Moderator Bob Ingram opens the polls for Article 01, voting for officers, at 5:02 pm. Supervisors of the checklist Emily Shepard, Jen Garside and Cheryl Brooks. Clerk Nancy Cole and Commissioners Ron Sandstrom and Michael Smith were also present for opening of the polls. Sergeant Jim Hayford of Madison Police is present.
At 7pm Moderator Bob Ingram closes the polls for article 1.
At 7pm Moderator Bob Ingram calls the meeting to order.
Moderator Bob Ingram requests all persons stand and leads the Pledge of Allegiance.
Moderator calls for moment of silence to remember relatives, friends and residents who have passed. Resident Melissa Moulton Hatch, who lost her life tragically recently, is remembered.
Moderator Bob Ingram introduces himself, Commissioners’ Ralph Lutjen, Mike Smith and Ron Sandstrom, Clerk Nancy Cole, Treasurer Dinah Reiss, Attorney Chris Boldt, NH DES Senior Engineer Rick Skarinka, Engineers Paul Fluet and Nick Sceggell, Highway Foreman Kelly Robitaille and Water Operator Ian Hayes.
Moderator Bob Ingram outlines and reviews the Rules and Procedures for the meeting.
Jay Buckley makes a motion to allow non-registered voters who are tax-payers and guests to speaks. Second by Kevin Ackert.
Vote: Moderator declares motion passed unanimously
Article 01 Voting for Officers
Voting for the following offices for 2019:
Commissioner – 3-year term
Commissioner – 2-year term
Treasurer – 2-year term
Clerk – 2-year term
Results of Article 01; Election of Officers
Commissioner 3-year term: Kathy Koziell
Commissioner 2-year term: Adam Leiser
Treasurer 2-year term: Dinah Reiss
Clerk 2-year term: Nancy Cole
Article 02 New Truck
To see if the Village District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100,615 for purchase of a
Dodge 5500 and to authorize the issuance of not more than $85,615 of bonds or notes in accordance
with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the municipal officials to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; to withdraw the sum of $15,000 from the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund and further, to raise and appropriate the amount of $19,000 for the first year’s payment to be raised by taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(2/3 ballot vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the Article to the floor. Jay Buckley seconds. Ralph Lutjen introduces the need to replace the F-550. Proposed truck is discussed. Discussion on Terra Star fire; this truck does not replace the Terra Star. Question on repairs for the truck. Kelly Robitaille outlines issue with the truck and unreliability of the F-550. Highlight of safety issues with this truck and increased risk with the terrain. Discussion on need for reliable and safe equipment to clear the roads during snow storms. Adam Leiser questions vehicles capable of moving snow. Grader, 7400 and F-550 are listed by Kelly Robitaille. Kelly expands on running the road grader and the very low gas mileage it gets. Kelly also explains that the 7400 does not go up the hills. Question of lead time is made. Kelly Robitaille highlights need for the DPW to effectively be able to handle snow plow operations.
Vote by ballot 33 yes, no 27 Moderator declares article failed 2/3 majority
Article 03 Reinach Tank Replacement
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $653,400.00 for the building of a
90,000-gallon concrete tank to replace the existing steel tanks at Reinach and to authorize the issuance
of not more than $653,400.00 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal
Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the municipal officials to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; further, to raise and appropriate the amount of $44,500.00 for the first year's payments with said funding for this appropriation to be raised from Water Usage Fees.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(2/3 ballot vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Tici Lutjen seconds. Ralph Lutjen outlines the critical importance of this project for the reliability of the water system. Tanks failed inspection for re-lining; they must be replaced. Process of obtaining cost estimate for the project is outlined. Paul Fluet outlines the project process and experience with Eidelweiss. Benefit of concrete tank is outlined as best move forward for the District water system. Inclusion of creation of the Reinach pressure zone with this tank replacement project is outlined. Rick Skarinka of NH DES discusses level of service expected from the water system. Rick Skarinka discusses the benefits of a loan for long-term capital improvements. Rick discusses possible action by the State if the District does not take action to replace the tank. Residents speak in favor of replacing the tanks.
Adam Leiser makes a motion to amend the funding to be from taxes. Kathy Koziell seconds. Adam Leiser discusses benefit of paying through taxes. Discussion on reasons why to not put this into taxes; persons with wells and the inequality of cost being based on the value of the property.
Vote: Moderator declares amendment passed.
Mike Smith makes a motion to amend the amount to be raised and appropriated from $653,400 to $869,400 and amend first year’s payment from $44,500 to $59,142 Ralph Lutjen seconds.
