SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
May 18, 2009
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 5:37pm. 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 (c) - Tax Deeding and Code Enforcement. Second by Selectman Thayer. Roll Call Vote: Chairman McCarthy – yes, Selectman Thayer – yes, Selectman Donovan – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the nonpublic session at 6:53pm. 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 following; the Board is sending a letter to two property owners setting up a second meeting to further discuss the tax deeding of their property.
7pm – Public Hearing
In accordance with RSA 41:11, 47:17 the Board of Selectmen scheduled a Public Hearing for the purpose of discussing the changes as you enter onto Gould’s Hill Road; entering from Route 108 to close off the south corner entrance and to use the entrance after the island by making a hard right. The entrance onto Gould’s Hill Road from Amesbury Road changes by closing the entrance before the telephone pole as you are heading toward Route 108.
Chairman McCarthy opened the public hearing at 7:09pm. Present were Road Agent Michael Pivero and Police Chief Lawrence Streeter.
Road Agent Mike Pivero explained the process of how we got to this point for last year the Selectmen were approached by a resident with a concern of excessive speeding and a lot of cut through traffic traveling on Gould’s Hill Road. After discussing the options at several public meetings, the Selectman decided to change the entrances onto Gould’s Hill Road and signs were posted to inform the traveling public of the changes. There has been some dissatisfaction by some residents on the road and some opposition on the signs but the change was done for the benefit of the residents on the road.
Police Chief Streeter discussed the change to the entrance onto Gould’s Hill Road was done on a trial basis and he has been stopping vehicles as a courtesy up until this point; if the Board approves this tonight then it becomes enforceable by law. The Board has been working to find a solution to the speeding issue on the road, a road that was initially carved out as a cow path.
Residents from Gould’s Hill Road were present and discussed the pros and cons of the changes to the road.
Ann Francoeur of 15 Gould’s Hill Road stated that the traffic has lessen with the change and there is not as much debris on the road from those traveling to the Transfer Station but it is a nuisance with taking a right hand turn off of Route 108.
Susan Dow of 10 Gould’s Hill Road talked about a tree on the right side blocking one of the new “Do Not Enter” signs and the right hand turn off of Route 108 has a large pothole. Road Agent Pivero stated that he will look at the tree and his plan is to fix the pothole at the time the State repaves Route 108 this year.
Ron Skovron of 21 Gould’s Hill Road stated that he is in favor of the change and explained that the new sign is blocked by the newly sprung leaves on the trees.
Road Agent Mike Pivero discussed that the intersection onto Gould’s Hill Road from Route 108 can only be altered so much for the town does not own the island, therefore we cannot make any changes unless the town purchases the property. Other options discussed were changing it to a one way road coming from Amesbury Road and “no thru traffic”. Pros and cons were discussed with each option such as snowplowing, mail delivery and the school bus. Chief Streeter added that whatever is decided tonight can be enforced for this public hearing satisfy’s the requirements per State Law.
It was discussed that the changes onto Gould’s Hill Road has slowly evolved and in an effort not to confuse the traveling public then we should continue the way it is to see if people adjust to the change; making the right hand turn onto Gould’s Hill Road is no different then pulling into one’s driveway along Route 108.
Chief Streeter stated that he cannot be there all the time but would target on days the Transfer Station is open and will help to do what it takes to make it work.
The residents were asked for a show of hands of how many were in favor of keeping it like it is, the majority was in favor of no change at this time. Two residents were in favor of changing Gould’s Hill to a one-way road.
Chairman McCarthy concluded that this public hearing is to discuss the options and to take input from the public. Based upon tonight’s discussion, we will continue with the way things stand and by holding this public hearing tonight allows Chief Streeter the “legs” to enforce the change.
The Board asked for the residents to keep them informed of how things are going, communication is important.
Selectman Donovan motioned to adopt the signage on Gould’s Hill Road as it stands presently. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the public hearing at 8pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
- Introduction of Guests
- Old Business
- Emergency Management Director Larry Foote discussed that the town has been approved for a $10,000 grant for a Hazard Mitigation Plan and the town will need $5,000 as a soft match to pay for those attending (staff). The first meeting is on Wednesday, May 20th at 2pm at the Central Fire Station and all Department heads need to attend. Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley asked the Selectmen for permission to close the office in order for the Office Manager to attend this meeting. The Board agreed to close the office.
