NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012
TIME: 4:30PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 4:55pm. 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 audio taped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to go into Nonpublic Session per RSA 91-A:3 II (c) - Tax Deeding; (a) - Employee Performance Evaluations. Second by Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to close the nonpublic session at 6:37pm. 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;
- Approved a 2.5% merit increase for Welfare Agent Tina O’Rourke effective April 8, 2012.
- To give the Town Clerk/Tax Collector a waiver for 21 Dugway Road so it can continue to accrue interest and get it back on the tax rolls. McCullough asked for another deeding deadline so she can prepare for another 30 days to re-notice the property owner. The Board asked to prepare the waiver and the Board does not have to meet again to sign the waiver. Wednesday, September 5th will be the next deadline for taxes to be paid before deeding.
- To regretfully accept the resignation from Mary Williams, Bookkeeper/Payroll Administrator effective June 29, 2012.
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
- Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes dated May 1, 2012, May 4, 2012, May 15, 2012, May 21, 2012, May 22, 2012 and May 29, 2012
- Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated May 1, 2012, May 15, 2012 and May 29, 2012
The minutes were not reviewed at the meeting.
- Letter of resignation from Recreation Commission member Tom Hansen
Chairman McCarthy read a letter of resignation from Tom Hansen, member of the Recreation Commission.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to regretfully accept a letter of resignation from resident Tom Hansen effective June 5, 2012 and to send a thank you letter for his service to the town signed by the Board of Selectmen. Second by Melvin. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Letter of resignation from Transfer Station Attendant David Doughty
Chairman McCarthy read a letter of resignation from David Doughty, Transfer Station Attendant.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to accept a letter of resignation from David Doughty, Transfer Station Attendant effective May 29, 2012. Second by Melvin. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Regional Prosecution Contract - January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2013
Per the request of Selectman Melvin, Chief Streeter handed out a Regional Criminal Case Statistics Report going back to the year 2000 when this program first started by the communities served by the 10th Circuit District Court in Plaistow. The communities are Hampstead, Plaistow, Atkinson, Kingston, Newton and Danville. The report compares the percent ratio per population, cases, population average and cost. Selectman Melvin responded that he was looking for the conviction rate, are they winning or not. Streeter responded that is not what you asked for according to the minutes. Melvin responded that he will be more specific in the future and he has not problem signing the contract tonight. Chairman McCarthy talked about the many variables in every case therefore just to look at the numbers is
not a clear indication of the conviction rate.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to accept and sign the January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013 Regional Prosecution Contract. Second by Thayer. Discussion: For the annual sum of $14,742 to be billed in quarterly installments of $3,686. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
D. Letter from NHDOT Re: Street Lighting on State Highways
The Board read a letter from NH Department of Transportation stating that they are assessing street lighting on state highways, and ultimately will discontinue all lighting that is not needed for motorist safety.
“The Department’s proposal is predicted on saving approximately $650,000 per year in electrical costs. The lights to be turned off are lights that are found to be unnecessary in accordance with current state and federal standards. In many cases, lights that are currently in use were providing as amenities to enhance the overall layout of new or upgraded highway facilities. Given improvements in vehicle headlight performance and sign reflectivity, and given the need to reduce costs, the Department in accordance with safety standards, is proposing to discontinue some of these street lights.”
The Board agreed to put the above paragraph out on the website to give the residents the information on the changes to state roads.
- Continental Paving, Inc Re: Resurfacing a portion of Route 108
The Board reviewed a letter from Continental Paving, Inc. stating that they will be working on the State of NH D.O.T. Project #16166-A, “Resurfacing District VI” in the Town of East Kingston and Newton on NH Route 108 for 4.2 miles working from Gould’s Hill Road in Newton northerly to NH Route 107 in East Kingston. This work will begin on or about June 13th.
