NEWMARKET TOWN COUNCIL

WORKSHOP

JANUARY 21, 2009

TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

6:30P.M.

Present:                                                                                  Absent:

Chairman Dana Glennon Councilor James Bergeron (excused)

Vice-Chairman Judith Carr Councilor Rose-Anne Kwaks (excused)

Councilor Michael LaBranche                    Councilor Steve Minutelli (excused)

Councilor Michael E. Ploski

Administrator Ed Wojnowski

Chairman Glennon called the meeting to order at 6:36pm.

Non-Public RSA 91-A:3 II (d) Negotiations

Motion: To enter into Non-Public RSA 91-A:3 II (d) Negotiations at 6:46pm.

Motioned: Councilor LaBranche

Seconded: Vice-Chairman Carr

Vote: 4-0 Motion carries

            Councilor Kwaks                     Absent

            Councilor Bergeron                  Absent

            Councilor LaBranche               Aye

            Councilor Ploski                       Aye

            Councilor Minutelli                   Absent

            Vice-Chairman Carr              Aye

            Chairman Glennon                   Aye

Motion: To leave Non-Public RSA 91-A:3 II (d) Negotiations at 7:16pm and to seal the minutes until negotiations are complete.

Motioned: Councilor LaBranche

Seconded: Vice-Chairman Carr

Vote: 4-0 Motion carries

            Councilor Kwaks                     Absent

            Councilor Bergeron                  Absent

            Councilor LaBranche               Aye

            Councilor Ploski                       Aye

            Councilor Minutelli                   Absent

            Vice-Chairman Carr              Aye

            Chairman Glennon                   Aye

Chairman Glennon called the public meeting to order at 7:20pm.

Chairman Glennon noted the Town Council is just getting out of a Non-Public meeting that had taken longer than anticipated. He noted Councilors Bergeron, Kwaks and Minutelli are excused from tonight’s meeting due to illness.

1. Veterans Committee Conceptual Design of War Memorial – Janice Rosa

Janice Rosa, Chair of the Veteran’s Committee, noted there would be a discussion in Town Council Chambers on January 24^th at 2:00pm about life on the home front during World War II. Anyone is welcome to share.  On February 3^rd at 5:00pm in the Riverworks dining room there will be a fundraiser to raise funds for the new war memorial. 10% of proceeds will be donated to the trust fund for this cause. She noted there is a nomination for consideration later on this evening; she indicated the committee fully supports the appointment of this applicant. She noted the applicant is a ten year veteran of the army and a West Point graduate with expertise that would benefit the Committee. She added if any elderly residents of the Town wanted to attend any of these functions, the Committee members could arrange a pick up.

Chairman Glennon noted the Council would not be voting on the nominations tonight. Members of the Town Council that are not present would like the opportunity to vote as well. The nominations would be moved to the February Workshop.

Wayne Rosa of 340 Wadleigh Falls Road and member of the Veteran’s Committee presented the conceptual plan for the Civil War Memorial across from Flora Ventures. The conceptual plan includes the installation of two steps, fencing and a railing to dress the area up and make it more accessible.

Councilor Ploski noted he liked the concept but was concerned with making the rock more accessible for climbing. He was concerned with residents climbing on the rock, falling and suing the Town. He agreed the area need some sprucing up, but was concerned about safety.

Wayne Rosa understood the safety concern noting the fence posts proposed could be higher. It is hard to read the letters; this design would help show the importance of the memorial and make it more readable.

Councilor Ploski asked if one step rather than two steps would still allow people to view the memorial, but make it more difficult to climb the rocks. He suggested the names could be on a document encased in glass so people would not be able to touch the document but would still be able to see the names without having to climb on the rock.

Councilor LaBranche understood the safety concern but noted this memorial has been in place for many years and has not been vandalized or had safety issues. The memorial is also visible from the street.

Administrator Wojnowski noted this is a conceptual plan. If the Council is in favor of the concept, the Veteran’s Committee can move forward on gathering specifics and pricing.

