Town of Gorham, NH: 2026 Town Meeting

Speakers are labeled SPEAKER_N. This transcript is machine-generated.

Recording

ahead and do that and we'll go to the um
uh national anthem and then once we get
to the voting stuff we'll stop until
they're ready. Okay. First of all, I
want I want to introduce the uh boys and
girls from the National Honor Society
who will be carrying the mics. There's
Valent Violet
uh Violet Strekin
from the eighth grade. Uh, and she's
gonna sing the Nash line violin.
[applause]
>> Thank you.
Oh, [singing] say
by the dawn early [singing]
light.
What so proudly
we held
at the twilight
last gleaming
who brought stripes [singing]
and bright stars
through the perilless
[singing]
fight
or the [screaming]
heart We watched
were [singing] so gallently
streaming
and the rockets
The moon's bursting
gave proof through the night
that our flag was still [singing]
there.
Oh, say does that star [singing]
spangled
[singing]
or the land
of the free
and the
above.
[cheering]
[applause]
>> All right. I'd like to introduce the
people from the uh Gor High School
National Historical Society who will be
>> Honor Society.
>> Honor Societ
What did I say?
>> Oh, honor society.
>> Pardon me.
>> I guess you know what my
>> anyway. Sophia
Cooper,
Maddie, [applause]
and Giana.
So when you want to speak, make
yourselves known and they will come to
you with the microphone.
I'm asking everybody tonight because we
are starting so late to keep their
comments to two minutes. I'm asking you
to speak from your speak seat, stand,
and give your name and address for the
record. All right? And then I'll
recognize you may. I'd like you to keep
your comments to two minutes if
possible.
No one will be allowed to approach the
podium tonight
except
the budget committee,
the select board, and any town officials
that are here to answer questions. So, I
am asking all the people that are here
on petition board articles to speak from
the seats and we'll go on from there.
All right. Now, speaking speaking of the
petition warrant articles, there's been
a change in the state law regarding
that.
Okay.
Where's my notes?
All right. When it comes to petition
warn articles, I will read the article.
Then I have a list of the what we call
the primary petitioners which are the
people that are usually the first
signatures on the petition war articles.
I have some that are identified and some
that are not. I will call out each
petition war article to see if there's
someone here to go ahead and speak to
it.
They are allowed by state law 10 minutes
to go ahead and speak about the petition
and I want them to keep their comments
to 10 minutes only. So we'll see we'll
try and get around that when we get to
it. It's the first time we're going to
have to do that. This is not something
we've installed. This is state law has
required me to do this. So we'll go from
there.
So,
and they go back to my book.
Okay.
So,
here we are. We've gone as far as I can
right now. We're still waiting for the
report from town clerk according to the
election. As soon as that's here, I'll
read it off to you and then we'll
proceed to the artic other articles.
So, um, we've got a few more minutes to
wait apparently.
I was hoping they were coming in now,
but unfortunately not.
[clears throat]
We're talking
I have a question. I just want to make
sure.
as the
I didn't think
Well, that's
playing board three years. Paul Roington
High 409.
Planing board two years Tim Murphy 263
225 it appears that Mr. Murphy has been
elected.
Budget three years. Lisa Cardell 359.
Don pass 290. I believe that was two
positions
>> budget twoear Scott Newton 391
Terry all about 310.
Uh article
Article
two. Are you in favor of the adoption of
amendment number one as proposed by the
planning? Oh, wait. That was a lot. That
was uh
All right. No, I think I didn't.
>> Yeah. Uh
194. Yes. No. 124.
>> That would have been for the first
zoning board amendment. Article two.
What about the
sessions?
>> I don't have any listing for trustee.
>> All right.
>> [laughter]
>> I can't hear you, sir.
>> That's article five.
>> That's article five. We'll update you.
Okay. The zoning articles article two
was uh 291. Yes. 246. No.
>> Yeah.
Article 3 all the zoning articles. Uh
339 yes 184 no.
Article four of the zoning articles was
305
uh no 329 yes 202
nos.
Um, school board
uh, Gina Salado 402,
Bonnie Dia 325,
Robin Gagano 186.
Um, Tim Buckton is the representative
from Shelurn for 4:30
and unfortunately I was elected
moderator for 418.
So here we go.
So
>> did we have
>> five?
>> Article five.
>> Karen, do I have a 12ft arc?
Take it back.
>> That's okay. I just I appreciate your
>> future
article
>> which is town meeting. [clears throat]
>> Okay, we're going to pass over article
five and continue until we get the total
study.
So
I am going to go ahead and proceed to
article six.
to see if the town will vote to modify
the elderly exemptions from property tax
in the town of Lauren based on assessed
value for qualified taxpayers to be as
follows. For persons 65 to 74 years of
age, $50,000
for persons 75 to 79 years of age,
$100,000
for persons 80 years of age older,
200,000.
To qualify, the person must have been a
New Hampshire resident for at least
three consecutive years, own the real
estate individually or jointly, or if
the real estate is owned by such a
person's spouse, they must have been
married for at least five consecutive
years. In addition, the taxpayer must
have a net income from all sources of
not more than $28,700
for single or married. a combined net
income of $36,700
and own assets not in excess of $50,000
excluding the value of the person's
actual residence and the land upon which
it is located up to 2 acres according to
RSA 7239-
majority vote required move as presented
>> I have a motion move to accept as
presented do I have a second Second.
>> I have a motion by Bruce Larry and a
second by Andrea Fulbr. Discussions or
questions?
So,
Suzanne Dearus Gormal,
my question is when we're looking at
assets, are we talking about liquid
assets or is the car a person's car
included in the assets?
Is there someone that can answer that?
>> Everything is your cars, motorcycle.
>> Michelle, can you wait for the
microphone?
>> Yes. So, everything is included. cars,
boats, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, bank
accounts, um 401ks, all of that is
included as an asset. If you're it
excludes your home and up to 2 acres of
land, anything beyond that would be
considered an asset as well. If you have
a multif family home, the unit you
occupy is not included, but the
remaining square footage would also be
included as an asset.
you don't have.
>> So,
>> I'd like to propose an amendment to the
article to exclude the value of a per of
one vehicle because I don't see how a
person can live without a vehicle.
Okay. Discussion. Any other discussion?
>> Do I have a second for the amendment?
>> Mr. Oliver, I seconded the amendment.
Discussion about the amendment.
>> I'm not sure student that statutoily you
can do that. The statute tells us what
we include and what we don't. So, I
don't know that you would be able to do
that.
I'm trying to hold it away because if I
hold it too close, it screams at us. Um,
I'm not sure that statutoily you can do
that. Um, we would need to look at that.
The statute governs what we include for
income and it governs what we include
for assets. I'm not sure you could
exclude that.
