BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
November 26, 2007
Call to Order
Chairman Ulcickas called the meeting to order at 7pm. 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 Winglass.
Introduction of Guests
· Presentation from the State of NH Police Standards & Training
Re: Police Department Accreditation
Police Chief Lawrence Streeter opened the presentation by introducing from the State of NH Police Standards Training the Director Don Vittum and Assistant Director Bob Stafford. Also present were the following members of the Newton Police Department: Office Manager Linda Meissner, Secretary/Certified Accreditation Manager Rebecca Gage, Sergeant Mike Jewett, Patrolman Greg Iworsky, Part Time Patrolman Brad Zarba, Patrolman Nathan Lyons, Part Time Patrolman Dale Gordon, Part Time Patrolman John Owens, Part Time Patrolman Rich Hendgen, Part Time Patrolman Cory Drouin and Part Time Patrolman Arthur Statezni.
Chief Streeter stated that we are here tonight to make a presentation to the Town of Newton and the Board of Selectmen for the efforts of the Police Department on behalf of the town.
State of NH Police Standards & Training Direction Don Vittum congratulated the Police Department on achieving the State of NH Police Standards & Training accreditation. He then presented the NH Police Standards & Training Accreditation proclamation as follows;
New Hampshire State of Voluntary Accreditation
Be it hereby known that the NH Police Standards & Training Council in cooperation with the NH Chiefs of Police, NH Municipal Association and Northern New England Police Accreditation Coalition recognize the NEWTON POLICE DEPARTMENT whose voluntary commitment to the highest standards of law enforcement excellence through the satisfactory completion of an agency self-examination and outside review by a team of independent assessors and hereby award, upon recommendation of the members of the Training Council, this CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION effective on the 23rd day of October, 2007 and is recognized as an accredited law enforcement agency for a period of three years.
Mr. Vittum added that it is quite an accomplishment to achieve this accreditation as the Town of Newton is one of ten communities’ in the State of New Hampshire to achieve this goal and it is a credit to the community. Police Chief Streeter thanked the Board of Selectmen for supporting his department with achieving this goal.
Old Business
A. Review of the 2008 proposed Police Department budget
The Board reviewed a very detailed 2008 proposed budget with justifications for the changes proposed for the coming year. Chairman Ulcickas informed Police Chief Streeter that they have been looking at price comparisons of other medical insurance plans and at this time we only have estimated figures. After discussing the current status of the department’s employees that take the medical insurance, the Board determined that this line item in the budget can be reduced. Chairman Ulcickas asked Office Manager Winglass to contact the Chief this week to give him the medical insurance figures in order to recalculate the budgeted amount.
Chief Streeter discussed the inclusion of a video security for the Police Department in the budget for next year, as well as merit increases for the employees and promotions for the Officers within his department. He added that approximately five years ago the Selectmen gave the Chief a mandate to change the “revolving door” that was taking place at the time in regards to employees coming and going. Chief Streeter added that he has fought hard to get there and we need to maintain that level.
The Chief discussed the need to replace some of the equipment within the department. The equipment included three tough book computers for the cruisers and other various equipment purchases. The Chief added that equipment over time needs to be replaced and there is a cost in replacing them.
The Board asked the Chief if there are any grant opportunities open to the Town based upon the Police Standards and Training accreditation. Police Chief Streeter responded that it will help to reduce the town’s liability insurance through the Local Government Center. A discussion was held as to whether the accreditation could affect homeowners insurance as well. Chairman Ulcickas asked that we check on the insurance with the Local Government Center.
Warrant Article
Chief Streeter proposed to submit a warrant article for a new full time Police Officer. He discussed the growth within the community and investigations that can cripple the department for the officer working on a lengthy investigation is unable to work to cover a shift. He added that the department does not have an investigator and the department is far below the average ratio of the number of Officers per residents throughout the state. The New Hampshire average throughout the state is 1.8 officers per thousand. Newton averages 1.1 officers per thousand.
Selectman Donovan asked the Chief if he will cut back on the part time Officers. The Chief responded that it will cut down on some of the weekend night coverage but he wants this new Officer to absorb the investigation work.
The Board asked for the Chief to rework the numbers for the medical insurance in order to discuss the revised budget at the December 3rd Selectmen’s meeting.
