Bow News : voting

Bow Town Meeting changes to March

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:06:00 GMT

It took two meetings and about eight hours, but Bow residents decided on the items on this year’s town warrant.

On Wednesday, May 27, voters resumed discussion on the items left after the original meeting two weeks prior, amending only two articles.

During the first half of Town Meeting, residents only got through three of the articles, passing each.

After the two-week recess, all of the remaining issues were approved, but on Article 8 voters trimmed $100,000 from the proposed $249,000 to be set aside for road paving.

The only other item residents changed the amount on was in Article 22, where the figure was changed from $5,000 to $38,000 for improvements at the Community Building. Originally, the money was designated to improve the restrooms and the floor, but the entire floor needs to be replaced, so the number was increased.

One other notable item approved by voters was Article 25. Residents will no longer come together in May for Town Meeting, as it will be switched to March.

“We’ve been searching since earlier this decade for a way to turn more people out,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Leon Kenison. “There were those who would say that if we adopt SB-2 that’ll do it. Some of us don’t agree with that. We want to get more people out where there can be explanation and debate.”

The meeting lasted just over four hours following a four-hour meeting on May 13. Among the other articles approved were equipment purchases for an ambulance and a dump truck, deposits into multiple capital reserve funds and a new policy requiring final votes taken by the budget committee and selectmen be recorded and placed next to the affected portion of the town report.

This year was the first meeting in multiple years where residents did not trim money off the budget.

“This year’s budget and warrant articles were reduced, so it should show a tax reduction,” said Kenison. “We knew from the onset of drafting the budget that residents wanted a level-funded budget, so we gave them that.”

Teacher raises OK’d in Bow

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:28:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Unlike other surrounding towns, Bow residents approved money for teacher raises at the recent School District Meeting, in addition to the remainder of the warrant.

During the Friday, March 13, meeting, voters approved the school’s $24.3 million operating budget, a decrease of slightly less than 1 percent from last year.

The budget reduced the estimated tax rate by 48 cents, while the new teacher contracts increased the rate by an estimated 29 cents, so in total the projected reduction on the town’s tax rate will be 19 cents per $1,000 assessed value.

Superintendent of Schools Dean Cascadden said he was happy with what he called a civil and well-attended meeting, and also with the passing of the contract.

“I wasn’t surprised, I was relieved. I didn’t think it was 100 percent going in, but it was a very good contract,” said Cascadden of the 2.25 percent raise.

“We worked very hard on those contracts, and some of the other areas that weren’t money areas were very important to us in the district.”

About 75 percent of the operating budget is made up of teacher salaries, and during the meeting the vote was not close, passing 332-119.

In school and town meetings in the recent past, voters have elected to make cuts in operating budgets, and while there was an amendment to do so again this year, it was voted down.

Cascadden said the approval of the budget was likely a sign from taxpayers that the recommended budget was within reason.

“In my mind, we tried very hard to come in with a reasonable budget that responded to the economic times,” said Cascadden.

“In light of the times, we had something responsible where people saw it may not have been down as much as they’d have liked, but they were able to see that it was something they could live with.”

Bow Town Meeting continues May 28

Bow Editor — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:19:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Bow’s Town Meeting outcome was similar to last year’s, as voters again decided to cut the budget by a significant amount. The May 14 meeting lasted until 11 p.m., with the budget and 13 other articles passing. Residents voted to continue discussion on the remaining articles during a second Town Meeting on Wednesday, May 28.

On May 14, voters approved an amendment to cut the budget from $8.3 to $7.9 million on a motion by resident Joe Mielcarz.

“I feel, as a resident of Bow, they are proposing a backbreaking budget, and I ask the voters to amend it,” Mielcarz said in front of attendees who half-filled Bow High School auditorium.

While introducing the budget, Selectman Jack Crisp said selectmen and the Budget Committee tried to keep the increase to a minimum, ending at an increase of about 8 percent.

“About 4.4 percent of the increases were out of the board’s control. If you hold the line, you have to find cuts. A status quo budget means a decrease in services,” he said.

Resident Mary Lee Sargent disagreed with Mielcarz’ amendment.