- Review of older grandfathered town roads
The Board reviewed an email from Rick Milner, Planning Board Administrative Assistant asking for the Selectmen to accept the following town roads due to their grandfather status. All town roads were researched and Bartlett Street, Lonegoose Road, New Boston Road and Whittier Street (only portion of road from Pond Street to intersection with Highland Street) had neither documentation found nor any reference of the town accepting these roads. This is just a housekeeping item for these roads are on the state list for the highway block grant.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to accept Bartlett Street, Lonegoose Road, New Boston Road, Whittier Street (only portion of road from Pond Street to intersection with Highland Street) as older grandfathered roads. Second by Melvin. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Cont review of 2 Amesbury Road
Electrical Service Riser
The Board reviewed an email from Ron LeMere, Chief Building Official stating that he inspected the electrical service riser at 2 Amesbury Road and found that it is damaged and would need to be replaced. The service riser is presently being supported with a rope and he recommends replacing this service as soon as possible. If the town decides not to replace this riser, Ron will have to contact Unitil and have the power disconnected.
The Board discussed that they cannot see spending $600 to have it fixed and felt that the company that caused the problem to pay to have it fixed. Winglass asked how we know it happened when the trailer was taken off the property. Melvin responded that it was not that way before the trailer was moved.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to send the estimate to the trailer company for the electrical damage done when the trailer was hauled off town property. The letter goes out to the company first before we shut off the electricity. Second by Melvin. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Cont review of Personnel Policies
The Board reviewed a letter from Cheryl Saunders, Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector asking the Selectmen to re-consider the paid time off schedule for permanent part-time employees. Cheryl added that as a permanent part-time employee you have to work for the town 15+ years in order to get 10 days vacation and you do not qualify for any sick time. Permanent part-time employees do not qualify for any benefits in the form of medical, dental or retirement. Cheryl asked for the Selectmen to give the permanent part-time employees the same consideration as the full-time employees when it comes to paid time off.
The Board discussed that Cheryl works 35 hours per week and reviewed the schedule for vacation time for permanent part time employees.
Selectman Melvin added that he did his homework and reviewed the entire Personnel Policies and Procedures and had many recommended changes. Melvin explained his recommended changes and the Board decided to take everything under advisement, this is a great start and we need to continue working on this item.
- Review status of Twombly Drive
Town Administrator Wrigley discussed multiple correspondences that she has received from Town Attorney Sumner Kalman on accepting Twombly Drive as a town road. Wrigley stated that she continues to receive calls from residents of Twombly Drive and yet required items are still incomplete therefore we are unable to accept Twombly Drive as a town road. The reason for these requirements are to insure that the Town of Newton is getting all of the legal rights necessary to maintain the road as a class V town road, to include a fee simple, absolute interest in the roadway and all easement necessary to maintain the roadway in the future.
The Board asked for Wrigley to contact Town Engineer Mike Vignale to take a look and get his opinion of the plan with any issues and concerns and to pay Vignale out of the Twombly Drive Road Bond account. The Board asked to set a meeting with Town Counsel to review the issue.
- Letter from resident Scott Herman Re: Dry Hydrant
The Board reviewed a letter from resident Scott Herman regarding the non operational fire hydrant located on his property. Herman refuse/object to work or removal of this hydrant without first knowing what impact it will have on his property. The Board then reviewed a letter from Deputy Fire Chief John Owens outlining how the removal will take place. The Board decided to invite Scott Herman to the July 17th meeting to discuss his concerns and to convey how the Fire Department plans on removing the hydrant.
- Recommendation to accept Katherine Drive as a town road
The Board reviewed a memo from the Planning Board who unanimously voted to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Katherine Drive be accepted as a Town Road.
