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Warner ratifies purchase of East Main parcel for future fire station and adopts RSA 41:14‑a
Summary
Voters ratified the Selectmen’s recent purchase of a 3.13± acre parcel at 136 East Main for a future fire station and approved adopting RSA 41:14‑a, permitting the Selectmen to buy or sell land after required public hearings; residents pressed for more public process and some argued such purchases should come before voters at a Special Town Meeting.
Warner voters on March 14 voted to ratify a recently completed land purchase and to authorize the Selectmen to follow RSA 41:14‑a for future land acquisitions and sales.
The meeting ratified the purchase of 136 East Main (Map 29 Lot 1), a 3.13± acre parcel purchased for $76,000 for a future fire station. Chairman Clyde Carson said the vote was intended to "ratify" an earlier practical purchase and to satisfy requirements by potential bond underwriters. "This is an 'ooopppsie' because the Town has never been asked to vote to approve RSA 41:14‑a, which will be up for vote in Article 28," Carson said, explaining that the Selectmen had proceeded to acquire land in expectation of future approval processes.
A follow‑on Article 28 asked voters to adopt RSA 41:14‑a ("Acquisition or Sale of Land, Buildings, or both"), which codifies a process under which the Selectmen may buy or sell property after holding the required public hearings. Supporters said adopting RSA 41:14‑a formalizes an existing practice and gives the Selectmen flexibility to act when opportunities arise; opponents, including James Gaffney, argued that transfers of public land or major capital purchases should instead be decided at a Special Town Meeting and expressed concern about granting broad authority to future boards.
After debate, an amendment to require a Special Town Meeting instead of RSA 41:14‑a failed and the article to adopt RSA 41:14‑a passed by voice vote. The ratification of the 136 East Main purchase (Article 27) also passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: Ratification finalizes the town's ownership of a site intended for a future fire station and adoption of RSA 41:14‑a standardizes the process the Selectmen must follow to acquire or dispose of property (including holding public hearings). Opponents flagged the potential for reduced direct voter control over future land transactions and urged use of special town meetings when large capital purchases are anticipated.
What was said: Several residents asked what would happen if the town later decided against the purchase or asked whether the purchase should previously have been presented to voters. "If people are not comfortable with the purchase of the land for the Fire Station project, they should vote 'No' to Article 27," Marianne Howlett said during discussion; others recalled past purchases that later were reversed. Proponents said prior public hearings were held and that the RSA process also requires public hearings before decisive action.
Next steps: The town retains the East Main parcel as town property for the fire station site. Adoption of RSA 41:14‑a means future land purchases or sales will proceed under the statute’s public‑hearing requirements and administrative procedures. Any future bonding for construction will proceed under standard bonding processes and the Bond Bank’s requirements if the town pursues them.
Sources: Town meeting discussion and votes as recorded in the Warner March 14, 2012 meeting transcript. Direct remarks from Chairman Clyde Carson, James Gaffney and others were recorded during discussion of Articles 27 and 28.
