Town of Greenfield
Budget Hearing Minutes
Thursday– February 10, 2011 – 6:30 pm
Present: Selectmen - Chairman, Jarvis Chairman Adams; Selectman, Aaron Kullgren; Selectwoman, Karen Day
Administrative Assistant, Debra Davidson taking minutes
Chairman Adams opened the Budget Hearing at 6:30 pm. There were approximately 35 residents in attendance.
Zoning Amendments:
Amendment #1 - Chairman Adams began by explaining Warrant Article #1 and referencing the amendments to the Zoning Ordinances.
Amendment #2 – was explained and discussed.
Amendment #3 – Chairman Adams explained the purpose of establishing a zoning area just for Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center.
Warrant Article #2 – This article pertains to the Francestown Land Trust (FLT) purchasing land from the Town of Greenfield – The property is identified as Map R7- Lot 17-1; Chairman Adams explained this property borders property currently owned by the FLT, the proposal from the FLT is to purchase the property for $2,500.00. It is a black gum swamp. Abutters were offered this property and, with the exception of the FLT, no one was interested.
Neal Brown from ConCom spoke to this, he agrees is the property is inaccessible, he further stated if the FLT wants this property, the ConCom supports this offer.
Resident, George Rainier asked how long had the taxes gone unpaid before this property was deeded to the Town? Selectman Kullgren stated 10 years or more.
Resident, Ken Paulson pointed out the map and lot is listed incorrectly. Mr. Paulson stated the Map & Lot should be Map R5- Lot 14-1.
Selectmen thanked Mr. Paulson for noticing this; this will be corrected on the final warrant.
Warrant Article #3 – Chairman Adams noted this is a petition article and was submitted from the Monadnock Mountaineers. Monadnock Mountaineers representative, Ted Jarest was in the audience and spoke to this petition. Jarest stated the Mountaineers want to move forward with the negotiations that have been in the works for years. They are looking to get into an agreement for a term of probably 5 years at a time; negotiations on improvements will come forward at a later time. They would like to invest in the park and cannot apply for grants without this agreement.
Resident, Peter Hopkins stated he is 100% supportive of this, he suggested the Oak Park Committee be involved in any negotiations when it gets to that stage.
Resident, Neal Brown expressed that he has had a problem with this; he asked, “Will improvements be put on the table as they go along?” He commented that irrigation has been discussed; the current wash well isn’t sufficient.
Resident, Ken Paulson asked if money comes to the Town where does it go?
Resident & Town Treasurer, Katherine Heck stated a portion of it goes to the Oak Park fund.
Chairman Adams stated the Selectboard has control over any improvements.
Hopkins responded to Mr. Brown’s concerns, stating the lease arrangement is a commitment to the Mountaineers; this will let them use it for the next five years. Any improvements have to be negotiated on an annual basis. The Town losing control of the park would not come to fruition.
Chairman Adams mentioned this does give them the ability to apply for grant money.
George Rainier asked is there a copy of the proposed agreement for the Town to review? It should be available to voters before Town Meeting.
Chairman Adams replied they don’t have one at this time.
Resident, Al Burtt commented, “This sounds familiar to the school board, enter into an agreement without an agreement”. He asked to have a draft agreement prepared for Town Meeting in March.
Selectman Kullgren mentioned the Selectboard did start this process 2 years ago; there is an agreement in a draft format that can be updated within the next month.
Ted Jarest stated that an update is no problem. He explained the purpose of the warrant article was to assure that the Town would be supportive. They are looking for a move forward, with a vote of the town consensus.
Jarest discussed the irrigation and that it would actually involve underground storage tanks and more investigation as to options will be completed before any irrigation project was started. The Mountaineers do not want to tax the aqua fir or the wash well.
Neal Brown stated that helps a lot. He sees no problem with the current warrant article, he hopes a decision would go before the Town to act upon before the final decisions are made.
Library Trustee & resident, Maryann Grant stated she was one of the signatures on the petition. She would like to see the Mountaineers move forward. To her it is exciting to see and hear all the kids; she asked if we are maintaining the park for nothing? Her concern is if the agreement will list what the decisions will be. She further commented the warrant article seems ambiguous.
