Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Tuesday – December 11, 2007 – 6:10 pm
Present: Chairman, Aaron Kullgren; Selectwoman: Karen Day; Selectman: Jarvis Adams, IV
Chairman Kullgren called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm
Appointments:
6:15 – Fire Chief, Jim Plourde – Chief Plourde stated that he read minutes of a previous meeting in which the Board indicated they would like to see the Fire Dept. budget cut $5,000.00. Plourde stated he would like to know where he is to cut the budget.
Plourde did mention again, the Fire Department is going to present a warrant article for a new fire truck. The article will be contingent upon being awarded a grant. The grant would be a 90/10 match; the cost to the town would be approximately $17,000.00. Plourde has been instructed where/what the downfalls of the previous grant applications were. He will work on being more specific, state what is wrong with old truck, he will state exactly what the cost of each piece of apparatus is. Plourde stated that with the current pump only operating at 70% capacity, which should be a checkmark in our favor. Even if the Town is awarded the grant, we will not actually receive the piece of equipment until 2009, the Town will have to pay for it in 2008. The demo models come out in April/May; they are shown around the
country until the fall; if you can then obtain one of the demo models you can receive quite a significant cost savings. Providing we get the approval and the grant, the Town could potentially receive some kickbacks. Plourde reminded the Selectmen he has provided a spec sheet to use as a guideline, due to the pricing the Town will need to modify their needs to be able to stay within the guidelines. The next truck committee meeting is in January. There are five members on the committee. They are looking at used, as well as new equipment.
Kullgren asked if the committee has considered that if the warrant article doesn’t pass, would they consider financing a used vehicle if possible.
Plourde stated he had not yet given it consideration; again the committee isn’t meeting until January.
Kullgren stated that financing may be difficult, but is yet to be seen.
Adams stated the Planning Board brought up a concern that needs to be brought to the fire departments attention regarding a couple of new subdivisions will be required to put in cisterns. The Planning Board is going to ask for an easement, if the Town wants, to install a cistern.
6:30 – Supervisor of Checklist, Linda & Bruce Dodge – Linda & Bruce Dodge were present to discuss the deadlines for voter registrations. Linda wants to make it easy as possible for everyone, including Deb & Catherine who field many questions. December 29th is the deadline for additions and corrections.
College students registering to vote was discussed, it was mentioned that the Supervisors are cautioning that if someone registers as a college student, health insurance, car insurance, scholarships & grants might be looked and lack of residency can make a difference on these items if the student no longer has a domicile with their parents.
6:45 In accordance with RSA 91A:3 II (c ) – ones reputation motion by Chairman Kullgren was made to enter into a non-public session. Seconded by Selectmen Day & Adams. Voted: Unanimously in the affirmative.
7:00 – motion to enter out of the nonpublic session and to further seal the minutes.
There was no decision made at this time.
It should be noted that voting time would be 8:00 am – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2008.
7:00 – Old Bennington Road Signage – Several residents were present to discuss the traffic and signage on Old Bennington Road. Selectwoman Day passed around a sheet, which allows the residents who were present to sign into the meeting.
Kullgren explained that this meeting is a result of a resident asking for the speed limit to be changed and, thus the board has held this meeting.
Kathy Carpenter noted that the speeding isn’t just limited to Old Bennington Road, but also County Road, she mentioned that specific times of day are clearly obvious. She has asked for the police to patrol more often.
Kullgren noted that County Road is posted at 30 mph.
John Halper stated that reducing the speed limit to 25mph didn’t seem to help reduce the speeders. Signage might help but doesn’t seem to make a difference.
Marc LaCasse mentioned that he had actually been passed on Old Bennington Road, by a vehicle that wanted to go faster than Mr. LaCasse was driving.
Phil Vanasse asked why are we even are having this meeting, the speed limit was lowered previously and no meeting was held. He doesn’t think the signs are going to change a thing.
Kullgren stated that the regarding the signage change, the previous Board of Selectmen would have held a publicly noticed hearing. The office will look into the when/where it was posted. As far as the signage, Kullgren believes that to stop speeders we need to ticket them.
