[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6280302,"mediaKeyId","2615782-1f48021817bfa94205538080b9d050f5","parentId",2615782,"title","Woodstock honors Kenneth Chapman for 50 years as town moderator; statewide officials attend","audioSeconds",7442,"startMs",1108000,"endMs",8550000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615782-1f48021817bfa94205538080b9d050f5&start=1108&end=8550","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615782-1f48021817bfa94205538080b9d050f5/thumbnail_1108000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280302/Woodstock/Grafton-County/New-Hampshire/Woodstock-honors-Kenneth-Chapman-for-50-years-as-town-moderator-statewide-officials-attend","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280302-c81fb478c1d697a41b4c326fb8ded525/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419173&Signature=mJJguPuSfb9gtDkl4WQMxZ4zIoaPHr9Eiq9uUkACG0D7jnrzKPlCc5rBkyS1iT6jXpdD51oP4qjXzUMstS~hW5ggHGU3XrV2HdWYs4qVpWplHCan2e0iB8eRHqjPnvFkj5543aN4ERwqHH-zjYd09X5oBfttQN5JyzEckxW6zeK85STq7OP40ExGEiDs1w5UlJGpPdrwSxbvl5kST88ZuXioteXTr7l8NE9QOs29FbngRiYbDK7-qKy8jJ~oK2n6R-8A2cRwxWklCzaPcotlKg-SHTcP2B6~PgV0ou1JxOxOBfb16NhPwOkKzorP3j6yJqC9Q7zmN3pcp3940gMxTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Woodstock NH","date","2025-03-13T17:01:28Z","article","Kenneth Chapman, who has served as Woodstock’s town moderator since 1975, was formally recognized at the March 11 town meeting for 50 years of public service, with proclamations, letters and remarks read by state and local officials.

The gathering included remarks and formal commendations delivered on behalf of the governor, the New Hampshire Secretary of State, county commissioners and members of the state legislature. Several officials read prepared proclamations and letters thanking Chapman for his long service in running fair and orderly town meetings and for civic contributions beyond the moderator’s role.

Why it matters

Town moderators manage democratic processes at the local level; five decades in one elected role is uncommon and the tributes emphasized Chapman’s contribution to maintaining open elections, civic participation and continuity in town government.

What was said and presented

- Governor Kelly Ahab (as identified in the transcript) read a commendation recognizing Chapman’s 50 years of service and described his tenure as “a testament to his commitment, leadership, and the trust placed in him by his fellow citizens.”

- Secretary of State David Scanlon praised the town meeting process and highlighted Chapman’s long service, noting his role in testing election technology and his steady leadership across many election cycles.

- Letters and resolutions from U.S. Senators (read into the record) and from the New Hampshire Senate and House were presented; the transcript records that letters from U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen were read aloud and that the New Hampshire Senate issued a resolution of congratulations.

- Local officials including Grafton County commissioners and the Select Board presented a proclamation, a plaque and a gavel honoring Chapman; the transcript records the Select Board’s motion to present these items and Chapman accepting thanks from the floor.

Chapman’s remarks

Town Moderator Kenneth Chapman spoke briefly about his time in Woodstock, described how he first came to New Hampshire in 1969, and reflected on public service and community. He noted the presence of family and longtime colleagues, and reminded attendees that town meeting business would continue and that some polls remained open for articles requiring an extended voting period.

Ending

The recognition concluded before the meeting resumed regular warrant-article business; the moderator resumed the articles and announced votes after the presentation. The transcript records multiple formal commendations and the presentation of a plaque and gavel in Chapman’s honor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Meeting, March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town leaders and state officials recognized Kenneth Chapman’s five decades of service as Woodstock’s town moderator at the March 11 meeting; the governor and secretary of state read proclamations and letters of appreciation.","taxTitle","Woodstock, Grafton County, New Hampshire","taxId",68297,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6280306,"Woodstock approves operating budget and multiple capital reserve and infrastructure measures at March 11 town meeting",7906,348000,8254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615782-1f48021817bfa94205538080b9d050f5&start=348&end=8254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615782-1f48021817bfa94205538080b9d050f5/thumbnail_348000.jpg","/articles/6280306/Woodstock/Grafton-County/New-Hampshire/Woodstock-approves-operating-budget-and-multiple-capital-reserve-and-infrastructure-measures-at-March-11-town-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280306-13c0d7a3accb8509c0dc9bb9935a263e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419173&Signature=DViPS2Ju0kUlNtb9RVbuxRDoPIq1Y-UhIZxgT72tE3dzAX8JyaClib0CzyXi0eGdRY9G83FJRr57knxNZFfqEom~iysu9xtbSuxSAqHL4hSIcOVo7gQMY1o37BpZKCbRoFHfi8yZ72sFmJVqt0~7xs8iadPwMrRjjKUHnJtMo~b14Q8F7AB94uNumo4E140gDDMKiBFg4U4GlBSlSHw2Iy4zwsyUe-3OrjVn4fEhDm0ODIxI4eo~zAdQOCi~zXXrIEqmKmjWFhWzekCSCcXgSNPCVpIgKXDzRpC9k11peMTXDhe4IU8JX3~qW-orjPB8Umaw5zdE4sPy6mnNXwoMSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Woodstock voters on March 11 approved the town’s recommended operating budget and a slate of capital reserve and infrastructure articles, the moderator announced, continuing the town’s regular annual business session.

