Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – June 3, 2004 – 5:45 pm
Present: Selectmen: Chairman, William Brooks; Selectman, George Rainier, Selectman, Conrad Dumas
Meeting called to order at 5:45 pm
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson taking minutes
Department Heads:
Appointments:
No appointments are scheduled
On – going matters:
1. Downtown Project –
· Punchlist with Mr. Lou DeGrandpre, VanDyke Construction – Selectman Rainier updated the other Selectmen regarding the punchlist. This past week VanDyke Construction worked on the punchlist. Underwood is waiting for a written statement from Vandyke regarding what is left to be completed. The septic is going to be rebid in July. –
7:00 Road Agent Fox came to discuss the downtown punchlist with Selectmen. Fox reported that the seeding behind new sidewalk is hard to mow. This needs to be addressed. Also Fox stated that the catch basins are not adequately repaired. Fox stated that he doesn’t think what has done is going to fix the problems. It is Fox’s advice to have VanDyke saw around the basins and repave around it. No work has been done near the elementary school. Fox also stated that the new stripeing is difficult to see and should be redone.
· Fence around the control panel was placed there to keep dogs away from the trees. The expense is to be charged against General Government Buildings, per the Board of Selectmen.
Page 2
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
June 3, 2004
2. Recycling Bay – Recycling Bay update – Fox reported that the foundation is back filled, forms are off, and he is hoping to do the cement floor very soon. Deb discussed that ppayroll taxes will be over at year-end, as no money was budgeted for this project for town employees. Because a wage equivalent of $16.19 was not figured into the equation for the overtime wage, there must be a wage change from $22.33 to $24.28. This
will be the wage all workers will be paid to work on the project.
Selectmen voted to make a separate line item within the Warrant Article for payroll taxes. The taxes will come out of recycle budget, the $31,000.00 is what was appropriated for this project and is what will be used. Payroll taxes, retirement and any other expenses associated with the building will come out of the $31,000.00 warrant article.
Other Business:
1. Minutes - Selectmen accepted the minutes of May 27th, 2004 Selectmen’s Meeting as written.
2. Selectmen Approval –
P/R & Invoices
State Inspection Station for Motorcycles – Shepherd Auto –Any update on this? Waiting for report from Code Officer, Peter Hopkins.
3. Mail –
Letter to Underwood Engineers from Mr. Carbee was discussed. Underwood Engineer, Norm Degas spoke with Mr. Carbee, the sidewalk in front of Carbee's Corner is in poor condition and has been for quite some time, causing water to drain into the building. The new roadwork and/or sidewalks have nothing to do with the water funneling into the building. Dugas will send a letter to the town to have on record of this conversation.
Letter from Jeremy Gagnon was read, Mr. Gagnon indicated he should have been given the Groundskeeping job and would like some response from the Selectmen. Selectmen will mail Mr. Gagnon a response indicating they advertised reserving the right to accept or reject any/all bids.
4. Cemetery Matters –
Shea Cemetery – the deeded right-of-way to the Shea cemetery has been being blocked with a 4 wheeler for quite some time. Selectmen will send the Racicot’s a letter indicating they cannot block right of way, a copy of the deeded right of way will be included with the letter. If for some reason the Racicot’s cannot do this, they will be asked to make an appointment and meet with Selectmen.
Page 3
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
June 3, 2004
Greenvale Cemetery – Plastic flower issue – there have been concerns about the number of plastic flowers placed on graves. Trustees indicated to Deb it is not their responsibility to remove them, it is the groundskeepers. The groundskeeper said he cannot remove anything from a grave, it is the Trustees responsibility and he is not comfortable with this request. Discussion followed regarding the obvious confusion regarding who is responsible for what. Selectmen would like a memo sent to all three Trustees inviting them to the next Selectmen’s Meeting to discuss this.
Burials – There have been questions regarding when/how the Mr. Woodbury notifies the Trustees & the town of when someone passes on. When is the Town notified of where they are buried?
