Town Deliberative Session Feb 4th 9am Town Hall

2017-2018 Town Meeting Warrants

To the inhabitants of the Town of Winchester, in the County of Cheshire in said state, qualified to vote in Town affairs:

You are hereby notified to meet in the Town Hall in said Winchester on Saturday the 4^th of February next 2017 at nine o’clock in the forenoon to discuss, debate and amend warrant articles #1 through #27 and to receive the reports of the selectmen, town treasurer and other town officers including the agents and committees, and act thereon. Final vote will be by the official ballot on Tuesday, March 14, 2017.

You are hereby notified to meet in the Town Hall in said Winchester on Tuesday the 14th of March next 2017 at eight o’clock in the forenoon to act upon the following subjects. The Polls not to close an hour earlier than seven of the clock in the afternoon.

Article 1:  To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.

Article 2:  Shall the Town of Winchester raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $3,472,594 (three million four hundred seventy two thousand five hundred ninety four dollars). Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $3,550,071 (three million five hundred fifty thousand seventy one dollars) which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Winchester or by law; or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. (Majority vote required)

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 3:  Shall the Town of Winchester raise and appropriate the sum of $360,807 (three hundred sixty thousand eight hundred and seven dollars) for the operations of the Sewer Department, the funds to be raised by user fees, or act in a manner thereon.  This article will not affect taxation.  Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $343,521 (three hundred forty three thousand five hundred and twenty one dollars)  or the governing body may hold one special meeting in accordance with RSA 40:13,X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. (Majority vote required)

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  4-0-1 abstention

Article 4:  Shall the Town of Winchester raise and appropriate the sum of $277,606 (two hundred seventy seven thousand six hundred and six dollars) for the operations of the Water Department, the funds to be raised by user fees, or act in a manner thereon.  This article will not affect taxation.  Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $259,828 (two hundred fifty nine thousand eight hundred and twenty eight dollars) or the governing body may hold one special meeting in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only.  (Majority vote required)

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee 4-0-1 abstention

Article 5: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $130,000 (One hundred thirty thousand dollars) for the reclaiming and base coat of Old Chesterfield Road from upper Clark Road to the State Park entrance.

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  3-2

Article 6:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $74,198.06 (seventy four thousand, one hundred ninety eight dollars and six cents) for the second year’s lease payment on the Fire department’s pumper truck.

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 7:  To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund account under the provisions of RSA 35:1 for the purpose of repairing culverts and raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 (Fifty thousand) to be placed into this fund with the Board of Selectmen being agents of said fund?   

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  4-1

Article 8:  To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to enter into a 3 year/purchase agreement with a non-appropriation clause in the amount of $31,356 (Thirty one thousand three hundred fifty six dollars) to be paid in 3 (three) annual principal and interest payments of $10,965.88 (ten thousand nine hundred sixty five dollars and eighty eight cents) for the purpose of purchasing a 2017 Ford AWD 4 door Explorer police Interceptor to replace the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser and to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,965.88 (ten thousand nine hundred sixty five dollars and eighty eight cents) for the 1st year’s payment. All set up and require equipment fees to be offset by the Police Outside Activity Account. At the end of the 3-year lease agreement, the Town will buy and own the Ford Police Interceptor for $1.00 (one dollar). Majority vote required.

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 3-1

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  4-1

Article 9:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $30,000 (Thirty thousand dollars) to be placed into the existing Capital Reserve Fund established under article 8 at the 2012 Town Meeting for the purpose of repairing and/or future upgrades, structural or mechanical, to the Conant Library, with the Board of Selectmen being the agent of said fund, or act in any manner thereon. ). Majority vote required.

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  4-1

Article 10:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $29,118.35 (twenty nine thousand, one hundred eighteen dollars and thirty five cents) for the third year lease payment on the 2014 Freightliner dump truck, plow and sander package.

