Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – April 1, 2004 – 5:45 pm
Present: Selectmen: Chairman, William Brooks; Selectman, Conrad Dumas;
Selectman, George Rainier
Meeting called to order at 5:45 pm
Administrative Assistant, Debra Davidson taking minutes
Department Heads:
5:45 – Recycling Center – Frank Pelkey – Mr. Pelkey & Mr. Bruce Gagnon met with the Selectmen to discuss the contract for the additional bay at the Recycling Center – Copies of the DRAFT contract were discussed. Mr. Gagnon stated that the contract was originally $31,500.00 – Mr. Pelkey stated that he could move funds from within his budget to pay for the additional expense, the wiring could be covered through building maintenance
Selectman Dumas motioned to amend the contract to read $15,750.00 at the start of the project and the remaining $15,750.00 upon satisfactory completion of the project.
Seconded by Selectmen Brooks & Rainier –
Mr. Gagnon, Mr. Pelkey and all three Selectmen agreed to the changes
Mr. Gagnon stated it should take two to three weeks to complete the project.
Mr. Pelkey would like to be up and running by June 1st. This will give him a good 6 months of baling and see how it goes.
Deb was instructed to “flag” an additional $787.00 dollars out of the Recycling Budget for the additional expenses to complete the Recycling Bay project. It was discussed that you can’t “flag” funds, Mr. Pelkey needs to keep track of his budget expenditures.
Appointments:
6:00 – Greenfield Elementary School Principal, Tim Iwanowicz – Mr. Iwanowicz was here to discuss the Elementary School using the field out back to play soccer. Though the back of the elementary school is ample, he feels that field out back would be a great area. He stated he would rather walk the children through the woods, than on the side of the road. Selectman Dumas suggested they use Oak Park, discussion followed regarding the recent installation of sidewalks going from the school to Oak Park. Discussion followed.
Selectman Rainier suggested they try going to Oak Park and see how that goes. The only other suggestion was that Mr. Iwanowics check with Parks & Recreation Director, Molly Anfuso to assure the field isn’t being used when Mr. Iwanowicz would be interested in using it.
Selectman Brooks stated he would like to see the children safe. Either field is an acceptable option.
Mr. Iwanowicz reiterated he understands they would prefer Oak Park, but he can look at both fields. He will report back to Deb of what his findings, and let her know how walking to Oak Park goes.
6:30 – Resident, Sheldon Pennoyer – Mr. Pennoyer discussed his property which is under Conservation Easements and the effect this has on the assessment of his property. Mr. Pennoyer would like to discuss the possibilities of what the reduction of value would be if he demolished the 2nd dwelling on his property. He is asking for permission to speak with the assessor before making a decision of either demolishing the property or investing more funds into the building – wondering what the difference between the two lots, both properties have an easement on them. Selectmen granted Mr. Pennoyer’s request to speak directly to the assessor, Jim Rice.
The properties which will be discussed are Map R7 –Lot 24-1; R7 Lot 24-3. Deb will fax Mr. Pennoyer his property cards on Monday.
On – going matters:
1. Downtown Project –
· Punchlist – still waiting for Van Dyke
· Wastewater policy – Deb indicated she is working on a DRAFT policy, it should be ready shortly, at which time Keith Pratt and Selectmen will all receive copies for editing.
2. Town Management Assessment – Selectmen stated they would like to address at least one of the 13 items mentioned in the Assessment report on a weekly basis; The first one they will addressing would be daily decision making – Selectmen discussed a possible memo where department heads can respond as far as whether or not the Board of Selectmen are needed with the daily decision making or not. Is there a likeliness to anonymity and/or do they prefer it as is. The Selectmen discussed they will send a memo with a calendar, indicating that there will be specific evenings that all department heads must attend or send a designee to the
Selectmen’s Meetings, it was decided the fourth meeting of each month will become the dedicated meeting for to Dept. Heads only. The first meeting will be on April 29th ; a memo to the following departments Parks & Recreation, Fire, Highway, Police, and the Recycling Dept. Department Heads can submit agenda items for discussion. A reminder will be sent out to everyone prior to the meeting. Ideas for agenda topics, decision making and lines of communication.
