Selectmen’s Meeting
March 21, 2005
I. Call to Order
Selectman Harding called the meeting to order at 7:08pm. Present were Selectman John P. Ulcickas, Selectman Norman P. Harding, Selectman Gary F. Nelson and Town Administrator, Nancy J. Wrigley. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager, Mary B. Winglass.
· Selectmen’s Reorganization Meeting
Selectman Harding asked if there were any nominations for Chairman for the Board of Selectmen.
Selectman Nelson motioned to have Selectman Norman Harding as the Chairman for the Board of Selectmen. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
The Selectmen then discussed assigning a Selectmen’s liaison, ex-officio or representative to the town’s committees, commissions and departments; the Selectmen decided the following;
Planning Board – Selectman Norman Harding, Ex-Officio
Conservation Commission – Selectman John P. Ulcickas, Liaison
Recreation Commission – Selectman Gary F. Nelson, Liaison
SWDA – Selectman Gary F. Nelson
Building Inspector’s Department – Selectman John P. Ulcickas
NCAT-20 Cable TV – Selectman Norman P. Harding, Liaison
Stewardship Committee – Selectman John P. Ulcickas
II. Introduction of Guests
III. Old Business
A. Continued discussion of electrical repairs at Town Hall
Chairman Harding stated that this issue was discussed at the last Selectmen’s meeting and it was determined then to wait on making a decision until after town meeting. The electrical repairs include relocating the thermostat, installing a 4000W electrical heater in the town clerk/tax collectors office, installing a outlet by the stage, changing the outlet at the left of the stage, replace a socket on the chandelier, replace two combination exit/emergency lights in the main hall and replace the emergency light in the kitchen and install a new emergency light in the Planning Board office. The Board discussed the need of an exit sign for over the door in the Planning Board office. The total estimate from Councilman Electric to cover the cost of materials and labor is $1,976.75.
Selectman Harding motioned to hire Councilman Electric to do the electrical work at Town Hall not to exceed a total cost of $2,000. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
B. Continued discussion of internal accounting procedures
Chairman Harding read an interoffice memo from TA, Nancy Wrigley outlining the information she received from Town Auditor Robert Vachon of Vachon & Clukay regarding the Newton Food Pantry donations and the Fire Department “Rescue Squad” and a “Fire Fund” using the town TIN number. Nancy stated that she was told that the only one that should be using the town TIN number is the Board of Selectmen; that whomever is using the TIN number, the Board needs to hold a public hearing to accept and expend the funds.
Nancy added that Fire Chief Bill Ingalls is still checking on his accounts and the best way to proceed since the Fire Association is the responsible party of these funds. Nancy added that she has spoken to Welfare Agent, Connie Smith and it was decided that a log will be prepared by Connie to track all donations for the Selectmen to accept at a public hearing.
Selectman Harding stated that he has had two meetings with Merrimac Savings Bank and with the Planning Board in order to try to smooth out the path between the two boards and to discuss banking options for the town. The Board discussed that in the near future having a meeting with all parties, Planning Board, Treasurer and the Selectmen to discuss internal accounting procedures.
The Board decided to hold a meeting with John Meserve, President of Merrimac Savings Bank and Treasurer, Elizabeth Standing at 6pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 to discuss the accounts and to make a final decision on which town accounts will be transferred.
C. Discussion of setting a date for the third site walk to view the status of four zoning violations
Selectman Harding explained that there are four residents in town that the Selectmen have been working with regarding zoning violations on their property. At the last site walk, the Selectmen decided to view the properties again on or about April 1st to determine if any progress has been made regarding the removal of junk and junk vehicles. The Selectmen decided that since it has been a very snowy winter to wait until Saturday, May 14th to hold the site walk starting at 10am. A letter will be sent to the owners of the properties informing them of the date and time of the site walk.
IV. New Business
A. Web site service agreement and domain registration
The Selectmen discussed the option of paying $125 per year for a .gov domain or $30 for an .org commercial domain. The Selectmen decided to register the town with a .gov domain for this is consistent with other cities, towns and other government entities.
Also discussed was the fact that the Selectmen did not like dashes in the website address as suggested by Virtual Town Hall i.e. NEWTON-NH.GOV. Office Manager, Mary Winglass will look into why this was suggested and to exclude the dashes from the address if possible.
The Selectmen then reviewed the Virtual Town Hall Service Agreement which outlined the services that will be provided to create a custom website using the VTH content management system and the fees for development, user training and the annual application services and hosting.
Selectman Nelson motioned to have Chairman Harding sign the Virtual Town Hall Agreement and to send out the first installment for a one-time design & development fee of $395. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
B. Letter from Family Mediation and Juvenile Services RE: Community Services
Chairman Harding read a letter that the Selectmen received regarding utilizing the Newton Transfer Station for placement of our community service kids from Family Mediation & Juvenile Services. Richard Cram, Program Coordinator stated in his letter that it has been a pleasure to work with Bill Brousseau, Attendant at the Newton Transfer Station, who always goes above and beyond to assist in helping these youth complete their community service. “It is the commitment of people in the community like Bill and the support of the selectmen that assist our agency in meeting the needs of these youth.”
The Selectmen publicly thanked Bill for working with Family Mediation and Juvenile Services.
C. School Impact Fee 2005 Update – Information Needed
The Selectmen reviewed an e-mail received from Planning Consultant, Bruce Mayberry that listed information that he will need to obtain from the town and the School District for the update to the School Impact Fee Ordinance. In gathering this information for Mr. Mayberry, will save the town from paying for consulting and travel time that Mr. Mayberry would need to devote to the update.
Selectman Nelson offered to contact Mark Grey, Business Administrator of the Sanborn School District for help in gathering school information for the update. Town Administrator, Nancy Wrigley stated that she will meet with Town Assessor, Andrea Lewy and Building Inspector, Mike DiBartolomeo to discuss the town information.
V. Announcements
· 2004 Sales Assessment Ratio is 53.9%. Chairman Harding explained that this is the ratio that is derived from comparing town property market values to the town’s assessment values. The town is scheduled to conduct a revaluation of properties this year, which will bring the values close to 100%; this in turn should reduce the tax rate.
VI. Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
· Selectmen’s Public and Non-Public meeting minutes of March 7, 2005
Chairman Harding motioned to accept the Selectmen’s public and non-public meeting minutes of March 7, 2005. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Chairman Harding and Selectman Nelson – yes; Selectman Ulcickas – abstained. Motion passed.
VII. Report of Department Heads
Chairman Harding announced that the Cable Committee is still looking for people to film meetings. A discussion ensued regarding an age limit for working late in the evening filming meetings, for if there is no limit then we could contact the High School guidance department with this employment opportunity for students. The Selectmen decided to check the Adelphia Communications contract for any restrictions.
VIII. Reports from Department Heads
TA, Nancy Wrigley asked the Selectmen if anyone was planning on attending the local official workshop sponsored by the Local Government Center. Selectman John Ulcickas stated that he is planning on attending the session on June 1st in Exeter. Selectman Nelson added that he needs to look at his schedule as he is interested in attending the advanced local official workshop.
IX. Adjourn
Selectman Harding motioned to adjourn at 8:34pm. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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