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February 14, 2011 Board of Selectmen Minutes
SELECTMEN’S MEETING

February 14, 2011


  • Call to Order
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 2:07pm.  In attendance were Chairman Trisha J. McCarthy, Selectman Raymond D. Thayer, Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass.  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 (a) – Employee Evaluations.  Second by Selectman Thayer.  Chairman McCarthy polled the members which resulted in a unanimous roll call vote.

Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the nonpublic session at 2:55pm.  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.

  • Introduction of Guests
  • Old Business
  • Review draft “Newton, NH –Selectmen Bylaws”
The Board reviewed a draft six page document of Selectmen Bylaws prepared by Chairman McCarthy.  These bylaws were prepared similar to other town’s bylaws to help give direction and to outline the duties of managing the prudential affairs of the town.  After reviewing and making changes to the bylaws, Chairman McCarthy will update the document to be reviewed again at the next Selectmen’s Meeting.

B.  Concern from resident on Gould’s Hill Road

Present was Police Chief Lawrence Streeter

The Board reviewed a recent letter from Marcia Walker of 3 Gould’s Hill Road regarding the “Do Not Enter” signs on Gould’s Hill Road.  Walker states that cars continually enter onto Gould’s Hill through the wrong entrance, ignoring the signs and speeding up the hill.  Walker recommended some type of barriers on this road i.e. speed bumps as an option to slow down the speeders.

The Board then reviewed a memo from Police Chief Streeter responding to Walker’s recent correspondence addressing the department’s enforcement on speed and violations on Gould’s Hill Road.  In Chief Streeter's opinion, most of the violations associated with Gould’s Hill Road were based upon the habits of local residents that were use to utilizing Gould’s Hill as a matter of routine.  With signage, increased enforcement (educational) efforts and word of mouth, the residents are now aware and violations are no more flagrant at this location and occur in no more frequency than at any other traffic regulatory location in the town.  Streeter offered to conduct a survey and to spend more enforcement time at this location per the recommendation of the Board.  

The Board agreed to continue watching for violations as with any other traffic regulatory location in town.  Chairman McCarthy will prepare a letter to Mrs. Walker.

     IV.       New Business
  • Police Chief Re: Police Building Status
The Board reviewed a memo from Police Chief Lawrence Streeter outlining the significant water damage sustained at the Police Department this past week.  Water continues to pour into the building and trash buckets are used to collect it and there is water over the entire carpet in the Office Managers cubicle and some damaged files.  The roof has been replaced but now the fascia and soffits are beginning to rot.  Streeter added his concern is that the water will cause more of a mold, mildew and air quality issues than already exists.  The building was examined by an air-quality technician at the direction of the Local Government Center who noted serious space and air quality issues and made recommendations; to date no improvements have been made.  Other concerns listed addressed the too small lot to accommodate the needs of the department and routine business and operations are “helter skelter”; there are also basic personal security risks to all the department’s employees.  Streeter referenced an officer in Amesbury that was seriously injured because of basic security flaws.

Streeter implored the Selectmen to assist in resolving this current situation.  Chairman McCarthy stated that we do not have a choice but to move forward with the proposed lease agreement due to the safety and health issues at the department’s current building.  McCarthy will contact Don Jutton of Municipal Resources in an effort to help further along this option.

  • Town Clerk/Tax Collector Re: SB 354 and HB 457
Town Clerk/Tax Collector Mary Jo McCullough discussed with the Board two proposed bills as follows;  

HB 457 reduces the interest rate on late and delinquent property tax payments, subsequent payments and other unpaid taxes.  The concern is that residents will pay other bills before their property taxes and towns and cities will need to resort to applying for a tax anticipation note (TAN) to cover the amount of outstanding taxes owed.  Other concern is there may be significant costs to reprogram the municipal software.

SB 354 provides that a lien may be filed against rental property for unpaid building code violations.  The bill also requires owners of restricted rental property to designate an agent for service of process.   

