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fatlazyless · 06-05-2007, 07:02 PM

Laconia Daily Sun, June 5 2007, by Micheal Kitch, starts at the bottom of the front page...

Selectmen defend need for special town meeting for sign amendment

MEREDITH - Although resident Phil McGowan said that he was "dumbfounded" and "miffed," the Board of Selectmen yesterday staunchly defended the decision to hold a special town meeting to present an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would outlaw all electronic signs througout the town to the voters.
McGowan told the board that he documented only three complaints - one written and two verbal - lodged with the Planning Department about the sign erected by Meredith Village Savings Bank, which sparked the call for the special town meeting. He alo alleged that "the business community was not well represented at the public hearing that was held on the matter."
"The way this is being handled is totally amazing," McGowan continued, asking the approximate cost of holding a special town meeting.
Selectman Bob Flanders countered that "all the selectmen and members of the Planning Board received complaints. It's just not factual to say the business community was not well represented," he said, reminding McGowan that the Mills Falls Association, Greater Meredith program and Hampshire Hospitality Holdings were all represented.
McGowan said that the complaints about electronic signs amounted to less than one-percent of the some 1000 commercial properties in town. "Less than one-percent shouldn't be enough to justify a special town meeting," he said. "If it was ten-percent, we'd have to give it some thought. But, I'm dumbfounded and I'm looking for answers."
Selectman Colette Worseman told McGowan that she shared his concern about the numbers, but said that "we're trying hard to be pro-active and protect the town. Our property values depend on how we appear," she remarked. "We saw something like a train coming down the track and picking up speed," she added, alluding to the growing number of applications for electronic signs.
"We'd take 30 years of hard work and flush it away by doing nothing," Flanders agreed.
Town Manager Carol Granfield assured McGowan that apart from the time of those involved in conducting the special town meeting, there are "no additional costs." She explained that there would be no deliberative session, only a vote by paper ballot on the proposed change to the zoning ordinance. By not using a machine ballot, Granfield said, the town spared itself $450. The special town meeting will be held on July 31.
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Thanks very much to Laconia Daily Sun and Michael Kitch.

06-05-2007, 07:02 PM	#18
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,752 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,010 Times in 736 Posts	...from today's newspaper Laconia Daily Sun, June 5 2007, by Micheal Kitch, starts at the bottom of the front page... Selectmen defend need for special town meeting for sign amendment MEREDITH - Although resident Phil McGowan said that he was "dumbfounded" and "miffed," the Board of Selectmen yesterday staunchly defended the decision to hold a special town meeting to present an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would outlaw all electronic signs througout the town to the voters. McGowan told the board that he documented only three complaints - one written and two verbal - lodged with the Planning Department about the sign erected by Meredith Village Savings Bank, which sparked the call for the special town meeting. He alo alleged that "the business community was not well represented at the public hearing that was held on the matter." "The way this is being handled is totally amazing," McGowan continued, asking the approximate cost of holding a special town meeting. Selectman Bob Flanders countered that "all the selectmen and members of the Planning Board received complaints. It's just not factual to say the business community was not well represented," he said, reminding McGowan that the Mills Falls Association, Greater Meredith program and Hampshire Hospitality Holdings were all represented. McGowan said that the complaints about electronic signs amounted to less than one-percent of the some 1000 commercial properties in town. "Less than one-percent shouldn't be enough to justify a special town meeting," he said. "If it was ten-percent, we'd have to give it some thought. But, I'm dumbfounded and I'm looking for answers." Selectman Colette Worseman told McGowan that she shared his concern about the numbers, but said that "we're trying hard to be pro-active and protect the town. Our property values depend on how we appear," she remarked. "We saw something like a train coming down the track and picking up speed," she added, alluding to the growing number of applications for electronic signs. "We'd take 30 years of hard work and flush it away by doing nothing," Flanders agreed. Town Manager Carol Granfield assured McGowan that apart from the time of those involved in conducting the special town meeting, there are "no additional costs." She explained that there would be no deliberative session, only a vote by paper ballot on the proposed change to the zoning ordinance. By not using a machine ballot, Granfield said, the town spared itself $450. The special town meeting will be held on July 31. .................................................. ... Thanks very much to Laconia Daily Sun and Michael Kitch.