Annual Reports. for the Town of SHARON NEW HAMPSHIRE

Transcription

1 r Annual Reports for the Town of SHARON NEW HAMPSHIRE 1998

2 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries

3 Y Annual Reports for the Town of SHARON NEW HAMPSHIRE For the Year Ending December 31, 1998

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5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Town Officers 5 Town Warrant 8 Town Budget 11 Tax Collector's Report 18 Selectmen's Report 21 Report of the Road Agent 22 Report of the Planning Board 25 Sharon Conservation Commission 26

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7 1 TOWN OFFTCFKS MODERATOR Hampton Howard Term expires 1999 SELECTMEN Barry Rhodes Barton Goodeve Donald Burgess Term expires 1999 Term expires 2000 Term expires 2001 TOWN CLERK Linda Paris Eleanor Butler TREASURER Term expires 1999 Term Expires 1999 COLLECTOR OF TAXES Leslie Grady Term Expires 1999 HIGHWAY AGENT Peter Paris Appointed TRUSTEE OF TRUST FUNDS Chester Bowles Term Expires 1999 SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST Barbara Wilson Heather Robinson Diane Callahan Term Expires 2000 Term Expires 2002 Term Expires 2005 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Harry Dermody Charles Johnson Diane Callahan Richard Dufresne Robert Boyd Term Expires 1999 Term Expires 2000 Term Expires 200 Term Expires 2002 Term Expires 2003

8 1 PLANNING BOARD John MacEachran Term Expires 1999 Karen DeBonis Term Expires 2000 Kenneth Callahan Term Expires 200 Chester Bowles Term Expires 2002 Donald Burgess Ex Officio TOWN FOREST ADVISORY COMMISSION Barton Goodeve Karen DeBonis James Martens Charles Johnson Cathleen Arco Selectman Conservation Commission Member Member Alternate CONSERVATION COMMISSION Karen Debonis Term Expires 1999 Lori Groleau Term Expires 2000 Gina Goff Term Expires 2001 Bruce Matthews Term Expires 2002 Kenneth Callahan Term Expires 2003 James Husbands Alternate Peter Paris Alternate John Milton Street Emeritus HEALTH OFFICER Will Fenno, MD Appointed BUILDING INSPECTOR Timothy Groesbeck Appointed SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE Chester Bowles Term Expires 1999

9 FOREST FIRE WARDEN Barton Goodeve Appointed DEPUTY FOREST FIRE WARDENS Kenneth Callahan John W. Derby Appointed Appointed EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR Barry Rhodes Appointed

10 TOWN OF SHARON, NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN WARRANT To the inhabitants of the Town of Sharon, New Hampshire, in the County of Hillsborough, qualified to vote in Town affairs: You are hereby notified to meet in the Brick Schoolhouse in said Town on Tuesday, March 9, 1999 at 1 1:00 in the forenoon to ballot for Town Officers The polls will be and other questions required by law to be decided by ballot. closed at 7:00PM. The business meeting will start at 7:30PM on the same date at the Sharon Arts Center. ARTICLE 1. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the year ensuing. ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will vote to set the following amounts which shall be paid to the Town Officers for their services, or take any action relative thereto: COMPENSATION SCHEDULE Selectmen Town Clerk Assistant Town Clerk Collector of Taxes Treasurer Trustee of Trust Funds Moderator Supervisors of the Checklist Fire Warden Building Inspector Emergency Management Director $ 1,500 per year plus $2,500 expenses $ 1,500 per year plus fees $500 per year $2,500 per year $ 1,500 per year $50 per year $40 per session $7 per hour $ 1 00 per year $75 per permit issued $500 per year ARTICLE 3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the following sums of money for the purposes specified, or take any action relative thereto:

11 ACCOUNT DEPARTMENT AMOUNT 4130 Executive $7, Election and Registration 4, Financial Administration 12, Legal Expensive 1, Planning and Zoning 2, General Government Building Cemeteries Insurance 2, Ambulance Fire 13, Emergency Management Highways 50, Street Lighting Solid Waste Disposal 28, Animal Control Conservation Commission Interest-Tax Anticipation Welfare 1,500 ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $518 for the Home Health Care and Community Services, Account 4415, or take any action relative thereto. appropriation. The Selectmen recommend this ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $298 for the Monadnock Family Services, Account 4415, or take any action relative thereto. The Selectmen recommend this appropriation. ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $65 for the St. Joseph's Community Services, Account 4415, or take any action relative thereto. The Selectmen recommend this appropriation. ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15 for the Community Kitchen Inc., Account 4415, or take any action relative thereto. The Selectmen recommend this appropriation.

