SELECTMEN’S MEETING
April 3, 2006
Call to Order
Chairman Gary F. Nelson opened the meeting at 6:06pm. In attendance were Chairman Gary F. Nelson, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Newton Health Officer Robert Leverone, Hampstead Health Officer Kristopher Emerson, Dr. Jason Stull and Diane Donovan from the State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and Dragon Mosquito Control representative Lee Brooks. Selectman John P. Ulcickas arrived at 6:35pm.
The Board of Selectmen attended a presentation held by Dr. Jason Stull and Diane Donovan from the State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services who reviewed the arboviral surveillance, prevention and response plan for the 2006 (WNV) West Nile Virus and (EEE) Eastern Equine Encephalitis season. The Town of Newton contracted with Dragon Mosquito Control for mosquito surveillance. Prevention includes eliminating standing water around residential and commercial areas as well as personal protective measures like wearing protective clothing such as long pant and long-sleeved shirts and using repellents containing DEET. The response plan includes routine surveillance activities and application of ground-based pesticides.
Dr. Stull added that the State House of Representatives and the Senate are reviewing HB 1464 to help establish a mosquito control fund in the Department of Health and Human Services to assist cities and towns by providing funding to offset mosquito control activities.
Chairman Nelson stated to the public that the most important thing to remember is prevention, prevention, prevention which is the number one rule to follow. Information regarding Dragon Mosquito Control activity and personal prevention measures will be posted on the town’s official website www.newton-nh.gov as well as around town.
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
A. Letter from American Medical Response Re: Rescheduling meeting
Chairman Nelson read a letter from American Medical Response stating that they are rescheduling the meeting with the area town’s previously set meeting of April 7th to either April 11th or April 18th at at 2pm at the Atkinson Fire Department. Chairman Nelson and Selectman Donovan stated that they need to check their schedules; Selectman Ulcickas stated that he is unable to attend the meeting.
New Business
A. Discussion on the Transfer Station Safety Operations, Solid Waste Task Force Committee and specifications for Solid Waste Contract
Safety Operations
The Board met with Transfer Station Manager Roger Clark to discuss current safety policies and procedures in place at the Transfer Station. Mr. Clark responded that currently the electrical panel is locked each night before they leave and they are now leaving the pistons in the forward position so there is no access into the containers. Chairman Nelson stated that the Transfer Station needs a lock out, tag out policy in place to cover the procedure for closing and opening of the Transfer Station. Chairman Nelson and Mr. Clark will work on writing the policy and procedures.
Chairman Nelson stated that he drove by the Transfer Station the other day and the gates were propped open with a pipe. Mr. Clark responded that he propped open the gate with a pipe while working out back cleaning the dumpster area. Mr. Clark added that he called the town’s hauler, G. Mello and told them that they need to close and lock the gates with each trip. The Board then discussed that possibly the best time for the haulers to pick up at the Transfer Station is when town personnel are there as a safety and liability issue. This would require additional hours and could possibly be an item to be researched by the Solid Waste Task Force Committee.
The Board then discussed the need to enclose the Transfer Station by installing a fence around the perimeter, this could then allow for the remainder of the parcel to be used possibly for a hiking trail.
Selectman Ulcickas questioned Mr. Clark if there has been any tree cutting recently. Mr. Clark responded that the only tree cutting was done last June when the leaf pile was moved out back.
Solid Waste Task Force Committee
The Board reviewed documentation showing past members of the Solid Waste Task Force Committee which comprised of five (5) members, appointed by the Board of Selectmen with a yearly expiration date.
The Board then reviewed a list of possible agenda items for the Solid Waste Task Force Committee prepared by Roger Clark, Transfer Station Manager. The Board decided to work on a hit list for the committee.
Chairman Nelson motioned to reconvene the Solid Waste Task Force Committee to investigate recycling, pay as you throw and the operation of the Transfer Station and what they feel needs to be done. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley stated that recently the town purchased new resident stickers for the use of the Transfer Station and recreation areas and the color was changed to blue. According to Town Clerk/Tax Collector he has enough yellow stickers to last until the end of May. The Board discussed that they have seen red resident stickers used to gain access to the Transfer Station. The Board agreed that red resident stickers should not be allowed in and that as of May 31st, red stickers will no longer be allowed and yellow stickers will only be allowed until December 31, 2006. The Board discussed the need to prepare flyers to be given to the residents, an article in the newspaper and on the town’s website announcing the deadline for use of the colored resident stickers.