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 11:  To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund account under the provisions of RSA 35:1III for the purpose of the repair of the church steeple where the Town clock it sits and raise and appropriate the sum of $25,000 (twenty five thousand dollars) to be placed into this fund with the Board of Selectmen being agents of said fund.   (Majority vote required)

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  4-1

Article 12:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $18,898 (eighteen thousand, eight hundred ninety eight dollars) to be placed in the existing non-lapsing Capital Reserve Fund established under Article 16 at the March 2006 Town Meeting for the purpose of performing the assessing update or revaluation of the real estate in the Town of Winchester scheduled for 2015-2020. (Majority vote required)

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 13:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate an amount not to exceed $18,000.00 (eighteen thousand dollars) to be deposited in the Evergreen Expendable General Care Trust Fund established by an affirmative vote by the 1998 Town Meeting as Article 11; the source of these funds to be withdrawn from the surplus generated by the perpetual care funds already established for the care and maintenance of lots within the Evergreen Cemetery, and not from taxation. (Majority vote required)   

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 14:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 (ten thousand dollars) for the Town’s share of State road grant reconstruction costs for bridges and place it in the existing non-lapsing Capital Reserve Fund established at the March 2006 Town Meeting under Article 19 for that purpose. (Majority vote required)

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 15:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,000 (Seven thousand dollars) for the purpose of hiring a grant writer?

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 16:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,600 (sixteen hundred dollars) to support the annual Pickle Festival?

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 17:   To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars) for the purpose of subsidizing youth recreation in the Town of Winchester to be paid to the E.L.M. Memorial Community Center on a contractual basis.

·        Inserted by Petition

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 3-1

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 18:   To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $30,000 (thirty thousand dollars) to supporting the Teen Coordinator position through ACCESS which supports teen youth in Winchester to plan and coordinate for life after high school which includes college and career exploration.

·        Inserted by Petition

·        Not Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 2-2

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 19:   To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 (five thousand dollars) to be given to the Winchester Historical Society for the purpose of operating and maintaining the Sheridan House so that this museum may continue to preserve the history of Winchester for benefit of the public.

·        Inserted by Petition

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 20:   To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $1,200 (One thousand two hundred dollars) to support the operation of the Boat ramp at Forest Lake.  

·        Inserted by Petition

·        Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0

·        Recommended by the Budget Committee  5-0

Article 21:   Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #1 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend Article III- J, 4. Accessory Dwelling Units- (f) eliminate the minimum unit size required and add “attached Accessory Dwelling Units shall have an interior lockable door between the units”.

Article 22:   Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #2 as proposed by the Planning Board? To amend the Aquifer Protection District, section 3, Prohibited Uses (g) - add “unless they are operated in accordance with New Hampshire State Statutes, rules and regulations governing such uses.”

Article 23:   Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #3 as proposed by the Planning Board? To adopt a Solar Energy Ordinance in accordance with RSA 676:17(I)(j) and RSA 672:1-III, as amended to encourage the use of solar energy systems.

Article 24:   Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #4 as proposed by petition? Shall the town abolish the Historic District Ordinance with its regulatory Historic District Commission? (A yes vote has no effect on the buildings registered in the NH State or National Historical Register or the Winchester Historical Society)

·        Recommended by the Planning Board 6-0

Article 25:   Are you in favor of the adoption of amendment #5 as proposed by petition?  Shall the town establish an advisory Heritage Commission (HC) consistent with RSA 673:4-a and RSA 674:44a and RSA 674:44-b excluding regulatory power of 674:44-b-III. A Heritage Commission may survey and inventory all cultural resources. HC may receive gifts of money and property, both real and person, in the name of the town, subject to Selectmen approval. HC may also acquire and/or improve historical or cultural resources with approval of Selectmen. HC may also advise, upon request, on matters affecting or potential affecting cultural and historic resources. Winchester Heritage Commission will have no regulatory power.

·        Recommended by the Planning Board 6-0

Article 26: To see if the Town will vote to accept and adopt the reports of the Selectmen, Auditors and other Town Officers.

Article 27: To transact any other business that may legally come before this meeting.

We, the undersigned Selectmen of the Town of Winchester, hereby certify on the 4th day of February, 2017 an Attested copy of the Original Warrant was posted at the place of meeting within specified, at the Post Office in Winchester and the Post Office in Ashuelot, New Hampshire being public places in said town.

