Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
 
February 19, 2013 Board of Selectmen Minutes
NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013
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 5:33pm.  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.  Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.  

Chairman McCarthy motioned to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (d) - Tax Deeded Property; (c) - Employee Matters; (a) - Recreation.  Second by Selectman Melvin.  Motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

Chairman McCarthy closed the nonpublic session at 7:08pm.  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 in favor of giving Maia Drucker, Swim Coordinator/Director a 2.5% merit increase for the 2013 summer program effective February 19, 2013.
  • The Board announced that training for all town employees will take place on Thursday, March 7th starting at 8am to 11am at the Town Hall and the Board is strongly recommending they attend this annual training session.  The Town will set up a second date for training for those that are unable to attend.  The annual training scheduled for March 7th is Preventing ~Workplace Harassment and Workplace Violence Prevention.
Back in public session at 7:14pm.

  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Introduction of Guests
  • Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
  • Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes dated December 4th and 10th, 2012, December 31st 2012 and January 2nd 2013, January 8, 2013, January 14, 2013 and January 15, 2013
Selectman Melvin motioned to approve the Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes dated December 4th and 10th, 2012, December 31st 2012 and January 2nd 2013, January 8, 2013, January 14, 2013 as written.  Second by Chairman McCarthy.  Motion passed with a unanimous vote.

  • Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated December 4, 2012 and January 8, 2013
Selectman Thayer motioned to approve the Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated December 4, 2012 and January 8, 2013 as written.  Second by Chairman McCarthy.  Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
  • Scheduled Business
  • Bookkeeper/Payroll Administrator Re: Communications & Overtime
Bookkeeper/Payroll Administrator Rick Milner was present to discuss communications between the offices.  Milner explained that at the end of the year a lot of things happened all at once and now that it is over we need to come to a better understanding on how the Selectmen are to communicate.  Milner wrote up some suggestions with the hope to give clear directives and eliminate discrepancies.  

Milner read each of his suggestions and the Board responded that we have a clear chain of command and there should be no confusion.  Milner responded that the Board’s directive sometimes is not clear and he does not receive a response in a timely manner.  Selectman Melvin added that there is a clear chain of command and it starts with the three Selectmen, then the Town Administrator and then the Selectmen’s Office Manager.  On a day to day basis, the Town Administrator has direct supervision of the Bookkeeper/Payroll Administrator.    Milner explained that some decisions need to be made quickly; the Board responded to let the Office Manager know so she can post a meeting.  It was discussed that there may be implications of not having decisions in a timely manner; the Selectmen acknowledged that we need a process in place.

Milner added that there are some internal controls that need to be defined.  The Board again stated that the chain of command is to go through the Office Manager when you need a decision of the Board of Selectmen.

Selectman Melvin motioned for the Selectmen to turn around and write a procedure policy on how to handle communication.  Second by Chairman McCarthy.  Motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Milner added that he wants to make sure the Board is aware that some departments are expending funds for items that were not budgeted.
  • Review proposed Recreation Field and Facility Use Application Rental Request
The Board reviewed an application form for the use of Newton’s Recreation Field and Facility Use prepared by Chief Building Official Ron Lemere.  

LeMere explained that this application allows for a process in place for Newton Baseball and anyone else that would be using Greenie Park or any other Recreation Area.  The use of the building itself and selling any food items requires proper control.  LeMere added that Baseball has asked to install a hand sink and to be able to sell limited items that are boxed, bagged or in cans.  Baseball also wants to install a hand sink that would be hooked up to the new septic system.  

After a discussion on installing a three bay sink, check the hot water system, impervious counter, electrical and plumbing work in order to use for cooking in the future, the Board asked Chief Building Official Ron LeMere to help prepare the cost for construction.  The Board will then need to look at the future cost for the additional gas and electricity at this location, if it is decided to move forward with the construction.  Newton Baseball offered to help with the upgrades to the building.