2005 Household Trash and Recycling Activity
The Board then reviewed two spreadsheets showing per month the number of hauls in 2005 as well as how many packers and containers are rented from our current hauler, the cost per month and how many tons were hauled and the tonnage charge.
The Board discussed going out to bid for curbside trash pickup and recycling, solid waste hauling contract and recycling, and possibly a pay-as-you-throw program.
B. Repairs to and the installation of a new section of fence at the Transfer Station
The Board discussed a proposal received from Dillon Fence Company on November 3, 2005 for the installation of a stockade fence from the gate to the leaf pile, to restring the chain link fence and repair the frame and to install slats. After some discussion, it was decided to install slats on half of the entrance and exits gates to allow the Police Department to view the area during routine surveillance.
Selectman Ulcickas motioned to accept the proposal from Dillon Fence Company to erect the fence as described in the proposal for a total amount of up to $2,875.00. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chief Streeter arrived after the above discussion and when asked about the installation of the slats at the entrance and exit gates, he thought it to be a good idea to leave an area for viewing the inside of the Transfer Station.
C. Letter from Family Mediation & Juvenile Services Re: Annual Appointment to the Board of Directors
Chairman Nelson read a letter from Family Mediation & Juvenile Services Director Debra DeSimone requesting a second appointment from Newton to the Board of Directors. Kathy Marino has been an appointed member to Family Mediation for some time now, but they are looking for a second person. If anybody is interested they can call the Selectmen’s office or the Police Department for more information.
D. Letter from Moderator Robert Dezmelyk Re: Town Water Board
Moderator Robert Dezmelyk was present to discuss with the Board of Selectmen that in 1974 a Water Board was established at the Annual Town Meeting. The vote was to “form a Water Board of three to five members to work with the Selectmen for the study of a water system for the Town of Newton. The Moderator to appoint the Board.”
Mr. Dezmelyk stated that the Water Board has been inactive for some time and maybe advisable to re-convene the board to deal with issues relating to water supplies at risk or towards the establishment of a town water system. The Board agreed that since there have been some water systems presented to the Planning Board during subdivision review, then it may be worthwhile to see if there is any interest or suggestions from residents or other boards.
Mr. Dezmelyk will get the word out to see if there is any interest.
E. Memo from Emergency Management Director Re: Regional Inoculation Group
Chairman Nelson read a letter from Emergency Management Director John Owens stating that a group of neighboring towns have been meeting recently with the intent of establishing a “Regional Inoculation Group”. The towns are Newton, Kingston, South Hampton, Kensington and East Kingston. The NH Dept. of Safety Division of Emergency Management has also been involved with the intent of planning, funding and activating a contingency “battle plan” in the event of “mass disease” outbreak such as avian flu (bird flu), H5N1 virus and other pandemic incidents. Once the plan is in place, the town will have to enter into a “Memo of Understanding” to participate. As more information is available, Mr. Owens will update the Board.
F. Adelphia Communications Re: Performance Bond reduction
The Board reviewed a letter from Adelphia Communications Area Director Gerald Buckley requesting the town to release the $100,000 bond put in place in 2001 for the rebuilt system and to correct the name of the bond Principal Adelphia Cablevision Corporation to Harron Cablevision for the amended bond of $25,000 dated March 3, 2006.
The Board questioned Cable Committee Chairman Andrew Morse if he approved of the reduction. Mr. Morse responded that the upgrade to the town has been complete for almost three years now; therefore this request is past due.
The Board questioned the name change to the $25,000 bond from Adelphia Cable Communications to Harron Communications, since the town has a Cable System Franchise with Adelphia Cable Communications. The Board requested that we get an explanation in writing as to why the name change and how this change affects the Franchise Agreement.
