SELECTMEN’S MEETING
November 14, 2005
I. 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. Second by Selectman Nelson. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Ulcickas – yes, Selectman Nelson – yes, Chairman Harding – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Harding closed the non-public session at 6:25pm. 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.
II. Introduction of Guests
III. Old Business
A. Continued review of the 2006 Proposed budgets and warrant articles
Cemetery budget
The Board reviewed the proposed 2006 Cemetery budget of $9,100, which is the same as last year’s budget.
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the Cemetery budget of $9,100 for 2006. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Cable Committee budget
Chairman Harding discussed that the Cable Committee is working on purchasing some cable equipment before the end of the year. The Board reviewed the proposed 2006 Cable budget of $9,500, which is the same as last year’s budget.
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the Cable budget of $9,500 for 2006. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Summer and Winter Highway budget
The Board discussed the Summer Highway 2005 year to date expenditures, which as of November 8, 2005 is over expended by $17,600 and the Winter Highway 2005 year to date expenditures is over expended by $26,000.
The 2006 proposed winter highway budget is $172,863, which is an 18% increase over last year’s budget. The 2005 proposed summer highway budget is $177,661, which is an 11% increase over last year’s budget.
The Board decided to invite Road Agent Frank Gibbs to the next Selectmen’s Meeting scheduled for November 28th to discuss his budget.
Election, Registration and Vital Statistics budget
The Board reviewed the 2006 proposed budget of $1,850, which is the same as last year’s budget. The Board had some questions about the e-reg program and fees paid to the state and to the Town Clerk.
The Board decided to invite Town Clerk/Tax Collector Raymond Thayer to the next Selectmen’s meeting scheduled for November 28th to discuss his budget.
B. Continued discussion of 2006 observed holiday schedule2006 Holiday Schedule
The Board reviewed a request from Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley at the last Selectmen’s Meeting to increase the holiday schedule to 11 days to include Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A second option was to take away the day after Thanksgiving so to not increase the paid holiday benefits. At that meeting, the Board expressed that they were not for increasing the holiday benefits and requested that we poll the department heads to find what they would prefer.
TA, Wrigley explained that she discussed it with the department heads that would be affected by this change and everyone agreed to leave the observed holiday schedule as it is with 10 holidays per year. The Board agreed to leave the holiday schedule as written in the personnel policy.
Office Manager Mary Winglass informed the Board that she spoke with Transfer Station Manager Roger Clark about the Boards discussion at the last meeting regarding closing early on Christmas Eve. Mr. Clark discussed the schedule with his employees and decided to close early at 3:45pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The Board agreed to this schedule change.
C. Continued discussion Re: Holder of the Boston Post Cane
TA, Nancy Wrigley stated that she spoke with Mr. Badger Trues daughter and she told Nancy that she would put something in writing regarding Mr. True and his qualification to be the holder of the Boston Post Cane. At this time, we have not received anything from her.
The Board decided to wait until the next scheduled Selectmen’s meeting on November 28th to see if we get the information in writing.
D. Review salary classification plan for the position of Transfer Station part time
laborer
The Board reviewed a letter from Steve Lupaczyk to be considered for the part time laborer position at the Transfer Station. Mr. Lupaczyk is a retired machinist, with over 30 years experience and operated all types of equipment and requested that the pay be more that what was advertised.
The Board reviewed the Salary Classification Plan and decided to increase the hourly wage to $8.97 per hour as a starting point. It was discussed that most fast food restaurants and stores are starting their workers over $9.00 per hour and this job works outside in all types of weather.
Selectman Nelson motioned to hire Steve Lupaczyk as a part time laborer at Grade I, step 9, $8.97 per hour effective November 13, 2005. Second by Chairman Harding. Vote: Unanimous.
IV. New Business
A. Conservation Commission Re: Tree Cutting at the Transfer Station
The Board met with Conservation Commission member Peter Mears regarding the recent tree cutting at the Transfer Station. Mr. Mears questioned the Board as a Conservation Commission member and a taxpayer, how far of an area the tree cutting was going to go and that the cutting encroached onto the wetlands area. Mr. Mears added that he was told by the Transfer Station Manager, Roger Clark that the tree cutting is finished.
The Board explained that the cutting was done in order to move the brush pile out back. It was mostly brush. Mr. Mears asked that in the future to notify the Conservation Commission when there is any tree cutting on town property.
The Board decided to send a memo to Transfer Station Manager Roger Clark to contact Conservation Commission about any tree cutting.
The Board then discussed the structure that was built recently at the Transfer Station.
Memo in the future any cutting please contact the Board of Selectmen and the Conservation Commission and any building work to be done at the Transfer Station you need to follow the necessary town guidelines and permit process.
B. Proposal for the installation of a fence at the Transfer Station
The Board reviewed a proposal for the installation of a fence at the Transfer Station and to repair the old chain link fence and add slats to give it a better curb appeal. Selectman Nelson and Chairman Harding decided to visit the Transfer Station on Saturday, November 19, 2005 to view the proposed change and the traffic flow.
V. Announcements
· 2005 Town Reports will not be mailed to residents; they will be available by March 7, 2006 at the Town Hall and/or it may be viewed on-line at www.newton-nh.gov
The Board requested that a notice regarding the 2005 Town Reports not being mailed to be posted at both of Newton’s Post Offices and at Rowe’s Corner Store in order to get the word out.
VI. Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meeting
· Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of November 3, 2005
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of November 3, 2005 as written. Second by Chairman Harding. Vote: Unanimous.
VII. Reports from Department Heads
Chairman Harding stated that at the last Planning Board meeting they discussed the number of elderly units available and the Selectmen’s procedure for calculating the available number of units as of April 1, 2005.
VIII. Review of Action Items
IX. Adjourn
Selectman Nelson motioned to adjourn at 8:40pm. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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