Town of Dunbarton, New Hampshire

Master Plan 2004

Developed by the Dunbarton Planning Board With assistance from the Central NH Regional Planning Commission Adopted April 20, 2005

Town of Dunbarton, New Hampshire

Master Plan 2004

Adopted April 20, 2005

Developed by the: Dunbarton Planning Board and its Master Plan Subcommittees 1011 School Street Dunbarton, NH 03046

With assistance from the:

2004 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PAGE 1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

As the process for the development of the Dunbarton Master Plan draws to a conclusion, we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support shown by the community to this process. In November 2003, over 1,100 Community Surveys were distributed with 490 residents responding with their thoughts and opinions on Dunbarton and its future. This was a remarkable rate of return. Also, there was exceptional community participation at the Visioning Forum that was conducted in January 2004. The input was extremely valuable and critical to the direction the Master Plan would take. And a very special note of gratitude to those members of the community who went the extra mile and routinely participated in the planning process by attending meetings, and providing input and support.

We also want to acknowledge the dedicated support that the Steering Committee has received from the Dunbarton Planning Board. Throughout the eighteen month development of this Plan, they have demonstrated a consistent and unswerving determination to ensure that the planning process was open, objective, and comprehensive.

Lastly, we want to especially acknowledge the untiring efforts and commitment of the members of the Steering Committee who served during this process. They worked many long hours to ensure that the final Master Plan reflected the vision and goals of the community. Without their enthusiasm, this process would not have achieved this level of success.

Along with funds and information from Town of Dunbarton, many additional financial and data contributors made the development of several Chapters of this Master Plan possible.

Funding

Funding for the REGIONAL CONCERNS CHAPTER was provided by the Central NH Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC).

Through their affiliation with CNHRPC, Dunbarton was able to obtain the following funding for various Chapters from different State agencies:

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN 2004 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PAGE 2

Funding for the TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER was provided by the NH Department of Transportation through its annual agreement with the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC) to undertake local and regional planning transportation planning activities.

Funding for the POPULATION AND ECONOMICS CHAPTER was provided by the NH Office of Energy and Planning (formerly the Office of State Planning) through its Targeted Block Grant agreement with the CNHRPC. Much of the statistical data in the Plan originated from NH OEP/NH OSP publications.

Funding for the NATURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER was provided by the NH Department of Environmental Services through its Regional Environmental Planning Program (REPP) agreement with the CNHRPC.

Data

Many sources of information were used to develop this Plan. Information from the NH Office of Energy and Planning (formerly Office of State Planning), NH Department of Employment Security, NH Department of Transportation, NH Department of Environmental Services, previous Master Plans, past Census and current 2000 Census data, Town records and maps, and from Town staff and volunteers, in addition to the sources previously mentioned, comprises the bulk of data contained within the Plan. Additional data from various sources is also included and is appropriately cited.

Last, much of the basic digital data for the maps of the Master Plan was initially made available through the NH GRANIT system before its modification to fit the needs of this Plan. Land use and build out GIS data was provided by Dunbarton volunteers, and tax map data was provided by the Town. The remaining layers were developed by CNHRPC for use in this project.

With Many Thanks,

Brian Nordle – Co-Chair Ron Slocum – Co-Chair

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN 2004 CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION PAGE 3

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 1 Funding...... 1 Data...... 2 CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION...... 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS...... 4

CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF A MASTER PLAN ...... I-1 DUNBARTON’S MASTER PLAN HISTORY...... I-1 1983 Master Plan...... I-1 1990 Master Plan...... I-2 2004 MASTER PLAN...... I-3 November 2003 Community Survey...... I-4 January 2004 Master Plan Community Visioning Forum...... I-6 Master Plan Development Process...... I-7 Public Participation ...... I-10 Base Map with Topography

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 5

CHAPTER II – MASTER PLAN VISION INTRODUCTION...... II-1 2004 MASTER PLAN GOALS...... II-2 THE VISION OF THE COMMUNITY ...... II-4 THE VISION OF FIFTH GRADERS AND TEENS...... II-5 THE VISION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES...... II-6 Chapter III - Historical and Cultural Resources ...... II-6 Chapter IV - Population and Economics...... II-6 Chapter V - Housing...... II-7 Chapter VI - Natural Resources...... II-7 Chapter VII - Community and Recreational Facilities with Utilities...... II-8 Chapter VIII - Transportation ...... II-8 Chapter IX - Existing and Future Land Use...... II-8 Chapter X - Regional Concerns...... II-9 SUMMARY ...... II-9

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 6

CHAPTER III – HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES INTRODUCTION...... III-1 OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... III-2 COMMUNITY SURVEY AND VISIONING RESULTS ...... III-3 Community Survey...... III-3 Community Visioning Forum...... III-5 A BRIEF HISTORY OF DUNBARTON ...... III-6 FEATURES AND RESOURCES ...... III-10 Local Historic Markers...... III-10 Historic Sites and Structures...... III-10 Churches ...... III-11 One-Room Schoolhouses...... III-12 Town Structures ...... III-12 Shops...... III-12 Sites ...... III-13 Mill Sites...... III-13 Cemeteries ...... III-15 THE HISTORICAL AREA OF PAGES CORNER ...... III-17 Page’s Corner...... III-17 COMMUNITY CHARACTER ...... III-19 Geographical Character ...... III-19 Public Character...... III-20 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN DUNBARTON ...... III-21 Past Activities...... III-21 Current Activities ...... III-22 HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS OR STUDIES ...... III-24 Available at the Dunbarton Public Library...... III-24 Available at the Dunbarton Historical Society Museum ...... III-24 Private Collection of Harlan Noyes...... III-24 Town Records...... III-24 Town Collections...... III-24 State Archives, State Library, and Registry of Deeds in Concord, NH...... III-24 METHODS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ...... III-25 Barn Owner Tax Relief ...... III-25 Citizens for New Hampshire’s Land and Community Heritage...... III-25 Cooperative Ventures with Private Organizations ...... III-25 Grants from Foundations ...... III-25 Land and Community Heritage Investment Program...... III-26 Land Trust...... III-26 New Hampshire Preservation Alliance...... III-26 Preservation Easements ...... III-26 Revolving Funds ...... III-26 Tax Rehabilitation Credits and Incentives ...... III-27 Transportation Enhancement Funds (TE) ...... III-27 CONCLUSION...... III-27 SUMMARY ...... III-28 Historic Features: Home Sites Map Historic Features: Cellar Sites and Cemeteries Map

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CHAPTER IV – POPULATION AND ECONOMICS INTRODUCTION...... IV-1 OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... IV-2 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS ...... IV-4 POPULATION ...... IV-8 POPULATION TRENDS...... IV-8 Historical Trends...... IV-8 Current Trends...... IV-13 Population Projections...... IV-15 POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS ...... IV-17 Population by Age ...... IV-17 Household Size...... IV-22 Educational Attainment ...... IV-23 ECONOMICS...... IV-24 EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS ...... IV-24 Commuting Patterns ...... IV-24 Employment in Dunbarton...... IV-25 Occupations ...... IV-28 INCOME CHARACTERISTICS...... IV-29 Wage Comparisons...... IV-29 Household and Per Capita Income Comparisons ...... IV-30 TOWN TAX RATES ...... IV-31 SUMMARY ...... IV-32 Largest Employers Map

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 8

CHAPTER V – HOUSING INTRODUCTION...... V-1 OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... V-2 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS ...... V-4 GENERAL HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS ...... V-7 Housing Stock and Supply...... V-7 Housing Density...... V-10 COST OF HOUSING IN DUNBARTON ...... V-12 Rental Costs Versus Home Ownership Costs ...... V-12 Rental Housing Costs...... V-14 Merrimack County and State Home Purchase Prices, 1990-2004 ...... V-15 Current List Prices of Homes in Dunbarton ...... V-17 HOUSING GROWTH TRENDS ...... V-18 Household Size ...... V-18 New Residential Building Permits...... V-19 AFFORDABLE HOUSING ...... V-20 Manufactured Housing...... V-20 Senior Housing...... V-22 Dunbarton’s Theoretical Share of the Regional Affordable Housing Stock ...... V-24 Concord Area Trust for Community Housing...... V-25 Housing Assistance ...... V-26 EMERGENCY TEMPORARY HOUSING ...... V-26 RESIDENTIAL TAXATION ...... V-27 Tax Comparisons ...... V-27 Revaluation...... V-29 LAND USE CONTROLS...... V-29 Manufactured Housing Parks...... V-29 Multi-Family Dwellings ...... V-29 Senior Housing Ordinance ...... V-30 Impact Fees ...... V-30 Architectural and Design Guidelines...... V-31 Open Space Residential Development ...... V-31 Planned Unit Development ...... V-32 Accessory Apartments ...... V-32 Growth Management Ordinance ...... V-33 Inclusionary Zoning ...... V-34 Livable, Walkable Communities ...... V-35 Cost of Community Services Study...... V-36 Visitability Communities...... V-36 Build Out Analysis ...... V-36 SUMMARY ...... V-37 Housing Units Distribution (Census 2000) Map Residential Building Permits, 1998-2004 Map

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 9

CHAPTER VI – NATURAL RESOURCES INTRODUCTION...... VI-1 OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... VI-1 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS ...... VI-4 INVENTORY OF NATURAL RESOURCES ...... VI-7 Geologic Resources...... VI-7 Water Resources...... VI-10 Conservation Lands ...... VI-15 Wildlife Resources ...... VI-19 Ecological Resources ...... VI-20 Agricultural Resources...... VI-22 Forest Resources...... VI-23 Natural Feature and Resource Concerns...... VI-26 REGULATORY PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES ...... VI-27 Cluster Development Zoning ...... VI-27 Overlay Districts ...... VI-27 Aesthetics-Based Land Use Regulations...... VI-28 NON-REGULATORY PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES ...... VI-28 Conservation Easements ...... VI-28 Management Agreements...... VI-28 SUMMARY ...... VI-29 Conservation Lands Map Bedrock and Surficial Geology Map Agricultural Soils Map Forestry Soils Map Groundwater Resources Map Surface Water Resources Map Potential Threats to Water Resources Map

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 10

CHAPTER VII – COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES INTRODUCTION...... VII-1 OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... VII-2 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS ...... VII-5 DISCUSSION OF POPULATION TRENDS ...... VII-8 Historic Trends...... VII-8 Current Trends...... VII-9 Future Projections ...... VII-10 COMMUNITY FACILITIES...... VII-11 Town Offices/Town Hall...... VII-11 Highway Department...... VII-13 Solid Waste/Transfer Station...... VII-15 Cemeteries ...... VII-17 Fire Department...... VII-18 Police Department ...... VII-21 Dunbarton Elementary School...... VII-24 Public Library...... VII-26 Historical Awareness Committee ...... VII-28 RECREATIONAL FACILITIES...... VII-29 Built Facilities – Indoor...... VII-29 Dunbarton’s Recreational Facilities and Professional Planning Guidelines .....VII-30 Review of Recreational Fiscal Resources...... VII-32 Town-Owned Properties Suitable for Future Recreational Facilities ...... VII-34 Sources for Financing Facility Needs and Improvements...... VII-34 UTILITIES...... VII-37 Telephone Service ...... VII-37 Internet...... VII-38 Telecommunications ...... VII-38 Cable Television and Satellite Dishes...... VII-38 Electricity ...... VII-38 SUMMARY ...... VII-39 Community Facilities Map Recreational Facilities Map Utilities Map

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 11

CHAPTER VIII – TRANSPORTATION INTRODUCTION...... VIII-1 OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... VIII-2 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS ...... VIII-4 BACKGROUND INFORMATION...... VIII-7 Functional Highway Classifications...... VIII-7 State Aid Highway Classifications ...... VIII-8 Traffic Counts...... VIII-11 Accident Analysis...... VIII-13 Travel Speed Analysis...... VIII-14 ACCESS MANAGEMENT ...... VIII-15 Shared Access Points ...... VIII-15 Minimum Driveway Throat Lengths ...... VIII-15 Distance Between Driveways...... VIII-15 Number of Driveways Per Lot...... VIII-17 Shared Driveways...... VIII-17 Connect Adjacent Roadways...... VIII-18 DUNBARTON’S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM...... VIII-18 Pedestrian Infrastructure ...... VIII-18 Pedestrian Safety ...... VIII-19 Bicycle Infrastructure ...... VIII-19 Gravel and Scenic Roads ...... VIII-19 Private Roads...... VIII-21 Class VI Roads ...... VIII-22 Trails ...... VIII-23 Parking...... VIII-25 Bridge Network ...... VIII-25 RECENT STATE AND LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ...... VIII-26 State Improvements ...... VIII-26 Local Improvements...... VIII-27 SUMMARY ...... VIII-28 Road Classification and Bridges Map Accident Locations, Traffic Count Locations, and Bicycle Infrastructure Map

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CHAPTER IX – EXISTING AND FUTURE LAND USE INTRODUCTION...... IX-1 OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... IX-2 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS ...... IX-4 COMMUNITY VISIONING FORUM RESULTS – LAND USE BREAK OUT SESSION ...... IX-7 PAST LAND USES...... IX-7 1752 – 1982...... IX-7 1983...... IX-8 1990...... IX-8 1991 – Present...... IX-9 EXISTING LAND USES ...... IX-10 Zoning Districts ...... IX-11 Land use Regulations ...... IX-12 Current Use...... IX-12 Residential Use...... IX-13 Development Constraints ...... IX-15 Construction Materials ...... IX-15 Zoning and Rural Character ...... IX-16 Town of Dunbarton Build-Out Analysis ...... IX-20 FUTURE LAND USE ...... IX-26 The Future Land Use Map ...... IX-32 Techniques to Shape Future Land Use ...... IX-32 SUMMARY ...... IX-40 Existing Land Use Map Existing Zoning Map Development Constraints Map Future Land Use Map Buildout Analysis Map

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CHAPTER X - REGIONAL CONCERNS DUNBARTON WITHIN THE CENTRAL NH REGION ...... X-1 OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... X-1 INFLUENCES FROM NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES, THE REGION, AND THE STATE ...... X-4 Regional Impact of Growth...... X-4 Dependence on Surrounding Towns ...... X-6 Education of Dunbarton Students in Goffstown...... X-7 I-93 Expansion Salem- Manchester ...... X-7 INTERNAL INFLUENCES WHICH AFFECT DUNBARTON AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES ..... X-9 Affordable Housing and Housing Stock Diversity...... X-9 Changing Demographic Composition of the Community ...... X-10 OPPORTUNITIES OF PARTNERING WITH NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES ...... X-11 Develop Relationships with Hopkinton, Weare, Hooksett, and Bow...... X-11 PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS ...... X-12 Central NH Regional Planning Commission ...... X-12 Regional Resource Conservation Committee ...... X-12 Transportation Advisory Committee ...... X-12 NH Office of Energy and Planning ...... X-12 New Hampshire Municipal Association...... X-14 SUMMARY ...... X-21 Regional Context Map

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CHAPTER XI – IMPLEMENTATION PURPOSE OF AN IMPLEMENTATION CHAPTER ...... XI-1 PRIORITIZED RECOMMENDATIONS ...... XI-2 Summary of Similar Recommendations ...... XI-19 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION ...... XI-21 Develop and Regularly Update the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) ...... XI-21 Revise the Regulations...... XI-23 Coordinate Activities ...... XI-25 Evaluate the Master Plan Chapters ...... XI-27 DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN CHAPTER EVALUATION...... XI-28 SUMMARY ...... XI-29

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CHAPTER XII – APPENDIX NOVEMBER 2003 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS - SHORT FORM ...... XII-1 NOVEMBER 2003 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS -TABULAR CALCULATIONS ...... XII-9 NOVEMBER 2003 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS - WRITE IN RESPONSES ...... XII-27 JANUARY 31, 2004 VISIONING FORUM BREAKOUT GROUP TRANSCRIPTS...... XII-88 MARCH 2004 5TH GRADE VISIONING DISCUSSION TRANSCRIPT ...... XII-110 APRIL 2004 TEEN VISIONING DISCUSSION TRANSCRIPT...... XII-121 DUNBARTON TOWN ROADS ...... XII-123 RESOURCE LIST FOR THE CHAPTERS ...... XII-144 Local, State, and Federal Government Agencies...... XII-144 Non-Profit Groups and Member Organizations ...... XII-149 New Hampshire / Central Region Public Land Trusts...... XII-155 FUNDING SOURCES FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITY PROJECTS ...... XII-156 FUNDING SOURCES FOR CONSERVATION PROJECTS ...... XII-158 FUNDING SOURCES FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS...... XII-161 FUNDING SOURCES FOR HOUSING PROJECTS...... XII-164 CENTRAL NH REGION TOWN OFFICES ...... XII-169 PUBLICATIONS AND PLANNING REFERENCES...... XII-171

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN 2004 INTRODUCTION PAGE I-1

Chapter I INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE OF A MASTER PLAN

The purpose of a municipal Master Plan, as stated in the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) 674:2, is to describe the “Planning Board’s recommendations for the desirable development” of the Town. The information compiled for the Master Plan should include sections on a general statement of the intentions of the Master Plan, vision, land use, housing, transportation, utilities, community facilities, recreation, conservation and preservation, and regional concerns. The public is invited by the Planning Board to participate in the process. A Master Plan is typically updated every five to seven years. The Town’s Master Plan is the basis upon which the Zoning Ordinance, Site Plan Review Regulations, and Subdivision Regulations are written and revised.

DUNBARTON’S MASTER PLAN HISTORY

A Master Plan should be a guide to what citizens want their Town to be like in the future as well as be a guide for the townspeople and Town Officials to determine which measures should be taken to accomplish goals outlined within these Chapters. Development of land and the Town’s population will both expand over the coming years in order to meet increasing demands. To protect at the same time the character of a small, rural town as preferred by the majority of townspeople requires the ability to plan and regulate these demands before such uncontrolled changes have occurred.

The 1983 Master Plan In 1983, the Dunbarton Planning Board, on a volunteer basis, compiled a Master Plan for the Town. The two stated goals of the Master Plan were:

• We should strive to preserve the rural character of our Town. • We should try to focus growth around the Village District.

Sections included write-ups on history, land use and preservation, Town facilities and services, recreation, and population and housing. Recommendations were offered for several of the sections. Three maps were included, the Dunbarton Agricultural Land Use Plan, the Inventory of Publicly Owned Property, and the Zoning Map of 1983.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 INTRODUCTION PAGE I-2

The 1990 Master Plan In 1990, the Dunbarton Planning Board adopted a Master Plan, developed in part by RKG Associates, Inc, which offered a more specific look at the desires and existing conditions of the Town. The four goals of the Master Plan were:

• To maintain in those parts of Town where appropriate, practical, and reasonable, the existing pattern of residential development. • To preserve, protect, and enhance environmentally sensitive/important land areas in Dunbarton. • To provide appropriate and adequate municipal facilities in a cost effective manner. • To establish areas within the Town that provide for a diversity of housing opportunities while ensuring adequate standards for public health, safety, welfare, and convenience.

The chapters included were General Statement; Existing Land Use; Housing, Population, and Income; Transportation; Public Utilities; Municipal Facilities; Recreation; Conservation and Preservation; Future Land Use; and Recommendations which were developed for most of the previous chapters. Several maps were also developed which accompany the Plan: the Existing Land Use Map, the Street Names Map, the Average Daily Traffic Volumes Map, the (Road) Administrative Classification System Map, the (Road) Functional Classification System Map, the (Road) Sufficiency Ratings Map, the Acres with Development Potential Map, the Wetland Soils Map, and the Future Land Use Map.

Successes from the 1990 Master Plan included: • maintaining the 5 acre minimum standard; • desired balanced growth; • more diverse zoning implemented; and • preservation of open space and Kimball Pond.

Issues that were cited as failures from the 1990 Master Plan included: • didn’t emphasize future land development; • CIP did not happen; • impact fees did not happen; • Master Plan was not implemented or followed up as it should have been; and • Master Plan contained no vision for the future.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 INTRODUCTION PAGE I-3

Outstanding issues from the 1990 Master Plan that are still relevant today include: • housing diversity; • commercial development – assessing/tax issues related to valuation of commercial property; • need to look at properties available through tax lien for municipal services or other community facilities; • future land use vision; • zoning districts need to be reviewed to see if the town is still being served by them; and • there should be a central vision chapter that can stand alone as a summary for the master plan vision.

Currently, the addition of a NATURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER, a HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER, a REGIONAL CONCERNS CHAPTER, and an IMPLEMENTATION CHAPTER in 2004 will further guide the Town to achieve its goals, many of which are still relevant from the 1983 and 1990 Master Plans. In 2004, a series of detailed color maps were produced using the newest Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies that were unavailable at the times of the prior Master Plans.

In order to accomplish a preservation of small town character, a willingness to regulate development through land use and building requirements must be paired with the strong volunteer commitment that is prevalent in Dunbarton. Although changes will inevitably occur, it is up to the townspeople to lead these changes into the proper channels that preserve the Town's character without compromising its enterprising opportunities. This Master Plan makes a number of recommendations for the Town to act upon and to ensure that Dunbarton can stimulate economic development as appropriate while maximizing the appropriate use of the land available and preserving the rural, historic character of the community.

2004 MASTER PLAN

The Planning Board contracted with the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC) to begin work on the Master Plan project in June 2003 with the development of a Community Survey. A Steering Committee comprised of the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, Town Departments, and interested citizens, was formed to guide the entire process. This Master Plan process began with the development of the Community Survey between August and October 2003. The survey was distributed in November 2003. A Community Visioning Session was held in January 2004.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 INTRODUCTION PAGE I-4

The next step in the process was developing Subcommittees for each of the Chapters. The first Subcommittee of seven, Transportation, began meeting in November 2003 and others began meeting in February 2004. The entire Subcommittee process ended in October 2004. In the interim, as Chapters were completed, they were reviewed and revised by the Steering Committee.

After months of Subcommittee and Steering Committee work, the Chapters of this Master Plan, the INTRODUCTION, MASTER PLAN VISION, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, POPULATION AND ECONOMICS, HOUSING, NATURAL RESOURCES, COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, and EXISTING AND FUTURE LAND USE CHAPTERS, along with the REGIONAL CONCERNS, IMPLEMENTATION, and APPENDIX CHAPTERS, were adopted by the Planning Board at duly noticed public hearings on January 19, 2005.

November 2003 Community Survey After three months of developing questions specific to each Chapter of the Master Plan, the Steering Committee produced an eight-page Community Survey. The survey contained an extraordinary number of opinion questions that were objectively designed to assess the views of Dunbarton residents and landowners.

The survey was distributed in November 2003 through two mediums. The process began with a bulk mailing to the postal patrons (one per household or address) of 929 surveys. A first-class mailing of 186 to out-of-town property owners was also undertaken. One survey was handed out at the Town Offices. A total of 1,116 surveys were thus distributed. People could mail back the survey via a postage paid envelope or reply on the Internet, both of which were anonymous. All responses, which were sent to the CNHRPC for tabulation, were confidential. A total of 43.9% of the surveys (490) were returned. The results were thoroughly tallied and are found in respective chapters of this Master Plan.

In general, the recurring themes from the survey included retaining the small town rural character and natural resources, and a commitment to Town facilities and services. These themes were integrated into the 2004 Master Plan’s chapters as they were being developed and also helped to form the MASTER PLAN VISION CHAPTER.

The November 2003 Community Survey, all calculated results, and extensive citizen comments are found in the APPENDIX CHAPTER. Following in Tables I-1 and I-2 are the questions and answers from the General responses:

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 INTRODUCTION PAGE I-5

Table I-1 Please indicate in which area of Town you live or own property. Area Total Percent A (Town Center) 33 7.1% A,E 1 0.2% B (Pages Corner, North Village) 21 4.5% C (Stark Highway North) 28 6.0% C, G 1 0.2% D (Stark Highway South) 42 9.1% D, G 1 0.2% E (Clinton Street/Route 77) 21 4.5% E or F 1 0.2% F (North Dunbarton) 117 25.3% G (South Dunbarton) 197 42.5% Grand Total 463 100.0%

In Table I-1, The areas with the largest percentage of responses, North Dunbarton (25.3%) and South Dunbarton (42.4%), are the largest geographic choices for respondents, covering jointly the vast majority of the Town. The map is available in the APPENDIX CHAPTER.

Table I-2 Please rate each of the following features for their importance to you in Dunbarton. Very Important Somewhat Not Important No Opinion Features Important Important # % # % # % # % # % Total Percent Small town / rural 372 77.3% 68 14.1% 34 7.1% 6 1.2% 1 0.2% 481 100.0% atmosphere Employment 13 2.7% 39 8.2% 69 14.5% 342 72.0% 12 2.5% 475 100.0% opportunities Educational 194 40.5% 131 27.3% 51 10.6% 90 18.8% 13 2.7% 479 100.0% opportunities Location 185 39.2% 161 34.1% 84 17.8% 19 4.0% 23 4.9% 472 100.0% Natural resources 234 49.2% 159 33.4% 62 13.0% 13 2.7% 8 1.7% 476 100.0% Town services 78 16.3% 170 35.5% 178 37.2% 47 9.8% 6 1.3% 479 100.0% Scenic areas 216 45.1% 166 34.7% 74 15.4% 20 4.2% 3 0.6% 479 100.0% Historic character 184 38.3% 156 32.5% 103 21.5% 32 6.7% 5 1.0% 480 100.0% People / community 170 35.6% 199 41.6% 88 18.4% 13 2.7% 8 1.7% 478 100.0% spirit Community and 73 15.4% 172 36.4% 152 32.1% 69 14.6% 7 1.5% 473 100.0% recreational facilities

In Table I-2, respondents felt that small town/rural atmosphere (77.3%), natural resources (49.2%), and scenic areas (45.1%) were the most important features in Dunbarton. Of least importance were employment opportunities (72%), educational opportunities (18.8%), and community and recreational facilities (14.6%).

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January 2004 Master Plan Community Visioning Forum In January 2004, a Community Visioning Forum was held with community residents and town officials. Sponsored by the Master Plan Steering Committee, nearly 50 residents attended and offered their opinions about the transportation, land use, history, natural features, community facilities, housing, and population and economics of Dunbarton. Steering Committee members and CNHRPC staff facilitated Chapter-based discussion groups to identify key issues within each Chapter. Members of the Steering Committee, many of whom had volunteered to Chair a Subcommittee for a Master Plan Chapter, led their respective discussion groups through a series of questions to help guide them to broad issues of concern. Later in the morning, the Chairs presented the key issues identified through the Visioning Forum and discussion groups pertinent to their particular Chapter. The full results of the Visioning Forum are displayed in the APPENDIX CHAPTER.

Figure I-1 2004 Community Visioning Forum Highlights

Issues Excerpted from Discussion Groups

• Preservation of the Town Center (Historic and Cultural) • Need a central meeting space (Historic and Cultural) • Maintain reasonable tax rate (Population and Economics) • Need to plan for future school growth (Population and Economics) • Manage rate of growth (Housing) • Encourage cluster development (Housing) • Protect all aspects of rural character (Natural Resources) • Create tools to give Planning Board ability to preserve open space (Natural Resources) • Enact a Capital Improvements Program (Community Facilities) • Provide more recreational activities (Community Facilities) • Maintain existing rural and scenic character of roads (Transportation) • Continued evaluation and maintenance of paved and gravel roads (Transportation) • Enact creative land uses which offer flexibility (Land Use) • Consider commercial development in village area only (Land Use)

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 INTRODUCTION PAGE I-7

Master Plan Development Process This Master Plan fulfills two purposes. The first purpose is to paint a broad picture of what Dunbarton is, what it has to offer, what it looks like, and who the people are who live here. This perspective, this "inventory" of the Town, allows townspeople to then create the second purpose, a series of goals, objectives, and recommendations for the Town to accomplish. These Recommendations have been based on the data collected, including from the Community Survey, through the Community Visioning process, on statistical data, and on existing conditions found within Dunbarton. The goals and objectives for Dunbarton are discussed in the MASTER PLAN VISION CHAPTER. The recommendations, or action items, are listed at the beginning of each Chapter. An IMPLEMENTATION CHAPTER summarizes each of the Recommendations and proposes who will be in charge of ensuring that each Recommendation is fulfilled. Figure I-2 lists the individual Chapters of the 2004 Master Plan.

Figure I-2 Chapters of the 2004 Master Plan

I Introduction II Master Plan Vision III Historical and Cultural Resources IV Population and Economics V Housing VI Natural Resources VII Community and Recreational Facilities with Utilities VIII Transportation IX Existing and Future Land Use X Regional Concerns XI Implementation XII Appendix

Beginning in November 2003, the Master Plan Steering Committee members chaired Subcommittees that worked to document existing conditions within the Town and to prepare a series of recommendations on all aspects of Dunbarton.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 INTRODUCTION PAGE I-8

For the preparation of this Plan, many information sources were used. Information from the NH Office of Energy and Planning (formerly Office of State Planning), NH Department of Employment Security, NH Department of Transportation, NH Department of Environmental Services, previous Master Plans, past Census and current 2000 Census data, Town records and maps, and from Town staff and volunteers, in addition to the sources previously mentioned, comprises the bulk of data contained within the Plan. Additional data from various sources is also included and is appropriately cited. Analyses of the data were provided by the CNHRPC and the Subcommittees. Objectives and recommendations of each Chapter were developed by the Subcommittees after analyzing the data.

The Steering Committee had the opportunity to review and modify all of the Chapters to ensure that they corresponded with one another. This process enabled the Master Plan to become a cohesive document.

Graphical depiction of many of the features inventoried within the Master Plan was essential. A series of 24 maps, as displayed in Figure I-3, was generated to assist with displaying the data and physical features of Dunbarton, which should prove helpful to future planning endeavors:

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 INTRODUCTION PAGE I-9

Figure I-3 Maps of the 2004 Master Plan

Introduction Chapter • Base and Topographic Map with Highway Classes

Historical and Cultural Resources • Historic Features: Home Sites Map • Historic Features: Cellar Sites and Cemeteries Map

Population and Economics • Largest Employers Map

Housing • Housing Units Distribution (Census 2000) Map • Residential Building Permits, 1998-2004 Map

Natural Resources • Conservation Lands Map • Bedrock and Surficial Geology Map • Agricultural Soils Map • Forestry Soils Map • Groundwater Resources Map • Surface Water Resources Map • Potential Threats to Water Resources Map

Community and Recreational Facilities with Utilities • Community Facilities Map • Recreational Facilities Map • Utilities Map

Transportation • Road Classification and Bridges Map • Accident Locations, Traffic Count Locations, and Bicycle Infrastructure Map

Existing and Future Land Use • Existing Land Use Map • Existing Zoning Map • Development Constraints Map • Future Land Use Map • Buildout Analysis Map

Regional Concerns • Regional Context Map

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All of these maps have been reproduced on color 11x17 pages and have been included with the appropriate Chapters within this document. In addition, the 24 maps have been produced as full-sized 24x36 color display maps that are available for public viewing at the Town Hall.

For the preparation of the maps for this Plan, the primary source of data was from the NH GRANIT (Geographically Referenced Analysis Information and Transfer) system, which was then modified by CNHRPC. Other data layers or information were obtained from the NH Department of Environmental Services, the NH Department of Transportation, Society for the Protection of NH Forests, from Cartographic Associates (tax maps) or digitized by the CNHRPC into maps.

Public Participation Nearly 40 residents of Dunbarton actively participated in developing the 2004 Master Plan over the 18-month process:

9 Brian Nordle, Co-Chair* (Community Facilities) 9 Brian Naro 9 Ron Slocum, Co-Chair* 9 Jeff Nelson 9 David Breault* (Housing) 9 Bud Noyes 9 Mike Callihan 9 Beverly Porter 9 Christopher Connelly 9 Don Prior* (Land Use Co-Chair) 9 Wendy Dailey 9 Lee Richmond* (Land Use Co-Chair) 9 Lizz Ferdina 9 Bill Rolke 9 Chuck Frost 9 Rebecca Rolke 9 Chuck Graybill* (Community Facilities) 9 Brett St Clair 9 Stig Harding 9 Kristin St Clair 9 Eric Halvorson 9 Patty Shearin* (Historic and Cultural Resources) 9 George Holt 9 Ken Swayze 9 Andy LeCompte 9 John Swindlehurst, Sr* 9 Michael Malloy 9 Jeff Trexler* (Population and Economics) 9 Mert Mann 9 John Trottier* (Transportation) 9 Jim Marcou* 9 Allison Vallieres* 9 Gail Martel 9 Margaret Watkins* (Natural Resources) 9 Kevin McCarthy 9 Pat Wood 9 Wayne Mills

*Denotes a Steering Committee member ( ) Denotes a Chair of a Subcommittee

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Participation in the Master Plan process included developing the Community Survey, attendance at Steering Committee meetings or Subcommittee Meetings, and contributing information for Chapters. Many other individuals have additionally participated by attending a meeting or by providing information for a Chapter. Without all of these important volunteers, this Master Plan would not have been possible.

Even more residents attended the Community Visioning Forum in January 2004. Their input, summarized as bulleted points and key issues, was particularly valuable when developing the individual Chapters of the Master Plan. The full Visioning Forum Transcript is available in the APPENDIX CHAPTER.

With this commendable public participation, coupled with the involvement of residents and landowners through the Community Survey response rate of 43.9%, we are pleased to present the 2004 Master Plan for the Town of Dunbarton.

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Chapter II MASTER PLAN VISION

INTRODUCTION

This Chapter will describe the future direction, or vision, that the Town should follow as a result of the 2004 Master Plan. These vision principles are described as goals, the definition of which, for Master Planning purposes, is the general target to be reached through completing a series of tasks. These tasks are called “objectives” which are designed to meet the goal. Specific “recommendations” are made which accomplish the objective. Historically, the terms are used interchangeably and this Chapter attempts to synthesize the old material, where applicable, into an appropriate designation for ease of understanding and comparison.

The goals of a Master Plan not only direct the focus of the actual Master Plan preparation, they are also the basis for regulation changes, for capital improvements program funding, and for future planning priorities. In order to move forward with new recommendations for the Town, it is necessary to examine the past efforts and outcomes of previous Master Plan and community endeavors. The 1990 Master Plan developed four Goals which were the Town’s vision for the future:

• To maintain in those parts of Town where appropriate, practical, and reasonable, the existing pattern of residential development. • To preserve, protect, and enhance environmentally sensitive/important land areas in Dunbarton. • To provide appropriate and adequate municipal facilities in a cost effective manner. • To establish areas within the Town that provide for a diversity of housing opportunities while ensuring adequate standards for public health, safety, welfare, and convenience.

From looking at the past, we can help gauge our present and guide ourselves into the future. The answers to the November 2003 Community Survey and January 2004 Visioning Forum (results are found within the APPENDIX CHAPTER) gave the Steering Committee more insight into what are the priorities and concerns of the public. From there, from the previous findings, and from knowledge gained by collecting new statistical data about the Town, a set of 2004 Master Plan Goals and Vision Principles are being recommended as the culmination of this Plan in Figure II-1.

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2004 MASTER PLAN GOALS

The Goals as displayed in Figure II-1 were reached through a multi-level process beginning with the November 2003 Community Survey, where a response rate of 43.9% was obtained. Residents and landowners replied to numerous questions which are examined in the appropriate Chapters as well as contained in full within the APPENDIX CHAPTER. The January 2004 Visioning Forum invited residents and interested people to talk about their issues and concerns for each of the topics covered by this Master Plan. Residents were invited to participate in Subcommittees for the topic Chapters, where they had the opportunity to further provide input and shape how the Master Plan, and these vision principles, were developed.

The Goals were developed by the Steering Committee for the Master Plan based upon the community involvement and opinions and the conclusions and Objectives developed by the individual Subcommittees. These Goals and Vision Principles should be considered in the decision-making processes and policy decisions of every Town Board, Department, Committee, and Commission in Dunbarton.

Adherence to these Goals, developed by the people of Dunbarton, will enable the Town of Dunbarton to consistently apply the same standards during their hard work to better the community. Using this consistent method, in combination with completing the Recommendations in the IMPLEMENTATION CHAPTER, will more easily allow the Town to achieve these agreed-upon goals.

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Figure II-1 2004 Master Plan Goals

Historical and Cultural Resources Goal 1. Preserve Dunbarton’s cultural and historic resources including its structures, sites, and artifacts.

Population and Economics Goal 2. Utilize population and economics data when developing public policy for the Town.

Housing Goal 3. Encourage housing that serves to protect the character of Dunbarton and that supports income and age diversity.

Natural Resources Goal 4. Increase the level of protection of natural resources to conserve Dunbarton’s natural legacy.

Community and Recreational Facilities with Utilities Goal 5. Pursue funding for the future expansion of, and plan for the anticipated growth of, facilities and services that will meet the needs of all Town residents.

Transportation Goal 6. Provide safe and efficient roadways that also maintain Dunbarton’s rural and historic character.

Existing and Future Land Use Goal 7. Preserve the rural character of Dunbarton through innovative zoning techniques.

Regional Concerns Goal 8. Foster an awareness of regional issues and take appropriate proactive action where necessary.

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THE VISION OF THE COMMUNITY

There are multiple components to the vision of the community which helped to shape the direction of this Master Plan. Not only were more than 40 residents directly involved in its development, hundreds more participated though the Community Survey and Visioning Forum.

From the November 2003 Survey to the January 2004 Visioning Forum, Dunbarton residents were clear in their desire for the community to remain small, rural, with no large businesses, and with prime natural resources protected. From the APPENDIX CHAPTER, the following in Figure II-2 are a few facts from the Community Survey results:

Figure II-2 Community Survey Excerpts*

- If a business were to come to Town, the two top choices were a post office and agricultural businesses - Single family and elderly housing were the two housing types to “highly encourage” - 52.2% felt the residential rate of growth was “too fast” - 73.8% felt that the roads were in “good” condition - 67.9% felt that preservation of open space was “very important”

- 86.7% felt that maintaining rural character was an important goal of the Master Plan - 80.7% felt that the 2 acre/3 acre/5 acre minimum lots sizes should be maintained - 84.7% valued the historic properties of the Town - 62.4% felt that the Town should identify and procure appropriate properties for future town services - Fire, police, and rescue were the services which most performed at an “excellent” level

*Of 490 Replies (a 43.9% response rate)

Survey respondents generally were supportive of preserving the rural character of the community through their responses. New traditional businesses were not desired, nor were additional paved roads and multi-family homes, all of which are typical indicators of larger communities with the infrastructure and population to support them.

The following Community Vision Forum highlights in Figure II-3 further illustrate the desire of the community for resource preservation and retention of the rural character.

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Figure II-3 Community Visioning Forum Highlights

Issues Excerpted from Discussion Groups

• Preservation of the Town Center (Historic and Cultural) • Need a central meeting space (Historic and Cultural)

• Maintain reasonable tax rate (Population and Economics) • Need to plan for future school growth (Population and Economics) • Manage rate of growth (Housing) • Encourage cluster development (Housing) • Protect all aspects of rural character (Natural Resources) • Create tools to give Planning Board ability to preserve open space (Natural Resources) • Enact a Capital Improvements Program (Community Facilities) • Provide more recreational activities (Community Facilities) • Maintain existing rural and scenic character of roads (Transportation) • Continued evaluation and maintenance of paved and gravel roads (Transportation) • Enact creative land uses which offer flexibility (Land Use)

• Consider commercial development in village area only (Land Use)

THE VISION OF FIFTH GRADERS AND TEENS

In March 2004, the Dunbarton Elementary School fifth grade class was visited by members of the Steering Committee, who posed numerous questions to small groups of students. Additionally, in April 2004, Dunbarton teens at the Goffstown High School were also asked questions in small groups. Figure II-4 highlights some responses. The complete responses are located in the APPENDIX CHAPTER.

Figure II-4 Fifth Grade and Teen Visioning Highlights

Fifth Graders

• Like: small town, nature, quiet, hills for sledding, lots of room, nice school, room to wander • Play at: home, school, woods, neighbor’s, Clough State Park, yard, friend’s • Like to see added: trails, basketball court, sport fields, summer activities, better playground, pool • What future kids will remember about Town today: beautiful, small town, safe, nice place to live, good times, school song, town hall, woods, streams, moose/bears

Teens

• Features that strengthen Town: quiet, rural, ponds, small town, location, spacious • Like to see added: teen center, trail, skate park, basketball court, paintball course, park • Future programs to develop: extend basketball program, lacross, trail system, teen enter, town pool, skate park

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THE VISION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES

Each topic Chapter of this Master Plan lists a series of Recommendations in order to meet the following Objectives set forth in the beginning of each Chapter. These Objectives, also Vision Principles, were developed based upon community input via the Community Survey and Visioning Forum, and upon the data collected for examination and subsequent analysis within the Chapters.

For reference, the Objectives are listed in the order in which they appear in the Chapters with an a,b,c, sequence; no specific order should be implied.

Chapter III – Historical and Cultural Resources a) To identify the historic sites, areas and resources that are integral to the community and character of Dunbarton. b) To describe the historic qualities present in Dunbarton which have been nourished by generations of Dunbarton families passing on values and connections to subsequent generations. c) To raise the awareness of, and foster an appreciation for, the historic resources of the community. d) To recommend measures for retaining the historic quality and character of Dunbarton’s landscape.

Chapter IV - Population and Economics a) To promote a more diversified population base and economic base in the community. b) To provide past, current, and projected statistical information to the Town to better understand the population and economic composition of the community. c) To retain the small town rural character and population that define Dunbarton.

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Chapter V - Housing a) To encourage housing that serves to protect the rural character of Dunbarton and allows for residential diversity.

b) To educate residents and developers about the different housing options available in the Town. c) To identify Dunbarton’s current housing inventory and potential needs. d) To develop long-range plans for the development of single family, multi-family, manufactured homes, and senior housing.

Chapter VI – Natural Resources a) To increase the level of protection for water systems including, but not limited to, ponds, streams, and wetlands. b) To locate important wildlife habitat, plant communities, and wildlife corridors on maps that are important for maintaining biodiversity. c) To investigate and pursue additional protection mechanisms for natural resources. d) To identify scenic vistas (viewsheds) and determine their importance for protection. e) To identify parcels and support acquisition of conservation lands, whether by conservation easement or fee acquisition on the part of the town or other public or nonprofit conservation entities. f) To help inform Dunbarton residents about conservation issues.

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Chapter VII - Community and Recreational Facilities with Utilities a) To ensure that the Town of Dunbarton has the capability to meet present and future community facility needs.

b) To provide recreational opportunities that will meet the needs of all Town residents.

c) To have the Town of Dunbarton pursue the availability of competitive utility technology to meet the current communication needs of Town residents.

Chapter VIII - Transportation a) To provide a highway and street system that allows for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods throughout Dunbarton. b) To develop and fund a long-term transportation facility maintenance and reconstruction program. c) To protect the village, rural, and historic character of Dunbarton’s scenic, local, and major roads while maintaining their viability as travel corridors. d) To sustain and promote a safe and comfortable walking environment in the Town Center while enhancing pedestrian and bicycle opportunities throughout Dunbarton.

Chapter IX - Existing and Future Land Use a) To define Dunbarton’s rural character through photographs and specific descriptions. b) To examine the existing pattern of undeveloped land using maps of the existing land use and development constraints to identify opportunities to preserve rural character as defined by this Master Plan. c) To present a vision for Dunbarton’s future land use based on community input from surveys, visioning sessions and other data. d) To provide specific recommendations designed to implement the vision and to provide guidance for Dunbarton’s boards, committees, and commissions in making decisions about Dunbarton’s growth.

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Chapter X – Regional Concerns a) To take proactive action on regional issues which affect Dunbarton.

b) To take proactive action to control the effect of the Town’s internal concerns on Dunbarton, neighboring Towns, and the Region.

c) To become involved with state or regional groups, organizations, and agencies to form relationships and to take advantage of free or low cost services and information.

Objectives without specific Recommendations on how to accomplish them do not offer a means for achievement. At the beginning of each Chapter, a comprehensive list of Recommendations for each Objective is given. These Recommendations are the product of the data that was collected and its interpretation by the Subcommittee of each Chapter. All Recommendations appear, prioritized, in the IMPLEMENTATION CHAPTER.

SUMMARY

The combination of community input through the November 2003 Community Survey, the January 2004 Visioning Forum, from residents comprising the seven Subcommittees of the Master Plan, and from the Steering Committee unites in a common vision for the Town of Dunbarton. This vision is, simply, to carefully monitor the growth and changing conditions in the community and act accordingly to preserve, and enhance, the identity that is Dunbarton. To assist with this vision, a number of Recommendations were developed as a result of the data and analysis of the Chapters of the Master Plan.

Measures to implement these Recommendations, which are found in the IMPLEMENTATION CHAPTER, should be taken as an immediate first step after the completion and adoption of this Master Plan by the Planning Board. Modifications to regulations and the zoning ordinance are proposed within the document. While the Planning Board can amend its subdivision and site plan review regulations with duly noticed public hearings, zoning ordinance changes can occur only through a vote at Town Meeting. Cooperation and delegation are essential for the new Master Plan to make a difference to Dunbarton. The Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Town Departments, Committees, and staff all need to play a role in ensuring the success of this Master Plan and its Recommendations through their weekly or monthly activities in order to meet the visions of Dunbarton.

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Chapter III HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION

Dunbarton has a rich and productive history that has been kept alive by her many sons and daughters. The importance of history in the community is evidenced by two active historic groups, the many publications documenting Dunbarton’s historic resources, and its inclusion as an important part of the elementary school history curriculum.

The first authoritative mention of Dunbarton (originally named Starkstown) is from 1692, with a description of the Nipmuch Native Americans roaming the territory. Permanent settlements first appeared in 1749 when James Rogers, followed by James Putney, erected homesteads. In the mid 1700’s, John Stark was granted 100 acres of land to build a sawmill, which remained open until 1890. The presence of the Stark mill led to the construction of framed houses beginning in 1765, followed by the laying out of highways two years later. From 1752 to 1862, Dunbarton was a thriving agricultural town with dairy products regularly shipped to Boston. The production of wool, hops, wheat, flax, vegetable crops and lumber provided most families with a comfortable living.

From these beginnings to the community it is today, Dunbarton residents have continuously documented and tracked its historic and cultural heritage. From the many resources listed in this Chapter, one can see that Dunbarton’s history is a source of pride and is cherished by her citizens.

However vigilant Dunbarton’s citizens are about guarding the community’s historical treasures, gradual and pervasive erosion of the historical character can happen with the accumulation of incremental changes to buildings and places. Historic character is an important issue to Dunbarton’s residents, as evidenced through the Community Survey where 70.8 % of respondents felt historic character was an important or very important community feature and 84.7% stated that they valued historic places or properties in Dunbarton.

This Chapter highlights local historic and cultural resources, describes why they are significant, and looks to provide the resources, recommendations, and tools to plan for the preservation, protection, and enhancement of those resources.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS

- To identify the historic sites, areas and resources integral to the community and character of Dunbarton.

• Submit applications to the National Register of Historic Places for historic sites (Molly Stark House, Robert Rogers Homesite, Stark Mansion, Stark Cemetery, etc).

• Conduct a barn survey.

• Complete the cellar hole survey.

• Document, catalog and preserve historic records in Town Office Building.

• Document, catalog and preserve private and Historical Society collections.

• Identify and recognize historic roads.

• Preserve the integrity of Town Hall/Town Office Building and Dunbarton Center School.

• Pursue a permanent easement on the Robert Rogers Homesite.

- To raise the awareness of, and foster an appreciation for, Dunbarton’s rich historic resources, which include the physical/built environment and the cultural and social traditions of the community.

• Improve communication and coordination between the two historic groups in Town.

• Expand existing Historical Society Museum/Blacksmith Shop site.

• Offer technical assistance to owners of historic structures.

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- To recommend measures for retaining the historic quality and character of Dunbarton’s landscape.

• Investigate a demolition ordinance that would require notification prior to destruction of historic structures.

• Investigate design guidelines for new commercial and residential development.

• Investigate tax easements on historic barns and homes.

• Investigate preservation easements on historic properties.

• Investigate context sensitive solutions for local and state transportation improvements.

COMMUNITY SURVEY AND VISIONING RESULTS

Community Survey A Community Survey was distributed to property owners and postal patrons in November, 2003. In addition to the specific questions about historical resources, there were several opportunities for respondents to submit write-in comments. Preserving the historic Town Center, historic homes and character of Dunbarton were the subjects of many written comments.

Table III-1 Do you value historic places or properties in Dunbarton? Total Percent Yes 400 84.7% No 33 7.0% No Opinion 39 8.3% Grand Total 472 100.0%

In Table III-1, over 84% of the survey respondents stated that they valued Dunbarton’s historic places or properties. They were, however, of mixed opinion about the Town regulating historic resources through a historic district or architectural/historic preservation regulations. Only 50.7% supported the designation of a specific area in Dunbarton as an historic district. 31.9 % did not support an historic district designation, and 17.5% had no opinion.

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Table III-2 Do you support the designation of a specific area in Dunbarton as a historic district? Total Percent Yes 232 50.7% No 146 31.9% No Opinion 80 17.5% Grand Total 458 100.0%

Table III-2A If yes, which area(s)? Total Percent* Area A 176 75.9% Area B 104 44.8% Area C 58 25.0% Area D 26 11.2% Area E 15 6.5% Area F 30 12.9% Area G 15 6.5% *Based on 232 "yes" responses

Table III-2B If yes, do you support the regulation of architectural features within these areas? Total Percent Yes 167 58.4% No 75 26.2% No Opinion 44 15.4% Grand Total 286 100.0%

Of the respondents in favor of historic district designation, 76% indicated that the Town Center should be designated, 45% indicated that Pages Corner/North Village should be designated, 25% supported Stark Highway North, and the rest of the Town was pretty evenly divided. Just over half of the respondents in favor of historic district designation were in favor of regulating architectural features within the areas, indicating that an historic designation might garner support; however, additional regulatory provisions would probably not.

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Table III-3 Would you like to see the Town take additional measures related to historic preservation? Total Percent Yes 158 35.0% No 155 34.4% No Opinion 138 30.6% Grand Total 451 100.0%

The write-in responses to Question 39 (Table III-3) are also a clear indication that encouragement and incentives were favored over the regulatory approach. Suggestions included working collaboratively with land owners to maintain the historic integrity of sites, encourage preservation through education, investigate tax incentive programs, publish guidelines for preservation, and conduct surveys (see the APPENDIX CHAPTER for full write-in list).

The answers overall show some interest for a historic district, regulation of architectural features, or other regulatory measures, but not overwhelmingly. It may be beneficial for the Historic Awareness Committee or Historical Society to explore this further through a historical resources survey to determine what could be done to preserve historic resources in the future that would be supported by a majority of the Town’s residents.

Community Visioning Forum At the Visioning Forum, there were two Historic and Cultural Resources sessions held in the morning which focused on the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for historic and cultural resources in Dunbarton.

The groups noted that Dunbarton’s strengths included historic centers, cemeteries, historic homes, family heritage and strong local interest in history. Weaknesses included two groups focused on historic resources with lack of communication between them;growth; and lack of a funding mechanism needed to preserve sites.

The key points in the discussion were the need to increase public awareness through education; the Town Center should be “left alone”; a central meeting place would be a nice addition to the community; the Town’s heritage is important, better communication between historical groups and the public; and the idea that growth threatens historical resources. Ideas were generated to address these issues, such as a historical homeowners’ network, newsletter, and writing down oral history.

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF DUNBARTON

The history of a town can be thought of as a narrative of the causes that bring that place to a state in time. What events that have occurred there and what events have not? There are general trends in the history of the State of New Hampshire; some have affected Dunbarton, and others have not.

The earliest times of European influence on New Hampshire were the 1600s. In 1621, Captain John Mason procured a grant of land between the Naumkeag River in Salem, Massachusetts and the Merrimack River. In 1749, the grant was sold to a group of twelve men known as the Masonian Proprietors, who resided in the Seacoast area. These twelve became responsible for granting new townships in New Hampshire.

In 1749, the Masonian Proprietors granted a new township to a group headed by Archibald Stark. The township was named Starkstown in Stark’s honor. In 1751, Starkstown was re-granted, and the first meeting of the Starkstown Proprietors was held on April 8, 1751, in Londonderry.

In New Hampshire, after land was granted, there was a period of settling the frontier – establishing property boundaries, clearing the land, building rudimentary houses, planting, putting in roads and constructing mills. Nature was viewed as a wilderness to be conquered. The terms of the Starkstown grant were aimed at encouraging settlement – quickly:

“By the last of May, next, 30 families must take up residence on their lots; have a house built that is at least 16 feet square, or the equivalent (sic); have 3 acres of land cleared for tillage or mowing and shall clear 3 acres more, yearly, for the next 2 years.”

If a lot was not settled as required by the conditions of the grant, the ownership of the lot would be forfeited, and the lot would be sold at auction. The grantees were also required to build a meeting house within five years. If settlement was not made in accordance with the intent and meaning of the grant within the allotted time, then the whole grant would become null and void and revert to the Grantors.

Under these conditions, Dunbarton’s early settlement developed into an agricultural community, as did other settlements in New Hampshire. Between 1761 and 1775, New Hampshire grew faster than any of the other colonies, and at the time of the Revolution, farming was New Hampshire’s largest single industry.

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In Dunbarton, local gristmills and sawmills were established to support the local farms. About 1760, the Starkstown proprietors granted John Stark 100 acres to build a sawmill “to sell boards to the settlers of Starkstown as cheap as any of the neighboring mills sell,” and other mills were established later.

In addition to mills, Dunbarton supported small industries including coopers, tanneries, shoemakers, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, and carpenters. There were stores at Page’s Corner and in the Center. In 1808, selectmen issued eleven permits, most of which included the right to “mix and sell spirituous liquors,” to Dunbarton innkeepers.

At the beginning of the 19th century, farming was still strong in New Hampshire. The Census of 1820 listed 52,384 residents earning a living by agriculture compared to 1,068 who were in commerce and 8,699 in manufacturing. A newspaper article dated 1831 said of Dunbarton,

“…enterprising farmers of this excellent farming town have realized abundant crops of wheat the present year, as well as great crops of almost everything else. Competent judges say that the wheat and rye raised in Dunbarton this season are sufficient to bread the whole population for the coming year. Few, if any, towns in New England supply themselves as independently of other sections of the country as does Dunbarton.”

However, the opening of the western states before the Civil War brought cheaper land that could be farmed more productively. In the 1850s, land in the West sold for about $1.25 per acre, compared to about $30 per acre in New Hampshire. It cost a New England farmer about forty to fifty cents to produce a bushel of corn, while in Illinois, it cost twelve to fifteen cents. After the Civil War, young men followed the advice of Amherst native Horace Greeley and went west to find success. In 1963, Weston P. Lord wrote of Dunbarton:

“About the time of the Civil War was the farmers’ greatest period of prosperity…There were eleven sawmills running in or near Dunbarton…Farming as a business was at its peak. All products of the farm, beef, hay, lumber, wood, apples, vegetables, eggs and milk were in good demand…During the Civil War, many of the younger men went away to war, and then went west after the war was over. As the west was opened prices began to fall…Young men were accepting higher paid positions in industry. There was a lack of confidence in investing huge sums of money in farming when no one seemed to know what the future of agriculture would be.”

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Industrialization further changed the state. Where water power was available, it was put to use. On a smaller scale, in towns like Harrisville, and on a larger scale, in the cities of Manchester, Nashua, Dover and Somersworth, corporations developed mills. These mills initially drew their labor force from farms.

Railroads tied New Hampshire to the rest of the country, making it easier to move factory goods to markets. They also brought in cheaper farm products from the West, and made travel to the West easier.

New Hampshire's economic problems continued in the first half of the 20th century. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, textile mills were proving to be uncompetitive, and the growth of the state's population slowed markedly. New Hampshire’s industries shifted to shoe and electronics manufacturing.

The railroads that carried produce to markets outside of New Hampshire also brought tourists in New Hampshire. Tourism and the appreciation of the state’s natural resources became a new cultural and economic force in the state, a force that continues to grow.

In the late 20th century, the introduction of high-tech industries, the continued growth of tourism, and the proliferation of service industry jobs has transformed New Hampshire from a slow-growing state into the fastest growing state in the Northeast.

“Since the middle of the 19th century, the most powerful current in the state’s development has been the growth of business and industry. However, a secondary current – the desire to create a happy society based on local autonomy and individual freedom in a congenial rural environment – has both challenged and enriched the desire for economic growth.* [Emphasis added]

Dunbarton has no major sources of water power, so did not become industrialized. Railroads were built to the south, west and east, but not through Dunbarton. Farming remained, but gradually, fields have reverted to forest. By 1975, Alice M. Hadley’s Where the Winds Blow Free listed thirteen small businesses and two working farms in the town of Dunbarton.

* Heffernan, Nancy Coffey and Stecker, Ann Page, New Hampshire: Crosscurrents in its Development, University Press of New England, 1996.

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While many of the cities and towns around Dunbarton have risen and fallen and risen again in response to the economic and transportation trends in the state, Dunbarton has retained a rural character that hearkens back to times when the state was a colony and “The farmer’s life was marked by diligent, sober work, close family interdependence and communal responsibility.”* Dunbarton has avoided suburban sprawl and highway shopping strips.

Attitudes toward undeveloped land have evolved from the fear of an untamed, threatening wilderness that was prevalent in colonial times through economic exploitation of resources to a reverence for an Acadia with recreational, spiritual and even moral characteristics. Dunbarton embodies the “congenial rural environment” that will be so highly sought after as the 21st century progresses. The question today is whether this rural environment will be preserved for future generations.

References

Hadley, Alice M., Where the Winds Blow Free, Published for the Dunbarton History Committee by Phoenix Publishing, 1976.

Heffernan, Nancy Coffey and Stecker, Ann Page, New Hampshire: Crosscurrents in its Development, University Press of New England, 1996.

Noyes, Harlan A., Where Settlers’ Feet Have Trod, Town of Dunbarton, 2004.

* Heffernan, Nancy Coffey and Stecker, Ann Page, New Hampshire: Crosscurrents in its Development, University Press of New England, 1996.

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FEATURES AND RESOURCES

Local Historic Markers The Dunbarton Historical Awareness Committee was created at Town Meeting in March of 1992. The Committee was established to research and document historic houses and other historic structures in town. One of their charges is to make plaques indicating the significance and dates for those owners wishing to have one on their historic structure.

To date, nearly sixty historical structures in Dunbarton have received dated plaques made by members of the committee. Each recipient has also received a brief history and some documentation regarding their building. A list of the structures and plaques is available at Town Hall.

Historical Sites and Structures Many of these sites and structures are displayed on the Historic and Cultural Features Map.

Privately-Owned Homes The Town of Dunbarton remains a relatively rural community to the present day, and has been fortunate to have retained many of its historical resources. Dunbarton’s roadsides are graced with the presence of many wonderful historic homes. Because the list of historic homes is too lengthy to list, a map has been created and included in this document entitled “Privately-Owned Historic Home and Cellar Site Map.” Each historic structure location is identified by a dot on the map.

Cellar holes are located throughout the town, a testament to homes that once stood on their stone foundations. The Dunbarton Historical Awareness Committee is beginning a campaign to document cellar holes in town by measuring and diagramming the sites before they are lost forever.

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Churches

First Congregational Church of Dunbarton On June 18, 1789, the First Congregational Church of Dunbarton was founded with the Reverend Walter Harris as its minister. The Congregational Church members used the Town Meeting House for worship peacefully until the year 1833. Because of the increasing competition for worship space with the Baptists and Universalists, the Congregationalists decided to build a church of their own. In 1836, the Congregational Church commissioned the skills of master builder, Capt. Samuel Kimball. The Church was constructed in the center of town, west of the Town Common. Its steeple design mimics the architecture of the steeple of the North Church of Boston. The First Congregational Church of Dunbarton worships in the historic church to this day.

First Congregational Church Vestry In the Congregational Society’s annual meeting report of March 21, 1832, the Vestry was to be built so that the Congregationalists could have a place to hold their meetings other than the Town Meeting House. The Vestry was built in 1832 originally on the east side of the Town Common where it stood until the year 1873. The building was used by both the church and town for meetings and a high school. It was then moved by oxen to its present location on the west side of the Town Common and just north of the Congregational Church. The move began on November 22nd and was completed on December 6th.

Church of St. John the Evangelist Construction of the church began in 1866 on a plot of land owned by Miss Mary Stark, located near the Stark Mansion. The building boasts Gothic architecture and is graced with beautiful stained glass windows which were donated by Reverend Henry A. Coit, a rector of St. Paul’s School. Thomas G. Valvey, a master at St. Paul’s School, conducted services in the new church until 1867. Because of the secluded location of the church, the building was dismantled and reconstructed at its present day location on Stark Highway North. The land was donated by David Sargent and the reconstruction of the building was completed by local carpenter John Bunten.

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One-Room Schoolhouses

Page’s Corner Schoolhouse Built in 1855 from bricks manufactured at a brickyard on Gorham Pond Road, this one-room schoolhouse served as the school for the Page’s Corner area. It is now owned by the Dunbarton Historical Society and is part of their museum.

Dunbarton Center School Comprising the most westerly-situated third of the Town Office Building, this structure was originally the Dunbarton Center School. It was built in 1866 and continued in use until 1972.

Town Structures

Town Hall Gracing the center of the Town Common, the Town Hall was built in 1908. It is erected on the same site as the original 1789 Town Meetinghouse, which was destroyed by fire in 1908.

Town Pound In 1791, the Town voted to build a town pound of stone for town use. The dimensions of the pound were to be 32 feet square inside, 6 feet high of stone and a stack of timber on top with one side flat that locks the corners. The walls were to be 4 feet thick at the bottom and 3 feet thick at the top and built of large stones. The pound was used to contain loose livestock and pets until the owners could claim them.

Shops

Waite Blacksmith Shop A beautiful stone structure, the blacksmith shop was built by Jonathon Waite. The shop was originally located on the north side of Grapevine Road and was built from stone cut from the Guinea Road area. In 1980, under the ownership of the Dunbarton Historical Society, the blacksmith shop was moved stone by stone to its present day location on Stark Highway North and is now part of the Dunbarton Historical Society’s Museum.

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Sites

Stark Cemetery The Stark Cemetery, established in 1815 by Major Caleb Stark, was originally located on the south side of Stark Pond. Located north of the Stark Mansion, it was built as a private cemetery for the Stark family and its descendents. In 1962, it was relocated to its present site on Mansion Road due to the installation of the Hopkinton-Everett Flood Control Area by the Army Corps of Engineers. The original site was below the flood line and in the event of major flooding, it would have been destroyed. The Dunbarton Historical Society maintains the current cemetery site as well as the original site near Stark Pond. The famous poet Robert Lowell is buried here.

Robert Rogers’ Home Cellar Site One of the most famous men in the history of the French and Indian War, Robert Rogers was appointed as captain to a company of rangers in the year 1755. Soon to be called “Rogers’ Rangers”, they were considered the most invincible group of men in the early wars of America. Robert Rogers developed a code to govern soldiers’ actions in times of conflict which is still taught today in the United States Army. The cellar site is located off of Robert Rogers Road in the area of the Great Meadows.

Statue of Caleb Stark A recent addition to the Town Common near the public library, this life-like bronze statue commemorates the son of General John Stark, a hero of the Revolutionary War. Caleb joined his father at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts. The statue was donated by Herb & Laraine Allen.

Mill Sites From the Town records, it appears that throughout Dunbarton’s early history, nearly every section of town had one or more sawmills.

Stark Mill Constructed at the outlet of Stark Pond, the sawmill was built by John Stark on land that was granted to him by the town in 1760. This enabled the settlers to begin building framed houses instead of log cabins. Soon after its completion, a grist mill was added. During its time of operation, it was also used as a shingle mill. In January of 1916, the historic mills were taken down. A bronze plaque marks the site, and one of the original mill stones was relocated to the grounds of the Stark Mansion on Mansion Road.

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Page & Hadley Mill Constructed at the outlet of Kimball Pond, a grist mill was built by Benjamin Hadley on land he acquired in 1771. The mill at one point in its history also became a sawmill. The mill was later owned by Hezekiah and Ebenezer Woodbury and was known for years as Woodbury’s Mill. The mill then passed into the hands of the Kimball family, thus the current name “Kimball Pond.” The mill changed name again, later being called Page’s Mill. The mill burned down on October 6, 1919.

Stinson’s Mill On the outlet of Long Pond, a sawmill was built by the Stinson family.

Sargent Mill Constructed on what was known as Bog Brook, it lay north of the old George Noyes place, near the Bow line. The original owner is unknown; however, it was later owned by John Page.

Stack Brook Mills Two mills were located on this brook. One built by Samuel Evans and the other by a person with the name of Putney.

Smith Mill A sawmill was constructed on Harris Brook about 1809 by Samuel Smith. Remnants of the old dam can still be seen near residences on Rangeway Road.

Incomplete Documented Mill Sites • A mill once stood on a brook east of the Dugrenier place on Montalona Road (the stone dam can still be seen). • Dan Gregg operated a mill located west of the Labbie property on Mansion Road. • A mill once stood on Harry Brook, located in the southeast corner of Town. • The Colby Shingle Mill stood west on the old Putnam Colby place (location unknown). • A mill once stood on property at the western end of Tenney Hill Road (near Stark Highway North) which was owned by the Mills family. • A mill once stood north of Tenney Hill Road. • Numerous old deeds refer to land with “mill priviledges”, but it is not presently known if mills were actually constructed on these sites. Much of the information found in old deeds is yet to be scrutinized, studied and catalogued.

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Barns For nearly 200 years, New England farmers used a traditional barn design called the English Barn. English barns are characterized by the location of their main doors on the main side of the barn under its eaves. Dunbarton is fortunate to have two examples of English barns.

John White Barn Located at 251 Stark Highway North, this barn was part of John White’s original farm established in 1776. It features the large main doors on its north side visible from Route 13.

Luther Clement Barn Located at 1191 Gorham Pond Road, it is believed that the barn was moved from the farm across the street to its present location (from the historic property of Major John Stinson).

The majority of historic barns that are seen in Dunbarton and throughout New Hampshire are Yankee barns, distinguishable by their large doors on the gable ends. Another type of barn that graces Dunbarton’s village setting is the village barn. These small attached barns, built during the 1800’s and early 1900’s, were built to house a village family’s carriage horse, cow, chickens, a pig or some sheep. Some examples of village barns can be found in the Town Center and Page’s Corner.

Visions of rural New Hampshire almost always include an old barn. Dunbarton is blessed that it still has some historic barns standing in its fields and by its roadsides. Historic barns are disappearing at an alarming rate across the state. In an effort to slow down the deterioration and demolition of these important historical resources, New Hampshire Preservation Alliance has created a grant program designed to help property owners with condition analysis, phasing, budgeting and if appropriate, re-use ideas. For an application, contact the Preservation Alliance at 603-224-2281 or [email protected].

Cemeteries

Center Cemetery It has been said that early settlers followed the custom of establishing a graveyard near the meetinghouse. The first graveyard was located on Parsonage land on the southern side of the Common, on or near the location of the Dunbarton Telephone Company buildings. Town history states that the first burial was probably for Samuel Stinson, whose estate was settled in 1759. The land was found to have too much ledge for burials, and thus the cemetery was moved to its present site.

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The earliest entry for Center Cemetery’s present location was in 1767, when it was voted that “the Selectmen build a pound and fence the graveyard.” It was also “voted that any person or persons who shall not come, or send a hand to help build said pound and fence the graveyard…shall pay three shillings, lawful money, to the selectmen, to be collected by the constable.”

In 1800, bids were again sought for fencing of the graveyard. Among the specifications was, “the Bids shall be by the rod (16½ linear feet) and nothing short of ten cents will be considered a bid.” In 1803, the selectmen set the bounds of the Common.

Pages Corner Cemetery This cemetery was originally the Page family’s private burial ground. In the northeast corner of the cemetery are several unmarked fieldstones marking the graves of the slaves who were owned by Captain Caleb Page.

Stark Cemetery Major Caleb Stark established the Stark Cemetery on Mansion Road in 1815, on a rise of ground on the south side of Stark Pond.

The statue of Christ, standing with outstretched arm in an attitude of benediction, was erected in 1914 by Arthur Winslow as a memorial to his parents and other Stark family members. Winslow found the original statue, in marble, in a churchyard at San Mineato, Florence, Italy. Impressed by its beauty, Winslow arranged with its sculptor, Signor Dante Sodini, for this duplicate executed in bronze.

The cemetery was relocated to Mansion Road in 1962, when the Hopkinton-Everett Flood Control Project was undertaken.

East Dunbarton Cemetery This cemetery, currently located at Robert Rogers Road and Montalona Road, was first located adjacent to the old stone post on the Putney Homestead (now the Knight home) on Montalona Road. It was the resting place for members of the Putney family and sons of James Rogers. The date the cemetery was established is unknown, although it is known that it was at this location in 1791.

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THE HISTORICAL AREA OF PAGES CORNER

Page’s Corner by James L. Garvin, State Architectural Historian, January, 1996

With its open, agricultural setting, Page’s Corner is one of the most attractive sections of Dunbarton. Architecturally, the village is one of the most distinguished in central New Hampshire. Although the district includes a number of small, modern dwellings, the majority of its older homes are large and imposing farmhouses that clearly reflect an era of agricultural prosperity. The spacious lots on which these houses stand (some of them now subdivided) derive from the large-scale farming that originally characterized the neighborhood. The dwellings display architectural qualities that reveal the prosperity and taste of their original owners. These same features display the high degree of skill possessed by the artisans who framed and finished the houses.

It is remarkable to find a group of houses of such scale in an agricultural village. The prosperity that gave birth to these spacious dwellings was undoubtedly a reflection of the soil geology of the neighborhood. The deep loams that occur at and near Page’s Corner, are among the finest agricultural soils to be found in Dunbarton and in all of Merrimack County. It is no accident that these productive soils have been kept open as mowed or cultivated fields until the present day, or that the Page’s Corner area is one of the last districts in Dunbarton to be maintained under cultivation. Farmers who acquired land in this district were among the most fortunate of Dunbarton’s grantees. Their good fortune is reflected in the fine houses they or their successors eventually constructed in this favored location.

The interior and exterior woodwork of these early-nineteenth-century houses is of fine quality. Remarkable in a farming neighborhood, this woodwork reveals the builders’ familiarity with the latest architectural styles.

These houses of the late 1700s and early 1800s preserve an important and little- altered record of the aspirations of prosperous farming families and of the abilities of local craftsmen. The scale and well executed detailing of the houses lead one to wonder who built them. Did these prosperous farmers employ craftsmen from Concord, some seven miles away? Or did Dunbarton itself support carpenters and house-joiners with the skill to construct these great frames, and with the training, tools, and books needed to make these houses excellent examples of the architecture of the early nineteenth century? Concord, regrettably, has lost most of its houses of this era, so there is little in the capital city to compare with the dwellings of Page’s Corner as we seek answers to these questions.

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Houses like the Caleb Page (Molly Stark) House, the Clifford Tavern, and the William Tenney (Walker) House were built prior to the post-1800 group. Other houses in the neighborhood would be constructed after that group. These later buildings give the Page’s Corner neighborhood the identity of a changing and evolving district, revealing the styles that marked the later nineteenth century. Among the later dwellings of the neighborhood are several that date from the 1850s. Simple and modest in scale, these houses reflect the transition to more flexible plans demanded by changing fashion and made possible by the substitution of stoves for fireplaces.

The neighborhood is fortunate to have a few historic buildings of a non-domestic nature. The brick Page’s Corner (District No. 6) schoolhouse of 1855, now the headquarters of the Dunbarton Historical Society, is an excellent example of a nineteenth-century district school building in which all grades were taught by one teacher in one room. Brick schoolhouses were exceedingly rare in New Hampshire prior to 1850. Many of the insubstantial wooden school buildings that had been common in the early nineteenth century were later condemned by educational reformers who urged the use of brick by those towns or school districts that could afford the best construction. Today, the schoolhouse stands as a symbol of an important chapter in educational reform in New Hampshire.

Page’s Corner is also fortunate in having one of the finest examples of a rural wooden Gothic chapel to be found in New Hampshire. Built near the Stark mansion in the 1860s, the Church of Saint John the Evangelist was moved to its present site in 1890. Reflecting an age when the Gothic style was rendered in a romantic rather than an archaeologically studied fashion, St. John’s Church is a rare example of the “carpenter Gothic” period of American ecclesiastical architecture.

The Page’s Corner district contains houses of every era from the eighteenth century to the twentieth. The neighborhood retains outstanding examples of several architectural styles, further enriched by a school building and a church that are significant monuments of their respective types. Its varied collection of buildings and its rural setting make Page’s Corner a rare survivor from the agricultural age, preserved by good fortune into the late twentieth century.

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COMMUNITY CHARACTER

Dunbarton is a beautiful little hilltop Town and from it many men and women have carried a certain strength and character with them out into the world.

Geographical Character From the mid-eighteenth century through the first decades of the 20th century, Dunbarton’s historical character developed in several distinct geographical areas. The Town Center, Page’s Corner, Mansion Road and Montalona areas today, are reminders of Dunbarton’s social and architectural heritage. These areas, as well as other less geographically distinct areas, require future efforts to preserve their historical character.

Although distinctly different, these areas of town share several historical characteristics. Each possessed a fair degree of economic self-sufficiency through the development of sawmills and grist mills, family farms, blacksmith shops and tanneries. Cemeteries and schools were established in each of these areas. Commerce developed in Dunbarton’s earliest years both at Page’s Corner and the Center. Page’s Corner was the site of Dunbarton’s earliest town meetings (Proprietor’s Meetings) and, located at a busy crossroads, was a commercial and trading hub. The Town Center, with its church and Meetinghouse and cemetery located on the Town Common was early on established as the center of Dunbarton’s social, governmental, and spiritual life. Post offices were active in both North Dunbarton (Page’s Corner) and the Center. Taverns at Page’s Corner and the Center served essential social functions to both townspeople and travelers. The open meadows of the Montelona District provided Dunbarton’s first settlers with grazing land for cattle.

From an historical point of view, Dunbarton Center and Pages Corner remain today as the areas of Dunbarton with the highest concentration of historical buildings. The Center today is a picture of the classic New England town center with a town common, meetinghouse, cemetery, and church surrounded by numerous colonial and Federal era homes. Pages Corner, still designated on most geographical atlases and maps, possesses one of central New Hampshire’s more significant concentrations of historically and architecturally significant homes of the colonial and financially prosperous early Federal era, extending not only along Stark Highway but also into the historically and architecturally significant Tenney Hill neighborhood. Both the Mansion Road and Montelona districts incorporate important Colonial and early Federal era farms dwellings, from the simplest and earliest two-room structures to grand late-Federal homes.

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While each of these areas deserves special consideration as historic neighborhoods or areas of Dunbarton, it is also essential that historical preservation occur throughout Dunbarton for all historic homes. It will require considerable thought as to how to accomplish historic preservation of certain properties while maintaining the balance of new homes mixed with old without infringing on property owner rights.

Public Character With the advent of improved roads and automobile travel, the relative isolation and distinct nature of these areas became less socially and economically important, although no less historically significant. With ever-increasing housing development, road widening, increasing automobile traffic and speed, and the continuing loss of historic homes and outbuildings, these areas have become less architecturally and culturally distinctive and their historical significance endangered unless Dunbarton is as proactive in its historic preservation efforts as it is in its commitment to historical awareness.

Dunbarton is a bedroom community which lies nestled between two major cities: Manchester and Concord. Residents have the opportunity to travel, shop and work in either city. Neighboring towns include Goffstown, Weare, Bow and Hopkinton. As indicated in the community survey, many people in Dunbarton would rather travel for services than to have them available within the Town.

Residents in Dunbarton are fiercely independent, value their town, and protect their resources. There is a strong community spirit within Dunbarton, and people involved with their Town express their thoughts openly.

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HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN DUNBARTON

Cultural resources are difficult to isolate from historical resources because one is often part of the other. The following list highlights some of the Town’s resources, which are often described as being cultural. Some of the resources are run by the Town, while others have benefited from an association with the Town but are privately directed.

Past Activities The following activities are ones which occurred in the past and have helped to shape the fabric of Dunbarton’s current social environment.

Church Activities ƒ First Congregational Church of Dunbarton – including Ladies Aid Group and Spares and Pairs Group ƒ St John’s Episcopal Church Altar Guild ƒ Baptist Church until 1905

Town Activities ƒ Fire Department - Women’s Auxiliary ƒ Police Department – Annual Dance ƒ Dunbarton Community Club – 1926 ƒ Dunbarton Historical Society – Lawn Party ƒ Centennial Celebrations ƒ Dances at Stark Mansion ƒ Dances at Town Hall ƒ Town Hall activities (1769 – 1909)

Community Group Activities ƒ Book Club - The Dunbarton Book Club was founded on January 10, 1904, and maintained an active membership until the club disbanded in 1983. It became affiliated with the New Hampshire Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1919 and with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1941. Although it was originally organized as a study club to promote interest in literature, drama, biography, art, music and current events, the scope was broadened to include the study of New Hampshire and its geographic area, natural resources, industries, etc. In later years, however, more emphasis was placed on community service with assistance to the library being one of its foremost projects. ƒ Men’s Club ƒ Stark Grange #42, organized in 1874

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ƒ Junior Grange organized in mid-1930’s ƒ Dunbarton Players Theater Group - The Dunbarton Players produced an annual community play. All ages were involved in the production. ƒ Dunbarton Coronet Band ƒ Silver Birch 4-H Club 1930’s ƒ Victory 4-H Club 1940’s ƒ New Horizon’s Extension Group 1970’s ƒ Dunbarton Women’s Club

Current Activities Activities that currently contribute to the social fabric and quality of life in Dunbarton include:

Church Activities ƒ First Congregational Church of Dunbarton – including maintaining Food Pantry for Town use and Youth Group. ƒ Church of St. John the Evangelist

Town Activities ƒ Trick or Treating around the Town Common ƒ Dunbarton Public Library – including Summer Reading Program for children, Story Hour for preschoolers, and Special educational programs. ƒ Fire Department – including Annual Chicken Bar-B-Q, and Suppers. ƒ Police Department – including Senior Citizen Events. ƒ Dunbarton Recreation Department – including sports programs, seasonal parties, and bus trips. ƒ Volunteer Spirit – including Barn & House raisings, constructing the Recycling Center, Dunbarton Elementary School building additions and landscaping, and Fire Department Volunteers

Community Group Activities ƒ Dunbarton Garden Club ƒ Dunbarton Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts ƒ Silver Birch 4-H ƒ American Legion – including suppers and Memorial Day celebration ƒ Dunbarton Elementary School – including Harvest Moon Supper, Halloween Parade through Town Center, and Snowflake Supper ƒ Old Home Day ƒ Lion’s Club

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Historical Groups

Dunbarton Historical Society The Dunbarton Historical Society was founded in 1963 with the names of 124 members on its charter which reads: “Know ye that the Dunbarton Historical Society by virtue of authority vested in it as a corporation will promote and inculcate an understanding of the history and development of the Town of Dunbarton and whatever relates thereto. It will locate for posterity, preserve and mark historical sites and places of public interest in Dunbarton. It will disseminate historical information and arouse interest in the history and development of New Hampshire, particularly the Town of Dunbarton, by holding public meetings and assemblies for historical and related purposes.”

In keeping with its charter, the Dunbarton Historical Society purchased the Page’s Corner Schoolhouse in 1975 for a museum to house memorabilia and artifacts from the Town of Dunbarton and surrounding areas. Located adjacent to the schoolhouse is the Waite Blacksmith Shop which was moved from its original site on Grapevine Road in 1980. These buildings are open to the public on the second and fourth Saturdays during the months of June through September from 1-4 PM. The Dunbarton Historical Society also offers educational programs, ham & bean supper, Farm Day and publications.

Dunbarton Historical Awareness Committee Committee activities include educational programs in Dunbarton Elementary School, historical tours, and publications. Established at Town Meeting in 1992, the Historical Awareness Committee was created to conduct research and documentation of Dunbarton’s historic structures (both private and town-owned), to make plaques dating historic structures in Town and provide education for Dunbarton Elementary School students. They are a Town committee and work through the Board of Selectmen. To their credit, they have created bicycle and walking tours of the Town and recently published a new book, Where Settlers Feet have Trod by Harlan Noyes, which highlights historical homes in Town and Dunbarton’s history.

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HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND OR STUDIES

Available at the Dunbarton Public Library { History of Dunbarton, by Caleb Stark { Walking Tour of Dunbarton { Bicycle Tour of Dunbarton { Historic sermons of the Dunbarton Congregational Church { Town Reports, dating from 1883 to the present day { Where Settlers Feet Have Trod, by Harlan Noyes { Where the Winds Blow Free, by Alice Hadley { The Snowflake, by John Mills { A Tale of Dunbarton, by the Dunbarton Historical Awareness Committee

Available at the Dunbarton Historical Society Museum { Raymond Adams collection (scrapbook)

Private Collection of Harlan Noyes { 1761 & 1763 Inventory of Dunbarton Property Owners

Town Records located in vault (only available by appointment) Due to the frailty of these documents, viewing is reserved for special circumstances only and the viewer must wear protective gloves. { Tavern licenses { Early deaths and births

Town Collections { Hadley – Tucker Collection: photos and newspaper clippings of the early history of Dunbarton recently purchased from Laura Tucker, the great granddaughter of Alice Hadley, the archivist

State Archives, State Library and Registry of Deeds in Concord, NH { Additional historic information on Dunbarton is located here

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METHODS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

Dunbarton has a rich historical legacy that is evident in its buildings, landscapes, and patterns of development. These resources contribute to the quality of life in the community and provide a sense of identity that many residents enjoy and find important to them. The strategies listed below can help ensure that these resources are protected and preserved so that future generations may not only learn from them, but also enjoy them.

Barn Owner Tax Relief RSA 79-D authorizes municipalities to grant property tax relief to barn owners who can demonstrate the public benefit of preserving their building and who also agree to maintain their structure throughout a minimum 10-year preservation easement. On or before April 15th of the new tax year, owners of historic barns or other farm buildings may seek relief by applying to their local governing body to grant a discretionary preservation easement to the municipality and by agreeing to maintain the structure in keeping with its historic integrity and character during the term of the easement. For more information contact the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources.

Citizens for New Hampshire's Land and Community Heritage A coalition of organizations that are working to protect the special places that define our state. This coalition provides technical assistance, outreach, and education, which are available to communities and organizations.

Cooperative Ventures with Private Organizations Partnerships can be formed when the interests of the Town to preserve historic or cultural resources match with the interests of a private organization. This tactic will require some creative thinking and introductory discussions by Town officials with area organizations that have, or could develop, an interest in conserving such resources.

Grants from Foundations The Town should research available grants and develop proposals to seek funding for the conservation of particular pieces of property or other historical resources within Town. Funding could be sought from foundations at the local, state, regional, and national level.

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Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) This former State funding program was designed to assist communities that want to conserve outstanding natural, historic, and cultural resources. It was required that towns match the State money from this fund with a 50% match from other sources, some of which can be an "in kind" match, as well as funds from other sources. It is hoped that this valuable program will again be funded in the future.

Land Trust The Town should support non-profit land trusts that accept and pursue property and easements for land of local historic and cultural concern. For more information, contact Five Rivers Conservation Trust, located in Concord.

New Hampshire Preservation Alliance The Alliance was founded in 1985 and works to preserve New Hampshire's historic buildings, landscapes, and communities through leadership, advocacy, and education.

Preservation Easements Preservation easements are initiated by landowners who wish to protect their land from future development, while still retaining owners’ rights. Farms, buildings and scenic and historic areas all have the right to be protected by an easement. Perpetual easements protect the land or structure through subsequent owners, while term easements have a set time period agreed to by the town and current owner. Perpetual easements often reduce the estate tax on large amounts of property, though the decision to award tax relief is officially decided by State Law, local officials, and town assessors. For more information contact the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources.

Revolving Funds Revolving funds help protect and preserve publicly significant historic properties by using options to purchase, direct acquisition, or deed of gift to acquire threatened or endangered properties. Profits from the sales are rolled back into the fund to help save other endangered properties and perpetuate the fund. The National Preservation Loan provides loans to establish or expand local and statewide preservation revolving funds.

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Tax Rehabilitation Credits and Incentives Income tax deductions may be granted for two types of historic properties, a historically important area, or a certified historic structure. A twenty percent tax credit is given by the government for rehabilitation of certified historic structures. The Bank of America Historic Tax Credit Fund grants equity investments for the rehabilitation of historic commercial and residential properties eligible for the federal and state historic tax credit, as well as the 10% non-historic federal tax credit.

Transportation Enhancement Funds (TE) Transportation Enhancements Program (TE) is another viable source for improving communities. Funding for the TE program is slightly more than $3 million dollars annually. These funds are provided in an 80/20 match, with the State paying for the majority of the project cost. Typical examples of projects eligible for TE funds include: • Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites • Scenic or historic highway programs • Historic preservation • Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, and facilities • Preservation of abandoned railway corridors • Archaeological planning and research • Establishment of transportation museums

For more information, contact the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission.

CONCLUSION

Preserving a town’s history and character is not often an easy task. As individual properties are developed or redeveloped, it may be difficult to track what historic resources could be lost. Often people find it easier to demolish historic sites and structures to make way for future uses than to preserve them. Historic structures can also be costly to maintain. So, while retaining the overall historic character of a town is generally supported by the community, the responsibility of doing so often comes down to individual property owners. For this reason, it is key to raise awareness about the importance of Dunbarton’s historic features and create incentives and guidelines for their preservation.

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SUMMARY

Dunbarton is fortunate to have many of its historical resources still standing and in good condition. This is due in part to the dedication and concern by its citizens and two historical groups: the Historical Society and Historical Awareness Committee. The fact that Dunbarton has remained a rural town to the present day has also helped retain its historical sites and structures. One only has to view the numerous publications written over the years about this Town to realize the depth of pride and commitment of its residents. Thanks to the efforts of these invaluable people, much of Dunbarton’s history has already been documented for future generations to enjoy.

Our Subcommittee was comprised of interested residents and members from both of the Town’s historical groups. Because of this makeup, many of the past cultural resources were able to be recalled and documented for this project. One of the key goals of the Community Visioning Forum held in January of 2004 was to improve communication between the Dunbarton Historical Society and Historical Awareness Committee. The positive conversation that transpired during this project has begun to lay the groundwork for more open dialogue between these two groups. In the recommendations of this Subcommittee, many of the objectives of this Chapter of the Master Plan will be accomplished through the joint efforts of the Historical Society and the Historical Awareness Committee.

It was a unanimous sentiment that Dunbarton’s historical resources are an important part of this community, and they need to be monitored and protected when possible. The Subcommittee felt that this goal should be pursued through proactive means without infringing on property owner’s rights. One of the most notable and important recommendations of this Subcommittee is the adoption of a Demolition Ordinance. A Demolition Ordinance will help find alternative solutions to the destruction of Dunbarton’s historical structures in the future. The documentation of the Town’s resources is partially complete, and it is extremely important that this work be completed before some are lost to inconsiderate development.

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Growth is one of the biggest enemies of our historical and cultural resources. Antique barns fortunately still grace our fields and winding roads. Due to a decline in agriculture, many are not used for their original purpose and remain a threatened resource to the state as a whole. They are telltales of what life used to be like in this region and elsewhere in New England and are disappearing at an alarming rate. Our State and our Town are bracing for change brought on by continued growth. It is important to have a protection plan in place before the tide of change reaches our borders, rather than waiting until we are confronted with a crisis. There are so many towns in southern New England and southern New Hampshire whose historical resources have disappeared due to unbridled growth and poor planning. We still have so much of what other towns have lost. The recommendations made by this Subcommittee, when completed, will make great strides in helping to protect our historical resources and retain our historical character. We, as a Town, have to be proactive in our efforts to preserve our historical resources and not be complacent about their need to be protected.

- Respectfully Submitted, Patty Shearin, Historical and Cultural Resources Chair

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Chapter IV POPULATION AND ECONOMICS

INTRODUCTION

This Chapter focuses on the various facets and segments of the population of Dunbarton, including migration patterns, historical trends, demographics, as well as projections for future growth. The information in this Chapter is presented so that it may be compared with surrounding municipalities in the area, Merrimack County, and the State. Information presented in this Chapter has been derived from the Office of Energy and Planning (formerly the Office of State Planning), United States Bureau of Census, the New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Statistics, and the New Hampshire Bureau of Employment Security.

With an actual population of 1,759 individuals in 1990 and an actual population of 2,226 in 2000, Dunbarton experienced a 26.5% increase during that time period. Population projections suggest that by 2010, the population will increase an additional 15.9% to a total of 2,580 residents.

The 2000 US Census data was available for the publication of this Master Plan, which was supplemented by estimates from the NH Office of Energy and Planning for the recent years in between the decennial Census. In addition, the Community Survey results, representing 44% of households and out-of-town property owners in Dunbarton, yielded interesting numbers for comparison purposes.

The findings in the POPULATION AND ECONOMICS CHAPTER in particular, of all those in the Master Plan, have a profound effect on the rest of the Chapters. Population growth creates pressure on Town services and facilities, the building of new homes, and the reduction of open space. A diversified population base offers a broader, healthier community, so many of the Recommendations reflect this sentiment. Although the Recommendations stated in this Chapter are specific only to this Chapter, they have a direct influence on each of the remaining Chapters of the 2004 Master Plan.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS

- To promote a more diversified population base and economic base in the community.

• Maintain the municipal tax rate to enable seniors and lower-income residents to better afford to live within Town.

• Maintain the school tax rate to enable seniors and lower-income residents to better afford to live within Town.

• Develop a volunteer service to assist seniors with errands, minor maintenance, and for a daily phone call.

• Form a senior advocate committee to encourage seniors to get involved with Town boards, events, and cultural activities.

• Enable the location of senior housing developments in Town.

• Explore the possibility of attracting a contractual Post Office in an existing business.

• Enact land use regulations that offer opportunities for seniors, young families, and other diversified groups to live in Dunbarton.