12 ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,700, Account 4550, as the Town's share of the operating expenses of the Peterborough Library, to be distributed to residents in the form of vouchers to be exchanged for library cards, or take any action relative thereto. The Selectmen recommend this appropriation. ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $250 for the future revaluation of the Town and to place said sum in Account 4915, a Capital Reserve Account for said purpose, or take any action relative thereto. The Selectman recommend this appropriation. ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be placed in the Town Office Building Fund, Account 4915, or The Selectmen recommend this appropriation. take any action relative thereto. ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $17,500 for the repair and shimming of Temple Road, Account 4312, or take any action relative thereto. The Selectmen recommend this appropriation. ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $21,000 for the repair and shimming of McCoy Road, Account 4312, or take The Selectmen recommend this appropriation. any action relative thereto. ARTICLE 13. this meeting. To transact any other business which legally shall some before Given under our hand and seals at said Sharon this 18th day of February, Selectmen: Barry Rhooes Barton u. Goodeve Donald Burgess 10

13 9 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE ADMINISTRATION MUNICIPAL SERVICES DIVISION P.O. BOX 487, CONCORD, NH (603) MS-6 REVISED 1998 BUDGET OF THE TOWN/CITY OF: SHnn, Tfaj ISEjdlUE Appropriations ana Estimates of Revenue tor the Ensuing Year January 1, - " to December 31, *""" or Fiscal Year From to IMPORTANT; Please read RSA 32:5 applicable to all municipalities. 1. Use this form to list the entire budget in the appropriate recommended and not recommended area. This means the operating budget and all special and individual warrant articles must be posted. 2. Hold at least one public hearing on this budget. 3. When completed, a copy of the budget must be posted with the warrant. Another copy must be placed on file with the town clerk, and a copy sent to the Department of Revenue Administration at the above address. DATE February : 9, 19 9 GOVERNING BODY ( SELECTMEN) Please sign in ink. THIS BUDGET SHALL BE POSTED WITH THE TOWN WARRANT 11

14 Prior ) Budget - Town/City of Sharon, NH FY 12/31/99 MS-6 Appropriations Actual PURPOSE OF APPROPRIATIONS WARR. Year As Expenditures Acct.# (RSA 32:3,V) ART.» Approved by DRA Prior Yoar APPROPRIATIONS ENSUING FY (RECOMMENDED) APPROPRIATIONS ENSUING FY (NOT RECOMMENDED

15 Budget - Town/City of Sharon, NH FY 12/31/99 MS-6 tb Appropriations Actual PURPOSE OF APPROPRIATIONS WARR. Prior Year As Expenditures Acct# (RSA 32:3.V) ART.* Approved by DRA Prior Ye»r APPROPRIATIONS APPROPRIATIONS ENSUING FY ENSUING FY (RECOMMENDED) (NOT RECOMMENDED) SANITATION cont. xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx Se»ag» Coll. t Dispossl I Other WATER DISTRIBUTION & TREATMENT xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx 4331

16 Budget - Town/City of Sharon, NH FY 12/31/99 MS-6 PURPOSE OF APPROPRIATIONS WARR. Acct# (RSA 32J.V) ARTJ Appropriations Prior Year A* Approved by DRA Actual APPROPRIATIONS APPROPRIATIONS Expenditures ENSUING FY ENSUING FY Prior Year (RECOMMENDED) (NOT RECOMMENDED) DEBT SERVICE cent. xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx Other Debt Service