>> Okay. Other discussion around the
amendment.
Are you ready to vote on the amendment?
Okay.
All those person all those persons in
favor of the amendment, raise your
cards.
Can I get the parts to count, please?
So, can I get you guys to count?
Betty, I need I need you to count how
many people are out there.
[laughter]
>> [clears throat]
>> 43.
>> Okay, please put your please put your
cards down. All those against you,
please hold up your guards.
>> [laughter]
[clears throat]
>> Oh, that's cool.
change.
[laughter]
>> All right. The motion
regarding the amendment is defeated 81
to 43. So now we go back to the original
article. I have a second and a motion to
accept
discussion regarding article six.
If there is no discussion, are you ready
for the vote? Wait a minute. in the
back.
>> Thank you, Dave Goyette. Paul, I'm
wondering, the state says what you can
and can't do, but can the town amend
that on their own and make it to what
they want it to be? Is is that it has to
go according to the state. So 3 years
living in New Hampshire, that's that's
fine to to not um but to [clears throat]
be accepted to to get your your
presence, you know what I mean? That
makes it [clears throat]
taxes. It seems to me people that lived
here for 50 plus years and paid all that
time, 50 years, paid their taxes, never
missed it. And now it seems that, you
know, well, I'm 70. I'm getting older
and I and I'm thinking, geez, you know,
I've got people from Massachusetts
coming raising up their taxes as they
paid $500,000 for a $200,000 house. So
taxes are going up and I keep going on
my taxes by college. They paid 300,000
for that house and take a while and and
I'm just thinking if what was I think
but but the thing is is if you live here
that long and invested you know I'm
proud of Norm the infrastructure
everything Norm's done we got you
prepared for those places far away and
you say geez [laughter] we've got it
going by the 10
we've got it going here But as we get
older, the tax is going up, we're going
to be taxed out of our homes. We're just
going to be taxed out. We just can't
afford to stay here. So, my house that I
made my little nest account comfortable
for us in retirement is going to be
bought up by somebody who out of state
for $500,000.
And it just seems that maybe Horum, you
know, can come up with something better
that uh helps not just myself, but other
people that are having a real difficult
time with it because
what's in here about being exempted. You
almost have to be living under a bridge,
I think, in order to get exempted. And
and I don't think that's fair to, you
know, people that pay taxes here for 50
plus years. It just doesn't seem fair.
Okay. I wish that, you know, the board
or somebody who's in charge, you know,
could could help the number of the
people a little more. I'm not saying no
taxes, but at least keep our tax rate,
you know, I paid,
you know, a certain amount this year.
Well, next year it goes up 20%, say
10%.
>> Okay, let's see if somebody goes,
>> give us a break on that. We'll pay too,
you know, just maybe maybe get a 5%
break. So anyway, okay, let's see if
someone can answer that.
>> Thank you very much. Thank you everybody
for listening to me. I'm long.
[clears throat]
>> You know, the tax system that we're
under
was created by the state of New
Hampshire,
the legislature,
[clears throat] and the governor.
And they tell you exactly what you can
and can't do.
So, I know a lot of people don't
understand this. I'm standing here as
proof that you don't understand it, that
you can't change it. The board can't
change it. Um,
the only people that can change the way
seniors are treated in this state is the
state legislature.
You know,
I got to tell you, when I got my bill
and it went up $2,000,
here's here's where I was different than
everyone else. I knew it was coming.
And when I saw Walmart
and Great Lakes Hydro get a half million
dollar break on their taxes, I knew that
was coming, too.
To be honest with you, I knew what the
election results were going to be, but I
gave it my best shot.
And this brings me back to this. If you
don't like the way the tax system works,
you need, and I I mean this with all
sincerity, you need to be communicating
with our elected officials because
they've heard it from every selectman in
the state. They've heard it from the
city councilors. And I'll just leave you
with this little thought. It's called
the New Hampshire admission. That's what
they call it. All right. Now, I want
you, everyone in this room, to think
when you were opening that envelope that
you got from the Tom War, the last tax
bill you got.
How did you like your advantage then?
Because to the elderly,
I got a sister in South Carolina. I
mean, my family's 3/4 from the south,
and this is true in Virginia and North
Carolina. And she said to me, "What are
you paying for taxes?" I said, "$6,000
on a $250,000
house." Well, sis, you're 70.
What is the great state of South
Carolina charging you with? $600.
Listen, that's the deal.
If you don't like the tax system, and I
don't think there's anyone here that
does, there's only one way to fix it.
And I if you want to go to conquered,
I'm
good.
[applause]
Any article any other discussion
regarding article six?
I don't see anyone.
Are you ready for the vote?
All those in article in favor of article
six as uh as written, raise your cards.
[clears throat]
All those against
raise your cards.
[clears throat] The article is passed.
Article seven
to see if the town will mod will vote to
modify
the disabled exemption from property tax
in the town of water based on assessed
value for qualified taxpayers to be
$50,000.
The exemption may be applied only to
property which is occupied as the
principal place of abode by the disabled
person. The exemption may be applied to
any land or buildings of operative to
the residents or to manufactured housing
that if that is the principal place of a
vote and nothing in this section shall
include a qualifying applicant from
earning an income. The exemption applies
to any person who is eligible under
title two or title
16 of the federal social social security
act for benefits to the disabled. To
qualify, the applicant must have been a
New Hampshire resident for at least five
years, own the real estate individually
or been a New Hampshire resident for at
least five years, own the real estate
individually or jointly, or if the real
estate is owned by such a person's
spouse, they must have been married for
at least five consecutive years. In
addition, the taxpayer must have a net
income from all sources of not more than
$28,700
for single or married, a combined net
income of $36,700,
and all assets not in excess of $50,000,
excluding the value of the person's
actual residence in a land upon which it
is located up to 2 acres. RSN 72 col
73/BJ
majority vote required.
>> Some move.
>> I have a motion by Larry. Do I have a
second?
>> Second.
>> Second by Dion Bon. Discussion or
questions.
Seeing no one with their hand up,
I'm going to assume you're ready for the
vote. All those in favor, raise your
cards.
Okay.
All those opposed, raise your cars.
It looks to me like it's overwhelming
majority in favor.
Article Lake. The seat of the town will
vote to raise and appropriate
157,750
for the purpose of acquiring 27.49 for
49 acres of raw land to be added to the
Palm Dory Town Forest and to authorize
the select board to accept funds
currently secured funding to people's
137,750
from grants and other donations to this
project and June covered $10,000 for the
town's town building purchase and
repairs capital reserve fund and $10,000
for the act recreation revolving fund.
if needed to meet the acquisition cost
of 157750.
