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, JUNE 28, 2011
TIME: 5:30PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 5:34pm. In attendance were Chairman Trisha J. McCarthy, Selectman Raymond D. Thayer, Selectman Lawrence B. Foote, Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes dated May 10, 2011, May 17, 2011, May 19, 2011 and May 24, 2011
Selectman Foote motioned to approve the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes dated May 10, 2011, May 17, 2011, May 19, 2011 and May 24, 2011 as written. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated May 17, 2011
Selectman Thayer motioned to approve the Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated May 17, 2011 as written. Second by Selectman Foote. Vote: Unanimous.
- Scheduled Business:
- Amended contract from Crossman Air Balancing
Present was Chief Building Official Ron LeMere
LeMere explained that he miscalculated the cost of the job to install the air conditioning units at the Town Hall and asked the Board to address the $100 that was not approved when the bid was awarded. LeMere added that the bid was fair and good and Crossman submitted a revised contract to include payment terms and warranty information.
Selectman Foote motioned to approve an additional $100 for the air conditioning system at the Town Hall for the total price of $10,050. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous. The Board signed the amended contract.
The amended contract includes Labor warranty for one year on all parts and workmanship as well as the manufactures warranty. The Board discussed the annual maintenance to this system; LeMere responded that the only item that needs to be addressed each year is the washing out of the filter which Crossman will review with the staff once the job is complete. The Board asked LeMere to check with Crossman for a price schedule for a three or five year service warranty contract.
Chairman McCarthy reviewed the duties of the Chairman with Selectman Foote, Selectman Thayer and Recreation Commission Chairman Pauline Dupuis as the facilitators of the meetings but it does not give them anymore jurisdiction over the other members.
- Review of Policies and Procedures
The Board discussed drafting policies for the following; Social Media, Tree Cutting, Emergency Situations, Workplace Violence, and a Volunteer Program. Town Administrator Wrigley discussed that she has collected a lot of information for a social media policy and just needs the time to work on it. Wrigley added that she received information from the Department of Labor on a policy for employees regarding Workplace Violence. The Emergency situation policy includes the evacuation of the building and for the beach staff on what they should do or not do in an emergency.
The Board then reviewed the Town of Newton Town Parks And Recreation Areas Ordinance adopted in 2006. The Board asked for the policy to be given to the Conservation and Recreation Commission for a full review to determine if they have any suggested changes.
The Board discussed with Fire Chief Bill Ingalls the option of holding a “mock drowning” at the Town Beach as training for the staff. Chief Ingalls will work on scheduling this training.
- Engineering cost for the Fire Submersion Tank
The Board reviewed a proposal for a Fire Suppression System for the Town Hall from R. J. Pica Engineering Co., Inc. The proposal includes plans and specifications for the design of the fire suppression system. The proposal cost is $2,500 with an additional cost of providing a backhoe in order to conduct an inspection of a test pit and check for the existence of ledge prior to the design. A second proposal was included to provide coordination and field inspection for the installation of the fire suppression system for a cost of $2,250.
Chief Building Official LeMere added that the first step is for the engineer to prepare the plans and specification for the design of phase III of the fire suppression system at the Town Hall. Chairman McCarthy questioned if the Town Engineer Mike Vignale would be interested in this job. LeMere responded that it would be worth talking to him but it is not necessary to decide that tonight, we need to start the project with plans and specifications.
A discussion took place between all involved that time is of the essence due to the funding running out at the end of this year and the option of hiring a project manager to oversee the work. The Board asked to check with Road Agent Mike Pivero regarding the backhoe to dig the test pit.
Selectman Foote motioned to hire R. J. Pica Engineering Co., Inc. to provide for the plans and specifications for the Fire Suppression System for the Town Hall at a cost of $2,500. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous. The Board reiterated the need to ask the Road Agent about the backhoe for this project.
- Cont review of dumping at the Town Beach
The Board reviewed a proposed sign to place at the fire access road near the town beach. This is due to a complaint filed regarding grass clippings and debris deposited in this area. The Board agreed to purchase the sign and to apply the cost to the Recreation budget for now and we can see how they are fairing as we get closer to the end of the year.
