Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – May 20, 2010 – 6:00 pm
Present: Chairman, Jarvis Adams, IV; Selectwoman, Karen Day; Selectman, Aaron Kullgren
Minutes: Administrative Assistant, Debra Davidson
Call to order: Adams called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm
Appointments:
6:00 – (not on agenda) David Bridgewater – Mr. Bridgewater discussed using the dirt pile at Oak Park for the Community Garden. Kullgren & Adams approved this request. Adams will notify DPW Supervisor, Kevin McDonald of this decision. McDonald will arrange to move the dirt to the Community Garden.
6:06 – Michael Borden & Michael Sparling –
Greenfield Congregational Covenant Church – Mr. Borden presented the Selectboard with an RSA relating to taxation. RSA 72:23 relative to real estate tax and personal property tax exemption. Borden specifically brought Section III to the Selectboard attention.
Borden discussed his interpretation of the statute is the Church owned properties should not be taxed at all. He indicated he has spoken with two attorneys regarding this matter, both attorney’s agree the properties should be tax exempt.
Selectmen reviewed this statute and indicated they will do some research and get back to Borden regarding this matter. The Selectboard thanked them for coming to the meeting.
Oak Park - Sparling asked what the status of the Oak Park rental for the Church would be. Would the Church be considered a Town event if not, would the Selectboard consider waiving the rental fee for the Church.
The Church annual meeting and a worship service will be held at Oak Park on June 27th,, they respectfully request the Selectboard consider waiving the park rental fee.
The Selectboard will discuss this and get back to Sparling about this soon. No decision was made at this time.
6:15 – Public Hearing – State and Tribal Grant –
Adams called the public hearing to order to discuss the State and Tribal Grant (STAG) grant received by Crotched Mountain. The purpose of this grant is to fund a portion of the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center (CMRC) wastewater project.
Michael Redmond of Crotched Mountain introduced himself and thanked the Board for the opportunity to receive the grant. He further thanked the Board for a good working relationship. Tom Page of Underwood Engineers was introduced, it was explained that Underwood Engineering is the engineering group who developed the project.
Redmond explained the old wastewater system that supported the center had reached its capacity, and needed replacing. CMRC has received bonding for the project and has sought out other financial options they would be eligible for (i.e. a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and this Federal STAG grant. CMRC was successful and received $294,800 from the STAG grant funds.
Tom Page explained that in 2005 there was a study completed, which developed this new green age project. Sewer improvements were started in 2006-2007 the final contract was signed in 2007. The NH Environmental Protection Agency was very excited about this project as it introduced a new technology for NH.
Page continued, contract #1 allowed funding to be combined into the 1.8 million dollar project. Most funding was received directly from CMRC, however some funding through grants on behalf of CMRC through the town. Funds get expended then reimbursed.
Kullgren asked about time frame between application and disbursements. The application was applied for in January of 2007, disbursements began in 2008.
Resident John Gryval asked how the town benefits from this.
Redmond responded it is allowing CMRC to remain open, complete a project that is beneficial to everyone. It allowed the type of system that was installed to be an environmentally friendly system. This project also allowed CMRC to keep people employed. They will reimburse the Town for any administrative costs, and this project should have no impact on the Town at all.
At this time, the Public Hearing was closed at 6:30 – there were no further questions.
Kullgren motioned to formally accept the STAG grant in the amount of $294,800, for the improvements to the CMRC wastewater system and to further authorize the Chairman of the Selectboard to sign any appropriate documentation.
Seconded by Day.
No discussion
Voted: 3-0 in the affirmative
Gryval asked about public comment, and if he was able to address the Board. Gryval stated, the Greenfield website is very user friendly and up to date. Selectmen were glad to hear this.
7:00 - Karla Allen, Town Forester – Gould Hill Cut – Allen phoned and had a personal emergency; she would be here as soon as possible.
Adams opened the discussion in stating he has gone to the site on Gould Hill and missed the property owner, Mr. Parker. Resident, Greg Austin discussed he has been keeping track of gun firing, and stated someone was there this weekend as guns were being fired.
Peter Hopkins reported notices have been mailed to Mr. Parker at both Greenfield and Kingston addresses. Mr. Parker has been notified that there have not been any inspections or occupancy permits issued on this property. Hopkins noted he has not singled Parker out, Hopkins has sent notice to other residents who have permits over a year old.
Mr. Austin asked about the advertisement of a business in the location.
Adams stated that a business would be a Planning Board matter, but regarding the other matter Adams would like to give Mr. Parker the benefit of the doubt. Adams would like to speak with Mr. Parker and hear what he has to say about the timber cut.
Discussion followed regarding gunfire from this property, noise levels, nuisances, safety and more.
Adams will discuss this with Chief Giammarino.
Hopkins will look into the cost of a decibel meter to be used to indicate if the town noise ordinance is being violated.
Ed Anderson discussed erosion on Gould Hill, which is the main issue he would like to discuss.
DPW Supervisor, Kevin McDonald indicated he was there to view the site today, he has contacted FEMA regarding funding for mitigation on this area. No matter what, the problem will be repaired. McDonald would like to see something in writing requiring an impact fee on projects just like this one.
Discussion from Hopkins regarding he is not sure about the legality of stopping someone from clear-cutting their property, he was not sure about the buffer zone either.
8:10 – Town Forester, Karla Allen arrived and discussed her emergency. She then discussed the logger has 180 days before stumping the property, if the purpose of this cut was for a “change of use”. Any property over 2 acres need site-specific permits from the State, and should file it before they proceed. If the logger exceeds the 180 days, he is in a different category of violation.
There could be a violation with the State ordinances, which are outside her responsibilities as a Town Forester. After 180 days from the date of completion, Allen can then notify the State.
