Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – March 24, 2005 – 5:45 pm
Present: Selectmen - Chairman, George Rainier; Selectman, William Brooks; Selectman; Conrad B. Dumas
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson taking minutes
Department Heads:
5:45 Parks & Rec. Director, Molly Anfuso – To discuss the future of Oak Park and other items. Ms. Anfuso did not let the AA know, however she cancelled her appointment through Selectman Rainier, she will meet with the Board next week.
John Hopkins - To discuss Oak Park –
· Oak Park Committee - John stated he was hoping Molly would be here tonight. He wanted to let the Selectmen know that he met with Molly this week. Also, the Oak Park Committee met; unfortunately Molly couldn’t attend the meeting. The committee decided they are going to change their meetings to accommodate her. They remain very involved with the park. Currently there is an active committee, lots of interest and they want to move forward. They have long term/short term goals; they were provided to the Selectmen. Some may never happen however, they are suggestions that various people have shown interest in.
· New Building - The building punch list was also provided of what is left to complete. Days of when and what will be completed, the estimated completion date is May 28, 2005.
· Clay/Loam - John discussed a recent opportunity brought to his attention, to purchase clay & loam from the Kokal’s at a very reduced price. However, his question was if there are available funds. This will remain a discussion for the future; the expense will be approximately $2,000.00. Storage of the clay & loam was discussed.
· Soccer Field – Discussion that the Oak Park Committee would like to see the irrigation system at the soccer field installed this summer. The Committee would like to help with this; the Selectmen and John discussed this further. No decisions were made at this time.
· Old Building at Oak Park - John reported that he removed the door from the building; it was his responsibility to replace the door, apologized for not replacing it. There doesn’t appear to be anything stolen, the horseshoes were located; little league equipment was there. However, Molly will be doing an inventory for assurance that nothing was stolen.
Selectmen asked the Administrative Assistant to confirm with Molly that she will be rescheduled next week, March 31, 2005, 7:00 pm.
Appointments:
On – going matters:
Oak Park Propane Use - Selectmen asked Administrative Assistant to find out when the last time Oak Park building had a propane delivery; it was filled on January 13, 2005, 190.8 gallons of propane were delivered. The building is kept at 45 degrees. It was recently filled on Tuesday, March 22, 2005.
Other Business:
Minutes - Selectmen accepted the minutes of March 17, 2005 Selectmen’s Meeting as written
Selectmen Approval –
· P/R Checks & Invoices
· Workers compensation law posters
· Veterans Exemption – William Ryan
· CU Application – Kathleen Carpenter – R1-23 12.04 acres Forest Land
· Gasoline Exemption Certificates
· State Licenses for poles on Rte 31
Mail – Review misc. incoming mail –
Meeting House Fire Alarm – Selectmen discussed their meeting with Bob Smith Wed. March 23rd at 3:00 pm. – Selectmen Brooks & Rainier met with Mr. Smith and discussed the Mtg. House alarm. There is no money for fancy lock box and it was further determined we don’t really need it. Mr. Smith explained the system, explained what various displays mean. Selectmen are now knowledgeable as to how the system works. They discussed installing a system at the Oak Park Building, no funds are available or a phone line at this time.
Tie Breaker – Adele Gagnon was here with Town Clerk earlier this week and chose the tiebreaker name for the Library Trustee position - Peter Wensberg was the winner. Town Clerk, Fran Kendall has notified both parties of this.
Septic System Operational Guidelines – Selectmen reviewed the guidelines that need adoption. This will remain on the agenda for the next meeting. Selectman Dumas would like to have the RSA’s that are referenced attached to the document. Selectmen reviewed & discussed the guidelines, they made corrections to typos, section 2.01 was discussed, article 6.03 d; garbage grinders were discussed further discussion took place. Selectmen would like the Code Officer to thoroughly review the guidelines before they adopt them.
Town Meeting Items – Salary Scale; ¼ Meetings - Info. ; Selectmen discussed items that were brought up at Town Meeting that need addressing immediately. Dept. Heads monthly meetings will begin again, starting April 7th…Road Agent, Duffy Fox and Recycling Supervisor, Frank Pelkey will be the first two Department Heads to start the cycle. Two weeks later other Dept. Heads will be invited to address their departments.
Rural development – Administrative Assistant and the Engineer have been working on the paperwork to be submitted to Rural Development. It will be forwarded to RD for processing as soon as we get legal counsel opinion(s).
