Moving on.

Last night, the School Board discussed the the art room moving to the Perkins building and some of the considerations around that potential move, including cost. safety of students crossing RT152 and impact to the art program. 

The issue is that there is a student entering the NJSHS who has significant health needs and will need a space dedicated to meet those needs. In addition, there are students with similar needs at NES who will be moving to the NJSHS in the coming years. After looking at the options available, the current art room is the most appropriate space.

The total budget for the art room move to Perkins looks to be about $50K, though that information was not available last night and the Superintendent didn’t want to commit to that number (or any number.) Board member Al Zink seemed annoyed by this and rightly so. It is the Board's responsibility to ensure that the SAU is responsibly using taxpayer funds, but they can’t act without the full picture. In addition to the $27K it will cost for the renovation and asbestos abatement, they also need to consider security/alarm costs, technology and crossing light cost--none of which was available last night.

The Board didn’t act on the proposal and though it is frustrating, I can’t say I blame them.  They may very well find themselves between a rock and a hard place at their next meeting if they are again missing important information. Decisions have to be made ASAP or the work won’t be done in time for the start of school. Hopefully Mike Martin will have all the pieces together in time for the next meeting.

Town Warrant 101 - the Capital Reserve funds.

There are 11 warrant articles addressing capital fund contributions on the ballot this year. If you don't remember having to vote on these in the past, it's because you didn't - the contributions to the capital funds were always included in the operating budget. This year, per the Department of Revenue, we were told that if Newmarket wanted to keep rolling the capital contributions into the operating budget, we would need to change the Town Charter, which is why the charter amendment is on the ballot this year.

In the meantime, we will need to vote on each of these appropriations. They are articles T-5 - T-15 and include appropriations to the Macallen Dam, police vehicle fund, road maintenance fund, storm water management and public works capital reserves. The Town Administrator released a voter's guide explaining each of these funds, which is available on the town website.

You can take a look at these and all the warrant articles below:

Town Warrant 101 - the Police Contract

We are voting on a 3-year police union contract this year. Article T-4 reads:

It was unanimously recommended by BOTH the Town Council and the Budget Committee with no comments or concerns expressed at the Deliberative Session by any residents.

We vote tomorrow. Polls will be open from 7am-7pm at Town Hall. See you there!

Town Meeting 101 - Lamprey Health

Article T-16 is the Petition warrant article which would reinstate funds to Lamprey Health's Senior Transportation program:

Each year, the Town includes a number of social service grants in the budget. The idea being, that these agencies provide a benefit to the community that is clear and quantifiable.

When the budget was originally presented to the Town Council, it was not clear that the typical grant given to Lamprey was designated to the Senior transportation program. It had always been presented as a general grant to the organization. As it was explained at that time, Lamprey is a large property holder in town and the fact that it doesn't pay property taxes based on it's non-profit status, made the councilors feel justified in heeding the advice of the Town Administrator and eliminating the $10,000 contribution. The Council approved the budget in late October.

It wasn't until January that we were aware of any concerns from Lamprey. At the Town Council meeting on January 21, representatives from Lamprey Senior Rides program presented their petition warrant article and explained the necessity of the funds for this program that serves our community. Their explanation was enough to sway the majority of councilors to vote in favor of the warrant article, myself included. I can't speak for anyone else, but the evidence of the benefit to the community was clear and I feel strongly that we should support this program in Newmarket this year.

We vote on Tuesday, March 10. Polls will be open at Town Hall from 7am-7pm.

Town Warrant 101

We vote in less than a week and there are a few warrant articles I'd like to point out. In total, there are 16 warrant articles on the Town ballot. That can be a little overwhelming to review when you're standing in the voting booth. I'll do my best to provide some explanation.

Article T-2 is a proposed amendment to the Town charter. The town's explanation of this warrant article is: 

Since 1991, Town has included contributions to Capital Reserve Funds as an appropriation in the Annual Budget. The NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) stated that contributions must be on ballot as separate warrant articles since our charter did not specify another way. This amendment would go back to previous practice.

This comes down to personal preference. In the past, the Town budget included all the contributions to our capital reserve funds (think of those as our savings accounts) within the operating budget. When we go to the polls to approve the budget, those items are already included. The Town would like to continue to operate this way – hence the proposed warrant article. If it's not approved, each contribution to the capital reserves will be broken out individually - as they are in this year's warrant. That means a longer ballot each year, but also the opportunity for voters to express opinions about the individual contributions. 

We vote on March 10. Polls will be open at Town Hall from 7am-7pm.  

