SELECTMEN’S MEETING
December 28, 2006
Call to Order
Selectman Ulcickas called the meeting to order at 5:41pm. In attendance were 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 Winglass.
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
A. Review of the 2007 proposed budgets, default budget and warrant articles
Warrant Articles
The Board reviewed the wording of the proposed warrant articles. The wording of Warrant Articles #1, #2 and #3 do not change for they include the election of Town Officer for the ensuing year; amendments proposed by the Planning Board and the appropriation of the operating/default budget.
#4 – “Shall the Town discontinue mailing the Town Reports each year, thereby reducing the cost of printing and the cost of mailing? (The Town will continue to make the Town Reports available on the Town Website at www.newton-nh.gov and at the Newton Town Hall.)” The Board decided to make no change to the wording of this warrant article.
#5 - The Board decided to delete the proposed warrant article for phase II of the installation of a “Sprinkler System” in the Town Hall.
#6 – “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen, the sum of $25,000 for the preparation of a SITE PLAN and the CONSTRUCTION of a PUMP HOUSE on the Town Hall property, needed to house the Sprinkler System equipment.” The Board discussed with Chief Building Official Mike DiBartolomeo the need to hold a Public Hearing with the Zoning Board of Appeals to request a variance since the building will be housed approximately 5 feet from the road. The site plan prepared by an engineer will show the whole area and the proposed building. The Board decided to make no change to the wording of the warrant article.
Chairman Nelson arrived at 5:50pm.
#7 – “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen and the Fire Chief, the sum of $50,000 to be placed in the existing Capital Reserve Fund called the “FIRE APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT FUND” created in 2005.” The Board decided to change the sum to $25,000.00 but to make no change to the wording of the warrant article.
#8 – “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, as proposed by the Gale Library Board of Trustees, the sum of $10,000 to be placed in the existing Capital Reserve Fund called the “GALE LIBRARY BUILDING FUND” created in 1982.” The Board decided to make no change to the wording of the warrant article.
#9 – “ To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen, the sum of $25,000 to be placed in the existing Capital Reserve Fund known as the “TOWN BUILDINGS FUND”.” The Board decided to make no change to the wording of the warrant article.
#10 – “To see if the Town will vote, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen, to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 for the “PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION MAPPING PROGRAM”, correcting and digitizing the zoning maps making them compatible with the Town’s Assessing software.” The Board asked that we check with the mapper on the wording of the warrant article.
#11 – “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, as proposed by the Trustee of Trust Funds, the sum of $250 to increase the salary line from $500 per year to $750 per year.” The Board decided to make no change to the wording of the warrant article.
#12 – The Board decided to delete this warrant article to appropriate funds for the position of a PART-TIME CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. The Board decided to put $15,000 under the Building Inspector’s budget with a new line item for a Code Enforcement Officer.
#13 – “To see if the Town will vote to establish a Revolving Fund for the purpose of providing PUBLIC SAFETY SERVIE CONTRACTED DETAILS under the provisions of RSA 31:95-h and to deposit 95% of the income from fees and charges for these services into this fund; and to further authorize the Board of Selectmen to expend monies from such fund for the purposes of providing such public safety contracted details." The Board requested to add the intent of the warrant article at the bottom.
#14 - “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $38,337.00 for the following community services:
A SAFE PLACE $1,250.00
AREA HOMECARE & FAMILY SERVICES $3,800.00
CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER $2,000.00
DRUGS ARE DANGEROUS $2,000.00
FAMILY MEDIATION $5,947.00
LAMPREY HEALTH CARE $1,000.00
NHSPCA $ 550.00
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION $6,412.00
RVNA-HOSPICE $5,678.00
THE SAD CAFÉ $5,000.00
SEACARE HEALTH SERVICES $2,000.00
VIC GEARY CENTER $2,700.00
$38,337.00
The Board discussed the many services provided to the town through the support of this warrant article. The Board decided to make no change to the wording of this warrant article.
#15 – “On a petition of 25 or more legal voters of the Town of Newton, to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). No Change is made to petition warrant articles.
#16 – “On a petition of 25 or more legal voters of the Town of Newton, to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $375.00 for the SEACOAST HOSPICE.” No change is made to petition warrant articles. Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley stated that we are still waiting for a petition signed by 25 or more legal voters.
#17 – “To see if the Town will vote, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen, to raise and appropriate the sum of $40,000 to offset the 2007 SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL BUDGET for the purpose of SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL and to authorize the withdrawal of $40,000 from the Transfer Station/Recycling fund created in 2003.” The Board asked that the Department of Revenue look at the wording of this article.
#18 – The final wording for the warrant article for the Public Safety Complex and for the purchase of land upon which it will be erected has not been finalized. The bond counsel is checking the wording of the warrant article prepared by the Safety Complex Building Committee. The office is still waiting to hear from the State of NH Dept. of Revenue Administration for their comments regarding the wording of the article. The Board requested that we check with the bond counsel regarding the placement of the warrant article, if there is no stipulation then the warrant article will be placed at the end. Another question for the bond counsel is the appropriation of the interest.
#19 - “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, as proposed by the Board of Selectmen and the Road Agent, the sum of $25,000 to be placed in the existing Capital Reserve fund called ROAD SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENTS for the purpose of maintenance, repairs and construction.” The Board decided to make no change to the wording of this warrant article.
2007 Budget
Planning Board
Chairman Nelson motioned to encumber $5,200.00 for the Toshiba E Studio 202L Copier (New) if funds are available. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Discussion: The Board discussed the practicality of a larger system to be used by the departments (Planning, Zoning, Recreation and Conservation) and the system has codes for each department to keep track of the use. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the 2007 Planning Board budget as presented. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Fire Department
The Board reviewed a memo from Fire Chief Bill Ingalls regarding the 2007 hourly pay scale for the employees of the Fire Department. The category of EMT needs to be added to the Salary Classification Plan.
Chairman Nelson motioned to add to the Salary Classification Plan under Grade VIII the category of EMT. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to authorize the Grade and Step increases, as presented on the Newton Fire Department memo dated December 21, 2006. The increases are effective as of December 31, 2006. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Action Items
1. Contact Devine and Millimet to ask if they can attend the Public Hearing on January 15th and to have the Safety Complex Committee pay for their time to attend the Public Hearing. Make sure the Committee is ready for the Public Hearing; the Board discussed the need to have a conceptual drawing. The Board asked to have the committee attend the Tuesday, January 2, 2007 Selectmen’s meeting.
2. Get the information from Chief Streeter that outlines how to calculate the affect of an increase on the tax rate.
New Business
Announcements
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
Reports from Department Heads
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Nelson motioned to adjourn at 7:53pm. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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