Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Work Session Minutes
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015 – 9:00 AM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Karen Day, Selectman Stephen Atherton Jr., Selectwoman Margaret Charig Bliss,
Staff: Administrator Patt, DPW Roads Manager Neal Beauregard
Public: Jim Conway
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by Chair Karen Day.
Documents for Review/Approval
- A/P Invoices
- EOY Transfers
- From General Fund to Oak Park Fund
- From General Fund to Recreation Revolving Account
- From Waste Water Account to General Fund
- Treasure’s Request for Release of Information to SAM.gov
9:00 AM: Meeting at Schoolhouse Road Bridge
At 9:00 am the Selectboard met with DPW Roads Manager Neal Beauregard and Mr. Stephen Liakos, Bridge Engineer for the Department of Transportation (DOT). Resident Jim Conway accompanied the group. Mr. Liakos introduced himself to the group and explained that he has been working with DOT as a bridge engineer for more than 40 years. Mr. Liakos provided some introductory remarks about the Schoolhouse bridge to the Selectboard members. The bridge was looked at by Mr. Liakos and DPW Roads Manager Beauregard. At 9:15 the group relocated to the Town Office building due to rain.
At 9:25 am, Chair Karen Day reconvened the meeting at the Town Office meeting room.
Mr. Liakos explained that there is an anaerobic bacterium that causes metal bridges to deteriorate very quickly and it’s found in many parts of the State of NH. The bacteria create an acid that very rapidly deteriorates metal. As a result DOT cannot state that simply lowering the weight limit over the bridge will be sufficient for a long period of time. The Town will have to keep an eye on the bridge during the year. Mr. Liakos said that the bridge could last a year, or it could last several years. He said that he feels good about the 10 Ton load limit that is mandated by the State. He explained the issues with the metal pipe and the deterioration found to date. He discussed several possible ways to address the bridge; including that a rebuild of the bridge was likely in the $40,000 to $80,000 range. Other options are
to put a temporary bridge over the top of the roadway a distance of 40-45’. This does not require any excavation and will not require Department of Environmental Services (DES) wetlands’ permits. He also described and showed examples of a folding bridge, which he felt was an excellent solution that can be purchased and laid in place. There is also a concrete reinforcement solution that he does not recommend. A discussion on the wetlands surrounding the bridge, the flow of water, and the characteristics of the bridge relative to 50 year flood data followed. Mr. Liakos then outlined the State Aid Bridge Program, which funds bridges at 80% by the State and 20% from the town. He said that if the Town of Greenfield were to enter into the bridge program today, the State would be looking at 2024 to fund the application. Selectman Atherton asked if the town could expect the bridge to last that long? Mr. Liakos replied, “absolutely not”. Mr. Liakos went on to describe some of
the deficiencies besides the failing of the metal. The bridge should have 3 feet of fill over the top; Schoolhouse Bridge has 1’ foot of fill. This means that when heavy vehicles drive over the road, “load transfer” occurs directly onto the metal pipe. If the fill was at a depth of 3 feet there would be no load transfer. As a result the town can expect the deterioration to happen faster than if there was no load transfer.
Selectman Atherton asked if the town could open the road. Mr. Liakos said ‘yes’, the town can open the road but it should ‘keep an eye on it’ and post it at the suggested 10 tons. He suggested that the road manager take a lot of pictures and be able to refer back to them this time next year. He explained that the town should look at both short term and long term solutions. Short term solutions include an overlay solution over the top of the road spanning the length of the bridge (around 45’).
The Selectboard closed the meeting with Mr. Liakos at 10:07 am.
Chairwoman Day made a motion to post the bridge at 10 tons and to re-open the bridge to local traffic, with frequent town inspections by DPW. Selectwoman Charig Bliss seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. Selectman Atherton suggested that the Board should look at establishing a bridge fund in 2016, he further suggested that DPW Manager Beauregard collect estimates for the overlay solution.
DPW Manager Beauregard took the opportunity to update the Selectboard on the condition of the town’s 2004 International 6-Wheeler which failed to start on two occasions yesterday. The first time was while the crew was in Peterborough, and the second time was when the truck was back in the shop later that day. He explained the efforts made to get the truck started. The Board discussed this information at length. Chairwoman Day made a motion to request the purchase and sale agreement from the dealer on the 2010 Freightliner in Westminster VT. Selectwoman Charig Bliss seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.
Documents for Review/Approval
The Board reviewed signed A/P Invoices, and three End of Year transfers request forms. Two of the transfers moved money from the General Fund to the Oak Park Fund, and the Recreation Revolving Account respectively. The third form transferred monies from the Waste Water account to the General Fund. The Board reviewed a release-of-information request from Treasurer Katherine Heck on behalf of the Fire Department. The release of information is for the set-up of an account with the Federal Government’s System of Award Management (SAM.gov) so that the town can apply for a grant to purchase a fire department tanker truck utilizing a 95% / 5% matching fund program. The town would pay 5% of the purchase cost.
Adjournment
On a motion by the Chair, and a second by Selectwoman Charig Bliss, the Board voted to adjourn. The motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:24 PM.
The minutes are final when approved and signed by the Selectboard. A signed copy is on file in the Selectboard’s office.
_________________ _______________________ ___________________________
Chair, Karen Day Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Stephen Atherton Jr., Selectman
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