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VOTER'S GUIDE

Print this first page and take it to the voting place.

Article 1 – Choose Town Officers

To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year as follows.

- Town Treasurer, for a term of one (1) year;
- Select Board Member, for a term of three (3) years;
- Sewer Commissioner, for a term of three (3) years
- Trustee of Trust Funds, for a term of three (3) years
- Library Trustee, for a term of two (2) years
- Library Trustee, for a term of three (3) years
- Trustee of Cemeteries Fund, for a term of three (3) years
- Budget Committee Member, for a term of three (3) years
- Budget Committee Member, for a term of three (3) years
- Budget Committee Member, for a term of three (3) years
- Budget Committee Member, for a term of three (3) years
- Supervisor of the Checklist, for a term of three (3) years
- Town Clerk/Tax Collector, for a term of three (3) years

Commentary: This actually happens on Election Day.

Recommendation: Yes, vote on March 14th, but first check out the list of candidates.

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Article 2 – Zoning: Zoning Definitions

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 1 as proposed by the Allenstown Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows (complete text available at Town Hall or on the Town's web site):

To amend Article 2, Definitions, by adding by adding the following definitions: Accessory Structure; Adjacent; Alternative Energy Systems; Air Pollution Control Act; Bog; Buffer, Wetland, Building Height; Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Systems (also known as "solar energy system"); Collective Solar; Common Area; Common Facilities; Flush-Mounted Solar Panel; Freestanding or Ground-Mounted Solar Energy Systems; Homeowners Association; Hydric Soils; Meteorological towner (met tower); Modification (in regards to small wind systems); Municipality; Net Metering; Open Space; Power Grid; Prime Wetlands; Qualified Solar Installer; Rooftop or Building Mounted Solar System; Shadow Flicker (small wind systems); Small-Scale Solar; Small Wind Energy System; Solar Access; Solar Collector; Solar Easement; Solar Energy Equipment/System; Solar Panel; Solar Storage Battery; Solar- Thermal Systems; System Height (for small wind systems); Tower (small wind systems); Tower Height (small wind systems); Vernal Pool; Wetland; and, Wind Generator (small wind systems).

To amend Article 2, Definitions, by revising the following definitions: redefine "Accessory Dwelling Unit" by providing an abbreviation, "ADU"; redefine "Development," by deleting the current definition and revising to state that "development" includes any human-made change to improved or unimproved real estate; redefine "Structure" to removed existing definition and state that it is anything that is constructed or erected requiring a location on the ground and excluding swimming pools, fences, and walls used as fences; redefine "Surface Waters" as "Surface Waters of the State" and redefine the term in accordance with NH RSA 485-A:2.XIV.

To amend Article 2, Definitions, by deleting the definition "Outdoor Flea Markets."

Recommended by the Planning Board.

Commentary: This article adds several zoning definitions and revises a few of them. Looks reasonable.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 3 – Zoning: Cluster and Senior Housing

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 2 as proposed by the Allenstown Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To amend Article V, Establishment of Zones, Section 503, by referencing the official zoning map of the Town of Allenstown and by whom it was prepared.

To amend Article VI, Open Space and Farming, Section 601 by adding to the list of permitted uses "Accessory Small-Scale Solar", "Accessory Small-Scale Wind" and "Cluster Housing" in accordance to Supplemental Regulation Section 1125.

To amend Article VI, Open Space and Farming, Section 602 by removing "Senior Housing" from the list of uses permitted by Special Exception.

To amend Article VI, Open Space and Farming, Section 602 by removing Section n, "Cluster Housing," from the list of uses permitted with a Special Exception and establish a new Supplemental Regulation, Article XI, Section 1125 for "Cluster Housing" in its place. The new Section 1125 will specify that cluster housing is permitted in the OSF, the R1 and R2 on land not located in the Suncook Infill Development District by right; establish certain overall density requirements; establish certain housing type requirements; establish certain parent tract size, dimensional, and setback requirements; establish certain size, dimensional, and setback requirements for the individual home lots; specify the specific uses permitted in the open space; specify the quality and makeup of open space; specify certain requirements for a homeowner or condominium association for the management of open space; and, specify the disposition and management of open space and common areas.