Allen has spoken to State Forester, Brad Simpkins from the Division of Forest & Lands, who has been fantastic in explaining this situation, what procedure to follow through with and is very aware of the possible violations in this particular situation.
Allen stated if Mr. Parker stumps the property and it creates an erosion problem, then the State can get involved.
Allen discussed violations, protocol and other options for this particular cut.
At this time, nothing can be done; Allen will stay aware of what is taking place on this property.
Concerns about current cuts by Zack Lavoie were discussed. There are currently three timber cut violations, the State is aware of these violations. The violations are located on Coach Road, and two off of Route 31.
Selectmen thanked Allen for attending the meeting and bringing everyone up to date with the status of this property.
Action Items: Adams – Discuss the fire arms with Chief of Police, Brian Giammarino.
Allen – Continue to monitor the properties with questionable timber cut permits.
Hopkins – Purchase decibel meter.
7:30 – Peter Hopkins – Building Permits & BOS Directive – Hopkins presented the Selectboard with two matters to discuss
· Hopkins has received a septic permit request from Leighton White, upon reviewing it he has discovered ownership of abutting land is in question. The property does not come to a point as the tax map shows, it needs to be straightened out. Hopkins recommended that White could bulldoze the knoll down, showed example of driveway possibility. Removing the knoll would create a safer corner for the town and provide a better driveway for the White property.
· Letters to questionable permits have been sent out.
7:45 – Kevin McDonald – (not on “posted” agenda) – McDonald presented the board with a monthly board summary of work that has been completed by the Highway Department. McDonald reported he currently has a workforce student from ConVal working with him, this allows her an opportunity to learn about roads and infrastructures. She does get credits for school and is a great learning experience for everyone.
McDonald mentioned working at Oak Park was a little awkward; he felt the Oak Park Committee was not aware of the work that was being done by the Highway Department. McDonald suggested the Selectboard, Oak Park Committee and he all meet and discuss the intentions of work to be completed, so they are all on same page.
Adams updated McDonald about the request from the GIVers asking that the dirt pile at Oak Park be used for the community garden. McDonald will work on getting the dirt relocated to the community garden area.
Adams discussed the option of the highway crew installing railroad ties around the wellhead at Oak Park and fill in the area between the wellhead and the railroad ties with wood chips. McDonald indicated he would take care of this.
Action Items: DPW to relocate dirt from Oak Park to the community garden for the GIVers use.
DPW to install railroad ties around wellhead at Oak Park; fill in the area with wood chips
Approval of Minutes:
May 6, 2010 Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes were amended with minor grammatical changes
Sign Documents:
Selectmen signed the following documents:
Appointments –
· Alternate Library Trustee - Mary Ann Grant
· Playground Committee – Katherine Heck, Neal Brown, John Hopkins
· Jamboree Committee – Katherine Heck, Neal Brown, Agneta Brown, Dorene Adams, Jane Winslow, Corele Mayer and Lenny Cornwell
A/P checks
A/P invoices
Warrant – 2nd Sewer Tax Levy
Vacation Request – Approved for Matt Blanchard
Oak Park Rental – Davidson; Greenfield Harness & Drawbar Club; White
Letters:
· Department of Transportation
Old Business:
Painting- Tabled
Church rental fee – Selectmen discussed the cost for renting the church by residents vs. non-residents. Discussion followed, no decision was made. Action Item: Administrative Assistant to check with other churches and determine what they charge. This will be discussed again at the next meeting; a decision will be made at that time.
Sunset Beach – Fresh sand is needed at Sunset Lake Beach. Cost is $150.00 for 14 cubic yards delivered. Administrative Assistant will take care of the permitting. Highway to spread the material once permits are in place and sand is delivered.
Oak Park Water follow-up – Adams reported the Washwell Co. was at Oak Park and it was determined the pipes froze last year creating the current problem. A portion of the pump was replaced, it was recommended putting four railroad ties around the metal lid, backfilling with bark mulch, which would provide insulation and winterization every year. It was discussed the DPW can re-activate it each spring.
Perambulation – Selectmen discussed dates to follow up with the Lyndeborough/Greenfield town line perambulation. Adams discussed there are some discrepancies; Administrative Assistant was to contact Lyndeborough Selectman, Arnold Byam and discuss this. Administrative Assistant was instructed to also look at the old perambulation records and see how they coordinate with maps vs. the current GPS data. Discussion that Roger Williams indicated to Greenfield Planning Board, the Town needs to go back further than the 1800’s information in order to obtain accurate data.
Greenfield Selectmen needs to contact Bennington Selectmen and begin the perambulation on the Bennington side of Town.
Action Item: Davidson to contact Lyndeborough Selectman, Arnold Byam.
Davidson to send a letter to Bennington asking for dates between now and November.
Davidson to contact Peterborough to see what they were thinking for dates to do that perambulation.
New business:
Mail – Selectmen reviewed the miscellaneous incoming mail.
Personnel Evaluations – Selectboard to review personnel evaluations, meetings scheduled with department heads for June 3, 2010 and June 17, 2010.
Annual Cleaning – Annual window washing is scheduled for Sunday, May 23rd; Carpets for Sunday, June 6th
Signboard – Davidson presented the Board with a quote for new letters & tracks - discussion followed – This will be discussed at the June 3, 2010 Selectmen’s meeting.
Action Items: Selectmen will look at the sign and see what else is needed to adequately repair the signboard.
Oak Park Rental – Town Group Fee needs to be reviewed, this will be discussed at a later date.
9:15 – Selectmen excused the Administrative Assistant.
In accordance with RSA 91A:3 II (a) personnel, the Board of Selectmen entered into a non-public session.
Adjournment:
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