Pump House & Pump – Selectmen would like to discuss with the Trustees what, if any plans for the pump house & pump are.
5. New Boston Rd./Intersection Rte. 31 – A resident stated that the trees which have recently been planted at the intersection at the Yankee Farmer obstruct the view when pulling out of New Boston Rd. This resident asked that the Selectmen be notified of this, it is her opinion that it is a safety issue that should be addressed. Selectmen will ask Police to drive by and give their professional opinion.
6. Meeting House Rental – Monadnock Conservancy has asked to use the Meeting House on June 11th (8:00 am – 10:00 am) – Monica Lehner is in charge and asked if we could waive the rental fee. Selectmen discussed this;
Motion was made by Selectman Dumas, that the fee will be waived one time / year for functions such as this. Seconded by Rainier & Brooks. Voted: Unanimous.
Further discussion followed regarding the possibility of them using the Town Office Meeting Room to reduce the wear & tear of the Meeting House.
Also, the Greenfield Democrats have asked to use the Meeting House on another date and asked that the rental fee be waived. Who/when will the fee be waived. --- The same agreement will be offered for the Greenfield Democrats as for the Monadnock Conservancy. ---
Page 4
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
June 3, 2004
7. Complaints –
· Donna Carpenter: Ms. Carpenter asked quite some time ago about a road sign being posted on County Road. It has not been done yet, she also thinks one should be placed on Depot Drive at Norah’s Depot. Ms. Carpenter stated to Deb that she spoke with Road Agent, Fox & Chief of Police, Giammarino about this and they haven’t done anything, Selectmen wrote her a letter saying they would address this – Selectmen instructed Deb to give to this to Fox and Giammarino for recommendation. This will remain on the agenda until a decision is reached.
· Frank: A resident complained about Frank’s attitude, alleging that Frank was needlessly barking at him for coming to dump too early; No action to be taken.
· Brian: Ursula Dickie – Mrs. Dickie is a Peterborough resident, complained about behavior of Giammarino in Peterborough. Claiming he rain a stop sign and was rude to her and her husband. She needs to address this with Peterborough. No action to be taken.
8. Francestown Road – Selectman Dumas discussed the Road Agent responsibility for work on the road. The road no longer looks like a country road. Discussion of amount of travel on dirt roads and how they affect the roads was discussed. Discussion on roads in general followed. No action to be taken.
9. Selectmen’s Advisory Committee – Selectman Dumas reported on the last meeting that was held. There were five towns represented, Dublin, Hancock, Greenfield, Antrim and Peterborough. Teacher contracts will be voted on July 8th, approximately $173,000 less than what was originally voted. The contracts will include 2.5% across the board, no step increases; 20% additional contribution to health care costs, and 1 additional day. The Selectboards that were there are in favor of this contract. They would like to use their position in respective towns to get the word out that this contract should pass. It is a fair contract and in the best interest of the school district to pass.
Motion by Dumas the Greenfield Board of Selectmen support the teacher contract to be voted on July 8th.
Seconded by Selectman Rainier
Voted: Unanimously
Page 5
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
June 3, 2004
Further discussion on the Advisory Committee regarding the next meeting. The Boards would like each town to bring three “hot topic” items to the meeting for the committee to discuss. Selectmen discussed matters of concern to them that would affect the entire district. “Hot Topics” that were decided upon are:
1. Transportation (safety, cost, etc.)
2. Funding of education
3. Equalized assessment
10. Gravel Sidewalk – Discussion followed, it is apparent the gravel sidewalk is not working out. It should be made asphalt.
11. Barn Preservation – Discussion followed regarding the barn preservation application from Aasta Torsen & Uli Koch. Selectmen will notify them that there will be a hearing on Thursday, June 17 at 6:00 pm. to allow the public to discuss the application. Deb was instructed to notify Jim Rice, they would appreciate his expertise at the hearing.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm. The next scheduled Selectmen’s Meeting is Thursday, June 10th at 5:45 pm.
| 
