Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Work Session Minutes
Thursday, Feb. 04, 2016 – 5:00 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Karen Day, Selectwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectman Stephen Atherton Jr.,
Staff: Town Administrator Aaron Patt,
Public: (see Public Hearing sign-in sheet)
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Chair Karen Day.
Documents for Review/Approval
- A/P Invoices
- BA/P Checks
- Draft Town Warrant
5:00 PM: Selectboard Work Session – Pre-budget hearing / Documents for Review/Approval
The Board reviewed the Draft Town Warrant and reached a consensus that the petition warrant articles should come before the Selectboard’s proposed 2016 appropriation warrant articles.
The Draft Town Warrant was updated and approved prior to the 6:30PM budget hearing. The Selectboard voted on a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectwoman Charig Bliss to include a notation on the warrant indicating that the Selectboard does not support the petition warrant articles. The motion passed in favor.
The Board held a non-public meeting under RSA 91A:3a Compensation. The Board entered into non-public session at 5:15 pm. The Board voted 3-0 to come out of non-public session and to seal the minutes at 5:30pm. It was noted that no decisions were made.
The Board reviewed and signed A/P Checks, and A/P Invoices.
A short recess was held to allow the Selectboard to walk to the Meeting House.
6:30 PM: Public Hearing – 2016 Budget
At 6:35 the Chair opened the 2016 public budget hearing in order to discuss the 2016 operating budget and warrant articles for the operation and maintenance of the town. The Chair introduced Planning Board member Ken Paulsen. Mr. Paulsen provided a brief slideshow overview of the Capital Improvements Plan and gave a short talk on the importance of the town putting money into capital reserve funds every year.
At 6:53 the Chair began reading the warrant. Petition Articles #2 and #3 were read.
Article 2 – by Petition: To see if the town will vote to close the Library Roof Repair Capital Reserve Fund and to further remove the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend from the Library Roof Repair Capital Reserve Fund that has been established to provide funds for the repairs of the Library Roof under the provision of RSA 35:1 for the purpose of allowing the voters to decide why and when Capital Reserve Funds are expended. (Majority vote required) – This is a petitioned article. This article has $0.00 tax impact. The Selectmen do not support this article.
Article 3 – by Petition: To see if the town will vote to re-establish the Library Roof Repair Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of repair or replacement of Library Roof Repair. To further see if the municipality will raise and appropriate the balance remaining in the closed Library Roof Repair Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of reestablishing this fund. This account has been established under the provisions of RSA 35:1 and to further require a town meeting vote, allowing the voters to decide why and when Capital Reserve Funds are expended. (Majority vote required) – This is a petitioned article. This article has $0.00 tax impact. The Selectmen do not support this article.
There followed a discussion on the purpose of the articles. A short explanation was provided by Debra Davidson on the reason the petition warrant articles were submitted. The first eighteen articles deal with the opening and closing of capital reserve funds for the purpose of removing the Selectboard as agents to expend. These petitions were submitted by Pat LaPree.
A discussion followed highlighting the purpose of the Capital Reserve Funds (CRFs) to allow the Selectboard to save money on behalf of the town’s residents. Some felt that it would be better for CRFs to be brought to town meeting. A discussion about whether or not a CRF can be voted on during a special town meeting was held. Special Town Meetings were explained as either based on petitions from residents (where appropriation articles require 50% of the voters to attend the meeting), or, the Selectboard has to petition the courts and receive a judge’s approval to hold a meeting for an emergency appropriation.
Andrew Heck said that he was not in favor of how the Capital Reserve monies are being spent by the Selectboard. Bob Marshal said that the Selectboard needs to have the flexibility (by being the agents to expend CRF funds) and that this is the ‘best way to meet the needs of the community’. He said that it was in the town’s best interest to continue to have the Selectboard as agents to expend.
