SELECTMEN’S MEETING
October 16, 2006
Call to Order
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:14pm. In attendance were Chairman Gary F. Nelson, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. Selectman John P. Ulcickas was not present. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Mary Winglass.
Chairman Nelson motioned to go into non-public session at 6:15pm under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – Planning Board; (a) – Police Department; (b) – Cemetery Trustees. Second by Selectman Donovan. Roll Call Vote: Selectmen Donovan – yes, Chairman Nelson - yes. Vote: Unanimous. Selectman John Ulcickas was not present at the meeting.
Chairman Nelson motioned to close the non-public session at 7:30pm. 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 amended Police Chief’s contract reflecting a change in date to expire on December 11, 2009 to December 11, 2011 and hired Theresa M. Morse as a part time cemetery casual laborer at Grade 1, step 5, effective October 8, 2006.
Introduction of Guests
· Present trophy from Sanborn Babe Ruth to the Newton Police Association
Chairman Nelson thanked the Newton Police Association for sponsoring the Sanborn Babe Ruth team with financial help and presented the Great Bay Championship trophy on behalf of the Sanborn Babe Ruth Association to Officer Christopher VanHirtum.
Old Business
A. Continued discussion of the Winter Operations for Snow Removal and Ice Control
Policy and the Computer, Electronic Mail and Internet Access Policy
Winter Operations for Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy
Office Manager Mary Winglass informed the Board that the policy has been reviewed by Risk Management of the Local Government Center (LGC) and found to be well written with only a few minor changes. Office Manager Winglass informed the Board that she made the changes recommended by the LGC and the only input she is waiting for is from the Police Chief. Chief Streeter responded that after reviewing the policy he has a few issues that he would like to discuss before the Board adopts the policy to include fire hydrants in conjunction with fire cisterns, salt content used with placement of snow piles on private property with consideration of potential runoff in the spring.
Police Chief Streeter and Office Manager Winglass will work on these concerns and return to the Board with a final draft.
Office Manager Winglass informed the Board that the LGC stated that it is important to make sure this policy is adhered to as closely as possible at all times and that the Town’s legal counsel should review the final document prior to adoption. The Board asked Road Agent Frank Gibbs if he has any input on the policy, Gibbs responded that he has reviewed the policy and all looks well.
Computer, Electronic Mail and Internet Access Policy
The Board had previously reviewed the policy as well as Police Chief Streeter who approved of the wording as written. Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley discussed one possible addition to include personnel checking their email at home from work and the possibility of downloading viruses. TA, Wrigley added that the town’s computers have good anti-virus software and the Board decided to leave the policy as written.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the Computer, Electronic Mail and Internet Access Policy as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
B. Continued discussion of the 2006 Paving Program
The Board tabled this discussion until the October 30th work session for Road Agent Frank Gibbs is still waiting for an additional quote.
C. Continued discussion of the Sprinkler System bids
The Board reviewed a recommendation from Fire Chief Bill Ingalls and Building Inspector Mike DiBartolomeo for a bid received from Brigade Fire Protection, Inc of Boscawen, NH to install phase one of a wet/dry fire protection sprinkler system in the Town Hall.
Chairman Nelson announced that the Board received four bids, which were opened at the Monday, September 18th Selectmen’s meeting. The bids received were from Brigade Fire Protection, Inc. of Boscawen, NH for $29,988.00, Dean & Allyn, Inc. of Gray, ME for $26,700.00, Dynamic Fire Protection, Inc. of Manchester for $37,000.00, NH and J.C. Cannistraro of Watertown, MA for $89,500.00.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the Sprinkler System bid from Brigade Fire Protection, Inc. for $29,988.00. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson added that this bid is for phase one of a two phase project.
D. Verizon telephone pole on Smith Corner Road
Chairman Nelson announced that he contacted Verizon about relocating a telephone pole on Smith Corner Road and spoke with a Verizon representative Heather Tolman who forwarded the request and we should have an answer from them by the end of next week. This is one of the last items that needs to be completed on the offsite improvements.
E. Open bids for Disposal Solid Waste
The Board opened ten bids to the Town of Newton for consideration for the disposal of solid waste, recycling and bulk items. After opening the bids, the Board requested a spreadsheet to be prepared by the office staff in order to compare the bids. The Board will review the spreadsheet at the next Selectmen’s meeting.
The bids were received from the following companies;
1. Northside Carting of North Andover, MA and the bid was received at the Selectmen’s Office on October 16, 2006.
2. Northeast Resource Recovery Association of Epsom, NH and the bid was received at the Selectmen’s Office on October 16, 2006.
3. Work Waste of Merrimac, NH and the bid was received at the Selectmen’s Office on October 16, 2006.
4. Complete Recycling Solutions, LLC of Fall River, MA and the bid was received at the Selectmen’s Office on September 14, 2006
5. Allied Waste Services of Tyngsboro, MA and the bid was received at the Selectmen’s Office on October 16, 2006.
6. RMG Enterprise, Inc. of Londonderry, NH and the bid was received at the Selectmen’s Office on October 11, 2006.
7. G Mello Disposal Corp. of Georgetown, MA who is the town’s current vendor and the bid was received at the Selectmen’s Office on October 16, 2006.
8. Waste Management of Hampton, NH and the bid was received at the Selectmen’s Office on October 16, 2006.
9. Veolia Environmental Services of Stoughton, MA and the bid was received at the Selectmen’s Office on October 16, 2006.
