SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
September 10, 2007
Call to Order
Chairman Ulcickas called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. 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.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (e) - Litigation; (c) – Internal Control Assessment Report & Part-time Personnel; (a) – Recreation Commission at 6:05pm. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Roll Call Vote: Chairman Ulcickas – yes, Selectman Donovan – yes, Selectman McCarthy – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to close the non-public at 8:35pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. 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 the Board’s decision to:
· The Board decided to send a directive requiring that a receipt be given to everyone who is charged a fee to dispose bulky items at the Transfer Station. A three part, numbered receipt form is to be provided and the receipt is to include license plate number, description of item as well as the fee charged and how it was paid, by cash or check. This new procedure will be effective September 18, 2007.
· The Board unanimously voted that Robert White is Lead Attendant at the Transfer Station; 32 hours at the Transfer Station and 8 hours on the Road Crew as determined by the department supervisor or manager.
· The Board decided that per the compliance date of September 30th to complete the cleanup at 14 Wallace Street, the fines will be waived and to move forward with a payment plan for the $4,000 Attorney fees to be paid to the Town. Code Enforcement Officer Robert Donovan, Sr. will check the property for compliance as of September 30th and report to the Selectmen the status of the property.
· The Board unanimously motioned to give Recreation Commission Secretary Lisa Babcock a raise from Grade II, Step 8 to Grade II, step 10, $9.89 per hour effective September 9, 2007.
· The Board unanimously motioned to release to the public the Internal Controls Assessment Report, Town of Newton dated January 2007 prepared by the Municipal Resources received by the Board of Selectmen’s Office on April 23, 2007.
· The Board unanimously motioned to reinstate for permanent part time employees to be paid on a pro-rated basis for holiday benefits provided that they must work their regularly scheduled day before and after the holiday. This revision to the permanent part time employees holiday benefit will include pro-rated benefits for Labor Day.
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
A. Continued discussion of the fence surrounding the Transfer Station
The Board tabled this discussion until the next meeting.
B. Update of the Central Fire Station Lighting Re: Atlantic Energy Solutions
Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley informed the Selectmen that Fire Chief Bill Ingalls agrees with the decision to hold off on updating the lighting at the Central Fire Station due to the proposed warrant article for a new Safety Complex.
C. Continued discussion of the Sprinkler System Pump House site plan
The Board discussed the site plan for the sprinkler system pump house and Chairman Ulcickas will check with Chief Building Official Ron Lemere on the changes to the specifications on the site plan.
New Business
A. American Red Cross: Armed Forces Emergency Services Committee
The Board reviewed a letter from the American Red Cross requesting a Newton resident to be an appointed representative to join the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services Committee. The committee is trained in the areas of preventing, preparing for and responding to disasters. Other topics addressed include scheduling training and support services for our Military Family Support Group and planning and coordinating the Annual Salute to Veterans Breakfast. The Board asked for this information to be put on the town website to see if any resident is interested in joining this committee.
B. State of NH DES Re: Proposed Drawdown of Powwow Pond in East Kingston
The Board reviewed a letter from the State of NH Dept. outlining the request from the Powwow Pond Council, an organization of owners of shorefront property on Powwow Pond, for a change in the date and depth of the fall drawdown of the pond for the purposes of weed control and cleanup of the shoreline. The Council has requested that, this year, the normal start of the fall drawdown be moved from November 1st up to October 1st, and the depth of the drawdown be increased from one foot to three feet. The local governing body is required to have a Public Information Meeting at least fifteen days in advance of the drawdown. The Board questioned what affect this drawdown will have on Country Pond?
Selectman McCarthy stated that the Conservation Commission reviewed this information at their last meeting and had concerns about this excessive drawdown during a drought period and the affect it could have on area resident wells and the aquifer. Other concerns are for the Blandings Turtles and the need to prevent an unwanted impact on Country Pond. Selectman McCarthy added that there is a dam owned by Jay and Susan Pramberg of 5 Webster Road and she discussed the need to speak with them to possibly raise the floodgate due to the drawdown.
The Board discussed that when the town received this letter is was the same time that we received notification from the State that a resident came down with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). As this was an emergency health issue, it took precedence over everything else. The Board decided to send a response letter outlining the concerns of the Selectmen and they will copy the NH Department of Fish & Game Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program and the Conservation Commission.
The Board discussed the need hold a public informational meeting as soon as possible. The public informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 7pm. The public is encouraged to attend. Public notices will be posted in the Carriage Towne News, Newton and Newton Junction Post Offices, Town Website and the local Cable Channel.
Announcements
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
Reports from Department Heads
· The Board reviewed the Selectmen’s meeting schedule for the remainder of the year. The Board decided upon the following meeting schedule:
For the remainder of September, the Board will meet on
September 17th and September 25th.
October1st, October 9th, October 15th, October 22nd and October 29th.
November 5th, 19th and 26th.
December 3rd, 17th and from then on as needed.
· Cost of Living Increase for 2008. The Board requested that all departments to include a 2.5% cost of living increase for all town employees.
· The Board discussed that Dragon Mosquito has been continuing surveillance within the town.
· The Board discussed the need to discuss the holiday hours for the Town Hall and the Transfer Station. Chairman Ulcickas stated that he feels that since Christmas Eve and New Years Eve fall on a Monday, he proposed that we close the Town Hall on both days. Selectman Donovan added that he has some concern about closing the Town Hall on the last day to register vehicles on December 31, 2007. The Board requested that we check with the Town Clerk/Tax Collector MaryJo McCullough to ask her opinion on the holiday hours.
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to close the meeting at 9:10pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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