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Selectboard Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023

Town of Greenfield

7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047

Selectboard’s Minutes

Thursday, July 20, 2023 – 5:30 PM

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

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Brian Giammarino, Police Chief; Leah Fiasconaro-Conway, Welfare Director

Public: Amy Boyd, Executive Director Brantwood Camp

Documents for Discussion/Signature:

  1. Payroll Check Register dated 7/21/2023 in the amount of $33,111.88
  2. Purchase Order – DPW New Boston Road shoulder gravel
  3. STD Register dated 7/21/2023
  4. New Hire Worksheet – Recreation (lifeguard)
  5. Cemetery Deed(s) – Lot 20 Row(s) 5 & 6
  6. Intent to Cut – R1-20-6, R1-20-9, R1-21-4
  7. Meeting House Rental Application
  8. Selectboard Minutes of 7/13/2023

Other letters/ items for Review/Discussion/Signature:

  1. Notice of Lien -R9-43-13
  2. R.A. Greenwood Electrical – Deposit authorization
  3. Southwest Region Planning Commission Complete Streets Policy
  4. Sportsmen’s Club George Proctor Recreation Area improvements request
  5. Triple Construction AIA Invoice
  6. Volunteer Service Statement & Agreement - revised

5:30 PM: Public Forum

The Chair opened the meeting at 5:30 pm and noted that there were no members of the public present. The Selectboard reviewed and signed Consent Agenda items.

5:45 PM: Brian Giammarino, Police Chief

At 5:45pm, the Chair welcomed Police Chief Brian Giammarino to the meeting. Chief Giammarino provided an update on statistics for the year to date. The Police Department has made 24 arrests, 528 motor vehicle stops, 664 calls for service and has 45 criminal cases. There are 59 cases that have gone to court. The police cruisers have the following mileage: Car 1 65,000 miles; Car 2 5,000 miles; Car 3 102,000 miles. A conversation followed regarding the use of Car 3. The Selectboard and the Police Chief discussed the staffing rotation. There are no part-time officers available for hire. Response to the town’s residents by the State Police takes 45 minutes or more and the State is down almost 90 full-time officers. As a result, Greenfield is covering as many shifts as it can using three officers (including the Chief) and one intermittent part-time officer. The Board discussed whether the solution is to hire a 4th officer. This led to a conversation about whether Car 3 should be replaced. The history of the use of Car 3 was discussed; the car was only available after the purchase of Car 2. Car 3 has exceeded the maximum mileage for a front-line first response vehicle, but has proved indespensible with the current staffing configuration. The Selectboard indicated it was willing to look at different variables, including replacing Car 3, to help solve for the systemic staffing issue. Lastly, Chief Giammarino reported that Officer Shea wrote a grant application and the department has been awarded a grant for four new radios and 2 cruiser radios, in the amount of $12,000.

6:00 PM: Amy Boyd, Executive Director Brantwood Camp

At 6:30pm, Amy Boyd, Executive Director of Brantwood Camp came before the Board to learn more about Payment in Lieu of Taxes contributions to the town. The camp has been in place for over a hundred years and operates 8 weeks out of the year. The Board outlined the costs associated with the emergency services, and administrative costs that include required assessing and inspections according to State law. The Board explained that with the rising costs associated with the new economy that every property owner has to contribute so that Greenfield residents are not subsidizing outside organizations unfairly. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board and Director Boyd discussed possible dates for the Selectboard to meet with Trustees of Brantwood Camp.

6:45 PM: Leah Fiasconaro-Conway, Welfare Director

At 6:45 pm, the Selectboard welcomed Leah Fiascanaro-Conway to the meeting. Director Conway outlined that the welfare budget for housing assistance is 92% spent half-way through the year. The Board and Director Conway discussed the potential overage of the budget. A discussion followed regarding rental properties and the increases in costs that renters are experiencing. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Selectboard thanked Director Conway for the budget update.

7:30: Selectboard Work Schedule

The Board voted on a motion by the Selectman Bascom and a second from Selectman Parker to accept the Consent Agenda 3-0.

The Board discussed a recent invoice from Triple Construction. The Board received a progress report from Michael Borden, in his role as building inspector, on the work at the new police station. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board authorized Michael Borden to communicate with the contractor and determine sufficiency of work related to the invoice, and to request any changes thereto as necessary. It was noted during the discussion that the flat roof on the back side of the building needs to be replaced and that the Board will need to cover that expense.

Next, Michael Borden provided a report to the Board on his review of the driveway owned by Chris Horne. The results will be provided to the Administrator for the file and follow-up.

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

Adjournment

At 7:53 pm, Selectman Parker made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Selectman Bascom. The motion carried 3-0.