Around Milton NH, This and That........A Peek at What's Happening in our Neighboring Town of Milton, NH

An open letter to the residents of Milton NH,

 

‘We the People of the Unites States…’ begins the Constitution of the United States. Though not the earliest example of democratic principles, the Constitution of the United States is one of the oldest such documents used in the world. However, the dream of a citizen-run government depends upon citizens who care about issues and vote on them accordingly. Why is it then that many voters today don't seem to care?

The low turnout in recent Town Meetings in Milton does not seem to be a result of voter alienation, but rather the outcome of voter apathy due to the fact that some believe they cannot make a change. 

 When very few people vote, the people we have elected cannot represent the beliefs and values of the general population.

The major cause of voter apathy is a general lack of agency: people may doubt their ability to make a difference. 

 

In a recent poll, conducted on Facebook, 55 people voted that they would either support reducing the Budget or vote to close the schools in Milton and send the pupils elsewhere.  Albeit it was not a scientific poll, it gives a sample of the population in Milton that have strong feelings about the spiraling costs of education.  At the Deliberative Session that was held on Saturday 2/6/15 2016

I made a motion to reduce the School Budget of $9,444,248.84.  The motion failed 18 to 16.  That is democracy and I have accepted defeat.  My concern is that there appeared to be support for this when it has had been discussed and rehashed for weeks, but not enough of the people that had voiced their concerns showed up.

 

What is a vote worth?   Well in Milton on last Saturday a vote was worth $328,141.63.  That is 1/3rd one third of the votes needed to have had the amendment pass, which would have reduced the budget by 10%.  ($984,424.88).  So yes your vote does count.

 

There are some Milton who are deeply concerned about the voter apathy and lack of participation in making Milton a better place for all.   I do not have the answers. I am not always right. I am concerned and willing to work with people to help.   But it will take more people to commit for anything to happen.  There is power in numbers.  Last year when Milton was threatened by a proposed landfill, Milton voters came out in droves to support a proposal and amendments to stop them.   Milton won!  So how do we wake up the silent majority who sleeps between catastrophes?  How de do we get people involved?   How do we make Milton a better pace place for us, for our children and for anyone who would entertain the idea of moving here?    Change the dates and times of meetings?

 

That can’t happen if no one gets involved.   This poor turnout appears to be indicative of Milton in general.   Everyone wants change, but it appears that no one wants to work for the change.

In order to move forward and make changes we are going to need more people to make a Sacrifice for the change.

Without participation from the people in Milton, everything -- actually it will get worse -- not stay the same.

There are several groups who are trying their best to get the information out to the residents of Milton.  Discussing the issues and the candidates is important information for people to make educated decisions. 

 

We cannot change the past, but looking forward, we can.  Things would be drastically different going into this election if only an additional handful of voters had turned out to support the change they had voiced.

 

Les Eder

Milton NH

Around Milton, This and That.......a Peek Into Our Neighboring Town of Milton NH

 

2/6/2016  From the Desk of Les Elder

 

Only 34 Milton residents showed up today to approve all of the Warrant Articles that were submitted by the Milton School Board. Article # 2, the operating Budget of $9,844,284.84, was the only article to gather much discussion.   Les Elder made a motion to reduce the Budget by 10% to $8,859,823.96.  However there was an attempt to make a second amendment to the Operating Budget, but the Moderator ruled Stan Nadeau out of order and would not allow the amendment, since the discussion on the question had been closed, and a motion had been made and seconded to limit discussion.  (There appears this may have been incorrectly motioned, but the moderator asked and was given authority to continue) The Amendment was defeated by a vote of 18 to 16.  There also was some discussion regarding the $279,034.00 for leasing new computers and the only amendment was a housekeeping measure which passed.  Minor discussion and questions on the remaining Warrant Articles left all warrant articles intact and all passed.  Sending to the voters of Milton a total package of approximately $11,208,360.00

 

It was true democracy at its best.  And they are right when they say your vote counts.   If more people that had shown an interest in cutting some of the articles had shown up things may have been different.   We will never know.   It’s over and done and will now passed on to the voters in March.

It's appears that everyone in Milton is happy with the Schools, they way they are operated and their escalating taxes. I for one am not. But it takes a majority to make changes in a democracy. That majority was not there when needed, if in fact it even exists.

Around Milton, This and That.......a Peek Into Our Neighboring Town of Milton NH

Around Milton, This and That                                                     2/4/2016
Shared by Les Elder

There are four contested town positions for the annual town meeting as follows: Selectman for (3) years, Mike Beaulieu and John Katwick, supervisor of the checklist-Diane DuBois and Robert R. Ferris, town treasurer-Pamela J. Arnold, David Buchanan and McKenzie C. Campbell, zoning board of adjustment (3) years-Mike Beaulieu and Larry Brown.

There will be a meet the candidate’s night on Thursday, Feb. 18 at town hall beginning at 6 p.m.