Any grant or outside funds received will
reduce the funds taken from the forest
fund or recreation revolving fund. No
tax rate impact. Majority vote required.
Recommended by the board of selectman by
a vote of three to nothing. Recommended
by the budget committee by a vote of 8
to nothing.
>> So move.
>> I have a move. Motion made by Bruce
Larry to accept his Do I have a second?
Seconded by Lee Carol. Discussions or
questions.
>> Saras
Susan Dearis.
I object to money being taken out of the
revolving fund. The recreation
department revolving fund was created
for recreation department use only and
as the term states revolving fund. They
took they take the money in and it is
used for that department. And I can
remember when we created this fund and
it was for rec department use only. And
the other question is are we taking this
land off the tax rules? We keep buying
land. I don't know what it's all about.
>> Someone wants to answer.
>> Why don't you answer the record
question? I'll answer the rest of it.
[clears throat]
[laughter]
>> Um, thank you for that question, Sue.
Peter Gagnet, town manager.
The uh rec fund, you're correct, is
focused directly for recreational
spending through the rec department. We
receive what some people would call a
payment in lie of taxes. Um, AVH donates
money or has donated money in the past
and that money
started eight 10 years ago and that
account that the the line item and I
don't want to get into the accounting
voodoo here but that um fund that
donation was put into the rec revolving
fund so it could be held and used. So
the money will not be coming out of
recreation funds for the community. It
comes out of a donation from AVH which
is designed for recreational um and
health um purposes. Part of the
acquisition of this land is a drinking
water uh protection and recreational
use. So that would be an appropriate um
allowed expenditure then. But you're
you're correct to pick that up. It does.
It's kind of a wonky thing where we put
that line in the revolving fund, but it
won't be rent funds for the community
[clears throat]
to the uh purchase of the land.
Um, so if you think about the airport,
which most of you have been to at one
time or another, this uh sits on the
east side of the airport and is between
what is known as the drill and deck of
the airport. There's um three solid
reasons for the tenant to acquire this.
First, it's in our our wellhead
protection program. So, um, the
acquisition protects the land from
development
and the two other things, it is the site
of an existing snowmobile trail and
could potentially be a a rroot site for
the [clears throat] Pine Mountain Trail,
which we've lost access to um due to the
pit where the original trail head was um
being used by private business. So
the the last question was about taking
it off the tax role. This is this land
was in current use, which is to say it
paid about $200 a year in timber, I'm
sorry, $200 a year in current use
taxation.
Um
on the thousand acres we purchased two
years ago, we've
um we've lost
approximately $2,000 in taxes, but
gained almost $160,000 in timber
revenue. So, I've been accused of not
caring about the town's money, but in my
math, we're 158,000 to the good.
And this parcel will protect our
wellwater, which is why dees is giving
us this money. [clears throat]
And the town is is going to benefit from
$137,000
um from conservation organizations in
the Department of Environmental
Services. So, and this was a good deal
every way you look at it. Thank you.
Any other questions or discussion?
[clears throat] Are you ready for the
vote?
All those in favor, raise your cards.
All those opposed, raise your cards.
The article is passed.
>> Mr. Moderator, I make a motion to
combine articles 9 and 10 under one
vote.
>> Before you do this, Bruce, I would like
to give you the results of that last
>> That's fine.
>> Okay.
The results of article five are 194 yes
and 124 no. So it looks like we were
going to dual sessions.
And before before I proceed to Bruce
Larry's motion of why you're all here,
I want you to join me in giving a great
big thank you to our town clerk,
to our tax collector, and to the
supervisor of the checklist who worked
as bones right their fingers to the bone
on one tough election today to get it
tried to get it done in a timely manner.
>> [applause]
>> Mr. Larry,
>> I make a motion to combine articles 9
and 10 under one vote since they're both
in and out money, no impact.
>> Okay. Do I have a second?
>> I have a motion made and seconded to
combine articles 9 and 10. Any
discussion?
>> [clears throat]
>> Seeing none, I will call for the vote.
All in favor of combining articles 9 and
10.
Okay.
Anyone opposed?
Okay. Now, I will read both articles for
the
actual passing. Article nine, see if the
town will vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of 656,000.
$36 for the operation of the sewer
department.
>> $36.
>> Yes. 36,000 Bruce. This amount will be
offset by
user fees and sewer funds. It
[clears throat] will not affect general
taxation. Recommended by the board of
selectment by a vote of 3 to zero.
Recommended by the budget committee by a
vote of 8 to zero. Majority vote
required. Article 10 to see if the town
will vote to raise an appropriate sum of
618,625,000
for the operation of the water
department. This amount will be offset
by the use of fees and water funds. It
will not affect general taxation
recommended by the board of selectment
by a vote of three to nothing.
Recommended by the budget committee by a
vote of 8 to nothing. Majority vote
required. Do I have a motion?
>> So move.
>> I have a motion by Mr. Miller. I have a
motion by Le Carol to pass. Any
discussion or questions?
Seeing none, I will call for the vote.
All in favor, raise your cards.
Any opposed? Raise your cards.
The articles have passed significantly.
Article 11 to see if the town will vote
to raise appropriate the sum of 174,129
for the operation of the Gor public
library. Tax rate impact 34
recommended by the board of selectman by
a vote of three to nothing. Recommended
by the budget committee by a vote of 7
to 0 to1. Majority vote required.
>> So move.
>> Motion by Bruce Larry. Do I have a
second?
>> Second.
>> The second by Bronson.
Any discussion or questions?
Seeing none, I will call for the vote.
All those in favor, raise your cars.
Any oppose? Your cards.
The m the motion is article 11 is passed
by a majority vote.
Article 12 to see if the town will vote
to raise and appropriate the budget
committee's recommended amount of
5,538,962
for the general municipal operations.
This article does not include special or
individual articles addressed.
Recommended by the board of selectman by
a vote of three to nothing. Recommended
by the budget committee by a vote of 8
to nothing. Majority vote required.
No motion.
>> I have a motion by Bruce Larry to
approve or I have a second.
>> I have a second by Phil Cludia to
approve.
Discussion or questions.
Seeing no hands raised, I will call
Susan.
I would just like to know under public
safety, how much is that is spent on the
police department?
[clears throat]
>> Uh, is there someone that would like to
answer that?
>> Hello, Ron Barry, director of finance
administration. Um the budgeted amount
for 2026 as approved by the budget
committee and Boris segment is 950,43
950 comma43.
Does that answer your question?
Any other questions or discussion?
Seeing none, I will call for the vote.
All those in favor of article 12, raise
your cards.
All those opposed to article 12, raise
your cards.
>> The article is passed unanimously.
>> Mr. Monator,
>> yes.
>> I make a motion not to reconsider.
>> That's not necessary.
I'll second that.
