SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
December 8, 2008
I. Call to Order
Chairman Donovan called the meeting to order at 4:58pm. In attendance were Chairman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Selectman Trisha J. McCarthy, Selectman Raymond D. Thayer, Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. The meeting was audio taped; the minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
II. Introduction of Guests
III. Old Business
5:00pm - Continued discussion of the Transfer Station site improvements
Present were Transfer Station Andrew Morse
The Board discussed that Road Agent Mike Pivero is hands off as far as the Transfer Station stands. The Board discussed with Andrew what we can do that would not require going out to bid and yet to help with the site improvements. Andrew discussed purchasing a building similar to the one used for the sand/salt to commingle certain items into one area but in the same token being careful as to what can be mixed under one roof. Chairman Donovan discussed looking at sheds out on Route 125; the Board asked for Andrew to get a price.
The Board discussed switching the exit and entrance ways into the Transfer Station, installing hard wired electricity over the guard shack for light and heat. Other items discussed include purchasing movable structures to keep certain items under cover as required by State law and entrance/exit signs
ACTION ITEM: Andy to get an estimate from Councilman for the electric to move the guard shack and to get pricing of sheds in Brentwood. Selectman Thayer recommended that we check with Bill Landry for information on signs.
5:30pm - Continue review of bids for the printing of the 2008 Annual Town Report
The Board decided to wait on making a decision tonight for we still have time and we are waiting for a final price from Bradford and Bilodeau.
5:45pm - Twombly Drive road acceptance
Present was Road Agent Mike Pivero and Developer Francis Hebb.
The Board reviewed a memo from the Planning Board stating that they recommend Twombly Drive to be accepted as a Town Road pending RCCD approval of certification from the land surveyor that all bounds have been set. Two other issues pending has to do with the proposed road deed for Twombly Drive for Town Attorney Sumner Kalman reviewed the deed and had some questions and we need an original copy of the agreement between Newton and South Hampton for recording.
Road Agent Pivero presented a letter from RCCD certifying the bounds for Twombly Drive.
The Board discussed that the signed agreement between the Town of Newton and the Town of South Hampton were signed by the Selectmen at that time, in 2001. The Board agreed to accept Twombly Drive under the condition that the road deed is approved by Town Counsel.
Chairman Donovan motioned to accept Twombly Drive as a Town Road under the condition that the paperwork, which is the original agreement between the Town of South Hampton and the Town of Newton dated December 11, 2001 is received and approved by Town Counsel and the deed language is approved by Counsel per his letter dated December 3, 2008. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
Mr. Francis Hebb gave the Board an original signed agreement between the Town of South Hampton and the Town of Newton for recording.
6:00pm - Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (b) – Hiring for the Police Department
6:15pm - Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) – Multiple Employee Evaluations
Chairman Donovan motioned to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (b) – Hiring for the Police Department; (a) – Multiple Employee Evaluations. Second by Selectman Thayer. Roll Call Vote: Chairman Donovan – yes, Selectman McCarthy – yes, Selectman Thayer – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Donovan closed the nonpublic session at 7:04pm. Second by Selectman McCarthy. 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 following;
· Chairman Donovan motioned to accept Chief Streeter’s recommendation for the appointment of Robert D. DiFluermi as a full time certified probationary Patrolman at Grade XVII, step 7, $19.09 effective today.
· Chairman Donovan motioned to increase Josh Olsen to $9.39 per hour at Grade V, step II effective May 20, 2008.
· Chairman Donovan motioned to bring Cheryl Saunders, Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector at Grade XIII, step 3, $14.23 per hour effective 10/1/08
· Chairman Donovan motioned to move the position of Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector from Grade XIII to Grade XIII.
· Chairman Donovan motioned to bring Jeannette Clark, Board of Appeals Secretary from Grade VI, step 7 to step 9, $11.72 per hour effective 6/8/08.
Chairman Donovan called the public meeting back to order.
7:00pm - Review of the following 2009 proposed budgets
A. Planning Board budget
Present were Planning Board Chairman Ann Miles and Administrative Assistant Lisa Babcock
The Board questioned a few line items proposed in the 2009 budget and made some changes.
Selectman Thayer motioned to accept the 2009 budget at $53,158.00, which is the same at the 2008 budget. Second by Chairman Donovan. Discussion: Ann Miles asked what if we know the balance that the Planning Board will be giving back to the town at the end of the year; it was discussed that we will not have that amount until we are closer to year-end. Vote: Unanimous.
B. Street Lighting budget
Chairman Donovan motioned to accept the 2009 Street Lighting budget at $15,850.00. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
C. General Assistance budget
Chairman Donovan motioned to accept the 2009 General Assistance budget at $25,493.00. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
D. Financial Administration budget
Accounting/Auditing/Assessing budget
The Board discussed the General Assessing portion of the Financial Administration budget and decided to have Assessor Andrew Lewy to come to the next meeting to discuss her contract and a statistical update of the town’s assessments and budgeting for this update.
Treasurer/Bookkeeper budget
The Board reviewed the proposed 2009 Treasurer/Bookkeeper budget under Financial Administration.
Chairman Donovan motioned to accept the 2009 Treasurer/Bookkeeper budget at $15,949.00. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Tax Collector
Chairman Donovan motioned to accept the 2009 Tax Collector’s budget under Financial Administration at $32,119.00. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
Budgeting, Planning and Analysis
Chairman Donovan motioned to accept the 2009 Budgeting, Planning and Analysis budget under Financial Administration at $31,059.00. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
E. Executive budget
The Board tabled this budget until the next meeting.
F. Insurance budget
The Board tabled this budget until the next meeting.
G. Elections and Registrations budget
Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley is to check on the health insurance for this budget; the Board tabled this discussion until next week.
8:00pm - Continue discussion of the variance granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals to CBI
Selectman Thayer stated that he spoke with the President of CBI and then viewed the building and nothing is stored but heavy metal, there was nothing combustible at all in the building. Selectman Thayer stated that everything was in compliance.
Chairman Donovan motioned to approve the variance request of Continental Real Estate, LLC, also known as CBI, from the sprinkler ordinance, as approved at the August 18, 2008 Board of Appeals Meeting. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
IV. New Business
A. Memo from Planning Board Re: Sprinkler Ordinance
The Board reviewed a memo from the Planning Board encouraging the Board of Selectmen to add the proposed sprinkler ordinance to the warrant as a Selectmen’s ordinance. The Board asked for this information to be forwarded to the Fire Chief for his review and input.
B. Review of the Resident Sticker Policy
The Board reviewed the Resident Sticker Policy and Resident Sticker Policy (Guidelines) as amended to allow the Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office handle resident stickers and to remove the requirement to provide a valid Newton driver’s license. The Board discussed revising the policy to allow only one visit to the reuse pile each day; no decision was made.
Chairman Donovan motioned to accept the amendments to the Resident Sticker Policy and the Resident Sticker Policy (Guidelines) as written. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
C. Open bids for “Greenie Park Field Maintenance”
The Board opened two bids from;
Blue Willow Landscapes, LLC, Lee, NH and David W. Marden Landscape Maintenance, Newton Junction, NH
The Board asked to forward the bids to the Recreation Commission for their recommendation.
V. Announcements
· Town of Newton is hiring Cable Operators to run the cable channel.
· Invitation to bid for replacement windows and doors at the Town Hall.
· Wednesday, December 24th Town Offices will close at 12noon
VI. Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
- Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of November 17, 2008
a. Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes of November 17, 2008
The Board tabled accepting the minutes.
VII. Reports from Department Heads
VIII. Adjourn
Chairman Donovan motioned to adjourn at 8:22pm. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
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