Public Hearing
Monday, December 27, 2010
6:30 pm.
Selectboard in Attendance: Chairman, Jarvis Adams, IV; Selectman, Aaron C. Kullgren; Selectwoman, Karen Day
Others present: DPW Supervisor, Kevin McDonald & several members of the public
Minutes: Administrative Assistant, Debra Davidson
In accordance with RSA 31:95 b III (a); the Greenfield Board of Selectmen, held a public hearing for the purpose of determining action to be taken for expending unanticipated money in excess of $5,000.00.
Chairman Adams opened the meeting at 6:30 pm.
Everyone in attendance signed-in on a separate sheet of paper. Sign in sheet attached.
Adams explained the purpose of this hearing is to inform the public of the intentions to spend unanticipated funds for the purchase of a bucket truck, Code Red emergency notification system, emergency booklets, generators and electrical work to allow the generators to operate.
DPW Director, Kevin McDonald explained that the State portion of the 2008 FEMA Grant was received in 2010. McDonald further explained the Town wide emergency measure is coming from the “Category B” FEMA grant provided for public assistance. McDonald explained when an event takes place, all expenditures are documented, if the event is declared an emergency the Town can then be reimbursed. The funds being discussed are for the February and March 2010 wind storm and flooding event. They were declared as two separate disasters.
Adams read that in 2010 the Town of Greenfield received 2008 FEMA funds totaling $16,466.60; 2010 - $14,876.72; 2010 - $18,812.57; 2010 - $5,940.12 for a total received in 2010 of $56,096.00. Adams explained that a significant amount of those funds has already been spent for sand and gravel, barricades, safety equipment, generator for highway department, electrician to hook up the generator and pipe for culverts to prevent future wash outs. The funds do not have to be spent by the end of the year.
Adams stated they would like to provide the residents with the information as to what is remaining to spend and what the Selectboard would support spending the remaining funds on. There is $46,000+/- remaining of FEMA funds.
Resident & Code Officer, Peter Hopkins asked how we have this much money left over, if we are being reimbursed for costs we have already incurred?
McDonald stated that when FEMA reimburses for wages, those expenses are considered as part of the reimbursement, however the wages would have had to been paid no matter what, creating an excess amount of money.
Resident, Al Burtt asked if he understands this correctly, “we received FEMA funds for we already expended, that is taxpayers money and should go back to the tax payers to lower their taxes”.
Resident, Gene Mitchell stated he thought FEMA funds were for extraordinary items, not for extras that are needed.
Adams explained that if FEMA didn’t exist the Town would have taken care of the storm no matter what. Because it was declared an emergency, the Town received Federal Funds for the emergency. Adams stated he hears people saying that they would like the money to go into the General Fund. Adams continued with as he understands it, FEMA indicates if there is any extra money, they don’t want back. They would like to see municipalities use any extra money for items that would provide mitigation of future emergencies.
Gene Mitchell stated he understands and things are a little clearer now, he stated he would like to see the funds go back into the general fund.
Selectman Kullgren explained that certain funds are allowed in the budget. During a storm money is expended that will not be available later in the year. Part of FEMA is to reimburse for funds that were expended and are no longer available as a result of the emergency.
Resident, George Rainier asked if the Highway budget had an overage because of these storms?
McDonald replied that if a storm happens, his budgeted monies are utilized for those storms. Large portions of the funds are anticipated, but if the funds weren’t provided then he would likely have gone over his budget.
George Rainier asked what Highway projects were planned that didn’t get completed?
McDonald stated because of FEMA funds he actually has excess money in his gravel line item.
Resident, Katherine Heck commented that in line with what Kullgren stated, FEMA funds are usually reimbursed 12, 18 or 24 months later. It is a time consuming process, she asked what year are these funds reimbursing for.
McDonald stated that with a “Schedule B” storm they try to cut the checks within 30 days.
Resident, Todd Smith asked what storm does this money come from?
McDonald stated some is from the ice storm of 2008, but some are from the most recent storms.
