SELECTMEN’S MEETING
November 7, 2005
Call to Order
Chairman Harding called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. 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.
Chairman Harding motioned to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) - tax lien and (a) – employee evaluations. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Ulcickas – yes, Selectman Nelson – yes, Chairman Harding – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Harding closed the non-public meeting at 7:15pm. 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 a 5% increases for the following town employees; Payroll Administrator/Bookkeeper Kim Hughes, Office Manager Mary Winglass and Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley effective November 6, 2005.
Introduction of Guests
Police Chief Streeter Re: Appointments
Police Chief Streeter discussed with the Board that we are all well aware that the town is short staffed and he has been trying to fill the void by searching for candidates. Chief Streeter stated that he has a full time officer graduating on the 18th of this month and he is looking forward to having him on duty. But that the department is still short staffed on part time officers and he is here tonight to introduce four candidates who have completed the interview process to fill the positions of part time officers. Chief Streeter stated that he is presenting four highly qualified candidates tonight and he is proud to have them represent the Newton Police Department.
Christopher W. Alexopolous lives in Plaistow is married and has one daughter. Mr. Alexopolous has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor is psychology and has previous experience as an airport security screener and an extensive customer service background. He is currently employed full time in Londonderry, NH.
John C. Owens lives in Newton for the past 13 years is married with two sons. He is employed as an EMT 1 and is the Emergency Management Director for the Town of Newton and has previous experience in the Army as an EMT and as a Firefighter.
Kimberly M. Schroth lives in Amesbury, MA and is single. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and has previous experience in the Army.
Bradley W. Zarba lives in Tewksbury, MA is married and has one son and one daughter. Mr. Zarba is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice and has previous experience as an EMT, a Deputy Sheriff through the Middlesex Massachusetts Sheriffs department and as a Police Officer in Hampton, NH and Burlington, MA.
Chairman Harding stated that tonight is just a formality as the Board trusts the Chief with his selection of candidates. No one had any questions for the candidates. Chief Streeter added that each of these candidates have paid for the pre-employment psychological and medical examinations; the town has spent nothing.
Selectman Nelson motioned to hire Christopher W. Alexopolous as a Part Time Patrolman at Grade X, step 1, $11.42 per hour effective November 6, 2005. Second by Chairman Harding. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Nelson motioned to hire John C. Owens as a Part Time Patrolman at Grade X, step 1, $11.42 per hour effective November 6, 2005. Second by Chairman Harding. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Nelson motioned to hire Kimberly M. Schroth as a Part Time Patrolman at Grade X, step 1, $11.42 per hour effective November 6, 2005. Second by Chairman Harding. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Nelson motioned to hire Bradley W. Zarba as a Part Time Patrolman at Grade X, step 1, $11.42 per hour effective November 6, 2005. Second by Chairman Harding. Vote: Unanimous.
Old Business
Request for Emma Ingalls, 91 yr. old resident, to be the holder of the Boston Post Cane
Chairman Harding announced that we received a request from William Ingalls for his mother Emma Ingalls at 91 years of age to be the holder of the Boston Post Cane. The Board has put out a call to the residents to contact them in order to find out who is the oldest resident in town so they can be awarded the holder of the Boston Post Cane. The only response we have received is from William Ingalls.
Selectman Nelson stated that he received a call from a resident stating that there is someone older than Emma Ingalls in town. Selectman Nelson will forward this information to the office staff so they can contact this resident for more information. The Board decided to continue this discussion until the next scheduled Selectmen’s meeting on November 14th.
Treasurer, Elizabeth Standing Re: August, September and October month end reconciliation
The Board reviewed the August and September month-end reconciliations from Treasurer Elizabeth Standing. Ms. Standing informed the Board that she has not yet received the October bank statement from Merrimac Savings Bank in order to complete the reconciliation. Chairman Harding questioned where the fees received from the Police Department are listed. Ms. Standing responded that they are lumped in with the Selectmen’s deposits.
Ms. Standing then informed the Board that the Citizens Bank account will be closed the day after Thanksgiving but that the BankNorth account can not be closed out just yet as there are still some outstanding checks. Chairman Harding questioned Ms. Standing on the activity on the old Newton Professional Review Engineering Account. Ms. Standing responded that the account holds approximately $12 and she plans on closing the account. Chairman Harding then discussed with Ms. Standing a memo from the Planning Board about road bonds and the procedure to be followed regarding releasing bond money. Ms. Standing responded that the last request from the Planning Board for a reduction to a road bond was not processed right away as she was given an incorrect balance.
Continued review of the 2006 preliminary budget and warrant articles
The Board tabled their review of the 2006 preliminary budget and warrant articles until the next meeting on November 14th.
