Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Tuesday – August 21, 2007 – 6:00 pm
Present: Chairman: Aaron Kullgren; Selectwoman: Karen Day; Selectman: Jarvis Adams, IV
Debra Davidson, Administrative Assistant taking minutes
Call to Order: Selectman Kullgren called meeting to order at 6:00 pm
Appointments:
6:00 – PB Chairman – Dario Carrara – Carrara discussed he believes the Planning Board, BOS, Code Officer & DPW Director are all on the same page with regards to driveways. Carrara read the basics of RSA 236:13 – he went on to say that within the subdivision regulation is the driveway regulation, the planning board would like to have the driveway regulation broken out of the subdivisions so to keep the clarity of the regulation. Also discussed was access to driveways should be done before a building permit can be issued and certainly before any occupancy permits are issued.
Discussion regarding driveways and access followed, changing applications and the process by which permits are approved will allow property owners a means to reasonably move forward with their building
Since July 7, 2006, the Road Agent has been granted permission to act on behalf of the planning board with regards to driveways.
Other concerns Carrara discussed was who is responsible for assurance things are done properly? The Code Officer or the Road Agent? All three selectmen were in agreement that the road agent should be responsible for assurance that driveways are built properly.
The Junkyard Ordinance was discussed – Assistant Davidson will e-mail a copy of the Draft Ordinance to Carrara
Discussion of accessibility to properties via Class VI roads, no decisions were made.
6:30 – P & R Director - Molly Anfuso –
With regards to an e-mail received inquiring about the parks & recreation department Anfuso stated she does staff the weekends on Saturdays. She did respond to the e-mail that the Board received. One comment was the handicapped parking spot be moved, however where it is currently located is the best access for wheelchairs. Anfuso discussed another consideration for the town is that there are two town beaches, she asked how staffed do we want to get. The Selectmen discussed with Anfuso that there is only one town beach; Zephyr Lake is not considered a “Town Beach”. Molly explained why there is a need for two lifeguards to be on duty at a time, the reason being the size of swimming classes, as well as for safety reasons. They must be WSI certified guards, depending on the year and whom she
hires, also has some bearing on the number of lifeguards needed. Anfuso is satisfied with 6 days a week of staffing. During the week lifeguards are scheduled from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm; Saturday they are scheduled from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Selectwoman Day suggested shorter hours during the week to allow for longer hours on Saturday.
Another concern was the raking & picking up trash at the beach and if the lifeguards are responsible for keeping the beach picked up. Anfuso stated the guards take care of that.
Discussion followed regarding the lifeguards not being used as babysitters, Anfuso has established a policy that children cannot be dropped off at the beach unsupervised if under the age of 14, there are exceptions but again this is a safety concern.
The raft was discussed – Anfuso may consider installing the raft next year, however this year it will not be replaced for a few reasons, safety, vandalism and the necessity for having it properly installed, permits etc.
Kullgren stated he would like to see the hours at Sunset Lake be 11:30-5 weekdays and more hours closer to 5 on Saturday & Sunday.
The end of summer party was successful; all the children who took swim lessons received a card from Red Cross.
The bid for the groundskeeper was discussed; Anfuso provided the Selectmen with a draft of the contract.
Blueberry Jamboree was a huge hit, it was researched that Greenfield is indeed home of the high bush blueberry. The GIVers were wondering if a slogan could be added to the town signs referencing that. The BOS will research the process for doing this and how it would comply with ordinance.
With regards to fertilizing the track, she did research and it was discovered that unless it is done every year, organic fertilizing does not work. We need to get soil samples of where all the trees are, then determine the correct combination of fertilizer. Molly wanted to discuss this with the board before she went organic and budgeted funds for 2008.
As far as the track being fertilized organically, vinegar is the option. Chemically treating the property is another option. Neal Brown recommended raking the track and packing it down.
Anfuso asked to respond to the comment made by a budget committee member about her breaking out the accounts for budgeting, She has thought about this and would prefer not to separate them. The people who say they don’t understand the accounts can have copies of the detail she submits when she submits her budget.
Football is back 4 days/week; Pop Warner has indicated they would like to make Greenfield their home. They have offered to make an official football field with lighting etc.; it would be no cost to the town. This is their third year in Greenfield, it would entail negotiations in lieu of paying rent, and they would do improvements at the park.
AAU baseball has approached Anfuso, they would like to have this available in Greenfield as well as Cal Ripkin – they have offered to redo baseball field, keep Cal Ripkin and play off the AAU. We would be a host of tournaments within the town, utilizing the refreshment stand.
Also a possibility for Oak Park is developing some youth soccer teams to allow us the ability to become part of the Antrim league.
Day had concerns that these teams use the park, assuming a fee is established where does the money go?
Anfuso responded that the funds go into the revolving account to be used at Oak Park. One concern is more people bring more trash; therefore some of these funds could be used for trash receptacles.
Day asked about future need of additional loam.
Anfuso responded by saying we are fortunate that we are a sand based field, we don’t get flooded that is part of why the various teams like playing in Greenfield.
Day asked what is the timeframe for these programs.
Anfuso stated the baseball program can happen now, but the others would need some negotiating.
