Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Tuesday – June 26, 2007 – 6:00pm
Chairman: Aaron Kullgren
Selectmen: Karen Day
Jarvis Adams, IV
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson taking minutes
Call to Order
Selectman Kullgren called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Kullgren motioned to approve Non-public Minutes of June 21, 2007.
Decision of that meeting is as follows: Mrs. Kendall will remain the municipal agent for the Town; Mrs. Kendall will make weekly deposits for the Town Clerk; she will also help out the Town Clerk in whatever capacity is needed.
Appointments:
6:00 – Greenfield Rescue Chief, Molly Anfuso & Greenfield Fire Chief, James Plourde –
· Ambulance - Selectman Kullgren opened by saying the reason they wanted Jim & Molly to come to the meeting is to discuss the costs associated with the Wilton/Lyndeborough/Temple ambulance services vs. Peterborough Rescue. Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson explained what she and Town Administrator, Neal Cass from Lyndeborough had discussed. Neal had explained that Lyndeborough is in a transitional state right now; the service is being run temporarily by Wilton. In the future, the cost will be yearly based on population. Wilton will assume all the liability; they will also receive all the revenues. Deb reported she learned that the service is
very good, they are quick, and they have paramedics on call, and a crew during the day. The cost for Lyndeborough that was budgeted in 2007 was $31,780.00; they expect it to be less in 2008, as they are paying for a deficit from previous years. Once Wilton takes over, the deficit will be gone.
Molly explained that a couple years ago the Town of Greenfield looked into joining Lyndeborough/Wilton. At that time Peterborough didn’t have staff and, Lyndeborough had a full time paramedic but the cost for joining Lyndeborough/Wilton was more than we could afford. The prospect of Greenfield leaving Peterborough started Peterborough moving in the direction of having more staff. Molly continued explaining how we are all growing. Peterborough is doing a great job and Greenfield Rescue is very satisfied with the current rescue crew. They are not as satisfied with the way in which they are going about the financial end of this, but the rescue team is excellent. Currently, Greenfield has an on-call duty roster; this helps to keep everyone happy and allows assurance that there will be coverage.
Molly went on to explain how the duty roster works. She further stated, Peterborough is very quick, especially on the daytime hours, the Greenfield Rescue is happy with that. When there are multiple calls it becomes a little hairy, but overall it is great service.
The dissatisfaction of the situation is, and they are making policy on this, that non-medical people should not be determining if an ambulance is necessary or not. It is only rescue personnel who can make that call. If Peterborough comes and they get returned to Peterborough without providing transport, they charge the town with a $200.00+ charge anyway. That doesn’t seem fair, even though there is their gas & time, but if there is no transport there shouldn’t be such a high charge.
Also, the liability of the billing shouldn’t be left for the individual towns. Deb explained she recently spoke with Pam Brenner and, Peterborough will assume that liability for the billing of unpaid ambulance runs. However, the expense for using a collection agency, with administrative fees will be figured into the cost of the semi-annual billing to each town.
Kullgren said that he would like to sit down with Greenfield Rescue and get some of these ideas out and on the table such as what they see coming forward in the future.
Jim explained that regarding rescue personnel there is a 3-4 year turn around. There are a variety of reasons why there is a turn around such as relocation, burnout, availability and more.
Adams asked what does it actually involve to transport people.
Jim responded that a transport license and the insurance would be necessary, as well as a plan to carry it out.
Molly stated she thought something similar to the on call roster would work.
Molly stated that there are several possibilities. Everyone needs to look at what the best avenue for our community actually is. There is a lot of potential for our small community but we need to consider everything involved.
Jim stated that as far as a volunteer rescue service goes, the Town of Greenfield has the most qualified EMT & EMTI staff in the Monadnock region. Kullgren commended this, and stated that we should be very proud of that fact.
When considering Lyndeborough, there could be a concern with response time. Our main thrust is to get people out of Greenfield and to a hospital ASAP.
Jim stated that the relationship has changed between Peterborough and Greenfield. He wanted it noted that the relationship is a lot better than it was 2 years ago, and is going great.
Kullgren stated he would like to keep this dialogue going and would like to be included in meetings as this topic proceeds.
Discussion regarding grieving and emotional stress due to the nature of being a rescue volunteer followed. It was explained that the town does have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through the Local Government Center, Deb will get Molly & Jim the EAP information to have available for anyone who may feel they need some additional help when a traumatic or personal situation.
Kullgren thanked Molly & Jim for coming to this meeting and looks forward to things to continue moving in a positive direction.