Wayne Rosa noted there is a small amount of excavation necessary; Public Works Director Rick Malasky said he would work with the Committee. He noted Tidoe Beaulieu had suggested there is a pallet of bricks used for the Hand Tub Memorial left. Those bricks could be used for this memorial as well for conformity.

Motion: To accept the conceptual plans from the Veteran’s Memorial Trust Committee for the Civil War Memorial located on Route 152. Final plans for this memorial shall come before the Town Council for final approval.

Motioned: Councilor Ploski

Seconded: Councilor LaBranche

Vote: 4-0 Motion carries

            Councilor Kwaks                     Absent

            Councilor Bergeron                  Absent

            Councilor LaBranche               Aye

            Councilor Ploski                       Aye

            Councilor Minutelli                   Absent

            Vice-Chairman Carr              Aye

            Chairman Glennon                   Aye

2. Booster Station Folsom Drive – Sean Greig

Water Superintendent Sean Greig noted the booster station on Folsom Drive developed a leak following the ice storm in December. There is a 225 gallon storage tank half inside and half outside the building. He has asked three suppliers to submit estimates; one was too busy to provide an estimate, one provided a price just for materials and one provided an estimate for both materials and labor. He asked the company who provided an estimate for materials to submit an estimate for labor as well, but has not received anything. This is an emergency situation; the pump is surging on and off causing trouble to the systems and could ultimately cause problems for residents along Folsom Drive. The booster station was installed in 1984. When installed the pumps, electrical service and generator were the right size. Since then, a bigger motor and different control panel has been installed. He proposed replacing the generator this year and installing the new electrical service. Williamson Electric can do the work for the generator; an electrical contractor would be needed for the electrical work. He suggested the total cost for the project would be $32,000. The booster station repairs had been included in the CIP but have been pushed off until 2013.

Administrator Wojnowski recapped that there are funds in the CIP that were set aside for a complete upgrade to the booster station in 2013. Due to the damage to the station, those repairs needed to be made now.

Water Superintendent Sean Greig suggested he could get electrical quotes to the Town Council by the next meeting.

Chairman Glennon noted if the work would exceed $5,000 it needed to be put out to bid.

Motion: To authorize an amount not to exceed $33,000 to come from the CIP fund for repairs to the Folsom Drive Booster Station. The electrical portion will be put out to bid; bids will be provided to the Town Council.

Motioned: Councilor Ploski

Seconded: Vice-Chairman Carr

Vote: 4-0 Motion carries

            Councilor Kwaks                     Absent

            Councilor Bergeron                  Absent

            Councilor LaBranche               Aye

            Councilor Ploski                       Aye

            Councilor Minutelli                   Absent

            Vice-Chairman Carr              Aye

            Chairman Glennon                   Aye

Water Superintendent Sean Greig noted RFPs have been sent out for projects for the stimulus package. He noted if the Town receives funds from the State for this program, the Town is not able to ask for price quotes. The State has certified engineers as being qualified and suggests the engineers should be chosen based on qualifications, not prices. If the Town desires the stimulus funds, it needs to follow the procedures set forth by the State. He suggested the projects that have not had work done by engineers yet to be sent to the State. He recommended keeping Underwood Engineers on the water tank/water line project since they have done a great deal of work and the knowledge they have is irreplaceable. He asked the Town Council to allow Underwood Engineering to design the water tank and line as part of the stimulus package with the government.

Chairman Glennon asked what would happen if the stimulus funds did not come through. He was concerned the Town would need to cover the cost.

Administrator Wojnowski explained the Town could apply for the State revolving fund to move the project along. Underwood Engineering has met the State qualifications to do the work.

Water Superintendent Sean Greig noted the work needed to be done whether the stimulus funds came through or not. These projects needed to be ‘shovel ready.’

Motion: To grant approval for Underwood Engineering to  provide final engineering plans for the water tank and line so as to comply with the stimulus package requirements.

