SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
April 2, 2007
Call to Order
Chairman Ulcickas opened the meeting at 7:20pm. In attendance were Chairman John P. Ulcickas, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Selectman Trisha J. McCarthy, Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley, Office Manager Mary B. Winglass and Town Assessor Andrea Lewy. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Mary B. Winglass.
Introduction of Guests
Old Business
A. Continued discussion of Sargent Woods Land Use Change Tax
Mr. Ned Nichols presented Assessor Andrea Lewy a copy of the bank appraisal of his property on Smith Corner Road and requested to establish a value of the land in order to determine when and how much the land use change tax would be for his property. Chairman Ulcickas responded that since Andrea just received the appraisal we will need to allow her some time to review and make her recommendation to the Board and then the Board will come back with a decision. Mr. Nichols stated that the Selectmen have the ability to make the decision now, for this project will bring in revenue with the land use change tax and regular taxes. Mr. Nichols added that the Board’s decision will be challenged in court if they disagree. Chairman Ulcickas responded that we are not going to debate the laws this evening for at this time
Andrea needs to review the appraisal and make her recommendation. Mr. Nichols asked how much time the Board would need before they have a decision. The Board asked Andrea how much time would she need and Andrea responded that she cannot commit to any time frame at this point in time. Andrea added that based upon Mr. Nichols comment to challenge the Board’s decision if they are unable to come to an agreement, she would need some time before determining her recommendation to present an agreement in the best interest of the town.
Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley asked Mr. Nichols when he anticipates his subdivision plan to be signed by the Planning Board for without a signed plan our hands are tied. Mr. Nichols responded that once the road bond is posted the mylar will be signed and recorded.
Mr. Nichols asked to meet again with the Selectmen at their next scheduled meeting. Chairman Ulcickas responded that Mr. Nichols is welcome to come back but we do not know if we will have a recommendation at that time. Andrea responded that in order to make a recommendation she would need to have a signed plan as this project has been ongoing since 2003 and has changed a number of times.
Mr. Nichols added that he is just asking for the procedure to be used to determine the land use change tax. Andrea responded that the procedure includes a signed, recorded plan and when a change in use occurs, a land use change tax bill will be issued. If the taxpayer is not in agreement with the land use change tax, then the procedure is to file an abatement with the town. The town will then recommend or deny the abatement request and if the taxpayer is not satisfied with their decision they can file with the BTLA (Board of Tax and Land Appeal) or to Superior Court.
Chairman Ulcickas asked for Andrea to put this on the front burner and to place this discussion on the next meeting agenda scheduled for April 16th.
B. Continued discussion of Phase II of the Fire Alarm System at the Gale Library
The Board reviewed notes from JM Protective Services, LLC regarding the differential in the proposals for the Town Hall and the Gale Library for Phase II of the Fire Alarm Systems. Overall the difference is due to the poor condition, style and the amount of labor to repair and upgrade the system at the Gale Library. These factors are the reason for the additional cost of the repairs and upgrades as well as the increase to the yearly maintenance fee. TA, Nancy Wrigley added that the Gale Library will pay for the monitoring fee of $480 for the first year only.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to pay JM Protective Services, LLC $1,950 to upgrade and repair the alarm system at the Gale Library and to pay the $200 maintenance fee out of the general government buildings budget with the $480 monitoring fee to be paid by the Gale Library. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
C. Review bid to shingle the Town Hall roof and cupola
Chairman Ulcickas read the draft “Invitation to Bid” for soliciting bids to strip, repair and re-shingle the entire roof of the Town Hall and to repair the Steeple/Cupola located on Town Hall Road. Specifications are available upon request at the Town Hall or on the Town Website at www.newton-nh.gov. Bids marked “Re-shingle Town Hall” are to be returned to the Selectmen’s Office by 4PM on Monday, May 7, 2007 to be opened that evening at the Selectmen’s meeting. All bids must include a Certificate of Liability Insurance.
After reviewing the bid and the specification page, the Board agreed to the wording and made no changes. It was decided to place the bid in the Eagle Tribune for two consecutive Fridays.
