SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
November 5, 2007
Call to Order
Chairman Ulcickas called the meeting to order at 6pm. 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
Old Business
A. 2008 Proposed Budgets
1. Cemetery Trustees
Present were Cemetery Trustee Andrew Morse and William Landry
Chairman Ulcickas stated that the reason for meeting with the Trustees tonight is to make sure we are looking at preparing the 2008 budget to outfit each cemetery with the proper equipment to maintain all four cemeteries. Part of the problem is transporting the equipment back and forth between the cemeteries therefore we need to look at what is the minimum equipment needed to maintain the cemeteries in general.
A discussion regarding purchasing a building to store the equipment and yet it still requires a truck to haul the equipment from one cemetery to the next. Cemetery Trustee Andrew Morse added that the 2008 proposed budget submitted by the Trustees include the equipment needed to maintain the cemeteries.
Plan A is to subcontract out the maintenance of the cemeteries and Plan B is for the Trustees to do the work. The main goal is to get away from the Trustees using their own equipment and vehicles. An Invitation to Bid for the maintenance of the four cemeteries has been sent out to businesses in the area as well as in the local newspaper and are due in by November 19, 2007.
The Board asked the Trustees how many burials they have per year. Trustee Andrew Morse stated that it fluctuates but this year we had approximately 5 burials. The funeral director handles the digging of the graves, the Trustees map out the area and that is where their job stops.
2. Road Agent
Present were Road Agent Frank Gibbs and Assistant Jamie Gibbs
Road Agent Gibbs informed the Board that Dugway Road is not done yet for he has more to do on the edge of the road but it should be completed by the end of November. Also he will address the drainage issue at the Transfer Station to make sure the water will run to the fire pond by installing a pipe to drain the water.
Gibbs then gave the Board a five to ten year plan which consisted of a list of roads that need updating. The Board asked Frank if he received an email from Jeffrey Friedman of Audrey Lane. Gibbs responded that he did and what needs to be done is to install rip rap along the sides of the road and the catch basin cleaned which would cost approximately $7,000 to $8,000. The Board decided to table this issue until the November 19th meeting. Selectman McCarthy added that she would be willing to go out and view Audrey Road with Frank before the next meeting.
B. Review of quote for a concrete pad at the Transfer Station
The Board tabled this discussion for Transfer Station Manager Andrew Morse is expecting another quote for a new concrete pad at the Transfer Station. Transfer Station Manager Morse added that the State of NH Department of Environmental Services is coming to the Transfer Station on November 14th to conduct a site walk to help with the layout.
New Business
A. Set date for 2008 Budget Public Hearing and Deliberative Session
The Board reviewed the dates to hold the 2008 Budget Hearing; the first day to hold the Hearing on the budget and bonding is January 8th with the last day being January 15th. The Board decided to hold the Public Hearing on Monday, January 14, 2007 at 7pm with a snow date of Tuesday, January 15, 2007. The Public Hearing will be held at the Town Hall.
The Board decided to hold the Deliberative Session (First Session of the Annual Town Meeting) on Tuesday, February 5th at 7pm with a snow date of Wednesday, February 6th. The Deliberative Session will be held at the Sanborn Regional Middle School.
B. Medical Insurance proposal
Present was Michael St.Gelais, Senior Account Representative for the Foy Insurance Group to explain a benefits analysis that he prepared for the Town of Newton. The benefits analysis outlined (10) ten options through Anthem Blue Cross, (10) ten options through Harvard Pilgrim & Cigna Health and (5) five options through MVP Health Care. Mr. St.Gelais explained the different plan designs and summaries. Chairman Ulcickas discussed that the Town’s current health provider is through the Local Government Center (LGC) and asked for the staff to give Mr. St.Gelais a copy of the plan offered through the LGC in order for Mr. St.Gelais to give the Board a cost comparison. Mr. St.Gelais replied that he would have the comparison to the Board for the November 19th Selectmen’s meeting.
Chairman Ulcickas asked if Mr. St.Gelais would give the town a cost comparison of the town’s liability insurance and workers’ compensation. Mr. St.Gelais responded that he would be happy to once he receives the breakdown of the plans. Town Administrator Wrigley will prepare the information for Mr. St.Gelais.
C. Transfer station holiday hours for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years
Chairman Ulcickas stated that the Transfer Station will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22nd and will reopen on Saturday, November 24th from 8am to 4:45pm. The Board discussed that Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both fall on a Tuesday, which is a regular work day at the Transfer Station. Transfer Station Andrew Morse stated that he needs to speak with G. Mello Disposal to make sure they can make special arrangements for pickups that week in order to open the Transfer Station on Wednesday for both weeks. The Board decided to discuss the Christmas/New Year’s holiday hours at the next meeting, once the pickup schedule has been determined.
Chairman Ulcickas asked about the new signs for the Transfer Station. Andrew Morse responded that he has four signs on order from the New Hampshire the Beautiful but they are pending based upon their new budget as of November 1, 2007.
Chairman Ulcickas asked to discuss the “shrink wrap house” at the Transfer Station at the November 19th meeting. The staff are using a temporary shelter “shrink wrap house” near the entrance of the Transfer Station to check for resident stickers and to accept payment for the disposal of bulky items and to give a written receipt. Selectman McCarthy added that materials may be available, to include doors and windows, to build a shelter from resident Michael Fortin. Transfer Station Mgr Morse asked for the Board to consider installing a light by the entrance of the Transfer Station for it is very dark in that area and he suggests installing a pole with a light and a timer at a cost of $500 to $600. The Board discussed additional options for lighting in the area and asked for Andrew to
discuss it with the State when they conduct a site walk on the 14th of November and the Board will revisit this issue at the November 19th meeting.
Announcements
· 2007 Tax Rate is $18.28 per thousand
· Invitation to Bid for Cemetery Maintenance, Town Report and Pump House)
Chairman Ulcickas announced that the town has gone out to bid for the maintenance of the four cemeteries in town, the 2007 Town Report and the Sprinkler System Pump House. Selectman Donovan asked to discuss the Pump House bid for it did not include the installation of a generator. A generator would be needed for if there is a fire then the electricity would shut down therefore the water pump would not work. TA, Wrigley responded that no discussion ever came up regarding a generator when working with the consultants that helped prepare the specifications. Selectman Donovan will discuss this requirement with the Chief Building Official Ron Lemere.
· Selectmen’s Office CLOSED on Wednesday, November 7th and will reopen on Thursday, November 8th at 5pm.
Chairman Ulcickas announced that the Selectmen’s Office will be closed on Wednesday, November 7th and on Thursday, November 8th until 5pm for the staff will be attending training at a conference sponsored by the Local Government Center. Assessing information and resident stickers will be available through the Town Clerk/Tax Collectors Office.
· Town Offices will be CLOSED on Monday, November 12, 2007 in observance of Veterans’ Day
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
· Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of October 1, 2007, October 9, 2007, October 15, 2007 and October 22, 2007
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of October 1, 2007, October 9, 2007, October 15, 2007 and October 22, 2007 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous. Chairman Ulcickas rescinded his motion and Selectman Donovan rescinded his second for it was necessary to table this item until attendance can be verified. Vote: Unanimous.
· Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting minutes of October 1, 2007, October 9, 2007, October 15, 2007 and October 22, 2007
Chairman Ulcickas tabled accepting the minutes until the November 19, 2007 meeting.
Reports from Department Heads
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to adjourn on 8:16pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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