Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – May 25, 2006 – 5:45 pm
Present: Selectmen - Chairman, Conrad Dumas; Selectman, Aaron Kullgren; Selectman George Rainier
Selectman Dumas will call the meeting to order at 5:45pm
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson taking minutes
Appointments:
5:45 – Micheal Sparling – To discuss what the plan of the Selectmen as to their intention for the church lease. Selectman Dumas discussed that two meetings ago the Selectmen discussed scheduling time to review the lease. Tonight they are going to do that between 6:45 – 7:15, at some point they would like to schedule a meeting with the town to discuss their opinions with the board. Selectman Dumas also stated he was aware of a petition that is going around regarding this lease.
Selectman Kullgren stated that the board is still working on the church’s proposal.
Mr. Sparling stated he believes the church understands the town agreed to continue with the lease that was presented prior to town meeting.
Selectman Dumas would like the Selectmen to work among themselves and then have the church come back to discuss the final document. The Board and Mr. Sparling continued discussing that the church thought it was a final document.
Mr. Sparling had two questions –
· What if they can’t come to an agreement. If the town entertains any other organization leasing that space is the same procedure going to take place?
All three Selectmen agreed that most likely the same procedure would take place. Selectman Dumas stated he figured it would go back to the town, he didn’t want to speculate on anything.
Mr. Sparling stated this is important, if another organization isn’t going to have to do the same and the town wouldn’t be expected to do the same it sends a message to the church.
Discussion followed.
· Why are the Selectmen wanting to have a meeting on a Saturday?
Selectman Dumas stated the reason for a Saturday meeting is that there might be some folks who don’t want to drive in the evening.
Mr. Sparling stated he would like to keep communication open between both parties.
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Selectman Dumas stated that if they would like copies of minutes Deb can send them on to the church.
Mr. Sparling said he would like that.
Selectmen thanked Mr. Sparling for coming to the meeting and discussing his concerns.
6:26: Roger Lessard – Selectman Dumas stated that Mr. Lessards point was well taken in his e-mail
Mr. Lessard asked if the Selectmen thought it was an acceptable excuse for taking the air conditioner units and removing the metal?
Selectman Kullgren started first by saying that he apologized for not getting back to Mr. Lessard directly. He further stated that he has been made aware that residents pick the metal pile.
Mr. Lessard asked if the project that the road agent was going to use the funds from the aluminum wasn’t reported to the board?
Selectman Kullgren stated that is correct
Selectman Rainier stated that he thought the other issue was that the freon hadn’t been removed?
Mr. Lessard stated yes, that is correct.
Selectman Rainier stated that recently 25 refrigerators were drained and none of the air conditioners were.
Mr. Lessard indicated he believes the funds should be used for the town, and not allow departments heads to arbitrarily pick the piles setting things aside. Any of that behavior should be discussed with the selectmen before that happens.
Administrative Assistant discussed that other employees pick the metal pile and sell the various items at yard sales; also items from the “mini-mall” have been sold on e-bay, is that any different?
Selectman Dumas stated that he is committed to improving the recycle center.
Mr. Lessard stated that if policy was to be established, then employees must be above board and removal of the metals should be discussed and approved before hand.
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Mr. Lessard had another question, what is the policy on disposition of the air conditioners? Is it one departments priviledge to take this and use it for their own gain. Administrative Assistant stated that according to Frank, the air conditioners had already been pumped, that is why he only had the refrigerators done.
Selectman Rainier stated that maybe we should bring this individual in to discuss the situation
Administrative Assistant asked for clairfication of which individual Duffy or Frank?
Selectman Kullgren stated Duffy
Selectman Dumas stated that to clarify this, he understood they were all set a few weeks ago. The simplist answer is to have a conversation with Duffy. Mr. Lessard will discuss this with the Recycle Committee, there has to be a trade off, he agrees that yes we get more money separating yet, we need to pay someone to separate the metal. Lessard stated he will be very anxious to hear the outcome of the discussion of the meeting with Duffy next week, Roger will be here at 6:45 next week.