“I, for one, don’t want less roads paved. I don’t want less asphalt,” said Sargent. “Like everyone else, I don’t want to have increased taxes, but it’s reality. If I want the services, if I want the quality of life that I’m used to in Bow, I do not want us to have this scarcity thinking that we can’t pay for those services.”

During last year’s Town Meeting, selectmen came prepared with a budget of nearly $8.2 million, but then newly elected Selectman Tom Keane proposed to cut the budget to $7.7 million, an amendment that passed voter approval 114-89. As a result, town officials canceled paving plans last year and shut off many of the town’s streetlights, among other cuts.

“What I don’t see is unilateral support to acknowledge that we are in an economic crisis,” said resident Mark Smith. “You need to look at your own budget and see where you can cut corners and tighten up.”

The motion to amend the budget passed 175-130 by secret ballot. After further discussion, the amended budget passed 187- 108.

“We may have to cut services and there are some that can be cut,” said Mielcarz. “I make sacrifices, we all do. It’s time that we collectively make sacrifices. Maybe next year or the year after we can put that back in.”

Following the budget approval, voters addressed articles 24, 25 and 26 so the elderly residents in attendance would not have to stay until the articles would be discussed.

The articles, which dealt with property tax exemptions for the elderly, disabled and legally blind, all passed.

As a result of last year’s budget cuts, town officials decided to hold Bow’s road paving schedule for the year. During this year’s meeting, voters approved Article 5, which asked for $365,000 to pave 3.5 miles of roads, an impact of 30 cents per $1,000 of property valuation – the equivalent of $30 for the owner of a $300,000 home.

Voters also OK’d replacing a 1990 pumper truck for the Fire Department out of a capital reserve fund by passing Article 4, in addition to two dump trucks for $280,000 with the approval of Article 6.

Articles 7, 8 and 9 were approved, adding $210,000 to the highway construction capital reserve fund and Public Works Department equipment capital reserve fund, as well as $160,000 to the fire truck capital reserve fund.

After approving Article 10 to purchase a fire rescue truck for $130,000 out of a previously established fund, Article 11 passed by a standing vote, 89-54 to fix the culvert and retaining walls on Garvin Falls Road with no tax impact.

The final votes during the evening came on Article 12, to add $60,000 to the fire rescue equipment capital reserve fund, and Article 13, to approve a cycled property valuation update.

When 11 p.m. came, residents and selectmen were discussing purchasing self-contained breathing apparatus equipment, but the article was postponed until the second half of the meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 28, at the Bow High School auditorium.

Tax credits for elderly, disabled goes to vote

Bow Editor — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:16:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Keeping in line with housing values, certain exemption allowances will be decided at Town Meeting.

At the Wednesday, May 14, meeting, voters will decide articles 24, 25 and 26 that seeks to modify property tax exemptions for the elderly, disabled and legally blind.

“If the value of the house goes up and you’re only exempted for less, then your tax bill jumps up,” said Town Manager Jim Pitts. “We’re talking about elderly with no assets and low income, and it’s a significant hit. What we do is amend the exemptions upwards by the percentage the average home value increased.”

Pitts said the average home value increased by 30 percent, which is the percentage used to determine the exemptions.

If the articles are passed, a resident between the ages of 65 and 74 would have an exemption of $117,000; between 75 and 79, the amount is $143,000 and a person 80 years or older, $169,000, if they fall within certain financial requirements.

A disabled resident who is eligible under Title II or Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act who makes no more than $38,500 would receive an exemption of $143,000 as long as their assets do not exceed $200,000, if Article 25 passes.

If Article 26 passes, a legally blind resident will receive a property exemption of $75,000.

Article 13 asks residents to approve $45,000 for a cycled property valuation update, and Pitts said the town will now be changing the way it performs its revaluation. Currently, Bow had been revaluing its property every five years, but the new system will revalue 25 percent of the property every year and then estimate all of the town’s properties, according to Pitts.

“If they go up, they’ll go up to a lesser extent every five years. People have suffered through large spikes because the values went up so fast. This will be more gradual,” said Pitts.

