Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting minutes
Thursday, November 10, 2011 – 6:30 pm
Present: Chairman, Aaron Kullgren; Selectwoman, Karen Day, Selectman, Robert Wimpory
Minutes: Interim Administrative Assistant, Christopher Rose taking minutes.
Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairman Kullgren.
Documents for Approval
The Selectmen reviewed and signed the following items:
A/P Invoices
A/P Check Manifest
Payroll Check Manifest
Town Hall Rental Application
Minutes of the Selectman’s meeting of November 3, 2011
2011 Greenfield Tax Rate
Kullgren asked about the revenue changes suggested by the state Department of Revenue Administration. Rose reviewed the changes proposed.
There was a review of the various forms provided to the state so they could propose a tax rate for the town. Kullgren asked that Barbara C. Harris be contacted about their “payment in lieu of taxes.”
Ms. Dee Sleeper, the Town Clerk, reviewed how much she expected to collect in revenue by the end of the year.
There was a discussion on the town’s tax rate, and the amount of overlay that should be collected.
Library Budget
Mr. Neal Brown, representing the library trustees, reviewed the proposed budget for the Stephenson Memorial Library. He highlighted the several changes that were proposed and explained why there was a change.
Ms. Kristin Readel reviewed the proposed change in hours for the library. Mr. Brown said that a recent survey of residents had supported adding Saturday hours at the library. He said that the schedule could be changed back if that time was not used.
There was a discussion on the purpose of the town’s library. Ms. MaryAnn Grant said that in many town’s the library is the community center.
There was a discussion on how the budget may be changed at the Town Meeting.
Mr. Myron Steere noted that the new hours would not be in place until after the Town Meeting.
Kullgren thanked the Library Board for their work and said that the budget would be discussed again at the public hearing in February.
General Fund Balance
Ms. Katherine Heck, the Town Treasurer, explained that the town could transfer funds from the Wastewater Fund to the General Fund to hold the town over until the property tax bills are out. She said that this is allowed by law and would mean that the town would not have to issue a Tax Anticipation Note.
There was a brief discussion on this issue.
Wimpory moved to approve the Town Treasurer transferring funds from the Wastewater Enterprise Fund to the General Fund to pay the necessary bills until the tax funds come in, with the transfer being allowed up to $100,000. Day seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Kullgren thanked Ms. Heck for checking on this.
Police Budget
Kullgren reviewed the proposed police department budget.
Mr. Brian Giammarino, the town’s Police Chief, discussed his proposal for a raise for those in his department.
Mr. Steere asked about he increase in activity in the police department.
There was a discussion on the budget. Rose suggested that the budget line items dealing with insurance issues be finalized later.
Mr. Giammarino reviewed the vehicles that the police department had. Kullgren discussed the need for a warrant article for a new police cruiser.
Mr. Steere said that he felt that the town should have an ordinance that charged a fee to those who have more than a couple of false alarm calls in a month. There was a discussion of the nature of the calls the police department responded to.
2011 Town Budget
The Selectmen reviewed several departmental budgets.
Elections / Town Clerk – Kullgren asked for information on the costs of additional elections in 2012.
General Government Buildings – There was a discussion on the cleaning and maintenance of the town’s properties.
Health Agencies – Additional information was requested from several of the agencies that asked for funding.
Highway Department – The equipment needs for the department were discussed.
Recycling Department – There was a general discussion on the proposed budget for this department.
Capital Reserve Funds
Kullgren said that the board needed to be ready soon to discuss the proposed warrant articles for the Town Meeting and how much was going to be requested for Capital Reserve Funds.
2011 Greenfield Tax Rate
Kullgren asked the board about the amount of fund balance that they wanted to use to lower the tax rate.
There was a discussion on the need for an added “overlay amount” in 2011.
The board agreed to increase the overlay to $46,000, and to add $33,000 from fund balance to lower the tax rate.
Credit Card Policy
Kullgren reviewed the proposed policy and there was a discussion what the limits should be for the town.
It was agreed that the Board should approve the policy and that the card should be in the Town Administrator’s name.
There was a brief discussion on this.
Adjournment
Kullgren moved to adjourn the meeting. Wimpory seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:13 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
Christopher Rose
Interim Administrative Assistant
The minutes are final when approved and signed by the Board of Selectmen. Signed copy on file.
________________________ ________________________ ______________________
Aaron Kullgren, Chairman Robert Wimpory, Selectman Karen Day, Selectwoman
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