SCHOOL NEWS

The Milton School Deliberative Session will be held Saturday at the Nute High School Cafeteria at 1 p.m.

This session will consist of explanation, discussion and debate of Warrant Articles No. 2 through No. 9. Warrant articles may be amended subject to limitations, and all warrant articles (even if amended by majority vote) will be placed on the official Ballot for final vote.  The proposed budget is $ 9,833,472.00.

 

The Nute Middle High Schools Junior Class will be hosting a "Princess Ball" (a father/daughter dance) on Saturday, February 13th at the Elementary School from 4-6pm and they will be serving dinner, dessert and of course there will be dancing. Flyers should have been sent home last Friday. The cost is $10 per person. This is open to the community ages 5-12.

 

The Teneriffe Sports Club, a non-profit group that is a resource for sport groups, is putting together a fundraiser to support their efforts. There will be live music and dancing at the Milton Moose Lodge on Friday, Feb. 19 from 7 to 10 p.m. Rob and Jodie Gourlay will provide live music and the dance floor will be open. Tickets are $15 per person. There is a limited amount of tickets because of the limits of space. Call 605-285-5136 for information about the event or tickets. Also, there will be raffle and a 50/50 drawing.

Milton Free Public Library

Curiosity Creates, a new program is being offered at the library in Milton Mills. The first event is Saturday, Feb. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Three more events will be held in March, April and May. Children are also welcome to come at any time during library hours and use the upstairs space to explore, play and discover. Young people age 6 through 14 are encouraged to sign up early, as space is limited. Please email the library at mfpl@metrocast.net or call 603-473-8535. Parents are welcome and encouraged to come and play with the children, but be aware the upstairs space will be a "screen free" zone during creative play times.

Today's News from our Friends and Neighbors in Milton, NH.

The Town Moderator will hold a “Meet the Candidate’s” night on Thursday February 18th 2016 at P.M. located at the Town Hall in the Selectmen’s Chambers. This will be recorded for those unable to attend.

Chris Jacobs, Town Moderator

TOWN OF MILTON
POSTED ROADS
FOR 2016

Unless specifically permitted by the written directive of the Public Works Director, it shall be unlawful for any person, partnership or corporation to haul, transport or cause to be transported by vehicle with a gross weight over eight (8) tons, any material over the class V roads in The Town of Milton from 00:01 am, February 2, 2016 through 11:50 pm, April 30, 2015 or as determined necessary by the Public Works Director.

 

 

Update from the Strafford Regional Planning Commission on the Moose Mountain Regional Alliance

 

Since the inception of the Moose Mountains Regional Alliance in early 2015, Strafford Regional Planning Commission staff have provided facilitation and technical assistance services to those involved in this regional organization. The Moose Mountains Regional Alliance formed in order to promote the resources (businesses, lodging, cultural & recreational areas, etc.) in the towns of Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Wakefield, Brookfield and Wolfeboro.

 

At their most recent meeting on January 26th, SRPC staff members Kyle Pimental and Matt Sullivan joined group members to discuss marketing and growth strategies for the group. The group is looking forward to creating a website that will draw attention to this exciting organization. The Branch River Scenic Byway also runs through the region, attracting visitors to the Moose Mountains and surrounding areas.

 

For more information on this effort contact Denise Roy- Palmer. Moose Mountains Regional Alliance chairperson, at drp@WEDCO-NH.org.

 

Milton School Deliberative Session will be held this Saturday, 6 February 2016 @ the Nute High School Cafeteria, 1:00 PM.

This session will consist of explanation, discussion and debate of Warrant Articles # 2 through #9.  Warrant articles may be amended subject to limitations, and all warrant articles (even if amended by majority vote) will be placed on the official Ballot for final vote.

Proposed budget is $ 9,833,472.34.

Additional Warrant Articles included are but not limited to:

School Administrative Unit  Budget of $958,071.24 (Milton's share is 43% which equates to $414,078.00.)

Milton Elementary School repairs $50,000.00

New Computers Lease Proposal $279,034.00

Milton Elementary School New Roof Phase 1 of # phases $32,782.00

Library media request $5,000.00

School Repairs Capital Reserve Fund Request $25,000.00

Special Education Trust Fund request $25,000.00

 

Total Requested:  $11,208,360.

(Eleven Million Two Hundred and eight thousand three hundred and sixty dollars.)

 

 

 

Milton NH Eyes New Fire - Rescue Station Proposal, But What About Lebanon?

Yesterday morning LMTS took a break to head over to our neighboring Milton NH on an open invitation by several Milton friends to come and tour their Milton Fire-Rescue station.

As we arrived, the department's main ambulance went out on a medical call.

Entering the building, I was greeted warmly by a Milton responder who was kind enough to take me on a tour of the Fire-Rescue building.

It LOOKS tiny from the street, but there is a lot more to the station than what meets the eye, with a complete lower level exiting out of the rear of the station.

Milton voters will be faced with a Spring 2016 decision on whether or not to fund a brand new Fire Station, and after recent conversations over our own Lebanon Fire Station, I thought I would head over and compare notes.