6:00 – Scott & Sheldon Carbee – Mr. Carbee stated he spoke with Keith Pratt quite a while ago, who recommended he meet with the board before hooking into the waste water system. Mr. Carbee stated he wants to discuss this in general, then he will contact Chris Stewart & Tom Forest, then be able to understand how to run it. He has some old plans that show where the brook is, the town plans don’t show this. He wanted to discuss the town wanting to keep the grease trap in use and working. Obviously that will help the system. Administrative Assistant provided Mr. Carbee another copy of the ordinance, it discusses the grease traps in the ordinance.
Mr. Carbee further asked how he is to hook up to the system without tearing everything else up? Mr. Carbee discussed the history of the brook. Mr. Carbee discussed the manhole that goes under the gift shop to out back, Chris Stewart & Tom Forest are familiar with this, the culvert exits at the old East Coast Steel lot, then is caught by a new culvert. Scott Carbee stated that the catch basins need to be cleaned out periodically from road sand, when going to access the system for both buildings they must go underneath the building. There will be a future meeting with Chris Stewart, Keith Pratt, Selectmen & the Carbees to identify all benchmarks before hooking up. Scott Carbee stated that meters were installed a few years ago at the well head, every ounce that came out of the well
head, split for apartments, and split out for restaurant. They have hardcore data for a banquet facility usage, the restaurant would remain the same.
Selectman Rainier asked if while discussing this with Keith, did they know how the DES came up with their calculations? Scott stated that yes he did, the paramaters were 26 properties, field investigator determined the number of beds, replacement beds inkind in the event of failure, he further stated that the State figures are very conservative. He said Keith indicated there is more than enough room in the system. There are other variables also that should come into consideration.
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Mr. Carbee discussed a time frame for the banquet facility? Richard Griffing will need two licenses one for the retaurant and one for the facility. The septic needs to be taken care of before he can go forward with applying for licenses, this needs to be taken care of.
Dates for a meeting were discussed; Selectman Kullgren stated that anytime is good; Selectman Rainier would rather during the week and not Wednesday, in the afternoon or evenings after 5; Selectman Dumas most likely can not make a meeting during the day. Carbees; Chris Stewart and Keith will all be contacted to determine a good time for everyone.
Action: Administrative Assistant will send everyone a letter to determine when a good time for this meeting will be.
Selectman Rainier discussed it is the residents responsibility to hook in, not the Selectmens to tell them how to hook in.
On – going matters:
WW Hook ups – No Action
Church Lease – 6:45 – 7:15 – Selectmen discussed the current lease expiration not being until April 2009 – For the benefit of Selectman Kullgren, Selectman Dumas reiterated the Church approched the Town in 2005 to resolve this to know where they stand with remaining in the building.
Lease Amendments:
Time frame for the GCCC to use the building on Sundays will be changed to 2:00 am – 2:00 pm; Selectman Kullgren questioned the 60 days notice, he would recommend 120 days to allow the Board time to replace the tenant if necessary.
Action: Administrative Assistant will get back to 2003 statistics into a spreadsheet disclosing the usage and the revenues for the building. Wattage of electricity used as well as gallons of fuel used. This will be ready for next week.
Selectman Rainier discussed Section 5 of the draft lease, he would like to remove the word sub-tenants as there will be no sub tenants.
Selectman Dumas, again stated he wants any Greenfield resident to be allowed to be buried, married and/or baptized in that church if they choose. It is understood that on Sunday it is the GCCC who has use of the building, however if on a Saturday, for example a kid who grew up in Greenfield wants to be married in this church but is not a member, could they? A dialogue with the church is needed with this section. Selectman Dumas will come up with a few ideas for this.
Selectmen would like to schedule another ½ hour block next week for work on the lease
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Wage & Benefits – 20 minutes will be blocked out next week to work on benefits only.
