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Hooksett Public TV vote again

Hooksett Editor — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:19:00 GMT

BY GINGER KOZLOWSKI

A move is on to get a public access cable TV channel started in Hooksett, with supporters hoping the vote will be in their favor this year, unlike last year.

For decades, Comcast cable TV subscribers have paid a small franchise fee in their bills, which is sent to the town. It’s money meant for the town to be able to run a public TV channel, but because there is no such channel, the money has gone into the town’s general fund. That amounts to more than $100,000 a year.

On voting day in Hooksett, which is May 12, Warrant Article 20 will ask for those fees to be put toward a public access channel in a special fund, rather than the general fund.

According to a flier Hooksett resident David Pearl has distributed, a television studio could be set up at the Hooksett Town Hall, and meeting rooms at the building could be rigged with cameras and other necessary equipment which would allow meetings to be shown.

Other uses for the publicaccess channel include local programming about Hooksett, like sporting events, concerts and plays. Emergency announcements and instructions would be made on the channel. A message board could list upcoming town events and public information. Schools could even contribute by producing programming. The flier quotes several officials as being in support of the article.

Dr. Charles “Phil” Littlefield, SAU 15 superintendent, is quoted as saying, “The development of community-based television, among other things, provides Hooksett with the opportunity to bring government into every living room. It is a wonderful way to bring democracy to the people.”

Bill Gahara of HYAA supports the idea, as does Hooksett Town Councilor Paul Loiselle. Fire Chief Michael Williams says it would be a great tool for the Hooksett Fire Department.

“Communicating with our residents through television would be a great way for us to keep the residents informed about all Fire Department fundtions,” according to the flier.

While Pearl operates his own video business, he would not run the public access channel.

“First of all,” he said, “although I operate a video business, I don’t have a background in community TV. Second, I plan to devote all of my time to Spotlight Video. I would not rule out serving on a board, as a citizen. Pearl said the Town Council would be charged with creating a board to oversee the operation of the public channel.

“Some have mentioned that the warrant doesn’t address all of the specifics,” said Pearl. “That is because we are voting on creating community TV, not trying to set forth exactly how it would run. Should it pass, the people of Hooksett or their representatives will have to decide all of the details.”

Last year’s vote on the same topic failed 551-442. The 2 percent charge on each cable bill has continued to go into the general fund to help offset taxes.

TV group disbands

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:19:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

Hooksett resident Peter Farwell informed the Town Council at their meeting on Wednesday, May 14, that the Public Access TV Committee has disbanded.

The ballot question asking voters’ permission to establish a public access television program in Hooksett failed in a 551-442 vote. Farwell, who headed the committee and researched public access stations in surrounding towns, said town councilors who supported the station, including Pat Rueppel (District 1) and David Ross (District 4), thanked the committee for their efforts.

Farwell said he’s convinced, based on the vote, that the town does not want a public access station at this time, and as of right now does not plan on continuing the fight to bring it to Hooksett.

“It was a shock because every place we went, every organization we talked to had been very, very positive,” Farwell said. “Mr. Longfellow indicated that he didn’t think the town wanted it, and I tipped my hat to him because he was right,” Farwell said about the sentiments of District 6 Councilor George Longfellow.

Longfellow and District 2 Councilor Jason Hyde have expressed their dissent against bringing public access to the town, saying it would be of little use as it was presented.

Hyde, who also works for Comcast, said the data for Comcast cable users shows that virtually no one watches public access channels. Money would be better spent, he said, on streaming town and school meetings as well as community events and postings online.

Some Hooksett residents have pointed out that the franchise fees attached to cable users’ Comcast bills, which currently go into the town coffers to offset taxes, constitute an unfair tax because not everyone pays the fees.

About three-quarters of the town’s homes are hooked up to Comcast. The town adds the franchise fees to the bills to the tune of about 2 percent of the overall bill, and collects around $100,000 per year in those fees, Town Administrator David Jodoin has said.

“I feel that it’s an unfair tax,” said David Pearl, the creator of the “Hooksett Issues” Google discussion group where the campaign for public access began, and who was also active in trying to bring Hooksett its own station.

The Town Council is authorized to remove the franchise fees from the bill at any time, according to correspondence from Comcast.

The problem, Pearl said, is that if the committee plans to regroup and go for another ballot question next year to establish public access, the fees would likely have to stay on Comcast bills for now. If they are taken off, a public access article would likely not pass, as the fees would have to be reinstituted to pay for the station setup and operating costs.

“We’re kind of in decisionmaking mode,” Pearl said. “I’m now in a position of possibly supporting something I don’t believe in to get something I want.”

The $1 line item the Town Council put into the town’s operating budget to allow them to transfer money into a fund for public access in case the ballot question passed remains, leaving the matter open as far as authority to transfer money is concerned.

Pearl said he’s heard from many Hooksett residents who didn’t even know about the franchise fees added to their cable bills until after the election.

He also got feedback from residents who said they were not pleased with the vague plan the committee had for the public access station, which did not include any hard, reliable cost estimates or specific plans for how the station would be run. “At least the election gave more publicity to it,” Pearl said.

