NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2016
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
Chairman Doggett called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. In attendance were Selectmen James L. Doggett, Chairman, Matthew A. Burrill, Vice Chairman, Lawrence B. Foote, Lisa L. Gonyer, and Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley. The public meeting was recorded and audio taped; minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass. The nonpublic meeting minutes were transcribed and typed by Town Administrator Wrigley.
Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr. was excused this evening and Office Manager Mary Winglass was not present for the Non-Public portion of the meeting.
Selectman Gonyer moved to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (a) – (c) – HR Matters; (h) - Financial. Second by Selectman Foote with a unanimous roll call vote: Doggett – yes, Burrill – yes, Foote, - yes, Gonyer – yes.
Chairman Doggett call the public meeting back to order at 7:24pm.
Selectman Burrill moved that the Board just came out of nonpublic session and to keep all discussion confidential until in the opinion of the majority of the members the circumstances no longer apply. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote. *** Amendment to this motion is at the end of the meeting.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
- Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated June 7, 2016
Selectman Burrill moved that the Board of Selectmen held a nonpublic session on June 7, 2016 and moved to keep all discussion confidential until in the opinion of the majority of the members the circumstances no longer apply. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Selectman Burrill moved to approve the Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated June 7, 2016. Second by Gonyer with a unanimous vote.
- Scheduled Business
- Resident request to have a garbage delivery business
Steve St. Cyr was present to discuss his request, as a Newton resident to meet with the Board of Selectmen about starting a garbage delivery business in town. Due to the fact that the town does not have curbside pickup, he proposes a garbage pick-up and delivery to Newton residents only and bring the garbage to the town’s Transfer Station.
The Town Resident Sticker Policy outlines clearly that this type of business is not allowed and St. Cyr questioned this policy and the reasoning behind it.
Some comments were the need to control the hauling budget, regulate that only Newton’s trash is accepted and to restrict any commercial/industrial businesses from utilizing the Transfer Station.
Mr. St. Cyr responded that he is open to come up with a resolution. Selectman Burrill asked the reasoning for not allowing this type business in town in the past. A conversation took place in response to Selectman Burrill’s question to include the town not allowing commercial businesses access into the Transfer Station and there is no way to regulate if the trash is coming from a Newton household or a home outside of Newton. Selectman Burrill responded that we cannot guarantee what is coming through the gates today is all from Newton.
Chairman Doggett recommended a policy review. Selectman Gonyer asked for a business plan to present; Mr. St. Cyr responded that he came tonight to learn about the policy in place and would like to put forth a proposal. Selectman Gonyer asked for the proposal to review prior to making any policy changes in order to address and give input and consideration on the reasons for the change.
Chairman Doggett skipped to item C for it is also a Transfer Station item.
- Resident request regarding Highland Street
Thomas Krajewski of Highland Street requested to meet with the Board to discuss the town accepting Highland Street as a town road and to reduce truck traffic by signage.
Mr. Krajewski talked about the use on this road has increased over the years and the emissions filter into the house. The Board discussed the financial burden to the town and we are talking without any facts. The Board would like to hear from the Road Agent for his input and feasibility. Mr. Krajewski asked to be notified when the Board reviews this item in the future.
- Resident request on the rights of seasonal residents
Mr. Kevin Ross of 18 Wilder’s Grove Road was present to address the rights of seasonal property owners who have been denied a Transfer Station voucher for they are for residents only. The town has no written policy or procedure in place; the criteria was determined the first year the town offered the voucher system which was for those who claim their residency in Newton. Selectman Burrill noted that the town offers this program every other year; the town alternates with holding a household hazardous waste day.
Mr. Ross talked about the taxes he pays; nor he or his family are a burden to the town for they use the property only three months out of the year. The Board was in agreement that a policy review would be prudent. Mr. Ross will be kept up to date when this item will be reviewed by the Board of Selectmen per the recommendation of the policy committee. The Board was in favor of including seasonal residents in the voucher program but wanted a written policy or ordinance on hand. Mr. Arthur McSweeney of 28 Wilders Grove Road was present as a seasonal resident who is asking for the same opportunity as a taxpayer in town.
- Fire Department – Education
Fire Chief John Alcaidinho was present to request the Board of Selectmen to draft a two-year agreement for a firefighter to attend the MA Fire Academy in Groveland, MA at a cost of $2,400 with a completion date of less than three months. Earlier this month, the Board approved a new Education Policy for the Fire Department which outlines the steps to be approved before the course is paid by the Fire Department. The Chief asked for the town to pay half of the cost for this member up front and to draw up an agreement to be signed by both parties.