The process of making the switch took about two years, and though Pitts said the change will benefit residents during difficult economic time, it was not changed for that reason.

“It’s not due to what’s going on in the economy now because we started working on this before things went south,” said Pitts. “It has the effect of recognizing changes in the economy much more rapidly, but it’s not a reaction to what’s going on now. However, with what’s going on now, people will certainly benefit.”

Bow zoning changes go to vote

Bow Editor — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:44:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Bow voters will have a chance to extend the town’s growth management ordinance and limit the number of elderly housing built in one year.

In addition to voting for town and school candidates on Election Day, May 13, Bow residents will be asked to vote on seven zoning amendments.

All seven amendments are under Warrant Article 2, beginning the Amendment A, which asks voters to re-enact the town of Bow Growth Management Ordinance, which has been extended each year since it was put into place in 1997.

In addition to extending the ordinance for another year, Amendment A asks the town to eliminate the exemption for housing for the elderly. Previously, when elderly living developers such as White Rock Senior Living Community came to town, there was no limit on the number of units that could be built. Now, if the amendment is passes, these developers will be limited to 20 multi-family units or five single-family units per year.

In its first year in Bow, White Rock developers built 73 units, and in another year built an additionional 36 units.

“The Planning Board concluded that having built 300 units in about five years, we no longer needed to encourage that,” said Bill Klubben, director of community development.

“We no longer need this bonus to encourage elderly housing. With the number we had built, it should support the community’s need for the time being.”

Klubben said the growth management ordinance has been key to the town each year it has been extended.

“The GMO has had the effect of flattening out the residential growth rate in town. Years before we had it, we were subject to significant swings. With that in place, we avoid the big peaks,” Klubben said. “It makes it a little more manageable. Growth has a lot of financial impact on the town. If it flattens the growth rate, we can financially plan for the financial burden that growth entails.”

Amendment B would add a section to zoning rules that would prevent companies for submitting applications to the Planning Board that are trademarked. Klubben said because of the application process, it is necessary to photocopy the materials along with way.

If Amendment C is passed, applicants for certificates of occupancy will have to provide an affidavit of compliance with conditions of approval, and must provide a financial guarantee to the Planning Board.

Both amendments D and E deal with state regulations. Amendment D asks voters to update the flood plan to comply with federal and state regulations. Amendment E asks residents to approve the provisions of the New Hampshire Building Code.

The final amendment on the May 13 ballot asks voters to adopt a policy to limit the number of signs that can be put on a property to one per lot, except business directory signs in areas near Route 3A.

Election Day is Tuesday, May 13, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Bow Community Building.

$15K for Bow library budget OK'd

Bow Editor — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:42:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

After hearing from library trustees at a recent public hearing about the operating budget, Bow Budget Committee members decided to return $15,000 to the budget for the Baker Free Library.

By a 4-3 vote after the public hearing, Budget Committee members brought the recommended budget to the same number as the selectmen’s recommendation – about $8.3 million. If passed, the operating budget will have an estimated tax rate increase of 66 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation, or about $198 over last year for the owner of a home assessed at $300,000.

If all warrant articles pass, Budget Committee members estimate an additional increase of 17 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation. Both the budget and warrants would bring the total town portion of the tax rate to about 83 cents per $1,000 assessed property value over last year – a spike of $250 for the owner of a $300,000 home.

Originally, the Budget Committee wanted to remove $10,000 for the book collection and $5,000 for the salary of the new library director to replace Linda Kling, who retired in March.

During the public hearing, library trustees came to the defense of the library, and Budget Committee members reconsidered their recommendation and agreed with the sentiment.

“We were concerned that if we don’t continue to contribute to the book collection, there would be a negative impact,” said Budget Committee Chairman Dan De Vasto. “We want to make sure that we have enough to provide the level of service that the people in town have grown accustomed to.”

Last year, the operating budget was cut during Town Meeting, and many departments in town suffered. The library was one of them, as they elected not to use money for the book collection during the year.

