SELECTMEN’S PUBLIC MEETING
November 29, 2010
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 6pm. 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 videotaped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – Code Enforcement and Contract Labor. Second by Selectman Donovan. Chairman McCarthy polled the Board which resulted in a unanimous roll call vote.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the nonpublic at 7:15pm. 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.
The public meeting resumed at 7:22pm.
- Introduction of Guests
- Old Business
1. Email from Town Clerk/Tax Collector Re: Location of Town Meeting
Town Clerk/Tax Collector Mary Jo McCullough met with the Board to address their decision to hold the 2011 Town Election at the Memorial School. The Board decided to move the location of the Town Elections back to the Memorial School due to comments they received with parking and standing in lines at the Town Hall.
McCullough spoke in favor of holding the 2011 Town Elections at the Town Hall. McCullough addressed comments that she received from residents that were all positive as well as the convenience for the officials involved with the election process. Holding elections at the school poses issues such as set up and breakdown of the ballot stations and to get all the equipment from the Town Hall to the Memorial School and then back to the Town Hall after a 15 to 19 hour day. McCullough added that she cannot allow for the breakdown of the ballot box’s until the votes have been counted for it causes too much disorder and they need to be removed at the end of a very long day. McCullough spoke on displacing the students at the school for the day and felt that we have parking issues at both locations. McCullough
concluded that it is more convenient to hold the election at the Town Hall and asked the Board to reconsider their decision.
Superintendent of Schools Brian Blake talked about comments he received at the school district from those who did not want to stand in line at Town Hall to vote; many parents saw the line out the door and said no thank you and went home. Parking issue were also brought up and added that he has spoken to the Business Administrator and the school is willing to have some of the personnel help get the items to the gym. Ample parking is available and the election area will be sectioned off to keep the students safe. Town Election has been held at the school for years prior to this past year. Blake added that numerous voters did not vote last year because the election was held at the Town Hall; voter statistics showed that we only received 20% of the parents that took part in the elections.
Selectman Donovan commented on his concern with holding the elections at the school for there must be public restrooms and they are located within the school. Donovan added that to hold an election it must be open to all and registered child molesters cannot go to the school.
Selectman Thayer added that he supports holding the election at the Town Hall for it is a pain to move everything and if you forget something it makes it difficult.
Chairman McCarthy stated that her concern was with parking and with possible bad weather to deal with; however reading the Town Clerk’s note outlining this issue with the ballots when there is no one who is available at midnight to break it down.
McCullough asked to comment on voter turnout. McCullough stated that at this past election we had almost 2,000 voters here and it was her feeling it was because it was held at Town Hall. We get them in and we get them out and if we keep the ballot short then we can get them in and out even faster.
Selectman Donovan motioned to keep the 2011 Town Election at the Town Hall. Second by Selectman Thayer. Discussion: Fire Chief Bill Ingalls reminded the Board that we cannot have more than 49 people in the hall at one time and we need to keep the stairway clear down the middle and/or place a divider down the middle to keep the traffic flowing in a orderly way. Vote: Unanimous.
2. Review of the Solid Waste Disposal 2011 proposed budget
The Board reviewed line items in the budget with Transfer Station Manager Kevin Jolicoeur. Jolicoeur added that he is working on a third year default budget therefore these figures go back to 2007 and he prepared the 2011 budget as close as possible. Chairman McCarthy added that she attended a budget training session and if we can get our proposed operating budget as close to the default budget then there is a chance that we can get the budget passed this year.
Salary line item was discussed, Jolicoeur added that he has not had the staff to cover the different stations at the Transfer Station which has resulted in putting in a lot of extra time working on the administration work at home. After a reviewing individual line items, Jolicoeur will review the budget in an effort to shave off as much as possible but not the salary line item for we need to staff the facility in the correct way.
Chairman McCarthy discussed how everyone is having a hard time due to the economy and added that Jolicoeur is doing great job. This budget will be reviewed again on Monday, December 6, 2010.
3. Memo regarding the gates at the Transfer Station
The Board reviewed a memo from Transfer Station Mgr Kevin Jolicoeur regarding the lack of gates at the Transfer Station. The memo referenced the public gaining access to the Transfer Station when it is closed which has caused conflict. The Board asked for a copy of the memo to be given to the Road Agent. Jolicoeur added that the area is clearly posted with the hours of operation. The Board discussed their frustration with finding a cost effective way to handle this problem. Office Manager Winglass stated that she spoke with Pivero who is willing to get involved with this project again by submitting a quote. The Board tabled this discussion to December 6, 2010 and asked for Pivero to prepare a quote.
4. Review of the Fire Department 2011 proposed budget
The Board met with Fire Chief Bill Ingalls and reviewed his proposed 2011 Fire Department budget. After reviewing the individual line items, the Board reduced the budget to $192,025.00 from his proposed budget of $209,025.00.