The following petition articles were read:
Article 4 – by Petition: To see if the town will vote to close the Fire Rescue Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund and to further remove the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend from Fire Rescue Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund that has been established to repair or replace Fire Rescue Apparatus under the provision of RSA: 35-1 for the purpose of allowing the voters to decide why and when Capital Reserve Funds are expended. (Majority vote required) – This is a petitioned article. This article has $0.00 tax impact. The Selectmen do not support this article.
Article 5 – by Petition: To see if the town will vote to re-establish the Fire Rescue Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of repair or replacement of Fire Equipment. To further see if the municipality will raise and appropriate the balance remaining in the closed Fire Rescue Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of reestablishing this fund. This account has been established under the provisions of RSA 35:1 and to further require a town meeting vote, allowing the voters to decide why and when Capital Reserve Funds are expended. (Majority vote required) – This is a petitioned article. This article has $0.00 tax impact. The Selectmen do not support this article.
Article 6 – by Petition: To see if the town will vote to close the Non-Apparatus Fire Department Capital Reserve Fund and to further remove the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend from the Non-Apparatus Fire Department Capital Reserve Fund that has been established to provide non-apparatus fire equipment for the Greenfield Fire Department under the provision of RSA 35:1 for the purpose of allowing the voters to decide why and when Capital Reserve Funds are expended. (Majority vote required) – This is a petitioned article. This article has $0.00 tax impact. The Selectmen do not support this article.
Article 7 – by Petition: To see if the town will vote to re-establish the Non-apparatus Fire Dept Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of providing non apparatus fire equipment and to see if the municipality will raise and appropriate the balance remaining in the closed Non-apparatus Fire Department Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of reestablishing this fund. This account has been established under the provisions of RSA 35:1 and to further require a town meeting vote, allowing the voters to decide why and when Capital Reserve Funds are expended. (Majority vote required) – This is a petitioned article. This article has $0.00 tax impact. The Selectmen do not support this article.
After some additional discussion on the petition warrant articles, David Martin moved that the Selectboard advance to Article 20. This being the consensus, the Chair proceeded to read Article 20, a petition article to eliminate the Town Administrator’s position. Discussion followed. Myron Steere explained that he submitted the article and that he felt that the Town Administrator had mistreated some people in town, including him. Mr. Steere said that he took the average amount based on salaries in the area to reach the salary amount for the Administrative Assistant position. Several people spoke on behalf of the position and said that the town had benefited from having a Town Administrator.
Article 20 – by Petition: To see if the Town will vote to eliminate the position of Town Administrator and replace it with the position of Administrative Assistant to the Selectmen at a salary not to exceed $47,500. (Majority vote required) – This is a petitioned article. The Selectmen do not support this article.
Article 21 was read.
Article 21 – by Petition: The below registered voters of the Town of Greenfield request the Board of Selectmen to properly advertise, in the same manner that would be advertise for any other Department Head position with Town of Greenfield, the position for Fire Chief. We further request, the minimum qualifications for the position require the chosen applicant to have Fire 1 certification and EMR Certification. The position MUST be properly advertised prior to hiring anyone for the position. (Majority vote required) – This is a petitioned article. The Selectmen do not support this article.
This petition article deals with a request by residents signing the petition to set minimum qualifications for the Fire Chief position and to advertise the position prior to filling the position. Discussion followed. This petition was submitted by Debra Davidson
Article 22 was read.
Article 22 – by Petition: The below registered voters of the Town of Greenfield request the Board of Selectmen to reduce the salary of the Greenfield Fire Chief to $5,000.00 for the 2016 budget year. We further request, this reduction of the salary of the Greenfield Fire Chief to be presented to the voters in the form of a warrant article for the 2016 budget year. (Majority vote required) – This is a petitioned article. The Selectmen do not support this article.
This petition article deals with a request to the Board of Selectmen to reduce the Fire Chief’s salary to $5,000 for the 2016 year. This petition article was submitted by Deb Davidson. Discussion followed.