- To provide past, current, and projected statistical information to the Town to better understand the population and economic composition of the community.

• Encourage Town Boards to consult the population and economics data contained within the POPULATION AND ECONOMICS CHAPTER when determining public policy.

• Update the Master Plan every five to seven years to incorporate new data as it becomes available.

• Update the build out analysis on a periodic basis for population projections based on the current zoning.

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- To retain the small town rural character and population that define Dunbarton.

• Enact land use regulations that encourage the retention of open space.

• Undertake a Cost of Community Services Study to gauge the tax impacts of various forms of development versus open space.

• Continue to encourage home based businesses in Dunbarton that reflect the rural character of the community.

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COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS

According to the Community Survey responses, 53.6% of adult respondents are 45 years of age and older (Table IV-1), while those adults aged 18 to 44 constitute 46.3%. Children under the age of 17 (Table IV-2) represent 43.6% of the population according to the survey responses. Of the 296 children represented on the survey, 72% were of school age. Full results of the Community Survey are available in the APPENDIX CHAPTER.

Table IV-1 Please write in the number of adults in your household for each age group. Age Total Percent 18-20 years old 38 5.6% 21-24 years old 28 4.1% 25-34 years old 77 11.3% 35-44 years old 172 25.3% 45-54 years old 179 26.4% 55-59 years old 72 10.6% 60-64 years old 42 6.2% 65-74 years old 41 6.0% 75-84 years old 23 3.4% 85 years old and older 7 1.0% Total 679 100.0%

Table IV-2 Please indicate the number of children for each age group in your household. Age Number Percent Under 5 years old 83 28.0% 5-10 years old 95 32.1% 11-13 years old 56 18.9% 14-17 years old 62 20.9% Total 296 100.0%

In Table IV-3, a significant 33.9% of respondents have lived in Dunbarton for less than five years. Table IV-3 How long have you lived in Dunbarton? Years Total Percent Less than 1 year 36 8.0% 1-5 years 116 25.9% 6-10 years 83 18.5% 11-20 years 98 21.9% 21-30 years 60 13.4% Over 31 years 55 12.3% Grand Total 448 100.0%

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Table IV-4 For all employed members of your household, please provide the following information. Full Part Full Part Works in : Time Percent Time Percent Works in : Time Percent Time Percent Amherst, NH 4 0.8% Nashua, NH 19 3.8% 3 2.3% Andover, MA 6 1.2% New Boston, NH 4 0.8% 2 1.6% New England At home 5 1.0% 2 1.6% (various) 11 2.2% 4 3.1% New Hampshire Auburn, NH 5 1.0% 1 0.8% (various) 19 3.8% 11 8.5% Barnstead, NH 1 0.2% Northwood, NH 2 0.4% Out of State (not Bedford, NH 25 5.0% 3 2.3% New England) 4 0.8% 2 1.6% Belmont, NH 1 0.2% Peabody, MA 1 0.2% Billerica, MA 1 0.2% Pembroke, NH 6 1.2% 2 1.6% Boscawen, NH 2 0.4% Penacook, NH 4 0.8% Boston, MA 5 1.0% Peterborough, NH 1 0.2% Bow, NH 6 1.2% 1 0.8% Pinardville, NH 1 0.2% 1 0.8% Brentwood, NH 1 0.2% Plymouth, NH 0 0.0% 1 0.8% Cambridge, MA 1 0.2% Portland, ME 1 0.2% Candia, NH 1 0.2% Portsmouth, NH 0 0.0% 1 0.8% Concord, NH 96 19.1% 27 20.9% Reading, MA 0 0.0% 1 0.8% Contoocook, NH 4 0.8% Rochester, NH 1 0.2% Danvers, MA 1 0.2% Salem, MA 1 0.2% Derry, NH 3 0.6% Salem, NH 7 1.4% Dover, NH 1 0.2% 1 0.8% Seabrook, NH 1 0.2% Dunbarton, NH 35 7.0% 24 18.6% Suncook, NH 1 0.2% Epsom, NH 1 0.2% Tilton, NH 1 0.2% Fayetteville, NC 1 0.2% Tyngsboro, MA 1 0.2% Francestown, NH 1 0.2% Warner, NH 1 0.2% Franklin, NH 2 0.4% Watertown, MA 0 0.0% 1 0.8% Gilford, NH 1 0.2% Weare, NH 6 1.2% Goffstown, NH 18 3.6% 9 7.0% Westford, MA 2 0.4% Haverhill, MA 1 0.2% Wilmington, MA 1 0.2% Hillsborough, NH 5 1.0% Windham, NH 2 0.4% Hooksett, NH 12 2.4% 1 0.8% Woburn, MA 1 0.2% Hudson, NH 3 0.6% (blank) 9 1.8% 6 4.7% Totals 502 100% 129 100% Keene, NH 2 0.4% Lawrence, MA 1 0.2% 1 0.8% Litchfield, NH 0 0.0% 1 0.8% local area 3 0.6% 1 0.8% Londonderry, NH 8 1.6% 1 0.8% Loudon, NH 2 0.4% 1 0.8% Manchester, NH 107 21.3% 18 14.0% Massachusetts (various) 7 1.4% 1 0.8% Merrimack, NH 12 2.4% Milford, NH 3 0.6%

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In Table IV-4, among the respondents, full time workers most commonly work in Manchester (21.3%), Concord (19.1%), Dunbarton (7%), and Bedford (5%). Part- time workers work in Concord (20.9%), Dunbarton (18.6%), Manchester (14%), and Goffstown (7%).

Table IV-5 Table IV-5a How many members of your household How many others come to your home to work? work at home? Number Total Percent Number Total Percent None 250 97.3% None 211 70.6% 0.5 0 0.0% 0.5 1 0.3% 1 5 1.9% 1 69 23.1% 2 2 0.8% 2 16 5.4% Grand Total 257 100.0% 3 2 0.7% Grand Total 299 100.0%

Table IV-6 Please indicate the number of members of your household employed in each of the following categories: Occupation Number Percent Agriculture/Forestry 9 1.2% Health Care 71 9.5% Professional 98 13.1% Building Trades 61 8.1% Manufacturing 44 5.9% Retail 30 4.0% Business Services 34 4.5% Education 60 8.0% Finance 27 3.6% Government 55 7.3% Homemaker 46 6.1% Computer / High Tech 47 6.3% Non-profit 16 2.1% Real Estate 6 0.8% Retired 40 5.3% Student 38 5.1% Unemployed 13 1.7% Other 55 7.3% Total 750 100.0%

From Tables IV-5 and IV-5a, nearly 30% of those responding to the survey work at home, while only about 3% employed non-household members.

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The occupations which most commonly employed Dunbarton respondents are professional (13.1%), health care (9.5%), building trades (8.1%), and education (8.0%) in Table IV-6.

Table IV-7 Which of the following enterprises / services would you like to see in Dunbarton? Enterprises Total Percent Professional office park 57 11.6% Heavy industry park 5 1.0% Restaurants 139 28.4% Hotels / motels / inns 17 3.5% Bed and Breakfast 181 36.9% Tourism-related businesses 32 6.5% Health clinic / doctor's office 87 17.8% Conference Center 11 2.2% Motor vehicle repair or sales 34 6.9% Banks 71 14.5% Mini-Storage 22 4.5% Light industry park 51 10.4% Day care / after school care 128 26.1% Small retail shops 123 25.1% Recreational businesses 82 16.7% Major grocery chain 22 4.5% Country Convenience Store 215 43.9% Post Office 192 39.2% Spa/Health Club 40 8.2% Large Retailer 6 1.2% Agricultural-related businesses 236 48.2% Other 36 7.3% None of the above 55 11.2%

A land use question (#33) on the survey asked whether or not residents would like to encourage non-residential growth in the community, with 33.5% replying “yes.” Although most did not want to see new businesses locate to Town, those business which would be more acceptable are displayed in Table IV-7. The businesses which are more desirable to locate to Dunbarton are agricultural-related businesses (48.2%), a country convenience store (43.9%), post office (39.2%), and bed-and-breakfasts (36.5%). It was noted by the Subcommittee that these choices are representative of Dunbarton’s community character.

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POPULATION

The primary sources of information used for this segment of the Chapter were from the US Census, Town Reports, and the NH Office of Energy and Planning (formerly the Office of State Planning). It is critical to know how many people have resided in Dunbarton, how many are presently residents, and to have an understanding for how the Town may grow in the future. In short, over the last ten years between 1990 and 2000, the Town grew 26.5% according to the 2000 Census. This level of growth is above average for the Central New Hampshire Region.

POPULATION TRENDS

An analysis of the actual population numbers from Dunbarton from past to present will show trends of growth and decline. The trends are indicative of economic booms or recessions, or in the early years of Dunbarton, of industrialization, war, and disease. Historical and current data assist in making predictions for future population counts.

Historical Trends Table IV-8 shows population growth in Dunbarton, Merrimack County, and the State of New Hampshire since 1767.

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Table IV-8 Historical Population Trends 1767-2000 Town of Dunbarton Merrimack County State of New Hampshire Year Population % change Population % change Population % change 1767 271 --- 3,477 --- 52,672 --- 1773 464 71.2% 6,715 93.1% 73,097 38.8% 1783 ------7,337 9.3% 64,994 -11.1% 1790 917 --- 17,869 143.5% 141,885 118.3% 1800 1,222 33.3% 24,319 36.1% 183,858 29.6% 1810 1,256 2.8% 29,032 19.4% 214,460 16.6% 1820 1,450 15.4% 34,281 18.1% 244,161 13.8% 1830 1,067 -26.4% 36,490 6.4% 269,328 10.3% 1840 950 -11.0% 38,052 4.3% 284,574 5.7% 1850 915 -3.7% 42,225 11.0% 317,976 11.7% 1860 901 -1.5% 43,273 2.5% 326,073 2.5% 1870 778 -13.7% 42,947 -0.8% 318,300 -2.4% 1880 708 -9.0% 46,300 7.8% 346,991 9.0% 1890 524 -26.0% 49,435 6.8% 376,530 8.5% 1900 551 5.2% 52,430 6.1% 411,588 9.3% 1910 513 -6.9% 53,335 1.7% 430,572 4.6% 1920 405 -21.1% 51,770 -2.9% 443,083 2.9% 1930 572 41.2% 56,152 8.5% 465,293 5.0% 1940 495 -13.5% 60,710 8.1% 491,524 5.6% 1950 533 7.7% 63,022 3.8% 533,242 8.5% 1960 632 18.6% 67,785 7.6% 606,921 13.8% 1970 825 30.5% 80,925 19.4% 737,681 21.5% 1980 1,174 42.3% 98,302 21.5% 920,610 24.8% 1990 1,759 49.8% 120,005 22.1% 1,109,252 20.5% 2000 2,226 26.5% 136,225 13.5% 1,235,786 11.4% Sources: Historical US Census Data and Population Counts from Historical Record, NH Office of State Planning

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Although historical data is interesting and important, the current population increases are focused from 1960 to present in order to gauge the impact to the community within the last two generations. Figure IV-1 depicts the percentage of growth of Dunbarton, Merrimack County, and the State for comparative purposes:

Figure IV-1 Historical Population Growth Trends 1960-2000

60%

50%

Town of Dunbarton 40% Merrimack County 30% State of New 20% Hampshire

10%

0% 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Source: US Census 1960-2000

According to Figure IV-1, Dunbarton experienced a population boom from the 1960’s to the 1990’s. The lowest rates of growth in recent history were realized between 1990 and 2000. This population boom and decline reflects both the County and the State proportions.

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Figure IV-2 Dunbarton’s Relative Share of Population, 1960-2000

1.8%

1.6%

1.4%

1.2%

1% County Share 0.8% State Share

0.6%

0.4%

0.2%

0% 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Source: US Census 1960-2000

Figure IV-2 indicates that Dunbarton’s relative share of population between 1960 and 2000 has remained constant with the State but has nearly doubled from 0.9% to 1.6% within Merrimack County and from 0.1% to 0.2% within the State over the time span. Full details are available for the historical relative share of population in Table IV-9.

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Table IV-9 Relative Shares of Population, 1767-2000 Dunbarton Dunbarton Dunbarton Year Population as % of as % of State County 1767 271 7.8% 0.5% 1773 464 6.9% 0.6% 1783 ------1790 917 5.1% 0.6% 1800 1,222 5.0% 0.7% 1810 1,256 4.3% 0.6% 1820 1,450 4.2% 0.6% 1830 1,067 2.9% 0.4% 1840 950 2.5% 0.3% 1850 915 2.2% 0.3% 1860 901 2.1% 0.3% 1870 778 1.8% 0.2% 1880 708 1.5% 0.2% 1890 524 1.1% 0.1% 1900 551 1.1% 0.1% 1910 513 1.0% 0.1% 1920 405 0.8% 0.1% 1930 572 1.0% 0.1% 1940 495 0.8% 0.1% 1950 533 0.8% 0.1% 1960 632 0.9% 0.1% 1970 825 1.0% 0.1% 1980 1,174 1.2% 0.1% 1990 1,759 1.5% 0.2% 2000 2,226 1.6% 0.2% Source: Historical US Census Data and Population Counts from Historical Records, NH Office of State Planning and US Census 2000, April 2001

Comparison to the State’s population proportion shows that after 1980, Dunbarton’s population began to increase at a greater rate as compared to other towns in the State. Overall, Dunbarton’s population has not significantly increased. Dunbarton’s percentage of State population has not experienced any dramatic decreases throughout 1960-2000.

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Table IV-10 Overall Population and Housing Growth Trends, 1970 - 2000 Growth Population Net Change Housing Net Change # % Units # % 1970 (US Census) 825 --- 30.5% 302 ------

1980 (US Census) 1,174 349 42.3% 421 119 39.4%

1990 (US Census) 1,759 585 49.8% 685 264 62.7%

2000 (US Census) 2,226 467 26.5% 858 173 25.3%

Total Change from --- 1,401 169.8% --- 556 187.1% 1970 – 2000 Sources: 1970-1990 US Census CPH-2-31 Table 9 Population and Housing Unit Counts; US Census 2000 Data

In Table IV-10, both Dunbarton’s population and housing have grown, with the amount of growth tapering off between 1990 and 2000. Housing has proportionately increased with the population base.

Current Trends Table IV-11 illustrates current population trends in Dunbarton and the communities that border it. All areas have experienced different degrees of population growth in the last decade. Dunbarton has experienced the smallest increase in numbers of people compared to the towns which border it.

Table IV-11 Current Population Trends of Dunbarton and Abutting Communities, 1990-2003 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Dunbarton 1,759 1,781 1,800 1,827 1,862 1,876 1,937 2,007 2,094 2,178 2,226 2,315 2,363 2,428 Bow 5,500 5,550 5,586 5,681 5,817 5,919 6,093 6,406 6,503 6,633 7,138 7,277 7,345 7,635 Goffstown 14,621 14,508 14,674 14,917 15,191 15,177 15,512 15,735 15,951 16,323 16,929 17,099 17,219 17,485 Hooksett 9,002 8,893 9,002 8,896 8,960 9,198 9,226 9,571 9,674 10,100 11,721 12,009 12,280 12,685 Hopkinton 4,806 4,829 4,818 4,852 4,890 4,902 4,935 5,014 5,059 5,167 5,399 5,484 5,524 5,582 New Boston 3,214 3,302 3,368 3,414 3,471 3,524 3,605 3,684 3,753 3,913 4,138 4,395 4,554 4,716 Weare 6,193 6,299 6,379 6,460 6,579 6,681 6,754 6,815 6,865 6,993 7,776 8,007 8,225 8,405 Source: NH Office of State Planning 1991-1999, 2001, 2002 and NH Office of Energy and Planning 2003 Population Estimates of NH Cities and Towns; 1990 US Census STF1A (P1); 2000 US Census

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Table IV-12 displays the rate of population growth Dunbarton experienced between 1990 and 2000 as compared to abutting communities. Dunbarton has grown significantly at 26.5%, yet still has less growth then the abutting towns of Bow (30.0%) and Hooksett (30.2%).

Table IV-12 Population Increase, 1990-2000 Dunbarton and Abutting Communities % Increase, 1990-2000 Dunbarton 26.5% Bow 30.0% Goffstown 15.8% Hooksett 30.2% Hopkinton 12.3% New Boston 28.7% Weare 25.6% Source: 1990 US Census & 2000 US Census

When comparing population densities in Table IV-13, Dunbarton has the least dense town (71 persons per square mile). Goffstown is the most dense town at 450 persons per square mile). A significantly lower population density is an indicator of rural character.

Table IV-13 Population Density in Dunbarton and Abutting Communities, 1970-2000 Area in Square Persons per square mile 2000 Miles 1970 1980 1990 2000 2003 Community Population (excluding water) Dunbarton 2,226 30.8 26 37 56 72 79 Bow 7,138 28.2 87 141 193 253 271 Goffstown 16,929 37.1 247 301 389 456 471 Hooksett 11,721 36.2 150 197 243 324 350 Hopkinton 5,399 43.3 67 86 107 125 129 New Boston 4,138 43.0 32 45 74 96 110 Weare 7,776 59.1 31 54 103 132 142 Sources 1960-1990 US Census STF1A (P1); NH OEP 2003 Population Estimates 2000 NH OSP Total Land Area Figures for NH Cities and Towns (figures are rounded)

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Another way to measure the growth of population in Dunbarton is through the natural increase of residents due to births and deaths as illustrated in Table IV-14. Population growth is not entirely due to people moving to Dunbarton. During the period 1990-2003, about 40% of growth was due to the natural increase of the Town. Table IV-14 Births and Deaths, 1990-2003 Year Births Deaths Natural Increase 1990 20 8 12 1991 32 11 21 1992 20 9 11 1993 30 4 26 1994 32 13 19 1995 26 11 15 1996 32 6 26 1997 33 8 25 1998 21 10 11 1999 38 5 33 2000 18 10 8 2001 36 9 27 2002 31 15 16 2003 34 18 16 Average 29 10 19 Source: Town Reports

Population Projections While it is important for any community to plan ahead for an anticipated increase in population, which in turn increases pressure on community services and facilities, this section should be taken lightly as new population projections have not been produced by the NH Office of Energy and Planning since the 2000 Census of population was released. Old figures, which are the numbers most currently available, were used in the creation of these comparisons.

A build out analysis examines all parcels of land in a town or region and analyzes, under the town’s current zoning regulations, how much of that land is buildable, which is an indicator of how much the population can grow. This tool can help with projecting future population in Dunbarton.

In Table IV-15, projected future population growth was calculated based upon the community’s historical share of the County’s population. It shows the projected population for Dunbarton and abutting communities. Nevertheless, as Dunbarton grows, provisions need to be made for the increased demand on Town services and infrastructure.

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Table IV-15 Population Projections, 2005-2020 of Dunbarton and Abutting Communities Towns 2005 2010 2015 2020 Dunbarton 2,420 2,580 2,750 2,920 Bow 7,890 8,720 9,590 10,450 Goffstown 18,010 19,230 20,300 21,350 Hooksett 12,960 14,270 15,560 16,840 Hopkinton 5,720 6,080 6,440 6,800 New Boston 4,650 5,020 5,340 5,660 Weare 8,500 9,200 9,820 10,440 Source: NH Office of State Planning Municipal Population Projections 2005-2025, March 2003

All projections should be reviewed with care, as no methodology is perfect enough to predict what an actual future count would be. Tables IV-16 and IV-17 share similar inherent problems. Although produced by the same agency, NH OEP, these projections do not appear to track with the population estimates generated in 2004 in Table IV-11. Table IV-16 Actual Population Growth and Projections, 1960-2020 Town of Dunbarton Merrimack County State of New Hampshire Year Population % change Population % change Population % change 1960 632 --- 67,785 7.6% 606,921 13.8% 1970 685 8.4% 80,925 19.4% 737,681 21.5% 1980 1,174 71.4% 98,302 21.5% 920,610 24.8% 1990 1,759 49.8% 120,005 22.1% 1,109,252 20.5% 2000 2,226 26.5% 136,225 13.5% 1,235,786 11.4% 2010 2,580 15.9% 155,280 14.0% 1,385,210 12.1% 2020 2,920 13.2% 173,780 11.9% 1,523,680 10.0% Sources: 1960-1990 US Census STF1A (P1); US Census 2000, DP-1; NH Office of State Planning Municipal Population Projections 2005-2025, March 2003Table IV-17 Projected Population Density, 2000-2020 of Dunbarton and Abutting Communities Towns Square Persons per Square Mile Miles Projected (Actual 2000 Data) (excluding water) 2000 2003 2005 2010 2015 2020 Dunbarton 30.8 72.3 78.8 78.6 83.8 89.3 94.8 Bow 28.2 253.1 270.7 279.8 309.2 340.1 370.6 Goffstown 37.1 456.3 471.3 485.4 518.3 547.2 575.5 Hooksett 36.2 323.8 350.4 358.0 394.2 429.8 465.2 Hopkinton 43.3 124.7 128.9 132.1 140.4 148.7 157.0 New Boston 43.0 96.2 109.7 108.1 116.7 124.2 131.6 Weare 59.1 131.6 142.2 143.8 155.7 166.2 176.6 Sources: 2003 NH OEP Population Estimates of NH Cities and Towns; Municipal Population Projections 2005- 2025, March 2003; US Census 2000

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POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

Knowing not only the numbers of people living in Dunbarton but also the characteristics of the residents is the key to adequately planning for Dunbarton’s future needs. These needs will include recreational opportunities, Town services, education, and support services.

Population by Age The age of a population group is important in determining if sufficient means for daycare, schooling, housing, employment, and senior services exist within a community. According to Table IV-18, an aging population is found in Dunbarton, with the Census 2000’s 35 to 44 age group moving steadily along through the previous decades and presumably into future census counts.

Table IV-18 Dunbarton Population by Age Age Number of Persons by Age and % of Age Group Group 1970 % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 0 to 4 143 9.7% 193 7.0% 148 8.4% 177 8.0% 5 to 17 388 26.4% 589 21.5% 319 18.1% 424 19.0% 18 to 24 146 9.9% 225 8.2% 117 6.7% 80 3.6% 25 to 34 174 11.8% 502 18.3% 319 18.1% 286 12.8% 35 to 44 175 11.9% 286 10.4% 357 20.3% 502 22.6% 45 to 54 146 9.9% 245 8.9% 219 12.5% 395 17.7% 55 to 64 118 8.0% 224 8.2% 142 8.1% 199 8.9% 65 to 74 105 7.1% 253 9.2% 88 5.0% 115 5.2% 75+ 74 5.0% 226 8.2% 50 2.8% 48 2.2% Total 1,469 100.0% 2,743 100.0% 1,759 100.0% 2,226 100.0% Source: OSP Comparison Binder of 70-80; 1970-90 US Census STF1A (P11 and P12) 1990 Census Binder and 2000 Census DP-1

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Figure IV-3 Dunbarton Population Trends by Age Group, 1970-2000

75+

65 to 74

55 to 64

45 to 54

2000 1990 35 to 44 1980

Age Group 1970 25 to 34

18 to 24

5 to 17

0 to 4

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 Number of People

Source: OSP Comparison Binder of 70-80; 1970-90 US Census STF1A (P11 and P12) * 1990 US Census CP-1-31 Gen. Pop. Characteristics Table 68, discrepancies found; 2000 Census DP-1

Figure IV-3 illustrates a larger number of school children from 1980, and a substantially larger middle-aged population (35 to 54) in 2000 versus previous decades.

Table IV-19 Percentage of Population by Age Group, 2000 Age Group Census 2000 Percentage 2,226 people of Population under 20 630 28.3% 20-34 337 15.1% 35-44 502 22.6% 45-64 594 26.7% 65+ 163 7.3% Total 2,226 100.0% Source: 2000 US Census DP-1

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Table IV-19 combines the age cohorts into groups that are easily able to be categorized. The school age population, under age 19, comprises 28.3% of the population. School and recreational opportunities are critical to this age group. The next populous age group is the 45-64 year olds (26.7%), which will soon be requiring support services and housing within the next decade. Seniors over 65, although in 2000 the smallest proportionate age group, require special transportation, housing, and recreational opportunities. Figure IV-4 Percentage of Population by Age Group, 2000

7.3% 28.3% 26.7%

15.1% 22.6% under 20 20-34 35-44 45-64 65+

Source: 2000 US Census DP-1

The age groups presented in Figure IV-4 are categorized into logical groupings. This figure illustrates Table IV-19. Almost 57% of residents are over the age of 35 while approximately 30% are minors.

Table IV-20 School Age Children in Dunbarton and Surrounding Communities, 2000 2000 Total Children % of School Population Ages 5 to 17 Age Children Dunbarton 2,226 424 19.0% Bow 7,138 1,871 26.2% Goffstown 16,929 2,937 17.3% Hooksett 11,721 2,131 18.2% Hopkinton 5,399 1,154 21.4% New Boston 4,138 919 22.2% Weare 7,776 1,886 24.3% Source: 2000 Census, Table P8

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School Enrollment (Dunbarton School District) One of the largest population groups to plan for is the school age children. In Table IV-21, the trend shown in the total number of K-12 students enrolled is one of overall increase in the number of Dunbarton students. Note that starting in 2000, enrollment totals include public kindergarten students at Dunbarton Elementary School. Individual class sizes vary widely, from 40 in Grade 1 to 15 in Grade 12 for 2003. As classes of students transition from grade to grade each year, the total enrollment in each of the three schools can fluctuate considerably. Between 1990 and 2004, the school system experienced an overall 55% increase in school enrollment for all ages combined. Grades 9 through 12 experienced the greatest overall increase, at 67.2%.

Table IV-21 Dunbarton Student Enrollments 1990 - 2004 Enrollments as of October 1 of each year 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 % Change 1990-2004

Grades K - 6 at Dunbarton Elementary School (DES)

Grade K 33 23 29 27 21

Grade 1 28 25 16 35 24 26 25 30 23 34 31 41 28 40 35

Grade 2 29 28 27 16 35 33 24 24 37 25 36 29 41 32 38

Grade 3 22 29 24 25 14 36 33 26 27 35 29 37 32 38 33

Grade 4 24 24 32 22 22 13 35 32 20 30 33 24 33 36 37

Grade 5 29 23 24 26 22 23 15 32 34 20 28 35 22 35 31

Grade 6 17 29 21 22 28 20 26 14 36 31 22 28 32 21 35

Subtotal 149 158 144 146 145 151 158 161 177 175 212 217 217 229 230 54.4%

Grades 7 & 8 Tuitioned to Mountain View Middle School (MVMS)

Grade 7 20 17 29 21 18 28 23 21 14 33 31 21 23 31 21

Grade 8 18 21 19 28 22 21 28 20 22 17 36 28 23 28 31

Subtotal 38 38 48 49 40 49 51 41 36 50 67 49 46 59 52 36.8%

Grades 9 - 12 Tuitioned to Goffstown AREA High School (GAHS)

Grade 9 10 18 22 19 26 20 19 23 18 21 17 30 27 29 24

Grade 10 18 13 19 20 16 25 20 17 19 19 25 22 29 27 29

Grade 11 16 17 15 20 23 19 30 19 18 19 24 26 18 31 28

Grade 12 20 15 14 14 15 20 14 23 16 16 14 18 26 15 26

Subtotal 64 63 70 73 80 84 83 82 71 75 80 96 100 102 107 67.2%

Total 251 259 262 268 265 284 292 284 284 300 359 362 363 390 389 55.0% Enrollment Source: Dunbarton School District

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Reading diagonally down and right in the table reveals interesting trends by looking at changes in enrollments from year to year in any one group of same-age students. Note that there is often a reduction when a Grade 6 class at Dunbarton becomes a Grade 7 class at MVMS in the following year, and similarly with Grade 8 at MVMS becoming Grade 9 at GAHS.

This phenomenon can also be seen by looking at total Grade 1-6 enrollment and then moving forward six years and looking at the same cohort when they become Grade 7- 12 children. In most cases there is a reduction, sometimes significant, despite the fact that town population and student population has increased during that six year period. Example: In 1993 there were 146 children in Grades 1-6. Six years later, in 1999, those same children are now in Grades 7-12 and they total only 125. Yet total student population increased from 268 in 1993 to 300 in 1999.

These trends of diminishing enrollments as classes of students move into middle and high school may be the result of some families choosing alternative educational options for their teenage children. Reduction in GAHS enrollments, particularly in Grades 11 and 12, may be reflective of older students dropping out of high school.

An AREA Study Committee was formed in October 2001 at the request of the Goffstown School Board. The Committee was charged with examining the current agreement and negotiating a successor agreement with the Goffstown School District for educating students in Grades 7-12. The Dunbarton, Goffstown, and New Boston school districts negotiated and passed a new 10-year AREA Agreement last March which began on July 1, 2004. This new agreement updates the educational and financial provisions for Grade 7-12 students from all three towns.

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Table IV-22 Grades K-12 School Growth Trends, 1990-2003 Year Population Growth % Dunbarton Growth % Pop/Pupil % Enrollment 1990 1,759 NA 251 NA 14.3% 1991 1,781 1.3% 259 3.2% 14.5% 1992 1,800 1.1% 262 1.2% 14.6% 1993 1,827 1.5% 268 2.3% 14.7% 1994 1,862 1.9% 265 -1.1% 14.2% 1995 1,876 0.8% 284 7.2% 15.1% 1996 1,937 3.3% 292 2.8% 15.1% 1997 2,007 3.6% 284 -2.7% 14.2% 1998 2,094 4.3% 284 0.0% 13.6% 1999 2,178 4.0% 300 5.6% 13.8% 2000 2,226 2.2% 359 19.7% 16.1% 2001 2,320 4.2% 362 0.8% 15.6% 2002 2,363 1.9% 363 0.3% 15.4% 2003 2,428 2.8% 390 7.4% 16.1% Sources: NH Office of State (or Energy and) Planning Estimates; Dunbarton School District

In Table IV-22, Dunbarton’s K–12 population has increased from an enrollment of 251 in 1990 to 390 in 2003, an overall 55.5% increase. Note that public Kindergarten began in 2000 and these students are included in the total enrollments for 2000-2003. Dunbarton’s Town population has increased an overall 38% during the 1990-2003 period. In 2003, 16.1% of Dunbarton’s population was enrolled in K- 12. The 2004 figures are not portrayed because 2004 population estimates will not be available until summer 2005.

Household Size The number of persons per household is indicative of sprawl patterns, social constructs, and economic circumstances. The trend since 1970 seems to indicate that the number of persons per household in Dunbarton has slowly decreased from 3.0 in 1970 to 2.7 in 2000, remaining stable between 1990 and 2000.

Table IV-23 Average Household Size 1970 1980 1990 2000 Persons per 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.7 household Source: 1970 Pop/Occ Hous Units; 1980 Census Table H35; 1990 Census Table H19; 2000 Census Tables H16, H17, H18

Although the population has increased 26.5% over the last decade while housing units have proportionately increased 25.3%, (Table IV-10), the number of persons per household has decreased.

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Educational Attainment Table IV-24 shows the educational attainment of Dunbarton residents, residents of the communities that surround Dunbarton, as well as the County totals.

Table IV-24 Educational Attainment*, 2000 Population* less than 9th 9th-12th grade H.S. diploma or grade (no diploma) GED number percent number percent number percent Dunbarton 1,545 20 1.3% 66 4.3% 385 24.9% Bow 4,556 54 1.2% 194 4.3% 945 20.7% Goffstown 10,611 563 5.3% 1,028 9.7% 2,999 28.3% Hooksett 7,484 300 4.0% 556 7.4% 2,182 29.2% Hopkinton 3,736 37 1.0% 141 3.8% 775 20.7% New Boston 2,684 46 1.7% 118 4.4% 714 26.6% Weare 4,849 85 1.8% 497 10.2% 1,502 31.0% Merrimack 136,225 2,611 1.9% 7,198 5.3% 27,044 19.9% County

Some College Associate's Bachelor's Graduate Degree (no degree) Degree Degree number percent number percent number percent number percent Dunbarton 335 21.7% 152 9.8% 372 24.1% 215 13.9% Bow 873 19.2% 420 9.2% 1,378 30.2% 692 15.2% Goffstown 2,428 22.9% 924 8.7% 1,768 16.7% 901 8.5% Hooksett 1,390 18.6% 858 11.5% 1,520 20.3% 678 9.1% Hopkinton 684 18.3% 342 9.2% 1,008 27.0% 749 20.0% New Boston 573 21.3% 266 9.9% 592 22.1% 375 14.0% Weare 1,057 21.8% 493 10.2% 853 17.6% 362 7.5% Merrimack 18,823 13.8% 8,029 5.9% 17,126 12.6% 9,447 6.9% County Source: 2000 Census data *(Based on the population 25 years of age and above)

The Census question asked households to indicate the highest level of education each household member aged 25 and above had attained. Nearly twenty-five percent (25%) of residents living in Dunbarton stopped their education with a high school diploma or GED, a rate only slightly higher than that of the average for Merrimack County. However, only 5.6% of Dunbarton residents do not have a high school diploma. This figure is lower than that of most surrounding communities and the County average (9.1%). Dunbarton also has a high rate of post-secondary education according to the 2000 Census (69.5%); the average for Merrimack County was 39.2%.

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ECONOMICS

EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS

Most of the residents are employed outside of Dunbarton. Unemployment rates have remained average in comparison to abutting towns. In the POPULATION section, tables depict the educational attainment of Dunbarton residents in 1990. This level is generally higher than the averages for Merrimack County. Different employment and income characteristics of Dunbarton residents will be examined in this section.

Commuting Patterns The most current data available for much of the Economics section is from the 1990 Census. Nonetheless, it is indisputable that most residents travel outside of Dunbarton to their places of employment. Table IV-25’s commuting patterns depict responses from residents that were 16 years of age and older.

Table IV-25 Dunbarton Residents’ Commuting Patterns, 2000 Number % of Residents Working Residents Commuting to Another Town 1,123 87.7% Residents Employed In Dunbarton 157 12.3% Total Estimated Residents Working 1,280 100.0% (population 16 years and over) Sources: 2000 Census Social & Economic Characteristics (CP-2-31) Tables 198 and 199

The distance to employers has an effect on the ability of residents to travel to their place of employment. Greater distances have greater hardship on residents. This hardship, which may manifest in the form of lower income (Tables IV-33 and 34), can be reduced by shared transportation or by the availability of closer employment.

Table IV-26 Commuting Time for Area Residents, 1990 - 2000 1990 Mean 2000 Mean Travel Minute Travel Time to Time to Work Change Work (minutes) (minutes) Dunbarton 22.0 30.7 8.7 Bow 20.9 17.0 -3.9 Goffstown 22.6 26.1 3.5 Hooksett 20.7 25.7 5.0 Hopkinton 23.9 25.1 1.2 New Boston 29.3 32.7 3.4 Weare 31.0 35.1 4.1 Merrimack County 21.5 24.3 2.8 Source: 1990 Census Table 2, Social & Economic Characteristics and 2000 US Census, Selected Economic Characteristics

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In Table IV-26, between 1980 and 1990, the commuting times for all inventoried towns, with the exception of Bow, increased. This fact may be due to increased congestion and/or the inability to find a nearby job to suit the skills of residents.

Table IV-27 Major Places of Work from Community Survey Responses, 2002 Town Full-Time % of FT Workers Bedford, NH 25 5.0% Concord, NH 96 19.1% Dunbarton, NH 35 7.0% Goffstown, NH 18 3.6% Manchester, NH 107 21.3% Merrimack, NH 12 2.4% Nashua, NH 19 3.8%

Town Part-Time % of PT Workers Concord, NH 27 20.9% Dunbarton, NH 24 18.6% Goffstown, NH 9 7.0% Manchester, NH 18 14.0% Source: Community Survey Results, 2002

According to results from the Community Survey in Table IV-27, Manchester, Concord and Dunbarton had the highest concentration of residents commuting to those locations.

Employment in Dunbarton In Table IV-28, of the 2,226 persons counted in 2000 through the US Census, 1,560 (70%) were in the labor force. This figure does not include persons in the military or armed services, but does include most local, state, and federal governmental employees and residents aged 16 and over.

Table IV-28 Number of Civilians in the Labor Force, Selected Years from 1990 to 2003 % Change 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 from '90-'03

Dunbarton 923 1,160 1,376 1,503 1,520 1,560 69.0% Bow 2,867 3,759 4,352 4,619 4,650 4,747 65.6% Goffstown 8,478 8,329 9,263 9,425 9,533 9,950 17.4% Hooksett 5,399 5,287 5,812 6,805 7,062 7,359 36.3% Hopkinton 2,334 2,844 3,089 3,213 3,234 3,298 41.3% New Boston 1,945 2,110 2,283 2,489 2,543 2,575 32.4% Weare 3,727 3,844 4,205 4,496 4,633 4,828 29.5% Source: NH Department of Employment Security City and Town Benchmark Data 1990-2003

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The largest employers in Dunbarton have been researched by the Subcommittee and are listed in Table IV-29 and are located on the Largest Employers Map. The NH Office of Secretary of State provided a list of 223 businesses registered with the State that show a Dunbarton address. This list includes nonprofit organizations and may include a number of businesses that no longer exist. In addition, there are likely to be numerous other businesses in town that are not registered with the Secretary of State.

Table IV-29 Largest Employers in the Town of Dunbarton, 2004 Rank Company Number of Location Employees 1 Dunbarton School District 41 20 Robert Rogers Road 2 Regional Manufacturing Specialists, Inc. 32 85 Ray Road 3 Capital Well Company, Inc. 21 150 Concord Stage Road 4 Countryside Golf Club, Inc. 12 20 Country Club Drive 5 Page’s Country Store and Deli, LLC 12 15 Concord Stage Road 6 Town of Dunbarton 11 1011 School Street 7 Dunbarton Telephone Company 9 2 Stark Highway South 8 Dunbarton Police Department 7 18 Robert Rogers Road Source: Subcommittee Research

To determine the largest employers, the list from the State was cross referenced with the local telephone directory to identify businesses that have a telephone number under the assumption that any large employer will have a business telephone number. Phone calls verified the number of employees. There are also numerous small businesses in the community with fewer than seven employees, mostly home- based, which would account for the large number of businesses registered with the Secretary of State.

Post Office for Businesses and Residents Survey responses indicated the desire for a small post office in Dunbarton so residents did not have to travel to Goffstown for mail services. As a regular full-sized post office may not be best suited for the Town, a contractual post office may be more appropriate. The most recent Contractual Post Office in NH is at the Blushing Rose in Nashua. The procedure for requesting a contractual post office to be set up in an existing business is as follows:

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• A letter from the Town of Dunbarton must be submitted to the District Manager in Manchester to request an inquiry of such a business.

• The issue will then be brought up to senior staff to study the feasibility. Mapping, demographics & growth will be reviewed to see if the funding for such a project can be justified. This is a 3-4 month process.

• There must be a business in town that wants to bring in more people. All candidates will be interviewed & their business visited by USPS personnel to see if it can sustain a contractual post office. If no one is interested, the Post Office will advertise in a local newspaper for a bid.

• Contractual Post Offices are now retail only. No P.O. boxes or mail pickup.

• If the location for the establishment is on an upper floor, it must be handicap accessible. Hours of operation should be until 8-9 pm & on weekends however this is negotiable.

• Rural area Contractual Post Offices tend to be costlier to run as they might not have many customers compared to those in a larger town or city.

• Issues such as contract negotiations, etc could tend to cause a discontinuation of the contractual Post Office should the current owners who are also Contractual Post Offices decide to sell their business

If the Town is interested in acquiring its own Post Office, it must submit a letter of inquiry to the US Postal Service District Manager. This is a different project which will have its own set of guidelines that will need to be followed. A study committee should be appointed to assess the impact that a Post Office will have on the community.

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Unemployment Table IV-30 displays what percentage of workers from Dunbarton registered for unemployment benefits. The unemployment rate in Dunbarton is equal to the average unemployment rate of the surrounding communities (3.1%). In 2000, the rate was lower (2.4%) than it had been in the previous decade; however, the unemployment rate has increased each year from 2000 to 2003.

Table IV-30 Unemployment Rate Trends, 1990 to 2003 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 Change from '90-'03 Dunbarton 2.6% 1.6% 2.4% 2.7% 3.0% 3.1% 19.2% Bow 3.0% 1.6% 1.7% 2.2% 2.6% 2.1% -30.0% Goffstown 4.6% 3.0% 2.7% 2.6% 3.4% 3.6% -21.7% Hooksett 5.3% 4.3% 2.6% 2.7% 3.5% 3.5% -34.0% Hopkinton 4.2% 1.8% 2.5% 2.2% 2.9% 2.3% -45.2% New Boston 4.0% 2.1% 1.9% 2.9% 3.9% 3.6% -10.0% Weare 4.7% 3.4% 2.4% 2.4% 3.3% 3.4% -27.7% Source: NH Department of Employment Security - NHetwork

Occupations Findings from the US Census, in Table IV-31, show that almost 43% of the professions of people who live in Dunbarton are office-related occupations. An additional 27% are sales-oriented.

Table IV-31 Occupation of Employed Individuals over Age Sixteen, 2000 Number Percent Employed individuals over age 16 1,282 100% Managerial, professional, and related occupations 545 42.5% Sales and office occupations 349 27.2% Service occupations 93 7.3% Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 11 0.9% Construction, extraction, and maintenance occupations 128 10.0% Production, transportation, and material moving occupations 156 12.2% Source: 2000 US Census

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INCOME CHARACTERISTICS

As the heart of an economic structure within a town, the characteristics of the income of both a household and an individual tell a tale of the economic conditions within that community. Both Average Weekly Annual Wage (from Dunbarton employers) comparisons and Household and Per Capita Income comparisons (from Dunbarton and non-Dunbarton employers) give indications of the economic health and employment opportunities within a town.

Wage Comparisons These wages in Table IV-32 represent what employers in the respective towns are paying their workers. The workers reside in any municipality. From this table, one can see where the economic opportunities (i.e., highest-paying jobs) are located.

Table IV-32 Dunbarton Employers’ Average Annual Weekly Wage, Private Industries and Government, 2001 – September 2003 Town Number 2001 Number 2002 Number 2003 Job % Wage % of Jobs Wage of Jobs Wage of Jobs Wage Change, Change, 2001-2003 2000-2003

Dunbarton 146 $768 137 $783 162 $830 11.0% 8.1% Bow 2,757 $753 2,777 $809 2,859 $937 3.7% 24.4% Goffstown 2,421 $567 2,446 $542 2,547 $536 5.2% -5.5% Hooksett 6,381 $744 6,283 $788 6,653 $707 4.3% -5.0% Hopkinton 1,446 $655 1,636 $713 1,584 $659 9.5% 0.6% New Boston 406 $559 426 $535 409 $530 0.7% -5.2% Weare 974 $645 975 $624 1,053 $612 8.1% -5.1% Source: 1998, 1999, and 2000 County Profile, Employment and Wage Data, NH Department of Employment Security

Employers in Dunbarton have paid their workers above the average weekly wage of most of the abutting towns. The number of jobs available in Dunbarton has increased 11% during the three-year time span, a rate significantly higher then that of any surrounding community.

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Household and Per Capita Income Comparisons While wage comparisons are helpful and important, they do not directly address the economic condition of Dunbarton residents. Table VI-33 details the income levels within the Town.

Table IV-33 Yearly Household Income, 2000 Yearly gross household Number of Percent of income in Dunbarton households total less than $10,000 26 3.2% $10,000-$14,999 19 2.3% $15,000-$24,999 48 5.8% $25,000-$34,999 48 5.8% $35,000-$49,999 136 16.5% $50,000-$74,999 221 26.9% $75,0000-$99,999 158 19.2% more than $100,000 166 20.2% Total households 822 100.0% Median income $65,081 Mean income $73,711 Source: 2000 US Census

As indicated by previous tables, the higher wages can be attributed both to workers commuting to other towns for employment instead of working within Dunbarton and to higher levels of educational attainment. Per capita incomes are helpful to measure any disparity between neighboring towns. The income is what the wage-earners from the respective towns bring home prior to taxes. More current information should be soon available, and the figures in Table IV-34 do not account for inflation:

Table IV-34 Per Capita Income Town 1989 1999 Change %

Dunbarton $17,805 $27,892 56.7% Bow $19,752 $29,557 49.6% Goffstown $15,039 $21,907 45.7% Hooksett $18,872 $24,629 30.5% Hopkinton $23,872 $30,753 28.8% New Boston $18,607 $26,488 42.4% Weare $15,728 $22,217 41.3% Sources: NH Department of Employment Security - NHetwork

From Table IV-34, Dunbarton’s per capita income, at $27,892, is substantially higher than that of the average of the abutting communities’. Goffstown’s income is lowest at $21,907, while Hopkinton’s is the highest at $30,753. Dunbarton’s high income is likely due to a combination of factors, including the high educational attainment of residents resulting in more residents employed in higher paying jobs. DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 POPULATION AND ECONOMICS PAGE IV-31

TOWN TAX RATES

An examination of the tax rates and net valuation also help to gauge the economic health of a community. In Table IV-35, the municipal tax rate has increase by 54.8% from $2.81 in 1999 to $4.35 in 2003. The County tax rate has increased $0.81 during that same time period. The total tax rate (unequalized), increased from $18.44 in 1999 to $21.69 in 2003, an increase of 17.6%.

Table IV-35 Breakdown of Dunbarton Tax Rates, 1999-2003 Year Municipal County Local Education State Education Total Full Value Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate (Equalized) Tax Per $1,000 per $1,000 per $1,000 per $1,000 per $1,000 Rate 1999 $2.81 $1.91 $7.57 $6.15 $18.44 $17.85 2000 $2.81 $2.09 $9.99 $5.87 $20.76 $19.59 2001 $2.81 $2.34 $9.46 $6.26 $20.87 $17.11 2002 $4.11 $2.61 $12.28 $5.78 $24.78 $17.39 2003 $4.35 $2.72 $8.90 $5.72 $21.69 $17.11 Source: Dunbarton Town Reports; NH Department of Revenue Administration website

In Table IV-36, Dunbarton has a lower net valuation, at $157,799,850 than area communities which together average $493,610,629. The Town’s full value tax rate ($17.11) is lower than that of the surrounding communities, all of which average to $19.79 per $1,000 of valuation.

Table IV-36 Equalized Tax Rates of Dunbarton and Surrounding Communities, 2003 Community Net Valuation Municipal County Local Education State Total Full Value Rate Rate per Rate per Education Rate per (Equalized) per $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 Rate per $1,000 Rate $1,000 per $1,000

Dunbarton $157,799,850 $4.35 $2.72 $8.90 $5.72 $21.69 $17.11 Bow $856,044,127 $4.72 $1.86 $10.33 $5.33 $22.07 $21.64 Goffstown $1,189,869,200 $10.60 $1.19 $8.34 $3.97 $20.71 $19.93 Hooksett $1,096,213,878 $7.53 $2.21 $7.94 $4.41 $20.57 $19.71 Hopkinton $500,311,775 $4.54 $2.14 $13.61 $4.37 $24.56 $23.51 New Boston $252,639,695 $5.96 $1.87 $13.89 $6.23 $27.95 $18.03 Weare $372,843,870 $3.03 $1.87 $15.94 $6.15 $29.12 $18.62 Source: NH Department of Revenue Administration

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SUMMARY

Dunbarton is a growing community. With growth comes change, and for those who cherish the Dunbarton of today, change can be unwelcome. The people’s understanding and response to growth - and change - is often based on a wide variety of perceptions rather than hard facts or statistics.

The primary purpose of this Chapter is to present statistical data on population and economic topics of interest to the master planning process and to provide insight into pertinent trends identified from within the data. Who we are, where we live and work, what are our economic characteristics, where we have come from, and where we might be going, are important considerations if we are to attempt to manage future growth and affect the changes that follow.

The Population and Economics Subcommittee believes that this Chapter will provide a common understanding of Dunbarton’s population, demographics, economic health, and comparison to surrounding communities. The Subcommittee hopes that this common understanding will become a basis for exploring the recommendations of all other Chapters and a foundation for good public policy decisions.

- Respectfully Submitted, Jeff Trexler, Population and Economics Subcommittee Chair

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Chapter V HOUSING

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the HOUSING CHAPTER in this Master Plan is to identify Dunbarton’s current housing inventory, short-term and long term housing needs, and to develop long-range plans for single family, multi-family, manufactured homes, and senior housing. Safe, quality, and sanitary housing that reflects the community is important to the long-term future of Dunbarton. The housing character of any community is perhaps the most obvious indication of the town’s quality of life. While Dunbarton’s housing stock (from the US Census) consists of detached, single-family homes (95.1%), multi-family homes (3.0%), and manufactured homes (1.9%), the Town seeks a balance of housing diversity to permit a wide and varied population in the community.

From the Community Survey, residents would like to see single family homes encouraged as well as elderly housing and in-law apartments. Respondents had a mixed response (52.2% yes and 40.2% acceptable) when asked whether Dunbarton was growing too quickly. Areas of future residential growth should not occur, according to the Survey responses, in the Town Center (24.5%), in south Dunbarton (25.5%), and in north Dunbarton (24.1%), indicating an equal desire for restricting housing in all areas of Town.

The issues presented by the Housing Groups at the Community Visioning Forum included the diversity (cost and size) of homes, encouraging open space development, and managing the rate of growth in Town. Impact fees were also discussed as a possible future tool to help offset the cost of increased Town services.

This HOUSING CHAPTER seeks to explore options for the Town and states several recommendations which encourage Planned Residential Development and Open Space Development to help retain the rural characteristics of the community. A diversity of housing types for all levels of income will help to ensure that seniors and empty nesters can remain in the community, as well as encourage Dunbarton college graduates to move back into Town to begin their own families.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS

- To encourage housing that serves to protect the rural character of Dunbarton and allows for residential diversity.

• Develop an Open Space Development Ordinance with provisions for appropriate natural buffers and native vegetation left intact.

• Evaluate the Planned Residential Development Ordinance for location restrictions.

• Reevaluate the need on a bi-yearly basis for developing a Growth Management Ordinance based upon the current conditions in Dunbarton and area towns.

• Encourage developers to work extensively with surrounding neighborhood residents to resolve the community’s concerns prior to formalizing large development plans and going before the Planning Board.

• Revise the subdivision application process to encourage an open space development concept presented in lieu of a traditional subdivision.

• Consider incentives to builders to include limited numbers of affordable housing units as part of a larger housing development.

- To educate residents and developers about the different housing options available in the Town.

• Submit articles to local newspapers, including the Bow Times, and submit postings to the Town website which provide accurate descriptions of open space development and planned residential development.

• Provide developers with information on open space development techniques for new housing development.

• Reassure residents that built open space developments cannot be changed in the future to allow more units or more density of units than the original plan permitted.

• Develop a comparative study on the fiscal impact of residential housing development on the Town versus commercial development or leaving the land as open space, and present the results to the community.

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- To identify Dunbarton’s current housing inventory and potential needs.

• Develop a consistent method, such as through a central database, for tracking building permits and apply the method retroactively to previous years.

• Analyze past population and housing trends, along with population projections, to gauge a reasonable expected rate of population growth.

• Develop an “exit” survey to find out why residents move out of Dunbarton.

- To develop long-range plans for the development of single family, multi-family, manufactured homes, and senior housing.

• Enhance the ability of residents on a limited income (including seniors) to remain in Dunbarton.

• Encourage builders, by use of incentives, to construct a variety of housing.

• Determine what a healthy mix of housing should be for Dunbarton and promote development where lacking.

• Undertake a periodic survey of residents to determine changing housing needs.

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COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS

The November 2003 Community Survey asked a number of questions relating to housing in Dunbarton. The full set of Housing questions and answers are located in the APPENDIX CHAPTER.

Table V-1 Question 10: Do you… Housing Total Percent Own 432 91.3% Rent 10 2.1% Have another arrangement 3 0.6% Do not live in Dunbarton 28 5.9% Grand Total 473 100.0%

Table V-2 Question 11: In what type of housing do you live in Dunbarton? Housing Type Total Percent* Single family home 421 94.8% In-law apartment 2 0.5% Two family home / duplex 1 0.2% Do not live in Dunbarton** 18 3.9% Multifamily home or Apartment 7 1.6% Manufactured (Mobile) home 6 1.4% Other 7 1.6% Grand Total 462 *based on 444 respondents who reside in Dunbarton **based on 462 total responses

From Tables V-1 and V-2, 91.3% of respondents own their homes in Dunbarton while another 5.9% who replied did not live in Town. Of those who lived in Town, 94.8% lived in a single family home while 1.6% lived in a multi-family home or apartment and 1.4% lived in a manufactured home.

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In Table V-3, most respondents wanted single family (68%), elderly housing (33.5%), and in-law apartments (28.7%) homes highly encouraged or encouraged. Those housing types which residents would not like to encourage are apartment buildings (92.1%), manufactured housing parks (91.3%), and multi-family homes (83.9%). Respondents could choose multiple answers on this question.

Table V-3 Question 12: Would you like to see the following type of housing encouraged or not encouraged in Dunbarton? Highly Encouraged Somewhat Not No Opinion Encouraged Encouraged Encouraged Tota # Percent # Percent # Percent # Percent # Percent Percent l Single Family 184 40.4% 126 27.6% 77 16.9% 56 12.3% 13 2.9% 456 100.0% Two-family / duplexes 11 2.5% 51 11.4% 105 23.4% 262 58.5% 19 4.2% 448 100.0% Multi-family (3- 4 units) 7 1.6% 15 3.4% 26 5.8% 374 83.9% 24 5.4% 446 100.0% Elderly housing 45 10.0% 106 23.5% 115 25.5% 157 34.8% 28 6.2% 451 100.0% Conversion of large homes into apts. 5 1.1% 16 3.6% 56 12.6% 343 77.4% 23 5.2% 443 100.0% Manufactured / mobile home parks 0 0.0% 7 1.6% 15 3.3% 410 91.3% 17 3.8% 449 100.0% Manufactured / mobile home on individual lots 1 0.2% 17 3.8% 74 16.6% 334 74.7% 21 4.7% 447 100.0% Condominium / town houses 9 2.0% 27 6.0% 70 15.5% 331 73.4% 14 3.1% 451 100.0% Apartment buildings (4+ units) 5 1.1% 2 0.5% 15 3.4% 409 92.1% 13 2.9% 444 100.0% Cluster developments 33 7.3% 50 11.1% 90 20.0% 258 57.2% 20 4.4% 451 100.0% Accessory / In- law apartments 34 7.6% 95 21.2% 151 33.7% 130 29.0% 38 8.5% 448 100.0%

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Respondents were split on their opinion of whether Dunbarton was growing too quickly in Table V-4, as 52.2% felt there was too much residential growth while 40.2% felt the growth was acceptable. In Table V-5, 79.4% of respondents felt that the Town should implement growth management measures to retain the current rate of residential growth.

Table V-4 Question 13: In your opinion, which statement best describes Dunbarton’s residential rate of growth? Total Percent Growing too fast 247 52.2% Growing too slowly 12 2.5% Growth is acceptable 190 40.2% No Opinion 24 5.1% Grand Total 473 100.0%

Table V-5 Question 14: How should the Town respond to future residential growth? Response Total Percent No response is necessary 40 8.6% Implement growth management measures 369 79.4% No Opinion 28 6.0% Other 28 6.0% Grand Total 465 100.0%

The map of the areas shown in Table V-6 is included in the APPENDIX CHAPTER. Opinions were split as to where future homes should be restricted. South Dunbarton (25.5%), the Town Center (24.6%), and North Dunbarton (24.1%) all received nearly equal votes. Respondents could choose more than one response. The Clinton Street/Route 77 area (Area E), at 9.2%, seems to be the favored area for new residential housing growth. Table V-6 Question 15: Are there any areas where you feel growth should be restricted? Area Number Percent* Area A 121 24.7% Area B 81 16.5% Area C 86 17.6% Area D 76 15.5% Area E 45 9.2% Area F 118 24.1% Area G 125 25.5% *Based on 490 returned surveys

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GENERAL HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS

Since 1970, Dunbarton has experienced both population and residential housing unit growth. In general, roughly one new unit has been built for every two and a half new Dunbarton residents over the last thirty years.

Table V-7 Population and Housing Growth, 1970-2000 Growth Population Net Change Housing Net Change # % Units # % 1970 (US Census) 825 N/A N/A 302 N/A N/A

1980 (US Census) 1,174 349 42.3% 421 119 39.4%

1990 (US Census) 1,759 585 49.8% 685 264 62.7%

2000 (US Census) 2,226 467 26.5% 858 173 25.3%

Total Change from 1970 – 2000 N/A 1,401 169.8% N/A 556 184.1% Sources: 1970-1990 US Census CPH-2-31 Table 9 Population and Housing Unit Counts; US Census 2000 Data

Housing Stock and Supply The amount and types of housing a community contains will influence property values, land use, and population growth. Trends can be charted that give direction to how a municipality should be handling its own unique housing situation. From 1980–1990, Dunbarton saw a significant increase in the number of single family homes that were built in the Town, however from 1990 – 2000, there were on average fewer single family homes built per year (19.7 new single family homes built per year). Overall, Dunbarton’s average single family home growth-rate per year from 1970 – 2000 is 18.5 homes per year.

Table V-8 Dunbarton Housing Supply, 1970-2000 Housing Units by Type 1970 1980 1990 2000 Percent Single Family 261 395 619 816 95.1% Multi Family 15 16 43 26 3.0% Manufactured 26 10 23 16 1.9% Total 302 421 685 858 100.0% Sources: 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 US Census

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Table V-9 Dunbarton Housing Occupancy, 2000 Number Percent Occupied Units 814 94.9% Vacant Units 44 5.1% Seasonal Units 33 ------Total Permanent Units 858 100.0% Source: 2000 US Census

The seemingly high percentage of vacant units in Dunbarton, is due to the fact that seasonal units are considered part of the vacant housing stock for the purpose of the Census. Figure V-1 displays the housing stock as depicted in Table V-8.

Figure V-1 Dunbarton Housing Supply, 1970 – 2000

900

816

800

700

619

600

500 Single Family Multi Family 395 Manufactured 400 Number of Units

300 261

200

100 43 26 23 26 15 16 10 16 0 1970 1980 1990 2000

Sources: 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 Census

Tracking the ages of homes within a community can contribute information on the community character, tax base, and housing supply and opportunities. Historic homes that are well-kept are both economic and historic assets to a town. Table V-10 and Figure V-2 illustrate the age of housing stock in Dunbarton:

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Table V-10 Age of Houses in Dunbarton, 2000 Age Number of Houses 10 years and under 223 10 to 24 years 163 24 to 44 years 199 44 to 64 years 99 more than 64 years 174 Source: 2000 US Census Digital SF-3 Table H34

Figure V-2 Age of Housing Stock by Percentage, 2000

20.3% 10 years and under 26.0% 10 to 24 years 24 to 44 years 44 to 64 years 11.5% more than 64 years 19.0% 23.2%

Source: 2000 US Census Digital SF-3 Table H63

Table V-11 and Figure V-3 display the number of bedrooms in homes in Dunbarton and the surrounding communities.

Table V-11 Number of Bedrooms in Homes in Dunbarton and Neighboring Communities, 2000 Total No 1 bedroom 2 bedrooms 3 bedrooms 4 bedrooms 5 or more units bedrooms bedrooms Dunbarton 848 3 50 203 443 125 34 Bow 2,330 0 16 193 1,274 684 163 Goffstown 5,798 55 483 1,899 2,323 874 164 Hooksett 4,307 17 313 1,477 1,996 439 65 Hopkinton 2,210 6 144 517 1,021 409 113 New Boston 1,462 12 66 353 686 307 38 Weare 2,828 16 146 834 1,382 391 59 Source: 2000 US Census Digital SF-3 Table H41

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Figure V-3 Number of Bedrooms in Homes in Dunbarton and Neighboring Communities, 2000

2,500 2,323

9

9 1,996

8

2,000 ,

1

7

7

4

, 1,500 1 No bedrooms

1,382 1 bedroom

1,274 2 bedrooms 3 bedrooms 4 bedrooms 1,021

Number of of Units Number 1,000 5 or more bedrooms

4

3 874

8 686 684

7

1

5 483

500 443 439 3 409

5 391

3 313 307

3

3

0

9

2

1 164 163 146 144 125 113

5 66

5 7 65 6

2 59 50 38 34

1 1 1

16 6 3 0 0 Bow Weare Hooksett Goffstown Dunbarton Hopkinton New Boston

Source: 2000 US Census Digital SF-3 Table H41

Housing Density Housing density is calculated by dividing the number of housing units by the square mileage of the area. It is a measure of how thickly settled an area is. Dunbarton’s number of square miles, excluding water, is 30.8. Table V-12 below shows the average number of housing units per square mile for the Town of Dunbarton from 1970 to 2000:

Table V-12 Change in Housing Density 1970-2000 Year Units Density per % Change % Change Square Mile from Previous from 1970 (30.8 sq.mil) Decade 1970 302 9.8 ------1980 421 13.7 39.8% 39.8% 1990 685 22.2 62.0% 126.5% 2000 858 27.9 25.7% 184.7% Sources: 1970-2000 US Census

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The Housing Units Distribution (Census 2000) Map illustrates the number of homes within designated Census blocks. Although not the same as density, which measures a number per square area, the distribution is another tool to help determine how densely an area is populated.

As illustrated in Table V-13, despite the high percent change (25.3%) in Dunbarton’s housing density, Dunbarton has significantly fewer dwelling units per square mile (27.9 units) than all surrounding towns in 2000.

Table V-13 Changes in Housing Density in Dunbarton and Abutting Communities, 1990-2000 Land Area Number of Dwelling Number of Dwelling Change in Percent (Sq. Dwelling Units / Sq. Dwelling Units / Sq. Density, Change, Miles) Units, 1990 Mile, 1990 Units, 2000 Mile, 2000 1990-2000 1990-2000 Dunbarton 30.8 685 22.2 858 27.9 5.6 25.3% Bow 28.2 1,860 66.0 2,330 82.6 16.7 25.3% Goffstown 37.1 5,022 135.4 5,798 156.3 20.9 15.5% Hooksett 36.2 3,484 96.2 4,307 119.0 22.7 23.6% Hopkinton 43.3 1,924 44.4 2,210 51.0 6.6 14.9% New Boston 43 1,138 26.5 1,462 34.0 7.5 28.5% Weare 59.1 2,417 40.9 2,828 47.9 7.0 17.0% Sources: 1990 - 2000 US Census Data; Community Information, NHARPC web site; 2001 Digital tax map computation

Dunbarton’s population increase over the last decade is listed in Table V-14. Dunbarton’s growth is slightly higher then the combined average of the surrounding towns (22.7% for all other towns).

Table V-14 Population Increase, 1990-2000 Dunbarton and Abutting Communities % Increase, 1990-2000 Dunbarton 26.5% Bow 30.0% Goffstown 15.8% Hooksett 30.2% Hopkinton 12.3% New Boston 28.7% Weare 25.6% Source: 1990 US Census & 2000 US Census

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In Table V-15, a comparison of the population trends and projections from the 1990 Census through 2020 projections estimates that the population in Dunbarton will increase from 2,226 in 2000 to about 2,920 in the year 2020, an increase of 31.2%. The regional average of these towns is 37.9%. Estimates and projections must be used with caution, as no methodology is without fault and the numbers are subject to change as new data becomes available.

Table V-15 Population: Actual, Estimates, and Projections, 1990-2020 Census Estimate Census Estimate Projections Towns 1990 1999 2000 2003 2005 2010 2015 2020 Dunbarton 1,759 2,178 2,226 2,428 2,420 2,580 2,750 2,920 Bow 5,500 6,633 7,138 7,635 7,890 8,720 9,590 10,450 Goffstown 14,621 16,323 16,929 17,219 18,010 19,230 20,300 21,350 Hooksett 9,002 10,100 11,721 12,685 12,960 14,270 15,560 16,840 Hopkinton 4,806 5,167 5,399 5,582 5,720 6,080 6,440 6,800 New Boston 3,214 3,913 4,138 4,716 4,650 5,020 5,340 5,660 Weare 6,193 6,993 7,776 8,405 8,500 9,200 9,820 10,440 Source: NH Office of State Planning Population Estimates by City and Town 1990-1999, 2003; NH Office of State Planning Municipal Population Projections 2005-2025, March 2003; Census 1990 and 2000

COST OF HOUSING IN DUNBARTON

This section examines the costs of housing in Dunbarton from both a rental and an ownership perspective. When the term contract rent is used, it indicates the price paid monthly by the tenant to the landlord. Contract rent is the advertised cost of the unit, and the utilities included in this payment vary from unit to unit. Gross rent indicates the sum of the contract rent and the prices of the utilities the tenant uses. Housing costs have increased dramatically since the 2000 Census as indicated in this section.

Rental Costs Versus Home Ownership Costs Rental and ownership costs include rent (or mortgage) and utilities. The median is defined as the middle value when numbers are arranged in increasing (or decreasing) order. In the following tables, median values (the middle value in a list) were taken directly from Census or other records.

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Table V-16 Dunbarton’s Monthly Gross Rent or Mortgage Payments and Relationship to Income, 1999 Renter Occupied Owner Occupied With Without Mortgage Mortgage Median Cost per Month $1,200 $1,159 $386 Payment as Percent of Income 20.9% 20.7% 9.9% Source: 2000 US Census Digital SF-3 Tables H63, H70, H91 & H95

The US Department of Housing defines affordable housing as that which does not exceed 30% of annual household income and which includes all expenses related to housing, including utilities and taxes (see Page 17 for further detail). Using this definition, as indicated by the figures in Table V-16, both renters and owners in Dunbarton are living affordably.

In Table V-17, those homes in which an owner is living (as opposed to renting the home to non-owners) have a median value of $148,300 in Dunbarton. This is slightly higher than the average of surrounding communities, which have a high of $169,400 (Bow) and a low of $123,800 (Weare).

Table V-17 Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units, 2000 Median Dunbarton $148,300 Bow $169,400 Goffstown $124,900 Hooksett $135,700 Hopkinton $146,400 New Boston $148,000 Weare $123,800 Average $142,357 Source: 2000 US Census

Contract rent is the amount paid to a landlord on a monthly basis. Table V-18 lists the median monthly rental cost for Dunbarton and surrounding towns. Dunbarton is higher in cost ($563) than most surrounding towns and is the same as the average contract rent of the surrounding communities ($564).

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Table V-18 Contract Rent Levels for Renter-Occupied Housing Units, 2000 Median Dunbarton $563 Bow $541 Goffstown $523 Hooksett $574 Hopkinton $529 New Boston $676 Weare $545 Average $564 Source: 2000 US Census Digital SF-3 Table H56

Rental Housing Costs The costs of renting an apartment or house in Dunbarton, with utilities, are discussed in this section. Table V-19 depicts the median gross rent that people in Dunbarton and surrounding towns pay. Dunbarton falls in the high range of housing rental costs at $709 per month, which is above the average rent of $681:

Table V-19 Gross Rent for Dunbarton and Abutting Towns 2000 Median Gross Rent Dunbarton $709 Bow $720 Goffstown $605 Hooksett $643 Hopkinton $621 New Boston $806 Weare $663 Average $681 Source: 2000 US Census Digital SF-3 Table H63

Table V-20 illustrates the median contract rents for Merrimack County as collected by the NH Housing Finance Authority. These figures, not available for towns with a sample size of less than 20, are slightly higher (for a two-bedroom unit at $935) than the median contract rents within Dunbarton ($563) and most of the surrounding communities.

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Table V-20 Median Contract Rents for Merrimack County, 2004 Unit Size 2000 Census Sample Size Median Rent Range (Bedrooms) Median Contract Rent Contract Rent 0 n/a 29 $582 $457 - $802 1 n/a 423 $697 $375 - $937 2 n/a 796 $935 $500 - $1,544 3 n/a 79 $995 $596 - $1,776 4+ n/a 8 ---- $865 - $1,700 All $537 1,335 $841 $375 - $1,776 Source: New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, 2004 Residential Rental Cost Survey (p. 12)

Figure V-4 depicts the past fifteen years’ worth of median gross rental costs with utilities for Merrimack County. In 1990, the average “All Units” median rent was $626. The average rent in 2000 was $740, while in 2004 the figure is $841. The overall increase from 1990 to 2004 is over 34%. Because Dunbarton had a sample size of less than 20 units, the NH Housing Finance Authority could not make a valid comparison for just the Town.

Figure V-4 Median Gross Rents in Merrimack County, 1990 - 2004

Median Gross Rental Cost

$1,050

$950

$850

$750

Rent $650

$550

$450

$350 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

All Units 2-Bedroom Units

Source: NH Housing Finance Authority Rental Housing Trends Database, June 2004

Merrimack County and State Home Purchase Prices, 1990–2004 The following two Figures, Figures V-5 and V-6, depict averages of Merrimack County and State home purchase prices between 1990 and 2004. The numbers within these Figures can be roughly compared to the average price for homes being sold in Dunbarton in 2004 in Table V-22.

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Figure V-5 Average Home Purchase Prices in Merrimack County, 1990-2004

Median Purchase Price of Primary Homes

$300,000

$250,000

$200,000

$150,000

$100,000

$50,000 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Jan- Jun

All Homes Existing Homes New Homes

Source: NH Housing Finance Authority Purchase Price Database, August 2004

In Merrimack County, the average home price in 1990 was around $105,000, while by mid-2004, that average price had soared to nearly $210,000.

Figure V-6 Average Home Purchase Prices in New Hampshire, 1990-2004

Median Purchase Price of Primary Homes

$300,000

$250,000

$200,000

$150,000

$100,000

$50,000 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Jan- Jun

All Homes Existing Homes New Homes

Source: NH Housing Finance Authority Purchase Price Database, August 2004

The average home in New Hampshire was sold for about $120,000 in 1990, while in mid-2004 the average home sold for approximately $230,000. The average for Merrimack County was slightly lower than that of the average for the State.

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Current List Prices of Homes in Dunbarton A “snapshot” can be taken of the current housing market conditions found in Dunbarton. The Northern New England Real Estate Network provided information, via public access on the internet, on those homes which are being sold in Dunbarton through commercial selling agencies. Table V-21 List Price of Manufactured Homes in Dunbarton Location Home Style Bedrooms Baths Sq. Ft. List Price

There are currently no manufactured homes available for sale in Dunbarton.

Average List Price Source: Northern New England Real Estate Network, August 2004

Traditional single-family homes were listing at an average of $363,309 in August 2004 as depicted in Table V-22. Twenty-two single-family homes were on the market at that time. Table V-22 List Price of Traditional Single-Family Homes in Dunbarton

Home Style Bedrooms Baths Sq. Ft. List Price Cape 2 1 800 $175,900 2 story 2 1 1,088 $189,900 3 story 2 1+ 1,980 $250,000 Gambrel 4 1+ 2,200 $264,900 2 story 5 2 2,800 $298,000 Colonial 3 1+ 1,548 $299,900 Colonial 3 2+ 2,076 $320,900 2 story 4 2+ 1,872 $339,900 Cape 4 1 $340,000 Cape 5 2+ 2,584 $349,900 Contemporary 4 2 $349,900 2 story 4 2+ 3,228 $359,900 Colonial 3 2+ $369,900 Contemporary 2 2 2,600 $370,000 Colonial 4 2+ 3,000 $379,900 Saltbox 3 1+ $384,900 Colonial 3 2+ 2,555 $389,500 2 story 4 3+ 3,600 $389,900 Colonial 5 2+ 3,822 $399,900 Garrison 4 2+ 3,000 $399,900 Colonial 4 2+ 2,767 $469,900 Farmhouse 4 3 3,000 $899,900 Average List Price $363,309 Source: August 2004 Northern New England Real Estate Network

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As depicted in Table V-23, ten residential lots were for sale in August 2004, with an average list price of $196,400.

Table V-23 List Price of Residential Land in Dunbarton by Type Acres Sq. Ft. List Price 7 304,920 $60,000 7 304,920 $60,000 6.83 297,514 $110,000 5.22 227,383 $110,000 3 130,680 $130,000 3.1 135,036 $130,000 3 130,680 $140,000 23.4 1,019,303 $149,000 50 2,178,000 $425,000 150 6,534,000 $650,000 Average List Price $196,400 Range Per Acre $4,300 - $46,700 Average per Acre $20,550 Source: Northern New England Real Estate Network, August 2004

HOUSING GROWTH TRENDS

Pace of community growth can be gauged by both population and by the number of households the community contains. Household size and the number of new residential building permits issued gives important information that directly relates to the capacity of Town services and provides information for future land use considerations.

Household Size From the POPULATION AND ECONOMICS CHAPTER, the number of persons per household is indicative of sprawl patterns, social constructs, and economic circumstances. The trend since 1970 seems to indicate that the number of persons per household in Dunbarton has slowly decreased from 3.0 in 1970 to 2.7 in 2000, remaining stable between 1990 and 2000.

Table IV-24 Average Household Size 1970 1980 1990 2000 Persons per 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.7 household Source: 1970 Pop/Occ Hous Units; 1980 Census Table H35; 1990 Census Table H19; 2000 Census Tables H16, H17, H18

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Although the population has increased 26.5% over the last decade while housing units have proportionately increased 25.3%, (Table V-7), the number of persons per household has decreased.

Table V-25 Population per Occupied Unit in Dunbarton, 2000 Number of Average Vacancy Rate Unit Types Units Household Size Owner-Occupied Units 729 2.8 0.4% Renter-Occupied Units 85 2.6 1.2% Total Occupied Units 814 ------Source: 2000 US Census Digital SF-3 Tables H15 and H18

New Residential Building Permits The number of building permits issued is recorded by the Town. The tables below include replacement manufactured homes. From Table V-26A, the locations of building permits issued between 1998 and 2004 are depicted on the Residential Building Permits Issued 1998-2004 Map.

Table V-26 Residential Building Permits Issued by Housing Type in Dunbarton, 1998 – 2003 6-Year Average Housing Type 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Total Per Year Single Family Homes 30 25 30 18 27 20 150 25 Multi Family Homes* 2 2 2 0 0 0 6 1 Manufactured Homes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yearly Totals 32 27 32 18 27 20 156 26 Source: CNHRPC Development Trends Report, Residential Building Permits 1998-2003, Town of Dunbarton *Multi family homes are defined as homes with two or more dwelling units.

The numbers from Table V-26 are illustrated in Figure V-7 below.

Table V-26A Residential Building Permits Issued by Housing Type in Dunbarton, 1998 – 2004 7-Year Average 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004* Total Per Year 31 23 28 15 28 19 18 162 23 Source: Subcommittee input via Town Office research *through August 3, 2004

The numbers differ in Tables V-26 and V-26A because of different source materials and collection methods. A standardized tracking system of recording building permits will help to reduce any future discrepancies.

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Figure V-7 Residential Building Permits Issued by Housing Type, 1998 – 2003

35

30 30 30

27

25 25

20 20 18 Single Family Homes Multi Family Homes* Manufactured Homes 15 New Construction Permits

10

5

222

000 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Source: CNHRPC Development Trends Report, Residential Building Permits 1998-2003; Town of Dunbarton

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines affordable housing as that which does not cost more that 30 percent of the annual household income, including mortgage payments, taxes, and utility costs. Affordable housing is a problem for renters and homeowners, young families and seniors alike. In 1999, 45% of renters across New Hampshire could not afford the fair market rents in their area (Feeling the Pinch, The New Hampshire Housing Forum).

Any household spending more than 30% of its income on housing is considered cost- burdened. A homeowner with the average 1999 mortgage of $1,159 per month in Dunbarton needs an annual income of $46,360 ($22.29 per hour), while a renter with rent of $709 per month needs an income of $28,360 ($13.63 per hour) to remain at or below 30%. An estimated 30% of all households (renter and owner) in New Hampshire paid more than 30% of their income for housing in 2000. Dunbarton homeowners pay 20.7% of their income, while renters pay 20.9% of their income, according to Table V-16.

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The standard does oversimplify reality in that some families find it harder to pay 30% of their income for housing than others, depending on total family income: low- income families are hit hardest. Thus, this oversimplification actually understates the housing problems of low-income families.

Affordable housing is an issue that is considered by all levels of government. The federal government has long been promoting affordable housing through various programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. State government has promoted affordable housing through passage of several laws (including RSA 674:32) requiring communities to provide affordable housing. Furthermore, the State has also created several commissions and departments, such as the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, to examine and foster the development of affordable housing opportunities.

As a result of growing concern over access to affordable housing, all regional planning commissions in the State have been charged by State law to develop affordable housing needs assessments for each community within their region every five (5) years.

Manufactured Housing For some of those priced out of the expensive home purchase market, the only viable option is manufactured housing. Manufactured housing can be organized in three types of locations – individually owned lots, investor-owned parks, and cooperatively- owned parks.

The perceived versus actual definitions related to manufactured housing terms can differ widely. To help alleviate some of this confusion, the State of New Hampshire statutes clearly define what a manufactured, presite, and prefabricated home are:

• Manufactured Home (NH RSA 674:31): a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width, or 40 body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is 320 or more square feet, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein. Manufactured housing as defined in this section shall not include presite built housing.

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• Presite Built Housing (NH RSA 674:31-a): “presite built housing” means any structure designed primarily for residential occupancy which is wholly or in substantial part made, fabricated, formed or assembled in off-site manufacturing facilities in conformance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development minimum property standards and local building codes, for installation, or assembly and installation, on the building site. For the purposes of this subdivision, presite built housing shall not include manufactured housing.

• Prefabricated (NH RSA 205-B:1): “prefabricated shall mean construction materials or assembled units fabricated prior to erection or installation in a building or structure, but shall not include manufactured housing.

NH RSA 674:32 stipulates that all communities that have adopted land use regulations shall allow manufactured housing as an allowed use. Of the total land area zoned for residential use, manufactured housing must be permitted on a majority of that land area. The State has provided communities with two options for the development of manufactured housing. First, communities may permit the development of manufactured housing on individual lots. No special exception requirement is allowed for this type of development pattern, unless a special exception is required for the construction of traditional dwelling units on individual lots, or traditional subdivisions. Secondly, communities may encourage the development of manufactured housing in a park atmosphere. The law requires that reasonable densities and expansion potential must be permitted to these types of development. Communities need to ensure that no undue barriers to the development of affordable housing have been created by reviewing all special requirements of manufactured housing.

Although Dunbarton does not have any manufactured housing parks, a few manufactured homes exist in Town on individual lots.

Senior Housing Like many other small towns in New Hampshire, Dunbarton has a growing number of senior citizens. Housing for seniors is crucial for those who cannot afford taxes, do not drive, or do not have the physical ability or financial resources to maintain their homes.

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Figure V-8 Dunbarton Population Trends by Age Group, 1970-2000

48 75+ 50 226 74 115 65 to 74 88 253 10 5 19 9 55 to 64 14 2 224 118 395 45 to 54 219 245 2000 14 6 502 1990 35 to 44 357 286 17 5 1980

Age Group Age 286 1970 25 to 34 319 502 17 4 80 18 to 24 117 225 14 6 424 5 to 17 319 589 388 17 7 0 to 4 14 8 19 3 14 3

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Number of People

Source: State of New Hampshire Census Comparison 1970-1980; 1990 US Census Tables P6 and P12; 2000 Census Table 2

Senior activities are important within any community for both social and practical purposes. Many of Dunbarton’s seniors require transportation to reach essential services such as the grocery store and for health care. They typically rely on others to transport them to these services.

The encouragement of accessory apartments may help provide the support independent seniors require while allowing them to remain close to family and community.

The age distribution of Dunbarton’s population suggests that the critical need for housing specifically designed for seniors will begin in 25-30 years. In the meantime, the Zoning Ordinance and possibly other Town regulations should be improved to more readily accommodate this need. The existing supply of senior housing currently available to Dunbarton residents in the surrounding region should be inventoried, and ideas for a senior housing facility in Dunbarton (including its location) should begin to be developed.

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A new aged 55+ housing development, Watch Hill Commons, will locate to Dunbarton on Route 13. This development will situate 88 units on 240 acres, with 45 acres permanently preserved as public land near the Countryside Golf Course. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2005.

Dunbarton’s Theoretical Share of the Regional Affordable Housing Stock Based on the affordable housing assessment conducted by the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC), Dunbarton needs to fulfill its theoretical fair share of affordable housing as shown in Table V-27:

Table V-27 Summary of Affordable Housing Needs for the Central New Hampshire Region Theoretical Number of Existing Future Community Share of Affordable Housing Planning Regional Affordable Units Goal Housing Units (Year 2000) Allenstown 392 1,054 0 Boscawen 309 490 0 Bow 1,072 176 896 Bradford 171 147 24 Canterbury 225 75 150 Chichester 236 149 87 Concord 6,152 8,849 0 Deering 167 192 0 Dunbarton 245 103 142 Epsom 415 448 0 Henniker 493 557 0 Hillsborough 563 648 0 Hopkinton 806 416 390 Loudon 502 402 100 Pembroke 735 996 0 Pittsfield 374 772 0 Salisbury 122 69 54 Sutton 190 107 83 Warner 310 317 0 Webster 158 87 71 Source: CNHRPC Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, 2000

Many communities in the CNHRPC Region should look to increase the number of affordable units available in their respective town, particularly in light of substantial rent increases and lack of housing availability over the past few years. According to Table V-27, Dunbarton has a need to develop opportunities for further affordable housing. If other municipalities in the Region also better accommodated their theoretical “fair share” of affordable housing, individuals and their families could choose to locate to any community within the Region. The new Watch Hill Commons development may help to alleviate Dunbarton’s “fair share”.

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A similar 1995 assessment was produced which yielded baseline data. A graphic depiction of the data presented in Table V-27 is displayed in Figure V-9:

Figure V-9 Comparison of Affordable Housing Goals for Communities in the Central New Hampshire Region, 1995 vs. 2000

1,000

900 896

800 786

700

600

500

400 390

Number ofNumber AffordableUnits Housing 300

200 150 142 100 87 100 83 71 54 51 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bow Epsom Sutton Warner Loudon Wilmot Deering Webster Concord Bradford Pittsfield Salisbury Henniker Boscawen Pembroke Chichester Hopkinton Dunbarton Allenstown Canterbury Hillsborough Community Future Planning Goal 1995 Future Planning Goal 2000

Source: CNHRPC Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, 2000

Many communities in the CNHRPC Region should look to increase the number of affordable units available in their Town, particularly in light of substantial rent increases and lack of housing availability over the past few years. Dunbarton does need to encourage more affordable housing, although the need and desire for senior housing should warrant the attraction of new senior housing options.

Concord Area Trust for Community Housing (CATCH) CATCH is a community-based, affordable non-profit developer with a dual mission: to create and preserve affordable housing and help people who rent become owners. Since 1989, CATCH has been an affordable housing leader by creating 12 housing developments; 166 safe, attractive, permanently affordable apartments; and stable housing for more than 400 people;. CATCH has enabled more than 50 Home Buyer Education families to buy their own homes.

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CATCH works closely with a coalition of community organizations to address the need for housing. By their recent calculations, a new single family home priced at $200,000 could only be afforded by a family whose household income is at least $62,640. All developments to date have been situated in Concord and Penacook to take advantage of the proximity to services. Speakers and educational programs are available.

Housing Assistance Numerous federal and state programs are available that provide direct housing assistance through rental subsidies. New Hampshire had 16,784 assisted units in 1999 - 3.7% of all occupied units in the state. About 26% of this assisted housing was in Public Housing programs (19.8% senior-designated public housing, 6.5% family-designated public housing). Another 14% of assisted housing was administered through the USDA Rural Assistance programs (6.4% elderly and 7.4% family). Almost 42% of the assistance came through the Section 8 program (24.7% exclusively elderly, 2.0% exclusive family, and 14.9% in joint-designated elderly and family). Another 12% was non-Section 8 assistance administered by the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. Finally, approximately 6% went into disabled, group home, and miscellaneous categories (1999 Directory of Assisted Housing, NHHFA).

Other types of assistance include units receiving no direct rent subsidies but developed with public subsidies. About 90% of this assistance statewide is family- designated and 10% elderly-designated.

EMERGENCY TEMPORARY HOUSING

Housing opportunities for those requiring immediate or temporary housing are limited in Dunbarton. People often must seek housing outside of Town if friends and relatives cannot accommodate them.

When individuals or families from Dunbarton require emergency housing due to domestic or other emergency circumstances, they are most typically housed in shelters in Concord, Keene, or Manchester. Although Dunbarton does not have the capacity to provide in-Town housing, nearby friends, family, and neighbors often provide the needed room in, and supplies from, their own homes.

During a town-wide emergency, options are being considered to house quantities of residents for a short period of time. Potential shelters include the Community Center/Elementary School Gymnasium and Dunbarton churches. Funding should be explored to purchase emergency supplies, generators, and bedding, before using these or any locations as shelters.

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RESIDENTIAL TAXATION

Comments about residential taxes were among the most common write-in responses of the Community Survey results. The senior and low-income residents of Dunbarton have a difficult time paying taxes, and most would like to see some type of low-impact economic development locate to Town to help alleviate the tax burden.

Tax Comparisons Dunbarton’s local tax rate has increased slowly but steadily since 1999 from $18.44 to $21.69 (2003) in Table V-28.

Table V-28 Breakdown of Dunbarton Tax Rates, 1999-2004 Year Municipal County Local State Total Rate Rate Rate Education Education per $1000 per $1000 per $1000 Rate Rate per per $1000 $1000 1999 $2.81 $1.91 $7.57 $6.15 $18.44 2000 $2.81 $2.09 $9.99 $5.87 $20.76 2001 $2.81 $2.34 $9.46 $6.26 $20.87 2002 $4.11 $2.61 $12.28 $5.78 $24.78 2003 $4.35 $2.72 $8.90 $5.72 $21.69 Source: Dunbarton Town Reports; NH Department of Revenue Administration website

However, the figures displayed in Table V-28 display the local tax rate, which in 2003 was $21.69, as opposed to the full value tax rate which is adjusted based upon state and local assessment ratios. When comparing Dunbarton’s 2003 full value tax rate of $17.11 as illustrated in Table V-29 and viewing the surrounding communities’ full value rates, Dunbarton’s tax rate is the lowest of the area.

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The net valuations of Dunbarton and the surrounding communities as depicted in Table V-29 indicate that Dunbarton has a much lower tax base of $157,800,000 than the average of $632,246,000 of the seven municipalities. The next highest net valuation is New Boston, at $252,640,000.

Table V-29 Tax Rates of Dunbarton and Abutting Communities, 2003 Community Net Valuation Local Average Total Tax Full Value Tax Rate Level of Rate per Tax Rate per $1,000 Assessment $1,000 per $1,000 Ratio Dunbarton $157,799,850 $4.35 0.82 $21.69 $17.11 Bow $856,044,127 $4.72 0.62 $22.07 $21.64 Goffstown $1,189,869,200 $10.60 0.66 $20.71 $19.93 Hooksett $1,096,213,878 $7.53 0.78 $20.57 $19.71 Hopkinton $500,311,775 $4.54 0.95 $24.56 $23.51 New Boston $252,639,695 $5.96 0.70 $27.95 $18.03 Weare $372,843,870 $3.03 0.76 $28.12 $18.62 Average $632,246,056 $5.82 0.76 $23.67 $19.79 Source: NH Department of Revenue Administration

In Table V-30, although Dunbarton’s net valuation is lower than all of the abutting communities, the percentage of total residential valuation (58.1%) is higher than that of the average of the area (50.0%).

Table V-30 Residential Building Valuation of Dunbarton and Abutting Communities, 2003 Community Net Valuation Residential % of Manufactured % of Total Buildings Valuation Housing Valuation Residential Buildings Valuation % Dunbarton $157,799,850 $91,513,950 58.0% $213,300 0.1% 58.1% Bow $856,044,127 $399,485,875 46.7% $0 0.0% 46.7% Goffstown $1,189,869,200 $633,394,400 53.2% $26,857,100 2.3% 55.5% Hooksett $1,096,213,878 $568,404,400 51.9% $11,346,900 1.0% 52.9% Hopkinton $500,311,775 $295,922,700 59.1% $13,913,800 2.8% 61.9% New Boston $252,639,695 $60,081,400 23.8% $1,532,100 0.6% 24.4% Weare $372,843,870 $177,411,509 47.6% $11,642,700 3.1% 50.7% Average $632,246,056 $318,030,605 48.6% $9,357,986 1.4% 50.0% Source: NH Department of Revenue Administration County Tables with Assessed Valuation, 2003

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Revaluation The Town currently revalues on an approximate five-year cycle. The last revaluation was completed in 1997, and the current cycle should conclude in 2005. The goal for the Town is to get into a consistent four-year cycle to ensure that newer, more expensive residences are taxed fairly.

LAND USE CONTROLS

Housing and conditions for housing can be regulated by a municipality within its Zoning Ordinance. The ordinance should take into consideration current population trends, current housing trends, age groups, land use, Town services, and land availability. The purpose of land use controls is to promote safe and timely development of the Town. For housing considerations, a number of controls can be used to regulate the number and type of homes in certain areas of Dunbarton. The EXISTING AND FUTURE LAND USE, POPULATION AND ECONOMICS, and COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES Chapters can provide the necessary data to warrant consideration of the following land use controls.

Manufactured Housing Parks Discussed fully in a previous section of this Chapter, the regulation of manufactured housing is a land use control that is exercised appropriately and fairly according to State laws. This opportunity permits families with a limited household income to own their homes in a similar fashion as a more typical homeownership. Regulation of manufactured housing can assure that the infrastructure, as it currently exists or to which it can be built, is adequate to sustain the demands of a concentrated population.

Multi-Family Dwellings Another housing control is the regulation of multiple-family (three or more families) dwellings. Many communities regulate these buildings to the urban districts where sewer, water, and Town services are available.

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Senior Housing Ordinance Senior housing Zoning Districts are increasingly becoming a way that communities are addressing the need for specialized housing for seniors without allowing for general multi-family housing. These usually take the form of Overlay Zones. In a few communities, actual parcels of land have been zoned for senior housing.

