SELECTMEN’S MEETING
October 17, 2005
Call to Order
Chairman Harding called the meeting to order at 6:33pm. In attendance were Selectman John P. Ulcickas, Selectman Gary F. Nelson, Chairman Norman P. Harding and Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. The meeting was video taped by the Cable Committee.
Selectman Nelson motioned to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) – Personnel. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Nelson – yes, Selectman Ulcickas – yes, Chairman Harding - yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Harding motioned to close the non-public meeting at 6:45pm. Per unanimous roll call vote, the minutes of the meeting will remain confidential until, in the opinion of the majority of the members, the circumstances no longer apply except to announce the merit increase for Mary Jo McCullough, Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector from Grade VIII, step 4 to Grade VIII, step 8, $12.31 per hour effective September 4, 2005.
Introduction of Guests
Mr. Jim Rice from Avitar Associates of NE, Inc. RE: Revaluation values
Mr. Jim Rice from Avitar Associates was present and discussed that the revaluation has been completed and the overall total assessment of the town went from $257,494,083 to 529,631,158, which is an increase of 106%. Jim added that statistically the town is good shape with the property assessments. Most of the increases in assessment are due to the land values as it tripled since the last full revaluation which was completed in 1992. Also, this revaluation included the pickup of some year round campers that will pay taxes for the first time this year. Jim added that the Public Hearing process did not have 10% of the taxpayers come in to discuss their new values. The next process for the residents who do not agree with their new values is to file for abatement after the second tax bill but before
March 1st. A copy of the sales manual used for the analysis was given to the Selectmen and one was given to the State Monitor with a map of the town.
Chairman Harding motioned to accept Avitar Associates of NE, Inc. revaluation results of $529,631,158. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Discussion of Portable classroom at the Sanborn Memorial School.
Present to discuss the issue of the portable classroom at the Sanborn Memorial School were Chief Building Official Mike DiBartolomeo, Asst. Building Official Kris Emerson, State Chief Plumbing Inspector, Nancy Allen, Governor’s Commission on Disability Cheryl Killiam, Sanborn Regional Superintendent Frank Scala, Interim Business Administrator Carol Coppola, Maintenance and Transportation Committee Chairman James Doggett, Director of Buildings and Grounds Steve Riley. Memorial School Principal Brian Buckley arrived shortly after the discussion commenced.
Chairman Harding stated that he will take a step back from this discussion due to his involvement with the Chair of the Sanborn Regional School Board.
James Doggett requested a modification to the code requirement to eliminate the requirement for the bathroom for the modular classrooms. Mr. Doggett added that this item was not budgeted for and the school simply does not have the money and by requiring it would take away from educational purposes. It was explained that one trailer is being used as office space the other is used for a one on one classroom experience. Mr. Doggett added that the bathroom was not a problem at the beginning of this project, now it is suddenly a problem and all other issues have been addressed and they are waiting for inspections.
Building Inspector Mike DiBartolomeo stated that he respectfully disagrees with eliminating the bathroom requirement but the Building Code does allow for exceptions through the State Building Code Review Board per RSA 155A:3 XI. Mr. DiBartolomeo added that the contractor who installed the modular classrooms has an obligation and is responsible for meeting the minimum of the state building code. Mr. DiBartolomeo added that as far as the other issues, he has not heard from the electrician for an inspection, he has some concerns with the accessibility entrance and the tie downs.
Selectman Nelson stated that this portable was used for one year without a bathroom and he was confused as to when the bathroom became an issue for it seems that this issue came in as an after thought. Mr. DiBartolomeo responded that he did not have access to the modular until much later in the process, therefore he was unaware that the modular did not house a bathroom.
Mr. Doggett stated that State Building Code Article 104:10 allows for the modification from the Board of Selectmen. Mr. DiBartolomeo responded that the code requires two bathrooms for both women and men, a separate hand sink and a water bubbler. By only requiring one unisex bathroom, they are receiving a modification; eliminating the bathrooms all together is not recommended.
State of New Hampshire Chief Plumbing Inspector Nancy Allen discussed that she was asked to address the issue with the bathrooms this past summer and after investigating it calculated the four bathroom requirements. Nancy added that Mr. DiBartolomeo’s modification of the plumbing code to allow for one unisex bathroom is very reasonable.
