Full text of "Annual report for the Town of Benton, New Hampshire"

See other formats

Annual
Report

FOR THE TOWN OF

c)/leuj(y(:?Lam/psAltey

Year Ending December 31
2007

Annual
Report

FOR THE TOWN OF

yi£MjtsC?vam/psAives

Year Ending December 31
2007

PAGE 2

Town of Benton, N.H.

Annual Report of Town Officers
Year Ended December 31, 2007

Table of Contents

Benton Town Officers 5

Annual Town Meeting Warrant 7

Budget & Summary Analysis - Revenues 8

Budget & Summary Analysis - Expenditures 9

Comparative Statement of Appropriations & Expenditures. ...10

Report of the Treasurer 11

Detailed statement of Payments by the Selectmen 13

Report of the Tax Collector 17

Report of Clerk to Treasurer 19

Report of the Town Clerk 20

Schedule of Non-Taxable Property 21

Summary of Inventory Valuation 22

Report of the Trustees of the Trust Funds 23

Year 2007 Town Meeting Results 24

Vital Statistics 28

Annual Report of the Benton School District 29

PAGE 3

Katie Ella Jewell Goodwin
January 17, 1911 - September 2, 2007

This year saw the passing of Benton's oldest resident, Katie Goodwin. Katie was
the second child and only daughter born to William and Celia Jewell in Lunenburg, VT.
After several years, the family moved to Red Village, VT where, when Katie was seven, her
mother died and she relied on her aunts who lived nearby for maternal needs. She did
occasionally need help from a neighbor to brush her hair before going to school, and
sometimes her brother had to help braid it.

At age 15, her father could no longer afford to buy her school supplies, so she
repeated 8th grade, her last formal education. In June of the year she started work in the
Goodwin's home. The Goodwins lived next door to the Mountain View House, and took
overflow guests in. The senior Mr. Goodwin had a residential milk route which his son, Max,
eventually took over.

After a romance developed between Max and Katie, she wrote to her father to
ask his permission since she was underage. When no response came, she decided that
meant her father consented, and the two were married on March 21, 1927. Katie helped in
the business by putting the milk caps on the bottles. Their daughter Maxine was born in
1928. When she was oid enough, Maxine took over the capping. In 1944, the Goodwins
bought a farm in Landaf f , and Katie worked along side Max in the fields.

Katie never cut her hair because her mother-in-law felt it frivolous to visit a
hair salon. Her hair became so long that she sat on it and kept it braided and wrapped
around her head. In late 1955, some time after the passing of her in-laws, Maxine cut off
her mom's braids, gave her her first home permanent, and saved the braids in a box. Katie
was a new woman!

In 1947 Maxine married George Tyler and moved Katie and Max with her to
Howe Hil! in Benton. In 1969 Max passed away, having been married to Katie for 42 years.
For the next 5 years, George would drive Katie to visit her brother in Northwood, NH.
After George passed away in 1974, Maxine took the driver's test and got her license. She
and Katie would go to Northwood.

Over the years, Katie and Maxine cooked, cleaned, crocheted, sewed,
embroidered and tended the garden together. Maxine felt blessed to have such a special
mother who was also like a big sister and friend, all in one. "Winters newer seemed long to
us", said Maxine.

Katie was a Ballot Inspector at elections, coming down with Maxine and
crocheting or embroidering for most of the day. She also baked some of "the best bread
around" according to those lucky enough to have sampled her loaves.

Adapted from a birthday program for Katie's 90th birthday by Stephanie Saffo.

PAGE 4

BENTON TOWN OFFICERS

Term Exp. Date

Board of Selectmen:

Jeremy Elliott
Marjorie L. Robitzer
Albert Boutin, Jr.

3 yre
3 yre.
3 yre.

2008
2009
2010

Moderator

Gilbert Richardson

2 yre.

2008

Town Clerk:

Michael Stiebitz

1 yr.

2008

Treasurer:

Richard Dickenson

1 yr.

2008

Auditor

Robert Steel

1 yr.

2008

Tax Collector

Sharon Edwards *

1 yr.

2008

Supervisors of the Checklist

Deborah Boutin
Nellie Dickenson
Arthur Christopher

3 Yre.
3 yrs
3 yre

2008
2009
2010

Ballot Clerk:

Steven Saffo

1 yr.

2008

Ballot Inspector.

Maxine Tyler

1 yr.

2008

Surveyors of Wood & Lumber Joseph Boutin, Jr.

1 yr.

2008

Trustees of the Trust Funds:

Laura Richardson
Joyce Hassel
Martin Noble

3 yre.
3 yre.
3 yre.

