Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Thursday – February 17, 2011 – 6:00 pm
Present: Chairman, Jarvis Adams, IV; Selectwoman, Karen Day; Selectman, Aaron Kullgren
Minutes: Administrative Assistant, Debra Davidson taking minutes.
Appointments:
6:00 – George Leel, Jr. – Mr. Leel has been hired as an interim DPW Supervisor, he provided the Selectboard with an update of the week. He stated the first three days have gone fairly well, the crew met and had a good talk about expectations; everyone is ready to move forward.
There is a part–time position opened at the DPW, as Thomas Olson resigned. This position will be advertised as soon as possible.
There are problems with the 6-wheel dump truck; it had a broken rim, which has been repaired. The service engine light is on and stays on; the vehicle will be taken to plug into a computer to determine what exactly is wrong.
Neal & George are working on recommendations for the winter maintenance and employee handbook policy. They are also working on a vehicle maintenance & service schedule.
Highway crew is signed up for a free dig safe training on March 21, 2011 in Concord.
Chairman Adams informed Mr. Leel, Duffy Fox is available in the morning to go over things with him.
The public getting sand from the DPW shed was discussed. Selectmen stated it has always been that the public could take a bucket or two, but not truck loads. Selectwoman Day thinks a written policy on this would be a good idea.
Day asked what Mr. Leel prefers to be called. He replied either George or Butch is fine.
Resident, Rob Wimpory discussed OBD-2 readers.
Mr. Leel stated today that the DPW building is being brought up to Dept. of Labor compliant, he estimates it will take about 3 weeks to be brought up to compliance.
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson discussed the vendors and if a letter should be sent indicating that Mr. Leel has authorization to make purchases. Selectmen instructed Davidson to take care of this. Davidson also asked who authorizes payment and approves timecards. Selectmen stated that Mr. Leel would be doing this. The part-time positions that are vacant were discussed; these positions will not be advertised for the time being.
Selectmen thanked Mr. Leel for this update.
6:30 Library Trustees, Maryanne Grant, Neal Brown, Robert Marshall – Trustees were present to discuss maintenance of Library. Maryanne Grant asked if she could discuss gardening matters before moving forward with the Library maintenance discussion. Mrs. Grant asked if she could call Terry Jarest, she would like to get together with him to discuss that she wants to continue to care for the town line signs. She also would like to discuss what he is going to do with the gardens.
Selectmen indicated they have no objection to this.
Neal Brown, Bob Marshall, Maryanne Grant (Library Trustees) – Mr. Brown asked about the budget hearing and reiterated that it is next week.
Brown went on to discuss maintenance at the Library and that the Trustees would like a plan to be established and would like to have a solution to the foundation problems. They will get bids for reviewing the eves to be able to make keep the Selectboard aware of the building needs, priorities and present a concrete price.
Adams suggested getting several suggestions and reports to the Board for review.
Bob Marshall spoke to the general maintenance, that if not taken care of the small projects becoming a larger problem. The Trustees would like to employ their own part-time maintenance person.
Adams stated the Selectboard has been trying to get the DPW Supervisor to oversee this type of maintenance program and will continue in that direction for the time being.
Maryanne Grant spoke of preventative maintenance being so important for all buildings.
Selectman, Aaron Kullgren discussed the possibility of a lot of services that are paid for contractually that could possibly be made into a position. (i.e. groundskeeping, cleaning, general maintenance items)
Selectwoman Day agreed with Kullgren, this is what the Town needs.
Discussion followed.
Maryanne Grant wanted to discuss the basement and would like to see the repairs carried through. She noted it is a big project, meaning money, someone looked at a similar project in Antrim and it was thousands of dollars. Mrs. Grant discussed that earlier this week Bill Harper happened to be at the library and he made a diagram of what could be done at a reasonable cost.
Day stated that they spoke to George Leel and is aware of this situation. He indicated he would look at this problem in the spring.
Resident, Diane Boilard asked what the reason for not repairing the leak was?
Chairman, Adams replied that over time lots of work has been done, but he believes a better plan needs to be established. Those with expertise should discuss this leak.
Bob Marshall spoke to the energy inefficiency that is currently happening at the library. And the pros and cons of volunteers vs. contract service.
Chairman, Adams suggested appointing a point person to research this matter and get it finished this year.
Administrative Assistant, Davidson stated she would get the phone number of a foundation company she knows of who is very good and provide it to the Trustees.
Selectmen thanked the Trustees for their input.
John Gryval & Loren White were present they discussed it was their intention to meet the new interim DPW Director; White discussed the highway needs to keep the hydrants cleaned for safety reasons. Selectman Kullgren provided phone numbers to Loren. Loren stated Forman Neal Bureguard has a list of the hydrants that need to be cleaned.
