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Warner voters approve $338,530 solar array project, authorize bonds
Summary
Voters on March 15 approved $338,530 to build a solar array on town land near the transfer station, including a $64,935 NH Public Utilities Commission rebate and authorization to issue up to $273,595 in bonds that include the first-year payment; a proposed dedicated revenue fund failed.
Warner voters on March 15 approved a $338,530 warrant article to construct a solar panel array on town land near the transfer station, authorizing the Selectmen to issue up to $273,595 in bonds or notes to finance the project and applying a $64,935 expected rebate from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission to the total cost. The Moderator kept ballot voting open and required a two-thirds majority for passage; the final reported result was YES 270, NO 44.
The proposal was amended on the floor by Selectman John Dabuliewicz to increase the project total by $10,000 and to include the first year's $10,000 bond payment in the loan amount. Dabuliewicz said the wording change was needed to correct the financing language; the assembly approved that amendment by voice vote.
A separate motion by James Gaffney to create a dedicated account that would receive all revenue from the array (including payments similar to those from Eversource) and use those receipts solely to pay down the solar loan principal was debated and defeated. Selectman Dabuliewicz explained such revenues currently flow into the town general fund and said establishing a restricted fund would be a more complex accounting task. A motion to move the question on that amendment carried, and the amendment failed on a voice vote.
Moderator Ray Martin explained that ballot voting would determine final passage because Article 5 required a two-thirds majority; the article passed by ballot with the tally announced later in the meeting as 270 in favor and 44 opposed. The article authorizes municipal officials to issue and negotiate bonds or notes under the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to determine interest rates.
The project includes an expected $64,935 rebate from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission; how ongoing array revenues will be used was left to existing town accounting practices after the defeat of the dedicated-fund amendment. The town also restricted reconsideration of Article 5 after its passage.