“We made cuts to the books. You can do that for a year, but your collection will suffer and you’ll end up with big holes in the collection if you continually cut from your book funding,” said Library Trustee Susan Hatem. “There’s always a juggling process, and you just try to save money where ever you can, and at the same time meet the demands that the public has been asking for.”

July will mark the two-year anniversary of Baker Free Library extending its hours to six days per week and, Hatem said, having the $15,000 in the budget is crucial, especially during a difficult economic time.

“What we tried to get across, and the Budget Committee seemed to agree, is that the library is the jewel of the community,” said Hatem. “Everyone from young children to senior citizens can use it. In times when the economy is bad, the library becomes even more important. People use the library for job searching, and just to get out and clear their head and think.”

Residents will vote on the budget and warrant articles at Town Meeting, Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. in the Bow High School auditorium.

Bow budget hikes taxes

Bow Editor — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:50:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

In the aftermath of last year’s budget cuts when selectmen turned off 222 street lights in Bow, voters are now faced with a proposed budget that’s up about $602,000 from last year.

This year’s warrant articles go to voters at the Bow Town Meeting Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m., at Bow High School.

The warrants, discussed at a Wednesday, April 9, public hearing held by the Budget Committee, will include 30 articles.

Voters will see two recommended operating budgets, one from the Board of Selectmen and the other from the Budget Committee, with a difference of $15,000. Selectmen recommended, by a 3-2 vote, to support an $8,332,912 budget, while the Budget Committee’s recommended budget, by a 4-3 vote, is $8,317,912.

At the April 9 public hearing, Budget Committee Chairman Dan de Vasto told the 40 residents in attendance about the situation the town faces.

“Everyone is cognizant of keeping things down and not cutting our throats in the process,” said de Vasto. “Some think we can spend more, some think we can spend less. We try to find a happy medium.”

A large portion of the crowd at the public hearing were members of the Fire Department, as five of the warrant articles to be voted on at Town Meeting involve fire and rescue.

The Fire Department is proposing the purchase of a pumper truck, which will have no tax impact as the money will be taken from a capital reserve fund, if the article is approved.

In addition, voters will be asked to put $160,000 in the fire truck capital reserve fund and purchase a new fire truck to replace one that has been in use since 1984.

The purchase of self-contained breathing apparatuses will depend on whether the article is approved because the latter asks voters to put $60,000 into a capital reserve fund used for rescue equipment.

In addition to the self-contained breathing equipment that would be purchased if approved, residents will be asked to allow the Police Department to purchase a $32,000 special utility vehicle, using the remainder of the rescue equipment fund.

“I think it’s very important for voters to support these articles. It’s for their protection. We’ve maintained the equipment for years now, and it’s simply time for new equipment,” said Bow Fire Chief Dana Abbott.

Other than the operating budget, the item with the biggest tax impact will be $365,000 for road paving, an item that will mean a 31 cent tax increase per $1,000 assessed property valuation.

If approved, the proposed operating budget would have a $3.99 increase on the town rate per $1,000 assessed property valuation. That means the owner of a $300,000 home would see an increase of about $1,197 over last year.

If the 10 warrant articles with tax impact are approved, that same owner would pay an additional $1,467 in taxes. De Vasto said after seeing the action at last year’s meeting, he hopes to see a larger crowd at the May 14 Town Meeting.

“I’m only hoping that based on last year’s activities, more voters will come and express their opinions on things,” he said. “There’s a philosophy of a large number of people who feel there should be no increase at all. Using that as a yard stick to measure, most of these things will be controversial to some people.”

Here’s who’s running for election in Bow

Bow Editor — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:01:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Bow residents heading to the polls on Election Day will have five contested races to decide, as candidates recently met the deadline to get their names on the ballot.

For one open seat on the Board of Selectmen, incumbent Harry Judd is running against challenger Robert Louf for the three-year term.

The most contested races are for two seats on both the Budget Committee and School Board. George Lagos, Steven McManis, Peter Cheney and Brad Hutton are vying for two seats on the Budget Committee.

Anne Baier and Deb McCann both filed for re-election to the School Board this year, and are running against Van Mosher, Marc Brunelle and Jack Finan for three-year terms.