Candidates

There have been a lot of conversations recently about candidates and I decided to try and spread the word about the people I am supporting for various boards in our upcoming election on March 10th. Here's my list:

SCHOOL BOARD
As you may know, there are 6 people competing for 2 spots on the School Board. This is the most important race we'll have in a long time, considering the important issues our community will be grappling with over the coming year. We have a facility to deal with, a superintendent to hire, teachers' contracts to negotiate and full day kindergarten to implement. Oh, and we still need to educate the students of Newmarket.

The people running are all good people--but that doesn't mean that I personally think they would be (or have been) good school board members. The dynamics this year are especially tricky and I feel that we need a combination of expertise and composure. Civility will be key. Compromise will be necessary. Fresh voices will be important.

With that in mind, I support Craig Dionne and Kimberly Shelton for School Board. I know them both and have had the opportunity to talk to each of them about their run for the School Board and what they can bring to the table. I trust that they will serve our community well, act with integrity and work hard to move Newmarket forward.

Newmarket Solutions distributed questions to all of the School Board candidates and five have responded so far. You can see their responses here. There was also an article in today's Exeter Newsletter.

TOWN COUNCIL
There are 2 candidates running for 2 seats, so this isn't a contested race. That said, Amy Burns is the only person I can vote for the Town Council. She has been involved in the school debate for a few years and has regularly attended Town Council and Budget Committee meetings. She will be a great new voice on the Town Council and I look forward to working with her.

There is another race for the one-year Council seat. Honestly, my plan is to write in Dan Wright for that seat. He served Newmarket well over the past three years and I have a lot of respect for him, even if we don't always see eye to eye on every issue.

BUDGET COMMITTEE
There are 4 people running for 3 seats. This is one place where significant change has happened over the last few years and it is exciting to see this shift. Dan Hill, Jeff Raab and Dan Smith are the obvious choices for me. They are all reasonable, thoughtful and fiscally responsible people who will serve our community well. An article in the Exeter Newsletter profiled the budget committee candidates last week.
 
We vote in TWO weeks.

Wonder

As I'm watching last night's school board meeting, I'm completely awestruck by our 7th grade team--including the teachers, administrators and most importantly, the students. 

I'm not a teacher, but I can't imagine that it's any small feat for a group of teachers to collectively integrate one book into their curriculum and then, through organic discussion, develop a completely new (and significant) aspect of their curriculum for the current year.

The kids took the reins and presented their plan for an overnight camping trip developed after the students read the book Wonder, to the School Board last night. As one teacher pointed out, "the teachers had really done very little besides provide a place for these students to plan this." This was clearly a student driven project, but wouldn't have happened without the support, guidance and flexibility of this team of teachers.

This is what we mean when we talk about the quality of our administration and teaching staff and the difference they make for our community.

Bond issue.

The warrant was briefly mentioned at the school board meeting last night. (The warrant is the list of items that goes before the voters at the Deliberative session and what we eventually vote on in March.) A copy of the proposed warrant was distributed to the school board members and a quick overview was provided. 

The first article on the warrant is a bond. No explanation was given and no discussion took place. Though this was the first mention of a bond that I can recall, not one school board member looked surprised and not one question was asked. When the board was asked during public comment for clarification and explanation, the chair replied that the discussion at the workshop on January 8th would focus on the warrant.

Here's what is concerning. 

I'm shocked at the idea of the school board proposing a bond at the 11th hour – the Deliberative session is in just 6 weeks – with no explanation.

There are many questions that need to be asked now. A bond for what? Is there a proposal? If so, who has been working on this? Why hasn't the community been engaged? What about the JAC? Does the Superintendent really think that he would be able to rally enough support and provide enough information to the community to pass a bond at this late date? 

The superintendent and the school board clearly have a lot of work to do -- not just to put the warrant together, but to engage and inform the community. And they need to do it now.

Summary.

Did you catch last night's School Board meeting? Here are some of the highlights:












Hiring the Interim Superintendent was supposed to save us 20%, according to SB member Nathan Lunney. But this Superintendent is making $13,000 more, working less and we have outsourced a big component of his job to consultants. Where's the savings? And if the SB decides to contract with him for another year, which they seem on track to do, then we start the new fiscal year $13,000 in the red because they are choosing not to budget accurately for this position. How is this good for our district?

Last night, the School Board chair talked about "responsible bonding" when comparing recently approved building projects in other districts. However, the numbers were presented completely without context. I think it's important to note that our town hasn't completed any significant upgrades to facilities in 27 years. Is that responsible?