17 Budget - Town/City of Sharon, NH FY 12/31/99 MS-6 -SPECIAL WARRANT ARTICLES" Special >irruit utidu ara dafinad in RSA 32: 3, VI, ax appropriations 1) in patitionad warrant articlaa; 2) appropriatic mud by bonda or notsa notaa; ; 3) appropriation to a aapaxata fund craatad purauant to law, such as capital raaarva funda or truat funda; 4) appropriation daaignatad tna warrant aa a apacial iruclt a nonlapsing or nontransfarabla article 1

18 Budget - Town/City of Sharon, NH FY 12/31/9 9 Acct# SOURCE OF REVENUE WARR- ART.* Estimated Revenues Prior Ye»r BHi Actual Revenues Prior Year ESTIMATED REVENUES MS-6 ENSUING YEAR

19 . ludget - Town/City of Sharon NH FY 12/31/9 9 MS-6 A 5 W'ARR. Estimated Revenues Actual Revenues ESTIMATED REVENUES SOURCE OF REVENUE ART.* Prior Yeir ENSUING YEAR DNTERFUND OPERATING TRANSFERS IN xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx 3912

20 TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT MS-61 For the Municipality of SHARON, NH Year Ending 1998 DEBITS J TAXES COMMITTED THIS YEAR

21 : TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT ms-61 For tne Municipality of SHARON, NH Year Ending 1998 REMITTED TO TREASURER CREDITS I

22 TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT ' i x SHARON, NH v,..,.. f p For the Muiucipality ot I ear ending. DEBITS I ms-6 i

23 SELECTMEN'S REPORT My colleagues, Bart Goodeve and Don Burgess, have been kind enough to allow me to write the Selectmen's report in the first person Retiring after nine years as a Selectman, there are observations I want to make as leave my service on the board My original motivation for becoming Selectman was my concern over the laxity of our planning and zoning functions. Don Sullivan became the chairman of the Planning Board, and with his engineer's thoroughness; he researched the universe of planning and zoning regulations and facilitated the Board's excellent work in adopting our current regulations. With the death of John Butler, who succeeded Don as the Planing Board Chair, work on Master Plan might have come to a halt if it were not for the efforts of Ken Callahan as chairman, has always impressed me. His concern for the environment and his knowledge of Sharon's history is awesome. Ken, through his service as a two-term selectman, and now returning to the Planning Board There were two other issues that have been concerns of mine; improving public safety, and building a town facility. With Pete Paris as our road agent, my concerns about the condition of town roads, and rapid snow removal in the winter have been met. If we approve his proposal in this year's Warrant we will soon have roads that are safe and sound The challenge for the future will be when (not if) the State turns over Jarmany Hill and Spring Hill Road to the Town The 91 1 system is almost fully in place. During 1999 we will have a computerized directory of all residences. Up to date maps and lists will be distributed to all police and fire departments that might respond to emergencies in Sharon This should greatly reduce response time in case of an emergency. The State Police have begun routine patrols in Sharon We have made the Schoolhouse available to them as a place to do routine paper work or to meet with townspeople. They will respond to any concerns at or 91 1 if it is an emergency. The last issue that concerns me is the use of the schoolhouse for meetings and voting My parting wish is that a new facility replaces this lovely relic as soon as possible. It is inconvenient and inefficient as a seat of government. It is illegal and immoral as a place where people must go to vote, and perform other activities required of citizens. Access in good weather is a quaint adventure, in the dark or in bad weather it is dangerous. We must continue to fund a town facility in our budget, and seek an arrangement with the Sharon Arts Center if possible. I leave the town in good hands. Bart Goodeve has developed a financial management system that would be the envy of any town Don Burgess has disproved the old adage that it takes a selectman one full term just to know what the job is. Whoever is elected to replace me will have a great team to work with. ectfully submitted, - *A Barry Rhodes Chairman Board of Selectmen 21

