SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
November 30, 2006
Call to Order
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 5:20pm. 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 Winglass.
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
A. Continued review of the 2007 proposed budgets
Summer and Winter Highway Budget
The Board briefly reviewed the summer and winter highway budget with Road Agent Frank Gibbs. Mr. Gibbs requested, if the funds are available at the end of the year, to encumber $40,000 from the winter highway budget to put towards repairing Dugway Road.
Transfer Station
The Board met with Transfer Station Manager Andrew Morse to discuss his 2007 budget. Since the 2007 budget includes the cost of rental, hauling, disposal of solid waste and recycling costs, the Board reviewed the Solid Waste bid comparison spreadsheet. Jason Mello of G. Mello Disposal Corp was present to answer any questions that the Board may have regarding his bid.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the bid from G. Mello Disposal Corp, Option #1 as written with the contract terms to be negotiated. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board discussed negotiating the contract terms to include a clause to terminate the hauling and disposal contract without penalties within the three year term if the town voted to change to curbside collection and for the contract to include an additional fourth and fifth year option. Jason Mello stated that he will have his lawyer work on the wording of the terms.
TS Manager, Andrew Morse discussed with the Board and Mr. Mello the problems he has been having with the packers jamming and the option of changing the current configuration and to increase the size of the hopper. Mr. Mello agreed that realistically the town should look at reconfiguring the area. The Board directed Mr. Morse to get some information and the cost to make the proposed changes.
The Board then reviewed the bulk item drop-off charges for the town’s residents and for East Kingston, CityKingston and placeSouth Hampton residents. According to information given to the Board from Mr. Morse, the current fee schedule does not cover the disposal and hauling fees. After some discussion, the Board increased the fee schedule to include a minimum fee for each item and some items were defined more clearly.
Selectman Ulcickas motioned to set the Newton residents bulk item drop-off charges as revised and to increase the fees for East Kingston, Kingston & South Hampton as written effective February 1, 2007. Second by Chairman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board then discussed the need to better track what the fees are being paid for and the possibility of changing the sale of coupons to incorporating a cash register with a receipt option.
The Board then reviewed a memo from Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley regarding a request from Fire Department Captain Dale Putnam to place a dumpster and a car behind the building near the brush pile at the Transfer Station in order to perform fire training for the Fire Department. TA, Wrigley contacted Cynthia Thayer of R. W. Gillespie who performs the yearly groundwater management on the property to ask their opinion of allowing this activity. Ms. Thayer’s concern was two-fold; with the car it could create an adverse impact to the groundwater due to the fuel, grease, fluids, metal and plastic components. The concern with the dumpster includes the material used to ignite the burn for used fuel and waste oil can get into the groundwater. The Board concurred that the risk is not one they want to take, therefore
they denied the request.
Transfer Station Manager Andrew Morse informed the Board that he received a level IV Solid Waste Operator certificate and Scott Bradstreet received a level III Solid Waste Operator certificate. Mr. Morse requested for the Board to consider an increase for Mr. Bradstreet from a casual laborer to a part-time attendant. The Board agreed to discuss this at an upcoming meeting and for Mr. Morse to propose a step and grade.
The Board reviewed a request from Charles Melvin, owner of C&M Auto received today at the Selectmen’s Office requesting that the town allow C&M Auto to bring tires to the Transfer Station. After discussing Mr. Melvin’s request the Board agreed unanimously that no commercial businesses are allowed to use the Transfer Station.
Office of Building Safety
The Board reviewed the 2007 proposed budget, which is less than the 2006 budget by $39.00. The Board discussed code enforcement and decided to table this discussion until we have more information on the cost for this budget.
Cable Committee
The Board reviewed the Cable Committee proposed 2007 budget with Cable Chairman, Andrew Morse. Mr. Morse requested level funding for 2007, yet after discussing the 2006 year-to-date expenditures the Board and Mr. Morse agreed to cut the budget.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the revised 2007 cable committee budget at $5,500.00. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Cemetery
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the 2007 Cemetery budget as presented for $9,100.00. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Emergency Management
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the 2007 Emergency Management budget for $13,250.00. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Health Officer
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the 2007 Health Officer budget at $18,000.00. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Gale Library
After reviewing the 2007 proposed budget, the Board decided to request to meet with the appropriate library personnel/trustees on Thursday, December 14, 2006 to discuss it further.
Police Department
After reviewing the 2007 proposed budget, the Board decided to request the Police Chief to cut the increase over last year’s budget to 7.5%.
Adjourn
Chairman Nelson motioned to close the meeting at 9:05pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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