>> I have a motion not to reconsider and a
second by Bruce Larry.
>> Okay. Any
questions on the vote not to reconsider?
What that means is that it cannot be
brought up at this meeting again.
Okay. What
>> this art?
If we vote on it
>> and it's passed,
then someone else down the line, a voter
can ask for reconsideration if they feel
that they voted wrong.
This motion will not allow that. So once
it's passed tonight, that's it.
All right.
Any other questions regarding the motion
to reconsider?
Seeing none, can I ask for a vote on the
motion to reconsider? Please raise your
cards.
>> Cannot reconsider.
>> All right. All those opposed?
Okay. I would say the majority has not
to reconsider.
So,
article 13,
the see if the town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $10,000 for
the purpose of supporting the 4th of
July committee with the cost of
fireworks for the 4th of July
celebration. Tax rate impact 2 cents.
Recommended by the board of selective by
a vote of three to nothing. Recommended
by the budget committee by a vote of
721.
>> Some move. I have a motion by Bruce
Larry to approve.
>> I have a second by Lee Carol.
>> Questions or discussion regarding the
art?
Seeing none, I will call for the vote.
All those
all those in favor of article 13, please
raise your hands.
All those opposed article 14, please
raise your comments.
13. The motion is pass a little.
Okay. Article 14
to see if
to see
to see if the town will vote to raise
and appropriate the amount of $80,000
for the purpose of highway and sidewalk
asphalt repaving and curving projects.
Tax rate impact 16 cents recommended by
the board of selected by a vote of three
to nothing. recommended by the budget
committee by a vote of eighth. Majority
vote required.
>> So move.
>> I have a motion Bruce Larry to accept.
Do I have a second?
>> Second.
>> I have a second by Judy. Questions or
discussions of article 14?
Seeing none, I will call for vote. All
those in favor of article 14, raise your
cards.
All those opposed to article 14 raise
your comments.
Okay. Until Okay.
Majority H. The majority has it. The
article is passed.
Article 15
to see if the town will vote to raise
appropriate the sum of $780,936
to be placed in the following capital
reserve funds as previously established.
Number one, $47,500
to be added on the fire Trump capital
reserve fund balances of December 31st,
2025, $360,977.98
225,000
to be added to the World Resurfacing and
Reconstruction Capital Reserve Fund
balance of December 31st, 2025.
656,000
500 51149
$8,000 to be added to the SCBA capital
reserve fund balance doubles of December
31st 2025 28,65481
45,000
to be added to the ambulance capital
reserve fund balances of as of December
31st 2025 591,43926
$25,000 to be added to the police
cruiser capital reserve pot balance as
of December 31st 2025 50,161561.79
$18,800
to be added to the police equipment
capital reserve fund $8,810
of this appropriation
will come from fund balance from grant
reimbursement. No tax impact rate impact
balance as of December 31st, 2025,
$11,733
$77324.
Number seven, $13,000 to be added to the
dispatch equipment capital procure fund.
Balances as of December 31st, 2025,
83,875,52.
Number eight, $52,818
to be added to town building purchase
and repair capital reserve fund with set
funds to come from December 31st, 2025
unassigned fund balance from an NBRC
grant reimbursement. No tax rate impact
should the town not have the available
fund balance, the appropriation will not
be made. balance of December 31st, 2025,
$157,318.18.
Number nine, $225,000
to be added to the Highway Heavy
Equipment Capital Reserve Fund balance
as of December 31st, 2025,
$159,4340.
Number 10, $33,500
to be added to the sanitation recycling
capital reserve fund balance as of
December 31st, 2025,
$112,791.79.
Number 11, $2,300 to be added to the
Medallian Opera House Capital Reserve
Fund with set funds to come from
December 31st, 2025 unassigned fund
balance. No tax rate impact balances on
December 31st, 2025. $6,4386.
Number 12, $70,000 to be added to the
assessment capital reserve fund balance
as of December 31st, 2025,
$191,43,926.
And number 13, $15,000,
pardon me, to be added to the
information technology capital reserve
fund balance as of December 31st, 2025,
41,33.32
recommended by the board of select by a
vote of three to nothing. We recommended
by the budget committee by a vote of 8
to nothing. Majority vote required. Tax
rate impact a$140 revised by revised 211
2026.
What are your wishes? What are what are
your wishes?
I have a motion by Phil
for approval. Do I have a second?
>> I have a second. Paul,
sorry.
>> It's been a long day.
Okay. Any discussion or questions? Yes,
sir.
>> Uh item six
uh is a there's either this print or uh
something else, but uh it says 18818
to be added to the police equipment
capital reserve fund. 8,818
of that comes from fund balance from
grant reimbursements. no tax rate
impact. How is that? Is $10,000
difference there?
>> Thank you for the question. Um I know it
was brought up previously in our public
hearings. Um but uh you are correct.
Only 8,818 of that appropriation is from
a fund balance that we got from a grant
reimbursement to our PD. The other
10,000 is our regular appropriation that
is through taxation. It's only that
8,818 is uh no tax impact.
Um and just as a quick comment myself,
there were a couple misprints. Um number
10, the bounds uh for sanitation CRF had
a year end balance of 73 370, not 112.
Um number 12, the assessment CRF had a
year end balance of 190 or had balance
of 141,000. uh we accidentally
transposed the um ambulance balance
there and then the longevity uh
severance trust fund had a year end
balance of 22,000.
>> Does that answer your question?
>> Okay.
Any other question or discussions?
>> Okay. Yes.
And number three, what is SCBA?
>> SCBA is the self-contained breathing
apparatus, the air packs that we wear.
Any other questions or discussion?
Seeing none, I will call for the vote.
All those in Wait, did I get a motion?
>> Okay.
[laughter]
>> Thank you.
>> All right. All those in favor, raise
your cards.
All those opposed.
It looks like the eyes have. Motion is
passed.
>> [clears throat]
>> Article 16
appro appropriations to expandable trust
funds. The city and the town will vote
to raise and appropriate the sum of
$193,600
$193,500
to be placed in the following expendable
trust funds as previously established.
$7,000 to be added in Kates's Hill
landfall expandable trust fund balance
as of December 31st, 2025, $13,262.95.
Number two, 159,000 to be added to the
river maintenance expandable trust fund
with said funds to come from the
unassigned fund balance. No tax rate
impact balance of as of December 31st,
2025,
$101,23.65.
Number three, $20,000 to be added to the
special insurance expandable trust fund.
Balance as of December 31st, 2025,
$6,8406.
Number four, $7,600
to be added to the longevity severance
dispensable trust fund balances of
December 31st, 2025.
$16,7724
recommended by the board of selectment
by a vote of three to nothing.
