Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – August 17, 2006 – 5:45 pm
Present: Selectmen - Chairman, Conrad Dumas; Selectman, Aaron Kullgren; Selectman George Rainier
Selectman Dumas will call the meeting to order at 5:45 pm
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson taking minutes
Appointments:
Selectman Dumas adjourned to the meeting at 6:00 pm to confer with town counsel via telephone. Selectmen adjourned to the Administrative Assistants office.
The Selectmen’s Meeting reconvened at 6:28 pm, at which time the discussion regarding the proposed lease from Crotched Mtn. began.
Selectman Dumas called the meeting to order
Motion by Selectman Dumas to release the letter from Attorney Bart Mayer, to the Monadnock Ledger, regarding a right to know issue. The letter clearly explains the right to know issue. Seconded by Selectmen Kullgren & Rainier. No discussion. Voted in the affirmative.
6:30 – The informational meeting, which is being held to allow residents an opportunity to discuss the proposed lease from Crotched Mtn. regarding leasing the old town office. The public was asked to sign in to allow for documentation of who attended the meeting.
Representatives from Crotched Mountain Mr. Donald Shumway, CEO; Leah Conway, Director of Residential Services and John Eriquizzo, also Director of Residential Services
Selectman Dumas summarized the general proposal is allowing for Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center to renovate the building, approximately $22,000 will be drawn down from the rent. The program is a day program which will be open Monday – Friday – 7:00 am – 3:00 pm. Parking will be provided at the Town Office Building, as well as at the town’s public parking area, located on Forest Road. Selectmen strongly support this proposal, the town will retain the property. Residents have asked to purchase the property and build apartments, the Selectmen believe this is a better use of the property.
Selectman Rainier stated this has been a very positive experience, the professionals from Crotched Mountain have worked very well with the Town to bring this project up to speed.
Selectman Kullgren stated he very much appreciates what they are doing for these handicapped children. And appreciate how much work it takes to allow a program like this to become a reality.
Leah Conway discussed exactly what they want is to enrich the lives of these special needs children. The children will work in the community and work, not just Greenfield, but also at the local hospital, stop & shop and other local businesses. The program will also pursue other opportunities for these children. On site there will be staff that will enhance lives of millions with disabilities by producing a magazine that will allow people to explore how others have dealt
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with disabilities. Encouraging these children that their life can be whatever they want it to be, this program will be available for the individuals who cannot be in the community for such a long time frame. They would like to work with the historical society, library, recreation, pamphlets for programs etc. as things grow they want to offer more programs.
Marsha Morrow asked if they have a plan for how the newsletters will be put together.
Leah Conway responded by stating they are still in the exploring stages. They do have magazines on site and will contact marketing and look on internet to proceed. The primary goal is to utilize the residents for this project.
Randy Cheyne confirmed there are no overnight clients
Mrs. Conway stated that this absolutely will be only a day program, these children usually only have a 6 hour time block during the day. The staff may be there a little longer.
Eunice Drew asked if the town aware that only ½ the parking lot is the town property, Mrs. Drew stated that she and her husband clean the hill, the property has been neglected and looks terrible.
Selectman Dumas thanked her for the concerns
Mr. Cheyne asked whereas the town incurs liability for the foundations, is there a financial liability coming up that we should know about?
Selectman Dumas stated that Crotched Mtn. has the means to maintain this property and will bring it up to ADA compliance.
Motion by Selectman Dumas to sign the proposed lease as written. Seconded by Selectmen Rainier & Kullgren. No discussion followed. Voted: Affirmatively
Mr. Shumway spoke that he has begun researching some history of the building. They want to know the history of the building before they begin the renovations, the history of the building can remain reflective of the age & place of the building within the town. They want to begin the work ASAP; there is no intention of putting this project off.
7:00 – Micheal Sparling – Mr. Sparling discussed the proposal for the church lease; Mike Borden was also present to represent the church. Selectman Dumas provided Marsha Morrow with a draft copy of the lease. He further commented that the comment to the press is “this is a working draft and not something to be put into the press”.
