SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
June 2, 2009
Selectman Donovan called the meeting to order at 5:36pm. In attendance were Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Selectman Raymond D. Thayer, Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. Minutes were audio and video taped, minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass. Chairman Trisha McCarthy was late due to heavy traffic.
Selectman Donovan motioned to go into nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) - Code Enforcement and Tax Deeding and (b) Transfer Station. Second by Selectman Thayer. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Donovan – yes; Selectman Thayer – yes. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Trisha J. McCarthy participated in the nonpublic meeting via speakerphone and arrived at the meeting at approximately 6pm.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to recess the nonpublic meeting at 7:44pm until after the public meeting. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
- Introduction of Guests
- Old Business
A. Review of Code Enforcement Officers job description
The Board made some minor changes to the Code Enforcement Officer’s job description per the recommendation of Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley.
B. Selectmen’s Summer Meeting Schedule and Department Head Meeting
The Board discussed holding a quarterly department head meeting for all departments to get to know what is going on in town and as a way to share what is happing in other departments. Chairman McCarthy will work on an email to all town departments inviting them to the first department head meeting on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 7pm.
Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley stated that she sent out an email to all the department heads inviting them to the meeting on the 22nd and attached a copy of the Purchase Policy for their review prior to the meeting.
IV. New Business
1. Review “Request for Proposal – Statistical Update”
The Board reviewed the request for proposal for the Town of Newton to conduct a statistical update in 2010. The RFP will be put in the local newspaper, the town website and mailed to a list of Municipal Assessing Consultants.
2. Update to the Salary Classification Plan
The Board reviewed an update to the Salary Classification Plan to include Emergency Management Clerical Secretary under Grade VI, Asst. Director and Support Staff under Grade XIV and Director under Grade XVI.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to add Emergency Management Clerical Secretary under Grade VI on the Salary Classification Plan. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Donovan motioned to add the job titles Emergency Management Assistant Director and Support Staff to Grade XIV on the Salary Classification Plan. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Thayer motioned to add Emergency Management Director to Grade XVI of the Salary Classification Plan. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
3. Matrix update for Emergency Management and Staff
The Board reviewed the matrix scale to determine the hourly wage for four positions under Emergency Management. (See above under update to salary classification plan)
Chairman McCarthy motioned for the Emergency Management Director at Grade XVI, step 7, $18.18 per hour. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Donovan motioned for the Asst Emergency Management Director at Grade XIV, step 6, $16.09 per hour effective as of today’s date. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Thayer motioned for the Emergency Management Support Staff at Grade XIV, step 1, $14.22 per hour. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous;
Chairman McCarthy motioned for the Emergency Management Clerical, Secretary at Grade VI, step 7, $11.16 per hour effective as of today’s date. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
4. Police Department Re: Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
Chief Streeter informed the Selectmen that the department was notified through the Bureau of Justice that they have been awarded $10,714 grant money through Rockingham County under the Recovery Act: Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Award. The Newton Police Department will purchase portable radios to replace four (4) handheld portable police radios that are due to be obsolete in 2010. The reason for this meeting is to give the Selectmen and the community input on this grant; the Selectmen have the authority to deviate and dictate the purchase as they see prudent.
Chairman McCarthy motioned that the Board of Selectmen authorize and sign the Justice Assistance grant for the purchase of four portable radios; Chairman Trisha McCarthy will sign on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
5. Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds of $25.00 donation to the
Newton Food Pantry from Pat Gleichauf-Wonson and a $50.00 donation from Mike Bower
Selectman Thayer motioned to accept and expend unanticipated funds of $25.00 donation to go to the Newton Food Pantry from Pat Gleichauf-Wonson and a $50.00 donation to the Food Pantry from Mike Bower. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
- Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds of $374.00 donation to the Newton Conservation Commission
Chairman McCarthy explained that this check in the amount of $374.00 comes from LCHIP (Land and Community Heritage Investment Program) from interest off the Community Conservation Endowment Investment Program and is given to the Town to assist in the continuation of good stewardship.
Selectman Donovan motioned to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $374.00 to go into the Conservation Fund. Second for discussion by Chairman McCarthy. Discussion: Chairman McCarthy explained that the Stewardship Committee is a committee under the Conservation Commission and the Stewardship Committee voted to expend the funds. Chairman McCarthy motioned to amend the motion for the $374.00 is to go into the Stewardship Fund. Second the Amendment by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
- Littering at the Fire Pond on Amesbury Road
The Board reviewed a memo from a resident on Amesbury Road stating his concern with the litter on Amesbury Road and on the Town property that abuts his property. The town’s property has a fire pond and the trash in this area is more than it should, according to the resident. The Board discussed that Amesbury Road is a main thoroughfare and is on route to the town Transfer Station. The Board decided to put up a “No Trespassing” sign on the Fire Pond Road on the town property located off Amesbury Road.
Selectman Donovan motioned to allow the Road Agent to erect a No Trespassing Sign on the Fire Pond Road off Amesbury Road. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
- Request from Leo LaRochelle Re: Hardship, Road Bond and Engineering on Brenner Drive and George’s Way
Mr. Leo LaRochelle spoke to the Selectmen about his hardship surrounding the purchase of Brenner Drive and George’s Way and his personal background during that time. Chairman McCarthy responded that the Planning Board is working on their procedures in order to make it easier on the applicant.
- 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.
- Town of Newton is working towards “going green”
- Federal Flood Insurance is now available in the Town of Newton
- Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief deadline to file is June 30, 2009
- Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
- Reports from Department Heads
Office Manager Mary Winglass asked the Board to clarify if the returning lifeguards need to complete a background check each year. The Board confirmed that it must be done each year.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to resume the nonpublic meeting at 9:45pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to recess the meeting at 10:52pm until Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 5:30pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to resume the meeting on Wednesday, June 3, 2008 at 5:38pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Motion passed. Selectman Raymond Thayer was not present at this meeting.
Selectman Donovan motioned to close the nonpublic meeting at 6:55pm. Second by Chairman 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;
- The Board accepted the resignation of Transfer Station Andrew Morse effective June 2, 2009.
- The Board promoted Kevin Jolicouer from part time Attendant to Transfer Station Manager at Grade XV, Step 1 with a probationary period of six months with a monthly evaluation during the probationary period, effective June 2, 2009.
- The Board reviewed letters of interest/resume for Transfer Station Attendants and will set up interviews on Monday June 8th or June 15th.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
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