Henry Uchida and John Caron are running for a threeyear term as trustee of trust fund, while Lisa Richards and Thomas Ives will face each other for a five-year library trustee seat.

Peter Imse is running unopposed for town moderator, while Jim Hatem will do the same for another three-year term as school moderator.

Also running unopposed is Sara Swenson for six years as supervisor of the checklist, Deborah deMoulpied for the fouryear position as supervisor of the checklist and John King for four years as library trustee.

No residents filed to run for three-year terms as school treasurer and school clerk.

Voting takes place Tuesday, May 13, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bow Community Center. Town Meeeting is Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m., at Bow High School.

File for town and school seats in Bow

Bow Editor — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:41:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Bow residents have until Friday, April 4, to file for open positions. Applications are being accepted at the Town Clerk’s office from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residents can get involved in public office by filing for 11 open seats for this year’s town and school district elections. Election Day in Bow is Tuesday, May 13, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Community Building. Town Meeting takes place Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m., at Bow High School.

Seats coming up for re-election include:

Town positions Budget Committee, two three-year seats; one three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen; one three-year seat as trustee of trust funds; one two-year term for town moderator; one six-year seat as supervisor of checklist; one five-year term as library trustee; and a four-year library trustee position.

School district

Those interested in serving on the School Board can file for two three-year seats. Voters will also choose a candidate to serve a three-year seat as school treasurer; a three-year term as school clerk; and a school moderator for a three-year position.

Budget Committee seats are currently filled by Peter Cheney and George Lagos, and Deb McCann and Anne Baier on the School Board, and Jim Hatem serves as school district moderator.

The Board of Selectmen seat is currently held by Harry Judd, while Peter Imse holds the town moderator position.

The Budget Committee will also hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. in the Bow Memorial School music room.

Time to file for Bow elections

Bow Editor — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:04:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

With one wave of elections and town meetings concluded around the state, Bow residents will be asked to file for 11 open seats on this year’s ballot in May.

The School Board and Budget Committee will both have two three-year seats to be filled, with candidates vying for one open spot in the other nine races. Budget Committee seats are currently filled by Peter Cheney and George Lagos, and Deb McCann and Anne Baier on the School Board.

Candidates can also apply to fill a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen, currently held by Harry Judd.

Both the town and school moderator positions are up for election, a two-year term on the town side and a three-year position for the school.

Other open positions include three years as trustee of trust funds, six years as supervisor of checklist, five years as library trustee, four years as library trustee, three years as school treasurer and three years as school clerk.

Residents will have until Friday, April 4, to file for the open positions. Applications are being accepted at the Town Clerk’s office from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Election Day in Bow is Tuesday, May 13, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Community Building.

Town Meeting takes place the Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m., at Bow High School.

The Budget Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. in the Bow Memorial School music room.

During last year’s Town Meeting, voters approved a 6.4 percent cut from the proposed budget, which led to cuts in several areas, including shutting off the majority of the streetlights in town.

At the meeting, then newly elected Selectman Tom Keane proposed an amendment to cut the budget from $8.1 million to $7.7 million. The amendment passed 128-60, and several areas in town took hits in order to get the budget to meet Keane’s amended level.

Bow school cuts in the works, IB to stay

Bow Editor — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:54:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Bow school administrators are working to make the cuts approved by voters at the School District Meeting.

They are expecting to bring a proposal to the School Board at a Thursday, April 3, meeting. During the March 14 meeting, voters approved the Budget Committee’s proposal of $24.8 million, about $152,000 less than the School Board’s proposed budget.

Superintendent of Schools Dean Cascadden said the cuts will need to come from areas that will not have a negative effect on the district.

“I understand that in these economic times, people are conscious of growing school budgets,” said Cascadden. ”We will do what makes sense to reach that cut. You want to make decisions on what will least impact kids, and least impact the academics for kids.”

Bow business administrator Duane Ford said school officials want to create a list that will equal more than the total cuts to give the board different items to choose from.

“What we’re going to need to do is meet with administration, and each building is going to bring their own ideas. We won’t just get things that add up to 152,000, but get some other things we can put out there that we are able to talk about,” he said.

