SELECTMEN’S MEETING
August 7, 2006
Call to Order
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. In attendance were Chairman Gary F. Nelson, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., and Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley. Selectman John P. Ulcickas was not present due to illness. 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) – Road Crew & Transfer Station; (b) – Police Department. Second by Selectman Donovan. Roll Call Vote: Chairman Nelson – 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 Robert White as a full-time employee with benefits as a Town Laborer to include roads, transfer station and general maintenance as of August 6, 2006 at Grade V, step 9, $10.90 per hour; approved a conditional offer of employment to four (4) part time candidates for the Police Department as recommended by Police Chief Lawrence Streeter.
Introduction of Guests
· Resident Ronald Skovron of 21 Goulds Hill Road RE: Drainage issue
Mr. Ronald Skovron of 21 Goulds Hill Road spoke with the Selectmen and supplied pictures of a drainage problem on Goulds Hill Road. Mr. Skovron stated that he spoke with Road Agent Frank Gibbs about this issue and his response was that there are worse drainage problems in Newton. Mr. Skovron added that he wanted to bring this issue to the attention of the Selectmen for there are two dug wells that are affected by the runoff from the road and add to that the numerous amounts of leaves in the culvert washing down into the trench is creating a problem.
The Board viewed pictures taken after a rain storm which shows a dug trench and drain full of leaves with water running down the road. Road Agent Frank Gibbs stated that the road crew checks the catch basin every storm, but the leaves keep coming down and the road crew keeps cleaning out the leaves. Chairman Nelson requested that the road crew take preventative maintenance to keep the swales clean of leaves in the spring and the fall and once during the summer. Chairman Nelson requested Road Agent Frank Gibbs to keep an eye on the area and to keep the Board posted.
Old Business
A. Continued discussion of Discretionary Preservation Easement
Chairman Nelson stated that the Board motioned to accept the Discretionary Preservation Easement Deed as written for the Nicol Farm Partnership on 26 Merrimac Road, Map/Block/Lot 012-06-015 at the May 23, 2006 Selectmen’s meeting. Since then Raymond Nicol and Michele Nicol-Fitzgerald requested small changes to the wording that does not change the intent of the easement, only clarifies it. Town Assessor Andrea Lewy agreed to the changes and recommends that the Board sign the updated easement.
Chairman Nelson motioned to rescind his motion of May 23, 2006 accepting the Discretionary Preservation Easement Deed on 26 Merrimac Road. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the new Discretionary Preservation Easement Deed as written for the Nicol Farm Partnership on 26 Merrimac Road, Map/Block/Lot 012-06-015. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
B. Review of budget
Chairman Nelson tabled this item until August 21, 2006.
C. Discussion of Solid Waste Contract
Office Manager Mary Winglass requested that the Selectman review the Invitation to Bid used in 2003, which is the last time the Selectmen went out to bid and accepted a three year contract with G. Mello Disposal. The specification page included a 2005 tonnage report for household trash and bulky items and monthly rentals of packers for trash, bulky items, plastic, tin cans and glass.
Chairman Nelson asked if we can include the increase in households since 2003. Winglass responded that we can include the number of households in town for the past three years, in order to show the growth in the town. TA, Wrigley questioned if we need to include in the bid, fuel charges. Road Agent Frank Gibbs stated that no one will want to include this in their bid due to the fluctuation of fuel charges.
Winglass stated that she would clean up the Invitation to Bid and Specification page and bring back a final copy to the next Selectmen’s meeting for a final review.
New Business
A. Expenditure of Devito funds
Police Chief Larry Streeter requested that the Board of Selectmen authorize the expenditure from the department’s asset forfeiture account (DeVito). The expenditures include cruiser & vehicle related expenses, van expenses and miscellaneous expenses totaling $13,576.60. The balance in the account after the expenses is approximately $5,565.29.
Chairman Nelson motioned to expend $13,576.60 for the items listed on the Police Chief’s asset forfeiture funds expenditure request dated August 7, 2006; these items are not to be paid from the general fund only from the forfeiture account. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
B. HAVA (Help America Vote Act) has developed a system to enable voters with visual disabilities to be able to vote without assistance. This system should be available for the State Primary Election on September 12, 2006.
Chairman Nelson read an email from Moderator Robert Dezmelyk providing some background information on the fax line that the state is installing on July 24, 2006 at the Town Hall. Federal Legislation, ‘HAVA’ the Help America Vote Act, through the State of New Hampshire has developed a plan to provide a system that will enable voters with visual disabilities to be able to vote, if they choose, without the assistance of another person in state and federal elections. Voters with visual disabilities can still request an absentee ballot, or have another individual assist them in voting if they prefer. With this new plan, voters will be able to vote using the phone on the fax machine and keying in their choice of candidates as directed by the voice prompts. This system will be in place for the State Primary
Election on Tuesday, September 12, 2006.
Office Manager Mary Winglass asked the Board if they want to ask the same crew to set up the voting booths this year. Chairman Nelson responded yes.
Announcements
· Newton Recreation Commission will hold the Family Fall Fair on September 30, 2006 starting at 9am to 3pm at Greenie Park
The Board reviewed a letter from the Recreation Commission inviting all towns, committees and commissions to participate in the Family Fall Fair. Chairman Nelson announced that anyone who would like to get involved needs to contact the Recreation Commission right away.
· Regional Selectmen’s Meeting on August 10th at 7:30pm in Atkinson
Chairman Nelson announced that the Regional Selectmen’s meeting will be held this month in Atkinson on August 10th at 7:30pm. For more information, please contact the Selectmen’s Office.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
· Selectmen’s Public Meeting July 17, 2006 and July 29, 2006
· Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting on July 17, 2006 and July 19, 2006
Chairman Nelson tabled this item.
Reports from Department Heads
· Update from Safety Complex Building Committee
Robert Bartlett, Chairman of the Safety Complex Building Committee gave an update to the Board on the last meeting of the Safety Complex Building Committee. The committee met with the Sunapee contractor and project engineer who worked on the Sunapee Safety Complex that was completed recently for 2.9 million. Mr. Bartlett stated that they were very informative about the total services and “hard” costs associated with the complex. The total appropriation for the complex ended up being $3,390,000. If the Town of Newton wants to duplicate the building, there are a few differences such as septic and well and the fact that Newton needs to purchase the land where Sunapee owned the land; with a 15% inflation puts the project cost at $3,898,500 and with a 20% inflation puts the project cost at
$4,068,000.
Mr. Bartlett stated that the committee plans to be back in front of the Selectmen in two weeks with the elevation and final building design to show the public. Chairman Nelson thanked Mr. Bartlett for keeping the Board posted on the new developments. Chairman Nelson stated that he is very much behind this safety complex building for he feels that we are way overdue. Chairman Nelson added that he recently received a call from the Derry News asking what is the town’s plan for the residents during the heat wave. Chairman Nelson stated that we have no place for residents to go during a heat wave or disaster relief; but with a safety complex we would have a place for the residents to go.
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Nelson motioned to adjourn at 7:55pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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