John Halper noted that Lyndeborough is a good example, how when enforced, the speed limit does make a difference.
George Rainier commented that he believes the signs were changed about 1 ½ years ago. The change was submitted by petition and was duly noticed. Rainier did say, the signs currently in place are small, maybe they could be larger. He also mentioned that the former Selectboard did ask Peterborough to lower their speed limit, but Peterborough did not want to do so. He too believes, that the only way we are going to stop the speeders is to give tickets.
Kathy Carpenter noted that she wanted on record, that the worse time seems to be between 7:30 am – 9:00 am; in the evening it is between 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Mr. Beltz stated that when the ambulance is responding they use our portion of Old Bennington Road to access 136. It’s apparent they use that section because it is paved and therefore it is used more.
Phil Vanasse wanted to say he believes that the road is used more during the approximate times of 5:30 am – 9:00am, then again between 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
It was commented that most of the people using the road are those cutting through, not so much the residents.
Roger Lessard discussed the Planning Board meeting; an engineer reported he observed that this is a very highly traveled area, traveled by fast drivers. Lessard would be supportive of narrowing the road.
Adams was glad to hear that plate numbers etc., have been provided to Chief of Police, Brian Giammarino. He further stated he knows where this is going.
More discussion followed regarding bigger signs, more signs, more patrolling, ticketing.
One resident asked why we couldn't get one of the speed trailers. Kullgren stated he thought they were approximately $14,000.00.
John Halper asked how many hours would $14,000 get the town.
Discussion continued. Thoughts about borrowing the trailer from a neighboring town were discussed.
Residents discussed they noted with summer residents they see an increase in patrol, but what happens in the winter, can’t the police force be used in the winter.
Kullgren discussed Giammarino’s strategy for deterring speeding and/or violations.
Adams defended the revenues the police have brought into the Town of Greenfield, quite a bit of the increased revenue for the Police Dept., is due to the stops in the State Park and the DUI grant funds.
A resident asked why the Town of Greenfield police log is not ever printed in the local newspaper.
Kullgren explained that it is Chief Giammarino’s theory he has lots of work, and the reporter doesn’t call, therefore Giammarino does not take the time to contact the paper.
Kullgren brought the meeting back on track for the purpose of the Old Bennington Road speed.
Marjorie Vanasse stated that the speeders don’t slow down for the runners or bikers; they won’t slow down for signs either.
Bruce Dodge commented he believes it is all about enforcement, timing is important but enforcement works.
George Rainier asked if any action is taken how will the residents find out.
Kullgren replied the Board of Selectmen will have a discussion with Chief Giammarino and the Road Agent, come up with a decision, then a public notice to be posted for residents education.
Kathy Carpenter asked if County Road could also be included in the signage changes
George Rainier mentioned the speed in Town is not just on Old Bennington. Road, it is all over the town.
Kullgren agrees and will ask for feedback of how to approach this situation. Kullgren further stated the signage that was discussed and enforcement will be consideration.
John Halper mentioned that now the Town is short one officer, is the Board going to hire a replacement?
Kullgren replied that yes there will be a replacement hired shortly.
A resident commented that the foliage covers the road signs, maybe the foliage could be cut back more.
George Rainier stated that traffic calming ideas such as, painting white lines to make road appear to be more narrow than actual might be helpful.
Kullgren thanked everyone for attending this meeting, noting the Board will deliberate and get back to the residents with what decisions they come to.
8:00 in accordance with RSA 91A:3 II ( c) – reputation – motion by Chairman Kullgren to enter into a non-public session. Seconded by Day and Adams. Voted: Unanimously in the affirmative.
8:15 motion by Kullgren to enter out of the non-public session. Seconded by Day and Adams. Voted: Unanimously in the affirmative.
Decision: The Board of Selectmen would like to have a mandatory meeting with the Town Clerk – The times can be either Thursday 8:00 pm, Sat. at 8:30 am or 12:30 pm.
