Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – January 11, 2007 – 5:45 pm
Present: Selectmen - Chairman, Conrad Dumas; Selectman, Aaron Kullgren; Selectman George Rainier
Selectman Dumas called the meeting to order at 5:45 pm
Selectmen read and accepted the minutes of January 4, 2007 with the following changes:
Paragraph 5 “Galbraith” change the comma to a semi colon
Paragraph accepting “Minutes” after Selectman change the comma to a semi colon
Paragraph discussing Library – change “ask the police to enforce” to “have the police enforce”
Under SAC – remove “reported to the other board members”
Appointments:
6:00 – In accordance with RSA 91A:3 II (a ) motion by Selectman Dumas to enter into a non-public session. Seconded by Selectmen Rainier & Kullgren. Vote: in the affirmative
7:00 – Motion by Selectman Dumas to enter out of non-public session and to further seal the minutes. Seconded by Selectmen Rainier & Kullgren. Vote: in the affirmative
Road Agent, Duffy Fox discussed he would like to do some work on the Class VI section of French Road in Greenfield. This would allow a winter turn area for both Greenfield & Francestown. Discussion followed.
Action: Motion by Selectman Kullgren to allow the road crew to work on the Class VI section of the intersection of French Road. The purpose of this is to allow winter turnaround for both Greenfield and Francestown. Seconded by Rainier & Dumas.
Voted: Affirmatively
Selectmen discussed a request to have the DPW remove rubbish (Couch, Chair, tires etc.) that has been left on Gulf Road. Discussion followed, the Road Agent believes where it was dumped is on private property. Does the Board really want to set this precedence.
Selectmen are all in agreement that the Town cannot enter onto private property. The property owner must remove the rubbish.
7:00 - Neil Brown, Recycle Committee –
Neil Brown introduced the four Recycle Committee members present. They are all residents with a strong commitment to recycling. Frank is present as someone who can answer questions in the event the committee may not be able to. The committee wanted to discuss changes they outlined in the memo recently sent to the Board of Selectmen. Specifically there are three issues they would like the selectmen to consider:
Fund a part-time position for 10 hours/week
Approve 40 hours / week for the Supervisor
Allow the 5 reductions in the budget which were outlined in the proposed summary
Candi Fowler discussed the committees concerns that Frank needs 40 hours with some additional help. She asked how the Selectmen came to the 35 hours. Discussed the volunteers and how they help him out, but they shouldn’t be continuously counted on.
Selectmen Dumas asked if the 16 hours that the recycle center is open if the Supervisor is not available to work in the back.
Ms. Fowler agreed with this statement, that he needs to be out front helping residents. She further discussed baling and revenues. Ms. Fowler further stated that revenues help reduce taxes. She is hoping that with the two warrant articles passing, we can increase the revenues significantly, and the committee wants to get the best prices for commodities.
Selectman Dumas commented that the increase in the Supervisor hours doesn’t mean increased revenue, we are going to bale whatever is coming in.
Neil Brown stated that the Town couldn’t count on the volunteers; it has been figured that the center needs approximately 55 hours of man-hours to run the center.
Kent Vincent asked how many hours do Selectmen think are necessary to run the center.
Selectman Dumas said that there is a proposed 35 hrs. in the 2007 budget, that is what they are willing to support.
Selectman Kullgren asked about the contractual agreements, and also if the committee had to choose between a 40-hour Supervisor or a 10-hour p/t, which would, they choose.
Neil Brown stated he would like to see the maximum amount of hours.
Kent Vincent stated he would like to see 5 for the Supervisor and 5 for part timer –
Lengthy discussion continued
Selectmen thanked the committee for their input.
7:30 – Scott Gauthier, Ray Gauthier & Attorney, Peter Bennett, –
Mr. Gauthier asked that he had requested a building permit from Peter Hopkins, and he was handed the RSA 676:12;
Selectman Kullgren pointed out that the agenda reflected the purpose of Mr. Gauthier being on the agenda was to discuss the decision from the Planning Board to ask Code Officer not to issue a building permit.
Mr. Gauthier agreed.
Peter Hopkins noted that the procedure to assure for accurate processing is if someone is upset with a decision the Code Officer made, it should be appealed to the ZBA. He requests the BOS not hear this as it could be conceived as they being influential to ZBA.