Sparling stated that after 216 years working together, it is unfortunate that after cooperation between the Church & Town, because of a few stings the relationship has changed so drastically. He further stated, the church would not sign this lease because the town voted on a lease that was available at the time of town meeting. This proposed lease has substantial changes, this it is not what the town voted on.
Selectman Dumas stated that he thinks there is a misunderstanding, and he would like them to explain which draft the church believes was voted on?
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Micheal stated the draft that was presented to the Board before Town Meeting
Selectman Dumas stated that he was sitting on the board and understood that the agreement that was provided prior to town meeting was a working copy only.
Selectman Kullgren stated he doesn’t remember standing up at Town Meeting and providing a lease to the voters to enter into any lease, we were authorized to continue with the 25-year lease.
Selectmen agree the word negotiate was not in the warrant article, however Selectman Rainier stated they had been instructed by Town Counsel that anything over 5 years we were instructed to put the article on the warrant which would allow the voters an opportunity to discuss the proposal.
Sparling commented there are three major items the church has concerns about, they are:
· Any Greenfield resident having access to 3rd floor, to hold baptisms, weddings, funerals etc. Sparling stated the church would never agree to that.
· The Church defending any legal actions – they will not agree to that either
· Page 4 – Section 10 – if we come to a resolution of a lease, the church will agree upfront what the church owns & what the town owns…they will not agree to a lease until that is resolved.
Selectman Rainier had a personal matter arise and needed to excuse himself from the meeting. Selectman Dumas does not want to discuss this further until there is a full board. He would like the church to come next week to discuss this further.
Selectman Kullgren wants a definitive answer from a lawyer exactly what was voted on.
Selectman Dumas commented that this might have to go back to town meeting for a revote
Sparling does not think it can be re-voted at another town meeting? He would like the BOS to ask counsel this question. He would also like a history of the relationship of the church & town; the church has invested in the building, which should be considered when writing this lease.
Dumas stated he feels strongly all residents should have access to the sanctuary.
Dumas further asked the Administrative Assistant to contact town counsel, he wrote the article and we need his counsel with regards to the warrant article. It should be in writing to allow for a permanent record. What authority did the warrant article actually provide.
Maryann Grant asked if the Church, Town & Counsel all meet to be sure everyone hears and understands the question. Selectmen support this thought, John Teague will be asked to be present at the next meeting.
Dumas wants it to be noted this is a town building, not the Church’s building.
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As far as the division of the property, the Selectmen thought it would be more timely and efficient to allow this to be discussed at a later date.
Mike Borden referenced a Warrant Article of 1904, specifically, Article #8, which clearly indicated who the stained glass window belong to the church.
Everyone present is in agreement before this lease can move forward we must get past the legal issues of Article 12, Administrative Assistant will speak to Town Counsel tomorrow.
Micheal Sparling will be back next week at 6:30 pm to discuss this further, Attorney Teague will be asked to be at the meeting as well for clarification of many of these issues.
On-going Business:
Church Lease –
Wage & Benefits – Evaluations
Personnel policies
Sealing & Striping parking lot – AA has contacted several companies for prices, Selectmen can make a decision next week.
Other Business:
Selectmen Approval –
· A/P checks
· Minutes – accepted 8/10/06 as written
· MS-1 (Due Sept. 1)
· Boston Post Cane – Anna Chute (was 93 in June); Dr. Miner (was 93 in July)
· Letter to Mr. Carbee – Administrative Assistant will draft letter for Mr. Carbee asking for a written explanation of his intentions for his holding tank for water storage. This will remain part of his property file.
· WW Application – Mirle Cross
· E-mail from Keith Pratt was reviewed
· Intent – to- cut – Leonard Boutin – (R7-11-2)
With no further business the Selectmen adjourned the meeting at 7:45 pm. The next scheduled meeting will be Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 5:45 pm.
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