SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
November 28, 2005
Call to Order
Chairman Harding called the meeting to order at 6:07pm. 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; zoning violation and update of NPREA accounting (a) – Compensation. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Harding closed the non-public session at 7:07pm. 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 that the Board moved the position of the Zoning Board of Appeals Secretary from Grade II to Grade VI, the Board moved Jeannette Clark to Grade VI, step 5, $10.37 per hour effective November 27, 2005; the Board requested that we send a thank you letter to Attorney Jim Reams for extending the extradition authorization to Florida to help resolve a tax lien issue on 9 Brimstone Circle; and the Board requested to send a memo to the Planning Board requesting that the Selectmen to be kept informed of any changes or updates concerning the cease and desist issued to Coleman McDonough, owner of 125
Development NH Corp.
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
Continued discussion Re: Recipient of the Boston Post Cane
The Board reviewed a letter from Cynthia M. Wilson, who is the daughter of R. Badger True of 42 Wilders Grove Road in Newton. Ms. Wilson’s letter requested that the Selectmen consider Mr. True as the recipient of the Boston Post Cane as he is 92 years old and a Newton resident for about 28 years.
The Board discussed that they also received a letter from Bill and Marcia Ingalls requesting that the Board consider Emma Ingalls of 121 South Main Street as the recipient of the Boston Post Cane as she is 91 years old and a Newton resident her whole life.
Chairman Harding motioned to award the holder of the Boston Post Cane to the oldest known Newton resident as R. Badger True at 92 years old. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Discussion: The Board discussed that if at all possible they would like to start a new tradition of awarding the Boston Post Cane to the oldest female AND the oldest male in town. The Selectmen had a detailed discussion on establishing criteria. Due the complexities of the status of the residency in town, the Board will work on establishing criteria. Vote: Unanimous.
Continue review of the 2006 proposed budgets and warrant articles
Town Clerk’s budget
The Board met with Town Clerk/Tax Collector Raymond Thayer to discuss his proposed 2006 Town Clerk budget. The Board discussed the fee schedule and that gross appropriation requires that the fees are in the budget, but ultimately it is a wash item for the fees that are paid to Ray are paid by the applicant when registering their vehicles, dog or marriage licenses.
Summer and Winter Highway
Road Agent Frank Gibbs was present to speak with the Board concerning his budget and the accounting of the Highway Block Grant. Mr. Gibbs stated that sometimes his budget spreadsheet adds the grant money to his budget and other times it has been deducted. This year his budget spreadsheet included the Highway Block Grant funds of $79,211.81 and after deducting the payment for the paving in town it leaves his budget with a balance of approximately $30,000.
TA, Nancy Wrigley explained that this situation happens once per year and there seems to be some confusion each and every year when dealing with this grant. As the town MUST gross appropriate all funds received (revenue), the grant money is deducted from the highway budget and the balance remaining is what the state uses when configuring the tax rate. The Highway Block Grant is a grant given to every municipality in the State to help offset the cost to the town for paving and repairs to the town roads.
Mr. Gibbs then proposed an increase to his proposed 2006 summer budget from $177,661 to $234,761. A discussion ensued that the Selectmen need a project list for paving next year. Mr. Gibbs discussed repairs/paving to Maple Avenue, Heath Street and New Boston Road.
Planning Board budget
The Board reviewed the Planning Board 2006 proposed budget of $53,803.72, which includes an increase to the salary line item to cover the cost of the scheduled increased office hours starting in January and an increase to the circuit rider contract.
Mr. Coleman McDonough and Mr. Bob Breault
Mr. McDonough and Mr. Breault requested that the Board of Selectmen speak to them about the cease and desist order served to Mr. McDonough last week regarding the paving on Puzzle Lane.
Mr. Breault stated that he spoke with the Chairman of the Planning Board Mary Allen today and she said that if they gave her the approval from the Gas Company then she would request the Selectmen to release the cease and desist order. Mr. Breault stated that the letter is forthcoming. The paving was discussed that it is necessary to stabilize the area through the winter for the use of construction vehicles.
The Selectmen discussed that this issue is a Planning Board issue and the Selectmen are waiting for word from the Planning Board to lift the cease and desist order. When the order comes from the Planning Board to release the cease and desist order then Sally Cockerline, AA to the Planning Board will contact Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley to process the release.
New Business
A. Open bids for the 2005 Annual Town Report
The Board opened the (10) ten bids sent in for the printing of the 2005 Annual Town Report. The Board decided that based upon the large number of bids received, the office staff will prepare a spreadsheet for easy comparison and the Board will review it at the next meeting.
Announcements
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of November 7, 2005 and November 14, 2005
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the public meeting minutes of November 7, 2005 and November 14, 2005 as written. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting minutes of November 7, 2005 and November 14, 2005
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the non-public meeting minutes of November 7, 2005 and November 14, 2005 as written. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
1. Recommended pay increase for Transfer Station employees
The Board reviewed an employee evaluation for Transfer Station Part Time Attendant Andrew Morse written by Transfer Station Manager, Roger Clark. Mr. Clark’s recommendation is for an increase to Grade V, step 8, $10.63 per hour effective immediately.
Chairman Harding motioned to move Andrew Morse to Grade V, step 8, $10.63 per hour effective November 27, 2005. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board reviewed an employee evaluation for Transfer Station Part Time Attendant Thomas Dickey written by Transfer Station Manager, Roger Clark. Mr. Clark’s recommendation is for an increase to Grade V, step 5, $9.87 per hour effective immediately.
Chairman Harding motioned to move Thomas Dickey to Grade V, step 5, $9.87 per hour effective November 27, 2005. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
2. Update of perambulation and site walk of the Transfer Station
Chairman Norman Harding and Selectman Gary Nelson discussed the perambulation of the Newton/East Kingston boundaries held on Saturday, November 19th at 9am. Present were Chairman Harding, Selectman Nelson, Newton Conservation Commission member Peter Mears and East Kingston Conservation Commission Chairman Lawrence K. Smith. Distances and bearings between markers were taken from recent surveys of adjacent properties, previous perambulations and field observations.
Chairman Harding and Selectman Nelson then talked about the site walk after the perambulation at the Transfer Station with Transfer Station Manager Roger Clark and the condition of the fence and the plan to repair it this year. The Board will watch the budget to see if funds will be available this year and if not, the plan is to fix it next year.
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Harding motioned to adjourn at 10:16pm. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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