I don't know how a 36% turnover compares to other districts, but it seems significant to me. 

A vote for Newmarket.

I love voting day. I love being at the polls holding signs and I love voting. I even love counting ballots at the end of the night. 

I'm looking forward to casting my ballot today and I know there are many important races to consider. But I'm most looking forward to voting for Michael Cahill for State Representative.

Michael has embraced the school facility issue completely and no one has worked harder for our community on this issue. He has attended meetings here in town, advocated for us in Concord and together with his wife Atinuke, has worked tirelessly on this issue. 

Thank you for your service, Michael.

Misinformation.

Did you see the mailer sent out by Michael Sununu, attempting to discredit State Rep candidate, Ella Walichnowska? I read it and thought that I'd look into some of the content in the mailer.

I read the minutes of the Newfields Deliberative session, which told a different story than the mailer. I'm disgusted by the misinformation and I'd like to use this forum to help set the record straight.

From the minutes: 

 
AND...

I FAIL TO SEE THE CONTROVERSY. 

This is a message from Ellen:

“Firstly, I have NEVER worked for a "DC pressure-group", now, then, or any time before in my life. At the time of the meeting my ONLY job was as a BUSDRIVER. 

I told everyone there that I didn't work for any group and that I lived in Newmarket. Anyone could merely look at the record of the deliberative session
to see who I was and where I lived. 

Although I support Ella's candidacy, I did not "back" Ella's campaign, nor did any supposed "DC group". The only group I was involved with was a local
listserv called "nh4democracy" that had a couple of hundred members, all in NH, except one, and that was a member from Public Citizen, who was not in charge of the group but just gave advice. 

Also, I noticed Mr. Sununu did not explain anywhere that the warrant article's purpose was just a resolution, not a law or anything having to do with the budget, to restore control of elections to the People, the actual citizenry. I believe he didn't mention it because it was wildly popular and passed easily in Newfields.

I believe Mr. Sununu deliberately lied, and deliberately got my name wrong, and waited until this late date so that there would be little we could do about it."

  
And from the Newfields Democrats:  

Finally, Ella is not running for State Rep. at the behest of DC lobbyists, she is running at the behest of the Newfields Democratic Committee. We personally asked her to run, and she graciously accepted. She is running to represent us, the people of Newfields and Newmarket, and any claim to the contrary is completely fabricated."

Know the facts before you vote tomorrow!

Budget season.

The TC met for several hours this past week to review the budget presented by the Town Administrator. We reviewed each department with the department heads, going through the budget line item by line item. Being new to the Council, it was an eye-opening exercise.

In the end, the TC has recommended an additional $110,000* in cuts to the operating budget. This will be presented as a resolution Wednesday night, voted on, and then the budget will go to the Budget Committee.

The $110,000 represents a lot of small cuts and one big change due to a mistake that was found while we went through the budget. Some of the cuts include: Welfare, cut by approximately $11,000; IT cut by $2,500; Buildings and Grounds, cut by about $16,000; Fire, cut by $2,500; and Solid Waste, cut by $5,000.

In addition, we had a discussion about the fund balance and what to do with it. After much debate, the consensus was to use the funds a little differently than in recent years. We are recommending to use $450,000 of the fund balance to offset expenses in Fiscal Year 2016. But this year the CIP contributions have been separated from the operating budget and people will vote on those as individual warrant articles. The bulk of that $450,000 will go toward funding those contributions. The remainder, approximately $75,000, will be used to offset general expenses. 

We will also create a new Capital Improvement item (recommending to place approximately $100,000 in that fund) for road repair and then applying the remainder to lowering the tax rate for next year (approximately $100,000). 

I know there are things that we probably should spend more money on - roads are a great example -  but we tried to find a middle ground. Overall, the Council worked very well together and it was a positive experience for me (or as positive as spending hours on a Saturday morning looking at budgets can be.)

The Budget Committee will review the Town budget on 11/17 & 11/24 at 6:30pm.  The public hearing for the Town budget is scheduled for 12/17 at 7pm. In addition, the school district is also starting their budget process. The School Board will meet this Thursday at 6:00pm to discuss the budget.


*All numbers are approximates. 

Is this right for Newmarket?

Let's not forget this one, Newmarket:

This is something that has had a direct impact on Newmarket: Josh Davenport voted for a moratorium on school building aid and grants. 

Note--Adam Schroadter did not vote.

**Originally posted on 10/26/12 

Remember the issues?

I was surprised to read the Seacoast Media editorial staff's endorsement of Phil Nazzaro last week.

