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Selectmen Minutes 02/26/09
Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – February 26, 2009 – 6:00 pm


Present: Chairman, Aaron Kullgren Selectman, Jarvis Adams, IV; Selectwoman, Karen Day
Minutes: Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson
Call to order:    
Appointments:
6:10 – Joe Ellis ––
  • Equipment purchase – Mr. Ellis was present to report the DPW has decided to purchase the CAT backhoe.  The cost of the backhoe is less, he further stated that along with the purchase we would receive repair manuals/service manuals ($950), 2 brand new front & 2 new rear tires, a 4 year/4,000 hour warranty on everything, including the hydraulics.  
Mr. Ellis discussed he and Duffy have discussed it is in the best interest of the Town to also purchase a material handler.  Ellis explained this is a device that is telescopic and has a 3’ – 10’ range of motion; it would help with ditching, digging holes and more.  Ellis discussed why it would be beneficial for the Highway Department to have this additional feature to the new backhoe/loader. If purchased at the time the backhoe is purchased, the Town would receive a 40% discount, which brings the price of this piece of equipment, down to $2600, the cost will be figured into the financing.  To have the radio installed would be approximately  $700.00-$800.00, that also needs to be completed.  Ellis asked the Board if the funds should come out of the maintenance budget or rolled directly into the warrant article.  Discussion followed, seems logical to get everything that is needed to make the backhoe what we need.  Selectmen support this recommendation.  Details will be worked out as to payments and interest rates.  Other options are to be adjusted on the floor of Town Meeting or to utilize the CRF if it passes.
Mr. Ellis also discussed that CAT will sell our backhoe for $750 more than what they are giving us for trade in value, however, for example, if they sell it for $10,000.00 they will give the town the difference.
Lastly, Ellis mentioned he would like to discuss Duffy’s retirement on June 30th, mentioned he has checked with Deb and Oak Park open on June 27th he and Jeff Tarr would like to plan a party on that date at Oak Park, inviting anyone who would like to attend.
  • Vacation time – this was tabled until next week
6:30 – Cavender Road Hearing - Motion by Kullgren to enter into the hearing for Cavender Road.  Seconded by Day & Adams, no discussion followed.  Voted 3-0 to open the hearing.
Motion to adjourn the hearing at 7:00 pm. Seconded by Day & Adams, no discussion followed.  
Voted 3-0 to close the hearing.
7:00 – Cheryl Jessie, Ted Jarest - Monadnock Mountaineers – Mr. Jarest opened the presentation by handing out a proposal for the use of the park.  Jarest discussed the mission statement of the Mountaineers.  The written proposal with long-term goals will remain on file in the Selectmen’s Office for the public to review.
Lengthy discussions followed.  Selectwoman Day asked if they could use two fields rather than three if needed.
Jarest stated that, yes they could definitely.  They will also check with Peter Hopkins as far as signage goes.
Kullgren suggested a rendition be done to show a visual to residents, he also asked about lighting of the fields.
Jarest stated they don’t necessarily need to have permanent lighting, it is an idea and they are completely open to other options.
John Hopkins provided a document showing the best locations for lighting. This was prepared for the Oak Park Committee a few years back.  
Kullgren stated that Oak Park Committee & Monadnock Mountaineers should sit down together and discuss visions for everyone.
John asked what a vision for everyone actually is?  In his opinion a longer contracted period of time is more beneficial for everyone involved.  He has a lot of information and would like to share it.  Oak Park Committee does have a 10-year vision and the Committee has done a lot of legwork already.  Soil tests, lighting homework, irrigation etc. are already documented.
Mr. Jarest would like to start on or before April 10th, so long as everyone is all in agreement.  It was discussed the Mountaineers will maintain their own insurance as they have in the past; a 3-5 year timeline with some flexibility is what they are looking for.
Parking was discussed, trees, State Park property, there will be no parking on either side of 136.  The ultimate goal is to make this a more desired field for everyone.  Jarest also stated that they would like this to be an opportunity to have a joint venture to improve the playground as well.
Emergency coverage was discussed, however this is something that will need more investigating.
Discussions followed.  Cheryl will research and have a contract prepared to present to the Board.
The Selectboard thanked Cheryl & Ted for attending the meeting.
7:30 – Katherine Heck & Doreen Adams – Heck & Adams provided the Board with a Jamboree update.  This year the Jamboree will be held on August 1st - Mrs. Adams opened by reporting after the last meeting with the Selectboard a meeting was set up with the Recreation Committee & the Jamboree Committee.  Everyone seemed ok with ground plans, how things will work etc.  No one was in agreement as far as negotiating a fee for the use of the park.  They would like to ask if they may use the park for free, much like the Firemen for their Muster, the Oak Park Committee for the Blue-B-Que, the Tractor guys etc., this is a Town function.  They will take care of the cleaning of the facilities.
