Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Tuesday – April 15, 2008 – 6:00 pm
Present: Aaron Kullgren; Karen Day; Jarvis Adams, IV
Call to order: Chairman Kullgren called the meeting to order at
Appointments:
6:15 – Parks & Recreation Director, Molly Anfuso –
· Swimming lessons – Molly discussed the e-mail from resident Mike Sands expressing his disappointment with the decision to not have swimming lessons. The cost and the lengthy waiting period at Crotched Mountain Aquatics will most likely put a hardship on families. Deb mentioned several calls have come in from residents expecting, as a result of discussion at Town Meeting, a survey would be sent around asking what residents wanted before a decision was made. Molly discussed having adequate Water Safety Instructors and further discussed she is concerned about having only one lifeguard and the raft. She believes the raft will bring 2x the amount of
people, which could result in the need for two lifeguards. Discussion followed surrounding the raft and Molly thought that the trade off was that there would be adequate WSI at the beach.
Molly said she guarantee a lifeguard for Sundays. She needs directive and is seeking Selectmen’s support. She will advertise for two lifeguards if directed to do so. Lengthy discussion followed regarding community, lifeguards and swimming.
Selectwoman Day asked what time swimming lessons are offered. Molly stated afternoon works best because the water is cold in the mornings and people don’t seem to bring their children to morning lessons. Selectmen discussed that not having concessions seems to be logical, as it is not a moneymaker for the town, and takes the lifeguards away from the waterfront.
Hours of Sunset Lake being open to the public followed. No decisions to change anything were made.
· Raft repairs - Molly asked how the Board feels about having a community raft repair?
Selectman Adams stated he was not aware that in the past residents had offered to do the repairs. It has been brought to his attention that some individuals have indicated they would have helped in the past, and are offended at this time to that the department has asked for help to rebuild a raft that hasn’t been available to them for two years. Adams went on to ask how do we make this feel like a community oriented event and not a punishment. Discussion followed with Karen suggesting send out a survey and a letter explaining that we would like to make this be a positive step for re-introducing the raft to the town.
Decision: A survey to be sent out to residents requesting feed back regarding lifeguards, swimming lessons and repairs to the raft. Deb will check into if this could be put on our website as a survey. Molly will get the survey to Deb; Jarvis will craft a letter to be sent out to residents.
· Recreational scholarship – Deb mentioned she has discussed this with Peterborough, Parks & Recreation Director, Jeff King. With regards to the resident who requested a one-on-one aid, No action has been taken on this as a result we are all waiting for family who has requested the aid to come forward. Jeff provided Deb with a copy of the policy Peterborough has for scholarships, she will e-mail it to Molly. Molly went on and discussed she had contacted the NH Parks & Recreation Association and asked who has policy, and how are the scholarship programs funded. Her findings being, it was recommended she contact a program offered known
as “Under one Roof”. Some communities have the parents of children in need seek assistance privately and/or many communities have no scholarships available. Towns have a hard time with subsidizing programs due to the property tax situations. It was suggested Molly contact the school, and see if they have any assistance programs. Molly indicated she is hopeful to seek local scholarships through donations etc., funding the program with no tax impact. She also would like to begin dialogue to establish policy. Molly discussed how she handles need situations currently. At some point in the future Molly would like to discuss the special need child that needs a one on one aid.
Selectwoman Day recommended Molly meet with Andrea Gilbert and discuss her thoughts on how to handle such a request, and how to set up a scholarship program.
Monadnock Ledger/Transcript reporter, Sam Bonacci reiterated - Molly’s intention is to move forward and seek out what options are available and how other communities handle similar situations.
Chairman Kullgren commented he wanted it noted in the minutes, if no scholarship is sought out, he still did not want to receive his yearly salary for 2008.
Adams asked how this fits into Town Welfare, and could that help to subsidize a family. Deb explained RSA 165 clearly states Town Welfare is for basic living needs (i.e. food, shelter, medication, heat etc.), children sports would not meet the criteria for such need.
· Trees–
o Library Tree - Molly discussed that before she talks about the trees at Oak Park, Lee Leblanc would like to discuss purchasing a tree for the common. Molly asked what is needed to put a tree on the common? Mrs. Leblanc explained the reason for the tree is to replace the tree that is dying at the library. She also explained the library tree was a donation from her father and she would like to keep the tradition ongoing. She stated that holding the tree lighting on the common would be safer for children, being off the road.
