NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Chairman Donovan opened the meeting at 6:02pm. In attendance were Selectmen Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Chairman, James L. Doggett, Vice Chairman, Lawrence B. Foote, Lisa L. Gonyer, Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. The meeting was videotaped; draft minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
Selectman Matthew Burrill was not in attendance.
Chairman Donovan motioned to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) - Code Enforcement. Second by Doggett with a unanimous roll call vote: Donovan - aye; Doggett - aye; Foote - aye, Gonyer - aye.
Chairman Donovan announced that the Board just came from a nonpublic meeting and 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.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
- Selectmen’s Public Meeting minutes dated August 25, 2015 and September 1, 2015
- Selectmen’s Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated August 18, 2015 and September 1, 2015
The Board deferred accepting the minutes tonight for they needed additional time to review them.
- Code Enforcement: Car Registrations and Inspections
Tina Cardoso, Code Enforcement Officer discussed the town’s current zoning ordinance which states that vehicles must be registered or inspected and does not allow for enforcement other than to follow the state statute which is enforced through the local police department. There are some property owners in town who have no intention of getting their vehicles inspected.
Cardoso asked for guidance, she plans on submitting a warrant article for the upcoming town meeting warrant to clean up this regulation to require vehicles to be registered and inspected but in the meantime she asked if the Board would like her to move forward with the state statute until the town warrant passes by the town. Donovan replied that he feels the state statute should be followed until the town approves a change to the zoning regulations; Donovan polled the board members with all in agreement.
The recommended language to amend the zoning ordinance will be forwarded to the Planning Board and the Selectmen’s Office from Code Enforcement.
- Requested Information from the Police Department
Doggett explained that the Board asked for a copy of the department schedule from the Police Chief. The Board would like an updated schedule to show the existing conditions for August and September. The Board asked Office Manager Winglass to email the Chief to request the updated schedule for the Board’s next meeting.
- Cont review of Procedural Defect Meeting per RSA 31:5-b
Doggett moved to sign a letter to the NH Department of Revenue Administration. Second by Donovan with a unanimous vote.
Doggett read the letter “The Board of Selectmen is sending this letter to acknowledge that we are in receipt of your letter dated August 6, 2015. The Board has reviewed your findings regarding the Procedural Defect regarding the Fire Truck Bond Hearing. It is the intention of the Board to work with you on a method to cure this defect. You have stated to us that if we take the following corrective action then you will allow the $251,946 to be added back in to the Town’s total appropriations.
a) Call a Special Town Meeting for the exclusive purpose of curing the defect.
b) Conduct a Public Hearing at which the reasons for the Special Town Meeting shall be explained to the legislative body
c) The Town of Newton will comply with all statutory notice and procedural requirements for holding a Bond Hearing as described in RSA 33:8-a
d) The necessary majority required to cure the defects shall be the same as the majority as required for passage of the original article.
You have also explained to us during subsequent communications that if the article does not pass with a 3/5 majority, you will still allow the appropriation as long as it is a ‘favorable vote’ and consider this a cure of the procedural defect.
Our intention is to take the necessary actions that you require as soon as possible in order to meet the 2015 tax schedule. If we are incorrect in our understanding of your requirements, please respond in writing by September 21, 2015 so that there will be no delay in this process.”
- Cont review Employee Training
Office Manager Winglass updated the Board of Selectmen stating that there are still some employees that have not responded to sign up for a training session. Gonyer suggested that the Board of Selectmen reach out to each employee directly; Donovan added that he feels that it should fall under the department head to contact their employees, Foote agreed.
The Board of Selectmen decided that they will reach out to the Department Heads again to remind their employees to sign up for training.
- Cont review of Surplus Equipment
The Board reviewed pictures of the surplus equipment except for the swim platform. Doggett was unable to get a picture for it is stored on top of a storage container at the sand/salt shed. Office Manager Winglass will work on getting a picture of the swim platform and then we will be ready to move forward with advertising.
- Resignation from Dale Putnam from the Fire Station Building Committee
The Board of Selectmen received a letter of resignation from Dale Putnam from the Fire Station Building Committee and a second letter from the Fire Station Building Committee accepting Putnam’s resignation with regrets. The committee is very sorry to lose Mr. Putnam as a member of the committee as he has been a great asset and his insight and knowledge will be sorely missed. Due to Putnam’s resignation the committee voted in Dennis Moran as Chairman and Mike Pivero as Vice Chairman.
Donovan personally thanked Dale Putnam for all the work he has done with this committee and former committees for this same purpose.
Doggett added that Putnam always gave good input and is sorry he is unable to continue. Doggett added that he is very happy that the new Fire Chief has been able to think outside the box and hopefully will bring a viable option.
The Board asked to prepare a thank you letter with regret to Mr. Putnam.
- Response letter from Jeanne Shaheen: Cadillac Tax
Selectman Foote read a response letter from Senator Jeanne Shaheen regarding the health care reform and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Shaheen supports the ACA and believes the law should be improved, she oppose efforts to repeal or dismantle it. Shaheen added that the law makes critical insurance reforms, such as guaranteeing coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, allowing young adults to stay on their parent’s insurance plans until age 26 and limiting annual out-of-pocket costs to consumers. Cadillac Tax refers to businesses and unions who offer robust policies with very low out-of-pocket costs, which many experts argue can lead to overutilization of services. Starting in 2018, insurance plans offering benefits in excess of the law’s maximum threshold will face a tax per employee enrolled in these
plans. The tax will be used as one way to help pay for expanded health care coverage under the ACA.
- Letter from Senator Nancy Stiles Re: Policies and State Operating Budget
Selectman Gonyer read a letter from Nancy Stiles, Senator District 24 explaining the 2016-2017 budget that was vetoed by Governor Maggie Hassan and other legislature priorities that have become law in our state. Gonyer added that she attended training today with other town employees/officials and heard that tomorrow the hope is to override the VETO.
- Letter from DOT Re: NH Transportation Ten Year Plan
Doggett read a letter from the Dept of Transportation Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance encouraging participation regarding transportation projects planned between 2017-2026 throughout the State of New Hampshire. A list of the dates, times and locations of public meetings for review of the Transportation Ten Year Plan will be posted on the bulletin board at the Town Hall.
Doggett added that he and Representative Allen are members of the Rockingham Planning Commission and work on this list four times per year and submits their recommendation for the ten year plan; this is a continuous ongoing process.
- Quote for Microsoft Exchange Online Plan 1 - Subscription License
Office Manager Winglass showed the Selectmen two options for an exchange server and file storage space for the town’s email. Currently the town has GoDaddy but is due to expire in November and they are offering a 2 year term for $191.76. A second option that has advantages outside the scope of GoDaddy is Microsoft Exchange Online Plan 1, subscription lease for 1 year term of $1,044 which offers many options and is cloud based.
The Board discussed that although the Microsoft options are desirable features, they are not necessary at this time for the price quoted. They have decided to stay with GoDaddy at the lower cost and will review the best path for the town’s IT over the next year or two.
Doggett moved to stay with GoDaddy by renewing with the 2 year subscription at a total price of $191.76. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
- Review upcoming meeting schedule 9/21; 9/29; 10/6
Office Manager Winglass asked for this item to be on the agenda to review the Board’s upcoming meeting schedule. On September 21st the Board of Selectmen is attending a District Area Meeting in Freemont. On September 29th the Board set this date to hold a work meeting with the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Conservation Commission to review the process when meeting with the town’s departments. A few other items were added to this work session such as the Town Assessor with her proposed final assessments and a review of the 2015 - 2016 Budget Schedule. On October 6, 2015 the Board has their regular scheduled meeting.
Winglass suggests that since we have training on October 6th to cancel the meeting scheduled for that night and add any additional items on to the September 29th meeting. The Board agreed to this change in the Selectmen’s meeting schedule.
- Update on Town Day, October 3rd
Bob Faghan, member of the Recreation Commission stated that everything is going well with registrations online for the Road Race/ on Town Day. There are many craft fair vendors, agencies and local businesses who are scheduled and it is all finally starting to come together.
Check out the town’s website at www.newton-nh.gov for more information and online registration.
- Review proposal for #2 heating oil for town buildings
Doggett read a quote from Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil to provide #2 heating oil to town buildings based upon a usage of 7,200 gallons at a fixed price of $2.069 net for the period of October 1, 2015 thru April 30, 2016. Service for each building will be $169 each and they have a 24 hour, 7 day a week emergency service.
Doggett moved to award the oil contract for the 2015-2016 Heating Season to Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Town Day is Saturday, October 3rd @ 8 Merrimac Road.
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
- Request from Sanborn Youth Football: Use of Greenie Park for practice
The Board reviewed an application for permit from Sanborn Youth Football to use Greenie Park on Saturday, September 19th 8am to10:30am for practice.
Foote motioned to approve the application for permit from Sanborn Youth Football to use Greenie Park on September 19, 2015. Second by Gonyer with a unanimous vote.
Doggett moved to sign the Vendor Manifest dated September 15, 2015 in the amount of $49,403.19. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Doggett moved to sign the Payroll Manifest dated September 11, 2015 for the pay period of August 23rd thru September 5th. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
The Board reviewed a thank you letter to the Florence Boone Charitable Trust, Robert & Joanne Leverone, Trustees. Doggett moved to sign the letter. Second by Donovan with a unanimous vote. The Board signed the letter.
Doggett moved to adjourn at 8:16pm. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
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