New Business
A. Review Applications for Appointments
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Mary M. Allen to the Safety Complex Building Committee with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Kevin P. Nolan to the Safety Complex Building Committee with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Mary-Jo McCullough as Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Kip Kaiser as an Alternate Member to the Planning Board with a term to expire on April 15, 2009. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Gary F. Nelson as an Alternate Member to the Planning Board with a term to expire on April 15, 2010. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Mary M. Allen as an Alternate Member to the Planning Board with a term to expire on April 15, 2010. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Deborah Finnigan as an Alternate Member to the Planning Board with a term to expire on April 15, 2009. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Nancy Slombo as an Alternate Member to the Recreation Commission with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Theresa Gridley as a member of the Recreation Commission with a term to expire April 15, 2010. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Dale G. Putnam as Assistant Emergency Management Director with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint John Owens as Emergency Management Director with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Andrew P. Morse as a member of the NCAT-20 Cable Committee with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Theresa M. Morse as a member of the NCAT-20 Cable Committee with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Walter S. Bradstreet as a member of the NCAT-20 Cable Committee with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Pauline E. Morse as a member of the NCAT-20 Cable Committee with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint James E. Malkemes as a member of the NCAT-20 Cable Committee with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Raymond D. Thayer as Boat Tax Collector with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman Donovan. Discussion: Chairman Ulcickas questioned the need for more clarification on the position of Boat Tax Collector for he would like to see the RSA that regulates this position for it seems that it should fall under the Tax Collector’s position. Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley discussed that this position has always been a separate entity for it used to be done at the Newton Junction Variety Store. Chairman Ulcickas rescinded his motion to appoint Raymond D. Thayer as Boat Tax Collector. Selectman Dononvan rescinded his second.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to appoint Deborah Finnigan as Rockingham Planning Commissioner with a term to expire on April 15, 2008. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Announcements
· Part–time Code Enforcement Officer
Chairman Ulcickas read the advertisement that the Board of Selectmen 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. We are seeking a motivated individual who possesses excellent communication and organizational skills. Duties and responsibilities include: Periodic inspection of the Zoning and Land Use violations; investigate complaints of reported violations, helping to achieve compliance; document case material for Court and Town Counsel; prepare and maintain records and reports to completion. A minimum of five years experience in the interpretation, application and enforcement of Zoning Codes, Land Use Ordinances and NH Statutes is required and to have the
knowledge and experience of the enforcement of NH Wetlands and Junkyard regulations. Hours are flexible, approximately 10 hours per week – on call as needed.
Interested applicants should send their letter of interest and/or resume to the Board of Selectmen, PO Box 378, 2 Town Hall Road, Newton, NH 03858 no later than April 12, 2007 by 4pm.
Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
· Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of March 19, 2007
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Selectmen’s public meeting minutes of March 19, 2007 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
· Selectmen’s Non-Public Meeting minutes of March 19, 2007
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Selectmen’s non-public meeting minutes of March 19, 2007 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Reports from Department Heads
· Safety Complex Building Committee
Chairman of the Safety Complex Building Committee Bob Bartlett stated that the committee has nothing new to report at this time and asked if the Selectmen had any questions for the committee. No one had any questions for the committee. Mr. Bartlett stated that the Safety Complex Building Committee will meet this Thursday night and asked if the Board had email addresses for one of the new members. Selectman McCarthy responded that she can help to get that information to Mr. Bartlett.
Eileen Patterson, member of the Safety Complex Building Committee asked why two new members are being added to the committee. She was told that there are two vacancies (resignations) and two new requests to be appointed to the committee. Mrs. Patterson stated that the committee will propose the same building this year for there is no intention of changing any of the work and the committee will be working only on public relations. Mrs. Patterson then questioned Selectman McCarthy on whether she supports the Safety Complex as proposed. Selectman McCarthy responded that she supports the safety complex and looks forward to becoming more involved with the process. Mrs. Patterson again questioned the appointment of the new members and asked why they were appointed at this time. The Board agreed that with the new
members offers the committee some additional insight with ways of getting the word out to the public.
Review of Action Items
Adjourn
Chairman Ulcickas motioned to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (b) – Interview candidates for Welfare Agent and (a) – Police Department. Second by Selectman Donovan. Roll Call Vote: Chairman Ulcickas – yes, Selectman Donovan – yes, Selectman McCarthy – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Ulcickas motioned at 9:26pm to recess the non-public meeting until Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 6pm. 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 change to the matrix classification plan to add to Grade XI Police Department Secretary/Clerk/Accreditation Manager and to move Rebecca Gagne to Grade XI, step 4, $13.23 per hour effective January 1, 2007 and to send a letter to the owners of 87 Smith Corner Road scheduling a site walk of the property for Sunday, April 15, 2007 starting at 10am.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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