G. Mr. Dennis Fitzgerald Re: Request for site walk
Mr. Todd Fitzgerald of Father & Son Construction was present to ask the Board to conduct a site walk before they act on a recommendation from the Planning Board. Chairman Nelson stated that at the last Planning Board meeting, it was voted to place a cease and desist order on the Father & Son Pond Street subdivision.
Chairman Nelson asked if the office staff have received a written request from the Planning Board to place a cease and desist on this project. Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley responded that we have only heard of this decision verbally from Chairman Nelson, Planning Board Administrative Assistant Sally Cockerline and Dennis Fitzgerald. As of this time, we have no idea as to the details required to place a cease and desist order on the property, such as what are the violation(s) to be cited.
Mr. Todd Fitzgerald informed the Board that they are willing to complete an as-built plan on the properties in question. Chairman Nelson advised Mr. Fitzgerald to get the plans to the Planning Board.
Announcements
· Tax Year 2005 Sales-Assessment ratio is 102.8% and the Median Ratio is 100.2
Chairman Nelson announced that the State of NH Department of Revenue Administration, who is responsible of annually equalizing the local assessed valuation of municipalities, have conducted a sales-assessment ratio study and determined that the average level of assessment as of April 1, 2005 is 102.8% and the median ratio is 100.2. The median ratio is the measure of assessment equity, monitoring appraisal performance and determining reappraisal properties or evaluating the need for reappraisal. The median ratio should be the ratio used to modify the market value of properties under review for abatement to adjust them in accordance with the overall ratio of all properties in town.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
· Selectmen’s Public and Non-Public Meeting minutes of March 20, 2006
Selectman Ulcickas motioned to accept the public and non-public meeting minutes of March 20, 2006 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
· Safety Complex Building Committee Re: Invoices submitted for payment
The Board reviewed two invoices approved for payment from the Safety Complex Building Committee. One from JD Graphic Designs and Print Studio totaling $95 and the other from Samyn · D’Elia Architects, P.A. totaling $4,604.72.
Chairman Nelson motioned to pay from the Safety Complex Building Committee Capital Reserve Fund, job #0521 for the sum of $95 to JD Graphic Design. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to pay from the Safety Complex Building Committee Capital Reserve Fund the total of $4,604.72 to Samyn · D’Elia Architects, P.A. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board questioned the reimbursable expenses for copies, prints, postage and faxes to Samyn · D’Elia Architects and asked that the office staff check with the Chairman of the Safety Complex Building Committee to make sure that this expense is to be included before payment is made.
· Cable Committee Chairman Andrew Morse
Cable Committee Chairman Andrew Morse requested to speak with the Selectmen about getting the Board’s approval to put an office for the Cable Committee behind the curtains of the stage in the Main Hall of the Town Hall. This option has been discussed before and currently the Cable Committee has an outside concern, which is willing to pay the cost of the construction. The dimensions are 21’ feet long, 6’ feet wide and 8’feet high.
Mr. Morse added that he has a contractor who is willing to give a bid specification for the job and the deadline to get a quote is by the 18th of this month. The Board responded that Mr. Morse should include in the bid moving the curtains to the outside of the stage area in order to construct a larger office space area.
Chairman Nelson motioned to utilize the space behind the curtains of the stage area by moving the curtains while protecting them and allowing the Cable Committee to pursue constructions plans for an office to be paid by an outside concern. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
· Request to appoint Theresa M. Gridley as a Recreation Commission member
The Board reviewed a request by the Chairman of the Recreation Commission to appoint Theresa M. Gridley as a Recreation Commission member.
Chairman Nelson motioned to appoint Theresa M. Gridley to the Recreation Commission. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Nelson motioned to go into non-public under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) – Transfer Station personnel and Police Department personnel. 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-pubic session at 10:23pm. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. 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 a merit increase for SWDA Manager Roger Clark to Grade VX, step 1, $14.57per hour effective April 2, 2006 and a promotion to Patrolman First Class Michael Jewett to Police Corporal at Grade XVIII, step 6, $19.09 per hour effective April 2, 2006.
Selectman Donovan motioned to close the public meeting at 10:24pm. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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