Warner Village Water District approves $1.798 million bond, adopts budget and raises water and sewer rates

Warner Village Water District voters at the annual meeting March 15, 2022, elected local officials, authorized bonds to fund a groundwater discharge system, approved the district’s operating budget and adopted a 6% increase in water and sewer rates.

Moderator Kathy Carson opened the meeting at 7:02 P.M. and read the attendance, which included Commissioners Peter Savlen and Dan Lavoie, Administrative Assistant Ray Martin, Clerk James F. McLaughlin and Treasurer (listed in the record as both “Chris Perkins” and “Christine Perkins”) Christine Perkins, plus four precinct residents.

In uncontested elections, the meeting nominated and elected Peter Savlen as Commissioner for a three-year term. James F. McLaughlin was re-elected Clerk for a one-year term and Christine Perkins was re-elected Treasurer for a one-year term. Moderator Carson directed the Clerk to cast one ballot for each candidate, and all three were declared elected by unanimous vote.

Voters then considered a capital article to “raise and appropriate $1,798,000 to cover the cost of testing and engineering, construction of a groundwater discharge system for the District,” and to authorize issuance of up to $1,798,000 in bonds or notes under the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33). The article also authorized the Commissioners to apply for federal, state or other aid and appropriated $4,500 for the first year’s bond payment. The Commissioners and the Budget Committee recommended the article. Polling on the article, which required a three-fifths majority and was conducted by paper ballot, was held open for one hour; at 8:12 P.M. votes were tallied and the article was approved by unanimous vote.

The meeting next approved an operating appropriation of $494,256 for operation, maintenance and improvement of the district’s water and sewer systems; that article was recommended by the Commissioners and the Budget Committee and passed by unanimous voice vote.

On the question of rates, the meeting first considered a motion to raise rates 4 percent (water from $5.88 to $6.12 per 1,000 gallons; sewer from $12.56 to $12.96 per 1,000 gallons). An amendment that increased the proposed change to 6 percent was offered and seconded; the amended article — raising the water rate to $6.24 per 1,000 gallons and the sewer rate to $13.21 per 1,000 gallons — was adopted unanimously.

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn passed and the meeting closed at 8:15 P.M.

The Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) was cited in connection with the bond authorization. The record notes that the bond article required a three-fifths paper-ballot majority and that the Commissioners and Budget Committee recommended the capital and operating appropriations.