2008
2009
2010

Planning Board:

Richard Saffo, Sr.
Phillip Chicoine**
Wayne Chevalier
Kenneth Kealey
Jeremy Elliott

5 yre.
5 yre.
5 yre.
5 yre.
Ex Officio I

2008
2009
2010
2011
Aember

Sexton:

Marty Noble
Assistant (Vacant)

1 Yr.

2008

Police Officer/Director of
Emergency Mgmt

Stefan Clmlkowski •

■ appointed by Selectmen

* Not running for re-election
** Vacant

PAGE 5

PAGE 6

Annual Town Meeting Warrant

Grafton S.S. March 1 1 , 2008 Town of Benton

To the inhabitants of the Town of Benton qualified to vote in Town affairs:

You are hereby notified to meet at the Benton Community Building in
said Benton on the second Tuesday of March next, the 1 1th, at seven
o'clock in the evening to vote and act upon the following subjects:

ARTICLE 1 To choose a Town Clerk, a Treasurer, a Tax Collector, an
Auditor, a Ballot Clerk, a Ballot Inspector, a Sexton, an Assistant to the
Sexton and a Surveyor of Wood and Lumber for a term of one year, a
Moderator and a Selectman for a period of two years; a Supervisor of
the Checklist and a Selectman for a term of three years; a Member of
the Planning Board for a term of five years and any other agents or
Officers necessary for the ensuing year.

ARTICLE 2 To see if the Town will vote to accept the reports of officers
and agents as printed.

ARTICLE 3 Non-Lapsing Special Warrant Article.
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $4,630 to replace
the windows in the Benton Town Hall building. The monies are to be drawn
from the surplus in the General Fund.

(This article requires a 2/3 majority vote on a written ballot)

The Selectmen recommend this article.

ARTICLE 4 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the
sum of $113,193 for General Municipal Operations.

The Selectmen recommend this article.

A True Copy - Attest
Selectmen of Benton

Jeremy Elli

rt J. Boutin, Jr. Q,.
Marjorie L. Robitzer

PAGE 7

BUDGET AND SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Estimate of Revenue

Sources of Revenue Est. 2007 Rec. 2007 Est. 2008

Yield Taxes

Interest on Delinquent Taxes
Motor Vehicle Registrations
White Mountain Nat'l Forest
State of New Hampshire

Shared Revenue

Rooms & Meals Tax

Highway Bloc Grant
Income From Trust Funds
Dog Licenses & Fines
Interest on Deposits

Totals $109,284 $116,562 $113,826

$9,000

$2,436

$4,500

3,000

2,870

3,000

42,000

50,750

45,000

30,000

32,236

33,500

1,605

11,000

14,055

13,000

11,509

12,071

350

305

310

400

420

376

420

PAGE 8

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT #23

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S AND

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR'S SALARIES

One-half of the School Administrative Unit expenses are prorated among
the school districts on the basis of adjusted valuation. One-half is prorated
on the basis of average daily membership in the schools for the previous
school year ending June 30. The Superintendent of SAU #23, during the
2007-08 school year will receive a salary of $89,409.00. There is no
Assistant Superintendent or Business Administrator at SAU 23 at this time.

The table below shows the pro-ration of the salary to each school district:

Superintendent Salary

Bath 11,176.13 12.50%

Benton 1,680.89 1.88%

Haverhill Cooperative 57,481.05 64.29%

Piermont 10,183.69 11.39%

Warren 8,887.25 9.94%

TOTAL $89,409.00 100%

PAGE 35

HAVERHILL COOPERATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT
TEACHER QUALITY REPORT

Education Level of Faculty and Administration at Each School

BA+15

MA+30

WES Teachers

5.6

WES Administration

HCMS Teachers

6.5

14.5

HCMS Administration

WHS Teachers

7.6

WHS Administration

Number of Teachers with Provisional (Intern) Certification

Woodsville Elementary School

Haverhill Cooperative Middle School

Woodsville High School

Number of Core Academic Courses Not Taught By Highly
Qualified Teachers

Woodsville Elementary School

Haverhill Cooperative Middle School

Woodsville High School

PARENTS RIGHT TO KNOW

As a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or Legal guardian, you
have the right to know:

1 . Who is teaching your child

2. The qualifications and experience of your child's teacher(s)

For information concerning your child's teacher(s), please contact the

Superintendent's Office at:

SAU #23

2975 Dartmouth College Highway

North Haverhill, NH 03774

603-787-2113

A copy of the Haverhill Cooperative School District Title One
Report Card is available at each school

PAGE 36

Treasurer's Report

Received from Tax Collector:

Property taxes (Year 2004)
Interest and costs
Total 2004

Property taxes (Year 2005)
Interest and costs
Total 2005

Property taxes (Year 2006)
Interest and costs
Total 2006

Property taxes (Year 2007)
Total 2007

Prepaid 2008 taxes

Yield Tax Collections

Current Use Land Change
Total from Tax Collector

Received from the Town Clerk:
Motor Vehicle Permits
Motor Vehicle Transfers
Vital Statistics - St. of New Hamps
Dog Licenses issued
Marriage Licenses

Total from Town Clerk $51 ,412.00

PAGE 11

$1,931.60

795.68

$2,727.28

$3,214.65

353.74

$3,568.39

$35,357.33

683.48

$36,040.81

$144,787.09

$10.00

$2,435.91

$820.00

$190,389.48

$50,750.00

180.00

» 24.00

420.00

38.00

Treasurer's Report (cont'd)

Received from the Selectmen:

Pistol Permits $80.00

Building Permits 570.00

Hall Rental 140.00

Misc. 145.74

Trustees of the Trust Fund (Ceme 417.81

Fire Insurance Monies Ret'd to To' 1 ,000.00

Refund from State of Unemp. Tax< 506.28

Beautify Benton Committee (Reint 170.00

Total from Selectmen $3,029.83

Received from State & Federal Sources

St. of N. H. - Rooms & meals tax $14,055.24
St. of N. H. - Hwy. Block Grant 1 1 ,509.03

St. of N. H. - Revenue Sharing $1 ,605.00

U.S. Dept. of Ag., Forest Service 32,236.00

Total Received from State & Federal Sources $59,405.27

Total receipts for 2007 $304,236.58

Cash on hand as of 1/1/07 298,517.15

Bank interest 376.32

Less Selectmen's orders for 2007 $290,642. 1 0

Year-end Total Cash $312,487.95

Acct. 30502 - Yield Account:

Cash on hand - 1/1/07 $2,759.01
Interest 9.67

Deposits 530.00

Withdrawals 0

Year-end Yield Acct. Balance $3,298.68

Respectfully submitted,
Richard A. Dickenson, Treasurer

PAGE 12

Detailed Statement of Payments
By The Selectmen

Selectmen:
Salaries:
Expenses:

$2,216.40
53.00

$2,269.40

Financial Administration:

Salaries:

R. Steel, Auditor

$92.35

Sharon Edwards, Tax Coll.

554.10

M. Stiebitz, Town Clerk

757.73

Richard Dickenson, Treas.

369.40

Joseph Boutin, Jr. - Surveyor

of Wood & Lumber

184.70

P. Chicoine, Sexton

831.15

$2,789.43

Office Expenses:

Town Report

$570.00

Law Book:

25.00

N.H. Recorder of Deeds:

66.38

Notices:

318.00

Supervisors of the Check List

106.00

General Office Expenses:

1599.71

$2,685.09

Town Hall:

Repairs:

$72.00

Walter Jock Oil:

2153.65

Verizon:

393.00

N.H. Elec. Co-op

1046.63

$3,665.28

PAGE 13

Detailed Statement of Payments (cont'd)

Special Fund, Town Hall:

New Hot water Heater $369.00

Insurance:

L.G.C. Worker's Comp. $500.00

LG.C. Town Hall: 1,517.66

$2,017.66

Regional Associations:

N.H. Municipal Assoc.

$563.19

North Country Council

296.69

N.H. Assoc. Of Tax Collectors

20.00

N.H. Town Clerks Assoc. (2 yrs.)

40.00

$919.88

Dispatch Service:

$1,500.00

Police Account

Equipment Adjustment & Repairs

$1,244.05

Equipment:

84.96

Annual Organizations:

200.00

Vehicle Costs

2000.00

St. of N.H.

30.00

$3,559.01
Ambulance Service: $3,297.60

PAGE 14

Detailed Statement of Payments (cont'd)

Fire Protection:

Twin State Mutual:
Haverhill Corner Fire Co:
Haverhill Comer Fire Co:
North Haverhill Fire Co:
North Haverhill Fire Co:

Roads:

Elliott Construction:

Morrill:

Lee Waterhouse, Mowing:

Materials and Supplies:

Welfare:

North Country Home Health:
Grafton Co. Senior Center
Tri-County Community Action:
Northern Human Services:
N.H. Elec. Co-op:
N.H. Elec. Co-op:

Taxes Bought By The Town:

Abatements and Refunds:

Deposited to Capital Reserve Fund For Roads:

$1,000.00

750.00

995.00

750.00

1795.00

$5,290.00

$32,956.00
1,137.50
1,920.00
5,917.80

$41,931.30

300.00
300.00
300.00
300.00
166.00
351.93

$1,717.93

$8,752.32

$1,433.00

$5,000.00

PAGE 15

Detailed Statement of Payments (conf d)

State of New Hampshire Interest:

Vital Records: $62.00

Animal Population Control: 1 61 .00

$223.00

Unemployment Comp: $54.88

Social Sec, & Medicare: $559.83

Assessing: $4,972.00

County Tax: $32,965.00

Schools: $164,864.00

Total Checks Written $290,835.61

Selectmen of Bento

-^ <£■<--

Marjbrie L. Robitzer

Jeremy Elliott

Albert J. Boutin, Jr.

PAGE 16

TOWN OF BENTON
Tax Collector's Report - 2007

2007

Cr.

Taxes Committed This Year:
Property Taxes
Land Use Change
Yield Taxes
Prepay of 2008 Taxes

Taxes Collected & Sent to Treasurer

Property Taxes $144,787.09

Land Use Change 820.00

Yield Taxes 2,435.91

Prepay of 2008 Taxes 1 o.OO

SubTotal $148,053.00
Taxes Uncollected at Year-end $67,61 7.17

Totals $21 5,670.1 7

Dr.

$212,404.26

820.00

2,435.91

10.00

$215,670.17

2006

Taxes Uncollected at Beginning of Year
Interest on Delinquent Taxes & Costs

Taxes Collected & Sent to Treasurer
Property Taxes
Interest & Penalties
Conversion to lien
Abatements made

$24,615.43

683.48

8,752.32

20.00

Totals $34,071.23

$33,387.75
683.48

$34,071.23

PAGE 17

TOWN OF BENTON
Tax Collector's Report - 2007 (Cont'd)

Cr. I Dr.

2005 1

Unredeemed Liens Bal. at Beginning of Year I $7,527.22

Interest & Costs Included in Lien I 349.74

Remitted to Treasurer I

Redemptions $3,218.65 I

Unredeemed Liens Bal. at End of Year 4,308.57 I

Interest & Cost After Lien Execution 349.74 I

Totals $7,876.96 I $7,876.96

2Q34

Unredeemed Liens Bal. at Beginning of Year I $1 ,943.25

Interest & Costs Collected After Lien Execution I 795.68

Remitted to Treasurer I

Redemptions $1,931.60 1

Interest & Costs Collected After Lien Execution 795.68 I

Interest Abatements 1 1 .65 I

=========== i ==========

Totals $2,738.93 I $2,738.93

PAGE 18

Report of Clerk to Treasurer - Benton, NH
Year End Totals for 2007

Motor Vehicle Permits Issued (464): $51 ,554.00

Dog Licenses Issued and Fines Collected (65/0): k $450.50

Marriage Licenses Issued (1): $45.00

Vital Record Searches (3): $36.00

Fines/Penalties: $0.00

Reimbursed bounced check: $0.00

Total Collected by Town Clerk for 2007: $52.085.50

Motor Vehicles: $50,930.00

Dog Licenses Issued and Fines Collected (63/0): $420.00

Marriage Licenses Issued (1): $38.00

Vital Record Searches (3): $24.00

Fines/Penalties: $0.00

Reimbursed bounced check: $0.00

Total Submitted to the Treasurer for 2007: $51,412.00

Motor Vehicles: $624.00

Dog Licenses Issued and Fines Collected (63/0): $30.50

Marriage Licenses Issued (1): $7.00

Vital Record Searches (3) : $ 1 2 .00

Total Retained by Town Clerk for 2007: $673.50

2Mfoad@? <&&£%> Town Clerk

PAGE 19

Notes From the Town Clerk's Office

2007 saw an incredible amount of volunteer effort expended at the Town
Building through the efforts of The Beautify Benton Committee and other
willing volunteers. The main hall was cleaned, scrubbed, painted and generally
spruced up, and all of the windows were thoroughly washed. The kitchen was
cleaned, windows washed, curtains were made, cabinets were reset complete
with new hardware, and a new countertop and sink were installed. The cellar
was rid of a lot of junk, cleaned, and foam insulation was sprayed in the holes
in the foundation.

Conservation cases were purchased for several of Benton's memorabilia such
as the drum used in parades of the late 1800's by the town's own Fife and
Drum Corp. The drum was donated to the town by the family of William and
Mary Clough. Also encased was an American Flag, also believed to have been
used back in the late 1800's. Additionally, some very attractive literature
racks have been placed in the anteroom, organizing and centralizing the
various public service brochures and information. With money set aside for
the purpose from the previous warrant, the ancient water heater was
replaced with a new Marathon unit, guaranteed for life.

