SELECTMEN’S MEETING
May 15, 2006
Call to Order
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. In attendance were Chairman Gary F. Nelson, Selectman John P. Ulcickas, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Mary B. Winglass.
Chairman Nelson motioned to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) & (b) – Transfer Station and (b) – Road Crew. Second by Selectman Donovan. Roll Call Vote: Chairman Nelson – yes, Selectman Ulcickas – yes, Selectman Donovan – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to close the non-public session at 6:58pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. 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 hiring of Josh Olsen as a part time SWDA laborer at Grade I, step 1, $7.36 per hour effective May 14, 2006; promote Stephen Lupaczyk to a part time SWDA Attendant at Grade V, step 5, $9.87 per hour effective May 14, 2006 and the hiring of Richard G. Harris Jr. as Highway Laborer at Grade IV, step 8, effective May 14, 2006 and/or once all the required paperwork has been submitted to the town.
Introduction of Guests
· Newton Watch to present “Child Watch” Street Signs
Lisa DiGiuseppe gave an overview of “Newton Watch” which is a network of concerned parents formed in 2005 to help raise awareness and implement educational programs to help keep children safe in our community. They are working with the Newton Police Department, School Administrators and the Sad Café.
Newton Watch has approximately 70 members and they are looking to place “Child Watch” signs on all roads leading into Newton and designated areas including the schools, Greenie Park and the town beach. The proposed signs read “Newton is a Child Watch Community We Report All Suspicious Activity to Newton Police” and includes a picture of the Newton NH Police patch and Merrimac Savings Bank. Merrimac Savings Bank has committed to pay for the signs, including posts and hardware as a donation for they are in full support of the program and are pleased to participate.
Gary Raddatz spoke on the advantages of having Police Chief Streeter participate in the program and hopefully the increased number of signs on the streets will allow for community awareness. They have received guidance and leadership from Salem Safe Kids. A map was shown to the Selectmen outlining possible locations of the signs.
Chairman Nelson stated that it is great that they are doing this for the community, keeping an eye on the kids to keep them safe. The Board asked Road Agent Frank Gibbs to work with this group to find the right locations on the town roads and to install the signs. Frank responded that he would help them but as far as the state roads, someone needs to contact Division Six to get approval. The Board decided to send a letter to the State of New Hampshire Department of Transportation Division Six explaining Newton Watch and their desire to install signs.
Old Business
A. Continued discussion on the Discretionary Preservation Barn Easement for 26 Merrimac Road
The Board decided to table this item until Tuesday, May 23, 2006.
B. Notice of Award for the Intersection Improvements on Peaslee Crossing & Smith Corner Road and a State of NH Dept of Transportation Driveway and Excavation Permit
Chairman Nelson announced that the Selectmen awarded the bid for the offsite improvements on Peaslee Crossing Road and Smith Corner Road to Busby Construction for $145,000.00 plus excavation and police detail services.
C. Continued discussion of proposed ordinances review
Chairman Nelson announced that the Board will not review the proposed ordinances tonight but since there are residents from Wilders Grove present, the Board discussed putting up “No Parking” signs, “Town of Newton Resident Parking Only Permit Required” signs and two “No Parking Anytime” with arrows facing each other. The signs with the arrows will be placed on the outside of the No Parking perimeter, the plain No Parking will be placed in between these signs and the Resident Parking Only will be installed in a safe parking area along side the road.
Chairman Nelson read the draft parking ordinance to help regulate vehicle parking on Country Pond Road to provide for the promotion of public health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare, prosperity and the peace and quiet of the Town and its citizens. Chairman Nelson informed the residents that the Board is required to hold a Public Hearing to adopt this ordinance and that it will not happen until after Memorial Day. The Board agreed to purchase the signs and have them installed when they come in even though the ordinance will not be finalized until later. Road Agent Frank Gibbs stated that he agrees that the payment of the signs to come from his budget and he will have the road crew install them.
