Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – August 12, 2004 – 5:45 pm
Present: Selectmen: Chairman, William Brooks; Selectman; George Rainier
Meeting called to order at 5:45 pm
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson taking minutes
Department Heads:
6:00– Trustee of Trust Funds – The Trustees were here to discuss the resignation of Matt Brissette, the stone wall which needs repair & other Cemetery matters.
· Plastic Flowers - Discussion regarding plastic flowers, Jill Young of Antrim & Elsie Taylor of Chelmsford, MA, & Mrs. Robbins have all expressed a dissatisfaction with the fact that no plastic flowers are allowed to be placed at the cemeteries. The plastic flower policy will remain, as it was adopted several years ago.
Decision: Letter to be mailed to all three who voiced concerns, from Trustee’s, with a copy of the policies to be included in the letter.
· Custodian – Trustee, Robert Plourde has spoken to the Bennington Trustees, John Kendall is the digger for graves in Bennington, not custodians. He is most likely available for a digger. Antrim, Ben Pratt very knowledgeable, Christie Ellingwood is the gravedigger for Antrim, however he is unavailable. The Town of Greenfield has had problems with the custodian for several years. Trustees are looking for some direction how to proceed with a more positive relationship.
Decision: The Town will need to advertise for a cemetery custodian. Bob Plourde will contact the Town of Peterborough and discuss how they handle burials. Trustees will get back to the Board of Selectmen with their findings.
· Stone Wall – We have been unable to contact Mel Hudson. Al Burtt suggested contacting the Attorney General, Consumer Affairs Division to see if they can help locate him. As a taxpayer, Mr. Burtt stated he would prefer not allowing Mr. Hudson to walk away scot-free. Discussion followed. Questions if the Attorney General would move rapidly enough. The job was originally put out to bid, three bids were submitted and Mr. Hudson won the bid. Resident, Paul Haute-Renauld, has provided the Trustees with a price, which has included, sealing the capstones, as well as including necessary repairs to the existing stonewall. He would further,
water seal the entire stonewall and some of the head stones that are in need of repair. Price on the pillar & other misc. repair was approximately $4,500.00. $600.00 for the waterproof, no price on the capstones at this time.
Decision: A letter will be written to the Consumer Affairs Division, Attorney General Office asking for directive.
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Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2004
· Head stones - Mr. Plourde recently spoke to John Kaufhold, regarding repair to several of the stones. Mr. Plourde stated that recently one of the mowers damaged a stone at the cemetery. Plourde has tried to contact Terry Jarest, TJ has contacted John Kaufhold and is going to repair the stone, and the bill will be mailed to TJ.
Decision: There is a quote for $1,600 from Kaufhold for repairs to headstones that have been damaged. Trustees recommend repairs at this time.
· Trustees thanked Selectman Rainier for his support recently, when two of the three trustees were gone and they needed help with a burial. Selectman Rainier was very helpful and made sure the burial happened.
· We are going to rent a mower and mow the old cemetery off New Boston Road, as well as, cut some brush, which is placing old stones in danger of damage. The Highway crew will be doing the work so it won’t cost any extra money for the labor.
Appointments:
There were no appointments scheduled
On – going matters:
Downtown Project – Bids were open at 3:00 pm – Selectman Rainier discussed the results of the bid opening – There were three bids, Keith Pratt has taken the paperwork, will check numbers and get back to Selectmen with recommendations.
Recycling Bay – Recycling Bay update – No update at this time
UST Inspection – A letter will be mailed indicating what action Selectmen have/will take on this matter. The Selectmen have requested bids from MB Maintenance & Beardsley. Allen & Mathewson indicated they could not help with a project like this.
Other Business:
Minutes - Selectmen accepted the minutes of July 15, 2004 & August 5th, Selectmen’s Meeting & Public Hearing as written. -
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Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2004
Selectmen Approval –
· P/R & Invoices
· MS-1 – updated 2004 form
· Letter to Eugene Hennessey – reschedule meeting until September 2, 2004 @ 6:00 pm
· Intents to cut – Piper – R5-8 & 8-5
White Pine Builders – R9-3 & subsequent lots
· Insurance premium increases
· Gas Tax refunds
Mail –
· Letter to Planning Board from GCC, regarding Ed Colburn
Complaints – Housing situation, there was a concern earlier in the week regarding the “temporary permit” for the trailer on the Pero lot. Discussion followed. The permit was not actually a temporary permit; the Pero’s still need a building permit. Selectmen will remain updated on this property.
Tax Maps – SWRPC has presented the maps, there are mistakes – Looking for direction as to how to proceed. Ok to send a letter to SWRPC and to hold the invoice until the maps are correct. Selectmen stated that Catherine has put a lot of time into this project; they will support what she recommends.
Agenda – Selectman Rainier requested agenda’s be available by noon on Wednesday’s. No appointments to be scheduled after that.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm. The next scheduled Selectmen’s Meeting is Thursday, August 19th, at 5:30 pm.
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