Letter To The Editor
My name is Dick Burchell and I am running for the position of State
Representative for Alton and Gilmanton in District 5.
Dave Russell, who has faithfully served this area for many years,
not only as State Representative but in the capacities of volunteer
Fire Chief, community store owner and Selectman, called me to ask
that I consider running for election to fill the vacancy in the
House created by his retirement.
It is an honor to be considered a worthy candidate by someone with
Dave’s resume of commitment to his community and State. As we
proceed through the primary period ending on September 11th and move
on to the general election, I encourage anyone with a question for
me to attend candidates’ night or to email me at
[email protected].
I look forward to getting to know as many of the constituents in the
district as possible, as well as hearing your viewpoints and
discussing public policy with you.
Sincerely, Dick Burchell
Craft Fair
The Gilmanton School Craft Fair is back! The Gilmanton School PTA is
reviving the Gilmanton School Craft Fair to be held at the Gilmanton
School on Saturday, November 24th. Crafters are needed.
Please contact Audra Kelly at 603-267-8978 or via email at
[email protected]
and Sarah Meserve at
[email protected] for an application form.
Table prices have been reduced to $40 each. Proceeds benefit the
children of Gilmanton School through the Gilmanton School PTA.
The Gilmanton School PTA is dedicated to funding field trips and
other enrichment programs for the students of Gilmanton School.
Please mark your calendars for a day of shopping with our local
artisans!
Gilmanton Old Home Day
The 114th Gilmanton Old Home Day is scheduled for Saturday, August
11, 2012 on the grounds of the Smith Meeting House.
There will be an official opening at 10:00 am by the American Legion
Ellis-Geddes-Levitt Post 102 and the festivities continue until 3:00
pm.
Activities include an arts and crafts fair, children’s games,
animals and a jolly jumper in addition to informational booths of
local organizations. There will be an antique tractor and truck
parade and antique auto show. If you are interested in participating
in the parade or show, please contact Enoch at 603-267-8151.
After cooking for eleven hours, our famous bean hole beans will be
served with all the fixings at 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. Music will be
provided by the New Horizons Big Brass Band and there will be an
oxen show and demonstration by Kathy Salanitro of Ox-K Farm
Discovery Center.
Old Home Day t-shirts are available for $15. The proceeds from Old
Home Day go towards the restoration of the five buildings on the
grounds of the Smith Meeting House, which is located on Meeting
House Road off Route 140 and approximately 3.5 miles east of Route
107 in Gilmanton.
For 114 years the Smith Meeting House and the Gilmanton Old Home Day
Association have hosted Old Home Day activities. In 1899 then
New Hampshire Governor Frank W. Rollins declared the nations first
statewide “Old Home Week” in an effort to lure back native sons who
had traveled west after the Civil War. He asked the various
towns to establish a day of prayer and a week of celebration to
showcase all the wonderful traditions of our state.
For more information go to
www.gilmantonnh.org.
GYRL Thanks Summer Reading Program Participants
Gilmanton Year-Round Library wants to thank all the participants in
its Summer Reading Program! We also want to remind everyone that
there are still a few things left to enjoy.
This Friday night at 7 pm we will be discussing the NH murder
mystery Weight of Water. Tuesday, July 17 at 6 pm we are inviting
guests of all ages to join us for our live owl presentation Things
that go Hoot in the Night. On Thursday, July 19th we are having our
Out of this World Ice Cream Sundae Party at 1 pm.
Things are going to heat back up in August with our post Summer
Reading program Where in the World is Miss Pam? Adult programming
will also continue with our Crafting for the Clumsy on August 26 at
6 pm where we will create decorative lighting with recyclables! Our
Astrology for Beginners Class will be held on August 30th at 6 pm.
To sign up or inquire about a program please call Pam or Tasha at
603-364-2400 or just stop on in!
Gilmanton Special School District Meeting: Changes Under
SB2 Submitted By The Gilmanton Education Association
In 1995, the New Hampshire State Legislature instituted the option
for communities to elect the Senate Bill 2 (Official Ballot
Referendum) form of government. It was the belief that more citizens
will have the opportunity to participate in local governing under
this system than the traditional Town Meeting. In March of 2012,
Gilmanton residents voted this new form of government in for both
the School and Town District.