Todd Smith commented that the Town has survived since the ice storm, it seems like gravy money.
Katherine Heck stated the Town did receive a portion of the FEMA funds for the 2008 storm; at the time we received the funds, excess money went back to the general fund.
Al Burtt stated he wants some clarification – first when we received the funds, which department receives it.
Adams replied that the Town of Greenfield receives the funds.
Al Burtt had a second question, if the Town is supposed to have a hearing to spend funds; he hopes that in the future when receiving funds there will also be a hearing.
Adams stated he hears Mr. Burtt and he understands and things will move forward appropriately in the future. Adams also stated the Board decides what to do with the funds after the hearing.
Al Burtt stated that he would like the Board to remember, if they do the opposition from what the public wants, they are not making good choices.
Resident, Donna Smith asked if every single item that has been reimbursed from FEMA been completed? Every road repaired, every culvert repaired.
DPW Director, Kevin McDonald stated that yes it is.
Donna Smith commented that if the State is reimbursing us for what we expended, there shouldn’t be extra money.
DPW Director, Kevin McDonald stated he wanted to clear the air; further stating that many communities do these grants this same way. He never has said anything is a certainty of being open for extra money when being reimbursed. McDonald went on to say it is open for interpretation; the FEMA reviewer interpreted the application.
Gene Mitchell said Donna Smith has a good point. Mitchell went on to say, it doesn’t matter regular, overtime or whatever, and the town was reimbursed for our wages.
McDonald explained how FEMA reimburses funds to a community for a disaster.
Resident, Kevin O Connell asked what were the hours for the 2008 storms and was the Town over budget on wages?
McDonald said he did not do the 2008 FEMA grant, but that the Town was definitely not over on their wages that year, as there was a vacancy that vacancy was not filled.
Katherine Heck stated she is glad the funds were recovered so that we can have this discussion. She further stated that when FEMA reimburses, whenever any natural disaster strikes, do other budgets become impacted (i.e. fire, police etc.), therefore giving the funds back to the general fund would make sense.
McDonald stated he had reached out to Chief Giammarino and he stated he didn’t accrue any costs. McDonald stated he also reached out the Fire Department who also indicated they did not incur any costs.
Gene Mitchell would like specifics to be provided.
Adams stated they are proposing to spend the money on a CodeRed program; generator; wiring for different buildings; 2nd hand bucket truck and emergency pamphlets for the residents in the event of another emergency. The total cost for all these items is $24,700.00
Bucket Truck $7,200.00
Code Red Program $4,000.00
Generator & Electrical work $12,500.00
Emergency Booklets $1,000.00
Fire Chief, Loren White explained that the Code Red program is a reverse 911 system. It may be used via cell phone, telephone, e-mail and text messaging. The system has unmatched experience from coast to coast, impeccable reputation, renewal rate of 99%. Useable by Fire, Law Enforcement, internal use, emergency management and public works. Data collected is used to implement the system and is obtained from multiple sources. The program is geo-coded, 911 data, each customer supplies their data, as well as CodeRed, ECN is a data source. The calling data and mapping is what the Town will be essentially paying for. There will be opportunity for residents to upgrade their information via a link through the Town website.
Adams explained briefly how the system works through phone numbers.
Chief White stated that utilizing the local phone network systems allows the events to efficiently notify residents.
Patented message technique, no third party is involved. This minimizes chance of error. They will provide us with support, infra structure, mapping, training and customer support.
Reasons to consider this program are that the program is simple, ease of use, reliability, speed and affordability.
White provided examples of success with this program and began fielding questions.
Resident, Ken Paulson asked if this is an immediate need, and in the last ten years when would it have benefited the Town of Greenfield?
Chief White indicated that in 2008 with road closures due to flooding, electrical problems and trees this program would have been very beneficial. Weather events of recent would have been an opportunities to alert residents of arrangements that were provided for them. The DPW has had several incidents to notify residents of road closures. Police would have notified residents of burglaries, missing children and more.
