Untitled - Town of Windham

ANNUAL SENATE BILL 2 SESSIONSin cheaper, but the numbers were presented to the Board of Selectman. People have asked him about buildinga turf field instead, and if there were different areas that it could be put and there was no way the costs wouldcover it. With the donation alone, the Town is ahead of the game. Maintenance costs would be roughly$4000-$7000 a year for this field. He empathizes that it’s a tough economy and he stated that there never is agood time and that it’s not a want, it’s a need.Selectman Breton stated that the Board looked at all of the numbers, and he has his doubts but feels that this isa good item. D. Senibaldi informed him that he spoke with all of the groups that would be involved with thisArticle and he feels that Mr. Senibaldi presents a good case, and that this is a needed item. He feels thatperhaps they can reduce a little more money in the budget that this Article can be fit in.Selectman Hohenberger noted that about 3 years ago he sat on the Capital Improvement Program and that D.Senibaldi presented this particular Article at that time. At that time, it was well received and that it was put inhigh ranking. However, this year the vote wasn’t that high, as far as ranking goes. R. Hohenberger agreesthat this is a good plan, but this year is not the right year. Any monies that the Board wants to allocate toother items on the CIP seem to be more important this time around. This year, one of the items that waslooked at by the Committee was that the Town needed new schools. If this Article were to pass, then thewhole CIP structure would fall off track and bring it above the allocated amount and increase the tax rate.Hohenberger continued that everybody understands the need of having the field, but other items are neededmore this year. Overall, Selectman Hohenberger opposes the Article, but offered a several amendments sothat the Article was correct.Motion to AMEND several areas to the article and SECONDED by many to read as follows:By petition of Dennis Senibaldi and others To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of$250,000 dollars representing the cost of engineering, design plans and construction costs associated with theconstruction of Phase I of the Spruce Pond Recreation Field, (Tax Map 3-B-601). Phase I to include theconstruction of a recreational sports field usable for, but not limited to, Soccer, Lacrosse, and Football, aparking area, as well as the initial preparation work associated with the final Phase II, namely theconstruction of a baseball field. Further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply any federal, state orprivate funds made available therefore toward the cost of the project. This will be a non-lapsing account perRSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse for a period of two (2) years. A total of $260,000 worth of material andconstruction donations where previously given to the town to complete the preliminary site preparations forthis project.Petitioner Senibaldi has no issue with the amendments but wanted to note that a parking area is alreadyincluded in the plans. Selectman Hohenberger stated that anything that will be done to the field needs to beincluded in the Article.AMENDMENT #1 VOTED ON AND PASSED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. Article 17 AMENDEDAMENDMENT #2 VOTED ON AND PASSED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. Article 17 AMENDEDAMENDMENT #3 VOTED ON AND PASSED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. Article 17 AMENDEDS. Wimmer has several questions for Petitioner Senibaldi. Wimmer wanted to clarify that the amount was$250,000 dollars. Because of the amount of the number, she’s hoping that people have done their duediligence in determining that number and that in fact this went out to bid. After receiving agreeing nods, sheproceeded asking that the maintenance costs as a whole. She noted that construction costs are one thing, butthe long term maintenance costs are something that really needs to be looked at. She heard the petitioner statethat approximately $7000 dollars goes into the budget every year for maintenance costs.Petitioner Senibaldi elaborated that the landscaper that the Recreation Committee has on contract stated thaton their end it would be roughly $4000-$4500 dollars and then on top of that, there is already money allottedto that particular budget under Recreation.2012 ANNUAL REPORTS 16 TOWN OF WINDHAM, NH