Town of Greenfield
Budget Hearing Minutes
Thursday– February 24, 2011 – 6:30 pm
Present: Selectmen - Chairman, Jarvis 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 several residents in attendance.
Zoning Amendments:
Amendment #1 - Chairman Adams began by explaining this pertains to Vertical Take-Off and Landing Aircraft.
Amendment #2 – Modifying Section X.C.2 to allow small wind energy systems in the Special Purpose District
Modify the second sentence in Section X.C.2 as follows: They are also permitted in the General Residence District and the Special Purpose District but only as a special exception granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment if it is not for the general public.
Amendment #3 – Pertaining to 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 R5-Lot 14-1. 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.
Warrant Article #3 – Chairman Adams noted this is a petition article and was submitted from the Monadnock Mountaineers.
Warrant Article #4 – The purchase of a Generator, utilizing $13,025.00 of fund balance – Chairman Adams read the article.
Resident, Peter Hopkins discussed a recent generator installation in a neighboring town and the cost associated with the installation. Hopkins suggested amending the article at Town Meeting to include all town buildings. Changing the word Office to Buildings at Town Meeting.
Chairman Adams moved onto Article #5.
Article #5– Skid Steer – $20,000.00 – Discussion followed regarding used vs. new equipment. Chairman Adams moved on.
Article # 6– Recycling Budget – $107,911 – No discussion.
Article #7 – Town Buildings Energy Efficiency CRF – $5,000.00 – No discussion.
Article #8 – Town Building Maintenance CRF - $5,000.00 Chairman Adams read and spoke to this article.
Article #9 – Operation and Maintenance of the Town - $618,508.00. Selectman Kullgren read this, and several articles to follow. No discussion.
Article #10 – Fire/Rescue CRF - $5,000 – Hopkins thinks, “that the whole scheme of capital reserve funds needs to be looked at”. Selectmen were in agreement.
Article #11 – Code Red – Fund Balance - $4,000.00 – No discussion.
Article #12 – Fire Department operating budget - $73,85.00 – No discussion.
Article #13 – Highway Equipment CRF- $10,000.00 – Peter Hopkins asked why this Capital Reserve Fund has more appropriation than the Fire Truck CRF? Hopkins further commented that the fire truck is more expensive than heavy equipment.
Kullgren stated that the Town is getting a replacement truck from the Town of Peterborough.
Hopkins said he knows, but he would like to see more money put into the fire equipment CRF.
Kullgren agrees.
Resident and Budget Committee member, Norman Nickerson commented that highway equipment is used more than the fire dept. equipment.
Article #14- Highway $516,475.00 – Hopkins asked about the equipment payments that are coming off?
Mrs. Heck asked about the fuel, she stated she has researched as far back as 2006; she is concerned there are not enough funds in the line item.
Adams discussed the installation of a gate at the DPW seemed to help with the consumption use.
Resident, John Gryval mentioned that the mileage reimbursement might have offset the consumption.
Article #15 – Library - $66,975.00 – Neal Brown discussed heat loss and measures that will be taken to assure this doesn’t happen in the future.
Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson asked about the possibility of the Library being open on a Saturday?
Neal Brown stated the funding isn’t available; volunteers cannot operate the Library without a Librarian being present.
Norman Nickerson suggested the idea of a volunteer during the week, and further considering weekend hours.
Donna Smith asked if a weekday could be swapped for a Saturday.
Neal Brown said that is a good mechanism also.
Norman Nickerson suggested this be discussed at Town Meeting and see how the residents feel.
Katherine Heck suggested a survey be left at the library, and perhaps one could be approved through the school. Heck stated, she personally would like the Library open on the weekends.
Donna Smith asked to move back a bit, she commented that the police spent more than their budgeted amount for gasoline, with the stipend Kevin received, she thinks the budget should be adjusted.
Article #16 – Police Cruiser- CRF $5,000.00 –
Patricia LaPree asked what a “municipal escape clause” was?
Adams explained what a municipal escape clause is.
No discussion.
Article #17 – Police Cruiser – $25,000.00 – Administrative Assistant, Deb Davidson spoke to what Chief Giammarino had told her regarding his research on a cruiser. He has found a cruiser, with transferring the instruments from the old cruiser and painting the cruiser for approximately $21,000.00
Chief Giammarino also reported what he has researched on the possibility of a cruiser.
Norman Nickerson commented the current cruiser should be replaced, as it is an emergency response vehicle.
No further discussion.
Article #18 – Police Department – $211,465.00 – The line item for Gasoline was discussed. Discussion followed regarding could vehicle maintenance be reduced if we get a new cruiser & we could increase the gasoline line with the funds from the vehicle maintenance line.
Article #19 – ConCom Article – Selectwoman Day explained the purpose of this article. Day stated “the ConCom does have control of its fund however, somewhere Legislature stated if a town doesn’t have interest in the property, they need town permission to expend the funds in the ConCom fund. If they want to enter into an easement, they would then be able to better choose how to spend the funds”.
Neal Brown asked if this would have been applicable to the “Liz Thomas” conservation easement.
Day stated if the State wants to do an easement, they will not give the Town an interest, whereas the Conservancy will.
Article #20 - Other discussion-
Donna Smith asked if an article could be rewritten for the next Spirit regarding the FEMA income, she feels strongly that the previous article was not accurate and needs to be rectified.
Adams stated he would not personally have an article re-written.
Smith believes the Selectboard should put the correct information out there and should see to it that it is done.
Katherine Heck asked for more clarification on the Conservation Commission’s warrant article.
In an effort to clarify the purpose of this warrant article, Day explained the article the best she could for Mrs. Heck.
Selectmen thanked everyone for attending the Budget Hearing. The Budget Hearing adjourned at 7:30pm.
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