Mr. DiBartolomeo asked Cheryl Killiam, State Accessibility expert to speak on the accessibility ramp. Mr. Doggett stated that the ramp had been completed about a month ago and that they have called for an inspection. Cheryl responded that she inspected the site four times and found deficiencies and she has been back to the school twice since and has not been contacted that the work has been completed.
Selectman Nelson stated that he feels that there is blame on both sides and where do we start tonight?
Mr. DiBartolomeo referenced a letter sent to Business Administrator, Mark Grey dated August 17, 2004 which outlined the need in obtaining the applicable permits and the list included a plumbing permit and the need to arrange for inspections. Mr. DiBartolomeo added that inspections need to be completed on the tie downs, the electrical work, the bathroom and the accessibility ramp needs to be inspected.
Mr. Doggett reiterated that the students using this building are escorted in and out for a 45 minute session and the other is used for office space. If they need to install the bathroom then the building would no longer meet the educational standards for size. This is a short term situation. Mr. Doggett stated that if they are required to install a bathroom then they will be forced to get rid of the modular for they have no money for the installation of the bathroom. Mr. DiBartolomeo responded that the contractor has some responsibility and should be contacted to rectify the bathroom situation.
Mr. Doggett requested that the Selectmen make a decision one way or the other so that everything will come to a conclusion. Chairman Harding stated that the ball has been dropped by a lot of people at the school and the town, yet he feels that one bathroom should be required and could be accomplished by installing a portable bathroom. Chairman Harding added that he recommends that the Board not micromanage the Building Department.
Kris Emerson, Assistant Building Official discussed that he has been out to the site three times over the past summer to look at the accessibility ramp and the anchorage of the unit to the ground using the tie downs. He has requested on two occasions, the need to see the manufacturers instructions to make sure they were installed correctly and has not received them as of yet.
Mr. DiBartolomeo stated that he hopes that the School Board will contact the Building Department to use them as a resource when they are in the planning stages for any new addition or changes to the building.
Chairman Harding motioned to defer this decision to the Building Department. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Old Business
Transfer Station Manager, Roger Clark RE: Hiring at the Transfer Station
The Board reviewed a request from Transfer Station Manager, Roger Clark to hire a part-time laborer to work at the Transfer Station. Mr. Clark’s reasoning is that we have lost 2 part-time laborers in the past two years and they have not been replaced and he has had one employee cut back on her hours. This leaves the personnel very low and it will be difficult to fill in the hours if someone gets hurt or sick. Mr. Clark added that funds are available in his budget to cover the cost of hiring this new employee.
The Board reviewed the advertisement and made a few changes as well as questioning the hourly wage and whether the town will find anyone to work for that wage.
Continued discussion of the Gale Library and Town Hall repairs
Gale Library repairs
The Board reviewed a e-mail received from Library Director, Teresa Caswell regarding the brick work estimates and that she still has not received the second quote and the one quote received will require 3 to 4 weeks notice before work commences. The Board decided to wait until next year for these repairs and to include this estimate in the General Government Buildings budget.
Hand rail attached to the handicap ramp into the Planning Board
The Board reviewed an estimate to supply materials and labor to fabricate and install approx. 300 lineal feet of steel pipe hand rail to replace the existing wood hand rails on the handicapped ramp. All steel will be primed and painted for a total of $3,000.00. The Board agreed that this proposal is cost effective and more in-line with the structure in place. This repair will keep the Planning Board office functional only and this is only a band aid to fix this problem.
Another proposal received from Harley Gleason for a total of $6,750 was for the installation of a handicap rail made of anodized aluminum pipe to be mechanically attached to the building using stainless steel hardware.
Chairman Harding motioned to hire Richard’s Steel & Iron, Inc. to replace the handrail to the Planning Board for $3,000. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Town Hall electrical work
The Board reviewed an estimate received from Councilman Electric, Inc. to cover the cost, materials and labor to install 11(eleven) 8’ (4’4 lamp) tandem T-8 fixtures in the meeting room of the Town Hall for $1,754. Unitil Energy Systems will rebate the town ½ of the total after the work has been completed and the invoice is paid to Councilman Electric. Other work included in the estimate is to install 3 thermostats for electric heat and to install 3 dedicated circuits to instant hots. Instant hots are under the counter heating device for under the sink in the bathrooms which will allow the town to shut down the burners during the summertime.
The Board approved of these upgrades to the electrical work for it will help to decrease the electrical and the frequent running of the oil burner.