Vote: Moderator declares amendment passed.
Polls opened at 8:32 pm. Polls closed 9:34 pm.
Vote by ballot 50 yes; 8 no Moderator declares article passed by 2/3 majority
Article 04 DPW Electrical Upgrades for water system
To see if the Village will vote to authorize the expenditure of the unused portion of the $204,930.00 bond approved in 2018 for Water System repairs, amended to Water Tank Inspection and Lining, and to raise and appropriate $77,448.00 of the $140,620.64 in unused bond proceeds for the purpose of upgrading the electrical systems at the DPW Well per RSA 33:3-a, II. No amount of money needs to be raised by taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(2/3 vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Ralph Lutjen seconds. Discussion on needs for the water system and need to upgrade the DPW well site. Adam Leiser makes a motion to amend article to $1.00. Kathy Koziell seconds. Attorney Boldt outlines that this article is to change the purpose of the bond and should not be amended to $1.00. This is a Special warrant article. Ian Hayes states it would be better to vote the funds and then not spend, but to not have authority to spend would be detrimental to the system should a failure occur. Adam Leiser withdraws motion to amend. Discussion on the need for this project continues.
Vote: Moderator declares article passed by 2/3 majority
Article 05 Summit Pump House electrical updates
To see if the Village will vote to authorize the expenditure of the unused portion of the $204,930.00 bond approved in 2018 for Water System repairs, amended to Water Tank Inspection and Lining, and to raise and appropriate $30,400.00 of the $140,620.64 in unused bond proceeds for the purpose of upgrading the electrical and SCADA at the Summit pump house per RSA 33:3-a, II. No amount of money needs to be raised by taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(2/3 vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Jay Buckley seconds. Needs for improvements within the water system is outlined.
No discussion
Vote: Moderator declares article passed by 2/3 majority
Adam Leiser makes a motion to move Article 21 next. Kathy Koziell seconds.
Vote: Moderator declares motion passed
Article 21 Petitioned Article
Petitioned by James (Jay) Buckley, et al:
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $250,000.00 to be added to the Water System Capital Reserve Fund for repairs and/or upgrades to the water system. Funds for this
appropriation will come from taxation.
Not recommended by the Board of Commissioners 0-3.
(Majority vote required.)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Jay Buckley moves the article to the floor. Adam Leiser seconds.
Discussion on tax burden from this article. Tax increase discussed. Agents to expend from CRF is discussed. Adam Leiser makes a motion to amend to $100,000. Larry Leonard seconds.
Vote: Moderator declares amendment passed
Vote: Moderator declares article failed 26 – 20
Mike Smith makes a motion to restrict reconsideration of Article 21. Tici Lutjen seconds.
Vote: Moderator declares motion to restrict passed
Article 06 Chocorua Pump House updates
To see if the District will vote to authorize the expenditure of the unused portion of the $204,930.00 bond approved in 2018 for Water System repairs, amended to Water Tank Inspection and Lining, and to raise and appropriate $31,000.00 of the $140,620.64 in unused bond proceeds for the purpose of upgrading piping and controls at the Chocorua pump house per RSA 33:3-a, II. No amount of money needs to be raised by taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0
(2/3 vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Ralph Lutjen seconds. No discussion.
Vote: Moderator declares article passed unanimously
Article 07 Operations/Highway Budget
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $532,542.00 for general municipal
operations. This article does not include appropriations contained in special or individual articles
addressed separately. Funding for this appropriation will be raised by taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Ralph Lutjen seconds. Mike Smith makes a motion to amend article to $553,542. Ralph Lutjen seconds.
Discussion on increase is held. Highways and Streets to be increased $19,000 and General Government to be increased $2,000. Kelly Robitaille responds to questions regarding the brine solution and use thereof. Sand line item is discussed. Discussion on use of funds and sand line item. Allocation for 2019 at over $10,000 is outlined. Kelly Robitaille outlines that sand is needed and was needed January 1.
Vote: Moderator declares amendment passed
Vote: Moderator declares article passed at $553,542
Article 08 York Rake Replacement
To see if the Village will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,180.00 for the purpose of replacing the York Rake with a front-runner rake. Funds for this appropriation will be raised by taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Ralph Lutjen seconds. Discussion on front runner rake and use of this equipment is held.
Vote: Moderator declares article passed unanimously
Article 09 Asphalt Road preservation
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $21,750 for the purpose of protecting and extending the useful life of the asphalt roads. Funds for this appropriation will be raised by taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Ralph Lutjen moves the article to the floor. Mike Smith seconds. Discussion on keeping these items as budget items is held. Discussion on projects highlighted and need for this work to be completed.