Recommended by the budget committee or a
vote to 8 to nothing. Majority vote
required. Tax rate impacts
0.07 cents.
Do I have a motion?
>> I have a motion by Mr. Larry. Do I have
a second? I have a second by Phil Corn
pass as recommended. Any discussion or
questions?
[clears throat]
Suits,
>> this question is kind of general, but we
keep seeing unassigned fund balance. I'd
like to know what the unassigned fund
balance was at the end of the year and
what the tax impact was on our last tax
bill for that fund balance.
>> [clears throat]
>> Uh, thank you again for the question,
Sue. Um, the unsigned fund balance, for
instance, the 159 added to the river
maintenance fund, that's FEMA money that
the town clawed back from Uncle Sam. So
that is uh money that we got. We we
don't have a line item to like put that
back in. This is not a revolving fund.
So FEMA money reimbursement grants go
into the general fund. And so we're
pulling that back out to um go into the
river maintenance fund because there's
still more work to be done. Often we use
that to match payments. Um, federal
funding is anywhere from 25% match to a
50% match. Um, in terms of the
[clears throat] current
tax impact, our audit hasn't been
completed yet for 2024.
So, Bronson can't give you a perfectly
accounting
tax impact number that you're looking
for. As a followup, the audit is planned
to be completed in March, April,
>> right?
>> May now.
So that's the best I can give you from
that answer.
What I'm saying is the unassigned fund
balance has come up multiple times. Then
they say no tax impact. Well, we had a
tax impact last year that was quite
major. And I just want to know how much
money was left over and what the tax
impact was on our last tax bill because
this money isn't free. We paid for it
last year.
So I think if I and I'll defer to
Bronson if I need to. Uh, in rough
numbers, we had uh we spent the
unassigned fund balance down to about
what 700,000, which was a DRA minimum.
>> Yeah. Oh, good. He's looking. So, we did
use some of the unassigned fund balance
to bring down the uh tax rate last year.
Several hundreds of thousands of
dollars. 400 approximately.
[clears throat]
>> Yeah. So we retained 700,000.
>> We retained 700,000
>> and used 490,000.
>> And used 490,000.
So I was really,000 is what we had
>> is what we used.
>> We had a little bit over a million. We
used 490,000 to lower the tax rate and
we have the DRRA minimum basically which
is Department of Revenue Administration
um of 700,000 remaining.
And what does the 400 [clears throat]
equate to on last year's tax bill?
>> Uh close to a dollar.
>> A dollar.
>> Yeah. It's about 500,000 per dollar.
Yep.
Thank you.
Any other discussion regarding article
16? Any
questions?
Seeing none, I will call for the vote.
All those in favor of article 16, raise
your cards. All those opposed, raise
your cards.
The article was passed. [clears throat]
Article 17 to see if the people of the
town of Gorum do not support the Gorum
Police Department entering into any 287g
agreement with the United States
Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE
and accordingly the people recommend
that the department should withdraw from
this agreement. This is by petition.
It is um
majority voters required and I have a uh
petition for a secret ballot. It says
here, "We the underside certify that we
are registered voters in the town of
Guang and are physically present at the
annual town meeting on March 10th, 2026.
We respectfully submit our request to
the moderator that all votes related to
article 17 the Gorm Police Department
287 agreement be taken by secret written
down. I have uh Abby Ian,
David Ian, Dorothy Borus, Christine Pico
and Valerie Boyette as the petitioners.
Abby Eval is the primary petitioner.
Abby, would you like to speak?
Abby is up in the back.
You need a motion before you discuss.
>> That would be correct.
>> There is no motion on the floor. So,
there's no discussion.
>> All right. I need a motion.
>> I have one for me. Do I have a second?
>> I'll second.
And I have a second.
So the motion is open for discussion.
I'm opening the floor app. Go ahead,
Abby. My name is Abby Veno from Luke
Road. I'm hoping people will vote yes on
number 17 to recommend that the Gorum
Police Department withdraw from its 287G
agreement with Federal Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, who we mostly know
as ICE. To start with, I very much
appreciate our friendly, hardworking
police officers and their mission of
providing a safe, peaceful community for
the residents and visitors. Thank you.
The concern here is that the 287G
agreement pulls our local officers away
from these local concerns and turns our
officers into an extension at federal
immigration enforcement. And we can see
on the TV how that's going lately. Our
police do not need a 287g agreement to
arrest a suspect regardless of any
immigration status questions.
We've talked a lot about how many
officers our police department needs and
what their services cost our small town.
Our local dollar should be spent on
local safety, not lengthening the arm of
federal immigration enforcement into our
community. Um, what messages are we
sending by being an extension of ICE?
What message are we sending to the
newest immigrants who have moved into
Guam are running businesses and sending
their children to our schools?
If I had darker skin and an accent, I
would not be feeling safe or welcome
here. What message are we sending to the
tourists we work so hard to attract? The
Boston Globe ran a headline three months
ago warning immigrants not to travel to
Hampshire. There are multiple confirmed
news reports of immigrants seized and
imprisoned by 287G officers in New
Hampshire despite valid papers.
Let's keep Gorm's police focused
locally. Please vote yes on number 17
recommending that our police department
withdraw the agreement they entered into
ICE without any community hearing. Thank
you,
>> Abby. Before I proceed to other uh
discussion, I have been asked by members
of the audience to please explain what a
yes vote or no vote on this means.
>> So this is purely a recommendation. Um
state law states that it is up to the
police chief to decide whether or not to
enter into this agreement. So this is a
purely what the people would like but
it's up to the chief to decide. So a yes
vote says please withdraw from this
agreement.
A no vote means stick with ICE.
>> Does that make sense?
>> Thank you.
>> I'm I'm asking people to vote yes.
>> All right.
>> Other questions, discussion? Mr. Larry.
down here.
Good last time. Um,
first of all,
I'm not into this TDS because that's
what it comes down to in my personal
opinion. Second of all,
I'm going to stand here and suggest that
our police department pick and choose
who they work side by side with as far
as other law enforcement agencies.
They're all enforcing the law one way or
the other. And if you don't believe me,
read the Cobra Chronicle. They've just
got somebody DWI who happened to be an
ille immigrant and there was some
serious injury besides.
And nobody's saying that they're running
out to go on raids. Corum PD doesn't do
that. Number one, unless they need
assistance, such as from Berlin or Troop
F, somebody in the area. So don't think
we have to worry about any of our
offices. Any of them here can correct me
if I'm wrong. Are you running around
purposely profiling people and picking
somebody up? That's a request device.
You got enough to do now except short
manower, woman power.
I think recommending this is just
sending a clear message to the chief.
You're going to do as we say, not the
water if you should.
>> Thank you. Any other discussion or
questions?