Continued review of the 2006 preliminary budgets
The Board decided to review the preliminary budgets at a work meeting and scheduled said meeting for Monday, October 24th which was then later rescheduled for Wednesday, October 26th at 6pm.
Update on the Citizen’s Corps Council
The Board discussed that we have not had any interest in this council from the residents. Selectman Nelson stated that he received a call from a resident who was working on trying to put together a council but he has not heard from him for some time.
Selectman Nelson motioned to send back the $9,600 for the Citizen Corps Council, which is a citizen run Council and we cannot get anyone to step up and run it. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
New Business
2005 Town Paving Program
The Board reviewed a proposal from Bell & Flynn, Inc. for paving of Smith Corner Road, Whittier Street/Pond Street Intersection, Whittier Street to Highland Street for a total of $78,300. The proposal included a price of $6,500 for the pavement of the driveway at the West Main Street Fire Station.
The Board reviewed a second proposal from Pike Industries for the paving of the same locations as listed above for a total of $80,346 with a price for the West Main Street at $8,366.
Chairman Harding motioned to award the paving contract to Bell and Flynn, Inc. for the total of $78,300 Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board then discussed the Central Fire Station land that abuts the Newton Learning Center. Kati Aveni from the Newton Learning Center was present and discussed with Road Agent Frank Gibbs the installation of the new driveway and Frank asked for the new driveway to be installed high enough so there is a pitch and he will fill in the side of the driveway and trench it to the fire pond.
2005-2006 Plowing Season Policy
The Board reviewed the 2004-2005 Plowing Season Policy and discussed with Road Agent Frank Gibbs increasing the fuel inflation surcharge and to change the hourly wage accordingly.
Chairman Harding motioned to set the fuel inflation surcharge minimum at 2.819 per gallon for the 2005-2006 Plowing Season Policy . The benchmark price is the posted pump price for 89 octane at the Route 108 General Store as of 10am on the day of snow removal, not the billing date. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Harding motioned to accept the new hourly pay for the 2005-2006 Plowing Season for drivers as follows; 8’ plow blade at $47.88; 9’ plow blade at $49.88 per hour; 10’ plow blade at $55.88 per hour; Sanding at $60.88 per hour. Second by Selectman Nelson.. Vote: Unanimous.
Announcements
Police Chief Streeter requested to speak with the Board about a new Newton Watch Association that is sponsoring a Parent Notice “DNA LifePrint Child Safety Program” on Saturday, October 22, 2005 starting at 10am to 3pm at the Newton Memorial School Gym located at 31 West Main Street. This program is endorsed by John Walsh, America’s most recognized child advocate and crime fighter. This program is sponsored by Newton Watch, Ann Miles Builder, Newton Junction Baptist Church and Merrimac Savings Bank. Other associations will be present like the Newton Police Association who will be giving away gifts. This is a nice community event and everyone is invited.
Chief Streeter then presented the Board with a copy of the Police Department’s 2006 proposed budget. Chief Streeter added that he will supply the office staff with the support documentation to back up this budget tomorrow.
Chief Streeter then briefly discussed two ordinance warrant articles that he is preparing for the Board’s review. One ordinance is for noise and the other is a hawker and peddlers licensing ordinance.
Chairman Harding announced that the Cable Committee will be meeting with Verizon Communications on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 7pm to discuss a future contract for cable services for the town of Newton. This meeting is open to the public and residents are encouraged to get involved.
Chairman Harding announced that Newton will take part in the town perambulation with member of the East Kingston Conservation Commission on November 19th at 9am and they will meet at the Industrial Park on Route 108 in East Kingston. Every seven years it is required that the town conduct a perambulation which requires walking through the woods to find the town bounds.
Selectman Nelson announced that the Sanborn Touchdown Club meets every third Wednesday at 7:30pm at the High School library. Residents are encouraged to get involved.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
Selectmen’s Site Walk minutes of October 1, 2005
Chairman Harding motioned to accept the site walk minutes of October 1, 2005. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectmen’s Public meeting minutes of October 3, 2005
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the public meeting minutes of October 3, 2005. Second by Chairman Harding. Discussion: Selectman Ulcickas requested a change to the minutes to take out the word “younger” when discussing hiring a part time laborer at the Transfer Station. Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the minutes as amended. Chairman Harding seconded to accept the minutes as amended. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Harding motioned to adjourn at 10:06pm Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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