Vote: Moderator declares article passed
Article 10 Gravel Road Preservation
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,275.00 for the purpose of
maintaining and protecting gravel roads. Funds for this appropriation will be raised by taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Ralph Lutjen seconds. Discussion on placing these improvements in the budget going forward is held.
Vote: Moderator declares article passed.
Article 11 Thusis culvert replacement
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,415.00 for the purpose of replacing the culvert under Eidelweiss Drive at Thusis Beach. $1,415 to be raised by taxation and will be combined with the $2,010.00 encumbered from 2018 Warrant Article #7.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Ralph Lutjen seconds.
Discussion on project for replacement of the culvert at Thusis beach area under Eidelweiss Drive. Mark Graffam speaks against article and states that culvert is working efficiently. Discussion on cleaning culverts is held. Discussion on the status of this culvert is held. Discussion on ability to use the whirl-a-way system to clean culverts is held. Kelly Robitaille outlines that the Honda motor used to power the whirl-a-way system is underpowered and not effective to clear culverts. Adam Leiser makes a motion to amend the article to $1. Kathy Koziell seconds. Attorney Boldt discusses amending the dollar amount and recommends the amount not be altered. Discussion continues on article. Kelly highlights need for replacing culvert. Adam Leiser withdraws the amendment.
Vote: Moderator declares article passed 22 – 14
Article 12 Engineering for Grandval and Burgdorf to bring to Class V Standards
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $25,000.00 for the purpose of creating an engineered design for bringing Grandval Way and Burgdorf Drive to Class V standards. Funds for this appropriation will be raised by taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Ralph Lutjen seconds. Discussion on article. Discussion on road safety and engineering guidelines for Road Regulations are outlined. Discussion on cost for project is held. Discussion on other road needs as a higher priority is held.
Vote: Moderator declares article failed unanimously.
Article 13 Water Budget
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $163,755.00 for the general operation of the water system. Funds for this appropriation will be raised by water usage fees.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Ralph Lutjen seconds.
Kathy Koziell makes a motion to amend by $20,000 to $183,755. Adam Leiser seconds. Engineering is outlined as reason for increase. Discussion is held on proper funding for water budget.
Vote: Moderator declares amendment passed
Vote: Moderator declares article passed
Article 14 Muddy Beach Tank Replacement
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $35,000.00 for replacement of the
5,000-gallon tank at Muddy Beach and authorize the withdrawal of $35,000.00 from the Water Tank
Capital Reserve Fund created for that purpose.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Ralph Lutjen seconds. Mike Smith makes a motion to amend the article to $38,600. Ralph Lutjen seconds.
Vote: Moderator declares amendment failed
Vote: Moderator declares article failed
Article 15 Upper Lakeview/Rigi Pressure Reducing Valve pit upgrade
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $36,140.00 for the purpose of updating the existing pressure reducing valve (PRV) pit by separating the lines between the zones covered by the PRV. Funds for this appropriation will be raised by water usage fees.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smiths moves the article to the floor. Ralph Lutjen seconds. Discussion on project and need for project is held. Separation of lines for customers in this zone is discussed as necessary in order to properly control the pressure. Adam Leiser makes a motion to amend the article to $2,000. Kathy Koziell seconds. Discussion on leaving full amount for correction of the problem should replacing the valve not create the desired results is held.
Vote: Moderator declares amendment passed
Vote: Moderator declares article passed
Article 16 Water Tank CRF deposit
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000.00 to be added to the Water
Tank Capital Reserve Fund previously established. Funds for this appropriation will come from water
usage fees.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required.)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Adam Leiser seconds.
No discussion.
Vote: Moderator declares article passed
Article 17 Water System Pipe Replacement deposit
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000.00 to be added to the Water
System Pipe Replacement Capital Reserve Fund previously established. Funds for this appropriation
will come from water usage fees.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required.)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Jay Buckley seconds.
No discussion
Vote: Moderator declares article passed unanimously
Article 18 Water System Capital Reserve Fund deposit
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $42,000.00 to be added to the Water
System Capital Reserve Fund previously established. This sum to come from unassigned fund balance.
