NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2014
TIME: 6PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman Donovan opened the meeting at 6pm. In attendance were Selectmen Robert S. Donovan, Jr., James L. Doggett, Matthew A. Burrill, Lawrence B. Foote, Charles R. Melvin, Sr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
Donovan moved to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (b) - Transfer Station; (a) - Transfer Station; (b) - Police Department; (c) - Interview Panel; (d) - Lease Agreement. Second by Doggett, passed with a unanimous roll call vote: Donovan - aye, Doggett - aye, Burrill - aye, Foote - aye, Melvin - aye.
Donovan moved to adjourn the nonpublic meeting at 7:35pm. Second by Melvin with a unanimous roll call vote. The Selectmen reserve the right to keep all matters confidential until in the opinion of the majority of the members the circumstances no longer apply except the following:
- to hire Cory Drouin as a Full Time Police Officer/Prosecutor with the pay Grade XVIII, step 7 with an effective date of August 31, 2014
- to change Tom DiFalco from Interim Transfer Station Manager to Transfer Station Manager
- to change Bonnie Burnham from Acting Assistant Manager to Assistant Manager
- to approve a 2.5% increase to Bonnie Burnham, Assistant Manager from a Grade XI Step 8 to a Grade XI Step 9, effective 08/17/14
- to grant Peter Gagnon, Part Time Attendant a 5% increase from Grade IX Step 8 to Grade IX Step 10 effective 08/17/14
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
Chairman Donovan welcomed the guests in the audience. The Board wished Fire Chief Bill Ingalls a Happy Birthday.
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
- Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated July 29, 2014 and August 5, 2014
Foote moved to accept the Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated July 29, 2014 and August 5, 2014. Second by Burrill. Vote passed with Doggett opposed.
- Fire Chief Interview Panel
Chairman Donovan announced that the town received a response from 15 residents whom want to be on this committee and the majority of the Board agreed the best way to handle it is to pull three names from a hat. Donovan asked and Senator Nancy Stiles agreed to draw three names from the hat. The following three names were drawn from the hat:
Jack Kozec
Lawrence Cranor
Trisha McCarthy
The Board then agreed to draw a fourth name as an Alternate. Senator Stiles drew the fourth name from the hat:
Lisa Gonyer
The Board talked about picking a date for next week that works for all the committee members to hold the interviews.
- Fire Chief: Estimate for Tanker 4
The Board reviewed a quote from Lakes Region Fire Apparatus in West Ossipee, NH in the amount of $21,495.00. Chief Ingalls added that the first paragraph on the quote tells it all. “This estimate is for Newton Tank 4, a 1984 pumper. Items quoted below are all safety deficiencies along with operational deficiencies needed to have pumper perform properly. The minor items including cosmetic are not listed here. Customer should note that this pumper chassis is 30 years old, and the body is 17 years old. Also, the pump parts are no longer in stock; there will be a 6-8 week lead time on impeller. Although no difficulties are expected, any unforeseen needed repairs not listed are not included.”
Donovan responded that the equipment is not safe and he does not want anyone driving it and does not feel it is worth it. Burrill added that he would like to speak with the new Fire Chief and get his recommendation. Doggett stated that he cannot see us throwing away the funds when it does not bring it up to today’s standard. Melvin feels it can be used as a backup truck and the price is not bad to put into the vehicle. Melvin added that he would be in agreement to add $4,000 to bring the cost up to $25,000 to bring it up to standards.
Burrill moved to hold off until we can talk to the new Fire Chief and get his perspective on this vehicle; we are only talking about two months. Second by Doggett. Vote passed with Foote abstaining and Melvin voting no.
Bill Kolias of the Fire Department talked about maintaining the vehicle over the years and he understands what Melvin is saying but there are issues such as the pump freezes easily. If it were to fail at the site then it would be blocking mutual aid.
- GASB 45: OPEB liability (Other Post Employment Benefits)
The Board reviewed a memo from the Town Administrator recommending the Board sign an agreement with Nyhart for $2,500 to complete the town’s GASB 45 mandatory requirements. GASB 45 establishes standards for accounting and financial reporting. How a government actually finances benefits is a policy decision made by government officials.
Two quotes were obtained to provide OPEB liability (Other Post Employment Benefits) from the following companies:
Nyhart - $2,500 for a three year quote for fiscal years 2014 - 2016.
Jefferson Solutions, Inc - $3,000 for a three year quote for fiscal years 2013 - 2015.
Donovan moved to sign the agreement with Nyhart for $2,500 to complete this mandated requirement and to charge the consultant line in the Financial Administration Budget to be over expended in order to cover this cost. Second by Foote. Vote passed with Melvin abstaining.