At first.

Then I remembered that this isn't the first time I've disagreed with their endorsements. Remember this?

I like Phil and I work with him on the Town Council here in Newmarket. He has done a lot of good things for our town, which I'm sure he will continue to do. But this election is about the State of NH and some very important issues. 

Here are some of Martha Fuller Clark's recent votes that support not just with what I believe in, but what the Seacoast Media editorial board seems to support:

• She supported an increase to the minimum wage.

• She voted to repeal the death penalty in NH.

• She believes New Hampshire citizens should have access to affordable, comprehensive health care and voted to expand Medicaid eligibility in NH.

• She supports same sex marriage.

• She voted for the legalization of medical marijuana.

Perhaps Seacoast Media should take a look at the issues and examine voting records before making an endorsement.

As I said, I like Phil. But this election is about issues, not just people. I encourage you to take a look at Martha Fuller Clark's voting record. And most of all, make plans to vote on November 4.

Maybe he forgot he has a voting record?

When asked to explain his stance on women's rights at the candidate's forum in Newmarket on Tuesday, Adam Schroadter said "I am in favor of a woman's right to decide what she wants to do with her body, if that's how you're coining it."

His record says otherwise:

• Adam voted for removing comprehensive preventive health services for women, such as contraception, from benefits expected to be covered by insurance companies. (HR29, Roll Call #103, 2/22/2012)

• Adam voted for allowing any employer to deny coverage for contraception based on the employer's personal beliefs. (HB1546, Roll Call #117, 3/7/2012)

• Adam voted for defunding Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. (HCR41, Roll Call #123, 3/7/2012)

• Adam voted for purposefully obstructing a woman from receiving a legal abortion and forcing doctors to provide false and inaccurate information to patients, such as stating that abortions cause breast cancer. (HB1659, Roll Call #148, 3/14/2012)

• Adam voted for making it illegal for a woman to receive an abortion after 20 weeks. (HB1660, Roll Call #214, 3/29/2012)

• Adam voted for adding a 24-hour waiting period for abortions to a bill that otherwise addressed research and development tax credits for businesses. (SB295, Roll Call #249, 5/15/2012) 

• Adam voted for prosecuting individuals who knowingly or unknowingly caused the death of a fetus starting at eight weeks. Medical experts believe that approximately one out of four pregnancies ends in miscarriage by the end of 8 weeks; under this law women are unfairly targeted without any basis in sound medical science. (HB217, Roll Call #10, 1/4/2012)

• Governor's Lynch vetoed a bill that would ban abortion even when a woman's health is in jeopardy. Adam voted for overriding that veto in an attempt to establish this controversial law. (HB1679, Roll Call #303, 6/27/2012)

• Adam voted for overriding Governor Lynch's veto of a bill that makes it difficult for New Hampshire residents to obtain fertility treatments and unreasonably restricts a woman's rights during pregnancy. (HB217, Roll Call #311, 6/27/2012)  

I know what he said, but this is how he voted. How will YOU vote on November 4th?  

Let's keep moving forward.

Many times, elections are focused on the big races. Millions of dollars and countless hours are spent on those campaigns. But our state elections matter and have a significant impact on our lives, our rights and our freedoms. 

So let's talk about women's health and how the State government can affect it. We've read about what's been happening in Texas, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Arizona. But do you remember what was happening here in New Hampshire under a Republican controlled House in 2011-2012? 

Here are some of the issues that the NH House took on during that time:

• Defunding Planned Parenthood, jeopardizing the health care of thousands of NH women.
• Requiring parental notification before a minor receives an abortion even in the case of rape, abuse or incest.
• Removing comprehensive preventative health services for women, including contraception, from benefits expected to be covered by health insurers.
• Allowing employers to deny coverage for contraception based on the employers' personal beliefs.
• Forcing doctors to provide false information to patients seeking abortions, including that abortion causes breast cancer.
• Banning abortion even when a woman's health is in danger.
• Prosecuting individuals who knowingly or unknowingly cause the death of a fetus, a bill that could make it difficult for women seeking fertility treatment.

Adam Schroadter and Josh Davenport both supported all of these bills. If you're not from Newmarket or Newfields, go to http://votesmart.org/ to find out how your representatives voted.

Do you want to go back to this, New Hampshire? Is this what you want for yourself, your wife or your daughters? In Newmarket and Newfields, vote for Michael Cahill, Marcia Moody, Ella Walichnowska and Patty Lovejoy. Together we can protect our rights.
 