During the last Annual School District Meeting, the School District
budget passed, but the Teacher Contract portion did not. Citizens
granted a Special School District Meeting in order to reconsider
another Teacher Contract proposal should a ratified agreement be
reached between the School Board and the Gilmanton Education
Association. An agreement has since been reached.
Under Gilmanton’s new form of governance, there are several changes
in holding a Special School District Meeting under the old system
and the new. The process involves a Deliberative Session and a
Ballot Vote. There will be no Special School District Meeting as has
been in the past.
What are the major differences between the Annual Town Meeting and
the new SB2 process?
• All actions that take place (postings, hearings, sessions,
etc.)will be moved up about a month.
• The Deliberative Session (Session One) is similar to the Annual
Town Meeting, but no voting will take place. Instead voting will
take place by ballot vote.
What is the timeline? The process begins with a meeting and
presentation to the budget to the Budget Committee in a public
hearing. Then, the Budget Committee presents their recommendations
to the public.
The Posting for the Budget Hearing must be made at least seven days
before the hearing. These are usually posted at the Post Offices in
town as well as the Academy Building.
The Budget Hearing must be held at least 25 days before (in this
case) the Deliberative Session.
The Budget or Warrant Article must be printed and made available to
voters no less than one week before the Deliberative Session. It
also must be posted in a local newspaper.
The Deliberative Session takes place 25 days following the Budget
Hearing.
The Ballot Vote (Second Session) takes place not less than 28 days
and not more than 60 days from the date of the Deliberative Session.
What are the General Rules at the Deliberative Session? Voters must
be recognized by the moderator before speaking. This often means
coming to the microphone to speak. Voters should direct all
questions to the moderator. If an item of business is not on the
‘warrant’, then it generally cannot be acted on. Any voter can
submit an amendment to any warrant. The amendment must be submitted
in writing to the moderator and signed by the petitioner.
How does an article get approved? The moderator will read the
article aloud and ask if someone will make a motion to move the
article. Usually, someone will respond by saying, “I move the
article.” The moderator asks for a second, and someone will usually
respond, “I second the motion.”
Next, the moderator will ask for discussion. If no amendments are
created or made to the article, then the moderator will move the
article. There is no vote on the article during the Deliberative
Session. Voting takes place at the polls during the Ballot Vote
(Session Two).
How can an article be amended? Sometimes during the discussion, a
citizen will propose a change to the article often either increasing
or decreasing the amount of money proposed by the budget committee,
selectmen, or school board. This amendment must be seconded, opened
for discussion, and then voted upon. If it passes, then the original
article is amended. If not, and there are no further amendments,
then the original motion is voted upon at the Ballot Vote (Second
Session).
What if I have questions during the Deliberative Session? Understand
that some articles can be complicated because they have to be
written according to legal requirements. If you feel that you need
more information, ask for it. Keep your questions short and to the
point. Ask one question at a time. Direct your questions to the
moderator and try not to interrupt the person answering your
question.
Can I vote in ‘abstentia’ on the day of the Ballot Vote (Session
Two)? Absolutely. Absentee ballots will be available through the
Town Office prior to Session Two scheduled voting day.
Are there more resources for finding out about how governance under
SB2 will work? Yes.
• The town of Candia has been governed by this method in the past
and has posted an effective resource on its website:
http://www.candianh.org/election_2011_03_08.php
• A copy of
the bill can be viewed at the website:
http://legiscan.com/gaits/text/343401
• The New Hampshire Local Government Center (NHLGC) includes a
number of publications about the process:
http://www.nhlgc.org/publications/keywords_detail.asp?ID=84
• This site may answer a few more questions:
http://www.revenue.nh.gov/faq/dra_1900.htm
• The NHLGC also lists the timeline and dates that need to be
followed (although it has not been updated for 2013)
http://www.nhlgc.org/services/importantdatescalendar_page.asp
Some of the information cited in this article was found at the above
sites along with:
http://www.conwaynh.org/townmanager/Town%20Meeting%20in%20New%20Hampshire.pdf
For additional assistance, please contact the Gilmanton Town Clerk
at 603-267-6726 or the Gilmanton SAU Office at 603-267-9097.
|