SELECTMEN’S MEETING
June 6, 2005
Call to Order
Chairman Harding called the meeting to order at 6:19pm. 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) – Transfer Station & a complaint issue and (a) – Police Department. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Ulcickas – yes, Selectman Nelson – yes, Chairman Harding – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Harding motioned to close the non-public session at 7pm. 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 motioned to increase Police Department Office Manager Linda Meissner to Grade XVIII, step 3, $17.72 per hour and to increase Police Department Secretary Rebecca Gagne to Grade VI, step 3, $9.87 per hour. Both increases are effective February 6, 2005.
Introduction of Guests
Christopher S. Way, Septage Coordinator for NHDES Re: Municipal Septage Disposal Responsibility
Christopher Way, Septage Coordinator for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was present to discuss with the Board the town’s municipal septage disposal. The City of Somersworth has recently completed upgrades to its treatment facility and wishes to secure agreements with the Town of Newton and other communities in order to meet grant requirements and to acquire the necessary volume of septage for their type of treatment operations. The City of Somersworth is offering the town of Newton the opportunity to sign an inter-municipal agreement providing septage acceptance for Newton residents. This does not mean that haulers are mandated to go to Somersworth, it only gives them a place to go in state if needed. Currently the town of Newton has an informal arrangement for septage disposal with the
Greater Lawrence Sanitary District in Massachusetts.
Chairman Harding stated that he contacted a local hauler last week to discuss hauling to Somersworth and they said that they would never travel to Somersworth because of the distance. Chairman Harding added that he feels that this should be handled on a county level with a centralized facility. Mr. Way responded that this agreement in no way binds the town, it only gives the town an option.
Chairman Harding questioned “What happens if we don’t sign this agreement?” Mr. Way responded that if Lawrence ever denies haulers to dispose at their facility then they would have to go around and find a place. With this agreement they are assured of a facility that will accept the waste. TA, Wrigley questioned the tipping fees and whether they are compatible with the surrounding areas. Mr. Way responded that they must be compatible with other communities or communities will not use the facility, but he will check into it the next time he is there.
Mr. Way stated that the agreement is for five years and expires on December 31, 2010. Either party reserves the right to terminate this agreement with a written thirty-(30) day’s notice. TA, Wrigley questioned if any information will be sent to the area haulers regarding this agreement. Mr. Way responded that this is something that they will be working on. A discussion continued regarding the increase in development and that this is just another area affected due to the increase.
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the septage agreement between the Town of Newton and the Town of Somersworth between July 1, 2005 through December 2010. Second by Chairman Harding. Vote: Unanimous.
Old Business
Discussion of Selectmen’s Site Walk on May 14, 2005
43 North Main Street & 14 Wallace Street
The Board discussed that they told Mr. Whitty of 43 North Main Street that they would send a letter outlining items to be removed from his property. Chairman Harding and Selectmen Nelson will work on preparing the list of items and drafting a letter. The Board discussed that Town Counsel needs to review the wording of the letters for both 43 North Main Street and 14 Wallace Street and it needs to include a final date to come into compliance before legal action.
5 Crane Crossing Road
The Board discussed that Mr. Hart contacted the office to let the Board know that he would not be available to meet with them on the scheduled site walk. The Board decided to conduct a site walk on Saturday, June 9, 2005 at 9am; a letter will be sent to Mr. Hart.
58 Peaslee Crossing
The Board discussed that they agreed to Mr. Riccio’s request to give him until mid September to clean up his yard and to come into compliance. Chairman Harding and Selectman Nelson will prepare a letter with this information and have Town Counsel check the wording for this will be the last time they offer a time frame option in order to come into compliance. The next step will be legal action.
The Board discussed that all letters are to be sent by certified mail only.
Contract plan for #2 fuel for the upcoming season for Town Buildings
The Board discussed that the town’s contract with Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil for purchasing #2 fuel expired on April 30, 2005. The Board decided to go out to bid for the town’s yearly supply of #2 heating fuel (approximately 8,500 gals) and to include the annual boiler/burner cleanings and maintenance service with labor rates.
Estimate from Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil for work at the Police Department
The Board discussed an estimate received from Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil for work to the Police Departments oil tank and an estimate to transfer the heating system from oil to gas. Chairman Harding stated that he would like to get some other estimates and continue to gather more information on this item. The Board concurred.
New Business
Gale Library requesting permission to use the Town Beach on either June 27th or the 29th to hold a Campfire Sing-A-Long to kickoff the Summer Reading Program
Selectman Nelson motioned to give permission to the Gale Library to use the Town Beach on either June 27th or June 29th to hold a campfire sing-a-long to kickoff the summer reading program. Second by Chairman Harding. Vote: Unanimous.
Letter from NHDOT Re: Response to the town’s request for a crosswalk in front of the Town Hall
Chairman Harding read a response letter to the town from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation regarding the installation of a crosswalk in front of the Town Hall. The Department of Transportation has established guidelines for granting approval for crosswalks and three (3) guidelines did not meet the requirements, therefore a crosswalk is not allowed at this time.
Police Chief Streeter wrote to the state requesting this crosswalk due to the vehicle traffic and pedestrian crossing during town meetings and the use of Town Hall as a polling place. The Selectmen commented that they appreciate Chief Streeter’s thoughts and consideration concerning the safety of the residents, but as it is a state road the state has the final say in this matter.
Memo from Assessor Andrea Lewy Re: Land Use Change Tax recommendations
The Board approved and signed two warrants for the collection of the land use change taxes. One of the warrants was for the total of $80,000 for lots located on Storey Lane and Kenwood Drive. The other warrant was for $48,450 for four separate lots in town.
