[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6214385,"mediaKeyId","3670620-bec8235913c94cdab840d89b7e5eee49","parentId",3670620,"title","Town trustees recommend pausing new perpetual-care cemetery accounts; trustees to draft warrant language","audioSeconds",386,"startMs",1514000,"endMs",1900000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670620-bec8235913c94cdab840d89b7e5eee49&start=1514&end=1900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670620-bec8235913c94cdab840d89b7e5eee49/thumbnail_1514000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214385/West-Swanzey/Cheshire-County/New-Hampshire/Town-trustees-recommend-pausing-new-perpetual-care-cemetery-accounts-trustees-to-draft-warrant-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214385-70e37e80b5f0d33a97f190934041db37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180048&Signature=IA1RdN1y4DrINX0siu8o6eBL7bO6G9yLVa-iHp1F~b1oQ-n3vZnn7981lpcwxXxIQEeoTdtmg9dRJ0P61kpFRaT9gBo3rMCbR~8egdQECTL17g84D5nuXw16FKdIk~Fz5ovo36PQKklbQNOjTKht0VsrUmaFj~EV5veMWlCZp9ov2DZsBvGhGEelJrMWSmgYKtSOBV8mm5DxFRqiXYq~jxnme6Dth0vCVJFAsKTFBdCsve7tYXB2agfGawpn~Qb5gmcBy~LdtLRR-MSoTz5ZDRqHehCBe1PMMTLgsqWuAopW3gPl3GMPsmQq9aZCW1XJtQ2RR0eWS3thH9j9gW7Nxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of West Swanzey NH","date","2025-06-05T09:49:57Z","article","Town trustees advised the Board of Selectmen that contributions to new perpetual-care cemetery accounts have fallen sharply and that the revenue from those small accounts no longer covers the cost of administering them.

The trustees presented three options discussed in a memo circulated to the board: set a minimum contribution (the trustees said a minimum would need to be about $1,800 to cover the long-term cost of one plot), convert existing perpetual-care accounts into a nonrestricted account (which would require a warrant article), or stop accepting new perpetual-care contributions and refund any payments received since the start of the year. The trustees reported that average contributions have fallen from roughly $200'$300 to just over $100 in recent years, and that annual take last year was about $1,250.

Trustee counsel and staff discussed the procedural requirements for changing the account structure. The trustees said that moving to a nonrestricted fund would simplify accounting but would require legal work and a warrant article; trustees said they were concerned legal fees could outweigh the modest dollars involved. One trustee recommended tabling the matter while staff and town counsel draft the required resolution and warrant language. The presenter said any existing restricted principal funds must remain intact and would not be spent without appropriate authority.

On procedure, the trustees said that if the board agreed to cease accepting new perpetual-care funds, the change would be made retroactive to Jan. 1 of the current year and any new contributions received would be refunded. The trustees asked the selectmen to direct staff to produce draft language for the next meeting so the board could consider a warrant article or an administrative change.

No formal vote to change policy was taken at the meeting; trustees asked the board to table the issue while a draft resolution is prepared and returned for consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Swanzey Select Board: June 4th: 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Town trustees told the Board of Selectmen that small perpetual-care cemetery accounts are shrinking in size and no longer earn enough to justify the administrative cost, and they recommended tabling action while staff and counsel draft resolution language.","taxTitle","West Swanzey, Cheshire County, New Hampshire","taxId",75717,"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},6214375,"Selectmen approve loan agreement and authorize town representative for multiple infrastructure projects including new fire station",588,3668000,4256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670620-bec8235913c94cdab840d89b7e5eee49&start=3668&end=4256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670620-bec8235913c94cdab840d89b7e5eee49/thumbnail_3668000.jpg","/articles/6214375/West-Swanzey/Cheshire-County/New-Hampshire/Selectmen-approve-loan-agreement-and-authorize-town-representative-for-multiple-infrastructure-projects-including-new-fire-station","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214375-89ff8b9cf7078163c1e079b14c15b567/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180048&Signature=ClQyLgyo1yRRRqwgFM6aceGeD6Sy88xMPQzziijGg9hqVimqZChSRU0oRpGfbc1lnyov3MDylrdMyDJmNAU7tq1hb558LRPrNOohacp5mUA37lyhA-iDCfNAqAb4gNLJm8dPlV93oOSFucx05wptTsVznBCZVAMKrmWSI4FqJmNw-x6HrTOqisEDXNFjNs-X-CnhBeThTLVfezb6oG0W9cDBhAFKGq~KSop3-vnoRpr8GmmDiCnn2y226hPIXoco-fAqmuckR-tTaTI82bSFag2OFJHITfecr2S1lONmQEecHMl-VqXhLefTxxyqkQgNBbSQVIv6RWgY70E-GWP2Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Swanzey Board of Selectmen voted to approve and sign a loan agreement with the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank for the town's new fire station project and authorized the town administrator to act as the designated representative on a group of capital projects.

