STRAW POLL
2011 Town & School Warrants

POLLING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 11:00 P.M. ON MARCH 2, 2011

Click the checkboxes to indicate your choices, then click Submit Poll at the bottom of the page. 

GRA STRAW POLL, 2011 TOWN VOTE

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TOWN ARTICLES
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

SELECTMAN ( For 3 years - Vote for not more than ONE ):

   Phil D'Avanza
   Collis G. Adams
   Other (write-in candidate)

BUDGET COMMITTEE ( For 3 years - Vote for not more than FOUR ):

   Phillip E. Kendall II
   Steve LaRose
   Brian Lewis
   Sean Skinner
   Paul Augros
   Elizabeth Dubrulle
   Lisa J. Jukes
   Other (write-in candidate)
   Other (write-in candidate)
   Other (write-in candidate)
   Other (write-in candidate)

BUDGET COMMITTEE ( For 1 year - Vote for not more than ONE ): -  UNCONTESTED 

   Francesca "Checker" Hansen
   Other (write-in candidate)

CEMETERY TRUSTEE ( For 3 years - Vote for not more than ONE ): -  UNCONTESTED 

   Linda Reynolds Naughton
   Other (write-in candidate)

LIBRARY TRUSTEE ( For 3 years - Vote for not more than THREE ): -  UNCONTESTED 

   Susan Plante
   Wayne Eddy
   Mike Lawler
   Other (write-in candidate)
   Other (write-in candidate)
   Other (write-in candidate)

LIBRARY TRUSTEE ( For 1 year - Vote for not more than ONE ):

   Theresa "Tess" Marts
   Roxann Hunt
   Other (write-in candidate)

PLANNING BOARD ( For 3 years - Vote for not more than TWO ):

   Mark Warden
   Steven J. Dutton
   John Hikel
   Richard Meaney
   Lowell Von Ruden
   Other (write-in candidate)
   Other (write-in candidate)

SEWER COMMISSION ( For 3 years - Vote for not more than ONE ): -  UNCONTESTED 

   Stephen R. Crean
   Other (write-in candidate)

TOWN CLERK ( For 3 years - Vote for not more than ONE ):

   Celeste Molan
   Cathleen "Cathy" Ball
   Jacqueline "Jackie" Lutkevich
   Other (write-in candidate)

TRUSTEE OF TRUST FUNDS ( For 3 years - Vote for not more than ONE ): -  UNCONTESTED 

   Earl S. Carrel
   Other (write-in candidate)

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ( For 3 years - Vote for not more than TWO ): -  UNCONTESTED 

   Catherine Whooten
   Kevin Reigstad
   Other (write-in candidate)
   Other (write-in candidate)
ARTICLE 1 (Planning Board):      YES     NO 
"Shall the Town adopt Amendment #1 amending the following Sections of the Zoning Ordinance for Goffstown, New Hampshire, as amended on March 9, 2010 as follows?
Amending Section 3.12, Table of Accessory Uses, providing for the allowance of Raising and Keeping of Livestock and Raising and Keeping of Poultry as accessory uses to a principle residential use permitted by right in the Conservation and Agricultural districts, permitted by Special Exception in the R1 and R2 districts, and not permitted in all other districts of the Town; and,
Amending Section 5.5 Agricultural and Horticultural Operations, giving specific rules and
regulations regarding these uses on properties within the Town;"
Submitted by the Planning Board.
Recommended by the Planning Board 7-0-0.
ARTICLE 2 (Planning Board):      YES     NO 
"Shall the Town amend the Goffstown Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, by changing the zoning of property identified as Tax Map 6, Lot 78-2, from Agricultural (A) to Commercial (C)? This property’s address is 381 Goffstown Back Road, commonly known as the Educare Property."  
Submitted by Petition.
Recommended by the Planning Board 4-3-0.
ARTICLE 3 (Town Operating Budget):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town of Goffstown 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 Eighteen Million Nine Hundred Twenty Seven Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Three Dollars ($18,927,383)?
Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be Nineteen Million Nine Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty Three Dollars ($19,925,863), which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Goffstown 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 (operating budget) does not include appropriations in any other warrant article."  
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0-0 and Budget Committee 11-0-0.
ARTICLE 4 (Police Patrolman Collective Bargaining Agreement):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town of Goffstown approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Town of Goffstown by its Board of Selectmen and the New England Benevolent Police Association, Local No. 24 representing the Patrolmen which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level?