24 REPORT OF THE ROAD AGENT This year November started on the mild side. December brought about several days of freezing rain with our first snowstorm on December 30th. January came in like a lion with 8 days of freezing rain, 2 snowdays, 3 snowstorms. As I write this report, there is still 1 week left to the month. Again, as last year, with these icy conditions our roads are hard to maintain. Out of 23 days, we have had to plow and mostly sand 17 days of those 23. Because of the freezing rain, there is consistent build up of ice. The roads reguire more sanding because Sharon does not use salt. As Road Agent, I will continue to do my best to make our roads passable and safe for travel and hopefully, maintain our budget. SPRING, SUMMER, FALL OF 1998 Attended 5 UNH Technology Transfer Center workshops working towards a Master Road Scholar. This program will greatly benefit our town. Wrote and developed a Winter Road Policy Laid down 20 tons of stone on Cross Road during mud season and regraded several times which has improved the road for drainage Posted roads in the spring with 6 ton weight limit signs to avoid heavy trucks from doing damage to our roads during mud season. Anyone caught over the 6 ton limit will be responsible for repair damage to our roads. All town maintained roads will be posted yearly. Yearly grading on gravel roads took place Clean culverts Install new eye beam post and steel galvanized guard rails on west side of Cross Road bridge. Work is now complete. Some roadside ditching Repair and replace damaged street signs Resurface and shim Temple and Nashua Roads. This much needed road work was made possible with the passage of last year's Warrant articles. Because of the resurfacing, these roads have greatly improved for daily travel and summer/winter maintenance, Grading and shoulder work on Nashua Road Yearly road patching Repair work on Swamp Road bridge Repaired and shimmed sections of McCoy Road and the upper part of Spring Hill Road because of severe deterioration. 22

25 Cut trees and remove debris from road sides due to heavy winds Brush cutting and clearing about 80% done on the old side of the McCoy Road cemetery. Routine grass cutting and more clearing on the newer side. FUTURE WORK Again it is important to continue our resurfacing program. This year I would like to lay down approximately 700 tons of hot mix on the badly deteriorated section of McCoy Road from 123 to beyond the McCoy Road Cemetery. Also, approximately 400 tons of hot mix on the upper part of Spring Hill Road from Mill Road to the Sharon/Jaf f rey town line. I believe the Town must continue these road improvements now, while we can still make it affordable for the town. Roadside cutting which hasn't been done for several years Lay down additional gravel on Swamp and South Roads where there has been erosion Continue improvements on town cemetery Continued road repairs Because of the cooperation of the townspeople and continued support of the Selectmen, our roads are improving. With this in mind, please support the Warrant Articles to continue upgrading our roads. I do hope Sharon will continue to go forward. I would like to thank the Selectmen and residents of Sharon for their continuing support during the season of Respectfully submitted, Peter W. Paris Road Agent Town of Sharon 23

26 TOWN OF SHARON 1999 WINTER ROAD POLICY Sharon's 1999 Winter Road Policy is to try and maintain and make our roads as safe as possible during the winter season. The roads maintained by the Town of Sharon are: Nashua Road, Temple Road, Greenleaf Road, Mountain Road, McCoy Road, Cross Road, Sliptown Road, Spring Hill Road starting at the intersection of Jarmany Hill Road to the Jaf f rey/sharon town line, and Mill Road. State maintained roads are: Route 123, Route 124, Jarmany Hill Road, and Spring Hill Road from the intersection of Jarmany Hill Road to the Sharon/Peterborough town line. Sharon's school bus route will be maintained first because of the need to have our roads as safe as possible for the transporting of our students. Sharon does not use a large amount of salt, therefore, our roads, depending on the season, could be ice and snow covered for a period of time. When this occurs, the town will do its best to try and remove as much as possible from the surface of the road by means of a grader or other equipment. Plowing our roads will not commence until snow has accumulated to a sufficient amount, unless slippery road conditions occur first. Roads will continue to be plowed according to the accumulation of snow as determined by the Road Agent. After completion of each snow and or ice storm, roads will be sanded if necessary, to help the covered roads melt and make our roads safe. Driveway plowing across Town roads will not be allowed. This narrows the road and compacts the snowbank, making it much more difficult for our contractors to plow and push back snow. This will be enforced by the Road Agent. During the course of the winter, as snow depths get increasingly higher, and our roads get narrower, roads will be widened and snow pushed off to the sides as much as possible. It is important that people take into account and be aware of weather and road conditions while driving Sharon's roads. Please drive cautiously and safely at a reasonable rate of speed, so as not to endanger other vehicles and or pedestrians. TO ALL A SAFE WINTER PETER PARIS, ROAD AGENT TOWN OF SHARON 24

27 Report of the Planning Board The Planning Board suffered a major setback in 1998 with the death of John Butler, who had done an excellent job as Chairman since John had served on the board for a number of years before taking over the duties as chairman, in addition to serving in other capacities for the town. Besides dealing efficiently with routine Planning Board matters, John had for two years been leading the Board through the tedious process of revising the Master Plan, an important document for the town. This work will go ahead in The Master Plan was last updated in 1983, and by law it must be revised from time to time, as it forms the basis of the town's zoning ordinances and regulations. After meeting with Carol Ogilvie of the Southwest Regional Planning Commission, and with Peter Ryner, Community Development Director for the town of Peterborough, the board has engaged the services of Mr. Ryner to assist us with the revisions. His experience as a town planner, and extensive expertise in planning and development will be particularly helpful on technical matters and research. One other important change to the board this year was the resignation of Forrest Cook, who resigned after having served as a member of the Board for two years. His contributions will be missed. Routine subdivisions were the only other matters dealt with by the Board during No new zoning ordinances are proposed for this year. Respecfully submitted Ken Callahan Chairman 25

28 I. SHARON CONSERVATION COMMISSION g Members: Karen DeBonis (Chair), Lori Groleau, Gina Goff, Ken Callahan, Bruce Matthews, and Jim Husbands Milt Street (Honorary) Wetlands: Two wetlands were inventoried by the Conservation Commission Wetland inventories are in 1998, bringing the total to twelve. aimed at wetlands over ten acres. The information, collected as baseline data, will help determine the value or uniqueness of a wetland, and will be a guide for avoiding negative impact or pollution. Conservation The Sharon Conservation Fund now has approximately $ 3,500. Fund: The Fund was established at Town Meeting in and is added to from Current Use Change Taxes. Trails: The Conservation Commission monitored an easement on Holt Peak granted to the Town by The New England Forestry Foundation Additional sections of historical trails were cleared in the 900+ acre Town Forest in We still anticipate creating a "loop" trail, and would like to replace temporary flagging with more permanent trail markers. The Conservation Commission, with help from the Monadnock Conservancy, is researching the deeds and deed restrictions on the Town Forest. Earth Day: Our 1999 Town Clean-up is planned for Saturday, April 24. (Rain/snow date: May 1). Please sign up to help at Town Meeting. Volunteers are welcome to pick up trash on their own schedules, but the effort is more fun if we can work as a group. As usual, trash will be sorted and taken to the Recycling Center in Peterborough. 26

29 Land Protection: In 1998, the Sharon Bog became permanently protected by The Society for the Protection of NH Forests. The Society raised funds to purchase the bog,and 70 acres surrounding it, from a gravel excavation company. Many Sharonites contributed time and money to this worthy cause. Two hikes to the bog were held in the fall and were attended by more than 40 people. Members of the Conservation Commission continue to work on the new Natural Resources Committee which is studying open space and important features in Sharon. The Conservation Commission continues to track the efforts of the New England Forestry Foundation, which hopes to acquire two large tracts of land in Sharon owned by the Cabot family estate. One 211 acre piece goes up Temple Mountain and includes part of the Wapack Trail. The other piece measures 382 acres and has frontage on Jarmany Hill Road, Route 123, and Nashua Road. Other Projects: We are collecting maps of neighboring towns (Jaffrey, Peterborough, Rindge, New Ipswich and Temple). Sharon shares watersheds and acquifers with these towns, and we are all concerned about water quality protection. The Conservation Commission is collaborating with the Planning Board to update the Sharon Master Plan. The Sharon Conservation Commission meets on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the schoolhouse. Interested citizens are welcome to attend. 27

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