6:30 – Recycle Supervisor, Frank Pelkey –
· Vacation time - Mr. Pelkey stated he may be asking for a non-public meeting because what he wants to discuss involves another department, however there is no need for a non-public at this time. Frank discussed that he is upset with the fact that he had to submit all of his vacation time at this time, and that the committee made the schedule for him. He has always asked for an occasional Saturday off, holidays seem to always fall on a Monday. He enjoys having a long weekend with his family from Friday – Tuesday. He would like his vacation time revisited. Kullgren stated they could look at the schedule again. Day stated one concern she has
is that the job always has been Tuesday – Saturday, and that Frank needs to be there as much as possible on Saturdays, it being the busiest day.
Frank and Day had some dialogue about the importance of Saturday being the most critical day for recycling. Frank does not see what was wrong with him taking an occasional Saturday, he has been doing it for the past 6 years and it has never been a problem until now.
Kullgren asked to see the visual calendar to refresh his memory. Frank provided the calendar and discussed the Saturdays he wanted off with the BOS.
· Supervising GRC - The other item Frank wanted to have addressed is assurance he is fully in charge of his department, and not the TRC. Selectmen all stated that Frank was in charge of his department.
· Storage Trailers/Loading Dock - Frank told the BOS he recently purchased two trailers for ½ the price he had thought they would cost. Regarding the grant, Deb told the BOS there is no grant for the trailers; they were paid for strictly with tax dollars. There is $4,000.00 from NH The Beautiful to help with the loading dock. Frank discussed that he would like to consider purchasing a movable loading dock, the layout that is currently being considered takes up too much of the yard. Brief discussion followed. Deb asked Frank if the loading dock has gone out to bid yet. Frank stated no, Kent Vincent was supposed to get together with Deb and put
together a request for proposal, then get it in the local newspapers.
· Part-time help - Frank indicated to the BOS he would like to hire his part-time person that was approved at Town Meeting. He is concerned if he doesn’t hire the person, it will not again be approved in the 2008 budget. Frank stated he needs the help, volunteers are great but you can’t count on them. Brief discussion followed. Selectmen were all in agreement, at this time they are not in favor of hiring any part-time help.
Selectwoman Day stated that she is very happy with the Town Recycle Committee and thinks they have done a lot to help at the Recycle Center. She further stated, they are all town residents and are concerned with keeping tax rate down. Frank stated he understood that.
Back to the loading dock, Frank stated if he can store product, then he can get more money and have less expense.
Kullgren wanted to discuss Frank taking two Saturdays in a row off – Discussion followed – Selectmen support it this time, however they would like to not have it happen again.
7:00 – Francestown Land Trust Reps., Abigail Arnold & Ben Haubrich –
· Town Deeded Property – Ms. Arnold & Mr. Haubrich discussed the recently deeded property, identified as R5-14-1. This property abuts the property in Francestown that is owned by the Francestown Land Trust. A large portion of the property is a “black gum swamp”; the swamp continues on and is also a large portion of the abutting property. Recently FLT received a $100,000 grant from Fish & Game, the grant was due to some of the uniqueness of this property. The FLT is not in a position to pay a significant amount of money for this property; it is land locked and is a natural animal corridor. They would like to see it protected,
they can only offer approximately $1000.00 – if purchased by a different abutter it could be logged, and however there isn’t much harvestable wood left on the property. The FLT would not like to see that happen.
Day stated she would bring this before the Conservation Commission. The ConCom meets tomorrow, she will bring it up then. Deb discussed the deeding process, and will double check with Tax Collector, Kathy Valliere about the laws on selling a deeded property.
Ms. Arnold noted that the FLT has over 500 acres of easement land; there is over 300 acres of open space that can be walked at anytime. These easements provide a very good wildlife corridor. This is an area that you would not want to cut, due to the habitat on the property.
Decision: Once the BOS hear from the ConCom, they will be in touch with the Ms. Arnold and the FLT.
· Greenfield Website - Mr. Haubrich asked about our website – he stated that when accessing our assessing information his computer froze. He wondered if anyone else has reported such a problem. Deb said that nobody has complained, she went on to access the website and was able to access the assessing information with no problem.
· Town Bounds – Mr. Haubrich asked about the town line between Lyndeborough and Greenfield, there is apparently some confusion with where the town line actually is, and this should be looked into for accuracy.
Selectmen thanked Abigail Arnold & Ben Haubrich for coming to the board and discussing the property the FLT is interested in.
Discussion followed regarding the FLT offer, no decisions were made at this time by any of the Selectboard.
