NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013
TIME: 6PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman Thayer opened the meeting at 6:01pm. In attendance were Chairman Raymond D. Thayer, Selectman Charles R. Melvin, Sr., Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley and Office Manager Mary Winglass. The minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
Chairman Thayer motioned to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) - Personnel Matters; (b) - Cable; (e) - Pending Claim. Second by Melvin. Motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote.
Chairman Thayer motioned to close the nonpublic meeting at 7:24pm. Second by Selectman Melvin. 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:
- Motion passed with a vote of two Selectmen, Thayer and Melvin, to keep Kevin Jolicoeur on administrative leave without pay. Effective date is November 2, 2013
- Per a unanimous vote to hire Christopher Liquori as a Cable Consultant for (6) months at a rate of $25 per hour with a maximum of 12 hours per month. The contract term begins November 3, 2013 and terminates on May 3, 2014. Effective date is November 3, 2013 and Chris must complete a background check.
- Per a unanimous vote to send off the documentation for 19 South Main Street and 158 South Main Street to Town Counsel.
Chairman Thayer called the public meeting back to order at 7:26pm
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
- Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes dated September 3, 2013, September 17, 2013, September 25, 2013 and October 1, 2013
- Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated September 3, 2013, September 17, 2013, September 25, 2013 and October 1, 2013
The Board will review the minutes prior to their next meeting.
- Scheduled Business
- 2014 Budget Review: Election, Registrations and Vital Statistics, Tax Collector and Highway Department
Town Clerk/Tax Collector
Town Clerk/Tax Collector Mary Jo McCullough was present to answer questions regarding her proposed 2014 budgets.
Tax Collector Budget
Some minor changes were made to the budget to keep it level funded.
McCullough talked about setting up a kiosk program through Avitar Associates which will allow tax information to be available online with a link on the town’s website. There is a one-time set up fee of $95 and will help reduce calls asking if taxes are paid or what is the balance. The Board asked to review the document before signing the paperwork for the kiosk program.
Selectman Melvin motioned to approved 2014 Tax Collector budget in the amount of $30,400. Second by Donovan. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Election, Registrations and Vital Statistics Budget
McCullough recommended a change to offer a one check feature to pay for registrations. Before the town can offer a credit card option it first must be a one check town per the State. A one check town allows residents to pay both the town and state with one check and the setup includes payment to the State via ACH transaction. The Selectmen were in agreement to move forward with the one check option. McCullough added that she is looking at dog licensing online as well as vital records.
Selectman Melvin motioned to approve the 2014 Election, Registrations and Vital Statistics budget in the amount of $82,910. Second by Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
The Board took a five minute recess; Thayer called the meeting back to order at 7:53pm.
Highway Budget
Road Agent Mike Pivero was present to answer any questions regarding his 2014 proposed budget.
Selectman Melvin motioned to approve the 2014 Highway Budget in the amount of $341,436.00. Second by Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Review Vehicle Policy and work on a Surplus Equipment Policy
Vehicle Policy
Police Chief Streeter was present and the Board asked for Streeter for his input. Streeter responded that giving the present atmosphere he does not feel that he should volunteer his services.
Surplus Equipment Policy
Town Administrator Wrigley provided the Board with other surplus equipment policies for the Board to review; the Board agreed to review the information and to discuss this item on November 5th.
- Letter from SARA Realty, LLC: Wenmarks Road
Road Agent Mike Pivero was present to review a response letter from Ron Pica, SARA Realty, LLC owner of Wenmarks Road. Pica’s response is that the town is responsible for maintaining the road. Pivero recommends sending all the documentation to legal counsel for his opinion on the best way to move forward. The Board agreed with Pivero’s recommendation to contact the Town Attorney and to keep plowing Wenmarks Road until the matter is resolved.
Selectman Melvin motioned to send off the documentation to Town Counsel in reference to Wenmarks Road. Second by Thayer. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Selectman Melvin motioned for Road Agent Mike Pivero to continue plowing Wenmarks Road until further notice. Second Donovan. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Announcements
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
Wilders Grove Road
The Board discussed the meeting held in Kingston; Chairman Thayer and Selectmen Melvin did not attend the meeting. The Board decided to meet with Town Council to discuss the information received from E9-1-1.
The Board signed a requisition for Drug Buying Monday to the Police Department for Drug Enforcement using Devito Asset Forfeiture Funds in the amount of $500.00.
The Board approved vacation time for a part-time town employee.
The Board signed a Welfare Voucher in the amount of $202.35.
The Board signed a Welfare Voucher in the amount of $750.00.
The Board signed a Vendor Manifest in the amount of $64,895.33.
Chairman Thayer adjourn the meeting at 8:16pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Winglass, Office Manager
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