Kullgren responded that rent for the year in a dollar amount or improvements or a little bit of both are options.
Resident, Laura Merzi asked when the field is rented are there specific time slots for the Mountaineers?
Kullgren stated yes there is a schedule and a contract which will stipulate the Selectboard can bounce the Mountaineers if a Greenfield resident comes forward first.
Ted Jarest explained there are only 4 home games per year and they try to get the games over by 2:00 pm. He did say there are the occasional skips in a schedule.
Resident, Marcia Davis asked if Greenfield youth play this activity?
Chairman Adams replied that yes they do.
Resident, Conrad Dumas stated he would like the agreement to stipulate that Greenfield teams, that play soccer, would take precedence.
The Selectboard noted this request and are in agreement.
Neal Brown stated this is great discussion; the detail you need from the Mountaineers, residents and getting an agreement to present to the residents is fantastic.
Chairman Adams stated that he understands Mr. Brown is implying that they need to come back to the Town.
Brown stated if done correctly, it would be embraced.
Peter Hopkins stated there is a legal situation, Selectmen are the only ones who have the power to negotiate a lease. It can be done after a public hearing, no matter how voted at a public hearing, it comes down to what the Selectboard decides.
Myron Steere asked if Neal was running for Selectman?
Chairman Adams moved onto Article #4.
Warrant Article #4 – The purchase of a generator, utilizing fund balance – Chairman Adams read the article, explained this is extra FEMA money the Town applied for and turned the article over to Selectwoman Day who explained, the Emergency Management Committee met in 2010 and feels this will be a good investment in an effort to keep the Town Office running in the event of an emergency. The Town Office would be an emergency operation center, not having the operators at the Fire Station.
Hopkins commented there is also emergency grant money available on a 50/50 basis. Hopkins further commented he would like to see that be applied for when they get to it.
Resident, Gene Mitchell commented the price seems high to him, he asked what are they quoting for a generator? He explained what he has as an emergency generator for his warehouses and what the cost was to him.
The wording “not to exceed” will be added to this warrant article.
Resident, Donna Smith asked to have the Selectboard explain where the extra FEMA money is coming from. Mrs. Smith explained she did her own research and by her investigation there is not extra money.
Day commented that the FEMA grants are based on national average, so often you receive extra money
Discussion followed.
Chairman Adams explained the Town of Greenfield received $56,000.00 of FEMA revenue in 2010. Not all funds received were for a 2010 disaster.
Town Accounting Director & resident, Catherine Shaw discussed that Mrs. Smith did come into the office today and did her own work. Shaw commented that Mrs. Smith is exactly correct with the numbers she is quoting.
Chairman Adams asked what the discrepancy is?
Shaw stated the discrepancy is the “extra money” the Selectmen are referring to. Residents do not consider this extra money because the Town was reimbursed for prior expenditures.
Kullgren noted that he is going to take issue; further commenting this is fund balance we are asking to use not extra FEMA money. He agrees there should not be extra money when grants are applied for. Kullgren stated that a FEMA discussion is wrong at this time; it is fund balance we are asking to use.
Linda Dodge asked how do you get the 50% for the grant.
Chairman Adams said, we would get the grant, then use 50% of fund balance.
Conrad Dumas inquired if the Town has the FEMA money in general fund?
Resident, Rob Wimpory commented that he liked what Gene Mitchell stated, who did the research on the generator, is it propane, how many kilowatts and who decided on this generator and how many prices were obtained.
Shaw asked if it is different than the generator that went to the highway garage?
Hopkins stated it is more similar to what went to the Fire Dept.
Shaw explained the price for the installation of the generator at the highway garage was half the cost.
Day said we have a quote from Grace Electric and it includes a cement pad.
Hopkins believes the generator at the highway garage is a generator welder; it was purchased with FEMA funds and is not on a pad. They have a transfer switch. Hopkins further stated that what is installed at the Fire Station and what is being advocated for the Town Office is a permanent box that will run once a week for 20 minutes, if the power goes off it will automatically turn over. Most towns Hopkins works with have this type of generator, he recalls the set up and installation for the Fire Station was approximately $7,000.00.
Patty Donovan stated that it would need to be large enough to keep the Police Department and Town Offices operating.
Everyone concurred.