Molly will come back on Thursday August 30th to discuss the draft groundskeeping contract and baseball program potential.
7:18 – Police Chief, Brian Giammarino – Giammarino discussed with the Board he has recently completed a Physical Agility Test on several potential officers, he has it narrowed down to a gentleman Kenny Whicker, he will be back in the next week or two for introductions with the Board.
7:25 - GRC – Neal Brown - Brown provided the board with a new brochure and a policy for the collection of funds at the recycle center. Also submitted was a procedure how money will be handled. There will be $25.00 petty cash to have available.
Mini mall drop-off was discussed – someone needs to monitor what is being dropped off, this will be addressed.
The loading dock was discussed – The Road Agent has not been able to get some specifications together yet, however he & Deb will work on this ASAP. Selectmen recommended Deb contact Scott Bradford and ask him if he would mind recommending specs and/or ideas for the loading dock.
Neal Brown asked about unregistered vehicles and what the ordinance is on this. Kullgren explained the town needs to have a written Junk yard ordinance, currently there is no formal ordinance, we must allow at least one junkyard in town, the town does need to get the ordinance up to speed before enforcement can be enacted.
7:45 pm – In accordance to RSA 91A: 3 II (a) – Selectman Kullgren motioned to enter into a non-public session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter. Seconded by Day and Adams. Voted affirmatively - No discussion–
8:00 pm – motion by Kullgren to enter out of the non-public session and to further seal the minutes. Seconded by Day and Adams. Voted affirmatively - No discussion
Decision: To discuss with Katherine Heck the possibility of becoming treasurer rather than Deputy.
Linda Nickerson discussed she would like to see the town utilize a check scanner. She is waiting for the proposal from Ocean Bank; Deb will call tomorrow and see where the proposal is.
On-Going matters:
Policies – There are no updated policies to review
Old Lyndeborough Mtn. Road – Kullgren read a letter from Local Government Center attorney, Christine Fillmore. Though the letter is very clear, there needs to be some clarification regarding the bridge being improperly installed, causing turbulence at the outflow and if the Town is responsible for replacement to make it work properly.
Other Business:
Review Selectmen’s mail – do Thursday
Selectman Adams discussed the Planning Board meeting of August 13th, and the Capital Improvement Plan. No decisions were made.
Perambulation of town bounds – Selectmen read a letter from Lyndeborough Selectmen, any Monday in September works for Lyndeborough Selectmen. There will be one-half hour set aside at the next Selectmen’s meeting to allow the Board of Selectmen an opportunity to review what information the Town of Greenfield has. Monday, September 17, 2007 would be the best time to meet with the Lyndeborough Selectmen.
Paige Property – R5-14-1- Francestown Land Trust asked about purchase of this property – they would like a response as soon as possible. Day reported the ConCom decided if the town took the land for conservation, they would put an easement on the property, otherwise they aren’t interested. Adams would like to see the property auctioned; Day & Kullgren would like to see the property protected – Day stated she would make sure the ConCom would be notified of this decision, who will in turn get in touch with the Francestown Land Trust.
Short Term Disability – Discussion followed of increasing the waiting period before the benefit can be used, currently there is an 8-day waiting period. The BOS need to consider possibly changing waiting period, Deb was asked to research what other municipalities of our size offer for a waiting period.
Recycle – The current mandatory recycle policy was briefly discussed. The current policy will remain in effect. A topic for the roundtable discussion scheduled for September 16 will involve the vision for the recycle center. Selectmen discussed the trash that was dumped, not sorted and strewn around the recycle center. The family called Deb and said they put into the dumpster, they further stated it was very busy at that time. They went on to say they don’t understand the letter.
Decision: A letter will be mailed to them explaining that Greenfield does have a mandatory recycle policy. There is either a $15.00 fine or they can do two 2 hrs. of community service. The BOS would like an answer in a timely fashion.
Day discussed the option of bonding for roads and went on to say if the BOS is going to sell this to the voters a lot of work needs to be done before March.
Review letter from Historical society of Cheshire County –
Cemetery Trustees – Bob Plourde – Selectmen discussed the position and the importance of someone knowing about the burials. Selectmen asked Deb to see about getting a job description; this will be discussed again next week.
Budget document BOS approved the memo from Administrative Assistant to the Dept. Heads regarding the schedule for the 2007/2008 budget season.
Payroll questions – There were several questions regarding the various payroll matters.
Recycle Wages - Discussion as to what wages to pay the temporary help at the recycle center. Whereas, Chip is working under his own class 3 license – he will be paid the Supervisor overtime wage.
Discussion – Administrative Assistant discussed why this is a good starting wage for this position, as well as what is a good wage for the other position. All the board members were in agreement
Decision: Brian Wakeman will be paid $10.80/hour while working at the recycle center. Clark Craig will be paid $24.67/hour.
Holiday Pay – Deb pointed out to the Board that Mr. Pelkey put “labor day” as a day off on his time card. She further pointed out; employees cannot take a holiday they have not yet earned. Selectmen changed the time card has been changed to utilize a personal day, not a holiday.
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:45. The next scheduled meeting will be Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 9:00 am.
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