In most cases, Senior Housing Ordinances provide for a far higher density than allowed in the underlying Zone and contain a separate set of regulations and restrictions than those found in other Zones. Some of the types of regulations include a provision for recreational and community facilities on-site, open space and walking trails, and on-site medical and management staff. Many times, when a senior housing facility is developed by a non-profit entity, the town will negotiate a payment in lieu of taxes so that any increase in community services due to the development is not solely the responsibility of the town. Empty-nester housing refers to housing for people 55 years old and above.

By encouraging empty-nester and/or senior housing development, Dunbarton will be able to retain residents within the community who, for a variety of reasons, may be looking for a different type of housing arrangement.

Impact Fees A municipal impact fee represents a one-time, up-front charge on a new development to pay for future public capital costs serving new development, or to recover past expenditures in capacity to accommodate that development. Impact fees are most commonly used in New Hampshire for the funding of schools, roads, and recreational facilities. However, impact fees are also being used for fire protection, police department, library, solid waste, water and sewer, and municipal administrative facilities.

The amount of any assessed impact fee should be a proportional share of the municipal capital improvement costs, which are related to the capital needs created by the new development. The impact fees must not be spent upgrading, replacing, or maintaining existing facilities and services, which already exist prior to any new development. The Town has six years in which to spend the collected fee. If it is not used within that period of time, the money must be returned to the property owner.

Existing development should not subsidize the need for additional facilities, services and educational requirements due to new growth. After the Master Plan is adopted, a Capital Improvements Program can be implemented as an additional advisory document to the Planning Board. With these two plans in place, a Growth Management Ordinance and an Impact Fee Ordinance can be considered and, if necessary, adopted at Town Meeting.

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Architectural and Design Guidelines These guidelines are typically adopted separately by the Planning Board, and are similar to the Site Plan Review and Subdivision Regulations. Architectural and design guidelines can stipulate the types of building material, heights, architectural styles, and landscaping to promote the character that a community is trying to convey. While not enforceable, these guidelines assist developers and builders by stating the Town’s expectations and vision for developing or retaining a character that is not disrupted by inconsistent styles in concentrated areas of Town.

Open Space Residential Development Dunbarton could add an open space residential development (also known as “cluster” development”) to their Zoning Ordinance, which is designed to reduce lot sizes and increase density in order to preserve a larger tract of land with natural features. The term “cluster” has negative connotations associated with it which include lower taxes, lack of privacy, and water and sewer concerns. A more positive term synonymous with cluster development is “open space development” or “conservation development”. Such subdivisions, when done properly, are beneficial to the Town by generating the same tax revenue and by preserving open space or natural resources.

An answer to the sprawling landform created under conventional "cookie cutter" subdivisions is a new approach to subdivision design for rural areas, as outlined in the book entitled Conservation Design for Subdivisions: A Practical Guide to Creating Open Space Networks, by Randall Arendt (Island Press, 1996). In its most basic form, the conservation development process can be broken into six logical steps, which are not the typical steps taken for a conventional subdivision.

Under this approach, use existing minimum lot sizes as the basis for conventional residential density on the best soils, with reduced densities according to declining soil quality. The minimum lot sizes that are currently in place for residential uses should represent the maximum aggregate density on the best soils under the soils-based lot sizing approach. Lower quality soils would require lower density development. Primary conservation areas may include wetlands, steep slopes, aquifer recharge zones, and floodplains. Secondary conservation areas may include stonewalls, view sheds, prominent vegetation, prominent landforms, prime agricultural soils, historic sites and features, archeological sites, and communities and species identified in the Natural Heritage Inventory. The EXISTING AND FUTURE LAND USE CHAPTER contains more details and recommendations on Open Space Development options.

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Planned Unit Development Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) promote efficient use of land and utilities by providing an optional pattern of site development different from one in which there is a division into lots for each structure. The land is developed as a single entity (as one lot), on which a mixture of residential, commercial or industrial uses in a variety of building types and designs are situated with open space set aside. The residential PUD is often known as a Planned Residential Development (PRD),

Planned Unit Developments: • Encourage a greater diversity of housing opportunities; • Ensure that the development of additional housing units does not detract from the livability, scale, character, or economic value of existing residential neighborhoods; • Encourage the development of housing affordable to low, moderate, and middle income households; • Promote a high standard in the design and development of sites and individual buildings; • Encourage the preservation of open space for conservation, outdoor recreation or park purposes; • Minimize impacts on environmentally sensitive lands and preserve historically and culturally significant buildings or places; • Assure that the development allowed will be compatible with surrounding land uses, and that traffic and public services will not be adversely impacted; and • Promote the efficient and economic provision of public facilities and services such as utilities, streets, and recreational opportunities;

Dunbarton has zoning provisions for a PRD along Routes 13 and 77. The EXISTING AND FUTURE LAND USE CHAPTER contains additional information.

Accessory Apartments An accessory housing unit (apartment) is generally defined as a small additional housing unit located within what is otherwise a single-family home. Accessory apartments are increasingly allowed in single-family zoning districts as a means of providing inexpensive housing, usually for older or younger single relatives of the resident of the home. Because such units are frequently intended for related individuals, they are sometimes known as “in-law apartments”. Zoning Ordinances allowing for accessory housing usually include a number of restrictions on their development.

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Municipalities allowing for accessory housing do so in all residential areas, by special exception, or by right in certain zones. Generally, such units have a maximum square footage requirement to discourage more than one resident in the unit, and are often not allowed to have a separate entrance, or are required to have an entrance to the side or rear. Frequently, separate addresses and mailboxes are not permitted. These restrictions are usually intended to maintain the character of the area as a single- family neighborhood. Although accessory dwelling units are usually intended for relatives of the occupant of the principal residence, it is essential that provisions be included in the ordinance to maintain the single-family character of the area.

Accessory dwelling units provide a housing alternative that can serve a wide range of needs. For seniors, an accessory apartment can allow the individual to maintain a degree of independence while still receiving the support of family members. The same is true for younger family members. Where student housing is scarce, accessory dwelling units can provide a housing alternative within a family setting. For older or younger homeowners, the modest rent may make home ownership a possibility that would otherwise not exist. Provisions restricting the size of the units, its entrance, and other restrictions keep the unit from being rented as a traditional apartment thus maintaining the single-family character of the area. Furthermore, because such units are not separated from the principal residence, they can readily be reincorporated into the main dwelling.

Growth Management Ordinance In communities concerned about the rate and effect of growth on the communities’ infrastructure, the Planning Board can develop a growth management ordinance that can either limit the number of allowable building permits or require phasing of subdivisions if certain local and regional criteria related to growth are met. This ordinance may be enacted in accordance with New Hampshire RSA 674:21 (Innovative Land Use Controls) or RSA 674:22 (Growth Management; Timing of Development).

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Prior to developing a growth management ordinance, the Town must prepare a master plan as well as a capital improvements program. In addition, a review of local needs and local and regional growth trends must be completed in an effort to assess the need for the ordinance. The assessment can be included in the ordinance itself as a “Finding of Fact.” Examples of local and regional trends to follow and compile include the following:

1. The average annual percent increase in building permits for dwelling units for the past five years, as compared to abutting communities and the central New Hampshire average.

2. The average annual percent population growth, as reported by the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, as compared to the same average of combined abutting communities and the Central New Hampshire region.

3. Forecasts of the number of public school students enrolled, or projected for enrollment, for the coming year exceeds 90% of stated capacity of the Dunbarton schools as defined by the School Board.

4. The annual full value tax rate of Dunbarton, as reported by NH Department of Revenue Administration, exceeds the average rate of the combined abutting communities or the Central New Hampshire region for the same reporting year.

As noted above, the Planning Board may prepare a growth management ordinance for approval by the Town if some or all of the growth criteria are met. The ordinance may include either phasing or permit limitations (or both), but must be the result of careful study.

Inclusionary Zoning Inclusionary Zoning is a way of encouraging private developers to provide housing for moderate, low, and very low-income households in exchange for density development bonuses, frontage and side set-back changes, or other benefits. Generally under inclusionary zoning, a residential developer seeking a higher density or benefit than normally allowed under the zoning ordinance would be required to set aside a certain percentage of the units for lower-income households.

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The zoning could also require a certain percentage of the units to be designated for senior or physically challenged households. The percentage of units that must be set aside for the various target groups can vary based on the local ordinance. Depending on the ordinance, developers interested in applying for a development under inclusionary zoning would apply either to the local Zoning Board of Adjustment or to the Planning Board. Most Inclusionary Zoning ordinances are voluntary and apply only where the municipality attempts to use zoning as an incentive to provide for a recognized need within the community. The developer receives an incentive, which provides the impetus for developing the desired housing type.

Some ordinances allow below market-rate units to be clustered within a portion of the development. Other ordinances encourage the below-market-rate units to be distributed throughout the development. Because most ordinances require the below market-rate units to be provided on-site, the maintenance, management and marketing of the units remains a private responsibility. Local ordinances usually include a provision requiring that below market units, whether rental or owner- occupied, remain at below market levels for a fixed period of time.

By including a small number of moderate and low-income units within a mix of market rate units, the community avoids the problems associated with over- concentration. The families that occupy the units are integrated with the greater community, and are provided with the same level of maintenance and the same public facilities and services as the general population.

Livable, Walkable Communities Livable, Walkable Communities are places where people of all ages and abilities can easily and safely enjoy walking, bicycling and other forms of recreation. The program provides for preservation of open space, mixed use development, creation of trails and paths, promotion of physical activity, increased access to parks and recreational facilities, and increased safety for children and adults.

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Cost of Community Services Study The cost of community services (COCS) process was developed by the American Farmland Trust and has been utilized in New Hampshire to compare residential, commercial, industrial and open space land uses within a community. Cost of Community Services (COCS) studies involve a “snapshot” of tax revenues received versus public expenditures by land use classification, often residential, commercial, industrial, and open space. A COCS study entails an evaluation of the fiscal impact of growth on a community’s budget. Such studies provide a baseline analysis of current information to formulate a ratio of revenue to expenditures for each land use category to assist local public officials and residents in making informed policy decisions relative to land use. They do not project costs, revenues or the impacts of expected future growth. In Dunbarton, this study could be produced to determine how much money is spent in services for each $1 of income generated by taxes.

Visitability Communities A Visit-able community or home is an idea for new residential development that uses the principles of the Universal Design Program. Universal Design in a voluntary program which aims to simply life by making homes more useable by more people including children, aging populations, and persons with disabilities. In general, these homes have at least one entrance with zero steps, 32 inches of clear passage on all interior doors (including bathrooms), and at least a half bath on the main floor. The purpose of this design is not to make the home fully handicap accessible, but rather to make it accessible for wheelchairs, walkers, baby strollers, etc. in order to accommodate those needs should they arise. Residents are more likely to be able to remain in their existing home if a family member develops a disability and are more able to accommodate visitors with disabilities.

Build Out Analysis A build out analysis examines all parcels of land in a town or region and analyzes, under the town’s current zoning regulations, how much of that land is buildable. The analysis takes into consideration aquifer, wetland and conservation areas, floodplains, steep slopes, and local infrastructure. The purpose of a build out analysis is to determine where the most likely concentration of development could be located in the future and how much potential development could occur based upon the current zoning.

Town staff and volunteers are currently working to complete a build out analysis for Dunbarton.

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SUMMARY

The goals of the Subcommittee for the HOUSING CHAPTER were to discover the quantity and types of housing in Dunbarton, decipher public desire, and produce prioritized objectives and recommendations for Town Boards to discuss and act upon if possible. Data was collected from available Census summaries as well as input from the Master Plan survey and Visioning Forum regarding future needs and wants of citizens. The data shows Dunbarton as one of the highest Towns in residential growth by percentage for our area although totals are generally lower.

The concerns from citizen input were the rapid residential growth, maintaining rural character, and fair housing opportunities. With the local towns of Bow and Goffstown growing rapidly as well, Dunbarton is certainly in the fringe between rapidly growing larger Towns and smaller rural Towns.

There was much discussion on many issues. One such issue was the desire for maintaining open space as new development occurs in Town. Through our survey process we discovered a split opinion regarding “Cluster Housing”. This method of development may offer what the people desire even though the label does not represent it well.

How do we obtain what the public wants for future housing? What is legally and practically possible? What kind of incentives, if any, should we offer to maintain our open spaces in Dunbarton? What are the differences in the monetary obligations of conventional development vs. “open space”(formerly known as cluster) development vs. non-developed space? These are all questions the group came up with and we have attempted to address them in our objectives and recommendations for this Chapter.

The objectives of this Chapter are: • To identify current housing inventory and housing needs. • To encourage housing that protects the rural character of Dunbarton while allowing for residential diversity. • To educate residents and developers about the different housing options available in the Town. • To develop long-range plans for single family, multi-family, manufactured homes and senior housing.

These objectives and recommendations, the Subcommittee feels, are the subjects the Planning Board and other appropriate boards should look at in depth and act upon to make Dunbarton what its citizens desire most…to change as little to the eye and wallet as legally possible.

- Respectfully Submitted, David Breault, Housing Subcommittee Chair

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Chapter VI NATURAL RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the NATURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER is to identify the natural features and resources found throughout Dunbarton’s landscape. In addition, the intent of the chapter is to identify important natural resource related issues. As indicated in the Community Survey, many of the respondents considered natural resources an important topic to address. The survey indicates that the issues of highest concern are natural habitats, forests, and the protection of wetlands. Many of the respondents also thought that there should be additional efforts to increase the amount of open space and conservation lands in the Town.

Dunbarton occupies approximately 19,730 acres of land in the Central New Hampshire Region, with approximately 3,600 acres of this total held in conservation. Contained within its borders are a rich diversity of natural resources and numerous distinct natural features. Although there are no rivers that run through Dunbarton, several brooks, streams, and ponds scatter the landscape. The terrain is dominated by the presence of steep slopes, and hilly areas, resulting in several scenic viewsheds, while the natural land cover is dominated by forests. However, several fields and agricultural lands are dispersed throughout the Town.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS

- To increase the level of protection for water systems including, but not limited to, ponds, streams, and wetlands.

• Review Town regulations, relative to interest in the protection of wetlands, to determine if present buffers are adequate, and make changes where necessary.

• Review regulatory process to determine if future development, including bridges, roads, and buildings, can be altered or moved to minimize impacts on water resources, specifically stream and wetland systems.

• Work with interested residents, the state, and private interest groups to control milfoil in Gorham Pond and prevent its spread.

• Target remaining lands around Great Ponds for protection.

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- To locate important wildlife habitat, plant communities, and wildlife corridors on maps that are important for maintaining biodiversity.

• Locate unique or special plant communities and special wildlife habitats, such as deer yards, vernal pools, and undeveloped south-facing slopes suitable for protection, on a map for local boards to inform their decision-making process of these areas.

• Locate corridors that connect large areas of protected lands so that wildlife can pass from one conservation area to another.

• Locate large tracts of land or smaller tracts of land that could be joined to create larger tracts that have qualities worthy of protection.

- To investigate and pursue additional protection mechanisms for natural resources.

• Encourage land-use decision-making boards to incorporate consideration of the specific natural resources identified in the previous objective into their decisions.

• Investigate regulatory options for protecting the specific natural resources identified in the previous objective and pursue implementation of the best option.

• Encourage, or even require, creative development in areas where unique or special plant communities, or special wildlife habitats or corridors are likely to be significant, given natural features and/or field documentation.

- To identify scenic vistas (viewsheds) and determine their importance for protection.

• Locate scenic vistas (viewsheds) that are most representative of the rural character of Dunbarton and prioritize their protection.

• Investigate the possibility of incorporating scenic vista (viewshed) protection into the subdivision regulations.

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- To identify parcels and support acquisition of conservation lands, whether by conservation easement or fee acquisition on the part of the town or other public or nonprofit conservation entities.

• Encourage the donation of conservation easements or fee interests by landowners as supported in the Community Survey.

• Work in conjunction with area land trusts, other nonprofits, and government agencies to secure funds to purchase conservation lands.

• Explore the use of a bond for acquisition of lands for open space.

• Continue developing and implementing management plans for town-owned conservation lands that reflect the importance of wildlife, forest, and wetlands conservation, as identified in the Master Plan survey.

- To help inform Dunbarton residents about conservation issues.

• Educate the public on the importance of upland buffers.

• Educate townspeople about the importance of open space as it affects local taxes, wildlife, rural character, and quality of life so that the Town is more inclined to vote for conservation appropriations at Town Meeting.

• Develop and circulate a pamphlet that discusses Dunbarton’s special features, the current use program, wetlands protection, and other conservation topics.

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COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS

The community survey results reveal how the responding residents feel about natural use and management within Dunbarton. The responses to these questions helped shape the chapter objectives and recommendations. Provided below are a list of the questions asked, and the responses given to each question.

Table VI-1 Please indicate how important the preservation of open space (undeveloped land) in Dunbarton is to you. Total Percent Very Important 326 67.9% Important 81 16.9% Somewhat Important 51 10.6% Not Important 15 3.1% No Opinion 7 1.5% Grand Total 480 100.0%

Table VI-2 Do you support the acquisition of lands by the Town for conservation and low impact recreation purposes? Total Percent Yes 393 82.9% No 42 8.9% No Opinion 39 8.2% Grand Total 474 100.0%

Table VI-2a If yes, how should the acquisition be funded? Total Percent* Through the Current Use Change Tax Fund? 233 59.3% Through General Tax Revenues? 105 26.7% Through a Bond Issue? 103 26.2% Through Donations? 331 84.2% Through Grants? 320 81.4% Other 26 6.6% *respondents could choose more than one answer

A majority of respondents (85%) indicated that they think that it is important or very important to preserve open space, as shown in Table V1-1, while only 3% think that preservation of open space is not important. In addition, 83% of the respondents think it is important for the Town to conserve lands for low-impact recreation and conservation.

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Most respondents (more than 80%) think that donations and grants should be a major source of the money to purchase conservation lands. More than half (59%) think that the Current Use Change Tax should be used, as is presently the case. Presently 50% of the annual income from the Current Use Change Tax is allocated to the Conservation Fund. As indicated in Table VI-3, approximately 46% of respondents want to keep the Current Use Change Tax allocation at 50%, while 28% of respondents want more than 50% of the money to be allocated to the Conservation Fund.

Table VI-3 Would you support an increase or decrease in the portion of the current use change tax to be allocated to the Conservation Commission for land protection and acquisition, now currently at 50%? Total Percent Increase 131 27.5% Decrease 50 10.5% Keep the Same 219 45.9% No Opinion 77 16.1% Grand Total 477 100.0%

Table VI-4 Should wetlands protection be an important land management objective in Dunbarton? Total Percent Yes 372 78.0% No 56 11.7% No Opinion 49 10.3% Grand Total 477 100.0%

Table VI-5 Should Dunbarton enact an ordinance to maintain vegetated buffer areas along wetlands and streams? Total Percent Yes 296 62.3% No 93 19.6% No Opinion 86 18.1% Grand Total 475 100.0%

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Table VI-4 and Table VI-5 indicate that most of the respondents think that wetlands protection is a priority and regulatory means are appropriate. Approximately 62% of respondents think that Dunbarton should enact an ordinance to maintain vegetated buffers along wetlands and streams.

Table VI-6 What are the most important land conservation objectives to you? Please choose the three most important. Total Percent* Fields / Agriculture 139 28.4% Streams 101 20.6% Recreation 63 12.9% Other 13 2.7% Aquifers 89 18.2% Ponds 135 27.6% Fish / Wildlife management 129 26.3% Forests 225 45.9% Scenic Views 96 19.6% Natural Habitat 272 55.5% Wetlands 146 29.8% *respondents could choose up to 3 choices

Table VI-7 There are 19,734 acres of land in Dunbarton, 3,611 acres of which are permanently protected for public conservation purposes (including the federally owned flood control area at Clough State Park). What do you feel is the ideal goal for permanent conservation land in Dunbarton? Total Percent More 281 60.3% Less 13 2.8% Same 135 29.0% No Opinion 37 7.9% Grand Total 466 100.0%

The three top conservation objectives identified by survey respondents, as shown in Table VI-6, are Natural Habitat (56%), Forests (46%), and Wetlands (30%), with fields/agriculture a close fourth at 28%. All are consistent with habitat protection, as well as protection of rural character and aquatic systems.

Acquisition/protection of additional open space is favored by more than half the residents responding. This is re-emphasized in Table VI-7, which indicates that just over 60% of the respondents think that Dunbarton should acquire additional conservation lands.

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INVENTORY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Following is an inventory of the resources that help define Dunbarton, particularly its rural character. The majority of this information was taken directly from the 1999 CNHRPC Natural, Cultural, and Historical Resources Inventory, where most of the information was supplied by the Dunbarton Conservation Commission and mapped sources. Additional information was gathered from Town files, Master Plan Subcommittee input, and other sources, where noted. A series of maps was developed which depict the natural features in the Town.

Geologic Resources Geological features have contributed to the appearance and development patterns of Dunbarton’s landscape. Dunbarton’s several hills offer potential sites for recreation and scenic views. One need only to walk up Mills Hill to appreciate the contribution geological resources make to Dunbarton. The bedrock and surficial geology help determine the location of aquifers, wetlands, and forests. Bedrock constituents have the potential to impact water quality, types and depth of soils, topography, vegetation, and potential for various uses; while the presence of seismic lines indicates where past or potential future earthquakes have/could occur. Though research is continually identifying the importance of these features, the known influences of geological resources should not be overlooked.

The Bedrock and Surficial Geology Map depicts the bedrock geology of Dunbarton and the location of the hills and mountains.

Bedrock Geology Bedrock is the solid material that underlies the soil or other unconsolidated material of the earth. It is most often comprised of a complex of materials. The types of bedrock found in Dunbarton are listed:

Dc1m Type Concord Granite (Late Devonian)—Gray two-mica granite, locally grading to tonalite. This is the most predominant bedrock found in Dunbarton. Accounting for 8,483 acres, the majority of this bedrock is found underlying the area east of Mansion Road and North of Robert Rogers Road. A small area of approximately 584 acres occurs surrounding Purgatory Pond.

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Ds1-6 Type Spaulding Tonalite (of the NH Plutonic Suite, Late to Early Devonian) – weakly foliated to nonfoliated, spotted biotite quartz diorite, tonalite, granodiorite, and granite; garnet and muscovite may or may not be present. All 150 acres of this bedrock type occurs along the western border of the Town.

Sp Type Perry Mountain Formation (Metasedimentary and Metavolcanic, Middle to Lower Silurian) – sharply interbedded quartzites, light-gray nongraphitic metapelite, and “fast-graded” metaturbidites. Coticule layers common. The majority of the 1,684 acres of Perry Mountain Formation occurs along the western border of Dunbarton, with a majority of it occurring in the northwest corner of the Town.

Srl Type Lower part of Rangeley Formation—Gray, thinly laminated (5-25 mm) metapelite containing local lentils of turbidites and thin quartz conglomerates in western New Hampshire. Sparse calc-silicate pods and coticule. Probably equivalent to member B of Rangeley Formation of Maine. This bedrock accounts for 2,834 acres and occurs in the central to southeastern portion of the Town.

Sru Type Upper part of Rangeley Formation—Rusty-weathering, pelitic schist, metasandstone, and local coarse-grained metasandstone lentils; calc-silicate pods common; minor coticule. Probably equivalent to member C of Rangeley Formation of Maine. The upper part of the Rangeley Formation accounts for 5,538 acres of bedrock and is the second most prominent bedrock type in Dunbarton. It is located in the central and southeastern part of the Town.

The United States Geological Service (USGS) has conducted many studies in NH on bedrock geology and its effects on water quality. Bedrock geology clearly influences the presence of radon and arsenic in drinking water. Very high concentrations of radon and concentrations of arsenic have been documented in several of the private wells in Dunbarton. While public water supplies are tested and regulated, private wells are not. Virtually all homes in Dunbarton are on private wells.

Bedrock not only affects water quality, but also surface water and groundwater supplies. The materials that comprise bedrock vary in density and permeability. Water “pools” in some areas, while running quickly through other areas, creating aquifers (water-saturated areas underground) and wetlands. Fractures in the bedrock also provide sources for water supplies.

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Seismic Lines Dunbarton contains one seismic line, located by Stark Pond Marsh just east of the junction of Ray Road and Mansion Road. This seismic line is approximately 850 feet long. National building codes indicate that Dunbarton, and much of New Hampshire, is in a moderate earthquake zone.

Steep Slopes Steep slopes for the mapping within the Master Plan are defined as slopes greater than 15%. The designation of “steep” slopes can range from as little as 8-10% for roadways and driveways to as much as 25-35% for septic and sewer at depending on the context of the intended use. Steep slopes are often associated with increased erosion and create problems for road construction and other infrastructure. According to the 2003 Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) draft soils layer, Dunbarton has 4,773.37 acres of steep slopes. Most of the steep slopes in the Town occur east of NH 13 and West of Kimball Pond Road and Montalona Road. South facing steep slopes provide important wildlife habitat and may harbor unusual plants, depending on soil type.

Hills Four major hills are located in Dunbarton. They are identified on the Bedrock and Surficial Geology Map. Table VI-8 shows the elevation of each of these features. At 900’ Mills Hill is Dunbarton’s highest hill. Hills and ridgelines can be important for wildlife, recreational users, and homeowners seeking views.

Table VI-8 Hills in Dunbarton Elevation Kuncanowet Hills 650' Burnham Hill 825' Quimby Mountain 850' Mills Hill 900' Source: CNHRPC 1999 Natural, Cultural and Historical Resources Inventory

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Excavation Materials Dunbarton has five excavation sites. Four of these sites are presently used for gravel excavation, while one Town-owned gravel site remains inactive.

Table VI-9 Excavation Operations Name or Location Type of Material(s) McDevitt (private) Gravel Belanger & Costello (private) Gravel Town of Dunbarton Gravel Town of Dunbarton Gravel Town of Dunbarton Gravel (Inactive) Sources: Subcommittee Input, Town Files

Water Resources The Surface Water Resources Map details Dunbarton’s water resources as noted in this section. This map shows the location of water bodies such as ponds and rivers, as well as hydric soils, watershed boundaries, wetlands, and dams. The Groundwater Resources Map includes aquifer transmissivity (how much water moves through the aquifer), public water supplies, and private well locations since 1983.

Water Supplies The Town of Dunbarton has two public water supplies, the Dunbarton Elementary School, which serves a current population of up to 250 people, and a public water supply located on the Countryside Golf Club property. Between 1983 and 1997, the NH Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) has issued 132 private well permits to new residents. The majority of these wells occur on Robert Rogers Road (16) and on Route 13 (13). Other roads with wells logged and mapped by NHDES are: Gorham Pond Road (8), Leg Ache Hill Road (6), Clifford Farms Road (7), and Black Brook Road (7). Given the dispersed development patterns and absence of centrally located aquifers, it is unlikely public water supplies will be developed to serve residential properties in the near future.

Ponds Dunbarton is fortunate to have five Great Ponds. A Great Pond is defined as a pond more than 10 acres in size that, by definition, is owned by the State. Great Ponds are sometimes referred to as Public Waters. All of Dunbarton’s Great Ponds have public access. Part of Gorham Pond, most of Long Pond, and all of Purgatory Pond is surrounded by private land. Protection of Long Pond’s and Purgatory Pond’s shorelines and associated uplands is a priority of the Conservation Commission.

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Gorham Pond is the main tributary to Gorham Brook. This 103-acre pond has a maximum sounded depth of 14 feet. It is currently infested with milfoil, a highly invasive aquatic weed that disrupts recreational activities and destroys aquatic habitat. Land to the north, west, and east have been permanently protected and are known as the Kuncanowet Town Forest and Conservation Area. Trails around the pond, beginning at a trail head on the east side, lead through protected land to beaver ponds and the Stinson Mill site.

The 10.8-acre Stark Pond, with an average depth of only six feet, has an extensive marsh associated with it. It is a fine ice skating resource. Stark Pond is in the Army Corps Flood Control area.

Kimball Pond is 52 acres in area with an average depth of nine feet. This pond becomes a tributary to the Merrimack through Black Brook. The land around it has been protected through three conservation campaigns spearheaded by the Conservation Commission. Additional conservation and Town Forest land in the area create a diverse area of more than 1300 acres, including a variety of wetland types, forests, open field, steep slopes, and other habitat features.

Long Pond is a natural 32-acre pond. Harry Brook is a tributary to the Piscataquog River.

Purgatory Pond is a small 14-acre pond. The maximum depth sounded was 14 feet with an average depth of 10 feet.

Rivers There are no rivers in Dunbarton. Just west of Dunbarton is the North Branch of the Piscataquog River, dammed by the US Army Corps of Engineer’s Hopkinton-Everett Flood Control Dam. The lakes and streams on the west side of town drain into the Piscataquog River, while two major tributaries, Black Brook and Bela Brook on the east side of the Town, described below, drain into the Merrimack River. Roughly half of Dunbarton lies in the Piscataquog River watershed.

Brooks Harry Brook flows from Long Pond south into Goffstown and the Piscataquog River.

Black Brook flows southward out of Kimball Pond through Goffstown to the Merrimack River in Manchester.

Gorham Brook flows from Gorham Pond into Goffstown and the Piscataquog River.

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Stark Brook flows from the Stark Marsh to the North Branch of the Piscataquog River.

Bela Brook flows from Dunbarton through Bow into Concord and Turkey Pond.

Purgatory Brook travels a short distance from Purgatory Pond through Goffstown before joining with the Merrimack River in Manchester.

These stream resources can be affected not only by pollution (see discussion of Nonpoint Source Pollution), but also by development. As natural vegetation is replaced by roads, driveways, and buildings, precipitation runs off the land more quickly. Studies have demonstrated that as little as 10% impervious surface on a lot can affect the morphology and health of adjacent streams by increasing the speed with which water leaves the lot.

Aquifers A fairly large aquifer lies beneath the Stark Pond, Stark Brook, and Stark Marsh area, stretching from a few miles south of Hopkinton along Stark Brook to Stark Marsh, down to Stark Pond. Beyond Stark Pond, the aquifer becomes less continuous with small pockets as far as Clough State Park. The other main aquifer in Dunbarton lies within the Kimball Pond/Black Brook watershed. This aquifer is concentrated around Kimball Pond with smaller portions north and south of the pond. A few additional small aquifers underlie the southeastern and southwestern parts of the Town.

Wetlands Wetlands inventoried, field-checked, and mapped by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, between 1986 and 1990, dot the entire Town. A large wetland lies north of Kimball Pond (the Great Meadows) and a second wetland lies to the south of Kimball Pond. North of Gorham Pond is another large wetland complex, including emergent marshes and open water beaver ponds. Other large wetland areas include: Stark Marsh, portions along Stark Brook, areas of Purgatory Pond, and portions along Bela Brook. Many other smaller isolated wetlands exist throughout Dunbarton.

Although impermanent, vernal pools are seasonally important wetlands that currently have no regulatory protection.

Dunbarton’s wetlands conservation district, the only local regulation affecting wetlands, protects wetlands associated with the Town’s five Great Ponds and the brooks associated with them and cited above.

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Hydric Soils Wetlands are defined by the presence of water, soil type, and vegetation. Hydric soils are indicative of wet conditions. There are a total of 3,922 acres of hydric soils in Dunbarton with 2,740 acres comprised of Hydric A soil and the remaining 1,182 acres accounting for Hydric B soil.

Very Poorly Drained Soils (Hydric A) Water is removed so slowly that the water table remains at or on the ground surface for most of the year (9-10 months of the year). Very poorly drained soils occupy level or depressed sites, are frequently ponded, commonly have a thick, dark colored surface layer, and have gray subsoil.

Poorly Drained Soils (Hydric B) Water moves so slowly that the water table remains at or near the ground surface for at least half the year (6-9 months of the year). These soils occupy nearly level to sloping sites, are ponded for short periods in some places, have a dark colored surface layer, and have grayish colored subsoil which is mottled in most places.

Dams According to the NH DES, there are 12 dam sites in Dunbarton. They are displayed in Table VI-11. The State’s hazard classification system categorizes dams on the basis of safety.

Four dams in Dunbarton are classified as AA, which means the failure of any of these dams would not threaten life or property. One dam is classified as A, which means it presents a low hazard potential.

No dams in Dunbarton are classified as B, meaning the dam has a significant hazard potential were it to fail.

The most dangerous class is Class C, which means the dam has a high hazard potential with possible loss of life and damage to major highways. Dunbarton has two Class C dams (Everett Reservoir North & East Dikes, part of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Hopkinton-Everett Flood Control). The remaining five dams are not classified in NH DES records. This is because the dams were not built or are in ruins and are not currently holding back water.

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Table VI-11 Dams in Dunbarton Hazard Index Name Class Type Status Ownership 1 Black Brook I Dam Earth Ruins Private 2 Bruzga Farm Pond Dam Earth Not Built Private 3 Everett Reservoir East Dike C Earth Active Federal 4 Everett Reservoir North Dike C Earth Active Federal 5 Harris Brook Dam Earth Ruins Private 6 Harris Brook I Dam Earth Ruins Private 7 Kimball Pond Dam A Concrete Active Town 8 Recreation Pond AA Earth Active Private 9 Recreation Pond AA Earth Active Private 10 Stark Pond Dam AA Concrete Active State 11 Wildlife Pond AA Earth Active Private 12 Wildlife Pond Dam Earth Ruins Private Source: NH Department of Environmental GIS data

Point and Nonpoint Source Pollution The greatest threat to Dunbarton’s waterways is likely to be nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, also known as polluted runoff. Nonpoint source pollution cannot be traced back to any specific source; it is the accumulated pollution resulting from everyday activities, such as washing cars or fertilizing lawns. Its effects are magnified by impervious surfaces, such as building roofs and paved surfaces that prevent water from percolating into the ground. As water flows over the land, it picks up oil, pesticides, nutrients, road salt, sediment, and other pollutants. Most runoff typically ends up in streams and ponds.

Point source pollution can be traced to a source of contamination. This includes junkyards, autobody shops, above ground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, and gravel pits. Known sources of contamination are mapped on the Potential Threats to Water Resources Map. The NH Department of Environmental Services maintains a database of potential contamination sources. Presently, of the fifty-five sites that NH DES has recorded, fifteen of the sites remain as potential threats. Some of the sites included in this list are the Town Transfer/Recycling Center, the Dunbarton Country Store, the Dunbarton Elementary School, and the Dunbarton Fire Department. It is important to note that residential heating oil tanks are a potential threat to water resources and should be continually monitored.

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Conservation Lands The Conservation Lands Map depicts the conservation lands noted in this section. The listing is displayed in Table VI-12.

Table VI-12 Dunbarton Conservation Lands Conservation Lands Held by Acres Clough State Park (small portion in Dunbarton) NH DRED 1 Brown Lot SPNHF Unknown French #5 easement SPNHF 127 Greenhalge easement SPNHF 50 Hough easement SPNHF 130 Gorham Pond Lot Town 5 Grant easement & Grant Flowage easement Town 8 Great Meadow - Three Lots Town 75 Kimball Pond Town 72 KTFCA - Brown (Gorham Pond) (LCIP) Town 50 KTFCA - Fogg (Gorham Pond) (LCIP) Town 58 KTFCA - Fogg (Gorham Pond) (LCIP) Town 14 KTFCA - Freeport Development (Gorham Pond) (LCIP) Town 62 KTFCA - Gravis (Gorham Pond) (LCIP) Town 269 KTFCA - Greenhalge (Gorham Pond) (LCIP) Town 22 KTFCA - Whitney #1 (Gorham Pond) (LCIP) Town 190 KTFCA - Whitney #2 (Gorham Pond) (LCIP) Town 2 Kuncanowet Natural Area - Erikson Lot Town 122 Kuncanowet Town Forest – Heino Lot Town 34 Kuncanowet Town Forest - Holiday Shore Lot Town 12 Kuncanowet Town Forest – Parker/Stinson Lot Town 259 Kuncanowet Town Forest - Town Forest & Cons Area Town 123 Kuncanowet Town Forest – Upton Lot Town 14 Kuncanowet Town Forest and Conservation Area (KTFC) Town 43 Long Pond Lot Town 10 Ray Road Lot Town 20 Richards easement (Kimball Pond) Town 76 Story Easement Town 53 Taylor easement Town 145 Town Forest - Kimball Pond Road Town 278 Town Forest - Mansion Road Town 12 Town Forest - Winslow Lot #1 Town 107 Town Forest - Winslow Lot #2 Town 41 Hopkinton-Everett Reservoir (portion in Dunbarton) US Army Corps 1,187 Total Protected Acreage 3,671 Source: 1998 CNHRPC Nat, Cult, & Historic Inventory, 2002 Digital Tax Maps; Subcommittee Input

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The number of lots shown in Table VI-12 suggests the manner in which conservation lands have been protected – lot by lot. The two largest conservation areas – KTFCA and Kimball Pond – are the result of concerted conservation campaigns involving hundreds of acres, multiple grant applications, several landowners, and many players. In the case of KTFCA, the Conservation Commission, Town Forest Committee, interested individuals, landowners willing to donate their land to create this wonderful town conservation area, and Selectmen worked together to bring the project to pass, tapping into available State funds. In the case of Kimball Pond, the Conservation Commission worked with citizens interested in contributing financially to the project, the Selectmen, and outside agencies, particularly the Trust for Public Lands, to bring the Kimball Pond Conservation Area to fruition (over many years and three separate projects). Their key conservation attributes reflect Town priorities for conservation land acquisition.

Most of the Town’s conservation lands were gifted to the Town by generous landowners and Dunbarton residents. The Conservation Commission is responsible for management of the Kimball Pond Conservation Area and Town properties. Town Forests are managed by the Town Forest Committee, which collects the proceeds of its timber sales and sales of gravel to the Town in a Town Forest Fund. The KTFCA is managed by a committee comprised of representatives of the Conservation Commission, the Town Forest Committee, and the community at large.

Conservation lands are open to the public for low-impact recreational use, such as hiking, bird watching, snow shoeing, and cross-country skiing. Low-impact camping on some properties is allowed by permission of the management entity. No open fires, dumping, or ATVs are allowed. Snowmobiling is allowed on designated trails found on some conservation properties.

Table VI-12 includes lands that are privately owned and protected from development and, typically, subdivision. They are held by nonprofit organizations or the Town. Easements held by the Town are the responsibility of the Conservation Commission.

Current Use Property owners of undeveloped land totaling 10 acres or more may file for reduced property taxes though the Current Use Taxation program. The current use value is the assessed per acre value of open space land based on its income-producing capabilities, not its market value as developable real estate. The legislature passed Current Use to encourage the retention of open space, which makes few demands on Town services and contributes to the state’s and a community’s rural character. Although current use does not provide for a permanent form of land protection, it is important to recognize that it helps to maintain open space throughout the Town.

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Current Use valuations are determined by the Town assessor in accordance with a range of current use values established by the State Current Use Board (CUB) and considering class, type, grade, and location of land. Current Use categories are as follows:

¾ “Farm land” means any cleared land devoted to or capable of agricultural or horticultural use as determined and classified by criteria developed by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Markets, and Food and adopted by the CUB.

¾ “Forest land” means any land growing trees as determined and classified by criteria developed by the State Forester and adopted by the CUB. For the purposes of this paragraph, the CUB shall recognize the cost of responsible land stewardship in the determination of assessment ranges.

¾ “Open space land” means any or all farm land, forest land, or unproductive land as defined by this section. However, “open space land” shall not include any property held by a city, town or district in another city or town for the purpose of a water supply or flood control, for which a payment in place of taxes is made in accordance with RSA 72:11.

¾ “Unproductive land” means land, including wetlands, which by its nature is incapable of producing agricultural or forest products due to poor soil or site characteristics, or the location of which renders it inaccessible or impractical to harvest agricultural or forest products, as determined and classified by criteria developed by the CUB. The CUB shall develop only one category for all unproductive land, setting its current use value equal to that of the lowest current use value established by the CUB for any other category.

¾ “Wetlands” means those areas of farm, forest and unproductive land that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

The Town levies a land use change tax when the land use changes from open space use to a non-qualifying use. By Town Meeting vote, one-half of the Current Use Change Tax goes to the Conservation Fund for permanently protecting land in Dunbarton.

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Table VI-13 Current Use Acreages by Land Type, 1993-2003 CU Acreage by Land Type 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Farm Land 794.7 782.7 812.3 812.3 808.7 876.9 839.9 820.2 819.4 788.6 788.6 Forest Land 7634.6 7323.1 7533.0 7125.1 8247.3 8567.1 8731.0 8684.3 8507.6 7818.5 7714.0 Unproductive 449.5 467.2 502.4 532.0 527.3 430.8 475.3 493.3 477.9 433.1 429.1 Wet Land 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total CU Acres 8878.7 8573.0 8847.7 8469.4 9583.2 9874.8 10046.2 9997.8 9804.8 9040.2 8931.7 Sources: Dunbarton Town Files

Table VI-14 Land Use Change Tax Collected, 1993-2003 Year Total 1993 $8,825 1994 $9,070 1995 $20,600 1996 $40,940 1997 $21,515 1998 $30,137 1999 $61,536 2000 $16,120 2001 $23,009 2002 $34,409 2003 $84,980 Sources: Dunbarton Annual Reports

As of 2003, Dunbarton had approximately 9,000 acres of land in current use. That accounts for about 45% of the total land area in Dunbarton. As Table VI-13 shows, the main contributor to current use land acreage has primarily been forest land. A general trend shows that from 1993 to 1999 there was an increase in the amount of land placed in current use. Since 1999 there has been a slow but steady decline, indicating that people are removing land from current use. Table VI-14 shows the amount of monies collected when lands were taken out of current use. Until 1996, the Conservation Commission received $2,500 dollars annually. From 1996 until present, the Conservation Commission is supposed to receive 50% of the Land Use Change Tax. The highest total collected was in 2003, totaling $84,980.

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Wildlife Resources Dunbarton has a wide variety of wildlife, from moose, bobcat, and bear to wild turkeys, red-winged black-birds, and saw-whet owls to Blandings turtles, spotted salamanders, and milk snakes. Wildlife surveys at Kimball Pond and north of Rte. 77 conducted by the Piscataquog Watershed Association have documented all the key indicator species found in intact upland/wetland systems: bear, moose, bobcat, river otter, mink, and fisher. Additional work has been done by New Hampshire Audubon Society identifying many bird species that exist in the Town. Deeryards have been documented in several areas in Dunbarton most notably between Winslow Road and Barnard Hill Road.

In addition, both the Piscataquog Watershed Association (PWA) and the NH Fish & Game Department (NH F&G) have produced habitat maps based on habitat information available through the GRANIT geographic information system. The PWA analysis looked at south facing slopes >10%, steep slopes >35%, alluvial soils, emergent wetlands, wetlands >20 acres in size, river and stream corridors with 300’ buffers, open lands >40 acres, and unfragmented forest blocks >500 acres. Special habitat information was provided as an overlay. The NH F&G analysis looked at similar features, with notable exceptions, as follows: wetlands >5 acres in size, wetland clusters (3 or more wetlands <5 acres in size within 1 km of each other and within the same unfragmented block), ledges, and differentiated open lands categories of disturbed, cleared, and agriculture.

These analyses show several conservation opportunities, as follows: • The roadless area north of Rte 77 abutting the Fort Estates subdivision and the Hopkinton town line; • The entire Bela Brook drainage and nearby south-facing slopes, still roadless and largely undeveloped; • The roadless area south of Winslow Road and north of Barnard Hill Road (currently undergoing development in the western portion, which development is likely to reduce dramatically the forest’s value as wildlife habitat); • The large block of land south of Everett Dam Road and west of Rte. 13 to the Goffstown line; • The Harry Brook/Long Pond watershed; • Kimball Pond from Robert Rogers Road on the north to Montalona Road to Legache Hill and Kimball Pond roads on the west to the Goffstown line; • The powerline; • The block of roadless open space from Montalona Road on the west to north of Morse Road to Twist Hill Road on the east, to the Goffstown line; • An area east of Twist Hill Road near the Goffstown /Hooksett line; • An area south of Robert Rogers Road just beyond the intersection with County Road.

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Additional smaller areas, largely fields and wetlands, also exist throughout the Town. The “roadless” or “unfragmented” forested blocks are particularly important to interior forest birds and many large mammals that are found in Dunbarton. If we intend to maintain our present wildlife species diversity, these areas must be viewed as high conservation priorities. Conservation of these areas will also contribute to the community’s rural character. (See also the discussion under Corridors, below.)

Ecological Resources For the purpose of this chapter, Ecological Resources are defined as those natural features that are important to wildlife habitat and plant species, and including plant and wildlife species that are found throughout the Town.

Corridors Not only are corridors and greenways used by people for recreation and transportation, but wildlife use corridors to travel from one area to another. Maintaining viable, undeveloped corridors contributes to the biological success of many wildlife species, particularly larger mammals, within an area. The following corridors have been identified in Dunbarton, through the 1999 CNHRPC Natural, Cultural, and Historical Resources Inventory.

• A large utility line corridor travels through the entire length of Dunbarton from the northern border with Hopkinton to the southern border with Goffstown. This corridor runs through several marshes, conservation lands, and other non- developed lands making it an excellent travel corridor for wildlife. • The riparian corridor of Bela Brook is primarily undisturbed by roadways or human activities. A series of wetlands dot the entire Brook as it travels along the Bow/Dunbarton town line to Turkey Pond in Concord. • The Black Brook watershed, a sub-watershed of the Manchester Tributaries of the Merrimack River watershed, provides another relatively undisturbed corridor encompassing the Great Meadow, Kimball Pond, and Black Brook. Virtually all the lower reaches of this corridor to the Goffstown line have been protected, although additional conservation would likely enhance its already high value. • North/south trending streams, like Gorham Pond Brook and Harry Brook, make for excellent corridors, as does the Kuncanowet Ridge.

Less prominent and obvious corridors provide locally important travel ways for wildlife as well. Often these corridors are identifiable at roadway crossings where motorists commonly see wildlife.

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Exemplary Natural Communities Most of our information on Exemplary Natural Communities is maintained by the NH Natural Heritage Inventory, a database of resource information housed at the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development. This database has highly credible information and is used by developers and conservationists alike to identify critical plant and animal resources. The NH Fish & Game Department also maintains a database on critical wildlife resources.

NH Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) The NHI identifies flora and fauna that are either threatened or endangered on the State or Federal level. Table VI-15 identifies all flora and fauna identified by the Natural Heritage Inventory for the Town of Dunbarton. As seen, each listed species is given a rank of importance, based upon the distribution of that species within New Hampshire and within the entirety of its known range outside of the state. The less frequent the species, the higher the rank that is given. The classifications are as follows: Highest Importance (HI) indicates species that are rare to nonexistent in New Hampshire and within its known range. Extremely High Importance (EH) are species that are rare in New Hampshire and in its entire range, though they are slightly more numerous than those in the HI category. Very High Importance (VH) species are rare within New Hampshire but may be more common throughout the entirety of its range. High Importance (H) species are rare to infrequent within the state though they may be somewhat more numerous outside the state in other areas of its range. The No Importance category indicates that although the species may be listed as endangered within New Hampshire, the species is not so threatened in other areas of its known range.

Table VI-15 NHI for Dunbarton Listed # Reported Last 20 yrs Common Name Scientific Name Federal State Town State Status Birds Great Blue Heron (rookery) Ardea herodias - - 1 37 High Pied-Billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps - E 1 21 High Reptiles Blanding's Turtle Emydoidea blandingii - - 2 62 Very High Natural Communities - Terrestrial SNE Circumneutral Rocky Summit/Rock Outcrop Community - - 1 6 Very High Source: NH Natural Heritage Inventory, 2003

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Note, however, that the NHI is not complete. Several other rare flora and fauna have been identified in the Town by other sources. For example, there is more than one heron rookery in the Town and New Hampshire’s two other rare turtle species, the Wood Turtle and the Spotted Turtle have been documented in Dunbarton within the past four years. In addition, the emergent marsh south of Kimball Pond is considered an exemplary plant community by the NH Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Several stands of relatively rare Black Gum also occur throughout Dunbarton.

Scenic Vistas Presently, Dunbarton does not have any defined/recognized viewsheds, however, many areas in town are considered to be of scenic value. One such vista is that seen overlooking the Kuncanowet Hills and beyond as you travel south on Gorham Pond Road from Stark Highway. One goal of this Chapter is to identify those areas in Town that are considered to be of scenic value and develop a method to protect them.

Agricultural Resources Prime farmland soils, soils of statewide importance, and soils of local importance to Merrimack County are depicted using the 1981 & 1985 Soil Conservation Service (now Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS) Survey digital information on the Agricultural Soils Map. A draft soils map for Merrimack County is under development.

Prime farmland soils are described nationally as land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is also available for these uses.

Categorized soils of statewide importance have properties that exclude them from the prime farmland list. However, they are important to agriculture in the State and produce fair to good crop yields when properly treated and managed. As a general rule, erosion control and irrigation practices are necessary to produce high-yield crops.

Soils of local importance are identified by County agencies. These soils also support the production of food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed crops. These soils produce fair to good crops when managed properly.

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The definition of a farm varies greatly. Some people consider farms to be any land that produces crops or is used to raise livestock, whether the products produced are sold or used by the landowner, while others consider a farm to be land that is used for commercial production. Using the definition of farm adopted by the US Department of Agriculture, the Office of Management & Budget, and the Bureau of the Census in 1975, “any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products (crops and livestock) were sold or normally would have been sold during a given year,” Dunbarton has one active farm, owned by the Stone family. It is a dairy farm.

Dunbarton has a number of smaller farms that do not qualify for Census purposes but do add significantly to the sense of rural character. These farms support or produce farm animals, vegetables, nursery stock, horses, and hayfields.

Forest Resources The Forestry Soils Map depicts the location of the best forestry soils in Town.

Forest Management Timber harvesting remains a viable source of income in New Hampshire. Timber is considered a renewable resource and, when managed properly, provides a continuous supply of wood products and income. However, economic viability is possible only if lots are sufficiently large to generate income – 50 acres is a common minimum.

Timber also generates tax revenues for the Town. When timber is harvested, the individual harvesting must file an Intent to Cut form, which provides the basis for assessing a Town-collected timber tax. Table VI-16 shows the timber taxes collected in Dunbarton from 1993 to 2003. Although the amount varies from year to year, the Timber Tax still provides a source of income to the Town.

Table VI-16 Timber Tax Collections, 1993-2003 Year Total 1993 $8,824 1994 $7,970 1995 $14,181 1996 $17,962 1997 $8,772 1998 $18,102 1999 $15,569 2000 $12,875 2001 $24,701 2002 $13,189 2003 $14,748 Sources: Dunbarton Annual Reports

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Tree Farms One method that has been implemented to assure good timber management practice is the development of the Tree Farm Program. The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is a program of the American Forest Society aimed at educating landowners how to manage their forests for multiple uses. Since 1941, members of the Tree Farm program have been educated on topics such as wildlife habitat, watersheds, soil conservation, and forest resources.

The ATFS indicates that to qualify for the program, landowners must: • Dedicate at least 10 acres to growing and harvesting forest products; • Have a written plan for the future management of their forest; • Follow management recommendations prescribed by a licensed forester; and • Demonstrate a commitment to stewardship of their forest for multiple values.

Though not mandatory, programs like this one may assure continued conservation of Dunbarton’s forests while providing for a consistent source of revenue.

Forestry Soils The Forestry Soils Map shows the location of the various soils groups in Dunbarton. The data depicted is based on the draft soils survey data from NRCS. The soils categories they identified are as follows:

IA Soils Type This group consists of the deeper, loamy textured, moderately well, and well-drained soils. Generally, these soils are more fertile and have the most favorable soil moisture relationships. The successional trends on these soils are toward stands of shade tolerant hardwood. Successional stands frequently contain a variety of hardwoods such as beech, sugar maple, red maple, white birch, yellow birch, aspen, white ash, and northern red oak in varying combinations with red and white spruce, balsam fir, hemlock, and occasionally white pine. Hardwood competition is severe on these soils. Softwood regeneration is usually dependent upon persistent hardwood control efforts.

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IB Soils Type The soils in this group are generally sandy or loamy over sandy textures and slightly less fertile than those in group IA. These soils are also moderately well and well- drained. Soil moisture is adequate for good tree growth, but may not be quite as abundant as in group IA soils. This group has successional trends toward a climax of tolerant hardwoods, predominantly beech. Successional stands, especially those which are heavily cutover, are commonly composed of a variety of hardwood species such as red maple, aspen, paper birch, yellow birch, sugar maple, and beech, in combinations with red spruce, balsam fir, and hemlock. Hardwood competition is moderate to severe on these soils. Successful softwood regeneration is dependent upon hardwood control.

IC Soils Type These soils are highly responsive to softwood production, especially white pine, and are ideally suited for forest management. The soils in this group are coarse textured outwash sands and gravels, relatively less fertile than the sandy loamy soils. Soil drainage is somewhat excessively to excessively drained and moderately well drained. Soil moisture is adequate for good softwood growth, but is limited for hardwoods. Successional trends are toward shade tolerant softwoods, i.e., hemlock and potentially red spruce. Particularly in northern New Hampshire, balsam fir is a persistent component in many stands, but is shorter lived than red spruce and hemlock. White pine, red maple, aspen, and paper birch are common in early and mid-successional stands.

IIA Soils Type This diverse group includes many of the same soils as in groups IA and IB. However, these mapping units have been separated because of physical limitations which make forest management more difficult and costly, i.e., steep slopes, bedrock outcrops, erosive textures, surface boulders, and extreme rockiness. Due to the diverse nature of this group, it is not possible to generalize about successional trends or to identify special management opportunities. Usually, productivity of these soils is not greatly affected by their physical limitations. However, management activities such as tree planting, thinning, and harvesting are more difficult and more costly.

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IIB Soils Type Productivity of these poorly drained soils is generally less than soils in other groups. The seasonal high water table is generally within 12 inches of the surface. In northern New Hampshire, these soils are generally desirable for production of spruce and balsam fir, especially pulpwood due to abundant natural reproduction up north. In southern New Hampshire, red maple cordwood stands or slow-growing hemlock saw-timber are common. However, poor soil drainage limits forest management opportunities. Severe wind-throw hazard limits partial cutting, frost action threatens survival of planted seedlings, and harvesting is generally restricted to periods when the ground is frozen. Successional trends are toward climax stands of shade tolerant softwoods, i.e., spruce in the north and hemlock further south. Balsam fir is a persistent component in stands in northern New Hampshire and red maple is common on these soils further south.

NC Soils Type Several mapping units in the survey are either so variable or have such a limited potential for commercial production of forest products they have not been considered. Often an onsite visit would be required to evaluate the situation.

Natural Feature and Resource Concerns The principal concern facing natural resources in Dunbarton is development of land for residential purposes. Forty-five percent of the land in Dunbarton is in current use. As indicated, current use land is not protected land, but merely land taxed at its open space value. If all the current use lands were developed, Dunbarton would be a very different community from what it is today, to say nothing of development of lands not in current use and presently undeveloped. The zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations currently make integration of wildlife and resource protection concerns more difficult and cumbersome to implement than the traditional subdivision approval process. Subdivision and site plans presented to local boards often fail to identify the resources identified in this chapter and by residents as important. Conservation interests and land-use decision makers in Dunbarton need to work more closely together to insure that important natural features and resources are protected for future generations of Dunbarton residents to experience.

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REGULATORY PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES

Dunbarton currently employs several regulatory techniques that can aid in the conservation of its natural resources. By reviewing its existing regulations while also considering added regulatory measures, the Town can provide supplementary methods of natural resource conservation.

Cluster Development Zoning Area: Town-wide An answer to the sprawling landform created under conventional cookie cutter subdivisions is an approach to subdivision design for rural areas, as outlined in the book entitled Conservation Design for Subdivisions: A Practical Guide to Creating Open Space Networks, by Randall Arendt (Island Press, 1996). In its most basic form, the conservation development process can be broken into six logical steps, which are not the typical steps taken for a conventional subdivision. Under this approach, use existing minimum lot sizes as the basis for conventional residential density on the best soils, with reduced densities according to declining soil quality. The current minimum lot sizes for residential uses should represent the maximum aggregate density on the best soils under the soils-based lot sizing approach. Lower quality soils should require lower density development. Primary conservation areas may include wetlands, steep slopes, aquifer recharge zones, and floodplains. Secondary conservation areas may include stonewalls, viewsheds, prominent vegetation, prominent landforms, prime agricultural soils, historic sites and features, archeological sites, and communities and species identified in the Natural Heritage Inventory. This technique is described more fully in the EXISTING AND FUTURE LAND USE CHAPTER.

Overlay Districts Area: As appropriate for districts Typically, overlay zoning involves the targeting (or “overlaying”) of certain resources in a geographical area with added land use or design protections to achieve a positive social good. An example of this would be Dunbarton’s current overlay district, the Wetland Conservation District. This overlay protects important wetlands from destruction and prevents the building of structures in these areas. However, it has been noted that this overlay district needs to be reviewed for clarity and coverage. Additional overlay districts can be considered.

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Aesthetics-Based Land Use Regulations Area: Town-wide These types of planning regulations may be established whenever there is an important need to address aesthetic design issues within the community. Typical aesthetics-based land use policies can be used to regulate the visual look, feel and placement of new buildings and roadways, the design consequence of lot fragmentation that takes place during the subdivision process, judge the design and placement of signage and lighting, and regulate design changes which are proposed for historic residential and commercial structures.

NON-REGULATORY PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES

Volunteer efforts to conserve land are recognizable and are often more appreciated than regulatory requirements. Hand in hand, regulatory and non-regulatory methods work together to serve the community’s preservation interests.

Conservation Easements Area: Town-wide A conservation easement is a permanent, legally binding, agreement that ensures that certain uses will never be allowed on that property. Typically conservation easements prevent development of land uses such as construction, subdivision and mining while at the same time promoting uses such as agriculture, forestry, wildlife habitat, scenic views, watershed protection and education. A conservation easement typically exists between a willing landowner and a qualified recipient, which can be the Town or State government or an appropriate conservation organization. Each such easement is tailored to the interests of the landowner, the receiving entity and the unique characteristics of the property. Land affected by a conservation easement can be sold or deeded by the original owner and subsequent owners but the easement is binding on all future owners.

Management Agreement Area: Town-wide Management agreements primarily focus on a particular feature of open space administration and such an agreement can be custom tailored to any specific situation, such as the following:

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Right-of-Way for Trails - The Town may protect open spaces along a recreational trail corridor through the use of this type of management agreement. The right- of-way could be arranged and exist as a legal agreement between the Town or nonprofit organization and the owner(s) of the land where the trail is located.

Buffers Between Uses – Written agreements which relate to the establishment and maintenance of buffer areas between incompatible land uses can be used to ensure that issues related to development and growth do not have a negative impact on the rural and scenic qualities that are valued by the Town.

SUMMARY

Dunbarton is blessed with a variety of natural features that continue to define the community and influence how residents and visitors alike see the Town. Dunbarton’s geologic legacy gave the Town many of its basic building blocks. Much has been done to protect key forested areas, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. What happens next to our water resources, wildlife, special ecological resources, and land is in the hands of individual landowners, dedicated community leaders, local decision makers, and the Town residents at large. We have a window of opportunity to protect the special places and features that make Dunbarton such an attractive place to live. Foresight, good regulations, community support for conservation, and collaborative undertakings with conservation partners – the Kimball Pond project being an excellent example – will help Dunbarton conserve its natural legacy.

- Respectfully Submitted, Margaret Watkins, Natural Resources Subcommittee Chair

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Chapter VII COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Chapter is to evaluate Dunbarton’s community facilities, recreational facilities, and utilities. Providing and maintaining the essential services of community and recreational facilities and utilities are jointly one of the primary functions of government. As the population and demographics of the community grow and change over time, it is important that the community make adjustments in its delivery of services to meet the needs of the changing community.

Historically, rural communities in New Hampshire have provided very limited community facilities and services. In many cases, community facilities were limited to only a Town Hall and later, public school. However, as the population of the state increased, more services have been required to meet the needs of the citizenry. Today, modern communities are expected to provide full-time police protection, fire protection, as well as highway crews, recreational facilities, and professional administrators to manage daily operations of Town government.

For community facilities, this Chapter will inventory and assess current Town facilities, identify publicly sponsored programs, identify and assess the adequacy of existing equipment, and also identify current and long-term staffing needs. In addition, recommendations on how to meet some of these needs are provided in the beginning and throughout the Chapter. Town Department heads were interviewed for a report on the status of their department’s facilities, staffing, and equipment. They were also asked to provide an assessment of their current and anticipated future needs.

An important component to a high quality of life, recreation provides a much-needed means of stress reduction and physical well-being. Recreational facilities also provide residents with a place to interact and create a sense of community that is beneficial to people of all ages. In recent years, numerous studies have identified that recreational facilities and programs also give children and teenagers a place to go, thereby reducing delinquent activity by those sectors of the population.

Utilities inventoried within the town of Dunbarton include electrical distribution, telephone, cable and wireless service; currently, Dunbarton does not have municipal water or public sewer. Utilities are the backbone of everyday life in small and large towns alike, and recommendations are proposed in order to enhance or expand their delivery.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS

- To ensure that the Town of Dunbarton has the capability to meet present and future community facility needs.

• Build Town Hall Complex in Dunbarton Center that is ADA accessible and conforms to IBC codes, yet maintains consistency with the current structure and rural character of Dunbarton Center. [Town Offices]

• Maintain necessary work and storage environments for Town Office staff. [Town Offices]

• Look for suitable land for Town department development as Town expands. [Town Offices]

• Purchase necessary equipment so that the Department can maintain a high level of service on Town roads, sidewalks and fire ponds. [Highway Department]

• Evaluate the need for additional personnel to maintain high level of maintenance. [Highway Department]

• Evaluate whether it would be more efficient for the Town to hire a Full-time Public Works Director. [Highway Department]

• Evaluate need to expand service and hours of the Transfer Station to meet the needs of residents and for efficiency of the Station. [Transfer Station]

• Evaluate the cost effectiveness (including staff and equipment demands) of accepting more materials at Transfer Station (plastics, etc.). [Transfer Station]

• Acquire additional appropriate cemetery space for Town. [Cemeteries]

• Develop expansion criteria for Dunbarton Center Cemetery. [Cemeteries]

• Have Highway Department regularly maintain and keep Fire Ponds accessible year-round. [Fire Department]

• Evaluate yearly the equipment / personnel needs of the Fire Department to ensure that the department can meet the special needs of the Town, such as senior citizen housing development. [Fire Department]

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• Pursue full-time staffing level for Fire and Rescue Department. [Fire Department]

• Hire part-time Fire Inspector to expand department’s non-emergency services. [Fire Department]

• Pursue acquisition of new ambulance through call-to-hospital charges. [Fire Department]

• Hire additional full-time Police officers in order for station to reach national standards for rural police staffing level. [Police Department]

• Rotate and acquire vehicles on a timely basis to minimize excessive repair and safety issues. [Police Department]

• Upgrade current Police facilities to include a Sally Port, employee shower, public restroom, etc. as per Department’s Five Year Plan. [Police Department]

• Support Dunbarton Elementary School as per School Board Schedule. [Dunbarton Elementary School]

• Increase Library staff workspace. [Library]

• Build an addition to the current library to accommodate staff workspace and storage requirements. [Library]

• Pursue starting a Recreation Department for the Town. [Recreation Facilities]

• Pursue constructing or renovating a structure to be used as a community facility – particularly with a Teen Center and a Senior Center component. [Recreation Facilities]

• Acquire lands for playing fields. [Recreation Facilities]

• Encourage landowners to test their wells on a regular basis. [Utilities]

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- To provide recreational opportunities that will meet the needs of all Town residents.

• Look for suitable land for Town department development as Town expands. [Town Offices]

• Pursue constructing or renovating a structure to be used as a community facility – particularly with a Teen Center and a Senior Center component. [Recreation Facilities]

• Acquire lands for playing fields. [Recreation Facilities]

- To have the Town of Dunbarton pursue the availability of competitive utility technology to meet the current communication needs of Town residents.

• Purse wireless technology for Town access. [Utilities]

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COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS

The following community survey responses offer a number of suggestions and issues of concern to residents and property owners in Dunbarton. Selected results include a desire to expand and/or improve access to Dunbarton Reservoir for swimming and other recreational purposes, to provide all types of recreational trails and to develop recreational programs or activities for teen and senior residents. Survey respondents had a positive outlook on how well the Town performs essential services (i.e. fire, police, rescue, road maintenance) and a “fair” assessment of most other town services.

Table VII-1 Should the Town identify appropriate properties for future town services including police, fire, schools, etc. and take steps to procure those properties (if not currently owned by the Town)? Total Percent Yes 291 62.4% No 106 22.7% No Opinion 69 14.8% Grand Total 466 100.0%

From Table VII-1, the majority of respondents (62.4%) agreed that the Town should identify and procure appropriate property for future Town services. Overall, respondents were flexible in how to fund possible acquisitions, with the majority favoring a municipal bond.

Table VII-1A If yes, which of the following funding methods would you support? Total Percent* Through General Tax Revenues 149 51.2% Through Donations? 183 62.9% Through a Bond Issue 195 67.0% Other? 30 10.3% *Based on 291 "yes" responses

Table VII-2 Do you support the Town encouraging the development of a comprehensive trail network? Total Percent Yes 319 68.8% No 94 20.3% No Opinion 51 11.0% Grand Total 464 100.0%

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Responding residents were also in favor of a comprehensive trail network in the Town, however, as shown in Table VII-2A, residents would like the trail system to remain non-motorized (85.3%).

Table VII–2A If yes, what use(s) would you support? Total Percent* Motorized uses (ATV/dirt bikes 65 20.4% Motorized uses (Snowmobiles only) 105 32.9% Non-motorized uses (Walking/biking) 272 85.3% *Based on 319 "yes" responses

Table VII–3 Should the Town do more to encourage recycling? Total Percent Yes 248 54.1% No 125 27.3% No Opinion 85 18.6% Grand Total 458 100.0%

Half the respondents thought that the Town should do more to encourage recycling (54.1%) in Table VII-3. Many of the write-in responses indicated that people wanted more materials, such as plastics, accepted for recycling.

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Table VII–4 Please provide your opinion on how well you think the Town is performing the following services or activities? Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion Total % Total % Total % Total % Total % Total Animal Control 47 10.3% 177 38.9% 46 10.1% 41 9.0% 144 31.6% 455 Cemetery care 89 19.3% 227 49.3% 24 5.2% 4 0.9% 116 25.2% 460 Fire protection 127 27.6% 233 50.7% 33 7.2% 3 0.7% 64 13.9% 460 Library 87 19.1% 221 48.5% 50 11.0% 11 2.4% 87 19.1% 456 Natural resource conservation 71 15.7% 255 56.4% 58 12.8% 12 2.7% 56 12.4% 452 Recreation opportunities 44 9.7% 219 48.3% 109 24.1% 18 4.0% 63 13.9% 453 Police protection 135 29.2% 233 50.4% 52 11.3% 11 2.4% 31 6.7% 462 Rescue / ambulance service 126 27.6% 169 37.0% 37 8.1% 12 2.6% 113 24.7% 457 Road maintenance 48 10.4% 234 50.6% 106 22.9% 50 10.8% 24 5.2% 462 School system 56 12.2% 203 44.3% 77 16.8% 28 6.1% 94 20.5% 458 Snow removal 67 14.6% 225 48.9% 90 19.6% 44 9.6% 34 7.4% 460 Solid waste disposal & recycling 84 18.3% 245 53.5% 63 13.8% 21 4.6% 45 9.8% 458 Welfare 18 4.0% 68 15.3% 32 7.2% 13 2.9% 314 70.6% 445 Planning zoning regulation, administration & enforcement 20 4.4% 124 27.4% 129 28.5% 88 19.4% 92 20.3% 453 Health regulations & enforcement 16 3.6% 88 19.6% 55 12.3% 18 4.0% 271 60.5% 448

Table VII-4 indicates that the residents of Dunbarton are most satisfied with the police protection (29.2%), fire protection and rescue/ambulance service (27.6%) according to the percentage of “Excellent” responses. The “Good” category finds the most satisfaction from natural resource conservation (56.4%), solid waste disposal and recycling (53.5%), fire protection (50.7%), road maintenance (50.6%), and police protection (50.4%).

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-8

DISCUSSION OF POPULATION TRENDS

When examining the community facilities, recreational facilities, and utilities of a municipality, it is essential to know if the population is being adequately served. This can be gauged by a number of measures, including the tracking of population trends and projections. Communities need to be able to adequately service the needs of their residents and estimate what changes will be needed for future years.

Historic Trends As a population, Dunbarton has grown significantly since 1970. In Table VII-5, from 1970 to 1980, the Town grew by 42.3%, adding almost 470 residents during that decade. Between 1990 and 2000, per the US Census, the population grew only 26.5%. The number of housing units increased proportionately with the population between 1980 – 1990, however, the percent change in housing units between 1990 – 2000 was virtually the same as the percent change in the population.

Table VII-5 Overall Population and Housing Growth Trends, 1970-2000 Growth Population Net Change Housing Net Change Units # % # % 1970 (US Census)* 825 NA NA 354 NA NA

1980 (US Census)* 1,174 349 42.3% 431 77 21.8%

1990 (US Census)* 1,759 585 49.8% 685 254 58.9%

2000 (US Census)* 2,226 467 26.5% 858 173 25.3%

Total Change from _ 1,401 169.8% _ 504 142.4% 1970 – 2000 Sources: 1970-2000 US Census Population and Housing Unit Counts; *Includes seasonal and vacant housing units.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-9

Current Trends Table VII-6 shows growth experienced by Dunbarton and the communities that border it from 1990 to 2000. All areas have experienced growth within the last decade, ranging from 12.3% in Hopkinton to 29.8% in Bow.

Table VII-6 Population Increase, 1990-2000 Dunbarton and Abutting Communities % Increase, 1990-2000 Bow 29.8% Dunbarton 26.5% Goffstown 15.8% Hooksett 30.2% Hopkinton 12.3% New Boston 28.8% Weare 25.6% Source: 1990 US Census & 2000 US Census

Figure VIII-1 shows the Census population figures broken down into age groups. This reference is useful for determining the immediate needs of certain age groups, such as children and the elderly.

Figure VIII-1 Dunbarton Population Trends by Age Group, 1970-2000

75+

65 to 74

55 to 64

45 to 54 2000 1990 35 to 44 1980 25 to 34 1970 15 to 24

5 to 14

0 to 4

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Persons

Source: OSP Comparison Binder of 70-80; 1970-90 US Census STF1A (P11 and P12) *1990 US Census CP-1-31 Gen. Pop. Characteristics Table 68, discrepancies found; 2000 Census DP-

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-10

Future Projections While it is important for any community to plan ahead for an anticipated increase in population, which in turn increases pressure on community services and facilities, this section should be taken lightly as new population projections have not been produced by the Office of State Planning since the 2000 Census of population was released. Old figures, which are the numbers most currently available, were used in the creation of these comparisons.

Excerpted from the POPULATION AND ECONOMICS CHAPTER, Table VII-7, projected future population growth, was calculated based upon the community’s historical share of the County’s population. It depicts the projected population for Dunbarton and abutting communities. These projections predict an annual population growth averaging 1.3% (6.4% average 5-year growth). This corresponds to an average of 34 new residents per year in the Town of Dunbarton.

Table VII-7 Population Projections, 2005-2025 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 Bow 7,890 8,720 9,590 10,450 11,300 Dunbarton 2,420 2,580 2,750 2,920 3,100 Goffstown 18,010 19,230 20,300 21,350 22,180 Hooksett 12,960 14,270 15,560 16,840 18,020 Hopkinton 5,720 6,080 6,440 6,800 7,180 New Boston 4,650 5,020 5,340 5,660 5,920 Weare 8,500 9,200 9,820 10,440 10,920 Source: 2002 NH Office of State Planning Municipal Population Projections 2005-2025

All projections should be reviewed with care as no methodology is perfect enough to predict what an actual future count would be. The POPULATION AND ECONOMICS CHAPTER of the Master Plan also adheres to taking these projections lightly until more reliable data is acquired.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-11

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

An examination of each of the departments in Dunbarton which serves the population will be undertaken in this section. Each department will be inventoried for its statistics, equipment, and staffing and facilities needs. A series of long- and short-term recommendations will be made based upon the information compiled. Locations of community facilities are displayed on the Community Facilities Map.

TOWN OFFICES/TOWN HALL The Town Offices are located in the Town Hall at 1011 School Street. The Town Administrator, Town Clerk, Town Tax Collector, Building Inspector and Welfare/Health and Human Service Office provided information for this section.

Equipment Needs Equipment needs identified by Town Hall staff include: two new computers, fireproof file drawers, desk and chair (for staff that currently shares a workstation), cell phones for inspectors and department heads, and table and chairs for the public.

Table VII-8 Town Office Equipment Name of Equipment Type of Condition Year Replacement Replacement Priority Equipment Acquired Year Cost (repl. yr.) HP 4200 Laser Printer Excellent 2002 2008 $2,400 High Printer HP Laser 6P Printer Good 2000 2008 $500 Med. Konica 7200 Copier Good 2000 2006 $4,200 High AT&T Sprint Telephones (4) Fair 1995 2005 $3,000 High Dell Computers (4) Good 2001 2006 $4,000 High Epsom 5000 Printer Good 1995 2006 $2,500 High HP Fax 1020 Fax machine Good 2002 2005 $400 High Pitney Bowes Postal Meter Good 1995 -- Rental High Ricoh Scanner Good 1999 2008 $2,500 Med. Brother Typewriter Good Canon MP 27D Adding machine Good Canon D660 Copier Good Oki Microline 320 Printer Good Source: Town Office

Staffing Needs The Town Offices provide space for numerous Town employees. They include the Town Administrator, Town Clerk, Town Tax Collector, Building Inspector and Welfare/Health and Human Service Office.

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The staff is currently able to work efficiently with the present staffing levels. If, however, more demand is placed on the existing staff, longer hours of operations may be needed possibly necessitating that additional part-time staff is hired, or current part-time positions become full-time.

Facility Needs The current office area encompasses 2,300 square feet. Staff reports the need for more space for records/storage, computer equipment and private meeting space. As the demand for service grows, a larger space will be required for additional staff and their meeting/equipment needs.

Town Offices/Town Hall Summary

Short-term needs (2003 to 2008) - office space/storage should be developed - meeting space for confidential interviews (Welfare Dept.) - securing work area so that it is not accessible to the general public - additional fireproof storage - additional workstation (computer/desk/file cabinet) for staff that is currently sharing space

Long-term needs (2008 to 2013) - same as above – with an emphasis on secure storage

Recommendations for the Town Offices/Town Hall

• Build Town Hall Complex in Dunbarton Center that is ADA accessible and conforms to IBC codes, yet maintains consistency with the current structure and rural character of Dunbarton Center.

• Maintain necessary work and storage environments for Town Office staff.

• Look for suitable land for Town department development as Town expands.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-13

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

The Highway Department duties include, but are not limited to, all aspects of road maintenance and tree removal in Town right of way. The Highway Garage is located on Everett Road. The Road Agent provided information for this Department.

Equipment Needs The Road Agent did not specify any new equipment needs at this time.

Table VII-9 Existing Highway Department Equipment Name of Type of Condition Number Year Anticipated Estimated Priority Equipment Equipment of Miles Acquired Replacement Replacement (When or Hours Year Cost needed) 2002 Chevrolet 1 Ton Dump Excellent 20,600 2002 2008 $40,000 High 1972 Grader Grader 1978 $22,000 1999 Dump Truck Good 17,000 1999 2007 $60,000 High International w/ Plow wing 2000 Chipper Chipper 2004 $22,000 Power America Pressure Excellent/ 2002 2007 $2,500 Med. Washer Good Dewalt Drill and Saw Good ? 2006 $400 Med. set SAG Computer Fair 2003 (used) 2006 $1,000 Med. Deskjet Printer Poor 2003(used) 2004 $400 Med. Source: Road Agent

Staffing Needs Currently, the Department employs a part-time Road Agent and one full-time laborer. The Department also employs independent contractors for winter and summer maintenance.

Table VII-10 Public Works Department Comparisons with Abutting Towns Miles of Town Highway Highway Dept Number of FTE Number of Miles Owned Road, Expenditures, Expenditures Highway per Highway Population 2001 2003 *includes per Mile, Department Department 2000 (Class V & VI) Admin. 2003 Employees, 2003 Employee, 2003 Bow 7,138 85.9 $639,103 $7,440 Dunbarton 2,226 45.9 $269,517 $5,872 1 45.9 Goffstown 16,929 88.5 $2,447,514* $27,656 20 4.4 Hooksett 11,721 52.6 $907,102* $17,245 Hopkinton 5,399 89.9 $465,059 $5,173 New Boston 4,138 98.3 $590,981 $6,012 5 19.7 Weare 7,776 127.7 $791,455 $6,198 14 9.1 Sources: Town Annual Reports; NH DOT Roadway Mileage by Classification, January 2002; Calls to Highway Departments

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-14

Facility Needs The office space and storage/garage needs of the Highway Department are currently sufficient. The Department does not foresee the need to expand its facilities in the next few years.

Department Summary

Short-term needs (2003 to 2008) - Environmentally safe Salt Shed (state mandated)

Long-term needs (2008 to 2013) - Hire additional staff as needed as Town expands

Recommendations for the Highway Department

• Purchase necessary equipment so that the Department can maintain a high level of service on Town roads, sidewalks and fireponds.

• Evaluate the need for additional personnel to maintain high level of maintenance.

• Evaluate whether it would be more efficient for the Town to hire a full-time Public Works Director.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-15

SOLID WASTE/TRANSFER STATION

The Solid Waste/Transfer Station is located at 131 Concord Stage Road. The hours of operation of the Transfer Station are Wednesdays from 4:00-8:00 PM and on Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Transfer Station collects scrap metal, construction and demolition debris, household, yard and recyclable waste. The Town of Dunbarton does not offer curb-side pick-up.

Equipment Needs Currently, the Transfer Station has a need for scales to measure waste.

Table VII-11 Existing Transfer Station Equipment Number of Anticipated Estimated Priority Type of Miles or Year Replacement Replacement (at this Name of Equipment Equipment Condition Hours Acquired Year Cost time) Pick-up 1977 Dodge Fair 50,500 1993 2005-6 $30,000 Med. Truck Mack Roll-Off Truck Excellent 10,600 2002 2022 $250,000 Low Philadelphia Tramrail Baler Good N/A 2001 Within 20 yr. $24,000 Low Philadelphia Tramrail Baler Good N/A 1991 Within 20 yr. $24,000 Low 1981 Case Fork Lift Poor N/A 2001 2004 $26,000 High 1968 Clark Fork Lift Poor N/A 1991 2004 $26,000 High Orwak Compactor Good N/A 2001 N/A N/A N/A Accurate Compactor Good N/A 2002 2022 $60,000 Low Accurate 50yd. (2) Containers Good N/A 2002 Within 20 yr. $15,000 Low Accurate 40yd. (2) Containers Good N/A 2002 Within 20 yr. $10,000 Low 40 yd. (used) Containers Fair N/A 2001 Within 20 yr. $5,000 Low Source: Transfer Station Supervisor

Staffing Needs Currently, the department has one full-time supervisor and three part-time attendants. The department is looking into hiring an additional full-time staff person.

Facility Needs The office area, including the bathroom and lunch area, needs to be updated for code compliance. Additional office space for storage and additional full-time employees will be needed in the future. The recycling center needs insulation and a heating unit installed. In the next five years, a garage to house the Mack Roll–off truck will need to be built.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-16

Table VII-12 Comparison of Solid Waste Disposal Budget per Capita, 2003 Population, Total Budget Budget per 2000 Expended, Capita 2003 Bow 7,138 $481,351 $67.43 Dunbarton 2,226 $164,506 $73.90 Goffstown 16,929 $1,235,045 $72.95 Hooksett 11,721 $621,902 $53.06 Hopkinton 5,399 $507,321 $93.97 New Boston 4,138 $312,424 $75.50 Weare 7,776 $274,954 $35.36 Sources: 2003 Town Reports

Department Summary

Short-term needs (2003 to 2008) - Office area brought to code - More storage space - Garage for Mack Roll-Off - Insulate and heat Recycling Center - Hire additional full and part-time employees

Long-term needs (2008 to 2013) - Expand office to accommodate additional employees

Recommendations for the Transfer Station

• Evaluate need to expand services and hours to meet the needs of residents and for efficiency of the Station.

• Evaluate the cost effectiveness (including staff and equipment demands) of accepting more materials (plastics, etc.).

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-17

CEMETERIES

All of Dunbarton’s cemeteries are active at this time.

Table VII-13 Public and Private Cemeteries Cemetery Location East Dunbarton Cemetery Robert Rogers Road Dunbarton Center Cemetery Route 13, Stark Highway North Dunbarton Cemetery (Pages Route 13, Stark Highway Corner Cemetery) Stark Cemetery (Private) Mansion Road Source: Dunbarton Town Website; Subcommittee input

Recommendations for Cemeteries

• Acquire additional appropriate cemetery space for Town.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-18

FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Fire Station is located at 18 Robert Rogers Road. The Fire Chief provided information for this section. The Dunbarton Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency ambulance service for the Town of Dunbarton and other towns through mutual aid agreements.

Equipment Needs The Department identified that within the next two years, it would like to purchase a new laptop computer and a new washer and dryer. Equipment that was ranked as poor, should ideally be replaced in the near future.

Table VII-14 Existing Fire Department Equipment Name of Equipment Type of Condition Number Year Anticipated Estimated Priority Equipment of Miles Acquired Replacement Replacement (in or Hours Year Cost replace- ment year) 1978 International Engine Poor 20,460 1979 2005 $250,000 High 1991 Mack Engine Good 15,188 1991 2016 $350,000 High 1996 Chevy Tanker Excellent 3,295 1996 2020 $175,000 High 2000 Mack Tanker Excellent 2,694 2000 2025 $225,000 High 1997 Ford Ambulance Good 13,573 1998 2008 $125,000 High 1985 GMC Pick-up Fair 68,200 2002 2008 $30,000 Med. Truck 1954 Dodge Forestry Fair 23,820 1976 2010 $5,000 Med. Truck 1967 Alum. Boat & Fair N/A 1998 2006 $10,000 Med. Trailer Dell Computer Fair N/A 1996 2005 $2,500 Med. Physio – Control Heart Good N/A 1994 2005 $18,000 High Monitor – Defibrillator Source: Dunbarton Fire Department; Fire Chief

Facility Needs Short term, the department needs more storage space for departmental records. Long-term, the department will need a larger office space to accommodate more employees. The department would like to expand its non-emergency services, i.e. fire, oil burner, sprinkler and day-care inspections, house numbering and fire permits.

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From Table VII-15, calls for service have increased 68.5% from 1991 (124 calls) to 2002 (209 calls). In most cases, the increase in calls for service are medically related. At this time, Dunbarton does not have a separate rescue squad. Medical calls are handled by the Fire Department.

Table VII-15 Fire Department Calls, 1991-2002 Year Calls 1991 124 1992 105 1993 142 1994 144 1995 159 1996 158 1997 169 1998 184 1999 181 2000 144 2001 222 2002 209 2003 Not avail Source: Dunbarton Annual Town Reports

Table VII-16 Comparison of Fire Department Budget per Capita, 2003 Population Total Budget Budget per 2000 Expended, 2003 Capita Bow 7,138 $415,565 $58.22 Dunbarton 2,226 $51,926 $23.33 Goffstown 16,929 $1,532,847 $90.55 Hooksett 11,721 $1,524,376 $130.05 Hopkinton 5,399 $180,594 $33.45 New Boston 4,138 $123,205 $29.77 Weare 7,776 $158,752 $20.42 Sources: 2003 Town Reports; US Census 2000

In 2003, Dunbarton spent $23.33 per person in fire services. The average of neighboring towns is $65.54. However, these departments cannot be judged together. Goffstown and Hooksett both have full-time departments, while the other Towns rely on volunteer or part-time call firefighters. The average of neighboring volunteer departments is $37.36

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-20

Staffing Needs Currently, the department has seven (7) volunteer Fire/EMS Officers and twenty-five (25) volunteer firefighters/EMT's. A part-time secretarial person is currently needed.

Fire Department Summary

Short-term needs (2004 to 2008) - Part-time fire inspector - Storage space for records

Long-term needs (2008 to 2013) - Two daytime EMT/Firefighters - Additional office space

Recommendations for the Fire Department

• Have Highway Department regularly maintain and keep Fire Ponds accessible year-round.

• Evaluate yearly the equipment / personnel needs of the department to ensure that department can meet the special needs of the Town, such as senior citizen housing development.

• Pursue full-time staffing level for Fire and Rescue Department.

• Hire Fire Inspector to expand department’s non-emergency services.

• Pursue acquisition of a new ambulance through call-to-hospital charges.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-21

POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Police Department is located on Robert Rogers Road. Business hours are 9AM – 1PM, but the Police serve the public 24 hours a day. In the next five years, additional staff will be hired and business hours will be 9AM – 5PM, Monday through Friday with continued 24 hour police coverage.

The Dunbarton Police Department is currently State Accredited and moving toward CALEA Accreditation (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) in the year 2005 (National Recognition). CALEA (National) Accreditation is a driving force for the Dunbarton Police Department. Accreditation requires departments to develop and maintain high quality policies and procedures in such areas as personnel practices, patrol operations, juvenile services, use of force, etc. CALEA Accreditation departments meet over 400 standards after lengthy self- assessment and on-site assessment by members from agencies across the country. Achieving CALEA Accreditation demonstrates the department’s commitment to excellence. The Dunbarton Police Department is working to develop an organizational culture that actively pursues excellence in all that it does.

Equipment Needs In 2005, a new Ford Explorer cruiser will be needed.

Table VII-17 Existing Police Department Equipment Name of Equipment Type of Condition Number Year Anticipated Estimated Priority Equipment of Miles Acquired Replacement Replacement or Hours Year Cost 1997Ford Explorer Cruiser Good 41,000 1997 2005 $35-40,000 High 2002 Ford Explorer Cruiser Excellent 42,000 2002 2008 $35-40,000 Med 2000 Ford Crown Cruiser 2007 Victoria Excellent 30,000 2000 w/ Explorer $40,000 Med 1993 Ford Crown Unmarked Victoria Cruiser Fair 60,000 1993 2009 IMC Information System ------2003 Digital Motorola Portable Add two Radios 2003 2006 $5-6,000 Computers Printer 2006 Copier lease 2003 continued Source: Dunbarton Police Department, Police Chief; 5-Year Plan Dunbarton Police Department

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-22

Summary of Calls for Service A call for service is any activity warranting police attention, whether a motor vehicle stop, an arrest, roadside assistance, or a dog complaint. Prior to 1996, these records cannot be found in the Town Reports. It should also be noted that prior to 2001, the department did not have a full-time chief and the NH State Police handled many of the calls for service. Between 2001 and 2002, the Police Department had a 56% increase in calls for service. There was a 33% increase in calls for service from 2002 – 2003.

Table VII-18 Police Department Calls for Service, 2001-2003 2001 2002 2003 748 1,166 1,557 Source: Dunbarton Police Department

Staffing Needs The Police Department employs two full time officers, five part-time officers, three auxiliary officers, one part-time secretary and one chaplain.

Table VII-19 Police Department Budget Comparison per Capita, 2003 Population, Total Budget Budget per 2000 Expended, 2003 Capita Bow 7,138 $1,091,029 $152.85 Dunbarton 2,226 $130,944 $58.82 Goffstown 16,929 $2,830,438 $167.19 Hooksett 11,721 $1,640,528 $139.96 Hopkinton 5,399 $555,235 $102.84 New Boston 4,138 $328,072 $79.28 Weare 7,776 $652,010 $83.85 Sources: 2003 Town Reports

Dunbarton budgets $58.82 in police service per capita. The average abutting community budget per capita is $129.34. According to the Department of Justice 2000 Local Police Report, the average 2000 Operating Budget, for a department serving under 2,500 residents, was $195,000 or a minimum of $78.00 per capita. The Dunbarton Police Department is below both abutting communities and Department of Justice recommendations for Police budget support. It is recommended that communities have an average of 1.78 officers per 1,000 persons (approximately four (4) full-time officers for Dunbarton). Under these guidelines, Dunbarton is currently understaffed.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-23

Facility Needs The Police Department would like to expand into the second bay on the bottom floor (currently used by the Fire Department) to add office space, additional storage space, a locker room, personnel bathroom, holding cell and secure bathroom. For increased security, a Sally Port should be added adjacent to the booking facility.

Police Department Summary

Short-term needs (2003 to 2008) - CALEA Accreditation - Expand into second bay on bottom floor - Find property for firearm range - Expand records and archival space - Meet national staffing standards (1.78 officers per 1,000 population) - Add full-time officer - Add full-time secretary

Long-term needs (2008 to 2013) - Add full-time officers as population grows

Recommendations for the Police Department

• Hire additional full-time officers in order for station to reach national standards for rural police staffing level.

• Rotate and acquire vehicles on a timely basis to minimize excessive repair and safety issues.

• Upgrade current Police facilities to include a Sally Port, employee shower, public restroom, etc. as per Department’s Five Year Plan.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-24

DUNBARTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The Dunbarton Elementary School is located at 20 Robert Rogers Road. The Principal provided information for this section.

Staffing Needs No staffing needs at this time. Additional staffing is usually dictated by an increase in the student population or for custodial staffing needs by an increase in space or a desire on the part of the community to improve services.

Table VII-20 Current Elementary School Staffing Levels Number Professional Staff 27 Includes teachers, counselors, health staff, principals Support Staff 15 Includes assistants, administrative & service staff Total 42 Source: Principal, Dunbarton Elementary School

Facility Needs For the 2003-2004 school year, additional space was used as a computer laboratory, an art space, and a space for Chapter I tutoring because there was only one sixth grade classroom needed. This space will not be available at the end of the year. Storage space of leveled reading curriculum is needed at this time.

Dunbarton Elementary School Summary

Short-term needs (2008 to 2013) - Storage space

Long-term needs (2013 to 2023) - Projects such as repairs, sidewalks, and recreational lands

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-25

Recommendations for Dunbarton Elementary School All recommendations for Dunbarton Elementary School are as per the School Board Schedule

• Expand storage space.