Selectmen also moved to authorize the town administrator, Laurie, as the designated representative for several projects including stormwater asset management, Weare Hill Road slope stabilization, California and North Winchester Street improvements, an energy-efficiency and solar array project, and a comprehensive wastewater treatment facility study; the motion passed with an \"Aye\" vote. The board then approved and signed the loan agreement with the municipal bond bank for the purpose of financing the new fire station; selectmen voted in favor.

Staff provided project updates: the North Winchester/California Street reconstruction contract was awarded to Jay Evans Construction and construction will begin in summer, with traffic disruptions planned for June and July. The architect's contract and foundation plans for the new fire station were pending; staff said they expected foundation plans to enable earlier work and that final floor-plan details were being completed.

Staff reported that a previously allocated congressional directed spending award from Senator Shaheen (histor allocation described in discussion as about $200,000) will be submitted with required paperwork and a motion to authorize the town to sign necessary documents to secure those funds passed. Staff also said the town had filed FAA 7460 notification for the fire station and would submit the municipal bond loan paperwork per the bond counsel's instructions.

During the bond discussion staff highlighted two technical points from bond counsel: selectmen should review the loan exhibit setting principal amounts and the schedule for principal payments, and note the section establishing the maximum interest rate (set above current market to allow flexibility). Staff said the loan agreement had been approved subject to no material adverse change in the town's financial condition. The board accepted the loan agreement by motion and vote.","The Board of Selectmen approved a loan agreement with the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank to finance the town's new fire station and authorized the town administrator to serve as the town's designated representative for a package of capital projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214380,"Trustees propose three-person committee, caps for Lucy Carpenter assistance",934,2061000,2995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670620-bec8235913c94cdab840d89b7e5eee49&start=2061&end=2995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670620-bec8235913c94cdab840d89b7e5eee49/thumbnail_2061000.jpg","/articles/6214380/West-Swanzey/Cheshire-County/New-Hampshire/Trustees-propose-three-person-committee-caps-for-Lucy-Carpenter-assistance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214380-ad3b0dd8cdb733dd53563c5cf6118db1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180048&Signature=hUuXfYtZD8OuF5B1qtofqDrwNpKLa81SYc6j2~7MCLyvMjR7QmRKV4bqYgkR5rGLtztlgs-b67qqZWr4~z-SE~JNXW5rWkPXaga-ER8MVuWSX-GFLv2uq7b0otvEffjCmXNbUn5uN5H33~uW99j6uhU3uvWk9a3Do8cXM8y22tkk~r~HFbURvEudF1zqqGARVcCcti20whWYKg4BpfNeuRo0~EMDhEiPRxFGngNGUhQr8H9Mn~pIIsw8W7Djh9LI1hJZ5BEUNdIv4-2taYz68w62awQT-IFRsWnrv0OnCiCRinXm0n5gum5GX3SS~~OD9lqVH42Ivj6yciNVJsNBaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees of the town's Carpenter funds presented a draft proposal to the Board of Selectmen recommending the creation of a dedicated committee to manage distribution of Lucy Carpenter Trust funds and proposing initial guidance on eligibility and award sizes.

The trustees recommended a three-person committee comprising one selectman or designee, one trustee of the trust funds or designee, and the town's human services coordinator (or successor) to \"oversee the distribution of Carpenter funds to whom, how, how often, how long, how big, etcetera,\" the trustees said. The trustees emphasized that their role is custodial (managing the funds) and that the administration of assistance should be performed by the dedicated committee.

Trustees suggested an initial spending framework as a test-year approach: up to $10,000 per individual in the first year, followed by $5,000 in each of two successive years (a three-year assistance cap). They recommended not broadly publicizing the program during the first year, instead using referrals to the human services coordinator's existing caseload to identify candidates.

The trustees discussed eligibility criteria the committee should use, including measures of incapacity consistent with admission criteria used by assisted-living and nursing homes and existing poverty thresholds; trustees cited a per-person poverty threshold of about $15,006.50 per annum referenced in their materials. The trustees urged legal review of residency rules and pointed to Cordell Johnson's guidance and RSA-based benchmarks as sources for criteria.