Cascadden also said he plans to accumulate a list of more than the $152,000 before the board decides on the actual cuts.

“I like to bring the thinking forward, so we may have to present more than just the cuts to make sure they reflect the board’s priorities as well,” he said. “I told the staff that if you want to defend something, that’s fine, but we also need to make cuts.”

According to Cascadden, there is a variety of criteria contributing to the decision of what areas will take hits.

“The first thing you’re going to look at is anything new, and there are some special education and custodial positions that we’ll look at,” he said. “We also have to look at programs that are new. We have to say (to the staff), ‘come with your ideas and we’ll we see what kind of things we can come up with.’”

Ford said the administration looks at non-mandated programs as well as one-time-only areas such as equipment.

Cascadden said he does not plan to pull out of the International Baccalaureate program as a way to trim the budget.

“We are moving forward with the application with the intent that we want to implicate it. How do you ask people to do all this work and then say we’re not going to do it?,” said Cascadden. “The board will listen to the input from the community, and if we get accepted we’ll listen to that and see. I’m committed to seeing it through, but that could be an area the board looks to cut.”

The Thursday, April 3, School Board meeting will take place beginning at 7 p.m., at the music room at Bow Memorial School.

Voters favor budget committee plan over board's

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:00:00 GMT

The third time was a charm as Bow residents rejected two school district operating budgets before approving the Budget Committee’s recommendation, which requires the School Board to make cuts.

During the Friday, March 14, annual School District Meeting, residents packed the Bow High School auditorium and debated the operating budget for more than three hours before approving a budget of about $24.8 million – $152,000 less than the school board’s proposal.

The Budget Committee’s budget passed 274-104 by ballot vote after the School Board’s was rejected 259-165.

One resident proposed an amendment to leave the budget at $23.4 million, the same amount as the 2007-08 budget, but that amendment failed 270-125.

When the motion was made to keep the budget with no increase, School Board member Warren Fargo said it would have a negative impact on the town.

“We have to be cautious when making cuts that would destroy a positive in the community, and that is the school district,” said Fargo. “You have to look at strengths. To cut the school district to this level would be devastation.”

Resident Scott Lucas said the budget came down to wants.

“When we talk about cutting programs, so what?” said Lucas. “The problem with America is that we want more than we can afford to pay for. Do we have to have it all? What if we cut with priority? If you keep wanting it all, be prepared to pay.”

Vivian Knezevich, who said she moved to town for its education system, spoke in favor of a higher budget.

“Quality education costs a lot of money and a lot of the reason many of us live here us for the education this district provides,” said Knezevich. “It sounds silly, but our kids are our future and we need to pay to make sure that happens. We need help with our future.”

Residents were outspoken throughout the evening, and early on resident Van Mosher was nearly asked to leave the meeting after getting into a heated exchange with Moderator Jim Hatem.

Mosher interrupted the moderator on multiple occasions before Hatem banged his gavel, saying Mosher was out of order.

At one point during the exchange, Mosher felt Hatem was editorializing his motion and voiced his displeasure for Hatem.

“Mr. moderator, my motion is that you follow the rules,” he said. “The secretary of state would be very interested in what you’re doing right now.”

The School Board has not yet decided where the cuts will be made, although some potential areas mentioned have been the school to career program, gifted and talented, athletic trainer and sports.

All of the articles at the meeting passed, including the approval of $92,000 for increases in salaries and benefits, $154,000 for a five-year lease and purchase agreement on two school buses, $156,000 to replace the wooden siding at Bow Elementary School, $16,000 to make improvements on the patio area at Bow High School, and $80,000 for several paving improvements to Bow Memorial and Elementary schools.

Also, voters agreed to add up to $60,000 to the district’s Capital Reserve Fund and $40,000 to the paving Capital Reserve Fund, both which will come from any surplus at the end of the current year budget.

Although the meeting was well-attended, with nearly every seat in the auditorium full, a large number of residents left after the operating budget was passed around 10:30 p.m.

Bow voters to choose between School Board or Budget Committee’s proposed spending

Bow Editor — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:14:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

While the proposed budget may be the only controversial item at the annual Bow School District Meeting, school officials are still hoping that residents will turn out in high numbers to vote.