To amend Article VII, Residential Zone, Section 701 by removing "Senior Housing" from the list of permitted uses and adding "Accessory Small-Scale Solar" and "Cluster Housing".

To amend Article VII, Residential Zone, Section 701 by adding "Accessory Small-Scale Wind" and "Cluster Housing" as a use permitted by right and to refer to the Supplemental Regulation Section 1125.

To amend Article VIII, Business Zone, Section 801, by adding "Accessory Small-Scale Solar" to the list of permitted uses.

To amend Article IX, Industrial Zone, Section 901, by adding "Accessory Small-Scale Solar" to the list of permitted uses.

To amend Article XXIII, Suncook Infill Development District, by removing "Senior Housing" from the list of permitted uses in the district and replacing with the term "Reserved."

Recommended by the Planning Board.

Commentary: This article creates a separate section for cluster housing and a new section for small-scale solar uses. Looks reasonable.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 4 – Zoning: Regulations for Signs

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No.3 as proposed by the Allenstown Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To amend Article XI, Supplemental Regulations, Section 1111 pertaining to Signs, by repealing the current language and replacing it with the following: a new ordinance that specifies the intent of the ordinance (primarily safety, property value protection, and aesthetic appeal of Allenstown); specifies construction requirements; specifies dimensions of signs per zoning district; specifies the number of signs permitted per zoning district; specifies the number of signs and dimensions permitted for a home occupation;

Specifies that a permit is needed from the Code Enforcement Officer or Building Inspector; specifies the Sign Permit Application process and appeals process; Specifies Sign Permit Fee as $35; provides a table depicting certain sign specifications by district; provides a list of certain signs prohibited in all zoning districts; provides certain requirements for illuminated signs; provides standards for public safety; provides provisions for street signs and street numbers;

Provides provisions for certain signs not requiring a permit, including: grandfathered, government signs, street numbering, required warning signs, temporary signs; provides provisions for temporary signs; provides maintenance and replacing provisions of all signs; provides certain requirements for flags; provides guidance for "sandwich signs;"

And, provides definitions including: A-Frame/Sandwich Board Sign, Animated or Moving sign, Awning sign, Changeable Copy Sign, Complex, Directional Sign, Double-Faced Sign, Electronic Reader Board, Freestanding Sign, Government Sign, Grandfathered/Non-conforming Sign, Height of Sign, Historic Plaque, Illuminated Sign, Portable Sign, Projecting Sign, Roof Line, Roof Sign, Seasonal Agricultural Sign, Sign, Temporary Sign, Unit, Wall Sign, and Window Sign.

Recommended by the Planning Board.

Commentary: This article specifies new regulations for signs such as dimesnsions, locations, permits, and fees. Looks reasonable, but this gets into the area of whether these amendments infringe on free speech. Stay tuned.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 5 – Zoning: Accessory Dwelling Units

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 4 as proposed by the Allenstown Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To amend Article XI, Supplemental Regulations, by creating a new Accessory Dwelling Unit Section 1124 in accordance with NH RSA 674:72, as amended. This new Section shall specify that an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is permitted on any lot containing a single family home and that it must be attached to the home; that the Planning Board is authorized to issue a Conditional Use Permit if the applicant can demonstrate that certain requirements have been met including: not more than one ADU per lot, must be an independent living unit, must have an interior door between the ADU and principal structure, there must be adequate water and sewer disposal, the ADU maintains the look and feel of the single family home, the owner of the property must occupy either the single family home or ADU, and, that the ADU must not exceed one half of the total floor area of the single family dwelling if it is over 775 square feet; and, specify certain application material requirements and fees associated with submitting a Conditional Use Permit application.

Recommended by the Planning Board.

