Town of Greenfield – Board of Selectmen
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Tuesday – November 13, 2007 – 5:45 pm
Selectman Kullgren called the regular Board of Selectmen meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Present: Chairman, Aaron Kullgren; Selectwoman: Karen Day; Selectman: Jarvis Adams, IV; Administrative Assistant, Debra Davidson; Road Agent, Duffy Fox
Debra Davidson, Administrative Assistant taking minutes
Appointments:
6:30 – Road Agent, Duffy Fox –
· Signage - Selectwoman Day explained that a resident has asked the Board for more road signage on Old Bennington Road.
Fox replied that there are currently signs on each end of Old Bennington Road. Old Bennington Road is currently posted at 25mph, more signs might help, but it is not a guarantee. County Road is currently posted at 30 mph.
Kullgren asked if there are 25 mph road signs available.
Duffy isn’t sure if he has any signs on hand. Fox did ask if we did need to order them, due to budget constraints could we wait until 2008; each sign is approximately $65.00, we would need 4 signs.
Kullgren inquired that if a single resident asks for a change, is it proper protocol to just make a change. Should the resident first go to the highway and/or police departments and discuss the concerns with the department head and/or should there be a public hearing.
Discussion followed about either more patrol or a hearing should be held to allow residents the opportunity to discuss
Decision: A letter to all residents on Old Bennington Road asking for their input regarding the traffic, as well as their thoughts of more signage. The Selectboard will discuss this matter again on November 27 at the regular Selectboard meeting.
At 6:47 pm in accordance with RSA 91A:3 II (a) motion by Chairman Kullgren to enter into a nonpublic session to discuss a personnel matter. Seconded Day & Adams. Voted (3-0)
6:50 pm motion by Chairman Kullgren to enter out of the non-public session and to further seal the minutes. Seconded by Day & Adams. Voted: (3-0)
No discussion or decisions were made regarding this matter.
· Handicap Ramp - Chairman Kullgren asked Fox about the timeframe for replace the steps and making a ramp at the town office. Fox indicated there isn’t time left in 2007, he will complete this project in 2008.
· Temporary Lighting - Kullgren asked about some temporary lighting for the walkway - Fox said he would get something installed.
· Recycle Center – The recycle center was briefly discussed. Loading dock is near completion; everyone is very pleased with the setup. Whereas the port-a-potty is not being used often, Deb was instructed to have the port-a-potty cleaned once/month rather than weekly.
Duffy is scheduled for his yearly evaluation next week at 6:15 pm.
7:00 – Paul Day – Mr. Day asked to meet with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the Bennington/Greenfield town bounds. He was looking for some assistance from the board regarding property his mother owns on crotched mountain. There are no town boundary markers that can be located on Rogers Road. Mr. Day was wondering if/when the bounds will be done. Discussion followed, Selectmen are currently doing the perambulation of the Lyndeborough/Greenfield boundaries – recently the Francestown/Greenfield bounds were done. Selectmen provided Mr. Day with a copy of the perambulation notes for the Greenfield/Bennington bounds. No definite date for the perambulation is set at this time.
Deb was instructed to contact George Rainier and see if he has any knowledge of these boundaries. She will contact Mr. Day after speaking with Mr. Rainier.
Budgets:
Selectmen reviewed the proposed 2008 budget with the Administrative Assistant.
· Revenues - It was noted that the recycle revenues have increased $2,200.00 in one month. Administrative Assistant will review the budget and let the Board know what the revenues have been in the last two years.
· Land Use Change Tax (LUCT) – The average over last 5 years is approximately $64,000.00/year –
· Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) - The Board of Selectmen would like copies of all the PILOTS
· Ambulance – Deb is to contact Pam Brenner and discuss the exact amount to be budgeted for 2008
· Building Inspector – The hourly rates were discussed. The question arose why do we need to have office hours if neighboring towns don’t. Deb was instructed to have Hopkins come to a meeting and discuss his proposed budget.
· Cemetery - Selectboard discussed the cemetery budget briefly. A few questions arose, Deb to contact Cemetery Trustees and find out the answers, she will report back to the board once she discusses with the trustees.
· Conservation Commission – The budget was reduced a small amount.
· Fin Administration – The question arose why were the Auditing Services over budget by $3,105.00 – Deb will look into this and let the board know next week.
· Fire – Kullgren questioned why cleaning is $255.00/month, how many hours does it take, what is involved; Review of Fire Dept. budget continued, Kullgren stated he would like to see $5,000.00 taken out of the Fire Dept. budget
· Highway – The Board will review the Highway budget and be prepared to discuss possible cuts next week
· Wages – The Board discussed wages, raises, bonus’ etc., Selectwoman Day stated she thought there should be a wage freeze, Adams disagreed, Kullgren abstained. Deb mentioned wages effect a couple line items, so until it is determined what direction wages will go, payroll expenses, retirement etc., cannot be clarified.
Other Business:
Payroll - P/R Manifest was signed
R5-14-1 – Selectman Adams commented that he takes the stand that he would like to see the property go out to auction. Kullgren asked if the board could require a minimum bid. Deb will look into this, as well as get an updated amount of taxes owed.
R3-47 – Fish & Game sent a letter to the Board indicating they would like this property, however there are no funds available through the State to make a purchase. As with R5-14-1, Deb will get an updated amount of taxes owed.
Lyndeborough Mountain Road – Deb asked if any action had been taken on this matter to date - no action to date – Selectwoman Day will contact the Dept. of Transportation to have the bridge inspected and any recommendations to be brought forth.
Fuel Bids – Deb discussed she had contacted Marion Alese from ConVal to discuss Greenfield purchasing fuel through ConVal at their rate. ConVal contracted with Irving, however the prices were very close, the Board of Selectmen continued to discuss this.
Motion by Selectman Day to retain Allen & Mathewson for the 2007/2008-fuel season. Seconded by Kullgren and Adams.
No further discussion
Voted: (3-0) Allen & Mathewson will be retained for future services
Greenfield Congregational Covenant Church – Selectmen reviewed a letter from the GCCC requesting to remove a partition in the basement of the Meetinghouse. The purpose of removing the partition is to allow the daycare space the ability to keep an eye on children when they go to the restroom. Discussion followed, Selectmen unanimously agreed the GCCC could remove the partition.
Future meetings –
· November 27th Selectmen would like to schedule interviews for the recycle position; the first interview will be scheduled for 6:30pm.
· November 27th Cartographic Associates Inc. to meet with the Board and discuss mapping services.
Hazardous household waste day – Selectmen discussed HHW and the town holding a HHW day in 2008 – Deb was instructed to contact the DES to see about the cost and the feasibility of Greenfield holding their own HHW day.
Selectmen would like to meet with the Town Clerk, Dee Sleeper on Thursday at 7:45 pm if that is convenient for Dee.
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:00 pm. The next scheduled meeting will be held Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 6:00 pm.
| 