Discussion of where the underground electricity to/from the library comes from followed? No one was really sure. Proper location of the tree placement was discussed; quickly growing evergreens could block the line of site and cause traffic problems if not properly planted.
Karen believes the reason the trees have not lasted on the library was because of lack of water more than poor soil conditions.
Selectmen will keep this on the agenda for further discussion at a later date.
o Oak Park Trees – Molly asked if the trees could be removed that were trimmed last year near the gazebo. Molly indicated the highway crew would grind down the stumps. Selectmen all agreed the Highway Crew could help with this project; Deb was instructed to have Dan Sousa contact Molly, he would most likely be able to take care of that for her.
· Landscape contract – Molly would like to have a meeting with Jeremy Gagnon to sign and go over the contract for 2008 landscape services. The Board has accepted the bid; now Mr. Gagnon needs to sign the contract to begin work.
Other Business:
At 7:37pm in accordance with RSA 91:A II 3 (c) ones reputation, Chairman Kullgren motioned to enter into a non-public session. Seconded by Adams & Day. No discussion followed. Voted: (3-0)
At 8:05pm motion by Kullgren to enter out of the non-public session and to further seal the minutes. Seconded by Adams & Day. No discussion followed. Voted: (3-0)
There was no decision made at this time.
· Mail – Selectmen reviewed miscellaneous incoming mail -
· Selectmen signed:
Minutes – Selectmen signed minutes of 4/8/08 & re-signed the 4/1/08 with a minor change being changing the heading to read minutes and not agenda. Selectmen also signed Non-Public minutes -
Payroll - Selectmen approved & signed payroll checks & the manifest
Policies - Review of Personnel Policies, JLMC Policy, Accounting Procedure Policy all were tables until another meeting. Selectmen did sign policy for purchase requisitions & purchase orders.
Veteran’s exemptions – Picott, R6-20-1; Vincent, R1-22;
Elderly exemption – Wadland, R3-12;
Appointment – Library Trustee, Alternate – Connie Austin
Sewer Tax Warrant – Selectmen signed a warrant for the 2nd billing of 2008
Re-categorize CU – Selectmen signed a re-categorizing for Sidney Balch, R8-11, current use
Memo’s – Selectmen authorized memos for the following Time Cards & Purchase Orders
Meeting - Deb informed the Selectmen she has a Meeting with Attorney Teague, Wed. April 23 at 9:30 am in Concord. The meeting is regarding the lot line adjustment proposal from Mr. & Mrs. Carbee and Attachments to properties that could be deeded to the Town. Deb invited the Board to join her if any of them can, Selectman Adams will go with her.
E-mail – Deb discussed a recent e-mail from a resident, as well as the conversation between her and Attorney Teague regarding the e-mail. The Board was informed the RSA which pertains to this information, they would like the resident to be invited to a meeting to discuss this matter with the Board. Deb was instructed to contact the resident and set up an appointment convenient for all, provide the RSA for the Board and summarize in detail the conversation with Attorney Teague in detail.
MS-5 – With the audit now complete, the Board was presented a copy of the MS-5 for review, they should be prepared to sign an original next week, which will be mailed to the DRA.
Old glass crusher – Selectman Adams mentioned a resident had discussed wanting the old glass crusher and was willing to take it away for the Town. Adams has discussed with Road Agent, Duffy Fox who had indicated he had an interest in keeping it for the highway department to utilize by putting calcium chloride into for use in the future. Selectmen would like to not give the crusher away; they authorize the highway department to use it in the future.
Street lamp – Deb reported she has spoken with Keith Akerly from KA Electric regarding the broken street lamp. Keith indicated to Deb the lamp was ordered and should be here by the end of the week, after he receives it the lamp will be repaired within a week or two.
Mtg. House hand railing – Selectwoman Day noted the hand railing at the Meeting House is bent and needs to be fixed. Selectman Adams stated he noticed that as well, it is probably a result of plowing. Deb was instructed to see if Duffy and his crew could help repair it.
Planning Board update – Selectman Adams reported the Board approved the Side Trax site plan review at their Monday night meeting, 4/14/08.
Town Office Hours – Deb wanted to discuss the town office hours, understanding there was a concern about Fridays being closed to the public. She noted that the office has not been open to the public on a Friday for several years, prior to Catherine & Deb working for the Town, the office was always closed on Friday’s, so it has been this way for at least 17 years. A brief discussion followed, Selectmen stated that things should remain status ‘quo.
With no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 6:00 pm.
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