Commentary: Looks reasonable. Plus there is a new state law (RSA 674:71 to 73, effective June 1, 2017) that requires towns to accept attached accessory dwelling units. (These may have originally been known as in-law apartments.)

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 6 – Zoning: Minimum Lot Size - Manufactured Housing

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 5 as proposed by the Allenstown Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To amend Article XVII, Presite Built Housing and Manufactured Housing, Section 1703.h.1 by specifying that all home sites shall be at least 10,000 square feet in size.

To amend Article XVII, Presite Built Housing and Manufactured Housing, Section 1703.h.2 by specifying that each home site shall maintain a fifteen foot setback from the front and rear site line.

Recommended by the Planning Board.

Commentary: Looks reasonable. This article deals with lots in a trailer park (euphemistically AKA a manufactured home park). There is currently no minimum lot size. The minimum should be at least one acre so as to minimize the tendency of developers to cram a lot of homes into a small parcel of land and also raise the property taxes on these greatly undertaxed homes.

Recommendation: Yes, but the next step should be to increase these lot sizes to at least one acre.

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Article 7 – Zoning: New Zoning Map

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 6 as proposed by the Allenstown Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To amend Article XXII, Agricultural Conservation District, Section 2201.C by specifying the boundaries of the district are those depicted on the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Allenstown, dated March 14, 2017.

To adopt a new Official Zoning Map of the Town of Allenstown, dated March 14, 2017 as prepared by the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission and entitled: Official Zoning Map of the Town of Allenstown, NH March 14, 2017.

Recommended by the Planning Board.

Commentary: This article modifies the Open Space and Farming District to protect undeveloped agricutural land. Sounds reasonable.

If approved, please tell us where this new zoning map will be stored online.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 8 – Zoning: Storm Water Management

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 7 as proposed by the Allenstown Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To amend Article XXV, Permanent (Post-Construction) Stormwater Management Ordinance, Section III by adding text to specify that single family homes and duplexes that are on individual lots and not part of a larger development that requires a Stormwater Management Permit are exempt from the Article.

To amend Article XXV, Permanent (Post-Construction) Stormwater Management Ordinance, Section IV by adding text to specify that the provisions of the Stormwater Management Plan section are required components for new development, as applicable.

Recommended by the Planning Board.

Commentary: This article protects a single home on a single lot from the excessive stormwater regulations. Looks reasonable.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 9 – Zoning: Adult Business Setbacks

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 8 as proposed by the Allenstown Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To amend Article XXVI, Adult Business Ordinance, by amending Section VIII.B.a to indicate that all setback requirements must be met.

To amend Article XXV, Permanent (Post-Construction) Stormwater Management Ordinance, Section III, by adding Section C which exempts single family and duplex homes on individual lots and not part of a larger development requiring a Stormwater Management Permit from the Ordinance.

To amend Article XXV, Permanent (Post-Construction) Stormwater Management Ordinance, Section IV, by adding the words “[o]ther required components for new development, as applicable, include.”

Recommended by the Planning Board.

Commentary: This article adds the requirement to meet all setbacks. Looks reasonable.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 10 – Zoning: Alternative Energy

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 9 as proposed by the Allenstown Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To establish a new Article XXVIII pertaining to Alternative Energy under the provisions of NH RSA 674:21 for the purpose of accommodating demands for alternative energy systems and implementing the Allenstown Master Plan, with certain provisions for Small Wind Systems and Small solar systems, including:

Small Wind Systems: a conditional use permit shall be required by the building inspector; specifying certain application materials including a plan showing location and design of the system with setbacks and property features, system design specifications, evidence of compliance with various governmental entities, abutter information, power grid connection information (as applicable), sound analysis, and regional notification provisions in accordance with NH RSA 674:66; specification of certain standards for compliance in order for the permit to be issue by the Building Inspector include: setbacks, zoning district permissibility (small wind systems are permitted by right in the Open Space and Farming Zone only), wind system design (approved designer, height, sound, appearance, shadow flicker, code compliance Federal Aviation Administration specifications), visual impacts, mitigation of impact to abutters, utility connection, access, and clearance of vegetation.