Default budget worries officials as prices increase

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:10:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

Hooksett voters surprised town officials – and in some cases themselves – with how they decided to spend their money, leaving officials to wonder how to fill town gas tanks and cover other expenses.

About 12 percent of registered voters showed up at the Cawley Middle School on Tuesday, May 13, and rejected 508- 468 the town’s proposed 2008-09 $15.7 million operating budget, which had a 2 percent increase over what the town spent last year. The default budget will be $15.3 million.

The town also said no to a $1.5 million bond to fund the second phase of the town’s sewer plant expansion. While 504 voters cast ballots for the funding and 500 voted against it, it needed a three-fifths majority to pass.

Two Town Council members lost their seats to their challengers. “It was strange the way the vote came in, and we were amazed,” said Councilor-At- Large incumbent Stuart Werksman, who was defeated by Nancy VanScoy at the polls after a three-year term in the seat. Michael Pischetola will take over for Jason Hyde in the District 2 Council seat.

Werksman added fuel costs are going to pose major problems for the town’s budget. “It’s going to be a tough year, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.

The default budget would add about 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to the tax rate compared to the proposed budget’s 40 cents per $1,000, said Town Administrator David Jodoin.

Almost all the warrant articles passed, plus the default will add an estimated 61 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, about a $152 increase on the tax bill of a home assessed at $250,000.

If the proposed budget had passed along with the warrant articles that were voted in, the tax rate increase from last year would have increased by an estimated 76 cents per $1,000, which would result in an estimated $190 increase on the tax bill for the same home.

The Highway Department was approved to hire two new workers in 2008-09, after running for more than a decade with the same number of workers, according to highway manager Dale Hemeon.

The Fire Department got two more firefighters, bringing their staffing levels more in line with state standards. That passed by just three votes, 492-489. Voters also approved raises for non-unionized town employees, something Jodoin didn’t’ expect to pass during the tough economic times.

Voters did not add a part-time building and zoning inspector to the Town Hall, nor did they vote to spend money on updating the town’s Master Plan or vote to establish and deposit $33,000 into a road impact fee study.

A 13-vote margin separated the request to put $10,000 in to the parks and recreation capital reserve fund, which was voted down 481-494.

Jodoin said the voting results were a little surprising, but added the ballot was rather long and said the Town Council may consider ways to cut down on the amount of warrant articles on the ballot for future votes.

He said one of the biggest issues the vote raises is how the town will handle rising costs for necessisities such as fuel, salt and paving materials on a default budget. The town also has to make good on its contractual obligations and fund increased costs for areas of the budget out of the town’s control, including health insurance.

“We were kind of strapped as it is,” Jodoin said. “I think everyone’s going to have to be a lot more fuel conscious.”

The fuel funds in the default budget for 2008-09 break out to about $2.65 a gallon, Jodoin said, because they are based on costs from last year. The town is currently paying just over $3 per gallon for fuel. If prices makes it to $5 during the winter, as some experts have predicted, it’s going to put the town in a bind, Jodoin said.

The police, fire and highway departments use the most fuel. Officers are on patrol at all times and highway workers drive to work zones and use a lot of gas plowing over the winter. The large fire trucks are also gas guzzlers, Jodoin said.

And while Hemeon said he’s thrilled voters approved his new employees and two new trucks, he’s not so happy about the fuel line shortage he’s about to enter into.

Hemeon said his default budget fuel line breaks down to about $2.50 per gallon, and he recently found the department would have to dish out $3.49 per gallon for diesel fuel.

“I’ll be $135,000 in the hole if we use the same amount of fuel we did this year,” Hemeon said, of the 2008-09 budget year, and added he would likely forego on paving and other road projects this year to save money.

Even with the passage of a proposed budget, the Highway Department would have still run over its fuel budget, having come into budget talks under budget to begin with.

“Our job is to come in and say what we need. We try to be realistic,” Hemeon said.

After the salt shortage in many towns across the state this winter, the price of salt has climbed to about $43 per ton, a number that could climb to around $60 this year, Hemeon said.

“It’s going to be tough because we had a really tough winter,” Jodoin said, adding if there is any fund balance left at the end of this fiscal year, it could be devoted to stocking up on salt to avoid a buyer’s rush and potential price increase in the coming months.

Jodoin added that moving the town offices to their new location at the Village School will provide an opportunity to further refine and streamline the town’s practices.

If the situation gets bad enough, staffing changes would not be out of the picture as a last resort, Jodoin said, citing towns such as Allenstown and Concord, which had to cut hours and benefits for town employees to save money.

New faces on Hooksett Town Council; town budget, sewer bond fail

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:12:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

Hooksett voted down a $1.5 million bond to expand the sewer plant, downed the proposed $15.7 million 2008- 09 town operating budget and elected two new members to the Town Council.

A total of 1,000 Hooksett voters turned out at the polls on Tuesday, May 13 to choose town officials and vote on 24 cost items and 16 zoning amendments.

Seventeen voters cast absentee ballots for a total turnout of 1,017, about 12 percent of Hooksett’s registered voters.

