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August 30, 2011 Board of Selectmen Minutes
           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, AUGUST 30, 2011
TIME: 4:30PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD

PUBLIC MEETING

  • Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman Foote opened the meeting at 4:32pm.   In attendance were Chairman Lawrence B. Foote, Selectman Trisha J. McCarthy, Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass.   Selectman Raymond D. Thayer arrived at approximately 4:55pm.

Rick Milner, Administrative Assistant to the Planning Board informed the Board that we still have not received the bond/letter of credit for Puzzle Lane.

  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Introduction of Guests
  • Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
  • Scheduled Business:
  • Health Officer Re: Septic Design Options
Present were Health Officer Robert Leverone, David Detour, Chief Building Official Ron LeMere and Fire Chief Bill Ingalls.

Health Officer Bob Leverone discussed the conditions that must be in compliance at Greenie Park.  

  •  Any structure which has a pressurized water source must have a State Approved waste water disposal system
  • The current well water must be registered and tested by a state certified lab showing it meets State Standards for bacteria, nitrates and nitrates, etc.
  • The concession stand would require a Food Service License from the DHHS Food Licensing Department meeting all State Statues.
Septic System variables when considering installing a septic system at Greenie Park such as the initial cost associated with the design and installation, costs associated with annual maintenance, repairs, possible replacement, location of system relevant to existing well, type of system and life expectancy.

When considering public rest rooms tied into the septic system the variables that need to be considered are the cost of construction, maintenance, repairs, supplies, daily sanitation and ventilation issues.

When considering concession stand modifications the variables are the cost of modifications, waste water system requirements, grease traps, 3-bay sink, hand sink, annual water testing, daily sanitation, proper refrigeration, completed annual food service application and fees associated with licensing.

Dave Detour discussed the septic design prepared in 1992 and then updated in updated in 1998 which was never installed.  When Detour looked at the plan this year, Comack put the well right in the same spot as the proposed septic was to be placed.  According to town regulations, the well must be 100’ from the septic which would put the septic system in the parking area and the chamber would have to be built with a concrete chamber which will drive up the cost.  Wetlands may be present and we may need an expert to come in to determine the location but we are best to find out first about the water test results.

Chief Building Official Ron LeMere asked the Selectmen is the building still being used and does it have the potential of being used.  LeMere recommended stopping the use of that building for there is a possibility for drawing water without permission.  LeMere recommended securing the building for even though the water was shut off at the sink it can still be used.  

Chairman Foote  asked Health Office Leverone and Building Inspector LeMere on the best way to handle when the Central Fire Department loses power we have no water due to a shared water system.  Leverone responded that he will respond in writing that in an event of a power outage, a generator could be hooked up to the wells power source thus enabling emergency personnel to use the structure.  

LeMere recommended to have the town’s Electrical Inspector to conduct a survey on what we can do and then will bring this back to the table.

Selectman McCarthy motioned that we spend the money to have the well water tested at Greenie Park and based upon the test have a work session on how we will handle it with the Engineer,  Health Department and Building Department.  Second by Selectman Thayer.  Vote: Unanimous.

Selectman McCarthy motioned to amend the motion to request the water test to be completed by the Building Department.  LeMere stated that he will be able to do it Tuesday, September 6, 2011.  Second by Selectman Thayer.  Vote: Unanimous.

The Board then discussed the need to secure the building by changing the keys and no keys are to be given out.  The Board decided to key all the doors the same for now.

Selectman McCarty motioned that based upon Safety and Health issues, we will change the locks on the concession stand and no one will receive a key.  Anyone with items stored there can schedule an appointment to remove items from the concession stand.    Second by Chairman Foote.  Vote: Unanimous.

Selectman Thayer added that he is only working emptying trash at Greenie Park and the Town Beach until September 10th therefore anything happening after this date will be carry in/carry out.

The Board briefly discussed the upcoming scheduled “movie night” at Greenie Park and that by allowing Recreation to use the building to supply power is allowing the use of building which at this point is not allowed.

The Board briefly discussed charging a fee for the use of town properties.  Parking of non-residents at Greenie Park was discussed with the need to address this issue in the ordinance.  Chief Streeter added that notice must be posted at each location regarding the town’s ordinance and until that time they are reluctant to enforce the policy.
  • Review of Greenie Park facilities
See the minutes above.

