Town of Gilford
Town Meeting Warrant
To the inhabitants of the Town of Gilford in the State of New Hampshire, qualified to vote in town affairs:
First Session
You are hereby notified to meet for the first session of the annual meeting, to be held at the Gilford High School Auditorium, Gilford, NH on the fourth day of February 2008 being Monday at seven o’clock in the evening (7:00 pm). The first (Deliberative) session will consist of explanation, discussion, and debate of each of the following warrant articles, and will afford those voters who are present the opportunity to propose, debate and adopt amendments to each warrant article, except those articles whose wording is prescribed by state law.
Second Session
You are also notified to meet for the second session of the annual town meeting, to elect town officers by official ballot and to vote by official ballot on the warrant articles as they may have been amended at the first session, to be held at the Gilford Middle School on the eleventh day of March 2008, being Tuesday, at seven o’clock in the forenoon (the polls are to be open at 7:00 am and may not close prior to 7:00 pm) to act upon the following:
Election of Officers
Article 1: To choose the necessary Town Officers for the following year.
Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Article 2: Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 1 as proposed by the Gilford Planning Board for the Gilford Zoning Ordinance as follows:
Amend Section 8.4.8, Changeable Copy Signs, by adding to the existing Section 8.4.8 regulations regarding Electronic Changeable Copy Signs. The proposed regulations limit the frequency at which messages are allowed to change; restrict hours of operation; and prohibit certain display methods including, but not limited to, flashing and image movement.
Article 3: Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 2 as proposed by the Gilford Planning Board for the Gilford Zoning Ordinance as follows:
Amend subparagraph (a) of Section 5.2.1, Island and Shore Frontage District, by increasing the minimum setback required from Lake Winnipesaukee, Saltmarsh Pond, Lily Pond, Poor Farm Brook, Meadow Brook, Jewett Brook, Gunstock River, or any other year_round brook, from forty (40) feet to fifty (50) feet.
Article 4: Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 3 as proposed by petition for the Gilford Zoning Ordinance as follows:
Amend the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Gilford by changing from the Resort Commercial (RC) Zone to the Single Family Residential (SFR) Zone the area along the southwesterly side of Route 11, a/k/a Lake Shore Road, generally between the Alton town line and Highland Drive.
(The Planning Board does not recommend the adoption of this amendment.)
Other Municipal Articles
Article 5: Shall the Town raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $10,825,284? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $10,874,772 which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town 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 operating budget warrant article does not include appropriations contained in ANY other warrant articles.
(Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee)
Article 6: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred fourteen thousand dollars ($214,000) to purchase a new ambulance and authorize the withdrawal of one hundred ten thousand dollars ($110,000) from the Capital Reserve Fund created for that purpose. The balance of one hundred four thousand dollars ($104,000) is to come from general taxation.
(Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 7: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) to be added to the Police Facility Capital Reserve Fund previously established. This sum to come from undesignated fund balance and no amount to be raised from taxation. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee)
Article 8: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to be added to the Bridge Replacement Capital Reserve Fund. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee)
Article 9: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to be added to the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee)
Article 10: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to be added to the Ambulance Replacement Capital Reserve Fund. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee)
Article 11: To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1-c for the purpose of the maintenance of the Glendale Boat and Launch Ramp Facilities and to raise and appropriate the sum of twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) to be placed in this fund and to name the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 12: To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1-c for the purpose of maintaining the Town’s Recreation Facilities and to raise and appropriate the sum of twenty two thousand dollars ($22,000) to be placed in this fund and to name the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 13: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) to be placed in the Sewer Capital Reserve Fund. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 14: To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1-c for the purpose of funding Water Supply Maintenance and to raise and appropriate the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to be placed in this fund and to name the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend.
(Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 15: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) to be placed in the Compensated Absences Capital Reserve Fund. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee)
Article 16: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) to be placed in the Building Repair Capital Reserve Fund. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 17: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $110,000 for use by the Library Trustees at the new library. Funding to be provided from the proceeds of the sale of land at 43 Potter Hill Road, parcel number 226-078.001. This parcel was purchased in 2004 to build a new library. This article is a one time appropriation and is contingent upon adequate proceeds from the sale of the land. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 18: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $32,359 for the Youth Services Bureau. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Not recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 19: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $23,500 for Community Health and Hospice,Inc. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Not recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 20: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $3,400 for Child and Family Services. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Not recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 21: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $8,345 for the Community Action Program. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Not recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 22: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $1,800 for New Beginnings. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Not recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 23: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $8,749 for Genesis Behavioral Health. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Not recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 24: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $3,330 for the American Red Cross. (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Not recommended by the Budget Committee).
Article 25: To see if the Town will vote to pay the Town Clerk/Tax Collector an annual stipend of $57,952. In addition the Town Clerk/Tax Collector shall be entitled to 95% of the premium for the town’s health insurance plan, 100% of the dental insurance premium, 100% of the short and long term disability plans, life insurance with a face value of 165% of the annual stipend (not to exceed $100,000). Additionally, the Town will continue making contributions to the NH State Retirement System at the effective contribution rate (currently 8.74%). Total value of package is $74,588.
Article 26: To see if the taxpayers of the Town of Gilford will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to support the activities and facilities of the Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization that operates a variety of sailing programs for residents of the Lakes Region. These programs include: a Youth Sailing School; a Community Sailing Program for adults; and a soon to be established Adaptive Sailing Program for physically and mentally challenged children and adults, including wounded veterans returning from combat operations. Programs are open to all Lakes Region residents regardless of their ability to pay. (Submitted by Petition) (Not Recommended by the Board of Selectmen, Not recommended by the Budget
Committee).
Article 27: To see if the Town will vote to approve the following resolution to be forwarded to our State Representatives, our State Senator and our Governor:
Resolved: We the citizens of Gilford, NH believe in a New Hampshire that is just and fair. The property tax has become unjust and unfair. State leaders who take a pledge for no new taxes perpetuate higher and higher property taxes. We call on our State Representatives, our State Senator and our Governor to reject the “Pledge”, have an open discussion covering all options, and adopt a revenue system that lowers property taxes. (Submitted by Petition)
Article 28: To see if the Town will vote as per RSA 32:5 V-a to require that all votes by the Selectmen and Town Budget Committee relative to Town budget items or warrant articles be recorded votes and a numerical tally of any such vote be printed in the Town warrant next to the affected warrant article. (Submitted by Petition)
Dated and signed on January 23, 2008 and ordered posted by the undersigned members of the Town of Gilford, New Hampshire Board of Selectmen.
______________________ ________________________ __________________________
Alice H. Boucher, Chairman Connie Grant Gus Benavides
We hereby certify that we gave notice to the inhabitants of the Town of Gilford to meet for the 2008 Deliberative Session and Official Balloting at the time and place indicated in this warrant, by posting an attested copy of this document on January 28, 2008 at the Gilford Middle School, High School, Town Hall, Library, and Department of Public Works.
______________________ ________________________ __________________________
Alice H. Boucher, Chairman Connie Grant Gus Benavides
Subscribed and sworn to this 23rd day of January 2008.
| 