>> I'm just the officer Beverly Bus. We
live on Palmer Street.
I wouldn't call the police department if
I was knocking on my door cuz I don't
trust them. If ICE is knocking on my
door, I would like to know I could trust
my police to come for me, not for them.
You see what I'm saying? It's if they're
working with ICE, they're on the wrong
side for regular people.
what's been going on with innocent
people.
>> All right, let's let's talk back and
forth. I have a gentleman in the back.
>> I'm not a gentleman. Number one,
Sarah Chestnut.
>> Sarah Chestnut wore New Hampshire. Renee
Good wasn't expecting to die that day.
Alexi wasn't expecting to die that day.
That little boy in the blue hat wasn't
expecting not to go home that night.
I am not expecting
to be incarcerated
for how I look, who I love, or how I
worship.
None of these people were expecting what
happens to them. I am the child of a
retired police officer and a Marine vet.
That is not what we fought for. It is
not what I stand for.
And it's okay to enforce the law. Would
you sit in this space and say that that
is what is happening when ICE is
knocking on doors? Maybe some of the
time, but not most of the time. This is
merely a suggestion to show how we feel
and who we are. And you can disagree
with that. But to say that we are being
unlawful and even suggesting that is
bogus.
I am young. I am not dumb. I am a woman,
but I am not silent.
And [clears throat] MLK said that when
you speak, when your voice shakes and
you stand with no one's skin,
that is what I am doing. I love this
town. I'm not from here. I'm in Alabama,
but I love it here and I love what it
means to live here. And that is why I'm
voting yes because no one expected these
outcomes.
Doesn't mean I'm flawless. doesn't mean
I'm broke. It just means I'm human.
[applause and cheering]
>> I will vote no on this petition. It is
not about ISIS action
elsewhere.
Just a week and a half ago, um, local
police caught an illegal immigrant
coming in over the border.
I don't remember whether it was more
recently or last summer, but
the local police, Gorum, Berlin, and
others saved 24 people that were being
human traffked across the border, women
and children. [clears throat]
There was a a lady, the original lady
who worked on the road crew going up to
Kobo and saw a lot of our local police
going up there and they were they were
nervous.
They weren't sure they'd come home alive
that day, but they were to support us on
our border so that we would not be
having these human traffickers and drug
traffickers coming to our communities.
So I will vote no on this amendment.
[applause]
>> Other discussion.
>> If you're worried about human
trafficking, you do not want to work
with ICE. They work for Trump and he's a
evil, evil, horrible person. He has
children. He lies. He's just a terrible
person.
>> Yeah. Let's sir I'm not I'm not around.
>> Okay. Can Can we stick to the subject
and I'll get it?
>> So I'm going to vote. Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Anyone else? Mr. Miller.
>> Thank you.
Theodore Miller.
Rachel Morren,
a mother of five,
raped and murdered.
Grant Ronbec,
21 years old, shot and killed while
working at a convenience store.
Ivory Smith,
7 years old, killed in a car crash
caused by a drunk driver.
Stephanie Minton, 41 years old, stabbed
to death at a bus stop.
Alex Wise Jr., only 10 years old when he
was struck and killed by a hit and run
driver.
Lincoln Riley, a 22year-old nursing
student, killed while jogging on a
college campus.
And what do these people all have in
common along with hundreds of others who
have had their lives taken from them?
They should still be alive.
These people were killed. These folks
were killed by people who were not
supposed to be here.
Their killers were people who came in
who came here illegally.
Along with hundreds of deaths, there are
thousands of cases documented where
Americans
have been raped, drugged, assaulted, and
harmed in other ways by illegals.
>> For four very long years, our southern
border was wide open.
During that time, more than 11 million
people came into this country illegally.
US immigrations and customs enforcement
has been given the job of finding
and removing these millions of people,
many of whom have been charged with
violent crimes.
>> All right.
Well, no. No. You may hear me out. You
heard other people say, "I will retain
my right to speak. I will retain my
right to speak."
>> Okay. Ice. The people who work for life
are heroes.
>> Yes. They are the heroes with great
risk. I am I
deserve the right to speak. You don't
like it, but you with great risk to
themselves. They are making our
communities and our countries safer by
finding and deporting those people who
chose to ignore our laws and to come
into this country illegally.
>> The people who work for ICE, the people
who work for ICE,
our local and state and federal law
agencies
must be allowed to work to death. This
article 17 needs to be voted down.
[applause]
>> Just a minute.
It seems to me the overwhelming reaction
is they want to call for the vote. Can I
get someone to give me a motion
regarding
if they call this cease discussion and
vote?
Are we going to do a single?
>> I have a motion. Go. Yes. I have a
motion made and seconded to cease
discussion and call for the vote.
All those in favor of calling for the
vote, raise your comments.
All those opposed to calling for the
vote, raise your comments.
Okay, here's the way we're going to do
this. This is a secret battle. The box
is on the end of the table. I am going
to call various areas of the gym to come
down in vote. The ballot box will be
open for an hour. At the end of our 1:00
time is
>> 9:09.
>> 9:09 right now. In an hour voting will
cease and the ballots will be counted.
So I'm going to start with the left side
bleaches first.
Come down and vote.
All
right, it looks like everybody on the
left side bleaches. Those in the right
side bleaches better.
Okay, those on the left side of the bad
leeches of the vote.
Okay. Those at the right side of the
back.
You know what?
You never know if people are going to
want to have a secret outlet. So, you
have to be prepared.
>> Center side the back street.
Oh yeah.
Okay. Left side of the gym.
Amazing.
>> What are you?
>> No.
Good job, Paul.
>> Hang in there. There's only an hour
left.
>> [laughter]
>> Okay. The right hand side of the gym,
please walk.
You sure?
It's
green.
How are you?
What we have today?
Okay,
looks like most people have voted. So,
we're going to continue on. I will leave
the polls open for a while and then I
will call on you if you want me to close
it. All right.
Article 18.
Let's see. Is everyone ready?
>> Someone's got their hand up back there.
traffic.
>> Yes.
>> 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
>> Wait a second.
>> Okay.
I have a motion made to combine articles
18, 19, 20, and 21. Is that what you
said?
>> 18 or 24.
>> I can't hear you.
>> All the way to
>> 22 23 24
>> all the way up to 24. I have a motion to
combine all those large.
>> Do I
can I have your name? Who made the
motion?
streaming.
>> Do I have a second?
[laughter]
[laughter]
>> I have a motion to combine articles 18,
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24.
The vote I'm going to ask for is just to
combine those articles. All in favor of
combining
>> articles 18 through 24, raise your
cards.
>> Can there be discussion first?
>> No, pass. Discussion. Okay. The article.
All I said all those in favor. All those
opposed.
It looks like the eyes have I have a
question from Mr. Bronson.
