SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
February 17, 2010
Chairman McCarthy opened the meeting at 7pm. In attendance were Chairman Trisha J. McCarthy, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. Selectman Raymond D. Thayer was absence due to a death in the family today. The meeting was video taped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
- 6:30pm – Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – Fire Department
- 6:50pm - Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – Transfer Station
- Introduction of Guests
Chairman McCarthy announced that currently at the Town Hall are pictures painted by the children at the Newton Memorial School. The pictures will be on display through the Annual Town Meeting held on March 9, 2010.
A. Transfer Station/Recycling Policy and Resident Sticker Policy
Present: Transfer Station Mgr. Kevin Jolicoeur
Jolicoeur and Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley discussed proposed amendments to the Transfer Station Recycling Policy and the Resident Sticker Policy. Town Administrator Wrigley asked Police Chief Streeter to help explain the reason for removing the fines stipulated within the policies. Chief Streeter explained that a Selectmen’s Ordinance and a Town Ordinance can both attach fines as long as the town follows the provisions under the state statutes. The state statutes under 41:11 allows certain bylaws and ordinances that can be adopted by the Selectmen and 47:17 tell you exclusively what the town can adopt in an ordinance. Only those that are listed under these sections are enforceable via a fine.
The Board can adopt policies and it can be enforced but fines cannot be attached. The Board has the option of enforcing using an administrative route but not in levying a fine. The Board has the authority to manage town properties and to put regulations in place.
Chief Streeter added that the Selectmen may want to send the policies to Town Counsel for his review and comment.
Another proposed amendment includes requiring those entering the Transfer Station to stop at the stop sign and to affix the resident sticker to the windshield. Transfer Station Manager Kevin Jolicoeur informed the Board that he will be changing the parking area for it is too small of an area.
The Board discussed the effective date of the new resident sticker is March 1, 2010 and when residents come in to register their vehicles they will receive one sticker per vehicle. Selectman Donovan stated that he spoke with the Town Clerk and it is her recommendation to allow for a full year cycle for residents to have their new resident sticker in place; Selectman Donovan agreed.
A discussion ensued as to whether the Board would require green stickers to be adhered to the windshield starting March 1, 2010. The Board agreed to require this change and if a resident does not want to adhere it to the windshield for it reads “Newton” then to inform the resident that they can go to the Town Hall for a new resident sticker; the new resident stickers do not have “Newton” printed on the sticker. If a resident has extenuating circumstances that does not allow them to put a resident sticker on the windshield, they will need to meet with the Board to discuss their case.
The Board then reviewed the Resident Sticker Guidelines which are guidelines used by the Town Clerk and the Transfer Station employees for handling of the resident stickers. Similar amendments were made to the guidelines such as those made to the Recycling and Resident Sticker Policies.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to amend the Transfer Station Recycling Policy as discussed. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Donovan motioned to accept the Resident Sticker Policy as amended. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to accept Resident Sticker guidelines as amended. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
B. Memo from Police Chief Re: Part Time Secretary to Administrative Assistant
Present: Police Chief Lawrence Streeter
Police Chief Streeter informed the Board that his request is not creating a new position but simply as a housekeeping measure to change a title. Only the Board of Selectmen has the authority to change a job title. Rebecca Gagnon’s current job title is Part Time Secretary/Accreditation Manager; Chief Streeter proposed to change her title to Administrative Assistant/Accreditation Manager.
Selectman Donovan motioned to change to Police Department Part Time Secretary/Accreditation Manager to Administrative Assistant/Accreditation Manager. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
C. Cont review on the results of the 2010 Deliberative Session
Chairman McCarthy discussed the deliberative session under warrant article #44 regarding the Town Manager Plan. Due diligence was had in checking with sources at the State level, Local Government Center and Town Counsel as to the addition of a parenthetical statement added by those present at the deliberative session whom were not in favor of this article. Per state law, the petition warrant article could not be amended for the wording must follow exactly as the statute outlines. Chairman McCarthy then read an email from Moderator Robert Dezmelyk stating that after consulting with the state and Town Counsel, the parenthetical statement would not appear on the town warrant.
Resident Bill Landry added that those at the deliberative session voted overwhelmingly not to support the article. It was the intent of the attendees at the deliberative session to counteract the Selectmen’s unanimous support in favor of a Town Manager Plan. A vote was taken 34-1 against the adoption of the plan.
Chairman McCarthy added that the Selectmen held a work meeting last week to discuss the findings and the ruling of Moderator Robert Dezmelyk therefore she wanted to get the word out on cable tonight for the residents to know and understand why they will not see this statement on the town warrant. McCarthy added that this petition warrant article came in the day before the deadline for submission and the Selectmen tried to get the information by the deliberative session.
Chairman McCarthy stated that she contacted Municipal Resources to get information surrounding a Town Manager Plan and received an email from Don Jutton, President of Municipal Resources on the cost for a Town Manager. The salary including benefits came to approximately $100,000.
The Selectmen were asked at their last meeting to rescind their support of this article; Chairman McCarthy placed an article in the newspaper. The Selectmen agreed that more homework needed to be done to put this plan in place.
D. Transfer Station Mgr Jolicoeur Re: Set a date for the Fee Free Weekend
Present: Transfer Station Mgr. Kevin Jolicoeur
Jolicoeur approached the Selectmen to discuss if the warrant articles passes to hold another fee free weekend this year; he proposes to change the date to hold it in late spring. Jolicoeur added that he spoke with a representative from Dragon Mosquito and the mosquito breeding season starts at the latter part of May. Jolicoeur suggested that we run this event on the weekend of June 5th and 6th for it is right after they start breeding and will reduce the breeding areas in town and will hopefully alleviate a lot of problem areas in town.