Motioned: Councilor LaBranche

Seconded: Vice-Chairman Carr

Vote: 3-1 Motion carries

            Councilor Kwaks                     Absent

            Councilor Bergeron                  Absent

            Councilor LaBranche               Aye

            Councilor Ploski                       Nay

            Councilor Minutelli                   Absent

            Vice-Chairman Carr              Aye

            Chairman Glennon                   Aye

Water Superintendent Sean Greig noted he hoped to begin the interview process for the New Village RFPs within the next two weeks. There are three people sitting on the review committee, he hoped there would be five. This project would also be part of the stimulus package.

3. Town Owned Properties in the Vicinity of Lita Lane – Drew Kiefaber

Chairman Glennon referenced the memo from Drew Kiefaber dated November 14, 2008 relating to the properties within the vicinity of Lita Lane. He suggested the Council could look at consolidating all the parcels into one large parcel. There are wetlands on the land.

Drew Kiefaber of 50 Elm Street noted there are a number of house lots the Town had acquired through tax liens when Lita Lane was developed. There is approximately 18.5 acres of land within no road frontage and limited usability. One suggestion had been for the Open Space Committee to look at how the Town could best utilize these parcels. Most of the land is considered prime wetlands.

Administrator Wojnowski noted in order to build on these lots a road would need to be put in.

Drew Kiefaber noted he would like to initiate the process of creating a group of interested parties to begin discussions about what can be done with this land.

Chairman Glennon noted he would be interested in being part of the group. He asked Administrator Wojnowski to ask Town Planner Diane Hardy and Recreation Director Jim Hilton to be part of the group as well.

Councilor LaBranche noted he would be interested in participating as well.

Chairman Glennon appointed Councilor LaBranche as Council representative.

Motion: To proceed with the recommendation from the Open Space Commission to initiate a group to review the potential use of the parcels within the vicinity of Lita Lane. This group would provide their recommendation to the Town Council at the April Business Meeting.

Motioned: Councilor LaBranche

Seconded: Councilor Ploski

Vote: 4-0 Motion carries

            Councilor Kwaks                     Absent

            Councilor Bergeron                  Absent

            Councilor LaBranche               Aye

            Councilor Ploski                       Aye

            Councilor Minutelli                   Absent

            Vice-Chairman Carr              Aye

            Chairman Glennon                   Aye

4. American LaFrance Fire Truck/Pittsburg NH – Tidoe Beaulieu

Administrator Wojnowski noted he spoke to Tidoe Beaulieu who has been in touch with the Pittsburg Fire Chief. Pittsburg has been speaking with a local community about using the truck for parts.

Chairman Glennon asked Administrator Wojnowski to convey to Tidoe Beaulieu the Council would like a definitive answer for the Business Meeting in February so a decision can be made.

5. Town Council to Consider Nominations, Appointments and Elections

Chairman Glennon noted he had made the comment earlier this agenda item would be heard at the February Workshop.

Councilor Ploski asked if the Council could appoint the Health Officer as the term has already expired. This needed to be done tonight.

            a. Veteran’s Memorial Trust Committee

Nominations were postponed until the February Workshop.

            b. NCDC

Nominations were postponed until the February Workshop.

            c. Health Officer

Motion: To appoint Dan Vincent as the Newmarket Health Officer.

Motioned: Councilor Ploski

Seconded: Vice-Chairman Carr

Vote: 4-0 Motion carries

            Councilor Kwaks                     Absent

            Councilor Bergeron                  Absent

            Councilor LaBranche               Aye

            Councilor Ploski                       Aye

            Councilor Minutelli                   Absent

            Vice-Chairman Carr              Aye

            Chairman Glennon                   Aye

            d. Channel 13

6. Review of Standing Committees and Council Representatives

            a. Councilor LaBranche

Budget Committee

Councilor LaBranche noted the Budget Committee is getting into the Town budget. He requested a meeting be called so he can get a sense of where the Budget Committee would like to see the Town budget.