Fiscal Year       Estimated Increase
     2011                  $0
     2012                  $33,007
     2013                  $42,311

and further to raise and appropriate the sum of zero dollars ($0) for the current fiscal year 2011, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels in accordance with the most recent collective bargaining agreement. (This appropriation is in addition to Article 3.)"  
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-1-0 and Budget Committee 8-3-1.
ARTICLE 5 (Police Dispatchers Collective Bargaining Agreement):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town of Goffstown approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Town of Goffstown by its Board of Selectmen and the New England Benevolent Police Association, Local No. 124 representing the Dispatchers & Clerks at the Police Department which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level?

Fiscal Year       Estimated Increase
     2011                    $0
     2012                    $9,378
     2013                    $18,902

and further to raise and appropriate the sum of zero dollars ($0) for the current fiscal year 2011, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels in accordance with the most recent collective bargaining agreement. (This appropriation is in addition to Article 3.)"  
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-1-0 and Budget Committee 9-2-1.
ARTICLE 6 ($499,524 increase to the Road Plan):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred Ninety Nine Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Four Dollars ($499,524) for the purpose of reinstating the Budget Committee’s reduction of the approved CIP road plan? Passage of this article will also indicate the voters’ desire to keep the costs of the road plan in the annual operating budget. (This appropriation is in addition to Article 3.)"  
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0-0 and Budget Committee 10-2-0.
ARTICLE 7 ($550,000 purchase of new Fire Dept. Tanker/Pumper):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($550,000) for the purpose of purchasing a Pumper/Tanker to replace a 1992 Fire Engine and a 1989 Tanker, and to fund this appropriation with One Hundred Forty Two Thousand Dollars ($142,000) from the Fire Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund and Four Hundred Eight Thousand ($408,000) by taxation?
(This appropriation is in addition to Article 3.)"
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0-0 and Budget Committee 9-3-0.
ARTICLE 8 ($247,000 purchase of solid waste collection vehicle):       YES     NO
"Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Forty Seven Thousand Dollars ($247,000) for the purpose of purchasing an Automated Solid Waste Collection Vehicle to replace the 2000 Solid Waste Automated Collection Vehicle? (This appropriation is in addition to Article 3.)"
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0-0 and Budget Committee 10-2-0.
ARTICLE 9 ($15,000 for Goffstown Main Street Program):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town raise and appropriate Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the purpose of supporting the nonprofit Goffstown Main Street Program, Inc.? (This appropriation is in addition to Article 3.)"  
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 5-0-0 and Budget Committee 12-0-0.
ARTICLE 10 (Administrative enforcement of violations of municipal codes):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town adopt an ordinance pursuant to RSA31:39-c to allow for administrative enforcement of violations of any municipal code, ordinance, bylaw or regulation and for the collection of penalties, to be used prior to the service of a formal summons and complaint? The system provides opportunities for persons who do not wish to contest violations to pay such penalties by mail. The proposed ordinance is available for viewing on the town’s website and in the Town Clerk’s Office."  
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 3-1-1.
ARTICLE 11 (Establish 2 Commercial Tax Relief Incentive Areas):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town adopt the Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive outlined in Chapter 79-E of state law and to designate two commercial areas as meeting the standards for an eligible district as set forth in RSA 79-E:2, (I) of town as eligible for said incentive: (1) Pinardville Area which includes 147 taxable parcels; and (2) Goffstown Village Area which includes 100 taxable parcels? (A map identifying these parcels is available on the town’s website and in the Town Clerk’s Office.) This plan has been endorsed by Goffstown Board of Selectmen, Goffstown Economic Development Council, and Goffstown Main Street Program to promote improvements and investments in said commercial districts." 
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0-1.
ARTICLE 12 (Tax exemptions for the Disabled):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town adopt an Exemption for the Disabled under the provisions of RSA 72:37-b as follows: the exemption from assessed value for qualified taxpayers shall be $45,000 off their assessment? To qualify, the person must apply in writing to the Selectmen no later than April 15th of the tax year, be eligible under Title II or Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act, must have been a New Hampshire resident for at least five years, must occupy the property as his principle place of abode as of April 1st of the tax year, must own the property individually or jointly, or if owned by a spouse, they must have been married for at least 5 consecutive years, had in the calendar year proceeding April 1st a net income from all sources, of not more than $35,000 if single and $50,000 if married, own assets not in excess of $150,000, excluding the value of the persons actual residence and up to the minimum single family residential lot size specified in the local zoning ordinance."  
Submitted by petition.  Not recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0-1.
ARTICLE 13 (Establish a Police revolving fund account):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town establish a Police Detail Revolving Fund pursuant to RSA 31:95-h? The money received from charges for services shall be allowed to accumulate from year to year, and shall not be considered part of the town’s general fund. The town treasurer shall have custody of all monies in the fund, and shall pay out the same upon the order of the Board of Selectmen. These funds may be expended only for police detail related expenses, and no expenditure shall be made in such a way as to require the expenditure of other town funds which have not been appropriated for that purpose."  
Submitted by petition.  Not recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0-1.
ARTICLE 14 (Change in Town Noise Ordinance):      YES     NO
"Shall the Town amend and add to the town’s Noise Ordinance the following paragraph L) under III. Specific Violations Enumerated?