>> I thought we got after the motions. I
thought we were supposed to discuss the
motion and then
>> this is just to combine. We're going to
go back to reading motions and that's
where we'll have the discussion.
>> Okay.
The motion is just to combine.
>> They combine into one vote.
However, he has to read each one of them
>> and then open each one of them up for
>> Mr.
Seven after. Does they still have to
count?
>> Yeah, I'm going to leave it open for 15
20 more minutes to see where we are and
then I will ask the board the body for
guidance on it. Okay.
All right. Let me read read the
articles. Articles 17.
Now we have
>> 18
>> to see if the town will vote to raise an
appropriate sum of $14,000 for the
purpose of supporting the residents of
Gorum will require professional home
care support as provided by the Andrew
Valley Home Care Services. Tax rate
impact 3 cents by petition recommended
by the board of selectton by a vote of
three to nothing. not recommended by the
budget committee by a vote of four to
four. Majority
vote required. As you can see, the
budget committee was deadlocked. So when
they deadlock like that, a tie turns
into a no.
Article 19 to see if the town will vote
to raise and appropriate the sum of
$6,745
for the operation of our following Tri
County Community Action Program
Incorporated.
services in the town of War are fuel and
energy assistance, housing stability
services, transportation services,
weatherization, guardianship services,
community action resource coordinators,
free diaper distribution program, USDA
TAP food distribution expansions, 20 211
homeless call response, Tamwork Dental
Center, the ADRC agent and disability
resource center, and senior meals Tax
rate impact 1 cent I petition
recommended by the board of selectner by
a vote of three to nothing recommended
by the budget committee by a vote of 5
to three majority vote required.
Article 20 to see if the town will vote
to raise and appropriate the sum of
$6,000 for the purpose of supporting the
ongoing public service of the Gish Royal
Society, the museum and their work to
protect and preserve the history of
corn. Tax rate impact 1 cent by
petition. Not recommended by the board
of selecting by a vote of two to one.
Not recommended by the budget committee.
I vote eight.
Majority vote required.
Article 21.
See if the town will vote
to raise and appropriate the sum of
$3,000 for the purpose of supporting
Northern Human Services. the mental
health center in providing outpatient
and emergency mental health services for
the citizens of Gore. Catch rate impact
1 cent by petition recommended by the
board of select bank by a vote of three
to nothing. Recommended not recommended
by the committee by a vote of four to
four. Majority vote required
to see if the town will vote to raise
and appropriate the sum of $2,000 for
the purpose of supporting our lo our
local Special Olympics team and Chicago
River athletes tax rate 1 cent by
petition recommended by the board
selected by a vote of three to nothing
recommended by the budget committee by a
vote of 8 to nothing. Majority vote
required. Article 23, the seat of the
town will raise appropriate the sum of
$3,000 for the purpose of marketing our
average marketing our average
chamber of commerce marketing plan tax
rate impact 1 cent by petition
recommended by the board of selectman by
a vote of three to nothing recommended
by the budget committee and by a vote of
6 to2 majority vote required to see if
the town will vote to raise an
appropriate the sum of $5,000 for the
purpose of supporting hospice,
palitative, home health, and long-term
care services from North Country Home
Health Service, home health and hospice
agency for the residents of the town tax
rate
one sent by petition recommended by the
board of selectment by a vote of three
to nothing. Not recommended by the
budget committee by a vote of five to
three. Before I entertain a motion,
it looks like we're getting to the end.
I'm going to ask if you give me approval
to is everyone has voted on article
>> 17 to close the balloting for article 17
so the clerks and town clerks can begin
counting.
Second.
>> Okay. All those in favor of closing the
voting.
All right. We're going to close the
voting and
the balance. Now, I will entertain a
motion of information on these.
>> Go ahead.
>> Since they are to be combined, you need
a motion to either pass.
>> Am I not mistaken? the new law that you
stated by petition that each one of the
petitioners
have an opportunity to speak for 10
minutes.
>> Yes, they do.
>> That would be the next 80 to 90 minutes.
We're going to be listening to people
before we get even
>> if they wish to speak.
>> If they do
>> okaying does not move.
>> All right.
So,
but before I can begin the discussion, I
need a motion to pass.
>> No.
>> Okay. Then I'll go to article number 17.
18.
>> 18.
>> Is the petitioner for article 18 here?
And do they wish to speak?
>> I don't think you have a motion yet. You
just had a motion to comply.
>> That's what I thought.
>> All right, let's go back. You guys
confused me a little bit. does have an
introduction.
>> All right. Once we stop that, I I have
to open it up to the petitions speak for
10 minutes. So, do I have a motion to
accept?
Motion to move all the articles as
presented. That's exactly what I want.
Do I have a second?
>> Second by Lee. All those in in favor of
moving the articles as accepted, raise
your comments.
All those opposed. Raise your
Okay.
Now I can grant the I have to grant the
right each petitioner to speak on each
pass that
>> didn't we just pass?
>> No, I still have to give them the right
to speak.
>> Well, but it's already passed.
>> You just you just took the
accept.
>> They don't get to talk.
>> They didn't accept that. Yeah, that's
why I was trying to tell you. You need
to get first before you do anything
>> discussion before you pass.
>> All right, we passed it.
>> It's done. That's it.
[laughter]
>> Article 25.
See if the town will adopt the
provisions of RSA 7262
for exemption from property tax purposes
from the assessed value of real estate
equipped with one or more solar energy
systems for the purpose of heating
cooling providing electricity which
exemption shall be 100% of the assessed
value of the solar energy system
required.
Do I have a motion?
So move.
>> I have a motion by Ed Gibson. Do I have
a second? [clears throat]
>> Second by Judy Young.
>> What's your name?
>> At this time of the night, I'm beginning
to want to find it. [laughter]
>> Okay.
All right. So, we've got a motion to
accept. Any discussion or questions?
>> The 10 minute introduction.
>> They get 10 minutes for the commission
to introduce
Mike
petitioner has 10 minutes.
>> Well, yeah, they do. If they wanted um
but I'll be a lot quicker than that. So,
two years ago, I voted against this. Um
advocated everyone else do the same. And
um and what you need to know is that the
board of selectment had a meeting a few
weeks ago um voted to support it and and
they need you to know why uh we're vote
we're voting why the select board voted
to support article 25 even though two
years ago
we were opposed to it. So,
uh, what wasn't discussed two years ago
and why the board, um, was very
comfortable on opposing this was that
our assessor at the time, which was KRT,
was not picking up residential solar.
And so to our way of thinking,
um, the only things we would really have
to worry about is if someone came in
with a truly substantial solar array at
their residence, meaning, you know, like
a $1,500,000
um, application.