• Keep current on technology (i.e. computers).

• Make needed repairs on the building as they arise.

• Encourage the building of a safety corridor (sidewalk) between the school and Dunbarton Center.

• Look for suitable land around school so that children can have access to proper playing fields, track, etc.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-26

PUBLIC LIBRARY

The library is located at 1004 School Street. The library offers nonfiction and fiction titles for all ages (children–adult). The library also has a reference collection, Dunbarton history collection, and basic education collection. The library subscribes to four local newspapers and over 40 magazines; additionally, over 400 videos and DVD’s, and nearly 100 audiobooks are available. The library offers programming such as monthly book discussions, movie nights, storytimes for ages 2-5, summer reading activities and music and art demonstrations. A copier, fax machine, annual town-wide calendar, and Internet access is available during library hours. The Dunbarton Library Director provided information for this section.

Equipment Needs One printer/fax/scanner will need to be purchased within the next year.

Table VII-21 Existing Library Equipment Number of Anticipated Estimated Name of Type of Miles or Year Replacement Replacement Equipment Equipment Condition Hours Acquired Year Cost Priority Dell Computers (2) Excellent N/A 2003 2006 $3,000 Computers Computers (2) Good N/A 2000 2005 $2,000 Dell Computer Excellent N/A 2002 2006 $1,500 Photocopier Photocopier Good N/A 1992 2005 Lease Fax machine Fax machine Good N/A 1992 2004 $200 Printer Inkjet Printer (2) Excellent N/A 2002 2006 $300 Printer Inkjet Printer Good N/A 1998 2005 $400 Source: Dunbarton Public Library Librarian

Staffing Needs A full-time Director and part-time librarian staff the library. Currently, a summer part-time intern would improve summer service. Additional full-time staff would be needed if the library were to expand.

Facility Needs The facility comprises 2,500 square feet. Architectural and professional library sources recommend that the Town’s library should occupy a space of 6,000 square feet by 2005. Currently, space is needed to house a Dunbarton history collection as well as the library’s growing collection.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-27

Table VII-22 Library Circulation, 1998-2002 Circulation 1998 9,170 1999 9,206 2000 9,732 2001 10,446 2002 11,541 Source: Dunbarton Town Librarian

Between 1998 and 2002, the Dunbarton Library increased its circulation by nearly twenty-six percent (26%).

Table VII-23 Library Budget, 1998-2002 Budget Per Capita Spending (based on 2000 population of 2,226) 1998 $48,218 $21.66 1999 $50,885 $22.86 2000 $55,377 $24.88 2001 $57,730 $25.93 2002 $60,240 $27.06 2003 $61,610 $27.68 Source: Dunbarton Town Annual Reports

The library budget has increased to $27.68 per capita in 2003 from $21.66 in 1998, a 28% increase over this time period. In 2003, the Library had over 1,400 residents of all ages attend over 50 programs.

Public Library Summary

Short-term needs (2003 to 2008) - Increase staff workspace from 400 to 600 square feet - Increase storage capacity by 220 square feet - Double shelving capacity - Meeting room to seat 30 people

Long-term needs (2008 to 2013) - expansion of library

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED – 04/20/05 2004 COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES PAGE VII-28

Recommendations for the Dunbarton Public Library

• Build an addition to current library to accommodate additional staff workspace and storage requirements

HISTORICAL AWARENESS COMMITTEE

The Historical Awareness Committee does not maintain office space in any town building. Meetings are held monthly at the Town Office building. Committee members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen and serve on a rotating basis. Members of the committee are frequently contacted by out of state visitors who are searching for their family roots. Committee members meet them, answer their questions and often take them on a tour through town and supply them with copies of their family memorabilia and genealogy. Additionally, funds were privately raised for the purchase of the Hadley-Tucker Historical Collection to benefit the residents of Dunbarton. It is the wish of Laura Tucker that this material be made available to the public for study and research. This material needs to be housed in a climate controlled area for its protection and preservation; currently, the committee does not have the capacity to properly store this material.

Committee Facility Needs Currently, the committee needs a climate controlled storage vault for its current collection. The committee can foresee the need for 300-500 square feet of space for public use and for the storage of archival material. The public area should be able to accommodate a table and chairs where research can be accomplished. In addition to the special collection controlled storage, the committee would like fire and theft proof storage cabinets, a flat file for the storage of maps and large documents, filing cabinets, a bookcase, desk for volunteer staff and a photocopier for committee and public use.

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RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

An important component to a high quality of life, recreation provides a much-needed means of stress reduction and physical well-being. Recreation facilities also provide residents with a place to interact and create a sense of community that is beneficial to residents of all ages. In recent years, numerous studies have identified that recreational facilities and programs give children and teenagers a place to go, thereby reducing delinquent activity by those sectors of the population. Locations of select recreational facilities are displayed on the Recreational Facilities Map.

BUILT FACILITIES - INDOOR

Table VII-24 show a current list of indoor recreational resources in Dunbarton. Both the Community Survey and Community Visioning Forum yielded hopes for both a Teen and Senior Citizen Center for use by Town residents. Currently, no such facility exists.

Table VII-24 Indoor Recreational Resources in Dunbarton Type of Name Resource Non-Profit Dunbarton Elementary School Community Facility (including Gym) Dunbarton Library Congregational Church Source: Subcommittee Input

The Dunbarton Elementary School has a Community Facility with industrial kitchen available. The school gym is also used by groups for programming. The Dunbarton Library offers 50 programs a year for residents of all ages, including book discussion, special topic groups, and children’s activity programs. The Congregational Church regularly hosts the Girl Scout and Brownie troops as well as special programs such as the Holiday Dinner for Seniors that is sponsored by the Dunbarton Police Department.

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DUNBARTON’S RECREATION FACILITIES AND PROFESSIONAL PLANNING GUIDELINES

It is important that all segments of the population are afforded the opportunity to participate in a variety of recreational programs and experiences. In an effort to better assist communities in understanding what basic levels of recreational programs and facilities are appropriate, guidelines have been developed by several professional recreation associations and planning organizations throughout the country. Standards used in this Chapter are general guidelines and commonly accepted standards published by recreation and planning professionals throughout New England for a community of 2,500 to 5,000 residents.

The following is a summary of existing recreational facilities in Dunbarton as compared with commonly accepted facility standards.

Indoor Recreational Facilities Indoor recreational facilities are important to communities as they afford sheltered recreational opportunities to residents all year. Such facilities provide important places for year-round social interaction that helps to foster a sense of community. Table VII-25 details suggested guidelines for indoor recreational facilities for a community with a population similar to that of Dunbarton. Notably, use of these standards indicates Dunbarton should currently provide both a senior center and teen center and associated programs for each.

Table VII-25 Comparison of Indoor Facilities, Dunbarton NH to Suggested Standards Indoor Facilities Suggested Number of Current Facilities, Location of Facility Indoor Facilities For Population 2,226 Populations of 2,500 to (2000) 5,000 School Facilities Available For 1 1 Dunbarton Elementary School Public Use – Robert Rogers Road Gym or Large Multi-Use 1 1 Dunbarton Elementary School Room – Robert Rogers Road Auditorium or Assembly Hall 1 1 Dunbarton Elementary School – Robert Rogers Road Art and Crafts Facilities 1 0 Town Common Committee has a Garden Club (no built facility) Teen Center 1 0 N/A Senior Citizen Center 1 0 N/A Public Library 1 1 1004 School Street Source: Facility Guidelines, Maine SPO, Office of Comprehensive Land Use Planning, Dept of Economic and Community Development, 1989; Subcommittee Input

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Outdoor Recreational Facilities Like indoor recreational facilities, outdoor recreational facilities are also very important to communities as they also provide a place to interact. Based upon the standards outlined in Table VII-26, Dunbarton should consider developing the following amenities:

Table VII-26 Comparison of Outdoor Facilities, Dunbarton NH to Suggested Standards Outdoor Recreational Facility Facility Suggested Inventory of Existing Need, Anticipated Guidelines Standard Recreational Existing 2003 Need in per 1,000 Facilities for Facilities in 2010, Population Dunbarton Dunbarton 2003 Population 2000, Population 2,750 2,226 Community Recreation Facility, 12 - 25 acres in size, in At least 1 2 No Yes (2) Yes (4) a centralized location with ball fields, tennis courts, etc. Community Park, 100 + acres, At least 1 2 Yes (1) No No largely undeveloped with walking & cross country ski trails Baseball Field (90 Ft. Base 0.16 .35 No ? Yes (1) lines) Softball / Little League Fields 0.75 1.7 No ? Yes (1) Basketball Courts 0.5 1 Yes (1) – school Yes (2) Yes (3)

Tennis Courts 0.67 1.5 No ? ? Multi-purpose Field for Soccer, 0.5 1.1 No Yes (2) (3) Football, and Field Hockey Swimming Area to serve 5% of 750 square 2 (each 750 Yes No No population (15 sq. ft. / person) feet to serve square feet) State Park and 50 people Town Ponds Ice Skating Facility 5,000 Sq. 2 Yes No No Ft. / 1,000 State Park and Population Town Ponds Play Grounds - Tot Lots 0.5 1.1 Yes (1) - school No Yes (2) (General) Picnic Area equipped with 2 Tables / 5 tables Yes No No tables and grills 1,000 population Sources: Facilities Guidelines, Maine SPO, Office of Comprehensive Land Use Planning, Dept of Economic and Community Development, 1989; Subcommittee Input

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Table VII-27 Outdoor Recreational Resources in Dunbarton Type of Name Resource Non-Profit Clough State Park Dunbarton Town Forest

For-Profit Countryside Golf Course

Source: Subcommittee Input

Dunbarton has a Town Forest Commission to oversee the Town Forest. While many residents enjoy the Town Forest, the Commission is in need of many new members

REVIEW OF RECREATIONAL FISCAL RESOURCES

Over the past twelve years, the Recreation Budget has fluctuated from a low of $1,000 in 1992 to a high of $17,175 in 2003.

Table VII-28 Recreation Budget Allocations, 1992 – 2003 Year Recreation Total Town Recreation as % Committee Budget of Total Budget Budget 1992 $1,000 $504,409 0.20% 1993 $1,500 $661,848 0.23% 1994 $1,500 $634,479 0.24% 1995 $1,500 $683,294 0.22% 1996 $2,500 $812,850 0.31% 1997 $7,000 $1,017,925 0.69% 1998 $10,447 $955,404 1.10% 1999 $7,100 $1,006,631 0.71% 2000 $6,725 $1,124,861 0.60% 2001 $6,725 $1,178,744 0.57% 2002 $7,125 $1,327,631 0.54% 2003 $17,175 $1,411,831 1.22% Source: Dunbarton Annual Reports, 1992-2003

Dunbarton spent, in 2000, a total of $3.02 per capita (per person) on recreation. In 2003, $17,175 was budgeted for the year and, if this number is applied to the 2000 census population of 2,226, this results in $7.72 per capita.

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Table VII-29 Recreation Expenditures per Capita, 1990 vs 2000 Year Recreation Population Expenditure Department (Census) per Capita Budget 1990 2000 $6,725 2,226 $3.02 Sources: 1990 US Census STF1A (P1); 2000 US Census; Town Reports

According to comparisons to available figures from neighboring communities in Table VII-30, Dunbarton’s recreation budget is lower than that of the surrounding communities (with the exception of Weare).

Table VII-30 Recreation Budget Comparison per Capita, 2003 Town Population, Total Budget Budget per 2000 Expended, 2003 Capita Bow 7,138 $420,130 $58.86 Dunbarton 2,226 $17,175 $7.72 Goffstown 16,929 $286,678 $16.93 Hooksett 11,721 $188,711 $16.10 Hopkinton 5,399 $167,620 $31.05 New Boston 4,138 $62,782 $15.17 Weare 7,776 $43,206 $5.56 Sources: 2003 Town Reports

Recreation Committee Summary

Short-term needs (2003 to 2008) - Need to find and acquire land for playing fields / recreational activity.

Long-term needs (2008 to 2013) - None identified

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TOWN-OWNED PROPERTY SUITABLE FOR FUTURE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Underutilized or vacant municipally-owned property can sometimes be used to expand recreational opportunities for residents of the community.

Table VII-31 Possible Future Recreational Uses of Town-Owned Property Map / Lot Location Acres Existing Use Potential Use Town of Dunbarton has no current Town – owned property that is suitable for recreation activity. Sources: Assessor’s Index, 2003; Subcommittee Input

Recommendations for Recreation Facilities in Dunbarton

• Pursue starting a Recreation Department for the Town.

• Pursue constructing or renovating a structure to be used as a community facility – particularly with a Teen Center and a Senior Center component.

• Acquire land for playing fields.

SOURCES FOR FINANCING FACILITY NEEDS AND IMPROVEMENTS

Impact Fees The purpose of an impact fee ordinance is to collect funds from new development to help offset extra infrastructure needs associated with new development. In addition to financing new school additions and roadway projects, impact fees could also be collected to help pay for new recreational facilities. The impact fee ordinance would need to be adopted via Town Meeting ballot. In the near future, the Planning Board could explore creating a set impact fee schedule for recreational needs created by new development. Impact fees can only be implemented after a Capital Improvements Program is prepared.

User Fees During the 1980s, the concept of user fees for the funding of numerous public facilities and services was widely adopted throughout the nation. Several communities in New Hampshire help finance community facilities and programs through the adoption of user fees. Examples of user fees in New Hampshire include water district charges and transfer station fees.

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License and Permit Fees Fees, such as building permit, zoning application, and planning board subdivision and site plan fees, are all examples of permit fees. Such fees are highly equitable and are successful for minimizing the burden on taxpayers for specific programs such as building code enforcement.

Grants-in-Aid New Hampshire communities are eligible for various grants-in-aid for financing school construction and improvements. Examples include: • Foundation Aid to help schools provide minimum education • Building Aid • Handicap Education Aid • Area Vocational School Tuition and Transportation Aid • Sweepstakes Aid • Nutrition Grants • Driver Education

Community Development Block Grants Depending on the location, social value, and functional use of a community facility, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) can sometimes be a good source of financing. CDBG funds are allocated from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and, in New Hampshire, are administered by the Office of State Planning. Each year, communities are invited to submit grant applications for funding of projects. Examples of projects funded by the CDBG program include Community Centers for the Towns of Pittsfield and Bradford. In 1999, New Hampshire received over 10 million dollars in CDBG funds that, through the grant process, were allocated to communities across the State.

Sale of Surplus Town Property and Land Sale of town-owned property is another viable option for raising funds to pay for new community facilities. Parcels that should be liquidated include those that have no significant conservation or cultural value, or limited potential for future facilities.

Capital Reserve Funds Capital reserve funds are similar to savings accounts, as they allow the Town to contribute money to a specific account for the purpose of purchasing or defraying the cost of significant items such as school additions, highway equipment, fire trucks, municipal facilities.

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Bonds Bonding is a popular method of raising revenue to construct or purchase Town equipment and facilities. Though viable, the Town should avoid encumbering too much debt, as it can limit the ability of the Town to fund future, unidentified needs.

Private Foundations / Trusts For years, communities have been the beneficiaries of trusts and donations created by private citizens and foundations. The Town should actively solicit such resources for assistance regarding the development or expansion of recreational facilities and programs.

TEA-21 Recreational Trails Program A federal program administered in New Hampshire by the Department of Resources and Economic Development, Trails Bureau, funding is derived from the Federal Gas Tax. Annually, communities submit competitive grant applications for funds. Grant amounts are limited to a maximum of $20,000 and require an “in-kind” community match of 20% of the grant amount. Acceptable forms of matching contributions include cash, materials, labor, and in-kind services. Projects eligible for this funding include trails for both motorized and non-motorized use. In 1999, New Hampshire received a total of $472,741 for this program.

Town Appropriations In addition to grants, community groups can also seek appropriations through the annual budget process to pay for the expansion of recreational or community facilities.

Regional Co-ops Another option for defraying the cost of developing recreational facilities is co-ops among local communities in the region. Used for years for water, sewer, and solid waste facilities, co-ops among communities are rarely employed for recreational facilities. Dunbarton could explore the possibility of creating a co-op with Weare, Bow, Goffstown, and Hopkinton to construct and staff recreational facilities.

Volunteers Dunbarton should continue to seek the help of volunteers and publicly recognize their efforts.

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UTILITIES

Utilities are also essential services that are delivered to residents through private companies. Population, density, and usage are driving forces which determine the level of services a municipality requires. This section will examine the current conditions of the utilities in Dunbarton and propose measures to enhance or expand services if necessary. Selected Town utilities are depicted on the Utilities Map.

TELEPHONE SERVICE

Basic landline telephone service is an important part of everyday life. It has evolved over the past 60 years from mechanical switching centers and a fragmented network with party lines to digital switching systems and fiber optic networks. Universal service, once a distant vision, is now a reality. Telephone companies now offer wireless services, internet access, satellite television, and digital subscriber services (DSL) to many of their customers.

The 1996 Telecommunications Act has and will continue to have a profound impact on telecommunications services. The long distance service market was the first to be affected by the Telecommunications Act. Competition has reduced the price of long distance calls from twenty cents a minute to less than seven cents a minute. The Federal Communications Commission has been reducing access charges on long distance calls by regional phone companies. Long distance charges have been used in the past to subsidize local telephone line charges. This means that local telephone rates could increase to reflect actual costs as competition drives long distance charges out of the rate base. Regional telephone companies will be allowed to enter both the long distance telephone and cable television markets in the near future. All of these changes seem positive on the surface but the underlying consequences may have an impact on our lives in the next decade.

Dunbarton Telephone Local telephone service is provided by Dunbarton Telephone Company; this carrier is an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) and is regulated by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission.

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INTERNET

High-speed dial-up internet available through Dunbarton Telephone Co.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AT&T has one tower in Dunbarton.

CABLE TELEVISION AND SATELLITE DISHES

Cable Television is not available in Dunbarton. Pegasus provides satellite service to homeowners. Pegasus Satellite Television is your source for DIRECTV®. Headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Pegasus provides DirecTV programming to rural areas in 41 states nationwide. Pegasus Satellite Television is a subsidiary of Pegasus Communications Corporation, whose corporate offices are located in suburban Philadelphia. DirecTV provides over 200 channels of digital- quality programming to homes and businesses.

ELECTRICITY

The majority of electricity in Dunbarton is provided by PSNH. Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) is State's largest electric utility, serving more than 447,000 homes and businesses in 211 municipalities. Formed in 1926, PSNH, now a wholly- owned subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, has grown to comprise three fossil fuel-fired generating plants and nine hydroelectric facilities, jointly capable of generating more than 1,110 megawatts of electricity. In Dunbarton, PSNH services all geographic areas but the Montalona Road and Morse Road area, which is serviced by Unitil.

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Future Utilities Needs Summary

Short-term needs (2003 to 2008) - Pursue new technologies

Long-term needs (2008 to 2013) - No needs were identified

Recommendations for Utilities in Dunbarton

• Conduct a feasibility study and legal petition to pursue Broadband technology options for Dunbarton.

• Pursue wireless technology for Town access.

• Encourage landowners to test their wells on a regular basis.

SUMMARY

The Community Survey, as completed by both Town residents and school aged children, has shown a high degree of satisfaction with the way that the Town has approached our long term growth. It has revealed the ability of the Town’s people to approach upcoming problems with a great sense of volunteerism, pride and the ability to work together for the common goals.

The major areas of concern are:

A. The capability to meet future community facility needs; B. Providing recreational opportunities; C. Competitive utility technology to meet communication needs.

With a spirit of cooperation as demonstrated, these areas of concern will be met with determination, tenacity and a strong involvement that will make Dunbarton retain its rural character and provide its people with a great place to live and raise children.

- Respectfully Submitted, Chuck Graybill, Community Facilities Co-Chair

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Chapter VIII TRANSPORTATION

INTRODUCTION

The Town of Dunbarton is primarily rural in character with many large forested parcels of land still undeveloped. In December of 2003 a Community Survey was distributed to all postal patrons in the Town of Dunbarton to obtain local opinions on a range of issues facing the community. Of the 490 surveys completed by residents, 77% indicated that the Small Town / Rural Atmosphere of Dunbarton was Very Important and an additional 14% responded that it was Important.

In recent decades, the residential population of the Town of Dunbarton has grown dramatically. Situated to the south of Concord, adjacent to Bow and Goffstown, residents of Dunbarton commute to both the south toward Bedford and Manchester and to the north toward Concord. As Dunbarton is mainly a bedroom community to these larger employment centers, the main commuting corridors, NH Routes 13 and 77, Robert Rogers Road, and Twist Hill Road are important to preserve as transportation corridors.

As Dunbarton continues to grow and the use and pressure on local and major roads intensifies, it will become increasingly important for the Town to explore options for maintaining a rural atmosphere. The characteristics of a road, the width, shoulder type, curvature, clear zone, etc. all contribute to the overall feel of the road. Roads that are traditionally found in rural New England areas are generally narrow with no shoulders, they have many curves, and they are dirt or gravel. Balancing those traditional characteristics with modern safety is a challenge. Compromises should be made to achieve a road that maintains a rural feel, but is safe for most travelers.

Land use in Dunbarton is primarily residential and trends indicate that this type of development will continue. New development can contribute to maintaining a rural atmosphere by constructing buildings and roads that are scaled and located most appropriately for the area. Different requirements for construction may help preserve the character of historic or scenic areas.

Overall, Dunbarton’s transportation currently embodies many of the traits desired by those seeking a rural atmosphere. The challenge is to continue to preserve it as the community grows. The information and recommendations contained within this chapter can assist Dunbarton to accomplish that goal.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS

- To provide a highway and street system that allows for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods throughout Dunbarton.

• Maintain existing roads to a standard that is safe and appropriate.

• Review the Town’s policy concerning building on Class VI roads with the Planning Board and with the Board of Selectmen.

• Require traffic studies for new commercial developments that require Site Plan Review and for residential developments of 8 or more lots.

- To develop and fund a long-term transportation facility maintenance and reconstruction program.

• Explore the conversion of the elected Road Agent position to that of a municipal employee.

• Develop a Road Surface Management System for roads in Dunbarton.

• Create a Ten Year Plan for road improvements.

• Assign Functional Classifications to local roads.

• Consider state scenic highway designation for Route 13.

• Designate local bike system.

• Discuss the policy regarding new road cul-de-sac versus required interconnections.

• Review the Town’s snow and ice policy.

• Develop a Roads Committee that provides guidance and recommendations to the Road Agent.

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- To protect the village, rural, and historic character of Dunbarton’s scenic, local, and major roads while maintaining their viability as travel corridors.

• Require that the construction of new roads and the reconstruction of existing roads be to standards that are sensible and appropriate to the village, historic, and rural character of Dunbarton and to the anticipated level of use of the road.

• Require approval at Town Meeting before allowing any locally controlled gravel or scenic road to be paved.

• Review the status of currently designated scenic roads and consider other roads for designation.

• Review State-owned roads for designation under the State Scenic Byways Program

• Explore changes to local regulations that would provide greater protection of designated scenic roads.

• Develop a policy that the Town notify abutting land owners and the general public before undertaking any major roadway construction including reconstruction, cutting trees or removing stone walls along public roads and provide a public forum to receive testimony from interested parties if requested.

- To sustain and promote a safe and comfortable walking environment in the Town Center while enhancing pedestrian and bicycle opportunities throughout Dunbarton.

• Provide sidewalks in the Town Center.

• Formalize the current practice of requiring trail easements on subdivisions in areas where they can link to existing or proposed trails.

• Develop a policy to retain Town ownership of Class VI roads as they provide opportunities for future travel ways, recreation, and other municipal interests.

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• Develop a town-wide recreational trail system using existing facilities and identify areas where future trails would benefit the community.

• Explore the conversion of Class VI roads to Class A and/or B trails when and where appropriate.

COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS

In November 2003, a survey was distributed to all postal patrons, households and out of town property owners in Dunbarton. The Community Survey was designed by the Master Plan Steering Committee to facilitate a better understanding of the desires and feelings of the residents of Dunbarton. Transportation related questions were only a small piece of a survey covering everything from housing to natural features. The following are survey questions and responses specific to transportation issues in Dunbarton.

Table VIII-1 Question 16: In your opinion, what is the general condition of local roads in Dunbarton? Condition Total Percent Excellent 27 5.8% Good 344 73.8% Poor 58 12.4% Very Poor 13 2.8% No Opinion 24 5.2% Grand Total 466 100.0%

In Table VIII-1, a substantial percentage (79.6%) of survey respondents felt that the roads in Dunbarton were in Excellent to Good condition. This may indicate that the Town of Dunbarton has historically done a good job maintaining the roads.

Table VIII-2 Question 17: Are there unpaved roads you think should be paved? Total Percent Yes 71 15.0% No 251 53.2% No Opinion 150 31.8% Grand Total 472 100.0%

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Table VIII-2A Top five roads respondents would like to see paved: Street Name County Road Kimball Pond Road Ordway Road All Roads Tenny Hill Road

A majority of respondents indicated a desire to maintain the current state of unpaved roads in Dunbarton (53%) in Table VIII-2. The top few responses from the small percentage of respondents who did express a desire to pave portions or gravel roads are included in the table above.

Table VIII-3 Question 18: Are you in favor of retaining the unpaved Town designated Scenic Roads as they are? Total Percent Yes 301 65.2% No 52 11.3% No Opinion 109 23.6% Grand Total 462 100.0%

In Table VIII-4, the majority of respondents who answered this question indicated a desire to maintain unpaved scenic roads as they are. This response is in keeping with the strong desire of residents to maintain a rural atmosphere.

Table VIII-4 Question 19: Are there any sections of roadways or intersections that you feel are hazardous for pedestrians or vehicles? Location Total Pages Corner 69 Intersection of NH Route 13 and Robert Rogers Road 24 Robert Rogers Road 11 NH Route 13 11 Montalona Road 9

The locations listed in Table VIII-4 were the top five responses from the Community Survey results. As some respondents included more than one location in their answer, it is not feasible to calculate percentages for each location.

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Pages Corner, the intersection of NH Routes 13 and 77 with Jewett Road, was listed by far as the most hazardous by the respondents (69 times). This indicates that there is a need to study this intersection more intensely as many residents of Dunbarton feel that this intersection is hazardous. The intersection of Robert Rogers Road with NH Route 13 near the Town Center was also a frequent answer. Overall, NH Route 13 and Robert Rogers Road were the top concern to respondents.

Table VIII -5 Question 20: Please identify any streets where you feel sidewalks or accommodations for cyclists/runners are needed.

Top five answers: Street Name Town Center (Robert Rogers and NH 13) No Sidewalks NH Route 13 (no specific location) Pages Corner (NH 13, NH 77, Jewett Rd.) Robert Rogers Road (no specific location)

Most respondents indicated that sidewalks were most needed in the area around the Town Center, particularly between Dunbarton Elementary and the Library in Table VIII-5. The Town of Dunbarton is actively seeking funds to complete sidewalks in this area at this time. The second most numerous answer was for no sidewalks to be constructed in the Town of Dunbarton with many indicating that it would detract from the Town’s rural character.

Table VIII-6 Question 21: Do you believe there is a need to provide public transportation opportunities in Dunbarton? Total Percent Yes 45 9.6% No 359 76.7% No Opinion 64 13.7% Grand Total 468 100.0%

In Table VIII-6, survey respondents indicated strongly that public transit is not needed in Dunbarton beyond what is already available at this time. As development continues, the need will undoubtedly increase. However, the desire of residents may remain consistent.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Functional Highway Classifications A method by which public roadways are classified, relevant to long-range planning of roadway improvements, is on the basis of primary function, type of service, or the roadway's relation to the community transportation system as a whole. These divisions are used to determine roadway design standards and to locate funds that may be used for needed roadway improvements. In order to be eligible for some types of improvement funds, highways must be a certain level of functional class. The five basic functional classifications are described below.

Principal Arterial Principal arterial roadways form the basic framework of the State roadway system. They primarily function as the main routes for interstate commerce and traffic. In addition, they also link major geographic and urban areas to economic districts of the State. Ideally, access to these roads by abutting parcels is not permitted or is highly restricted.

Minor Arterial These roadways serve as long distance traffic movements, and are secondary to primary arterials in that minor arterials tend to serve as links between major population areas or between distinct geographic and economic regions.

Major Collector These roadways differ from arterials due to size and general service area. Collectors serve traffic in a specific area, whereas as arterials generally serve traffic moving through an area. Thus, average trip lengths on collectors are shorter than trips on arterial. Furthermore, collectors gather traffic from local roads and streets and distribute them to arterials.

Minor Collector These roads provide access to smaller communities within a geographic area or economic region. They may link locally important trip generators, such as shopping centers to surrounding rural areas. They also serve as links between two or more major collectors.

Local Roads These roads and streets are used primarily to provide access to adjacent properties. These roads have numerous turning movements in and out of abutting driveways and curb cuts.

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State Aid Highway Classifications Another system used to classify roadways in New Hampshire is the State Aid Highway Classification System. This system was created under the requirement set forth by RSA 229-231 to determine the responsibility for the reconstruction and maintenance of roadways located in the State. This system is also used to determine the eligibility of roads for State funding. Classifications are comprised of six categories (Class I through Class VI highways).

Class I, Trunk Line Highways This classification consists of all existing and proposed highways on the primary state system, except all portions of such highways within the compact sections of communities, providing said sections are Class I highways. Examples nearby include Interstates 93, 89, and 393.

Class II, State Aid Highways This classification consists of all existing and proposed highways on the secondary state systems, except those in compact sections of cities and towns. All sections of these roadways must be improved to the satisfaction of the NHDOT Commissioner and are maintained and reconstructed by the State. The Town must maintain all unimproved sections of these roadways, where no state or federal monies have been expended, until they are improved to NHDOT satisfaction. All bridges maintained with state or federal funds shall be maintained by the State, while all other bridges shall be the responsibility of the municipality. An example of this is Everett Dam Road.

Class III, Recreational Roads This designation is assigned to all roads leading to, and within, state reservations designated by the NH Legislature. The NHDOT assumes all responsibility for construction and maintenance. All boat ramps to Gorham Pond, Kimball Pond, Purgatory Pond and Long Pond fall into this category.

Class IV, Urban Highways This designation is assigned to all highways within the compact areas of municipalities listed in RSA 229:5, V. The compact section of any city or town shall be the territory within such city or town where the frontage on any highway, in the opinion of the DOT Commissioner, is mainly occupied by dwellings or buildings where business is conducted, throughout the year. No highway reclassification from Class I or II to Class IV shall take effect until all rehabilitation needed to return the highway surface to reputable condition has been completed by the State.

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Class V, Rural Highways This classification consists of all traveled highways which the town or city has the duty to maintain regularly, paved or unpaved.

Class VI, Unmaintained Highways Roads under this category consist of all other public ways, including highways subject to gates and bars, and highways not maintained in suitable condition for travel for more than five (5) years.

Table VIII-7 Summary of Roads in Dunbarton by Classification Road / Description Class Maintenance* Plowing* NH Route 13 II State State NH Route 77 II State State Alexander Road V Barnard Hill Road V Birchview Drive V Black Brook Road V Blueberry Trail private Burnham Lane V Burroughs Road VI Clifford Farm Road V Clinton Street V Concord Stage Coach Road V Country Club Drive V County Road VI Devil’s Steps Road VI Everett Road V, VI, IV Everett Dam Road II State Town Farrington Road V Flintlock Road V Gary Road V Gile Hill Road V, VI Gorham Pond Road V Gorham Drive V Grapevine Road V Guinea Road V, VI Hawk Lane private Holiday Shore Drive V Holmes Road V Jacqueline Drive V Jay Drive V Jean Drive private Jewett Road II State State

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Road / Description cont. Class Maintenance* Plowing* Karen Road & extension V Kelsea Road V Kimball Pond Road V Little Lane V Line Hill Road VI Long Pond Road V Morse Road V Mansion Road III State Town Meadow Lane V Millie’s Way private Montalona Road V Moose Point Drive V Old Fort Lane V Old Hopkinton Road V Old Mill Brook Road V Ordway Road V Powell Lane V Purgatory Pond Road V Putney Road V Rangeway Road V Ray Road V Robert Rogers Road V School Street V Stark Highway North II State Town Stark Highway South II State Town Stark Lane III Stephanie Road V Stone Road VI Story Hill Road V, VI Tenny Hill Road V Tucker Hill Road V Twist Hill Road V Whipple Road VI Winslow Road V Source: Town of Dunbarton, Fire Department * All class V roads are town maintained & plowed.

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Traffic Counts The New Hampshire Department of Transportation conducts traffic counts at hundreds of locations around the State on a three-year cycle. In many cases, counts at a specific location may go back ten or more years, providing a sense of how traffic has changed over the years. In addition to the State program, Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC) conducts an annual municipal traffic counting program. This program enables municipalities to request traffic counts at a few specific locations in town. Between the counts collected by the NHDOT and the CNHRPC over the years, there exists a wealth of traffic count data for the Town of Dunbarton.

Table VIII-8 displays counts collected by both the CNHRPC and the NHDOT over the past several years. The counts are displayed in two different formats. Figures that are shown as rounded numbers (e.g. 700) are Annual Average Weekday totals. These counts have been processed to show the average weekday traffic over an entire year and better represent typical vehicle volumes. Figures in the table that are not rounded (e.g. 1,057) are displayed as Average Weekday totals. These counts are directly from weeklong counts and are subject to seasonal and weekly traffic flow variations.

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Table VIII-8 Traffic Counts, 1997-2003

Road Location 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Black Brook Road at Kimball Pond Road 581** Black Brook Road at Stark Highway 725** Grapevine Rd. Over Bela Brook 120* 160* 142** Mansion Rd. West of NH 13 290* 330* 577** Mansion Rd. S. of Barnsanrd Hill Rd. 400* 446** Montalona Rd. Goffstown TL 310* 320* South of Robert Rogers Montalona Road Highway 376** Montalona Road South of Kimball Pond Road 325** Morse Road East of Montalona Rd. 263** Morse Road West of Twist Hill Rd. 251** NH 13 Bow TL 5200* 5900* 7016** NH 13 South of NH 77 2700* 3531** NH 77 Weare TL 3300* 4399** 4549** NH 13 Goffstown TL 2400* 1800* 2920** 3296** NH 13 North of Barnard Hill Rd. 2500* Robert Rogers Road West of Stone Road 812** Robert Rogers Rd. Bow TL 350* Robert Rogers Road at Bow Town Line 377** Stark Highway North of NH 13 880* 915** Source: CNHRPC and NHDOT traffic counts * Annual Average Daily Count ** Average Daily Count

Regular monitoring of sites during peak months is critical in the planning process, as accurate projections are required for logical transportation and land use planning.

As the Town of Dunbarton is concerned about continued development and the impacts to the local transportation system, the Town should pursue regular requests for traffic counting from the CNHRPC. This will allow Dunbarton to monitor traffic on paved and unpaved roads and to quantify impacts from development.

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Accident Analysis One of the most useful and obvious methods of identifying where transportation improvements may be needed is to analyze the location, frequency, and type of accidents that occur at various locations in the community. For the period from 1999 to 2003, 84 accidents occurred in Dunbarton where the location could be determined.

Table VIII-9 Traffic Accidents, 1999-2003* Road Closest Major # of Major Types of Accidents Location(s) Accidents Black Brook Road Entire Length 12 Drivers lost control of their vehicles in 9 of the 12 accidents Gorham Pond Rd. Entire Length 10 Drivers lost control of their vehicles in 8 of the 10 accidents Montalona Road Entire Length 5 Drivers lost control of their vehicles in 3 of the 5 accidents Robert Rogers Rd. Entire Length 8 Drivers lost control of their vehicles in 5 of the 8 accidents NH 13 (Stark NH 77, Jewett Rd. 10 3 involved loss of control, 1 Highway) (Pages Corner) involved a deer, and 6 were caused by other factors Near Mansion Rd. 6 3 involved loss of control, 1 involved a deer, 1 was caused by failure to stop, and 1 other cause Near Gorham Pond 6 2 involved loss of control, 1 Rd. involved a deer, 2 were caused by failure to stop, and 1 other cause NH 77 Entire Length 27 7 involved animals, 13 involved loss of control, 2 were rear end collisions, 5 were caused by other factors Source: Accident data – Dunbarton Police reports processed by CNHRPC * Accident Data was collected through December 2003

Table VIII-9 above illustrates some of the key areas where accidents have occurred in Dunbarton in the recent past. In reviewing the accident history of Dunbarton, a clear trend was toward “loss of control” types of accidents. Many factors may lead to drivers losing control of vehicles including speeds, road characteristics, and weather conditions. Collisions with animals, deer and moose, were another common type of accident in Dunbarton.

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Table VIII-10 Total Number of Accidents, 1998-2001 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Total Accidents 28 29 35 47 30 Source: Accident data - Dunbarton Police reports processed by CNHRPC

Accident data serves as one tool in identifying potential hazardous intersections; however, it is only a piece of the overall picture. Local knowledge is key to understanding why intersections work the way they do and why some are more dangerous than others.

Travel Speed Analysis The Dunbarton Police Department conducts speed surveys of travelers in areas where residents indicate an issue with speeding may exist. The survey consists of an officer measuring the travel speed of vehicles over several days at varying times of day. The measured speeds were then processed into the highest speed and average speed. The monitoring of travel speeds by the Dunbarton Police Department is an excellent way for the Town to better understand how vehicles travel on local streets.

Table VIII-11 Speed Surveys

Location # of Posted Highest Average Vehicles Speed Speed Speed Surveyed (MPH) (MPH) (MPH) Twist Hill Road 371 35* 44 32 Montalona Road 100 30 46 37 Gorham Pond Road 233 35* 49 37 Source: Dunbarton Police Department – Speed Surveys * The posted speeds were lowered to 30 MPH after the surveys were conducted.

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ACCESS MANAGEMENT

The goals of access management are to reduce congestion, increase safety, and implement coordinated land use and transportation plans. Often access management can be improved by focusing on smaller site improvements, like defined entryways and exits, shared driveways, and connections between adjacent subdivisions. These types of facilities are easiest to implement as part of a new development and are sometimes required by a municipality. Improvements to existing facilities can also greatly enhance the capacity and character of a roadway, but a more cooperative approach is required between the Town and the landowner to plan, fund, and complete the improvements.

Other opportunities exist to enhance access management by better coordinating planning efforts such as a Master Plan, Zoning Ordinances, Subdivision Regulations, and impact fee ordinances. The Master Plan can set the stage for improvements by clearly identifying goals for the transportation network. Zoning Ordinances can further aid in the process by tailoring frontage requirements, lot sizes, signage and architectural standards, and possibly by identifying overlay districts. The Zoning Ordinance can also depart from the normal strip zoning along roadways and adopt a nodal approach. In the nodal approach, development is focused in denser areas along a roadway, with open space or less traffic-intensive development between nodes. Using Subdivision Regulations, a community can further improve access management by having provisions for shared driveways and connector roads between subdivisions.

Shared Access Points All new site plans on heavily traveled roadways could have shared access points with abutting parcels. This will reduce the number of driveways (curb cuts) on major roadways, and improve traffic movement and safety conditions.

Figure VIII-1 Shared Access Points

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Minimum Driveway Throat Lengths A minimum driveway throat length could be defined for commercial and large multi- family developments in order to help better define internal traffic movements at those sites. Figure VIII-2 Minimum Driveway Throat Lengths

Distance Between Driveways A minimum distance between driveways on major roadways could be set in order to better streamline turning movements and improve safety.

Figure VIII-3 Distance Between Driveways

Poor

BETTER

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Number of Driveways Per Lot The Planning Board should consider limiting the number of driveways for parcels fronting major collector or arterial roadways. In addition, driveway entrances should be limited to maximum widths because continuous, undefined driveways often confuse drivers and contribute to accidents.

Figure VIII-4 Number of Driveways Per Lot

Poor

BETTER

Shared Driveways Shared driveways should be considered for subdivisions on major roadways. This would improve traffic flow and safety conditions of the roadway. The Planning Board, when reviewing developments proposing shared driveways, should consider requiring all proper easement and maintenance agreements to be incorporated into the deed of each parcel. Figure VIII-5 Shared Driveways

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Connect Adjacent Roadways Developers could design subdivisions to connect with other public roadways in other subdivisions. Subdivision regulations should require that proposed roadway rights of way should be brought to the property line to facilitate future development of abutting land.

Figure VIII-6 Connect Adjacent Roadways

DUNBARTON’S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Pedestrian Infrastructure Pedestrian facilities, such as paved sidewalks and gravel walking paths, are critical features for roadways with high volumes of traffic or high speeds where pedestrian activities naturally occur or are wished to be encouraged. The primary purpose of a sidewalk is to improve safety for pedestrians by separating them from the travel lanes of roadways. However, in many rural communities like Dunbarton, on-road walking is desirable and safe on many roads due to the low volume of traffic and relatively low speeds of vehicles.

The Town of Dunbarton is working to secure funding for the construction of sidewalks in the area along Robert Rogers Road from the Dunbarton Elementary School to the Library and NH Route 13. One of the goals of this project is to create a safer route for children attending the school to walk to the library.

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Pedestrian Safety Speed limits have been the usual method of improving pedestrian safety and other non-motorized modes of travel. In both rural and urban areas, the minimum speed limit a municipality can impose is 25 miles per hour. Limits can be made lower at intersections (RSA 265:63, (a)) and in school zones (265:60, II (a)). Crosswalks on local streets are a form of traffic regulation and therefore must be approved by the Board of Selectmen. Crosswalks located on State roads must be installed and approved by NHDOT, but are maintained by the Town.

In the future, the Town of Dunbarton may desire to require sidewalks as part of new developments or in conjunction with new municipal facilities or recreational areas.

Bicycle Infrastructure The Statewide System was established to link commuting nodes throughout the State with one another; for example, connecting Concord to Hillsborough to Keene.

The Regional System was designed to link community centers to each other and to the Statewide System. In April, 2001, CNHRPC published the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan which identifies bicycle and pedestrian systems in order to encourage these modes of travel and recreation. This plan shows potential bicycle routes for Routes 13 and 77, Stark Road, Mansion Road, Everett Dam Road, Robert Rogers Road and Twist Hill Road.

The overall system really serves two functions. The first is to guide bicyclists to use roadways that might be safer given speed, traffic volume and shoulder width. The second is to provide a source for local officials to reference when improving a roadway so that perhaps extra attention can be paid to the shoulder width and quality. The locations of State and Regional bicycle routes in Dunbarton are depicted on the Accident Locations, Traffic Count Locations, and Bicycle Infrastructure Map.

Gravel and Scenic Roads A major component of a Town’s rural character can be its gravel and scenic roads. These roads help to retain a sense of history and rural quality that residents have indicated a strong desire to maintain within Dunbarton. Results from the Community Survey conducted at the beginning of the Master Plan process showed that 77% of respondents felt that Dunbarton’s rural character was very important.

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The Town of Dunbarton has a limited number of gravel roads remaining. The majority of survey respondents expressed a desire to maintain them as gravel (53%), particularly if they are designated scenic roads (65%).

An option the Town may investigate to encourage the construction of roads that are appropriate for the anticipated use would be adopting flexible road design standards. Flexible road standards would allow the Town to allow the construction of different widths and types of roads based on the expected use of the road. For example, a five- lot single family subdivision may only be required to build a shared single lane sixteen-foot gravel road while a fifty lot residential subdivision may be required to build a twenty-two foot wide two lane paved road. Commercial or industrial uses may be subject to similar design standards based on the anticipated use and vehicle types. The Town of Dunbarton currently has “one size fits all” regulations for road construction consisting of fifty feet of right-of-way, two twelve foot lanes, and four foot shoulders on both sides.

Similar to constructing roads based on the anticipated level of use, Dunbarton could have different road construction requirements based on zoning or scenic designation. For example a road being constructed in a historic district may be required to have smaller lane widths and gravel shoulders. Guidelines could be established for scenic designated roads to limit the width of pavement when they are repaved or reconstructed. These options would serve as additional measures to help ensure that Dunbarton retains the rural atmosphere that most of its residents enjoy.

In New Hampshire, communities have the ability to protect the character of specific scenic roads by enacting the provisions of RSA 231:157 at annual Town Meeting. Any Class IV, V, or VI highway can be designated a Scenic Road using the procedure in RSA 231:157. Ten people who are either Town voters or who own land abutting the road (even though not voters) may petition. The voters of the Town may vote at any annual or special Town Meeting to designate the road as a Scenic Road. A municipality may rescind its designation of a scenic road using the same procedure.

The effect that Scenic Road designation has is to legally require a hearing, review and written permission by the Conservation Commission before the Town or a public utility can remove (or agree to the removal of) stone walls, or can cut and remove trees with a circumference of at least 15 inches, at 4 feet from the ground (basal height). However, the Planning Board requirement has many exceptions. For example, the Conservation Commission may be bypassed - and only Selectmen permission is needed - if the Highway Agent wishes to cut trees that have been declared a "nuisance" under RSA 231:145-146, or which, in the Road Agent's opinion, "pose an imminent threat." Moreover a public utility can cut the trees for the

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"prompt restoration of service" without the permission of any town representatives (RSA 231:158, II). The Town could also require that the road agent take additional steps to notify abutters and interested organizations before cutting trees on any local road.

The Scenic Road law does not prohibit landowners from cutting trees or removing stone walls (RSA 231:158, IV). The only sure way to prevent owners or abutters from cutting trees is for the Town to acquire title to the highway strip, or by taking tree rights under the "Tree Warden" law (RSA 231:154). The law on stone walls as boundary markers (RSA 472:6) applies the same to landowners, whether or not the road is designated a Scenic Road.

In recognition of the fact that State law itself is not very stringent, the New Hampshire Legislature added RSA 231:158, V, in 1991 which gives a municipality broad power to impose scenic road regulations that are different from, or in addition to, those contained in the State law. These additional regulations could include giving protection to smaller trees or by inserting criteria for the Conservation Commission to use in deciding whether to grant permission. Though some critics of the law believe it to be too weak, RSA 231:157 remains one of the few techniques available for the preservation of culturally important and scenic roads.

Table VIII-12 Designated Scenic Roads Roads or Sections of Roads Previously Designated as Scenic Road Name Scenic Area Black Brook Road Between 2 ends of Long Pond Road County Road Entire length Gile Hill Road “ “ Guinea Road “ “ Rangeway/ Legache Hill Road “ “ Linehill Road “ “ Stone Road “ “ Tenny Hill Road “ “ Source: Town of Dunbarton, 2003

Private Roads Private roads are roads that have been constructed but, for various reasons, are not Town-owned roads. Currently, the Town’s policy regarding private roads, their construction, maintenance, or the Town’s acceptance of them is limited. Emergency services also have concerns about their ability and duty to respond to calls for assistance from residents on private roads. Many communities do perform minimal

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maintenance and/or snow removal on private and Class VI roads, but the Town must understand and follow the State laws and case examples dealing with these activities. In the NH case of Clapp v. Town of Jaffrey, the Court supported the constitutional requirement that public funds be spent only for public purposes. The Court found that plowing of private roads would only be legal if the activity is secondary and incidental to the town and that those benefiting from the plowing reimburse the town so that no public funds are spent.

In 1994 the NH Legislature enacted RSA 231:59-a “Emergency Lanes” as a means for communities to provide snow removal and minimal maintenance to private and class VI roads. The RSA stipulates that for the town to undertake such maintenance, the road must be declared an “emergency lane”. A public hearing must be held to declare any private road as such and notice be given to all those with an interest.

The Road Classification and Bridges Map illustrates the locations and names of private roads known to be found in Dunbarton.

Class VI Roads Municipal highways become known as Class VI roads if they are unmaintained for five or more years, if they are voted as "discontinued subject to gates and bars" at Town Meeting, or, less commonly, if a strip of land which was not previously a roadway, is "laid out" subject to gates and bars under an old law. Regardless of the way a road became Class VI, the roads are not obligated to be maintained by the Town. Class VI roads "discontinued subject to gates and bars" at Town meeting (meaning the public still has the right-of-way) are different from roads that have been voted at Town Meeting as "discontinued" (meaning that the roadway is permanently no longer a public right-of-way).

State Statute also addresses Class VI roads and any potential building along them in RSA 674:41. Under this RSA, section I(c), for any lot whose street access (frontage) is on a Class VI road, the issue of whether any building can be erected on that lot is left up to the "local governing body" (Town Selectmen) who may, after "review and comment" by the Planning Board, vote to authorize building along that particular Class VI road, or portion thereof. Without such a vote, all building is prohibited. Even if the Board of Selectmen does vote to authorize building, the law states that the municipality does not become responsible for road maintenance or for any damages resulting from the road's use. The purpose of RSA 674:41, I(c) is to prevent scattered and premature development.

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Typically, Class VI roads are public rights-of-way that are used for recreational purposes, for through-travel, for driveway access, and for other uses such as agricultural and forestry activities. The Town is not liable for damages or injuries incurred while traveling on a Class VI road (RSA 231:93). In addition, the owners of the properties abutting the Class VI road are not liable for damages or injuries sustained to users of the road, although they may choose to maintain the road for access to their property. A Class VI right-of-way is one of the best types of rights-of- way to consider for a recreational trail system: there are no inherent liability concerns, the pathway has been established, and public access is allowed.

Trails Class A trails are considered full public trails subject to the restrictions imposed upon them at the time of designation; the Town permanently discontinues the road if it was a road to start with. The owners of abutting lands may use it for vehicular access to their property for existing, non-development uses. A Class B trail is identical to a Class A trail but disallows vehicular access by abutting landowners and would be more appropriate for a constructed trail. (RSA 231-A:1)

After acquiring permission from a landowner(s) and/or easement holder for use of a trail on their land, as well as agreeing on the specified restrictions, voters at Town Meeting can vote to designate any trail as a Class A or Class B trail. A trail can be so designated until the decision is rescinded or for a length of time as specified by the landowner(s).

In the case of designating a Class B trail on a Class VI road, the abutters need to be consulted and in some cases remunerated for any damages if the designation removes any of their prior access rights. In some cases, damages can also be sought by abutters for designation of a Class A trail. Generally, Class A trails are most appropriate for Class VI roads and former railroad rights-of-way (basically, pre- existing pathways) while Class B trails are most appropriate for constructed trails. (RSA 231-A:5)

The landowner(s), easement holder, the abutters, and Town agree upon what the trail will not be used for and these restrictions will be placed on the warrant article. Common restrictions include the prohibition of motorized vehicles on certain trails, or that a trail be used seasonally instead of year-round. The trail is then posted with the restrictions at the beginning and end of the trail, as well as at any trail junctions where the restrictions change. (RSA 231-A:1, 4, 5)

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As long as the restrictions to a trail are clearly posted, any violation to the trails can be treated in the same manner as a traffic violation by local law enforcement. As most Police Departments cannot extend their resources to monitor all of the designated trails, often times the trail users, stewards, or abutters will report problems to local law enforcement, who then would investigate the complaint. Although the rules of the designated trail are enforced by the Town, the trails themselves may or may not be maintained by the Town (RSA 231-A:4, RSA 265).

The Statutes provide many protective laws about liability, particularly where recreation is involved. Where users of designated trails are not charged a fee for the use of the trails, which will be the situation in the majority of cases, the liability of both the municipality and the landowner shall be limited, where the municipality/landowner will not be held responsible for personal injuries or property damages except where such damage is intentional. In addition, volunteers who maintain the trail, with prior recognition from the municipality as a volunteer of said trail, incur the same limited liability. The laws are the same for those trails that are not officially designated as Class A or B by the municipality. (RSA 212:34, 231-A:8, and 508:14)

Once a trail has been designated a Class A or B trail, it can be rescinded back to its original status in the same manner, by a vote at Town Meeting, as other road classifications can be changed. Where designated trails fall onto private property, the landowner(s) can at any time request that the designation be rescinded. The details are available in RSA 231-A:3.

Class VI roads and Class A & B trails are an important component of a Town’s transportation infrastructure because they personify the community's rural character and provide vast recreational opportunities. Current trails exist on the Kuncanowet Town Forest & Conservation Area and Kimball Pond Conservation Area. The Road Classification and Bridges Map provides information as to where current trails exist, where Class VI Roads are located, and which Class VI Roads may be good candidates for Class A Trail designation. There are also over 32 miles of OHRV trails located in the Everett Dam Flood Control Area that run between Hopkinton and Dunbarton. The Town should encourage the use of these trails and limit all OHRV use to the existing designated trail network.

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Parking In most rural communities, public parking is typically very sparse throughout the community if it is available at all. In Dunbarton, the main location for events is the Dunbarton Elementary School located on Robert Rogers Road. During large events, demand for parking exceeds what is available at the school and vehicles overflow into the road. In future expansions of the municipal area, additional parking may be explored; however, on typical days the parking available meets the need. Other places that should be explored are trail heads and the Town Offices.

Parking is typically an element defined by the Zoning Ordinance and reviewed by the Planning Board during site plan review of commercial and multifamily site proposals. Dunbarton’s parking is defined in Section V. D. of the Site Plan Regulations. This allows the Planning Board flexibility to modify the requirements to meet the particular needs of each application.

Bridge Network Bridges are a vital component of the highway system, as they connect road segments across streams, lakes, rivers, and other roads. Bridges are the most expensive sections of roads and the lack of adequate bridges creates transportation bottlenecks. Currently, there are a total of two bridges in the Town of Dunbarton.

Table VIII-13 below, as well as the Road Classification and Bridges Map, provides more detailed information on the two bridges in Town.

Table VIII-13 Dunbarton Bridges Location Crossing Owner Notes Mansion Road Stark Brook Other Federal Built in 1960, rated structurally Agency deficient, posted E-2 restrictions for certified vehicles, approach roadway alignment rated good Grapevine Bela Brook Town Built in 1990, approach roadway alignment rated poor Source: NHDOT Mini Bridge List & NHDOT Red List Summary (2002)

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State owned and municipally owned bridges around the state are reviewed periodically by personnel from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. During these reviews, the bridges are evaluated based on federal standards and guidelines. Any bridge that is shown to have structural deficiencies or other specific identifiers is placed on the “Red List”. Every bridge on the Red List is inspected once (locally-owned) or twice (State-owned) annually to monitor any changes that may make the bridge unsafe.

RECENT STATE AND LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

State Improvements The NH Department of Transportation and the State as a whole has adopted a long- range planning approach to the development and funding of transportation projects throughout the State. This process and resulting document is the statewide Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). A TIP is a comprehensive program that involves municipalities, regional planning commissions, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, the Governor's Advisory Council on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT), the Governor and Legislature of New Hampshire, and the federal government.

The Ten Year Plan process typically starts at the regional planning commission level, although it is beneficial if the process is first initiated at the municipal level. All regional planning commissions within New Hampshire prepare a TIP every two years based on input from local municipalities, NHDOT, and each planning commission's Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). The NHDOT then takes the regional TIPs and incorporates the projects with the highest level of support into the 10-Year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (10-Year Plan), adding their own input and specific projects. From NHDOT, the GACIT, the Governor, and the Legislature review the 10-Year Plan. After final approval, the 10-Year STIP then becomes the transportation project guide for the upcoming years.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) reviews the 10-Year Plan and provides comments to NHDOT. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review the first three years of the 10-Year Plan. Upon review of the document, these agencies verify that the projects meet all of the federal regulations and approve them for implementation.

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At this time, no projects are planned to take place within Dunbarton in the current 2003-2012 Ten Year Plan or in the draft proposed 2005-2014 Ten Year Plan.

Context Sensitive Solutions A new initiative at NH DOT is underway to develop a process whereby local municipalities are more involved in projects occurring in communities. A holistic approach to designing and implementing new projects, the Context Sensitive Solutions approach will consider a community’s Master Plan, ordinances, historic resources, environmental resources, and other community resources and will heavily involve the community in the project to achieve consensus with dual goals of mobility and community preservation. This three-year effort to train staff and develop a new delivery method for projects should conclude in 2007 and then future NH DOT projects in Dunbarton and other communities should utilize these new techniques.

Local Improvements The Town of Dunbarton has an elected Road Agent that oversees local road improvements. As an elected official of the Town, the Road Agent has the ability to operate with greater independence than paid municipal employees. This independence has both a number of benefits and drawbacks for the residents of Dunbarton. Many communities of similar size and character to Dunbarton have chosen to create paid positions for public works directors instead of continuing with the tradition of elected road agents. While most residents appear to be happy with the condition of roads in Dunbarton, the Town may want to explore in greater depth what other communities have experienced with elected Road Agents and with paid Public Works Directors.

Local Ten-Year Plan One method of maintaining and improving existing roadway conditions is to develop a maintenance and repair schedule for all roads in town. The Road Agent, with assistance from a Roads Committee, should review the conditions of all roadways and establish a list of priority maintenance/repairs or reconstructions over a 10-year period. The Road Surface Management System, established by UNH can assist in this endeavor. The priority list can be reviewed annually and can translate into specific items to be planned for and funded through a capital reserve fund as laid out by a Capital Improvements Program.

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SUMMARY

The residents of the Town of Dunbarton indicated a strong desire to preserve the rural character of the Town. The Transportation Subcommittee embraced that theme and incorporated it into many aspects of the Chapter. The continued maintenance of gravel roads in Dunbarton was considered one of the best ways to encourage a rural character in Town. Similarly, provisions for flexible road design standards, to maintain a rural feel while remaining safe for motorists, were considered important to preserving the rural character as new roads are constructed.

It is recommended that the following immediate and future actions be undertaken by the Town of Dunbarton as they relate to its transportation system: maintain existing roads to a safe standard, and require traffic studies for commercial and residential developments of 8 or more lots. In order to maintain, fund, and prepare for roadway reconstruction projects, the Town of Dunbarton should: convert the Road Agent position to that of a municipal employee, develop a Road Surface Management System, create a Ten Year Plan for road improvements, and develop a Roads Committee to provide guidance and recommendations to the Road Agent / municipal employee.

Should the Objectives and Recommendations of this Chapter be implemented, the Town of Dunbarton’s transportation system will allow for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods throughout Dunbarton. Driver and pedestrian safety are of the utmost importance as is providing an efficient way of moving people and goods.

- Respectfully Submitted, John Trottier, Transportation Subcommittee Chair

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Chapter IX EXISTING AND FUTURE LAND USE

INTRODUCTION

Increased population growth, evolving housing needs and changing social and economic trends discussed throughout this Master Plan have had a direct impact on the landscape of the community. Land is a finite resource, and thoughtful use of land is a critical issue for all communities. The way that Dunbarton utilizes its land has a direct impact on aesthetics, community character, transportation infrastructure, housing affordability, and the tax base.

The purpose of this Chapter is to identify and explore land use trends in Dunbarton, discuss how regulations have an impact on these trends and offer recommendations about what steps to take in the future to meet the growing needs of the community.

Key themes identified from the Community Survey include:

• Maintain rural character • Preserve historic properties • Acquire land for conservation and low impact recreation • Maintain current zoning lot sizes • Maintain agriculture and forestry • Explore growth management techniques • Protect wetlands

The Community Visioning Forum’s main points were:

• Maintain rural character • Explore opportunities for community gathering places through a central meeting location or an enhanced village center • Protect undeveloped land through conservation acquisitions or donations • Investigate innovative zoning techniques such as open space developments • Review criteria and time limits for granting special exceptions

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OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS

- To define Dunbarton’s rural character through photographs and specific descriptions.

• Review existing regulations to ensure that new development will maintain the characteristics of Dunbarton’s rural character as depicted in this Chapter.

o Built (man-made) characteristics to be valued include: buffers from existing roads, vegetated/open spaces between homes, low density, stone walls, gravel or narrow roads, and trail systems.

o Natural characteristics to be valued and protected from development include: open fields, unfragmented forest lands, wetlands, wildlife habitat, unobstructed views, and provisions for outdoor recreational activities.

- To examine the existing pattern of undeveloped land using maps of the existing land use and development constraints to identify opportunities to preserve rural character as defined by this Master Plan.

• Review existing regulations to encourage that development near the priority areas identified by the Dunbarton Conservation Commission enhances the open space links and maintains the ecological value of the proposed conservation land.

• Revise the Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance to allow Open Space Development (RSA 674:21 I (F), including the granting of intensity and use incentive bonuses for qualifying developments.

- To present a vision for Dunbarton’s future land use based on community input from surveys, visioning sessions and other data.

• Review current zoning to identify opportunities for other innovative zoning techniques as outlined in the Land Use Chapter.

• Maintain configuration of existing zoning districts with Village core and concentric outer rings of increasingly lower densities.

• Maintain current method of regulating new business/commercial ventures by special exception.

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- To provide specific recommendations designed to implement the vision and to provide guidance for Dunbarton’s boards, committees, and commissions in making decisions about Dunbarton’s growth.

• Eliminate the manufactured housing park district and rezone to low density residential.

• Develop zoning and regulations specifically for the Gorham Pond area.

• Encourage affordable housing development within the Route 13 and 77 Corridors.

• Make Section IV. A of the Dunbarton Land Subdivision Control Regulations, “Pre-Application”, mandatory for all subdivisions.

• Revise Article 6, Section B of the Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance so that a “special exception” is no longer required for a Planned Residential Development (PRD).

• Revise Article 6, Section B of the Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance to allow the granting of intensity and use Incentive Bonuses to qualifying PRDs.

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COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS

The community survey responses revealed how respondents felt about current and future land uses in Dunbarton. Property owners took the opportunity to exercise their voices and strong opinions. The response to the survey from the community was an impressive 43.9% return rate. Survey responses that are pertinent to the formulation of the EXISTING AND FUTURE LAND USE CHAPTER of the Master Plan are referenced throughout the Chapter.

Table IX-1 There are 19,734 acres of land in Dunbarton, 3,611 acres of which are permanently protected for public conservation purposes (including the federally owned flood control area at Clough State Park). What do you feel is the ideal goal for permanent conservation land in Dunbarton? Total Percent More 281 60.3% Less 13 2.8% Same 135 29.0% No Opinion 37 7.9% Grand Total 466 100.0%

Table IX-2 Do you think that maintaining Dunbarton’s rural character should be a goal of the current Master Plan, as it was in the previous Plan? Total Percent Yes 412 86.7% No 27 5.7% No Opinion 36 7.6% Grand Total 475 100.0%

Table IX-4 Table IX-3 In what area(s) would you like to encourage Should the Town continue to maintain the 2 residential growth? acre/3 acre/5 acre minimum lot sizes in the Total Percent various districts? Area A 44 9.9% Total Percent Area B 40 9.0% Yes 381 80.7% Area C 38 8.5% No 73 15.5% Area D 50 11.2% No Opinion 18 3.8% Area E 61 13.7% Grand Total 472 100.0% Area F 95 21.3% Area G 117 26.3% Total 445 100.0%

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Table IX-5 Table IX-7 Should Dunbarton try to encourage light How many times per year do you use public commercial/light industrial (non-residential lands in Dunbarton for recreation? growth)? Times per Total Percent year Total Percent Yes 159 33.5% 0 69 16.5% No 264 55.7% 1-5 97 23.3% No Opinion 51 10.8% 6-12 74 17.7% Grand Total 474 100.0% 12-20 30 7.2% 20-50 64 15.3% 50+ 17 4.1% Table IX-6 100+ 30 7.2% Commercial or industrial uses are permitted Other 36 8.6% throughout Dunbarton by the issuance of a Total 417 100.0% special exception. Should the Town have separate areas dedicated for industrial or commercial uses? Table IX-8 Total Percent Do you feel that maintaining agriculture and forestry as economically viable land uses in Yes 271 58.8% Dunbarton are important objectives of the No 142 30.8% Master Plan? No Opinion 48 10.4% Total Percent Grand Total 461 100.0% Yes 365 80.4% No 28 6.2%

No Opinion 61 13.4% Table IX-6A Grand Total 454 100.0% If yes, in what area(s) would you like to encourage commercial growth?

Total Percent*

Area A 53 19.6% Area B 50 18.5% Area C 27 10.0% Area D 46 17.0% Area E 142 52.4% Area F 56 20.7% Area G 29 10.7% * based on 271 "yes" respondents

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In Tables IX-1 through IX-8, Dunbarton’s rural character was overwhelmingly the highest priority to the survey respondents as 98.6% of the responses indicated that the small town/rural atmosphere is an important feature of the town. There was strong support (86%) for focusing on preservation of rural character as a main goal of the Master Plan.

Preserving agriculture and forestry as economically viable land uses were strongly supported by 80% of respondents, and increasing the acres of permanently protected lands for conservation was also strongly supported at 60% as a way to preserve Dunbarton’s character. Preservation of public lands and open space was also rated as high priorities for the town. A large percentage of respondents (83.5%) utilize the public lands in Dunbarton for recreation.

Most of the respondents supported maintaining or increasing the current minimum lot sizes of 2, 3 and 5 acres. A majority of the write-in comments regarding lot size supported large lots with low population density and open / undeveloped spaces. As a reflection of the Town’s desire to maintain rural character, there was no definitive response regarding the proper location for new residential development.

Increased commercial development was discouraged by 56% of the survey respondents. Area E (Route 77 and west of Route 13) was recommended as a suitable place for commercial or industrial use, should a particular area be so designated. 58% of the respondents felt that a separate commercial area should be established.

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COMMUNITY VISIONING FORUM RESULTS – LAND USE BREAK OUT SESSION

The Community Visioning Forum was held on January 31, 2004. The most well- attended break-out sessions were the land use sessions. Many of the views expressed in both sessions were similar to the survey results, with rural character and the preservation of a small-town atmosphere rating very highly.

The visioning sessions for land use also explored the role that land use plays with regard to fostering community spirit. The idea of a central social meeting area was explored, and many options were voiced for multiple uses for our existing facilities, or development of a community center where organized community events would occur, which is a topic that is covered in the COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITH UTILITIES CHAPTER. The sessions also discussed enhancing or revitalizing the village area with shops where people could see each other on an informal basis.

There were also two additional visioning sessions held by the 5th Grade classes at Dunbarton Elementary School and by a group of interested teens from town. Both of these sessions focused on the importance of preserving the natural environment, but also the need for developing a center for activities, such as a community center or downtown activity area. The need for additional recreational playing fields was also noted.

PAST LAND USES

An examination of how Dunbarton utilized the land before present day gives a context of the evolution of land uses through to 2004. The past also provides a basis for future decision making and modifications to existing regulations.

1752 – 1982 Dunbarton was primarily an agricultural town with dairy, wool, hops, wheat and other crops being the main source of income for residents. Development was disbursed throughout the Town adjacent to large tracts of agricultural or forested lands. Major Caleb Stark opened the first store in 1780 at Pages Corner. Forestry was the first industry in Dunbarton. The Stark Mill was constructed in the mid 1700’s, which influenced the construction of new housing and transportation routes between Dunbarton and Goffstown (now Route 13). This was the first highway laid out in Dunbarton (1767). By 1771, schools were established and later formed into several school districts.

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In 1808, eleven permits were issued for inn keepers, most of them including the right to “mix and sell spiritous liquors”. Many old houses were once inns. Summer boarding houses were very popular in the early 1900’s in Dunbarton, including Arbutus Farm, Burnham, Lord and Center View Farm. The summer boarding house era ended with the development of the automobile.

Dunbarton remained mostly agricultural until after the 1930’s. During the 1950’s seasonal housing was constructed at Gorham Pond, consisting of over 100 camps. These lots were very small (100’ x 80’ or .25 to .50 acres). They were intended to be only three-season camps and not suitable for year-round occupancy because of water and septic issues. In addition, there was a community well system for the residents of Gorham Pond Development which was operational only nine months of the year.

With transportation improvements and the decline of the importance of agriculture as an income base, Dunbarton evolved into a “bedroom community”.

In 1980, the Town rezoned lot sizes from two (2) acres to five (5) acres. This was an early attempt to preserve rural character in Dunbarton.

1983 The two major goals from the public meeting for the 1983 Master Plan were to preserve the rural character of the Town and to focus growth around the Village District. The plan concluded that “every attempt should be made to preserve acreage in the categories of wetlands, prime agricultural land and town forests”. The plan recommended that the current zoning of five (5) acres in the Rural Residential and Mobile Home districts and the two (2) acres in the Village District Zone be maintained and that no separate commercial/industrial zone should be created. Commercial development would continue to be allowed by special exception anywhere in Town.

1990 In 1990, the Town established a Medium Density District of three (3) acres to accommodate smaller lots. This District is located east and west of Route 13 between Barnard Hill Road and Mansion Road.

The goals relating to land use from the 1990 Master Plan were to maintain the existing pattern of residential development with a minimum lot size of 5 acres in the rural residential district and higher density in the vicinity of the village center. Another goal was to preserve environmentally sensitive or important lands.

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The Master Plan reported that land uses did not change significantly between 1952 and 1975 and that the historic pattern of development continued to 1990. Existing land use was reported to be mainly forested land with development scattered along existing roadways and only a few new subdivision roads constructed. Commercial and industrial development was non-existent except for a variety of home occupations. The plan reported the conversion of a number of seasonal units into year-round residential units at Gorham Pond.

1991 – Present Dunbarton became known as a popular bedroom community to live in. In addition to developments on existing roadways, subdivisions began to be developed from newly constructed roadways, creating new road frontage. These new roads which were accepted by the Town are now a part of Dunbarton. The first Planned Residential Development (PRD), Old Fort Estates, at the north end of Dunbarton off Route 77 was approved. PRD’s encouraged setting aside of conservation lands for the public benefit.

The Dunbarton Conservation Commission was instrumental in purchasing conservation lands at Kimball Pond and Gorham Pond. In addition, there were benevolent land owners who gave lands to the Town for conservation purposes.

Commercial development started to occur along Route 77. The Zoning Board of Adjustment granted four Special Exceptions for a variety of commercial uses including a well company, inspection station, garage, and a convenience store. These were in addition to company producing electronics on Ray Road, off Route 77.

In the 1990’s, the Town established a Commercial Zone Committee to look into the possibility of developing Commercial Districts and Light Industrial Districts. The Committee presented their proposal to the Town; however, it failed overwhelmingly at Town Meeting. Special Exceptions for commercial uses continue to be the way the Town permits business development.

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EXISTING LAND USE

Dunbarton’s existing land use has been shaped by many factors. History, zoning ordinances and land use regulations figure prominently in making Dunbarton what it is today. The next few sections describe Dunbarton as it exists in 2004, the present zoning and land use regulations and the way in which land is being used and developed.

The Existing Land Use Map was created using the digital tax maps and the assessor’s index. The Subcommittee assisted with correcting and updating the land uses.

Dunbarton’s existing land use consists of large tracts of undeveloped land, which is a combination of privately owned land, conservation properties and Army Corps of Engineers land. Much of the built environment (roads, houses and business uses) is disbursed primarily along Routes 77 and 13, with additional development occurring along larger roadways such as Ray Road, Mansion Road, Gorham Pond Road, Robert Rogers Road and Barnard Road.

Agricultural land was once the major land use in Dunbarton. The Town Assessor’s records from the year 2003 still show that there are approximately 788 acres categorized in the current use program as farmland. The records also show that there is still a significant amount of land in productive forestry, at 7,713 acres in stewardship. This is discussed further on page IX-13.

Using GIS technology and identification of uses on the tax maps, approximate acreage calculations were completed and are depicted in Table IX-9.

Table IX-9 Land Use, 2004 Land Use Acres % of Town Residential 9,367 47% Commercial 253 1% Farm Lands 551 3% Utility Lands 22 0% Roads 499 2.5% Institutional 37 0% Undeveloped 5,075 26% Town 2,582 13% State 22 0% Federal 1,320 7% Total 19,728 99.5% Source: Town Parcel Data, GIS Coverage, Assessor’s Database

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Zoning Districts The current zoning and overlay districts in Dunbarton consist of the following:

Table IX-10 Land Use Controls Town Zoning Districts Town-Adopted Provisions or Regulations

Planned Residential Development (PRD) Low Density Residential permitted by Special Exception per Article 6. Planned Residential Development (PRD) Medium Density Residential permitted by Special Exception per Article 6.

Village District Planned Residential Development (PRD) Manufactured Housing District permitted by Special Exception per Article 6. Conditional approval must be granted by the Planning Board. See Article 5 section E. Structures and septic tank or leach field must be set back 125 Wetland Conservation District Overlay feet from wetlands. Source: Town of Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance adopted February 1990 updated through March 2000

The Village District forms the core of the center of Dunbarton, surrounded by a circle of the Medium Density District. Most of Dunbarton is in the Low Density Residential District. The Manufactured Housing District has been rendered essentially obsolete since manufactured housing units are permitted. The zoning districts are displayed on the Zoning Map.

Though sources differ, the generally accepted land acreage for Dunbarton is 19,728, while water acreage is approximately 816 acres, totaling 20,544 acres. The GIS parcel layer calculate the total Town acreage as 20,051. Displayed in Table IX-11 are the acreages of zoning districts.

Table IX-11 2004 Zoning District Land Acreages Zoning District Acres % of Town Village District 202 1 Medium Density District 2,448 12.2 Low Density District 16,387 81.7 Manufactured Housing District 1,014 5.1 Total 20,051 100 Source: Digital GIS Layers, CNHRPC

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Land Use Regulations

Zoning Ordinance The Zoning Ordinance is the main regulatory land use control in the Town, providing the basis for all growth and development in the Dunbarton. Zoning Ordinances are adopted by a vote at Town Meeting, which only occurs on an annual basis, but may be a subject of a special Town Meeting if necessary. The current ordinance was originally adopted in 1970 and has been updated regularly, most recently in 2004. The key to all development lies in Article 4 A. Table of Uses and Article 4 B. Dimensional requirements. These two provisions are what govern the types of residential and business uses that may be developed in Town and how intensively the land can be used to support these uses through minimum lot sizes, density regulations and setbacks. Another constraint that the Zoning Ordinance places on development is for development in or near the Wetland Overlay District.

Subdivision Regulations Dunbarton’s subdivision regulations were adopted in 1965 and have been revised regularly, most recently in 2004. The Planning Board adopts subdivision regulations and amendments to the regulations only after posting notice and holding a public hearing on the proposed regulations. The subdivision regulations govern the creation of new lots within town and are the technical standards which implement the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.

Site Plan Regulations Site Plan Regulations provide the framework for development of business/commercial uses and multifamily developments. They are also adopted by the Planning Board after posting notice and holding a public hearing. Dunbarton’s Site Plan Regulations were adopted in 1989. Because Dunbarton’s Zoning Ordinance allows most business/commercial uses anywhere in Town with a special exception, Site Plan Regulations provide for specific buffer areas between commercial and residential uses.

Current Use In 1973, the New Hampshire State Legislature enacted RSA 79-A:1 as a result of increased awareness by the State that preservation of open space was in the public interest and that the tax structure was often an obstacle to preservation. Financial burdens were being placed on individuals with large open space land holdings, since property taxation was based on the highest and best use of the land. Thus, the Legislature approved the Current Use tax assessment of property, which allows open land to be assessed at a lower tax rate than the other land uses with the stipulation that the land remain as open space.

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Any change that disqualifies the land from the Current Use assessment would result in a penalty equal to ten percent of the fair market value of the property. This legislation has been an important element in the preservation of open space and has made it possible for many individuals to retain their property as open space.

In Table IX-12, the number of acres removed from the current use program is a good indication of the level of development in a community. Actions which take property out of current use include subdividing and selling parcels of land in lots less than 10 acres in size or the beginning of some type of construction such as a road, house or business. The number of acres removed from the current use program in Dunbarton since 1995 is over 500 acres. The Assessors Office reports that in 2003, Dunbarton had approximately 8,931 acres enrolled in the current use program. Those figures are broken down into Farmland (788.58 acres), Forest (7,713.96 acres), and unproductive/wet (429.14 acres).

Table IX-12 Acres in Removed from Current Use, 1995-2003 Year Land Removed from Current Use 1995 14.5 1996 62.17 1997 32.15 1998 37.26 1999 111.47 2000 89.87 2001 59.89 2002 39.16 2003 59.69 Total 506.16 Source: Dunbarton Assessor’s Records

Residential Uses Tables IX-13 through IX-15 show an increase in the residential population of Dunbarton. The result of this increase, which is in line with most of the abutting communities, has been the creation of more residential lots and subdivisions over the past decade.

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Table IX-13 Population Increase, 1990-2000 Dunbarton and Abutting Communities 1990 2000 % Increase Dunbarton 1,759 2,226 26.5% Bow 5,500 7,138 29.8% Goffstown 14,621 16,929 15.8% Hooksett 9,002 11,721 33.7% Hopkinton 4,806 5,399 12.3% New Boston 3,214 4,138 28.7% Weare 6,193 7,776 22.6% Source: 1990 US Census & 2000 US Census

The population in Dunbarton increased 26.5% from 1990 to 2000, which was second highest in the Central NH Region and the third highest compared with surrounding towns.

Table IX-14 Dwelling Unit Increase, 1990-2000 Dunbarton Housing Composite 1990 2000 Increase, 1990-2000 Single Family 619 816 31.8% Multifamily 43 26 -39.5% Manufactured Homes 23 16 -30.4% Total Dwelling Units 685 858 25.3% Source: 1990 & 2000 US Census

From 1992 to 2000, Dunbarton’s population increased 26.5% and the number of dwelling units increased 25.3%. This is attributed to the almost exclusive construction of single family homes.

Table IX-15 New Building Permits Issued by Type, 1992 – 2002 Dunbarton 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Total Annual Avg Single Family 11 15 9 18 23 35 24 28 36 17 32 248 22.4 Multifamily 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 Manufactured 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 0.4 Homes Commercial 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 4 0.4 Industrial 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.1 Institutional 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 Total Permits 11 16 9 18 24 36 25 28 36 17 30 250 22.7 Source: CNHRPC Development Trends Report, Residential Building Permits 1990-2000; 2001 Dunbarton Town Report; Town Building Permit Data

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On average, approximately 23 new dwelling units are constructed in Dunbarton annually. This information differs slightly from that which is found in the HOUSING CHAPTER due to different data collection methods and sources. One of the recommendations of the HOUSING CHAPTER is to systematize the tracking of building permits so the data can be recorded the same way each year, and will thus allow for consistent research findings.

Development Constraints When planning for future land uses, the natural features of the land must be taken into account, such as aquifers, surface water and wetlands, locations of floodplains, and the presence of steep slopes and hydric soils. These natural features are considered constraints to development. These, as well as land permanently protected from development, are illustrated on the Development Constraints Map.

Hydric soils are soils that are poorly or very poorly drained and are not suitable for development. Although not available in digital form for depiction on the Development Constraints Map, the locations of very poorly drained soils strongly correlate with the locations of wetlands as determined by the National Wetlands Inventory. There is also a very strong correlation between the location of hydric soils and watercourses. In many cases, the hydric soils and wetlands drain into water bodies, streams, and intermittent streams.

Development constraints are also discussed in the NATURAL FEATURES CHAPTER.

Construction Materials There are five active gravel excavation operations in Dunbarton permitted by the Town. See the NATURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER, Table VI-9 for details.

Chapter 155:E of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated was enacted August 24, 1979. Although it has been revised considerably since then, the substance of the law remains the same: the municipality is responsible for the regulation of excavation of earth materials to be used as construction aggregate.

The law states that permits are required for any excavation operation unless the operation was active in the two-year period before the law was enacted August 24, 1979, if it is used for highway construction, or if it is attached to a stationary manufacturing plant. Grandfathered operations (operations which produced material of sufficient weight or volume that was commercially useful in the two-year period before August 24, 1979) are subject to the operational and reclamation standards laid out in the law, and they also must apply for a permit if they wish to expand their operation.

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In order for a grandfathered operation to retain its status, it must have filed an Excavation Report with the Planning Board no later than August 4, 1991. Failure to do so results in loss of grandfathered status, and a permit must be requested in order to continue work. The permit requires more stringent standards than the ones that must be complied with in order to run an excavation operation without a permit.

Excavation operations being used exclusively for State or local highway construction do not need a permit; however, the Planning Board must have on file an agreement between the pit owner and the State or local government. This type of excavation must not operate in violation of local zoning, unless an exemption has been granted.

A permit is not required for an excavation operation that on August 4, 1989 was contiguous to or on land contiguous to a stationary manufacturing plant that was in operation as of August 24, 1979 and used earth from the excavation site. No additional permits are required for excavation sites connected to stationary manufacturing plants for which permits had been issued by state or local government since August 24, 1979. These operations are subject to the standards set forth in the permits issued to them for their operation.

Zoning and Rural Character The clear message from the respondents of the Dunbarton Community Survey was that rural character was of greatest importance to preserve and protect. However, the consequences of allowing land to be developed only in 2, 3 or 5 acre lots may lend itself to loss of rural character rather than preserve it. Over the last twenty years, the theory that larger lots would result in fewer homes and less development has incrementally caused an inefficient and unsustainable division of land. The result is an increased reliance on automobiles, fragmented wildlife habitat and the loss of important open space that defines a community’s “rural character”. Although most New Hampshire communities have the goal to maintain rural character in their Master Plans, it is difficult to pin down an exact definition of rural character. The Land Use Subcommittee undertook the challenge of defining rural character for Dunbarton.

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In Dunbarton, rural character has many components:

The built environment that reflects rural character includes: Photo IX-1 • Dirt roads • Farms and barns • Scenic roads • Historic areas such as Pages Corner • Quiet downtown • Low Density • Stone Walls • Vegetated buffers between homes • Large lots • Trails Photo IX-2

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Photo IX-3 The natural environment that is Dunbarton’s rural character includes:

• Open fields • Forest • Wetlands • Undeveloped land • Wildlife habitat • Preserved, conservation land

• Long, unobstructed views • Provisions for outdoor recreational activities (hunting, hiking, paddling, fishing, biking, snowmobiling, snow shoeing) • Serenity • Privacy Photo IX-4

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Business/Commercial enterprises that reflect Dunbarton’s rural character include: • Cottage Industries • Local, small businesses instead of chains and large shopping centers • No rush hour traffic - lack of congestion Photo IX-5

Photo IX-6

Photo IX-7

Photo IX-8

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Town of Dunbarton Build-Out Analysis In 2003, the Town of Dunbarton Planning Board began work on developing a new Dunbarton Master Plan with the assistance of the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC). At the onset of planning for the Master Plan, the Dunbarton Planning Board decided to prepare an analysis of future development potential in Town for future planning considerations.

The objective of the build-out analysis was to estimate the number of potential residential building lots (or dwelling units) based upon today’s zoning ordinance and land use regulations. This analysis gives the Planning Board a tool that can be used to evaluate current land use regulations, as well as model future alternative land use regulations and their impact on lot density and the associated demand on Town Services.

The Build-Out Data Sources In 2001, the Town retained Dollard Associates, Inc. (Dollard) to digitize the Town tax maps, as well as to periodically update the tax maps on an approximate semi- annual basis. In preparing the maps, Dollard referenced their digital maps to New Hampshire State Plane coordinates which are tied to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 1983).

During the Spring of 2004, the Planning Board began the build-out analysis using an October 2003 tax map update prepared by Dollard. The first step of the analysis was to import the digital maps into a Geographic Information System (GIS) format where the individual parcel shapes could be associated with their respective Town Assessor’s Office database records. The Assessor’s Office records included parcel identification number (PIN) (including Map, Block and Lot Number), lot address, zoning district, Current Use status, buildings or land, and land use (including residential, farm, or forestry, etc.). Town-owned properties were identified and segregated by their respective governing authority, while information related to conservation easements on private properties was obtained from Town Conservation Commission records.

In addition to the Assessor’s office parcel information, other data used to develop the build-out analysis were obtained from public planning resources, including the New Hampshire Geographically Referenced Analysis and Information Transfer System (NH GRANIT), which is maintained by the University of New Hampshire and the Office of Energy and Planning. These data included the 1998 digital orthoquadrangle (DOQ) aerial photographs, as well as National Wetlands Inventory, hydrography, and roads data.

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Available 2000 Census data indicate that there were approximately 832 single family (including manufactured) and 26 multi-family dwelling units in Dunbarton in 2000. Between 2000 and 2003, the Town issued 62 building permits for single family dwellings, bringing the total number of dwelling units to approximately 920 through 2003. Tax Assessor’s records and estimates by the Town Planning Board indicate that the Town had approximately 32 multi-family (MF) dwelling units situated on approximately 20 properties in 2003. By this estimate, the Town has approximately 920 dwelling units situated on approximately 908 parcels. Available Town census records estimate the 2003 town population at approximately 2,428 people. Table 1X- 16 below summarizes Dunbarton’s 2003 estimated number of residential properties and population. Table IX-16 Build-out Data Estimated Number Description of Lots/Units, 2003 Low Density Residential (LDR) Lots 1,000 Medium Density Residential (MDR) and Village District (VD) Lots 228 Total Number of Lots 1,228

Total Approximate Number of Dwelling Units 920 Number of Lots with Multi-Family Dwelling Units 20 Existing Multi-Family Dwelling Units 32 Total Approximate Number of Developed Residential Properties 908

2003 Estimated Town Population 2,428

The Build-Out Analytical Methods The build-out analysis followed the following steps:

• All parcels were initially screened for factors that would limit further subdivision. In general, parcels that were identified as “publicly-owned” (Town, State, or Federal) land, ecumenical properties, or parcels that were restricted from further development by conservation easement were removed from further consideration in the build-out analysis. These properties included: the Army Corps of Engineers (Everett Dam Flood Control Area); church and cemetery properties; miscellaneous Town properties (including offices, library, transfer station, garage and properties taken for back taxes); Town Forest properties; Conservation Commission properties; the Kuncanowet Town Forest and Conservation Area and State of New Hampshire properties. These properties are considered “Non-Tax” properties and account for approximately 20.5% of the total Dunbarton land area. Properties protected by conservation easements accounted for approximately 3.9% of the total Dunbarton land area. For the purposes of this analysis, the non-tax conservation easement properties are considered undevelopable.

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• All remaining developable parcels (whether built upon or not) were then segregated by zoning district, including: the Low Density Residential (LDR) district, which has a 5-acre minimum lot size; the Medium Density Residential (MDR), which has a 3-acre minimum lot size; and the Village District, which has a 2-acre minimum lot size. For simplicity, this analysis combined the MDR and VD districts into one grouping (MDR/VD) as the minimum lot sizes are similar, and VD district is relatively small. Based on the October 2003 tax maps, there are approximately 1,000 developable parcels in the LDR district and approximately 228 developable parcels in the MDR/VD district. The developable LDR and MDR/VD districts accounted for approximately 60.9% and 12.2% of the total Dunbarton land area, respectively.

• Minimum lots sizes for each district were then increased by a factor of 50% to represent the anticipated average number of acres required for subdivision in each district. This factor is based on typical design issues (e.g. irregular lot shape, dedication of land to the Town for road construction, etc.) encountered during the subdivision process which tend to increase the actual number of acres required per lot. Therefore, average minimum lot sizes used in this analysis were 7.5 acres and 4.5 acres for the LDR and the MDR/VD districts, respectively. These average minimum lot sizes are consistent with average minimum lots sizes generated during recent subdivisions in Town.

• Parcels were then considered “subdividable” if they had a land area that was two times or more the average minimum lot size for each respective district. Therefore, parcels with acreages greater than or equal to 15 acres in the LDR district and 9 acres in the MDR/VD district were considered subdividable. Based on the October 2003 tax maps, there are approximately 186 subdividable parcels in the LDR and approximately 53 subdividable parcels in the MDR/VD.

• Parcels abutting town roads were considered to have adequate frontage (see Limitation 1 below), while land-locked parcels were considered not to have frontage. Table IX-16 presents a breakdown of the estimated subdividable properties both with and without frontage in Town.

• Based on the October 2003 tax map, there are approximately 219 parcels located within the Multi-Family (MF) zoning district overlay, which was approved by the Town at the March 2004 Town Meeting. Build-out of these parcels was additionally assessed using the number of building units per acreage allowable under Multi-Family Ordinance. The following table, Table IX-17, illustrates the number of units allowed per acreage for the LDR and MDR districts.

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Table IX-17 Multi-Family Allowable Acreage Number of Units 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 … LDR (acres) 5 7 9 11 16 18 20 22 27 29 … MDR/VD (acres) 3 5 7 9 12 14 16 18 21 23 …

Build-Out Analysis Results The build-out analysis results are summarized below in Table IX-18.

Table IX-18 Build-out Analysis Results* Description Number of Lots/Units 2003 Estimated Residential Population Percent of Properties with Dwelling Units 74% Approximate Number of Residents 2,428 Approximate Number of Residents per Residential Property 2.67

2003 Number of Lots LDR Un-Subdividable Lots 814 MDR and VD Un-Subdividable Lots 175 LDR Subdividable Lots with Frontage 120 LDR Subdividable Lots without Frontage 66 MDR and VD Subdividable Lots with Frontage 41 MDR and VD Subdividable Lots without Frontage 12 2003 Total Number of Lots 1,228 2003 Estimated Town Population 2,428

Build-Out Study without Multi-Family on Available Frontage LDR Un-Subdividable Lots 814 MDR and VD Un-Subdividable Lots 175 LDR Subdividable Lots 680 MDR and VD Subdividable Lots 308 Total Number of Potential Lots 1,977 Estimated Town Population 5,287

Build-Out Study without Multi-Family on All Lots LDR Un-Subdividable Lots 814 MDR and VD Un-Subdividable Lots 175 LDR Subdividable Lots 1,008 MDR and VD Subdividable Lots 380 Total Number of Potential Lots 2,377 Estimated Town Population 6,356

Build-Out Study with Multi-Family on All Lots LDR Un-Subdividable Lots 814 MDR and VD Un-Subdividable Lots 175 LDR Multi-Family 529 MDR and VD Multi-Family 365 Non-MF LDR Subdividable Lots 838 Non-MF MDR and VD Subdividable Lots 204 Total Number of Potential Dwelling Units 2,925 Estimated Town Population 7,821

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*Notes 1. Build-Out Study without Multi-Family on Available Frontage assumes development of only parcels that abut and can be accessed from existing town roads. 2. Build-Out Study without Multi-Family on All Lots assumes development of all parcels, including parcels that do not have current access to existing town roads. 3. Build-Out Study with Multi-Family on All Lots assumes development of all parcels, including parcels that do not have current access to existing town roads, and full development using existing multifamily density formula.