 

 

Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Review

 A copy of the draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Update is available for public review and comment from Wednesday February 1st 2017 to Monday 13th 2017 at the Town Hall during regular business hours. Written comments may be addressed to Richard Lapoint, Emergency Management Director or Karey Miner, Town Administrator and mailed to:
Town of Winchester, 1 Richmond Road, Winchester, NH 03470 or by email to Karey Miner, kminer@winchester.nh.gov or Lisa Murphy  lmurphy@swrpc.org.

Free Winter Sand

Town of Winchester has placed winter sand piles for icy conditions at the following locations:

Ashuelot Fire Station

Coombs Bridge Road "Fields Properly"

 S. Parrish Cemetery off of Bolton Road

Winchester Residents only.

(Home use only not for commercial use)

Report recommends SAU shakeup in special ed; company presents Wednesday

Let's hope our Winchester officials are paying attention.. Bring this to their attention.

By Isaac Stein Sentinel Staff
 

An outside contractor hired by School Administrative Unit (SAU) 29 has recommended a series of changes regarding how local schools deliver special education. Among the recommendations are: Hire a director of student services, eliminate some special education administrators, “decrease reliance on … tutors and paraprofessionals,” and consider using technology to assist special education students in lieu of one-on-one staff.

But, only one of those recommendations — hiring a director who will oversee special education, guidance, and other departments — is definitely going to happen, according to District Superintendent Robert H. Malay. He also called a public meeting slated for this Wednesday, where representatives for the company that wrote the report will be able explain their recommendations at length.

Malay said he hired Tallahassee-based Evergreen Solutions LLC, in July, at a cost of about $30,000 to the SAU, because he wanted “a clean opinion from an outside lens on the services we’re providing … to have better answers on what we’re doing to support our students,” emphasizing that he thinks staff works hard to meet student needs, and does a good job of it.

The language of the report echoed some of Malay’s positivity, commending the SAU for operating with small staff to student ratios, recognizing that general education teachers can support “high levels of achievement of students with disabilities,” and saying that Malay and staff are committed to improving special education services, among other points.

Malay added that the SAU, which includes the Chesterfield, Harrisville, Keene, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson and Westmoreland school districts, isn’t obligated to implement any of the recommendations. Malay also said he was concerned about the idea of eliminating special education administrator posts.

According to Malay, the SAU has five special education administrators: Elizabeth Dunn, Joanne Mulligan, Kristen Stroshine, Megan Battaglia and Rand Lounsbury.

Linda Recio, the president of Evergreen Solutions LLC, said she believes that there’s a trade-off; that more money for administrators means less for instruction.

Recio added that the report didn’t recommend a specific number of administrators to let go, as that would be the discretion of the incoming director of student services.

Offering a different perspective, Cari Christian-Coates, assistant director of student services for the Contoocook Valley (ConVal) Regional School District, said (special education) administration is “valuable in that it guides, supervises and supports people in other positions, like coordinators and special ed teachers.”

Members of the public have shown a mix of interest and concern since reading the executive summary of the report, dated December 23.

Susan Fratus, a Keene resident with an extensive education background — she was a school counselor from 1988 to 2000 at Symonds Elementary School, and served on the Keene School Board from 2013 to 2016 — said she just wants people to show up at the public meeting on Wednesday to discuss policy ideas.

“I have no preconceived notions about what I’d like to see happen; it’s just really the idea of the public being informed that I think is so important,” Fratus said.

Others were more critical.

Keene resident Virginia Somma wrote a Jan. 26 letter to the editor to The Sentinel in which she argued some of the recommendations would be bad policy; she declined to comment for this story.

“It seems to me that increasing inclusion rates while simultaneously decreasing the number of tutors and paraprofessionals to assist the students is a recipe for classroom disaster,” Somma wrote in her letter.

In special education parlance, inclusion is the idea of enrolling special education students in at least some regular education classes, with varying degrees of support; it replaced an older term, mainstreaming.