Letter from the Mayor, City of Portsmouth Re: Request to send letters to President Bush regarding the closure plan for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Chairman Harding read a letter from the City of Portsmouth, Mayor Evelyn Sirrell requesting the Board to consider making a donation of any size to the Seacoast Shipyard Association to help support their efforts on the decision that Portsmouth Naval Shipyard be included on the Base Realignment and Closure Commission list. The Board stated that they are unable to help with a financial donation due to the fact that no money was budgeted for this item.
Also, Mayor Sirrell requested that the residents of Newton send letters addressed to President George W. Bush regarding this situation. Letters are to be sent to Mayor Sirrell, which will then be forwarded to Senator and Congressmen to hand-deliver to President Bush’s desk. The Board asked that we put together a letter from the Selectmen to President Bush.
Announcements
Selectman Nelson announced that he has assumed the position as the Director of the Babe Ruth Baseball Program due to the fact that no one wanted to run the program. Selectman Nelson announced that the Police Association donated funds for the purchase of uniforms this year to help the children. Selectman Nelson added that he can’t thank the Police Association enough for donating the money for the uniforms. Selectman Nelson proudly displayed a uniform to the public.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
Selectmen’s Site Walk minutes of May 14, 2005
Selectmen’s Public and Non-Public minutes of May 16, 2005
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the site walk minutes of May 14, 2005. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the public and non-public minutes of May 14, 2005. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
Transfer Station Manager, Roger Clark Re: Update on revenue to the Transfer Station Recycling Fund and a discussion of an agreement with the Town of South Hampton
Transfer Station Manager, Roger Clark was present to speak with the Selectmen about signing an agreement with the Town of South Hampton and the Town of East Kingston for bulk items to be accepted at the Newton Transfer Station for a fee. Selectman Nelson stated that he is not in favor of taking trash in from other towns. Roger responded that the town would be accepting bulky items, metal, propane tanks and tires for a fee but would not be accepting any household trash. A discussion ensued regarding the amount of cars that come to the Transfer Station on Saturdays and the concern of long lines. Roger stated that on last Saturday the majority of the traffic was Newton residents and it is mainly busy at the packers, which accepts the household trash, very little bulky items came in.
Resident Andrea Ducharme questioned how accepting bulky items from other town’s benefits the Town of Newton? Roger explained that the revenue accepted for the bulky items is being placed in a recycling fund and can be used if/when the Transfer Station is mandated to be closed/capped by the State of New Hampshire. Closing the Transfer Station would cost the taxpayers today in the vicinity of a million and half-dollars. Ms. Ducharme questioned the volume of recycled materials stacked on site and whether this could cause a dangerous situation i.e. Freon leaking from refrigerators and air conditioners. Roger responded that the town is better off accepting more items for no vendor wants to pick up small loads, therefore the town has more pickups due to the volume and the bigger the volume the lower the price.
As far as the Freon, the vendor that the town uses is licensed to handle this material and will only come out when the town has a large quantity. There is no danger of Freon leaking any more than you would worry about your refrigerator at home leaking freon. After a licensed professional takes out the freon, the item is placed in the metal pile. Therefore we are no longer paying for it to be hauled but the town is being paid for the metal. The metal pile takes in approximately $1,000 per month and includes the air conditioners and refrigerators, which the owner paid the town to dispose of and then the town is paid for it by the ton from the hauler.
Roger went on to explain that South Hampton has only a population of approximately 684 and East Kingston has a population of just over 1,000. Resident, Paul MacKenzie spoke about his concern with the increase in the traffic and with children playing in the surrounding areas and that the road is not very wide. Roger offered to survey the traffic in order to try to get a basic idea of the volume per week.
Resident Paul McKenzie spoke about how the Transfer Station is an eyesore even though it has been cleaned up. A discussion continued about giving the Transfer Station a better curb appeal by moving the fence back to help with the site distance. Selectman Ulcickas spoke of his concern on the traffic and adding all these extra cars. Chairman Harding stated that he will meet with Roger at the Transfer Station to look at options for cleaning up the area and traffic patterns and will contact Road Agent, Frank Gibbs to talk about some road improvements to Dugway Road.
Chairman Harding stated that he is in support of this program and if it becomes a burden we have an out as the agreement states that this is a four-month pilot program and if continued a renewal period of every six months.
Chairman Harding motioned to accept the Town of East Kingston into the recycling program. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Discussion: Selectman Nelson stated his concern with the fence and would like to ask the resident who lives across from the dump for their input. He asked for the Board to notify the surrounding residents by mail to get their input on this before he agrees to this. Chairman Harding responded that it would mean that this issue would have to be tabled. The Board discussed that this is a four-month trial period, therefore we could mail this information to the residents asking them to respond to the Selectmen with any questions or concerns. It was discussed that at the end of the four-month period if we have a negative response from the residents then we can end the program.
Vote: Chairman Harding and Selectman Ulcickas – yes. Selectman Nelson – abstained. Motion passed.
Chairman Harding motioned to accept Town of South Hampton into the recycling program. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Chairman Harding and Selectman Ulcickas – yes; Selectman Nelson - abstained. Motion passed.
Selectman Nelson will help work on the letters to residents and the Board will discuss this issue again in early September. Roger added that he would keep a track on the response coming into the Transfer Station.
Roger then discussed with the Selectmen that he was just told that the telephone number at the Transfer Station was a non-published number. Roger stated that he was never told this and he and Bill Brousseau has given out the number many times over the years. TA, Nancy Wrigley added that the number has always been non-published. The Board decided to leave things the way they have always been, non-published.
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Harding motioned to adjourn at 9:33pm. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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