NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF JANUARY 28, 2008 MEETING
Selectmen: Jim Powell, Richard Wright, Gary Budd
Town Personnel: Dennis Pavlicek, Town Administrator; Donna Long, Admin. Assistant; Paul Groulx, Emergency Management Director; Henry Thomas, Fire Chief;
Public: Judy Fech, Elizabeth Ashworth, Dan Wolf, and Stephen Heavener
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Stephen Heavener from Capital Regional Development Council met with the select board to introduce himself and his agency. He said that CRDC has a variety of finance programs including real estate development if the town needs a partner and also offers help with specific projects. Budd asked what he foresees being done in Newbury, and he replied bringing in more stores and restaurants.
APPOINTMENTS:
Paul Groulx discussed an upcoming emergency meeting that he would like all department heads to attend. He said the state will be sending over someone on Thursday, February 14th at 9:00 a.m. to discuss what is needed for a good emergency management team. Powell stated that the selectboard will have Dennis send a memo to all involved requesting everyone’s attendance. Groulx said that he will also re-start a monthly report to Pavlicek. Powell said that this meeting will be good to make sure that all departments are on the same page in case of an town wide emergency.
Elizabeth Ashworth reviewed her prepared report of the transfer station. She said that the facility works really well and could be even better with a few small changes.
1. Now that the compost is gone, the co-mingled container should be moved, as well as the compacter.
2. The metals ramp needs to be rebuilt. Ramp is too low for the container.
3. Manage the appliances better. This area is very visible from the road.
4. Burn pile is creeping forward. It needs to be pushed back more.
5. There is still some confusion on how to recycle. Perhaps more or better signs could be useful.
Budd asked how the signs could be better. Ashworth answered that the co-mingled containers could have additional signs with examples attached to the signs. Ashworth also mentioned that an assistant is also needed at the transfer station. Wright asked if the plastics could be moved to the building, bale them and ship them in a trailer. Ashworth said that if there was a horizontal baler vs. a vertical baler, it would be better. Ashworth said she would like to see all recyclables in one area. Wright asked if we should be dividing up the various metals and Ashworth said that in theory we should, but it would be too confusing to carry this through. Ashworth said that we should keep things as simple as possible. Wright said he would like to see an assistant greet
residents at the gate, and tell them where everything goes. Pavlicek mentioned that recycling has gone up 7% this year, mostly in plastics and metal cans and increased paper and cardboard. Powell asked Ashworth if she tracked traffic flow. She said that the flow is good but would be better if a greeter was telling people where to go, so as to stop the traffic stopping in strange places. Wright said we will need to add three pads and two walls. Ashworth said that the glass program is doing really well. Powell thanked Ashworth for her report and asked her to come back again in a few months.
Dan Wolf asked if the Center Meeting House could add a warrant article. Wolf stated that the Center Meeting House would like to ask for another $75,000 this year. He said that the committee has raised $520,000 and they will need over $1,000,000 to finish the project. The board denied the request with a vote of 2-1. The Center Meeting House can have a petitioned warrant if it is in by Tuesday, February 5, 2008.
Hank Thomas discussed the increases in the fire department. He explained that he took the hours from last year based on increased calls at this year’s rate, which has increased the budget.
REGULAR BUSINESS:
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Week ending January 26, 2008 approved.
MINUTES: Minutes of January 14, 2008 were approved to file.
ABATEMENTS: One refund for overpayment of taxes was signed
VETERANS CREDIT APPLICATION: One application was signed.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to include an article to dissolve the Cemetery Monument fund from 1987 that currently holds 15 cents.
The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to include an article to dissolve the second ambulance capital reserve fund. One was established in 1993 and another in 1995.
Pavlicek read a letter from LGC regarding the suit against the retirement system. The board voted to join their efforts.
Pavlicek distributed a petitioned article from Bob Bell.
Pavlicek read a letter from Bob Clark stating he will not be able to join the veterans memorial committee. Pavlicek will see what we can do about adding more residents on this committee.
Wright discussed the snow banks that the state has created by Morse Hill on Route 103. He said that he does not want the town touching these banks, even to wing them back because this is a state road and does not want the town liable for anything having to do with the state roads.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
The Board voted to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a-e at 8:10 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue. Agreement was reached. Roll call 3-0. The Board came out of non-public session at 8:25 p.m.
It was voted to seal the minutes for one year. Roll call 3-0.
MEETING ADJOURNED 8:35 at p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, February 25, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
_______________________ _____________________ _______________________
James M. Powell Richard Wright Gary Budd
NEWBURY BOARD OF SELECTMEN
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