May 9, 2009
 
Bond/Note Hearing 5/11 - SPECIAL TOWN MEETING 5/27

GOFFSTOWN - The Goffstown Board of Selectmen is holding a Bond/Note Hearing on Monday May 11, 2009 at 6:00 PM in the auditorium at Goffstown High School, 27 Wallace Road. The purpose of this hearing is to explain the Mast Road Sewer Upgrade Project ($2.5 million), and the Green Drainage Project on South Mast Street ($700,000) between Pineridge Avenue and Wallace Road.

Following project presentations, the hearings will be open to the public for questions and comments. Both of these projects are eligible for 50% funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) also known as the stimulus program. 

The public is encouraged to participate in these bond/note hearings prior to an actual vote at a Special Town Meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday May 27, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the gymnasium at Goffstown High School. This Special Town Meeting will be a traditional town meeting format where voters discuss, debate, amend, and vote on articles all at one meeting. The ballot box will be open for one hour following the discussion of each bond/note article. Voters should note that this is unlike our regular town meeting, there will be only one session (May 27, 2009) to discuss and vote on these articles. 

Also, scheduled for a vote on May 27, 2009 is an article requesting authorization to accept ARRA funds for the COPS Hiring Recovery Program.  The Town of Goffstown has applied for funding for three new police officers to keep up with staffing standards for a community of our population. This program would fund 100% of wages and benefits for new patrol officers for the first 3 years of a four-year commitment.   Note:  ACCEPTING THIS GRANT CARRIES A TAX IMPACT:  The Town of Goffstown would be obligated to pay all wages and benefits in the fourth year.  In addition, the town would be obligated to pay all costs related to outfitting the new police officers ($18,990 in the first year), all overtime costs, contractually-obligated pay raises and all other additional costs.    The ARRA COPS Hiring Recovery Grants have not yet been awarded but a favorable vote at this Town Meeting would provide the town authorization to accept such a grant upon award. 

The Board of Selectmen encourages all Goffstown voters to participate in these upcoming meetings. If you have any questions, then please feel free to contact the Town Administrator Sue Desruisseaux at 497-8990 x100 or email your questions/comments to SueD@GoffstownNH.gov.