SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
May 4, 2009
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 5:35pm. In attendance were Chairman Trisha J. McCarthy, Selectman Raymond D. Thayer, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. The meeting was audio and video taped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) – Compensation – Animal Control Officer and (c) - Tax Deeding and Code Enforcement. Second by Selectman Donovan. Roll Call Vote: Chairman McCarthy – yes; Selectman Thayer – yes; Selectman Donovan – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the nonpublic meeting at 7:46pm. Second by Selectman Thayer. 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;
- The Board accepted an offer from Kim and Peter Mears to purchase their 1994 Ranger pickup for the amount of $1,000 to be used for Animal Control; to be paid out of the Police Department budget for the town auditors directed the town to put the Rabies Clinic funds into the general fund to offset the budget. This is a cost that the Police Department did not budget for this year but necessary to support Animal Control.
The Board decided to send 10 property owners a letter inviting them to a Selectmen’s Meeting on Monday, May 18, 2009 to discuss options of ways to rectify their property tax due. If the Board does not hear from the property owners by May 13, 2009 by 4pm their property will be deeded as scheduled.
Chairman McCarthy and Selectman Thayer motioned to reluctantly accept the resignation from Code Enforcement Officer Robert S. Donovan, Sr. as of May 4, 2009. Selectman Donovan abstained from the vote. The Board will be acting as Code Enforcement and will be pursuing outstanding code enforcement.
- The Board decided to send a letter to the State Fire Marshal’s Office asking for their report for 2 Puzzle Lane.
- Selectman Thayer will review the approved plan for the F.X. Schmid USA, Inc. property in order to review the approved hours of operation, due to a complaint by the Planning Board.
- The Board decided to send a letter to the owner of 5 Crane Crossing Road to set up a site walk on May 21, 2009 at 5:30pm regarding an ongoing code enforcement issue.
- The Board decided to send a letter to Town Attorney Sumner Kalman regarding the proper handling of newly adopted warrant article #40.
- Send a memo to the Building Department informing them that the Board of Selectmen is now dealing with Code Enforcement and invite them to meet with the Board on June 1st at 5:30pm to review permits for 1R Heath Street.
- Introduction of Guests
- Old Business
New Business
1. Invitation to Bid and Specification for a future pump house at the Town Hall
Chairman McCarthy read the proposed Invitation to Bid and Specifications to build a “future pump house” at the Town Hall. The Board made one change per the recommendation of Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley to specifically note that this building is for a future pump house as approved by warrant article #14 from the March 13, 2007 Town Meeting for the preparation of a Site Plan and the Construction of a Pump House.
2. Invitation to Bid and Specification for generators at the Town Hall and Police Station
Chairman McCarthy read a proposed Invitation to Bid and Specifications for the installation of a generator at the Town Hall and Police Station. Selectman Donovan will check on an item listed on the specification page for the bid to include a block heater.
3. Request from the Girl Scouts of PowWow Power Re: Permit to use the Town Park
The Board reviewed a request from the Girl Scouts of PowWow Power from Yvette Nicol of Gale Village Road to use Greenie Park to hold a carnival for current and prospective Girl Scouts and their families only. The event is to take place on May 30, 2009 from 9am to 3pm and a certificate of insurance was submitted in advance. The Board received a recommendation from the Recreation Commission in favor of allowing this event; the Selectmen concurred.
Selectman Thayer motioned to approve the application from the Girl Scouts of PowWow Power to use Greenie Field based upon the recommendation from the Recreation Commission and based upon the field being available for that day per Newton Baseball. Second by Selectman Donovan. Discussion: Selectman Donovan noted that the Newton Recreation Commission approves the field use. Vote: Unanimous.
4. Request from Resident Sandra DiFusco Re: Permit to use the Town Park
The Board reviewed an application from Sandra and Danny DiFusco of North Main Street asking to use Greenie Park to hold a Baseball game for a group of 10 adults and 12 kids on May 16, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm. The Board received a recommendation from the Newton Recreation Commission in favor of allowing this event, the Selectmen concurred.