CIP Committee

Councilor LaBranche noted the CIP Committee has presented their recommendations to the Town Council. He noted this would be a two year process for the Town. The numbers would jump up in the future to make up for the lack of appropriation this year. The CIP is necessary as the Council saw tonight with the booster station.

Energy Committee

Councilor LaBranche noted a meeting is tentatively set for January 27^th at 6:00pm to get together and get organized.

            b. Councilor Bergeron

Conservation Commission

School Board

Chairman Glennon noted he had asked Councilor Bergeron at the December 18^th meeting to check with the School Board to see if they were interested in holding a joint meeting to discuss cost savings measures. He has not received a response yet. He asked Administrator Wojnowski to have a conversation with Superintendent Mark LaRoach about this joint meeting and to request an answer in writing. He noted he would speak with Councilor Bergeron about looking at trees for the downtown area.

            c. Vice-Chairman Carr

Planning Board

Vice-Chairman Carr noted the Board had met last night. They had worked on updating the rules of procedure for the Board. They had discussed receiving information last minute and requiring applicants to provide information a number of days prior to the meeting. The Board would hold a workshop session next Tuesday at 7:00pm on the Historic District Ordinance.

            e. Councilor Kwaks

Advisory Heritage

Chairman Glennon noted Councilor Kwaks had missed the last meeting because of last week’s Council non-public session. He has called Judy Ryan to find out what happened at the meeting. He noted it was important for a Councilor to find out what was discussed at a meeting if they are unable to attend.

Municipal Audit Committee

Chairman Glennon noted there has been no meeting set up. He has asked the Council representative to work with Administrator Wojnowski to put together a matrix of timelines and is frustrated that is not happening.

Administrator Wojnowski noted he and Finance Director Don Parnell are working on that.

Municipal Solid Waste

Chairman Glennon noted there has not been a meeting.

            f. Councilor Ploski

Channel 13

Councilor Ploski noted the Channel 13 Committee has not met.

Highway Public Safety Committee

Councilor Ploski noted the Highway Public Safety Committee had met about the possibility of limiting parking downtown near Morelli’s to 15 minutes. There was concern limiting parking could result in other problems. The Committee discussed the poor visibility coming out of Chapel Street. The discussion included the possibility of changing traffic flow through the Post Office. A Post Office representative was present and did not feel it would be an option right now. The Committee discussed speed limits through the downtown area. Police Chief Kevin Cyr is looking into reducing the downtown speed limit from 30mph to 20mph.

Administrator Wojnowski noted there is an engineering study with sufficient supporting information to approach the State to lower the speed limit.

Chairman Glennon asked about allowing a right hand turn only out of Chapel Street.

Councilor Ploski noted that had been discussed and is not an option.

Main Street Corporation

Councilor Ploski noted he was unable to attend because of a Council meeting.

Chairman Glennon noted at the November Workshop he had asked the Channel 13 Committee to submit a policy for submitting slides.

Councilor Ploski noted he would bring that up at the next meeting and get that information to the Town Council.

            g. Councilor Minutelli

Downtown TIF Advisory Board

Chairman Glennon noted there has not been a meeting.

Open Space Commission

Chairman Glennon noted there had been a meeting, but no information had been provided about what had been discussed.

Veteran’s Memorial Trust Committee

Chairman Glennon noted Janice Rosa had been present earlier providing an update.

            d. Chairman Glennon

Lamprey Riverwalk Committee

Chairman Glennon noted the easement for Water Street has been obtained. He asked Project Coordinator Julie Glover to provide a synopsis of the Riverwalk project status to be included in the Town annual report. There had been no quorum the night of the meeting. The Committee accepted the resignation of Brett Johnson regretfully. They discussed the amenities as recommended by Charles Hoyt.

7. Old Business/New Business/Correspondence

Chairman Glennon noted he received a phone call from Administrator Wojnowski regarding the power being out from the railroad tracks to Durham affecting a total of approximately 1700 people. He received a phone call from Emergency Management Director Candace Jarosz indicating the process that needed to be taken. The Fire Department opened a shelter. Emergency Management Director Candace Jarosz is working with Administrator Wojnowski on a new emergency process document.