Various external "modifications" also took place over the year, including
gardening work around the flagpole, Christmas wreaths on the Town Building
gs well as at the entrances to our cemeteries, and a new flag whenever it was
needed.

The funds spent on these projects were either from money raised from our
Memory Tree or from anonymous donors. On that note, the Memory Tree
was beautiful, standing as a reminder of all that we are because of those we
loved and who have passed before us.

The list of volunteers included: Dick and Nellie Dickenson, Deb and Chelsea
McKean, Steph Saff o, Diana and Shawn Roden, Sam Boutin, Lyn Bandy, and
Mike Stiebitz. If I have forgotten anyone, I do apologize! Bravo and thanks
to everyone involved in these activities. We have a Town Building that we can
all be proud of!

Or\e last note on dogs: all owners of dogs over 4 months old must license
them each year before April 30th. After May 30th, any license fee which
remains unpaid can be increased by $1.00 per month. Please make every
effort this year to get your dogs licensed before April 30th.

Respectfully submitted,

C1J?„l _ _, rf5ZP /DL ./„ Town C)erk

PAGE 20

Schedule of Non-Taxable Property

Town of Benton:

Crowther Lot
Mountain View Cemetery
High Street Cemetery
East Cemetery
Old Town Hail Lot

Benton Town Hall, Land, Bldg.

Benton Bible Chapel

Benton Bible Parsonage

North Benton Union Loc.

State of New Hampshire:
GlenclHT Home
State Forest Division

United States Dept of Agriculture:
U.S. Forest Service

Totals

1 Map

I Lot#

i Lot Size

I Value

1 2

1 1
I 6

I 52
1113/114
I 4
i 29
I 126

I .3ac
I 2.2 ac
I ,3ac
I .3ac
I .05 ac

I $5500
I 20400
I 500
I 300
I 5200

I 18

I .3ac

I 71900

1 .4 ac

211300

1.4 ac

94300

.7ac I

8500

I 6 I
I 6 I

7 I
7 I

107 ac I
401 ac I

8093700
179000

I W.

M.N.F I

23,658.8 ac I

10646500

24,174.3 ac I

$19,337,100

PAGE 21

TOWN OF BENTON

Summary of Inventory Valuation

Land, Improved and Unimproved:

Under "Current Use" - 4,733.3 acres

$170,994

Conservation Restriction - 369.0 acres

2,448

Residential Land - 2,138.6 acres

4,923,125

Commercial Land - 1.1 acres

20,100

Total

$5,116,667

Tax Exempt Land -24,174.4 acres

$11,032,300

Tax Exempt Buildings

$8,341,900

Housing:

Residential and Allied Buildings

$9,080,300

Manufactured Housing

695,500

Commercial Bldg.

21,200

Total

$9,797,000

Public Utilities

$930,012

Total Assessments:

$15,797,579

Less Elderly Exemptions (1)

15,000

Net Valuation on which tax rate is computed $1 5,782,579
Less Public Utilities 930,012

Net Valuation on which State Education

tax is computed $14,852,567
Less Veteran's Exemptions 1 ,350

Final Total of Inventory Valuation

State Education Tax
Local Education Tax Rate
County Tax
Town Tax

$14,851,217

$3.29

9.84

2.09
-1.42

Total Tax Commitment
To Raise

$13.80
$213,416

PAGE 22

Report of the Trustees of the Trust Funds

For the Year Ending December 3 1 , 2007

Funds donated to the Town of Benton are in the custody of the Trustees. Donations are
distributed as specified by the donors. Funds received during the year are deposited in a
savings account until they can be transferred into the appropriate financial tool.
Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank in Woodsville, NH holds all funds.

Year 2007 Donations - Cemetery Trust

Albert J. Boutin, Jr $ 150.00

Betty Nickles $ 145.00

Harriet D.Robinson $ 300.00

Status of the Funds is as follows:

Trust Fund Savings, Account #617453 $ 3,829.26

Principal Amount in Cemetery/Common Trust Fund, $ 1 1 ,719.54

CDARS Acc't #1001362999
Capital Reserve Fund,

CD Acc't # 708751 -» CDARS Acc't #1001752509

Highways/Roads, interest included $ 33,490.74

Capital Reserve Fund, Acc't # 6 1 7456 - Fires, interest included $ 4,45 1 .65

Capital Reserve Fund - Schools, interest included

CDARS Acc't #1001027634 -> 1002213083 $17,866.46

CDARS Acc't #1001269328 -> 1001544906 $84,039.80

Total $155,397.45

Distributions of Interest at the end of 2007 from the Cemetery/Common Trust Fund
For cemetery use $ 286.24

For the schools $ 69.19

For the highway account $ 62.38

Total $ 417.81

Respectfully submitted,

Laura Richardson
Martin Noble
Joyce Hassell

PAGE 23

Town Meeting - Benton, New Hampshire
March 13,2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:10PM by the moderator Gil Richardson.
Motion to recess to the School Meeting. Reconvened Town Meeting at 7:20PM.

