Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Tuesday – June 19, 2007 – 6:00pm
Chairman: Aaron Kullgren
Selectwoman: Karen Day
Selectman: Jarvis Adams, IV
Administrative Assistant: Deb Davidson
Jessica Aguirre taking minutes
Call to Order- Chairman Kullgren called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectmen Adams pointed to some confusion about who crushed the pipes at the property 24 Gould Hill Road of the minutes of June 11, 2007. The correction was made, and the minutes were amended accordingly to reflect the events that took place.
Selectmen then unanimously approved the meeting minutes of June 11, 2007.
Appointments:
Chairman Kullgren notes that a 6:15 RSA 91 A:3 II © meeting was cancelled, as well as a 6:45 meeting with Loren White concerning the 100th anniversary of the Greenfield Fire Department.
The Selectmen decided to proceed with normal business until their 7:00 appointment.
Selectmen’s Business:
Rural Development Grant Funds- Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson reported that $33,000 of the Rural Development Funds is still remaining. She went on to outline some of the possibilities for use of these funds, and mentioned that Scott Johnson from RD has been looking into purchasing trees, flowers and benches in order to provide a park area for the town. Ms. Davidson mentioned that there might be some difficulty in getting the funds approved for this sort of endeavor given their original purpose. Another possibility for the grant money is the installment of water meters, in order that the citizens of Greenfield pay for water contingent on how much they use rather than paying a flat rate. The Selectmen discussed the various difficulties that the installment of water meters might
introduce, including the possibility of outside faucet usage distorting read accuracy. The Selectmen agreed to pursue price speculation sheets on the water meters as well as on a generator. Ms. Davidson and Selectmen Adams will report back with pricing speculations, and the Selectmen will then proceed from there.
Abatement Money- Assistant Davidson inquired after the funds for Al Burtt’s abatement, which had been approved by the Selectmen in a previous meeting. Chairman Kullgren proposed, and the Selectmen agreed, that the money for Mr. Burtt’s abatement should come from the General Government Building Fund, which covers repairs and maintenance of public buildings. This decision was informed by the Department of Revenue, who stated that the funds could come from any funds the Selectmen deemed the most appropriate.
Recycling Brochure- Candy Fowler with the Greenfield Recycling Center stopped by the Selectmen meeting to discuss the new brochure that will be coming out soon. The appropriate format for the brochure was discussed, and Ms. Fowler updated the Selectmen on the efforts that the recycling center is taking to increase awareness and convenience. She expressed her expectation of more changes to come.
Ambulance Charges- Assistant Deb Davidson informed the Selectmen that a $9,000 invoice for the ambulance fees had been paid in full. This is part of a larger sum of money that the town of Greenfield owes the town of Peterborough for ambulance services. While the town continues to make quarterly payments, it was agreed that increased efforts would be made to recoup some of the charges.
Budgetary Matter- A problem was found in the budget, erroneously putting $2,500 a charge of $2,500 under conservation that should have been paid by the conservation fund. The Selectmen approved the appropriate changes being made in order to correct the mistake.
Craigin/Flynn Case- Chairman Kullgren abstained from this discussion and vote as the matter in question involved his personal property.
The Selectmen discussed the Craigin/Flynn case which involves a property dispute. Per their counsel recommendations, they agreed that it was a civil dispute to be handled by attorneys. As the Craigin/Flynn properties abuts Mr. Kullgren’s property and changes by the former would affect the latter, Mr. Kullgren requested that a letter be sent to him from the Board of Selectmen that outlines the exact changes in property size and in lot number. It was then discovered after looking at the town tax property map that although the lot numbers are incorrect, the lot sizes are not.
Decision: It was decided that the town will provide a letter explaining lot number changes, and will write a letter to the Craigins and athe Flynns upholding the status quo.
Selectmen Kullgren at this point rejoined the discussion
The Selectmen went through miscellaneous mail
Appointments:
7:00: Appointment with Carol Irvin, Chairman of the Open Space Committee
Ms. Irvin went over what happened at the last town meeting: The OSC brought up an article to change tax rate for open space—the item failed, because OSC didn’t have a plan in terms of accountability for using extra funds or for transparency in decision making. In response to this, the OSC is now developing an open space plan and expects to take two years to draw up the plan. The Committee wants as much transparency and civil engagement as possible in these planning stages. An advisory committee will be organized for reviewing and giving input on the plans as they develop, and the group will meet about 4 times in the 2 year period. The OSC would like the advisory committee to represent a broad and diverse perspective, and they are thinking of approaching all town organizations and people
at large. They hope for a 15 person committee, whose first meeting will take place in September. The first meeting will establish what the process is for assessing the value of a parcel of land and to assess whether a space up for consideration warrants support. The hope is that an objective scoring method can be worked out for this purpose. Ms. Irvin also said that the OSC is hoping to give a presentation at the Selectmen’s next round table discussion. General discussion followed between the Selectmen and Ms. Irvin about plans and building lot issues that might arise. Ms. Irvin concluded that a balance must be struck between economic viability and environmental conservation.
7:20: Frances Kendall, Deputy Town Clerk to discuss Municipal Agent position
In accordance with RSA 91:A-3 II (c) – (reputations) motion by Selectmen Adams to enter into non-public session. Seconded by Selectmen Day and Kullgren.
Roll call vote: (3-0) Voted affirmatively.
7:40: Motion by Selectman Adams to enter out of the nonpublic and seal the minutes.
Seconded by Day and Kullgren.
Roll call vote: (3-0) Voted affirmatively.
Decision: There was no decision made at this time.
Questions from Damien Fisher of the Ledger Transcript: Reporter Damien Fisher stopped by the meeting to ask questions of the Board. He inquired after the American Steel v. Greenfield case, and was informed by the Selectmen that American Steel had dropped the lawsuit with no settlement.
Fireworks: The town has adopted a policy of allowing the town fire chief to make decisions concerning fireworks displays that would take place in the town. Fire Chief James Plourde therefore has jurisdiction over the display that is scheduled for July 21st which is planned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of American steel. The policy will only cover town property.
FEMA: Selectwoman Day reminded the Board that FEMA is scheduled to visit the town offices next week and will likely reimburse the town for some damages that occurred due to flooding last April.
Oak Park: Selectmen Adams brought up that there have been concerns about Oak Park, which include double bookings, the condition of the baseball dugouts, and trash cleanup. Selectmen Adams said that he with work with the director of Parks and Recreation to smooth everything out. This was followed by a general discussion about recreational activities in Greenfield, and the need to keep the recreations website updated.
Action Items:
The Selectmen will soon begin to look over town policies
Selectman Adams mentioned that a town employee has not written a letter that they were responsible for. Selectman Adams said he will speak to the employee.
Next weeks meeting will include a conversation with the ambulance and fire department as well as the Francestown land trust, and an update on the Parks and Recreation discussion.
Other business:
Administrative Assistant Davidson asked the Selectmen their opinion on a town welfare matter. The issue concerned a resident from Greenfield that stayed in residence in Peterborough and was financially supported by Greenfield. At this time the person in question has moved on and no longer needs assistance. The concern raised was whether or not any funds should by requested from this person as reimbursement. It was agreed that the best way would be to allow the person and their family the opportunity to donate to the town of Greenfield. Assistant Davidson agreed, and it was decided that the person and their family would be given the opportunity to repay the town in kind if they so desired.
At this point, Chairman Kullgren made a motion for the meeting to be adjourned.
This was seconded by Selectmen Day and Adams.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:33
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