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BOS Meeting (minutes)

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Office of the Board of Selectmen
2 Town Hall Road, Newton, NH 03858
Tel: 382-4405 Option #5 Fax 603-382-9140
www.newton-nh.gov
NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
NEWTON, NH 03858
ZOOM CONFERENCE CALL
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Zoom Conference phone number 929-205-6099
Meeting ID 818 7979 5674
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81879795674
Chair Guide called the public meeting to order at 6:00PM. Selectmen in attendance were Chair 
Daniel Guide, Vice-Chair Michael Connolly, Robert Marchand, Jr. and Ashley Silvia. Joseph 
Simone, Jr., was present via zoom. Paula Mahoney, Town Administrator (TA), had an excused 
absence from this meeting.  Also present was Executive Assistant (EA) Robyn Sparks. The 
public minutes were typed and transcribe by EA Sparks. The non-public minutes were typed by 
EA Sparks and partially transcribe by Chair Guide, as EA Sparks left the non-public session @ 
7:10pm.
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Citizens Input
Town Moderator (TM), Robert Dezmelyk, addressed the board regarding the appointment 
process for the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), asserting that the Selectmen lacked the 
authority to remove a member. Then he expressed concerns about the ZBA, warning that 
attempting to remove member Mr. Doggett without proper legal cause could lead to 
litigation.
4. Administration
4.1 Town Clerk -Department Procedures
Town Clerk/Tax Collector (TC/TC), Mary Jo McCullough stated she needs an updated 
Delegation of Deposit form on file to comply with the Department of Revenue (DRA).
Selectman Marchand moved that the Selectboard approve the Delegation of Deposit 
Authority as authorized by the Treasurer, that the Town Clerk/Tax Collector and her 
Deputy with the deposits from the municipality’s general fund financial institution, in 
addition to a detailed back up report documenting the receipt of monies comprising the 

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deposit made. This authority shall remain in effect until rescinded by written notice by 
the Treasurer. Seconded by Selectman Connolly, Simone-yea, Silvia-yea, Connolly-yea, 
Marchand-yea, and Guide-yea.
4.2 Police Department Monthly Update
Chief DiFlumeri presented the July monthly report, highlighting 1,689 total calls including 
174 motor vehicle stops, 7 arrests, and 732 direct patrols.
Chief DiFlumeri’ s discussion centered on hiring Giovanni Zago as a permanent part-time 
police officer, who has already completed background checks and passed a polygraph exam. 
The department will sponsor his full-time academy training starting in January, with Mr. 
Zago agreeing to a 3-year contract in exchange for the department covering his training costs,
weapons, and equipment.
Chair Guide moved to hire Giovanni Zago permanent part-time police officer with an 
effective start date of August 18, 2026.  Seconded by Selectman Connolly. Simone-yea, 
Silvia-yea, Connolly-yea, Marchand-yea, and Guide-yea.
Chief DiFlumeri stated that Officer Eulie attended training on the proper installation of car 
seats and is now certified. Car seats can be installed at the Newton Police Department.
4.3 Highway Department -Update
Road Agent (RA) Mike Pivero asked the board to increase Highway employee Ronnie 
Jackson’s hourly pay, from $27.45 to $30.45, which is a grade 15, Step 24 on the pay matrix. 
Ronnie has not had an increase since January of 2023.
RA Pivero is asking for the raise to be retro, back to April 1, 2026, to align with the  2026 
budget.
Selectman Marchand authorized an hourly pay increase for Highway’s Ronald Jackson
from $27.45 to $30.45, which aligns with Grade 15-Step 24.  Said increase will be 
retroactive from April 1, 2026. Seconded by Selectman Silvia. Simone-yea, Silvia-yea, 
Connolly-yea, Marchand-yea, and Guide-yea.
5. Approvals
5.1 Fire Department Hiring
Selectman Marchand moved to hire Noah Ferrandi as an EMT-Basic at the hourly 
rate of $22.00, pending he meets the requirements set forth by the Chief. Seconded 
by Selectman Silvia. Simone-yea, Silvia-yea, Connolly-yea, Marchand-yea, and 
Guide-yea.
5.2 Warrant for Land Use Change Tax -TAX Map 1-4-9, 40 White Cedar
TC/TC McCullough explained when a parcel of land is taken out of current use, the 
owner will pay 10% tax of the current assessed value.