Nancy VanScoy beat incumbent Jason Hyde for the District 2 Council seat, earning 136 votes to his 54.

“I’m really excited to certainly learn more about what happens inside the Town Council,” said VanScoy, 38, who has lived in town for eight years. “I think my biggest thing is to restore the feel of community and involve everybody in the decisions of the town.”

Michael Pischetola won over incumbent Stuart Werksman and Carl Hebert for the at-large seat on the Town Council. Pischetola got 532 votes, Werksman got 244 and Hebert got 141.

“I think the big goal I have is to try to bring new ideas and a new voice to the Council,” said Pischetola, 59, a retired cop who moved back to Hooksett seven years ago after living in Manchester for two years.

The proposed $15,786,795 budget was voted down 508-468. The town’s 2008-09 default budget will now be $15,325,417.

The Sewer Department’s article asking voters to put up $1.5 million on a bond to complete the second phase of the sewer plant’s expansion was downed 504-500. It needed a three-fifths majority to pass.

“That’s very unfortunate because the future progress of the town, as far as trying to encourage commercial and industrial to offset the residential, is going to be very difficult,” said Town Council Chairman Paul Loiselle.

An article asking to transfer Comcast franchise fees into a separate town fund to set up a public access TV station failed in a 551-442 vote. The 2 percent charge on each cable bill will continue to go into the general fund to help offset taxes.

“The campaign itself was extremely favorably received,” said Peter Farwell, who spearheaded the public access drive.

“I don’t know what we’ll do because that’s the third time people said no,” said School Board Chairman Maura Ouellette, who was active in the public access campaign.

Hooksett voters approved funding for two new firefighters, two highway workers, and a part-time assistant building and zoning inspector. They also voted in raises for non-union town employees.

The vote for $129,548 to hire two firefighters was the most narrow, with 492 approving the funding and 489 voting against it.

Voters authorized the town to enter into a $151,000 lease/ purchase agreement for a new highway truck, and further to spend $30,205 on the first year’s payment. The Highway Department will also get the funding for a $55,000 tractor.

The May 2006 vote authorizing the town to enter into a $16 million bond for the Cabela’s plan was rescinded. The October 2007 special election reduced the town’s obligation to just $2 million.

A tie vote over whether to deposit $50,000 in an assessing certification fund failed because it lacked a simple majority, according to Town Clerk Leslie Nepveu, who called Secretary of State William Gardner on Wednesday, May 14, to ask how to proceed. A coin toss to determine the outcome of a tie is only allowed in candidate races, she said.

Voters passed all 16 zoning amendments, including a growth phasing ordinance that will require developers submitting development plans with more than 12 units to submit a comprehensive phasing plan before construction. It also limits the number of units that per year can be added to the development, depending on the type of zone it’s in. A total of 722 votes were cast in favor and 217 against.

The town also voted to replace the Cluster Housing Ordinance with a Conservation Subdivision ordinance and to increase the required setback from wetlands from 25 feet to 40 feet. One also changed the definition of “junk” to include more than one unregistered and uninspected vehicle, preventing residents from storing more than one such vehicle on their property.