The meeting takes place Friday, March 14, at the Bow High School auditorium, at 7 p.m.

The biggest issue for residents will be the School Board’s proposed operating budget, as the board and Budget Committee have differing views on how much should be spent.

While the School Board recommends a budget of about $24.98 million, the Budget Committee suggests $24.83 million, a difference of about $150,000.

If the Budget Committee’s operating budget is approved, it would be a 3 percent increase from last year, compared to the School Board’s proposed increase of 3.65 percent.

The tax increase would mean 72 cents per $1,000 property valuation for the School Board budget, as opposed to 59 cents per $1,000 for the Budget Committee’s recommendation.

“There wasn’t a specific area (that caused the difference). The board identified some categories we’d look at. You look at non-required items. Those areas are the school-to-career program, gifted and talented, the athletic trainer and sports,” he said. “These are areas that you look at first because they’re not mandated programs. We’ve had good results from them, but you have to look. We’re not looking at those areas just to avoid the cuts.”

Budget Committee member Rick Hiland said any increase was too high from his perspective.

“With the economy as it is and not looking very rosy, I was not going to support anything bigger than a zero percent increase,” said Hiland. “I didn’t vote in favor of the budget, even with the $152,000 cut. I was thinking of the taxpayers.”

Hiland pointed to the $70,000 in the budget for International Baccalaureate and other activities as well.

“The employees of the district need to start sharing some of the increases. The cost for activities keep escalating, and they’re adding new programs every year that fall on the back of the taxpayers,” he said. “At some point it needs to be curtailed. When times are bad we have to pull the strings in and no one seems to want to do that.”

In addition to the budget, Article 5 asks voters to authorize the School Board to enter into a five-year lease and purchase agreement for two school buses, which would cost about $154,000. Of that total, $34,000 needs to be raised for the first-year payment.

Articles 6, 7 and 8 deal with maintenance and repairs, including the wooden siding at Bow Elementary School for $156,000, the patio area of Bow High School for $16,000 and paving at Bow Memorial and Elementary schools.

All three maintenance items would be funded out of a variety of Capital Reserve Funds.

The final two issues up for debate at the School District Meeting will ask voters to add up to $60,000 to the Capital Reserve Fund and up to $40,000 allocated for paving in the Capital Reserve Fund, with both amounts being added from the unreserved surplus account available on July 1.

Bow Superintendent of Schools Dean Cascadden said he hopes the appearance of meeting won’t prevent voters from filling the high school’s auditorium.

“There isn’t anything super controversial about this year’s meeting, which is too bad. People may see there’s nothing big and stay home,” said Cascadden. “But really we need people to come out and have a good support. There are issues with the budget that need to be discussed.”

This will also be Cascadden’s first election in a long time that he’ll be involved in a Town Meeting.

“My hometowns have previously been SB2,” said Cascadden. “In one sense, I’m very excited because it’ll be the first time I’ll have been involved in a meeting that really counts. I’m hoping that we get a very good turnout, because there are some important things on the agenda.”

Late changes required super majority vote

Bow Editor — Wed, 09 May 2007 18:59:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

A last-minute initiative by several local business owners objecting to zoning amendment 2D was successful.

The group of roughly 12 active and another dozen semi-active business owners created a protest petition changing the necessary votes to pass from a simple majority of 50 percent to a super majority of 67 percent.

Though the article passed by a majority, 491-370, it failed to get the necessary two-thirds and was voted down.

According to Planning Board member Sandy Crystall, had the amendment passed, it wouldn’t have changed anything immediately, but would have had long-term implications on additional high-risk land uses, such as hazardous underground storage tanks that could leak.

She added that variances would have been given in certain cases when applied for.

“It certainly placed more restrictions on us, and the business group I’m a part of thought they were overly excessive and in some cases unnecessary restrictions,” said Peter Emanuel, owner of Zero Waste and Recycling Services. “There are already plenty of restrictions in place and if anything, at this point, we feel the town should work within the regulations that exist before they start passing more.