Chairman Adams moved onto Article #5.
Article #5– Skid Steer – $36,500 – 1st year payment not to exceed, $8,205.00. Norman Nickerson, Budget Committee Member stated that he was at a Selectboard Meeting and the BudCom understood the Town was going to purchase a used machine. Nickerson stated the BudCom does not support this article.
Chairman Adams explained the Town would not be able to lease a piece of equipment unless it is new.
Gene Mitchell understands a municipal clause would be included.
Al Burtt stated he is not sure what a used piece of equipment would cost. If leasing would be more than 40k, he would rather see a used piece of equipment and use fund balance for payment.
Resident, Kevin O’Connell commented that for the last two years when the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) was updated, Matt had told him not to go with a new Skid Steere. What has changed?
Selectwoman Day stated this one is dying.
Neal Brown stated that several years ago the recycle committee stated the current piece of equipment needed to be replaced, if the Town shopped around we could do a lot better.
Catherine Shaw asked if this article passes, how is this going to hit the budget? Is it going to be split between highway/recycling, is it a 50/50 split and who is going to be maintaining it?
Chairman Adams replied highway would most likely do the maintenance, but it is still to be determined.
Town Clerk, Dee Sleeper asked no matter how we purchase this piece of equipment, what is being sacrificed in the big picture?
Catherine Shaw reminded everyone there is also money for a Skid Steer in the expendable trust of approximately $1200.00
George Rainier stated he would leave the CRF for highway department and further asked why would the highway need a Skid Steer?
Chairman Adams responded to Rainier for loading, and to be used as another tool in their toolbox.
Rainier asked if the person that would use the skid steer has the appropriate license
Day responded that she could get one.
Al Burtt stated he thinks the Selectboard has done a good job with the budget overall, and further asked what escape plan does the Board have for the town when the State cuts funding?
Kullgren stated there would be reduction of force, employees and benefits would be looked at first, maintenance items would be looked at, and then equipment would be sold.
Linda Dodge asked what happened to Matt?
Chairman Adams stated that is a personnel matter, this is a budget hearing and he was going to stick with budget items.
Linda Dodge stated that it was said the person who replaced Matt doesn’t have a certificate to operate the equipment.
Gene Mitchell asked what the lady running the Recycling Center feels about a Skid Steer.
Recycling Supervisor, Carol Burgess introduced herself and responded to Mr. Mitchell by stating, “when the building is full she needs equipment that works. What she has currently doesn’t work most of the time, making her stagnant”. She has been stagnant for 4 weeks.
Resident, Mike Merzi asked why couldn’t they use the forks on the backhoe if she is in a bind.
Burgess stated she couldn’t get the backhoe into the Recycling facility.
Ian Stevenson stated there is a nice pallet jack at the Recycling Center that could be used to move pallets around and to the door.
Catherine Shaw suggested amending the article to not include the highway because the EFT States the money is for a “Recycling Center” Skid Steer.
Charlie Stevenson commented that he thinks this article will be more successful if the highway is not included. Stevenson expressed his feelings about the highway department.
Lengthy discussion followed regarding new vs. used; purchase vs. lease. Administrative Assistant said she spoke with several banks and banks will not finance used equipment.
Adams stated, the article will be written to say “an amount not to exceed, $18,800.00 for the purpose of purchasing a Skid Steer Loader for the Recycling Department.”
Chairman Adams moved on.
Article # 6– Recycling Budget – $107,911 – Al Burtt asked about the increase of the wages.
Kullgren explained there is a change in hours from 32 to 38 hours.
Al Burtt asked if this was the same wage as the previous supervisor and more hours?
Day stated the hourly wage is more.
Al Burtt asked why is she worth more than the predecessor?
Ms. Burgess stated she holds a Level III solid waste certificate; a hazardous waste certificate and has a weigh master license. She did not believe Matt had those certifications.
Administrative Assistant explained Matt had some of his wages under General Government Buildings and Highway, as well as the Recycling.
Hopkins asked in lieu of the current increase of recycling hours, we are now at 38 hours, are all the hours at recycling?
Linda Dodge asked if the center would be open more hours?
Discussion followed regarding hours of operation at the recycling center in the past, future, number of employees and can the highway help.
