JANUARY 14, 2009 (Rescheduled from January 7, 2009)
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 p.m.
Present: Absent:
Vice-Chairman Judith Carr Chairman Dana Glennon (excused)
Councilor James Bergeron
Councilor Rose-Anne Kwaks
Councilor Michael LaBranche
Councilor Steve Minutelli
Councilor Michael E. Ploski
Administrator Ed Wojnowski
Vice-Chairman Carr called the meeting to order at 7:22pm.
Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes: Town Council to Consider Acceptance of Minutes
November 25, 2008 Continuation of November 19, 2008 Workshop
Motion: To accept the minutes from the November 25, 2008 continued from the November 19, 2008 Workshop.
Motioned: Councilor LaBranche
Seconded: Councilor Ploski
Councilor Kwaks noted on Page 5, at the end of the first paragraph under Old Business/New Business, when Administrator Wojnowski was speaking about the Town Administration encompassing other staff, “Town Administrator” should be “Town Council.”
Councilor LaBranche disagreed stating he had made the comment that Town administration encompassed Town staff as well as the Town Administrator.
Vote: 5-0 Motion carries
Councilor Kwaks Aye
Councilor Bergeron Abstain
Councilor LaBranche Aye
Councilor Ploski Aye
Councilor Minutelli Aye
Vice-Chairman Carr Aye
Chairman Glennon Absent
Councilor Bergeron abstained from the vote because he had not been present for the meeting.
December 3, 2008 Business Meeting
Motion: To accept the minutes from the December 3, 2008 Business Meeting.
Motioned: Councilor LaBranche
Seconded: Councilor Ploski
Councilor Kwaks noted the minutes needed to reflect that Janice Rosa had been removed from this meeting. She would like this reflected prior to the approval of the minutes.
Councilor LaBranche withdrew his motion.
Councilor Ploski withdrew his second.
December 17, 2008 Workshop
Motion: To accept the minutes from the December 17, 2008 Workshop.
Motioned: Councilor Ploski
Seconded: Councilor LaBranche
Vote: 5-0 Motion carries
Councilor Kwaks Aye
Councilor Bergeron Aye
Councilor LaBranche Aye
Councilor Ploski Aye
Councilor Minutelli Aye
Vice-Chairman Carr Abstain
Chairman Glennon Absent
Vice-Chairman Carr abstained because she had not been present at the meeting.
Public Forum – Non-Agenda Items Only
No comments.
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1. Discussion of Tentative Dates for Council Recommendations of Town Budget
Administrator Wojnowski noted the budget needed to be provided to the Budget Committee by February 6, 2009.
Vice-Chairman Carr suggested the Town Council meet on January 28, 2009 from 7:00pm until 10:00pm and January 31, 2009 from 8:30am until 12:30pm.
Councilor Ploski noted he would be unable to attend the meeting on January 31, 2009 due to work obligations.
Councilor LaBranche noted last Saturday’s work session was well attended by the Budget Committee. He suggested unless the Budget Committee had significant issues he didn’t feel there were reasons for the additional meetings. The municipal budget is down. Last year was a learning process; there was a lot of questions and information. He felt the Budget Committee was doing a great job being at the School Board and Town Council budget work session.
Administrator Wojnowski noted Town Clerk/Tax Collector Becky Benvenuti had recommended a small reduction and wage appropriation had been addressed. Department heads had worked hard to either reduce or hold the bottom line.
Vice-Chairman Carr suggested these dates be tentatively set in case they are needed for meetings. The Town Council is meeting on January 15th and January 17th.
Councilor Ploski asked if the Saturday meetings could be held in the afternoon so he could attend.
Councilor Kwaks noted the Budget Committee has been attending the Council meetings. She asked if copies of the revenues could be provided to the Town Council and the Budget Committee.
Administrator Wojnowski noted the Budget Committee has been getting the same information the Council is getting.
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2. Discussion of Agreement with Lou Caprioli Regarding Land Acquisition
Vice-Chairman Carr referenced the tentative agreement as discussed between Lou Caprioli and Chairman Glennon. She noted the agreement for the Town Council to consider is as follows:
“The agreement does not require any monetary payment to the Town. Rather, Lou Caprioli’s $2,050 cost for surveying, drawings and deed becomes part of the $5,000 value of the property. Painting the Town Council Chambers, hallway and stairwell by Caprioli Painting would pay the balance of $2,950.”
Motion: To accept the agreement as discussed between Lou Caprioli and Chairman Glennon relative to taking ownership of the lot adjacent to the Town Hall having a total size of 0.06 acres.
Motioned: Councilor LaBranche
Seconded: Councilor Ploski
Lou Caprioli explained he would provide the Town Council with an estimate for the painting services. He would complete the work as many of the areas as possible within the $2,950.
Administrator Wojnowski noted he and Chairman Glennon had spoken about this. An estimate would be provided for the totality of the work; the balance of the work rendered would be paid for from within the budget. The estimated value of the property came from Andy Blais, Town Assessor
Councilor Kwaks expressed her concern with allowing the fees for acquiring the land to be taken from the value of the property. She felt surveys, drawings and deed fees are part of the cost of doing business in acquiring the property. She felt the Town should get in kind service worth $5,000.
Lou Caprioli noted he is willing to pay $5,000 total for the lot. He would not be comfortable paying $7,050.
Councilor Bergeron asked about tree plantings and buffering.
Administrator Wojnowski noted Chairman Glennon suggested the Town should have been responsible for the buffering when the Town created the parking lot. Requiring Lou Caprioli to incur that expense is unrealistic.
Councilor Kwaks noted that was Planning Board jurisdiction. The Town does not have to adhere to their own ordinances and regulations.
Administrator Wojnowski suggested it could be a good Arbor Day location.
Councilor LaBranche agreed it was the Town’s responsibility to provide the buffer if that was the desire. He didn’t feel that should be put on the new property owner. He added this piece of land is of no value to the Town as it is. There is nothing the Town can do with it. This land would help a local business in reconfiguring parking. This transaction will help to show Newmarket is willing to work with business owners.
Councilor Kwaks asked if there were any state laws negating changing the assessed value. She was concerned with setting a precedent.
Vote: 5-1 Motion carries
Councilor Kwaks Nay
Councilor Bergeron Aye
Councilor LaBranche Aye
Councilor Ploski Aye
Councilor Minutelli Aye
Vice-Chairman Carr Aye
Chairman Glennon Absent
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3. Old Business
None.
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4. New Business/Correspondence
Councilor LaBranche noted there is a parking space that has been lined in front of a fire hydrant near the Eagle’s building that needed to be addressed.
Administrator Wojnowski noted he would speak with Fire Chief Rick Malasky.
Councilor Ploski noted this should be addressed directly through the Fire Department and Police Department rather than through the Highway Public Safety Committee as it is an immediate safety issue.
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5. Town Administrator’s Report
Administrator Wojnowski noted he had nothing further to report.
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