L) Excessive/Nuisance Noise in a Residential Area 
Nuisance noise and/or excessive sound from, but not limited to, the use of any ATV, dirt bike, motorized vehicle, 4x4, off road vehicle, modified car/truck or machinery, etc. or any other nuisance noise on any lot or parcel of land in a Residential Area in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 ft. or more from the lot line, structure or vehicle
Violations will be treated in accordance with Section IV: Penalties. In addition the Goffstown Police Department can request, if they deem it necessary, a “cease and desist order” from the Board of Selectmen in a Board of Selectmen meeting if the nuisance noise and or violation continues.

(The current noise ordinance is available at the Town Clerk’s Office or on the Town’s website.)"
Submitted by petition.  Not recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0-1.
 
SCHOOL ARTICLES
ARTICLE 1:  Election of Officers

SCHOOL BOARD ( For 3 years - Vote for not more than THREE ):

   Suzanne "Sue" Tremblay
   Mary Parah
   Philip Pancoast
   Henry "Hank" Boyle
   Ben Hampton
   John Dillon
   Leah Wolczko
   Other (write-in candidate)
   Other (write-in candidate)
   Other (write-in candidate)
ARTICLE 2 (School District Operating Budget):      YES     NO
"Shall the Goffstown School District 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 THIRTY SEVEN MILLION FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY TWO THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY THREE DOLLARS ($37,472,723.00)? Should this Article be defeated, the Default Budget shall be THIRTY SIX MILLION THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY EIGHT THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($36,378,150.00), which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Goffstown School District 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. This warrant article (the Operating Budget Article) does not include appropriations in ANY other warrant articles." 
The School Board voted 8-0-0 to recommend this article. 
The Budget Committee voted 10-0-2 to NOT recommend this article. 
ARTICLE 3 (Support Staff Collective Bargaining Agreement):      YES     NO
"Shall the School District vote to approve the cost items included in the 1-year Collective Bargaining Agreement reached between the Goffstown School Board and the Goffstown Educational Support Staff Association which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits:

    Year          Estimated Increase
2011-2012             $10,020

and further to raise and appropriate the sum of TEN THOUSAND TWENTY DOLLARS ($10,020.00) for the 2011-12 fiscal year, by taking ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN DOLLARD ($1,317.00) from the Food Service Revenue accounts with the remaining EIGHT THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED THREE DOLLARS ($8,703.00) to come from taxation for the purpose of funding the additional cost attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits over those of the appropriation at current staffing levels in accordance with the most recent collective bargaining agreement. This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #2, the Operating Budget Article. (Majority vote required.)"  
The School Board voted 8-0-0 to recommend this article. 
The Budget Committee voted 10-1-1 to recommend this article. 
ARTICLE 4 (Bartlett Elementary Capital Reserve Fund):      YES     NO
"To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate up to the sum of TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000.00) to be added to the existing Bartlett Elementary School Facilities Capital Reserve Fund for Phase II of the upgrade and expansion of the Bartlett Elementary School. Furthermore, to fund this trust from the June 30, 2011 undesignated fund balance available on July 1 of 2010. This appropriation is in addition to Warrant Article #2, the Operating Budget Article. (Majority vote required.)" 
The School Board voted 8-0-0 to recommend this article. 
The Budget Committee voted 9-2-1 to NOT recommend this article. 

 

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DISCLAIMER:  Results of this straw poll are not tabulated by a polling service, but will be totaled manually prior to announcement of results.