  • Police Department Re: P/T Police Appointment
Police Chief Streeter was present requesting the appointment of Christopher J. Maguire.  Chief Streeter asked the Selectmen to appoint sight unseen based upon the background check and the Chief’s recommendation.  Chief added that he rushed to get Maguire in the Academy and he is in a class tonight.  The Chief explained that it is putting the cart before the horse but Maguire passed all the tests and he is in need of a working body.  Usually at this point the Chief comes in to introduce the applicant and to give his recommendation to hire

Selectman Thayer motioned to hire Christopher J. Maguire as a part time Police Officer as of August 30, 2011 at Grade VIII, step 5 part time, certified probationary patrolman.  Second by Selectman McCarthy.  Vote: Unanimous.

  • Cont review of the Social Media Policy
The Board discussed that Town Administrator Wrigley and Selectman McCarthy worked on this policy and made some changes.  The Board decided to send the policy out to all department heads for their review.  The Board will review this policy again at their September 13, 2011 meeting.

  • Cont review of the bid for the refurbishment of Engine 2 (FD)
Fire Chief Bill Ingalls was present to review the price on the refurbishment of Engine 2 for an incorrect price was given at $109,752.00 when it should have been $114,052.00.  

Selectman McCarthy motioned to amend our original price for the refurbishment of Engine 2 from $109,752 to not to exceed $114,052 due to a typographical error in the price of the radiator.  Second by Selectman Thayer.  Vote: Unanimous.


  • Building Department Re: Permit Clerk job description and office hours
Present was Chief Building Official Ron LeMere to answer any questions regarding the job description he prepared for the position of Permit Clerk.

Chairman Foote motioned to approve the job description for the position of Permit Clerk as written.  Second by Selectman McCarthy.  Vote: Unanimous.

LeMere informed the Board that he prepared a set schedule of hours for the Building Department Permit Clerk as follows;

Hours:
Monday 10am – 12pm
Tuesday, 8am – 12pm
Wednesday 8am – 12pm
Thursday 6pm - 8pm.

The Board agreed that Barbara White can start now, effective today while waiting for her background check.

  • Review bid for Replacement Windows at the Gale Library
The Board reviewed a recommendation from Chief Building Official Ron LeMere for the replacement of the windows at the Gale Library.  LeMere recommends using Newton Glass & Garage Door.

Selectman Thayer motioned to award the bid for the replacement windows at the Gale Library to be paid out the Library Building Fund to Newton Glass & Garage Door for a price of $7,040.  Second by Chairman Foote.  Vote: Unanimous.

  • Announcements
  • Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
  • The Board reviewed specifications for an Invitation to Bid for #2 fuel oil for all town buildings.  The Board made one minor change.
  • Cub Scouts – Chairman Foote read a letter from resident Timothy Delaney Pack 91 asking to place a recruiting sign at the Transfer Station starting on September 3rd – September 7th.  The Board decided to allow this request and will deal with any future requests on a case by case basis.
Selectman Thayer motioned to allow the Cub Scout to place their recruitment sign at the Transfer Station.  Second by Selectman McCarthy.  Vote: Unanimous.   The Board added that the placement of the sign is to be coordinated with the Transfer Station Manager.

  • The Board signed a revised contract between Eastern Seaboard Concrete Construction and the Town of Newton for the demolition of 74 Smith Corner Road.
  • The board signed a proposal from R. W. Gillespie & Associates, Inc. for the Annual Groundwater Monitoring Program (Nov 2011 and April 2012 Events) at the Dugway Road Landfill for an estimated budget range of $9,800 to $10,350.
  • The Board signed a Welfare manifest in the amount of $175.52.
  • The Board signed a letter to the Sanborn Regional School District issuing the 2011 Impact fee of $20,881.29 to Sanborn Regional School District.
  • The Board signed a Timber Tax Levy totaling $320.69 for Map 001-04-001 and Map 001-03-001.
  • The Board signed a Timber Tax Levy for Map 013-04-001 for $97.46
  • The Board signed recommended abatements for the following parcels;
Map 001-01-010 for $1,187.98
Map 001-01-014 for $54.74
Map 001-01-003 for $1,157.04
Map 001-01-002 for $997.44
Map 001-01-001 for $888.45
Map 010-02-015 for $1,746.89

