SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
November 15, 2010
Chairman McCarthy opened the meeting at 6:05pm. 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 public 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 (d) – Police Department; (a) – Performance Evaluations and (c) – Code Enforcement. Second by Selectman Thayer. Chairman McCarthy polled the members which resulted in a unanimous roll call vote.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the nonpublic meeting at 6:40pm. 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; to increase Kim Lowther, Conservation Commission Secretary from Grade VI, step 7 to step 9 effective date October 29, 2010.
- Introduction of Guests
- Old Business
A. Recommendation from the Planning Board Re: Hiring an Administrative Assistant
Selectmen Thayer motioned to hire Rick Milner as the Administrative Assistant at the pay rate $13.56 per hour with an increase to $13.90 hour on January 1, 2011 with an effective date of November 9, 2010. Second by Chairman McCarthy. The Board requested a background check. Vote: Unanimous.
IV. New Business
1. Review of Time Line for 2011 Town Meeting and set location of Deliberative
Session
The Board reviewed the time line for the 2011 Town Meeting and discussed the location of the deliberative session. The Cable Committee Chairman Diane Morin sent an email to the Board stating that the Board has two options to consider when choosing the location of the deliberative session. Live from the Town Hall or Tape the session at the school for re-broadcast later. This is due to the fact that we are no longer able to broadcast “live” from the school due to a technology upgrade that took place a couple years ago. The Cable Committee received an estimate of 25K to upgrade the school to allow a live broadcast and there is only a 50% chance to have the cable installed by February.
The Board decided to hold the deliberative session at the Town Hall and to hire a Fire Watch due to the State Fire Marshal’s restriction allowing only 49 people at any one time in the main hall. The deliberative session was set for Monday, February 7th with a snow date of Wednesday, February 9th starting at 7pm.
The Board then discussed setting the location of the Town Election on March 8, 2011 (Second Session of the Annual Town Meeting). Selectman Thayer stated that he is in favor of having the election at the Town Hall; both Selectman Donovan and Chairman McCarthy were in favor of the school due to parking and the complaints that they received last year.
The Board set the location of the 2011 Town Election at the Memorial School.
2. Resignation of Officer Bradley Estabrook
Selectman Donovan read a memo from the Police Department regarding the resignation of Bradley Estabrook effective October 1, 2010.
3. Trust under Will of Emma Gale Harris – Gale Memorial Fund
The Board reviewed a letter from Harris Trust regarding the Trust under Will of Emma Gale Harris – Gale Memorial Fund and whether the current funds available are in need for the greatest good of Newton upon the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen. The Board decided to leave it for if/when we need it.
4. Review of the Local Government Center Insurance Renewal – Three Year Contract
The Board reviewed a three year rate contract renewal from the Local Government Center for the property-liability, workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation coverage. The Board discussed the rate increase for the property-liability at 6% for year 2012 and a guaranteed maximum increase of no more than 9% for each of the two subsequent years of FY2013 and FY2014.
Workers’ Compensation is also a three year plan beginning in 2011. 2011 will see a 9% rate increase for FY2012 and a maximum increase of 9% for each of the two subsequent renewals.
Unemployment Compensation rates are a base rate of $0.82 for FY2012.
TA, Wrigley stated that this program is good for it has not to exceed the 9% as was quoted in the last contract, in fact it did not exceeded 6% and has been a good value for the town for the services they provide to the town. The Board agreed with the value of this contract to include workshops, training and free legal services.
Selectman Donovan motioned to accept the rates for the three year contract for Property-Liability, Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Compensation as prepared by the Local Government Center. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
5. Review of the 2011 Health/Dental and Short Term Liability Rates
The Board reviewed the 2011 health/dental rates from the town’s current provider Local Government Center HealthTrust. The health insurance rates decreased by 0.5% and the dental rates increased by 4.5%. The Board discussed the issue with Exeter Hospital in that they may no longer be a provider under the Blue Cross Plan next year. TA, Wrigley responded that when speaking with LGC they have been through this before and probably won’t have any final decision before April plus the town has the option of changing our plan and there is a 15-day opts out. Office Manager Winglass added that with the town’s three tier plan the employees still have access to the services at Exeter Hospital but on an out-of-network status which would result in a higher out of pocket expense.
Short Term Disability was discussed in that there is a -5.4% reduction in the rates for 2011.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to sign the short term disability, health and dental insurance plans starting in January 2011 to December 31, 2011 through HealthTrust. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
6. Town Buildings Cleaning Contract for 2011 & 2012
The Board reviewed this cleaning services currently in place and the requirement to go out to bid for this service for weekly cleaning at the following buildings; Police, Fire, Town Hall and Gale Library.
TA, Wrigley asked if the Board would require sealed bids for the lawn maintenance of the town’s buildings as well. The Board responded that we must set a standard for any service that is over the $3,500 bid policy requirement.