Small Wind Systems: all small-scale solar systems must be installed in accordance with all applicable codes, regulations, and standards; systems for the benefit of those on site but "net metering/net billing" is not prohibited; permitting shall follow State Building Code, as applicable; small-scale solar is permitted in all districts in Allenstown; a building permit shall be required for all roof-top and building-mounted installations; height limitations in the Zoning Ordinance are not applicable to roof systems; ground-mounted systems shall adhere to all setbacks, may not exceed twenty feet of height at maximum tilt, shall be reasonably screened and minimize view blockage; and shall require a building permit; Solar-thermal systems shall require a building permit; Solar Systems shall only be permitted if they are deemed safe by the Building Inspector given certain factors (Building and Life Safety Code compliance, weight load, wind resistance, ingress/egress during emergency; pre-operation safety verification including: inspection by Building Inspector and electrical inspector/agency as appropriate prior to operation, utility inspection as applicable, system in good working order, Fire/Life Safety code standard compliance for roof and building-mounted collectors, storage batteries in a secure container; removal required after 12 months of inoperability.

Certain provisions shall apply to both Small-Scale Solar and Small Wind Systems, including: any aggrieved person may seek relief from the Zoning Board of Adjustment in accordance with NH RSA 674:66, as amended; the abandonment of any system shall result in the removal of the system after 12 months of inoperability, and, the building inspector shall enjoy certain enforcement actions to ensure the removal of the system within twelve months of inoperability.

Recommended by the Planning Board.

Commentary: This article defines regulations for small-scale wind and solar installations. Looks reasonable, but don't try expect approval of a wind generator next to my property.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 11 – Zoning: Formatting and Editing Zoning Ordinances

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 10 as proposed by the Allenstown Planning Board for the Town of Allenstown Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To authorize certain formatting and editing provisions throughout the Allenstown Zoning Ordinance including: page number consistency, table of contents corrections, to update and ensure proper citation to relevant New Hampshire RSAs, to ensure accuracy throughout the Zoning Ordinance, to revise Article numbers based on overall changes to the ordinance, and to update the list of Zoning Ordinance Change Dates as applicable.

Recommended by the Planning Board.

Commentary: Adding the approved zoning articles and then reformatting and editing of the ordinance document will solve years of neglect. The Revision History needs to be moved up front from page 157 and a proper title page needs to be inserted. The current document with edits visible can be found at:
Allenstown Zoning Ordinances, Draft 6

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 12 – Suncook Pond Sewer Pump Station Project

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,616,000 (gross budget) for the purpose of financing the costs of engineering and construction of the Suncook Pond Wastewater Pump Station; to authorize the issuance of not more than $1,616,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); to authorize the Select Board to apply for, obtain and accept federal, state or other aid, if any, which may be available for said project and to comply with all laws applicable to said project; to authorize the Select Board to apply for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan; to authorize the Select Board to issue, negotiate, sell and deliver said bonds and notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof; and to authorize the Select Board to take any other action or to pass any other vote relative thereto. Without impairing the general obligation nature of the bonds or notes, it is intended that repayment of the bonds or notes, including any CWSRF loan, shall be paid by sewer funds. (3/5 ballot vote required).

Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Recommended by the Budget Committee.

Commentary: The $1.616 million bond is for a new Sewer Pump Station and piping at Suncook Pond. This will eliminate the hazardous pipe that conducts Allenstown sewage under the river into the Pembroke sewer system. Instead, a new pipe will carry the flow to a connection with an existing pipe.

A 10-year state loan or municipal bond is to be used to fund the project. Since the BOS is the only bonding authority in town, they obtained a commitment from the sewer commission to repay the loan from sewer funds. The loan payment will be about $180,000 per year. If approved by voters, construction might not start until the Fall of 2017.