In the weeks leading up to balloting, Emanuel and several other local business owners set out to obtain signatures of those owning at least 20 percent of the land surrounding the 4,800-acre aquifer, which includes the Bow Bog Brook, Turee Pond and Turkey River.

The signatures were required to establish the super majority requirement.

Still, Emanuel points out that although he is happy to see the protest petition work, both the business owners and Planning Board are on the same side in wanting to protect the water aquifer, though he acknowledged each side has different views on how to accomplish the goal.

Voters also approved Zoning Amendment 2E, which changed the zoning of the town’s elementary and middle schools and the land across the street from residential and rural to civic.

The land across the street, at 19 Bow Center Road, is currently owned by resident Paul Hammond, and has been tabbed by resident Donna Morrison, for more than a year, to house a new youth center, which she hopes to open for before and after school programs.

Though the Planning Board did not support rezoning the land last year, because they didn’t want other commercial business moving into the property in the future, Crystall said those worries have been addressed.

“I think last year’s proposal would have allowed commercial use of the gym facility and I think it was that commercial use that was an issue for many folks who were really concerned that if the youth center wasn’t there down the road, someone else could come in and put in some other commercial venture,” said Crystall. “This year, the proposal doesn’t include commercial use. It’s just after-school care and such and not renting out the facility for nonchild or daycare stuff.”

Keane, Kenison win selectman bids

Bow Editor — Wed, 09 May 2007 18:42:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Voting in Bow was down almost 33 percent from last year, with only 16.5 percent of Bow’s 5,510 registered voters turning out to cast their ballots on Town Election Day, Tuesday, May 8, where there were shakeups in both contested race.

Thomas Keane shook the landscape of the Bow Board of Selectmen, defeating Chairman Thomas Fagan.

“I really enjoyed working with Thomas Fagan. He was an excellent selectman who cared very much for the town of Bow,” said Town Manager James Pitts. “I look forward to working with the newly constituted board, including Thomas Keane.”

“One of the things I want to do and one of the things I’ve promised to do is keep people informed, and I’ll be setting up a Web site and writing editorials in The Bow Times to do that,” said Keane. “I appreciate everyone’s vote. It was an uphill struggle and I want to say that I think Tom Fagan was a great selectman, and I want to thank him for his service to the town and wish him well.”

Keane, 5 08 votes, and incumbent Leon Kenison, 522 votes, narrowly defeated Fagan who accumulated 484 votes.

Likewise, on the budget committee, John Burton III, 285 votes, lost his attempt at re-election, while Rick Hiland, 391 votes, will be rejoining the board after losing the vote last year and taking a year off.

Jacquelyn “Jet” Jennings, 254 votes, also lost her bid for the budget committee, while Kally Abrams won a seat, with 418 votes, after losing a close race in 2006.

“I’m resilient and I’m glad I was elected. Over the next three years, it’s going to be an interesting group of five different people that all bring different things to the table,” said Abrams. “There is definitely going to be work to do to get the town where it needs to be.”

In addition to keeping a close eye on the school system, which her son is currently a part of, and making sure the Public Works Department continued receiving the funding it needs, Abrams said one of her top priorities on the Budget Committee is the new public safety building for the police and fire departments.

“We, as the people who live in the town of Bow, should be embarrassed by (the fire station),” said Abrams.

“Everyone wants to have their own town pride, but having a fire station and community center that’s in nearly disrepair is something we should take very seriously.”

Burton and Jennings may still apply for a one-year appointment on the Budget Committee to fill the void created by the recent death of Robert Graves.

The deadline for applications is 4 p.m. on May 16.

Those winning uncontested races include Henry S. Uchida, 715 votes, who will serve the next three years as trustee of the trust funds, and Regan R. Mack, 690 votes, who will serve a five-year term as library trustee.

To coincide with town elections, the Bow School District moved, for the first time, from March to May, though there were no contested races.

Current school board Chairman Warren Fargo, 610 votes, and board member Pansy Bloomfield, 593 votes, each gained another three-year seat, and Anne Baier, 673 votes, won another term in the board’s one-year seat.