- Open bids for cleaning services for town properties
The Board opened two bids received for cleaning services for town properties from the following companies;
Design Tech Group Exeter NH
Richen Management, Portsmouth, NH
The Board asked the Office Manager to prepare a spreadsheet to be reviewed at their next meeting.
- Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $102.00 to the Newton Food Pantry from the Newton Historical Society
Burrill moved Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $102.00 to the Newton Food Pantry from the Newton Historical Society. Second by Doggett. Unanimous vote.
Police Chief Streeter was not in attendance but offered to prepare his recommendations for the next meeting.
Donovan motioned that everywhere that it states “driving violations” should be under town vehicles not personal vehicles. For the way it reads if you are driving your own personal vehicle and get a ticket then you must report it to the town and that was not the intent of this policy. Second by Burrill for discussion. Foote asked Fire Chief Ingalls if that was the only issue with the policy. Ingalls responded that he has the same issue with the policy. Donovan clarified that if you are responding in a town vehicle and you get in an accident then it would apply.
Bill Kolias, EMT/CDL talked about the reason why he has not signed the vehicle policy. Page 5, #3 as follows; “Employees must notify their supervisor within twenty-four (24) hours or as soon as practical about any motor vehicle accident or moving violation including but not limited to DUI, no insurance, and any driver’s license suspension which occurred while the employee was driving a personal vehicle. The supervisor must then report such accident or violation to the HR Officer within twenty-four (24) hours or as soon as practical.”
Kolias added that changes to #3 must be done before he is willing to sign this policy.
A discussion took place on being convicted for DUI; before you are convicted in court you are able to drive legally. Donovan added that is why he wants it to read suspension of license. Burrill agreed that this section needs to reference that it applies to town owned vehicles versus changing “town owned vehicles” in every section of the policy. Donovan added that an employee is only required to inform the town if there is a conviction or a DUI using their personal vehicle.
Burrill moved that we change the wording to paragraph 3 section 5 to state in the first sentence “Employees must notify their supervisor within 24 hours or as soon as practical about any motor vehicle accident or moving violation including but not limited to DUI, no insurance, and any driver’s license suspension which occurred while the employee was driving a personal vehicle while on town business. Second by Doggett. Unanimous vote.
Burrill moved that we add to Section 4, # 15 “ Any town employee convicted of a DUI or receives a license suspension is required to notify his supervisor within 24 hour or as soon as practical. Second by Melvin. Unanimous vote.
The Town Administrator will contact Bill Kolias when the policy has been updated so he can come in and sign.
- Review budget expenditure report dated August 6, 2014
The Board reviewed a detailed expenditure report and found no concerns, everything looked in order.
- Historical Society Re: Barn at Marshall House Museum
Bill Landry, President of the Newton Historical Society talked about meeting with the Board last October regarding the deteriorating condition of the barn at the Marshall House Museum property. All contents have been removed and the building secured to prevent entry. Last year the Historical Society had a rough estimate of $4,000 for materials and labor. In an effort to reduce the cost of this project and put less of a burden on the taxpayer, they approached resident Rob Hayes who has donated approximately $9,000 worth of time, labor and expertise and some materials to the renovation of the Primary School Museum back in 2010 and 2011. Rob submitted a new quote of $2,500 for the labor and material to fix the barn and member of the Historical Society will assist with the renovations. Town Administrator Wrigley
added that $4,000 was budgeted this year in the General Government Buildings budget under repairs and supplies for this work to be completed.
Melvin moved to allow the Historical Society to spend the $2,500 for the repairs. It is a good estimate and Mr. Hayes seems like a dedicated person donating his time to the town. Mr. Hayes and anyone assisting him will need to sign a waiver of liability. 50% deposit is needed to purchase the materials up front. Second by Doggett. Unanimous vote.
Senator Nancy Stiles introduced herself and stated that she came to listen and see if there were any issues that she could help with in Newton. Selectman Melvin asked if she knows of anyone with grant writing ability. Stiles will look into it to see what is available for towns. Nancy Stiles is running for reelection as State Senator.
Chris Muns introduced himself as a candidate running for State Senator, he is from Hampstead and looks forward to getting things done.
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
Doggett moved to sign the Vendor Manifest in the amount of $809,991.15. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Doggett moved to sign the Payroll Manifest for pay period of 7/27 - 8/9. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
The Board signed a letter to the town’s Bookkeeper requesting a check in the amount of $12,164.06 to go into the Cable Revolving Fund.
The Board signed a letter to the Sanborn Regional School District outlining the 2014 Impact Fees including interest in the amount of $13,015.85 to be applied toward the 2004 New High School - Bond Payment.
Town Administrator Wrigley asked the Board to sign the MS-1 Extension Request Form just in case we are not prepared by September 1, 2014.
Doggett moved to sign the extension. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Foote motioned to adjourn at 8:58pm. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Winglass, Office Manager
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