SELECTMEN’S MEETING
June 4, 2007
Call to Order
Chairman Ulcickas opened the meeting at 7:45pm. In attendance were Chairman John P. Ulcickas, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Selectman Trisha J. McCarthy, Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Mary B. Winglass
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
A. State of NH Dept of Environmental Services – Used Oil Collection Grant Approval
Chairman Ulcickas stated that the Governor and Council approved the grant application submitted in the amount of $1,000.00. The town collects Do-It-Yourself (DIY) used oil from residents of Newton, South Hampton, East Kingston and Kingston. Used oil is generated as a household waste when residents change their own, non-commercial, automobile oil. The town requested funds to purchase absorbent/containment materials for the used oil collection center at the Transfer Station.
B. Review bids to repair and re-shingle the Town Hall roof and to repair the Steeple/Cupola
Chairman Ulcickas stated that the town received five bids for the repair and re-shingle of the Town Hall roof and repairs to the Steeple/Cupola. The Board asked for Building Inspector Mike DiBartolomeo to review the bids and to give his recommendation. Mike’s recommendation to the Board is to hire Autumn Leaf Design Build of Rochester, NH as the contractor for the job. The bid included cost & expense options and the Board agreed to the amount of $33,695.00 to include the cost of labor & materials to strip and re-roof the Town Hall including the Steeple roof for $30,195.00 and for the Cupola to replace the bottom skirt and damaged Gable Fascia with pre-primed pine; scrape, paint and install a Harvey Vinyl Double Hung replacement window for $3,500.00.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the bid from Autumn Leaf Design Build of Rochester, NH in the amount of $33,695 to include the cost for labor and materials to strip and re-roof the Town Hall including the Steeple roof and to replace the bottom skirt and damaged Gable Fascia with pre-primed pine; scrape and paint and install a Harvey Vinyl Double Hung replacement window to the Cupola. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Present was Owner/Operator Timothy Williams of Autumn Leaf Design Build who discussed the color selection of the roofing tiles and the timeframe to complete the job will be from three to five days. The Board discussed with Mr. Williams the need to work out the logistics of the work schedule as this is a public building. Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley asked for a Certificate of Liability Insurance on file prior to any work commencing.
C. Discussion of dump picking at the Transfer Station
Chairman Ulcickas discussed the background for the Board’s decision to stop all dump picking at the Transfer Station. The decision was due to employees, residents and non-residents removing items from the metal pile. In itself this is dangerous as it was witnessed more than once of a person on top of the pile, which is liability to the town and the town is losing revenue as metal/copper is a high priced commodity. The Board did not want to close down the “free area” but in an effort to realize what was being taken at the Transfer Station, the Board shut down all taking from the Transfer Station. Chairman Ulcickas then asked for any comments from the public.
Resident Sterling Lopez spoke about the benefits of the “free area” in that he has been able to help many people over the years by recycling used items to those in need.
Resident Mike Fortin talked about his involvement with the Transfer Station when he was a Selectman and encouraged the “free area” for it encourages recycling of good materials as it is saving a lot of people money.
Resident Lynn Simone spoke about the need to continue recycling of the “free area” for it reduces what is put in the landfills and that many residents in town are very disappointed with the Board’s decision to stop this recycling area and she urged the Board to reinstate it.
Resident Sue Hardman spoke about how she has benefited by recycling items from the metal pile as she has used many items in her yard and has created sculptures from certain metal pieces. She added that she has also taken firewood from the burn pile over the years.
Resident Mike Fortin added that the Board may want to contact the State of NH Dept of Transportation for they have jersey barriers to give to the town if the town has a use for them.
Resident Gary Rathmell discussed that he has been a resident since 1990 and requested that the Board keep the dump open for picking for it is causing more energy to recycle versus allowing residents access to useful items. Items that he has recycled at the Transfer Station have gone to benefit Nursing Homes in the area with vases for flowers, puzzles, books and videos.
The Board thanked those for attending this evening to give their opinions and recycling stories of items taken from the Transfer Station. Chairman Ulcickas discussed that the Board conducted a site walk on May 30th and it has been their intent to bring back a “free area” for residents. The Board is currently working on preparing policies to help outline the procedure for the handling of these areas.