Attorney Bennett discussed that the issue appears to be if the Planning Board can instruct the Code Officer not to issue a building permit? “The Planning Boards’ desire to not have a building permit be issued is misdirected. Attorney Bennett commented that he clearly understands RSA 676:12”
Rainier asked if it takes a week to process a building permit, then there is still time to process the permit.
Action: An answer on the permit is needed by the Code Officer, if it is denied then they need to appeal to the ZBA. All parties agreed they understand.
Another question Mr. S. Gauthier had was about the posting of the ordinance; he wanted to know when and where the ordinance was posted.
Planning Board Chair, Dario Carrara stated that the notices were posted last Tuesday or Thursday. The text of the changes was not available until today.
7:45 – Cliff Russell – Mr. Russell spoke on behalf of the Snowmobile Club. He would like to ask the Selectmen to sign a letter showing support of a grant they will be applying for; the purpose of the grant is to purchase a groomer for the snowmobile trails.
Selectmen signed the letter and are supportive of this grant request.
Mr. Russell also asked for permission for the club to go on a short area of dirt road to obtain access to the trails. The area is on New Boston Road to French Road and on Sunset Lake Road to the trail to Crotched Mtn. At this time there are no trails open, they will remain closed unless there is at least 8 inches of snow.
Mr. Russell explained that the Club teaches snowmobile safety classes. They do not enter any property without landowner permission. They are a reputable, responsible club.
Selectman Rainier asked about all the Massachusetts vehicles with snowmobile trailers he notices when he cross country skies in the state park, how do we have assurance the out of state snowmobiles are complying with regulations.
Mr. Russell responded by saying they are bound by law, if there are problems you can contact either fish & game they respond quickly, or local police.
Selectman Rainier asked if there is a speed limit
Mr. Russell stated the maximum speed is 45 mph on corridor trails.
Selectman Rainier asked about when people use Sunset Lake Road, with all the year round residences, are there any problems.
Mr. Russell stated that to his knowledge there has not been any problems, if there is ice they can use the lake.
Action: Selectmen will support the effort of the snowmobile club and will continue with past practice of allowing the use of short distances on dirt roads requested.
Other Business:
· P/R checks approval; A/P Invoices
· Minutes - Accepted Minutes of 12/20/06. Selectmen read and accepted the minutes of 1/4/07 with the changes that were noted above.
· Town Hall Rental – AA Valentines dance
· Audit Confirmation – To be signed by the Chairman
· Equalization Ratio – we received the equalization ratio this week; we are at 100% of valuation. Our COD is 11.3, anything between 8.2 – 16.9 is within the acceptable range to the DRA
· LUCT –
· Abatement & Supplemental warrant – Revised elderly deferral & warrant for R9-69.
Follow-up & Updates:
o Budget –
o Warrant Articles – Selectmen reviewed the warrant articles
o Planning Board – Zoning Ordinances – Administrative Assistant asked Selectmen Rainier if the Planning Board was really going to print the entire ordinance or just the changes. In the past it was not done the way it was presented this year. Selectman Rainier stated no, just the changes.
o Dodge Road Bridge – Road Agent Fox discussed the breakdown with Deb; he indicated he couldn’t give a breakdown of expenses until he receives the engineers report as to what is needed to repair the bridge.
o Transportation meeting – Administrative Assistant reported this meeting was very productive; there are a lot of great ideas, an obvious need and people with a lot of energy to see public transportation in the Monadnock Region started.
o Ambulance cost – As requested by the Board, Deb double-checked the cost for 2007 for the Peterborough Ambulance usage, the Town of Greenfield has only been charged for 12 months. The Town of Peterborough is going to absorb the additional 6 months.
o Fire Dept. Dues & Subscriptions – Jim would like to increase the figures to assure all members receive subscriptions.
o Town Meeting – Library trustees may not be there, one Selectman should be prepared to discuss the Library Budget.
o Special Detail + Special Detail Income – We haven’t received all the grant funds yet that is why they aren’t zero.
o Stage – Frank repaired the stage
With no further business Selectmen adjourned the meeting at 8:18 pm. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, January 17, 2006 at 5:45 pm.
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