NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2013
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 5:35pm. 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.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) - Police Department; (d) - Tax Deeded Property (c) - Waiver; (c) - Personnel and (b) - Fire Department. Second by Selectman Melvin. 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;
- The Board unanimously motioned to extend Police Chief Lawrence Streeter employment contract to change the expiration date to July 5, 2017.
- The Board unanimously motioned to approve Officer Christopher Maguire pay increase to Grade XIII, step 7, $15.70 per hour effective January 13, 2013.
- The Board unanimously motioned to accept Richard Dupre as a Firefighter I Certified at Grade X, step 2, $11.99 per hour with a probationary period for three months and after probation would be a rate of Grade XV, Step 2, $15.30 per hour effective February 5, 2013.
The Board resumed the public meeting at 7:07pm.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
Chairman McCarthy read a statement from the Board regarding the state of affairs as they relate to decisions made by the Board of Selectmen. There is some tension and we may disagree on some items but at the end of the day we should all respect and support one another. Please let the Board know what is going on (good or bad) and present the facts to the Board before we make decisions. We want to hear your input so keep your supervisor informed and your supervisor will let the Selectmen’s Office know of your concerns. It is the job of the Board of Selectmen’s Office Manager to keep us informed and there will be a zero tolerance with bullying or hostility in the workplace. Nonpublic meetings are held to protect someone’s reputation. When gossip and speculation starts it can take on a life
of its own. We have very talented employees working for the town and we want to keep them so let’s all get on the same page and work together.
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
Scheduled Business
- Robert White Re: Property Easement
Mr. Robert White, property owner of backland behind the Town Hall was invited to meet with the Board for he has been sending in faxes to the Board asking to help resolve the issue of access to his land. After a lengthy discussion of the status of having no access through the Gale Library nor through the Peanut Trail; Mr. White has the option of requesting easements from his abutters, to cross over their land, in order to gain access to his property.
- RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds to the Newton Food Pantry from Planet Aid in the amount of $27.20 and a $100 Cash Donation.
Chairman McCarthy motioned per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds to the Newton Food Pantry from Planet Aid in the amount of $27.20 and a $100 Cash Donation. Second by Selectman Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Renovation for exterior metal fire escape at the Gale Library
The Board reviewed documentation for a Request for Proposal to repair the exterior metal fire escape at the Gale Library. The Board approved the wording and asked to include references and the work to be completed in accordance with the NH State Fire Code.
- Proposed guidelines for 2013 Voucher System
The Board will review this proposal at the February 19th Selectmen’s meeting.
- Cable Room Ventilation System
The Board reviewed requisition #2400 from Office Manager Winglass requesting to purchase venting equipment for the cable room at a cost of $286.00 to be paid out of the General Government Buildings Budget.
Selectman Melvin motioned to approve the purchase of an exhaust fan and return air vent grille with fixed blades for the cable room per requisition #2400 in the amount of $286.00. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Cont review 2013 IT Consultant Contract
Chairman McCarthy stated that she has been in contact with many surrounding towns regarding their IT Consultants and showed the Board information from other towns.
Selectman Melvin motioned to put the IT Consultant Contract out to bid. Second by Selectman Thayer. Discussion: Chairman McCarthy explained that she talked to other towns and they all have a certificate of insurance from their IT Consultant and our RFP will require it as well. Another town sent McCarthy information for the RFP specifications. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Chairman McCarthy motioned in the interest of protecting the town and due to being in the middle of a crucial time, to see if our current IT Consultant would be willing to agree to a (3) three month contract with a certificate of insurance or bond. Second by Selectman Thayer. Discussion: The Board reviewed multiple responses from other towns and they all require a certificate of insurance. The Board is willing to give our IT Consultant the certificate of insurance information from other towns in order to give her guidance regarding other similar policies. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Announcements
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
Fire Department requisition
Fire Chief Bill Ingalls was present to explain the reason the department used Mahoney & Son for repairs to Rescue 1. Ingalls explained that he has been the Fire Chief for over 10 years and this is the first time the department has been asked to go out to bid; the department has worked with Mahoney & Son for many years and their service is excellent. Repairs to the Fire Department vehicles must be ASE approved and must be done by a certified diesel mechanic. Selectman Melvin responded that he talked to the Fire Chief some time ago and asked him to talk to a diesel mechanic in town. Ingalls responded that the person he is referring to has an occupancy permit for a bed fabricating business through the Planning Board.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to approve repairs to Rescue One and asked Chief Ingalls to check with other repair shops based upon price and certification. Going out to bid would take time and when equipment breaks down we need to be able to move forward. No Second
Selectman Thayer motioned to sign requisition #2386 initiated by the Fire Chief to Mahoney & Sons in the amount of $2,729.14 for repairs to Rescue One. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Discussion: Selectman Melvin added that the price can be beat by $800. Motion passed with Selectman Melvin voting no.
Transfer Station requisition
Office Manager Winglass explained to the Board the work completed in 2012 by Electrician Patrick McCusker to move the overhead wires to the garage and bury them. This work was approved by the Board of Selectmen at the end of 2011, the work started in July and completed in the fall of 2012. During the spending freeze last year this invoice was put on hold for it was thought that the work had not been completed but in fact the work has been completed.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to approve requisition #2401 paid to Patrick McCusker to move the overhead wires to the garage and bury them in the amount of $1,000.00. Second by Selectman Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Recreation Commission requisition
Selectman Melvin motioned to approve requisition #2393 from the Recreation Commission to buy 12 tickets from the Palace Theatre in the amount of $240.00. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Other Business
- The Board signed an Annual Certification Report to the Federal Government certifying the amount of money in the drug forfeiture account.
- A discussion took place regarding the Transfer Station generator for it recently had to be repaired and we have been informed that the radiator needs to be replaced at a cost of approximately $1,000. The Board decided to find out the cost for the electrical work to install a switch in order to bring in a replacement generator held by the Police Department. Another option to research is to find out if the generator that was used at 2 Amesbury Road (the old Police Department) could be used at the Transfer Station.
- The Board signed a Welfare Manifest in the amount of $580.41
Chairman McCarthy motioned to pay a Welfare Manifest in the amount of $580.41. Second by Selectman Melvin. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Stewardship Committee Appointments
The Board reviewed a letter from Rick Fortin, Chairman of the Stewardship Committee recommending Ted and Carolyn Pekalsky to be appointed for a five (5) year term.
Selectman Thayer motioned to appoint Theodore A. Pekalsky as a member of the Stewardship Committee effective today with an expiration date of April 15, 2017. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Chairman McCarthy motioned to appoint Carolyn J. Pekalsky as a member of the Stewardship Committee effective today with an expiration date of April 15, 2017. Second by Selectman Melvin. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Recreation Commission
The Board reviewed a letter dated January 31, 2013 from Recreation Commission member Maia Drucker resigning her position from the Newton Recreation Commission due to the fact that she is no longer a Newton resident. The Board asked for a thank letter to be sent to Maia for her services to the town.
Selectman Melvin motioned to sign a Vendor Manifest in the amount of $47,007.42. Second by Selectman Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Selectman Melvin motioned to sign a second Vendor Manifest in the amount of $2,545.41. Second by Chairman McCarthy. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Chairman McCarthy adjourned the meeting at 8:40pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager
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