7:15 – Josh Boisvert – Mr. Boisvert provided the Selectboard with his background of Budo Tai Jutsu. He further explained the tradition of this type of martial arts program. This program is not about fighting, it is about protecting yourself and using your body correctly. With regards to the age groups he wants to teach, some of this program is not applicable for a youth version of the martial arts program. Boisvert explained the benefits to helping children with self-esteem, confidence and self-control.
Boisvert defined the three areas of this Budo Tai Jutsu.
Selectman Kullgren asked for references.
Mr. Boisvert provided his references to the board.
Boisvert explained the age range he is looking to reach is 8-12 and 12-15; there is a lot of group training, no sparing.
Selectman Kullgren asked if any other adults are in the session if parents don’t stay.
Boisvert replied he would like to have a helper with him.
Maryanne Grant asked about background checks. She was told that there is a complete background check completed.
Loren White clarified that the standard background check may not expose everything. White went on to explain the different levels of background checks. Loren supports this program, as a personal experience has proved positive so he supports this program.
Discussion followed regarding the theory and practicality of this type of program.
Selectmen thanked Mr. Boisvert for his presentation. Mr. Boisvert will meet with the Administrative Assistant to sign the paperwork for a background check.
Welcome Baskets - Maryanne Grant asked if the Selectmen would write a welcome letter for the GIVers welcome boxes they provide to new residents. Selectmen indicated they would do this.
Safety matters - Mr. Wimpory asked about safety for the Town Office building. This matter was briefly discussed; Mr. Wimpory will provide Administrative Assistant assistance with this matter.
Write in Candidate - Robert Wimpory stated he would like to be a write in candidate for the open seat of Selectman. He provided a written letter explaining what he believes and what his goals are if elected on March 8th. This letter will be distributed to residents who come into the Town Office.
8:26 – In accordance with RSA 91A:3 II (a) personnel matter Chairman Adams motioned to enter into a non-public session. Seconded by Day & Kullgren. Voted 3-0 to enter into a non-public session. At this time, Administrative Assistant was excused from the meeting.
Selectmen’s Approval:
February 3, 2011, February 10, 2011 Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes; February 10, 2011 Budget Hearing minutes were approved.
Sign Documents for Approval:
A/P Invoices
P/R Checks
Other Matters:
Mail - Misc. mail was reviewed.
Town Report – Administrative Assistant discussed the time frame for the Town Report. The final report will be sent to Town and Country Reprographics on Friday, February 25. Selectmen discussed what the cover will be, as well as the dedication page.
Souper Suppers- Administrative Assistant discussed, Kathleen Bassett has met with her and is trying to organize a community supper for the Town of Greenfield. Community suppers are prevalent in the Monadnock Region, with Greenfield being one of the Towns that does not have such a supper. This is in the beginning stages; Ms. Bassett will meet with the Selectmen prior to the first supper. Selectmen asked about the funding and where the proceeds will go? Administrative Assistant will ask Ms. Bassett this, however the Board can discuss this with her when they meet with her.
Note from Town Clerk – The Selectmen reviewed and discussed Ms. Sleepers note regarding the lighting of the parking lot, providing an alternative to the installation of a streetlight. Selectmen like her suggestion and this will be further considered.
Thanks – The Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson wanted it on record that Neal Beauregard took a couple of hours and completed many of the maintenance items that have been outstanding for quite some time. She wanted to thank him for his efforts. She also wanted to publicly thank Bob Marshall for his volunteering to paint, reorganize and clean up the upstairs meeting room of the Town Office building, he took a lot of time to do this and should be commended for his efforts.
Monadnock Security – Administrative Assistant was instructed, in an effort to save funds, having the Library security included in the annual testing when Monadnock Security tests the other Town Buildings.
Monadnock Mountaineers DRAFT agreement - Selectmen reviewed a DRAFT agreement to have available at Town Meeting. This will be sent to Town Counsel for review. Chairman Adams is in favor of the shorter version. This document will also be sent to the Local Government Center, via e-mail for review and comment.
Town Counsel – Chairman Adams will contact town counsel regarding the preliminary DRAFT agreement with the Mountaineers and having Town Counsel present for Town Meeting on March 12, 2011.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Hearing – Resident and Write in Candidate for Selectman, Rob Wimpory asked about CDBG minutes and further asked the Selectboard to clarify this meeting and why Crotched Mountain needed the Town of Greenfield to sign in order to apply for this grant. A lengthy discussion followed regarding CDBG, Crotched Mountain and more. Mr. Wimpory indicated he better understands now.
Adjournment – With no further business, at 8:26 the Administrative Assistant was excused from the public session of this meeting. The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 6:00 pm. Followed by the second Budget Hearing to be opened at 6:30 pm.
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