Katherine Heck asked if the recent fires would have benefited from this program.
Chief White indicated if children were home, parents could have been notified that it would be necessary to remove children to a safer location.
Gene Mitchell asked how soon do we need this, he would like to see this go before the Town at Town Meeting, Mitchell further asked what is the cost.
Chief White reported that a 1-year contract is approximately $4,000.00; a guarantee for a 5-year contract would be $3,400.00/year. The company has been in business since 1998, is growing very quickly and is very reputable.
Resident, Neal Brown asked how do they get the database. Do town employees do the work or does the company gather the information themselves.
Chief White stated they initiate it by the means they currently have in place. 911 would be a means, and other than that it would be by the residents.
Discussion followed regarding Code Red, 911 and the benefits of Code Red.
Donna Smith did state she does not see the need for this.
Gene Mitchell says he sees the benefits but again, he thinks it should go before the Town to vote on.
Peter Hopkins commented that as the past Emergency Management Director, reviewing the events over the last 12 years and analyzing the situations, communication has always been the breakdown. He also commented that he agrees with Gene Mitchell and believes these items are worth being considered, but he thinks the voters should get the say in March.
Katherine Heck discussed putting it back into the fund balance to be used for surplus and use the fund balance if the voters choose to do so.
Al Burtt asked if the Town is not to the point of surplus that the State would like us to be, why don’t we put this money into the general fund to increase the fund balance.
Generator for Town Office was discussed next. Selectwoman Day explained the need for a generator for the Town Office and a hook up at the Town Meeting House, and the anticipation of obtaining a grant for a new generator.
Peter Hopkins discussed that two years ago, after the ice storm he went to Town Meeting with a warrant article for a 50/50 match with the intention of purchasing a generator and it was voted down. He understands the Highway has a generator, when the town turned it down in the past, how was the Highway able to purchase a new generator?
Day discussed her thoughts on the mobile generator vs. a permanent mount generator.
McDonald discussed he has a generator and it is also a welder. During the storm in the spring of 2010 he didn’t have the ability to fuel up vehicles, repair vehicles or even open garage doors, the need for a generator was very evident and it being a welder is also beneficial for the Highway Department.
Gene Mitchell asked if they would be hard wired, and further asked why the Town didn’t have something to pump the wastewater system, he was surprised to hear that we didn’t.
Selectman Kullgren stated that he would like it to be a point of reference and he would like to see all these items to go to the voters.
Bucket Truck – Kevin McDonald explained he is looking to buy a used bucket truck. He has tried to get the Department of Labor to approve his current system of the cage in the front of the Loader, however he could not get their approval.
Gene Mitchell asked if McDonald was familiar with OSHA and further asked where McDonald was getting his information.
McDonald stated he is familiar with OSHA and RSA 277. McDonald also stated he has taken safety classes and has certifications.
Mr. Paulson asked for examples of when a bucket truck would be necessary.
McDonald indicated that tree trimming, general maintenance and putting up the flags.
Al Burtt commented that since this will be discussed at Town Meeting, he would like to request how many hours &/or weeks per year this will be used vs. how much it would cost to sub the work out to another company. Mr. Burtt would like this available for the March Town Meeting.
Adams stated that information would be available for Town Meeting.
Discussion followed as to options that other towns use, discussions in writing, what options Caterpillar has for attachments to equipment that meet requirements.
Katherine Heck asked what other use would be applied to this bucket truck.
McDonald stated this wasn’t a rumor that he couldn’t use the loader as in the past for tree trimming, he has researched this. It would only be used for limb trimming.
Katherine Heck asked what are the other uses than tree trimming, Christmas lights and flags.
Hopkins suggested renting a piece of equipment for a short period of time rather than purchasing equipment.
Selectwoman Day discussed emergency pamphlets. Day explained these are pamphlets to be available for residents, informing them of the procedures to take in the event of an emergency. The cost would be approximately $1.00/pamphlet.
Chairman Adams closed the Public Hearing at 7:51 pm.
| 