All three Selectmen are in agreement with allowing the Jamboree to use the field for free.  The next meeting is Tuesday, March 3, at 7:00 pm.  Everything is going well, they encouraged participation by the Board if they would like to attend.  Deb will attend the meeting as a representative of the Selectmen’s Office.
Mrs. Adams asked if Aaron would MC the variety show again.  Aaron said he would be happy to do so.  She also asked if the piano could be tuned?  Deb will look into who would be able to do this, and what the cost would be.
7:40 – Katherine Heck – Town Financials –
  • Warrant Articles - Mrs. Heck discussed that at the budget hearing a few topics came up about the two warrant articles that Mrs. Heck is interested in, those articles being the two savings accounts.  Mrs. Heck read some research she has from the 1984 Town Meeting regarding the 200th anniversary account.  The article does clarify that Town funds were raised and appropriated for this fund, all funds were not used.  The other topic was the Forest Fire account that was established in 1995; funds for this account were transferred from a land transfer account (Russell land account) – Chief Jim Plourde & Code Officer, Peter Hopkins are both in favor of keeping the current warrant article as written.
  • Tax Anticipation Note line of credit – Mrs. Heck provided a cash flow projection to the Board, the Town is able to apply for $765,000.00 – Discussion followed as to ways to get Greenfield in a financial position to not have to borrow funds.  Research indicates we need to consider a municipal strategy to allow for less borrowing to keep the town functioning.  Immediate options for this are implementing a spending freeze.  Selectmen discussed Deb and Katherine writing a municipal strategy.   
Approval of minutes:
Selectmen approved the minutes of 2/19/09 Selectmen’s Meeting
Sign Documents:
Selectmen approved the A/P invoices & checks
Selectmen approved an Elderly Deferral Lien Release
Old Business:
Carbee property – Deb updated the Selectmen as to what Attorney Bennett reported to her with regards to the sale of the “Carbee’s Corner”.  Attorney Bennett reported the party that was interested in a purchase of the property is no longer interested in purchasing but would lease it.  There are two other interested buyers.  Nothing concrete at this time.  The Selectmen would like to have Carbee's, Attorney Teague and Kathy Valliere all in attendance Thursday, March 5, at 6:00 pm.  Deb will arrange for this meeting.  Attorney Teague should meet with the Board at 5:30.
New business:
Tax Anticipation Note – Chairman Kullgren motioned to enter into a contract to purchase a TAN in the amount of $765,000.00 through Ocean Bank with funds to be utilized during the ensuing year for the purpose of town operations.  
Seconded by Day & Adams
Discussion:  There was no discussion
Vote:  All in favor (3-0)
Spirit Mailings – To date there have been a few responses, 12 households would like the Spirit to continue to be mailed, and 11 households didn’t see the need to mail.  Selectmen Adams and Kullgren stated they would rather it not be mailed, Selectwoman Day abstained from comment.  The next Spirit will be mailed out, with a brief statement from the Selectmen, that the Spirit will no longer be mailed, however residents can send $6.00 to the Town of Greenfield and be placed on a mailing list if they choose to receive the Spirit via first class mailings.






Parks & Recreation –
  • Little League – At this time there is no one who is interested in coaching Little League for the upcoming season.  It will be researched if Greenfield can participate in Peterborough Little League
  • Coordinator – The Coordinator position was briefly discussed – no decisions were made
  • Volunteers – The next Spirit will mention that a need for volunteers is important to keep activities active.
  • Soccer – Mike Henry would like to meet with the Board to discuss Youth Soccer and using Oak Park for practice and 5 games.
Spending Freeze – Selectmen instructed Deb to send out a memo indicating there is a spending freeze until further notice.  Deb was also instructed to write a “municipal strategy” to be presented to the Board of Selectmen.
Legal –
  • Mitchell vs. Town of Greenfield – Deb discussed with the Board that there is a hearing scheduled on Monday, Attorney Little has filed a motion requesting live testimony. No one from the Town needs to attend.  Attorney Teague has filed a motion asking this request be denied.
  • Rescue volunteers – Regarding recent comments from a volunteer stating they would not respond to Crotched Mountain, after discussing this with counsel a letter will be written to the volunteer and copied to Chief Plourde, and Captain Anfuso regarding this matter.
Adjournment:  With no further business this meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm – the next meting will be Thursday, March 5th, at 6:00 pm.