Linda Dodge discussed appointing Kathy Seigars as an alternate for the Supervisors of the Checklist. Deb will prepare the appointment; the Board will sign it at their next Board meeting.
8:30 – Chief Giammarino – Chief Giammarino apologized for being late, and not making the meeting for the Old Bennington Road discussion. There were two accidents in town, he needed to take care of them, and this was his first chance to get to the meeting.
Giammarino discussed with the Board that since his employment, the GPD routinely stops approximately 1200 cars/year. There were considerably fewer stops in 2007; there are several reasons of which he can discuss if the Board would like him to. So far in 2007 there have been 783 stops. Discussion took place between Board and Giammarino regarding the speeding vehicles on Old Bennington Road. It was agreed the GPD will give more tickets and Giammarino will be sure to make his officers aware of this problem, it is agreed awareness throughout the Town that if you are in Greenfield speeding, you will get a ticket. It is also noted this problem is not just on Old Bennington Road, but throughout the Town, speeders will be ticketed in the future.
The Board noted they are also going to talk to Road Agent, Fox about purchasing larger speed limit signs.
Giammarino mentioned that the base radio has been purchased; the one purchased is less money than originally applied for, the grant was approved for $6,900.00, and the Police Department is only spending $6,200.00.
Selectmen thanked Giammarino for coming in to discuss this situation.
Budgets:
Review of the year to date budgets was put on hold until a later date.
Other Business:
ConVal Roster – Upon review of the attendance list from ConVal, it has been brought to ConVal’s attention there is Lyndeborough resident whose child(ren) have been attending ConVal under the pretense they are Greenfield residents. The tuition for this family will be billed to them directly and not to Greenfield.
“Bad checks “ – Selectmen reviewed a list of several checks that were written to the Town and returned for insufficient funds, these funds still not been collected. The Town Clerk will be notified and this will be turned over to the police to be handled by them. The central office was made aware of another check that was written in January and has not yet been cashed; this will be addressed as well.
Employees/Committee’s – The Board of Selectmen asked how many employees, volunteers & committee members the Town had. Deb told them 109 total.
Street Lamp – Verizon will be contacted regarding the street lamp that has been broken, hung up by a cable and not reported to the central office. Deb will report back what transpires after the phone conversation.
Recycle Center – All seems to have gone well the first week at the center. The Selectmen have offered the position of part-time recycle attendant to Danni Lowell, as well as to Patricia LaPree. The hours will be worked out between Patricia & Danni via Supervisor Matt Blanchard.
P/R Manifest – the BOS signed payroll
Incoming Misc. Mail –Selectmen reviewed the income miscellaneous mail
Letters - Chairman Kullgren read letter a letter from Brian Wakeman – They would like a letter written to reciprocate.
Dept. Head Meeting - Chairman Kullgren mentioned next week the Board would like to get all four-department heads to the meeting and discuss goals they each have in 2008.
FYI - Chairman Kullgren wanted it noted in the minutes that the Peterborough Fire Department, Deputy Chief Paul Thiebault, recently mentioned to Kullgren that the Greenfield Volunteer Fire Department is an outstanding department and very up to date.
Capital Reserve Funds – Selectman Adams discussed a conversation the Planning Board Chairman had regarding the Land Use Change funds. Chairman Carrara asked about continuing to give the $5,000.00 to the Conservation Commission, with the remaining funds to be placed into a capital reserve fund. Discussion regarding this suggestion followed, it was mentioned that a CRF cannot be set up for “general use”, the funds do need to be set up for a specific reason. Administrative Assistant will verify this and report back to the Board at their next meeting.
Tax Deeding – Selectmen briefly discussed the properties that could be tax deeded. Selectmen would like a meeting to be set up with the Tax Collector to discuss these properties. Administrative Assistant was instructed to contact John Teague to discuss the risks and exactly what direction we should proceed.
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:00 pm. The next scheduled meeting will be held Wednesday December 19, 2007 at 6:00 pm.
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