Hooksett vote, warrant articles, May 13, 2008

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:35:00 GMT

Article 3: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500,000 for the purpose of completing the upgrades of the Hooksett Wastewater Department Treatment Facility and to authorize the issuance of not more than $1,500,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the Town Council to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; and to raise and appropriate and additional sum of $230,000 for the first year’s payment on these bonds or notes. (3/5 ballot vote required) ($0.17 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (6-1), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (6-4)
Yes................................500     • No................................504
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Article 4: Shall the Town raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amount set forth on the budget posted with this warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $15,786,795? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $15,325,417, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of Town Meeting or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. Note: This Article does not include special warrant articles #3, 5 through #25. ($.40 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (9-1)
Yes................................468     • No................................508
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Article 5: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $113,975 for salaries and benefits to be set aside in a merit wage pool for non union full-time and part-time Town personnel. ($0.09 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
   Fiscal Year   Salaries       Benefits
   2008-09       $97,973       $16,002
• Yes................................597     No................................388
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Article 6: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 to be placed in the Assessing Certification Capital Reserve Fund already established. ($0.04 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
(TIE) Yes................................488     No................................488
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Article 7: To see if the Town will vote to discontinue the following capital reserve funds with said funds with accumulated interest to date of withdrawal, to be transferred to the Town’s general fund. RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
   -Architectural and Engineering Plans for Town Center Building (established in 2003) with a zero balance as of February 2008
   -Fire Department Computer Development (established in 2004) with a zero balance as of February 2008
   -Containment/Enclosure for Storage at Transfer Station (established in 2003) with a balance of $1,391.72 as of February 2008.
• Yes................................748     No................................229
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Article 8: Shall the Town rescind $16,000,000 of bonding authority that was authorized at town meeting in May 2006 and to comply with the results of the special election in October 2007 for the upgrades to the Town’s infrastructure at Exit 11 Tax Increment Finance District. (3/5 ballot vote required) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (6-1), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
• Yes................................725     No................................218
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Article 9: To see if the Town will vote to continue the numeric tally of all town council and the budget committee votes to recommend or not recommend an article be printed in the town warrant next to the affected article.
• Yes................................738     No................................178
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Article 10: To see if the Town will vote to establish a Recreation Revolving Fund pursuant to RSA 35:B:2 II. The money received from fees and charges for recreation park services and facilities shall be allowed to accumulate from year to year, and shall not be considered to be part of the Town’s general fund unreserved fund balance. The Town Treasurer shall have custody of all monies in the fund, and shall pay out the same only upon order of the Town Administrator. These funds may be expended only for recreation purposes as stated in RSA 35-B, and no expenditures shall be made in such a way as to require the expenditure of other town funds that have not been appropriated for that purpose.   RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
• Yes................................706     No................................238
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Article 11: To see if the Town will vote to establish a revolving fund pursuant to RSA 31:95-h, for the purpose of Fire Special Details. 80% of all revenues received from Fire Special Details will be deposited into this fund, and 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 fund unreserved fund balance; furthermore, to raise and appropriate $1 in order to pay for any details until such time as the outside payments are received. The Town Treasurer shall have custody of all monies in the fund, and shall pay out the same only upon order of the Town Administrator and no further approval is required by the legislative body to expend. Such funds may be expended only for the purpose for which the fund was created. RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
• Yes................................664     No................................287
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Article 12: To see if the Town will vote to create a capital reserve fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1, to be known as the Fire Cistern Capital Reserve Fund, for the purpose of repairing and maintaining Town cisterns and to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 for this fund, and to name the Town Administrator as agent to expend. ($0.01 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
• Yes................................642     No................................309
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Article 13: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 to be placed in the Fire Air Packs & Bottles Capital Reserve Fund already established. ($0.02 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
• Yes................................653     No................................304
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Article 14: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 (Fifty Thousand Dollars) to be placed in the Town Building Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund already established. ($0.04 estimated tax rate increase)   RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
• Yes................................493     No................................449
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Article 15: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $9,000 to purchase a Scale Management Computer Program for the Transfer and Recycling Department, to replace an outdated system. Said funds to be withdrawn from the Solid Waste Disposal Special Revenue Fund, with no funds from current year taxation. ($0.00 estimated tax rate increase)   RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
• Yes................................740     No................................225
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Article 16: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Council to enter into a five year lease/purchase agreement for $151,000 for the purpose of leasing a plow-dump truck for the Highway Department, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $30,205 for the first year’s payment for that purpose. This lease agreement contains an escape clause. ($0.02 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
• Yes................................621     No................................335
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Article 17: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $55,000 to purchase a Tractor/Loader/Backhoe for the Highway Department. ($0.04 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
• Yes................................543     No................................413
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Article 18: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be placed in the Town-Wide Computer Development Capital Reserve Fund already established. ($0.01 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)

• Yes................................505     No................................449
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Article 19: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $30,000 to be placed in the Emergency Radio Communication Development Capital Reserve Fund already established. ($0.02 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (7-0), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
• Yes................................543     No................................431
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Article 20: To see if the Town will vote to establish a capital reserve fund under the provision of RSA 35:1 for the purpose of a Road Impact Fee Traffic Study and to raise and appropriate the sum of $33,000 to be placed in this fund, and to name the Town Administrator as the agent to expend. ($0.02 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (6-1), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (6-2)
Yes................................379     • No................................584
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Article 21: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $118,294 for the salaries, benefits and taxes for two full-time Truck Driver/Laborers for the Highway and Parks. ($0.09 estimated tax rate increase)   RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (6-1), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
Fiscal Year   Salaries   Overtime   Taxes   Benefits
2008-09       $57,824   $9,592   $5,158   $45,720
• Yes................................507     No................................473
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Article 22: To see if the Town will vote to establish a capital reserve fund under the provision of RSA 35:1 for the purpose of updating the Town of Hooksett’s Master Plan and to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be placed in this fund, and to name the Town Administrator as the agent to expend. ($0.01 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (6-1), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
Yes................................432    • No................................527
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Article 23: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,400 for a Part-time Assistant Building/Zoning Inspector. ($0.01 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (6-1), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
Yes................................456     • No................................531
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Article 24: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $129,548 for the salaries, benefits and taxes for two full-time Firefighters/EMT’s for the Fire Department. If this article passes, the operating budget will be reduced $99,672 in overtime for the Fire Department. ($0.02 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (6-1), NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (3-7)
Fiscal Year   Salaries   Taxes   Benefits
2008-09       $73,022   $1,059   $55,467
Yes................................492     • No................................489
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Article 25: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be placed in the Parks and Recreation Facilities Development Capital Reserve Fund already established. ($0.01 estimated tax rate increase) RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNCIL (4-3), RECOMMENDED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE (8-0)
Yes................................481     • No................................494
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Article 26: Shall we adopt provisions of RSA 31:95-c to restrict 100% of revenue from the Town of Hooksett Comcast Franchise fees to expenditures for the purpose of establishing and operating Public Access (PEG) television service for Hooksett. Such revenues and expenditures shall be accounted for in a special revenue fund to be known as the “Town of Hooksett Public TV Access” 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 revenue. SUBMITTED BY PETITION.
Yes................................442     • No................................551

