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Selectboard Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, June 22, 2023

Town of Greenfield

 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047

Selectboard’s Minutes

Thursday, June 22, 2023 – 5:30 PM

Selectboard: Chairman Michael Borden, Selectman Tom Bascom, Selectman Mason Parker

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Kayla Kokal, Recreation Director

Public: Derek Allard

Documents for Discussion/Signature

  1. A/P Check Register dated 6/14/2023 in the amount of $159,463.07
  2. Payroll Check Register dated 6/23/2023 in the amount of $33,224.67
  3. A/P “ACH” Register dated 6/23/2023 for NH Retirement
  4. STD 6/09/2023 & 6/23/2023
  5. Employee Vacation Request (2)
  6. Change of Employment Worksheet – Recreation Director
  7. Intent to Cut – R2-17-1
  8. Intent to Cut – R1-23, R1-23-1
  9. Sewer Tax Levy – Third Quarter
  10. Abatement Recommendation – R9-15-2
  11. Meeting House Restoration – Architect Invoice 2201-06
  12. Welfare – (2) Vouchers
  13. Selectboard Minutes of 6/08/2023

Other letters/ items for Review/Discussion/Signature:

  1. Fire Department False Alarm Policy
  2. Quote for Town Office Parking Lot lights
  3. Quote for Town Office electrical outlets
  4. Seven Hills PILOT agreement
  5. Admin. Assistant posting(s)

5:30 PM: Public Forum

The Chair opened the meeting at 5:30 pm. The Selectboard signed documents and reviewed the Consent Agenda. At 5:38pm, the Chair requested a motion to accept the Consent Agenda. Selectman Bascom made a motion to accept, Selectman Parker seconded the motion. All three voted in favor.

5:45 PM: Kayla Kokal, Recreation Director

At 5:45pm, the Chair welcomed Kayla Kokal to the meeting. Ms. Kokal provided an updated recreation schedule for 2023. The immediate schedule includes summer program with swim lessons increasing from 20 children in 2022 to 60 children signed up for 2023. Lessons will begin on July 5th if the weather is good. The town has been able to attract a lifeguard to work with the swim instructor. Other planned events for 2023 include the Cardboard Regatta, Youth Soccer with Francestown, a town-wide yard sale, adult pick-up basketball, youth basketball, a Haunted House program, and possibly some adult day trips. Another idea that is in the works is a summer camp but that will likely start in 2024 as there is a great deal of planning involved and advertising to ensure enough attendance. Ms. Kokal provided the Selectboard with a calendar for the swim lessons and lifeguard schedules and discussed the needs of the waterfront. The Chair noted that last year the delineator ropes were in poor shape and that the ropes should be replaced. The Selectboard and Ms. Kokal discussed the possibility of winter programs. The Selectboard outlined their expectations for the recreation department going forward and explained that the Board would like to see regular reports on the activities and events. The attendance information is important and will help the Board when it comes to budget season to ensure the budget is sufficient. The Chair stated that he would like to have the facts and figures necessary to ensure continued funding from Town Meeting. Ms. Kokal agreed and indicated that the swim lessons are a great example of the community’s interest as it is increasing 3-fold over last year. There are so many children signed up that if it continues to grow, the recreation department will have to rethink how it schedules swim lessons, or it will need additional staff, or both. The Chair agreed that sixty children up from twenty is a great indicator of where recreation is going in town. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board thanked Ms. Kokal for her participation and asked her to schedule another meeting with them soon, so that they can check in on progress.

6:45 PM: Derek Allard, Resident

At 6:45pm, the Chair welcomed Derek Allard to the meeting. Mr. Allard requested a non-public session in order to discuss a tax issue with the Board. The Chair asked for a motion. Selectman Bascom motioned to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II c, reputation. Selectman Parker seconded the motion. On a vote of 3-0 in favor, the Board entered into non-public session.

At 6:55pm, the Board entered into the public session on a motion by Selectman Parker and a second by Selectman Bascom, 3-0 in favor. While in the public session, Selectman Parker made a motion to seal the minutes to preserve the privacy and reputation of the resident. The motion was seconded by Selectman Bascom. The Board voted 3-0 in favor of sealing the minutes in accordance with RSA 91-A:III. It was noted for the minutes that the Board has extended a payment plan for back taxes and based on excellent payment history has agreed to waive interest in the amount of $1,571.46.

7:00 PM: Selectboard Work Session

At 6:59pm, the Selectboard took up a work session. The Chair brought forward an ordinance from the Fire Chief entitled Town of Greenfield Fire Department False Alarm Ordinance. The Board discussed the ordinance. The ordinance has been reviewed by Town Counsel, with changed included by the Fire Chief. The Administrator explained that Town Counsel has outlined that the Selectboard has the authority under RSA 154:18 and RSA 154:19 to enact the ordinance. Notice is required by posting for 30 days.

Selectman Bascom made a motion for the Selectboard to adopt the Town of Greenfield Fire Department False Alarm Ordinance pursuant to RSA 154:18 and RSA 154:19 in order to support the fire department. Included in the motion is prior notice to the police chief. The motion was seconded by Selectman Parker. The Board voted in favor of the motion 3-0 in favor.

The Chair took up a PILOT agreement between the town and Seven Hills New Hampshire, the new owner of the Crotched Mountain School. The PILOT agreement has been reviewed by Town Counsel. After a brief discussion, the Board signed the agreement in order to facilitate the initial payment as previously discussed with representatives of Seven Hills. The Board requested that the agreement be provided to Seven Hills Foundation.

The Selectboard discussed two electrical quotes. The first to provide updated outlets in the Town Office meeting room. Currently there are only two outlets and they prevent facilitating presentations to the Board(s). A second quote is for the Town Office parking lot lighting towards the rear of the lot. The Board reviewed and determined that there is a budget sufficient for the meeting room outlets but that the parking lot lighting would need to be part of the 2024 budget season and be brought to Town Meeting.

The Chair outlined a recent discussion that he had with the new owners of Mi Corazon in Greenfield about hosting an employee appreciation dinner. The details would need to be worked out with staff.

It was noted that the meeting on July 27th is canceled.

There being no further business, the Board voted to adjourn.

Adjournment

At 7:58 pm, The Chair made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Selectman Bascom. The motion carried 3-0.