Piermont
The measure — which appeared on the ballot during Tuesday’s voting and on the warrant — indicated that a majority was needed and ultimately was approved by residents, 123-72. However, there was confusion among town officials as to whether the article needed a two-thirds majority to take effect. Moderator Joyce Tompkins announced at Thursday’s Town Meeting that the article had failed because it had missed the two-thirds threshold by seven votes.
That didn’t sound quite right to Selectboard Chairman Randy Subjeck, who said he had proposed the article “to make town meeting more accessible to everyone,” including those who work and may not be able to stay when meetings run late, and elderly residents who may be uncomfortable driving at night.
“I was curious about that,” Subjeck said on Friday.
Subjeck checked with the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration, which provides assistance to communities as they are putting together their warrant articles, and with lawyer Laura Spector-Morgan of Mitchell Municipal Group, which represents Piermont.
“They were both affirmative that it passed,” Subjeck said. “It does not say a two-thirds majority vote is required. That’s the wording we got back from the Department of Revenue Administration.”
Stephan Hamilton, director of the municipal and property division of the New Hampshire DRA, confirmed that the article needed a majority to pass, in accordance with RSA 39:2.
“It makes it abundantly clear,” Hamilton said.
The cause of the mix-up is unknown; Tompkins said she would be reviewing the state laws.
“There were a few little glitches in the whole warrant,” Tompkins said. “I think they all could have been made much clearer.”
Near the end of Thursday’s meeting residents expressed concern about the timing of when they received the warrant in the mail in proximity to the meeting and also asked for more information to be provided with articles that require a ballot vote. The Selectboard said that, in part due to new office staff, they sent out the town report, warrant and other information later than they would have liked, and that next year they would work to make sure residents receive the information earlier.
A two-thirds majority is needed to approve articles anytime an action will affect future budgets, such as money to take out a bond, Hamilton said. Piermont’s warrant had one article that required a two-thirds majority: a bond capped at $88,049 to purchase a new truck that will be used to plow and sand the town’s roads in addition to other functions, and will be paid back over a five-year period. Residents approved the purchase Thursday night.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
