Office of the Board of Selectmen
2 Town Hall Road, Newton, NH 03858
Tel: 382-4405 ext. 10 * Fax 382-9140
NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2011
TIME: 2PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 2pm. In attendance were Chairman Trisha J. McCarthy, Selectman Raymond D. Thayer, Selectman Lawrence B. Foote and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
- Approval of Minutes
- Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated March 15, 2011, March 22, 2011 and March 29, 2011
Selectman Foote motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated March 15, 2011, March 22, 2011 and March 29, 2011
as written. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
- Scheduled Business:
- Announcements
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
The Board reviewed an invoice from Safeway Training & Transportation Services, Inc. for a total of $165.00 for transportation on voting day.
Selectman Thayer motioned to pay Safeway Training & Transportation Services, Inc. $165 out of the Miscellaneous General Expense from the Executive Budget. Second by Selectman Foote. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board reviewed a Guest Check Ticket #014785 from Acio’s for a total of $50.00 for food at the department head meeting.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to pay Acio’s $50 for Guest Check #014785 out of the Miscellaneous General Expense from the Executive Budget. Second by Selectman Foote. Vote: Unanimous.
Recreation Commission
The Board reviewed a requisition from the Recreation Commission to pay The Coach Company $845.00 for a trip planned to Indian Head Resort on June 5, 2011 to be paid from the Senior Programs line item. A current certificate of insurance is on file for The Coach Company.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to approve the requisition for $845.00 paid to The Coach Company to transport to Indian Head Resort. Second by Selectman Foote. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board reviewed a letter from the Boy Scouts of America inviting the Selectmen to attend an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Adam Nicol and for Corey Bailey.
Both Selectman Thayer and Selectman Foote will attend; Chairman McCarthy would like to attend but will be attending a conference in DC that weekend.
The Board reviewed a report from the Local Government Center with recommendations based upon the Indoor Environmental Quality Survey conducted at the Gale Library. Due to safety concerns, Town Administrator Wrigley asked for an electrical inspection at the property by the town’s Building Department. Electrical Inspector Dan Reilly conducted the inspection and submitted a list of problems noted during the inspection. The Board contacted Chief Building Official Ron LeMere asking for his recommendation to move forward; LeMere offered to list the items based showing a level of priority for the Board’s next meeting on Monday, April 18, 2011.
Military Leave Policy
The Board reviewed a memo from Kimberly Hughes, Bookkeeper/Payroll Administrator regarding the towns Military Leave Policy for it does not clearly define “military earnings”. The town’s policy does not specifically address whether or not housing allowance is considered part of military earnings. The Board asked Hughes to join the meeting to discuss her findings and the calculations included in her memo. Hughes responded that we currently have our first employee who will be on military leave and she spoke with the Local Government Center and was told that the decision is up to the Board of Selectmen.
The Board decided to table this discussion in order to speak with Police Chief Streeter regarding his budget to include a replacement for this position.
The Board reviewed a memo from Cheryl Saunders, Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector asking the Board to consider revising the town’s personnel policy to change full time from 40 hours per week to 35 hours per week. The Board discussed the pros and cons of making this type of change and asked to send back a response asking for a cost analysis on the 35 hours per week if made a full time position versus a 40 hour week. The Board tabled this item until Monday, if the information is ready.
The Board reviewed a memo from Lawrence Streeter, Police Chief making the Board aware that they may want to look at possible lighting solutions for the next election at Town Hall. Streeter stated that due to the increased traffic in the later part of the day, lack of crosswalk, pedestrian traffic and lack of lighting with only one street light at the front of Town Hall could lead to a potential problem. Streeter added that he is in favor of having the elections at Town Hall and suggested options such as portable construction lights. The Board decided to ask Streeter to look into the pricing options per his proposal and to discuss this issue again in May/June.
The Board reviewed a memo from Town Administrator Wrigley giving a list of names of those to receive performance evaluations in the month of April to include herself. The Board took copies of the evaluation form in order to complete them individually and then will set a nonpublic meeting to review it.
The Board signed the payroll manifest for the period of March 27th – April 9th.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to adjourn the meeting at 3:57. Second by Selectman Foote. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
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