenue. This article is contingent upon the passage of Article 22.

This Select Board recommends this article by a vote of 3-0.

Article 22. To Establish the Ambulance Revolving Fund $750,000 PASSED

To see if the Town will vote to establish an Ambulance Revolving Fund for the operation of and related expenses incurred by the Town’s Ambulance Service as authorized by RSA 31:95-h. The revenues from fees, charges, or other income derived from the activities or services supported by the fund shall be deposited into the fund. The money in the fund shall be allowed to accumulate from year to year and shall not be considered part of the town’s general unreserved fund balance. The town treasurer shall have custody of all monies in the fund and shall pay out the same pursuant to the policy developed by the Select Board. These funds may be expended only for the operations, equipment and activities of the Town’s Ambulance Service. Further, to raise and appropriate the sum of $750,000 to be deposited into the fund with said funds to come from town’s unreserved fund balance. [This represent the monies from the discontinued Ambulance Operating Special Revenue Fund]. No amount to be raised by taxation.

The Select Board recommends this article by a vote of 3-0

The Budget Committee recommends this appropriation by a vote of 7-0

Minutes_of_2018_Town_Meeting_-_Deliberative_Session.pdf
Results_of_2018_Town_Meeting_-_Ballot_Session.pdf
Minutes_of_2018_Town_Meeting_-_Open_Session.pdf

Results of 2018 Town Meeting

Article 1. Election of Officers