2019 Warrant Article Summaries

 

Warrant Article Summaries

 

These Warrant Article summaries were put together by the town's Communication Advisory Committee to help communicate in more general terms what the purpose of each warrant article is. The following articles are NOT written as they appeared on the March Ballot. 

 

Article 2

 

This amendment sets standards for fertilizer use and clarifies language in zoning articles 9.2 (the Aquifer Protection District) and 9.3 (the Exeter Shoreland Protection District). It redefines what fertilizer is and limits where it can be applied in both districts, with temporary waivers for heavy-use turf (i.e., athletic fields or golf course greens), restoration, and establishment of new landscaping.

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Planning Board 7-0).

 

Article 3

 

This amendment redefines water bodies listed in Article 9.3.4.B, which currently states Impervious surfaces shall not cover more than 10% of any lot or portion within the Shoreland Protection District adjacent to the shorelines of the Exeter River, Squamscott River, Dearborn Brook, Water Works Pond and Fresh River unless a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is granted by the Planning Board under the terms of Article 9.3.4.G.2 Exeter Shoreland Protection District Ordinance-Conditional Use. Removing the phrase “adjacent to the shoreline of the Exeter River, Squamscott River, Dearborn Brook, Water Works Pond, and Fresh River” and replacing it with “as defined in 9.3.3,” broadens the definition to include all water bodies specified in the Exeter Shoreland Protection District.

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Planning Board 7-0).

 

Article 4

 

This amendment rezones land on Holland Way from Professional Technology Park (PP) to a Corporate Technology Park (CT).  A CT allows more permitted uses for development than a PP. More information can be found at

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Planning Board 7-0).

 

Article 5

 

This amendment removes Assisted Living Facilities from permitted uses in the C-3 Epping Road Highway Commercial zoning district.

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Planning Board 5-2).

 

Article 6

 

This article proposes raising and appropriating $4,505,885 for design, renovations and repairs, including furniture, fixtures, replacement of the HVAC system, and equipment, at the Exeter Public Library.  

 

The 32-year-old library needs renovations and updates due to disrepair and increased use by patrons. Renovating the building addresses current and future needs of children's services, ADA accessibility, as well as more efficient HVAC, and quiet study spaces. Plans call for adding insulation to existing walls, additional windows overlooking the river and expansion of the Children's Room into the Meeting Room.  Also included are plans to renovate and update the Adult Services area, repurpose the mezzanine level to make 4-6 quiet study rooms, and add one larger meeting space that can be divided into two medium-sized rooms. Due to recurring roof leaks, three small decks on the String Bridge side of the building will be enclosed to prevent further building damage. The concrete ramp leading from Chestnut Street to the Library will also be replaced.   

 

(This requires 3/5 majority to pass.  Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 7

This article proposes raising $250,000 for the purpose of creating a working design and engineering plan for the Recreation Park Development Project.  This project will include community input, surveying by landscape architects, civil engineers, and playground designers, resulting in a preliminary design of the Recreation Park.  The final step will be a design proposal supported by the Recreation Advisory Board.

 

(A 3/5 ballot vote required for approval.  Recommended by the Select Board 4-1).

 

Article 8

 

This article proposes raising $325,000, via a five-year bond, for a design and engineering plan for water and sewer improvements in the Summer/Salem Street area (bounded by Main St., Park St., and railroad tracks). 5,600 feet of water mains need replacement because of undersized and/or poor condition pipes. Some water mains in the Summer/Salem Street area are identified for upgrade in the Water Asset Management Plan. The water mains will be upgraded to 6” and 8” mains, determined by hydraulic analysis. 2,825 feet of sewers targeted for replacement are old clay sewers with joint separations and root intrusions. Many catch basins in poor condition need to be replaced.

 

(A 3/5 ballot vote required for approval. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 9

 

To choose all necessary Town Officers.  

 

Article 10 – 2019 Operating Budget

 

This article proposes a 2019 operating budget of $19,066,857.  This amount does not include appropriations by special warrant articles, which are voted on separately.  If this article does not pass, the budget will remain at the 2018 level of $18,920,969. This is an overall increase of 2.5% over FY18, however the estimated tax impact is lower than last year because of additional revenues being applied to 2019 budget.  Increased solid waste and recycling costs account for a majority of the increase.

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 4-1)

 

Article 11

 

This article proposes a 2019 water operating budget of $3,294,033.  This amount does not include appropriations by special warrant articles, which are voted on separately.  If this article does not pass, the budget will remain at the 2018 level of $3,294,537. This is a decrease of 3.22% percent.  

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 12

 

This article proposes a 2019 sewer operating budget of $2,462,004.  This amount does not include appropriations by special warrant articles, which are voted on separately.  If this article does not pass, the budget will remain at the 2018 level of $2,462,004. The sewer budget pays for operations and maintenance of the town’s sewer system.  This is a 3.79% increase attributed in part to the installation of a new treatment system.