The town accepted the budget committee’s recommended operating budget of $5,738,134, and approved funding and capital-reserve deposits across departments including water, sewer, highways, fire and police equipment, the library and town buildings. Town Moderator Kenneth Chapman read the articles, called for motions and put each item to a voice or card vote; he then declared the results after the polls for some items were closed.

The budget measure matters because it sets the town’s spending plan for municipal services, and voters also approved several borrowing-authority articles that authorize the Select Board to issue bonds, notes, or lease agreements and to apply for state and federal aid where available.

Key votes and measures

Votes at a glance (amounts are as read into the meeting; vote totals are the ones announced in the transcript where specified; where a tally was not recorded in the transcript the result is reported as “passed” per the moderator’s announcement):

- Article 6 — Operating budget: Approve $5,738,134 for the town operating budget. Outcome: passed (moderator announced no opposition at the voice vote).

- Article 21 — Water department capital reserve deposit: Approve $170,000 to be placed in the existing water department capital reserve fund, to come from water user fees. Outcome: passed (moderator announcement).

- Article 2 — Rescue truck purchase (fire department): The article as read authorized raising $355,000 for purchase of a rescue truck, withdrawal of $175,000 from the Fire Truck Capital Reserve, and issuance of up to $180,000 of bonds/notes (Municipal Finance Act, RSA chapter 33, was cited). The moderator later put the motion to a vote and announced the article passed; the transcript contains inconsistent restatements of the purchase amount during discussion and the moderator’s vote summary. Vote totals in the transcript for this item were not consistently reported and are therefore not specified here.

- Article 3 — Waterline replacement (Lower Woodstock, Daniel Webster Highway/Route 3): Approve $1,000,000 for replacement of town waterline, authorize $200,000 from the Water Department Capital Reserve and up to $800,000 borrowing under the Municipal Finance Act (RSA chapter 33). Outcome: passed; transcript recorded a tally of 72 yes, 5 no for Article 3 when results were announced.

- Article 4 — Lead service line replacement / Lead and Copper Rule compliance: The article sought $1,000,000 (note: the transcript contains a reading that included a $1,000,000 figure and described anticipated SRF loan support with principal forgiveness). The transcript records that this and the related articles required a 60% affirmative vote under the procedures announced. Outcome: passed; transcript announces a tally of 75 yes, 2 no for the article when results were read.

- Article 5 — CCTV sewer inspection (NHDES Clean Water SRF): Approve $55,000 for sewer collection inspection (CCTV) and authorize issuance of funds/notes as needed under RSA chapter 33; the Select Board and Budget Committee recommended the measure. Outcome: passed (moderator announced results; vote total not specified in the portions of the transcript that record results).

- Articles 7–26 — Multiple capital reserve deposits and equipment funds (water chemical reserve, community center, revaluation, paving, highway block grant deposit, town building maintenance, fire equipment, fire truck capital reserve deposit, library computer equipment, Main Street revitalization, solid waste facility, highway maintenance, highway heavy-equipment fund, sewer department deposit, record preservation, police equipment, cemetery maintenance, emergency management, computer software): Each article was moved, seconded and put to vote by the moderator; the moderator announced each passed and several were recorded as unanimous or without opposition. Specific amounts for each article were read into the record as part of the article text (for example: Article 7 — $250,000 to water department chemical reserve; Article 10 — $75,000 paving reserve; Article 13 — $31,000 fire department equipment fund; Article 14 — $75,000 fire truck reserve; Article 26 — $54,800 computer software reserve). Where a vote tally was not read into the transcript the article result below is reported as “passed” per the moderator’s announcements.

Legal and funding notes

- Several articles that authorize borrowing cited the Municipal Finance Act, RSA chapter 33. Multiple capital-reserve articles referenced RSA 35:1 (statutory authority for capital reserve funds was invoked in the read text for revaluation and other deposits).

- For water and sewer projects the Select Board and the Budget Committee repeatedly noted the town may apply for and accept state or federal funds, including SRF loans and principal forgiveness, but the availability of grant or loan forgiveness was described as contingent on external approvals.

What happened procedurally

Moderator Kenneth Chapman presided over the business session and enforced meeting rules stated at the start of the session (speaker identification, time limits, motion/second requirement). Multiple motions to “restrict reconsideration” were made and carried for groups of articles as the meeting progressed, a common procedural safeguard to prevent immediate re-litigating of already-passed articles.

Ending

The moderator declared the polls closed for several warrant articles after the hour-long vote period required for some items; official minute records and the town clerk’s published results should be consulted for a certified tally of each article. The transcript records the moderator announcing passage for each article and includes final counts for a subset of articles (for example Article 3 and Article 4).","Voters at Woodstock’s March 11 town meeting approved the FY2025 operating budget and a series of capital reserve and infrastructure articles, including waterline and sewer inspection funding, and several department reserve deposits; results for most articles were announced by Town Moderator Kenneth Chapman.","actionData","errors"]

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Woodstock honors Kenneth Chapman for 50 years as town moderator; statewide officials attend

Woodstock approves operating budget and multiple capital reserve and infrastructure measures at March 11 town meeting