Highlights of the analysis are provided below:

• Assuming there are approximately 1,228 developable parcels in Town with approximately 908 developed residential properties with one or more dwelling units, approximately 74% of the available developable properties are occupied by a residential building.

• Assuming there are approximately 2,428 residents in Town, there are approximately 2.67 residents per residential property.

• There are approximately 989 residential lots in Town that cannot be further subdivided under the Town’s existing zoning ordinance and land use regulations.

• There is potential for the creation of approximately 988 new residential building lots from subdivision of approximately 161 existing parcels with frontage on existing Town roads. Combined with the approximately 989 un- subdividable parcels, the total number of building lots suitable for residential development with access to existing Town roads is estimated at approximately 1,977. Assuming an average population density of 2.67 persons per dwelling unit, the estimated build-out population for lots with frontage is approximately 5,287 persons.

• Similarly, subdivision of all 239 existing potential developable parcels (both with and without frontage) would potentially create approximately 1,388 new residential building lots and a total of 2,377 buildable lots. The corresponding estimated built-out population for all existing developable lots is approximately 6,356 persons.

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• Finally, subdivision of all 239 existing potential developable parcels (both with and without frontage) would potentially create approximately 1,936 new residential dwelling units and a total of approximately 2,925 total dwelling units based on the current Town Multi-Family Zoning Ordinance. The corresponding built-out population for all potential dwelling units (comprised of both single family and multi-family residential development) is estimated at approximately 7,821 persons.

Build-out Analysis Limitations 1. The build-out analysis did not consider minimum lot frontage requirements in assessing the ability to subdivide a parcel. It was assumed that if frontage were required, additional frontage would be generated during the subdivision process through construction of a new road.

2. Frontage on Town roads includes frontage on existing Class V and Class VI roads (not-Town-maintained).

3. The build-out analysis did not assess the impact of the “Large Lot Zoning” amendments approved by the Town at the March 2004 Town Meeting. It is assumed that Large Lot Zoning would decrease the overall number of building lots in each build-out scenario.

4. Future Town population estimates are based on an estimated approximate 2.67 persons per residential property, which is subject to change.

5. Dwelling units are used in place of building lots in analyses considering the impact of the Town’s Multi-Family Zoning District overlay as potentially more than one dwelling unit may occupy one lot or parcel.

6. The Planning Board developed this build-out assessment as a planning tool for use by the Town of Dunbarton. The data and analyses presented herein provide only an estimate of current and future development potential and conditions in Town. Variations in actual conditions are anticipated.

7. In preparing this report, the Planning Board relied on certain information provided by other parties referenced herein. Although there may have been some degree of overlap in the information provided by these various sources, the Planning Board did not attempt to independently verify the accuracy or completeness of all information reviewed or received during the course of this work.

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FUTURE LAND USE

The primary focus of the 2004 Dunbarton Master Plan is to channel future land use so as to preserve the rural character of the town. We must face the inevitable: that Dunbarton will continue to grow. We recognize the pressures of development in Dunbarton. As long as there is land here for sale, and people are willing to buy it, development will continue in Dunbarton.

Neighboring towns have attempted to stop development, often at the last minute. The result is that these communities, with no prior planning in place, have incurred massive legal fees, followed by defeat in court and an onslaught of uncontrolled development. There are available tools to manage growth and development, starting with a Master Plan, ranging through a capital improvements program and even a growth management ordinance (see Techniques to Shape Future Land Use below). It is important to look at growth in Dunbarton as a system: the pressures of development and the values of the Town have to work in harmony to achieve the best results.

Our Master Plan attempts to reconcile the fact that future development will occur with the expressed desire of almost 90% of survey respondents to “preserve the rural character” of the town (see “Rural Character Definition” above).

The vision of “rural character” that people tend to admire is representative of a version of Dunbarton which is long past: farms belonging to a single family, with a cluster of house, barn and outbuildings surrounded by hundreds of acres of fields, orchards and forest, and organized around a village center where people went for provisions, town government, social affairs and church. We can represent this schematically:

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Figure IX-1 Large Rural Parcel

Today, Dunbarton is effectively a suburb of Concord, Manchester and even the Boston area. There are very few working farms in Dunbarton; the village center, while beautiful and well-preserved, has no economic function; and the primary functions of the Town are housing and education.

Most respondents to the survey and participants in the visioning sessions of the Master Plan expressed satisfaction with the current 5-acre, 1-house zoning. This is represented as a way to continue “rural character”. The prevailing idea is that, the larger the minimum lot, the more ‘rural’ the area will appear. However, experience has shown that this type of zoning, alone, tends to create “rural sprawl” – a proliferation of 5 acre lots with large, single family houses centered on them, in effect suburbia with bloat ... the opposite of “rural character”.

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Figure IX-2 Large Parcel with Traditional Subdivision

While allowing for necessary growth, we believe that it is possible to put into zoning ordinances both controls and incentives to direct future developments toward land use patterns that in fact preserve rural character while preventing rural sprawl.

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Figure IX-3 Large Parcel with Planned Unit Development Subdivision

Our vision for the Master Plan builds on the existing Planned Residential Development (PRD) segment of the existing Zoning Ordinance (Article 6). We believe that the PRD segment is well-designed to create, essentially, mini-New England Villages within Dunbarton, which cluster housing and possibly other municipal facilities such as stores within a larger development, with the purpose of preserving open space, forest, conservation areas, trails, and buffer zones surrounding the development. To the existing Ordinance, we would like to add incentives to make this more attractive to developers (see Techniques to Shape Future Growth, below).

From responses of residents to the survey and visioning activities, and from discussions at meetings of the Land Use Subcommittee, other elements of a vision for future land use have emerged:

• Acquire more land for conservation and low-impact recreation; • Maintain historic properties; • Maintain agriculture and forestry; • Protect wetlands; • Develop a trail network; and • Create a ‘no-cut’ buffer zone so that developments are not visible from the road.

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Participants in the 5th-grade visioning session emphasized open space, conservation, wildlife and outdoor recreation. They also had a number of suggestions for facilities in the town center, such as playgrounds and sports fields.

About half of the adult participants in these activities wanted to see a revitalized town center, with small businesses and a place to meet people over coffee. And a minority of adult participants would like to see even larger-lot zoning districts, on the order of 10- or 20-acre, or larger.

The vision of future land use in Dunbarton is displayed on the Future Land Use Map.

Specific Future Land Use Recommendations

1. The current Manufactured Housing District (MHD) is recognized by the Planning Board as merely a paper district, since manufactured housing is allowed anywhere in the town’s Low Density Residential (LDR) districts. We recommend eliminating the MHD and redistricting this area as LDR.

2. The Gorham Pond area is nominally an LDR district with 5 acre lots; in fact, for a number of years it has been a village of less-than-one-acre lots. This reality should be recognized in the Zoning Ordinance and the area should be given its own district designation (e.g. High Density Residential). For the future, we recommend that this High Density Residential area be confined to its present bounds, with the adjoining non-conservation land clearly designated as LDR. We also recommend that appropriate development controls be applied to that area, so that, for example, realistic and healthful provisions are made for water supply and sewage disposal – in particular, protecting Gorham Pond, and neighbors – and realistic controls are applied to the height of buildings in the existing small lots, to preserve neighbors’ views.

3. The 2004 Town Meeting passed an ordinance permitting multi-family dwellings along the corridors of Route 13 and Route 77, and restricting these dwellings to those corridors. We envision a future when developers do build multi-family housing in these corridors, helping to fulfill our obligations for affordable housing, and bringing greater income diversity to Dunbarton.

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4. The Dunbarton Conservation Commission has identified six priority areas for permanent conservation through outright purchase, donation or conservation easements. This includes any opportunity to expand or connect any of the following areas:

a. Kimball Pond/Kimball Pond Conservation Area b. Gorham Pond/ Kuncanowet Town Forest and Conservation Area c. Long Pond d. Purgatory Pond e. Bela Brook f. Harry Brook

The unofficial second level priorities are: a. Land adjacent to currently protected land (other than the above areas), especially if it provides a connection between two currently protected lands. b. Land with significant natural features c. Farm land.

The efforts of land protection and conservation should be encouraged by the Town and regulations should be reviewed to encourage any development near these areas be done in a way which enhances the open space links and maintains the ecological value of the conservation lands.

5. The Planning Board should take advantage of the recent amendment to RSA 674:35 I, under which the Town Meeting can authorize the Planning Board to require applicants to submit a preliminary application prior to formal submittal of applications. This would allow a developer to consult with the Planning Board as to the preferred development of a particular piece of property. If the Planning Board can provide input prior to the engineering design of property, it will save time and money for all in the long run.

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The Future Land Use Map A Future Land Use Map is intended to guide future decisions regarding potential zoning and land use changes in order to preserve the assets of the Town and make consideration for elements such as businesses, homes, and industries already established. As illustrated by the Existing Land Use Map, much of Dunbarton’s existing road frontage has been developed with single-family homes. A great deal of land is used for forestry or agricultural purposes and large lots remain in Town.

With these considerations, the Future Land Use Map in this Chapter focuses on potential conservation areas and possible areas in which to focus innovative zoning (in blue). There is great potential for linking existing conservation lands in Dunbarton, which enhances the wildlife corridors and ecological value of the conservation areas. To that end, the Town should encourage through incentives planned residential or open space development in the areas that have the greatest potential to link conservation lands. Innovative zoning techniques are also recommended for the rest of Dunbarton.

Techniques to Shape Future Land Use

RSA 674:21 Innovative Zoning The most powerful and creative tools a community can use to shape its future growth are found in RSA 674:21, Innovative Zoning. This enabling legislation allows communities to develop ordinances to protect natural features such as wetlands and steep slopes and to require development to meet specialized standards and criteria.

The paragraphs below give brief explanations for some of these tools.

RSA 674:21 I. (H) – Performance Zoning In a future revision of the Zoning Ordinance, the Town could consider the implementation of performance zoning for commercial, industrial, and multi-family developments. Performance zoning establishes both the standards that must be met by development, as well as the process that measures the effect that the impact of development would have on the community.

Performance standards establish definite measurements that determine whether the effects of a particular use will be within permissible levels. Performance standards commonly employed include standards related to noise, vibration, smoke, odor, runoff, illumination, signs, groundwater, road impact (i.e. number of trips generated by a use), landscaping, multi-family and commercial building aesthetics, and school impact. Communities that have adopted performance standards for commercial and industrial development include the Towns of Bow and Bedford, New Hampshire.

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RSA 674:21 I. (C) – Incentive Bonuses Incentives encourage developers to build projects above and beyond baseline standards included in the Zoning Ordinance. Incentive zoning is a voluntary exchange of development incentives for public benefits between a community and a developer. There are three basic categories of incentive bonuses: (1) intensity incentives, (2) use incentives, and (3) inclusionary incentives.

Intensity incentives allow developers a greater or more intensive use of the property. Such incentives usually allow developers to construct more units on a property, have greater amounts of impervious surface, or more square footage for commercial buildings. A typical example of an incentive usually included in this type of ordinance could be a density bonus in exchange for setting aside open space in a development for public use, construction of trails, or construction of recreational facilities.

Land use incentives permit mixing of uses in a development or provide for unspecified uses. For example, a convenience store may be permitted in a housing development, or residential units may be allowed as part of a retail development. In exchange for such benefits, developers are usually required to provide the Town with construction of public infrastructure, such as parks, boat ramps, swimming areas, recreational facilities, pedestrian infrastructure, public parking spaces, or open space.

Inclusionsary incentives encourage the development of affordable housing. Often, communities will allow developers to construct planned residential developments if a specified percentage of the housing units are used for affordable housing under the guidelines specified under the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

RSA 674:21 I. (F) – Open Space Development An answer to the sprawling landform created under conventional cookie cutter subdivisions is a new approach to subdivision design for rural areas, as outlined in the book entitled Conservation Design for Subdivisions: A Practical Guide to Creating Open Space Networks, by Randall Arendt (Island Press, 1996). Arendt's book depicts a scenario for the development of a parcel under the conservation development design process. In its most basic form, the conservation development process can be broken into six logical steps, which are not the typical steps taken for a conventional subdivision.

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Under this approach, a developer could use existing minimum lot sizes as the basis for conventional residential density on the best soils, with reduced densities according to declining soil quality. The minimum lot sizes that are currently in place for residential uses should represent the maximum aggregate density on the best soils under the soils-based lot sizing approach. Lower quality soils would require lower density development. Primary conservation areas may include wetlands, steep slopes, aquifer recharge zones, and floodplains. Secondary conservation areas may include stonewalls, viewsheds, prominent vegetation, prominent landforms, prime agricultural soils, historic sites and features, archeological sites, and communities and species identified in the Natural Heritage Inventory.

The six steps are as follows:

1. Create a "yield plan" for the site that assesses the number of viable building lots on the site under a conventional subdivision design. This plan establishes the density for the conservation development design. Although a yield plan is conceptual, it must be consistent with Town ordinances and regulations already in place.

2. Prepare a conservation site analysis plan that identifies prominent open spaces and important natural features broken out into primary and secondary conservation areas. Primary conservation areas are those resources for which development should be excluded almost without exception.

Secondary conservation areas are those that should not be developed, if at all possible.

3. After evaluating the primary and secondary conservation areas, locate the portions of the site most suitable for development.

4. Locate dwelling unit sites using innovative arrangements to maximize views of open space and resources.

5. Locate and design the roadway and pedestrian travel ways. Maximize the protection of viewsheds and natural terrain in the design. Locate septic fields.

6. Delineate lot lines.

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RSA 674:21 I. (N) – Village Plan Alternative The legislature recently added the option for communities to enact village plan alternative developments. Village plans would allow denser developments with mixed uses on 20% of the parcel while preserving the majority of the parcel in open space. The Rockingham Regional Planning Commission has developed a model village plan ordinance, which is worth investigating, particularly for multifamily or larger unit development proposals.

RSA 674:21 I. (J) – Environmental Characteristics Zoning: Aquifer Protection Protection of the aquifers and of any future-located drinking water supplies cannot be over-emphasized. Hazards to the water supply must be contained so as to prevent pollution of drinking water. Education of landowners with respect to utilizing best management practices should be an integral part of each inspection.

RSA 674:21 I. (J) – Environmental Characteristics Zoning: Steep Slope Protection As Dunbarton continues to grow in the future, more desirable development locations, such as those with less restrictive soils and more gentle slopes will be developed. As this happens, more development pressure will be focused towards locations that are more costly and difficult to develop. Areas with steep slopes are such locations where development pressures will be focused and where protections will be needed to preserve those important resources. Reasons to protect areas with steep slopes are as follows: to promote public safety; to minimize flooding, landslides, mudslides, and erosion; to minimize soil instability and siltation of seasonal and year round streams and wetlands; to preserve natural drainage ways; to protect rare and critical environments, wildlife, fragile soils, and unique geologic features; and to protect and preserve the scenic character of hillside areas.

Steep slope regulations should contain restrictions on minimum lot size, grading restrictions, roadway placement and design; slope easements should be required for all new subdivisions.

RSA 674:21 I. (J) – Environmental Characteristics Zoning: Wetlands Setbacks and Buffers Wetlands are natural resources that provide considerable development constraints. Wetlands pose development restrictions due to poor drainage, high water tables, slow percolation rates for septic systems, unstable conditions for foundations, and susceptibility to flooding. Wetlands are typically defined by three parameters: drainage, soil type, and vegetation. The National Wetlands inventory defines wetlands by hydrology, hydric soils, and vegetation, including trees and plants that dominate wetland areas and require wet conditions to grow.

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The NH Legislature recently made amendments to the definition of wetlands and requires NH municipalities to use the new definition and requirement when regulating wetlands.

The new wetlands definition is found in RSA 482-A:2

X. “Wetlands” means an area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal conditions does support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

The new requirement for municipalities is found in RSA 674 :

674:55 Wetlands. Wherever the term “wetlands,” whether singular or plural, is used in regulations and ordinances adopted pursuant to this chapter, such term shall be given the meaning in RSA 482-A:2, X and the delineation of wetlands for purposes of such regulations and ordinances shall be as prescribed in rules adopted under RSA 482-A. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to limit the powers otherwise granted under this chapter for municipalities to plan land use and enact regulations based on consideration of environmental characteristics, vegetation, wildlife habit, open space, drainage, potential for flooding, and protection of natural resources, including critical or sensitive areas or resources and groundwater. In the context of such authority, municipalities may define and delineate resources or environmental characteristics, such as wet soils or areas, and shoreline or buffer areas, in a manner different from the common meaning and delineation of wetlands required herein.

Wetlands have been viewed in the past as areas with little economic value and have been subjected to filling, draining, and dumping with little regard for the consequences. In recent times, however, science has shown that wetlands provide a number of benefits to the community. Wetlands serve a myriad of purposes: flood control, water storage and ground water recharge, erosion and sedimentation control, pollution filtration, wildlife habitat, education and recreation, and environmental health and biodiversity.

When updating the Town’s current ordinances with respect to wetland buffers, the criteria established in Buffers for Wetlands and Surface Waters: A Guidebook for New Hampshire Municipalities should be used as a primary reference.

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RSA 674:21 I. (J) – Environmental Characteristics Zoning: Forest Management With a great deal of land in Dunbarton being forested, forestry is an important, traditional land use. Responsible timber management maintains open spaces, rural viewsheds, and viable income from land without permanently developing it into other uses such as housing.

While voluntary, the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) should be encouraged and supported to assure that soil is conserved and water quality is maintained. Large lot zoning with tax incentives should be considered to encourage landowners to keep parcels under timber management. Incentives should be provided to those owners who responsibly manage their forestlands and implement Best Management Practices.

RSA 674:21 I. (J) – Environmental Characteristics Zoning: Erosion and Sedimentation Control During site preparation of a residential or commercial development, pollution loads can increase, sometimes dramatically, as sites are excavated and developed. Soil is exposed during development as vegetation is removed and excavation takes place. Bare soil particles are dislodged by rainfall and can be carried downslope as sediment to streams, lakes, and wetlands. Runoff can increase and have a greater ability to transport pollutants and constructed impervious surfaces (roofs and pavements) reduce infiltration and can modify flow patterns. Higher runoff rates can result in flooding and erosion of previously stable streams and act as a vector for delivering much larger quantities of pollutants.

Erosion control and prevention plans should be submitted for subdivisions and site plans for verification that specific conditions will be met prior to the issuance of a building permit. The review and verification process for submitted plans will also determine whether or not a Site Specific Permit is required from DES. RSA 485- A:17, known as the Alteration of Terrain Program or “Site Specific Program,” requires a permit from DES for any earth disturbance greater than 100,000 square feet, or 50,000 square feet within the protected shoreline area. The permit involves both temporary erosion control measures during construction and permanent controls on the impacts of stormwater effects following construction.

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Low impact development stormwater management techniques allow for ecologically sound development by preserving water on site. By employing techniques that preserve water on site, the hydrological and ecological base is not completely decimated by development, and is, at best, maintained. At a minimum, developers and contractors need to demonstrate that they will provide pollutant control by professional planning, design, construction, and implementation of BMPs. Designs and site plans should demonstrate measures to retain natural vegetation where possible, especially at waterbodies, wetlands and steep slopes. Developers and contractors should not only have a commitment to integrating BMPs into overall development plans but also for monitoring practices and adjusting, maintaining, and repairing periodically and after every storm.

RSA 674:21 I. (J) – Environmental Characteristics Zoning: Protection / Buffers / Setbacks from Surface Waters Buffers adjacent to shoreland and wetlands reduce the adverse effects of human activities on these resources by protecting water quality, protecting and providing wildlife habitat, reducing direct human disturbance, and maintaining aesthetic qualities and potential recreational value. The loss of buffers through variances/waivers and through illegal activities should be minimized. A well-educated constituency advocating the appropriate development of shorelands will more likely support and adhere to the regulations made by Town decision makers.

RSA 674:21 I. (M) – Impact Fees An impact is a proportionate fee, based upon a scientific formula, charged to all new housing and or commercial units at the time a certificate of occupancy is issued. All new construction, including residential, whether on existing or newly created lots, is subject to the fee. Fees earmarked specifically for community facilities such as schools, roads, pedestrian infrastructure, recreation and parks, libraries and other specific town services can be collected.

Under RSA 674:21, municipalities are permitted to charge impact fees, provided they have properly adopted a master plan and capital improvements plan. If the collected impact fees are not used within six years, they must be refunded with appropriate interest. Municipalities must adopt an impact fee ordinance as part of the zoning ordinance. This ordinance should specify fees to be paid by all new construction based upon a professionally prepared study of capital costs associated with expansion of infrastructure.

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A fee schedule is then developed which takes into consideration calculations and formulas based upon area population, school-age population, the number of bedrooms in a home, the road capacity, etc. Slow growing communities that adopt impact fees are more susceptible to successful legal challenges.

Agriculture Agriculture is another traditional land usein Dunbarton. Agriculture allows for self- sufficiency in food production, helps maintain the traditional cultural and visual character of the Town, and promotes the conservation of open space.

The NH Legislature has recognized the right to farm as an important component of preserving farmland. Zoning and land-use regulations should be structured to encourage responsible and well-managed agricultural operations. These operations should implement BMPs. While voluntary, the implementation of BMPs should be encouraged and supported to assure that soil is conserved and water quality is maintained. Large lot zoning with tax incentives should be considered to encourage landowners to use their land for active agricultural management. Incentives should be provided to operations that responsibly manage their agricultural lands and implement Best Management Practices.

RSA 674:21 & 22 – Growth Management Ordinance In communities concerned about the rate and effect of growth on the communities’ infrastructure, the Planning Board can develop a growth management ordinance that can either limit the number of allowable building permits or require phasing of subdivisions if certain local and regional criteria related to growth are met. This ordinance may be enacted in accordance with New Hampshire RSA 674:21 (Innovative Land Use Controls) or RSA 674:22 (Growth Management; Timing of Development).

Prior to developing a growth management ordinance, the Town must prepare a master plan as well as a capital improvements program. In addition, a review of local needs and local and regional growth trends must be completed in an effort to assess the need for the ordinance. The assessment can be included in the ordinance itself as a “Finding of Fact.” Examples of local and regional trends to follow and compile include the following:

1. The average annual percent increase in building permits for dwelling units for the past 10 years, as compared to abutting communities and the central New Hampshire average.

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2. The average annual percent population growth, as reported by the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, compared to the same average of combined abutting communities and the central New Hampshire region.

3. Forecasts of the number of public school students enrolled, or projected for enrollment, for the coming year exceeds 90% of stated capacity of the Dunbarton Elementary School as defined by the School Board.

4. The annual full value tax rate of Dunbarton, as reported by NH Department of Revenue Administration, exceeds the average rate of the combined abutting communities or the central New Hampshire region for the same reporting year.

5. Capacity of community facilities and roadways to handle (unexpected/unplanned) growth.

As noted above, the Planning Board may prepare a growth management ordinance for approval by the Town if some or all of the growth criteria are met. The ordinance may include either phasing or permit limitations (or both), but must be the result of careful study.

SUMMARY

Following the Community Survey and the Community Visioning Forum (including the 5th-Grader and Teenager Visioning Forums), the Subcommittee determined that key land use objectives for the people of Dunbarton included: preserving the rural character of the town, maintaining the basic zoning approach of lot sizes of 2, 3 and 5 acres, protecting natural and built characteristics of rural character, expanding conservation land, and exploring innovative zoning techniques.

The central recommendations of the Subcommittee involve revisions to the zoning ordinance to identify and implement opportunities for innovative zoning, including but not limited to Planned Residential Development, incentive bonuses and Open Space Development, in order to maintain the housing density of the town while discouraging “rural sprawl”.

The Subcommittee created a Future Land Use Map which included a delineation of areas where innovative zoning techniques would have the added value of enhancing existing conservation corridors and open space links. Other recommendations included developing zoning and regulations specifically for the Gorham Pond area, and requiring a process of Pre-Application to the Planning Board for any future subdivisions.

- Respectfully Submitted, Lee Richmond, Land Use Subcommittee Chair

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Chapter X REGIONAL CONCERNS

DUNBARTON WITHIN THE CENTRAL NH REGION

While the Dunbarton Master Plan focuses on issues within the Town or within the control of the Town, some emphasis should be given to the outside influences that have an impact on the community. Within the Central NH Region and beyond, regional concerns such as environmental factors, population and housing growth, schooling, and transportation pressures strongly affect the Town of Dunbarton.

Partnership opportunities are identified to foster good relations with neighboring communities on issues that affect multiple towns. Involvement in regional projects which include Dunbarton will help the community better place itself in a larger context and participate in activities which will benefit the Town. In this Chapter, specific ideas about how Dunbarton can become involved in those issues most important to the Town are given as well as a series of recommendations to help guide the Town in thinking how its actions can have an effect on the entire Region.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAPTER AND RECOMMENDATIONS

- To take proactive action on regional issues which affect Dunbarton.

• Develop a Capital Improvements Program which is updated on a yearly basis to track and plan for necessary expenditures for the Town’s facilities and infrastructure. [Regional Impacts of Growth]

• Take advantage of the upcoming NH DOT Community Technical Assistance Program which awards funds to communities to undertake planning and growth measuring projects. [Regional Impacts of Growth and I-93 Salem- Manchester]

• Reevaluate the need every few years for growth management techniques. [Regional Impacts of Growth]

• Encourage innovative zoning techniques, such as Planned Residential Development and Open Space Development, which allow for more compact development. [Regional Impacts of Growth]

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• Perform a study on the growth of the Dunbarton student population which measures past, existing, and anticipated enrollments at the Dunbarton Elementary School as well as at Goffstown’s Mountain View Middle School and Goffstown High School. [Regional Impacts of Growth]

• Reevaluate the need for smaller lot sizes in appropriate areas of Dunbarton to accommodate mixed uses, a village design, and more concentrated development. [Regional Impacts of Growth]

• Protect sensitive parcels of land from development through conservation easement acquisition or fee ownership. [Regional Impacts of Growth]

• Investigate the possibility of opening a contractual Post Office in one of the country stores. [Dependence on Surrounding Towns]

• Maintain adequate cellular telephone coverage in all areas of Town. [Dependence on Surrounding Towns]

• Promote neighborhood and community activities to ensure residents are invested in providing assistance to one another. [Dependence on Surrounding Towns]

• Begin an assessment and study by 2011 of Goffstown’s Grade 7-12 quality and cost of education, and students’ educational needs and educational opportunities in preparation for the expiration of the current AREA Agreement on July 1, 2014. [Education of Dunbarton Students in Goffstown]

• Examine the shared contiguous open spaces with Hopkinton, Weare, Hooksett, and Bow and make a plan to conserve larger land areas that connect green corridors. [Develop Relationships with Hopkinton, Weare, Hooksett, and Bow]

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- To take proactive action to control the effect of the Town’s internal concerns on Dunbarton, neighboring Towns, and the Region.

• Provide incentives to encourage developers to build attractive affordable housing. [Affordable Housing and Housing Stock Diversity]

• Develop outreach programs, such as brochures, workshops on topics of interest, and Town Meeting booths, to inform new and long-time residents about Town events. [Changing Demographic Composition of Community]

• Encourage affordable housing to attract grown Dunbarton children with families back to the community. [Changing Demographic Composition of Community]

- To become involved with state or regional groups, organizations, and agencies to form relationships and to take advantage of free or low cost services and information.

• Sustain the Town’s relationship with CNHRPC to ensure that Dunbarton continues to have professional planning resources available. [Central NH Regional Planning Commission]

• Continue representation on the CNHRPC’s Regional Resource Conservation Committee (R2C2). [Regional Resource Conservation Committee]

• Provide a link on the Town website to the R2C2 minutes to keep the public informed on regional conservation events. [Regional Resource Conservation Committee]

• Appoint a representative to CNHRPC’s Transportation Advisory Committee to ensure that the transportation interests of Dunbarton are represented. [Transportation Advisory Committee]

• Encourage the Planning Board and Zoning Board to subscribe to the free Plan- Link List Serve to be kept abreast of issues other towns in New Hampshire are facing with respect to growth. [NH Office of Energy and Planning]

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• Encourage Town officials to regularly visit the NH OEP website to view the calendar of, and attend, educational planning workshops and events. [NH Office of Energy and Planning]

• Enhance the Town’s use of NHMA’s services to take full advantage of Dunbarton’s membership. [NH Municipal Association]

INFLUENCES FROM NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES, THE REGION, AND THE STATE

Dunbarton has a number of exterior influences which may affect the Town but which the community has little control over. This section highlights the primary influences that Dunbarton should be concerned about and offers suggestions about how the Town can get involved. Participation in these multi-town activities will ensure that Dunbarton has more control over what will happen. For many of these issues, Dunbarton can similarly affect other communities with its own actions.

Regional Impact of Growth According to the US Census, Dunbarton had a population of 2,226 people in the year 2000, a percentage increase of 26.5% (467 persons) from 1990. Surrounding communities have increased similarly during that time period, with a low of 12.3% in Hopkinton to a high of 33.7% in Hooksett. The NH Office of Energy and Planning projects that by 2010, the population may reach as high as 2,580 in Dunbarton (an increase of 15.9%). Similar increases noted in projected estimates for the surrounding communities, from a low of 12.6% (681 people) in Hopkinton to a high of 21.7% (2,549 people) in Hooksett. Although population estimates and projections are best guesses only and the methodology can differ, this information is displayed in the POPULATION AND ECONOMICS CHAPTER and should be interpreted lightly.

A larger population base equates to more housing, the need for more community facilities and infrastructure, and the loss of undeveloped lands. Interstate 93 transportation improvements will have effects on Dunbarton and the area’s overall growth (see I-93 Expansion Salem-Manchester), not all of which are understood. Dunbarton is in the middle of a large block of towns which are growing rapidly. Concord and Manchester are also situated in the surrounding area, and the growth to these cities will expand over the coming decades.

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As a rural community with much of its land still developable, Dunbarton will be impacted by residential, commercial, and transportation growth in the region. The Town will experience more subdivisions of land, more homes built, more people moving to Dunbarton, the need for additional roads, the necessity to provide more money to the police, fire, and highway departments for safety and maintenance, and will need to educate more students. Permanent protection of priority lands will be an important step in mitigating regional and local growth.

While Dunbarton cannot stop the regional impact of growth, it can take steps to ensure that the Town grows appropriately and in a manner which is consistent with the rural character the Town desires to maintain. The Chapters of the Master Plan, particularly the EXISTING AND FUTURE LAND USE CHAPTER, have been written to reflect this need.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Develop a Capital Improvements Program which is updated on a yearly basis to track and plan for necessary expenditures for the Town’s facilities and infrastructure.

• Take advantage of the upcoming NH DOT Community Technical Assistance Program which awards funds to communities to undertake planning and growth measuring projects (see also I-93 Expansion Salem-Manchester).

• Reevaluate the need every few years for growth management techniques.

• Encourage innovate zoning techniques, such as Planned Residential Development and Open Space Development, which allow for more compact development.

• Perform a study on the growth of the Dunbarton student population which measures past, existing, and anticipated enrollments at the Dunbarton Elementary School as well as at Goffstown’s Mountain View Middle School and Goffstown High School.

• Reevaluate the need for smaller lot sizes in appropriate areas of Dunbarton to accommodate mixed uses, a village design, and more concentrated development.

• Protect sensitive parcels of land from development through conservation easement acquisition or fee ownership.

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Dependence on Surrounding Towns Dunbarton is a bedroom community that relies on outlying cities for commercial and medical needs. The country stores in Dunbarton provide basic limited goods and gasoline. Respondents to the Community Survey results (see the APPENDIX CHAPTER) indicated that the most highly desirable enterprises to attract to Town are a Post Office, bed-and-breakfasts, and agricultural-related businesses. They made it clear that large retail stores, and chain grocery stores are not desirable to the Town’s character.

Concord, Manchester, Bedford, and Goffstown are the primary places of work for Dunbarton residents outside of the home businesses many residents have. There is limited economy and few employers in the Town. Residents must procure their food and goods other communities before driving home to Dunbarton at the end of the workday, or people based at home must make special trips to the two country stores in order to obtain goods and services.

A disadvantage of being exclusively dependent on other communities for basic human needs is that if isolation occurs as a result of a disaster, loss of transportation, or other event, access to food and medicine becomes difficult. Strong neighborly and community ties are essential to foster so assistance can be granted when and where needed in Town.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Investigate the possibility of opening a contractual Post Office in one of the country stores.

• Maintain adequate cellular telephone coverage in all areas of Town.

• Promote neighborhood and community activities to ensure residents are invested in providing assistance to one another.

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Education of Dunbarton Students in Goffstown Resident children attend the Dunbarton Elementary School from kindergarten through grade six. Grades seven and eight are taught at Goffstown’s Mountain View Middle School, and grades nine through twelve are taught at Goffstown High School. New Boston’s grade seven through twelve students also attend the Goffstown schools. The school districts of all three communities are under SAU #19.

Some Dunbarton parents find it difficult to send their children to Goffstown to continue their children’s education instead of having the capacity to educate the youngsters in town. Dunbarton residents have little control over the curriculum set by the Goffstown School Board. As Dunbarton, Goffstown, and New Boston grow in size over the coming decades, the school arrangements should be reevaluated to determine if they are meeting the educational needs and expectations of each community. Evaluation should weigh the cost and quality of education with the desire for more local control.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Begin an assessment and study by 2011 of Goffstown’s Grade 7-12 quality and cost of education, and students’ educational needs and educational opportunities, in preparation for the expiration of the current AREA Agreement on July 1, 2014.

I-93 Expansion Salem - Manchester The Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the I-93 Expansion Salem to Manchester study was released in April 2004. According to the EIS, the basic purpose of the project is to “improve transportation efficiency and reduce safety problems associated with this approximately 19.8-mile segment of highway from the Massachusetts/New Hampshire state line to Manchester.” If the current schedule is adhered to, construction will begin in 2005 and be completed by 2015.

The EIS examined a wide range of alternatives, ranging from the “no-build”, the baseline established for the project, to a four-lane expansion for the project length. Also included in the analysis were expanded bus service in the corridor and Transportation Demand Management initiatives such as employer-based incentives to change travel patterns. The Selected Alternative involves a combination of techniques: expanding the existing two-lane highway to four-lanes in each direction, numerous improvements at Exits 1 through 5, the construction of three park and ride lots with bus facilities, the implementation of variable message signs and other intelligent transportation system measures along the corridor, and the allocation of right-of-way for a future commuter rail corridor from the state line to Exit 5. The entire project, including mitigation, is estimated to cost over $421 million.

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Of particular importance to Dunbarton was the section of the EIS that examined the potential effect of the I-93 expansion on the five communities abutting the corridor, as well as 24 other communities within the “Secondary Impacts Study Area.” Dunbarton is one of five secondary impact communities in the Central NH Region. This examination attempted to project increases in population and employment in each community due to the Salem to Manchester project by convening a wide- ranging panel with participants from local planning boards, real estate representatives, experts from the University of New Hampshire and the University of Massachusetts, local and regional planners, environmental policy groups, and experts in finance, law and economics.

The EIS generated many figures which slightly differ from projections in the POPULATION AND ECONOMICS CHAPTER. The projections prepared by the panel estimate that in 2020, an additional 300 people will live in Dunbarton due to the project, along with approximately 70 new jobs. This growth would be in addition to the more than 1,000 people (and 100 jobs) that are expected to be added to the Town’s population and employment base by the year 2020 even if the project were not to be undertaken.

As part of the project mitigation, the NHDOT is planning to initiate the Community Technical Assistance Program to assist communities within the study area to better manage growth and advance conservation efforts through initial five-year funding through federal and state transportation funds. Although the program is not yet in place, it is envisioned that funding will be available for technical assistance to support planning and conservation; for innovative projects proposed by the towns; for training and education of officials; for marketing campaigns; analyses of future growth scenarios; and for the development of specific tools and materials to support local planning and conservation efforts.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Take advantage of the opportunity to develop planning tools to handle anticipated growth when funds become available for mitigation (see Regional Impact of Growth).

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INTERNAL INFLUENCES WHICH AFFECT DUNBARTON AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

Dunbarton is not only on the receiving end of outside influences, but also has its own concerns which can affect both the Town and surrounding communities. Internal concerns can often have a farther-reaching effect beyond a Town’s political boundaries.

Affordable Housing and Housing Stock Diversity Over the last four years, the lack of affordable (also known as “workforce”) and senior housing has remained a problem within many New Hampshire towns and has increased to a 1% overall housing vacancy rate in Merrimack County in 2003. Affordable housing is defined as housing that costs not more than 30% of a household’s income. Included in this category are manufactured housing and rental apartments as well as modestly priced single-family homes. Based on the Regional Affordable Housing Needs Assessment conducted by the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC), Dunbarton has not met the amount of affordable housing it theoretically needs. The recently approved Watch Hill age 55+ community will help to rectify this shortage. These concepts are explored further within the HOUSING CHAPTER.

With the current housing market, many people in the Region cannot locate affordable housing. The Town desires diversity in housing stock to accommodate not only those requiring affordable housing, but also to consider future growth in the community. Zoning techniques such as Planned Residential Development (currently within the Zoning Ordinance) and Open Space Development will allow alternatives to traditional subdivisions in the form of smaller lot sizes and denser housing with preservation of open space. Such ordinances can also encourage attractive multi- family housing which would satisfy the need for both diversity and affordability.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Provide incentives to encourage developers to build attractive affordable housing.

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Changing Demographic Composition of the Community The Town has observed, over the last two decades, a change in the character of the neighborhoods and the general complexion of Dunbarton with more expensive lots and homes. As the community becomes more developed, these quiet, remote areas with new homes and large lots are becoming attractive to people moving in from outside of New Hampshire who can afford these expensive homes. Often, the new homes are purchased by wealthier older couples since families cannot afford to buy a new “slice of the countryside”.

These changing demographics, from the young and middle-aged New Hampshire families to the older and wealthier ones, have implications for the constitution of the community. New residents from different parts of the country bring their different ideas and perceptions about how a community should be run and how it should look to small New Hampshire towns like Dunbarton. Integration of these new ideas with how things have been done is often difficult.

The changing culture of Dunbarton has both its advantages and disadvantages. Newer residents bring different skills and experiences to the Town. If they are older, they may have more time and opportunity to volunteer their talents to a Board and are often open to innovative techniques to better their community. On the other hand, the lack of affordability of homes for families can have a negative effect on the character of the community. Dunbarton children, after their college education, may not be able to move back into Town to raise their own families here. To retain its culture, the Town should begin to ask itself how it can attract, and retain, generations of families as it was once able to do.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Develop outreach programs, such as brochures, workshops on topics of interest, and Town Meeting booths, to inform new and long-time residents about Town events.

• Encourage affordable housing to attract grown Dunbarton children with families back to the community.

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OPPORTUNITIES OF PARTNERING WITH NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES

These opportunities offer a chance for Dunbarton to join with other Towns to develop a project or produce a legacy. Regionally, towns may accomplish together what they could not accomplish alone because of funding, increased resources, or because of the sheer size of the goal. Dunbarton should take advantage of the following special opportunities that will make a lasting a difference to the community.

Develop Relationships with Hopkinton, Weare, Hooksett, and Bow Neighboring communities offer a regional opportunity of connecting open space corridors, trails, and forests. These five towns which abut Dunbarton should be considered when setting aside permanent open space to permit the connection of conservation lands.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Examine the shared contiguous open spaces with Hopkinton, Weare, Hooksett, and Bow and make a plan to conserve larger land areas that connect green corridors.

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PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The benefits to being involved with regional groups are a heightened awareness of how outside actions will have an impact on Dunbarton and the ability to take advantage of the services and knowledge that are available to the community. The shared pool of resources is an asset waiting to be tapped. In addition to the regional groups and organizations mentioned in the previous sections, solid relationships with the following entities should also be developed.

Central NH Regional Planning Commission The Central NH Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC) is a voluntary member- driven planning advisory entity in the Concord area. Twenty communities are served. Membership to the CNHRPC provides access to free or low-cost planning services such as Master Plan development, development review assistance, traffic counts, zoning ordinance revision, educational workshops, geographic information system mapping, information on latest available programs, grant projects, and statistical data.

The Town of Dunbarton is currently a member of the CNHRPC. The Town is fully represented and takes advantage of the services CNHRPC offers.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Sustain the Town’s relationship with CNHRPC to ensure that Dunbarton continues to have professional planning resources available.

Regional Resource Conservation Committee The Regional Resource Conservation Committee (R2C2) is an advisory committee of the CNHRPC that meets quarterly. Comprised of Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and Board of Selectmen representatives from the 20 towns in the Central NH Region, the group discusses issues which affect their communities and holds guest speaker presentations to inform the R2C2 about the latest environmental or land preservation topics.

Dunbarton does have two representatives to the R2C2. This relationship should be continued in the future.

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How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Continue representation on the CNHRPC’s Regional Resource Conservation Committee (R2C2).

• Provide a link on the Town website to the R2C2 minutes to keep the public informed on regional conservation events.

Transportation Advisory Committee The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) is an advisory committee of the CNHRPC which is comprised of local appointed representatives from communities within the region as well as members from other local, state, and federal agencies. The official purposes of TAC are to provide technical advice and policy recommendations regarding transportation planning issues. The TAC organizes and recommends projects for the Regional Transportation Improvement Program and the State Transportation Improvement Program, and ranks Transportation Enhancement and Congestion Mitigation-Air Quality grant applications for funding. TAC meets quarterly; Dunbarton does not have a representative to the Committee.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Appoint a representative to CNHRPC’s Transportation Advisory Committee to ensure that the transportation interests of Dunbarton are represented.

NH Office of Energy and Planning The Office of Energy and Planning (NH OEP) – formerly the Office of State Planning - is based in Concord and is legislatively required to plan for the orderly development of the state and the wise management of the state's resources. NH OEP compiles, analyzes, and disseminates data, information, and research services to advance the welfare of the state; encourages and assists planning, growth management, and development activities of cities and towns; administers select federal and State grant- in-aid programs; and participates and advises in matters of land use planning regarding lakes and rivers management programs. The Office of Energy and Planning typically does most of its work with communities through the regional planning commissions.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Encourage the Planning Board and Zoning Board to subscribe to the free Plan- Link List Serve to be kept abreast of issues other towns in New Hampshire are facing with respect to growth.

• Encourage Town officials to regularly visit the NH OEP website to view the calendar of, and attend, educational planning workshops and events.

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New Hampshire Municipal Association The NH Municipal Association (NHMA) was formed over 50 years ago by a group of concerned local officials who felt that by pooling resources and concerns, New Hampshire communities could better work together with a common voice. Today, NHMA represents 233 of the 234 Granite State communities and offers legal and technical assistance, legislative representation, training and workshops, and personnel services. Dunbarton is currently a member of the NHMA.

How Dunbarton Can Get Involved • Enhance the Town’s use of NHMA’s services to take full advantage of Dunbarton’s membership.

SUMMARY

Although every community, including Dunbarton, is faced with its own internal issues and concerns, Town governments need to be aware that they may not have much control over another whole set of issues that will affect the Town from the outside. Many different regional influences, from transportation growth and environmental threats, to population and housing influxes, will exert degrees of pressure on Dunbarton.

Dunbarton needs to be adequately prepared to handle these exterior demands by becoming involved in the regional processes, and therefore to be in a better position to respond positively to forthcoming pressures or problems. Establishing a relationship with regional groups and abutting communities will ensure that communication lines are open and that Dunbarton finds itself in the best position to influence whatever demands come this way.

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Chapter XI IMPLEMENTATION

PURPOSE OF AN IMPLEMENTATION CHAPTER

In the 2002 New Hampshire legislative session, the statutes relative to Master Plans, 674:2-3, were rewritten to reflect the need for closer coordination among municipal Master Plan elements and for coordination of local, regional, and state projects and processes. Two sections of a Master Plan are now required, a community vision section and a land use section, in order to adopt a Zoning Ordinance. Several new sections are suggested that were not in the old legislation, such as natural hazards, a neighborhood plan, implementation, and regional concerns. Dunbarton’s 2004 Master Plan contains both of the mandatory sections: the community vision is located within the MASTER PLAN VISION and APPENDIX CHAPTERS, and the land use section is found within the EXISTING AND FUTURE LAND USE CHAPTER. Dunbarton is currently undertaking a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan through a separate project, funded through the NH Bureau of Emergency Management, with CNHRPC. Revisions to the Master Plan are recommended every five to ten years. All of these changes result in a more comprehensive planning document. The new law became effective on June 16, 2002.

In terms of the recommended implementation chapter, the Town of Dunbarton felt it was imperative to put the new Master Plan into action. According to RSA 674:2, III, the Master Plan may include the following sections:

“..(m) An implementation section, which is a long range action program of specific actions, time frames allocation of responsibility for actions, description of land development regulations to be adopted, and procedures which the municipality may use to monitor and measure the effectiveness of each section of the plan.”

This Chapter will enable the Dunbarton Planning Board and Board of Selectmen to oversee the completion of the 150 Town Recommendations of this Master Plan. Each of these Recommendations has been prioritized by the respective Subcommittee that developed it according to project leader, when it should be completed, and approximately how much money it would cost to complete. In addition, a detailed schedule of coordination and completion activities which should take place over the next four years will lay out the structure for the completion of the tasks of this Master Plan. This Chapter is dynamic and should be reviewed and modified after 12 months to measure the progress made on the Recommendations.

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PRIORITIZED RECOMMENDATIONS

The Master Plan Steering Committee, representing various Town Boards, ranked each of the Recommendations according to whether it was a high, medium, or low priority, and indicated who would be responsible for leading the implementation. The highest priorities were to be started within one year of the Master Plan completion, by March 2006. The medium priorites were to be started by March 2007, and the lowest priorities by March 2008. Approximate costs were associated with each recommendation. Abbreviations were used to simplify the presentation of results:

H = High Priority, to begin by March 2006 $N = Negligible Cost or Zero Cost M = Medium Priority, to begin by March 2007 $ = Less than $10,000 L = Low Priority, to begin by March 2008 $$ = $10,000 to $25,000 $$$ = Over $25,000

Table XI-1 Project Leader and Recommendations Summary H M L Total Board of Assessors 0 1 0 1 Board of Selectmen 15 10 3 28 Building Inspector 1 0 0 1 Cemetery Committee 1 0 1 2 Conservation Commission 10 11 4 25 Fire Chief 2 1 1 4 Historical Awareness Committee 3 1 0 4 Historical Society 2 1 0 3 Planning and Zoning Administrator 2 1 0 3 Planning Board 31 8 7 46 Police Department 4 0 0 4 Recreation Committee 0 1 1 2 Road Agent 5 4 0 9 Roads Committee 0 0 1 1 School Board 2 1 N/A =1 4 Town Administrator 2 1 0 3 Town Building Committee 1 0 0 1 Transfer Station Manager 1 1 0 2 Welfare Officer 0 1 0 1 Zoning Board 2 1 0 3 Total Recommendations 147

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The following Recommendations in Table XI-2 are a compiled list of all those found within the Chapters of the Dunbarton 2004 Master Plan. The Boards, Commissions, Departments, and Committees are first sorted in alphabetical order, then by priority (H, M, or L), and last by cost to assist the Project Leaders with their internal department prioritization. The Chapters are abbreviated with the following two- letter designations:

HC = History and Culture PE = Population and Economics HO = Housing NF = Natural Features CF = Community and Recreational Facilities with Utilities TR = Transportation LU = Existing and Future Land Use RC = Regional Concerns

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Table XI-2 Prioritized Action Plan

Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N M Investigate tax easements on historic barns and homes. HC Board of Assessors 1 $N H Develop a Roads Committee that provides guidance and TR Board of Selectmen Road Agent, Safety Committee 2 recommendations to the Road Agent. $N H Require approval at Town Meeting before allowing any TR Board of Selectmen Road Agent, Conservation 3 locally controlled gravel or scenic road to be paved. Commission $N H Develop a policy to retain Town ownership of Class VI TR Board of Selectmen Conservation Commission, 4 roads as they provide opportunities for future travel ways, Recreation Committee recreation, and other municipal interests. $N H Maintain the municipal tax rate to enable seniors and lower- PE Board of Selectmen 5 income residents to better afford to live within Town.

$N H Encourage Town Boards to consult the population and PE Board of Selectmen Planning Board, School Board 6 economics data contained within the Population and Economics Chapter when determining public policy. $N H Pursue a permanent easement on the Robert Rogers HC Board of Selectmen Historical Society 7 Homesite. $N H Offer technical assistance to owners of historic structures. HC Board of Selectmen Code Enforcement Officer, 8 Historical Awareness Committee, Historical Society $N H Investigate a demolition ordinance that would require HC Board of Selectmen Code Enforcement Officer 9 notification prior to destruction of historic structures. $N H Investigate context sensitive solutions for local and state HC Board of Selectmen Road Agent 10 transportation improvements. $N H Pursue wireless technology for Town access. [Utilities] CF Board of Selectmen Zoning Board 11 $N H Provide a link on the Town website to the R2C2 minutes to RC Board of Selectmen Conservation Commission 12 keep the public informed on regional conservation events. [Regional Resource Conservation Committee]

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$$$ H Build Town Hall Complex in Dunbarton Center that is ADA CF Board of Selectmen Dunbarton Center Building 13 accessible and conforms to IBC codes, yet maintains Committee, Town Office consistency with the current structure and rural character of Committee Dunbarton Center. [Town Offices] $$$ H Look for suitable land for Town department development as CF Board of Selectmen Board of Selectmen, Planning 14 Town expands. [Town Offices] Board $$$ H Pursue constructing or renovating a structure to be used as a CF Board of Selectmen Recreation Committee 15 community facility – particularly with a Teen Center and a Senior Center component. [Recreation Facilities] $$$ H Acquire lands for playing fields. [Recreation Facilities] CF Board of Selectmen Conservation Commission 16 $N M Evaluate whether it would be more efficient for the Town to CF Board of Selectmen 17 hire a Full-time Public Works Director. [Highway Department] $N M Review the Town’s policy concerning building on Class VI TR Board of Selectmen Planning Board 18 roads with the Planning Board and with the Board of Selectmen. $N M Explore the conversion of the elected Road Agent position to TR Board of Selectmen Road Agent, Residents 19 that of a municipal employee. $ M Maintain necessary work and storage environments for CF Board of Selectmen Town Administration, Town 20 Town Office staff. [Town Offices] Clerk, Town Departments $ M Explore the possibility of attracting a contractual Post Office PE Board of Selectmen 21 in an existing business. $ M Undertake a Cost of Community Services Study to gauge PE Board of Selectmen Planning Board, Conservation 22 the tax impacts of various forms of development versus open Commission space. $ M Identify and recognize historic roads. HC Board of Selectmen Historical Awareness Committee 23

$$$ M Document, catalog and preserve historic records in Town HC Board of Selectmen 24 Office Building.

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$$$ M Preserve the integrity of Town Hall/Town Office Building HC Board of Selectmen Town Meeting 25 and Dunbarton Center School. $M M Enhance the ability of residents on a limited income HO Board of Selectmen Building Inspector 26 (including seniors) to remain in Dunbarton. $N L Form a senior advocate committee to encourage seniors to PE Board of Selectmen Library Director, Library 27 get involved with Town boards, events, and cultural Trustees, Historical Society, activities. Historical Awareness Committee, Recreation Committee

$N L Investigate the possibility of opening a contractual Post RC Board of Selectmen 28 Office in one of the country stores. [Dependence on Surrounding Towns] $N L Appoint a representative to CNHRPC’s Transportation RC Board of Selectmen Road Agent 29 Advisory Committee to ensure that the transportation interests of Dunbarton are represented. [Transportation Advisory Committee] $ H Develop a consistent method, such as through a central HO Building Inspector Town Staff, Volunteers 30 database, for tracking building permits and apply the method retroactively to previous years. $ H Develop expansion criteria for Dunbarton Center Cemetery. CF Cemetery Committee Board of Selectmen 31 [Cemeteries] $$$ L Acquire additional appropriate cemetery space for Town. CF Cemetery Committee Board of Selectmen 32 [Cemeteries] $N H Review the status of currently designated scenic roads and TR Conservation Board of Selectmen, Road Agent, 33 consider other roads for designation. Commission Residents $N H Locate corridors that connect large areas of protected lands NR Conservation 34 so that wildlife can pass from one conservation area to Commission another.

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N H Encourage land-use decision-making boards to incorporate NR Conservation 35 consideration of the specific natural resources identified in Commission the previous objective into their decisions. $N H Encourage the donation of conservation easements or fee NR Conservation 36 interests by landowners as supported in the Community Commission Survey. $N H Educate townspeople about the importance of open space as NR Conservation 37 it affects local taxes, wildlife, rural character, and quality of Commission life so that the Town is more inclined to vote for conservation appropriations at Town Meeting. $N H Continue representation on the CNHRPC’s Regional RC Conservation 38 Resource Conservation Committee (R2C2). [Regional Commission Resource Conservation Committee] $ H Work in conjunction with area land trusts, other nonprofits, NR Conservation 39 and government agencies to secure funds to purchase Commission conservation lands. $ H Develop and circulate a pamphlet that discusses Dunbarton’s NR Conservation Town Forester 40 special features, the current use program, wetlands Commission protection, and other conservation topics. $$$ H Work with interested residents, the state, and private interest NR Conservation Gorham Pond Residents, NH 41 groups to control milfoil in Gorham Pond and prevent its Commission DES spread. $$$ H Protect sensitive parcels of land from development through RC Conservation Board of Selectmen 42 conservation easement acquisition or fee ownership. Commission [Regional Impacts of Growth] $N M Develop a town-wide recreational trail system using existing TR Conservation Recreation Committee, NH 43 facilities and identify areas where future trails would benefit Commission DRED, Bow Pioneers, NH DOT the community.

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N M Explore the conversion of Class VI roads to Class A and/or B TR Conservation Board of Selectmen 44 trails when and where appropriate. Commission $N M Educate the public on the importance of upland buffers. NR Conservation Code Enforcement Officer 45 Commission $N M Locate large tracts of land or smaller tracts of land that could NR Conservation 46 be joined to create larger tracts that have qualities worthy of Commission protection. $N M Locate scenic vistas (viewsheds) and prioritize their NR Conservation 47 protection. Commission $N M Explore the use of a bond for acquisition of lands for open NR Conservation 48 space. Commission $N M Examine the shared contiguous open spaces with Hopkinton, RC Conservation 49 Weare, Hooksett, and Bow and make a plan to conserve Commission larger land areas that connect green corridors. [Develop Relationships with Hopkinton, Weare, Hooksett, and Bow]

$ M Locate unique or special plant communities and special NR Conservation 50 wildlife habitats, such as deer yards, vernal pools, and Commission undeveloped south facing slopes suitable for protection, on a map for local boards to inform their decision-making process of these areas.

$ M Investigate regulatory options for protecting the specific NR Conservation Planning Board, Zoning Board 51 natural resources identified in the previous objective and Commission pursue implementation of the best option. $ M Encourage, or even require, creative development in areas NR Conservation Planning Board, Zoning Board 52 where wildlife activity is likely to besignificant, given natural Commission features and/or field documentation. $$$ M Target remaining lands around Great Ponds for protection. NR Conservation Landowners 53 Commission

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N L Consider state scenic highway designation for Route 13. TR Conservation Town Residents, NH DOT 54 Commission $N L Continue developing and implementing management plans NR Conservation 55 for town-owned conservation lands that reflect the Commission importance of wildlife, forest, and wetlands conservation, as identified in the Master Plan survey. $N L Encourage landowners to test their wells on a regular basis. CF Conservation Building Inspector 56 [Utilities] Commission $N L Review State-owned roads for designation under the State TR Conservation Board of Selectmen 57 Scenic Byways Program. Commission $ H Hire part-time Fire Inspector to expand department’s non- CF Fire Chief Board of Selectmen 58 emergency services. [Fire Department] $$$ H Pursue acquisition of new ambulance through call-to-hospital CF Fire Chief Board of Selectmen 59 charges. [Fire Department] $N M Evaluate yearly the equipment / personnel needs of the Fire CF Fire Chief 60 Department to ensure that the department can meet the special needs of the Town, such as senior citizen housing development. [Fire Department] $$$ L Pursue full-time staffing level for Fire and Rescue CF Fire Chief Board of Selectmen 61 Department. [Fire Department] $N H Complete the cellar hole survey. HC Historical Awareness 62 Committee $N H Submit applications to the National Register of Historic HC Historical Awareness Historical Society 63 Places for historic sites (Molly Stark House, Robert Rogers Committee Homesite, Stark Mansion, Stark Cemetery, etc). $N H Improve communication and coordination between the two HC Historical Awareness Historical Society 64 historic groups in Town. Committee $N M Investigate preservation easements on historic properties. HC Historical Awareness 65 Committee

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N H Conduct a barn survey. HC Historical Society 66 ? H Expand existing Historical Society Museum/Blacksmith Shop HC Historical Society 67 site. $$$ M Document, catalog and preserve private and Historical HC Historical Society Board of Selectmen, Citizens 68 Society collections. $N H Encourage developers to work extensively with surrounding HO Planning and Zoning Town Staff 69 neighborhood residents to resolve the community’s concerns Administrator prior to formalizing large development plans and going before the Planning Board. $ H Update the build out analysis on a periodic basis for PE Planning and Zoning 70 population projections based on the current zoning. Administrator $N M Revise the subdivision application process to encourage an HO Planning and Zoning 71 open space development concept presented in lieu of a Administrator traditional subdivision. $N H Require traffic studies for new commercial developments that TR Planning Board Safety Committee 72 require Site Plan Review and for residential developments of 8 or more lots. $N H Discuss the policy regarding new road cul-de-sac versus TR Planning Board Board of Selectmen, Safety 73 required interconnections. Committee $N H Explore changes to local regulations that would provide TR Planning Board Board of Selectmen, 74 greater protection of designated scenic roads. Conservation Commission, Zoning Board, Road Agent, Safety Committee $N H Formalize the current practice of requiring trail easements on TR Planning Board Recreation Committee, 75 subdivisions in areas where they can link to existing or Conservation Commission proposed trails. $N H Review existing regulations to ensure that new development LU Planning Board Board of Selectmen 76 will maintain the characteristics of Dunbarton’s rural character as depicted in this Chapter.

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N H Review existing regulations to encourage that development LU Planning Board Conservation Commission 77 near the priority areas identified by the Dunbarton Conservation Commission enhances the open space links and maintains the ecological value of the proposed conservation land.

$N H Revise the Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance to allow Open LU Planning Board Zoning Board 78 Space Development (RSA 674:21 I (F), including the granting of intensity and use incentive bonuses for qualifying developments. $N H Review current zoning to identify opportunities for other LU Planning Board Zoning Board 79 innovative zoning techniques as outlined in the Land Use Chapter. $N H Eliminate the manufactured housing park district and rezone LU Planning Board Zoning Board 80 to low density residential. $N H Make Section IV. A of the Dunbarton Land Subdivision LU Planning Board 81 Control Regulations, “Pre-Application”, mandatory for all subdivisions. $N H Revise Article 6, Section B of the Dunbarton Zoning LU Planning Board Zoning Board 82 Ordinance so that a “special exception” is no longer required for a Planned Residential Development (PRD). $N H Revise Article 6, Section B of the Dunbarton Zoning LU Planning Board Zoning Board 83 Ordinance to allow the granting of intensity and use Incentive Bonuses to qualifying PRDs. $N H Evaluate the Planned Residential Development Ordinance HO Planning Board Planning and Zoning 84 for location restrictions. Administrator, CNHRPC $N H Submit articles to local newspapers, including the Bow HO Planning Board CNHRPC 85 Times, and submit postings to the Town website which provide accurate descriptions of open space development and planned residential development.

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N H Reassure residents that built open space developments HO Planning Board Town Staff 86 cannot be changed in the future to allow more units or more density of units than the original plan permitted.

$N H Encourage builders, by use of incentives, to construct a HO Planning Board 87 variety of housing types. $N H Determine what a healthy mix of housing should be for HO Planning Board 88 Dunbarton and promote development where lacking.

$N H Investigate design guidelines for new commercial and HC Planning Board 89 residential development. $N H Encourage innovative zoning techniques, such as Planned RC Planning Board Zoning Board 90 Residential Development and Open Space Development, which allow for more compact development. [Regional Impacts of Growth] $N H Provide incentives to encourage developers to build attractive RC Planning Board 91 affordable housing. [Affordable Housing and Housing Stock Diversity]

$N H Encourage the Planning Board and Zoning Board to RC Planning Board Zoning Board 92 subscribe to the free Plan-Link List Serve to be kept abreast of issues other towns in New Hampshire are facing with respect to growth. [NH Office of Energy and Planning] $ H Develop zoning and regulations specifically for the Gorham LU Planning Board Zoning Board 93 Pond area. $ H Develop an Open Space Development Ordinance with HO Planning Board Planning and Zoning 94 provisions for appropriate natural buffers and native Administrator, CNHRPC vegetation left intact.

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$ H Review Town regulations, relative to interest in the NR Planning Board Conservation Commission 95 protection of wetlands, to determine if present buffers are adequate, and make changes where necessary. $ H Review regulatory process to determine if future NR Planning Board Conservation Commission 96 development, including bridges, roads, and buildings, can be altered or moved to minimize impacts on water resources, specifically stream and wetland systems. $ H Enable the location of senior housing developments in PE Planning Board 97 Town. $ H Enact land use regulations that offer opportunities for PE Planning Board 98 seniors, young families, and other diversified groups to live in Dunbarton. $ H Enact land use regulations that encourage the retention of PE Planning Board Conservation Commission 99 open space. $ H Develop a Capital Improvements Program which is updated RC Planning Board Board of Selectmen, Zoning 100 on a yearly basis to track and plan for necessary Board expenditures for the Town’s facilities and infrastructure. [Regional Impacts of Growth] $ H Encourage affordable housing to attract grown Dunbarton RC Planning Board Board of Selectmen 101 children with families back to the community. [Changing Demographic Composition of Community] $ H Sustain the Town’s relationship with CNHRPC to ensure RC Planning Board Board of Selectmen 102 that Dunbarton continues to have professional planning resources available. [Central NH Regional Planning Commission] $N M Maintain configuration of existing zoning districts with LU Planning Board Zoning Board 103 Village core and concentric outer rings of increasingly lower densities.

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N M Encourage affordable housing development within the LU Planning Board Selectmen 104 Route 13 and 77 Corridors. $N M Consider incentives to builders to include limited numbers HO Planning Board 105 of affordable housing units as part of a larger housing development. $N M Provide developers with information on open space HO Planning Board Town Staff 106 development techniques for new housing development. $N M Require that the construction of new roads and the TR Planning Board Board of Selectmen, Road 107 reconstruction of existing roads be to standards that are Agent sensible and appropriate to the village, historic, and rural character of Dunbarton and to the anticipated level of use of the road.

$N M Take advantage of the upcoming NH DOT Community RC Planning Board Conservation Commission 108 Technical Assistance Program which awards funds to communities to undertake planning and growth measuring projects. [Regional Impacts of Growth and I-93 Salem- Manchester]

$ M Develop a comparative study on the fiscal impact of HO Planning Board UNH Cooperative Extension 109 residential housing development on the Town versus commercial development or leaving the land as open space, and present the results to the community. $ M Investigate the possibility of incorporating scenic vista NR Planning Board 110 (viewshed) protection into the subdivision regulations. $N L Analyze past population and housing trends, along with HO Planning Board 111 population projections, to gauge a reasonable expected rate of population growth. $N L Develop an “exit” survey to find out why residents move HO Planning Board 112 out of Dunbarton.

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N L Reevaluate the need every few years for growth RC Planning Board 113 management techniques. [Regional Impacts of Growth]

$N L Reevaluate the need for smaller lot sizes in appropriate RC Planning Board Zoning Board 114 areas of Dunbarton to accommodate mixed uses, a village design, and more concentrated development. [Regional Impacts of Growth] $ L Reevaluate the need on a bi-yearly basis for developing a HO Planning Board Planning and Zoning 115 Growth Management Ordinance based upon the current Administrator conditions in Dunbarton and area towns. $ L Undertake a periodic survey of residents to determine HO Planning Board Town Staff 116 changing housing needs. $ L Update the Master Plan every five to seven years to PE Planning Board 117 incorporate new data as it becomes available. $$ H Upgrade current Police facilities to include a Sally Port, CF Police Department Board of Selectmen 118 employee shower, public restroom, etc. as per Department’s Five Year Plan. [Police Department] $$$ H Hire additional full-time Police officers in order for station CF Police Department Board of Selectmen 119 to reach national standards for rural police staffing level. [Police Department] $$$ H Rotate and acquire vehicles on a timely basis to minimize CF Police Department Board of Selectmen 120 excessive repair and safety issues. [Police Department] $$$ H Provide sidewalks in the Town Center. TR Police Department Town Common Project 121 Committee $$$ M Pursue starting a Recreation Department for the Town. CF Recreation Committee Board of Selectmen 122 [Recreation Facilities] $N L Promote neighborhood and community activities to ensure RC Recreation Committee 123 residents are invested in providing assistance to one another. [Dependence on Surrounding Towns]

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N H Have Highway Department regularly maintain and keep CF Road Agent Fire Chief, Planning Board, 124 Fire Ponds accessible year-round. [Fire Department] Board of Selectmen $N H Review the Town’s snow and ice policy. TR Road Agent Roads Committee, Board of 125 Selectmen $ H Develop a policy that the Town notify abutting land owners TR Road Agent Conservation Commission, 126 and the general public before undertaking any major Board of Selectmen, Historical roadway construction including reconstruction, cutting Awareness Committee, trees or removing stone walls along public roads and Historical Society provide a public forum to receive testimony from interested parties if requested.

$$ H Develop a Road Surface Management System for roads in TR Road Agent Roads Committee 127 Dunbarton. $$$ H Maintain existing roads to a standard that is safe and TR Road Agent Board of Selectmen, Police 128 appropriate. Department $N M Assign Functional Classifications to local roads. TR Road Agent Board of Selectmen, Roads 129 Committee, Planning Board $ M Create a Ten Year Plan for road improvements. TR Road Agent Board of Selectmen, Safety 130 Committee $$ M Purchase necessary equipment so that the Department can CF Road Agent Board of Selectmen 131 maintain a high level of service on Town roads, sidewalks and fire ponds. [Highway Department] $$ M Evaluate the need for additional personnel to maintain high CF Road Agent Board of Selectmen 132 level of maintenance. [Highway Department] $N L Designate local bike system. TR Roads Committee Road Agent, Conservation 133 Commission, Safety Committee, NH DOT $N H Maintain the school tax rate to enable seniors and lower- PE School Board 134 income residents to better afford to live within Town.

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$N H Perform a study on the growth of the Dunbarton student RC School Board 135 population which measures past, existing, and anticipated enrollments at the Dunbarton Elementary School as well as at Goffstown’s Mountain View Middle School and Goffstown High School. [Regional Impacts of Growth]

$N M Begin an assessment and study by 2011 of Goffstown’s RC School Board 136 Grade 7-12 quality and cost of education, and students’ educational needs and educational opportunities in preparation for the expiration of the current AREA Agreement on July 1, 2014. [Education of Dunbarton Students in Goffstown] N/A N/A Support Dunbarton Elementary School as per School Board CF School Board 137 Schedule. [Dunbarton Elementary School] $N H Encourage Town officials to regularly visit the NH OEP RC Town Administrator Board of Selectmen 138 website to view the calendar of, and attend, educational planning workshops and events. [NH Office of Energy and Planning] $ H Enhance the Town’s use of NHMA’s services to take full RC Town Administrator Board of Selectmen 139 advantage of Dunbarton’s membership. [NH Municipal Association] $ M Develop outreach programs, such as brochures, workshops RC Town Administrator Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk 140 on topics of interest, and Town Meeting booths, to inform new and long-time residents about Town events. [Changing Demographic Composition of Community] $$$ H Build an addition to the current library to accommodate CF Town Building Library Director, Library 141 staff workspace and storage requirements. [Library] Committee Trustees $N H Evaluate the cost effectiveness (including staff and CF Transfer Station Board of Selectmen 142 equipment demands) of accepting more materials at Manager Transfer Station (plastics, etc.). [Transfer Station]

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Cost Priority Recommendation Chapter Project Leader Who Assists #

$ M Evaluate need to expand service and hours of the Transfer CF Transfer Station Board of Selectmen 143 Station to meet the needs of residents and for efficiency of Manager the Station. [Transfer Station] $ M Develop a volunteer service to assist seniors with errands, PE Welfare Officer Concord Regional Visiting 144 minor maintenance, and for a daily phone call. Nurse's Association $N H Maintain adequate cellular telephone coverage in all areas RC Zoning Board 145 of Town. [Dependence on Surrounding Towns] $ H Continue to encourage home based businesses in PE Zoning Board Planning Board 146 Dunbarton that reflect the rural character of the community. $N M Maintain current method of regulating new LU Zoning Board Planning Board 147 business/commercial ventures by special exception.

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Summary of Similar Recommendations Many Boards, Departments, and Committees are working toward their Recommendations as the result of independent findings in several of the unique Master Plan Chapters. Similar Recommendations should usually be considered a higher priority since different groups of people within the Subcommittees reached the same conclusions. Table XI-3 illustrates a compilation of the most common similar Recommendations and the entities in charge of working on them.

When working to complete Recommendations, partnerships between groups to accomplish similar goals can be beneficial. The same resources can be shared, ideas can be exchanged, and continuity between different Boards, Departments, and Committees can result.

Table XI-3 Similar Recommendations Similar Recommendation (generalized) Recommendation Board, Department or Number(s) Committee Leaders Maintain relationships with developers and outside 10, 29, 38, 69, 87, Board of Selectmen, agencies. 91, 102, 106, 108, Conservation Commission, 137, 138, 139 Planning and Zoning Administrator, Planning Board, School Board, Town Administrator Seek conservation or preservation easements or 7, 36, 39, 42, 46, Board of Selectmen, donations. 48, 53, 65 Conservation Commission, Historical Awarness Committee Educate residents through programs, brochures, 12, 37, 40, 45, 56, Conservation Commission, articles, and the website on the importance of open 85, 86, 140 Planning Board, Town space, natural features, open space developments, well Administrator testing, Town events, regional conservation, and topics of interest. Enhance community facilities (other than Town 14, 15, 31, 32, 118, Board of Selectmen, Offices) as needed. 121, 141 Cemetery Committee, Police Department, Town Building Committee Develop new ordinances for demolition, innovative 9, 71, 78, 79, 90, Board of Selectmen, zoning techniques, for Gorham Pond area, and open 93, 94 Planning Board space development. Hire more Town staff if warranted or convert 17, 19, 58, 61, 119, Board of Selectmen, Fire positions. 132 Chief, Police Department, Road Agent Develop or revise the regulations for natural resource 51, 52, 95, 96, 99, Conservation Commission, protection. 110 Planning Board Develop plans for conservation land management, 55, 100, 130, 135, Conservation Commission, capital improvements, road improvements, student 136 Planning Board, Road Agent, population growth, and a Grades 7-12 educational School Board assessment.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 IMPLEMENTATION PAGE XI-20

Similar Recommendation (generalized) Recommendation Board, Department or (continued) Number(s) Committee Leaders Review or develop transportation policies for Town 4, 18, 73, 125, 126 Board of Selectmen, ownership of Class VI roads, building on Class VI roads, Planning Board, Road Agent cul-de-sacs vs. interconnections, ice and snow, and abutter notification. Encourage affordable housing opportunities. 97, 98, 101, 104, Planning Board 105 Encourage residents to get involved in community 15, 16, 27, 122, Board of Selectmen, activities through programs and facilities. 123 Recreation Committee Encourage seniors and lower income residents to 5, 26, 134, 144 Board of Selectmen, School locate to or remain in Town. Board, Welfare Officer Purchase capital equipment as needed. 59, 60, 120, 131 Fire Chief, Police Department, Road Agent Revise the regulations for scenic roads, consistency 74, 76, 77, 107 Planning Board with rural character, open space enhancement, road construction standards. Develop trails for recreational use. 43, 44, 75, 133 Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Roads Committee Enable and encourage Open Space Development. 71, 78, 90, 94 Planning and Zoning Administrator, Planning Board Pursue improvement to the Town Office Building / 13, 20, 25 Board of Selectmen Complex for integrity and safety. Document and catalog historic records and 24, 68 Board of Selectmen, collections. Historical Society Revise the Planned Residential Development 82, 84 Planning Board Ordinance. Investigate the possibility of locating a Post Office. 21, 28 Board of Selectmen Develop a Cost of Community Services Study. 22, 109 Board of Selectmen, Planning Board Evaluate the need for growth management 113, 115 Planning Board techniques.

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STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Several of the 150 Recommendations in the Prioritized Action Plan are dependent on other supportive influences, such as a Capital Improvement Program, a rewrite of the Subdivision Regulations or Site Plan Review Regulations, or approval at Town Meeting. Project leaders, the Boards, Departments, Committees, and entities within Town, play a key role in making sure the Recommendations get implemented in a timely manner. A consistent schedule which enables the Town to revisit this Chapter and the Master Plan will allow for an organized timetable for implementing the Recommendations of the Master Plan.

Develop and Regularly Update the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Based upon discussions, Recommendations, and interest from many Boards, a regularly updated Capital Improvements Program (CIP) should be one of the first developments of the Master Plan. The CIP has a variety of purposes and should have many beneficial effects on Dunbarton’s financial, budgetary, and planning functions. Its primary purposes are summarized below.

1. State Statutory and Other Legal Requirements: According to NH RSA 674:22, communities that wish to engage in regulating the timing of development through the establishment of growth controls must have adopted both a Master Plan and the Capital Improvements Program. With the adoption of the CIP, the Town may be able to regulate the rate of growth, should the need for such control become necessary. In the meantime, the CIP, in conjunction with the Master Plan, will enable the Planning Board to use its power under RSA 674:36 to deny subdivisions that are premature due to the lack of sufficient public services and/or infrastructure. The CIP demonstrates that the Town is attempting to accommodate growth, and that there is a good faith effort on the part of the Town to provide those services at some later date. If impact fees are assessed to a developer, the Town should request the fees in accordance with the CIP and should also fund its portion of the necessary infrastructure improvement.

2. Stability in Tax Rates and Budgets: The Capital Improvements Program will contribute to stabilizing the Town's tax rate and budget each year by planning and budgeting for major capital expenditures well in advance. Financing methods such as bonding and capital reserve funds are recommended in order to make annual capital expenditures more stable, predictable, and manageable. Wide fluctuations in annual Town budgets caused by sudden or large one-time capital expenditures will be reduced. Under NH RSA 33:4A, the Town's bonded indebtedness is limited to 1.75% of the Town's assessed valuation and the School bonded indebtedness is limited to 7.0% of the Town's assessed valuation.

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3. A Management Tool for Town Officials: The 2004 Master Plan contains projections and analyses of the Town's demographic trends and finances which all local officials should find useful in planning and delivering public services. A comprehensive, longer-term picture of capital needs is created because all capital items are placed into one schedule. The Capital Improvements Program is designed to be used by officials as a management tool.

4. Citizens' and Developers' Guide to Planned Expenditures: The Capital Improvements Program will serve both citizens and developers as a useful guide for expenditures planned by the Town to accommodate projected growth. The citizen who wants to know when and at what costs a particular service will be expanded can consult the Capital Improvements Program, as can the developer who wants to know when, for example, school capacity will be expanded. The Town can limit the number of building permits issued each year if it can document the lack of municipal and school capacity to handle growth, along with the Town's intentions to remedy the situation.

5. Use by the Budget Committee: RSA 674:8 is not specific about how the Capital Improvements Program is actually used in preparation of the annual Town Budget. It simply requires the Planning Board “...submit its recommendations for the current year to the Mayor (Board of Selectmen) and Budget Committee... for consideration as part of the annual budget.” This clearly means the Capital Improvements Program is not binding in any way upon Town appropriations and expenditures. The Capital Improvements Program is thus an advisory document without the force of law. A properly prepared Capital Improvements Program will, however, be effective and credible when annual consideration of the budget takes place.

A brief outline of the process for creating (or updating) a CIP follows:

• ADOPTION OF THE MASTER PLAN BY THE PLANNING BOARD

• AUTHORIZATION FROM TOWN MEETING TO CREATE CIP (PREVIOUSLY ACQUIRED)

• APPOINTMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEE BY THE PLANNING BOARD AT A PUBLIC HEARING

• DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION OF EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR PROJECTS

• SOLICITATION OF PROJECTS FROM ALL MUNICIPAL/SCHOOL DEPARTMENTS

• RANKING OF PROJECT REQUESTS

• PREPARATION OF MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SCHEDULES

• REVIEW AND ADOPTION OF CIP BY PLANNING BOARD

• ANNUAL UPDATE

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 IMPLEMENTATION PAGE XI-23

Revise the Regulations The Planning Board now has a list, through the Master Plan Recommendations, of different regulatory or zoning changes that they themselves or other Boards or Committees wish to implement. The Planning Board itself is in charge of creating and revising the Subdivision Regulations and Site Plan Review Regulations. In addition, the Planning Board is also charged with creating and bringing forth revisions to the Zoning Ordinance for approval at Town Meeting. The Zoning Board’s duty is to consider motions to vary from the Zoning Ordinance. A clear partnership exists where the resources of the Zoning Board could be tapped to assist with these numerous revisions.

Table XI-4 illustrates the regulatory changes suggested in the Master Plan:

Table XI-4 Regulation and Ordinance Revisions Recommendation (brief description) Chapter Recommendation # in Prioritized Action Plan Investigate a demolition ordinance that would require notification HC 9 prior to destruction of historic structures. Revise the subdivision application process to encourage an open space HO 71 development concept presented in lieu of a traditional subdivision. Require traffic studies for new commercial developments that require TR 72 Site Plan Review and for residential developments of 8 or more lots. Explore changes to local regulations that would provide greater TR 74 protection of designated scenic roads. Formalize the current practice of requiring trail easements on TR 75 subdivisions in areas where they can link to existing or proposed trails. Review existing regulations to ensure that new development will LU 76 maintain the characteristics of Dunbarton’s rural character as depicted in this Chapter. Review existing regulations to encourage that development near the LU 77 priority areas identified by the Dunbarton Conservation Commission enhances the open space links and maintains the ecological value of the proposed conservation land. Revise the Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance to allow Open Space LU 78 Development (RSA 674:21 I (F), including the granting of intensity and use incentive bonuses for qualifying developments. Review current zoning to identify opportunities for other innovative LU 79 zoning techniques as outlined in the Land Use Chapter. Eliminate the manufactured housing park district and rezone to low LU 80 density residential. Make Section IV. A of the Dunbarton Land Subdivision Control LU 81 Regulations, “Pre-Application”, mandatory for all subdivisions. Revise Article 6, Section B of the Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance so LU 82 that a “special exception” is no longer required for a Planned Residential Development (PRD). Revise Article 6, Section B of the Dunbarton Zoning Ordinance to LU 83 allow the granting of intensity and use Incentive Bonuses to qualifying PRDs.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 IMPLEMENTATION PAGE XI-24

Recommendation (brief description) Chapter Recommendation (continued) # in Prioritized Action Plan Evaluate the Planned Residential Development Ordinance for location HO 84 restrictions. Investigate design guidelines for new commercial and residential HC 89 development. Encourage innovative zoning techniques, such as Planned Residential RC 90 Development and Open Space Development, which allow for more compact development. [Regional Impacts of Growth] Provide incentives to developers to build attractive multi-family RC 91 dwellings when utilizing the Planned Residential Development technique. [Affordable Housing and Housing Stock Diversity] Develop zoning and regulations specifically for the Gorham Pond area. LU 93 Develop an Open Space Development Ordinance with provisions for HO 94 appropriate natural buffers and native vegetation left intact. Review Town regulations, relative to interest in the protection of NR 95 wetlands, to determine if present buffers are adequate, and make changes where necessary. Review regulatory process to determine if future development, NR 96 including bridges, roads, and buildings, can be altered or moved to minimize impacts on water resources, specifically stream and wetland systems. Enact land use regulations that offer opportunities for seniors, young PE 98 families, and other diversified groups to live in Dunbarton. Enact land use regulations that encourage the retention of open space. PE 99 Maintain configuration of existing zoning districts with Village core LU 103 and concentric outer rings of increasingly lower densities. Consider incentives to builders to include limited numbers of HO 105 affordable housing units as part of a larger housing development. Require that the construction of new roads and the reconstruction of TR 107 existing roads be to standards that are sensible and appropriate to the village, historic, and rural character of Dunbarton and to the anticipated level of use of the road. Reevaluate the need for smaller lot sizes in appropriate areas of RC 114 Dunbarton to accommodate mixed uses, a village design, and more concentrated development. [Regional Impacts of Growth] Reevaluate the need on a bi-yearly basis for developing a Growth HO 115 Management Ordinance based upon the current conditions in Dunbarton and area towns.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 IMPLEMENTATION PAGE XI-25

Coordinate Activities Each Board, Department, and Committee has their priorites as determined from the Prioritized Action Plan for implementation. There are several factors which may inhibit the ability of the project leader to implement Recommendations as suggested in the Prioritized Action Plan, including funding and time. The Steering Committee recognizes that it may not always be feasible to implement the Recommendations as suggested and understands that each Board, Department, and Committee will offer their best efforts to complete their Recommendations. Internally, each group can exercise discretion to reprioritize and work on which ever Recommendations are most important or most practical given time or monetary constraints.

As a cohesive Town endeavor, all Boards, Departments, and Committees have a stake in the implementation of the Master Plan. Over the next three years, regular activities will need to be undertaken in order to accomplish the objectives of the Master Plan. Close coordination between different groups will be nessary to effectively continue working on the Master Plan and its Recommendations.

The Master Plan is a dynamic document which should be reviewed on a regular basis as to its relevancy and to add new tasks as old tasks are completed. The Capital Improvements Program, Zoning Ordinance, and regulations are all documents that need to be updated, or at least reviewed, annually. The Implementation Schedule in Table XI-5 lists the activities of importance to all Town entities in Dunbarton:

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 IMPLEMENTATION PAGE XI-26

Table XI-5 Implementation Schedule, January 2005 – December 2007 Date Task Project Leader January 2005 Adopt the Master Plan Board of Selectmen March 2005 Bring Zoning amendments to Town Meeting Planning Board April 2005 Develop the Capital Improvements Program Planning Board May 2005 Hold All-Boards Meeting for Implementation Board of Selectmen July 2005 Update Subdivision and Site Plan Regulations Planning Board September 2005 Hold All-Boards Meeting for Implementation Board of Selectmen 2005 September 2005 Adopt the Capital Improvements Program Planning Board October 2005 Begin to evaluate the Master Plan’s effectiveness Planning Board November 2005 Write Zoning amendments for Town Meeting Planning Board December 2005 Evaluate and Amend Implementation Chapter Planning Board December 2005 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#1) Planning Board January 2006 Hold All-Boards Meeting for Implementation Board of Selectmen February 2006 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#2) Planning Board March 2006 Bring Zoning amendments to Town Meeting Planning Board March 2006 Bring capital purchases to Town Meeting Board of Selectmen March 2006 Begin High (H) Priorities Planning Board April 2006 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#3) Planning Board May 2006 Hold All-Boards Meeting for Implementation Board of Selectmen June 2006 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#4) Planning Board July 2006 Update Subdivision and Site Plan Regulations Planning Board 2006 July 2006 Re-evaluate Implementation Chapter and amend Planning Board August 2006 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#5) Planning Board September 2006 Hold All-Boards Meeting for Implementation Board of Selectmen September 2006 Amend the Capital Improvements Program Planning Board October 2006 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#6) Planning Board November 2006 Write Zoning amendments for Town Meeting Planning Board December 2006 Adopt the amended Capital Improvements Program Planning Board December 2006 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#7) Planning Board January 2007 Hold All-Boards Meeting for Implementation Board of Selectmen February 2007 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#7) Planning Board March 2007 Bring Zoning amendments to Town Meeting Planning Board March 2007 Bring capital purchases to Town Meeting Board of Selectmen March 2007 Begin Medium (M) Priorities Planning Board April 2007 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#8) Planning Board May 2007 Hold All-Boards Meeting for Implementation Board of Selectmen June 2007 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#9) Planning Board July 2007 Update Subdivision and Site Plan Regulations Planning Board

2007 July 2007 Re-evaluate Implementation Chapter and amend Planning Board August 2007 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#10) Planning Board September 2007 Hold All-Boards Meeting for Implementation Board of Selectmen September 2007 Amend the Capital Improvements Program Planning Board October 2007 Review one Master Plan Chapter (#11) Planning Board November 2007 Write Zoning amendments for Town Meeting Planning Board December 2007 Adopt the amended Capital Improvements Program Planning Board December 2007 Review one Master Plan Chapter (any remaining Planning Board Chapter)

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 IMPLEMENTATION PAGE XI-27

Evaluate the Master Plan Chapters By October 2005, approximately one year after the Master Plan was adopted, the Planning Board should have a solid sense for how well the Master Plan has served the Town. Some Chapters will be recognized as having more relevance than others, and many Recommendations will have been completed. The new State Statute (RSA 674:2, III), as written earlier, urges an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Master Plan.

The Dunbarton Planning Board should review one chapter of the Master Plan every two months beginning in October 2005 using the form on the following page. There are twelve Chapters of the Master Plan, eleven of which are to be reviewed over a period of two years. By doing so, new ideas for the next version of the Master Plan will be generated and the Planning Board will know what has worked well in a Chapter and what can be improved upon. The Recommendations can be reviewed for their effectiveness and relevancy and can be “checked off” when completed. The comprehensive amendment for the Master Plan should begin in April of 2008.

The Chapter evaluation form, which should be utilized for each of the Chapters as they are reviewed in turn, follows:

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 IMPLEMENTATION PAGE XI-28

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN CHAPTER EVALUATION

Evaluation Date:

Chapter Name:

What the Chapter has accomplished:

What the Chapter has not accomplished:

How to improve the Chapter:

Recommendation Completion Progress: # Priority Recommendation Date Estimated Completed Completion Date

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 IMPLEMENTATION PAGE XI-29

SUMMARY

The Master Plan Implementation Committee has developed a comprehensive Prioritized Action Plan for the Recommendations found within the Master Plan. This Action Plan lists who the project leader is, who to contact for assistance, what the priority is, what is the cost range, and where it was found in the Master Plan for each individual Recommendation.

This Chapter contains the action statements given by Town Boards, Departments, and Committees which declare their intent to work on the Master Plan Recommendations. Coordination among groups will be essential to implement the Master Plan. The table of regulatory revisions should guide the Planning Board to work on those amendments. A detailed time schedule is included for specific activities that spans from January 2005 to December 2007.

Not only should a Capital Improvements Program be developed, and the current Zoning Ordinance and regulations be updated on an annual basis, so should this Implementation Chapter be revised and adopted on an annual basis. The Planning Board should look to begin reviewing and then updating the Dunbarton 2004 Master Plan in October 2005. Each Chapter should be individually evaluated to measure its effectiveness in terms of affecting change.

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-1

Chapter XII APPENDIX

NOVEMBER 2003 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS – SHORT FORM

• 1,116 Surveys Distributed • 490 Replies • 43.9% Return Rate

General Questions

1. Please indicate in which area of Town you live or own property using the appropriate area letter on the enclosed map:

7.1% Area A 4.5% Area B 6.0% Area C 9.1% Area D 4.5% Area E 25.3% Area F 42.5% Area G

2. Please rate each of the following features for their importance to you in Dunbarton: Very Somewhat Not No Important Important Important Important Opinion Small town / rural atmosphere 77.3% 14.1% 7.1% 1.2% 0.2% Employment opportunities 2.7% 8.2% 14.5% 72.0% 2.5% Educational system 40.5% 27.3% 10.6% 18.8% 2.7% Location 39.2% 34.1% 17.8% 4.0% 4.9% Natural resources 49.2% 33.4% 13.0% 2.7% 1.7% Town services 16.3% 35.5% 37.2% 9.8% 1.3% Scenic areas 45.1% 34.7% 15.4% 4.2% 0.6% Historic character 38.3% 32.5% 21.5% 6.7% 1.0% People / community spirit 35.6% 41.6% 18.4% 2.7% 1.7% Community and recreational facilities 15.4% 36.4% 32.1% 14.6% 1.5% Other: See Tabular Results N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

If you do not live in Dunbarton, please skip to Question 9.

