Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Minutes
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret A. Charig Bliss, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;
Public: Ledger Transcript Reporter Abbey Kessler,
5:35 p.m. The meeting was opened by Chairwoman Charig Bliss.
Documents for Review/Approval
- A/P Check Register
- Wastewater Check Register
- Minutes of Selectboard Meetings – 12/13
- Purchase Order – Jaws of Life
- Meeting House Rental – Resident
- Welfare Voucher
5:30 PM: Public Forum
At 5:30 pm the Chair noted that the meeting was open. There being no public present the Board reviewed the Consent Agenda. On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectman Marshall the Board voted 2-0 to approve the Consent Agenda.
5:45 PM: Selectboard Work Session
At 5:35 pm the Selectboard reviewed an updated 2017 budget. The Selectboard then discussed the 2017 Recycling Center Budget proposal and a request from Supervisor Burgess. The request is to approve a purchase of a used baler to help reduce handling of steel cans. Currently the cans are stored until a quantity can be baled. Storing the cans requires additional handling. With a dedicated baler the center can bale cans as soon as they are ready. The Board reviewed a letter to this effect from Supervisor Burgess, and the supporting documentation regarding the baler. After discussion, and on a motion by the Chair and a second from Selectman Marshall, the Board voted 2-0 to approve the purchase of a used baler for the Recycling Center.
The Board then reviewed the request from Supervisor Burgess regarding the addition of more open hours at the Recycling Center. After some discussion the Board reached a consensus to include the budget figure that represents the additional hours so that residents can vote at Town Meeting on whether they would prefer the current hours, or, if they would prefer expanded hours. There followed a discussion on whether a poll could be taken of the best time of the week to open with new hours if that were made available at Town Meeting. Selectman Marshall observed that opening during the day in the middle of the week “doesn’t serve the working man” and if the hours were going to be effective than they should provide more access to the center for those people that work during the day. The amount of budget required to expand
the hours at the Recycling Center by four additional hours per week is $111,474. To keep the same hours currently in place will require $108,686.
At 6:50pm the Board discussed the ‘Jaws of Life’ purchase order that was part of a motion provided by Selectman Atherton on December 6th. After discussion, a preference by the Chair to have voters weigh in on Capital Expenditures was noted with Selectman Marshall stating that emergency equipment is clearly part of the Board’s charter of governance. The Chair then stated that with Selectman Atherton absent it would be better to table the discussion until the following meeting so that Selectman Atherton could be a part of the final vote. The purchase order was tabled.
At 7:03 pm the Board took up a lengthy discussion regarding employee vacation policy. It was noted that vacation is a benefit that is provided by the employer and is not governed by State or Federal law. As such the benefit is based on the policies set forth by the employer. The Chair said that if the policy were to change then at the onset of the new policy the Board could define within the personnel handbook how vacation benefits would be provided. The Board discussed several changes that would provide better terms to the town, while maximizing employees’ abilities to take their vacation during the course of the year. At the conclusion of the discussion there were no votes taken and no additional changes were made to the policy. A draft of the policy updates already discussed would be brought forth in January for
finalization and roll-out to the employees.
Selectman Marshall outlined several items that he had questions about as the end of year approaches. He stressed the need to complete evaluations for the Police Chief, Fire Chief and Town Administrator. He had questions about the budget process with respect to finalizing wages and the overall budget in January. The questions were discussed and the Chair outlined the budget process culminating with the Public Hearing in February. Selectman Marshall then noted that he had attended the meeting with the Conservation Commission and the Sportsmen’s Club. He stated that the meeting was very positive and the attendees discussed how best to work together for the benefit of the town and the George Proctor Recreation Area.
Adjournment
The time being 9:40 pm, Selectman Marshall moved to adjourn. The Chair seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried 2-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.
The minutes are final when approved and signed by the Selectboard. A signed copy is on file in the Selectboard’s office.
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Chair, Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectman, Robert Marshall
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