The trustees reported the Carpenter fund balance at between $70,000 and $85,000 and recommended limiting first-year distributions to preserve capital while testing the program. The board agreed to have staff and trustees return with formal wording and to consider naming a selectman to the committee at a subsequent meeting; the trustees said they would supply a draft and that the trustees would appoint their representative to the committee.

No binding distributions were made at the meeting; trustees asked the board to establish the committee and directed staff to work with counsel on eligibility forms and procedures.","Trustees proposed a three-person committee and an initial award framework for distributions from the Lucy Carpenter Trust, recommending a cautious pilot approach rather than a broad, immediate rollout.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214390,"Selectmen say Railroad Street sidewalk extension will use Stone sidewalk trust funds",266,114000,380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670620-bec8235913c94cdab840d89b7e5eee49&start=114&end=380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670620-bec8235913c94cdab840d89b7e5eee49/thumbnail_114000.jpg","/articles/6214390/West-Swanzey/Cheshire-County/New-Hampshire/Selectmen-say-Railroad-Street-sidewalk-extension-will-use-Stone-sidewalk-trust-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214390-2deb3a3870a930646cd33b28fc81a3a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180048&Signature=BaAqVJP4OtYEUPFmUcKYzt8G6eE-F~3iLOhOFNUXBhHw5HsFWvaCf16-NibqTQnr-vIj91beVCMrX~DcYIEVxMDD~cixmCMwXevoJXKnKWEeY9qNChAaB~PesBv9-Kv9eY1uRuh8ROk6D6ZS9wORSCZrwmtEyO9dDn3XIlVGPxlOYOZb5a5Mcf4W9qM04lNxOVEktdSPX0vfdJ5PH0tUFbZZN0rgkaMmQHt4U8sIPC~XABpa3xXkyQZ0Z8WoMIN31T4q56VvyF4XHabkHYDHca756WozvqLf1hoZQaR0kQJLVcI9GD9uE0lKPey4q5Sf4YdYW8S5NFfwE3INFMZZPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town officials told the Swanzey Board of Selectmen that a planned extension of the Railroad Street sidewalk, which will cross Eaton Road and go across Summer Street, has an estimated cost of $81,600 and will be funded from the town's Stone sidewalk trust.

The presenter said the estimate includes granite curbing and that the town will use existing contractors who are already under contract for other sidewalk work. \"The estimate of the project is 81,600. That includes granite curbing,\" the presenter said. Staff told the board that Jay Evans Construction will do the concrete work while the town's Department of Public Works (DPW) will perform most of the remaining tasks.

The presenter said contractor bids on North Winchester and California Street had come in low, and both the general contractor and the granite curbing company agreed to honor their prices for the Railroad Street work. The presenter reported a unit price for granite curbing of $34.99 per linear foot, compared with previous estimates as high as about $70 per linear foot. The presenter said the sidewalk committee had originally planned for a concrete edge but opted for granite because of the lower price and the longer expected longevity.

Board members asked about the funding source and whether the town manages the trust. Richard (staff) explained the Stone sidewalk trust was created from a bequest and that previous boards have used the trust to fund sidewalks and related work each year. The presenter said about $150,000 from the trust is already earmarked to help fund the North Winchester and California Street project, and that a requisition and supporting documentation will be submitted by the sidewalk committee to release funds.

Board members asked for the trust balance; Richard said the principal balance as of the prior January 1 was approximately $1,700,000 and that the annual income portion available for sidewalks was much smaller. A final requisition for the Railroad Street extension will be provided to the board when the committee submits formal documentation.

The presenter said the sidewalk committee is treating this item as an informational update rather than an action item and that the committee expects to proceed shortly.

Questions from selectmen focused on funding oversight (who signs requisitions and where the trust records are kept) and on matching materials and appearance to other recent sidewalk projects.","Town officials told the Board of Selectmen that a planned sidewalk extension on Railroad Street will cost about $81,600, include granite curbing, and is expected to be paid from the town's Stone sidewalk trust; the project will be carried out by DPW with Jay Evans Construction doing concrete work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town trustees recommend pausing new perpetual-care cemetery accounts; trustees to draft warrant language

Selectmen approve loan agreement and authorize town representative for multiple infrastructure projects including new fire station

Trustees propose three-person committee, caps for Lucy Carpenter assistance

Selectmen say Railroad Street sidewalk extension will use Stone sidewalk trust funds