Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Work Session Minutes
Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016 – 5:00 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Karen Day, Selectwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectman Stephen Atherton Jr.,
Staff: Town Administrator AaronPatt, DPW Buildings and Grounds Manager Patrick Greene, Fire Chief David Hall
Public:
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Chair Karen Day.
Documents for Review/Approval
- A/P Invoices
- A/P Checks
- Wastewater Checks
- Enpro Estimate for DPW Garage -Underground Tank Pumping
- Draft Town Warrant – Appropriation Article(s) Order
- 2 Year Budget Comparison
5:00 PM: DPW Building and Grounds Manager, Patrick Greene
The Board met with Patrick Greene, DPW Buildings and Grounds Manager to discuss the proposed 2016 budget for his department. Mr. Greene provided a spreadsheet overview of the costs of each of the building services that he plans to schedule each year for each of the Town’s buildings. Some services such as septic pumping and septic inspection can be scheduled every other year or more depending on the findings in 2016. Many of the services, including the septic system pumping, have not been scheduled or done on a regular basis. The Board discussed the spreadsheet, noting that there were not sufficient funds to handle the building services and the list of projects scheduled by Mr. Greene, for 2016. A discussion followed about the need to include an additional $5000 above the $77,240 budget currently in place. At 5:30pm the
Board tabled the discussion due to other appointments.
5:30 PM: 225th Anniversary Committee
At 5:30 pm the 225th Anniversary Committee came before the Selectboard to provide an update on their fund raising activities and plans for the town’s 225th anniversary to be held at Oak Park during June of 2016. Katherine Heck outlined the committee’s progress and explained to the Board that the 225th Anniversary Committee will need some funding from the Town. There was a brief discussion of where the budget funds could come from. The consensus was that funds in the amount of $1,000 would be added to the Patriotic Purposes line.
5:45 PM: David Hall, Fire Chief
At 5:45 pm Fire Chief David Hall asked to speak to the Board. Chief Hall outlined a need at the Fire Station for updated air-packs. Air-packs are a combination of bottles and face pieces. The life span is 15 years. The airpacks at the Fire Station are going to go out of compliance over the next year to eighteen months. A neighboring town is interested in selling bottles that are approximately 3-years old for $250 and face pieces for $100 each. This is 25% or less than the price of new equipment. The last time Greenfield bought airpacks was when the town received a grant. The bottles will go out of compliance around the same time frame. Greenfield can purchase sufficient bottles and face-pieces to outfit the fire department for between $7,000 - $10,000. The Board discussed the expiration of the current bottles with the
Chief. A discussion of other pieces of equipment such as the “jaws of life” was held. The cost of a new set of ‘jaws’ is significant but could come from the equipment capital reserve. The Board and Chief Hall discussed the Forest Fire Warden’s need for a new brush truck. Lastly, the Fire Chief explained that the Fire Department would like to put the 1985 E-1 tanker up for sale. Chief Hall said that they would use a purchase and sale agreement similar to the one they have in place with Sherborn MA for the new truck. Greenfield would hold the 1985 E-1 tanker until they have taken delivery of the replacement truck; the buyer can pick up the tanker after Greenfield has taken delivery.
6:15 PM: Budget Work Session
The Board went through the budget and discussed the need to put more money in the Buildings and Grounds Maintenance budget. The Board discussed the Capital Reserve Funds and agreed to present the following amounts:
Assessment CRF 10,000.00
Fire/Rescue Apparatus CRF 40,000.00
Highway Equipment CRF 40,000.00
Library Bldgs & Grnds Maint. 15,000.00
Non-Apparatus Fire Dept. CRF 7,500.00
Police Vehicle CRF 10,000.00
Recy Ctr Facilities & Equip CRF 500.00
Town Buildings Maintenance CRF 25,000.00
Total 148,000.00
The Board reviewed the Selectboard Tax Rate Workbook and looked at several projected tax rates for the 2016 year. The Board looked at the increase to the projected tax rate based on the additional funds placed in capital reserve funds. The Board agreed that the use of Fund Balance in the amount of approximately $150,000 would put the Town tax rate up approximately $1 in 2016, from $8.23 to $9.23.
8:00 PM: Documents for Review/Approval
The Board reviewed and signed Waste Water Checks, A/P Checks, and A/P invoices. The Board signed a Meeting House rental application.
Adjournment
On a motion by the Chair, and a second by Selectman Atherton, the Board voted to adjourn. The motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 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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