Selectman Donovan motioned to allow Sandra and Danny DiFusco the use of Greenie Park to hold a Baseball game on May 16, 2009 from 1 to 4pm and since there are three fields to work out the field to use with the Recreation Commission. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
5. Letter Newton Learning Center, Ltd. Re: Trike-a-Thon
The Board reviewed a letter from Amanda LaRochelle, Director of the Newton Learning Center stating that they are hosting a “Trike-a-Thon” benefitting St. Jude’s Hospital on Wednesday, May 13th at approximately 9am and they asked to hold this event on the cul-de-sac on Grebenstein Drive. Their request asks for the Selectmen to approve this request and to notify the residents and close off road access on that date and time. The event will take approximately 2 hours.
The Board discussed that a precedent has been set with requests to close off town roads to hold events. The Board has denied previous requests to close roads; some residents have held their events by keeping the road open and hiring a detail officer to control traffic.
Selectman Donovan motioned to give the Newton Learning Center permission to use Grebenstein Drive in the cul-de-sac section as long as they have a detail officer during the event. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
- Update of the Newton Bulky Item Fees
The Board reviewed proposed changes from Transfer Station Manager to update the Bulky Item Fees for Newton residents as well as East Kingston, Kingston and South Hampton residents. The changes include a fee for microwaves and a change to televisions and monitors as well as tires.
Selectman Thayer motioned to accept the bulky item fee schedules as amended pending a final check with the Transfer Station Manager. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
- U.S. Census Bureau will begin its first phase of the 2010 Census operation, Address Canvassing, beginning April 20, 2009 to July 6, 2009. Address Canvassing allows the Census Bureau to verify the address and physical location of each NH dwelling for accuracy.
Chairman McCarthy stated that this announcement will remain on the agenda as a reminder of things happening in town. If anyone is approached from the U.S. Census Bureau ask to see picture identification, if none please do not let them in to your house and contact the Police Department.
- State of NH Dept. of Resources and Economic Development has tentatively scheduled to present at the Monday, June 1st Selectmen’s Meeting the State’s Economic Revitalization Zone Tax Credit. The public is encouraged to attend.
This presentation is tentatively scheduled; please contact the Selectmen’s Office for a final scheduled date.
Chairman McCarthy announced that the Planning Board has been approved for a grant working on zoning for the town. The Planning Board will ask for input from the departments in town and will look for continued input by the public and is looking for anyone that may know the names of lakes, streams or rivers or old town roads in town.
Chairman McCarthy announced that plans are underway for the Newton Memorial Day Parade to be held on May 25th with an anticipated start time of 2pm. The town is looking for those that would like to participate in this event. The town is looking for Veterans and those currently serving in the Armed Services to contact the Selectmen’s Office for more information about this event. Those that would like to participate by preparing food for after the parade, new or old cars that may want to be part of the parade, please contact the Selectmen’s Office. If there is a Veteran who cannot walk the parade route, please call the office for a ride. Help is needed, please call 382-4405 ext. 10.
- Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
- Selectmen’s Public Meeting Minutes of March 30, 2009, April 6, 2009 and April 14, 2009
Selectman Thayer motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of March 30, 2009 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Donovan motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of April 6, 2009 as written. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Thayer motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of April 14, 2009 as written. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
- Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting Minutes of April 14, 2009
Selectman Donovan motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes of April 14, 2009 as written. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
- Reports from Department Heads
- The Town is advertising for part time Attendants at the Transfer Station
- Chairman McCarthy discussed holding a department head informal meeting quarterly to share what is happening in each department in order to keep the lines of communication open.
- Selectman Thayer inquired as to what is happening with the purchase policy. Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley responded that she is just getting back from some time off and will work on the policy. The Board asked for copies of the surrounding town’s purchase policy as this information has been obtained from Selectman Thayer.
- The Board asked for a copy of the Code Enforcement Officer’s job description and a copy of the last help wanted advertisement for this position. Chairman McCarthy noted the need to work on a job description for the Selectmen’s Office Manager Mary Winglass.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to adjourn at 8:37pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
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