  • Letter from resident Michael Burt Re: Hovercraft at the Central Fire Station
Present was Fire Chief Bill Ingalls

The Board reviewed a letter from resident Michael Burt regarding the “hovercraft” located behind the main Fire Station on South Main Street.  Burt noticed that it has been unused for many years and would like to know the town’s future plans for it.

Fire Chief Ingalls stated that the machine is a 1986 Hovercraft donated to the Fire Department and was last registered in 1994.  There is some damage to the underside but no one has looked at it for years.

The Board decided to have Ingalls put out an email to the Fire Department to find out if anyone else is interested and to report back to the Board.

  • Review of December 31, 2009 Financial Statements and Independent Auditor’s Report
The Board continued this item to the next meeting.

  • Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $369.20 from New England Clothes Recycling, Inc.
Selectman Thayer motioned to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $369.20 from New England Clothes Recycling, Inc. to the Newton Food Pantry.  Second by Chairman McCarthy.  Vote: Unanimous.

The Board asked the Town Administrator to look at changing the Welfare Agent’s title to something more in line with General Assistance.

      V.      Announcements
VI.     Accept Minutes of Selectmen Meetings
  • Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes dated January 17, 2011, January 24, 2011, January 31, 2011 and February 7, 2011
Chairman McCarthy motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes dated January 17, 2011, January 24, 2011, January 31, 2011 and February 7, 2011
as written.  Second by Selectman Thayer.  Unanimous.

  • Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated January 17, 2011 and January 31, 2011
Selectman Thayer motioned to accept the Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated January 17, 2011 and January 31, 2011 as written.  Second by Chairman McCarthy.  Vote: Unanimous.

VII.     Reports from Department Heads
VIII.   Other Business
  • Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
  • The Board signed an Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification Report which is an Annual Certification Report, year-end 2010, of the Devito Fund balance of $603.06.
  • The Board signed two copies of the final 2011 Town Warrant as amended at the Deliberative Session.
  • The Board signed a New Hampshire Preparedness and Response for Nuclear Facilities Plan Assessment Worksheet - Seabrook Station for a budget of $25,500 for the period of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.  This worksheet was prepared and finalized by Emergency Management Director Larry Foote.
  • The Board signed a revised letter to Jeffrey and Barbara Card stating that the Road Agent plans inspecting the damage to their well when the weather conditions allow versus the first letter which stated within a couple of weeks.  
  • The Board reviewed a memo from Transfer Station Manager Kevin Jolicoeur asking for the town to help pay half of his telephone bill (cell phone) for he uses it on a regular basis for town work.  Jolicoeur tried using the phone at the Transfer Station for all incoming/outgoing calls and that has not worked for Jolicoeur for he is always on site but never in one place for very long.  Chairman McCarthy added that the town has already established precedence by paying for the Road Crew, EMD and the Fire Chief’s cell phone and felt that we should be reimbursing Kevin for half of his monthly bill.  Kevin will need to submit a request for payment with a copy of his bill to the town Bookkeeper.  The Board again stated that we need to look into a plan for the entire town’s cell phone usage.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to reimburse the Transfer Station Manager Kevin Jolicoeur for half of his monthly cell phone bill starting with the bill ending January 20, 2011 to be charged to the Transfer Station telephone budget line item.  Second by Selectman Thayer.  The town needs to look into service providers for a town wide rate.  Vote: Unanimous.

  • The Board approved and signed the Payroll Manifest dated January 30th through February 12th.  
  • The Board signed an abatement per the recommendation of Town Assessor Andrea Lewy for Map 004-03-001 in the amount of $273.25.  
IX.    Adjourn

Chairman McCarthy motioned to adjourn at 5:25pm.  Second by Selectman Thayer.  Vote: Unanimous.

                                                Respectfully Submitted,


                                                Mary B. Winglass, Office Manage