Population & Economics Questions

3. Please write in the number of adults in your household for each age group.

5.6% 18-20 years old 10.6% 55-59 years old 4.1% 21-24 years old 6.2% 60-64 years old 11.3% 25-34 years old 6.0% 65-74 years old 25.3% 35-44 years old 3.4% 75-84 years old 26.4% 45-54 years old 1.0% 85 years old and older

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-2

4. Please indicate the number of children for each age group in your household.

28.0%Under 5 years old 18.9%11-13 years old 32.1%5-10 years old 20.9%14-17 years old

5. How long have you lived in Dunbarton? 8.0% Less than 1 year 21.9% 11-20 Years 25.9% 1-5 Years 13.4% 21-30 Years 18.5% 6-10 Years 12.3% Over 31 Years

6. For all employed members of your household, please provide the following information:

How Many Town / State e

A. Full Time 40 Works in: Dunbarton, NH 406 Works in: New Hampshire 47 Works in: All Others B. Part-time 26 Works in: Dunbarton, NH 86 Works in: New Hampshire 11 Works in: All Others

7. How many members of your household work at home? 70.6% None 23.1% One 5.4% Two 0.7% Three 0.3% Half (0.5)

How many others come to your home to work? 97.3% None 1.9% One 0.8% Two

Type(s) of home occupation: See Tabular Results (see list below in #8 for occupation types)

8. Please indicate the number of members of your household employed in each of the following categories:

1.2% Agriculture/Forestry 7.3% Government 9.5% Health Care 6.1% Homemaker 13.1% Professional 6.3% Computer / High Tech 8.1% Building Trades 2.1% Non-profit 5.9% Manufacturing 0.8% Real Estate 4.0% Retail 5.3% Retired 4.5% Business Services 5.1% Student 8.0% Education 1.7% Unemployed 3.6% Finance 7.3% Other See Tabular Results

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-3

9. Which of the following enterprises / services would you like to see in Dunbarton? Please check as many as you wish.

11.6% Professional office park 26.1% Day care / after school care 1.0% Heavy industry park 25.1% Small retail shops 28.4% Restaurants 16.7% Recreational businesses (driving range, skiing) 3.5% Hotels / motels / inns 4.5% Major grocery chain 36.9% Bed and Breakfast 43.9% Country Convenience Store 6.5% Tourism-related businesses 39.2% Post Office 17.8% Health clinic / doctor’s office 8.2% Spa/Health Club 2.2% Conference Center 1.2% Large retailer 6.9% Motor vehicle repair or sales 48.2% Agricultural-related businesses (orchards, dairy farms) 14.5% Banks 7.3% Other: See Tabular Results 4.5% Mini-Storage 11.2% None of the above 10.4% Light industry park

Comments: See Write-in Responses

Housing Questions

10. Do you… 91.3% Own 2.1% Rent 0.6% Have another arrangement (in law-apartment, groundskeeper, etc) 5.9% Do not live in Dunbarton (own land only)

11. In what type of housing do you live in Dunbarton? 94.8% Single family home 1.6% Multifamily home or Apartment 0.5% In-law apartment 1.4% Manufactured (Mobile) home 0.2% Two family home / duplex 1.6% Other: See Tabular Results [3.9% Do not live in Dunbarton (own land only)]

12. Would you like to see the following type of housing encouraged or not encouraged in Dunbarton? Highly Somewhat Not No Encouraged Encouraged Encouraged Encouraged Opinion Single family 40.4% 27.6% 16.9% 12.3% 2.9% Two-family / duplexes 2.5% 11.4% 23.4% 58.5% 4.2% Multi-family (3-4 units) 1.6% 3.4% 5.8% 83.9% 5.4% Elderly housing 10.0% 23.5% 25.5% 34.8% 6.2% Conversion of large homes into apts. 1.1% 3.6% 12.6% 77.4% 5.2% Manufactured / mobile home parks 0.0% 1.6% 3.3% 91.3% 3.8% Manufactured / mobile home on 0.2% 3.8% 16.6% 74.7% 4.7% individual lots Condominium / town houses 2.0% 6.0% 15.5% 73.4% 3.1% Apartment buildings (4+ units) 1.1% 0.5% 3.4% 92.1% 2.9% Cluster developments (single family homes 7.3% 11.1% 20.0% 57.2% 4.4% on smaller lots with open space retained) Accessory/In-law apartments 7.6% 21.2% 33.7% 29.0% 8.5%

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-4

13. In your opinion, which statement best describes Dunbarton’s residential rate of growth? 52.2% Growing too fast 2.5% Growing too slowly 40.2% Growth is acceptable 5.1% No Opinion

14. How should the Town respond to future residential growth? 8.6% No response is necessary 6.0% No Opinion 79.4% Implement growth management measures 6.0% Other: See Write-in Responses

15. Are there any areas where you feel growth should be restricted? (Please refer to the enclosed map) 24.7% Area A 16.5% Area B 17.6% Area C 15.5% Area D 9.2% Area E 24.1% Area F 25.5% Area G

Transportation Questions

16. In your opinion, what is the general condition of local roads* in Dunbarton? 5.8% Excellent Condition 2.8% Very Poor Condition 73.8% Good Condition 5.2% No Opinion 12.4% Poor Condition

* Excluding NH Route 13, NH Route 77, Mansion Road, Stark Lane and Everett Dam. These roads are maintained by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

17. Are there unpaved roads you think should be paved? 15.0% Yes 53.2% No 31.8% No Opinion

If yes, which roads? See Write-in Responses

18. Are you in favor of retaining the unpaved Town designated Scenic Roads* as they are? 65.2% Yes 11.3% No 23.6% No Opinion

* Dunbarton’s unpaved scenic roads are: County Road, Gile Hill Road, Guinea Road, Line Hill Road, Legache Hill Road, Stone Road, and Tenney Hill Road

19. Are there any sections of roadways or intersections that you feel are hazardous for pedestrians or vehicles?

See Write-in Responses

20. Please identify any streets where you feel sidewalks or accommodations for cyclists/runners are needed.

See Write-in Responses

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-5

21. Do you believe there is a need to provide public transit opportunities in Dunbarton? 9.6% Yes 76.7% No 13.7% No Opinion

Natural Features Questions

22. Please indicate how important the preservation of open space (undeveloped land) in Dunbarton is to you:

67.9% Very Important 3.1% Not Important 16.9% Important 1.5% No Opinion 10.6% Somewhat Important

23. Do you support the acquisition of lands by the Town for conservation and low impact recreation purposes? 82.9% Yes 8.9% No 8.2% No Opinion

If yes….(Please check any that apply) 59.3% Through the Current Use Change Tax Fund? 84.2% Through Donations? 26.7% Through General Tax Revenues? 81.4% Through Grants? 26.2% Through a Bond Issue? (Town borrowing) 6.6% Other See Write-in Responses

24. Would you support an increase or decrease in the portion of the current use change tax to be allocated to the Conservation Commission for land protection and acquisition, now currently at 50%? 27.5% Increase 45.9% Keep the Same 10.5% Decrease 16.1% No Opinion

25. Should wetlands protection be an important land management objective in Dunbarton? 78.0% Yes 11.7% No 10.3% No Opinion

26. Should Dunbarton enact an ordinance to maintain vegetated buffer areas along wetlands and streams? 62.3% Yes 19.6% No 18.1% No Opinion

27. What are the most important land conservation objectives to you? Please choose the three most important: 28.4% Fields / Agriculture 18.2% Aquifers 45.9% Forests 55.5% Natural Habitat 20.6% Streams 27.6% Ponds 19.6% Scenic Views 29.8% Wetlands 12.9% Recreation 26.3% Fish / Wildlife management 2.7% Other, please explain See Write-in Responses

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-6

28. There are 19,734 acres of land in Dunbarton, 3,611 acres of which are permanently protected for public conservation/recreation purposes (including the federally owned flood control area at Clough State Park). What do you feel is the ideal goal for permanent conservation land in Dunbarton? 60.3% More 2.8% Less 29.0% Same 7.9% No Opinion

29. What one specific place in Dunbarton is the most important to permanently conserve?

See Write-in Responses

Land Use Questions

30. Do you think that maintaining Dunbarton’s rural character should be a goal of the current Master Plan, as it was in the previous Plan? 86.7% Yes 5.7% No 7.6% No Opinion

If yes, please list three key things/features/characteristics you associate with rural character.

See Write-in Responses

31. Should the Town continue to maintain the 2 acre/3 acre/5 acre minimum lots sizes in the various districts? 80.7% Yes 15.5% No 3.8% No Opinion

If no, what is your recommendation regarding the minimum lot size in the various zoning districts?

See Write-in Responses

32. In what area(s) would you like to encourage residential growth? (Please refer to the enclosed map) 9.9% Area A 9.0% Area B 8.5% Area C 11.2% Area D 13.7% Area E 21.3% Area F 26.3% Area G

33. Should Dunbarton try to encourage light commercial/light industrial (non-residential) growth? 33.5% Yes 55.7% No 10.8% No Opinion

34. Commercial or industrial uses are permitted throughout Dunbarton by the issuance of a special exception. Should the Town have separate areas dedicated for industrial or commercial uses? 58.8% Yes 30.8% No 10.4% No Opinion

If yes, in what area(s) would you like to encourage commercial growth? (Please refer to the enclosed map) 19.6% Area A 18.5% Area B 10.0% Area C 17.0% Area D 52.4% Area E 20.7% Area F 10.7% Area G

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-7

35. How many times per year do you use public lands in Dunbarton for recreation?

Never 16.5% 1-5 23.3% 6-12 17.7% 12-20 7.2% 20-50 15.3% 50+ 4.1% 100+ 7.2% Other 8.6%

36. Do you feel that maintaining agriculture and forestry as economically viable land uses in Dunbarton are important objectives of the Master Plan? 80.4% Yes 6.2% No 13.4% No Opinion

Historical Resources

37. Do you value historic places or properties in Dunbarton? 84.7% Yes 7.0% No 8.3% No Opinion

38. Do you support the designation of a specific area in Dunbarton as a historic district? 50.7% Yes 31.9% No 17.5% No Opinion

If yes, which area(s)? (Please refer to the enclosed map) 75.9% Area A 44.8% Area B 25.0% Area C 11.2% Area D 6.5% Area E 12.9% Area F 6.5% Area G

If yes, do you support the regulation of architectural features within these areas? 58.4% Yes 26.2% No 15.4% No Opinion

39. Would you like to see the Town take additional measures related to historic preservation? 35.0% Yes 34.4% No 30.6% No Opinion

If yes, how? See Write-in Responses

Community and Recreational Facilities Questions

40. Should the Town identify appropriate properties for future town services including police, fire, schools, etc. and take steps to procure those properties (if not currently owned by the Town)? 62.4% Yes 22.7% No 14.8% No Opinion

If yes, which of the following funding methods would you support? (Please check any that apply) 51.2% Through General Tax Revenues? 67.0% Through a Bond Issue? (Town borrowing) 62.9% Through Donations? 10.3% Other See Write-in Responses

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-8

41. Do you support the Town encouraging the development of a comprehensive trail network? 68.8% Yes 20.2% No 11.0% No Opinion

If yes, what use(s) would you support: 20.4% Motorized uses (ATVs/dirt bikes) (Please check any that apply) 32.9% Motorized uses (Snowmobiles only) 85.3% Non-motorized uses (Walking, biking)

42. Should the Town do more to encourage recycling? 54.1% Yes 27.3% No 18.6% No Opinion

If yes, in what manner would you improve the Town’s recycling? See Write-in Responses

43. Please provide your opinion on how well you think the Town is performing the following services or activities:

No Excellent Good Fair Poor Opinion Animal control 10.3% 38.9% 10.1% 9.0% 31.6% Cemetery care 19.3% 49.3% 5.2% 0.9% 25.2% Fire protection 27.6% 50.7% 7.2% 0.7% 13.9% Library 19.1% 48.5% 11.0% 2.4% 19.1% Natural resource conservation 15.7% 56.4% 12.8% 2.7% 12.4% Recreation opportunities 9.7% 48.3% 24.1% 4.0% 13.9% Police protection 29.2% 50.4% 11.3% 2.4% 6.7% Rescue / ambulance service 27.6% 37.0% 8.1% 2.6% 24.7% Road maintenance 10.4% 50.6% 22.9% 10.8% 5.2% School system 12.2% 44.3% 16.8% 6.1% 20.5% Snow removal 14.6% 48.9% 19.6% 9.6% 7.4% Solid waste disposal & recycling 18.3% 53.5% 13.8% 4.6% 9.8% Welfare 4.0% 15.3% 7.2% 2.9% 70.6% Planning/zoning regulation, administration & 4.4% 27.4% 28.5% 19.4% 20.3% enforcement Health regulations & enforcement 3.6% 19.6% 12.3% 4.0% 60.5% Other (Please list here): * See Write-in Responses * * * * *

THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THIS COMMUNITY SURVEY! Your input will assist the Master Plan Steering Committee with the development of the Master Plan.

Please comment on any of the above issues or any others you believe are important to Dunbarton:

See Write-in Responses

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-9

NOVEMBER 2003 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS - TABULAR CALCULATIONS

General Questions

Question 1: Please indicate in which area of Town you live or own property. Area Total Percent A 33 7.1% A,E 1 0.2% B 21 4.5% C 28 6.0% C, G 1 0.2% D 42 9.1% D, G 1 0.2% E 21 4.5% E or F 1 0.2% F 117 25.3% G 197 42.5% Grand Total 463 100.0%

Question 2: Please rate each of the following features for their importance to you in Dunbarton. Very Important Important Somewhat Not Important No Opinion Features Important Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Total Percent Small town / rural 372 77.3% 68 14.1% 34 7.1% 6 1.2% 1 0.2% 481 100.0% atmosphere Employment 13 2.7% 39 8.2% 69 14.5% 342 72.0% 12 2.5% 475 100.0% opportunities Educational 194 40.5% 131 27.3% 51 10.6% 90 18.8% 13 2.7% 479 100.0% opportunities Location 185 39.2% 161 34.1% 84 17.8% 19 4.0% 23 4.9% 472 100.0% Natural resources 234 49.2% 159 33.4% 62 13.0% 13 2.7% 8 1.7% 476 100.0% Town services 78 16.3% 170 35.5% 178 37.2% 47 9.8% 6 1.3% 479 100.0% Scenic areas 216 45.1% 166 34.7% 74 15.4% 20 4.2% 3 0.6% 479 100.0% Historic character 184 38.3% 156 32.5% 103 21.5% 32 6.7% 5 1.0% 480 100.0% People / community 170 35.6% 199 41.6% 88 18.4% 13 2.7% 8 1.7% 478 100.0% spirit Community and 73 15.4% 172 36.4% 152 32.1% 69 14.6% 7 1.5% 473 100.0% recreational facilities

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-10

Question 2: “Other” features important to you in Dunbarton. *All ranked "Very Important" by respondent unless otherwise noted* Total "Undeveloped" Atmosphere 1 After school programs 1 Avoid nickel and diming taxpayers at the dump 1 Conservation efforts 1 Conservation lands 1 Controlled growth 1 Drivable roads 1 Ethical and open town government 1 Full use my property 1 Garbage pick up 1 Gas station, pharmacist, grocery store, car wash, bank, doughnut shop 1 Housing for elderly 1 Large lots 1 Limited population 1 Low taxes 2 Low taxes and low amount of community restrictions 1 Middle school 2 Minimal tax rate 1 Open space 3 Peace and quiet! 3 Property taxes 1 Quiet 1 Quiet and tranquility 1 Quiet, non-commercial 1 Roads (ranked Important) 1 Safety 2 Senior center 1 Slowing population growth 1 Small town atmosphere 1 Taxes 3 Taxes (low) 1 Town park/pool 1 Transfer Station - longer hours. 1 Wildlife and conservation preservation 1 Zoning ordinance 5 acre + for building 1 Grand Total 44

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-11

Population & Economics Questions

Question 3: Please write in the number of adults in your household for each age group. Age Total Percent 18-20 years old 38 5.6% 21-24 years old 28 4.1% 25-34 years old 77 11.3% 35-44 years old 172 25.3% 45-54 years old 179 26.4% 55-59 years old 72 10.6% 60-64 years old 42 6.2% 65-74 years old 41 6.0% 75-84 years old 23 3.4% 85 years old and older 7 1.0% Total 679 100.0%

Question 4: Please indicate the number of children for each age group in your household. Age Number Percent Under 5 years old 83 28.0% 5-10 years old 95 32.1% 11-13 years old 56 18.9% 14-17 years old 62 20.9% Total 296 100.0%

Question 5: How long have you lived in Dunbarton? Years Total Percent Less than 1 year 36 8.0% 1-5 years 116 25.9% 6-10 years 83 18.5% 11-20 years 98 21.9% 21-30 years 60 13.4% Over 31 years 55 12.3% Grand Total 448 100.0%

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-12

Question 6: For all employed members of your household, please provide the following information. Full Part Full Part Works in : Time Percent Time Percent Works in : Time Percent Time Percent New England Amherst, NH 4 0.8% (various) 11 2.2% 4 3.1% New Hampshire Andover, MA 6 1.2% (various) 19 3.8% 11 8.5% At home 5 1.0% 2 1.6% Northwood, NH 2 0.4% Out of State (not Auburn, NH 5 1.0% 1 0.8% New England) 4 0.8% 2 1.6% Barnstead, NH 1 0.2% Peabody, MA 1 0.2% Bedford, NH 25 5.0% 3 2.3% Pembroke, NH 6 1.2% 2 1.6% Belmont, NH 1 0.2% Penacook, NH 4 0.8% Billerica, MA 1 0.2% Peterborough, NH 1 0.2% Boscawen, NH 2 0.4% Pinardville, NH 1 0.2% 1 0.8% Boston, MA 5 1.0% Plymouth, NH 0 0.0% 1 0.8% Bow, NH 6 1.2% 1 0.8% Portland, ME 1 0.2% Brentwood, NH 1 0.2% Portsmouth, NH 0 0.0% 1 0.8% Cambridge, MA 1 0.2% Reading, MA 0 0.0% 1 0.8% Candia, NH 1 0.2% Rochester, NH 1 0.2% Concord, NH 96 19.1% 27 20.9% Salem, MA 1 0.2% Contoocook, NH 4 0.8% Salem, NH 7 1.4% Danvers, MA 1 0.2% Seabrook, NH 1 0.2% Derry, NH 3 0.6% Suncook, NH 1 0.2% Dover, NH 1 0.2% 1 0.8% Tilton, NH 1 0.2% Dunbarton, NH 35 7.0% 24 18.6% Tyngsboro, MA 1 0.2% Epsom, NH 1 0.2% Warner, NH 1 0.2% Fayetteville, NC 1 0.2% Watertown, MA 0 0.0% 1 0.8% Francestown, NH 1 0.2% Weare, NH 6 1.2% Franklin, NH 2 0.4% Westford, MA 2 0.4% Gilford, NH 1 0.2% Wilmington, MA 1 0.2% Goffstown, NH 18 3.6% 9 7.0% Windham, NH 2 0.4% Haverhill, MA 1 0.2% Woburn, MA 1 0.2% Hillsborough, NH 5 1.0% (blank) 9 1.8% 6 4.7% Totals 502 100% 129 100% Hooksett, NH 12 2.4% 1 0.8% Hudson, NH 3 0.6% Keene, NH 2 0.4% Lawrence, MA 1 0.2% 1 0.8% Litchfield, NH 0 0.0% 1 0.8% local area 3 0.6% 1 0.8% Londonderry, NH 8 1.6% 1 0.8% Loudon, NH 2 0.4% 1 0.8% Manchester, NH 107 21.3% 18 14.0% Massachusetts (various) 7 1.4% 1 0.8% Merrimack, NH 12 2.4% Milford, NH 3 0.6% Nashua, NH 19 3.8% 3 2.3% New Boston, NH 4 0.8% 2 1.6%

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-13

Question 7: How many members of your household work at home? Number Total Percent None 211 70.6% 0.5 1 0.3% 1 69 23.1% 2 16 5.4% 3 2 0.7% Grand Total 299 100.0%

How many others come to your home to work? Number Total Percent None 250 97.3% 0.5 0 0.0% 1 5 1.9% 2 2 0.8% Grand Total 257 100.0%

Types of home occupation: Home Occupations Total Home Occupations Total Agriculture 1 Music Teacher 1 Antiques and appraisals 1 Natural Healing 1 Bodywork 1 N/A 2 Brokerage business 1 None 1 Building Trades 3 Non-profit 1 Business services 1 Other 2 Childcare 3 House Cleaner 1 Computer - High Tech 6 Part time child care 1 Computer Project Manager 1 Pet services 2 Construction 1 Photography 2 Consultant 2 Production worker 1 District Sales Manger 1 Professional 4 Education 1 Project leader for IT projects 1 Electric Company 1 Project Manager 1 Engineering 1 Property appraisal 1 Event Videography 1 Real Estate 2 Finance 4 Real estate management 1 Freelance writer/producer 1 Retail 2 Groomer 1 Sales 2 Home fashions 1 Sales rep. 2 Home office 1 Soccer coach with National Soccer Federation 1 Home office for design 1 Stitching 1 Homemaker 10 Student 1 Insurance restoration 2 Transport sales 1 Lobbyist 1 Upholstery 1 Manufacturing 2 Window Treatments 1 Marketing 1 Writer 1 Model T Ford Trucks 1 Total 90

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-14

Question 8: Please indicate the number of members of your household employed in each of the following categories: Occupation Number Percent Agriculture/Forestry 9 1.2% Health Care 71 9.5% Professional 98 13.1% Building Trades 61 8.1% Manufacturing 44 5.9% Retail 30 4.0% Business Services 34 4.5% Education 60 8.0% Finance 27 3.6% Government 55 7.3% Homemaker 46 6.1% Computer / High Tech 47 6.3% Non-profit 16 2.1% Real Estate 6 0.8% Retired 40 5.3% Student 38 5.1% Unemployed 13 1.7% Other 55 7.3% Total 750 100.0%

Other: Other Occupation Total Other Occupation Total Antiques 1 None 1 Architecture 1 Outside sales 1 Automotive 2 Pet Services 1 Aviation 1 Pharmaceutical-research 1 Babysitter 1 Property appraisal. 1 Bio Tech 1 Publishing 1 Broadcasting/Media 1 Rental 1 Bus Driver 1 Research and development 1 Chemical Sales 1 Retired 1 Construction 1 Sales 4 Direct sales 2 Self Employed 2 Disabled 1 Secretarial 1 Distribution 1 Social services 1 Engineering 1 Telecommunications 1 Entertainment/sports 1 Transport sales 1 Food industry 1 Travel Industry 2 Home cleaning 1 Travel/pilot 1 Irrigation 1 Wholesale 2 Landscaper, Ski Instructor 1 Window Treatments 1 Legal Secretary 1 Writer. 1 Municipal Firefighter 1 Total 23

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Question 9: Which of the following enterprises / services would you like to see in Dunbarton? Enterprises Total Percent Professional office park 57 11.6% Heavy industry park 5 1.0% Restaurants 139 28.4% Hotels / motels / inns 17 3.5% Bed and Breakfast 181 36.9% Tourism-related businesses 32 6.5% Health clinic / doctor's office 87 17.8% Conference Center 11 2.2% Motor vehicle repair or sales 34 6.9% Banks 71 14.5% Mini-Storage 22 4.5% Light industry park 51 10.4% Day care / after school care 128 26.1% Small retail shops 123 25.1% Recreational businesses 82 16.7% Major grocery chain 22 4.5% Country Convenience Store 215 43.9% Post Office 192 39.2% Spa/Health Club 40 8.2% Large Retailer 6 1.2% Agricultural-related businesses 236 48.2% Other 36 7.3% None of the above 55 11.2%

Other: Write-in responses for "Other" enterprises Total Write-in responses for "Other" enterprises Total Any business that increases the tax base 1 Hooters 1 Breakfast shop 1 Inn/Tavern 1 Light industrial in designated area and to Cable and DSL internet access 1 blend in with our historical buildings 1 Cable TV 1 No more houses allowed 1 Car wash and play ground 1 Not-for-profit enterprises 1 Coffee shop 1 Pizza Shop 1 Dental office, Law office. 1 Private country-style restaurant 1 Dry cleaner 1 Restaurant in historic house 1 Dunkin Donuts 1 Service Business 1 Garden shop 1 Small Home Business 1 Gas station 8 Veterinarian 1 Gas Station - Car wash donut shop on Rt 77 1 Would like to see trash pick-up 1 Hardware Store 1 X-country skiing 1 Historic related business 1 Zoo 1 Home business, low profile 1 Total 36

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Housing Questions

Question 10: Do you… Housing Total Percent Own 432 91.3% Rent 10 2.1% Have another arrangement 3 0.6% Do not live in Dunbarton 28 5.9% Grand Total 473 100.0%

Question 11: In what type of housing do you live in in Dunbarton? Housing Type Total Percent* Single family home 421 94.8% In-law apartment 2 0.5% Two family home / duplex 1 0.2% Do not live in Dunbarton** 18 3.9% Multifamily home or 7 1.6% Apartment Manufactured (Mobile) home 6 1.4% Other 7 1.6% Grand Total 462 *based on 444 respondents who reside in Dunbarton **based on 462 total responses

Other: Write-in housing responses: Total Percent Cottage 2 25.0% Own house 1 12.5% Own house, don't live here. 1 12.5% Rent my home out 1 12.5% Seasonal dwelling 2 25.0% Town House 1 12.5% Grand Total 8 100.0%

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Question 12: Would you like to see the following type of housing encouraged or not encouraged in Dunbarton? Highly Encouraged Somewhat Not No Opinion Encouraged Encouraged Encouraged # Percent # Percent # Percent # Percent # Percent Total Percent Single Family 184 40.4% 126 27.6% 77 16.9% 56 12.3% 13 2.9% 456 100.0% Two-family / duplexes 11 2.5% 51 11.4% 105 23.4% 262 58.5% 19 4.2% 448 100.0% Multi-family (3-4 units) 7 1.6% 15 3.4% 26 5.8% 374 83.9% 24 5.4% 446 100.0% Elderly housing 45 10.0% 106 23.5% 115 25.5% 157 34.8% 28 6.2% 451 100.0% Conversion of large homes into apts. 5 1.1% 16 3.6% 56 12.6% 343 77.4% 23 5.2% 443 100.0% Manufactured / mobile home parks 0 0.0% 7 1.6% 15 3.3% 410 91.3% 17 3.8% 449 100.0% Manufactured / mobile home on individual lots 1 0.2% 17 3.8% 74 16.6% 334 74.7% 21 4.7% 447 100.0% Condominium / town houses 9 2.0% 27 6.0% 70 15.5% 331 73.4% 14 3.1% 451 100.0% Apartment buildings (4+ units) 5 1.1% 2 0.5% 15 3.4% 409 92.1% 13 2.9% 444 100.0% Cluster developments 33 7.3% 50 11.1% 90 20.0% 258 57.2% 20 4.4% 451 100.0% Accessory / In-law apartments 34 7.6% 95 21.2% 151 33.7% 130 29.0% 38 8.5% 448 100.0%

Question 13: In your opinion, which statement best describes Dunbarton’s residential rate of growth? Total Percent Growing too fast 247 52.2% Growing too slowly 12 2.5% Growth is acceptable 190 40.2% No Opinion 24 5.1% Grand Total 473 100.0%

Question 14: How should the Town respond to future residential growth? Response Total Percent No response is necessary 40 8.6% Implement growth management measures 369 79.4% No Opinion 28 6.0% Other 28 6.0% Grand Total 465 100.0%

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Question 15: Are there any areas where you feel growth should be restricted? Area Number Percent* Area A 121 24.7% Area B 81 16.5% Area C 86 17.6% Area D 76 15.5% Area E 45 9.2% Area F 118 24.1% Area G 125 25.5% *Based on 490 returned surveys.

Transportation Questions

Question 16: In your opinion, what is the general condition of local roads in Dunbarton? Condition Total Percent Excellent 27 5.8% Good 344 73.8% Poor 58 12.4% Very Poor 13 2.8% No Opinion 24 5.2% Grand Total 466 100.0%

Question 17: Are there unpaved roads you think should be paved? Total Percent Yes 71 15.0% No 251 53.2% No Opinion 150 31.8% Grand Total 472 100.0%

Question 18: Are you in favor of retaining the unpaved Town designated Scenic Roads as they are? Total Percent Yes 301 65.2% No 52 11.3% No Opinion 109 23.6% Grand Total 462 100.0%

Question 19: Are there any sections of roadways or intersections that you feel are hazardous for pedestrians or vehicles?

See Write-in Responses

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Question 20: Please identify any streets where you feel sidewalks or accommodations for cyclists/runners are needed.

See Write-in Responses

Question 21: Do you believe there is a need to provide public transportation opportunities in Dunbarton? Total Percent Yes 45 9.6% No 359 76.7% No Opinion 64 13.7% Grand Total 468 100.0%

Natural Features Questions

Question 22: Please indicate how important the preservation of open space (undeveloped land) in Dunbarton is to you. Total Percent Very Important 326 67.9% Important 81 16.9% Somewhat Important 51 10.6% Not Important 15 3.1% No Opinion 7 1.5% Grand Total 480 100.0%

Question 23: Do you support the acquisition of lands by the Town for conservation and low impact recreation purposes? Total Percent Yes 393 82.9% No 42 8.9% No Opinion 39 8.2% Grand Total 474 100.0%

If yes, how should the acquisition be funded? Total Percent* Through the Current Use Change Tax Fund? 233 59.3% Through General Tax Revenues? 105 26.7% Through a Bond Issue? 103 26.2% Through Donations? 331 84.2% Through Grants? 320 81.4% Other 26 6.6% * based on 393 "yes" responses

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Question 24: Would you support an increase or decrease in the portion of the current use change tax to be allocated to the Conservation Commission for land protection and acquisition, now currently at 50%? Total Percent Increase 131 27.5% Decrease 50 10.5% Keep the Same 219 45.9% No Opinion 77 16.1% Grand Total 477 100.0%

Question 25: Should wetlands protection be an important land management objective in Dunbarton? Total Percent Yes 372 78.0% No 56 11.7% No Opinion 49 10.3% Grand Total 477 100.0%

Question 26: Should Dunbarton enact an ordinance to maintain vegetated buffer areas along wetlands and streams? Total Percent Yes 296 62.3% No 93 19.6% No Opinion 86 18.1% Grand Total 475 100.0%

Question 27: What are the most important land conservation objectives to you? Please choose the three most important. Total Percent* Fields / Agriculture 139 28.4% Streams 101 20.6% Recreation 63 12.9% Other 13 2.7% Aquifers 89 18.2% Ponds 135 27.6% Fish / Wildlife management 129 26.3% Forests 225 45.9% Scenic Views 96 19.6% Natural Habitat 272 55.5% Wetlands 146 29.8% *based on 490 returned surveys

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Question 28: There are 19,734 acres of land in Dunbarton, 3,611 acres of which are permanently protected for public conservation purposes (including the federally owned flood control area at Clough State Park). What do you feel is the ideal goal for permanent conservation land in Dunbarton? Total Percent More 281 60.3% Less 13 2.8% Same 135 29.0% No Opinion 37 7.9% Grand Total 466 100.0%

Question 29: What one specific place in Dunbarton is the most important to permanently conserve? See Write-in Responses

Land Use Questions

Question 30: Do you think that maintaining Dunbarton’s rural character should be a goal of the current Master Plan, as it was in the previous Plan? Total Percent Yes 412 86.7% No 27 5.7% No Opinion 36 7.6% Grand Total 475 100.0%

Question 31: Should the Town continue to maintain the 2 acre/3 acre/5 acre minimum lot sizes in the various districts? Total Percent Yes 381 80.7% No 73 15.5% No Opinion 18 3.8% Grand Total 472 100.0%

Question 32: In what area(s) would you like to encourage residential growth? Total Percent Area A 44 9.9% Area B 40 9.0% Area C 38 8.5% Area D 50 11.2% Area E 61 13.7% Area F 95 21.3% Area G 117 26.3% Total 445 100.0%

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Question 33: Should Dunbarton try to encourage light commercial/light industrial (non-residential growth)? Total Percent Yes 159 33.5% No 264 55.7% No Opinion 51 10.8% Grand Total 474 100.0%

Question 34: Commercial or industrial uses are permitted throughout Dunbarton by the issuance of a special exception. Should the Town have separate areas dedicated for industrial or commercial uses? Total Percent Yes 271 58.8% No 142 30.8% No Opinion 48 10.4% Grand Total 461 100.0%

Question 34: (cont.) If yes, in what area(s) would you like to encourage commercial growth? Total Percent* Area A 53 19.6% Area B 50 18.5% Area C 27 10.0% Area D 46 17.0% Area E 142 52.4% Area F 56 20.7% Area G 29 10.7% * based on 271 "yes" responses

Question 35: How many times per year to you use public lands in Dunbarton for recreation? Times per year Total Percent 0 69 16.5% 1-5 97 23.3% 6-12 74 17.7% 12-20 30 7.2% 20-50 64 15.3% 50+ 17 4.1% 100+ 30 7.2% Other 36 8.6% Total 417 100.0%

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Question 36: Do you feel that maintaining agriculture and forestry as economically viable land uses in Dunbarton are important objectives of the Master Plan? Total Percent Yes 365 80.4% No 28 6.2% No Opinion 61 13.4% Grand Total 454 100.0%

Historical Resource Questions

Question 37: do you value historic places or properties in Dunbarton? Total Percent Yes 400 84.7% No 33 7.0% No Opinion 39 8.3% Grand Total 472 100.0%

Question 38: Do you support the designation of a specific area in Dunbarton as a historic district? Total Percent Yes 232 50.7% No 146 31.9% No Opinion 80 17.5% Grand Total 458 100.0%

If yes, which area(s)? Total Percent* Area A 176 75.9% Area B 104 44.8% Area C 58 25.0% Area D 26 11.2% Area E 15 6.5% Area F 30 12.9% Area G 15 6.5% *Based on 232 "yes" responses

If yes, do you support the regulation of architectural features within these areas? Total Percent Yes 167 58.4% No 75 26.2% No Opinion 44 15.4% Grand Total 286 100.0%

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Question 39: Would you like to see the Town take additional measures related to historic preservation? Total Percent Yes 158 35.0% No 155 34.4% No Opinion 138 30.6% Grand Total 451 100.0%

Community and Recreational Facilities Questions

Question 40: Should the Town identify appropriate properties for future town services including police, fire, schools, etc. and take steps to procure those properties (if not currently owned by the Town)? Total Percent Yes 291 62.4% No 106 22.7% No Opinion 69 14.8% Grand Total 466 100.0%

If yes, which of the following funding methods would you support? Total Percent* Through General Tax Revenues 149 51.2% Through Donations? 183 62.9% Through a Bond Issue 195 67.0% Other? 30 10.3% *Based on 291 "yes" responses

Question 41: Do you support the Town encouraging the development of a comprehensive trail network? Total Percent Yes 319 68.8% No 94 20.3% No Opinion 51 11.0% Grand Total 464 100.0%

If yes, what use(s) would you support? Total Percent* Motorized uses (ATV/dirt bikes 65 20.4% Motorized uses (Snowmobiles only) 105 32.9% Non-motorized uses (Walking/biking) 272 85.3% *Based on 319 "yes" responses

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Question 42: Should the Town do more to encourage recycling? Total Percent Yes 248 54.1% No 125 27.3% No Opinion 85 18.6% Grand Total 458 100.0%

Question 43: Please provide you opinion on how well you think the Town is performing the following services or activities? Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion Total % Total % Total % Total % Total % Total Animal Control 47 10.3% 177 38.9% 46 10.1% 41 9.0% 144 31.6% 455 Cemetery care 89 19.3% 227 49.3% 24 5.2% 4 0.9% 116 25.2% 460 Fire protection 127 27.6% 233 50.7% 33 7.2% 3 0.7% 64 13.9% 460 Library 87 19.1% 221 48.5% 50 11.0% 11 2.4% 87 19.1% 456 Natural resource conservation 71 15.7% 255 56.4% 58 12.8% 12 2.7% 56 12.4% 452 Recreation opportunities 44 9.7% 219 48.3% 109 24.1% 18 4.0% 63 13.9% 453 Police protection 135 29.2% 233 50.4% 52 11.3% 11 2.4% 31 6.7% 462 Rescue / ambulance service 126 27.6% 169 37.0% 37 8.1% 12 2.6% 113 24.7% 457 Road maintenance 48 10.4% 234 50.6% 106 22.9% 50 10.8% 24 5.2% 462 School system 56 12.2% 203 44.3% 77 16.8% 28 6.1% 94 20.5% 458 Snow removal 67 14.6% 225 48.9% 90 19.6% 44 9.6% 34 7.4% 460 Solid waste disposal & recycling 84 18.3% 245 53.5% 63 13.8% 21 4.6% 45 9.8% 458 Welfare 18 4.0% 68 15.3% 32 7.2% 13 2.9% 314 70.6% 445 Planning zoning regulation, 28.5 administration & enforcement 20 4.4% 124 27.4% 129 % 88 19.4% 92 20.3% 453 Health regulations & enforcement 16 3.6% 88 19.6% 55 12.3% 18 4.0% 271 60.5% 448

Question 44: Please comment on any of the above issues or any others you believe are important to Dunbarton.

See Write-in Responses

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NOVEMBER 2003 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS – WRITE IN RESPONSES

Population & Economics Questions

Question 9: Which of the following enterprises / services would you like to see in Dunbarton?

• Any business that increases the tax base • Breakfast shop • Cable and DSL internet access • Cable TV • Car wash and play ground • Coffee shop • Dental office, Law office. • Dry cleaner • Dunkin Donuts • Garden shop • Gas station • Gas Station - Car wash donut shop on Rt. 77 • Hardware Store • Historic related business • Home business, low profile • Hooters • Inn/Tavern • Light industrial in designated area to blend in with our historical buildings • No more houses allowed • Not-for-profit enterprises • Pizza Shop • Private country-style restaurant • Restaurant in historic house • Service Business • Small Home Business • Veterinarian • Would like to see trash pick-up • X-country skiing • Zoo

Comments:

• A Gas Station with modern pumps that take credit cards! • All of these services are readily available in Goffstown, Manchester, or Concord, no need to compete when they are with in a 5-mile radius! • Already have all what is needed. • Any businesses/buildings to be designed/landscaped as "rural" and "small town" in appearance. Must blend in. • As a NH native originally from Concord, I came here for Dunbarton as a rural community. Now it is becoming like Bow. The town is succumbing to a wave of change brought in by wealthy and upper middle class people. • As is.

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• Cell tower and ATM machine • Concord and Manchester close enough for major (unchecked) services. I do not want these enterprises in my town. • Definitely not heavy industry, we intend on building and moving to Dunbarton to raise our children in a small intimate community. • Don't spoil a good thing. • Due to limited population and traffic, most enterprises above are unlikely. • Dunbarton is a great place to live and does not need commercial development of any kind. • Dunbarton needs to consider other development than residential. A house with two children does not create enough tax revenue to even halfway meet the costs of education in Dunbarton! • Dunbarton should remain rural. Residents can easily drive to Concord, Goffstown or Manchester for services. • Enterprise growth for Dunbarton is not mandatory. The rural nature of the Town is! • Focus should be on residential but not by rejecting land owner's request for commercial developments. • Gas station at Pages Corner Store, Route 77 & 13. • Given our location, proximity to major services and businesses and limited population density, none are needed. • Hair dresser/barber; florist/garden products; cordwood retailer; light industry such as present on Ray Road. • Have better developed Kimball Pond recreation trails with markers and regular police watch to monitor vandals and litterers. • Home-based businesses such as mail order or services where you leave the home to perform your service is fine. Dunbarton doesn't need retail or industrial or manufacturing or any other visible business operating here. Dunbarton should remain a bedroom community. • I am not in favor of commercial zones as such. However, our current list of uses R-1 is too broad for residential areas. Also, we must find a way to tax commercial/industrial uses as such. This may mean establishing different c-zones where different commercial activity is allowed. • I enjoy the fact that Dunbarton has none of these. • I would welcome any business into town that wouldn't detract from our small town feel. An industrial park or a large rental complex would not be a welcome sight. • If Dunbarton continues to destroy its wooded areas to erect huge expensive houses, this town will soon be a noisy, ugly mess, just like Hooksett, etc. • Industrial and/or services would have a negative impact on Dunbarton as a small quaint historic town. • It would be nice to see a small country store downtown. Bed & breakfast not a function center. • It's important that any new buildings would blend in with a small town atmosphere. • Keep it small. • Leave it just like it is. • Let’s keep Dunbarton as if it is. • Like Dunbarton just the way it is! • Most of the above are enterprises I wish not to see in Dunbarton. • Moved here for the small town atmosphere and the country setting - not for businesses to be developed. There is enough on the outskirts. • Need some light industry that has minimal need for Town services but helps tax base. • Need something to help with the taxes! • Not any other business growth after original country convenience store or private country-style restaurant in the future. • No commercial or light industry unless some strict zoning is adopted. • No fast food.

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• No lighted, no large signs, historical architecture • No motel / hotel chains. Minimal signage and lighting. Small business ventures only. • No objection to small businesses in homes/adjacent them if no change to overall character. • No opinion. • Nobody delivers to Dunbarton. "Lighten UP!" • Not sure population and traffic can support a well-stocked convenience store but it would be great close to Town center. • One of the most attractive features of Dunbarton is its small town atmosphere. We hope this doesn't change. • Our close proximity to Concord/Goffstown precludes the requirement for any of the above. • Please a post office! • Please approve a few gas stations, small restaurants/diners. • Please don't crowd Dunbarton keep it rural. • Please no office parks, industry, conference centers, car dealers, mini-storage and large retailers, please. • Please preserve Dunbarton's charm. Don't let business spoil our scenic roads. • Please! We love Dunbarton just the way it is. • Post Office. • Post Office most important. • Quality zoning to accommodate growth. • Restaurant - one or two small family-owned, not fast food chains. A big no to large retail; big business. • Retirement housing - over "55". • Services and more recreation for seniors. • Small retail, bed and breakfasts, and essential services ought to be located in a manner than encourages community interaction/gathering, rather than being located on outskirts available only by automobile. The new minimart at Pages Corner is an example. • Small specialty type farms such as particular fruits and vegetables (apples, pumpkins, etc.) or animals. • The above, if allowed, should be required to be in character with the existing town (colonial, old looking) architecture, not big box. Architectural/heritage requirements should be adopted for the above. • The town needs revenue from other sources than private homeowners’ real estate tax. For every home that has one or more children, the tax rate increases for education. Business would contribute more to the tax revenue without taking away. • This is a residential community and as such should avoid over development and most forms of industry. • This town is great just the way it is. • Town needs a broader tax base. Despite opposition, the new store on Rte 77 is a good example. • Turn down the lights at new store at Old Fort! • We are only a short distance from Goffstown or Concord, which offers any services, needed. We do not need to develop Dunbarton. • We are so happy that Page's Country Store opened! • We believe that primarily home enterprises are welcome. • We don't want development. • We have two convenience stores already! Dance, ballet studio, day-care for adults, retirement = elderly community. • We like it the way it is now. • We live close enough to bigger cities that we don't need this kind of enterprise in Dunbarton.

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• We moved to Dunbarton specifically because of it's rural characteristics and are very willing to drive to the necessary services rather than have the convenience of them in town. • We moved to Dunbarton to get away form the city - we like it because there are no large businesses, malls, strip malls, etc. We like having those businesses 10-15 miles away. That's why we came here. • We need some industry in town to help offset taxes. Need to establish zoning for these types of businesses. • We need to bring in or promote small types of businesses. This town needs more than just residential lots. • We need to increase our non-residential tax base. • We now have two convenience stores. Most of the businesses cited above seem to be more related to larger towns and would change Dunbarton's character. • We would like our town to stay small and non-commercialized. • We're close enough to all the above. Don't need them in Dunbarton. • With most, if not all of the above being available close by, I can see no real need to have them in Dunbarton. • Would like to maintain rural character, no more gas stations. • Would like to see any kind of business that can bring money to the Town, but not drastically affect the rural character. • Would like to see small restaurant and one or two small shops.

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Housing Questions

Question 14: How should the Town respond to future residential growth?

Other:

• Additional planned zoning. • All costs of residential growth must be paid by those developing property. • Balanced growth. • Bring building codes up to date. • Consider real zoning. • Control growth. • Discourage growth. • Discourage it. • Don't have enough in to advise. • Don't like subdivisions. Too many homes in small area. • Elect your planning board. • Encourage growth where services are available: Center and Pages Corner • Enforce present zoning. No special interest. • Impact fees at a minimum, building permits by lottery only. • In General. • Keep 5 acre minimum. • Landowner built homes. • Limit building permits. • Limit urban sprawl development "in town". • Moratorium or limited number of building permits. • More affordable housing would draw a more balanced cross- section of people. • More cooperation between zoning, planning, and conservation. • New construction impact fees. • No elitism, that is, discourage the "we got here first too bad for the rest of you" mindset. • No more growth. • Planned growth. • Slowly. • Stay within 5 acres, no clusters. • Stop Growth. • Stop letting real estate agents and contractors run the show. • Stop the growth. • Strictly enforce law. • With an open mind objective and accepting of the inevitable.

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Transportation Questions

Question 17: Are there unpaved roads you think should be paved?

If yes, which roads?

• All of them (in time). • 20 Gorham Rd. • A better defined access into Kuncanomet not too far - just enough to get past existing housing. • All. • All but the Class V roads. • All of Tenney Hill - classes 1-4 s/b paved, classes 5&6 should be severely restricted. • All town maintained roads. • All unpaved public roads should be paved and maintained! • All unpaved roads with more than eight houses on it. Prior to paving sub-base should be reconstructed and drainage addressed prior to draining. • Any road where development occurs, otherwise the taxpayers pay the costs of paying at a later time after resident’s petition the town. • Any. • Connecting roads that lead to OHRV parking. • Country Lane. • Country Road and Kimball Pond Road. • County Tenney Hill. • County Road. (2) • County road between Montelona and Robert Rogers. (6) • County, Kimball Pond (rest of), Tenney. • End of Holiday Shore Drive. (2) • End of Ray Road into Clough. • From the end of Ray Rd. to Mansion Rd. and to Old Country Store. • Guinea Rd - not paved but upgraded and maintained. • Holding share end-3 homes no promote. • I enjoy unpaved roads. • I feel Kimball Pond Rd and Montelona should remain unpaved. • I would like to see County Rd. graded more often (add more gravel in to) but don't pave. • Jean Dr. • Karen Road - beginning near boat launch. • Keep all dirt roads dirt!!! Especially what is left of Kimball Pond Road. • Kimball Pond Rd. (3) • Kimball Pond Rd, Ray Rd, State Lane. • Kimball Pond Road should not be paved. • Kimball Pond Road, Country Road (off Rogers to Montelona). • Leading to public launch at Gorham Pond - should be leveled • Mansion Rd extension through Ray Road. (3) • Millies Way • Most of them. • No unpaved roads of any class should be paved without vote of town body (at town mtg.) • No, never! Dunbarton is blessed with good old nostalgic roads and scenery that makes us beautiful!

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• Not sure. • Ordway Road - has several homes, which I know pays good taxes. • Ordway Rd. & County Rd. • Ordway Road way to many potholes. Many people travel on this road. • Ordway Road, Area G • Paving roads destroys the rural character of the town. • Pond Rd. - leading to Public Boat ramp off Gorham Pond Rd. • Range Way Road. (2) • Rangeway Rd, Ledache Hill Rd., County Rd. • Ray Rd - Mansion - to dump. • Ray Road. • Ray Road through US Govt. land to Mansion Rd. • Retain unpaved roads as amenity. • Roads in Area F. • Should unpaved Old Hopkinton Road and Kimball Pond Roads. • Snook. • Stone Road. • Story Hill Road. • Tenney Hill Rd. County Rd., Rangeway Rd. • Tenney Hill Road. (2) • The end of Holiday Shore Dr. • We are on both sides of this question. We would like to see the scenic roads maintained, but if houses are built on unpaved roads, we think that the road should be considered for paving. • We should keep our unpaved roads - it's what lots of people like.

Question 19: Are there any sections of roadways or intersections that you feel are hazardous for pedestrians or vehicles?

• 1066 Clinton St. • 13 and 77, a 3-way stop is rather bizarre, make it two-way of four-way. • 13+77 Need lights instead of stop signs. • 77 & 13 intersection. • A lot of roads need guardrails. • Alexander and Mansion Road (blind curve) heading north on Mansion. • All the roads are hazardous for pedestrians. • Angle at which Mansion Road meets Route 13 should be closer to 90 degrees. Also, very difficult to see (when driving into town) at stop where Tibbets Hill Road meets Black Brook Road. • Anything above 30 MPH on an 18 foot wide road is excessive. • Barnard Hill & Grapevine. The stop signs should be put back the way they used to be. • Between south end of Long Pond & Tibbets Hill is narrow, blind section dangerous to both pedestrians and vehicles. • Black Brook for pedestrians. • Black Brook Rd. • Blackbrook Rd-Long Pond (no sidewalks). • Center of town - confluence • Corner of Clinton and Rt. 13 (Page's Corner). Corner of Stark Lane and Mansion Rd. • Corner of Mansion Road & Stark Lane. • Corner of Robert Rogers Road & Route 13. • Corner of Route 77 and Route 13, walking on Route 13, vehicle speed!

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• Corner of Rt. 13 and Jewett Rd. Cars regularly run the stop signs. • Corner of Rt. 13 and Rt. 77. (2) • Corner of Rt. 77 & 13 needs a traffic light • Corner of School St. and Robert Rogers Rd. • Crossing Rte. 13 and Robert Rodgers Rd. in Center. • Downtown - not enough police presence to discourage speeders, especially at rush hours. • End of Robert Rogers before entering Bow, tight turn around cemetery, could be made wider. • End of Robert Rogers Road/13, end of Grapevine Road. • Everett and Tucker Hill Road; Everett and Route 13. • Everett Rd./Route 13; Morse Rd/Twist Hill Rd. • Gile Hill Road, Tenney Road • Gorham Drive. • Gorham Pond Rd - Litter + too fast moving cars and trucks. • Gorham Pond Road for pedestrians. • Gorham Pond Road, Route 13. • Grapevine Rd. speed limit too high, should be at 30 not 35 - even local Police travel way too fast, of course they go 45! • Guinea Road, Kimball Pond Road, Ordway Road - Lower County Road • Holmes Rd. off of Rt. 13 • Hwy. 77 & 13 - need a minimum of a four-way stop. • I don't travel them enough to really know. • I would like to see County Rd. graded more often (add more gravel in to) but don't pave. • In front of 120 Twist Hill people go too fast into the corner. • intersection of 13 & 77 • Intersection of Everett Road and Stark Highway. Page's Corner hazardous only because of poor driving habits. • Intersection of Montelona at R. Roberts. • Intersection of Robert Rogers Rd and Rt. 13 (South end) Closest to Dunbarton Telephone Co. • Intersection of Route 77 and Route 114 (Pages Corner). • Intersection of Rt. 13 and Clinton Street needs a set of lights. • Intersection of Stark Hwy. and Clinton St. • Intersection Robert Rogers/School Street/Route 13 • Intersection Rt. 13 & Rt. 77; Page's Corner. • Jewett Road because of "speeders." • Jewett Road people drive too fast. Intersection Jewett/77/Route 13. • Kimball Pond Road • Leg Ave. and Robert Rodgers. • Long Pond and Black Brook Road should have 30 MPH speed limits. Consider advisability of all town maintained roads limited to 30 MPH. • Long Pond Rd. and Black Brook - no one stops for the stop sign. • Many of the roads do not allow safe pedestrian walking - no sidewalks. • Mill Hill during winter. • Montelona and County Roads. Sign needed for traffic heading south on Montelona. • Montelona Road. • Montelona and Robert Rogers especially in the winter-both are better right now. • Montelona Rd. due to the increasing traffic and speed of the traffic. • Montelona Rd., sharp curve by Wayne Shearer and Linda Peter's house. • Morse and Montelona. • N/A

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• No - not with the current "low density" conditions. Some areas should not be "metropolized!" • No opinion • No. Drivers should use common sense and maintain the speed limits. • No. (36) • None • None more than others. • None that we are aware of. • None we use. • Not at this time. • Not sure. • Not that I know of. • Old Hopkinton Road and Route 77 in winter because plowing does not make it easy to turn right onto Route 77. • On Blackbrook Rd. near intersection of Tibbit's Hill, roadway curves and is very narrow, also at approach to Black Brook Rd. from Tibbit's Hill, poor visibility of oncoming traffic. • On Montelona Rd. Thalheimer's Hill on the East Dunbarton Cemetery end. • On Robert Rogers Road, curve by junction of County Road is hazardous when crossing road. • Pages Corner - Robert Rodgers - RT. 13. • Pages Corner - should be a stoplight where the two highways meet - very dangerous • Pages Corner - should install traffic lights. • Pages Corner - three way stop - could be a two way stop understanding the hill is too steep for four way stop - trucks would get stuck. • Pages Corner (intersection of 77 & 13). Absolutely no 4x intersections should be created in this town. • Pages Corner (only because people coming from the Weare side don't stop at the stop sign) a traffic light would only cause more problems especially in the winter because of hills each way. • Page's Corner (Route 13 and Route 77 intersection). (8) • Pages Corner and the entrance/exit in old Fort Estates from the New Store. • Pages Corner, 3-way stop is confusing for those unfamiliar with it. (2) • Page's Corner, Concord Stage Road, Mansion & Black Brook intersection with Route 13, Robert Rogers by school. • Pages Corner, Gorham Pond Road - speeders. • Pages Corner, I would like to see large, differently colored 3-way signs below the stop signs at this intersection. • Pages Corner, Route 13 (all), Mansion Road. • Pages Corner. (13) • Pages Corner. Consider a traffic circle rather than a four way light. Sidewalks should be considered in the town center - sidewalks do not detract from the rural character of a town, in fact they enhance it. • Pages Corner: I've never seen an intersection with a three way stop sign. • Pages Corner; the "v" in the Center of town. • Parts of Robert Rogers. • Pedestrians in Town Center (school-Town Hall-library-church). • Please don't pave, but a section of Country Road after rains and snows is dangerous - needs a culvert, not pavement. • Ray Road (dirt section; Mansion Road at Stark Highway South. • Road and streets need attention to snow removal. Road should be plowed by 5 AM. • Road construction Montelona just before intersection at Roberts Rogers. • Roadway collapsing beneath guard rails on Twist Hill at Black Brook Crossing. • Robert Rogers and Montelona.

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• Robert Rogers and Rt. 13 intersection. Town Common especially with snow. • Robert Rogers and Rte/13/Everett Rd • Robert Rogers at Rt. 13 + Everett Rd. at Rt.13, Pages Corner. • Robert Rogers between Town Common and Elementary School. This section is too narrow for the pedestrian traffic that occurs during school and Town events. • Robert Rogers from DES to the Town Common often has pedestrian traffic and no sidewalks. • Robert Rogers Rd and 13, Mansion Rd and Rt. 13 South, Everett Rd and 13, Junction 13 and 77 • Robert Rogers Road near the school.( Needs to be Wider),Pages corner. Need for a traffic Light." • Robert Rogers Road Town Center (3 way, Road that comes out near "blood barn", Black Brook. Rd and Long Pond Road intersection, Pedestrians = all roads are unsafe. • Robert Rogers Road, can go too fast on this road. • Robert Rogers Road. • Robert Rogers Road. Too many gullies on sides of road and blocked vision on turns. • Robert Rogers, Black Brook, Entry onto Route 13 at Robert Rogers - hole there forever! • Roberts Rd., by the elementary school needs a light. Traffic is too crazy there and someone is going to get hurt. • Route 13 , Pages corner, Black Brook @ Route 13, sections of Robert Rogers Road not completed by road agent. • Route 13 and 77 intersection is hazardous for both pedestrians and vehicles (including bicycles). • Route 13 and 77. A three way stop. • Route 13 and Clinton Street intersection should be changed to a four way stop intersection. • Route 13 and Everett Rd. • Route 13 and Gorham Pond Rd. • Route 13 and Mansion. • Route 13 at Robert Rogers. • Route 13 Barnard Hill Road south to Mansion- speed must be not only monitored but fined-fewer warnings. • Route 13 from Dunbarton Country Store north to Pages Corner. The NHDOT added passing lanes in this area, after years of no passing. Those who pass typically exceed the speed limit. Combined with intermittent enforcement of existing speed limit this creates a hazardous situation in an area that is essentially a village district. Eliminate these passing lanes. • Route 13 has too many speeders. • Route 13 south of the town center that forks west toward Clough State Park. • Route 13, especially near Town Center. • Route 13, Robert Rogers (turning left onto Route 13 from R. Rogers). • Route 13, Robert Rogers, and Everett Dam • Route 13/77 intersection - should have a light or 4-way stop. Mansion & 13. • Route 77 - 13 intersection. • Route 77 & 13 (3-way stop, dangerous) traffic light is needed. • Route 77 and Route 13 intersection (Page's Corner). • Rt. 13 - speed of passerby's often exceeds posted limits. • Rt. 13 + Everett Rd. Long Pd Rd + Black Brook Rd. • Rt. 13 and 77 (4). • Rt. 13 and 77 intersection should be a 4-way stop. • Rt. 13 and Robert Rogers Rd, Entrance to DES. • Rt. 13 South - high volume at fast rate of speed! • Rt. 77 & 13 - Page's Corner and Jewitt. Let 77 flow, have 13 and Jewitt stop. • Rt. 77 and 13 intersection has always been a problem. Rt. 77 needs to have speed limit reduced to 40 MPH. • Rt. 77/13 intersection - need light or 4-way stop.

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• Rt.77 and 13, Rt. 13 and Everett Rd. • Rte. 13 • Rte. 13 and 77 intersection. (2) • Rte. 13 and Rte.77 intersection, speed in general • Rte. 13/77 Pages Corner intersection yellow blinking light is a hazard. • Several roads are hazardous because people drive too fast and shoulders drop off, creating hazards for cyclists. • Some areas of roadways in town could use a guardrail around very low shoulders or culverts. • Some roadways are too narrow like Twist Hill Road, it is hazardous for pedestrians, difficult driving with a travel trailer, and should cut some branches. • Speeding on corner of Stone Road and Robert Rogers Road. • Stop sign needed at top of little lane heading onto Kimball Pond Rd. • The 3-way intersection - 77-Jewett Road-Clinton Street-Route 13. • The 77 and 13 intersection should be better-posted (3-way stop) or just make it a 4-way stop. • The intersection of Mansion Road and Everett Dam Road is dangerous because you cannot see cars coming from either direction when stopped at the stop sign. • The stop sign at the end of Everett Dam Road. Bushes should be cleared back to increase visibility. • The stop sign at the intersection of Burnham Lane and Grapevine Road. A stop sign at the top of Grapevine Road makes much more sense. • There are many roads with light line issues. • There should be no through trucks on Robert Rogers Road. Speed limit lowered. There are too many speeders. • Tibbett's Hill & Black Brook Road intersection. • Town Center - too many speeding motorists. • Town center unfriendly/unsafe for pedestrians. • Town Center with intersections at Stark Highway, Robert Rogers Road, and School Street. Page's Corner. • Town Common Area & Everett Dam, Pages Corner. • Twist Hill Rd. hazardous for pedestrians. • Twist Hill Road from Bow to Goffstown. • Wider shoulders would give pedestrians, mountain bikes & equestrians a bit more safe room. • Winslow Rd, Mansion Hill Rd. • Yes Area C - cars go too fast and pass illegally north & south. • Yes, a bicycle path (wide shoulder) should be added from Rt. 77 through Concord. • Yes, Ordway Rd. The Town tries to maintain well, but the dirt road is not conducive to good planning measures. The sun does not take care of the left over snow. • Yes, Route 13 & 77 intersection (state).

Question 20: Please identify any streets where you feel sidewalks or accommodations for cyclists/runners are needed.

• Accommodations on Twist Hill Road. • All roads. • Along Rt. 13 / Pages Corner. • Along Rt. 13. • Any future road improvements that included safer usage for cyclists or pedestrians would be a benefit to all. • Any new developments, in the town center district (A) to the school. • Any new subdivisions should provide sidewalks, otherwise - none.

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• Any street that doesn't have a 10' (at least) paved shoulder need an "accommodation" but they would still crowd the fog line. • Area A. • Area of center of town & school. • Around the town library, town hall, town office, & school. • Between School & Center. • Between the library and school. • Between the school and the town library should have a sidewalk. • Black Brook Rd. (2) • Black Brook Rd. through downtown area. • Center of town - historic district and school. • Center of town toward school area. • Clinton Street. • Cycling/running lane on Stark Highway. • Don't know. (2) • Downtown area. • Everett Dam Rd., Mansion Rd., sidewalks in Town Center and Robert Rogers from school to Rt. 13, Black Brook, Winslow. Rt. 13 to end, or at least Pages Corner to Black Brook Rd. • Everywhere. • Gorham Pond area. • I would like a bike trail. • I would like to have a sidewalk form the library to the school or DES to Rt.13 • I would slow my vehicle to share the road with cyclists and people afoot. • If traffic controlled, no sidewalks would be needed. Rural atmosphere/country life - sidewalks not a need. • If you want sidewalks, move south! • In the Town center and walks to connect the center green to the school. • In vicinity of school and town common (sidewalks). • It would be nice to have an area in Dunbarton that you could do either and not worry about traffic. • Jewett Road and Clinton Street. • Main roads - Route 13, 77, Grapevine, Robert Rogers are some examples. • Mansion Rd • Mansion Road, Everett Dam Road • N/A • No opinion • No sidewalk. • No sidewalks are needed but some sections of road should be widened. • No sidewalks are needed in this town - think of where the snow would be put from the roads in the winter. • No sidewalks are needed! • No sidewalks are needed. People can walk, run, cycle at the side of the road. Speed limits need to be enforced. • No. (2) • None - statutes provide ROW already! • None - this is the country. • None - too expensive. • None needed. • None! (5)

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• None, we don't need sidewalks to maintain in Town. • Not at this time • Not needed. • Not sure. (2) • Nowhere. • Old Fort Rd Center of town (surrounding). • Only in Town - otherwise unnecessary. (2) • Only School St. and Robert Rogers Rd. form Rt. 13 to School. • Pages Corner to Dunbarton Country Store. • Roads in center of Town. • Robert Rogers and Rt. 13. • Robert Rogers between the school and library. • Robert Rogers between Town Common and Elementary School. This section is too narrow for the pedestrian traffic that occurs during school and Town events. An alternative would be another walking access between the Town Common and school. • Robert Rogers by the school to the center. • Robert Rogers Rd, Rte 13, Town Center. • Robert Rogers Road. (2) • Robert Rogers Road could use 2'-3' paved shoulders for cycling safety. • Robert Rogers Road near school. • Robert Rogers Road would benefit with sidewalks. There is a lot of fast moving traffic certain times of the day. • Robert Rogers Road, parts of Montalona, Route 13, Town Center area. • Route 13. (5) • Route 13 & 77. • Route 13 from center of town at least a mile each way/around school area. (2) • Route 13 has little accommodation for pedestrians and it is the town's Main St. This must be addressed sooner rather than later, beginning in the town center with gravel sidewalks maintained year round and also at Pages Corner with at least dirt footpaths. • Route 13 has no shoulder for walkers/cyclists - very dangerous. Traffic moves fast. • Route 13 near through section (Rt. 77). • Route 13 through town. • Route 13, Mansion, Winslow for cyclists - provide accommodations. • Route 13, Town Center to Barnard Hill Road • Route 77, a lot of cyclists and no room. • Route 77-dike area. • Rt. 13, sidewalks on Robert Rogers to school, Mansion Rd. • Rt. 13 - Rt. 77 • Rt. 13, Town center. • Rte 13, Black Brook Rd., Rte 77 • Rte. 13 - area for cyclists along road side of Rte. 13 • Rte. 13 - Mansion Rd. - a cycling/running path. Crosswalks in town center by school & church. • Rte. 13 at Pages Corner and in center of town • School Street to Elementary School on Robert Rogers Road. • School street. Should have signal flashing to slow vehicles down. • School to Town Common. • See Above. Any accommodations for recreation are supported. • Should downtown Dunbarton attract more pedestrians in the future, sidewalks would be useful (at least along Rt. 13.).

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• Sidewalk from school to library. • Sidewalks around the Town Common, and provision for cyclists/runners along Rt. 13 and Gorham Pond Road. • Sidewalks between DES and the Town Common. • Sidewalks between the school and library and around the Town Common. • Sidewalks in the Village center and at Pages Corner make sense. • Sidewalks in Town Center, especially school to library. • Stark Highway (near school). Robert Rogers (near school) • Stark Highway in village district. All new developments within medium density district. We should have a safe place to walk as we lose our woods! • Stark Hwy N - the cyclists are a major hazard • There should be cycling/jogging paths everywhere. • To and from Clough Park. • Town Center Area. • Town Center from Barnard Hill to Mansion Rd. • Town Common Area • Town Common area and school. • Twist Hill + Morse Road, Montelona too. • Twist Hill Rd. • Very expensive to build and maintain. Do not favor. • We are a county setting and we should have cyclist paths as well as runners. • We like the rural nature of our town - don't want "city type" sidewalks. Could support some walking paths near parks, wooded areas and other such appropriate sections of Town. • Wider shoulders would give pedestrians, mountain bikes & equestrians a bit more safe room. • Would ruin the rural character of the town. • Yes, Route 77 along the dike, concerned about bicycle riders, no "break down' lane.

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Natural Features Questions

Question 23: Do you support the acquisition of lands by the Town for conservation and low impact recreation purposes?

If yes, how should the acquisition be funded?

Other:

• All avenues are acceptable. • All means except taxes. • All of the above. • Any means necessary. • Any responsible use of funds. • Any way possible. • Anything goes for conservation and low impact recreation purposes. • As long as no string's attached. • Combination of above. (2) • Conservation only. • Every way possible. • Fund Raisers. • Gifts. • Lottery. • New construction impact fees. • No opinion. • Not sure. • Private. • Proportioned requirements of housing developments (as in the past). • Seize through unpaid taxes. • Take all actions necessary to obtain land for conservation recreation. • Through all/combination whichever possible • Use other combination depending on the value and importance of the property. • Warrant articles. • Whatever is necessary. • Would like more info. to make a fair assessment of this answer.

Question 27: What are the most important land conservation objectives to you? Please choose the three most important.

Other:

• All. • All of the above. (2) • All of the above, it's impossible to choose only 3 • All of the above. Every situation and area should be reviewed individually as to the impact of its desired development. • Buffer from other faster growing communities. • Hiking, recreation.

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• Historic Character. • Involves restrictive use - land grabs. • Kimball Pond. • Maintain open fields & create them (see historic info) circa 1860's. • No opinion really. • Open land - keep it mowed - as habitat for those animals & birds which require it. • Prohibit ATV's and snowmobilers. • There are none.

Question 29: What one specific place in Dunbarton is the most important to permanently conserve?

• All are important. (4) • All open agricultural land • All open space. • All the area around Long Pond. • Any areas abutting water. • Area around Hopkinton-Everett Reservoir. • Area around ponds. • Area around Purgatory Pond. • Area around Stone Road. • Area around Town Center • Area around Kimball Pond. • Areas that aren't currently developed. • Around area of the Ponds. (2) • Backside of Gorham Pond and Kimball Pond. • Bear Brook watershed. • Bela Brook drainage area. • Bela Brook Marsh area, east & west side. • Black Brook. • Black Brook Road (Long Pond). • Black Smith shop. • Can't choose just one - not a fair question - historic areas - parks - natural habitats. • Cemeteries. (2) • Center - Town Square • Center Area A • Center of Town, Pages Corner. (2) • Center of town village area, Town Hall, Common. • Center of Town. (5) • Clough State Park (23) • Clough State Park and trails surrounding it. (3) • Clough/Everett dam area. • Combination agricultural/historic/forest land such as the Stone Farm on Guinea Road. • Conservation areas. • Continue to purchase parcels to add to Kimball Pond area. • Down Town Area. • Downtown • Dunbarton Center. (2)

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• Each area of Dunbarton is equally important as to maintain the character of this town for future generations. • Everett Dam Road. • Everett Dam/State park area. • Fields. • Flood control area. • Flood control area/Clough State Park • Forests and streams. • Gorham Pond (71) • Gorham Pond and Kuncarowet Town Forest. • Great Meadows. (3) • Guinea Rd. • Historic Route 13. • Historic Town Center. • Historical resources throughout town. Few towns have as many 18th and 19th c structures. • Home. • Houses on 5 acres of land not multi-family units on a couple of acres. • I would defer to the Conservation Commission. • Kimball & Gorham Pond. • Kimball and Purgatory Ponds. (2) • Kimball Pond (38) • Kimball Pond - Beaver Meadows area. • Kimball pond - both sides of road. • Kimball Pond ( is already!). Town Center. • Kimball Pond and adjacent town-owned land. • Kimball Pond and Clough State Park • Kimball Pond and surrounding land. • Kimball Pond Area (13) • Kimball Pond area - expand as far as possible. • Kimball Pond area and the surrounding lands • Kimball Pond ecosystem. • Kimball Pond to Robert Rogers Road. • Kimball Pond watershed (followed by Long Pond). • Kimball Pond, former Nasikas property. • Kimball Pond, Great Meadows. • Kimball Pond, Great Meadows area and surrounding wetlands/forests. • Kimball Pond/Great Meadows watershed. • Kuncanowet (3) • Kuncanowet Forest. • Land around Long Pond. • Land between K.T.F.C.A and Clough State Park. • Land down off Town Farm Lane. • Lands that connect already protected areas. • Large wooded parcels and open fields from Long Pond to Black Brook Rd. to Rt. 13. • Largest undeveloped parcel of land. • Long Pond. • Long Pond watershed. • Main Road. • Mansion/Everett Dam Rd. to Gorham Pond Area.

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• Molly Stark Home at Page's Corner. • Most wetlands. • My 1.5 acres. • My backyard. • My backyard which has a 19000 acre buffer. • Nassikas property near Kimball Pond. • Natural habitats and wetlands. • Near Winslow Town Forest, Stark Pond, to Weare and Everett Dam. • No opinion. (2) • None. • Not sure. (2) • Of land not already protected I would suggest the Purgatory Pond area. Also, any land that can help create a corridor for wildlife should be encouraged. • Pages Corner. • Please inventory potential sites and seek to preserve all possible. • Ponds. • Ponds and streams. • Purgatory Pond. • Purgatory Pond and surrounding area. • Purgatory Pond area. (2) • Purgatory Pond should get attention - neglected up to now. • Section G of the community map. • Southern Dunbarton which acts as a buffer from Manchester and Kimball Pond land. • Stark Pond. • State Park and Wetlands. • The 500 acres on the unpopulated side of Gorham Pond, that I believe in some year will no longer be protected. • The Belanger property on Stark Lane should be purchased by the Town so the Town Forest on Stark Lane and the Brown family land on Mills Hill that is now owned by the Society for Protection of NH Forests can be connected. • The great ponds. • The large tract of land that is between Route 13 and Mansion Road. This is where wildlife travels into and out of Clough to the rest of our town. • The meadows. • The old houses. • The ponds - Kimball, Stark, Long. • The relocated blacksmith's shop disassembled, move and reassembled by xx xxxxxx • The small town New England charm. • The southeastern segment. • The Stone's farm. • The Town Common in its current configuration. • The town green. • The two ponds. • The Village. • The whole town. • The Will and Natalie Brown Forest, so there won't be any land development. Leave it natural and undisturbed. • Too new to the area to have an opinion, yet. • Town Center - more specifically the old Town Hall (historic properties).

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• Town Center as it is and South Dunbarton which is being built up. • Town Center Buildings. • Town Center, west of Rt. 13. • Town Center. (17) • Town center's scenic and historical character. • Town Common. (5) • Town Common/Center. • Town Forest. • Town Forest, open areas near golfcourse on Rte. 13. • Town Forests. • Town in general. • Town Park off Gorham Road. • Town Square. • Unsure. (3) • Wetland conservation area. • Wetlands along Stark Lane. • Wetlands and ponds. • Wetlands off Grapevine Road. • Wetlands. • Winslow Town Forest.

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Land Use Questions

Question 30: Do you think that maintaining Dunbarton’s rural character should be a goal of the current Master Plan, as it was in the previous Plan?

If yes, please list three key things/characteristics you associate with rural character.

• 1)High percentage of undeveloped land. 2) Maintenance of historical structures. 3) No malls, franchise business, or congested development." • 1)Large lots for homes 2) Minimal business area 3) Large undeveloped areas. • 1)Limit home developments. 2) Limit retail zoning. 3) Enforcement of existing regulations. • 1)Rural atmosphere/setting 2) Community spirit 3) Education. • 1.Absence of residential subdivision; 2. Absence of strip mall/retail operations; 3. agricultural scenic views. • 1. Conservation land 2. large house lots 3. Farming/agricultural business. • 1. Large lot sizes (land) 2. Little or no commercial and industrial development 3. Outdoor recreation (hunting, hiking, fishing, boating, etc,,," • 1. No commercial development 2. Open land. 3. More open land. • 1. No large business park. 2. "Country" appearance of new stores or businesses. 3. Rural Town Center. • 1. No multi-family housing allowed, 2. Only light retail or office space existing, and 3. Minimum acreage of 3-5 acres for building. • 1. Open Space 2. Good spacing between houses 3. Natural areas preserved. • 1. Open space that includes enough acreage for wildlife habitat; 2. Connecting open space so habitat isn't shopped up. 3. No street lights. • 3 to 5 acre lot size minimums, no mobile homes except in designated park maybe. • 5-acre min. • 5-acre minimum lot, no retail businesses, no heavy industry. • 5 acre plus house lots, limited business, minimal town structures. • 5 acre zoning, conservation properties, little or no commercial zoning. • 5 acre zoning, dump, little to no town services. • 5 acres setback for buildings. • 5 race zoning, 50' setbacks, woodlands. • Absence of franchises like McDonalds, Cumberland Farms, Dunkin' Donuts, Irving Gas Station; emphasis on historical landmarks and homes; carefully spaced and placed real estate. • Adequate spacing for housing. • Agricultural Appearance, Absence of Commercial Enterprise, No Traffic Lights. • Agricultural areas active, single family homes, and quality schools with small class sizes. • Agriculture - what's left, open space, forestry. • Agriculture, forestry, controlled development. • Agriculture, Forests, Natural Habitat. • Agriculture, horticulture, silviculture. • Agriculture, Natural Spaces, Historic Homes. • Agriculture/Forests/Low density housing. • Allowing businesses to operate. • Ample open space, lack of multi-unit dwellings, lack of commercial buildings. • Big house lots, quiet, scenic. • But: a few small shopping places should be allowed here and there. The rural character can still be achieved even if these types of businesses are allowed.

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• Center of Dunbarton, wide lots for houses. • Centralized Town Center, open space (field & wooded), preserving historic structures and areas. • Charm, no traffic, peacefulness. • Clean air, nature, and wetlands. • Community Spirit, Conservation of town's history, conservation of land. • Compact village centers with surrounding undeveloped land, viable forestry and agriculture, barns & stonewalls & winding roads. • Condos do not belong in a rural area (known as row houses seen in towns). Elderly housing belongs where you have city water, city sewerage, and city gas, also near firehouses and ambulances. • Conservation of agricultural, historic, and forest lands. We believe that the interests of historic preservation, agriculture, and forest and land conservation should be combined for greater impact. • Controlled building - maintaining 5-acre rule, controlled addition of small businesses. • Controlled housing development, controlled housing (subdivision) development growth, no industrial growth. • Country characteristics of our historic building and town buildings. • Country living, space, less congested. • Country roads (no signs or billboards); forest (natural with views); lack of community buildings. • Country roads with views, undeveloped Town Center, historical homes and town buildings. • Country roads, open spaces, no industry. • Dairy Farms, Open Fields, Dirt Roads. • Dirt roads, Forest. • Dirt roads, large plots of land, historic buildings. • Do not allow over growth. • Dunbarton's rural character wasn't maintained the uncontrolled growth has ruined it!! • Encourage agricultural protection. • Farming, forests, limited retail/commercial options. • Farmland, dirt roads, no housing development. • Farmland, wetlands and ponds. • Farms, fields, woods. • Farms, forests, water. • Farms, lack of industry, lack of crowded neighborhoods. • Few buildings; keep 5 acre minimum; no industrial business; keep school small!! • Few houses, scenic areas, lots of trees. • Field/farms, forests, natural habitat for animals. • Fields, forests and open space. • Fields, large lots, farm areas. • Fields, large tracts of forest, large tracts of wetlands. • Fields/agriculture, wetlands, forests. • Forest and fields that are undeveloped, abundant wildlife that have natural food sources, quiet no noise pollution. • Forest, limited traffic, open fields. • Forest, low traffic, low development. • Forest, low traffic, low development. • Forested areas, friendly people, light traffic. • Forested road frontage, old homes, minimal commercial development. • Forests and fields, absence of strip malls, low density population. • Forests and natural habitats; scenic unmaintained roads; minimal development (retail/industry, putting up box-buildings especially.

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• Forests, no multi-occupancy residences & no trailers. • Forests, open areas. • Forests, ponds, and wetlands. • Forests, wildlife and lack of pollution. • Green space preservation, scenic views, and community spirit. • historic buildings, open space, scenic roads. • Historic character - preservation, settings. • Historic Character, people/community spirit, scenic areas. • Historic homes, property. Natural habitats and small businesses. • Historic homes, town common, lack of mass-development, lack of franchise chains. • Historic maintenance, thinly settled, country settings. • Historic properties, undeveloped land, no commercial strip. • Historic Town Center and Page's Corner. • Historical. • Historical buildings, cemeteries preservation, forest and town green. • Historical character, open spaces, cleanliness. • Historical homes/buildings, scenic roadways, large pieces of property. • Historical Town Center, low population, wilderness. • History, charm - antique, rural homes; conservation lands, wildlife, trees. • Houses far apart with trees, wooded areas, and farms. • Houses not crowded, natural habitat preserved, no major industries. • It seems inadvisable to keep opening up backlands to more road building and housing construction. • Keep it old, keep it the same, don't change. • Keep the Town Center as is, restore what we have. • Keep things historic. • Keeping land to single family home and not to give in to builders to develop too much cluster home and open space. • Keeping the 5-acre minimum. I don't want to see big commercial businesses. • Lack of housing congestion, maintaining open spaces, access to Town government. • lack of industrial development; quiet; presence of wildlife not normally seen in the city. • Lack of industry/commercial zone. • Lack of pavement, large building lots, limited (to zero) large commercial business. • Lack of people-fewer houses, slow down rate of growth. • Lack on housing congestion, lack of manufacturing and large retail establishments, maintenance or historical homes and section or Town. • Land conservation/preservation, monitored/measured growth, and recreational areas. • Large acreage for houses - 5 acre minimum; open spaces-conservation; forests. • Large building lots (5 acres or more). Lack of strip malls. No multi-family housing. • Large building lots, no multi-family units, preserved Town buildings. • large home lots, protected forests, only small privately owned business. • Large home lots. • Large Lot sizes, Central Town Common, Woodlands/Forests. • Large lot sizes, minimal conveniences (i.e. shops, cable, garbage service, etc) open spaces/undeveloped. • Large lots and lack of industry. • Large lots, large lots, large lots! • Large lots, minimal housing developments, low key industry.

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• Large minimum lot sizes, very few large chain retail establishments, & small shops, inns, and commercial establishments on Route 13. • large parcels of protected wetlands/forest minimum retail-locally owned businesses (no large chains). • Less homes; More trees around homes; no businesses. • Less people, less government, more privacy. • Limited commercial development; Green space; 5 buildable acres /home. • Limited commercial facilities; large, single-family house lots; undeveloped Town Center. • Limited development, large lot sizes. • Limited growth - 5-acre lot size on all new homes. • Limited housing development; no large commercial buildings/stores; preservation of open space. • Limited traffic, solitude, wildlife. • Little to no obvious businesses / large house lots sizes / large areas for conservation. • Lot sites, no subdivisions. • Low density - single family - few, no density. • Low density / impact housing that is historically consistent, open fields, no strip malls. • Low density housing, clustering housing in Center & at Page's Corner, preserving wild lands associated with wetlands, streams, and ponds. • Low-density housing, low property tax rate, conservation land. • Low density housing, no condo projects. • Low density housing, open space, freedom from pollution (water, air, light, and noise). • Low-density population, natural landscape, preserve historic village aspect of town center. • Low density, agricultural use, forests. • Low density/open land, limited commercial, historical preservation. • Low housing density, low traffic, no industry. • Low level of heavy industry, low traffic. • Low levels of business and industry activity, community events like the 4th of July program currently followed, current frontage and acreage requirements for new building. • Low population. • Low population, scenic, neighborly. • Low population density; no strip malls or industrial parks; minimum lot size. • Low population, low population density, little developed land. • Low population, old buildings, trees. • Low population, small school system, land. • Low taxes, community life like the July 4th program, and minimal building restrictions. • Low taxes, relaxed living, a few major services. • Low traffic and population density, controlled commercial development. • Low traffic congestion, scenic views as you drive through town, town meeting form of government. • Maintain the "green" in the center, encourage development around the green to reinforce & build a stronger center, and encourage development appropriate for the context. • Maintaining minimum acreage requirements, large forested areas, low tax rate. • Maintaining small town character and people interaction/returning - returning natural wildlife - peaceful and quiet residential accommodations. • Maintaining space for wildlife. Keeping large businesses out. Keeping the recycling program at the transfer station. • Mature growth forest, wetlands with buffer systems, tree farms. • Maximum size requirements for building lots. • Maximum wooded areas, large lots, maximum density subdivisions with large open spaces. • Minimal road traffic, little roadside advertising, little housing developments.

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• Minimum acres per lot, no heavy industry or commercial development. • Minimum commercial development, fewer residential clusters, no industry. • Moderate growth rate of new residential homes, no commercial building, and no stores/restaurants. • More forest, more open spaces, less people & buildings & traffic. • Much more unused land than homes, no big businesses, open fields and big farmhouses. • Narrow tree lined roads, large area of open space/forests which are not posted, villages that have defined beginnings and endings. • Natural beauty, no commercial building - no non-regular building, large open spaces. • Natural habitat, friendly town management, current land use provisions. • Natural landscape, no nonconforming buildings. • Natural looking habitat, no "in front" parking lots, maintaining as much as possible of Forest area, Traffic. • No (or limited) traffic lights, no streetlights, and limited number of apartments/multi-family structures. • No big businesses, large home lots (5 acres), and woods. • No big businesses, no apartment complex, no strip malls. • no business, low population, lots of natural area. • No cluster developments too much land is sub-divided for housing developments now. No mobile home parks. Limit the new home building permits. • No cluster housing, i.e. minimum 5 acres per house. Any commercial buildings should have to meet a country style covenance. • No cluster housing, space between houses. • No commercial zoning, rational town services only, new homes with large lots (5 acres). • No commercial or industrial building; limited residential growth; land population. • No commercial or large retail development, larger housing lots, no apartment buildings. • No commercial property, no condos, no cluster housing. • No commercial enterprises, open land, preserve ponds and streams. • No convenience stores that are chains or that have florescent lights. No street lamps. No double lane roads. • No heavy industry, no shopping centers, more conservation land. • No housing developments, new homes should require 5-acre minimum to build, save fields and open land. • No illuminated signs - no strip malls, office parks, etc., - no "clear-cutting" in new subdivisions. • No industry minimal housing no tourism. • No industrial buildings, no major housing developments, no apartments or condos. • No industrial centers, no shopping malls, no run down clusters of houses/apts. • No large businesses, no large housing complexes, acreage limits per household. • No large industry, no large stores. • No large retail establishments, preservation of scenic open spaces, single family housing. • No major businesses, no housing developments, conservation areas. • No major industry ,no hotels. • No manufacturing, no gas stations, hotels, or motels, and no retail shops. • No McMansions, more open fields, encourage agricultural activities (including associated small stands/businesses). • No over building, no large commercial buildings, no heavy industry. • No street lights, lack of urban sprawl, Industrial parks and apartment projects, Low Density population. • No street lights, no traffic lights, speed. • No streetlights, no cluster housing, no sidewalks. • No strip Malls, stores that are not too obvious from the street, preserve open space.

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• No through-trucking on scenic roads and take care to save the scenic roads - treat secondary roads similar to scenic roads, not removing multiple trees. Doing as little visible damage. Preserve the Town's Center. • No tractor trailer/heavy equipment business. • No traffic lights, no retail chain businesses, minimum acreage requirement for residential building. • No urban sprawl, limited industry, historical conservation. • Non-commercial, open space. • Old farm houses, houses are not too close to each other, large lot sizes. • Old historic buildings; lack of artificial, electric lighting; volunteer services/fire & ambulance/rescue. • One of the reasons we moved here was the 5-acre minimum that was required at the time. • Open farmland - no apartment building - cluster type housing. • Open farmland, stone walls and historical buildings. • Open fields, forests, small Town Center. • Open fields, no street lighting. • Open fields, uncongested housing, forestation. • Open land, controlled housing, population, and wildlife. • Open land, forest, and natural habitat. • Open land, streams, country store. • Open land, wetlands, ponds. • Open land, wild life, dirt roads. • Open Land. Large Lots. Farm Animals. • Open space - wetland preservation - mature trees protected. • Open Space (fields and forest) (5 acre min); 2-lane roads; no streetlights. • Open space for hiking, fishing and hunting; no apartment complexes; keeping 5 acre min. lot size. • Open space including encouraging cluster development over 5 acre lot development, encouragement of central village(s) spaces that encourage pedestrians over use of autos and focus on community gathering places, and lastly discouragement and restrictions on industrial development. • Open space, community development, pro-er-single family homes plans. • Open space, country roads & no cluster developments on small parcels. • Open space, five-acre lot limits, and scenic vistas. • Open space, Inn-Tavern, small government/police. • Open space, large lots, preservation of old buildings including barns. • Open space, larger lot sizes, limited commercial development. • Open space, little/no commercial den, 5 acre zoning limit a must. • Open space, low density housing outside the village area, scenic views. • Open space, low density housing, historic architecture. • Open space, low density housing, no large commercial development. • Open space, natural habitat, and low traffic. • Open space, no heavy industry, colonial type wood from construction. • Open space, wildlife habitat, unpaved roads. • Open space, wildlife, quiet. • Open space. Quiet industry and employment. Controlled and meaningful growth. • Open spaces (undeveloped land), quietness, low population. • Open spaces with no development which especially includes no retail, industrial, manufacturing or other businesses anywhere in town, Vegetative buffer zones along the frontage of properties so we don't have to see the houses, The minimum lot size increased to at least 6 acres to diminish the building of new homes and overcrowding. • Open spaces, conservation land, scenic views.

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• Open spaces, farms, and forests. • Open spaces, houses not on top of each other, yet have small Dr.'s offices, post offices, etc. • Open spaces, minimal commercial/industrial, community involvement. • Open spaces, no commercial enterprise, and single family homes. • Open spaces, no heavy industry, larger building lots. • Open spaces, non-polluted air and lands, respect of private lands-enforcement of existing restrictions of ATV’s on private property. • Open spaces, scenic roads, lack of commercial businesses, wildlife, conservation land. • Open spaces, small population, single family housing. • Open spaces, wooded areas, fields. • open spaces, keeping historical structures maintained, No housing developments, single-family homes only. • Original integrity, limited modernization. • Peace and quiet, conserved land, very few town services - if we want them we can hire private contractors instead of instituting more taxes to satisfy a few people. • Peaceful atmosphere, forests for wildlife, limited traffic. • Peaceful-wildlife-privacy. • People, Town Government, Roads. • Ponds, woods & forests, wildlife. • Population, open spaces, Town activities. • Predominantly housing, no industrial centers, natural features & ponds, walking paths, Town Common. • Privacy, quiet, beauty. • Privacy, wildlife, woods. • Promote community/small businesses which are privately owned/operated. Minimum acreage requirements, cultivating a downtown/village center area. • Quaint Town Center, historic character, agricultural/fields. • Quaint, pace of life, sense of community. • Quaintness, size, no more large developments. • Relatively low population, community center absence/limitations to town commerce. • Restrict development. 5 acre 1 house rule. Limited Town services - we don't need trash pickup which some people are pushing. Also no new school building. • Road Frontage, lot size, scenic roads. • Rural lifestyle, privacy, expense of living here. • Scenic and gravel roads. • Scenic dirt roads, marshland, large tracts of uncut woodland. • Scenic roads, open fields, small/medium sized houses. • Scenic views, historical sights, country setting. • Scenic country roads, quiet neighborhoods, you can see wildlife anytime. • Single Family Homes, Barns, Dirt Roads. • Single family homes, fields, wooded areas. • Single family, 5-acre lots, zoning against junk cars. • Size of building lots, preservation of wetlands. • Slower home building rates; higher acreage requirements; Increase setback requirements and manage to reduce clear cutting forests. • Small central historic village, Lack of shopping areas, malls, etc .Lack of ""cookie cutter housing developments"" (i.e. Bedford, Amherst, etc). • Small downtown area, fields and ponds, wetlands. • Small government, volunteerism, agricultural enterprises. • Small growth, minimal traffic, sense of community.

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• Small growth, no "sprawl", 5-acre min. to build - when you move to Dunbarton you accept the rural nature. • Small police department (no more full-time officers). • Small population, open public land. • Small population, very limited retail, community spirit/pride/activity. • Small town - lots of natural habitat - scenic. • Some restricted growth in building. Forests and primarily single family housing should be encouraged. • Some with reasonable development with control. Nice restaurants, elderly housing, prestige shopping mall (no Walmart type or Home Depot). • Space between homes, farming, woods, fields, few stores, few commercial enterprises. • Space between houses, green areas, trees. • Space between houses, low traffic, woods for hunting and enjoyment. Enough space to do your own thing. • Space between residences, lack of regulations, and associated protected parcels (conservation lands owned by Town). • Space, natural surroundings, low density housing. • Spaced out single family homes; limited subdivisions; no or little business developed. • Stone walls, dirt roads, old growth trees. • Stone walls, forests & wetlands with animals, fields/streams/ponds. • Streams, natural habitat, retain trees. • The center area remaining residential, side roads except Rt13 remain residential, conservation land protected • The centers old homes, the Town Hall, the Common. • The five-acre minimum lot size, single family housing only, and scenic unpaved roads. • The zoning laws need not be changed. • Town Center. • Town Center, forest, fields/agriculture. • Tranquility, privacy, no city lights. • Trees - Buffers (country appearance); Materials used to build (no modern materials/steel), Architectural Designs. • Trees, no stores, ponds and lakes. • Undeveloped land. Quiet, less-traveled roads/highways. Lower taxes due to minimal town services. • Undeveloped lands, town meeting, small school. • Undeveloped tracts (requires cluster development), moratorium around historic homes, fastidious wetlands protection. • Undevelopment - if you develop a rural area, it is no longer rural. • Very historic - small town feel - quiet area not a commuter hub (should minimize traffic at all cost to the town in all areas - section E getting too much traffic on it. • Wetlands, not making a total mess of roads that are being redone. • Widely spaced homes on large lots. Small population. Self-sufficient residents who do not depend on town for extensive services. • Wildlife habitat, limited traffic, limited housing development. • Wildlife, open space, fishing. • Wildlife, pollution control, forests. • With scenic area, not sure, not sure. • Wooded roads, no high-rise buildings, low population density. • Woodlands, little or no strip malls, open areas.

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Question 31: Should the Town continue to maintain the 2 acre/3 acre/5 acre minimum lot sizes in the various districts?