Parks & Rec. –
Recycle Center & Committee – The GRC will be at the Selectmen’s Meeting next week to discuss their vision for the recycle center. They will be scheduled for 6:30
Code Violation – No updated information
Other Business:
Selectmen Approval –
· P/R checks & A/P invoices
· Minutes – Selectmen accepted the minutes of the 5/18/06 meeting, as written
· Light Duty Policy – No action was taken
· Administrative Assistant notified Selectmen the bookkeeper will be on vacation the week of June 5th
· Abatement – Linda Bruno (S2-12) – Ms. Bruno had asked if in fact the Town would allow her to subdivide her lot, as her land value is at a higher rate because it is indicated she can subdivide. Based on her abatement, she believes it to be incorrect. She spoke with Jon Duhamel, Avitar Assessor who indicated that if you do not allow her to subdivide he would immediately reduce her assessment by $25,000. She would like to speak with the Chairman on Thursday around 5:30. Selectmen discussed this, the property cannot be subdivided, and a letter will be mailed to Ms. Bruno notifying her of this decision. Her assessment will be reduced by $25,000.00.
· Letters – Stephen Langley Construction, Target New England, West Rindge Builders
· Selectmen signed the Bond Agreement
· The Moose plate grant was submitted to the Department of Historical Resources this week
· Abatements – As a result of a survey the Kokal's had on their property, all unknown properties, except for two, disclosed they belong to the Kokal farm. Old taxed amounts cannot be recovered, future taxes will billed to Kokal’s.
· Selectmen signed the revised insurance co-pay sheet, employee co-payments will increase in June for July payments.
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· Amended Minutes - Selectman Rainier made the motion to amend the minutes of May 10th to reflect under “On-going matters – Waste Water Site, that the minutes reflect that though Norman & Linda Nickerson were granted permission not to hook into the system, in the future should they change their minds, there may not be space for them to hookup if they should decide they want to”. Rainier further amended the minutes of May 4th; the reference of “Mr. Brooks” was Leo Brooks and not “Bill Brooks”, the former Selectman.
Action: Selectman Rainier made the motion to amend the minutes of May 4th and May 10th . Seconded by Selectman Dumas. Voted to accept the motion: Dumas, Yes; Kullgren, Yes; Rainier, Yes.
· Selectman Dumas discussed the property located at 210 New Boston Road. Donna Andrews had contacted Selectman Dumas to discuss her driveway, Selectman Dumas did go out and look at the driveway. The issue is her driveway is in terrible shape; it is the 4th driveway the area has very steep driveways, no culverts – a swale on the side of the road that appears to be for drainage. Selectmen discussed this matter; determination is driveways are the property owner’s responsibility, not the towns. Selectman Rainier will look in the Planning Board file and see what the original plan for that property indicated.
· Administrative Assistant asked Selectmen if weekly agenda’s could be publicly posted to allow residents knowledge of what will take place at Selectmen’s Meetings. Selectmen approved this.
· Selectman Rainier stated that the signboard needs to be maintained with information. For example, the Memorial Day festivities should be on it. Administrative Assistant stated that it would be posted tomorrow.
· Personnel issue – Selectmen would like to have both the Road Agent, Fox and the Recycle Attendant, Pelkey attend a Selectmen’s meeting in the next week or so.
· Stop sign a hearing will be scheduled for June 8th at 6:30 to discuss the installation of a stop sign at Zephyr Lake Road and Slip Road.
· Trees at gazebo – Selectman Rainier stated he had gone to look at the evergreens and they are not dead, they just need to be trimmed. Selectman Rainier motioned to meet with Molly to discuss what should be done. Seconded by Selectman Dumas…Voted: Dumas, Yes; Rainier, Yes; Kullgren, Yes. Voted in the affirmative
· Selectman Rainier discussed Planning Board matters.
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· Cupola – Selectman Kullgren discussed the cupola and he further questioned that in accordance with RSA 32:5 can Selectmen amend the amount to be spent by amending the warrant article. Discussion followed regarding the RSA and that there are statutes that allow for adjustments to line items. Also, the Board has the authority to contact the DRA to request to over spend a warrant article if necessary. Selectman Kullgren asked that while we requested the references why did we not act upon those references? Selectman Dumas responded by saying, West Rindge Builders has a very good standing with the Town.
With no further business the Selectmen adjourned the meeting at 8:17 pm. The next scheduled Selectmen’s meeting will be Thursday, June 1, 2006 at 5:45 pm.
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