The Selectboard’s warrant articles began with Article 23; to raise and appropriate $10,000 for the Assessment Capital Reserve.
Article 23: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) to add to the existing Assessment Capital Reserve Fund for the reappraisal of all real estate within the municipality every five years as required by RSA 75:8-a. (Majority vote required). The Selectmen support this article. This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.07 cents.
Article 24 was read with no discussion. This article concerns the Used Oil Collection Grant in the amount of $2500.00. This is a grant reimbursement program that has no tax impact.
Article 24: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500) for the purpose of expending funds that will be offset by the Used Oil Collection Grant Assistance Program, to purchase materials and/or obtain services to establish, improve, or operate a used oil collection center in accordance with the terms and conditions of Used Oil Collection Grants at the Recycling Center. (Majority vote required). This article has no tax impact.
Article 25 was read.
Article 25: To see if the town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to enter into a 3-year lease/purchase agreement for $19,592 for the purpose of purchasing a Compactor for loose paper at the Recycling Center; further to raise and appropriate Six Thousand, Five Hundred Thirty One Dollars ($6,531) for the first year payment. (This lease agreement contains an escape clause). (Majority vote required) This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.05 cents.
Discussion was held about the need for a compactor at the Recycling Center for loose paper was held. Superintendent Burgess explained that wet paper is now considered trash and is disposed of at the $90.00 a ton. If loose paper is kept dry and compacted it can be sold as a commodity. During periods of low prices it can greatly diminish the cost to haul paper away. During periods of high prices the Recycling Center can make money on the paper. Disposing of paper as trash will cost in excess of $10,000 a year. The first year lease/payment for a used compactor is $6,531.
Article 26 was read without discussion.
Article 26: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) to fund the existing Recycling Center Facilities and Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. (Majority vote required). The Selectmen support this article. This article has a tax impact (2015 Values) of $0.004 cents.
Article 27 was read.
Article 27: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Four Thousand, Thirty Five Dollars ($104,035) to support the Recycling Center. Allocation as follows: (Majority vote required). This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.76 cents.
There was a brief discussion on cost increases from contract services Northeast Resource Recycling Association. Operating cost of the Recycling Center: $104,035.
Article 28 was read without discussion.
Article 28: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) to add to the existing Fire/Rescue Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund. (Majority vote required). The Selectmen support this article. This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.29 cents.
Article 29 was read without discussion.
Article 29: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) and place said amount in the existing Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. (Majority vote required). The Selectmen support this article. This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.29 cents.
Article 30 was read.
Article 30: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) and place said amount in the existing Police Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund. (Majority vote required). The Selectmen support this article. This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.07 cents.
A discussion followed about the timing of the police department’s purchase of new police vehicles. Norm Nickerson said that the Budget Advisory Committee was of the opinion that the Police Department should have purchased a new police car this year. A discussion on the vehicles followed but there was no consensus of the attendees to move such a purpose.
Article 31 was read without discussion:
Article 31: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Nineteen Thousand, Two Hundred Ten Dollars ($119,210) to support the Fire Department. Allocation as follows: (Majority vote required). This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.87 cents.
Article 32 was read.
Article 32: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) for the purpose of replacing firefighter gear and equipment not associated with the Fire Truck(s)/Apparatus or the Fire Department building, and to place the funds in the existing Fire Department Non-Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund. The Selectmen support this article. (Majority vote required). This article has a tax impact (2015 Values) of $0.06 cents.
A brief discussion on the reason that these funds were being used to purchase turn-out gear, and the time frame for the replacement of at least 12 sets of turn-out gear.
Article 33 was read without discussion.
Article 33: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Twenty One Thousand, Seven Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars ($221,788) to support the Police Department. Allocation as follows: (Majority vote required). This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $1.62.
Article 34 was read without discussion
Article 34: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) to be placed in the existing Town Buildings Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund. (Majority vote required). The Selectmen support this article. This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.18 cents.
Article 35 was read.
