Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – April 14, 2005 – 5:45 pm
Present: Selectmen - Chairman, George Rainier; Selectman, William Brooks; Selectman; Conrad B. Dumas
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson taking minutes
Department Heads:
6:00 – Fire Chief, Loren White – Department Update
· Insurance – Chief White asked about Volunteer Fire Fighters participating in the insurances the town offers, specifically the life insurance. Selectmen discussed the information provided by the Local Government Center. If they choose to participate 75% membership must agree to participate, that would be 75% of those not insured through a spouse somewhere else. The information provided was pertaining to health and dental, Chief White was also interested in life insurance. Discussion followed, criteria for qualifying for this benefit would have to be established.
· Fire/Rescue Tax Credit – Chief White asked how the Selectmen feel about a tax credit for volunteer fire/rescue. Discussion followed and it was pointed out that there are a lot of other volunteer departments that may also like such a tax credit. Chief White agreed to this, he hadn’t looked at it that way. This tax credit was thought of because of a federal law that is being considered allowing a federal tax credit for volunteer fire fighters. Chief White will look into this more before bringing it to the Town.
· Activity - No fires yet this year, mostly rescue calls.
· Grant - By the end of this week, the Fire Dept. should be able to place their orders and talk with vendors, regarding the equipment and the SCBA purchase that was approved at Town Meeting. The grant is moving forward.
· Wilton, Lyndeborough, and Temple Ambulance – Chief White and some other members recently met with Wilton, Lyndeborough, and Temple Ambulance and thanked them for considering Greenfield as a member of their team. They had discussed if the door will remain open in the future, everyone indicated they were receptive of that as a possibility at a future date.
· Fireman’s Muster – Fireman’s Muster scheduled for July 9, 2005 at the Fair Grounds. The application was signed by all three selectmen.
· Department Changes - Chief White asked if Selectmen had any questions regarding the changes in the department since the new elections. Selectmen said they did not.
· Alarm Monitoring – The Meeting House alarm was discussed, Selectman Rainier explained that Bob Smith indicated he was able to make a connection with the Meeting House alarm. The building is being monitored; it was an intermittent problem and has been resolved.
· Abbey Road – Chief White inquired about Abbey Lane off New Boston Road, verifying that it is in fact a road; Selectmen verified it is a new private drive.
· Injury Log - Chief White requested a copy of the injury log the town uses.
6:25 – Parks & Rec., Molly Anfuso –
· Beaches - Beaches are getting set to be opened
· Oak Park Break In – The incident at the fairgrounds has been resolved
· Contracts for instructors – Anfuso stated she is in the process of developing a contract for all instructors, it should be completed shortly; she understands they need to be consistent for each instructor.
· Soccer Field - Oak Park Committee, Dave Corliss & John Hopkins was also present at this time. Anfuso stated she has $1500.00 in her revolving fund that she can use for the purpose of purchasing the soil needed to do the repairs to the soccer field. She has $950.00 of soccer fees, and the funds that were in the revolving account when it was first established could be used to make the difference. Anfuso and Road Agent, Fox discussed there is an estimated 843 yards of clay, 460 yards of loam, this is approximately $2500.00 of expense to the town.
Selectmen discussed they will put a blurb in the next Spirit asking for donations from residents for this project Anfuso has planned. Anfuso stated she and Fox haven’t figured the amount of time to do this project yet. Anfuso feels that Fox has a good plan going and she wants to help him to accommodate his schedule. Selectman Dumas asked the Oak Park Committee how they feel about this project. John Hopkins stated that, speaking for himself, he was supportive of this project, however he would like to get a soil sample. Hopkins said he has spoken to several local landscapers, all who have stated that the soil needs to be tested and the project needs to have adequate loam to be successful. Anfuso discussed the viability of the expansion of the soccer field, how much will
the expansion invite others to use the field. She wants to be certain that the decision made is in the best interest of the town.
Anfuso discussed the issue of irrigation she is going to a meeting to discuss what are the benefits of this, it is very expensive and Anfuso is not sure it is the best option for the park.
Selectman Dumas believes it should be a regulation field if it is going to be used as such, however if it is just to be used for kicking a ball around it doesn’t make sense to put a lot of money into it. Lengthy discussion followed regarding the size and need of such a field.
Selectman Rainier was discussing his thought was, if the clay was put into the area the moisture might stay and not just dissipate.
Dave Corliss stated that we don’t have the funds for an irrigation system, and that he thinks it is wise to make the best soccer field and let nature take over.
Selectman Dumas asked who is going to be responsible for arranging the purchase of the soils and who arranges the implementing the project to completion.
Again, Hopkins stated he was encouraged not to scrape the field, he thinks this should be thought through again. Selectman Rainier asked if someone would contact George Hamilton at the UNH Extension in Goffstown explain the situation and get an unbiased opinion.
Decision: Selectman Rainier will obtain a soil sample of both Kokal soil and the soccer field soil. John Hopkins agreed to take the sample to Goffstown. Selectman Rainier will contact Road Agent, Fox and the Kokal's, informing them that we will be moving forward on the purchase of soils within two weeks. Ms. Anfuso will get in touch with extension to get the recommendation how to proceed; she will research proper procedures and report back to Selectmen. All this will take place before any work begins on the soccer field.
Oak Park Committee & Parks & Rec., - Selectman Dumas stated he wanted to discuss how the future of the Oak Park Committee & Parks & Recreation will meld together. He feels it is important to know what directive each position holds. John Hopkins provided a copy of the Oak Park By-Laws where it is clearly spelled out that once a project is complete it then is turned over to the town for future maintenance. Therefore, the town is responsible for all maintenance of the new building and other park improvements.