Turn out for what?

I love this for so many reasons.

Our votes matter.

I'm turning out for Education, Women's rights, Equality, Climate change and Gun control. Why are you turning out? 

Edited: After several attempts, I figured out how to make the video display correctly. Or so I thought. Though it works on my laptop, it won't play on my phone. So, in case you're having the same issue, here's the link: http://rockthevote.com/turnoutforwhat/

Strategy.

"Schools seek public input. Volunteers wanted for strategic planning process." 

That was the headline of an article in today's Exeter Newsletter--about SAU 16.

It's no secret I've been critical of the process to find a solution to the school facilities problem here in Newmarket over the last several months. It has lacked input and transparency from the beginning. And it ended with a group of only FOUR at-large community members that many do not feel represent their voice.

The plan for SAU 16's Strategic Planning Steering Committee outlined in today's article is in stark contrast to the path Newmarket has begun:

Morgan said there were as many as 75 people who served on subcommittees when the current strategic plan was created. He hopes there will be just as much interest in the new one.

Each subcommittee is expected to have 12 to 15 members with various backgrounds who will represent different communities and different points of view. Morgan said students, parents, staff and other community members are invited to participate.

- See more at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141007/NEWS/141009447/101106/NEWS#sthash.nMAg6c74.dpuf

Morgan said there were as many as 75 people who served on subcommittees when the current strategic plan was created. He hopes there will be just as much interest in the new one.

Each subcommittee is expected to have 12 to 15 members with various backgrounds who will represent different communities and different points of view. Morgan said students, parents, staff and other community members are invited to participate.

- See more at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141007/NEWS/141009447/101106/NEWS#sthash.nMAg6c74.dpuf

Morgan said there were as many as 75 people who served on subcommittees when the current strategic plan was created. He hopes there will be just as much interest in the new one.

Each subcommittee is expected to have 12 to 15 members with various backgrounds who will represent different communities and different points of view. Morgan said students, parents, staff and other community members are invited to participate.

- See more at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141007/NEWS/141009447/101106/NEWS#sthash.nMAg6c74.dpuf

Morgan said there were as many as 75 people who served on subcommittees when the current strategic plan was created. He hopes there will be just as much interest in the new one.

Each subcommittee is expected to have 12 to 15 members with various backgrounds who will represent different communities and different points of view. Morgan said students, parents, staff and other community members are invited to participate.

- See more at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141007/NEWS/141009447/101106/NEWS#sthash.nMAg6c74.dpuf

"Morgan said there were as many as 75 people who served on subcommittees when the current strategic plan was created. He hopes there will be just as much interest in the new one.

Each subcommittee is expected to have 12-15 members with various backgrounds who will represent different communities and different points of view. Morgan said students, parents, staff and other community members are invited to participate."

The Joint Advisory Committee has said they will look to other communities for information and input. This is a good start.

Know your reps.

Learn about the candidates running for State Office. Project Vote Smart is a great resource. 

For instance, did you know that Adam Schroadter and  Josh Davenport voted for the moratorium on state building aid, voted in favor of eliminating compulsory school attendance, voted against funding for Head Start and voted to repeal universal kindergarten?

Marcia Moody, Michael Cahill and Patty Lovejoy have shown great support for education in NH.

Election season.

State elections are in a little over a month. Are you ready?  

I wrote this almost 2 years ago, and feel the need to repeat it today. Both Adam and Josh are on the ballot again their records speak volumes. 

Here's what I posted on November 5, 2012:

This has not been a question of whether or not these guys are nice people--they are. But being nice isn't a good enough reason for me to vote for them. Too much is at stake.

I've written that Adam Schroadter and Josh Davenport:

• voted to allow guns on college campuses and in the State House
• voted against funding for drug and alcohol treatment
• voted against funding for the Head Start program 
• voted to divert taxpayer money to private and religious schools 
• voted to repeal public kindergarten 
• voted to eliminate compulsory school attendance
• voted to allow parents to object to school curriculum for any reason
• voted for the Voter ID law
• voted to eliminate gun licensing requirements 
• voted to legally allow businesses to discriminate against gay couples
• voted to defund Planned Parenthood
• voted for removing preventive health services for women from benefits expected to be covered by insurance companies
• voted to force doctors to give false information to women seeking abortions 
• voted to repeal NH's participation in RGGI
• they voted for Right to Work
• they voted to expand the death penalty 

Our State elections matter--please do your homework, Newmarket. 

We vote on November 4, 2014. Polls will be open from 7am-7pm at Town Hall.