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January 6, 2015 Board of Selectmen Minutes
NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015
TIME: 6PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD

PUBLIC MEETING

  • Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman Donovan opened the meeting at 6:01pm.  In attendance were Selectmen Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Chairman, James L. Doggett, Vice Chairman, Matthew A. Burrill, Lawrence B. Foote, Charles R. Melvin, Sr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass.  The meeting was audio and video taped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.

Donovan moved to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) - Personnel Matter (Fire); Employee Evaluation.  Second by Foote with a unanimous roll call vote: Donovan - aye, Doggett - aye, Burrill - aye, Foote - aye, Melvin - aye.

Donovan moved to close the Nonpublic Session at 7:25pm.  Second by Foote with a unanimous roll call vote to keep all matters confidential until in the opinion of the majority of the members the circumstances no longer apply except for the Board’s decision to increase Office Manager Mary Winglass from Grade XXIII/8 to XXIII/9 effective October 18, 2014.

  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Introduction of Guests
  • Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
  • Scheduled Business
  • Fire Department Re: Department warrant articles
Fire Chief John Alcaidinho discussed the extensive repairs to Tanker 4 with some items classified as safety issues.  The Fire Department took Tanker 4 out of service in March 2014.

Fire Chief John Alcaidinho discussed the Fire Departments recommendation to replace Tanker 4 and to include a 2015 warrant article to purchase a Class A Pumper at a price of approximately $350,000 and recommend $225,000 taken out of the Capital Reserve Fund with the remainder to be raised by taxes.

A discussion took place on why the warrant article did not pass last year and the reaction from the residents when tanker 4 was taken out of service.  Chief Alcaidinho explained that last year the warrant article was to purchase a tanker and what is proposed this year is a very different truck.  The department’s last new truck in the fleet was in 1999 and the rest are older.  This purchase option is what is best for the town for public safety and for the safety of our firefighters; the longer we wait the more costly it will be in the end.  Chief Alcaidinho added that the Fire Department is looking into demo models and doing everything in their power to assist the residents with this purchase.

Comments from the Selectmen were the need to inform the residents of the need; check on a trade in value even if they can only give an approximate amount and check on the lease option.  Doggett explained that the school has an approximate 1.5 million proposed increase this year; it was discussed that we need to get the word out to educate the public via facebook, newspaper cable and website.  
Doggett asked Chief Alcaidinho that compared to other towns does everyone have two tankers and two engines.  Chief Alcaidinho explained that you need to look at the overall equipment and the need within the community for each one is different.  Different needs include water sources within the community, population, commercial etc.

Chief Alcaidinho will obtain more information for the January 13th meeting with the Board of Selectmen.  Town Administrator Wrigley will work with Chief Alcaidinho on the wording of the Fire Department warrant articles.

Chief Alcaidinho spoke on the second item regarding Tanker 4; the Fire Department is asking for permission to strip tanker 4 and move it to a different location in order to free up some room in the Newton Junction Fire Station.  The plan is to move the Forestry truck to the Newton Junction Fire Station therefore allowing the command vehicle to be parked inside the Central Fire Station.

Doggett moved to authorize the Fire Department to strip tanker 4 and park it at the highway shed.  Second by Burrill for discussion.  Donovan questioned parking it at the highway shed for he does not want it to get in the way of the plow trucks.  The Board agreed to park it elsewhere.  Chief Alcaidinho stated that he will purchase a tarp to cover it.  Selling it at auction or trading in are the options to the town.  Motion passed with Foote abstaining.

  • Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds for a total amount of $580 to the Newton Food Pantry; 10-$10 Gift Cards from the Historical Society
Melvin moved per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds for a total amount of $580 to the Newton Food Pantry; 10-$10 Gift Cards from the Historical Society.  Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.


  • Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $500 from Ravensburger USA to the Recreation Commission Revolving Fund for upgrades to Greenie Park
Burrill moved per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $500 from Ravensburger USA to the Recreation Commission Revolving Fund for Capital Improvements.  Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.

  • Review of 2015 budget, default budget and warrant articles
The Board will review the preliminary warrant articles prepared by Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley.  The Board set a meeting for Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 6pm to finalize the articles before the public hearing on January 19, 2015.

Burrill added that as the Selectman Liaison for the Recreation Commission they are asking to put forth another warrant article for consideration.  The Recreation Commission met last night and wants to include a warrant article changing the membership from (7) members to (5) members which will allow for a three person quorum.  Five members with two alternates to be voted on by the legislative body per the State RSA.  The Board agreed to this article; Burrill will prepare the wording for the January 13th meeting.

  • Town report dedication and cover
The Board discussed the dedication and the cover of the 2014 Annual Town Report.  

  • Announcements
  • January 13, 2015 - Last day to submit Petitioned Warrant Articles
  • January 19, 2015 - Public Hearing on Budget, Snow date is January 20, 2015
  • January 21, 2015 - 1st day to file for candidacy
  • January 29, 2015 - Blood Drive at Town Hall 2pm to 7pm
  • January 30, 2015 - Last day to file for candidacy
  • January 31, 2015 - Deliberative Session (Saturday) at 9AM; Snow date: 2/7
  • Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
  • Doggett moved to sign the Payroll Manifest dated 01/02/2015 for the pay period 12/14 - 12/27.  Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
  • Doggett moved to pay the Vendor Manifest dated 12/24/2014 in the amount of $11,602.44.  Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
  • Doggett moved to pay the Vendor Manifest dated 12/24/2014 in the amount of $4,079.54.  Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
  • Doggett moved to pay the Vendor Manifest dated 12/30/2014 in the amount of $10,564.60.  Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
  • Doggett moved to pay the Vendor Manifest dated 01/06/2015 in the amount of $298,750.88.  Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
  • Foote moved to sign the Current Use Land Use Change Tax Collector’s Warrant for Map 4-6-3 Lots 9, 10 & 11.  Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
  • The Board signed letters to the companies that bid on the 2015 Statistical Update contract.
  • Chairman Donovan signed the State of NH Division of Pesticide Control, Special Permit Application-Mosquito/Black Fly.
  • Adjourn
Donovan moved to close the public meeting at 8:08pm.  Second by Doggett with a unanimous vote.

Respectfully Submitted,


Mary Winglass, Office Manager