Article 1
To choose a Town Cleric, a Treasurer, a Tax Collector, an Auditor, a Ballot Clerk,
a Ballot Inspector, a Sexton, an Assistant to the Sexton, and a Surveyor of Wood
and Lumber, all for a term of one year, a Trustee of the Trust Funds, a
Supervisor of The Checklist and a Selectman for a term of three years, for a term
of three years, a Member of the Planning Board for a term of five years, and any
other Agents or Officers necessary for the ensuing year. Motion was made to
accept article as written, motion was seconded and accepted by voice vote.

The following Town Officers were elected (by the Town Clerk or Moderator
casting one ballot after a voice vote):

Town Clerk 1 Yr Term

Treasurer 1 Yr Term

Tax Collector 1 Yr Term

Auditor 1 Yr Term

Ballot Clerk 1 YrTerm

Ballot Inspector 1 Yr Term

Sexton 1 Yr Term

Sexton Assistant 1 Yr Term

Surveyor of Wood & Lumber 1 Yr Term

Trustee of the Trust Funds 3 Yr Term

Supervisor of the Checklist 3 Yr Term

Selectman 3 Yr Term
Member of the Planning Board 5 Yr Term
Other Agents as Required

Michael Stiebitz
Richard Dickenson
Sharon Edwards
Robert Steel
Steve Saffo
Maxine Tyler
Philip Chicoine
Marty Noble
Joseph Boutin, Jr.
Marty Noble
Arthur Christopher
Albert Boutin, Jr.
Kenneth Kealey
None

Article 2
To see if the Town will vote to accept the reports of Officers and Agents as
printed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the reports of officers and
agents as printed and passed by a voice vote.

Article 3
To see if the Town will vote to buy a new water heater for the Town Hall to be
paid from the Town Building Fund, the present balance of which is $1 ,202. A
twenty gallon heater will cost $369, plus shipping and installation. Our present
heater is rusty and leaking.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the article as written and
passed by a unanimous voice vote of the eligible voters present.

PAGE 24

Town Meeting - Benton, New Hampshire
March 13, 2007

Article 4
To see if the Town will vote to raise the price of building permits to $55 to better
cover the cost connected with re-assessments of new buildings or additions.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the article as written and
passed by a voice vote. Some discussion ensued regarding the actual costs
involved in issuing building permits. The cost of reassessing alone is $40 per lot.
In addition, there ana 5 sets of documents that must be updated to reflect the
changes/additions specified in the building permit.

A motion was made to approve the increase, the motion was seconded
and the article passed unanimously by voice vote.

Article 5
To see if the Town will vote to raise the price of cemetery lots to $75.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the article as written and
passed by a voice vote. A motion was made to approve the increase, the motion
was seconded and the article passed unanimously by voice vote.

After determining that additional discussion was warranted, the moderator
asked for a motion to reopen the article for discussion, a motion was made,
seconded and discussion resumed. Research by the Selectmen revealed that
Haverhill cemetery plots were selling for $100 each in 1990. In 2003, Benton
voted to restrict sales of our cemetery lots to residents, but did not increase the
price. This article brings the price of our lots more in line with that of surrounding
towns. It was also decided that the effective date for the increase will be May 13'
2007, in order to give prospective buyers time to get in "under the wire".

A motion was made to approve the implementation date, the motion was
seconded and the article passed unanimously by voice vote.

Article 6
To see if the Town will go on record in support of effective actions by the
President and Congress with regard to the issue of climate change which is
becoming increasingly harmful to the environment, the economy of New
Hampshire, and to the future well-being of the people of Benton.

The actions include:

1 . Establishment of a national program requiring reductions of U.S.
greenhouse gas emissions while protecting the U.S. economy.

2. Creation of a major national research initiative to foster rapid
development of sustainable energy technologies, thereby stimulating new jobs
and investment.

The record of the vote on this article will be transmitted to the President of
the United States and to the declared candidates of that office.