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 13

 

This article approves a three-year extension of the current collective bargaining agreement between the Town and Exeter Firefighters.  This contract covers all fire lieutenants and full-time firefighters, as well as the fire lieutenant/ inspector. This contact includes 9% wage increase over three years (approx. 3% annually).  The contract also includes an employee contribution increase to health insurance.

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 14

 

This article approves the three-year collective bargaining agreement between the Select Board and the SEIU (Service, Employees International Union) Local 1984.  The contract covers certain administrative employees in the Town Offices, Police Department, and Department of Public Works. This contract allows for a 2.5% step increase and also includes an employee contribution increases to health insurance and 1% cost of living adjustment in the second and third year of the contract.   

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 15

 

This article proposes adding $60,000 to the Sidewalk Repair and Replacement Capital Reserve Fund. The town maintains more than 35 miles of public sidewalks and has a sidewalk management program to repair and replace town sidewalks. This appropriation adds money to that established capital reserve fund for sidewalk repair and replacement.

 

(Majority vote required. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 16

 

This article proposes raising $187,818 to replace the town’s 695 streetlights and fixtures with energy-efficient LED lights (the average lifespan of current lighting is 5.8 years; the average lifespan of LED lights is 28.9 years). Money raised for the new lighting will be paid back through electric rebates and future energy savings.

 

(Majority vote required. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 17

 

This article proposes authorizing the Select Board to lease/purchase a hook-lift style dump truck, a 5-year lease/purchase agreement for $174,959, for the Exeter Water/Sewer Department to replace its current 2008 truck. The existing truck will be transferred to the Highway Department and be repurposed for a least one more year. All truck payments will be made from existing water/sewer funds.

 

(Majority vote required. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 18

 

This article proposes raising and appropriating $153,451 to replace outdated radios used by police and fire dispatch. The upgrade provides new software and equipment for the dispatch system.

 

(Majority vote required. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 19

 

This article proposes raising $100,000 to establish a “Parks Improvements” capital reserve fund for the purpose of making improvements to town parks, including but not limited to Kids Park, Townhouse Common, Gilman Park, Founders Park, Recreation Park and others.  Many of these parks have outdated and damaged equipment. One example of this is Gale Park, perhaps Exeter’s most iconic park and home to the war memorial sculpted by Daniel Chester French, that is in need of many repairs. Another example is the Kid’s Park on Front Street (otherwise known as the Dinosaur Park) that has deteriorated to the point where much of the playground equipment is in need of replacing.  

 

(Majority vote required.  Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 4-1)

 

Article 20 -- Sick Leave Trust Fund

 

This article will add $100,000 to the Sick Leave Expendable Trust Fund.  The town established a sick leave trust fund in 1989 allowing employees to buy back 50% of their accrued sick leave at retirement.  Due to recent retirements, the fund needs to be replenished to pay 2018 obligations and anticipate 2019 obligations. The $100,00 will come from the general fund surplus and will not impact the 2019 tax rate.  

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 21

 

This article proposes raising $50,000 to conduct a facility, staffing, and data analysis of all public safety operations, including police, fire, EMS, and dispatch.  The current public safety facility, which was constructed in 1979, has become outdated. This analysis will provide direction for the town to move forward in 2020 with facility and staffing improvements.    

 

(Majority vote required. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

 

Article 22

 

This article proposes raising and appropriating $35,000 to fund a town-wide ADA accessibility plan for town facilities and infrastructure including roads, sidewalks, and other pedestrian safety improvements.

 

(Majority vote required. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 23

 

This article proposes raising and appropriating $50,000 to fund creation of an intersection improvement proposal to improve intersections including Pine/Front/Linden Street, Front Street/Water Street, Clifford Street/Water Street, Winter Street/Columbus Avenue/Railroad Avenue and others.

 

(Majority vote required. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 24

 

This article proposes raising and appropriating $40,000 to fund planning for possible modifications to the Pickpocket Dam, in response to its classification as a “high hazard” in 2018 by the NH Department of Environmental Services. More information about the dam can be found at https://www.exeternh.gov/rsc/pickpocket-dam

 

(Majority vote required. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 25 – Great Bridge Project Deficit

 

This article will transfer $173,774 from the town’s current non-spendable general fund balance to the capital projects fund balance to eliminate the Great Bridge deficit from 2001.  There is no estimated tax impact for this transfer as funds would come from the Town’s non-spendable fund balance intended for this purpose.

 

(Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 26

 

This article proposes raising and appropriating $50,000 to add to the existing Snow and Ice Deficit Non-Capital Reserve Fund. The funds will be taken from the existing general fund surplus.

 

(Majority vote required. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)

 

Article 27

 

This article proposes moving $24,000 from the general fund surplus to be placed in a newly established “Swasey Parkway Fund”.  Based on advice from the Charitable Trust Division of the Attorney General’s office, interest income from the Swasey Trust can’t be commingled with other income such as donations or permit fees generated from Parkway events.  Since the revenue from permit fees has already been collected, this will not impact the 2019 tax rate.

 

(Majority vote required. Recommended by the Exeter Select Board 5-0)