Chairman Nelson motioned to order (2) two “No Parking Anytime” signs with arrows, (5) five “No Parking” signs and (4) four “Town of Newton Resident Parking Only Permit Required” with 10’ galvanized poles to be paid from the Road Agents budget. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
D. Continued discussion of the addendum to the Solid Waste Contract
Jason Mello of G. Mello Disposal addressed the Board with a revised addendum to the Solid Waste Contract to include the original price of $75 per haul for the glass recycling. Mr. Mello apologized for incorrectly listing a different price on the previous contract addendum than what was agreed upon at the time when the original contract was signed. The Board thanked Jason for attending the meeting and directed Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley to include the contract expiration date to the addendum. The Board stated that they would sign the addendum once the expiration date has been added. Jason added that a credit memo has been applied to the town for incorrectly billing the town twice for the hauling of glass recycling.
New Business
A. Request from resident David Ducharme to be appointed as a Solid Waste Task Force Committee member
Chairman Nelson stated that there are still two more member positions open for the committee.
Chairman Nelson motioned to appoint David Ducharme as a member of the Solid Waste Task Force Committee. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
B. Request from resident Laura Bertogli to be appointed as a member of the Family Mediation Board of Directors
Chairman Nelson motioned to appoint Laura Bertogli as a member of the Family Mediation Board of Directors. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
C. Letter from State of NH Department of Safety RE: (18) Portable Radio Allocation
The Board tabled this item.
D. Discussion of Fire Alarm Systems for Town Hall and the Central Fire Station
Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley discussed with the Board the need to move forward with the upgrade and repair of the fire warning systems at the Town Hall and the Central Fire Station as the current system will be discontinued as of July 30, 2006. Warrant article #7 was approved at the March 14, 2006 Annual Election to raise and appropriate $4,000 to replace the existing fire alarm systems. The town has a proposal from JM Protective Services dated August 28, 2005 to upgrade and repair the system for the Town Hall of $2,079.95 and the Central Fire Station of $1,729.95. This proposal was used to estimate the cost to upgrade and repair both sites. Since then, JM Protective Services provided an updated proposal dated April 14, 2006 for the Town Hall of $2,549.99 and the Central Fire Station of $2,149.99.
TA, Wrigley asked the Selectmen if we need to go out to bid for the total of the two proposals requires, per the town’s purchase policy, to go out to bid. The problem with going out to bid is that this is the only company that Fire Chief Ingalls was able to find who would submit a proposal. Chief Ingalls stated that he had two other companies come out to give an estimate and he never heard from them again. The Board viewed the proposals and determined that they are two separate proposals due to the work being performed at two separate locations; therefore there is no need to go out to bid.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the proposal from JM Protective Services for the Town Hall fire protection upgrade, replacement and monitoring of the fire alarm system for $2,549.99 to be paid from the warrant article and the balance to be paid from the General Government Building Budget. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the proposal from JM Protective Services for the Central Fire Station fire protection upgrade, replacement and monitoring of the fire alarm system for $2,149.99 to be paid from the warrant article and the balance to be paid from the General Government Building Budget. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Announcements
· Memorial Day Parade, Tuesday, May 30th at 6:30pm starting at the Elementary School.
Chairman Nelson announced the starting time for the Memorial Day Parade will be 6:30pm on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at the Elementary School. Residents are encouraged to come down and participate. Selectman Donovan added that the parade route is West Main Street to Elm Street onto Whittier Street and ending at the Willow Grove Cemetery.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
· Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of April 17, 2006
· Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes and Public Hearing minutes of May 1, 2006
The Board tabled the acceptance of minutes.
Reports from Department Heads
· Cable Chairman Andrew Morse requested to give the Board an update with the Verizon contract. The final draft, a 15 year contract has been completed and is ready to go to Town Counsel for their review. The contract is mostly standard language with some items that are unique to Newton. The Board agreed to send the contract to Town Counsel for review.
· Police Chief Streeter informed the Selectmen that he took a bunch of pictures of the flooding in town and created a three minute slide show for their review. Chief Streeter added that the Fire Department was the busiest department dealing with the flooding and there was one voluntary evacuation at 120 Pond Street for the water level was just below the electrical outlets. At this time they have not evacuated and the water has receded somewhat. The Board announced that there will be no school tomorrow due to the roads flooding within the school district.
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Nelson motioned at 8:15pm to recess the meeting until Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 8pm. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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