Hooksett election, town candidates, May 13, 2008

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:27:00 GMT

Councilor, at-large, for three years, vote for one
• Michael Pischetola – 531
Stu Werksman – 244
Carl J. Hebert Sr. – 141
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Councilor, District 3, for three years, vote for one
• Paul Loiselle – 147
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Councilor, District 2, for three years, vote for one
• Nancy VanScoy – 136
Jason M. Hyde – 54
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Budget Committee, for three year,s vote for three
• Nancy Comai – 719
(Write-in) Gerald Kearney – 4
(Write-in) Ann Stelmach – 2
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Budget Committee, for one year, vote for one
• Michael Sorel – 725
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Cemetery Commission, for three years, vote for one
• Sharron Champagne – 743
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Library Trustee, for three years, vote for one
• Linda Kleinschmidt – 760
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Sewer Commission, for three years, vote for one
• Roger B. Bergeron – 747
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Supervisor of the Checklist, for six years, vote for one
• Robert K. Ehlers – 747
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Trustee of the Trust Funds, for three years, vote for one
(Write-in) Linda Courtemanche – 12
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Voter turnout: 1,017
Registered voters: 8,605 Turnout: 11.8%

Hooksett vote results, zoning warrants, May 13, 2008

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:20:00 GMT

Zoning warrant articles:

Article 2 Amendment 1: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, Article 7, Section B.3. Density Limitations a), Elderly, Older Person and Handicapped Housing:
The Zoning Board of Adjustment may allow a density of six (6) dwelling units per acre overall for a single development. Soil conditions, slope, the suitability of the land for such construction, or its location may dictate less than the maximum density.
The purpose of this amendment is to reduce the density of Elderly, Older Person and Handicapped Housing from 15 units per acre to 6 units per acre for a single development.
• Yes................................679     No................................278
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Article 2, Amendment 1a: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, Article 22, Definitions, Dwelling, Multi-Family by changing the definition to read: An apartment house, condominium, or building containing three (3) or more dwelling units, but in no event more than twenty-four (24). The criteria governing three (3) or more units can be found in the Development Regulations.
The purpose of this amendment is to restrict any one multi-family building to a maximum of 24 units.
• Yes................................745     No................................207
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Article 2, Amendment 2: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, Article 7, Section B.4 Parking b), Elderly, Older Person and Handicapped Housing: In addition to these off-street parking requirements, other appropriate provisions of Site Plan Review process shall apply.
The purpose of this amendment is to remove any reference to Article 17, Parking Requirements, which is no longer included in the Zoning Ordinance, but can be found in the Development Regulations.
• Yes................................674     No................................254
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Article 2, Amendment 3: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, Article 26, Non-Conforming Uses and Buildings by adding a new Section D. (and renumber remainder sequentially) Non-Conforming Uses and Buildings: A nonconforming building or structure which is destroyed by fire or other hazard may be restored to its former dimensions, provided that it was not destroyed voluntarily and restoration is begun within twelve (12) months after the act of destruction; and by amending, Article 26, by eliminating Section C. 3. Non-Conforming Uses and Buildings, Any legally non-conforming use or structure may not be extended or enlarged by more than fifty (50) percent of the original gross floor area; and eliminating Section C.4.: Any extension or enlargement of less than fifty (50) percent of the gross floor area of a legally non-conforming use shall not occur without the granting of a Special Exception by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
And by amending, Article 26, by adding a new Section C.3., Non-Conforming Uses and Buildings: All single family lots which conformed to the Zoning Ordinance at the time they were created and approved by the Planning Board, may expand the single family residence, as long as the expansion of the single family residence will conform to all setback requirements, and overlay district requirements, and single family residences are currently permitted in that district. On all other lots, any extension or enlargement of the gross floor area of a legally non-conforming structure shall not occur without the granting of a Special Exception by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The purpose of this amendment is to further clarify allowable expansions and reconstruction of structures on pre-existing non-conforming lots.
• Yes................................674     No................................254
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Article 2, Amendment 4: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, Article 22, Definitions, Junk: Means any old metals, old bottles, cotton, woolen or other mill waste, unfinished mill yarns, old paper or rubber products, discarded lumber, more than one (1) unregistered/ uninspected vehicles, old iron metal, glass, paper, cordage, or other waste or discarded or secondhand materials, or parts which have been a part, or intended to be a part, of any motor vehicles, discarded machinery, or scrap metal, and any second hand articles the accumulation of which is detrimental or injurious to the neighborhood.
The purpose of this amendment is to restrict more than one (1) unregistered/uninspected vehicle on parcels of land.
• Yes................................715     No................................235
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Article 2, Amendment 5: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance as follows: Change the Zoning of Map 1, lots 4, 6, 8, 9 and Map 5, lot 7 from Industrial to Medium Density Residential, and Map 5 lots 49, 53 and 54 from Industrial to Commercial.
These parcels are located on Edgewater Drive.
• Yes................................564     No................................337
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Article 2, Amendment 6: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance by inserting the provisions of Article 3, General Provisions, (which is an existing Article), shall apply, when applicable, to the following Districts:
Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, Urban District Residential, High Density Residential, Elderly, Older Person & Handicapped Housing, Cluster, Commercial; US Route 3 Performance Zone, Industrial; Mixed Use District 1, Mixed Use District 2, Mixed Use District 3, Mixed Use District 4, Mixed Use District 5, Article 18, Wetlands, Prime Wetlands, and Groundwater Conservation District.
The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that all provisions of existing Article 3, General Provisions, of the Zoning Ordinance apply to all zoning districts, when applicable.
• Yes................................649     No................................254
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Article 2, Amendment 7: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, Article 3, General Provisions, by inserting the following:
I.3. The parking of one (1) travel trailer or manufactured home on a property, wherein the existing single family or two family residence has been damaged by fire or other catastrophic event, may be maintained for a period of six (6) months during the repair of the residence. Said temporary housing shall be secured to the ground by means of hurricane tie-downs, or equal, and must be set on the property in accordance with the minimum yard setbacks for the zone. All necessary applicable permits shall be required. A maximum of one (1) extension to the time limit, requested in writing, may be granted by the Code Enforcement Official not to exceed six (6) months. This provision shall not apply to any multi-family or commercial structure.
The purpose of this amendment is to allow a temporary trailer or manufactured home in all residential districts, on a temporary, nature in the case of fire or a catastrophic event.
• Yes................................788    No................................165
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Article 2, Amendment 8: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, regarding percentage of lot coverage by removing this reference from the following districts of the Zoning Ordinance and inserting amended language into the Development Regulations:
Article 4, Low Density Residential; Article 5, Medium Density Residential; Article 5-A, Urban Residential District; Article 6, High Density Residential; Article 7, Elderly, Older Person and Handicapped Housing; Article 8, Cluster Housing; Article 9, Manufactured Housing Parks; Article 10, Commercial; Article 10-A, US Route 3 Corridor Performance Zone; Article 11, Industrial; Article 12, Mixed Use District 1; Article 13, Mixed Use District 2; Article 14, Mixed Use District 3; Article 15, Mixed Use District 4; and Article 16, Mixed Use District 5.
All references to building coverage and percentage of allowed impervious surface will be removed from the Zoning Ordinance and alternative language will be inserted into the Development Regulations.
• Yes................................579     No................................316
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Article 2, Amendment 9: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, by omitting Article 8, Cluster Housing Ordinance, and replacing the entire text with new text, adopted under RSA 674:21, Innovative Land Use Controls, entitled Conservation Subdivision.
The purpose of this amendment is to replace the current outdated Cluster Housing Ordinance.
• Yes................................724     No................................202
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Article 2, Amendment 10: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, by omitting Article 19, Groundwater Resource Conservation District, and replacing the entire text with new text.
The purpose of this amendment is to bring the Town’s Groundwater Resource Conservation District Ordinance into compliance with the NH DES Model Groundwater Protection Ordinance and the Town’s recently adopted Wellhead Protection Program to the Town’s stratified drift aquifers and the public water supply and water quality at Pinnacle Pond.
• Yes................................761     No................................166
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Article 2, Amendment 11: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance by eliminating Article 18, Wetlands Conservation Overlay District, Section G.2.a) A twenty-five (25) foot setback from the wetland boundary is to remain in its natural, undisturbed state, and eliminating b) A forty (40) foot setback shall be required from the wetland boundary to any structure or any paved area 2,400 square feet or larger in size and inserting a new a) to read: A forty (40) foot setback shall be required from the wetland boundary to any structure or any paved area and shall remain in its natural, undisturbed state.