According to Coates, Malay and Recio, policies that aim to increase inclusion have been a trend in education for more than a decade.

However, Malay qualified that by saying that full inclusion — the idea of including all special education students in regular education classrooms — is something that needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, and he’s not sure it would work in SAU 29. Coates added that in very rare cases, students in the ConVal coverage area who have severe disabilities may go out of the SAU to receive education services.

Many of those points may surface at the public presentation that starts 6 p.m. Wednesday at Keene High School, where Recio will explain Evergreen’s recommendations and research.

Malay said he called the meeting to be transparent.

“This is nothing more than taking a look at a study that was done to see how we can do better. … I think what our review is saying is we should be looking at how to re-purpose some of our existing staff so that students who do have a disability and an (Individualized Education Plan) have better access to classroom settings,” Malay said.

Isaac Stein can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1435, or Istein@keenesentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @ISteinKS

BOS Meeting Minutes 01/18/17

Also viewable at:

http://www.winchester-nh.gov/Pages/WinchesterNH_Selectminutes/BOS%20Minutes%201-18-17-01262017130341.pdf

NEW TOWN HALL HOURS

Due to constant whining by a few town employees about actually having to provide service to the town's citizens who pay their wages, changes have been made to accommodate them.. not the town

NEW Hours as of February 3, 2017

 Town Hall Hours:

 Monday - Thursday 7:30 AM to 4:30

 Friday 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM       

 

 Town Clerk Hours:  

 Monday 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM

                       Tuesday - Thursday 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM

                                       Friday 7:00 AM to 1:30 PM

BOS Meeting Minutes 01/13/17

Also viewable at:

http://www.winchester-nh.gov/Pages/WinchesterNH_Selectminutes/BOS%20Minutes%201-13-17-01202017121820.pdf

BOS Meeting Minutes 01/11/17

Also viewable at:

http://www.winchester-nh.gov/Pages/WinchesterNH_Selectminutes/BOS%20Minutes%201-11-17-01202017122009.pdf

BOS Meeting Minutes 01/04/17

Also viewable at

http://www.winchester-nh.gov/Pages/WinchesterNH_Selectminutes/BOS%20Minutes%201-4-17-01202017122357.pdf

BOS Meeting Minutes 12/28/16

Also viewable at
 http://www.winchester-nh.gov/Pages/WinchesterNH_Selectminutes/BOS%20Minutes%2012-28-16-01052017155924.pdf

Hearing extended again on Winchester gun range

By CALLIE GINTER Sentinel Staff

WINCHESTER — Not everyone had a chance to speak at the Winchester zoning board meeting Thursday night, so plans for a shooting range in town will have yet another public hearing in February. Thursday’s hearing wasn’t much different from the second public hearing last month: Opponents of the project voiced their ongoing concerns about safety, property values and sound levels, while Ridgeline Shooting Sports LLC, a Massachusetts-based company, pushed for its plans.

The main differences between the latest meeting and the previous hearings were the presence of three Winchester police officers at the town hall to ensure everyone behaved, and residents had to keep their comments or questions to five minutes per person. The public hearing had a two-hour limit, and by 9:30 p.m., some people still hadn’t had their say. The board voted to continue the hearing.

“I’m trying not to get emotional so I’ll try to stay technical,” said Mark Tigan, a Winchester resident.

“Where’s our lawyer? This is going to the courts. My guess is we would be better off having legal counsel to guide us in this thing. We are in over our head and I’d urge you to have us represented at these (zoning board) meetings as soon as possible so we don’t get tripped up in court,” he told the zoning board.

The meeting inevitably got emotional.

Not even an hour in, Raymond Roberts, a resident who opposes the range, stormed out of the room, frustrated, but returned minutes later. A mother with her child left upset because she didn’t get her chance to speak after sitting for nearly three hours.

Most of those in attendance were angry over Ridgeline’s plans to put a gun range and wilderness survival skills training area on three properties between Hinsdale (Route 119) and Fenton Hill roads despite public opposition. The sites are in the agricultural, commercial and residential zoning districts.

