Annual 3Rcport 2002 Mhmp Coton of c Annual Town Report Cover Is Dedicated to G Richard Bergstrom George FBurtt E Willard Croto For their Service and Devotion to the Town of Albany as Town Offi- cials and Volimteers z ^nniml ^Report Ofthe Town Officers of the Of New Hampshire Ri.issoll-<_.oll>urli II«>usc Boilt aUoKit 1833 for the fiscal year ending ©eccmbev3l,200a, ^able of Contents; List ofTown Officers 1 Selectmen's Report 2 2003 Warrant 5 Summary of2002 Town Meeting 13 2003 Proposed Budget 16 2002 Summary ofInventory 20 2002 Tax Rate & Comparisons 21 Treasurer's Report 22 Summary ofPayments 23 Schedule ofTown Owned Property 24 Land & Bviilding Acquired Through Tax Collector's Deed ... 24 Town Clerk's Report 25 Tax Collector's Report 26 Vital Statistics - Marriage Report 27 - Birth Report 28 -Death Report 29 Trustees ofTrust Funds Report 30 Auditor's Report 2001 31 Planning Board Report 45 Fire Warden's Report 46 Cemetery Trustees Report 47 Albany Historical Society Report 48 Chapel Commission Report 49 Albany Civic Group Report 50 North Country Coundl Annual Report 51 Message from NHDES - Private WeU Users 52 Tri-County Community Action Report 53 Albany School District Report 54 tKotDU 0llittv^ Office Selectmen's? I^eport 2002 In March Cathy McKenzie completed her final term as Selectmen Chairman. Cathy's knowledge in the history ofAlbany was an asset to us all. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Cathy for her dedication over the past many years. Also, after nine years ofdevotion to Albany, Beverly Hanson has retired this past October. Beverly was no doubt a great benefit to us all and she will be missed. We would Like to welcome Dorothy Solomon on the Board ofSelectmen. Dorothy feels very strongly in the educational aspect ofthe town and would like to see Albany get its own school system started. Dorothy's fresh ideas are welcome and it has been terrific to work with a retired teacher. She behoves that we could support our own K through 8*** grade school. This may be obtainable ifsupported by Albany Taxpayers. Dorothy believes that the 1.3 million dollars to provide education through the Conway School System could be lowered ifAlbany had a "fair representation" to control costs. According to Dorothy, the complex formula and hidden costs used by Conway make it difficult to distinguish who is really paying for what. We would Uke to welcome Diane Falcey to Albany as our new Office Administrator. Diane has an extensive background in accounting and also studied law to earn a Paralegal Certificate. Diane is a self-motivated person and has great abihties in researching. Hiring Diane was no doubt a great investment for us all. This past year Board members attended meetings with other town officials from Sandwich along with Tamworth and New Hampton in ajoint effort to create a four town cooperative. The cooperative's intent was to defer cost for the upcoming revaluation in 2005. One ofthe cooperative's goal was to hire a certified assessor to bring each town to its current market assessment. Our findings discovered that Albany's 862 parcels in comparison with other town's 2000 plus parcels would not have been cost effective to embark with other towns. We had the pleasure ofmeeting with Mark Martell and Gary Karp from the Department ofRevenue Administration. Mr. Martell and Gary Karp enhghtened us with details on the upcoming revaluation in 2005. Once the town has completed its entire revaluation we will be on a yearly "maintenance program," this may eliminate a fuU revaluation in the future. -2- We were informed that it would be the responsibility ofthe Selectmen to visit properties randomly and contact our assessor to update our records. Avoiding future reevaluations would depend how current our records were with real estate market fluctuations. Albany's "a la cart" system is impeccable, however, it is an out dated system. D.R.A. will audit towns that do not utilize a computerized system database to ensure that standards are met. This Board has researched different computer programs suitable for our needs and in 2003 - 2004 would be part ofthe town's computer upgrade. I've been a resident ofAlbany for 20 years and I am proud to be a part ofthis town's political needs. Now, as chairman I feel responsible for our financial obligations that we all have as taxpayers. Albany's history will never be forgotten with the help ofthe Historical Society, we will be able to preserve our past. Old documents passing in front ofovir eyes with other past board member signatures only reminds us ofthe decision made by them and the obligations in making the right choices for us all. I believe that our future relies on our capabilities ofmaking good decision for the future ofAlbany. The formula for making a right decision is calculated by where we have been, where we are now, and where do we want to go. For 2002 there was a lot offorecasting for the towns future. Brain storming sessions during our weekly Selectmen's meetings made us realize how improperly Albany has grown this past decade. Unfortunately the crystal ball in our office is not very reliable, sometimes its like our BMSI tax program, it's hard to get information out ofit. Although it is clear to see that growth happened all around us. Since 1970 the abutting towns increased by an average of44.5% in population growth, Albany only experienced an increase of8.6%! We need to change our ways ofspending and stay alert on the upcoming changes, which could help or hinder us. The proposed Bypass Route entrance is targeted near Bill's Place Restaurant which is on the Albany/Madison town line. This will allow that area a great deal ofpotential for motels and other types ofbusinesses. Our vigilant Planning Board members are working in evaluating our ordinances so we can meet the needs for the future shortly upon us. Also, during the Route 16 upgrade the water and sewage lines could be installed in the Wildwood Development and Cranmore Shore area. This upgrade could potentially reduce the lot size requirements and become a great opportunity for cluster housing development. Folks, taxes that we have no control over wiU go up due to the needs of services provided fi*om Conway, but taxes that we have control ofis money -3- well