Selectman Burrill offered to help draft the agreement to then send to Town Counsel Sumner Kalman.
Selectman Foote moved to send Shawn Kane to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fire Academy in Groveland so he can get his name in and the town will pay 50% of the cost upfront. Second by Selectman Burrill. Chairman Doggett added that this is all conditional on a signed agreement between both parties. Once the member completes the course with a passing grade he will be reimbursed for his half. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
- Fire Department – Apron Repairs at 35 South Main Street
Fire Chief John Alcaidinho addressed the orange cones that are lined up in front of the fire station bays. The area coned off is sinking into the ground and needs to be fixed and the Chief’s recommendation is to get it fixed as soon as possible.
The Board reviewed an estimate for the repairs in the amount of $1,125.00
Selectman Burrill moved to approve the quote to repair the Central Fire Station (3) concrete aprons in the amount of $1,125.00. Second by Selectman Gonyer. Paid from the Central Fire Station account. Motion passed with a unanimous vote. Chief Alcaidinho added that this is a temporary fix, not a permanent fix.
Office Manager Winglass addressed a quote from RMON Networks, the town’s IT provider to address best management practices. The town’s server warranty is set to expire in October and two extended warranty options were presented for consideration. The first is a 4-Hours 24x7 manufacturer warrant at a cost of $838 for one year; the second is a next business day manufacturer warranty at a cost of $494 for one year.
Another recommendation is to purchase a redundant power supply plus cord for the server which has become the standard in industry today at a cost of $210.
Lastly an ILO License (Integrated Lights-Out) License for the server at a cost of $370. This will allow greater access remotely to the server if/when the server goes down.
The Board discussed the fact that the town is working with a default budget therefore the result is to keep it at a minimum and if the town hall functions go down for 24 hours we will need to work around it.
Selectman Gonyer moved to approve the purchase of the HP AC Power Supply and Cord and the HP Foundation Care Post Warranty – 1 Year Extended Service – Service – 9 x 5 Next Business Day – On-site – Maintenance – Parts & Labor – Physical Service for a total of $704.00. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
- RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $25 to the Newton Food Pantry from North Shore Bank
Selectman Foote moved per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds in the amount of $25 to the Newton Food Pantry from North Shore Bank. Second by Gonyer with a unanimous vote.
Chairman Doggett and Selectman Gonyer explained their intent in writing this policy is to allow town employee access to the town hall for town business. Next week the library is hosting a magician to perform at the Town Hall and to gain access to the main hall will require a code to be entered for Sue Mears, Children’s Librarian. Otherwise it will require a town employee to open the door for this event. Doggett and Gonyer agreed that the policy allows for employees access into the building in which they work or have reason to enter as part of their duties. Chairman Doggett asked for a consensus on the interpretation of the policy and all were in agreement with Doggett and Gonyer.
- Announcements
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
Selectman Foote moved to sign the Vendor Manifest dated 6/21/2016 in the amount of $37,778.14. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
Selectman Foote moved to sign the Payroll Manifest for the pay period of 5/29 – 6/11 with a pay date of 6/16/2016. Second by Gonyer with a unanimous vote.
Selectman Burrill moved to sign the 2016 Modification to Annual Groundwater Monitoring at Dugway Road. Second by Gonyer with a unanimous vote.
Selectman Burrill moved to sign the PA-28 Inventory of Taxable Property Form for 2017. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Selectman Gonyer moved to sign a 2017 approval for a Veteran’s Credit for PID#9-3-7 and PID#13-3-11-96. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Selectman Gonyer moved to sign a denial for a Veteran’s Credit for PID#8-3-11-16. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
Office Manager Winglass asked the Board to discuss the option of a summer meeting schedule of meeting only once per month. This has been done in the past and gives everyone a break during the summer season.
Selectman Gonyer moved to meet once a month for July and August, the first Tuesday of the month for the summer. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
** Chairman Doggett added that he forgot to announce when the Board came out of nonpublic session that the Board denied an Elderly Exemption which needs to be made public. Selectman Burrill moved to accept this amendment to his motion earlier to keep all confidential except to announce that the Board denied an Elderly Exemption. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Selectman Foote adjourned the meeting at 8:50pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Winglass, Office Manager
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