The purpose of this amendment is to eliminate the 25’ undisturbed wetland setback and maintain an undisturbed 40’ setback from the wetlands.
• Yes................................663     No................................298
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Article 2, Amendment 12: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, Article 5-A, Urban Residential District, by adding B. Uses Permitted by Special Exception, 2. Two-Family Dwellings, provided they are served by municipal sewer and municipal water, consist of at least 18,000 square feet of area, provide two (2) onsite parking spaces per unit, and result in no increase in footprint of existing structure?
And amend Article 27, Accessory Apartments, B. Where Allowed, insert Urban Residential District. And amend C. General, 3., municipal sewer and municipal water required for Urban Residential District.
The purpose of this amendment is to allow two-family dwellings and accessory apartments in the Urban Residential District with certain restrictions.
• Yes................................582     No................................367
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Article 2, Amendment 13: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, by inserting Article 31, Phasing Requirement, which would provide for the phasing of development to avoid adverse effects on public health, safety or welfare, due to a sudden demand on service(s), which cannot be provided for by a reasonable expenditure of public funds. This article is adopted under RSA 674:21, Innovative Land Use Controls.
ARTICLE 31 – DEVELOPMENT PHASING
A.    Authority and Purpose
This ordinance is enacted pursuant to the authority granted by NH RSA 674:21 in order to provide for the phasing of development to avoid adverse effects on public health, safety or welfare due to a sudden demand on service(s) which cannot be provided for by a reasonable expenditure of public funds.
B.    Phasing Required
1.    A phasing plan shall be submitted for Planning Board approval for all developments of more than twelve (12) lots or dwelling units unless exempted under Section (d) of this Article, and at the applicant’s option may be submitted for smaller developments. Such plans shall result in the number of dwelling units authorized per year for construction being no more than the larger of one-eighth of the total number of lots or dwelling units proposed in the development or, if larger, the following:
a)    For development located in the High Density or Medium Density Residential districts: twenty-four (24) dwelling units per year;
b)    For other development proposed to be serviced with public water and sewerage: eighteen (18) dwelling units per year;
c)    For other developments: twelve (12) dwelling units per year.
2.    The Planning Board may authorize development up to 25% more dwelling units per year than the above upon its determination that unusual characteristics of that development and the resulting service needs of its residents assure unusually low demands on public services per dwelling unit.
3.    Piecemeal development of a Lot of Record to avoid phasing is prohibited. Any application submitted on a portion of a Lot of Record, which has been approved or conditionally approved within the previous twelve (12) months will be considered part of the original application for purposes of phasing, which shall be imposed on the new application as if it were part of the original application.
C.    Time Limitations
Building permits, which are not used within twelve months of the date of issuance, shall lapse. However, unutilized authorizations for permits in one year of a phasing plan may be carried over to the next year, but not longer than that.
D.    Exemptions from Phasing Limitations
The Planning Board shall grant exemptions to the phasing requirements of Section B. Phasing Required under the following conditions:
1.    Grandfathered Units. Development on lots or of units which are a part of a subdivision or site plan approved by the Planning Board or are shown on a subdivision plan or site plan accepted as complete by the Planning Board prior to the first posting of this ordinance.
2.    Affordable Units. Developments 20% or more of whose dwelling units are restricted for thirty (30) years or more to be affordable units, as defined in Article 22.
3.    Replacement Units. Dwelling units replacing the same number of units demolished on the same site within the preceding twelve (12) months.
4.    Altered Units. The expansion, alteration, or renovation of existing dwelling units unless one or more additional dwelling units are created as a result.
5.    Elderly, Older Person and Handicapped Housing granted by Special Exception under Article 7.
E.    Sunset
This Ordinance shall expire on January 1, 2013 unless readopted prior to that date.
Amend Section 22 Definitions as follows:
Replace the definition of “Dwelling Unit” with the following:
Dwelling Unit: one (1) or more living or sleeping rooms arranged for the use of one (1) or more individuals living as a single housekeeping unit, with cooking, living, sanitary and sleeping facilities not shared with any other unit, regardless of structure type, whether detached single-family, duplex or multifamily structure.
Insert the following definition at its appropriate alphabetical location:
    Affordable Unit: a dwelling unit restricted for sale or rent to households having,    income below 80% of the area median income (AMI), while:
(1)    Paying not more than thirty (30) percent of income on rent, including utilities and parking;
(2)    Paying not more than thirty-three (33) percent of income on mortgage principal and interest, private mortgage insurance, property taxes, condominium and/or homeowner’s association fees, hazard insurance, and parking.
The income that equals 80% of AMI is that annually determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for “low-income” families in the statistical region that includes Hooksett, adjusted for household size (assuming one or more person in the household than the number of bedrooms). Complaint housing prices are those specified in guidance materials prepared and maintained by the Community Development Department.
The purpose of this amendment is to require all subdivisions greater than 12 lots, unless exempt, to submit a phasing plan.
• Yes................................722     No................................217
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Article 2, Amendment 14: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance by amending Article 20, Signs, to include design requirements for permanent signs and add signage definitions.
The purpose of this amendment is to include design requirements for permanent signs and add signage definitions.
• Yes................................712     No................................231
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Article 2, Amendment 15: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, by inserting a new Article 20-A, Route 3A Sign Ordinance.
The purpose of this amendment is to provide separate sign regulations along the Route 3A Corridor from the Manchester City line to the Bow Town line, and from the intersection of Route 3A and Hackett Hill Road up to and including Map 13, lots 62 and 58 along Hackett Hill Road, and from the intersection of Route 3A and Cross Road up to and including Map 17, lots 34 and 37, which are comparable to the US Route 3 Corridor Performance Zone, adopted in May 2007, resulting in less intense signage.
• Yes................................697     No................................228
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Article 2, Amendment 16: This would amend the Hooksett Zoning Ordinance, by amending Article 10-A, US Route 3 Corridor Performance Zone, by amending Table of Performance Zone Sign Standards, by inserting, “Identification Sign, Building, “In a building with more than two (2) tenants, with multiple floors, each tenant with a separate public entrance shall be permitted to have one (1) building sign, not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet and each second floor tenant with common access shall be permitted to have one (1) building sign, not to exceed twelve (12) square feet. And by inserting, “Center Identification Sign, Freestanding, “Maximum sign area for four (4) or more tenants one-hundred (100) square feet per sign face, maximum sign height, fifteen (15) feet above grade.” And by inserting note #2, “All building mounted sign areas shall be determined by the square footage of the letters and symbols if they are directly mounted
to the building. If there is a distinctive border around the sign’s lettering and symbols, that border will be restricted to the allowable square footage.” And by inserting note #3, “All free-standing sign areas shall be determined by the face of the sign and will not include the base or the side posts supporting the sign face.” And by inserting Section 6 into Article 10-A I., Performance Zone: 6) Directional signs which do not exceed four square feet (4 s.f.) and bear no advertising or site identifying information are subject to approval of the Planning Board.
And by adding definitions for: Indirect Lighting, Direct Lighting, Internally Lit and Directory Sign.
The purpose of this amendment is to allow buildings with multiple tenants on multiple floors to have signs, and to allow buildings with four or more tenants to have signs that do not exceed 100 square feet/15 feet high, and allow directional signs in the Performance Zone when shown on a site plan, and add signage definitions.
The purpose of this amendment is to allow buildings with multiple tenants on multiple floors to have signs, and to allow buildings with four or more tenants to have signs that do not exceed 100 square feet/15 feet high, and allow directional signs in the Performance Zone when shown on a site plan, and add signage definitions.
• Yes................................589     No................................344