76 Benton residents signed this petition at the last election at the Town
Hall.

PAGE 25

Town Meeting - Benton, New Hampshire
March 13, 2007

A motion was made and seconded to accept the article as written and
passed by a voice vote. Laura Richardson discussed the scope and intent of this
article and pointed out that over 180 New Hampshire towns have this article on
their warrants as well, demonstrating the urgency with which our fellow citizens
view this issue.

A motion was made to approve the article, the motion was seconded and
the article passed unanimously by voice vote.

Article 7
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $96,263 for
General Municipal operations.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the article as written and
passed by a voice vote. Discussion ensued regarding assessing costs contained
in the article. Marjorie stated that the State of New Hampshire has mandated that
ali property must be reassessed every 5 years. In order to spread out our costs,
the Selectmen have contracted with our assessor to reassess % of the town's
property every year. The reassessed valuations will go into effect after the fourth
and final year's assessments are completed, thus avoiding an uneven and
potentially unfair application of the new values.

If a landowner builds or upgrades after the quarterly assessment, the
building permit process will trigger a reassessment for that lot, thus bringing the
valuation current

A motion was made to approve the budget the motion was accepted, and
the article passed unanimously by voice vote.

Gil then asked if there was any other business to discuss. When no one
else responded, he brought up the fact that our longest (since 1984!) serving
Selectman wishes to step down at some point in the near future. He pointed out
that no one seems to be jumping into the race and we as a town need to deal
with this issue. He suggested creation of a search/investigative committee to first
identify the duties required of a Selectman, and then to generate a short list of
potential candidates.

Laura Richardson suggested that the committee be formed of at least 3
members.

Wayne Chevalier asked if there were existing job descriptions for any
office in town. Since no job descriptions are known to exist, it was suggested that
all present office holders generate a basic statement of work. These will form the
basis of a manual for the town in the case of emergency vacancies, and/or
normal turnover of the positions. Laura inquired if there are offices in town that
are not currently staffed. It was found that there are indeed several, including
Health Officer and Zoning Board. She suggested that a list should be created to
document the vacant offices.

After much discussion, it was decided that a search/investigative team
would be formed for ultimate purpose of identifying a replacement Selectman for
Marjorie.

PAGE 26

Town Meeting - Benton, New Hampshire
March 13, 2007

Gil Richardson was nominated as chairman, Lyn Bandy and Mike Stieb'rtz
volunteered to be committee members.

The committee will have its first meeting within the next few weeks.

All office holders will be requested to generate a job description which will
be forwarded to the committee by June 1, 2007.

The committee, after it completes its research, will make
recommendations to the town regarding the selection of a candidate for
Selectman.

A motion was made to approve the formation of the committee, the motion
was seconded, and it passed unanimously by voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:22PM. All new Town Officers present were
sworn in at the closing.

A true copy
Attest

Michael Stiebitz - Town Clerk
Benton, New Hampshire
March 19, 2007

PAGE 27

Vital Statistics for 2007
Benton, NH

Deaths

Died

Kenison Knight

(Glencliff Home)

04/16/2007

Edith Roylos

(Glencliff Home)

05/08/2007

Howard Washburn, Jr.

(Glencliff Home)

07/20/2007

Catherine Reed

(Glencliff Home)

07/22/2007

Katie Goodwin

09/02/2007

Laurier Desbiens

(Glencliff Home)

10/18/2007

Flossie Mann

(Glencliff Home)

11/07/2007

Harriet Johnson

(Glencliff Home)

11/29/2007

Lawrence Panaggio

(Glencliff Home)

12/03/2007

Harold Alphee Gagnon

(Glencliff Home)

12/21/2007

Jean S. Baerthlein

(Glencliff Home)

12/23/2007

Marriaaes

June 2, 2007

Kimberly M. Sutherland and Jared S.
Chicoine in Woodsville, NH

Births

January 12,2007
May 7, 2007
September 10, 2007
October 16, 2007

Mya Marie Boutin, daughter of Eleanor
and Joseph Boutin III in Lebanon, NH

Camden Michael Weiss, son of Gretchen
and Kevin Weiss in Woodsville, NH

Aaron Cody White, son of Angela and Aaron
White in Woodsville, NH

Michael Patrick Plachetzki, son of Katherine
and David Plachetzki in Woodsville, NH

PAGE 28

ANNUAL REPORT
of the
BENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
July 1,2006 -June 30, 2007

DISTRICT OFFICERS

SCHOOL BOARD

Alexandria Noble, CHAIR Term Expires 2008

Lara Saffo Term Expires 2009

Wayne Chevalier Term Expires 2010

OTHER DISTRICT OFFICERS

Gilbert Richardson Moderator

Maxine Tyler Treasurer

Robert Steel Auditor

Michael Stiebitz Clerk

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Bruce C. Labs

PAGE 29

PAGE 30

BENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL WARRANT
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

To the inhabitants of the School District of Benton in the County of Grafton,
State of New Hampshire, qualified to vote in district affairs:

You are hereby notified to meet at the Town Hall in said district on the 1 1th day
of March 2008, at 7:00 o'clock in the evening to act upon the following subjects:

ARTICLE 1 : To choose a Moderator for the ensuing year.

