TOWN OF HANCOCK

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

NOVEMBER 14, 2009

 

 

On November 14, 2009 at 9.00 a.m. at the Hancock Fire Department, Moderator Richard Haskins brought the meeting to order. Moderator Haskins introduced the Select Board, Roberta LaPlante and John Jordan, Chairman Carolyn Boland, Town Administrative Barbara Caverly, and Town Clerk and Clerk of the Special Meeting Joan Joseph. He also introduced the supervisors of the checklist Mary Garland, Betty Pels and Cindy Amidon and Fire Chief Nevan Cassidy.

 

Moderator Richard Haskins stated that in reviewing the language of NH House Bill 239 from the 2009 session that this bill enables us to have this special meeting, and requires us to have a hearing on today's article. The purpose of the Legislative is to allow towns to act in expedient manner to respond appropriately to American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009. Imbedded in the language of Legislation section 225:5 part III is the sentence: "The governing body shall hold the public hearing on the proposed warrant articles at the town meeting." In order to do this we first will hold the public hearing, to satisfy all requirements set forth. At the conclusion of the hearing we will begin the Town Meeting. At this point Moderator Haskins turned to Select Board chair, Carolyn Boland, and she began the hearing portion of the meeting.

 

Carolyn Boland reads the Article 1: To see if the Town will vote to approve the design plans for Main Street (as authorized by the March 2009 town meeting) and to accept up to $600,000 for the Federal Highway Funds (67%) and State Aid Highway funds (33%) for the construction of the Main Street project, per a letter dated May 15, 2009 from NHDOT Commissioner George N. Campbell, Jr. No money to be raised by taxation. The Select Board unanimously approves this article.

 

Carolyn Boland stated that the March 14, 2008 Town Meeting Article 12 approved the expenditure for the design and drawing for the final phase of the Main Street improvements. On May 15, 2009 the committee received a letter from DOT approving the project. The Village Planning Committee will present the final drawing at this Town Meeting, is the Village Planning Committee ready and prepared to present their final designs to the town. Howard Mansfield responded "Yes we are." Carolyn then asked if there were any question and there were none. Carolyn then closed the hearing.

Moderator Haskins then presented the rules of order for the meeting. One of those was the following: That, any five voters may request that the vote on Article 1 be by secret ballot. All five voters must be present, identified and sign a request form. The time to sign the form is after the motion for the article has been moved and seconded.

 

Moderator Haskins asked Barbara Caverly if the Warrant was posted at least seven days prior today at the Town office, Post Office and the Fire House and published in Monadnock Ledger October 29, 2009, her response was YES.

 

Moderator Haskins then read the Warrant: To the Inhabitants of the Town of Hancock, in the County of Hillsborough in said state qualified to vote in Town Affairs: you are hereby notified to meet at the Hancock Fire Station on November 14, 2009 at nine of the clock in the forenoon to act upon the following subject:

 

Article 1: To see if the Town will vote to approve the design plans for Main Street (as authorized by the March 2009 town meeting) and to accept up to $600,000 from the Federal Highway Funds (67%) and State Aid Highway funds (33%) for the construction of the Main Street project, per a letter dated May 15, 2009 from HNDOT Commissioner George N. Campbell, Jr. No money to be raised by taxation. The Select Board unanimously approves this article. This article requires majority votes to pass.

 

Carol Boland moved the article: " I move the Town approve the design plans for Main Street (as authorized by the March 2009 town meeting) and to accept up to $600,000 from the federal highway funds (67%) and State Aid Highway funds (33%) funds for the construction of the Main Street project, per a letter dated May 15, 2009 from NHDOT Commissioner George N. Campbell, Jr." John Jordan seconded the motion.

 

Howard Mansfield a Village Planning member introduced members Mary Covington, Dennis Rossiter, Thomas Pisaturo, Michael Fallon, David Drasba, Jim Gamble and Kurt Grassett. Kurt Grassett then presented a slide presentation that lasted about fifty-five minutes on the design and proposed improvements made by the committee. This presentation was delivered in three sections dealing with the respect portions of the proposed design on Main Street improvements. Question were taken and answered at the end of each section. During the presentation five people came forward to sign the petition requesting a secret ballot.

 

Michael Fallon moved to close discussion, Clay Sherman seconded.

The article was VOTED by ballot.

The article PASSED YES: 128 NO: 19

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Hunt Dowse and seconded by Lois Sponsler.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:40am.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Joan Joseph

Town Clerk