Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 04, 2013 – 4:30 pm
Board of Selectmen: Chairman Rob Wimpory, Selectwoman Karen Day, and Selectwoman Debra Davidson
Staff: Town Administrator Patt,
Public: Ken Paulsen
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 PM by Chairman Wimpory.
Documents for Approval/Review/Signature
The Selectmen reviewed and signed the following items:
§ A/P Manifest
§ A/P Checks
§ A/P Invoices
§ Monadnock Mountaineers Schedule
§ Town Report cover choices
§ DES request for Meeting House reservation
§ Update on Postage fees
§ Returned Check Fees Notice – updated
§ Cash Receipts policy – returned check fee updated
§ Road Toll refund application
4:30 PM: Review and Approval of Documents
At 4:30 PM Chairman Wimpory opened the meeting. The meeting was rescheduled from January 31st. The Board reviewed and signed the AP invoices and noted the Postal fee increases. Chairman Wimpory announced that the Board would be holding a work session to finalize the budget and that he would need to leave the meeting at 5:45 but would return at 7:30 PM.
The Selectmen met with Tim Murray to discuss the results of the dump truck research and quotes received from manufacturers. It was noted that the Town’s 10-wheeler was considered totaled by the insurance company. As a result there would be coverage only for other parties; the insurance pool would provide liability-only insurance on the truck while the town looks for a replacement truck. The insurance pool would not take the truck off the insurance roster but in the case of an accident the truck would not be eligible for compensation in the event of a future claim.
The Administrator provided the background detail to six truck and chassis quotes, three equipment packages, and financing quotes from four institutions. The truck quotes included Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Western Star and MACK. Supervisor Murray outlined the comparison between the trucks noting that Peterbilt was not included in the final selection because the length of the vehicle would not allow the vehicle fit inside the highway garage with a plow on. Supervisor Murray indicated that on inspection of the quotes he realized that the comparison was not apples to apples. International and Freighliner have more than one version of a Class 8 truck and the Freightliner quoted would need frame reinforcement in order to handle a plow. These two companies did not quote their heavy-duty class 8 trucks but
instead quoted lighter built trucks that have a lower price point. While both the International and Freightliner have bumper-to-bumper warranties for 84 months, Supervisor Murray indicated that the cost of the International made it the most expensive of all of the trucks, and he was unwilling to promote the Freighliner because of the lighter frame. The quote from Freightliner, which held the lowest price point, was referenced showing where factory frame reinforcement was required. Supervisor Murray indicated that he would prefer to remove it from the comparison. Supervisor Murray went on to say that the work conducted by the Greenfield DPW is much more difficult compared to the type of snow plowing that the State provides. The difficult back roads, mud season, and the need to haul gravel and stone make a 10-wheeler indispensable to the town. The DPW’s work is intensive and can be grueling for vehicles over time. A recap of the ability of a 10-wheel dump truck to handle a
quantity of sand and salt that allow it to stay on the roads twice as along as the six wheeler were discussed as well as other examples of the hard work that the truck provides. Supervisor Murray summed up this portion of the conversation by saying that Greenfield has two primary trucks (“we are a two horse town and can’t afford the down time like a larger town that has multiple vehicles”) and the idea of putting a lighter built model on the road was not a prudent choice given the work that is done. Eventually the truck will break down and require extensive time for repairs, and be off the road. The Town cannot afford the downtime especially during the winter season.
The two manufacturers with the closest apples-to-apples class 8 comparisons were the Kenworth and the MACK. The MACK truck had the better overall warranty while the Kenworth had several different warranties that ranged from 3 years on electrical, 5 years on chassis and 7 years on the drive train. The MACK warranty was for 7 years for a majority of the truck and 5 years on sensors. Supervisor Murray recommended the MACK as the manufacturer was willing to also guarantee a $38,000 buy-back at the end of ten years. When this figure was included in the comparison, the MACK pricing to value was the most cost effective over time. Supervisor Murray indicated that the purchase price of the vehicle included a Viking equipment package of snow plow and wing, and dump body. People’s Bank, GE Capital, TD Bank, Pakkar financing,
and financing through Liberty Trucks for the International had been compared, with People’s Bank offering the lowest rate. The quote for the truck and equipment package would not include lettering and swapping of the radio from the current truck. The Board agreed that additional cost for these items could come from the DPW budget and would not be considered as part of the warrant article.
At the conclusion of the conversation the Chair made a motion to accept the recommendation by Supervisor Murray and to include a warrant article for $176,194 for the purchase of a 2014 MACK 10-wheel dump truck with Viking equipment package (plow, dump body, wing, hydraulics and lights) through a lease/purchase with municipal finance clause. Selectwoman Davidson seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. The Board thanked the Supervisor for his work and his thorough review of available trucks on the market.
The Selectmen moved to the budget and reviewed a 2-year budget detail comparison on a line-by-line basis, starting with revenues. A conversation about revenues was held and the places where revenues projections have been added or increased by the Administrator were gone over. The Board then moved to discuss expenses.
At 5:45 PM Chairman Wimpory left the meeting.
Selectwoman Day and Selectwoman Davidson continued with the 2013 budget review. The Selectmen reduced expense lines and in some cases consolidated expenses for an additional savings of $6500. At the conclusion of the budget review, and accounting for additional savings provided by the executive offices, the Board had a total additional reduction of ($24,000). The result was a total budget reduction of (-2%) with one warrant article left to finalize.
At 7:15 PM Chairman Wimpory rejoined the meeting.
The Board reviewed selections of photographs for the front cover of the Town Report. A selection was made of the covered bridge; photo by Ken Paulsen. The Board indicated that residents in the past had indicated that they preferred the wire bound books, even though these are more expensive than the bound books. The ability to open and lay the books flat was important to people at Town Meeting.
The Board discussed several additional items. It was noted that the Mountaineers had provided notice of their intent to reseed the football field this spring. The Board indicated that there would be other people using the park but that they looked forward to having the Mountaineers complete their project.
The Board then discussed a recent conversation between Michael Maloney and the Administrator concerning property R9-64 located at 136 Russell Station Road. The Board agreed that the two-week extension had expired for repayment of back-taxes, interest and penalties. As such the Board asked that the Administrator contact the Code Enforcement Officer and schedule an inspection and to notice the occupants of the need for an inspection and to provide a 30 day notice to quit, along with notice of terms for continued occupancy. The terms include a requirement for a rental agreement along with payment of first month and security deposit. The Board noted that the month of February was now overdue as well.
The Board discussed in general terms the need to have the Code Enforcement officer inspect properties that have emergency oil furnace work or emergency plumbing work paid through the Town’s welfare department.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Selectman Wimpory moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 PM. Selectwoman Day seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM
Respectfully Submitted:
Aaron Patt
Town Administrator
The minutes are final when approved and signed by the Board of Selectmen. A signed copy is on file in the Selectmen’s minutes.
_____________________ _____________________ _______________________
Rob Wimpory, Chairman Karen Day, Selectwoman Debra Davidson, Selectwoman
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