Town of Greenfield
Selectmen’s Meeting minutes
Thursday, November 17, 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.
Non-Public Session – Personal issue
Kullgren moved to adjourn the meeting to a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) to discuss a personal matter from a resident. Day Seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The regular meeting was adjourned to a non-public session at 6:30 PM. A short non-public session was held. The meeting reopened at 6:40 PM.
Non-Public Session – Personnel Evaluation
Kullgren moved to adjourn the meeting to a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(a) to discuss a personnel evaluation. Day Seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The regular meeting was adjourned to a non-public session at 6:40 PM. A short non-public session was held. The meeting reopened at 7:00 PM. Kullgren noted that no actions were taken at the non-public meeting.
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
Vacation Schedule
Kullgren asked about the use of vacation days.
Ms. Catherine Shaw, the town’s Accounting Director, noted that she had been taking parts of Friday’s off to use up a portion of her accumulated time. The board discussed the concern about he number of accumulated vacation days for town employees.
Ms. Katherine Heck, the Town Treasurer, said that she wanted to stress to the Selectmen what a good job Ms. Shaw was doing and the amount of extra work she had taken on.
Introduction of the New Town Administrator
Kullgren introduced Mr. Aaron Patt who the Board had hired as the new Town Administrator for the town.
Mr. Patt said that he was looking forward to working for the Town of Greenfield.
Kullgren said that the board was excited to have Mr. Patt working for the town and that he would be starting on November 21, 2011.
Highway Budget
Mr. Tim Murray, the Town Public Works Director, reviewed the Highway Department budget and noted the changes from the 2011 budget.
There was a brief discussion on the proposed budget, and the proposed road construction that was included.
Mr. Myron Steere said that the University of New Hampshire road study had suggested that the town fund about $60,000 in road maintenance each year.
There was a discussion on whether the town should have a contract for building maintenance or if the town should have an employee do the work. Ms. Heck said that she would help the town check on the costs of this.
The Board discussed the possible use of a portion of the town’s fund balance for road improvements. Mr. Patt said that a general rule he had been told was to keep your good roads in good shape while working on others.
There was a discussion on the possibility of placing a question on the 2012 warrant asking the voters if they would support a bond question in 2013.
Mr. Murray asked about he plans for a new DPW building. Kullgren said that there was some planning done but that there was still some permitting that needed to be completed. There was a discussion on the plans for a salt shed for the town that the state was pushing for.
Government Buildings Budget
Mr. Murray reviewed the proposed Government Buildings budget. He noted that he had contacted an individual to help work out an estimate for the repair of the Town Meeting House steeple but that it was not completed yet.
Wimpory noted the concern over the security of the building suggested that the town have new locks or new keys installed. There was a discussion on the best way to accomplish this.
Kullgren asked Wimpory to look into new security and entry systems for that building.
Mr. Murray said that the problem was that the people who used the building would leave without shutting all the doors.
Mr. Norm Nickerson said that the Meeting House is under the historic register so the town has to be careful about the changes that are made to it.
Town Computer Contract
Rose presented a proposed bill from Choice Computers, the towns computer consultants, which proposed several upgrades to the town’s computers.
There was a discussion on the proposal. Kullgren asked for a report from the town’s Technology Committee.
Health Agencies Budget
Day offered a suggestion on how to reduce this budget while still helping many of these groups.
Rose said that he would contact the organizations and ask for more specific information on the number of Greenfield residents that had used their group.
Wimpory said that he felt that town should pay the costs for the person attending the training program. He said that this could be paid for with a line in this budget.
Financial Administration Budget
Kullgren reviewed the Financial Administration budget. Rose noted the change in the budget to fund the revaluation planned in a 2014.
Executive Budget
Rose indicated that the change in the budget was for the new Town Administrator. The board asked that he check on the costs for some of the benefits.
Personnel Administration Budget
Kullgren reviewed the Personnel Administration.
Rose noted the proposal from the NH Interlocal Trust to offer a continuation of the Harvard Pilgrim health plan with a 5.72% maximum increase next July. The Board agreed that they did not wish to change plans prior to July of 2012.
Parks and Recreation Budget
The Board discussed the need for security systems at the town’s park buildings.
Personnel Administration Budget
Kullgren reviewed the Personnel Administration budget.
Mr. Patt asked about starting his benefits sooner than 90 days from his hire date. The Board discussed the various benefit plans and the starting dates.
Wimpory moved to authorize the town to offer health insurance to Mr. Aaron Patt on December 1, 2011, and all other benefits effective on January 1, 2012. Day seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Town Holiday Party
Rose asked about the plans for a holiday party for the town’s employees. There was a discussion on when to hold this party and it was suggested that it be on December 15 if the date worked out.
Town Tax Warrant
Rose noted that the Town had gotten its tax rate from the state on Monday, November 14 and that the Selectmen had signed the warrant to allow for the tax bills to go out. He noted that he bills had been printed and mailed and that the due date for the taxes was December 15, 2011
2012 Town Meeting Warrant
Rose presented a draft of a brief proposed 2012 Town Meeting warrant. He noted that the Board may want to consider other options for the organization of the warrant.
The Board discussed a different grouping of the articles by budget and then Capital Reserve issues.
Bobcat Skid-Steer
Day noted the information she had accumulated on the safety issues with regard to the town’s Skid-Steer. She said that she had talked with safety experts at several colleges who all expressed concerns.
The Board discussed the issue of the machine tipping when used to stack bales. Wimpory questioned the need for a larger machine.
Kullgren said that he had talked with people in Jaffrey about the machine and they had suggested different forks for the lift that might help. He suggested that this be tried.
There was a brief discussion on other concerns about this.
Adjournment
Kullgren moved to adjourn the meeting. Wimpory seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 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
| 