IV. New Business
1. Requisition for Safety Vests for Emergency Management and Transfer Station
The Board reviewed a requisition initiated by Emergency Management Director Larry Foote for the purchase of ANSI II Lime Safety Vests with the town logo on the back. 20 vests are to be paid out of warrant article #16 known as “Emergency Operations Center Expendable Trust” for $400.00; 10 vests to be paid out of the Transfer Station budget for $200.00.
Selectman Thayer motioned to approve the purchase of 30 ANSI II Lime Safety vests; 20 for Emergency Management and 10 for the Transfer Station for a total of $600.00. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board reviewed another requisition from Emergency Management Director Larry Foote for items needed to operate the Emergency Operations Center during an emergency. These are miscellaneous items such as flashlights with batteries, clipboards, large binder clips and duct tape; items purchased from Home Depot and Staples for a total of $70.65. These items are to be paid out of the Emergency Operations Center Expendable Trust voted 3/10/09.
Selectman Thayer motioned to approve the purchase of miscellaneous items from Staples and Home Depot for a total of $70.65. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
2. Requisition for a Dell Computer for Emergency Management
The Board reviewed a requisition initiated by Emergency Management Director Larry Foote for a Dell Computer for a total of $993.00 to be paid out of the Emergency Operations Center Expendable Trust.
Selectman Donovan motioned to accept the price of $993.00 for a Dell Computer for Emergency Management. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
3. Appointment for Brenda Fiers as Deputy Treasurer
Selectman Thayer motioned to appoint Brenda Fiers as Deputy Treasurer with an expiration date on the 15th day of April 2010. Second by Selectman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
4. Appointment for Pauline Morse as a Cable TV Committee Member
Selectman Donovan motioned to appoint Pauline Morse to the Cable Committee with an expiration date on the 15th day of April 2010. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
5. Planning Board Re: Rescind the appointment of Alternate Gary Nelson
The Board reviewed a memo from the Planning Board asking the Board to rescind the appointment of Gary Nelson as an alternate member of the Planning Board. This is due to the fact that Mr. Nelson has not attended any Planning Board meetings since March 2008.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to rescind the appointment of Gary Nelson as an Alternate Member to the Planning Board due to not attending the meetings. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
Recreation Commission
The Recreation Commission recommends the appointment of Lisa Babcock to a two year alternate term.
Selectman Thayer motioned to appoint Lisa Babcock to the Recreation Commission as an Alternate Member for a two year term. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
- Review of Code Enforcement job description
The Board each received a copy of the job description for the Code Enforcement Officer and the last help wanted advertisement for the Board’s review. The Board decided to table this item until the next meeting.
- 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.
- 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.
- Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 25, 2009 starting at 2:30pm
- Town of Newton is working towards “going green”
Chairman McCarthy announced to all town departments that the Selectmen’s Office are going to attempt to “go green” to cut down on the amount of paper used. From this point forward, the office will not print out the legislative bulletins for they will be forwarded by email. The legislative bulletins have great information for the town and we need to stay on top of what is being voted on in the House and Senate.
- Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
- Reports from Department Heads
Police Chief Streeter discussed that a few years ago the Police Department was awarded grant money for an Incident Command Vehicle. The Police Department has completed and implemented the vehicle and training will be held on Wednesday night, May 20th at 6pm. The Board and town employees that have been involved with emergency management training, as a courtesy are given the opportunity to participate with the training on this vehicle on Wednesday; the Fire Department will have specific training held on another evening.
The Board agreed to attend the training and for the office staff to attend as well.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to go into nonpublic session at 8:40pm under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) Performance Evaluations for Transfer Station personnel and Welfare Agent. Second by Selectman Thayer. Roll Call Vote: Chairman McCarthy – yes, Selectman Thayer – yes, Selectman Donovan – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the nonpublic session at 9:37pm. 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 motioned to move Kevin Jolicoeur part time Transfer Station Attendant from Grade V, step VII to Grade VII, step VIII, $12.01 per hour with an effective date as of today.
- The Board motioned to change Kevin Jolicoeur from a new hire probationary period to a permanent part time Attendant and give him the five hours owed to him from President Day effective today
- The Board motioned to give Tina O’Rourke, Welfare Agent a 5% merit increase as of her anniversary date of April 8, 2009.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to adjourn at 9:38pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
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