Selectman Melvin motioned to accept Katherine Drive as a Town Road. Second by McCarthy. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- 2012 Calculation for Dwelling Units
The Board reviewed a spreadsheet showing all occupancy permits approved during the period of April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012. The total number of occupancy permits signed during this period were (18) with only (5) occupancies qualifying as new dwelling units. Based upon the Elderly Housing Ordinance the total number of elderly housing units in the Town of Newton shall not exceed ten percent of the total dwelling units then existing in the Town of Newton.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to approve the number of elderly housing units as of April 1, 2012 equals (6) units. Second by Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Request from Planning Board Re: Letter of commitment for a 2012 NH Housing Community Planning Grant to aid the Planning Board
The Board signed a letter to the NH Housing Community Planning committing to this project under the direction of the Planning Board.
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
- The Board signed a requisition from Emergency Management Director Lawrence Foote to be paid out of the Emergency Operations Fund to purchase a narrow band radio for a total of $300 from All-Comm Technologies. Foote was present to explain the need for the radio. Selectman Melvin asked for requisitions to be approved before the purchase is made; Foote responded that he planned on having this requisition reviewed by the Board at the June 5th meeting. The meeting was cancelled and he is just now able to bring it to the Board.
Selectman Thayer motioned that we approve per the recommendation of EMD Larry Foote to spend $300.00 from the Emergency Operations Center Fund to buy a Narrowband radio from All-Comm Technologies, Inc. Second by Melvin. Melvin asked if we can get the paperwork (requisition) before the unit. McCarthy responded that based upon the purchase policy we do not require a requisition to be approved for $300. Foote added that he needs the approval of the Selectmen for any expenditure from the Emergency Operations Center Fund. Melvin responded that if you need to receive Selectmen’s approval, the Selectmen should have the requisition first. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- The Board reviewed an email from Library Director Terry Caswell looking for some assistance with a rodent and ant problem at the Gale Library. Office Manager Winglass contacted Pest End and received a quote of $150 for an initial cleanout charge and then a monthly check on the property for $35 a month. The Board agreed to move forward with this agreement as we currently have the Town Hall and Marshall House under the same agreement as is necessary with these old buildings.
- Selectman Melvin stated that he checked the Marshall House basement window and found that it was in need of a window frame and window replacement. Melvin added that there is another basement window in need of repair as well. Winglass is waiting to hear from Chief Building Official Ron LeMere with his opinion on the work that needs to be done to the window and window frame.
- The Board signed a requisition from the Fire Chief to purchase a set of fire gear- jacket and pants for a new firefighter for a total of $1,650.65 from Bergeron Protective Clothing.
- The Board signed a requisition from the Fire Chief to purchase two (2) Motorola 2-Head Mobile Radios from Motorola for a total of $4,453.48; half to be paid from his budget and half to be paid from EMP Grant.
- The Board signed a letter to the Department of Revenue Administration stating that they will not be using the PA-28 form in 2013.
- The Board signed a Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Map 016-04-014, 85 Amesbury Road owned by the State of NH Fish & Game.
- The Board reviewed a memo from Fire Chief William Ingalls Re: Vacation schedule
- The Board approved paid time off for Office Manager Winglass and Town Administrator Wrigley.
- The Board reviewed a letter from Town Assessor Andrea Lewy regarding a resident request to grant an elderly exemption for 2012 filed after the deadline of April 15, 2012. Lewy added that the Board has the authority to grant this request if they so chose since it is a financial hardship. The Board discussed that although they are concerned about our seniors they need to file by the deadline for there are others that have been turned away for they missed the deadline, we need to stay consistent.
- The Board signed the Vendor Manifest in the amount of $34,432.01
- The majority of the Board of Selectmen signed the following abatements;
Map 002-04-019 granted for a total of $ 277.41
Map 012-04-002 granted for a total of $2,247.20
Map 016-05-23-6 granted for a total of $ 102.41
Map 006-05-009 granted for a total of $ 366.91
Map 014-02-018 granted for a total of $ 325.10
Map 002-04-004 denied
Map 009-01-03-2 denied
Map 011-05-24-2U2 denied
Selectman Melvin motioned to adjourn at 9:55pm. Second by Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
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