If no, what is your recommendation regarding the minimum lot size in the various districts?

• 1 acre and up. • 1, 2, 3 Acres respectively. • 1,2,3 acres. • 1/2 acre all districts. • 1-2 acre depending on zone. • 1-2 acres. (2) • 2 acre. • 2 acre for everybody. • 2 acre in the Village. 5-acre minimum lot size for the rest of Dunbarton. • 2 acre lot is OK - for all of Dunbarton. • 2 Acre village area 5 acre otherwise. • 3 acre lots. (2) • 3 acre / 5 acre / 7 acre. • 3 acre minimum. • 300-foot frontage need not apply for back land of five or more acres. • 3-5 acre lots so trees can be maintained as buffers. • 3-5 acres but not 2 acre, no way. • 5 acre. (3) • 5 acre minimum (on site water and sewage, with reserve space for future needs. • 5 acre minimum on all new construction. • 5 acre minimum, or 3 acre cluster development with a common green space that is shared 2 acres per homesite minimum. • 5 acre where ever possible. • 5-acre zoning is considered to many as snob zoning. 2 to 3 acre minimum is a good medium. How about doing back lots, less frontage but need 4 acres. • 5 acres is ridiculous! 3 acres is pushing it! • 5 acres only. • 5 acres everywhere. (5) • 5 acres, at least, for housing. • 5-10 acre minimum all over town. • 5-acre zoning for subdivisions. • A farm shouldn't be allowed to subdivide into smaller lots to get more houses in. If it's a small lot and has been for 50 years then there's no reason why the owner shouldn't be able to build himself a house on it. • All area should be 2-3 acre lots. We are running out of land for growing young families. • All districts should be 3-acre minimum. • All land should be 2 acres. • All should be 5 acre. • All should be 5-acre minimum. (3) • Allow for cluster developments. • Alternative development criteria should be provided that allow for a more planned higher density of units while preserving and creating "open space" - this will reduce the roadways & maintenance costs associated will provide planned conservation land that still contribute to tax base. • Around wetlands 5 acres min with buffer zones.

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• But cluster development should also be allowed in an effort to conserve habitat. • But, we advocate cluster zoning with average density no greater than current zoning. • Cluster development, with average 5 acres/house. • Cluster dwellings, concentrate housing, have developers set aside land for parks and open space. Limit population. • Encourage open space conservation in developments, do not promote development on steep slopes/sides of Mill Hill, and discourage development of back lands. • Feel proposed building should be allowed only on 3-5 acre lots, preferably 5. • Five-acre minimum is not realistic considering the population growth. Well water availability per household should be considered. • I don't believe that minimum lot size should be determined by district, rather the lot itself and its location. • I don't know for sure but certainly there are towns in the USA that have taken a more daring approach to the 2/5 acre requirement. This old approach seems to encourage rural sprawl and eat up open space at an alarming rate. I trust that the committee is actively looking at model town and village models and will propose something progressive rather than the same old failed solution to growth. • I recommend you enforce zoning districts - e.g. - low-density means strict home business codes. The town fathers know about the logging, trucking industry on Jacqueline Drive. • I think it should be minimum 5 acres everywhere. • I think that the minimum lot size should be increased to 7 acres, except in the 2-acre areas. • I think the lot restrictions should be no greater than 2 acres. • I would like to see 5-acre minimum lots for all the districts. • Increase acreage requirements. Don't cater to developers and state rules. Take a stand! • Increase lot sizes. • Increase minimum lot sizes. • Increase the lot size back to what it was. It was stupid to decrease the lot sizes. That only encourages more houses on smaller lots and overcrowding. We don't need any more new homes built in Dunbarton. Existing homes bought and sold are fine. But no new development and put the lot size back to at least 6 acres minimum like it was. • It should be 3-5 minimum. • It was 5 acre zoning that brought me here. Get rid of the 2 acre zoning 5 and 3 is enough? • Keep the same. • Keep the same or increase. • Less in cluster zoning or elderly housing. • Limit building permits - "#" yearly. Possible impact fees with permits. • Maintain 5-acre lot size. Maintain area around the ponds. • Maintain large acre minimum as much as possible. • Make all 5-acre minimum - keep it fair for everyone. • Make the minimum sizes larger - increase lot sizes. • Medium and low-density minimums should be increased. • Might want to increase it to 3/4 acre and 7 acre. • Minimum 5 acre lots. • Minimum of 5-acre zoning in all zoning districts or we'll be crowded out like Bow & Goffstown. • No change at present time. • One acre lots for single family only or townhomes. • One acre minimum. • One acre. • Revert back to 5 acre 300 frontage everywhere. • Same size.

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• There should be a minimum of 2 buildable acres anywhere in town. • These lot sizes should stand as guidelines, but conservation subdivisions should be encouraged in which actual lots sizes are smaller and development is more compact, with the remaining land in permanent conservation. • They all should be the same-2 acres. • Town Center - 1 acre. Others - same as existing. • Town: 3 acre MDD: 5 acre LDD: 10 acre • Two-acre zoning is more than adequate throughout the town. Two acres is enough exclusivity in any town! • Two acres in all zones. • Unless do clustered housing w/dedicated open space. • Upgrade to a minimum of 5 acres • Variations in size for location should be open for discussion. • Village district 1 acre. Change east 13 med. density to 5 acre. Add some 3-acre to areas close to town borders (Concord and/or Manchester). • We believe the current 3 zones in Dunbarton should be retained. • Would like to see minimum lot size in area G reduced to 3 acres.

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Historical Resource Questions

Question 39: Would you like to see the Town take additional measures related to historic preservation?

If yes, how?

• Adoption of a Heritage Commission, more public education. • An accurate inventory of all historic buildings/sites is needed in order to increase historic preservation in all areas of town. • Any way that works. • Barn preservation. • Barn restoration tax easement. Tax easement for historic restoration. • Building codes and design guidelines that promote historical character with proscribing a cookie cutter approach; I am ashamed that the last town meeting voted down the Historical Committee proposal based on misinformation and our selectmen didn’t say a peep despite having an "ought to pass" in the warrant; We are now paying support to 2 historical committees in town that refuse to work with one another and both of which play a negligible role in historic preservation. It is time for the Plan and the Selectmen to take a strong stand. The town center and Pages Corner are historically, architecturally, among the most significant spaces in central NH. • Building codes and planning. • Building codes which require adhesion to period architecture. • By posting signs describing and explaining historic places. • Collaboratively with property owners. • Continue to identify properties/home of historical significance. • Create/designate historic district(s). • Creating a community which celebrates the historic areas of Dunbarton while maintaining the delicate balance between preservation and growth. • Demolition review ordinance. • Designate historic district(s). • Develop a minimal standard for preserving and maintaining historical buildings and sites. • Discourage commercial development. • Do something with the upstairs of the library. • Don't build any additions to Town Hall. Build a separate Town Building (2 stories) on the site of the current town offices, using architecture similar to the existing building. • Don't give in to big companies. • Educate and encourage home owners to make repairs and build additions that maintain the historical significance of their property. • Enact Heritage Commission. • Encourage property owners to preserve/restore historic buildings and areas and not destroy or tear down buildings and/or sites. • Encouragement and designation notice. • Encouraging "historic" property owners to maintain "historic" character in improvements. • Fix, repair, replace (duplicate if needed) what the town already has. Leave the Common alone. • Grants, architectural mandates. • Have a directory of historic houses and historic places. • Have Pages Corner put into the National Register of Historic Places. Have the new convenience store torn down and the land returned to a natural forested area. • Have small retail businesses built with a colonial feel.

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• Have the Historic Society survey & decide its historical value to the town. • Historic zones, such as town center, that are also open to light commercial uses, with period architectural restrictions. • Historical signs on houses and at 13 & 77 are good. Require commercial development in historic areas or areas with old home feel to build buildings or renovate them to fit in with existing architecture. • Historical Society educational meetings. • I think the town of Hollis is an excellent example - all commercial buildings have historic character and no large commercial signs. • If you have a historic preservation, who's to say that group will tell you what you can and can't do with your own home, what color to paint it, what windows to use, if your driveway should be paved or not! • Increase our ties to Scottish heritage. • Individual land owner. • Keep "scenic roads" the way they are - "scenic!" • Keep it the way it is. • Keep out industrial areas. • Limit commercial growth. • Maintain a more open town common (do not enlarge present library). • Maintain buildings & site we have - not to deteriorate. Encourage adaptive or use of these buildings by private entities. • More restriction of building - number and type. • No commercial development, new home construction must complement existing homes. • No commercial/industrial development within and adjacent to historic areas. • No restrictions on abutters. • not sure what measures are in place; would have been helpful had they been provided • Offer incentives for historic home restoration. • Only as it relates to maintaining the rural nature of the town in general. • Only voluntary. • Prepare property histories. • Preservation easements. • Preservation, markings, not crowding around. • Preservation. • Promote areas as historic areas (more signs on buildings, etc). Maybe an incentive program to keep historic areas historic. • Promote funding venues, i.e., private for preservation. • Property tax credits (over time) for specific preservation projects. • Provide tax benefits to the homeowner of a historical home to maintain appearance to a set standard. • Published guidelines, committee meetings. • Purchase central village structures and/or lands as they become available. • Purchase, ensure and promote preservation of important historic buildings, homes, barns, town buildings including the old school near the cemetery. • Put up signs at historic sites, also more house signs & names of old residents. • Reasonable continuation of existing property. No dictation of how to use property. • Reasonable plan to have residences look historic but not necessarily be 100% accurate. • Reduce development. • Restoration regulations to preserve architectural character of buildings. • Restoration, outreach, educational.

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• Restrict commercial growth in vicinity of historic properties. Encourage "scenic byway" designation and limit widening and straightening of those roads so designated. • Restrict historic building and demolition. • Restrict the ability to apply for special exceptions in historic areas. Tract ordinances that make it impossible to develop historic areas like Page's Corner. Keep our history as it is! • Restrictions can be placed only on town owned features. • Review only on a case by case basis. • Save historically valuable homes. • Secure properties for restoration. • Seek state and federal grant money. • Selectman should do a better job at publicly supporting a Heritage Commission. • Signage. • Size of house proportionate to lot size. • Stone walls/foundations. • Surveys. • Take measures to leave Town Center the way it is now. • Tax abatement for historic preservation. • tax breaks for restoring historic properties. • Tax breaks, markers. • Town committees for preservation. • Town common properties. • Up keep of historical buildings, historical housing designs. • Use Historic Preservation Alliance and NH Historic Resources. • Value and preserve lands with historic properties and local limited surrounding areas. • Whatever is necessary. • Would like to see the current Town Hall preserved. • Zoning and restrictions on architectural style.

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Community and Recreational Facilities Questions

Question 40: Should the Town identify appropriate properties for future town services including police, fire, schools, etc. and take steps to procure those properties (if not currently owned by the Town)?

If yes, which of the following funding methods would you support?

Other:

• All available. • All if necessary. • Best get started now to set aside land and funds. The bill will be costly, pay little today avoid larger cost in 10 years. • Creative Thinking: i.e. bartering, tax incentives. • Current use. • Current Use penalty. • Donations, just ask. • Estate planning/use a logical combination of sources. • Every property in this town will be on the map one hundred years from now. Buy it when you need it by vote of the taxpayers. • Fund raising. • Grant (Federal). • Grant funding - minimize tax rate impact • Grants. (8) • Impact fees. • Impact fees on development. • Knowledgeable investment. • Money raised from other Town programs, grants, fundraising, tree farm if you have it on Town owned property. • New construction impact fees. • Other means as required. • Sale of seized properties if feasible for revenue. • Set up long term town surplus/savings accts. for future needs. • Tax default/taking. • Use existing. • Volunteer work. • Volunteerism - we can do it.

Question 42: Should the Town do more to encourage recycling?

If yes, in what manner would you improve the Town’s recycling?

• "Pay as Throw" program... this increases recycling without making it mandatory. • "Pay as you throw." • "Pay per bag." • #2 plastic & paper, bin basket (tray) are needed.

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• Public Access 24/7 composting program, 2) creative competitions - who can produce least amount of trash in 30-day period, imaginative use of disposable, re-use projects, etc. 3)equipment - shredders, etc., 4) separate building at transfer station to in. • A more intense study to find buyers for recycled material. • A periodic mailing educating about recycling and how Dunbarton recycles. • Accept more plastics. (2) • Accept more recyclable items - e.g. orange juice containers, etc. • Accept plastic and aluminum. • All residences to separate recyclables into groups and bring to facility at the dump. • All town offices/school/events should recycle; advertise/promote in written communications, posters, and web sites. • Aluminum and copper, shed for re-useable materials; encourage small battery disposal. • Awareness. • Be more usable. • Bigger area to put your stuff in. • Bring back the separate containers for glass, plastic and paper so the people working at the Transfer Station don't have to separate it. • Broader range of plastics. • Build a covered place for recyclable goods, publicize recycling in Bow Times - benefits and $ saved. • Build large, clearly labeled containers to put things in. Glass, paper, cans, batteries, clothes, etc. Parking is too unorganized. • Charge an amount per pound for trash and rebate double that amount for recycle per pound. • Chipping wood refuse, separating sheet rock for solid fill, composting. • Clear info to residents. Make sure people know it is easy and that it saves money to the town. • Come and get it! • Continually educate people, especially as recycling opportunities change. • Continue to seek markets aggressively for sale of recycled items. • Create a bulletin for dissemination to all taxpayers and developers explaining the logistical advantages. • Curbside pick up. (5) • Different plastic trash can before plastic, paper, glass. • Do garbage pick up + recycling pick up using bins as nearly town do. • Educate more households on recycling etc. • Education. (3) • Eliminate fees for most things people eventually have to discard: examples, construction debris, tires, refrigerators, scrap metals, old vehicles, etc. Keep the quality management we now have! • Encourage buying in bulk heavily packaged items; recycle Styrofoam; open more hours. • Expand the types of recyclables accepted. • Expand types of plastic that can be accepted. • Explain the value. • Facilities to send materials. • Fees for those who don't comply. • Find more that will take recyclable materials. • Fine residence if recyclables are found in trash they are dropping off. • First of all set a voluntary public GOAL, one that everyone in town can work to achieve. Regularly make everyone in town aware of progress toward the goal. Other methods to encourage increases in recycling might include a public awareness campaign beginning at the elementary school with Dunbarton Recycles stickers etc, the sale (at cost) of plastic stackable recycling bins for curbside pickup and bringing to the recycling center. Really if you asked 100 people in town how much we

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currently recycle, how that compares to nearby towns, and what our current recycling goals are, I doubt that 2 people would know, me included. • Flyers to residents educating them on how recycling helps. • Give out flyers at the transfer station. • Give out recycling bins. • Handouts. • Have all recycle including private pickup. • Have mandatory recycling for all residents and provide bins. • Have the compactor attendant note recyclable materials to people who dump them into compactor. • Have the recycling and dump open more hours. • Have tighter controls over what goes into the dumpster. • Have volunteers pick up recycling from elders to help them recycle. • I believe the town is doing a good job. • I do use the recycling area and appreciate. • I have trash pick up that doesn't recycle. I would encourage trash collectors to have to recycle. • I miss the volunteer recycling shifts at the dump. • I recycle and I like the fact that nobody is holding my hand and telling me that I have to do or else. • I think it does a great job now. • I think the town is doing great now. • I think they do a fantastic job. Very friendly at the Transfer Station. Encourage collection companies to offer comprehensive recycling plans. (2) • I think we are doing well - please continue. • I think we do a good job now. • I would organize the recycling center to segregate various types of materials. Right now it is a mess because there is no segregation of the incoming materials. • If economically feasible, expand what can be recycled. • If it ain't broke, don't fix it! • If the state supports recycling - i.e. there are benefits to the town to do so. • Include plastics. • Increase public awareness. • Increase public awareness of availability and use of facilities (program). • Increase recycling center hours slightly. Issue recycling bins to encourage residents to recycle. • Increase selection of can be recycled. Educate public as to how recycling can be done. • Increase separation of cans, bottles and paper. • Increase types of recyclables, post what is taken, mandate recycling. • Information to residents as to costs/income of center then we could probably make suggestions. • Install satellite drop-off containers available 24/7. • Issue at least recycling buckets or - create education and voluntary policy adoption education. • It should be mandatory. Town should follow practices established in other localities to enforce. • Larger facility. • larger recycling shed with bins open to public, covered area for good reusable items, books, clothes etc. • Lived in Bedford 5 years ago and they had a system where all items went into one dumpster and didn't require separations. • Longer hours at the dump. • Look at BCEP Transfer Station (located in Pittsfield). • Make available for purchase recycle bins. • Make it mandatory (7)

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• Make it mandatory, expand recyclable items i.e. plastic #1 - #7, Styrofoam. • Make recycling mandatory for every household. • Mandate recycling for residents. Additional hours at Transfer Station (1 more evening a week). • Mandatory recycling - with fees to use dumpster. • Maybe our own hazardous waste day. • Monitor what is "dumped" at the transfer station. Encourage more volunteers to sort recycled items. • More comprehensive (more types of plastic - require recycling). • More hours of operation. • More notification and information about how and what. • More plastics, bins at multiple locations. • More plastics. • More transfer station hours, days open. • Not letting residents throw cardboard, etc into the compactor. • Not sure. (3) • Not totally happy with the way things are run now. • Offer tax coupons by the pound of recycling for materials i.e., plastic, metal, allows the limited recycling more often oils, paints, coolant. • Perhaps recycling could be promoted more actively, more info published on what to recycle, how much money can be saved, etc. • Plastics. (2) • Possibly charge a per bag fee for items thrown in the trash. • Programs in the elementary school. • Promote & encourage & make it easy. • Promote recycling benefits to population. Focus on how it reduces cost overall. Basically, if you already recycle those folks will continue. Need those folks that aren't to start. • Provide bins - tax break for high recycling - more help and better design of recycle area at dump so it is not inconvenient to stop. • Provide bins (plastic collection bins for home use). • Provide bins in the schools' classrooms, cafeteria, for starters. • Provide bins. • Provide larger drop off containers to alleviate congestion. • Provide limited home pick up. • Provide recycling bins to encourage recycling. Provide incentive to individuals when recycling. • Provide special containers. • Public postings/notices as to what is recyclable and how to sort. • Publicity. • Publish and disseminate better information on what is recyclable and how it should be separated; sell recycling bins for various recyclables. • Reasonable measures. • receptacles to residents • Recycle more types of plastics. • Recycle plastic if it is cost effective. • Recycle plastics. • Recycling bins. • Recycling containers. • Recycling of plastic bags. • Recycling should not be all about profit. Let's do the right thing for the future. • Reduce taxes by the amount of disposal center. Charge for trash w/ recycling free.

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• Require separate containers for specific trash. • Research. • Residential pick up. • Same. • Self-serve recycling areas at the transfer station. • Send flyer out to remind townspeople of what the town takes for recycling. Give updates. • Separate more items. • Some people just don't care and throw everything in trash. • Standardized pick-up, information on recycling, private carrier. • Start recycling all plastics, not just 1's and 2's. • Stricter guidelines. • Supply resident's with containers similar to Goffstown. • Take a wider variety of plastics and publish revenue information to encourage more recycling. • Take all grades of plastic - not just #1 and #2. Have bins for recycling that are available even if the dump is closed. • Tell us how to do it since the trash service doesn't. • The dump should be open more than 2 days a week. • The Town is doing a great job with the program. Would like to see even more participation by residents. • The Transfer Station should be managed by a town elected committee - no pay. The community as a whole should band together to help recycle with on going accounting of all costs. • They do a fine job now. • Through education at the elementary school and signs at the transfer station. • Town does excellent job at present. • Town has great recycling facility - make mandatory to lower solid waste disposal costs. • Trash pickup - recycling pickup. • Try to make money. • Volunteers. (2) • We have a great program. I'd like to see a survey to determine the percent of people recycling and what material. Also analyze what goes into dumpster to identify best items to add to recycling. • We have a very good recycling program; very well organized. Keep it that way. Like maybe include more plastics (like plastic bags) in the future. • Weekly pickup service. • Worth increase in taxes to provide/encourage this. • Yes, only if the town had garbage pick-up.

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Open-Ended Write-in Comments

Question 44: Please comment on any of the above issues or any others you believe are important to Dunbarton.

• "If you build it, they will come." But we don't want them to come. And if the land is developed, the open spaces filled, or the forests paved, then we will have lost something precious. And it will be lost forever. We came to Dunbarton because of what it is. Please preserve it and fight the pressures to change it into something less than it is. Future generations will live with the legacy we leave them due to our actions, or our inaction.

• #34 Areas should be zoned for commercial activity in village center and Page's Corner. They should be exclusively commercial. Non retail, professional activity and light industrial activity may be appropriate in other parts of town, but need better definition than is in current zoning.

• #43 (performing services or activities) Enforcement of regulation is good for some. It should be good for all. The good old boy factor in Dunbarton is out of hand.

• This Master Plan should go into a CIP. We should then institute impact fees. 2) Any large subdivision should be held to walking areas for residents (especially in the medium density district). Our boards should be asking a fair exchange for the diminished safety to existing residents of Dunbarton. 3) Town should go after more land for schools and recreation. 4) Town should go after more open space. 5) The town should develop an email notification list for municipal notices. Doing better on website notices - good job! 6) We should not go after commercial zones yet. Let developers fight battle by battle to get approval. 7) As the town grows it/we should try to grow the center of town on one side of Route 13 and not both sides. 8) Town should hire a different assessor!

• 1)Trash pickup. 2) Cable 3). School too small for residents. 4) More educated teachers. 5) Road maintenance and repair. 6) Much better snow removal needed and on regular basis. 7) Would small town services such as Dr. office, post office, dentist, convenience store yet keep small town character.

• 1) Trespassing by motorized vehicles (4 wheelers, ATV’s, snowmobiles, etc) is common and growing problem and it is very difficult to deal with. However, I think it needs to be come a very high priority. It is noisy and or destructive and the culprits are rarely caught and or prosecuted. 2) We do not want to see a high school in the future of Dunbarton because the community can not afford it. 3) Traffic on Rte 13 is increasing and becoming a noise problem as well as a vehicle safety issue (e.g., speeding). 4) We do not want or need cluster housing or mobile home parks because of its impact on town services and the school system. 5) We should not feel committed in any way to give into special requests for variances or exceptions that builders or developers apply for. 6) Cyclists, joggers and pedestrians need space on many of the popular roads in town. 7) We need to implement strong measures to slow growth in town (I am just repeating this because I feel strongly about this issue). 8) We need to resist any attempts to undermine the 2-5 acre building lot minimum requirements. We should investigate the possibility of increases the building lot sizes as has been done in Franconia (e.g., 10 acre lot minimums) 9) We need to increase the acquisition of land by the town to preserve open spaces.

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• 1)Would like to see a cap on the number of building permits issued, with exceptions made for permits requested by citizens that are building a private residence for themselves. 2) Continue with the outstanding fireworks display at Old Home Day. 3) Keep Town Meeting style of government.

• 2 acre/3 acre/5 acre minimum lot sizes should be maintained. With the recent real-estate boom it is obvious that cluster housing and over development has placed strains on the services & schools of small towns. Let's learn from their mistakes.

• All building lots should include generous reserve areas for ultimate septic system failure and possible water well relocations. Wetlands should be protected from development. Future need for a public water supply and sewerage would be a disaster to a small town/rural atmosphere. This can only be prevented now!

• Although I am only a summer resident 6 months, I feel as though they should have trash pick up. Heaven knows we pay enough taxes. It is very important to us. Thank you.

• Are there any future plans to expand Dunbarton School to include higher grades so we can eliminate having to send our children to Goffstown which is highly undesirable? That would be wonderful, but I'm sure too expensive for our town. We are aware of many families in town who send their children to private school to avoid sending them to Dunbarton Elementary then on to Goffstown. This needs to change if we are to attract young families to our town. Thanks.

• ATV’s are an extremely large problem with trespassing on private lands in Dunbarton. We feel that restrictive laws are not being locally enforced in Dunbarton. Thank you for the opportunity to respond and participate. xxxxxx x xxxxxx (xx).

• Because of the linear nature of Rte. 13 there isn't much sense of a town focus - probably can't do much, but having a post office and general store (where the real estate office now is in the center) provided a place to run into neighbors and establish acquaintances. Unless one's kids are in school or one attends either local church there's no general place for daily or frequent social exchange. Hopefully the expanded library/town offices will help. Already the country store on 77 is busier than it had expected; it is however, in the extreme northerly part of town. Good luck guys - you have a lot to permutate and juggle.

• Before you create new ordinances the old ones should be enforced. We live in low density but the town looks the other way regarding home businesses. Example: xxxxxxs on Jacqueline Drive - I am sure this is not a single situation. People moving into Dunbarton are drawn here by the rural nature of the town. When moving here you make an agreement of sorts/accept the fact that Dunbarton is a country town with easy access to many of the things listed in the survey. #36 not clear. #4 - no option for 0 children. It is important to maintain the 5-acre boundary.

• Building inspector should check regulations more closely see that house and remodeling is set back right - 75' from most center roads.

• Change current use to raise revenue at a fair percentage rate.

• Consider expanding transfer station hours to accommodate working families with busy schedules. Have plow operators drive their routes before the snowfall to become familiar with the road widths. Will Dunbarton ever get cable?

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• Controlling growth is primary. I do not support encouraging growth of any kind but I do believe it will come. We must have designated areas for different types of growth and not allow special exceptions (large scale). Setbacks from roads should be increased. Design/landscape plans should be part of the Town's approval process with the ability to make changes. Home businesses are OK as long as they are not obvious, i.e. car/tractor repairs with vehicles out front, like the property on Black Brook and Rt. 13. We should enforce the rules regarding number of unregistered cars/vehicles allowed in your yard. Protect the "country road" system we have by not allowing large-scale development along them. Maybe set a maximum number of permits allowed per year per development (or) developer. Keep the Town Common intact. Buy the 6-acre piece now for sale next to the Town offices for future Town development and school.

• Creating lighting spec for commercial establishments. We must watch for light pollution i.e. Pages Corner Convenience Store - there didn't seem to be any concern or thought put into type of lighting at that location. It is way too bright. I've seen other commercial lots in other towns with lighting controlled and forced downward. Ensure landscape buffers around commercial areas to protect residents.

• Current cluster housing rules guarantee that large homes on large lots available to only the affluent will prevail. As long as the NH Supreme Court upholds the rights of landowners, development will occur. This gives rise to the canard "the only thing I hate more than sprawl is density."

• Determine whether the deeded right of way over the Gelinas property on Gorham Pond Road is being blocked or barred thus denying access to the Kuncanowet Hills Public Conservation land west of Gorham Pond and take legal action if necessary.

• Downtown development for business with Colonial architecture and non-lighted signs only on buildings.

• Dunbarton is a great place to live (we lived in Goffstown for 22 years and loved it also). It allows for very private scenic and 'out of the way' living while still being a mere 15/20 minutes from either Manchester or Concord. We love the "Historic Village" look of the Town Center and the numerous open fields throughout the town. It's important that we never allow our town to be over-run with housing developments or strip malls. We can always take 15 minutes to go to the stores; we don't need to bring them to us.

• Dunbarton is a great town in a perfect location. Everything should be done to protect the town as we know it. To let development overtake the town, changing forever its unique character would be a true shame. Being a transplant from New York, I grew up in a sleep suburb of New York City, watched first hand explosive growth during a 20-year period. In my opinion the changes were not for the best. Although growth is unstoppable, controls need to be in place to make it as slow as possible. The whole town should work for balance to protect it unique character.

• Dunbarton is a great town to live in and to raise a family. Many more people have found out about Dunbarton. Growth is a good thing and we as a town need to prepare for this problem is the growth is all residential which does not help our tax base. We need to promote small scale business, maybe a restaurant in town, some small shops similar to what the center of New Boston (has having 2,3 and 5 acre zoning is as much of away to slow growth as anything. I actually consider a 5-acre lot as snob zoning. 5 acres is a lot of land. Two or three acre lots is a good medium. Some towns promote back lots where you have less frontage, but lot needs to be no less than 4 acres, something to think about.

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• Dunbarton is a great town. Growth seems too fast. Planning board "seems" to be self-serving, as many are landlords and in building related positions. Also too close to the selectmen/women officers. These officers should be more balanced like 50% not be landlords or in building positions.

• Dunbarton is a great town. We have enjoyed living here for the past 3 years. We have always lived in small towns but we have seen development come in and ruin the serenity also. I believe that growth is helpful if you have planned for it. The roads in Dunbarton are all two lane roads and if in the future a professional building or other such enterprises want to build here, we should make sure that the infrastructure near the new development be up to date and the cost should be footed by the developer, example, turn lanes so traffic doesn't back up if on a main road. We would also like to see trash pick up included in the town services. We would like Town offices open more often with extended hours. Also, I believe some playgrounds would be nice for the children.

• Dunbarton is a wonderful place to live. I especially like the small, close-knit community and the small school atmosphere for my kids. I don't like to see new roads going in with many houses built on them or houses being built in the middle of beautiful fields. Our school is already full, if we keep building new homes, we will have to build a new school.

• Dunbarton is known for and has a reputation of being a safe, scenic, peaceful, nicely landscaped and protected country environment. With the current rapid destruction of our wooded areas (such as the huge cut and slash and build on Tenney Hill Road) we are not headed in the right direction anymore. We are going to become a congested, noisy, huge house place to avoid. The Bela Brook area is an example of natural beauty along with Kimball Pond and a few other areas like Stone Road. Once these areas become slashed and over populated we will not be Dunbarton anymore. Remember-we can never unbuild or remarsh an area that we destroy. We criticize the destruction of the rain forest "over there"-but are we doing the same thing "over here?"

• Dunbarton is located between two major metropolitan areas that have abundant opportunity for business development and commercial enterprise. We are a rural community and the very fact that we are not developed will make Dunbarton all the more unique and desirable as the metropolitan sprawl extends around us. Here, 5-acre lots in a low-density setting are only 10 to 15 minutes away from Concord and Manchester. This unique feature will certainly improve real estate values over time. Let us retain our rural character while other communities become ever more homogeneous.

• Dunbarton needs small commercial areas which may encourage the home run businesses to become professional businesses. Roads need attention in the wintertime given the budget for the Highway Dept., I don't think the roads are taken care of well enough. The roads need to be plowed by 5am regardless of school or not. The roads are in good condition but they need more maintenance. Dunbarton should think about playing fields for the children and adults, i.e. baseball, football, soccer. I think the issue of wetlands should be left to the state. The Town should encourage the rec. use of snowmobiles in Kuncanowet Town forest.

• Effort is needed to designate and promote commercial and light industrial area(s); this is a key method to bring in additional tax revenue without burdening the infrastructure.

• Elected planning board members, limit on how many board/committees an individual can serve on. Sidewalks so some children could walk to school thus eliminating overcrowding on the buses.

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• Encourage enforcement of legal aspects of scenic roads - Educate all landowners of scenic roads, especially new homeowners & landowners that reside on scenic roads that theirs is a scenic road and their trees are protected from the saws of road agents and planning boards by state law.

• Good luck with this very important process. I hope to volunteer.

• Growth in Dunbarton must be controlled and limited if the town's historic character is to maintained. The assumption that commercial and/or light industrial activities are needed in town is misguided, in our opinion. Services are readily available to Dunbarton residents in neighboring towns. There is no need for us to invite commercial activity into this town. It does not fit with our history and character.

• Growth is inevitable. If the only growth is residential, the impact financially on our school & community services) will fall only on us tax payers. Why not allow industrial/commercial on the outskirts of town to assist in keeping our tax rate manageable. Tourism, recreational and industrial retail /commercial businesses bring people to our town who will be spending money in our town. We residents ourselves would spend & keep more money within our town. I have seen more Dunbarton residents in the last 2 months at the deli/convenience store on Rte. 77 than I've bumped into in last 2 years. It's affordable and convenient and we're keeping our money in town. Also have seen and spoken with several residents from Bow at Pages Corner store spending money in our town.

• Growth preserve must be contained in this historic town. We don't have a second chance.

• I am a landowner looking forward to living in Dunbarton as it is currently. I would be very disappointed if the town were to become as crowded as Goffstown or to be developed with ugly rundown businesses as in the case of Weare, NH.

• I am concerned about the noise from the ATV’s on the trails. I am also concerned about the traffic and the wide trailers for the ATV’s on our narrow country roads.

• I believe Dunbarton needs thoughtful zoning ordinances as a means to ensure controlled growth. I would hate to see commercial properties pop-up in otherwise residential or "green space" areas.

• I believe it is important to maintain the 5-acre minimum lot sizes for single family houses. I would like to see Dunbarton have its own high school for our children. I know so many parents in town with young children who have expressed great concern over our school system + would rather pay for private school if they could. Also I think it is important for our elected town officials to make more of an effect to gain the trust of the towns people. I have attended some meeting + really was shocked at how certain elected officials spoke to the people of Dunbarton. It was inappropriate + rude. People attend meeting with certain concerns + opinions and school should be allowed to speak their mind without being insulted + humiliated. PLEASE WORK ON THAT.

• I dislike that Dunbarton is welcoming my taxes (property taxes) but does not allow me to vote on town matters (or hold any position such as library treasurer) because I am not a US citizen.

• I do believe in preserving the historic and rural appeal of Dunbarton. I don't believe in creating "commercial only" districts. I feel if Dunbarton used its historic value as a draw for businesses to come here and enhance the tax base then commercial businesses could be placed using the special exception formula.

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• I do not want the rural character of Dunbarton changed. I do not believe the new store was a good thing. I see a push for adding gas to the new store which I believe would be a mistake and I am against any commercial development in the town. Growth should be permitted but should be very well thought through.

• I don't understand the trouble that businesses in Dunbarton encounter from City Officials and dwellers. For Example, Page Country Store is a beautiful building, well managed, and useful. Why did the owner endure so much grief in pursuit of free enterprise? I don't get it. In general, I don't like the vein of exclusivity and self-preference that seems to exist in Dunbarton citizens.

• I feel that Dunbarton is the one town that has successfully managed its growth and appeal thus far - unlike neighboring towns. I think single family homes should be encouraged - anything else detracts from the town's character as would any industrial coming in. Please keep it the way it is! The quality of living is excellent.

• I feel the community center should be restructured. It seems that the same people have all the say. It doesn't appear they are for the community but have their own agenda.

• I live on a cul-de-sac, the center of which is scraped earth. Eventually, I want to see the circle green with lawn or something better than dirt at least. I don't necessarily want the Town to develop/landscape or maintain the green belt. However, I would hope that the Town would get out of the way of volunteer residents' improvement of the dirt circle. If the Town trucked in topsoil to assist the landscaping effort, that would cost little or nothing perhaps and be the sort of contribution that a town like Dunbarton should try hard to make.

• I live on Old Hopkinton Road. The town has done nothing to enforce regulations or court orders to remove unregistered property blocking a fire/rescue access at the dry hydrant. These items blocking access should be moved at the owner’s expense. The Planning and Zoning Board should allow improvements in the residential and business aspects of the town. Plans should be made now not only for the next 10-20 years but also for the next 100-200 years.

• I lived in Merrimack, NH during the 1980s when there was rampant growth. The Town allowed high-density condos, and vast multi-family projects, and large tracts of small lot single family development, and the result was a disaster. A nice somewhat rural Town was turned into a suburb. I believe growth is something that can be done successfully if planned for. It is important that the current lot size minimum be kept as they are and any allowances for high density be denied. They would be the death of the "rural character" of Dunbarton. Same for condos. Also, note that the development of any large-scale multi-families would overwhelm Town services such as current fire, police, and school system.

• I may have been able to answer some questions if you put related info. on the Town website and referred to it. Please use the web site to keep us informed.

• I moved to Dunbarton for the rural characteristics. I am strongly opposed to commercial development of any kind.

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• I moved to Dunbarton from Concord in April and have no opinion on some issues. It seems selfish but now that I am here, I don't want to see the town change to accommodate more development (residential or commercial) and I am concerned about the residential development on Mansion Road and any possibility of allowing smaller lot sizes. As far as commercial development is concerned, Concord & Goffstown are close enough for shopping and everyone who is annoyed with the convenience would not want to live here. Main concern - keep Dunbarton quiet & uncrowded.

• I moved to Dunbarton with my family to escape the noise, lights, and industrialization of rapid growth in the town of Manchester. I/we hope that rural nature of Dunbarton will be preserved! My family and I, we spend considerable time hiking, canoeing, and x-country skiing on Kimball Pond Conservation area, and we hope that it will be "developed" to the best and friendly use for everyone. Every 3-4 weeks walk around the pond (Kimball Pond) and pick up bottles, cans that should never be there. We feel that the town should organize annual Kimball Pond walk around clean up. It has been too many times, that my dog cut his paws while hiking around the pond. There should be 2-3 areas with sand around the pond, so our children of Dunbarton could, and should enjoy our own town's resources around Kimball Pond! Thank you.

• I strongly feel that Dunbarton should take any and all measures to keep the rural character. I also strongly feel that Dunbarton needs to eliminate their association with Goffstown school district. I would very much support additional grades (adding onto our current building) such as 7th and 8th in Dunbarton. I would like to also see Dunbarton become partners with Bow, Hopkinton, or Concord. I do not support remaining with Goffstown.

• I think Dunbarton is a great little town to live in. I have seen a lot of single family residential growth in the past 10 years. We may want to think of slowing that down.

• I think that allowing developers to come into town and putting in large neighborhoods will take away from Dunbarton's character. I moved into this town 9 years ago because of the small town feel. There have been many homes constructed since then. I still think that the small town atmosphere is still very much intact. But I also feel that the popping up of large developments I.E. Mansion road is unacceptable and unfair to those of us who enjoy our small town living. It will be just a matter of time before I move out if things continue to expand.

• I think that it is unnecessary to expand the buildings on the Town Common. I would not like to see a larger parking lot behind the Town Hall for Bill Zeller to use for his Canoe/Kayak business.

• I think they need to offer more children's program such as tennis lessens, ice skating, aerobics, self- defense classes. More option of day's other then Tuesday and Thursday and morning classes.

• I truly enjoy residing in this town. It is unique and a perfect respite from the rat race in Concord. I would hope that Dunbarton is able to resist the urge to become like the majority of towns in this state and remain unique. I personally enjoy driving 10 miles and not being assaulted by electric lights, gas stations, stores, and restaurants.

• I would like to be able to keep living here and not be taxed out of my home. The large raises in real estate taxes are very difficult on a lot of families. Having light industry supporting some of the burden would help.

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• I would like to see a community park for children in Dunbarton in order to promote families spending time together within the community.

• I would like to see better/longer hours for the Town Hall/Clerk and Transfer Station. The Town should provide sand/salt for residents during the winter. Growth should be managed and done in a practical way.

• I would like to see Dunbarton make it easier for working class people to move into town. Currently this town has mostly upper income people living in and moving in. I feel planning to accommodate some areas of the town for lower income working people should be done. You could do this by zoning some areas in town where half-acre lots could be purchased and built on. No to do this would prevent good hard working people from moving to town. If that is the intent, then that is wrong.

• I would like to see the town pay closer attention to new homes being built. I have a cottage on Holiday Shore Dr. and I am watching a new landowner put up a wooden structure. The land is not large enough for a house. We've been to town meetings to protest his building such a large structure. He's not allowed to have heat and plumbing and electricity in the structure. We are all watching to see if he attempts to "sneak" them in. Another house in the Gorham Pond area (I think it is on Karen Rd.) was built largely without permits. It is a 4-story house amid one-story homes. It looks ridiculous. When people in this community complained to the town - the town officials took the attitude = "it's up now - what can we do? He can't very well tear in down." This attitude is very unacceptable.

• I would support a higher quality of education in the grade school. By reviewing the current teaching practices to bring up the grade scores in comparison to the state and national averages. If more money is needed to obtain supplies then I support more taxes going towards supplies. The children are our future - let's help them to make us proud. Being average or below average won't help the kids when they go onto higher education. Let's spend some money on things that will pay off. That doesn't mean that I support a $10,000 weather station. Dunbarton is a great town and I'm proud to be a resident. Let's put the tax dollars in places that help make this town a great place to live. The safety of its residents and the future of its children are what will keep me in this town.

• I'd like to see the Town Common, with the beautiful library, saved for future residents to enjoy. Dunbarton has many scenic areas and recreational spots that will become more precious as the NH population grows. I believe these are threatened by urban sprawl and the expansion of highways into NH. A planned growth is one way to control the impact upon such a wonderful small town.

• If any new buildings or additions built - keep the designs colonial looking.

• If one person has to wait for their C.O. then everyone should wait for their C.O. (Certificate of Occupancy) and it is up to the Building Inspector to enforce that. I know for a fact one house (couple)got their C.O. before they even had power. What is fair for some should be fair for all. The same is true for the zoning board and the planning board. There is too much "back scratching" going on in this town. We don't nee to have the same person on all three boards - planning, zoning & building inspector. It doesn't seem right that one person is given all "power" without the town voting on the issue. Is there a conflict of interest having the planning board made up of developers and builders? (Many people in town think so) Although they step down for votes, they still have their hand in the cookie jar.

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• I'm unhappy with the many recent exceptions the selectmen have allowed to the zoning regulations. Zoning is meaningless if developers are allowed to ignore the rules simply by applying to the town. It makes me wonder who is making money off of this!

• I'm very disappointed that surveys weren't sent to all registered voters. We are all entitled to our opinions and recommendations. Otherwise, I'm pleased with the thoroughness of your questions. thanks for tackling the immense project

• Impact fees are necessary to maintain and improve schools. These would discourage unnecessary growth.

• In my opinion, having come from a small town elsewhere and moving to another (Dunbarton), I have witnessed changes that have proved detrimental to the characteristics of a small town community in the name of progress. With skyrocketing land & home prices, it becomes apparent that only the affluent people can afford to live in the homes that are available. Many of these people are relocating from urban areas and are attracted to the charm of a small town. However, this attraction soon fades after realizing that the very things that they have moved away from are not available i.e., garbage pick up, government services 24/7, ordinances, etc. They become active in local government and change the rural character into what they moved from. Many times, they decide to move on leaving the carnage they created to be dealt with by the long-term residents who may no longer be able to afford their homes. I am not opposed to progress, but it must be tempered with a common sense approach. To ensure that "small town USA" .

• In the years that I have been a resident of Dunbarton, I have witnessed alarming growth in the town. I fear that continual growth will change the rural, unencumbered atmosphere of the town and, once this occurs, we can never return to its former state. I left the city to live in Dunbarton because I wanted to get away from the traffic, noise, businesses, buildings, and crowded conditions. I realize that I have to travel at least 12 miles round trip just to get a loaf of bread but it is a small price to pay for peace and tranquility. We have a certain element moving into town who have to have huge homes as well as all services with no concern about what this will do to the character of our town or how we will pay for these services. People who need services nearby should be living in the city not our town. In order to maintain our rural, safe environment, we need to stop commercial development and severely limit residential growth or we'll be another Pinardville or Bow. Residential growth may increase our property values but it will also increase our taxes and, for those of us who actually live according to a budget, we are concerned about our ability to be able to afford to stay in Dunbarton. Please don't destroy what Dunbarton has been. Change and/or growth is not always a good thing.

• It is important to maintain an objective plan. The people that already have their place in a quiet community often times erect roadblocks to others that wish to share the same lifestyle. A Master Plan should be designed to prevent excesses, not to erect barriers to others participation in the American Dream of home ownership and a secure/comfortable place to live.

• It is very important to plan for the future and to maintain the rural character of the town. Establishing appropriate ordinances that support this "vision" for the town is also important.

• It is very important to us that the town allow a cable company in - We're tired of paying for a satellite dish and would like high speed internet without paying for expensive DSL service. Also - we've been complaining about the same dog barking for over 2 years now (off and on) a have been told to take care of it myself....

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• I've told the town hall that my neighbor's septic tank's location is on my property, we don't know which the line of land belong to and they did not do something. They should check it. They should install some fish-eye mirror or blind driveway signs.

• Keep growth limited - we're growing to fast already. Do away with the 2 & 3 acre minimum lot size and require 5+ acre minimum on all future development.

• Keeping Dunbarton small town is a challenge. It is important to have good schools, whether you have children in the schools now or not. Good fire, police and ambulance protection should not be small town operational. We don't need a lot of the amenities bigger towns have like garbage pickup but we must have good schools, etc. Living in a small town doesn't mean your life re: safety should be handled like it was 5, 10, or 20 years ago. Also house lots should be 5 acres, not less. Exceptions only under unusual circumstances. Preserving our land for wildlife & recreation is an attraction to Dunbarton that will make our small town different than others. I feel Dunbarton should protect land that has historic value (Robert Rogers’s homesite, Whipple property) encourage homeowners to preserve and protect Dunbarton with only well planned development. Thank you!

• Limit subdivisions to one building permit per year! Increase minimum acreage requirements.

• Maintaining the small town rural look and feel is very crucial. Managing growth is vital to accomplishing this long-term goal. The more "flat landers" use all to move into town and build house, the more demand for services will follow. The larger the population, the more the strain on town provided resources and services. In order to meet those demands, taxes will rise. That's not good . Especially for folk on fixed incomes. Let’s promote volunteerism -- it's a lost virtue in our country. Under the watchful eye of the expert and guidance of the skilled volunteer can accomplish much and save the town (le, taxpayers) a bundle of money. Keep up the good work! "Do not be weary in well doing"

• More activity for senior citizens. More teaching like computers (for beginners), line dancing, etc

• Most people moved here and live here for the small town atmosphere. Let's keep it that way. Services not provided in Town (industrial parks, strip malls, offices etc.) are only a 10-20 minute ride from Town. This slight inconvenience is worth the pleasure of living in a small country town. For the small percentage of people who bitch about what they are missing by not living in a more developed town or city - let them move back.

• Most personnel in the city offices are very good and helpful. The person that registers cars needs a more helpful attitude. Full information was also not disclosed. It's very important that Dunbarton keep the same charm. The Town does need to look into residences that have trash and old rusted cars in plain site. The entrances to Dunbarton on Moneltona and Twisted Hill have very trashy residences. It doesn't leave a good impression on someone driving into Dunbarton. Also there are some residences that have been in state of repair for a long time. There should be a maximum limit on unfinished buildings.

• My biggest fear is that Rt. 77 will become the commercial/industrial zone of the town. I object to this strenuously. I picture it becoming like Rt. 3A in Bow - ugly! It would be especially sad to see anything like that right next to some of the most significant historic property in New Hampshire - the Molly Stark House and Fort. A commercial zone like we see in other towns cheapens them and takes away from that desirable rural character that drew us to Dunbarton in the first place.

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Please make every effort to avoid developing Dunbarton into just another New Hampshire town with all its conveniences. We'd rather have character than convenience. Thank you!

• My concern are to keep taxes down, therefore encouraging some commercial growth would be needed. Educationally, we need to consider the elementary school to include middle school grades. I feel this would be less expensive and best for our children.

• My son leaves for school on the bus at 6:30am and gets home at 4pm. This is just wrong and the School Board doesn't care. Why does the Elementary School have "art on a cart?" Why doesn't this have questions about education given that there are fund allocation questions? I've watched many cities in Colorado try to control growth with varying levels of success but the creation of open space has always been well received and seemingly a very good use of dollars. It promotes a better living environment and generally keeps property values higher than communities with little to no open space."

• My wife and I, along with our 2 abutting neighbors, pay a large amount of taxes. None of us have children. We have no problem contributing to the school system. But, I must say, for the amount we pay in taxes, our road, Ordway Road, should be paved. My wife and I should not have to own 4 wheel drive vehicles to get to our home in Dunbarton, Ordway Road. Myself, and my neighbors and their guests should not boycott our home because of the fear of getting stuck on the side of the road. There have been many occasions that we have been stuck in the snow on Ordway Rd, as well as our guests. I have spoken with my neighbors as well as long time residents of Dunbarton and they all agree. If the road were paved it would be easier for us residents and on our guests to get home. it would also make maintaining the road, Ordway Road, easier for the Town to maintain. We, as a group, would greatly appreciate Ordway Road being paved this year.

• Need more small businesses especially on 77 but not big stores or big industry need more houses - singles mainly. More houses = more taxes. But also remember that every house does not have 2-3 children using school system. A lot of elderly live in town and quite a few childless couples own homes and that number is increasing.

• No hunting on Sundays!

• No industry should be allowed into the area that could potentially contaminate the air or groundwater or result in massive clear cutting. Some growth is going to occur but maintaining the rural character in the layout of buildings and lots could make some growth acceptable.

• No thank you for asking - please listen & work toward our wishes, thanks. You can maintain the attributes of our small town & its character by careful planning. But like anything else we are losing opportunities by not allowing our residents to make improvements and increasing the restrictions on developing our center. It seems like the town is standing still, this really means were are losing ground (opportunities). With the lack of elderly/congregate housing our older (single) population leaves having no alternative. With the housing shortage our children have trouble or cannot afford to buy their house in town, so they leave (unless they inherit the family home). My biggest disappointment is that our town seems to be penny wise and pound foolish - town structures, roads, projects solve current problems with little thought to what we will leave for our successors and at what expense to repair or maintain. Lastly we need cable! And a real phone company!

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• One thing I would like to see as Dunbarton continues to grow and more families with kids move in, is that some sort of park/sports facility be planned such as a ball field and soccer field complex. Too often our kids have to travel to other towns to play ball when they should be able to play right here. I think this type of growth promotes a sense of small town pride and keeps with the rural setting.

• Part of the rural character of towns such as Dunbarton, I believe, is directly related to open spaces. We should encourage landowners whenever possible, through tax breaks or some other means to keep larger tracts of land. Try to make it affordable for them. Growth is inevitable, but we have the ability to control it and build a community that maintains its "rural character."

• Planning Board needs a town employee to follow up on and manage the details. This is hard for the Board members who are all volunteers and lead busy lives. Planning Board gets a bad reputation for not handling paperwork and meeting promises. Larger towns have town planners to handle this. In lieu of no town planner, someone needs to manage the process between meetings. Perhaps this role has been recently been assigned to xxx xxxxxx, which is fine. He is a good and trusted person and will do a good job.

• Please consider construction impact fees to slow growth and to offset the cost of expansion of school and infrastructure as the population of Dunbarton grows. See attached letter. Need to plan for future growth - improve playground facility at elementary school, plan for middle and high school, plan town hall/exhibition hall for future population numbers not just present needs.

• Please discontinue dumping street snow from Holiday Acres Road at corner of beach and Gorham Drive. The blocking of Gorham Drive at this point creates a fire hazard and to the two cottages about 100 feet in from the main road.

• Please do not let Dunbarton develop or grow in size any more than it has already. If we allow continued growth it won't be long until it becomes overcrowded like Goffstown or Concord. We don't need local supermarkets, restaurants or any other retail operation here. That store on Rte 77 is an eyesore with all the lights flooding our peaceful town at night. Concord is just down the road and so is Goffstown. We have to stop this growth and destruction of our town now. The only reason our zoning board allows this is out of greed. There's no other reason to continue as we are. They have to pass a law banning business development all over the town, and designate a commercial zone close to either the Bow border or Goffstown border, as far away from our town as possible so we don't have McDonalds or worse popping up here.

• Possibly develop public transit for the elderly.

• Prohibit all motorized vehicles in Clough Park and surrounding areas. From personal observation I have noted desecration of land, trees, water and wildlife. Rare plant species no longer exist there. Trash is evident also. If officials of the town can not be empowered to do this contact (D.E.S) department of environmental service. I intend to do this in person too. As I understand it there are plans being discussed which could effect the Dunbarton Town Common. Changing, building and messing things up in general will ultimately destroy it historic appearance over all. Dunbarton is a historic place. Appreciate that and protect the historical buildings and places. Once it is destroyed - there is no going back! Think about that.

• Public transportation, if developed, should be provided with private funds.

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• Question 41 - The ATV's and snow mobiles are very destructive and dangerous to those of us who like to walk on the trails or take our horses out to the flood control - they cause severe erosion on the trails - they go too fast so they have trouble stopping when/if they see you - and they pollute not only the air but the noise level is unacceptable. It keeps a lot of people from going out and enjoying the area.

• Recycling should provide better monetary returns to the town by the sale of metals, paper, glass and electronics.

• Residential growth should be encouraged in areas close to Rt13 so as not to fragment wildlife habitat.

• Residents of Dunbarton should realize you cannot stop progress, once you are here, you cannot "lock the gate." If this were the case, you wouldn't be here either. The only way you will have the "quality of life" you feel you are entitled to is to purchase a very large lot (25-50 acres) and put your house in the middle. To expect your neighbors to conform to your desires and whims (lighting, building, permitted uses by special exceptions) is unfair and unrealistic. The "NIMBY" theory will not work. This is still a free country. Let's be realistic and plan ahead for a change.

• Road maintenance - the road agent's strategy/goals for Dunbarton's roads follows a philosophy of "wider & bigger is better" with which I disagree. Preserve some dirt roads. Keep country lanes narrow. Thank you for the opportunity to give some feedback.

• Route 13 (Clinton St. & Stark Hwy.) and Rt. 77 eventually will need to be widened to relieve the pressure on these, Montelona Rd. will need to become a 2nd main thruway. Perhaps through Bow via Dunbarton Center Rd., Bow Center Rd. and Logging Hill Rd. to tie in with Rt. I89 (exit!). We need to work with Bow. Perhaps a new link with Rt. I93 in the south of Bow. Dunbarton's Stark Hwy. Will not be able to take all the load - even when widened some day. With a link to I93 from the east of area G (east of Rt. 13) and not all the traffic to the interstate system will need to go through Dunbarton Center and our historic areas. People continue having more children = population is growing = soon Dunbarton will not be rural, but suburban. We will have to plan for that. Area G, east of Rt. 13: a new access to I-93 would allow us to create a commercial/lt. industrial area (new street perhaps) in the future. Even Bow needs to decentralize. Now they count on Exit 1 off I89, just as we rely on E-W traffic along the Area E corridor. But that puts a strain on our Stark Hwy. Plan for the future. It is coming. Population pressures will not lessen, but increase. People also need to work somewhere.

• School is very unkempt, as is community center. Would like to see at least one full-time fire/rescue employee. More co-curricular sports for adults would be appreciated.

• Set Town population/density totals. Create Open Space Acquisition policy. Manage growth - focus new development where appropriate. Better traffic management. Non motorized recreational opportunities enhanced. Cluster housing. Housing for elderly. Collaborate with other adjacent towns to create a network to manage regional growth. This survey is a very good beginning to what will be a time consuming and emotional process of selecting a future for Dunbarton. Thank you.

• Single-family homes and community development

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• Slow down growth. Enforce Town regulations i.e. building so that the situation with violations such as the Page's Corner Deli does not happen again.

• Speed limits are being ignored. Drivers exceed speeds of 50 mph on Robert Rogers Rd. This road is used by joggers, bikers and horse riding. The speed limit is 35 mph. I'm very concerned about a deadly accident occurring.

• Store in center of town, gas station also.

• Taxes (property), education, school busing (buses), roads are not well maintained, and snow removal.

• Thank you all for your time that you dedicate to Town Service!

• Thank you for asking.

• Thank you for offering to the opportunity to respond - best way to get an idea of what majority envisions.

• Thank you for this opportunity to respond! We believe that improving the town's educational system should be given top priority!! Thanks!

• The attraction to this town is the undeveloped country feel. The Center of town is an attraction as well because of the town buildings. These buildings and the town center should be left alone. The town needs to review the quality of plowing on the town roads. They aren't plowed early enough for commuters. On weekends it is even worse.

• The growth of Dunbarton is very important. By dropping the acreage to 2 or 3 acres would promote more housing and bring in more taxes to enhance the fire, police and schools. Thank you.

• The most important are is the continuation of a small rural community. To this end, I strongly feel we should limit new building permits that are issued - or raise the rates of building permits high enough to cover the cost of the new schools that we will need with all this development. I moved here 16 years ago for the small town atmosphere and this is being threatened.

• The poor condition of Mansion, Everette, and Stark Lane/the Town thought they had a great deal when Clough State Park opened by giving the cost and burden of summer maintenance to the State. The State refuses to take proper car of these roads and the selectmen do nothing about it. They should sign an agreement with the State to do the maintenance and bill the State. that is the only way the roads will ever be maintained properly.

• The quality of life in Dunbarton is directly related to the following: 1. rural character/sparse population; 2. natural environment away from all businesses/enterprises; 3. affordability (tax rates, cost of services; 4. understanding the importance of maintaining the historic character and quaint appearance of a nice small town.

• The small town, community oriented, atmosphere is why we love Dunbarton. We support all efforts to preserve it.

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• The Town Common is presently very attractive. Because of the continuing increase in population, any expansion of town administrative office space within the Common would not be sufficient for very long. It would be far more realistic to construct a basic Town Administration building that can later be expanded at some other location, possible in the rear of the Fire Department.

• The town needs to expand its tax base. A town cannot survive on residential property taxes alone. There has to be a balance between residential and light commercial or people will not be able to afford to live in town. Multi-family housing of any type is also something we do not need or want in our community, just ask the town of Derry! Zoning is another area that should be addressed. Spot commercial zoning is a bad thing for our town, we need to establish commercial and industrial areas so residents will know what can be built where. I would like to thank the members of this committee for your time and effort to help develop a new Master Plan.

• The town of Dunbarton is to be complimented for initiating this important planning effort and requesting input from the community. Your task is challenging but so worthwhile.

• The town should do whatever it can to control expenses. The tax rate in the town is getting to a point of where it will discourage individuals to locate here. What services we do have are good, but to continue to increase taxes (last year was a shocker) and not see differences in services is disheartening.

• There appears to be a severe lack of ethics on the part of the selectman, committees, and department heads in matters pertaining to building and development. I also believe the planning and/or zoning board should actually do on-site inspections before giving approval of subdivisions. Houses are being built on completely unsuitable lots, resulting in lack of access, improper drainage, and more!

• There are a lot of dead trees along our highways. In light of xxx xxxxx's injury & the risk of fire, etc, dead trees should be removed.

• There should be restrictions on the sub-divisions. People should not be allowed to put a road into a sub-division when that piece of property didn't have much road frontage in the first place. All of the town should have 5-acre minimum lot size other than the Village. The Town should limit new home building permits to 8 or 10 per year for the whole town and not by the same person or development or developer. We should take a good look at Bow and Hopkinton and not follow in their footsteps of doubling their population over the past 15 to 20 years and having high taxes, having to enlarge their schools every 5 years and a lot of people on the Town's payroll for services.

• This is a great concern that there is a possibility that apartment/condominium buildings may be OK'd in Dunbarton. If one person is allowed to build apartment/elderly housing buildings, there will be others who will want to follow suit and put in their own apartment/condominium, elderly housing. This will put a strain on all of the town's services. The schools, police, fire and road maintenance services.

• This is a remarkable town, especially in comparison to neighboring towns for keeping a rural character and friendly co-operative spirit of volunteerism. I'm fortunate to have lived here for 22 years - partaken (or not) of different town activities and efforts - and enjoyed a lifestyle because this is Dunbarton, that some will never, unfortunately, have access to.

• This own has the worst ZBA of all surrounding towns. Let’s fix it.

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• This sort of survey should have been done before an architect was set loose on the Town Hall.

• This survey appears to be geared towards the extension of development of open lands and unused property in our town of Dunbarton instead of the development of measures to preserve (used generally) the precious rural flavor we currently are able to enjoy. It is hoped that the Master Plan Committee would take this ideology to heart and give it serious consideration. Take a look at surrounding towns and realize what development has done there and the effects it is having - both economically for town/school services and aesthetically. Ask - is this what we really want in Dunbarton? We would also request that the survey results for Dunbarton be made available in the local newspapers (Bow Times, Goffstown News) as well as the internet.

• To me it seems that those with children in the school system influence too many issues. I suppose they are in the majority, but I don't want my tax rate to go up so much. It just seems that the "new suburbanites" go right in and get whatever they want. There are expensive houses springing up all over town. This is not the Dunbarton I remember. I know they are supporting the town through their taxes and many of them volunteer for various good causes here. They are making the "new Dunbarton." It is no longer a small quiet town where one could be heard and live simply. It's their town now - you're too late. I'm sure they are good people. It's just that the rest of us are over-ruled. The seniors and people on fixed incomes are out-voted. It's a young family's town now, some young families without much money and young families with money. They get what they want which results in higher taxes for the rest of us. They win! Even if the lower income and older residents in town do try, they are usually out-voted and shunted to the back burner. This town is polarized and they will win.

• Too much control in the hands of too few people and accumulating restrictions and constraints on land and property use are the frequent result of so called master plans. Go slowly and tread lightly! How much did this survey cost and who receives this money?

• Too much money spent on surveys. New people in town have much to say at Town meetings and then leave the town. Education may be OK in 1st -6th grade but many of the children when they enter Goffstown schools-do not do well. Perhaps a Town Manager would be a financial help to the Town - spending tremendous. Why the need for two teachers for a class that has a little over 20 students - plus aides. School budget is much too high. Unless parents interested, students eventually lose interest. Monies should be given to parents that prefer to send child to a private school or home teach.

• Town controlled growth is important. Cliques and political factions or influence must be prohibited in the decision making process. Quality childcare should be encouraged. Numbers of vehicles parked on private property should be limited, whether business or private, dead vehicles or live ones.

• Town meeting format is excellent however could this and other such town events be more inviting to new town members with all the growth we need to be open to new neighbors and willing to teach and share our norms to folks so they feel welcome and more importantly will volunteer and participate in town activities and functions. Thank you to all the members of the committee for putting together this survey and volunteering to take on this important project.

• Town Meeting has become out dated in this town. People are no longer informed votes. This system needs help. Any and all boards that the state of NH allows to be elected should be by vote of town body elected!

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-81

• Town needs to address snow removal on some unpaved roads. We pay taxes like everyone else, but don't get the same snow removal services because of dirt roads.

• Town needs to move forward in providing or allowing conveniences its citizens need or want. 1. Gas station - National chain; 2. Cellular tower for better reception of cell phones; 3. National phone company; 4. local market place/farmer's market/plaza.

• Town of Dunbarton needs commercial and industrial business to help with the tax base. Commercial and industrial development provide taxes with no burden on the school system. If certain commercial and industrial uses are allowed in certain areas, Dunbarton can still maintain a rural character. Grow in moderation!

• Town officials often fail to take the opinions of local residents into consideration when making decisions. For instance, the Scenic Byway designation was intended to assure that the rural character of the town roads is maintained. That means the roads are narrow, windy, lined with trees and stone walls. This encourages slower traffic and encourages drivers to enjoy the scenery. It also makes it safer for pedestrians, walkers, and hikers to enjoy the area without having any fast traffic. People who live on these roads like it this way, and are willing to put up with snow piles and power outages as a result. Understandably, this might make the job of the road department more difficult, but when local residents are in agreement that the changes in the road are undesirable, town officials should work to achieve compromise rather than find ways to circumvent the residents (such as requiring developers to make changes to their frontage in order to get approvals.)

• Trash pickup would be nice with the recycling option at curbside. Better outreach to areas away from Center of town regarding events.

• Unless this Master Plan approaches rural growth in an innovative way, I fear that any new plan will encourage more of the same 5 acre lots, accommodations to developers and assorted renegade builders based on a fear of litigation, and creeping sprawl. Several years ago the Town paid significant money to a design group to develop historically compatible design guidelines, as part of the defeated zoning proposals. I hope that at the very least these design guidelines are being examined independently of "commercial zoning" proposals. If small business / village zones are being considered then we need to first decide the "why". If it simply to push this development to one part of town (too often on the outskirts thus encouraging use of autos and rural sprawl) then this ought to be rejected. If it is to actually develop a rural/village environment then logic suggests it be in the Center, with smaller lot sizes, strict historical design/signage and size rules, accommodations for pedestrian traffic such as walkways and central gathering places. If it is at Pages Corner then the existing Country Store ought to be seen as the hub --- develop community gathering/interaction places. Look at Henniker as a good example. Look at Weare as a bad example. If this plan doesn’t begin by stating what makes (or ought to make) Dunbarton a good place to live (which I believe is community spirit/interaction) and then focus on doing things that increase the "good place" attributes, we will end up with a re-hash of the same old failed development/zoning approaches. The idea of significant added tax revenue as a result of small commercial development ought to be closely examined by the committee, as I believe it is a falsehood that is trotted out every time the town thinks about more commercial development. We also need to think now about elder housing in a central location in town, and encourage this. I hope that the Master Plan is a daring document and is not the result of compromises that perpetuate more of the same old but in new language.

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• We are most concerned about the school system and am disappointed with its performance on statewide tests. Also believe that the Goffstown area agreement is not in the best interests of Town or children in Town. Also, we believe it is important for Dunbarton to maintain its rural character while also promoting small business growth and residential growth (i.e. growth which generates revenue for town such as elderly community housing).

• We are proud to be a part of the community of Dunbarton. Our stand is for a community not based on technology or of destroying in order to create. We speak of the definition of preserving land not of boundaries or specific areas of our great town but by the integrity of the land. If humanity truly understood the importance and the gifts given to us when working in harmony with this beauty, we would recognize a clean, reliable watersource, air that we can breathe without filters or purifiers, wildlife we can enjoy from a distance without having to harm or kill the creatures of the habitat they have always known. And of course, in this world of overworking and concrete parking lots to come to a place that has preserved these gifts is a source of spiritual rejuvenation as well. Thank you for this survey.

• We are summer residents but we pay taxes and would like to see some improvements at Gorham Pond. If it was kept up to standards we would attract people with more money to fix up all the small cottages in area then you in turn would up evaluations for your taxes. After over 30 years that section has not improved at all.

• We believe it is important to keep minimum acre requirements. Providing transportation to the elderly and handicapped should be thought of (maybe even one day a week). Another important issue is our Police Dept. Who oversees their doings/wrong doings? How many cruisers/vehicles do we actually need? How do people become blacklisted and how can we rectify this? Is taxpayer money used appropriately?

• We believe the statue on the Town Common should have more elaborate Halloween costumes. Thank you.

• We don't need a library, low use by limited number of people. Low return on investment. Cell towers - little you can do to stop them - best start planning on how to control. Recommendation - handful of large towers better than large number of small towers. Also implement policy that all towers must be disguised. Ban dwelling of two-family or more! Enforce noise pollution from cars. Keep Manchester airport traffic away from south Dunbarton - I'm gone if the fly path changes. Stop plans for library.

• We enjoy the quiet, small town atmosphere combined with convenient access to Concord & highways. Growth will continue, but hopefully at a slow pace to retain Dunbarton's appeal.

• We have not been here long enough to learn all of Dunbarton and its resources. We do enjoy the services the town offers.

• We have to initiate enlightened forward thinking of cluster development or the developers will wreck this town. The current transfer station is inferior and has led to unwise, poorly executed development, some of which have residual, unsolved problems years later. Please call a moratorium on development over 4 or 5 units until we complete this process.

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• We like the way Dunbarton is now and the rate of growth. We think the school system is weak. We do not want more regulations and government bureaucracy, which leads to more and more taxes and control of individual lives. We do not want more land owned by the town or other governments. We have plenty already, so we should focus on maintaining and improving what we have. We need to reduce property taxes, many people are on fixed incomes.

• We live in a condensed are of Dunbarton "Gorham Pond" and would like to see more attention in this area like Police Patrols. I also believe building permits should be loosened somewhat for those who want to truly improve their property not disobey them. Like the incident on Karan Rd. The town should have been watching and following up on that property before it was too late. The police also know we have a major troublemaker in the neighborhood but do nothing to curtail his actions. I also am very concerned about the Milfoil problem in the pond. This invasive weed will drop the value of this community as we will not be able to enjoy the pond.

• We moved from Manchester to Dunbarton primarily for the rural environment. The minimum acreage requirements, state parks and non-commercial atmosphere were essential elements in choosing Dunbarton as a town in which to reside. We believe it is best for the Town to capitalize on its inherent attributes, historical virtues, forest through land preservation and non-commercial element to maintain its enticing air. Our expenses have been few with the Town services as we moved here within the last two months (Labor Day), but the services we have used or are familiar with have been excellent and add to the allure of this vicinity.

• We moved to Dunbarton 7 years ago, from Manchester, NH. We did not move here to change this beautiful small town, but to enjoy what Dunbarton already offers. Commercial growth would destroy so much of this town’s beauty. People who move here and miss all the so-called modern conveniences, should move back to them...not bring them here!

• We need a professional town manager and an over arching vision for Dunbarton.

• We need more school buses! My child has to ride the bus 1.5 hours to and from school a day! This is just too much for a child. We only live 3 miles from the school. More school buses, please, please!

• We need to change the school/educational system, so parents will want to send their children to school here, so they can grow up knowing their neighbors. It is pretty sad that you cannot use the school system after all the taxes we pay. If we did not have to pay for our children to go to another school to be educated, then we would have more to give back to our community. If as much as we spend on things like we're talking about here, we would have a future worth preserving.

• We need to get with the times and have towers for cell phones. It’s ridiculous that we don't.

• We need to have a better tax base. Most all taxes are the burden of the homeowner. As we age and our income gets smaller the taxes are driving our senior's away. If there is a 3-bedroom home that pays $4000.00 a year in taxes. There are 2 school age kids living in this 3-bedroom house. It costs us about $12,000. to $14,000. to educate these kids. This is a losing situation. We need somebody paying taxes besides the homeowner.

• We need to provide more activities for families without children, and for teenagers. The library is doing an excellent job, but needs more space.

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• We need to reinvigorate the Town center. Make this the focal point of our town. Encourage light commercial here, in a long-term sense. Also, set architectural restrictions that keep/maintain the character of the town. Promote land conservation of agricultural (past and present) areas. Keep the fields from having the last crop be a house. Encourage a trail network that crosses town and connects to other towns. Limit new residential growth to regional/state levels.

• We really do need an animal control officer. We have some real problems with large, potentially vicious dogs running loose. We need to find a solution before someone gets hurt.

• We recently moved here from Manchester and really love Dunbarton's small town feel and community spirit. I grew up in Goffstown which has lost some of that flavor. We hope Dunbarton continues to remain a small town community. I would like to encourage the school system to pursue any opportunity that may arise to join Bow High School. I heard they may expand the structure in the near future.

• We should keep our town + school small. It is what makes Dunbarton so attractive to live in. Still provide services with Grants for conservation, recycling + waste pick up, and recreational benefits. We do not need full time fire or police --we have great volunteers for this. Part-time works and saves the town a lot of money. One area we should work on is being able to choose where we send our children for middle + high school since Dunbarton does not provide that service. Our students would be better if they had to apply to several school and get accepted on their own credentials and Dunbarton would save $ since it should be those schools chosen or the parents to provide the transportation! Give us Vouchers!

• We would like to see a comprehensive set of wildlife corridors and recreational greenways before the town gets chopped up in pieces. We would like to see more through roads to disperse the traffic as the town grows, i.e. Legache Road. Rt. 13 could easily become gridlock over time - impossible to turn on and off of. We know this happened to us in our previous home. Would like to change setback requirements for historic houses - closer to original requirements. Explicitly allow changes that don't make conformance any worse. Require sidewalks in all new developments, especially in high-density areas.

• We would like to see Dunbarton continue to increase the amount of public land protected for conservation purposes. We would like to see that the interests of historic preservation, agriculture, conservation, and recreation all be combined to help Dunbarton increase the amount of conservation land. We would like to see Dunbarton promote the preservation of historic buildings and historic information. We would like to see the Town Hall, Town Commons, and old school buildings maintained as they are. There are so many options other than adding a new structure to the Town Hall - such as the purchase of some of the historic buildings in the center for public use. Some of these buildings will make an awesome library! Also a piece of land near the center should be purchased for a future public building complex use. If this is done over years we can gradually afford it. Dunbarton should more significantly limit the number of special exceptions being granted under the zoning ordinance, they are all just shooting holes.

• We would like to see someone enforce zoning regulations, referring to Precision Timber Harvesting operating out of their home. That type of business should not be in a residential area.

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• Would be nice if the town snowplows would stop smashing my mailbox every winter! Also don't wait until the roads are undrivable to start plowing. Also the section of road where Robert Rogers Road meets Route 13 south (Goffstown side of the Town triangle area) is in lousy condition and needs to be repaved.

• Would like to see Elderly Housing - I want to stay in Dunbarton but my home is too much of expense at my age, and really I should down scale - We need reasonable Senior Housing - I would suggest near Fire Station and Police Station. This would help in taxes and no change in schooling - maybe some small change in fire department only. I feel this wouldn't effect Police Department.

• Would like to see some sort of winter recreation activities on ongoing basis - i.e. skating rink in town center/school area, sledding hill. Think it is very important for Dunbarton to acquire lands/buildings in immediate town center - especially between town common and school!! Be creative in how this is done!! Need some sort of elder/assisted-living housing so our valuable seniors don't have to move out of town at some point. Near our town center would be valuable most valuable.

• Would like to see taxes stay low via restricted growth (population and services).

• You can make a lot of money if you recycle with taking money the big concern. I myself got a plan to start a total recycling program. They went from paying $1,000nds to making $1,000nds. It's not hard to do. Key is research.

• You should reduce the speed limit to 30. Now instead of driving 50 m they go 60 m. The only police I see on Twist Hill is the occasional state trooper! Since the road in Goffstown was finally paved we have a trucker's route, they bypass the toll!

• Your survey is obviously postured to receive the responses desired by this Committee. If this Committee plans on using the data gathered from this survey to justify their view of what the Town should look like in the future - well heaven help us.

• Zoning and subdivision regulations should be reviewed and revised, as required, following completion of this Master Plan. New regulations should address, at minimum, cell tower requirements, commercial requirements (store), lighting, traffic studies, parking and aisle width requirements. Should consider requirements for gasoline stations (i.e.. underground storage tanks); groundwater is the only source of water in Town. Town should be more proactive with enforcement, with zoning and planning requirements, throughout the Town and Gorham Pond! Scenic Road authority should be taken away from the Conservation Commission. Planning Board should control, safety is more important than trees and stone walls. Stone walls can/should be reconstructed. Town should consider hired, not elected Road Agent that would make the individual responsible to someone and accountable for their actions. Reconstruction of roads should be in accordance with standards and bid accordingly. Town should adopt "Pay as you throw."

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-86

• Dear Master Plan Steering Committee,

We love Dunbarton!!! After much research, we discovered this jewel of a town. We moved from Ft. Myers, Florida in Lee County, the fastest growing county in the nation to this rural paradise and we are thrilled to be here. I am a veterinarian and my husband is a RN and we have three boys, ages 7, 5 and 3. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak to the issues that will impact the growth of the community where we want to live and raise our three young boys.

I know we are not the only ones to have discovered the beauty of all of the small communities surrounding the capital city of Concord, NH. We looked at them all, and we still know we picked the best town when we came to Dunbarton. It is a perfect bedroom community... all of the shopping and light industry that you would ever need is only a short drive away in either Concord or Goffstown. It is a great commuter location as well, with job opportunities as far as Boston reached easily over well-maintained highways.

You have it all, good quality of life, rural living, good schools, lots of green space and wildlife. That is why it is so attractive, especially to young professionals like ourselves who are trying to escape the "fast lane." We all desire to "come home" to the New England way of life and enjoy raising our children. But, to maintain what makes Dunbarton so unique will require hard work and planning.

I have lived in the Fort Myers, Florida area for the last 25 years of my life. I have seen rampant changes with the unprecedented growth in that area of our country. I have witnessed first hand the problems poor planning has caused in the school system, roads and every other area of infrastructure. Many of the problems are disastrous, and once they are present, are seemingly impossible to fix. Therefore, I have some unique insights that I think we should all consider together for responsible growth management.

First and most importantly. Steep new construction impact fees need to be assessed on every new home to slow the explosion of growth and development. These fees will also generate much needed revenue to expand the school system and to provide all the necessary infrastructure such growth requires.

For example, due to the tremendous growth at our elementary school, xx. xxxxxx is not sure where he plans to house next year's sixth graders. He will probably have to dismantle the current computer laboratory and art room to make space. The upcoming class has twice the students as this year's and there is no extra classroom space. Rather than raise taxes to help with the school situation, a more targeted approach of new construction impact fees, slows the growth and "taxes" the young families most likely to be using the school facilities that will need to be expanded. They started this process in Florida a couple of years ago, (better late than never). But early assessment of impact fees really makes for much more viable growth management.

Impact fees not only slow new construction and keep current home values high, but they encourage the renovation and remodeling of our historic properties. Resale of existing homes definitely became as strong as new house starts once the Lee County Government began to assess construction impact fees. As an old New Englander who grew up in a 1761 saltbox in Litchfield, CT, I truly think it is important to establish housing practices that encourage the preservation of our existing homes.

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It will furthermore be necessary to make sure the 5 acre building lots are maintained to preserve green space, or at a bare minimum, that new developments with 3 acre lots have a common natural green space at the rate of 2 acres per home-site. If we allow common "subdivisions" to occur here in Dunbarton, you will lose all of its' rural charm. It will also keep the housing prices strong in our town if you maintain the current housing plans. We also must realize that Dunbarton has one of the highest rates of radon gas in the nation, so growth should be kept slow to assure adequate clean water in our aquifers and responsible growth management with minimal impact to the environment and wildlife.

I strongly feel that it is not necessary or desirable to promote "light industry" in Dunbarton. Rural industry such as agriculture or recreational and tourism related business is far more in keeping with preserving the town's heritage. We simply need to remember that we are a "bedroom" community. We are mostly commuters who come home to lovely Dunbarton to sleep and enjoy life. To try and change that would ruin the beauty of our town. Those changes that have occurred, like the Page Corner Country Store, must be done strictly in keeping with ordinances and with community input. Otherwise, we will look like every other sprawling town in America.

We need to improve the existing playground at Dunbarton Elementary, which may be able to be done through physical education grants and donations. We need to be quickly planning for the continued growth in our school system at the elementary level, which I touched on above, and including a long-range plan for middle school and high school education. We need to be sure any plans for the new town hall and exhibition center be adequate not only for the current population but for the continued growth of Dunbarton. The same is true in our plans for fire, police, and other infrastructure needs. We must look to the future growth as our guide.

It is true that Dunbarton is very special. Many other young couples with children will find it attractive for the same reasons. Retirees would find this a nice quiet and charming location with easy access to advanced health care. So I am sure that as time moves on and many folks desire to leave the rush of the Boston area, we will see our fair town grow. We cannot stop that growth. But we can slow it down and plan for it.

So in closing, I strongly feel that new construction impact fees are the best way to slow growth and at the same time provide targeted funds to expand the infrastructure and services to keep up with the new construction. Please take that under consideration. You have done a terrific job with the master plan so far, for you have a truly unique rural hometown here in Dunbarton. Thank you for your time and for the warm welcome of all of the townsfolk. Let's Keep Dunbarton Beautiful and Unique!

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JANUARY 31, 2004 VISIONING FORUM BREAKOUT GROUP TRANSCRIPTS

Historic and Cultural Resources Discussion Group #1

Facilitated by: Patty Shearin Scribe: Gail Martel Participants: Wendy Daily Janice Cowburn Arline Little Gail Martel

Staffed by: Stephanie Alexander

Summary of Session

STRENGTHS

- Features such as: Town Center, cemeteries, stone walls, historic homes, churches, blacksmith shop, brick school house, other school houses - Family heritage and small town interest - Library and historical museum

WEAKNESSES/ISSUES

- Lack of gathering spaces (Scouts, 4-H, American Legion) - Growth, time, and taxes are threats to preservation - Lack of public education programs involving multi-age groups - Pages Corner has plans - Lack of information - Lack of organized maintenance - Lack of money - Time constraints - Condition of public buildings is poor

Five Key Historic and Cultural Resources Issues from Group #1

- Need public education to heighten awareness and interest - Leave the Town Center strictly alone - Would be nice to have a central meeting place - Town’s heritage and historical resources are important - Growth is a threat to our historical resources

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Historic and Cultural resources Discussion Group #2

Facilitated by: Patty Shearin Scribe: Gail Martel Participants: Marilyn Meighan James Meighan Fred Mullen Stephanie Herlihy Nick Holmes Alison Vallieres Ted Vallieres Mert Mann

Staffed by: Stephanie Alexander

Summary of Session

STRENGTHS

- Existing Town Center – helps define the character of the town - Cemeteries - Community Center (4H, Scouts, American Legion, Garden Club) - Outreach/public awareness

WEAKNESSES/ISSUES

- Lack of communication between two historical groups - Town Center/building preservation - Growth-volunteerism - Busy lifestyles - Overwhelmed by growth - Ability to pay for preservation

IDEAS - Historical homeowners network - Newsletters - Oral histories

Five Key Historic and Cultural Resources Issues from Group #2

- Preservation of the Town Center - More communication between historical groups and the public - Cemeteries – historic resources – upkeep - Educate new comers/other outreach - Lack of meeting space

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Population and Economics Discussion Group #1 (There was no second group)

Facilitated by: Ken Swayze Scribe: Brett St. Clair Participants: Diane Corcoran David Schroeder Brian Naro Beverly Porter Kristin St. Clair

Staffed by: Stephanie Alexander

Summary of Session

STRENGTHS

- Close to towns with good jobs - Good grass roots community involvement - People with good backgrounds, skills and education

WEAKNESSES

- People don’t want economic development - Location is not conducive to economic development - Lack of commercial zoning - Too many people now - Would like post office, bank branch, family doctor

Five Key Population and Economic Development Issues from Group #1

- Limited population growth - Maintain reasonable tax rate - Some limited types of business (i.e. professional) - Need to plan for future school growth (in advance!) - Encourage good communication between Town Boards (planning, zoning, etc.)

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Housing Discussion Group #1

Facilitated by: Dave Breault Scribe: Amanda Arnold Participants: Nick Holmes Jacques Belanger Andy LeCompte Elizabeth Ferdina Pat Wood

Staffed by: Amanda Arnold

Summary of Session

GENERAL CONCERNS

- Growth is inevitable - Need to maintain what we have, but allow diversity - Currently there’s a lot of excess related to housing – too much, too large, too much land being used, too expensive - Need affordable housing - New units are coming in fast - Need to develop appropriately - Need to keep rural atmosphere - Need to decide what’s fair - State funding will likely be cut and this will put new burdens on Towns - Habitat preservation is a housing related issue - Need to create a sense of community – being able to walk to neighbors is important

TOOLS/ISSUES

- Can we have impact fees? - Need to regulate growth – a few units each year is okay, but 100 or more at once has a huge impact on Town resources - How do we encourage cluster development? It would be good to require buffering of abutters/ - Are there regulations to protect rural character? - Don’t want to increase overall density, but like concept of cluster developments - Can we encourage town houses? - Low income housing often means apartments. How do you provide these, but still keep rural character?

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Housing Discussion Group #1, continued

Five Key Housing Issues from Group #1

- Diversity of housing - Cost (affordable for families and elderly) - Size (not only 5 acres “mansions”) - Town should encourage cluster development that protects abutters’ views and open space. - Require and preserve high quality housing - Manage rate of growth - Figure out how to compensate for cost impacts to Town (impact fees)

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Housing Discussion Group #2

Facilitated by: Dave Breault Scribe: Amanda Arnold Participants: Lee Martel Mike Callihan Diane Corcoran David Corcoran David Schroder Kevin McCarthy Jeff Kantor Arline Little

Staffed by: Amanda Arnold

Summary of Session

GENERAL CONCERNS

- Don’t want to see lots of development - How do we keep rural character if farming isn’t viable? (farmers want to sell land for development) - Dunbarton is a bedroom community - Can’t stop people from developing, but also don’t want to see the land used up - Impacts to Town – new development affects current residents’ costs - Want to figure out how to write better rules for cluster development - Commerce brings housing, but housing also brings commerce - Want people who want rural lifestyle to come to Dunbarton - Things change and the Town ends up bearing the cost (like private roads becoming public roads) - Clusters are really like apartments and condos - What about the elderly? - Where can people walk? - If developers/people want a lifestyle with services, they should go elsewhere

Five Key Housing Issues from Group #2

- Limit growth as much as possible - Support, but reservation, about cluster development. Want Town to consider wetlands and add more restrictions - What about impact fees? - Not interested in higher density anywhere - Need strict adhesion to deals made - Single family housing only

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Natural Resources Discussion Group #1

Facilitated by: Margaret Watkins Scribe: Steve Lopez Participants: Debra Foster

Staffed by: Steve Lopez

Summary of Session

THREATS TO NATURAL FEATURES

- Attractiveness of money from developers - Real estate tax – money to Conservation Commission - I 93 expansion – development from the south - Kimball Pond Area (development threat) - Town buying of land/easements – Town should make it appealing to landowners - Water sources – quality and quantity (arsenic, radon, uranium)

STEPS TO TAKE FOR NATURAL RESOURCES

- Hiking Trails - Preservation of land/historic sites/cultural sites

Five Key Natural Features Issues from Group #1

- Identification and active pursuit of open space - Water Quality and Quantity (radon/arsenic/uranium) - How to counteract attractiveness of money from developments - Saving rural character through access to walking trails, country roads and water with minimal housing development - Create tools to give Planning Board ability to preserve open space

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Natural Resources Discussion Group #2

Facilitated by: Margaret Watkins Scribe: Don Lane Participants: Dan Buczala Janice Cowburn David Elberfeld Jennifer Elberfeld Chuck Frost Don Lane Ellie Stein R.A. Vaillancourt

Staffed by: Steve Lopez

Summary of Session

STRENGTHS

- Rural – open land, scenic, quiet, trails and hiking - Survey says it all – people want low growth

NEEDS - Large developments – fear off - Establish Historic Districts - Historic/culture commissions should work with conservation interests to benefit from multiple funding sources - Acquire a farm property or properties near other conservation property - Make a central property for conservation use - Less funding for LCHIP - Identify wildlife corridors

CONCERNS - Farms, scenic views, hilltops – good conservation priorities for future - Use of conservation land, trails (public and private) - Use of snowmobiles in Kancanowett Area - Enforcement and education for ATV, snowmobile users - Enjoyment of scenic views - Use of ORV in Corps. Of Engineers Area - How to prevent recreational vehicle use – get together to restrict use in Kancanowett, on power lines and private land - Maintaining scenic roads - Radon concentration in well water - Water quality – buffer along streams

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Natural Resources Discussion Group #2, continued

IDEAS

- Use results of survey to overhaul Zoning, subdivision regulations - Have ordinance to limit growth (through Planning and Zoning regulations) - Require developers to inventory natural features for development

Five Key Natural Features Issues from Group #2

- Growth pressure – how to deal with it? - Changing zoning, subdivision ordinances to give boards more power – require inventory of existing features - Limit use of motorized vehicles and enforcement on trails - Protect rural character – scenic views, farms, open space, conservation land, scenic roads, cultural areas - Cooperation between historical, cultural and conservation groups

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Community Facilities Discussion Group #1

Facilitated by: Chuck Graybill Scribe: Rebecca Voegele Participants: James Richter Stephanie Herlihy Mert Mann

Staffed by: Rebecca Voegele

Summary of Session

THREATS TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES – INCLUDING SCHOOL ISSUES

- Town growing too fast - New development can negatively impact current community facilities by not providing adequate contributions

NEEDS

- Meeting facilities that meet the needs of current residents and anticipate needs of an expanded population (needs include meeting, kitchen, etc. facilities)

STEPS TO TAKE FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES

- Get Capital Improvements Program in place - Enact Impact Fees on new residential development

Five Key Community Facility Issues from Group #1

- Enact Capital Improvements Program - Meet needs of Town residents while maintaining rural character - Provide more recreational activities as Town grows (community center, playing fields) - Enact Impact Fees to maintain Community Facilities as Town grows

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-98

Community Facilities Discussion Group #2

Facilitated by: Chuck Graybill Scribe: Rebecca Voegele Participants: Brian Naro Laurie Naro Brett St. Clair Matthew Lauey Wendy Dailey Debra Foster Brian Pike

Staffed by: Rebecca Voegele

Summary of Session

THREATS AND CONCERNS INCLUDING SCHOOL ISSUES

- The expansion of the school system is a concern – too much growth will result in needed expansion - Too much growth (especially impacting school system)

NEEDS

- More fields for children / recreation (especially considering growth) - Dunbarton Community Center - Sub-site Fire Station to quicken response to developments / Town; possible full- time fire personnel - Community Park – possibly use school grounds during summer break - Senior Center

Five Key Community Facility Issues from Group #2

- Enact Capital Improvements Program - Enact Impact Fees on new residential development to support Town Community Facilities - More meeting space and Community Center with Kitchen - Recreational Space - Growth management

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Transportation Discussion Group #1

Facilitated by: John Trottier Scribe: Nick Alexander Participants: Fred Mullen

Staffed by: Nick Alexander

Summary of Session

WEAKNESSES

- No trail requirement in new subdivisions

STRENGTHS

- Rural and scenic roads

OPPORTUNITIES

- Require sidewalks/paths with new developments - Improve road maintenance

CONCERNS

- Conservation Commission acceptance of snowmobile use on Town lands

Five Key Transportation Issues from Group #1

- Maintain existing rural and scenic character of roads - Incorporated trail requirements into new subdivisions - Continued evaluation of roads and maintenance

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Transportation Discussion Group #2

Facilitated by: John Trottier Scribe: Nick Alexander Participants: Brian Pike Chris Chevalier

Staffed by: Nick Alexander

Summary of Session

CONCERNS/ISSUES

- Transit may not be necessary (special/elderly has opportunities) - Maintain ownership of Class VI roads for recreational uses - Safety issues - Page’s Corner, 77 to Weare, Mansion Rd. at 13 - Need consistent maintenance on roads (Twist Hill) - Accessibility on private land (Trail Committee)

Five Key Transportation Issues from Group #2

- Review scenic road designation policy and maintenance - Maintenance of paved and gravel roads, summer & winter

DUNBARTON MASTER PLAN ADOPTED - 04/20/05 2004 APPENDIX PAGE XII-101

Land Use Discussion Group #1

Facilitated by: Don Prior Scribe: Lee Richmond Participants: David Corcoran Chris Chevalier Chuck Frost Alison Vallieres Ted Vallieres Ellie Stein David Elberfeld Jennifer Elberfeld Matthew Lavey Marilyn Meighan James Meighan Stig Harding Kevin McCarthy Jeff Kantor Mike Callihan Lee Martel Daniel Buczala

Staffed by: Kerrie Diers

Summary of Session

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES:

1. What makes Dunbarton a great place to live?

Rural Character – General consensus

Open Land - Wooded Lots - Non Buildable areas - Building lots - Quiet and serene - Hiking trails

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Land Use Discussion Group #1, continued

2. What could be done to make Dunbarton a better place to live?

Leave it alone - Roads - Development - Commercial

No Building - Keep it small - Maintain 5 Acre zoning - 5 acre zoning used to be adequate, but has resulted in ugly developments - Need to avoid rural sprawl - Need large tracts with cluster development

Allow 2, 3, 5 acres and cluster developments

Zoning Board does excellent job

Compare to Goffstown

Cluster should not be used

3. What types of land uses should be promoted in Dunbarton?

None

Light Commercial

Small Village Services - Post Office - Dry Cleaner - Office Space - Unobtrusive

No Commercial of any type - Existing commercial is everywhere in Town by special exception - Gives Town option to review business - Arbutus Farm - Should limit duration of special exceptions - No grandfathering

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Land Use Discussion Group #1, continued

Create a village area - Limit spread - Downtown - Route 13 or 77 - No conflict with historic area - Abutters should have veto power - Route 77 is too far North

OPPORTUNITIES AND CONCERNS

1. What concerns do you have about development in Dunbarton?

New passing lane on Route 13

2. What types of land uses do you consider to be threats to Dunbarton’s character or quality of life?

Big Box Stores

Multifamily (2+)

New zoning ordinance needed

Cookie cutter residential growth

3. Can you identify any trends that may pose a threat or opportunity to Dunbarton’s character or quality of Life?

Closed door decisions (eg Tenny Hill)

Better communication for public hearings

Enforcement of codes - Shoddy construction

Planning Board doesn’t have the proper tools - Plans should meet the character of the neighborhood - The Board should have more ability to scrutinize

Pressure for more growth (easy to develop, easy to sell) - Surrounding towns built out - We are unprotected - Need growth ordinance

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Land Use Discussion Group #1, continued

Need to have internal regulations - Growth ordinance must have technical justifications - We’re not there yet

FUTURE LAND USE IN DUNBARTON:

1. What regulatory improvements should Dunbarton implement in the next few years ?

In Law apartments - Aging Population - Turns into rental properties

Need multifamily - affordable - kids - legal requirements (NH obligation to provide reasonable opportunity)

Growth Control Ordinance - We can find ways we are maxed out - Need restrictions

Incentives for developers for cluster - More units - Zone to require cluster in certain areas - Developers cut costs - Town less road maintenance - Town less need for police, school routes, etc

Cluster is not always beneficial - Attracts development - Includes land that is not developable

QUESTIONS GENERATED BY PARTICIPANTS DURING THE DISCUSSION:

1. How much regulatory autonomy does a community have for planning? 2. Can rural character be maintained through zoning or to try to stop growth? 3. What is cluster development? 4. What is our dream? 5. Does Dunbarton meet the affordable housing requirement to provide reasonable opportunity?