Other items:
1. Minutes - Selectmen accepted the minutes of March 25, 2004 Selectmen’s Meeting as written
2. Selectmen approval –
· A/P Checks and Invoices –
· Letters to Richard Delay – Curbing
Wesley Williams – Boundary dispute
· Abatements – Roberson –S1-25 ($107.67)
Haggerty – S1-27 ($118.17)
Sherman – S1-22-1 ($105.40)
Vincent – Denied
· Intent – to – Cut– Cernota
· Fire Warden Appointment – Charles Stevenson
· Sign Insurance Co-Pay sheet – did not sign this, lengthy discussion followed. Selectmen will need a new sheet next week with new calculations.
3. Mail –
4. Contract for Recycle Center – Reviewed, amended and signed Selectmen, Mr. Gagnon will be in to sign the contract next week. He will bring a copy of his certificate of insurance with him.
5. PRIMEX Annual Conference – The annual conference is scheduled for Wed. May 19 & Thurs. May 20th. Deb requested both she and Catherine attend this year. There are some very good session being held (see pamphlet in your mail folder) The cost is free for the conference if we sign up before May 7th, the rooms are $150.00/night. Selectmen approved Catherine and Deb attending the conference. The office will be closed on those two days.
6. Maples – Tess Wilkins called, she has offered a couple of maples, Alice Weldon offered trees as well. Selectman Rainier took their phone numbers and will contact them.
7. Paving – DOT will be paving a portion of Rt 31 this summer – the exact date was not provided.
8. Legal – Letter to BCH was discussed; Class VI Roads were discussed
9. Handicap sign on Meeting House – There have been some concerns regarding the handicapped entrance sign which was placed on the Meeting House. There are those who feel the sign is detracting from the building. After some research, it was indicated that the ADA takes into consideration Historical buildings, and the sign does not have to be mounted on the building, however when the building is open to the public, it does need to be placed in an area that indicates where the handicapped entrance is located. Mr. Pelkey will be notified to remove the sign from the building, and make another arrangement for the sign. This brought a discussion of what does
need to be done for Election Days, Mr. Pelkey should write a list to have in the office for what needs to be done on voting day. The handicapped sign should be added to the list.
10. Excavation Intents – Mr. Steven Robertson dropped off 6 intent to excavate forms, with a check to be mailed to the Dept. of Revenue Administration – Selectman Rainier stated that the Planning Board is ok with these intents, Selectmen signed the intents. They will be processed next week.
11. Sign Hearing – Road Agent, Duffy Fox asked for the Board of Selectmen to hold a sign hearing, notifying residents who wants a sign. Mr. Fox stated that he needs to get Stop Signs for Thomas Road, Mtn. Road and Brooks Drive. Selectmen approved this request, Mr. Fox can notify Deb when he would like to have the hearing.
12. Wet basement issue – Due to the downspout drain being frozen, the heavy rains caused the back-up of water, flooding the basement. Ms. Shaw spent most of the afternoon removing the water, the file room will need to be reorganized. Tax Records, Police Records, Town Clerk etc. will all need to be stored more appropriately.
13. Groundskeeping Contract – Selectman Rainier stated that verbage should be put into the contract indicating...payment the 1st of the month will be for the previous months work, as well as pruning cemeteries shrubbery once a year will be required.
14. TAN - $600,000 to be applied for tomorrow
15. Insurance – Discussion regarding insurance followed – All employees will pay 5% of premiums of plans both dental and health. Employees who elect to have dependent insurance will contribute 15% towards that premium. This policy will be re-written into the personnel file.
16. Report on Selectmen’s Advisory Meeting - Selectman Dumas provided a copy of what was presented at the meeting last evening, he further explained the graphs and the impact the changes have had on the Town of Dublin. Selectman Dumas stated he would like to continue participating in this Advisory Committee and encouraged the other Selectmen to join him. He stated it was very interesting and informative.
With no further business, the Selectmen adjourned the meeting at 7:55 PM. The next scheduled Selectmen’s Meeting is Thursday – April 8, 2004 at 5:45 PM.
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