Selectman Donovan motioned to accept the Fire Department budget for 2011 at $192,025.00. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
5. Review of the Recreation Commission 2011 proposed budget
Recreation Commission member Pauline Dupuis showed the Board a signed petition by residents who are in favor of an ice rink at Greenie Park. David Marden was approached to give a quote on preparing and maintaining a rink which would cost approximately $3,000 for an area of 45’ x 60’ or 70’ long with an additional cost of a minimum of $75 to snowplow the rink area, when needed. A discussion ensued with paying for this project from the budget or recreation savings account. Recreation Commission member Rick Bailey was present who added that since he has been involved with the Recreation Commission the savings account purpose was for a capital improvement project. The Board talked about the additional cost of plowing the park and the need to check with our insurance carrier. The Board asked to
check with the Road Agent for the cost of plowing the area and Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley will check on the insurance.
The Board discussed briefly the playground equipment at Greenie Park that needs to be updated for it is falling apart and it may be prudent to spend funds for this purpose prior to spending funds for a ice rink. The Board tabled this discussion and budget review to December 6, 2010.
6. Appointments to the Recreation Commission
Resident Susan DiMercurio was present who submitted a request to be appointed as a Recreation Commission member.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to appoint Susan DiMercurio as a Recreation Member with an expiration date of April 15, 2012. Second by Selectman Donovan. The Board added that this appointment is pending a background check for all members before they work with the public. Vote: Unanimous.
7. Letter from Kingston Re: Wilders Grove & Concannon Road Culvert
The Board reviewed a letter from the Kingston Board of Selectmen stating that they would be happy to meet to talk about possible solutions with the culvert system for the Wilders Grove and Concannon Road area. The Board set a date to meet on January 10, 2011 at 6pm. Winglass will contact the Department of Environmental Services to confirm this date.
8. Request by Edward Stempien Re: Application for Permit #1513 to reroof worn shingles on front of house
The Board tabled this discussion in order to invite the Building Department to review the permit fee schedule.
A. Review of the proposed Solid Waste Ordinance
The Board stated that they reviewed the ordinance sent to them via email and commended the committee for a job well done. Per the recommendation of the committee the proposed ordinance will be sent to Town Counsel Sumner Kalman for his review.
B. Memo from Police Chief Re: Department Budgets
Police Chief Streeter was present and stated that the memo regarding budgets is no longer an issue for he received the information he was looking for as it relates to his proposed budget and default budget. Streeter added that he sent over a year end expenditure report for the Board to review. Winglass responded that we received the year end expenditure report today and will forward to the Selectmen via email. Streeter added that he has completed his budget and is prepared to meet with the Board at their convenience. The Board set the Police Department budget review for December 6, 2010.
C. Letter from First Congregational Church Re: Access to the Transfer Station
Office Manager Winglass informed the Board that this letter has already been addressed with the First Congregational Church.
D. Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $30 donated to the Newton Food Pantry.
Selectman Thayer motioned per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $30 donated to the Newton Food Pantry. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
E. Letter from the Town of Danville Re: Planning Board Site Plan Review Application with Regional Impact
The Board reviewed the material sent by the Danville Planning Board regarding a project proposed for the construction of a continuing care retirement community on Huntington Hill Road at NH Route 111
F. Request for Bond Reduction, Storey Estates for Kenwood Drive & Storey Lane
This item was tabled for the Planning Board had no quorum at their last meeting and the Board is waiting for a recommendation from them.
G. R.W. Gillespie & Associates Re: Proposal for Annual Groundwater Monitoring Program
The Board reviewed the annual contract for groundwater monitoring at the Transfer Station with a project total of $7,339.00.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to sign the contract with R.W. Gillespie & Associates for the groundwater monitoring program required by DES for the town’s landfill. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
V. Announcements
- Invitation to Bid 2011 & 2012 Landscaping Maintenance
Invitation to Bid 2011 & 2012 Cleaning Contract
Invitation to Bid 2010 Annual Town Report
- Help Wanted: Part Time & Floating Transfer Station Attendant
VI. Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
VII. Reports from Department Heads
VIII. Other Business
- Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
- The Board approved a vacation request from Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley.
- The Board signed a Veteran’s Credit denial for Map 007-04-003.
- The Board signed a Vendor Manifest dated 11/29/10 for a total of $1,090,035.44.
- The Board signed a Veteran’s Credit approval for Map 010-05-012.
- The Board signed two Tax Collectors Land Use Change Tax Warrants; the first one is for Map 012-2-22-1 for $630 and the other for Map 003-02-003 for $7,500.
- The Board reviewed two memos from Kim Hughes Bookkeeper/Payroll Administrator with the year-end payroll and vendor manifest schedule and the 2010 encumbered funds schedule.
- The Board reviewed an email from the Town of East Kingston requesting to engage in an initial discussion regarding a possible merger of the East Kingston and Newton Police Departments. The Boards comments were that at this time of year is not good due to having a busy schedule with budget/warrant article review and preparing for the 2011 Town Meeting.
IX. Adjourn
Chairman McCarthy motioned to adjourn at 10pm. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Winglass, Office Manager
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