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Land Use Discussion Group #1, continued

Five Key Land Use Issues from Group #1

1. Cluster Development 2. Commercial Development 3. Better Planning Board – Citizen communication & involvement 4. Limit to special exceptions (time) 5. Preservation of open spaces 6. Affordable housing 7. Balanced growth/ being fair

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Land Use Discussion Group #2

Facilitated by: Don Prior Scribe: Lee Richmond Participants: Andy LeCompte Lizz Ferdina Peggy Senter Krstin St. Clair Beverly Porter Pat Wood Jacques Belanger Ken Swayze

Staffed by: Kerrie Diers

Summary of Session

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES:

1. What makes Dunbarton a great place to live?

Rural atmosphere

Great availability of public land - Maintain and improve - ATVs - Snowmobiles - Make it easier to walk, ride bikes to places

Nice interaction with people

2. What could be done to make Dunbarton a better place to live?

Stop all new construction

Keep 5 acre zoning

Development is going to happen - Needs to be managed - Provide for open space - Encourage cluster development

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Land Use Discussion Group #2, continued

Want it to be rural and open - Dunbarton has a high % of open land - The Town should have an ordinance to protect abutters – vegetative screen - Weare has moratorium on new building - 100’s of new car trips a day

NH Crisis – lack of affordable housing - Selfish and short sighted to exclude children and new families

More focus on the village center

OPPORTUNITIES AND CONCERNS

1. What concerns do you have about development in Dunbarton?

Hard to get people involved - Spread out

Development is occurring too fast

Development is relatively slow

Need to have community-building development - Enhance institutions

Development is auto based and too spread out

Lots of land with building potential - Vast tracts off Class VI Roads - Some large tracts near Goffstown, Hooksett

2. What types of land uses do you consider to be threats to Dunbarton’s character or quality of life?

Industrial development

Dumping

Storage

Manufacturing

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Land Use Discussion Group #2, continued

Cookie cutter 5 acre lots

Land uses requiring new paving

Anticipate legal issues around Class VI roads

3. Can you identify any trends that may pose a threat or opportunity to Dunbarton’s character or quality of Life?

Currently whole town is zoned multi family - Should allow for multifamily - Diversity - Variety of incomes and people - Can be done well - Needs to be done gradually - Should be well planned out

FUTURE LAND USE IN DUNBARTON:

1. What regulatory improvements should Dunbarton implement in the next few years ?

Innovative, more environmentally friendly regulations - Incentives (more units if cluster) - Buffering (no cut no build) - Performance standards - Work with developer to phase developments over time - Need to be more creative, flexibility for developers - Cluster development

Current acreage requirements are sufficient

2. What blend of land uses should Dunbarton strive to develop in the future? Where should these land uses be located?

More focus on Village center - Walkability - Food store - Town house development - Foot traffic/ promenade - Have a destination (Sully’s) - Existing buildings underused

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Land Use Discussion Group #2, continued

- Bookstore - Attraction – motivation to bring people to town center - Professional office facility – Dr, dentist, lawyer

Keep new businesses in scale with Town character - Pizza - Video - Hair salon - News stand - Cafe

Dunbarton should stay the way it is - Proximity to Concord, Manchester services - Need to maintain rural character - No need for additional services/stores

Expand conservation land - Create incentives for easements, wills

Cell towers? Central park area?

Manufactured housing not necessary - Lower quality - Less expensive - Look like capes - Can also be very large and expensive - Currently whole town is zoned for it

QUESTIONS GENERATED BY PARTICIPANTS DURING THE DISCUSSION:

1. What incentives can we offer to developers to choose cluster development? 2. What are different models for development?

Five Key Land Use Issues from Group #2

1. 2,3,5 acre zoning ok 2. Manufactured homes 3. Commercial development (in village only) 4. Multi-family 5. More flexibility than cookie cutter (creative land use/cluster/preserve rural character) 6. Recreational Land Use 7. Maintain rural character

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MARCH 2004 5TH GRADE VISIONING DISCUSSION TRANSCRIPT

Group #1

What do you like about Dunbarton? Small town (5) Country (2) Not busy with people (4) Environmental (5) Nature (5)

How often do you go hiking, biking, swimming or other outdoor/recreational activities? Depends on season Summer – once a week Everyday

Where do you play? Backyard (5) In the woods (5) Friends house (5) Street (3) Playgrounds Pond or stream (3) Across the road (4) Sandbox (3)

Do you cross roads on foot or on bike? Yes – comfortable doing this

Would like to see in Village Center: Playground Basketball court Tennis court Baseball/softball Nothing volleyball court Mall badminton court Huge Community Pool vet More wildlife

Is conservation land important to you? Very (3) Sort of (3)

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Group #1, continued

Is it important to document and remember Dunbarton’s History? Very (5.5) Sort of (.5)

Why? Places where mark of history Molly Stark; know background If mistakes made, want to remember so don’t repeat In the future, people will know what happened and remember There’s a lot of neat things we can learn from Town

What do you think children in the future will remember about Dunbarton today? It was beautiful Small Town, lots of nature and forests Kids were cool

Is Dunbarton a place you would like to live when you are an adult? Yes – 1 No – 2 Maybe – 3 Don’t know

Key Points: Stay a small town with lots of nature More places for outdoor recreation

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Group #2

What do you like about Dunbarton? Small town Quiet country setting Open space, woods Trails Not a lot of cars

How often do you go hiking, biking, swimming or other outdoor/recreational activities? Biking – once a week Swimming – every day in summer Hiking – couple of times a week Fishing – all year to couple of times a month

Where do you play? At home/neighborhood DES playground Woods outside home Own swimming pool Clough State Park

How do you get to school? Parents drive Bus

Do you cross roads on foot or on bike? Stone Road – bike & walk; feel safe Twist Hill Road – bike, not safe Black Brook Road – walk & bike, feel safe Flintlock Road – Walk & bike, feel safe Clifford farms Road – walk & bike, feel very safe Ray Road – Bike – feel sort of safe (company traffic/huge trucks) Mansion Road - bike, feel safe

Would like to see in Village Center: Town Green Town offices, library, statue Should stay as is, small shops, ice cream parlor

Is there anything you would like to see added to the village or the Town in general? Hiking and riding trails Basketball court Soccer field

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Group #2, continued

Is conservation land important to you? Yes for wildlife, protect wildlife, recreation (camping, water sports, hiking fishing)

Is it important to document and remember Dunbarton’s History? Yes – Revolutionary war history

What do you think children in the future will remember about Dunbarton today? Comfortable town to live in Safe place Quiet town Not a lot of traffic Nice place to live Good times (playing with friends in the woods)

Is Dunbarton a place you would like to live when you are an adult? Yes : Quiet, relaxing If it stays the same Like the open space

No: Experience a different place

Key Points: Stay a small town with lots of nature More places for outdoor recreation

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Group #3

What do you like about Dunbarton? Lots of woods & animals Quiet No traffic Hills for sledding Friends Good neighbors Space between houses

Things you don’t like about Dunbarton? Annoying neighbors Too many people Need a digital scoreboard New houses chopping down trees Only a few trees in one spot by new houses

How do you get to school? Parents drive Bus

Would like to see in Village Center: Arcade Playground/park Animal shelter Motel

Is there anything you would like to see added to the village or the Town in general? Ropes course Summer activities More 4 wheeling trails Basketball courts Fields – soccer/baseball Old playground was better Campgrounds Preschool Cross country ski trails Better Roads

Is conservation land important to you? Yes. Could use more

Is it important to document and remember Dunbarton’s History? Yes – John Stark, historic people lived here

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Group #3, continued

What do you think children in the future will remember about Dunbarton today? School song Dunbarton had two other names in the past

Is Dunbarton a place you would like to live when you are an adult? Yes :

Key Points: Stay a small town with lots of nature Preserve Conservation & wildlife Better roads (50%) Roads are ok (50%)

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Group #4

What do you like about Dunbarton? Small town Lots of room Not busy Low crime Natural resources

Where do you play? Neighbor’s pool Snow mobile Yard Woods Driveway school Clough State Park

How do you get to school? Walk Parents drive Bus

Do you cross roads on foot or on bike? Yes – comfortable with it but some speeders Not comfortable on Stark Highway

Dunbarton Center: Public areas & buildings for all people

Is there anything you would like to see added to the village or the Town in general? Better playground Public pool Basketball courts Volleyball courts

Is conservation land important to you? Yes to save wildlife & trees. Without conservation land, it wouldn’t be a small town

Is it important to document and remember Dunbarton’s History? Yes – to pass on, to learn from history

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Group #4, continued

What do you think children in the future will remember about Dunbarton today? Caleb Stark Statue School song Town Hall building

Is Dunbarton a place you would like to live when you are an adult? Yes : No:

Key Points: Need better playground, and more activities Save wildlife and trees and conservation areas

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Group #5

What do you like about Dunbarton? Environmental & wildlife Not a lot of city Peaceful/quiet Room to wander Not loud Country Small town, fresh air and lots of woods History – John Stark

How often do you go hiking, biking, swimming or other outdoor/recreational activities? Biking – once a week Swimming – every day in summer Hiking – couple of times a week Fishing – all year to couple of times a month Clough State park – every day in summer

Where do you play? At home/neighborhood DES playground Woods outside / fields Clough State Park Ride bike in yard Ice skating on pond

How do you get to school? Parents drive (2) Bus (4)

Do you cross roads on foot or on bike? Not on 77 Intersection Goffstown Near Meadow lane

Would like to see in Village Center: Town Hall, library Neighborhood –feel welcome

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Group #5, continued

Is there anything you would like to see added to the village or the Town in general? Like it as is – no stores all over Soccer fields More forests/woods Pool Playgrounds Skateboarding Open fields for enjoyment Running track Race bike track

Is conservation land important to you? Yes don’t want it to turn into a city

Is it important to document and remember Dunbarton’s History? Yes – 4th grade lesson

What do you think children in the future will remember about Dunbarton today? Woods Moose/bears Streams

Is Dunbarton a place you would like to live when you are an adult? Yes : Unless it becomes more like a city No: Want to travel

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Group #6

What do you like about Dunbarton? Not a big city, not crowded, not polluted Quiet, peaceful, nice school Small

How often do you go hiking, biking, swimming or other outdoor/recreational activities? Biking –every day in summer Swimming – every day in summer Hiking – couple of times a week Fishing – 5 times a year

Where do you play? Yards Friends Clough state park

How do you get to school? Parents drive Bus

Do you cross roads on foot or on bike? Too much traffic don’t like to cross street

Dunbarton Center is: Around School and /or library By town hall

Would like to see in Village Center: Arcade, Walmart, Town pool, hotel, big playground, soccer field tennis courts,

Is there anything you would like to see added ot the village or the Town in general? Community event like “Dunbarton Fair”

Is conservation land important to you? Yes: good to walk on No: Don’t think about it too much

Is it important to document and remember Dunbarton’s History? Yes – lots of facts about Dunbarton

Is Dunbarton a place you would like to live when you are an adult? Yes : If it stays small and other places in the winter

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APRIL 2004 TEEN VISIONING DISCUSSION TRANSCRIPT

1. What features in Dunbarton strengthen the community’s character? (What do you like about living in Dunbarton?) • Quiet • Wooded open space • Rural • Ponds/lakes • Small town • Location (close to Concord and Manchester yet small) • Close-knit community/friendly • Spacious (houses not too close together)

a. What can we do to protect these features? • No big highways, keep country roadways • Limit building of houses/developments • Purchase conservation land

2. Would you like to see anything added to the village or the Town in general? • Skate park • Basketball court (outside) • Teen center • More playing fields • Trail system • Paintball course • Park (to play in/leisure) • Like it the way it is

3. Is conservation land important to you? If so, why? • Yes: • Good for wildlife • Town would lose its rural character • Keep town the way it is / reason people like it here • Keep it peaceful

4. What kinds of future recreational and community facilities should be developed in Dunbarton? • Extend basketball program • Lacrosse program • Trail system • Teen center – pool table, board games, eating area w/small café • Town pool • Skate park like Hopkinton H.S.

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5. Do you value the historic places / properties in Dunbarton? • Yes • Character of town would be different • Add culture • Worth protecting • Gives Dunbarton its roots/history • Important to town

6. Is Dunbarton a place you see yourself returning to live after college? Why? • Yes but only if it stays small • Maybe depends on vocation/career • Probably not. Wants to spread her wings • No. would probably be somewhere similar, but not here • Probably not. Population is growing • Maybe. Depends on career • Yes. Grew up here, likes the rural character and cold winters • No. Wants to put some distance between him & parents. • No. Go somewhere new

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DUNBARTON TOWN ROADS

In 1729 a new township was created by the Masonian Proprietors of Portsmouth and called Starkstown. The area was surveyed and divided into lots and ranges by Samuel Emerson that same year. This township was not settled until 1751 as the grantees were dissatisfied with the sizes of the prospective lots. They had expected 200 acre lots and were to receive something less than that

The locations of roads had been established by the Grantors. There would be four rods left on the west end of every lot for a road on the Rangeway, except for Range 1. Two rods were left at the south side of every other lot for a road to run east and west. From the very beginning it was impossible to construct the township's roads as intended because of the topography of the land.

The first meeting of the Starkstown Proprietors was held on April 8, 1751 when it was voted that "all highways shall go where the majority of the Proprietors choose...." and "all highways that shall be laid out on said land shall be by a committee, to be appointed for that purpose by the grantors and grantees; only the person on whose land such way shall run shall not be paid for the same".

October 14, 1753 meeting of the Starkstown Proprietors, they voted "William Stark, William Putney and William Stinson be a committee for laying out roads where they are needed and likewise see them cleared".

To the best of my knowledge, there were no recorded deeds for these highways....the land was simply set aside for that purpose by the Grantors - the Masonian Proprietors. If it became necessary to deviate from the planned course, then the intended space was granted to others as compensation for the land taken for the relocated road.

Researched by Harlan Noyes, 1999

The listing of roads is continually changing as work progresses on the list. The latest information is as of October 3, 2001.

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Alexander Road June 1768, Volume I, Page 33. A road was laid out from the north east comer of John Hogg lot No. 11 in the first range and from them easterly on the line between No. 11 and No. 12 in the second range to the great road that leadeth to the meeting house as there was no land allowed when the town was laid out between said lots, the owners of said lots gives the land (John and David Hogg) off the north side of No. 11, giveth two rods wide and John Stinson gives one rod wide of the south side of No. 12, all which nither of them expecteth no reward for from the town.

Armand’s Way March 31, 1994 Selectmen's Meeting. Motion: "To officially name this road Armand's Way". This sub-division road was known as Twist Hill Road East.

Birchview Drive December 14, 1989 Selectmen's Meeting.

Black Brook Road January 1, 1861, Book 3 Page 276. Petition of Charles Stinson and others for a new highway in Dunbarton . Layout on page 280. September 8, 1861. Beginning at a stake near the dwelling house of Jonathan Ireland in said Dunbarton thence southerly in and over the old road as it now runs 311 rods to a stake in the center of the wall near the dwelling house of Thomas Wilson, thence running S 36 degrees E on land of Walter H. Wilson 26 rods on said Wilson's land, thence same course 18 links to a chestnut tree on land of Thomas S. Wilson thence S 32 ½ Degrees E on land of said Wilson 52 3/4 rods thence same course on land of Bradford and Wm. Burnham as rods to a stake. Thence S 57 degrees E 22 1/2 rods thence S 63 degrees E 2 rods, thence same course on land of Walter H. and Ann Wilson 15 1/3 rods, thence S 72 ½ degrees E 29 rods, thence same course on land of Wm. N. Fuller 9 rods then course on land of David Story 12 rods and 18 links thence S 60 1/2 degrees E 24 rods and 18 links thence S 58 1/2 E 24 rods and 18 links thence S 58 I/s degrees E 19 rods and 4 links thence S 70 degrees E 15 rods thence.

Burrough’s Road March 12, 1963. Voted to discontinue and abandon from old Rt. #77 to the junction of Ray Rd the Stark Pond side of the Pinard Camp.

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Concord Stage Road January 31, 1991 Selectmen's Meeting. Motion was made, seconded and passed to name Route 77 from the Weare Town Line to the intersection of Route 13 Concord Stage Road.

County Road June 17, 1999 Selectmen’s Meeting. J. R. Swindlehurst made a motion that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen change County Road status from a Class VI road to a Class V road from the corner of Robert Rogers Road to the intersection of Montalona Road and it is the Selectmen's intention that the County Road remain a gravel road. William Nichols seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Devil’s Step Road July 1772, Vol. I, Page 36. Beginning at Capt. Caleb Page's fence a little west of his house and running easterly by the south end of his house to the main road near Richard Clifford's to be four rods wide, said Page allowing the land.

March 11, 1947 Art. 10 of Town Meeting. On motion of Charles E. Earle, voted to close the following road subject to gates and bars: Devil Steps Road, beginning 100 yards west of the State Road at Page's Corner, westerly to the Sugar Hill Road.

March 12, 1963 Art. 19. It was voted to open Devil's Step Road, thereby rescinding action taken March 11, 1947 in closing the same by gates and bars, after motion was introduced by Eli N. Noyes.

March 12, 1963 Art. 20. Motion placed by Eli N. Noyes that the Town vote to discontinue and abandon: such portions of the Devil's Step Road not included in the new Rte. 77. Amendment by Robert Crosby that that portion of Devil's Step Road from Rte. #13 to the new Rte. #77 be closed subject to gates and bars. Both amendment as well as the main motion were ratified by the Assembly.

May 25, 1963 Art. 2. It was voted to abandon all portions of the old Devil's Step Road from dyke #2 to the Weare Town Line not included in the new Rte. #77 on motion by Eli N. Noyes.

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March 13, 1767. A return of the Highways which was layed out by William Stark and Jeremiah Page Selectmen of Dunbarton on Mar 13, 1767 beginning at the Norwesterly corner of Richard Cliffords (Filson's) old house and running easterly through said Clifford land to the town line as it was laid out by the Proprietors Committee of Starkstown so called in 1753, made and used ever since. Said road is two rods wide which said Clifford is to have land for at the north side of his lot which was left for the use of a road.

Everett Road Sept. 26, 1768. Laid out a highway beginning at the meeting house and running westerly on land of Capt. William Stark about half a mile near the west end of the lot said Stark's house stands on to a chestnut tree marked near Pope's land to be two rods wide and said Stark to have the land on the south side of the lot his said house stands on, in room of the road land.

March 12, 1963 Art. 20. Voted to discontinue and abandon all portions of Everett Rd. from Smith Place to the Weare Town Line not included in the new Everett Rd. constructed by the Government.

March 11, 1947 Art. 10. On motion of Charles E. Earle, voted to close the following road subject to gates and bars: Everett Road beginning at the swimming pool at land of L. S. Tucker, westerly to the Smith place so called.

March 8, 1994 Art. X. The motion was made by Rick Antonia that the Town vote to clarify the status of Everett Road by completely discontinuing and abandoning the portion of the road westerly to a point 200 feet beyond the boundary of lot ##3-2-1 & #E3-2-2.

March 10, 1994 Board of Selectmen Minutes. A clarification of the above article was made for the record. For the historical record, the now abandoned section of Everett Road begins along the roadway, at a point 200 feet west of the intersection of lots E3-2-1 & #E3-2-2, running westerly approximately 1,300 feet to intersection of Mansion Road. This section of now abandoned roadway was outlined on a copy of the tax maps and is filed with the minutes of this March 10th BOS meeting.

March 8, 1870 Vol. IV, Page 295. (This MAY be an old road which is to the south of Taylor house and joining Everett Dam Road.) Voted to discontinue that part of the highway leading from the meeting house, west beginning at the old road to the junction of the new road recently built.

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Flintlock Farm Road December 5, 1989 Public Hearing. Public Hearing for layout of Class V Highway located on Town Tax Map D3-0-0 and described as "Road Area", Phase I of Flintlock Estates.

December 14, 1989 Selectmen's Meeting. Motion was duly made, seconded and passed to lay out and accept Flintlock Farm Road and Birchview Drive, Phase I of Flintlock Farm Subdivision. This is contingent upon receipt of an acceptable warranty deed for same and for the open space in Phase I and acceptable insurance coverage to be held with the Hold-Harmless Agreement against any litigation that may be forthcoming.

Gile Road Nov. 18, 1799. Scenic road 1976. Beginning at the highway north east of John Bunten's and south of Johnson's, then to run east on the range way between land owned by said Bunten and Fulton until it comes to land owned by Caleb Austin, then to continue an East Point about forty rods to a red oak tree; thence running north eastwardly until it comes to Bow line; John Bunten and Caleb Austin is to have the land on the south side of their lots that was left for a highway. Said highway to be two rods wide.

Gorham Pond Road March 13, 1767 Vol. I Page 31. Road beginning at Goffstown line on land belonging to Lt. Stinson (Graybill) and then running northerly as the road is now used to Philip Wells house, thence north a little easterly as the road is now used or near the same, through land of Abraham Burnham and Thomas Caldwell to land of said Stinson and through said Stinson's to the corner of his fence near his old house this road to be four rods wide and the land allowed for it is between the second and third range then running east (between Greenhalge's and Fogg's home) by said Stinson's (Gravas' ) house to the main road and two rods wide.

1870. A new highway beginning at the north of, and at the foot of Oak Hill on the Stinson road, and curving around the hill near Gorham Pond, coming out by the Ryder place. The old road over the hill was discontinued.

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Nov. 6, 1871 Vol. 4 Page 306. Beginning in the middle of the travelled part of the highway leading from Parker's depot in Goffstown to William C. Stinson's in Dunbarton over a culvert at the north of, and at the foot of Oak Hill in said Dunbarton. Thence south 87 3/4 degrees west, 16 rods. Thence south 39 degrees west 4 rods 5 links. Thence south 11 degrees west 12 rods. Thence south 2 degrees west 10 rods, 8 links. Thence south 6 degrees east 8 rods. Thence south 3 1/2 degrees east 8 rods over land of Jeremian P. Jameson. Thence south 22 rods over land of Charles G. B. Ryder to a stake standing on the westerly side of the highway. Thence south 6 degrees west 30 rods. Thence south 1 1/2 degrees east 22 rods. Thence 10 degrees west 30 rods. Thence south 12 1/2 degrees west 22 rods. Thence south 5 degrees east 23 1/2 rods over the existing highway to a point in the middle of the traveled part of the highway being I rod and 2 links east of a red oak tree standing on the westerly side of the highway. The above described line to be the middle of the highway and the highway to be three rods wide.

Grapevine Road April 11, 1777. A return of a road beginning at the main road north of John Jameson's land on Lot No. 12 in the fourth range, thence northeastwardly through said 12'h lot until it strikes Theophilas Goodwin's land thence about the same course until it strikes the line between Thomas Hewse's land and James McCalley's land to the land left for a highway, thence easterly as the lot line runs until it comes to a brook just by Cochran's Hill so called, then turning southwardly round said Cochran's hill on said McCalley's land and easterly until it strikes the range road between No. 5 and No. 6 thence easterly by land of Edward Presby's to said Presby's house thence northwardly between Samuel Lord's land and said Presby's land until it comes to John Bunten's land thence about the same course until it strikes the former road a little east of said Bunten's house thence on said road to the bridge and until it strikes the south line of John Fulton's land said road to be three rods wide in every part until it comes to Presby's house said James McCalley giving one half a rod as far as it goes by his land upon the north line and Thomas Huse giving one half a rod on the south side of his lot, said road is allowed four rods wide from Presby's house to said Fulton's line.

("We the subscribers James McCalley and Thomas Huse freely do for ourselves and heirs assigns give said half rod of land as is above mentioned for the use of a highway in Dunbarton, James McCalley Thomas Huse)

March 1876. Voted that the old highway on the hill near the residence of Alonzo P. Hammond be discontinued.

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Guinea Road September 11, 1810. Highway laid out beginning at the road leading by Mr. William Beard's on the west side of the Cyder Mill, thence south on the old rangeway about 70 rods to the corner bounds of said Beard's lot, said road to be 2 rods wide. And for the recompense of said two rod road we do give the said Beard one rod of the east of the four rod road beginning at Beard's corner south of James McCalleys house running south on the range way to the turn of the road near said Beard's Cyder Mill. Agreeable to a vote of the town Aug. 27, 1820 and according to the desire of said Beard as may be seen by his petition on file.

September 1, 1818. Highway three rods wide beginning near Mr. Beards Cyder Mill and running westerly by James McCalley's house then bending a little to the south west to near the corner of Widow Jameson's land, thence nearly south west passing by Mr. Twiss's Guinea orchard at the southerly side of it to the range way a little south from the north east corner of the parsonage or meeting house lot, McCally to have the road land south of his land, Twiss to have the range way against his Guinea land if the town be willing.

December 14, 1819. Highway two rods wide, beginning near the Guinea orchard, owned by Benjamin Twiss, on the rangeway a little south of the north east corner of lot No. 9 in the 4th range being the parsonage or meeting house lot at the north of the road laid out Sept. 1, 1814. Thence south easterly through land of Lt. Thomas Mills, Samuel Kimball, David Tenny, and Rev. Walter Harris, striking the highway leading from the Meeting house to Phineas Bayley's a few rods east from Mr. Harris meadow on swamp land, said Thomas Mills, Samuel Kimball, David Tenny and Mr. Harris to have the range way against their several lands at the east of said lot as compensation for their lands if the town be willing and likewise each man to have the wood and timber on his land on said road (except what is wanted to make bridges) if they will take it off.

Holiday Haven Acres March 12, 1957 Art. 22. A motion to accept up to one mile of roads at Holiday Haven Acres as completed and maintain same as regular town roads was accepted.

March 10, 1981 Art. X. The motion by Robert Carlson that the town accept as Town Road a section of traveled road connecting Holiday Shore Drive extension and Karen Road, the road width being 24 feet and the length being 250 feet, passed.

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Holmes Road April 14, 1840. The selectmen met at the house of Charles Holmes, and laid out a two rod road commencing at a stake and stones near the said Holmes house and thence running easterly by a wall about thirty-five rods more or less to the new road so called.

Hoyt Road March 18, 1789. 2 rods. James Clement and Robert Hogg Selectmen, laid out a highway in said town beginning at the line between Weare and said Dunbarton and running easterly, near upon the line between Mr. Odion's land and Robert Hogg's land till it strikes the highway which leads from Capt. William Stark's and so on by the mills to Hopkinton Line.

March 12, 1963. Voted to discontinue and abandon from old Rte. #77 to the Weare Town Line.

Jewett Road Nov. 2, 1840, Vol. 3, page 390 Art. 4. Voted the Selectmen of said town lay out a highway from the main road north of Samuel Leaches to Hopkinton line.

April 14, 1841, Vol. 4, page 550. Whereas the inhabitants of the Town of Dunbarton qualified to vote in town affairs at a legal meeting holden for that purpose voted to lay out a highway from the Main road north of Samuel Leaches (Ona Martel) northerly to Hopkinton line, the undersigned Selectmen of said town after giving due notice to all interested therein proceed and lay out a public highway from the bend in the County Road, so called, northerly of said Leaches and running northerly to meet the Smith road at Hopkinton line. Said Highway to run in the same direction and cover the same ground which was formerly laid out and occupied as a Highway.

Karen Road March 10, 1981. The motion by Robert Carlson that the town accept as Town Road a section of traveled road connecting Holiday Shore Drive extension and Karen Road, the road width being 24 feet and the length being 250 feet passed.

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Kelsea Road Class V. From Montalona Road near Goffstown line westerly. Vol. 2, Page 5 II May 29, 1821. Highway laid out, three rods wide from Goffstown line nearly north to Timothy Johnson's house (in 1993 owned by Jean Gildersleeve) and from thence nearly north-east nearly on a straight line to the County road. Said road is to be a bridle road from said County road to Mr. Johnson's house for three years and from Mr. Johnson's house to Goffstown line said road is to be a bridle road for the term of six years. Timothy Johnson is to have the rangeway on the west end of his lot in compensation for said road.

Kimball Pond Road June 12, 1769 Vol. I Page 35. Then laid out a highway by us the subscribers. Beginning near to Moses Colby's fence at the noreast corner and running near norwest till it strikes the Highway which leads from Capt. William Stark's to Monterloney about half a mile from the meeting house as witness out N. T. The people said road goes through their land to have the nearest land that was left for Highways by the Proprietor Committee that layed out said town to be mostly four rods wide. (Moses Colby's property was at the corner of Kimball Pond Road and Montalona Road south west corner.)

The Governor and Council passed the following resolution: Resolved: That, the recommendation of the Commission appointed to establish a road to public waters to Kimball Pond in the Town of Dunbarton be accepted. A sum of $3,600.00 is established to pay the services of the Commission, for the necessary right-of-way, and the cost of construction of the highway. Said road shall be deemed a Class V highway.

Lake Shore Drive (no date provided) Art. 19. Introduced by Simon Audet and amended by Richard Hammond to read "the Town vote to accept as a town road that portion of Lake Shore Drive extending from Pond Rd. by lot No. 286/27E, to Lot No. 286/27, a distance of approximately six hundred feet, upon compliance of abutters with Town's regulations as to width of right of way and depth of gravel". Passed as amended.

Leg Ache Hill Road March 10, 1953 Art. 24. On motion of Lincoln W. Burnham, it was voted to close the Leg Ache Hill road from Kimball's Pond to George Mills (William Langley's) with gates and bars.

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Line Hill Road and Twist Hill Road March 20, 1767. Beginning at the norwest corner of Henry Pudneys fence and running near east to John Pudneys lain two rods wide, then south east upon the Bow line to land of Jacob Colbys, three rods wide, then southerly on or near the range line to land of Hugh McCalla four rods wide, to about thirty rods south of said McCallas noreast comer and then running south easterly to said McCallas house and so on to land of said Ensign John McCurdys, then southerly by said McCurdys house to Goffstown line all mostly as the road is at present used and made the road to said McCurdys land to be two rods wide and from thence to Goffstown line four rods wide. (2 rods to Armand Audet's land, 4 rods to Goffstown line.)

Long Pond Road See Powell Lane.

Mansion Road July 12, 1791. The selectmen have examined a road from Major Caleb Stark's mill in said town to Samuel Allison's, and find that a good road way be had, beginning at said mill, thence running to the corner of Stephan Palmer's land east of his house on a road newly cut out to the west of Lieut. Thomas Stickney house falling in by the course to the fenced road now leading to east and west by Stickney's and Stuarts house to the road that leads to Gen. Starks land commonly called the Pope Farm, thence on the most advantageous ground to Samuel Allison's bridge north of Allison's barn (this barn stood on the Ireland farm north of where the buildings stood, near a well that is still there) to the main road. Four rods wide.

Sept. 27, 1792. Beginning about twenty rods southeasterly of a small bridge east of Stephan Palmers thence southeasterly to Major Stark's house and by his house about ten rods to a great rock thence southerly by said Stark's land by land of Thomas George's and Thomas Stickneys about one hundred and fifty rods, about eight or ten rods northwesterly of Samuel Stuarts house. Then across said Stickney's land to the main road that leads from Thomas Stickney's to Hogg's Mills so called thence southerly across Samuel Stuart's land to land owned by Ebenezer Chase, thence on Chase's land just east of his house to a bridge south of Chase's house, lately built, thence southerly on the road lately cut out about twenty rods to a dry hemlock tree marked; thence turning southerly as the trees are marked to a birch tree marked on the south side of the brook thence southerly to a small hemlock tree, marked standing on the westerly side of the way cut out last fall; thence on said way as cut out, to the north side of Samuel Allison's land, thence about the same course crossing a corner of said Allison's land on the easterly side of where the inhabitants of the town laid bottom logs for a fence last fall, to the main road north of said Allison's

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barn. Said road to be four rods wide. The satisfaction for the land on which said road runs is as follows --Maj. Caleb Stark, Thomas Stickney and Samuel Stewart gives the land that said road takes of their land to the town free from cost and expense. Ebenezer Chase is to have the land on the range way in full consideration for the land that the road takes of from his land. Alexander Jameson is allowed the rangeway at the west end of his land. Samuel Allison gives his land to the town for the use of a road forever, by having a good log fence built on each side road as far as the road crosses his land.

Meadow Lane March 9, 1965. Fern LaMontagne's motion to accept the road at Meadowland Estates for a Public Right of Way was accepted. Motion to reconsider by J. Willcox Brown was allowed. Amendment by Norman Vigu to accept if two coats of tar be applied was defeated. A reaffirming vote was given Mr. LaMontagne's motion.

Meadow Road March 12, 1907. By motion of Aaron C. Barnard it was voted to discontinue the highway known as the Meadow Road leading easterly from the highway between Frank C. Woodbury's and Leander Fenton's homesteads, to the highway passing John W. Farrar's and Moses J. Perkin's homestead and make private way of said road.

Mills Hill March 12, 1935 Art. 12. Committee on closing certain highways recommended the closing of the old Mills Hill road past the Holmes place (so called) as provided in Sec. I Chapter 80 of the Public Laws, and making the road subject to gates and bars.

March 12, 1963 Art. 18. A vote on motion of Eli N. Noyes was passed on acceptance of town roads such portion of old Rte. #13 from opposite the residence of Fred Mills, Jr. to the point of intersection at the foot of Mills Hill.

March 12, 1963 Art. 20. Motion placed by Eli N. Noyes that the Town vote to discontinue and abandon: that portion of old Rte. from opposite the residence of Fred Mills, Jr. to the entrance of Holmes Rd. and continuing to the intersection of the road at the foot of Mills Hill with the exception of that portion of old Rte. #13 from opposite Fred Mills, Jr. to just beyond John Mills' home (Andrew Michael's). Motion passed.

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Montalona Road Oct. 18, 1814. Also see Robert Rogers Rd. We the subscribers have this day attended the road by Candlewood hill (so called) or rather laid out a new piece of road as a substitute for that leading over said hill in the following manner, to wit - beginning about twenty rods southerly from the foot of said hill on the old road, thence steering north easterly by the easterly side of the hill until it strikes the old road, on or near the rangeway by the north east corner of Lot No. 6 in the seventh range, the old road to be given up to the owner or owners of the land taken for the new road as soon as the new road shall be made by David Putneys as good as the old road now is and not before.

Moose Point Drive Oct. 23, 1997 Selectmen's Meeting. The motion by Merton Mann that the Dunbarton Board of Selectmen accept the name of Moose Point Drive as the road within the Flintlock Estates subdivision as presented by John Brown, JMC passed.

New Road (Road through transfer station) October 11, 1969 Article 2. It was moved by J. Willcox Brown "That the Town vote to discontinue as an open highway and make subject to Gates and Bars, the New Road, so-called, from its junction with Route No. 77, in Lots 8 and 8A, to the Dunbarton-Hopkinton Town Line between Lots I and 7 on the Town Map". This was necessitated by the need of a gate and fence for the New Town Dump. Passage was assured by a unanimous affirmative vote.

Old Fort Road October 29, 1988 Selectmen's Meeting. Merton Mann made a motion that the Town of Dunbarton, Board of Selectmen, accept Old Fort Road as an official Town Road as described in the public notice. William Nichols seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Old Hopkinton Road Class V. September 17, 1992. Beginning at the point in the travelled way of Route #77, approximately 300 feet westerly on the Ray Road/Route #77 intersection; thence running Northerly approximately 4174 feet to the Dunbarton/Hopkinton town line. Motion: "To accept Old Hopkinton Road as a Class Five Road". Motion passed unanimously by Selectmen William B. Nichols and Scott G. Fraser.

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Old Whipple Road March 1872 Vol. 5, P. 19. Voted to instruct the Selectmen to lay out a private highway from Israel B. Whipple's to David Butterfield's.

Feb. 1873 Vol. 4, Page 562. Upon the foregoing petition, we appointed a hearing at the house of Peter Butterfield's in said town on Feb. 3, 1873. When appeared Peter Butterfield, Israel B. Whipple, Otis E. Whipple and having heard all parties we are of the opinion that there is occasion for the same and we therefore lay out a private highway for the accommodation of the said Israel B. Whipple and Otis E. Whipple as requested in said petition as follows: Beginning at a stake in Israel Whipple's door yard, Hence south 38 ½ degrees West 10 rods. South 13 ½ degrees West 12 rods. Thence south 25 ½ degrees west 17 rods. Thence south 11 degrees west 10 rods Thence south 3 ½ degrees 36 rods. Thence south 4 degrees east 23 rods. Thence south 10 ½ degrees east 22 rods. Thence south 3 ½ degrees west 26 rods. Thence south 26 degrees east 12 rods. Thence south 44 ½ degrees east 12 rods. Thence south 30 ½ degrees east 14 rods. Thence south 3 ¼ degrees east 14 rods. Thence south 14 degrees west 20 rods. Thence south 28 ½ degrees west 10 rods. Thence south 43 ¾ degrees west 14 rods. Thence south 68 ½ degrees west 11 rods. Thence south 86 degrees west 10 rods. Thence north 73 degrees west 6 rods. Thence north 86 degrees west 6 rods. Thence south 69 ¾ degrees west 3 ½ rods to a stake on the west side of the highway southerly from and near the dwelling house of David Butterfield. The above several lines to be the middle of the highway and the highway to be 45 feet wide. And we award Peter Butterfield one hundred dollars land damage over which said highway is laid and also Israel B. Whipple and Otis E. Whipple seventy-five dollars to assist them in building said road.

Feb. 16, 1977 Minutes of Dunbarton Planning Board on Merrill Estate Sub-division available concerning Old Whipple Road available.

Also letter of June 20, 1980 from selectmen to Jay Hodes, Esq. 440 Hanover St., Manchester, NH 03104 Stateing that "The Town of Dunbarton claims no interest in the path once called the old "Whipple Road" nor has it since 1821. We consider the road abandoned and therefore reverts to the abutting landowners. It is marked as a sample letter for selectmen to use in regard to Old Putney Rd.

Olde Mill Brook Road January 31, 1991Selectmen's Meeting. Motion was made, seconded and passed to rename the section of road formerly known as Powell Lane, from Long Pond Road to the northerly bound of the Biron property Olde Mill Brook Road.

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Powell Lane and Long Pond Road Nov. 11, 1769 Vol. l Page 35. This day laid out by us a highway beginning near James Clements by the north side of the land and running easterly until about the middle of the lot No. 4 in the 4th Range and then running south eastardly until it comes to lot No. 3 in the same range and then running easterly by the line until it comes to the 5th Range and then running southwardly until it comes to David Currier's house (Robert Andersen's house is on this cellar site). As above the people to have the nearest land that was left by the proprietors for highway that said road crosses their land in (rume) of the land the road takes.

Putney Road May 25, 1811. A highway four rods wide, beginning at the Bow line north easterly from Caleb Austins House on the road as it is now trodden, thence on by said Austins House bearing a little towards the barn from the old road and on by John Miller's house and on southerly by said Austins great stone wall making a convenient bend westerly to the County road at the corner near the Widow Bayleys house we likewise give said Austin through whose land said road is laid out, the Rangeway next of said road or as much of said Range way as said road takes of said Austins land, for a compensation beginning at Bow line.

Rangeway Road February 18, 1993 Selectmen's Meeting. At the February 18, 1993 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, the motion was passed to change the name "Legache Hill Road" in Dunbarton to "Rangeway Road". This would affect all residents on Legache Hill Road from Robert Rogers Road to the easterly side of New England Power Company's right of way.

December 16, 1999 Selectmen's Meeting. Jon Wiggin brought the fact to the Selectmen's attention that because when the name of Legache Hill was changed to Rangeway Road, it only changed the name of the road to the powerline, there is a problem because there is now a house beyond the powerline. The new house would be on Legache Hill Road Instead of Rangeway Road, thus causing considerable confusion in an emergency situation. William Nichols made a motion to make the entire road beyond the powerline to Kimball Pond Road Rangeway Road and eliminate the name of Legache Hill Road because of safety concerns. The motion was seconded by J. R. Swindlehurst and passed unanimously.

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Robert Rogers Road March 19, 1767 Vol I Page 32. Beginning at the meeting house and running near east upon the road layed out by the Proprietors Committee and in use at present to land of Capt. James Rogers to Bayleye House, thence south easterly to Henry Pudneys as the road is at present made from the meeting house to said Pudneys to be two rods wide, from thence southerly to Goffstown line and all the owners of land said road goeth through have the land allowed them the nearest Reande to said road which is four rods as (unclear) said road to be four rods wide.

The Selectman's Report for 1976 states "Two very dangerous corners on the Robert Rogers Road have been widened and resurfaced last year in addition to the TRA work on Gorham Pond Road and the resurfacing of other roads". This may refer to the sections voted on in March 13, 1984.

March 13, 1984. The following motion by John Swindlehurst passed: That the town will vote to authorize the selectmen to negotiate four transfers of land, which were isolated when the Robert Rogers Road was straightened. a. Approximately four-tenths of an acre, including the discontinued road way (Robert Rogers Road) to lot E4-3-2. b. Approximately four-tenths of an acre, including the discontinued road way (Robert Rogers Road) to lot E4-3-3. c. Approximately nine-tenths of an acre, including the discontinued road way (Robert Rogers Road) to lot E4-3-4. d. Approximately two and three-tenths acres including the discontinued road way (Robert Rogers Road) to lot E4-4-1.

Approximately 10,800 square feet of lot E4-1-3 and the abutting Robert Rogers Road is retained by the Town of Dunbarton.

June 17, 1795. We the subscribers went of the land that is now occupied as a road from Bow line by the south side of the graveyard near to Wm. Brown's to the other road and laid out said land two rods wide.

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School Street Oct 7, 1803. Bounds of the common. Agreeable to the vote of the town last March meeting, we have this day measured the land about the meeting house called the meeting house common and set bounds to the same which are as follows, vis.: Began at the north west corner of said common, which is the corner of a lot; thence run south four degrees east on the lot line 60 rods to a stake and stones; thence north 87 degrees east 20 rods 6/10ths, to a stake and stones; thence north four degrees west 60 rods to the lot line to a stake and stones; thence westerly to the first bounds.

Stark Highway March 13, 1767. The return of a highway which was laid out by us being selectmen of Dunbarton William Stark and Jeremiah Page, Mar. 13, 1767. Beginning at Hopkinton line a little to the east of there road to the Center, thence southeasterly about fifty rods to the range road near the comer of land Belonging to William Page and then along said land as the Range goes Southerly to land of Richard Clifford, then running south easterly about twenty rods to said range road again, said Clifford to have the land on the range line for his where the road is layed out, then running on said range to land of Jonathan Huchens then turning a little easterly through said Hutchins land to Thomas Mills land and then southerly through said Mills land to John Holmes land and through said Holmes land and the school lot to land of widow Jameson and than a little westerly to said range again to land of Capt. William Starks all the above to have their land left for roads upon said range, then taking the Range and running past said Starke land, then turning a little westerly through Ministers land to land belonging to Capt. John Stark then running south through John Starks, Hugh Jamesons, Lt. William Stinsons, Mr. Townsends, all above to have their land on said Range left for said road on the west end of the lots, then (Crogging) not plain) said Range in said Townsends land and running a little easterly to land of Ensign Jeames McGregor and Ezebulon Gitchel, to Goffstown line, all to have their land upon said Range left by the Proprietors Committees on the west end of every lot and all the said highway to be four rods wide.

Stephanie Road March 3, 1966 Art. 22. It was moved by Ernest Maxfield that the Town accept Stephanie Rd. at Holiday Acres and amended by John Swindlehurst that this acceptance be acted on only after Stephanie Rd. meets all standards for new roads. Both motion and amendment passed.

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Story Hill Road October 1, 1798. Beginning at the main road east of Samuel Hadley's barn thence eastwardly on land of Daniel Story's and Samuel Hadley's, thence about the same course on land of David Story's as the road is now trod, to two chestnut trees marked. Then on land of Hazadiah Woodbury Jr. a little northeastwardly as the road is now cut out until it comes to the main road that leads to Woodbury's mill. When it crosses land of Daniel Story's and Samuel Hadley's, they give one rod of land each free from expense; where it goes on land of David Story's he gives two rods free; where it goes on land of Hazadiah Woodbury's he is to have the land on the south side of said lot allowed for the benefit of the public road agreeable to the Town Charter.

Town Farm Road September 1771 Book I, page 55. Beginning at the main road at Samuel Burnham's south line and running westerly near as the lots run to the highway near Abraham Burnham's house, to be two rods wide.

Beginning at William Burnham's house thence running south east as the road is now trod about twelve rods to a pair of bars, thence eastwardly on the road as it is now trod about thirty rods or to the main road that leads to the meeting house said road is to be two rods wide and where said highway goes through William Burnham's land said Burnham gives the land for said road said road is to be opened in the course of four years from this date.

March 14, 1871 Vol. 5, Page 19. Voted to discontinue the cross road leading from Peter Butterfield's to near the top of Oak Hill.

Twist Hill (see also Line Hill Road and Twist Hill Road) July 13, 1889. Beginning at stake and stones 9 rods & 11 links eastly of south east corner of school house in school district No. 8 in said town thence north 43 degrees west over land of Eugene A. Whipple and John Gould 10 rods to stake at wall back of school house thence over land of George Noyes north 58 degrees west eight rods and eleven links to stake and stones thence south seventy degrees west three rods and nineteen links to stake and stones thence south forty-three degrees west seven rods to stake and stones on the north side of existing highway seventeen links eastly of maple tree. The above described line to be the middle of the highway and the highway to be 66 feet wide. Petition: there is occasion for a new highway in said town beginning at stake and stone near William C. Gould's house thence in a north westerly direction about twenty three rods to a stake and stone on the north side of existing highway.

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Whipple Road (from Robert Rogers Rd to Kimball Pond Rd) April 21, 1826. Laid out a highway two rods wide beginning at the bars near William Whipple's house in said town, thence southerly on the range way 120 rods thence southerly on Oliver Bailey, Jr's land varying from the lot line west, the width of the road 35 rods; thence on the Stinson land the same variation, 33 rods; thence on the range way 32 rods; thence on Ebben P. Kimball's land the same variation, 30 rods; thence on the rangeway 68 rods to the main road. Awarding no damages except 2 rods of the rangeway near the road.

Road from Mills Hill through Tenney Hill Road and Guinea Road Sept. 10, 1779. Beginning at the main road by the north west comer of Thomas Mills orchard by his north line, thence easterly between said Mills and Mr. John White's land on the two rods that was left for road it comes to north of John Mills' (Asprey) barn then turning southwardly through John Mills' land easterly side of his barn and fence by marked trees until it comes to Thomas Huse's (Aberg) land thence southerly by marked trees until it comes to the east of a swamp, thence to the east of Huse's (Aberg) fence to the main road that leads from Presby's (Waite) house to the meeting (house omited) said road from Thomas Mills to the north of John Mills' barn to be twos rods wide on land left for that road, and from thence to Thomas Huse's four rods wide and in consideration for said roads, said Mills and Huse to take four rods, left on the west end of their lots and likewise beginning at Presby's (Waite) east of James McCalleys land on the rangeway, thence to said McCalley's southwest corner, thence southerly as the road is now trod through Cap. Stinson's land and John Austin's land to a white pine tree marked, thence southerly by said marked trees to a dead white pine tree by land of David Saunders (Mence sheure) (not plain) by the east line of said Saunders land till it strikes the road that goes from Phineas Bayley's house to the meeting house, said road from Presby's to the south end of said road at the main road before mentioned is four rods wide, and for consideration for said road where it is of the land left the several owners of the lands where the road goes is to take the four rods left on the west of their several lots.

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Barnard Hill Road to Stark Lane to Stark Mills to Ray Road to Road through Transfer Station to Hopkinton Line March 14, 1767 Vol I, Page 32. Beginning on the main road near the north east corner of Capt. William Stark's farm and running near northwest as the road is now used to a bridge near John Stinson's and then northerly near the rande (possibly range) as it is now used to near land of Capt. John Stark's and then westerly to or near the same to Stephen Palmer's house to the mills, and from thence to Robert Hogg's house as the road is as present used all which highway the owner to have the land nearest to the said road left by the Proprietors of said town for roads or highways and from thence by Alexander Hogg's to Hopkinton line the owner of the land it crosses to have the range land in room of there the road goeth through this road to be two rods wide where it goeth westerly and four rods wide where it goeth northerly.

Nov. 2, 1840 Vol. 3, Page 390. Voted to discontinue the road from Isaac Coombs to the road that leads from Robert Chases to Warren Perley.

Right of Way March 10, 1981 Art. XI. The motion by Leslie Hammond that the town authorize the Selectmen to convey a portion of the old ball field (approximately one quarter of an acre) to Mr. Karl Upton in exchange for a 30 foot right-of-way access to town forest south of Everett Road passed.

March 10, 1981 Art. XIII. The motion by Ernest Holm that the town accept the gift of land from Theodore A. Lenda consisting of the James Rogers homestead site and a certain right-of-way to the said site as described and defined in a sub-division survey of the then Lenda property on Rogers Road conducted in 1975 and approved by the Dunbarton Planning Board, passed.

March 13, 1984 Art. II. The following motion by John Swindlehurst passed: the town will vote to authorize a land survey of the so-called Dump Area on Route 77 and establish a deeded right-of-way approximately 165' in length by 60' in width across the rear of this property in exchange for this deeded right-of-way. The owner of the abutting property will give us a deed to clarify and quit title to the dump area.

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March 14, 1978 Art. XVIII. The motion was made by Leslie Hammond that the town authorize the selectmen to grant a right of way over town land shown as lot No. D4-2-4 on the Dunbarton town map, the right of way to be fifty (50) feet in length, to Leo Abbott, Thomas McGary and Ernest Dugrenier in return to a right of way to be granted by them over land they own to the Town of Dunbarton. An amendment by Richard Kettinger that the town authorize the selectmen to grant a lumbering right of way over town land shown as lot D4-2-4 on the Dunbarton town map, the right of way to be 30 feet in width and approximately 1500 feet in length to Leo Abbott, Thomas McGary and Ernest Dugrenier in return for a lumbering right of way to be granted by them over land they own to the Town of Dunbarton passed. The original motion passed as amended.

Undetermined Location The location of the following roads has not been determined as of 01-04-01.

A. Also another Beginning at a stake on the East side of the road near the Bancroft place. South, through land of Henry Putney, to Highway through land of Samuel P. Elliott's to a stake on the East side of the Highway about 20 rods, North of the said Samuel P. Elliott's house.

B. Also another Beginning at a stake on the South side of the Highway about 8 rods west of Harrison Webber's house through land of Levi Davis to about 25 rods North of the John F. Roberts house, now owned by Alfred Poor. For damages the following were paid: Clement & Rodgers $40. Oliver Bailey $300. These two roads are listed on P. 114 of Alice Hadley's records. Henry Putney $400. S. P. Elliott $90. Levi Davis $140?

C. March 12, 1805. Voted to continue the road leading from Capt. John Ferguson's house to Raymond Hill.

D. Sept. 16, 1822 Vol. 2 Page 464. Voted to discontinue a highway from Perly P. Ray's to Thomas Tewksbury's laid out east of the old trodden road leading to Hopkinton.

E. April 13, 1842, Vol. 4, page 550. We the undersigned Selectmen of Dunbarton have laid out a public highway 2 rods in width from John Webbers (Richard Averill's) house westerly on the range way to the County Road so called

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F. November 23, 1855. Vol. 4, page 365. Beginning at a stake on the south side of the highway about eight rods west of Harrison Webber's house. Thence south thirty eight and one fourth degrees East through land of Levi Davis thirty seven rods to a stake. Thence through said Davis' land south about thirty degrees East nineteen rods ending at a stake on the West side of the highway about twenty five rods North of the John G. Roberts house. The line above described is to be the middle and the highway is to be three rods wide. We award to the owners of lands taken for said highway is to be three rods wide. We award to the owners of lands taken for said highway on said route the following sums to be paid by said town.

To Clement and Rodgers forty dollars To Oliver Bailey three hundred dollars To Henry Putney four hundred dollars To Samuel P. Elliott ninety dollars To Levi Davis one hundred and forty dollars

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RESOURCE LIST FOR THE CHAPTERS

The information for the 2004 Master Plan Chapters came from data or source material from many of the following agencies and organizations. Other resources have been listed for future reference.

Local, State, and Federal Government Agencies

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) The NRCS is an agency of the US Department of Agriculture. They are a technical agency that provides trained soil conservationists, technicians, soil scientists, and other experts to help landowners and land users with conservation.

Natural Resource Conservation Service The Concord Center 10 Ferry Street, Suite 211 Box 312 Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 223-6021 Website: www.nh.nrcs.usda.gov

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) The protection and wise management of the state of New Hampshire's environment are the important goals of the NH Department of Environmental Services. The department's responsibilities include ensuring high levels of water quality for water supplies, ecological balance, and recreational benefits.

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services 29 Hazen Drive, PO Box 95 Concord, NH 03302-0095 Phone: 271-3503 Website: www.des.state.nh.us

Wetlands Bureau, NH DES 29 Hazen Drive, PO Box 95 Concord, NH 03302-995 Phone: 271-2147 Webite: www.des.state.nh.us/wetlands

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New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game (NH F&G) The Department of Fish and Game is the lead agency in enforcing trail regulations in the state of New Hampshire. They have excellent information on OHRV laws and offer education classes for riders.

Department of Fish and Game 11 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301 Phone (603) 271-3211 Website: www.wildlife.state.us

New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development (NH DRED) Division of Forests and Lands The Division of Forests and Lands protects and promotes the values provided by trees and forests.

Division of Forests and Lands 172 Pembroke Road, PO Box 1856 Concord, NH 03302-1856 Phone: (603) 271-2214 Website: www.nhdfl.org

Division of Parks and Recreation Bureau of Trails The Bureau of Trails administers multi-use trails on state, federal, and private lands. They assist organizations, municipalities, and trail clubs with the development of trails on both private and public lands. They have also published the guide, Best Management Practices for Erosion Control During Trail Maintenance and Construction, to address wetland and erosion concerns during trail construction.

Division of Parks and Recreation Bureau of Trails 172 Pembroke Road PO Box 1865 Concord, NH 03302-1856 Phone: (603) 271-3254 Website: www.nhtrails.org

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New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NH DRA) The DRA is the fiscal clearinghouse for municipal governments. Among other duties, the NH DRA determines the criteria for land placed in current use.

NH Department of Revenue Administration 45 Chenell Drive, PO Box 457 Concord, NH 03302-0457 Phone: 271-2191 Website: webster.state.nh.us/revenue

New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NH DOT) Bi-annually, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation publishes Status Reports for Transportation Enhancement Programs, which describes selected projects.

NH Department of Transportation John O. Morton Building 7 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03302-0483 Telephone: (603) 271-3734 Website: webster.state.nh.us/dot

New Hampshire Division of Historic Resources, State of New Hampshire, Department of Cultural Resources (NH DHR) The Division of Historic Resources promotes the use, understanding, and conservation of historic, archaeological, architectural, and cultural resources in the state of New Hampshire.

Division of Historic Resources 19 Pillsbury Street Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 271-3483 Website: www.nh.gov/nhdhr

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NH Geographically Referenced Analysis Information Transfer (NH GRANIT) Administrated by Complex Systems Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, GRANIT is a GIS information clearinghouse for the State. Information is provided to GRANIT by state and federal agencies for downloading or distribution on request to local and private entities.

GRANIT Project Complex Systems Research Center Morse Hall University of New Hampshire Durham, NH 03824 Phone: 862-1792 Website: www.granit.sr.unh.edu

New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory (NH NHI) The NH Natural Heritage Inventory is a small state program in the Division of Forests and Lands of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. Their mission is to find, track, and facilitate the protection of New Hampshire's rare plants and exemplary natural communities. Their database contains information about more than 4,000 plant, animal, and natural community occurrences throughout the state.

New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory PO Box 1856 172 Pembroke Road Concord, NH 03302-1856 Phone: (603) 271-3623 Website: www.nh.gov/nhinfo/nhnhi.html

New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning (NH OEP) The Office of Energy Planning, formerly known as the Office of State Planning, is a data repository for the Towns in the State. It collects and distributes Census data, administers Community Development Block Grants, and provides technical assistance on planning issues.

NH Office of Energy and Planning 57 Regional Drive Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 271-2155 Website: www.nh.gov/oep

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Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance, National Parks Service The Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, also known as the Rivers & Trails Program or RTCA, is a community resource of the National Park Service. Rivers & Trails staff work with community groups and local and State governments to conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways.

Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance, National Park Service 18 Low Avenue Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 226-3240 National Website: www.nps.gov/rtca

US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) The USACoE’s scientists, engineers, and specialists plan, design, build, and operates water resource and civic works projects. In the Central NH Region, they operate on a regular basis on the Blackwater Reservoir (Salisbury and Webster) and on the Hopkinton-Everett Reservoir (Hopkinton and Henniker).

Army Corps of Engineers New England District 696 Virginia Road Concord, MA 01742-2751 Phone: (978) 318-8118 Website: www.nae.usace.army.mil

US Census Bureau The Bureau’s mission is to be the preeminent collector and provider of timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the United States.

US Census Bureau Website: www.census.gov

US Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration (US DOT/FHwA) 400 7th Street, SW Washington DC 20590 Phone: DOT: (202)-366-4000 FHwA: (202)-366-0537 Websites: www.dot.gov and www.fhwa.dot.gov

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US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been fostering affordable housing in many of the nation’s communities since its inception in 1965. HUD administers numerous programs to provide housing for low to moderate-income families.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street SW Washington, DC 20410 Phone: (202) 708-1112 Website: www.hud.gov

Non-Profit Groups and Member Organizations

Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC) The CNHRPC assists member municipalities in the Concord area with transportation, land use, environmental, economic development, and natural hazards planning. Funding is derived from local, state, no-profit, and federal sources for both local and regional planning endeavors.

Central NH Regional Planning Commission 28 Commercial Street Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 226-6020 Website: www.cnhrpc.org

Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc (CAP) CAP in New Hampshire was founded in 1965 to put all services under one roof and under control of local citizens to provide direction on how to attack the problems of poverty in their respective communities. CAP offers Health, Family, Transportation, Employment, Housing, Nutrition, Elderly, and Emergency programs.

Community Action Program of Belknap and Merrimack Counties 2 Industrial Park Drive PO Box 1016 Concord, NH 03302 Phone: 225-3295 Website: www.bm-cap.org

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Concord Area Transit (CAT) Part of the CAP of Belknap and Merrimack Counties, CAT provides low-cost fixed route and on-call transit service to the greater Concord area.

2 Industrial Park Drive PO Box 661 Concord, NH 03302 Phone: 225-1989 Website: www.bm-cap.org/concord.htm

Concord Area Trust for Community Housing (CATCH) The Concord Area Trust for Community Housing is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to creating and preserving affordable housing, and to helping renters become owners, throughout Merrimack County. CATCH helps communities by increasing the housing stock within a community, educating and supporting residents looking to buy their first home, and maintaining the properties they already own. CATCH accomplishes these goals through the initiative and dedication of local members and volunteers.

Concord Area Trust for Community Housing 79 South State Street Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 603-225-8835 Website: www.catchhousing.org

The Grantsmanship Center This organization offers grant writing training and low-cost publications to non-profit organizations and government agencies.

The Grantsmanship Center 1125 W. Sixth Street, Fifth Floor PO Box 17220 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: (213) 482-9860 Website: www.tgci.com

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Merrimack County Conservation District The Conservation Districts offer environmental services (relating to soil and water) to landowners, educators, community leaders, and licensed professionals on a free or low-cost basis. These services include soil analysis, developing conservation management plans, workshops on ponds, soils, and water quality, and providing maps.

Merrimack County Conservation District 10 Ferry Street, Box 312 Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 223-6023 Website: www.merrimackccd.org

New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC) The Association disperses information, lobbies for appropriate legislation, and provides technical assistance to member Conservation Commissions in the State.

NH Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC) 54 Portsmouth Street Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 224-7867 Website: www.nhacc.org

New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (NH CDFA) The Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is also an important public source for the purchase and/or rehabilitation of low to moderate-income housing. CDFA provides funds by “pooling” money from various banks and lending institutions to provide grants or very low interest loans to groups developing affordable housing. In addition to this source, CDFA has the unique ability to grant tax credits to private developers who provide properties for rehabilitation into low to moderate-income housing.

NH Community Development Finance Authority 14 Dixon Ave, Suite 102 Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 226-2170 Website: www.nhcdfa.org

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New Hampshire Community Loan Fund (NH CLF) Founded in 1983, this organization helps connect low-income households with lending institutions willing to invest in housing projects to serve low-income housing opportunities. In 1999, the organization loaned $2,130,643 to start 12 low-income housing projects throughout New Hampshire. Projects which this organization has helped to develop include Meadow Brook Elderly Housing in Epsom and the Riverbend Special Needs Housing Facility in Boscawen.

NH Community Loan Fund 7 Wall Street Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 224-6669 Website: www.nhclf.org

New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NH HFA) Created in 1981 by the State Legislature, the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA) is a nonprofit entity committed to developing affordable housing opportunities in New Hampshire. NHHFA is funded through the sale of tax exempt bonds. The authority has created several multifamily housing development programs which provide investors with incentives such as tax credits, deferred mortgage payments, low interest loans, and grants. In recent years, the NHHFA has been involved in the creation of Mobile Home Park Cooperatives, as well as construction and rehabilitation of rental housing and single family homes.

NH Housing Finance Authority 32 Constitution Drive, Bedford (mailing address) PO Box 5087 Manchester, NH 03108 Phone: 472-8623 or (800) 640-7239 Website: www.nhhfa.org

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New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) The NHMA assists member municipal governments with issues concerning legal rights and responsibilities, provides human resources support, and hosts annual training sessions on planning and zoning topics.

NH Municipal Association 25 Triangle Park Drive, PO Box 617 Concord, NH 03302 Phone: 224-7447 Website: www.nhmunicipal.org

NH Rivers Council The New Hampshire Rivers Council is the only statewide conservation organization wholly dedicated to the protection and conservation of New Hampshire rivers. Since its incorporation as a non-profit organization in 1993, the Rivers Council has worked to educate the public about the value of the state's rivers, designate rivers in the state's protection program, and advocate for strong public policies and wise management of New Hampshire's river resources.

New Hampshire Rivers Council 54 Portsmouth Street Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 603-228-6472 Website: www.nhrivers.org

Piscataquog Watershed Association The PWA was founded in 1970 as a river and watershed conservation association. The PWA places high priority on protecting the region's most biologically productive and ecologically significant lands including areas of high biodiversity and habitats containing rare and imperiled species. The PWA actively seeks to protect land suitable for permanent conservation, emphasizing the importance of building large, contiguous tracts of preserved land where possible. The watershed's 220 square miles includes the towns of Deering, Dunbarton, Francestown, Goffstown, Greenfield, Henniker, Lyndeborough, Manchester, Mont Vernon, New Boston, and Weare.

Piscataquog Watershed Association 5A Mill Street New Boston, NH 03070 Phone: 487-3331 Website: www.pwa-nh.org

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University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Cooperative Extension provides citizens, town governments, and organizations alike with educational materials, workshops, and assistance for agriculture, forestry, wildlife, and youth and family issues.

Merrimack County (UNH) Cooperative Extension 315 Daniel Webster Highway Boscawen, NH 03303 Phone: 225-5505 Website: www.ceinfo.unh.edu

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New Hampshire / Central Region Public Land Trusts

Audubon Society of NH Lakes Region Conservation Trust 3 Silk Farm Road PO Box 1097 Concord, NH 03301 Meredith, NH 03253 Phone: 224-9909 Phone: 279-3246 Website: www.nhaudubon.org Website: www.lrtc.org

Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation The Nature Conservancy Trust New Hampshire Chapter 11 Pleasant Street, PO Box 2040 22 Bridge Street, 4th Floor New London, NH 03257 Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 526-6555 Phone: 224-5853 Website: www.ausbonsargent.org Website: www.nature.org/wherewework/northam Bearpaw Regional Greenways erica/states/newhampshire PO Box 19 Deerfield, NH 03037 Society for the Protection of NH Phone: 463-9400 Forests Website: www.bear-paw.org 54 Portsmouth Street Concord, NH 03301 Bow Open Spaces Phone: 224-9945 41 South Bow Road Website: www.spnhf.org Bow, NH 03304 Phone: 225-3678 Trust for Public Lands 33 Union Street Five Rivers Conservation Trust Boston, MA 02108 54 Portsmouth Street Phone: (617) 367-6200 Concord, NH 03301-5486 Website: www.tpl.org Phone: 224-7225 Turkey River Basin Trust 33 Washington Street Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 225-9721

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FUNDING SOURCES FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITY PROJECTS

Impact Fees The purpose of an impact fee ordinance is to collect funds from new development to help offset extra infrastructure needs associated with new development. In addition to financing new school additions and roadway projects, impact fees could also be collected to help pay for new recreational facilities. The impact fee ordinance would need to be adopted via Town Meeting ballot. In the near future, the Planning Board could explore creating a set impact fee schedule for recreational needs created by new development. Impact fees can only be implemented after a Capital Improvements Program is prepared.

User Fees During the 1980s, the concept of user fees for the funding of numerous public facilities and services were widely adopted throughout the nation. Several communities in New Hampshire help finance community facilities and programs through the adoption of user fees. Examples of user fees in New Hampshire include water district charges and transfer station fees.

License and Permit Fees Fees, such as building permit, zoning application, and planning board subdivision and site plan fees, are all examples of permit fees. Such fees are highly equitable and are successful for minimizing the burden on taxpayers for specific programs such as building code enforcement.

Grants-in-Aid New Hampshire communities are eligible for various grants-in-aid for financing school construction and improvements. Examples include: • Foundation Aid to help schools provide minimum education • Building Aid • Handicap Education Aid • Area Vocational School Tuition and Transportation Aid • Sweepstakes Aid • Nutrition Grants • Driver Education

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Community Development Block Grants Depending on the location, social value, and functional use of a community facility, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) can sometimes be a good source of financing. CDBG funds are allocated from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and, in New Hampshire, are administered by the Office of State Planning. Each year, communities are invited to submit grant applications for funding of projects. Examples of projects funded by the CDBG program include Community Centers for the Towns of Pittsfield and Bradford. In 1999, New Hampshire received over 10 million dollars in CDBG funds that, through the grant process, were allocated to communities across the State.

Sale of Surplus Town Property and Land Sale of town-owned property is another viable option for raising funds to pay for new community facilities. Parcels that should be liquidated include those that have no significant conservation or cultural value, or limited potential for future facilities.

Capital Reserve Funds Capital reserve funds are similar to savings accounts, as they allow the Town to contribute money to a specific account for the purpose of purchasing or defraying the cost of significant items such as school additions, highway equipment, fire trucks, municipal facilities.

Bonds Bonding is a popular method of raising revenue to construct or purchase Town equipment and facilities. Though viable, the Town should avoid encumbering too much debt, as it can limit the ability of the Town to purchase future, unidentified needs.

Private Foundations / Trusts For years, communities have been the beneficiaries of trusts and donations created by private citizens and foundations. The Town should actively solicit such resources for assistance regarding the development or expansion of recreational facilities and programs.

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TEA-21 Recreational Trails Program A federal program administered in New Hampshire by the Department of Resources and Economic Development, Trails Bureau, funding is derived from the Federal Gas Tax. Annually, communities submit competitive grant applications for funds. Grant amounts are limited to a maximum of $20,000 and require an “in-kind” community match of 20% of the grant amount. Acceptable forms of matching contributions include cash, materials, labor, and in-kind services. Projects eligible for this funding include trails for both motorized and non-motorized use. In 1999, New Hampshire received a total of $472,741 for this program.

Town Appropriations In addition to grants, community groups can also seek appropriations through the annual budget process to pay for the expansion of recreational or community facilities.

Volunteers Dunbarton should continue to seek the help of volunteers and publicly recognize their efforts.

FUNDING SOURCES FOR CONSERVATION PROJECTS

While the list of choices for funding conservation and preservation endeavors is ever- changing with respect to local, regional, state, and federal grant programs, municipal “income” opportunities remain relatively stable. In addition, a municipal dollar- match is most often required in order to obtain any type of grant funding.

Municipal Contributions to the Conservation Fund Many Towns have created a separate Conservation Fund or an open space acquisition fund, through vote at Town Meeting, specifically for the purpose of paying for land acquisition or easements. Money for these funds may come from Town budget appropriations, land use change taxes, or proceeds from managing or selling Town property, just to name a few.

Appropriation from Town Budget - The Town can regularly set aside money for a Conservation Fund in their annual Town budgeting process. The land use change tax allocation to the Conservation Fund is an additional tool provided by a vote at Town Meeting.

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Proceeds from Managing or Selling Town Property - Towns that have property or resources that they manage often can provide income to the Town as well as the Conservation Fund. This is frequently done through timber harvest operations on mature forest land owned by the Town. The proceeds from the sale of Town property can also be dedicated to the Conservation Fund.

Bond Issue - The Town may agree to borrow money for a conservation project through a municipal bond issue.

Town Surplus Funds - The Town can apply funds, if they are available, that are left over from prior years' budgets to fund conservation projects.

Tax Liens - When the Town acquires property because the owner has not paid all of the taxes on the property, the Town can keep and manage the land and include it in as part of the Town’s conservation plan. On the other hand, if there is little resource value in the land, it could be sold and the revenue placed into the Conservation Fund.

Fines - Fines imposed for misuse of Town property could be allocated to the Conservation Fund by a vote at Town Meeting.

Land and Community Heritage Investment Program This State fund is designed to assist communities that want to conserve outstanding natural, historic, and cultural resources. There is a requirement that the Towns match the State money from this fund with a 50% match from other sources, which can include an “in kind” match, as well as funds from other sources.

State of New Hampshire Funding Sources The Departments of Environmental Services, Agriculture, Transportation, Resources and Economic Development, and many other State agencies offer grants on a matching basis to assist with conservation-related projects. Although not in a centralized listing, research can yield a number of grant opportunities to help offset the municipal costs of a project.

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Federal Funding Sources There are many potential funding sources at the federal level. Depending on the type of project to be undertaken, the federal government has an updated register of hundreds of grant programs located in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, currently at www.aspe.os.dhhs.gov/cfda/ialph.htm. The US Department of Agriculture office in Concord offers numerous free or low-cost services to municipalities.

In-Kind Services or Mini-Grants from Quasi-Public Entities The UNH Cooperative Extension and the Central NH Regional Planning Commission offer a variety of free or very low-cost services to municipalities within their respective areas. They may be able to provide technical assistance to help a town pursue grant funds, research potential grant opportunities, or perform training or site inspections.

Grants from Foundations The Town would need to research available grants and develop proposals to seek funding to conserve a particular piece of property or type of resource within the Town. Funding could be sought from foundations at the local, state, regional, and national level.

Cooperative Ventures with Private Organizations When the interests of the Town to conserve open space correspond with the interests of a private organization, the potential for a cooperative partnership to protect land exists. This tactic will require some creative thinking and introductory discussions by Town officials with area organizations who have, or could develop, an interest in conserving open space.

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FUNDING SOURCES FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

Transportation includes bicycle lanes, bridges, trails, as well as roads and is a very important part of a community. The creation, maintenance, and improvement of these systems are necessary for Dunbarton to meet the needs of its residents and to provide a reliable transportation network. The following programs and options should be reviewed by the Town as potential opportunities to meet the transportation goals set out in this Chapter of the Master Plan.

Federal Programs and Resources

Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) Enacted in June of 1998, this multi-billion dollar federal legislation authorizes the Federal Surface Transportation Programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for a six-year period (1998-2003). Essentially, this act served to reauthorize and expand ISTEA, which expired in 1997. TEA-21 is the parent legislation that funds a variety of transportation programs including the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program and the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program.

Transportation Enhancement Funds (TE) The Transportation Enhancements Program (TE) is another viable source for improving roads in communities. Funding for the TE program is slightly more than $3 million dollars in the State annually. These funds are provided in an 80/20 match, with the State paying for the majority of the project cost.

Typical examples of projects eligible for TE funds include: • Facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians; • Safety and education activities for bicyclists and pedestrians; • Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites; • Scenic or historic highway programs; • Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, and facilities; • Preservation of abandoned railway corridors; and • Establishment of transportation museums.

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Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Funds (CMAQ) The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program (CMAQ) is another viable source for improving roads in communities. Funding for the CMAQ program is in the vicinity of $10 million dollars in NH biennially. These funds are also provided in an 80/20 match, with the State paying for the majority of the project cost. Projects applying for CMAQ funds must demonstrate a benefit to air quality and often include sidewalk, transit, and rail projects.

Federal Aid Bridge Replacement Funds These funds are available for the replacement or rehabilitation of Town-owned bridges over 20 feet in length. Matching funds are required and applications for funding are processed through the NHDOT’s Municipal Highways Engineer.

State Funding Sources

Highway Block Grants Annually, the State apportions funds to all cities and towns for the construction and maintenance of Class IV and V roadways. Apportionment “A” funds comprise not less than 12% of the State Highway budget and are allocated based upon one-half the total road mileage and one-half the total population as the municipality bears to the state total. Apportionment “B” funds are allocated in the sum of $117 per mile of Class V road in the community. Block grant payment schedules are as follows: 30% in July, 30% in October, 20% in January, and 20% in April. Any unused funds may be carried over to the next fiscal year.

State Bridge Aid This program helps to supplement the cost to communities of bridge construction on Class II and V roads in the State. Funds are allocated by NHDOT in the order in which applications for assistance are received. The amount of aid a community may receive is based upon equalized assessed valuation and varies from two-thirds to seven-eighths of the total cost of the project.

Town Bridge Aid Like the State Bridge Aid program, this program also helps communities construct or reconstruct bridges on Class V roads. The amount of aid is also based upon equalized assessed valuation and ranges from one-half to seven-eighths of the total cost of the project. All bridges constructed with these funds must be designed to support a load of at least 15 tons. As mandated by State Law, all bridges constructed with these funds on Class II roads must be maintained by the State, while all bridges constructed on Class V roads must be maintained by the Town. Any community that

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fails to maintain bridges installed under this program shall be forced to pay the entire cost of maintenance plus 10% to the State Treasurer.

Local Sources of Transportation Improvement Funds

Local Option Fee for Transportation Improvements New Hampshire RSA 261:153 VI (a) grants municipalities the ability to institute a surcharge on all motor vehicle registrations for the purpose of funding the construction or reconstruction of roads, bridges, public parking areas, sidewalks, and bicycle paths. Funds generated under this law may also be used as matching funds for state projects. The maximum amount of the surcharge permitted by law is $5, with $.50 allowed to be reserved for administering the program.

Impact Fees Authorized by RSA 674:21, communities can adopt an impact fee ordinance to offset the costs of expanding services and facilities that must be absorbed when a new home or commercial unit is constructed in Town. Unlike exactions, impact fees are uniform fees administered by the building inspector and are collected for general impacts of the development, as opposed to exactions that are administered by the Planning Board and are collected for specific impacts unique to new site plans or subdivisions on Town roads. The amount of an impact fee is developed through a series of calculations. Impact fees are charged to new homes or commercial structures at the time a building permit is issued.

When considering implementing an impact fee ordinance, it is important to understand that the impact fee system is adopted by amending the Zoning Ordinance. The law also requires that communities adopting impact fees must have a current Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Lastly, State law also stipulates that all impact fees collected by a community must be used within 6 years from the date they were collected, or else they must be refunded to the current property owners of the structure for which the fee was initially collected.

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Capital Reserve Funds This is a popular method to set money aside for future road improvements. RSA 35:3 mandates that such accounts must be created by a warrant article at Town Meeting. The same warrant article should also stipulate how much money will be appropriated to open the fund, as well as identify which Town entity will be the agent to expend the funds. Once established, communities typically appropriate more funds annually to replenish the fund or to be saved and thus earn interest that will be put towards large projects or expenditures in the future.

FUNDING SOURCES FOR HOUSING PROJECTS

Housing Grants, Loans, and Programs Numerous grants or loans are available to assist municipalities with providing affordable housing for their residents. Nearly all grants require a match amount to signify the recipient’s commitment to the project. Money to be used as match should be appropriated at Town Meeting.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Administered by the Office of Energy and Planning, the New Hampshire CDBG Program receives several million dollars annually, which communities may compete for to finance affordable housing projects, including rehabilitation of affordable housing units, or expansion of infrastructure to serve affordable housing units. Since its inception in 1983, the CDBG program has renovated or purchased over 8,500 dwelling units in New Hampshire.

Common CDBG projects include: - Acquisition and rehabilitation of properties through Housing Trusts; - Single family housing rehabilitation loans and grants; - Loans and grants for land lords that provide decent, safe, and sanitary affordable housing to low to moderate-income renters; and - The acquisition and rehabilitation of structures to provide alternative living environments, such as elderly homes, group homes, and boarding houses.

Communities that apply for CDBG funds are required to have a properly adopted Community Housing Plan. Such a plan must be adopted by the Selectmen or Town / City Council at a properly noticed public hearing, and is considered valid for 3 years by the NHOSP CDBG program.

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Concord Area Trust for Community Housing (CATCH) The Concord Area Trust for Community Housing is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to creating and preserving affordable housing, and to helping renters become owners, throughout Merrimack County. CATCH helps communities by increasing the housing stock within a community, educating and supporting residents looking to buy their first home, and maintaining the properties they already own. CATCH accomplishes these goals through the initiative and dedication of local members and volunteers.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been fostering affordable housing in many of the nation’s communities since its inception in 1965. HUD administers numerous programs to provide housing for low to moderate-income families.

Popular rental assistance programs include: - Section 8 Housing: Program whereby private landlords enter into a contract with the federal government where, in exchange for providing sub-market rent to low to moderate-income families, the landlord receives a government subsidy. - Public Housing: Program in which the federal government provides resources for the operation of housing units owned and operated by a local, state, or federal entities. - Subsidized Private Housing: Program in which housing units are owned and operated by a private entity, but are partially funded with public resources to reduce rent. This is similar to the Section 8 Housing program. - HOME Grant Program: A program created to provide local and state entities with start-up money to develop affordable housing projects.

HUD also administers several popular home ownership programs for low to moderate-income families.

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Housing Development Trust The Housing Development Trust is a broad based funding program that provides funding for either owner-occupied or rental housing to benefit lower-income households. The program is intended to support projects that could be financed through conventional means. Funds are to be targeted to very low-income groups and the NH Housing Finance Authority gives priority to projects meeting the following qualifying standards:

1) Projects containing the highest percentage of housing units affordable to very low income people. 2) Projects based on the longest commitment to very low-income people. 3) Projects addressing demonstrated housing needs. 4) Projects containing the highest possible proportion of units available for families with children.

In addition to the criteria outlined above, the following types of projects are eligible for funding: a) Multi-family limited equity cooperatives b) Manufactured housing cooperatives c) Group homes for the disabled d) Multi-family rental e) Transitional housing for the homeless f) Emergency shelters g) Elderly congregate care

New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) The Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is also an important public source for the purchase and/or rehabilitation of low to moderate-income housing. CDFA provides funds by “pooling” money from various banks and lending institutions to provide grants or very low interest loans to groups developing affordable housing. In addition to this source, CDFA has the unique ability to grant tax credits to private developers who provide properties for rehabilitation into low to moderate-income housing.

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New Hampshire Community Loan Fund (NHCLF) Founded in 1983, this organization helps connect low-income households with lending institutions willing to invest in housing projects to serve low-income housing opportunities. In 1999, the organization loaned $2,130,643 to start 12 low-income housing projects throughout New Hampshire. Projects which this organization has helped to develop include Meadow Brook Elderly Housing in Epsom and the Riverbend Special Needs Housing Facility in Boscawen.

New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA) Created in 1981 by the State Legislature, the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA) is a nonprofit entity committed to developing affordable housing opportunities in New Hampshire. NHHFA is funded through the sale of tax exempt bonds. The authority has created several multifamily housing development programs which provide investors with incentives such as tax credits, deferred mortgage payments, low interest loans, and grants. In recent years, the NHHFA has been involved in the creation of Mobile Home Park Cooperatives, as well as construction and rehabilitation of rental housing and single family homes.

Public Land/Affordable Rental Housing Program The Public Land/Affordable Housing Rental Program is a State program passed by the General Court in 1986. The program allows surplus public land to be leased at no consideration to the NH Housing Finance Authority for the development of low- income housing. The intent of the program is to remove the land cost of development to allow for the construction of low-income housing that can be economically feasible. The NH Housing Finance Authority will self-finance, construct, and manage the housing. The greatest limitation facing the program is the availability of properly zoned surplus lands.

Single-Family Mortgage Program The Single-Family Mortgage Program is by far the most significant State housing program. The program provides low-interest loans for first-time homebuyers within the established housing price and income guidelines. The program is financed through the issuance of tax exempt bonds by NH Housing Finance Authority. In general, a first-time homebuyer applies for a NH Housing Finance Authority loan through a conventional mortgage institution. If the applicant, as well as the home qualifies, the NH Housing Finance Authority takes over the mortgage from the lending institution. The program provides assistance to a large number of first-time home buyers; however, the limits placed on purchase prices together with stringent income guidelines excludes nearly all families below the median income level.

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US Department of Agriculture – Rural Housing Service (RHS) Like HUD, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also has affordable housing programs for low to moderate-income families located in rural communities. Each year the USDA provides 65,000 low to moderate-income families find decent affordable housing. Popular affordable housing programs that the USDA administers include:

- Home ownership loans which require no down payment and have below market interest rates; - Self Help Housing Programs where USDA provides materials to families which build their own homes while working with other families; - Rural Rental Housing Loans which assist developers financing low to moderate- income rental housing; - Farm Labor Housing Loans for the repair of construction of farm worker housing; - Housing Preservation Grants; and - Housing Subsidies; and, Community Facilities Loans, Grants, or Loan Guarantees.

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CENTRAL NH REGION TOWN OFFICES

Peer-to-peer communication and information sharing are keys to the success of any local conservation project, particularly when trail or conservation opportunities cross into an adjoining town. These addresses and phone numbers serve Boards of Selectmen, Planning Boards, Zoning Boards, and Conservation Commissions.

Allenstown Town Hall Concord City Hall 16 School Street 41 Green Street Allenstown, NH 03275 Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 485-4276 Phone: 225-8515 Website: www.allenstown.org Website: www.onconcord.com

Boscawen Town Offices Deering Town Hall 116 North Main Street RR 1, Box 166 Boscawen, NH 03303 Deering, NH 03244 Phone: 753-9188 Phone: 464-3248 Website: www.deering.nh.us Bow Municipal Building 10 Grandview Road Dunbarton Town Hall Bow, NH 03304 1011 School Street Phone: 225-3008 Dunbarton, NH 03045 Website: www.bow-nh.com Phone: 774-3541 Website: www.dunbartonnh.org Bradford Town Hall 75 West Main Street Epsom Town Offices Bradford, NH 03221 Blackhall Road, PO Box 10 Phone: 938-5900 Epsom, NH 03234 Website: www.bradfordnh.com Phone: 736-9002

Canterbury Town Hall Henniker Town Hall Hackleboro Road, PO Box 500 2 Depot Hill Road Canterbury, NH 03224 Henniker, NH 03242 Phone: 783-9955 Phone: 428-3221 Website: www.henniker.org Chichester Town Hall 54 Main Street Hillsborough Town Hall Chichester, NH 03234 29 School Street, PO Box 7 Phone: 798-5350 Hillsboro, NH 03244 Website: www.chichesternh.org Phone: 464-3877 Website: www.town.hillsborough.nh.us

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Hopkinton Town Hall Salisbury Town Hall 330 Main Street 9 Old Church Road, PO Box 214 Hopkinton, NH 03229 Salisbury, NH 03268 Phone: 746-3170 Phone: 648-2473 Website: www.hopkintonnh.org Sutton Town Hall Loudon Town Offices 93 Main Street, PO Box 487 29 South Village Road, PO Box 7837 Sutton, NH 03260 Loudon, NH 03301 Phone: 927-4416 Phone: 798-4541 Website: www.sutton-nh.gov

Pembroke Town Hall Warner Town Hall 311 Pembroke Street 5 East Main Street, PO Box 265 Pembroke, NH 03275 Warner, NH 03278 Phone: 485-4747 Phone: 456-2298 Website: www.pembroke-nh.com Website: www.warner.nh.us

Pittsfield Town Hall Webster Town Hall 85 Main Street, PO Box 98 945 Battle Street Pittsfield, NH 03263 Webster, NH 03303 Phone: 435-6773 Phone: 648-2272 Website: www.pittsfield-nh.com

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PUBLICATIONS AND PLANNING REFERENCES

Following is a short list of the numerous planning publications available to assist local Planning Boards and Conservation Commissions. For more resources or information, contact the Central NH Regional Planning Commission.

Alternative Techniques for Managing Growth, Irving Schiffman, Institute of Governmental Studies Press 1999.

Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities, Jim Howe, Ed McMahon and Luther Post, the Conservation Fund and the Sonoron Institute.

Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act, New Hampshire RSA 483:11.

Conservation Design for Subdivisions, Randall Arendt, Island Press 1996.

Conservation Easements for New Hampshire Farms: A Guide for Decision Making, NH Coalition for Sustaining Agriculture, UNH Cooperative Extension.

Does Open Space Pay?, Philip A Auger, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.

Identifying and Protecting New Hampshire’s Significant Wildlife Habitat: A Guide for Towns and Conservation Groups, Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program of the NH Department of Fish and Game.

Minimum Impact Development Partnership “MID Toolbox,” The Jordan Institute, www.nhmid.org/toolbox.htm.

New Hampshire’s Vanishing Forests: Conversion, Fragmentation, and Parcelization of Forests in the Granite State, Society for the Protection of NH Forests 2001. www.spnhf.org

Open Space for New Hampshire: A Toolbook of Techniques for the New Millennium, NH Wildlife Trust Preserving Rural Character Kit, NH Coalition for Sustaining Agriculture, UNH Cooperative Extension.

Rural by Design, Randall Arendt et al, American Planning Association 1994.

1999 Natural Cultural, and Historical Resources Inventory of the Central New Hampshire Region, Regional Environmental Planning Program of the Central NH Regional Planning Commission.

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Geohydrology and Water Quality of Stratified Drift Aquifers in the Upper Merrimack, South-Central NH Water Resources Investigation Report 95-4123, prepared by Peter Stekl and Sarah Flanagan, US Geological Survey, Pembroke NH 1997.

Geohydrology and Water Quality of Stratified Drift Aquifers in the Middle Merrimack, South-Central NH Water Resources Investigation Report 92-4192, prepared by Joseph Ayotte and Kenneth Toppin, US Geological Survey, Pembroke NH 1995.

Merrimack County Soil Survey, US Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, US Government Printing Office,1965.

A Hard Road to Travel, H. Bernie Waugh Jr. of the New Hampshire Municipal Association 1997.

Best Management Practices for Erosion Control During Trail Maintenance and Construction, NH Department of Resources and Economic Development 1996.

Handbook for Municipal Conservation Commissions in New Hampshire, NH Association of Conservation Commissions, 1988 with revisions through 1997.

At What Cost? Shaping the Land We Call New Hampshire, edited by Richard Ober, Society for the Protection of NH Forests 1992.

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