SELECTMEN’S MEETING
February 5, 2007
Call to Order
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:40pm. 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.
Chairman Nelson motioned to go into non-public under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – contractual obligation; (5) – zoning violations; review of the internal assessment report. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to close the non-public meeting at 7:35pm. 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 will send out letters to two residents to set up a site walk to determine compliance with Newton’s Zoning Regulations.
Chairman Nelson called the meeting back to order. Others in attendance were Chairman of the Safety Complex Building Committee Bob Bartlett, ex-Selectman Norman Harding and Eric Weinrieb from Altus Engineering.
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
A. American Medical Response (AMR) Re: Ambulance Agreement
Chairman Nelson announced that the area towns of Atkinson, Danville, Hampstead, Newton, Plaistow and Sandown have come to an agreement with American Medical Response for a three year term at no-cost to the towns for an Ambulance service. This agreement provides Advanced Life Support services on a twenty-four hour a day basis during the Term of the Agreement.
Chairman Nelson thanked Fire Chief Bill Ingalls and the surrounding town’s Fire Chief’s who worked diligently on this agreement.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the Ambulance agreement between the Town of Newton and (AMR) American Medical Response. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous. The Selectmen signed the contract.
B. Father & Son Realty Trust Re: Accepting Zoe Lane as a Town Road
Chairman Nelson read a memo from the Newton Planning Board recommending that the Town accept ownership of Zoe Lane and a second memo from Road Agent Frank Gibbs also recommending that the Board accept Zoe Lane as a town road.
Chairman Nelson asked if there were any questions or comments from the public. There were no comments from the public.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept Zoe Lane in the Peaslee Estates subdivision as a town road as of February 5, 2007. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
C. Grebenstein Drive Re: Construction cost to complete the road
The Board reviewed a letter from Altus Engineering outlining their inspection of Grebenstein Drive and the estimated construction costs to complete the road. Since the Developer is unable to complete the construction and the Town must finish the road using the road bond held by the Town, the Board is looking at what must be done to accomplish this goal.
The Board requested that the staff contact the Road Agent for he had some concerns with the first 14 or 15 feet of the road the last time they discussed this road and to get a clarification of his concerns in writing.
New Business
A. Open bids for Engineering Services
The Board opened the (12) bids received at the Selectmen’s Office in response to the RFP for Engineering Services. The following companies sent in bids; the Board stated that the bids are to go to the Planning Board for their review and recommendation.
Altus Engineering, Inc. from Portsmouth, NH
Lynnfield Engineering, Inc. from Danvers, MA
Vollmer Associates, LLP from Concord, NH
New England Engineering Services, Inc. from North Andover, MA
TFM Structural Engineers from Bedford, NH
KV Partners, LLC from Manchester, NH
Farwell Engineering Services, LLC from Lee, NH
DuBois & King, Inc. from Nashua, NH
The Louis Burger Group, Inc. from Manchester NH
Cuoco & Cormier Engineering Associates, Inc, from Nashua, NH
Reforce Consulting Group, Center Barnstead, NH
VIS Construction Consultants from South Burlington, VT
B. Resignation letter from Welfare Agent Connie Smith and Deputy Mitchell Smith
Chairman Nelson read the resignation letter from Welfare Agent Connie Smith effective April 15, 2007. To assist during the transition of a new welfare agent, Connie will remain in this role until May 31, 2007 if a candidate is not found.
Chairman Nelson stated that the Board regretfully accepts Connie’s resignation. Anyone interested in the position need to send in a letter of interest and/or a resume. The Board asked that this position to be advertised in the newspaper and on the town’s website.
Announcements
· First Session of the Annual Town Meeting (Deliberative Session) is Tuesday, February 6, 2007 starting at 7pm at the Middle School. Snow date is Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 7pm.
· Second Session of the Annual Town Meeting (Voting Day) is Tuesday, March 13, 2007 from 8am to 8pm at the Memorial School.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
· Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of December 7, 2006, December 14, 2006, December 18, 2006, December 21, 2006, December 23, 2006, December 28, 2006, January 2, 2007
· Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the public meeting minutes of December 7, 2006, December 14, 2006, December 18, 2006, December 21, 2006, December 23, 2006, December 28, 2006 and January 2, 2007. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Discussion: Selectman Ulcickas requested that a change be made to the December 14th Meeting minutes. The change is to the motion to accept the winter highway budget. The motion is to be changed to “Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the winter highway budget from the proposed budget of $174,963.00 increased to $181,863.00”. The change amended the wording from “reduced” to
“increased”. Vote: Unanimous.
· Selectmen Public Hearing minutes of January 16, 2007 for the proposed bonding; Public Hearing minutes of January 16, 2007 on the proposed 2007 town budget and warrant articles.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the minutes of the January 16, 2007 Public Hearing for the proposed bonding. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the minutes of the January 16, 2007 Public Hearing for the proposed 2007 town budget and warrant articles. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
· Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting minutes of November 13, 2006, November 20, 2006, December 4, 2006, December 18, 2006 and January 2, 2007.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the Non-Public meeting minutes of November 13, 2006. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept Non-Public meeting minutes of November 20, 2006. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the Non-Public meeting minutes of December 4, 2006. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the Non-Public meeting minutes of December 18, 2006. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the Non-Public meeting minutes of January 2, 2007. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
· Safety Complex Building Committee
1. Treasurers Report Re: Bonding options
2. Vendor manifest
Chairman of the Safety Complex Building Committee Bob Bartlett showed the proposed Safety Complex building floor plan and a separate plan showing the elevations. Mr. Bartlett was very pleased with the outcome of the final plans and pointed out various aspects of the building plan such as the fire pole, decontamination rooms and the additional room to hold meetings and/or to shelter residents in case of an emergency. Signs will be placed around town and a large banner is to be put on the property of the proposed building site.
Treasurers Report Re: Bonding Options
The Board reviewed a memo from Treasurer Cheryl Nelson outlining the different bonding options to the town to include a level principal bond and a level debt bond.
Level principal bonds are most commonly used by communities as you pay down the principal over the years and the interest goes down accordingly. Level debt bonds are a more level principal and interest over the life of the bond which keeps the payments and tax rate impact roughly the same over the life of the bond. Level debt bonds would cost more in interest over the years, therefore Treasurer Cheryl Nelson recommended that the most logical type of bond to pursue would be the level principal bond.
The Board thanked Cheryl for taking the time to research the bond options if/when the warrant article passes for the Safety Complex Building.
Vendor Manifest
Chairman Bob Bartlett left before the Selectmen were able to question him on two requests for payment. Selectman Donovan responded that he would contact Mr. Bartlett tonight at home to ask for a clarification.
Other Announcements
· Resident Norman Harding discussed that the Sanborn Regional School District Deliberative Session will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2007 starting at 7pm at the new high school auditorium.
· Selectman Ulcickas announced that the Board of Selectmen will hold a work meeting on Tuesday, February 20th in order to work on town policies and the MRI report.
Adjourn
Chairman Nelson motioned to adjourn at 8:39pm Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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