Spirit – Selectmen reviewed and edited the Spirit, editorial changes were made. The removal of the two advertisements on page 8 were addressed. The Selectmen do not support advertisements such as those in the Spirit. The intent of the newsletter was not meant for this type of advertisement. Anyone is welcome to sponsor the spirit and can advertise at that time. Selectmen have discussed this in the past; they would like a DRAFT policy written and clearly spell a policy for the Spirit.
Payroll Issues –
· Holiday Overtime Pay – BOS instructed AA to instruct the Payroll Clerk to pay the DPW crew the holiday pay, as they would have received it on Presidents Day having worked the holiday. This was going to be done this week, however one DPW employee used the holiday the following Monday. DPW Supervisor said they were all going to take a day off, discussion followed as to what do Selectmen want to do about this. It was brought up that the central office needs the directive signed in writing, it cannot be a verbal instruction, at this stage this is too sensitive and it must be clear.
Selectmen took no action at this time, they asked the Administrative Assistant to schedule the Road Agent, Fox for next week to discuss this. Fox will sign time cards for approval.
Payment for Town Meeting - Discussion regarding hourly employees charging to go to town meeting. The Administrative Assistant spoke with Local Government Center Attorney, Susan Slack who stated that unless Selectmen mandate attendance at Town Meeting, all employees are there on their own accord, whether hourly or salaried. Ms. Slack discouraged paying them for going to Town Meeting, unless you told them they must be there. We have never paid any employee in the past; this would become a new policy. If you pay one employee to be there, you must pay them all. If you do choose to pay Dept. Heads to be at Town Meeting, you should ONLY pay them for the time they discussed their budget, not the entire meeting.
Another portion of this discussion was regarding employees being paid for two positions while attending town meeting. Ms. Slack stated that an employee couldn’t be paid for two positions at once; it is referred to as double dipping, and is illegal.
Selectman Dumas motioned that Dept. Heads do not get paid to be at the 2005 Town Meeting. Selectmen Brooks seconded his motion.
Discussion followed regarding payment of employees at Town Meeting. If any Dept. Head has an issue with this motion they can approach the Selectmen during a regular meeting.
Voted: Unanimously to not pay employees for their attendance at 2005 Town Meeting – Brooks; Yes, Dumas; Yes, Rainier; Yes.
Administrative Assistant was instructed to keep this on the agenda for the update of personnel policies.
Amendment to Minutes – Conservation Commission Chair, Karen Day requested the minutes of the March 3, 2005 be amended to read “Selectman Rainier assured Ms. Day that there will be no salt mixed into the sand at its present location.” Selectmen approve this amendment to the March 3, 2005 Minutes.
Non- public Session –
7:30 pm – Motion by Selectman Rainier to enter into a non-public session for the purpose of RSA 91A: 3 (C). Seconded by Selectmen Brooks & Dumas. Voted Affirmatively
8:07 pm - Selectmen Rainier motioned to enter out of the non-public session and to further seal the minutes. Seconded by Selectmen Brooks & Dumas. Voted Affirmatively
Decision: Selectman Dumas motioned to ask the Parks & Recreation director to attend the next Selectmen’s at 7:00. Voted Affirmatively
Old Town Office – A representative from Crotched Mountain recently stopped in and looked at the Old Town Office. They are interested in possibly utilizing it for a “day facility” for students at Crotched Mountain. They will get back to us after meeting with the proper officials of Crotched Mountain. Selectmen were glad to hear this news, it could be a positive use of the building.
Controlled Burn – Fire Chief, Loren White asked Administrative Assistant inform Selectmen the Fire Department has completed the controlled burn on the Pennoyer property. It was very successful, several members from the following Depts. attended; Peterborough, Hancock, Bennington & Francestown. Lyndeborough was invited but was unable to attend.
Conval questionable enrollments – Administrative Assistant recently spoke with Marian Alese again regarding the questionable enrollments we had. She had forgotten to do it, she said she would get to it in a couple days and get back to us.
Salary, Benefit Review & Comparisons – Administrative Assistant spoke with Gail Wilson from the Local Government Center – she said since they have our pay & classification study from 2000, they would be happy to assist with updating the pay scale, benefit packages & job descriptions. The cost is $125.00/position. Discussion followed, this information will be forwarded to all residents who volunteer for the committee that was requested at town meeting.
Abatements to BTLA – Jim Rice stated he reached an agreement with all three residents who had appealed to the BTLA, he further stated he would send a written explanation next week.
With no further business, Selectman Rainier adjourned the meeting at 8:10 pm. Next scheduled selectmen meeting will be Thursday, March 31, 2005 @ 5:45 pm.
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