Review timeline for 2006 Town Meeting
Chairman Harding stated that the Board had a major discussion about scheduling for the deliberative session and the printing of the 2005 Town Report at their last work meeting. The Board decided to hold the First Session of the Annual Town Meeting, Deliberative session on February 9, 2006, but since then have found out that the Sanborn Regional School Board also scheduled their Deliberative session for the same night. After some discussion, the Board decided to hold the Town’s Deliberative session on Tuesday, February 7th with a snow date on Wednesday, February 8th starting at 7pm at the Middle School. The office staff will contact the school to request to use the gymnasium that evening. Residents will not receive a copy of the 2005 Town Report mailed to them before the Deliberative
Session. Copies of the 2006 budget, default budget and warrant articles will be available at the Town Hall and at the Deliberative Session.
The last day for any residents to submit petition warrant articles is January 10, 2006.
The Second Session of the Annual Town Meeting, Voting Day is Tuesday, March 14, 2006.
Chairman Harding announced the 2005 Town Report is going to the printer on February 10, 2006 and the Town will get the books back on or before March 3rd which follows the state regulation to have the report available to the residents seven (7) days before the Second Session of the Annual Town Meeting (Voting day). All residents will be able to pick up a copy of the 2005 Town Report at the Town Hall and or will be able to view it and print if from Newton’s official website www.newton-nh.gov. The 2005 Town Report will not be mailed to residents this year. In the past
the town has printed 1,960 books and many are picked out of the trash at the Post Office and kept at the Town Hall. At the end of the year many books are thrown out, therefore a waste of money. If anyone is unable to make it to Town Hall to pick up a 2005 Town Report you can contact the Selectmen’s Office and one will be mailed to you.
New Business
2006 Regional Prosecutor Contract
The Board reviewed the 2006 Regional Prosecutor Contract. Police Chief Streeter’s recommendation to the Board is to renew the contract as written. The cost increase is three percent for all towns’ that are part of this contract.
Chairman Harding motioned to approve the Regional Prosecutor Contract for the year 2006. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Discussion of community links on the official town website
The Board discussed placing town businesses, community services and local organizations on the town’s official website. A discussion followed that businesses come and go therefore requiring a regular review of the listings. The Board decided to list only local groups and organizations on the website and to leave out businesses at this time. The listing will include contact information, addresses and phone numbers and if available a link to their website.
Discussion of 2006 Observed Holidays
The Board reviewed a memo from Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley requesting the Board to consider two options/changes to the 2006 observed holiday listing. Due to the fact that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has been accepted as a State holiday for a couple of years, the following two options are recommended.
1. Grant the town employee Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 16, 2006 and change the personnel policy to include an additional holiday for a total of 11 days observed instead of 10 days.
2. Grant the town employees Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 16, 2006 and change the personnel policy by removing the day after Thanksgiving as that always falls on a Friday and the Town Hall and Transfer Station are already closed and include Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the list of holidays.
Selectman Ulcickas responded that he is not in favor of giving the town 11 holidays and recommended that the Board change the policy to use the state holiday listing but to take out the Day after Thanksgiving and give the employees one floating holiday.
After much discussion, the Board requested that the other town department’s heads are polled on this issue and the Board will discuss it at the next Selectmen’s meeting on November 14th.
Transfer Station 2005 Holiday Schedule
The Board reviewed the 2005 holiday schedule for the Transfer Station from Roger Clark, Transfer Station Manager. The schedule is as follows;
Thanksgiving Day – CLOSED
Day after Thanksgiving – CLOSED
Christmas Eve – open regular hours 8am to 4:45pm
New Year’s Eve – open regular hours 8am to 4:45pm
The Board discussed that it is not necessary for the Transfer Station to be open until 4:45pm on Christmas Eve as many people have family obligations on that evening, but if this schedule works for them and as long as it is not a problem for the employees, the Selectmen are okay with the schedule.
Announcements
November 28, 2005 the Board will hold a Public Hearing to update the Impact Fee Assessment and Fee Schedule.
Congressman Jeb Bradley will have a representative available for constituents with comments and concerns, or in need of assistance on a federal matter at the Town Hall on Monday, November 14, 2005 from 1pm to 2pm. The public is welcome to attend. For further information or to schedule an appointment call 641-9636
The Board announced that they have rescheduled the Selectmen’s meeting schedule for this month. The Board will hold Selectmen’s meetings on the first, second and forth Monday evenings starting at 7pm. There is no Selectmen’s meeting on the week of Thanksgiving.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of October 12, 2005, October 17, 2005 and October 26, 2005
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of October 12, 2005, October 17, 2005 and October 26, 2005 as written. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting minutes of October 17, 2005
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting minutes of October 17, 2005 as written. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Harding motioned to adjourn at 9:12pm. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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