The company is requesting a special exception from the Winchester zoning board so it can use the property zoned as agricultural for the range, and a variance to use the property zoned as residential. The business, which is categorized in town zoning laws as amusement, recreation or sport, is already allowed in the commercial zoning district.

Ridgeline describes the proposed business as a marksmanship park with 10 rifle ranges and 27 shorter-distance bays for small-arms activities. The longest rifle range, according to the project application, is 1,000 yards.

Alex Hartmann, president of Ridgeline Shooting Sports, said he understands people’s concerns about safety and noise, but said, “I’ve double checked and tripled checked … why would I dump so much money into something I couldn’t open?”

Some of those opposing the plan were fired up about the language used in Ridgeline’s application.

Winchester resident Paul Dobbs read a list of what he called “misleading statements made by Ridgeline.”

“That they guarantee total containment of bullets,” he read to the board.

“On such a small piece of land, that’s impossible to guarantee,” Dobbs said.

He read another about noise: “That bullets fly through the air silently.”

“In fact, bullets flying through the air are far from silent, but do cause their own sound totally separate from the noise of the explosion issuing from the muzzle. It’s called the supersonic crack,” Dobbs said.

Julia Ferrari, who lives in the town’s village of Ashuelot, shared similar concerns and said she was worried by the vague language in the application.

Some had more personal concerns.

“Something happened at the last meeting,” said Ashuelot village resident Jennifer Bellan.

“I was sitting behind the gentlemen from Ridgeline ... when other people were talking, there was eye rolling and snickering and giggling,” Bellan said of the company representatives. “We’re talking about what are we bringing into our town. I’m sure these gentlemen didn’t mean to come off as sounding like 13-year-old girls but it just did not feel good ... I don’t mean to insult you gentlemen, but what I saw that night was distressing.”

Hartmann did not respond to Bellan’s comments.

At the next meeting, Hartmann will be required to provide written answers to various noise control questions from the consultant he has contracted with, Massachusetts-based Noise Control Engineering, LLC.

Cynthia Ryder of Winchester kept her comment short.

“We’ve already stated how we want to use it (the land) — please remember it’s the master plan we want enforced,” Ryder said. The master plan’s purpose is to envision the best and most appropriate future development for the community.

The fourth public hearing on the project will be Thursday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m. at the town hall. People who were not able to voice their opinions from Thursday night’s meeting will be the first speakers, according to the board
.

Callie Ginter can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1409 or cginter@keenesentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @CGinterKS.

Variance would put Ashuelot residents at risk

Posted: Thursday, January 12, 2017 12:00 pm

 

The safety of the village of Ashuelot is the responsibility of the Winchester Zoning Board of Appeals. Winchester’s ZBA is currently considering whether to allow changes to the zoning laws because of a variance and special exception request by a Massachusetts company, Ridgeline, also known as OSOK (One Shot One Kill), which is requesting to put a military-style, long-range, high-powered gun range in a residential zone.

Ask yourself: Why they are not able to put this range in Massachusetts ... safety issues, noise issues? As a resident of Ashuelot Village (a quiet village that prides itself in its historic covered bridge bringing nationwide tourist and photographic visits), I ask the ZBA and Winchester’s citizens to deny this request.

No one can prevent accidents from high-powered guns in that kind of learning environment, especially considering that most of the students will be out-of-town non-professionals, roaming the grounds in “action shooting” mode, where no bars hold the guns in safe positions.

In addition, our potential tourist trade, which should be encouraged, will evaporate due to the fact that humans do not like to be in places with sustained pulsing bursts of noise.

People will move, tax values of surrounding properties will diminish and ultimately bring in less property-tax income to the town. As a result, everyone’s taxes will go up, while an out-of-state company gets only the benefits.

Ridgeline’s paid legal and sound professionals showed absolutely no interest in citizens’ concerns of both safety or noise, stating disrespectfully that: “That’s just the way people are,” when asked about the complaints of noise around gun ranges in residential areas. One Ashuelot family with small children and animals has the range backing directly up to their property. This is not right. Don’t change the laws that protect us.

