NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014
TIME: 6PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Vice Chairman Doggett called the meeting to order at 6pm. In attendance were Selectmen James L. Doggett, Matthew A. Burrill, Charles R. Melvin, Sr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. The public meeting was videotaped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
Chairman Robert S. Donovan, Jr. and Lawrence B. Foote were not in attendance.
Doggett moved to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) - Code Enforcement; (b) - Fire Department; (a) - Employee Matters. Second by Melvin with a unanimous roll call vote: Doggett - aye, Burrill - aye, Melvin - aye.
Doggett announced that the records of the nonpublic session will be kept confidential until in the opinion of the majority of the members the circumstances no longer apply.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
- Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes of September 11, 2014, September 16, 2014, September 22, 2014, September 24, 2014 and September 29, 2014
Burrill moved to approve the Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes of September 11, 2014, September 16, 2014, September 22, 2014 and September 24, 2014. Second by Melvin with a unanimous vote.
- Scheduled Business
- 2015 Budget Review: Cable Committee, Cemetery Trustees, Welfare Assistance and Health Officer
Cable Committee
The Cable Committee submitted a level funded budget for 2015.
Melvin moved to approve the 2015 Cable Committee budget in the amount of $6,500.00. Second by Doggett with a unanimous vote.
Cemetery
Cemetery Trustee Bill Landry was present to answer any questions from the Board. The proposed budget has an increase of $375.00 due to the grounds maintenance contract which is in its third and final year. This is the first time in four years that the cost of grounds maintenance increased which comes out to 2.79% budget variance.
Melvin moved to approve the Cemetery Budget with an increase of 2.79% for a total of $13,825.00. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
General Assistance
Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley addressed this budget by stating that you do not know the need for assistance from one year to the next. Utilities and rent are usually the highest expenditures and the 2015 proposed budget includes a salary increase approved in 2014 and proposed in2015 for the Board approved a higher increase than what was budgeted this year.
Wrigley added that Tina O’Rourke, Welfare Agent is very good with using outside services rather than using town funds.
Burrill moved to approve the 2015 General Assistance budget in the amount of $25,445.00. Second by Melvin with a unanimous vote.
Health Officer
The Board reviewed and discussed the 2015 proposed budget from Health Officer Robert Leverone which is the same as 2014 in the amount of $10,150.00. This budget is covered by revenue generated by permit fees.
Melvin moved to approve the 2015 Health Officers budget at $10,150 which is the same as last year. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
- Town of Webster NH Re: Warrant Article for Funding for State Education
Doggett explained an email received from the Town of Webster Selectman Bruce Johnson requesting towns and cities consider supporting a warrant article asking the governor and state legislators to reform state funding for education with the reform directed at reduction of property taxes.
The Board agreed with the idea with a reform on funding for education in the state but the wording for the warrant article is a problem. The Board discussed sending a response back to Webster that the number one complaint they receive from residents is to word the article so it is understood and explains exactly what they are voting for.
Burrill moved that we as a Board of Selectmen send a letter back to Selectman Bruce Johnson, Town of Webster stating that we are interested in the idea however we would not vote in favor as currently worded for a warrant article. Second by Doggett. Burrill amended his motion and nominates Jim Doggett to write a letter to send back to Johnson. Melvin added that he wanted to have Johnson come by to explain it to us. Doggett responded that he prefers to send a letter. Burrill added that we should add to the email response that in addition to any revisions as an option if he would like to come out and talk about it would be much appreciated for we feel that he will receive a lot of feedback and make several revisions. Motion passed with Doggett voting no.
- Safety Committee Re: Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy
Bill Landry spoke on this item with the Board of Selectmen. This is the last of the nine policies and thirteen different forms that concern the safety committee. The town has a safety manual that was in dire need of repair so it has been gone through and this is the last one to be updated. For this policy, information was received from the State and the Towns, three different towns stated Town Administrator Wrigley. This information was used to determine the wording in the proposed policy. Town Administrator Wrigley added that we always had a no bullying policy but nothing in writing so the committee looked into creating one for the town. The proposal you are reviewing tonight is the final wording approved by the safety committee.
Doggett asked if we a need motion to adopt; Wrigley responded it is up to the Selectmen or if you want to make changes Office Manager Winglass questioned if it needs to be reviewed by counsel, Doggett agreed but added that he would also like to see Form I which the policy refers too for incident investigation.
Landry explained that anyone filing a complaint would use Form I and the safety committee policy has a total of 13 forms. Wrigley added that the safety policy has had multiple updates and once this policy has been added we are going to give everyone a copy.
Doggett questioned if we have a mechanism for training; Wrigley added that LGC has training available. Burrill concurred for it was just discussed in recent training held by LGC. Burrill agreed that he wants to see Form I before we move forward. Wrigley gave the Selectmen a copy of Form I which they reviewed. Doggett and Melvin agreed to have counsel review it and have it on the next agenda with all five Selectmen to make the decision.
Burrill added that counsel will probably inform you but you will probably need wording at the bottom of Form I, in not so many words, “confidential” but he should be able to give us the exact wording.
Doggett added that somewhere in the policy it should refer to the Anti-Discrimination Policy as a interweave giving double coverage. Burrill added incorporation by reference. Doggett added that the Anti-Discrimination falls under the civil rights therefore just the reference to that policy needs to be in this policy.
Burrill added that there would be a section referring to the anti-discrimination, sexual harassment for as it is stated in our other policies, we have zero tolerance for this type of activity and especially as it relates to bullying.
These updates should be done first before it goes to Sumner. Landry asked if we have an example of that somewhere that we can refer too rather than stumbling around. Burrill responded if you don’t mind shooting him an email as a reminder he will send an example.
- Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $747.00 donation for the redevelopment of Greenie Park to be deposited in the Recreation Revolving Account
Burrill moved Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $747.00 donation for the redevelopment of Greenie Park to be deposited in the Recreation Revolving Account. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
- Recreation Commission Re: Donation of a indoor water bubbler and a 14’ row board and life vests
Burrill informed the Board that the Board would like to discuss this issue with Annie Collyer, Chairman of the Recreation Commission therefore table until our next meeting on November 10th.
- Cont review of replacement generator at the Newton Junction Fire Station
Doggett addressed two quotes received per the request of the Selectmen for work to be completed at the Newton Junction Fire Station generator installation.
The first one is from Eastern Seaboard in the amount of $2,900 for the following;
Removal of shed covering the old generator, removal of the old generator, fix the hole in the wall complete with siding, pour a pad to hold a 48” x 30” generator with three columns, five feet at the left rear of the property, move the generator from 8 Merrimac Road to 29 West Main Street and dig a 18” trench from the existing gas piping to the cement pad, including sand.
Melvin moved to go ahead with the quote from Eastern Seaboard in the amount of $2,900. Second by Burrill. This will complete the first stage of the installation. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
The Board reviewed a quote from Patrick McCusker, Electrician to rewire the generator at the Newton Junction Fire Station in the amount of $2,000. The Board asked for a breakdown of the work to complete.
- Cont review of Gale Village Road and Wilders Grove Road
The Board tabled this item until the next meeting.
- Building Rules for rental property
The Board explained that as of June 2015 the town becomes landlords at 8 Merrimac Road and they are working on rules and regulations for the office building to include parking.
After review the example prepared by Burrill the Board decided to make a few revisions and will review it again at their next meeting.
Town Administrator Wrigley addressed the Request for Proposal for the Statistical Update with the hope of getting it done in the next calendar year.
Burrill moved to approve as written this Request for Proposal. Second by Doggett with a unanimous vote.
- Burrill read an announcement regarding the appointment of Interim Fire Chief William Higgins. This position is being established to temporarily fill the vacancy created by the retirement of long-time Fire Chief William Ingalls. Robert Zalenski has agreed to serve as Interim Fire Department Administrator to assist the Inter Chief with administrative tasks. The Board thanked the Chief and asked for the staff to support this transition.
- Doggett announced the 2014 Tax Rate has been set at a total of $25.94. The breakdown is as follows;
Town Rate $ 3.36
Local School Rate $19.51
State School Rate $ 2.11
County Rate $ 0.96
Total $25.94
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
Burrill moved to sign the Payroll Manifest dated 10/24 for the pay period of 10/5 - 10/18. Second by Melvin with a unanimous vote.
Melvin moved to sign the Vendor Manifest dated 10/17 in the amount of $354,799.42. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
Burrill moved to sign a letter to 125 Development regarding a Recreation Donation. Second by Melvin with a unanimous vote.
Melvin moved to sign an appointment for Barbara DiBartolomeo as a member of the Stewardship Committee with an expiration date of April 15, 2019. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
Burrill moved to sign an abatement denial for Map 7-3-28-11. Second by Melvin with a unanimous vote.
Melvin moved to sign an abatement denial for Map 7-3-28. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
The Board discussed an Invitation to Bid for the printing of the 2014 Annual Town Report. After reviewing the options, the Board decided to request two bids; one for 600 and the other for 900 books due to the fact that we ran out of the 2013 Annual Town Reports halfway through this year; the report is available on the town’s official website.
Town Administrator Wrigley asked the Board to review the dates as proposed in the 2015 Town Meeting Time Line to be discussed and finalized at the next meeting.
Melvin moved to adjourn 8:44pm. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Winglass, Office Manager
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