The Board then discussed the brush pile and Transfer Station Manager Andrew Morse informed the Board that the burn pile provides for the burning of untreated wood and brush less than 5 inches in diameter, anything over 5 inches in diameter is put in the bulky item container. The Board discussed starting a log pile for there is no reason to be throwing the wood away in the bulky container.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned that no dump picking or removal of items from the Transfer Station will be allowed by the employees or the public. The exception will be the compost area which includes forest products and the area designated as the “free area”. The intended use of this “free area” is for the exchange of usable residential items between residents. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
New Business
A. Accept donations for Patriotic Purposes
Chairman Ulcickas announced that the town received donations from various residents and businesses to purchase flags for the cemeteries for Memorial Day. It was discussed that budgeted funds for Patriotic purposes was taken out of the budget a few years ago and the Board discussed putting it back into the budget for next year.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept and expend the following donations”; $100 from Gerard and Kristy LaCroix; $50 from Victory Fuel; $500 from S & R Construction and $50 from Walmart for Patriotic purposes to include the Memorial Day flags. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board thanked those that contributed to this year’s Memorial Day celebration.
B. 2007 Budget Review with expenditures through April 30, 2007
The Board tabled this item.
C. Resident and Temporary resident sticker policy
The Board tabled this discussion and will review the policy at a work session.
D. Policy on Charges for Reports and Copies
The Board tabled this discussion and will review the policy at a work session.
E. Calculation of the Allowable Number of Elderly Housing Units as of April 1, 2007
The Board reviewed a spreadsheet prepared by Office Manager Winglass which outlined the new occupancy permits signed between the time period of April 1, 2006 through March 31, 2007. In order to calculate the allowable number of elderly housing units available each year, the total number of dwelling units within the town needs to be determined by taking the previous years total dwelling units plus the additional new occupancy permits signed for single dwelling units. The prior years total dwelling units were 1,511 add to that the total number of occupancy permits for single dwelling units of 21 equals the total dwelling units of 1,532 as of April 1, 2007.
The allowable number of elderly housing units shall not exceed ten percent of the total dwelling units then existing in the town. Therefore, 1,532 x 10% = 153 allowable elderly housing units as of April 1, 2007. Currently the town has three elderly housing subdivisions approved in the town as follows; 22 units for Jacobs Village, 80 units for White Fence Development and 44 units for Fitz Realty Trust for a total of 146 elderly units.
153 allowable units minus 146 approved elderly development leaves 7 units available as of April 1, 2007.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned that there are 7 net units for Elderly Housing Units as of April 1, 2007. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
F. Appointment for Kenneth A. Pelletier as an Alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Kenneth A. Pelletier as an Alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term to expire March 2010. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Announcements
· Re-advertising for the position of Code Enforcement Officer
Chairman Ulcickas read the notice that the town is seeking a part-time Code Enforcement Officer to administer and enforce the Local, State and Federal Zoning Ordinances and Land Use Laws in the Town of Newton and reports directly to the Chief Building Official. Interested applicants should send their letter of interest and/or resume to the Board of Selectmen no later than Monday, June 18th by 4pm.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
· Selectmen’s Site Walk Minutes of May 1, 2007
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Site Walk minutes of May 1, 2007 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
· Selectmen’s Public Meeting Minutes of May 7, 2007
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of May 7, 2007 as written. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
· Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting Minutes of May 7, 2007
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting minutes of May 7, 2007 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
· The Board decided to hold a work meeting on Monday, June 11, 2007 to review town policies and procedures.
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) – Employee Compensation; (c) – Potential Civil Issue. Second by Selectman Donovan. Roll Call Vote: Chairman Ulcickas – yes; Selectman Donovan – yes; Selectman McCarthy – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to adjourn at 9:40pm. Second by Selectman McCarthy. 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 regretfully accepted the resignation from Ray Thayer as Town Clerk/Tax Collector effective June 4, 2007 for personal reasons; to appoint MaryJo McCullough as the Interim Town Clerk/Tax Collector, until the March 2008 election, effective June 4, 2007 at Grade XV, Step 9, for up to 38 hours per week; to allow Interim Town Clerk/Tax Collector Mary Jo McCullough to hire a temporary clerk at Grade II, step 1, $7.92 per hour effective immediately.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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