B. Review of the Police Services budget
Chief Streeter explained the hourly rate that the town charges for details that fall under the Police Services budget. This year a warrant article passed to set up a revolving fund for the fees to be paid into by those requesting a Police Officer detail. This budget is an estimate only for it is based upon requests for services for Police Officer details. Town Administrator Wrigley added that we budgeted $35,000 this year in case the warrant article did not pass. Since the warrant article passed, the revolving fund was set up in June/July and all payments to the town for details have been deposited into this revolving account since then and paid to the detail officer through the town payroll. The Bookkeeper has scheduled to have this fund pay back the town before year end. An accounting procedure is being
worked on by the Bookkeeper for next year.
Chief Streeter discussed the breakdown of what the town charges for a detail. The Officer makes $33.00 per hour and the town receives and administration fee of $8.00 and a cruiser fee of $8.00 for a total hourly wage of $49.00. Chief Streeter discussed that the fees were set by a previous Board of Selectmen. After a discussion on the fee structure, the Board requested the Chief to check with the surrounding towns to check out their fee schedule.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to approve the Police Services budget for 2008 in the amount of $5,000. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
C. Open 2007 Town Report bids
The Board opened bids received for the printing of the 2007 Town Report from the following companies;
The Yankee Printer of Hampton Falls, NH
Commonwealth Printing of Newburyport, MA
Town & Country Reprographics of Concord, NH
Neoprint, Inc. of Chelmsford, MA
Odyssey Press, Inc. of Gonic, NH
Kase Printing of Hudson, NH
The Whittier Press of Amesbury, MA
The Bacon Otto Press of Newburyport, MA
Brothers Bindery & Printing LLC of Hudson, NH
The Board requested that a spreadsheet be prepared showing price comparisons and the Board will review this again at the December 3rd Selectmen’s Meeting.
New Business
A. Set Selectmen’s Meeting schedule for December
After reviewing the December schedule for Selectmen’s meetings, the Board changed the meeting schedule as follows;
Meeting dates are Monday, December 3rd and Tuesday, December 4th; Tuesday, December 18th and Wednesday, December 19th. The Board cancelled the regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 17th due to scheduling conflicts.
B. Discussion of Town Offices Holiday hours
Chairman Ulcickas discussed with Christmas Day and New Year’s Day falling on Tuesdays this year, many businesses are closing on Monday, December 24th Christmas Eve and Monday, December 31st New Year’s Eve. Some concern was discussed on closing on the last day of the month, December 31st. Another concern related to part time employees is that the town’s personnel policy requires that they must work the day before and the day after the holiday in order to be paid for the holiday.
The Board read a letter from Town Clerk/Tax Collector stating that she intends to close the office on Monday, December 24th and Monday, December 31st. Selectman Donovan will speak with Town Clerk/Tax Collector McCullough to make sure she is aware of the town’s personnel policy for holiday pay. The Board tabled this discussion until the December 3rd Selectmen’s meeting.
C. Review of Pump House bids
Office Manager Winglass informed the Board that Chief Building Official Ron Lemere will be meeting within the week with both contractors that bid on the construction of the Pump House to verify that the bids submitted encompasses all the work involved with this project.
Announcements
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
Reports from Department Heads
Request for Refund
The Board reviewed a letter from The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank requesting a refund on interest and penalties in the amount of $141.20 for the tax bill for Susan Down of 10 Goulds Hill Road. The Bank sent a copy of the check which was mailed out for the first tax bill in 2007 and this payment was never received by the town according to Town Clerk/Tax Collector Mary Jo McCullough. Chairman Ulcickas discussed that there was an issue with mail not being received to the town in June and the Board has already refunded money to others for the same circumstance.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to approve waiving the interest and penalties to The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank for the June 2007 tax bill of 10 Goulds Hill Road, Map 010-04-01-2 in the amount of $141.20. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Request for Appointment
The Board received a request from Welfare Agent Tina O’Rourke to appoint Brian O’Rourke as Deputy Welfare Agent.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Brian O’Rourke as Deputy Welfare Agent with an expiration date of April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectmen’s site walk held on Saturday, November 24th
The Board discussed that after looking at many town parcels, they determined that the best site for the sand/salt storage would be at the Transfer Station. Selectman McCarthy stated that the State of NH Department of Environmental Services said that we can do it with the layout changes planned at the Transfer Station.
Part time Secretary for the Selectmen’s Office
Town Administrator Wrigley asked the Board to review a proposed help wanted advertisement for a part time Secretary for the Selectmen’s Office. The Board agreed that we need to move forward with hiring for this position. Some changes were made to the wording of the advertisement. Selectman McCarthy added that we need someone who is personable – good with the public and who could also do some computer work. An hourly wage will be determined upon experience.
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to adjourn at 9:52pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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