Donna Smith asked for clarification of the wages.
Kullgren answered that there are more hours at the recycling center and pay is at a higher rate of pay.
Mrs. Smith asked how Ms. Burgess’ licenses benefiting the Town of Greenfield?
Day responded the hazardous waste license allows the disposal of the hazardous waste that we have.
Discussion continued.
Chairman Adams stated we have a conscientious employee who will address items that need to be addressed.
Resident, Marcia Davis asked if the position Ms. Burgess obtained was advertised? She further commented that Ms. Burgess was willing to take a part-time job with out benefits and now she has a full-time job, benefits and more money.
Myron Steere stated this conversation seems stuck on personalities, we should welcome Ms. Burgess and move on. Steere suggested giving her a year, let her have a chance and see what she does.
Discussion on what was advertised and how Ms. Burgess came to be hired followed.
The budget line item will be changed from - forklift propane to fuel.
Article #7 – Town Buildings Energy Efficiency CRF – $5,000.00 – Selectman Kullgren spoke to the article and of this being a new capital reserve fund.
Discussion of the heating system that was converted in 2010 followed.
Article #8 – Town Building Maintenance CRF - $5,000.00 Chairman Adams read and spoke to this article.
The question was asked how much is currently in the fund? Administrative Assistant reported $9,281.25.
Maryanne Grant said the Library needs a lot of maintenance done. She further stated the Library met with Diane Bollard of the Energy Committee, many items were discussed. There is a big icicle on the new section of the library. There is a gap between the old & new section that is very bad, Gail had to sweep up the snow inside the Library this year. She asked if the Library Trustees could use this money for repairs?
Discussion about CRF vs. budgets was explained.
Shaw stated, “The CRF should be a savings account for future purchases. If you know you need to do maintenance this year, you should put it in your budget.”
Article #9 – Operation and Maintenance of town property - $618,008.
Resident, Adele Gagnon asked about the clock winding, inquired of the steeple and the repairs needed.
Wages and raises were discussed.
Groundskeeping was discussed. Chairman Adams explained the Selectboard did go with the lowest bid, even though it was significantly higher than what was budgeted in previous years.
Chairman Adams wanted to publicly state Jeremy Gagnon of Gagnon Landscaping did an outstanding job in past and though we did not go with his bid, the Town has been very happy with him as the Town Groundskeeper.
Rainier asked about maple tree removal on the common and if there are any plans to replace the trees.
Selectboard did not have an answer as to what their plans were to replace any trees.
Maryanne Grant stated she hopes the new groundskeeper will be refurbishing the flowerbeds. They need a lot of work; she wondered if she should touch base with him?
Selectmen agree she should come to a meeting with the Selectboard and the groundskeeper to discuss this.
The zoning budget was discussed. Al Burtt asked if there were enough funds. ZBA Chair, John Gryval stated he believes the budget is sufficient.
Gene Mitchell made comment regarding the legal portion of the zoning budget.
Chairman Adams moved on to Article #10.
Article #10 – Fire/Rescue CRF - $5,000 – Selectman Kullgren thanked Chief White for his effort in the purchase of a Fire Truck that will be purchased from the Town of Peterborough.
Discussion followed regarding CRF, how much to fund and how to fund Fire Trucks in the future. What the departmental needs are and how they can be met.
Article #11 – Code Red – Fund Balance - $4,000 – Chief White spoke to this article and explained the purpose of this article. The wording on this article was revised and will be reflected in the updated warrant.
Article #12 – Fire Department operating budget - $73,851 –
Chief White discussed his thoughts on the idea of establishing CRF for each department, placing any unused budgeted surplus into the according CRF.
Discussion followed.
Katherine Heck explained she had attended a seminar that discussed this very topic. She learned that this type of budgeting could have its disadvantages, in that budgets may be inflated or not spent in an effort to utilize the surplus for the CRF.
Article #13 – Highway Equipment CRF- $10,000 – Brief discussion followed on the need for this CRF.
Article #14- Highway $516,475 – Norman Nickerson asked about Supervisor salary, and why the increase?
Chairman Adams told the residents the Selectboard received a resignation from the current DPW Supervisor.
Dee Sleeper stated why would we pay more for the DPW position than the full time police officer?