Ms. Anfuso stated Mr. Pelkey discussed with her he would not be available as many hours to do maintenance projects. Anfuso further stated she is only scheduled to work 25 hours/week and she wants to know where to look for help with projects such as building picnic tables and other small maintenance items. Selectman Rainier indicated that Mr. Pelkey has not been notified to reduce his hours of maintenance. Anfuso needs to know the protocol, it was explained to Anfuso there is a maintenance project sheet in the break room, Mr. Pelkey checks this sheet on a regular basis. She was instructed to begin using it in the future, and to further notify the Administrative Assistant when she adds something to the list, who will notify the Selectmen and they will follow-up with assurance of completion of the various
projects.
Selectman Rainier asked that a map of the park be drawn up and kept updated as soon as possible.
Anfuso stated that she is working on a new rental fee structure and new policies for the park.
Hopkins stated the new building is pretty much complete with the exception of two sinks that need to be hooked up inside, tables to purchase and the landscaping to be complete.
Hopkins informed Selectmen that Sheldon Pennoyer has offered to sit down and do a landscaping design of the park. Selectmen thought that was a great idea.
Selectmen thanked Dave Corliss & John Hopkins for all their help throughout the years with the development of the park, their dedication to the park and its many successful improvements.
Molly asked what Selectmen thought about the decking on the shed and the siding for the building. When/how does a project need to go out to bid. Selectmen stated Anfuso could use her discretion. Selectmen suggested asking the Oak Park Committee to volunteer their time and help with the project, as well as the GIVers. Molly stated the GIVers provide her much support with many projects.
Groundskeeping – Recently met with TJ about mowing the grasses at Zephyr Lake, he has agreed to this. She also briefly spoke with TJ about the groundskeeping in the future years and how to proceed with the contract. No decisions made at this time.
On – going matters:
New Keys – George will contact Doug Whiton to see what the status of this project is
Wage, Benefit Study Committee – Meeting on April 28th – Set up a meeting with Greg Martus, Karen Day & Selectmen to begin this study.
Other Business:
Minutes - Selectmen accepted the minutes April 7, 2005 Selectmen’s Meeting as written
Selectmen Approval –
· A/P Checks & Invoices
· Oak Park Rental Application – GFD, Fireman’s Muster 7/9/05-7/10/05
· CU changes – Bowman, Laconti
Mail – Review misc. incoming mail –
· BCH application for Exempt Status – will be forwarded to the appropriate people (Assessor and Town Counsel)
Septic System Operational Guidelines – This will remain on the agenda until adopted. Selectmen would like the code officer to review before adopting the guidelines.
RD – Selectman Rainier notified the other two Selectmen that he signed notice of award yesterday for the Waste Water project. A meeting is scheduled for April 20th at 3:00 pm with SCI, the Attorneys and Engineers for the closing for the project. SCI is prepared to begin the project by the middle of May.
Mtg. House Rental – D2VA – District Two Voter Alliance Group has requested use of the mtg. house on June 12th @ 1:00. The use is a sing a long, with a potluck dessert type of gathering. The question from the Group was do they pay the $15.00 utility fee? Selectmen stated Yes, the D2VA should pay the $15.00 utility fee. Selectmen asked Administrative Assistant to check on the past decision regarding use of the Mtg. House for this organization; Selectman Rainier recalls telling them they could use it one time/year free of charge.
TAN – Motion by Selectman Rainier to authorize the borrowing of $675,000 for a Tax Anticipation Note, with interest at 2.99% from the Bank of NH. Seconded by Selectmen Brooks & Dumas. Voted Affirmatively.
FYI –
· Notice of Claim - Notice of claim was sent to LGC for a vehicle a resident reported was allegedly damaged on Slip Road due to the road conditions. The LGC will send someone out to look at the vehicle and report to the Selectmen of the findings.
· Broken water pipe – Administrative Assistant authorized Jarvis Adams Plumbing to repair a water pipe that was in the basement that had frozen over the winter. Jarvis reported it must have been left with some water in it, which made the pipe burst, when the police went to use it this spring, it flooded the basement. It is repaired, the police have been told to remove the hose in the future.
7:00- In accordance with RSA 91A:3 ( c) motion by Selectman Rainier to enter into non-public session. Seconded by Selectmen Brooks & Dumas
Decision – The request for assistance is to be denied – A letter will be mailed with information on credit counseling enclosed. This family will be requested to seek credit counseling and further if, as they indicated they feel they are being harassed by their mortgage co., they should contact the Attorney General Office. The phone number for both credit counselor and the Attorney General will be enclosed in the notice of decision letter.
Town Meeting Items –
· Windows – The Administrative Assistant can contact Mr. Voorhis of Window Master to schedule the replacement of two windows this year; those windows will be the Town Clerk Office and the Tax Collector Office.
· Chimney Pointing – The Contractor for this project should be contacted also.
Other-
Future meeting - Selectmen would like to meet on the April 28th with the Tax Collector & the Treasurer if they are available.
Treasurer Reporting – Treasurer discussed the sweep account that the Bank of NH has recently offered; he intends to take advantage of the account in anticipation of additional interest earnings. We are working on other arrangements for direct deposit and some other banking options for the town.
Old Cruiser – Selectman Rainier will suggest to Chief Giammarino to put ad out for the old cruiser.
Greenvale cemetery – Selectman Rainier discussed the granite pillar that was found on the ground yesterday. The insurance company will be notified of a claim.
With no further business, Selectman Rainier adjourned the meeting at 8:00 pm. Next scheduled selectmen meeting will be Thursday, April 21, 2005 @ 5:45 pm.
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