- Cont review of Traffic Hazard, Town Hall, Election Days
Police Chief Streeter informed the Board that he spoke with Unitil regarding the lighting issue at Town Hall and suggested replacing the 6’ light stanchion that’s on pole #94 with a 12’ light stanchion. The total cost would be an additional $3 per month; the sodium vapor is a yellow light and should not be a nuisance to any of the neighbors. Streeter recommended that we try this option for now.
The Board then discussed the suggested crosswalk and Streeter added that he spoke with DOT and they have no problem if the town decides to paint one at the front of Town Hall. Streeter added that we want to keep in mind the Village District concept. He was contacted this week by the First Congregational Church on Amesbury Road who would like to put in a pedestrian crosswalk. Streeter showed the Board specifications for consideration to make all crosswalks standard in town. The Board decided to look at the town to determine where we need crosswalk(s) and have Road Agent Mike Pivero give his input on the specifications as provided by the Police Chief.
- Cont review of electrical work at Transfer Station
The Board reviewed a quote from Patrick McCusker to add two (2) GFI outlets for a total of $275. Chief Building Official Ron LeMere added that Dan Reilly checked the electrical code and this option is exempt. If they were not exempt then the request for the additional funds would not be a consideration for it would be included in the job. Since there is no support or language mandating that they are included then this item can be taken off the list.
LeMere added that the original bid approved by the Board includes trench and parching tar for a price of $2,500 with nothing in the scope of the bid stating the outcome if he ran into ledge or other problems.
The Board reviewed an invoice for $815 to bury the phone line for the internet and phone lines are separate. LeMere will speak with McCusker and will do a cost analysis on this item. Transfer Station Manager Kevin Jolicoeur was present and stated that during a walk thru it was determined that the wire needed to come down due to the large trucks and safety. LeMere asked for additional time to communicate this cost, look at the specifications and revisit the original proposal. LeMere added that McCusker went out of his way to help Unitil to complete this project.
The Board then reviewed the balance due of $9,000 to upgrade the 3 phase, 100 amp to 400 amp service. LeMere asked to hold off with this final payment for even though the work is done there is a problem with the Unitil portion of the work and LeMere has recommended that McCusker speak with Unitil to rectify the problem. The problem is that water is traveling down the wires and could ruin the equipment.
Selectman Foote motioned to pay the $9,000 balance due to Patrick McCusker once we receive the final inspection from the Building Department. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Vote: Unanimous.
- Announcements
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
The Board approved and signed a requisition from the Police Department for a car radio for cruiser #2 for a total price of $3,068.49.
The Board approved and signed the following Tax Abatements;
Map 13-3-8 in the amount of $71.47
Map 13-3-8-4 in the amount of $115.86
Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley handed out “tips for creating a successful volunteer program”.
The Board discussed giving a current employee some extra hours to work as a custodian at the town buildings. Town Administrator Wrigley added that we have four thousand left over in the budget for a custodian. The Board approved the additional hours for a current employee to help clean up Greenie Park and the Town Beach on a every other day schedule. The Board asked for the staff to work on a list of jobs that need to be completed on a regular basis for town buildings.
- Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – Code Enforcement, Transfer Station, Resident Complaint to Selectmen; (b) – Fire Department & Employee Evaluations
Selectman Foote motioned to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – Code Enforcement, Transfer Station, and Resident Complaint to Selectmen; (b) – Fire Department & Employee Evaluations. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Roll Call Vote: Chairman McCarthy - aye, Selectman Thayer – aye, Selectman Foote – aye. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Foote motioned to close the nonpublic meeting at 9:30pm. 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 Board then made the following motions;
Chairman McCarthy motioned to move Melissa Adams, Emergency Management Secretary from Grade VI, step 7 to step 10, $12.02 per hour effective date is her anniversary of June 21, 2011. Second by Selectman Thayer. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Thayer motioned to move Kimberly Hughes, Bookkeeper/Payroll Administrator to Grade XX, step 9, $23.21 per hour effective date of June 24, 2011. Second by Selectman Foote. Vote: Unanimous.
The Board decided to hold a nonpublic meeting on July 5th starting at 2pm to work on employee evaluations for Emergency Management Director Lawrence Foote and Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the public meeting at 9:45pm. Second by Selectman Foote. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
| 