spent ifproperly managed. This Board is confident and believes in respecting your trust in us. Our past decisions have solved many issues from the past and our current decisions will help our futvire. RespectfuUj, Bob Mathieu, Chairman Board ofSelectmen -4- Warrant 2003 To the inhabitants of the Town of Albany, County of Carroll, State of New Hampshire, qualified to vote in Town affairs: You are hereby notified to meet at the Town Hall at 1972 NH Route16, in Albany, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, March 1 1, 2003 at 10 o'clock in the forenoon to act upon the following subjects hereinafter set forth. Voting on Article 1 will be by official ballot and the polls shall be open for balloting at 10 o'clock in the forenoon or as soon thereafter as the Moderator calls the meeting to order and declares a quorum present and shall not close before 6 o'clock in the evening. The remaining articles of the warrant shall be acted upon at 7:30 o'clock in the evening or at the closing of the school meeting or the closing of the polls if the meeting shall vote to keep the polls open to a later hour. Article 1. To elect all necessary officials. Article 2. To see ifthe Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 1 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section II. Definitions of the Zoning Ordinance by adding the definition for Abutter: "Any person whose property is located in New Hampshire and adjoins or is directly across the street or stream from the land under consideration by the Albany Planning Board. For purposes of receiving testimony only, and not for purposes of notification, the term "abutter" shall include any person who is able to demonstrate that his land will directly be affected by the proposal under consideration." RSA 672:3. (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 3. To see ifthe Tov»m will vote to adopt Amendment No. 2 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section II. Definitions of the Zoning Ordinance by deleting the definition for Dwelling Unit and replacing it with: Residential Dwelling Unit: "A structure, or portion thereof, providing complete and independent living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation which are used in common by one or more persons." (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 4. To see ifthe Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 3 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section II. Definitions of the Zoning Ordinance by adding the definition for Scenic Road: "A road that has scenic, natural, cultural or historical qualities." This definition was requested by the NH Scenic Byways Committee. (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 5. To see ifthe Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 4 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section II. Definitions of the Zoning Ordinance by adding the definition for Scenic Vista: "Any open area that is visible from public roads, recreational areas or abutting properties." This definition was requested by the NH Scenic Byways Committee. (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 5 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section II. Definitions (10.) of the Zoning Ordinance by changing the definition of Lot to read: "An area of land in one ownership, or one leasehold, with ascertainable boundaries established by deed or instrument of record, or a segment of land Warrant 2003 ownership defined by lot boundary lines on a land subdivision plan duly approved by the Planning Board and recorded in the Carroll County Registry of Deeds." (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 6 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section II. Definitions of the Zoning Ordinance by changing the definition for Structure to read: "Anything built for support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, goods, or property of any kind, as well as anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on or in the ground, exclusive offences. (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 8. To see ifthe Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 7 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section II. Definitions of the Zoning Ordinance by adding the definition for Primary Structure: "A structure other than the one which is used for purposes wholly incidental or accessory to the use of another structure on the same premises." (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 9. To see ifthe Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 8 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section II. Definitions of the Zoning Ordinance by adding the definition for Accessory Structure: "A structure detached from the primary building on the same lot and customarily incidental and subordinate to the primary building or use." (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 9 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section III. Land Uses Permitted (A. 2. d) of the Zoning Ordinance by changing the definition of Setback to read: "Every building placed on a lot shall be a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from the lot or right-of-way line, whichever is closer, and a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from rear and side property lines." (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 10 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section III. Land Uses Permitted (A. 3. c.) of the Zoning Ordinance by deleting "uses such as". (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 11 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section III. Land Uses Permitted (B. Commercial) of the Zoning Ordinance to read "Commercial/Residential" with the same changes being made throughout Section III. B. (The Planning Board favors this amendment.) Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to adopt Amendment No. 12 as proposed by the Planning Board to amend Section III. [B. 2. (c)] of the Zoning Ordinance by changing the definition of Setback to read: "Every building placed on a lot shall be a minimum of twenty- five (25) feet from the lot or right-of-way line, whichever is closer, and a minimum of twenty- -6-