So what has happened since then is the
department of revenue administration
um was made aware that the town of New H
IPS which um was was asking for an order
from them was basically a lawsuit
against the city of Manchester and Peter
Pearl because they like Corum weren't
picking up residential solar
and and the DRRA issued an order that
required every assessor in the state of
New Hampshire from
the moment the order was issued to
wherever to list all solar arrays and
establish a value there too. Now there's
a problem with this and we talk about
the state. So, it's understandable why
the DRRA would make such a ruling um
because if you read through their rules
of procedures, they want pretty much
everything that's found in real estate
recording. But there's another thing
that um the slideman have to deal with
that the DRA
sometimes overlooks.
The value on your car for your house
when adjusted to 100%.
Should be what it will sell.
The end.
The problem that we have now is that the
DRRA while they made their order, they
didn't offer what what the assessors of
record for us today, which is Monica
Hurley from Northwood,
who has put a value of $1,500 a panel
and added to the various properties that
have them or Sans Susi Associates, who
we call discussed at length, um allowed
that without sufficient sales data, you
really have no idea whether you're
adding value to the house or not. So,
you have a situation right now with a
selectman
um just to make up a property. Let's say
you have a property that's on the card
for $300,000
and they have enough to add $45,000 to
it. So the question to be answered is
the house going to sell for $345,000
or $300,000
and the answer to that from the uh
basically KRT's behavior and two
assessors who were talked to directly
was it's going to be really hard to
defend because there's no sales team.
So is the recommendation
of our board of selectment not because
we're supporting subsidized electrical
power but because we're going to spend a
lot of money down at the BTLA
um and we know before we even go that we
haven't really got the data to back us
up. So until such time as there's enough
sales data to actually justify what I
just said that when you add solar to the
value of a residence that that residence
would then sell for the card value plus
the solar value the best thing the town
of Warm can do is simply exempt them um
stay out of court and and and it's it's
the most just outcome based on where we
So that's why that's why we changed our
opinion and um you're not going to gain
anything out of this. Uh if you vote it
down, you know, [clears throat]
the values will go on the cards. People
will appeal the cards. Town will have to
pay interest and penalties if we can't
prove it. We're telling you our
assessors don't advise us to do that.
There are 152 towns in New Hampshire
right now that have this exception and
there'll probably be more after tonight.
Thank you.
Other questions or discussion
regarding the honorable
question
from that street. So the question is
those articles that we just passed eight
of them all at once whatever.
What happens to the ones where like the
select men two to one even though the
budget committee was 8 to nothing? Was
that passed or not passed?
>> Well passed. You over overruled their
recommendations.
So,
>> so by rounding all those up together,
you just blew off a historical society.
>> Yes.
>> They were they were
>> okay. Even though it was against,
everybody voted against
>> it doesn't matter. This is the body.
This is the body that you voted yes. You
voted give them that money.
>> Cool. That's what I wanted to know.
>> Yes.
>> I just wanted to point out that solar
panels are you can get about 100 watt
panels for $100 for housing. So $1,500
per panel is kind of ridiculous.
And uh not only that, but the amount of
electricity you're going to get, the
taxes on the panels would just about
wipe out any benefit you you get as far
as electrical savings.
That's all I wanted to say.
Any other discussion questions
>> over there?
Bradford again. Um, I know that some
people have put solar panels on their
houses and they've had to take out like
a 30-year mortgage to pay for it and
they've also paid a mortgage on their
house. So, by saying we're going to
assess them for what they've added to
their roof or wherever, kind of like
double taxation, I don't feel that it's
fair.
If someone has the wherewithal to switch
to solar energy to save money, why
should we punish them for doing that?
They are by using solar energy, they're
either adding to the electricity pool
for the rest of us because [snorts] the
demand isn't so high so our rates don't
go up or they're at least benefiting
their house and and not um not hurting
us. So why should you be punished for
trying to take out this huge loan and
pay it so that you can be
self-sufficient with your electricity?
>> It doesn't make any sense.
to punish people who have used
>> over
exemption. Correct.
>> Other discussion or questions?
[clears throat]
>> You want to speak?
>> Okay.
[clears throat]
Um, I'm going to echo Mike's comment.
Um, and just that from the board's
perspective, the town's perspective,
we're not really taking a side in terms
of pro solar or not, it's just the the
nuts and bolts of trying [clears throat]
to assess a value. And that was a great
point. 1,500 a panel. Another town says
they're 500. Uh, people might have
bought them at T-Mo for 50 bucks a
piece. Who knows? And all it does is
generate work for the town because
people come in with an abatement and
then they'll say two of my solar panels
don't work. I read squirrels to six more
of them and and they don't work and now
I I want abatement and then there really
is no proof in the BTLA uh Bureau of Tax
Land, you know, court. They've admitted
there isn't solid sales data. It's it's
almost like an above ground pool where
does that add value or not? There are
some people who hate the look of it.
They love the house, but they don't want
this contraption on there, have to
replace a new roof because the solar
panels died. And so it's it's very
complicated. And the other thing is many
of you might have been approached the
new way is leasing.
So you might lease for 20 years. So now
you have something on your house that
you're leasing and then we're going to
put it on as a added value. Oh no, no,
no. It's a lease. It's different. I have
So nuts and bolts. I'm just trying to
make this work. It was a nice intention,
but the board, the town does not and
personally myself does not think this is
a really practical u um idea and I would
support you um adopting this exemption.
So on your property card, it's going to
say if your house is a $200,000 house,
if you have 200 if you have $20,000 in
solar array, that might go on there, but
it won't go on as taxable.
It won't go on as taxable. So it'll be
noted because that's the law, but as far
as your taxable value, that would be not
included.
Thank you.
Other
questions or discussion?
Seeing none, are you ready for the vote?
>> All those in favor Article 25, raise
your hands.
All those opposed, raise your hands.
article 25 has passed.
[clears throat]
>> Okay.
Article 17, the final vote count is 75
no, 99 yes. The article is passed.
All
>> [applause]
>> right. Article 26
to hear any reports of incount offices,
agents and committees here to fall
chosen and to pass any votes related
there too.
Any reports or anything anybody wants to
hear?
Article 27. Can I have a motion
regarding 26?
>> Motion for Boston
>> for 26.
>> 26.
>> Motion to approve.
>> Have a motion to approve number 26. You
are the second.
>> Second from Lee. All those in favor?
Hey. Article 27 to transact any other
business that may legally come before
the meeting.
>> I make a motion to adjourn.
>> I have a meeting. A motion to meet. I
have a motion to adjourn the meeting. Do
I have a second?
>> All kinds of seconds.
>> All those in favor adjournment.
>> Have a good night. Thank you for coming.
Thank you for your interest. And we see
you all next