Norman Nickerson stated that highway budget is large, equipment is used constantly, and he would like to see the new supervisor be a working supervisor.
Myron Steere asked if all the new guys were leaving too?
Chairman Adams replied he did not think so.
Laura Merzi asked what the previous supervisors salary comprised of?
Selectwoman Day stated a $30,000 salary and $11,800 for mileage reimbursement.
Hopkins stated this is obviously an emotional situation, he would like to see a commission formed to help suggest the next hire and work with the Board the next time around.
Donna Smith asked about the bucket truck and if the Town was still going to purchase one.
Chairman Adams stated no bucket truck would be purchased.
Wages for highway were discussed.
Catherine Shaw asked about the software that was discussed at the 2010 Budget Hearing and was it ever purchased, if not and why didn’t we purchase it.
Selectwoman Day stated Kevin McDonald went to a class and was told there were glitches in the program and he did not want to purchase the software program until all the problems were resolved.
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson asked about an inventory and if there was an updated one for the highway.
Chairman Adams stated that there is a very thorough inventory.
Al Burtt asked for a forensic audit of the highway garage and the highway computers. Mr. Burtt believes a forensic audit would diffuse a lot of the rumors.
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson stated forensic audit would cost about $13,000.00.
Katherine Heck suggested the Town have the auditors look at the books at the highway when they are here for our annual audit.
Chairman Adams will consider that and keep it in mind.
Expenditures of the highway budget were discussed.
Peter Hopkins asked about the vision on the Town property located next to Greenvale Cemetery.
Selectwoman Day responded that the Selectboard has considered possibly putting the DPW Garage there; they are working with the Department of Environmental Services to assure it can be done correctly.
Katherine Heck discussed about road reconstruction and further asked what other communities are doing to fund their road reconstruction projects.
George Rainier asked about priorities of the roads in 2010 that was discussed at the 2010 Town Meeting; Rainier further asked if the Selectboard ever received the priority list.
Selectboard stated they did not get the priority list in writing, but had many discussions of Mountain Road and the other needs of the community.
Al Burtt had one final question, “what has the Selectboard done to provide immediate supervision over the current help?”
Chairman Adams responded there is a foreman for the short term. The Board is considering reaching out to the second candidate for the position who is a highly qualified person, who has stated he would help the Town if ever in a jam.
Donna Smith asked about gravel and numbers that are down for gravel, she further asked if the Town is adequately supplied for the year.
Myron Steere suggested the Selectboard hire an interim ASAP.
Resident, Laura Merzi asked why the Town is putting pure salt on our roads?
Selectboard indicated they did not know that we are, and would look into this.
George Rainier commented that several years ago there were no salt areas identified in Greenfield as well as a decision not to use the grader to plow.
Article #15 – Library - $66,975 –
Resident, Peter Hopkins questioned that over the years the Library has had many improvements, Hopkins concern was the large chunk of ice hanging off the building he would like to have it removed immediately. He would like to have West Rindge Builders look at the ice damn situation. Hopkins stated, we should be proud of our library and take care of it.
Library Trustee, MaryAnn Grant stated she agrees with Hopkins and she would call West Rindge Builders.
Article #16 – Police Cruiser- CRF $5,000 – Chief Giammarino discussed his thoughts on this Capital Reserve Fund and the condition of the current cruisers.
Myron Steere spoke for the BudCom and to the fact they support the purchase of a new cruiser.
An additional warrant article for the purchase of a new cruiser will be included in the 2011 warrant.
Article #17 – Police Dept. – 211,465
No discussion on the Police budget.
Other discussion-
Selectman, Aaron Kullgren spoke to the audience, informing them that the Selectboard is looking for a third Selectboard member as Jarvis Adams has chosen not to run again for the position.
School Board Representative, John Gryval spoke about the Conval budget, noting that the school portion of taxes is 70% of a tax bill. Gryval further – discussed the impact this budget will have on town operations. Gryval explained his thoughts on the articles on the school warrant.
Selectmen thanked everyone for attending the Budget Hearing, noting a second budget hearing will be held before Town Meeting, it will be properly posted in the local newspaper, around town and on the website.
The Budget Hearing adjourned at 10:18 pm.
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