  • Recreation Commission requisition for Movie Night #2 on September 22, 2011 for $518.00 plus $50 for assorted expenses for a total of $568.00. Movie to be determined.  
The Board discussed the need for the Fire and Police Department to be notified of future events for a police detail may be necessary.  The Board was informed that the Police Department parked the Command vehicle on site and used the lights to help the residents get back to their vehicles after the last movie.  The Board discussed that earlier in the meeting they shut down the building due to health and safety issues and at this point cannot allow any use at this facility.

Town Administrator Wrigley added that she was informed that the Hen House donated a $50 check for the first movie night and yet the town is not in receipt of this donation.  

Chairman Foote motioned that we deny the requisition for Move Night Number 2 due to health and safety issues at Greenie Park and if they find another suitable place to hold it they can come back to us and we will need an invoice before approving the event.  Second by Selectman McCarthy.  Vote: Unanimous.

  • The Board signed the Vendor Manifest dated August 29th for $660,852.82; $623,786 is a payment to Sanborn Regional School District.
  • The Board signed the Payroll Manifest for the period of Aug 14 – 27th
  • The Board reviewed a request from the Sanborn Regional School District Music Boosters Association requesting to borrow the large tent that is owned by the Recreation Commission as well as two smaller tents owned by Recreation.  The Board discussed that they were not comfortable with loaning out equipment when we have no idea the condition of the tents or on how to set them up.  Kingston was contacted to find out their policy; accordingly the Fire Department puts up the tents and takes them down.  Chairman Foote offered to help set up the tents.
Chairman Foote motioned to have the Recreation Commission contact him personally and he will report back to the Board of Selectmen.  No second.
 
Selectman McCarthy and Town Administrator Wrigley talked about the need of an inventory list from the Recreation for the office has not received one in many years and we are unaware of these tents, how old they are and their condition.  

Chairman Foote motioned that after reviewing this further he is not comfortable with lending out the tents for we need to determine the condition and the ownership of the tent.  Second by Selectman Thayer.  Vote: Unanimous.

Chairman Foote motioned to take a five minute break at 7:12pm

Chairman Foote motioned to go into nonpublic Session at 7:20 under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) – Contracted Services; (c) – Code Enforcement; (a) - Employee Evaluations and (c) – Job Descriptions.  Second by Selectman McCarthy.  Roll Call Vote: Chairman Foote – aye, Selectman Thayer – aye, Selectman McCarthy – aye.  Vote: Unanimous.

Chairman Foote motioned to close the nonpublic at 9:51pm.  Second by Selectman McCarthy.  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;

  • The Board unanimously voted to allow the Building Department and Code Enforcement to move forward with Counsel regarding the Riccio property at 58 Peaslee Crossing Road; Use Attorney’s Donahue, Tucker, and Ciandella LLC.
  • The Board unanimously voted to give Tom Dilfaco a raise of 2.5% at Grade VII, step 9 to step 10 effective date of July 7, 2011 and to take Tom off his probationary period.
  • The Board unanimously voted to give Peter Gagnon, Jr. a 2.5% raise effective date of July 27, 2011 from Grade VI, step 10 to Grade VII, step 9.
  • The Board unanimously voted to increase Bonnie Burnham from Grade V, Step 1 to step 7 retroactive to August 16, 2011
  • The Board unanimously voted to move PD Office Manager Linda Meissner  to Grade XXI, Step 7 effective date August 7, 2011.
  • The Board unanimously voted to accept Kim Hughes job description as Bookkeeper/Payroll Administrator as written.  
  •  The Board unanimously voted to give a 2.5% merit increase to ZBA Secretary Jeannette Clark at Grade IX, Step 7 effective June 30, 2011.
Back in public session:

  • The Board approved a merit increase for Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley to Grade XXV, step 9, effective April 1, 2011.
  • The Board signed the Department of Revenue Administration MS-1
  • Adjourn
Chairman Foote motioned to adjourn at 9:53pm.  Second by Selectman Thayer.  Vote: Unanimous.

                                                        Respectfully Submitted,


                                                        Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager