EXETER Each week for the next four weeks, the town of Exeters Communications Committee presents summaries of the 26 warrant articles appearing on the March 10 Town Meeting ballot. All of the articles can be viewed in their entirety on the towns website at http://bit.ly/WarrantFactSheet and https://www.exeternh.gov/townclerk/elections.
Article 14 ($110,000 for Pickpocket Dam)
This article proposes appropriating $110,000 for an engineering evaluation as part of an ongoing effort to address potential flooding problems identified in a letter of deficiency from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). In 2018, NHDES classified Pickpocket Dam as a high hazard dam, and the town was required to develop an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), completed in January 2020. Now, the town must conduct a 2 ½ times 100-year storm event flood analysis to bring the dam in compliance with current standards for high hazard dams, submit an application to reconstruct the dam by June 2022, and complete reconstruction by December 2025. The $110,000 requested this year will start the flood analysis. A further $310,000 will be needed next year for a dam feasibility alternatives study in 2021. For more information go to https://bit.ly/39JqopY. Money raised from general taxation (estimated tax impact is $5.01 per $100,000 assessed property value). This article is recommended by the Select Board by a vote of 3-2.
Article 15 ($100,000 for Capital Reserve Fund – Parks Improvements)
This article proposes adding $100,000 to the Parks Improvement Capital Reserve Fund. Since the fund was established in 2019, the Parks and Recreation Department completed projects including resurfacing tennis courts, expanding the town dock, installing an ADA-compliant pool lift, starting to erect Townhouse common fencing, and renovating the Kids Park Playground and the Gilman Park Pavilion. For the 2020 budget cycle, the department, in consultation with the Recreation Advisory Board, is proposing to resurface the pool, renovate Park Street Common and Gale Park, complete Townhouse common fencing, and replace various water fountains throughout the parks. The department seeks to fund projects via the Capital Reserve Fund rather than conventional funding because such funding will not lapse at the end of a budget cycle each year, and excess funds may be rolled over to defray project costs into the next year. Money raised from general taxation (estimated tax impact is $4.55 per $100,000 assessed property value). This article is recommended by the Select Board by a vote of 4-1.
Article 16 ($78,792 for Communications Repeater Site Improvements)
This article proposes appropriating $78,792 for improvements to the towns public safety communications systems by installing a microwave repeater on the Fuller Land Water Tower. The repeater will improve the reliability of mobile communications among fire and police personnel. Money raised from general taxation (estimated tax impact is $3.59 per $100,000 assessed property value). This article is recommended by the Select Board by a vote of 5-0.
Article 17 ($65,872 for Highway Truck Replacement)
This article proposes appropriating $65,872 to purchase a new truck to be used by the Department of Public Works for light-duty hauling, landscaping, asphalt work, drainage and catch basin maintenance, and material and tool transport. The new truck would replace highway truck 9, a 2007 one-ton diesel Ford F450 truck, which needs major repairs. The new truck will burn cleaner gasoline and have a more durable dump body. Money raised from general taxation (estimated tax impact is $3 per $100,000 assessed property value). This article is recommended by the Select Board by a vote of 5-0.
Article 18 ($60,000 for Capital Reserve Fund Sidewalks)
This article proposes appropriating $60,000 to add to the towns existing Sidewalk Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund. These funds will support the towns ongoing sidewalk management plan to maintain and improve the towns more than 35 miles of public sidewalks.
The sidewalk management plan is available on the towns website at https://bit.ly/2HuUIZo.
Money raised from general taxation (estimated tax impact is $2.73 per $100,000 assessed property value). This article is recommended by the Select Board by a vote of 5-0.
Article 19 ($58,000 to replace Parks and Recreation tractor with mini-loader)
This article proposes appropriating $58,000 for the Parks and Recreation Department to purchase a mini-loader to replace the 1999 John Deere tractor. The tractor no longer has the power to perform day-to-day operations such as landscaping, mulching, ball field maintenance and snow removal. Money raised from general taxation (estimated tax impact is $2.64 per $100,000 assessed property value). This article is recommended by the Select Board by a vote of 5-0.
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