To choose a School District Clerk for the ensuing year.

ARTICLE 2:
ARTICLE 3:

ARTICLE 4:
ARTICLE 5:
ARTICLE 6:

ARTICLE 7:

ARTICLE 8:

To choose one School Board Member, for a term of three years,
to expire in 2011.

To choose a Treasurer for the ensuing year.

To choose an Auditor for the ensuing year.

To hear reports of Agents, Committees, or Officers chosen and
pass any vote related thereto.

To see what sum of money the district will raise and appropriate
for the support of schools, for the payment of salaries of school
district officials and agents and for the payment of statutory
obligations of the district. This article is exclusive of any other
article on the warrant. (The school board recommends
$461,552.00)

To transact any other business that may legally come before said
meeting.

Given under our hands at said Benton this

Alexandria Noble, Chairman
Wayne Chevalier
Lara Saffo

BENTON SCHOOL BOARD

_day of February, 2008

PAGE 31

BENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL WARRANT

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

March 13,2007

The meeting opened at: 7:12 PM.

ARTICLE 1
To choose a Moderator for the coming year.

Gilbert Richardson

ARTICLE 2
To choose a Clerk for the ensuing year

Michael Stiebitz

ARTICLE 3
To choose one School Board Member for a term of three years expiring in
2010.

Wayne Chevalier

ARTICLE 4
To choose a Treasurer for the ensuing year.

Maxine Tyler

ARTICLE 5
To choose an Auditor for the ensuing year.

Robert Steel

ARTICLE 6
To hear reports of Agents, Committees, or Officers chosen and pass any
vote relating thereto.

Article 6 was moved and seconded and accepted by voice vote.

ARTICLE 7
To see what sum of money the district wili raise and appropriate for the
support of schools, for the payment of salaries of school district officials
and agents, and for the payment of statutory obligations of the district. This
Article is exclusive of any other Article on the Warrant. (The school board
recommends $409,689.00)

Article 7 was moved and seconded and accepted by voice vote.

PAGE 32

ARTICLE 8
To transact any other business that may legally come before said meeting.

Motion was made to accept this article as written, motion was seconded and
accepted by voice vote.

No other business was transacted.

The meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM. All new officers present were sworn in at the
closing.

A true copy

Attest:

Michael Stiebitz

Benton School District Clerk

Benton, NH

March 19, 2007

PAGE 33

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Once again it is my pleasure to report on the educational progress and positive
steps we have made in the past year, and the steps we will continue to make to
improve the educational experience of our students.

After two years of study, and looking at the scores from the Northwest Evaluation
Association (NWEA) and the New England Common Assessment Program
(NECAP) tests, a Standards Based Math Series has been selected for grades
K-5. We intend to pilot the Everyday Math series in the 2007-2008 school year
at those grade levels.

A new teacher evaluation document is being piloted in all the SAU 23 districts.
This new document should help teachers develop their skills while at the same
time focus teaching in the areas of need for our students. We are attempting to
use test data to help in the direction of our instruction in the upcoming years.

Developing our use of technology within the school district continues and we have
added to our capacity in each school. Due to the continued support of our
taxpayers, our students enjoy the benefit of technological resources that enrich
their educational experience.

Each district in SAU 23 is currently updating their policies and we plan to finish
this process by the end of 2008. After all the policies have been updated and
approved by the School Board we will place them on our web site so the public
will have easy access to them. This is a lengthy process, as each district has
between 400-600 pages of policies to go through. The entire process will take
approximately two years.

During the 2007-08 school year each SAU 23 School Board will be developing
goals. They will be targeting the areas they feel are most important in their own
district and when the goals are complete they will be posted for all community
members to review.

I continue to be grateful for the support the taxpayers and community members
have shown our schools and assure you that your support will never be taken for
granted. The decisions on the direction of our programs will continue to be made
with the best educational interests of our students and their future in mind.

Respectfully submitted,

Bruce C. Labs
Superintendent of Schools

PAGE 34

BUDGET AND SUMMARY ANALYSIS

Estimate of Expenditures

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Annual report for the Town of Benton, New Hampshire"

See other formats