Hooksett Town Meeting vote, elections are May 13

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:29:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

Hooksett voters will decide on May 13 whether to spend $15.7 million on the town operating budget, a $1.5 million sewer bond and whether to add two new firefighters to the Fire Department.

A citizen’s petition to establish a public access cable television station is also on the ballot.

It would use Comcast franchise fees the town currently collects and uses to offset taxes.

Voters will also choose two new town councilors. Incumbent Jason Hyde and newcomer Nancy VanScoy are vying for the District 2 Town Council seat.

Carl J. Hebert Sr. and Michael Pischetola are both challenging incumbent Stu Werksman for his councilor-at-large seat, also up for grabs this year.

Should voters pass all the warrant articles, the town’s portion of the tax rate would increase by about 99 cents to $7.19 per $1,000 of assessed property value, said Town Administrator David Jodoin. If voters said no to everything and left the town with a default budget, the rate would increase by about 25 cents to $6.45.

The polls will be open at Cawley Middle School on Tuesday, May 13, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Article 2 contains all of the proposed zoning amendments.

Amendment 13, intensely discussed by the Hooksett Planning Board, would add a development phasing ordinance to the current zoning regulations that is designed to sustain but control growth by compelling developers to outline specific phases of their development and limiting the number of units built.

The first money articles voters will see is a $1.5 million bond to complete the second phase of the town’s sewer plant expansion.

Since only $230,000 of the bond would be paid this year, Article 3 would increase the tax rate by 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, adding $51 to the tax bill for a $300,000 home.

Article 4 on the ballot contains the proposed 2008-09 town operating budget, amounting to $15,786,795, representing $6.60 per $1,000 of assessed value on the tax bill. For a home assessed at $300,000, the proposed budget would comprise $1,980 on the tax bill. If defeated, a default budget of $15,325,417 will result.

Article 24 asks voters to spend $129,548 to hire two new firefighters, which would decrease the overtime line by $99,762 and leave the taxpayers with a net cost of $29,876 for the coming year. The Highway Department also seeks two new hires in Article 21 to the tune of $118,294, an estimated 9 cent per $1,000 increase on the tax rate.

The long discussed and awaited public access question, asking to use the fees to set up the TV station or otherwise remove the fees from the Comcast bills, appears in Article 26.

Other monetary warrant articles include the purchase of a new $55,000 truck for the Highway Department; $113,975 in raises for non-union town employees; $33,000 for a study to prioritize how impact fees will be spent on construction projects; and $10,400 to hire a part-time Assistant Building/ Zoning Inspector.

Auburn election results

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:43:00 GMT

Auburn Warrants
Unofficial returns, • denotes winner

To see if the town will adopt the official ballot law (SB2).
• Yes................................538     No................................308
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To see if the school district will adopt the official ballot law (SB2).
• Yes................................537     No................................310
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To see if the town will extend the town treasurer’s term from one year to three years.
• Yes................................624     No................................230

Auburn Town Candidates
Unofficial returns, • denotes winner

Selectman, for three years, vote for one
Harland Eaton – 318
• Paul Raiche – 530
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Town Moderator, for two years, vote for one
• C. Donald Stritch – 783
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Town Clerk, for two years, vote for one
• Joanne T. Linxweiler – 809
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Tax Collector, for two years, vote for one
• Kathleen A. Sylvia – 793
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Library Trustee, for one year, vote for one
• David S. Griffin – 795
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Auburn Village Cemetery Trustee, for three years, vote for one
• (write-in)
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Longmeadow Cemetery Trustee, for three years, vote for one
• Lorraine P. Senechal – 754
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Trust Fund Trustee, for three years, vote for one
• Howard Burgess – 751
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Checklist Supervisor, for six years, vote for one
• Susan N. Jenkins – 762
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Police Commission, for three years, vote for one
• Hubert J. Topliff – 742

Auburn School Candidates
Unofficial returns, • denotes winner

School Board Member, for three years, vote for one
• Elaine T. Hobbs – 655
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Voter turnout: 881
Registered voters: 3,758 Turnout: 23%