Brian O’Rourke, Newton Baseball talked about how Baseball season is quickly approaching and how they would like to sell sealed, prepackaged products only for now.   
In the future, Baseball would like to offer more food choices and it was discussed that this will affect the Greenie Park budget due to electrical, chemical toilet, trash therefore we may need to look at charging a fee for the use of the building.

Brian O’Rourke asked on behalf of Newton Baseball to hook up the existing sink to the donated septic system at Greenie Park.  Baseball has volunteers to complete this work and they will only sell packaged goods only.  The Board discussed that they had the water tested and the results were good so they agreed to Baseball’s request.  O’Rourke added that there is a hot water heater that will be hooked up as well.  The Board asked to make sure this work is completed by a licensed individual.  

The Board discussed the need to figure out the intent or the future use of the building at Greenie Park in order to have better control; better to get it done now.  Chief Building Official LeMere offered to obtain a quote for the cost of an impervious counter, electrical, plumbing and three bay sink.  LeMere will check the building for any other improvements required per the Building Codes.

Chairman McCarthy motioned to allow installing a sink and hot water tank to be hooked up by a licensed individual paid by Newton Baseball.  Second by Selectman Melvin.  Discussion: The Board added that the licensed individual doing the work will need to meet with LeMere regarding the hot water tank and other work to be done.  Motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Chairman McCarthy asked Newton Baseball to make sure there is clear access into the building that equipment is not in the way so no one gets hurt.
o



  • Recreation Commission Re: Town Beach Boat and Dock
Present: Recreation Commission Secretary Diane Morin
The Board read a memo from the Recreation Commission asking to sell off the raft and boat at the Town Beach.  After a discussion it was decided to check on the condition of each item before making a decision.

Morin then updated the Selectmen on upcoming events by the Recreation Commission to include ice skating during vacation week on February 28th; trip to Foxwoods in April; and a trip to Indian Head Resort in October.

  • Request from resident Re: Waiver of Transfer Station Fee
The Board reviewed a letter from a resident requesting a waiver of the $25 replacement sticker fee due to a hardship.

Selectman Thayer motioned to approve the request of the Transfer Fee Sticker Waiver.  Second by Chairman McCarthy.  Motion passed with a unanimous vote.

  • Review proposal for Video Surveillance System
The Board decided to review this proposal in a work meeting.  

  • 2013 proposed Voucher System
The Board decided to review this proposal in a work meeting.  

  • Sale of 2 Amesbury Road at Public Auction
The Board signed documentation from St. Jean Auctioneers for the sale of 2 Amesbury Road.

  • Federal City Safety Complex
The Board discussed moving forward with a committee for the future uses of the new Police Station at Merrimac Road.

  • Announcements
  • Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
  • Vendor Manifest
Selectman Melvin motioned to approve the Vendor Manifest dated February 19, 2013 in the amount of $833,583.55.  Second by Chairman McCarthy.  Motion passed with a unanimous vote.  

  • Appointment to the Recreation Commission for Jessica Braiser
Chairman McCarthy motioned to appoint Jessica Braiser as a member of the Recreation Commission effective February 19, 2013 and expiring on April 15, 2015.  Second by Selectman Melvin.  Motion passed with a unanimous vote.

  • Intent to Cut Wood or Timber
Selectman Thayer motioned to approve the Intent to Cut Wood or Timber, Map 10-05-04 on 19 Gould’s Hill Road.  Second by Chairman McCarthy.  Motion passed with a unanimous vote.

The Board reviewed an email from Brian Buckley.

The Board reviewed a memo from Recreation Commission asking the Board to appoint the Grand Marshall for the Memorial Day Parade.

The Board reviewed a requisition from Deputy Fire Chief John Owens.  The Board asked for Owens to come into the next meeting to explain the proposed purchase.

  • Adjourn
Chairman McCarthy motioned to adjourn at 9:25pm.

                                                Respectfully Submitted,


                                                Mary B. Winglass, Office Manager