The first thing I noticed was a horrible vibration. When the ambulance or fire vehicle is started in the station, air handlers automatically turn on. The engagement of only ONE air handler was enough to make me feel as though I were in a earth quake. Really.

 

 

 

The bays are small, much smaller than our own Lebanon station, and the walls and ceilings are cracking and chipping. Continuing downstairs, the responder showed me where the beams that separate the 1st and 2nd floors had been buckling under the weight of the top floor equipment and added steel beams had been added to help support the upper level. Maybe the steel beams would have made me feel a little better if there hadn't been obvious signs of recent building shifts in the back walls.

With many small towns growing in population and demands of services, Milton has moved to part time staffing and is looking at the possibility of adding an overnight shift. And yet there is no place for the crew to shower, no place for them to relax or to have a meeting or training session.

Now I'm not picking on Milton, they, like other small departments and towns all over the country, are doing the best they can with what they have. They make it work. And if Milton voters should decide not to fund the $2.7 million dollar fire house, they will go on doing what they do.

But seeing Milton's fire house in such a shape, it pushed me back into thinking about our own Lebanon Stations.

Milton's voters have prepared themselves for the eventuality of a new fire house. Over the past few years, they have funded the purchase of a piece of property in the central section of town, they have funded over $140,000 in preparation of plans and architectural drawings and studies. Everything is ready for such a time when a new fire and rescue station is needed. All they need is a vote.

I can't help thinking that our town of Lebanon is not so prepared.

 

 

 

With the Code Enforcement Officer sitting on a decision as to whether or not to condemn the Depot Road station, and still no resident interest in seeing the scary conditions that exist there, I wonder if we should be prepared.

Do we need to begin looking for ways to prepare and provide a safe place for equipment storage, and a safe place for our responders to meet, train, and work?

Early preparations will ensure that we are ready.

I have to wonder why there have been no discussions in public forums regarding what was discovered during the Code Enforcement Officer's visit to Station 1.

What plans are there to protect the town if the Fire and EMS Station should collapse in whole, or partially? A collapse could injure, disable, or cause loss of life to town employees (responders) resulting in huge insurance loss. A collapse could put our equipment into unusable condition leaving residents unprotected in the case of a fire or medical emergency.

The damage occurring at the Depot Road Fire and EMS facility in Lebanon is not new. Former Chiefs have done work on the building to assess the amount of damage and to try and discover the scope of the problem and possible repair attempts.

By now, sitting in Milton's Fire Station, I was lost in thought, wondering why Lebanon is not prepared with ideas for acquiring land, architectural plans, or even an agreed upon "Plan B".....

There is no "Plan B".

I'm always encouraging residents to ask questions. Once again, I'm encouraging you to ASK your town officials for an answer.

WHAT is going to be done about the floor (and more importantly UNDER the floor) in Station 1?

What is the condition of Station 2 (Blaisdell Corner on Rt 202)?

What is the TRUTH about the condition of our Fire apparatus and medical response vehicles (Ambulances)?

What might seem very trivial to you while worrying about the antics of Town Boards and Committees, might actually be the one thing that we need to focus on.

Do we have a 5 year plan? Is there a "Plan B"?

Ask the questions, Lebanon!!!

Town Meeting is coming up soon and that's your opportunity to ask questions in a public setting so that everyone will hear the answers.

Start getting ready to attend your Public Meeting.

Arm yourselves with questions, and expect answers.

If you get no answers, get ready for the Town Election that has been scheduled for May 2016.

Your vote shows your town government your concerns, and gives them your answers.

Milton NH Public Hearing Passes on All Proposed Articles to Voters.

Town of Milton Deliberative Session Update:

With a sparse turnout and little debate or discussion, all 17 Articles on the Warrant for the Ballot were passed on to voters for the March 8 election in about two hours on Saturday in Milton.

Less than 35 Milton residents attended, about as many as those there in an official capacity such as members of the Town of Milton Budget Committee, Board of Selectmen and Town Department members.

Fire Chief, Nick Marique did a power-point presentation on the Fire Station proposal of $2,795,000 explaining the history of proposals and the recommendations for a new station with costs associated for it.

Another article that drew minor discussion was a proposal for a step plan pay increase of $19,837.00 for the employees in the Highway Department, Solid Waste Department, and Government Buildings Department.

Pat Smith, the Public Works Director, explained the proposed pay increase which would be effective in July 2016 if passed and explained that the $19,837 increase is for the first six months funding.

The pay raise only covers 13 employees, four part time and nine full time.

Another article discussed was a proposal by the Town of Milton for a Town Forest. The article has the support and endorsement of the Milton Forest Committee, The Conservation Committee, as well as the Board of Selectmen. It would establish a Town Forest on 73.4 acres of land which is currently owned by the Town of Milton on Casey Road.

The articles also included a town operating budget of $4.2 million, an increase of about $260,000 from last year.