Jolicoeur asked for permission to move the date; the Selectmen agreed to change the date to June 5th and 6th. Since June 5th and 6th is the weekend after Memorial Day will give seasonal residents opening their camps to be involved in this event.
IV. New Business
1. Set up of the booths and tables for Voting Day
Transfer Station Manager Kevin Jolicoeur offered to help set up the booths and tables at the Town Hall for the Second Session of the Annual Town Meeting, voting day. The Board suggested to Jolicoeur to contact Moderator Robert Dezmelyk to get direction on the layout. Jolicoeur will bring one of the employees at the Transfer Station to help with the setup. Selectman Donovan will help by showing Jolicoeur how to put the booths together.
Diane Morin, Chairperson for the Cable Committee asked the Selectmen if they would be in favor of running the cameras using a distance view with no sound of the Town Hall during voting day. This will show the activity taking place at Town Hall and may be a reminder to those to get out and vote. Chairman McCarthy asked to make sure to contact Moderator Robert Dezmelyk and Town Counsel to get a legal opinion.
2. Memo from Conservation Commission Re: Code of Ethics
The Board reviewed a memo the Conservation Commission wondering if the Board of Selectmen is overseeing town boards and committees to make sure members are stepping down if they have a personal or financial interest in the item being reviewed. Chairman McCarthy reminded every town board or committee member to be careful before you vote, if you question the vote in any way you are better off stepping down.
3. Recreation Commission Re: Upcoming Events
The Board discussed that since the Recreation Commission does not have enough members on the Recreation Commission they are asking the Selectmen to approve payment for two upcoming recreation events. The Recreation Commission is in need of volunteers; if you are interested please contact Lisa Babcock, Recreation Secretary at 382-4405 ext. 13.
Selectman Donovan motioned to approve the payment for $280.00 for a bus for the Senior Citizens trip to Amesbury Playhouse to be paid out of vacation weeks if the warrant article for senior trips does not pass at the 2010 Town Meeting. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous
Selectman Donovan motioned to pay the $300 deposit plus the balance of $720.00 due on the date of the show, March 17, 2010 for the Corn Beef and Cabbage dinner at the Amesbury Playhouse to be paid out of the Recreation Checking Account. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Present were residents Jack and Kyle Kozec
Kyle Kozec is a member of Boy Scout Troop 91 from Newton and met with the Board to get the Selectmen’s approval of his project to build a pavilion at Greene Park. Selectman Donovan informed Kyle that his project plan has been approved by the Building Inspector and handed Kyle a signed Building Permit. The pavilion will be a 16 x 24 structure and will give shade at the park. The estimated cost of this project is $2,250 with half to be paid by the Recreation Commission.
Kyle informed the Board that he has raised $900 for this project to date and asked if it would be possible for him to solicit donations at the Transfer Station. The Board did not approve Kyle to solicit at the Transfer Station but suggested for him to contact Moderator Robert Dezmelyk to set up a table on voting day at Town Hall.
Selectman Donovan motioned to allow the Boy Scouts to build a 16x24 pavilion at Greenie Park to be paid either out of the Recreation Savings Account or the Town budget. Kyle informed the Board that he hopes to start the project this spring. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
V. Announcements
Selectman Donovan read the upcoming Recreation Events.
Amesbury Sport Park, Wednesday February 24th 6-9pm for snow tubing or bring your own snowboard or skis for a discounted pass of $10.00 each.
Monarchs Game, Sunday March 7th at 3pm; discounted tickets are $11.00 each and include a chuck a puck card to be redeemed on game day. Tickets are available at the recreation office in the back of Newton Town Hall.
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Show at the Amesbury Playhouse in Amesbury on Wednesday, March 17th at noon. This event is open to senior citizens (60+) only; residents are $30 each, nonresidents are $35 each. Residents will have first priority. The school bus will depart from Greenie Park located on Heath Street at 11:30am.
VI. Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
- Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes of December 28, 2009, January 4, 2010, January 14, 2010, January 19, 2010 Public Hearing Bond Issue, January 19, 2010 Public Hearing on Budget and Warrant Articles, January 21, 2010, January 25, 2010 and February 1, 2010
The Board did not review the minutes.
- Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes of December 28, 2009
The Board did not review the minutes
VII. Reports from Department Heads
VIII. Other Business
- Signing of Vendor and Payroll Manifest, Requisitions and Abatements
The Board reviewed the Town Assessor’s recommendation for Veteran’s Tax Credits. The following individuals were approved; Bickerstaff, Rick and Calvina; Overhiser, Bruce and Nancy; Ross, James and Suzanne. Linscott, Edmund was denied for he did not meet the criteria.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to approve three Veterans Credits with one denial for he did not meet the criteria. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to sign the Payroll Manifest for the period of January 31st through February 13th. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to pay the Payroll Manifest for a total of $59,029.99. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board signed a request for personal time off for Office Manager Mary Winglass for the period of February 22nd through February 25th
- Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification
The Board signed a report to the Department of Justice, Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification Annual Report.
IX. Adjourn
Chairman McCarthy motioned to recess the meeting until tomorrow night at 6pm for a nonpublic session. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Chairman McCarthy motioned to resume the public meeting at 6:11pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
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. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – Fire Department and (c) – Transfer Station. Second by Selectman Donovan. Roll Call Vote: Chairman McCarthy – aye, Selectman Thayer – aye, Selectman Donovan – aye. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Thayer motioned to close the nonpublic session at 7:18pm. 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 Boards decision to send a letter to Kathy and Bob White stating that Bob White no longer is allowed access to any town property that requires a sticker.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the meeting at 7:19pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
| 