7. Town Buildings Security Systems Annual Contract
The Board reviewed a contract for the security systems at the town buildings.
Selectman Donovan motioned to accept the 2011 contract from JM Protective Services for the town buildings security systems. Second by Chairman McCarthy. This if for the Fire Alarm System and the Panic buttons. Vote: Unanimous.
8. Review of 2011 Proposed Budgets
Department of Building Safety
The Board questioned the amount budgeted in the 2011 proposed budget for manuals, training/seminars and the telephone line item due to the low year to date expenditures.
Financial Administration - Trustees of Trust Funds
The Trustees of Trust Funds proposed 2011 budget came in at $300 over the prior year’s budget to cover the expenses for supplies, training and postage.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to approve and accept the 2011 Trustee of Trust Funds budget of $1,050. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Fire Department
The Board reviewed the FD proposed 2011 budget and asked to invite Fire Chief Ingalls into the November 29th meeting to discuss the salaries line item (payroll), equipment purchase repair and radio repairs. The discussion revolved around the low year to date expenditures.
Gale Library
The Board reviewed the 2011 proposed budget and noticed that there were no year-to-date expenditures included in the report. The Board asked for the year to date expenditures to be included on all budget reports.
Cable Committee
The Board asked for the year to date expenditures to be included with the proposed budget.
Cemetery
The Board had no issues with this budget.
General Assistance
TA, Wrigley will update the year to date expenditures for this budget.
Planning Board
The Board asked for the year-to-date expenditures to be included with the proposed budget.
Recreation Commission
The Board discussed the many programs listed in the budget and the year to date expenditures. A discussion was held regarding funding for elderly events next year. The Board asked to invite the Recreation Commission into the meeting on November 29th to discuss these issues.
Solid Waste Disposal
The Board asked to invite Transfer Station Manager Kevin Jolicoeur into the November 29th meeting to review this 2011 proposed budget.
Selectman Donovan questioned if we could combine all the town’s cell phones under one plan. Selectman Donovan will check with the Fire Chief and EMD. The Board had a discussion about the 2010 budgets which is a third year default budget that we need to watch closely. Chairman McCarthy talked about the possibility of cutting services; Selectman Donovan responded that he has no problem cutting a line item but not cutting services. The Board prepared a message to send out to all departments regarding a spending freeze.
V. Announcements
VI. Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
- Selectmen’s Public Meeting Minutes dated August 2, 2010, August 16, 2010, August 30, 2010, September 7, 2010, September 13, 2010 and September 20, 2010
Selectman Thayer motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting Minutes dated August 2, 2010, August 16, 2010, August 30, 2010, September 7, 2010, September 13, 2010 and September 20, 2010 as written. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
- Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting Minutes dated August 2, 2010, August 16, 2010, September 7, 2010, September 13, 2010 and September 20, 2010
Selectman Donovan motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting Minutes dated August 2, 2010, August 16, 2010, September 7, 2010, September 13, 2010 and September 20, 2010. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
VII. Reports from Department Heads
VIII. Other Business
- Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
- The Board reviewed an Invitation to Bid for the printing of the 2010 Town Report. The Board agreed with the changes proposed by the staff and decided not to go out to bid for the pricing should be below the $3,500 bid policy.
- Resident Russell Riccio of 58 Peaslee Crossing Road asked for an answer on how many registered and inspected vehicles are allowed on a property; temporary structures, the law and how many are you allowed; what is the law on photographing and inspecting personal property. Riccio added that these are reasonable questions asked through the Code Enforcement Officer. The Board responded that they just reviewed his letter tonight and we are looking into these questions.
- The Board reviewed two appointments to the Recreation Commission. Wrigley discussed that we need to watch the appointments for each one comes with a price tag of $55 for a background check. Winglass added that the Board does not have a recommendation from the Recreation Commission which has been the policy in the past. The Board decided to discuss this with the members of the Recreation Commission when they come in on November 29th.
- The Board signed five abatements for the first bill of the year exceeded the property’s total tax liability for the year for the following properties: 29 Willow Road, Map 7-2-1-29; 2 Heath Street, Map 10-2-32-14, 18 Smith Corner Road, Map 7-4-5; 22 Willow Road Map 7-2-1-22; 26 Whittier Street, Map 6-12-2.
- Land Use Change Tax – the Board signed a Land Use Change Tax Warrant in the amount of $22,400 for 10 lots in the Sargent Woods Elderly Development.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to sign the current use release for the (10) Sargent Woods lots for a total amount of $22,400. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
- The Board signed the Vendor Manifest in the amount of $67,295.70 dated November 15, 2010.
- The Board announced that the Selectmen’s Office will be closed on Thursday, November 18th as the staff will be attending the Local Government Annual Conference.
IX. Adjourn
Selectman Thayer motioned to adjourn at 9:07pm. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
| 