Please stand up for a safe place for our children to grow up in; stand up for the rights of residential citizens who are asking that this variance be denied.

This sort of range does not belong in a residential area. We’re anti-location, not anti-gun.

The hearing is today at 7 p.m. at Winchester Town Hall.

JULIA FERRARI

Ashuelot

Winchester's planning board endorses article to weaken Historic District Commission

Sharra's flunk's strike again..

Posted: Tuesday, January 10, 2017

By Ethan DeWitt Sentinel Staff

 

WINCHESTER — The Winchester Planning Board has given the town’s Historic District Commission a nudge out the door. In a unanimous vote Monday night, the board approved two warrant articles brought by petition: one to strip the Historic District Commission of its regulatory power over properties within the town’s historic district and another to establish a Heritage Commission in its place that would serve in an advisory-only capacity.

The vote, made after little debate, does not seal the fate of the Historic District Commission; Winchester residents must still approve the article at Town Meeting in March.

But it does indicate widespread frustrations in town with the commission, which critics say has been overzealous in imposing restrictions on buildings in the district.

Created in 1997, the commission was given authority by an ordinance to have a say in what owners can do to their properties in the historic district, which covers many streets in the central areas of Winchester and its village of Ashuelot.

According to the ordinance, the five-member commission has the responsibility to review all construction, alteration or destruction plans made by property owners. The commission then approves or denies those changes based on whether they fit within the district’s character.

But some say the commission has been too aggressive in years past, wading into disputes against the interest of homeowners and the majority of the town.

Even current members of the commission find fault with its past practices.

Dennis V. Murphy 2nd, the chairman of commission, said previous committees have used their regulatory powers to extremes.

Recently, plans by the local Mr. Mike’s mini-mart to demolish an aging building were shot down by the commission, and the commission denied an attempt by the owner of a depot along the Ashuelot River to install a tin roof, rather than a more expensive slate one.

Conflict between residents and the commission came to a head last year, when the commission held up the demolition of a debilitated Main Street house, which Murphy said was against the will of the townspeople. The panel ultimately approved razing the building after months of debate.

Even when the commission doesn’t have a problem with renovations, it gets in the way, Murphy said.

In December, he said, the owner of Win Win Express, a Chinese restaurant on Main Street, attempted to carry out renovations including roofing, insulation and room rearrangement.

The owner had forgotten to apply for a permit, Murphy said, but after submitting the correct paperwork his case was still referred to the Historic District Commission, creating what he called another regulatory roadblock.

“We approved it unanimously anyway, but it was unnecessary,” Murphy said.

The warrant articles approved Monday would not abolish the Historic District Commission outright. Rather, one of the articles would revoke the ordinance that gives the commission its regulatory power.

Without that ordinance, the commission “just would have nothing to do,” as Planning Board Chairman Dean E. Beaman put it during the hearing.

Members of the planning board said they were unsure what would happen to the presently-appointed members of the commission if the warrant article passes at town meeting, though some said the members would have to remain in place — even if in name only — until another warrant article is passed to abolish the commission entirely.

No one at Monday’s meeting objected to the moves to weaken the Historic District Commission.

The second approved warrant article — to establish a Heritage Commission — provides what critics of the present commission say is a satisfactory replacement.

The proposed Heritage Commission would have the power to receive funding from the town to acquire properties of historical relevance and preserve them.

The Historic District Commission does not have such authority; Murphy and others have said that giving the power buy properties to a Heritage Commission would allow that committee to preserve important buildings in town while giving homeowners more freedom.

Though the new commission is being presented as a replacement in Winchester, some Monadnock Region communities have both commissions; Keene, for example has both a Heritage Commission and Historic District Commission.

The vote to approve the warrant articles was made after two, 27-signature petitions were submitted in December.

Voting in favor of the warrant articles was Beaman, Vice Chairman Gus Ruth, Herbert Stephens, Michael Doherty and Chris Rurka.

Ethan DeWitt can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1439, or edewitt@keenesentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EDeWittKS