· George Proctor Property - Selectwoman Day discussed the George Proctor property and the idea of putting an easement on the property to protect it. Her reason for this is to protect Rand Brook which through the property. The abutting properties are all in conservation easements. The property was donated for recreational purpose and in a sense is already protected. However, she would like to see an easement put on the property.
8:00 – Greenfield Treasurer, Linda Nickerson –
Nickerson updated the Board that she has recently paid down a portion of the TAN, receiving the taxes has helped out the town financially. Thinking forward to end of year, we need to get tax bills out early.
She discussed Katherine Heck is still entering data into Quickbooks, it is taking more time than they thought it would. Nickerson stated she is going to run out of funds for wages for Katherine Heck, Nickerson will subsidize Heck’s wages with her own salary. In 2008 these wages will need to be considered differently, it is much more time consuming than she had originally been told.
Nickerson wants to get check a scanner to allow for instant deposits. She has met with Ocean and is working towards negotiations regarding funding this project. TD BankNorth is now making the treasurer goes to Peterborough to sign ACH transfers, it is very time consuming.
8:10 in accordance with RSA 91A: 3 II (c) – Reputation – Selectman Kullgren motioned to enter into a non-public session. Seconded by Day & Adams. Voted: Unanimous
8:17 – Motion by Kullgren to come out of the non-public session and to further seal the minutes. Seconded by Day & Adams. Voted: Unanimous
Decision: In the event an electronic check scanner is purchased in the future, a policy will be established.
Nickerson went on to say she has discussed getting “on line” with a check scanner, and is in the process of meeting with a few banks to see who has the best proposal, she strongly urges a policy on a check scanner if the Board decides to go this route.
Nickerson discussed the Fire Fighter Fund & Bicentennial funds, she has spoken with Deb & Molly about the funds and it has been determined, to do anything with either of these accounts, a vote from town meeting needs to give approval to change the use.
Working out processes, she is creating a manual for what to do for treasurer.
No documentation regarding activity and/or the status of the TAN from the bank. Deb will discuss this with the bank to find out why there is no information available.
On-Going matters:
Recycle Brochure – Will remain on the agenda until it is produced –
Outstanding Ambulance charges – Deb had nothing new to report, a letter has been sent to CRMRC
Old Lyndeborough Mtn. Road – Day had nothing new to report.
Other Business:
Misc. Incoming Mail – Selectmen reviewed the miscellaneous incoming mail
Librarian note – Why do they have to pay for a barrel for recycling? Selectmen discussed this, they decided they want all town departments to recycle. The recyclables will be picked up by a town employee weekly.
Roadside memorials – Selectmen will look into the adopt-a-highway program. The Wisconsin DOT set up this type of a program and it is a positive means of addressing the roadside memorials. This is a sensitive situation and the pain of the family is equally strong as the pain of the volunteers. The memorials stand as a reminder of the tragedy. Deb was instructed to look into what other local communities do and if they have a policy on roadside memorials.
Town Lawns – Questions that have come up this week –
The contract with TJ does not include the Library & Old Town Office reseeding. Who should take care of the lawns at the Library & the Old Town Office where they were dug up for the sewer hookup and haven’t been addressed? Administrative Assistant told BOS that the Road Agent offered to buy the seed & either he would seed it or we can have General Maintenance. take care of it?
Selectmen discussed this and instructed the Administrative Assistant to have Duffy by the seed and Mr. Sousa mow the Old Town Office when needed he takes care of the town line signs.
Underground Storage Tank (UST) – Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson reported the inspection was completed last week for the tank outside the town office building. Everything passed inspection just fine.
Mtg. House Door – It has been reported the lock & the handle on the door are not working properly. Selectmen discussed this; Administrative Assistant was instructed to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Abatement – Selectmen approved an abatement for the property recently deeded, identified as R5-14.1 for $73.00
Policies – Administrative Assistant has been working on updating policies; she will provide copies to the BOS for their review before signing them.
Elderly Deferral – Signed an elderly deferral for 86 Mountain Road
Decision: There was a non-public session held on June 14th, the decision that was made is that Mrs. Kendall shall remain the Municipal Agent for the town, making the deposits and that she will help the Town Clerk out as much as possible until further notice. Mrs. Kendall was fine with all of this.
Meeting Change - Selectmen discussed that there will not be a meeting week of 7/23, that week will be a work session only, signing documents only
Roundtable Discussion – The next round table discussion will be held on September 16th, a topic has not yet been determined.
Wage, Benefit & Evaluations – There is a meeting this Thursday, Deb will be there.
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm – the next scheduled meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 6:00 pm
| 