Article 35: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Hundred Sixty Eight Thousand, Two Hundred Ninety Seven Dollars ($868,297) to support the Operation and Maintenance of the Town. Allocation as follows: (Majority vote required). This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $6.35.
Mr. Al Burtt spoke about the cost of the ambulance cost having increased dramatically for the 2016 year. A discussion followed on the issues that face ambulance companies going forward; low revenues, the Affordable Care Act making ambulance fees optional in the insurance law, the cost of inflations, etc.
Article 36 was read. Residents asked about the $115,000 raised and appropriated last year for the same purpose and it was explained that the work could not be completed so the funds were used to pave/repair other roads. It was explained that the Department of Environmental Services review had taken a lot longer than anticipated due to the need to have an engineer redefine the wetlands.
Article 36: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000) for the purpose of providing Road Reconstruction and Paving. (Majority vote required). This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.92 cents.
Article 37 was read. It was noted that after backing out the building maintenance line items that were previously in other parts of the budget, this budget is up 1.3% over 2014.
Article 37: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred Sixty Eight Thousand, Fifty Dollars ($468,050) to support the Department of Public Works. Allocation as follows: (Majority vote required). This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $3.42.
Article 38, was read without discussion
Article 38: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Four Thousand, Ten Dollars ($104,010) to support the Stephenson Memorial Library Operations. Allocation as follows: (Majority vote required). This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.76 cents.
Article 39 was read without discussion.
Article 39: To see if the town will vote to~discontinue the Library Roof Repairs Capital Reserve Fund, as outlined in RSA 35:16-a, and to move One Hundred Ten Dollars ($110.00) to the Municipality’s general fund per RSA 35:16-a. The Selectmen support this article. (Majority vote required). This article has no impact on taxation.
Article 40 was read. To establish a Library Buildings and Grounds Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund in the amount of $15,000. Library Trustee Neal Brown addressed this article to the people gathered.
Article 40: To see if the town will vote to establish a Library Buildings and Grounds Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund, as outlined in RSA 35:1, for the purpose of providing for the Library's building and grounds repairs, maintenance, and upkeep, and to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand, One Hundred Ten Dollars ($15,110) to place in the fund, with One Hundred Ten Dollars ($110.00) to come from unassigned fund balance; and further to name the Selectboard as agents to expend. The Selectmen support this article. (Majority Vote Required). This article has a tax impact of (2015 values) of $0.11 cents.~
Article 41 – Town Clerks Operations in the amount of $28,840. Linda Dodge noted that there are four elections in 2016. Town Clerk Dee Sleeper was absent due to her open hours.
Article 41: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred Forty Dollars ($28,840) to fund the operation of the Town Clerk’s Office. (Majority vote required). This article has a tax impact (2015 values) of $0.21 cents.
Article 42 deals with the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund for the Forest Fire Fighters in case of a mutual aid type brush or forest fire.
Article 42: To see if the town will vote to establish a Forest Fire Fighters Expendable Trust Fund for the purpose of reimbursing mutual aid personnel in the event of brush or forest fire, and replacing forestry equipment as needed, and to raise and appropriate the sum Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500) to be added to the fund from the closure of the Forest Fire Savings Account as required by the NH Department of Revenue; Further to name the Selectboard as agents to expend. The Selectmen support this article. (Majority Vote Required). This article has no effect on taxation.
A lengthy discussion followed regarding the amount of $7,500 which is to come from the closure of the Forest Fire Fighters Savings Account, which is mandated by the DRA. After discussion it was decided to change the account from a Capital Reserve Fund to an Expendable Trust Fund and to fund the account in the amount of $2,500. The remaining $5,000 to be added to the Fire/Rescue Capital Reserve Account. The Board voted on a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectwoman Charig Bliss to change the article and fund the new expendable trust fund with $2500 with $5,000 to be placed separately in the Fire/Rescue Capital Reserve Fund.
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 9:15 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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