10. Best Way Disposal Services of Epping, NH and the bid was received at the Selectmen’s Office on October 16, 2006.
F. Update on Dept of Corrections Project Community Phase II
Chairman Nelson stated that he requested this item on the agenda for a couple of weeks ago the town scheduled a workforce through the Rockingham County Corrections to have sentenced inmates clean up the roads in town as well as working to clean up the Transfer Station. The inmates did a good job and were very hard working and Chairman Nelson discussed having them come back to work on other projects around town. Chairman Nelson stated that this is something that he would like to take advantage of and he spoke with the Sheriffs department and they were receptive with coming back to Newton next year. Chairman Nelson stated that the inmates just completed renovations at the Epping Town Hall and requested that we consider having the inmates do some painting at the Town Hall.
Transfer Station Manager Andrew Morse will contact the sheriffs department to discuss having them back for small jobs this year. Some of the jobs discussed for this year are to dig holes for the fence and to clean up the leaves at the cemetery and to continue to work on projects at the Transfer Station.
G. Discussion of July 19, 2006 Non-Public Minutes
Chairman Nelson stated that he is not in favor right now of releasing the July 19, 2006 non-public minutes discussion of a land agreement with the Safety Complex Building Committee since we do not have a final agreement. The reason why this was on the agenda is due to questions on what was discussed at the meeting and what was not. Chairman Nelson added that he would not want to jeopardize any potential agreement with the land owner. The Board decided to table this discussion until the next public meeting.
New Business
A. 2006 Town Reports Re: Mail or Not Mail
Chairman Nelson discussed that last year the Board decided to not mail the town reports to save the town money as many are thrown in the trash at the Post Office. Over the years, the Post Office took to placing them in a mail container to be picked up by the Town Hall employees, which produced an overabundance of books stored at the Town Hall and subsequently many were thrown away the following year. Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley added that in addition we now have the Town Report on the town’s website.
Chairman Nelson discussed that although these are all good reasons for not mailing the Town Report, his concern is that the information is not getting out to the residents. TA, Wrigley concurred that since we are paying to have it printed then to pay the additional $900 - $1,000 to have it mailed (bulk) then the cost is worthwhile.
Chairman Nelson motioned to mail the Town Reports for 2006. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
B. Memo to the Planning Board Re: Flood Insurance Program
The Board reviewed a memo to the Planning Board from Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley regarding adopting the Flood Insurance Program. TA, Wrigley added that the Board of Selectmen will need to adopt the “Resolution for Joining the National Flood Insurance Program”; the Planning Board will need to amend the Town’s Subdivision and Site Plan Review Regulations adding the required language which can be done at anytime after holding a public hearing. The Planning Board will then need to hold another public hearing for a zoning amendment to be placed on the 2007 warrant.
The Board requested that the staff prepare a draft “Resolution for Joining the National Flood Insurance Program” to be reviewed at the next Selectmen’s work meeting and requested that Chief Building Inspector Mike DiBartolomeo receive a copy of this information for this change will affect his department.
Announcements
· NH Tax Collectors’ Association Re: Longevity Award to Raymond Thayer
Chairman Nelson read a letter to Town Clerk/Tax Collector Raymond Thayer recognizing him for serving the Town of Newton for 15 years as Tax Collector. The Selectman congratulated and thanked Ray for his years of service.
· New Book Donation and Reuse Center at the Newton Transfer Station
Chairman Nelson read an announcement that the Town of Newton in partnership with Got Books has a new book donation and reuse drop-off location for residents, businesses, schools, libraries, and other groups looking for ways to reuse and donate books they no longer know what to do with. The drop off location is at the Transfer Station during regular business hours. For a list of what items can be donated and what cannot be donated or accepted in this program, please check the Town of Newton website at www.newton-nh.gov. Transfer Station Andrew Morse
added that Readers Digest and Encyclopedia’s are not accepted in this program.
· State Financial assistance for mosquito control activity
Chairman Nelson read a letter from the State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services John A. Stephen, Commissioner approving the town’s application for financial assistance for mosquito control activities. Per HB1464, the state awarded the town $1,969.78 (funding subject to approval by Governor and Council).
Chairman Nelson added an additional thank you to State Senator Maggie Hassan and State Representative Kim Casey for helping to pass this legislation. .
· Emergency expenditure under the provisions of RSA 32:11
Chairman Nelson read a letter from the State of New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration stating that they reviewed the emergency expenditure request from the town to spend $7,000 to put in an artesian well at the Police Department. The Police Department has a dug well and it has tested positive for Coliform bacteria and E. coli; a new artesian well needs to be drilled. This request was approved by the State to be paid from the unreserved fund balance.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
The Board tabled accepting the minutes until the next meeting for Selectmen John Ulcickas was not present.
· Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of September 25, 2006; October 2, 2006
· Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting minutes of September 25, 2006
Reports from Department Heads
· Safety Complex Building Committee
Safety Complex Building Committee Chairman Bob Bartlett informed the Board that at the last meeting he resigned as Chairman and was subsequently re-elected as Chairman of the Safety Complex Building Committee. At the meeting some members brought up the issue of the Merrimac Road and the 108 intersection and instituted the proceedings to make the intersection safer with a traffic light. Chairman Bartlett added that Representative Kim Casey was present at the last Safety Complex Building Committee meeting and is very informed and knowledgeable with the bonding used for the new high school and stated that she would be contacting the Selectmen to meet on this issue.
Chairman Bob Bartlett added that the committee is now meeting every Thursday to wrap up the final design and the wording on the warrant article.
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Nelson motioned to adjourn at 8:45pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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