The main reasons given for this project are (1) to eliminate the need to pump sewage under the pond to Pembroke, (2) to eliminate the need to meter the flow as it leaves Allenstown and then downstream to meter the combined flow coming from Pembroke, (3) to allow Pembroke more capacity by eliminating the flow going into Pembroke, and (4) to eliminate infiltration of the pipe under the pond with ground water, which adds unneeded gallons to the flow processed by the sewer plant.

An unstated reason for the pump station is most likely to eliminate the potential hazard of an environmental disaster if the old pipe under the pond should rupture.

This sounds like an expensive but necessary project.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 13 – Sewer Asset Management Project

(THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT IMPACT THE TAX RATE) To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $30,000 (gross budget) to defray the cost of planning relative to public facilities through the previously established Asset Management Plan development project for Town of Allenstown Wastewater Collection and Treatment System: and,

to authorize the issuance of not more than thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and, further, to authorize the Select Board to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the conditions and the rate of interest thereon; and,

to further authorize the Select Board to offset a portion of said appropriation by applying for, Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF), it being understood that repayment of the loan funds will include up to 100% principal forgiveness in the amount up to $30,000.

A condition of the approval of this article being repayment of any remaining loan balance to be paid by the sewer funds: and, further, that the Allenstown Sewer Commission shall pay any outstanding remaining balance and applicable interest in the full from said sewer funds on or before the date that the first payment of the loan related to the CWSRF funding is due: and,

to authorize the Selectmen and Sewer Commissioners to take all other action necessary to carry out and complete this project. (3/5 ballot vote required)

Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Recommended by the Budget Committee.

Commentary: This article is for the second phase of a plan already being developed by the Sewer Commissioners. The project aims to identify all components of the sewer collection system (such pipes, pumps, facilities, vehicles, and equipment) so that they can be properly maintained or replaced on a known schedule.

When asked for help with the convoluted language, Sewer Dept. personnel explained that the Sewer Dept. will actually be reimbursed as they complete each part of the project. At the end of the project, the state will "forgive" the loan.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 14 – Town Operating Budget

Shall the Town of Allenstown 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 $3,924,683. Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $3,953,626, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Allenstown 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.

Estimated tax impact is approximately $0.11 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. (Majority vote required)

NOTE: This warrant article (operating budget) does not include appropriations in ANY other warrant article.

Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Recommended by the Budget Committee.

Commentary: This article represents the proposed operating budget of the Town minus the Sewer Dept. The amount proposed for 2017 represents about a 1% increase in spending from the 2016 approved budget. A more detailed explanation of the budget can be found on the MS 737 form as well as the department level budget explanations which have been placed on the web site.

Bottom line:
   Proposed budget = $3,924,683
   Default budget = $3,953,626

Not much of a different, is there? But do vote for the lower, proposed budget.

How can fewer taxpayers bear the burden of higher taxes, especially those unemployed, underemployed, or on fixed incomes? Who would want to move into a town with a decreasing population and an increasing tax bill?

Recommendation: Reluctantly, Yes.

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Article 15 – Sewer Dept. Operating Budget

(THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT IMPACT THE TAX RATE) Shall the Town of Allenstown raise and appropriate as an operating budget for the Allenstown Sewer Commission, 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 $2,192,252. Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $2,219,419, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Allenstown 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. (Majority vote required)

NOTE: This warrant article (operating budget) does not include appropriations in ANY other warrant article.

Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Recommended by the Budget Committee.

Commentary: This buidget is a 3.1% increase over last year. The Sewer Commission and the Sewer Department have done a commendable job keeping the sewer rates low. The new rate is $7.57/1000 gal. compared to $7.58/1000 gal. for last year.

This is the only department that makes money because the Allenstown Wastewater Treatment Plant has become a popular destination for septage haulers. The fees they pay keep your sewer rates low.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 16 – Fire Safety Equipment Capital Reserve Fund

(THIS ARTICLE DOES/DOES NOT IMPACT THE TAX RATE.)
To see if the Town of Allenstown will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be added to the Fire Safety Equipment Capital Reserve Fund previously established. This sum is to come from the unassigned fund balance. (Majority vote required.)

Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Recommended by the Budget Committee.

Commentary: Articles 16 to 20 propose to transfer funds from the unreserved fund balance (leftover tax funds) to each capital reserve fund. For article 16, the Fire Dept. is trying to save up funds to replace about 30 air packs that are used by firefighters. They were originally bought all at once several years ago with a federal grant. They are technically due to expire in 2020. Replacement cost might be as much as $7,000 each. Where is the plan to spread out the purchases?

While the fire suits and gear are stored in an equipment locker, the air packs are kept in the fire trucks – one in each seat. When fire fighters arrive at the station, they put on their gear, take their seat in one of the trucks, and then strap on the air pack in that seat.

That methodology forces the taxpayer to pay for as many air packs as there are seats in all the fire trucks. A more cost effective method might be to store the air packs with the fire suits, so that each fire fighter grabs one and puts it on as they go to their seat in a fire truck.

If the fire department determined the average number of trucks actually in use each day, then they could determine the minimum number of air packs needed. They could then request X number of additional air packs to allow for ones in need of service or repairs.

Beyond that, a policy needs to be established now so that the air packs are replaced over three or four years so as to minimize the cash outlay per year. With the cash already in the fund, they could purchase 8-10 air packs right now and have plenty of funds left over for next year.

Recommendation: Yes, but voters must demand that a policy be established to eliminate the need to replace them all at once.

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Article 17 – Library Capital Reserve Fund

(THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT IMPACT THE TAX RATE) (Majority vote required) To see if the Town of Allenstown will vote to establish a Library Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for construction and repairs of the Library and to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,221 to be placed in this fund. This sum to come from the unassigned fund balance. Further, to name the Library Trustees as agents to carry out the objects for which this fund was established and expend from such fund.

Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Recommended by the Budget Committee.

Commentary: Looks reasonable.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 18 – Highway Garage Capital Reserve Fund

(THIS ARTICLE DOES/DOES NOT IMPACT THE TAX RATE.)
To see if the Town of Allenstown will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be added to the Highway Garage Capital Reserve Fund previously established. This sum is to come from the unassigned fund balance. (Majority vote required.)

Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Recommended by the Budget Committee.

Commentary: The Highway Garage has been in need of replacement for years. There are negotiations in process with Allenstown Aggregate to acquire some land behind the current transfer station.


Recommendation: Yes

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Article 19 – Public Safety Equipment Capital Reserve Fund

(THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT IMPACT THE TAX RATE) To see if the Town of Allenstown will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be added to the Public Safety Facilities Capital Reserve Fund previously established. This sum to come from unassigned fund balance. (Majority vote required)

Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Recommended by the Budget Committee.

Commentary: Looks reasonable. This covers equipment for the Fire Dept. and Police Dept.

Recommendation: Yes

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Article 20 – Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund

(THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT IMPACT THE TAX RATE) To see if the Town of Allenstown will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 to be added to the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund previously established. This sum to come from unassigned fund balance. (Majority vote required)

Recommended by the Board of Selectmen. Recommended by the Budget Committee.

Commentary: This fund is used to purchase new equipment like a dump truck, plow or sander. The Highway Dept. finally sold the old garbage truck for a little over $5,000 and requested that the proceeds go into this fund.

Recommendation: Yes.

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Article 21 – Petition: Chartered Public Schools

By Petition:

This article was proposed by citizen petition.

Shall the town of Allenstown vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 79-H authorizing the Town and its assessing official to approve tax abatement requests for a qualifying chartered public school facility as defined in RSA 79-H:3. The effective date of this warrant article if adopted shall be April 1, 2017. Once adopted this provision shall remain in effect until specifically rescinded by the town at a duly warned meeting.

Commentary: Looks reasonable. This town needs alternatives to the expensive, poorly performing public schools.

Recommendation: Yes

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