Chairman Glennon noted a generator had failed during the ice storm. This generator had been purchased used in 1969. A new generator is estimated to cost $24,000. He asked the Town Council to consider this purchase. The Emergency Management budget is $1500; he felt this needed to be reviewed.

Councilor Ploski asked if the generator from the Folsom Drive booster station could be used.

The Council engaged in discussion about generator use, locations and possibilities.

Councilor LaBranche noted that Saturday’s Town Council budget workshop meeting in the chambers was cold. The meeting began at 54º and ended at 1:00pm at 58º. He appreciated the efforts to save funds, but asked if there was a way to override the system.

Administrator Wojnowski noted he had gotten to the Town Hall at 7:00am and had turned the heat up. He was not sure why it did not get warmer. By the time the Town Hall reopened on Tuesday, after the holiday, the temperature was back to normal.

Councilor Ploski thanked Administrator Wojnowski for contacting PSNH during the power outage. He indicated he was not pleased with the misinformation provided by PSNH.

8. Town Administrator’s Report

            a. Council Prioritizing Projects

Chairman Glennon asked for the Council to review the projects and come back to the next meeting prepared to prioritize them.

Administrator Wojnowski noted the Planning Board had met last night with the attorney from Verizon for an extension of conditional approval granted in May 2008. The applicants provided a bond for removal of the antenna if they cease service. They will be submitting a revised plan in the near future and will begin the project soon.

Administrator Wojnowski noted the New Village project RFPs will be back within the next two weeks. A committee will be set up to select the firm to begin the project. Five firms would be chosen by Water Superintendent Sean Greig (with assistance if necessary) to be interviewed by the committee.

Chairman Glennon noted he would be interested in being part of selecting the firm for the New Village project. He had been involved with selecting the engineer for the downtown project.

Administrator Wojnowski noted Project Coordinator Julie Glover, Public Works Director Rick Malasky and Phil MacDonald from Underwood Engineering had appeared before the State Department of Natural Resources in November with a series of proposals which had not been received well for the drainage study. They plan to come to the Town Council in February. A 44 page report has been provided to the Council for review.

Administrator Wojnowski noted the Town Charter in Section 11.1 E requires the Town Council to bring the Chairmen of all committees and boards together for a meeting. He suggested this meeting take place February 11, 2009 to meet the obligation.

Chairman Glennon noted he would appreciate it if the meeting date was deferred. He, Vice-Chairman Carr and Administrator Wojnowski meet biweekly. He sees this meeting of Chairmen being on a Saturday to ask specifically what each committee is doing and what projects they need Council assistance on. He referenced an individual from Exeter who had done a broadcast on the entire State of New Hampshire in regards to projects and road blocks communities were facing. He would like to bring this person in for the meeting.

Councilor LaBranche understood the reasoning behind doing the meeting on a Saturday but suggested it would be to ask volunteers to give up a Saturday. He suggested holding the meeting during the week and possibly starting earlier.

Chairman Glennon noted he would work with Administrator Wojnowski to set up this meeting.

Administrator Wojnowski noted the Council could meet when they want to in order to discuss the budget.

Chairman Glennon asked if the updated budget and projected revenues would be available by next Wednesday.

Administrator Wojnowski noted that information would be available.

Administrator Wojnowski noted the Council needed to hold a Non-Public session which would be scheduled for next Wednesday at 6:30pm.

9. Adjournment

Motion: To adjourn at 9:27pm.

Motioned: Councilor Ploski

Seconded: Councilor LaBranche

Vote: 4-0 Motion carries

             Councilor Kwaks             Absent

            Councilor Bergeron                  Absent

            Councilor LaBranche               Aye

            Councilor Ploski                       Aye

            Councilor Minutelli                   Absent

            Vice-Chairman Carr              Aye

            Chairman Glennon                   Aye

Respectfully Submitted, Erica Spechuilli