NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012
TIME: 4:30PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman McCarthy opened the meeting at 4:32pm. In attendance were Chairman Trisha J. McCarthy, Selectman Raymond D. Thayer, Selectman Charles R. Melvin, Sr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. The meeting was videotaped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
- Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated March 20, 2012
Selectman Melvin motioned to approve the Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated March 20, 2012 as written. Second by Selectman Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Scheduled Business
- Dept of Revenue Administration Re: 2011 Ratio
The Board reviewed a letter from the State of NH Department of Revenue Administration Linda Kennedy announcing the median ration for the land, buildings and manufactured housing in the Town of Newton for Tax Year 2011 is 110.3%.
Selectman Thayer motioned to accept the Cable Retention Policy for the Newton Cable Committee as written effective April 3, 2012. Second by Selectman Melvin. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Letter from Gale Library Trustees Re: Release of 2012 appropriation
Chairman McCarthy read a letter from Kathy Meserve, Gale Library Trustee and Treasurer requesting the release of the funds approved at the 2012 Town Meeting for operating expenses for the Gale Library. The 2012 Default budget appropriation is $108,153.00; of that total $81,803.00 is to be used for salaries. The remaining $26,350.00 is being requested to be released in a lump sum for the Gale Library’s 2012 operating expenses. Chairman McCarthy announced that this is just a housekeeping correspondence and part of the budget process. Town Administrator Wrigley added that since the Selectmen are the fiscal agents they need to know what is being sent over to the library.
- Cont. review of Memorial Day Parade
Chairman McCarthy discussed her involvement with the parade working with Recreation Commission Secretary Sue DiMercurio.
- Announcements
- Help Wanted: Part Time Cable Operator
Chairman McCarthy read a help wanted advertisement for a part time cable operator.
- Help Wanted: Swim Coordinator, Lifeguards and Swim Aids
Selectman Thayer read a help wanted advertisement for a swim coordinator, lifeguards and swim aids. Selectman Thayer added that Recreation Commission members talked about the job descriptions for the staff at the beach and they would like it to include emptying the trash before leaving each night. The Board agreed that this is a good idea and we can write it into their contracts which will solve the trash problem at the beach.
- Help Wanted: Part Time Transfer Station Attendant - Floater
Selectman Melvin read a help wanted advertisement for a Transfer Station Attendant, Floater to work on an as needed basis. Chairman McCarthy added that Transfer Station Manager Jolicoeur received two responses to the advertisement.
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
- The Board set a meeting for next week, Tuesday, April 10th at 4pm to sign the Payroll Manifest only.
- Selectman Melvin motioned to give the employees that work at the Transfer Station on Easter Sunday, April 8th the day off with pay. Second by Selectman Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Fire Department/Emergency Management
NH Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Grant Agreement
The Board reviewed a grant agreement for a 50/50 matching grant to purchase a Dual Head Mobile Radio for a total price of $4,552.00. The cost to the town is $2,276.00 and the remaining 50% of $2,276.00 is paid by the State.
Chairman McCarthy discussed the option of a “soft match” with this agreement and to keep track of the amount of time put into this grant.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to sign the NH Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Grant Agreement with the terms as presented and agree to a Town of Newton 50% match of $2,276.00 to purchase a Dual Head Motorola mobile radio for a total cost of $4,552.00. Second by Selectman Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- The Board signed a denial for a Veterans Tax Credit for Map 007-03-21-16 for they did not meet the criteria.
- The Board signed a tax abatement for Map 011-04-002 for a total of $262.91
- The Board signed a Welfare Manifest in the amount of $925.00
- The Board signed an appointment for Thomas McElroy as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals with an expiration date of March 31, 2015
- The Board signed an appointment for Dana Allison as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals with an expiration date of March 31, 2015.
- The Board signed a State of NH Deputy Warden Appointment Form for John Owens for year 2012.
- The Board signed an appointment for Cheryl Saunders, Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector with an expiration date of April 15, 2015.
- The Board reviewed a letter from Town Clerk/Tax Collector Mary Jo McCullough showing a list of properties in danger of going to deed. The deed date for 2012 is May 29, 2012.
- The Board signed a Gravel Tax Levy in the amount of $26.82 with a due date of May 3, 2012 for Map 014-001-024.
The Board reviewed and signed two (2) Vendor Manifests as follows;
- Vendor Manifest dated March 20, 2012 in the amount of $2,488.40.
- Vendor Manifest dated April 3, 2012 in the amount of $309,632.10; this manifest includes a school payment in the amount of $203,225.00.
Selectman Thayer asked to discuss a grant writing training course that he would like to attend in Epping. This is a two day class on April 23rd and April 24th at a cost of $350. The Board reviewed the documentation explaining a specialized class for First Responders & Public Safety Agencies on developing, writing and applying for grant programs. Thayer added that he spoke with the Fire Chief and the Emergency Management Director who are in favor of Thayer attending but Fire Chief Ingalls feels the town should pay for it. Chairman McCarthy added that she is aware that a member of the Fire Department is attending this training and does it make sense to have two attending the same training. Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley added that we did not budget for the training. McCarthy
suggested that we look for another grant writing class, we should check with the Local Government Center for they hold training at little to no cost.
Selectman Thayer stepped out of the meeting room earlier in the evening and spoke with Fire Chief Bill Ingalls and Thayer added that he is in favor of having me attend the training. Thayer added that he will check with the Fire Chief tomorrow to see if he has any money in his budget.
Chairman McCarthy referenced the February “NH Town and City” publication which explains the Energy Audit process and asked Selectman Melvin if he had a wish list of anything that he would like to fix, goals or a mission. Chairman McCarthy added that one of her goals is to work on a healthy workplace per an article she read in the Town and City. One of the things our HealthTrust has pointed out is that it is costing us money when you have employees that are stressed.
Selectman Melvin asked Town Administrator Wrigley if she was able to get the job lined up to install a rail out on the front steps. Wrigley responded that the employee that works at our town buildings is out on a medical leave but will check when he returns.
Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) - Property Taxes; (e) - Pending Claim
Chairman McCarthy motioned to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) - Property Taxes; (e) - Pending Claim. Second by Selectman Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote at 5:35pm.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the nonpublic meeting at 6:36pm. Per a 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 decided to talk with Town Clerk/Tax Collector to review a property tax situation and
- The Board unanimously approved sending a resident a follow up letter
Town Administrator Wrigley requested to review the status of the closing of the Bearce property. An environmental study is underway in case there are any issues we can address it now versus later. There is an extension on the closing date for the Attorney’s are working with Title Pro to get the mortgage and note.
Chairman McCarthy closed the public meeting at 6:43pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
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