Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, November 12, 2020

TOWN OF NERWBURY JOINT LOSS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 12, 2020 MEETING

 

Members present Wayne Whitford, Lea McBain, Debi Lacombe, Brad Wheeler, Tate Sweetbrown, Rob Naughton, Vicki Hayward, Pam Bryk

Meeting convened at the Newbury Town Office at 9:07

Introduction of New Members: Pay Bryk, Town Office; Vicki Hayward, Fire Department; Rob Naughton, Highway Department. Not Present: Tim Mulder, Sewer Plant; Darien, Transfer Station   

The minutes of the September 24, 2020 meeting were approved.

Old Business:

  • Competitive Computer: Pam reported that Dennis met with James from computer last week. Contract is up in November and there was discussion on increasing the internet speed and the town cybersecurity policy in the new contract.
  • Highway Department: Verizon GPS system for highway trucks still under discussion. Question if the town is able to get an additional Primex discount if the town purchases a GPS system for the Highway department.

Primex insurance renewal recommendations

  • Collision Avoidance on-line training
    • Highway Department: Not yet completed
    • Fire Department: 6 members to complete
  • Back Injury Prevention on-line training for all town employees. To be completed in November. Refresher of training provided by Primex several years ago.
  • Primex on-line Harassment/Discrimination Prevention  training. Refresher of Primex training conducted 3 years ago. To be completed all employees by the end of January
  • All Highway Department employees have completed the Primex Snowplow Operators on-line training.

The Granite State Critical Incident Management Team will provide training on the updated Newbury critical Incident stress policy, what to do in the event of an incident and an overview of the Granite State Team on December 15, 2020 at 7:00pm at the Vets Hall. All town employees are invited to attend.

COVID-19:

  • Pam reported that masks are encouraged at the town office and they are available in the lobby. Selectboard does not want to make masks mandatory. Temperature checks are done for all attendees at the Selectboard meeting.
  • There were no problems with the election masks were worn by staff and the voters. There were 1,100 people that voted.
  • Library: Lea stated that it had been slow at the library as they were limiting people. Many patrons are elderly. All are wearing masks
  • Police: There have been no issues for the police department. Officers have masks and will be wearing for all fire/EMS calls.
  • Fire department: Vicki said that inventory pf PPE is being maintained by the fire department. Department has been able to get masks, gloves, and face shields, even though some suppliers are out of stock. Please keep in mind that masks should be changed daily if they are work all day or you have a cough.

There were concerns on the night of the general election about the lack of lighting in the rear of the parking lot. The fire department did set up some temporary lights for that night. The need for lighting was discussed at the Selectboard meeting and Dennis will request quotes for additional lights in that area from the town’s electrical contractor. There was a comment that some of the parking lot lights are not very bright, the contractor will also check on those bulbs. Lea stated that lighting is also needed on the corner near the library where ice builds up.   

New Fire Station: Wayne stated that construction is on schedule, the concrete foundation and for the cistern is now being done. Expect completion by July 4.

Trunk or Treat: Pam and Vicki commented that the Trunk or Treat was a big success with a big success with over 150 kids. Mask wearing and social distancing were not issues.

Winter Safety Issues:

  • Tate reported that the Highway Department is ready with their equipment for winter.
  • A comment was made about the salting of the ice in the brick area at the entrance to town office. Was done very unevenly with the first icy day. The town should consider getting a push salt spreader for sanding and salting that area.
  • Lea stated that she would like to have a container of salt near the entrance to the library that employees could use for salt on the walk and steps, if necessary.  She stated that the salting at the library was also an issue in the last storm.
  • Vicki reported that the fire department is in process of updating the Weather Emergency Contact list for this year. The list contains the names and contact phone numbers of residents who may be elderly or disabled who may need assistance in a blizzard or ice storm. Calls are made following the storm and if contact cannot be made a firefighter goes to check their wellbeing. The police department and town clerk have provided their recommendations of residents who should be added to the list and the library will also review the draft list. People recommended are called to verify that they do want to be included in the list.

Injuries/Accidents: There has been two minor accidents since the last meeting, details were not available.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00

Next Meeting:  Thursday, January 14, 2021 at a location to be determined.