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Selectman Marchand moved to approve the Warrant and Tax Bill for TAX Map- 
Number 1-4-9, as approved by the Assessor. Seconded by Selectman Silvia. Simone-
yea, Silvia-yea, Connolly-yea, Marchand-yea, and Guide-yea.
 
5.3 ZBA Appointment
Selectboard discussion regarding an appointment to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in 
which legal counsel advised that since the appointment did not receive consent by the 
selectboard, it is therefore invalid. The selectboard reverted to the original 1956 policy 
requiring town vote approval. 
Chair Guide moved to inform the Moderator, the Selectboard does not consent to 
the appointment of James Doggett to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the 
Town Administrator inform the ZBA of the selectboards decision. Seconded by 
Selectman Connolly.  Simone-yea, Silvia-yea, Connolly-yea, Marchand-yea, and 
Guide-yea.
  
5.4 Authorization of Funds to Purchase Land, Tax Map 12-6-10
Chair Guide stated the town will participate in the online auction for the land on 
September 15, which is fully supported by the town treasurer.
Selectman Marchand moved to authorize Chairman Dan Guide to represent and 
bid on behalf of the Town of Newton at the upcoming land auction for Tax Map 12-
6-10- with the maximum allowable spending limit as duly determined and voted by 
the Board in the preceding non-public session, with funds to be drawn from Town 
Building Capital Reserve Fund and General Fund. Seconded by Selectman 
Connolly.  Simone-yea, Silvia-yea, Connolly-yea, and Marchand-yea. Guide-
abstained. 4-1.
5.5 Resignation of Transfer Station Attendant.
      
Dean Brown resigned from the Transfer Station.
Selectman Marchand moved to accept Dean Brown’s resignation with thanks and 
gratitude. Seconded by Selectman Connolly.  Simone-yea, Silvia-yea, Connolly-yea, 
Marchand-yea, and Guide-yea.
 5.6 Consent Agenda
Selectman Marchand moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Seconded by 
Selectman Silvia.  Simone-yea, Silvia-yea, Connolly-yea, Marchand-yea, and Guide-
yea.
6. Action Items New/ Old Business
The following announcements were made:

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o
Town Beach will no longer have lifeguards on duty after Sunday, August 30th. 
This also includes Labor Day weekend
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New Job Vacancies- Part Time Substitute Library Assistant, see town’s website 
for details
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Vic Geary Center-Open Positions on their Board,
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Sanborn Regional School District has one Vacancy for a Newton Seat on the 
budget committee, full notice is posted on our website and the school’s website
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Town Election 9/8/26, Voting at the Safety Complex 8am-8pm
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Vendors are being accepted for Ole Home Day, September 12th, see Recreation 
webpage. 
Non-Public
Selectman Marchand moved to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II(d) to 
discuss the potential acquisition of real property via public auction. Seconded by 
Selectman Connolly.  Simone-yea, Silvia-yea, Connolly-yea, Marchand-yea, and Guide-
yea.
    The Public Meeting ended at 6:41 pm
     Respectfully submitted,
     Robyn Sparks
     Robyn Sparks
     Executive Assistant to the BOS & Town Administrator
    *Consent Agenda
      Payroll Manifest dated: 8/13/826 $96,212.87
     Vendor Manifests: Dated: 8/4/26 $32,026.51, $51.00, 
$15,825.99,
     Dated 8/11/26 $ 70,997.28 , $8,534.00  Manifest Dated $ 13,652.94
     Fire & Rescue Ambulance dated 8/11/26 $4,870.64

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