No amount to be raised from taxation.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Ron Sandstrom moves the article to the floor. Mike Smith seconds. No discussion
Vote: Moderator declares article passed unanimously
Article 19 Water Extension Fund
To see if the District will vote to establish the Water Extension Fund Expendable Trust Fund per RSA
31:19-a, for the purpose of maintaining and upgrading the water system and raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 to be funded from water hook-up fees; further to name the Board of Commissioners as agents to expend from said fund.
Recommended by the Board of Commissioners 3-0.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Mike Smith moves the article to the floor. Jay Buckley seconds.
Discussion is held on establishing the Water Line Extension Fund with the Department of Revenue as a permanent fund for the District.
Vote: Moderator declares article passed unanimously
Article 20 Petitioned Article
Petitioned by Holly Maudsley et al:
To see if the District will vote to require all District employees qualifying for health insurance to pay 10% of their health insurance premiums in 2019 and 20% in all subsequent years.
Not recommended by the Board of Commissioners 0-3.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Holly Maudsley moves the article to the floor. Adam Leiser seconds. Discussion on benefit of long-term employees and employee benefits as a retention tool.
Kelly Robitaille discusses benefit of health insurance and detriment of pay cut that would be incurred by the employees. Discussion continues on article and options for controlling health insurance costs.
Vote: Moderator declares article failed unanimously
Adam Leiser makes a motion to vote articles 22, 24, 25, 27 together. Kathy Koziell seconds.
Vote: Moderator declares motion passed
Article 22 Petitioned Article
Petitioned by James (Jay) Buckley et al:
To see if the District will vote to transfer the unspent $141,695.14 funds from Article 2 of the 2018
Warrant article into the Water System Capital Reserve Fund.
Not recommended by the Board of Commissioners 0-3
(2/3 majority vote)
Article 24 Petitioned Article
Petitioned by Carol Will, et al:
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6.00 for the purpose of Executive
Salaries. This special article is a special warrant article per RSA 32:3 VI (d) and RSA 32:7 V. The Board
of Commissioners does not recommend this appropriation.
Not recommended by the Board of Commissioners 0-3
(Majority vote required)
Article 25 Petitioned Article
Petitioned by Carol Witt, et al:
To see if the District will vote to approve a limit on the number of Commissioners eligible to be voting
members on any committee within the District except the Board of Commissioners to some number not greater than 1/3 of the quorum of the committee.
Not recommended by the Board of Commissioners 0-3.
(Majority vote required)
Article 27 Petitioned Article
Petitioned by Carol Witt, et al:
To see if the District will vote to require that the VDOE office must post to the website all draft minutes from any meeting or hearing within 5 working days and to require that all approved minutes from any meeting or hearing be posted within 24 hours.
Not recommended by the Board of Commissioners 0-3.
(Majority vote required)
Articles 22, 24, 25 and 27 are reviewed by Moderator Bob Ingram. Adam Leiser moves the articles to the floor. Kathy Koziell seconds. No discussion.
Vote: Moderator declares all articles failed unanimously
Jay Buckley makes a motion to restrict reconsideration of Article 03. Mike Smith seconds.
Vote: Moderator declares motion passed
Article 23 Petitioned Article
Petitioned by Carol Witt, et al
To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $42,000.00 to be added to the Water
System Capital Reserve Fund previously established. This sum to come from unassigned fund balance.
No amount to be raised from taxation or water fees.
Duplication of article 16: Not recommended by Board of Commissioners 0-3.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Adam Leiser moves the article to the floor. Kathy Koziell seconds. Discussion ensues on conflict based on duplication of article already passed. Attorney Chris Boldt outlines that this article should be voted down so as to not double the amount previously raised.
Vote: Moderator declares article failed unanimously
Article 26 Petitioned Article
Petitioned by Carol Witt, et al:
To see if the District will vote to name the voters as agents to expend on ALL capital reserve funds
except for the Water Line Extension Fund. The Capital reserve funds are: Highway Equipment, Land
Acquisition and Development, Road Construction, Office Equipment, Water System, Heavy Equipment
Repair, Medical Insurance, Water Tank.
Not recommended by the Board of Commissioners 0-3.
(Majority vote required)
Article read by Moderator Bob Ingram. Adam Leiser moves article to the floor. Kathy Koziell seconds. Discussion on capital expenditures from capital reserve funds in prior years is held. Discussion on allowing the newly elected Commissioners the flexibility to use reserve funds if needed during the year is held.
Vote: Moderator declares Article failed
Article 28 Other Business
No other business is brought to the floor.
At 11:50 pm Mike Smith makes a motion to adjourn the 2019 Annual Meeting. Nancy Cole seconds.
Moderator declares meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy E. Cole
VDOE Clerk