Selectboard Minutes

Town of Greenfield

7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047

Selectboard’s Minutes

Thursday, September 07, 2023 – 5:30 PM

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

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;

Public: Mike McGill, Robin Mose

Documents for Review / Approval

Payroll Check Register dated 9/01/2023 in the amount of $34,133.24

A/P Check Register dated 9/06/2023 in the amount of $319,325.50

DPW STD Worksheet

Intent to Cut – R2-5, R2-6, R2-11-1, R2-11-4 Crotched Mountain Foundation

Welfare Voucher – (1)

Selectboard Minutes of 8/24/2023

Other letters/ items for Review/Discussion/Signature:

Planning Board Advisory Letter – R1-33

Letter to Brantwood Camp – PILOT request

Vacation Roll-Over Request

5:30 PM: Public Forum

The Chair opened the meeting at 5:30 pm and noted that there were two members of the public present for the public forum. The Board began reviewing and signing Consent Agenda documents.

The Chair welcomed Mike McGill to the meeting. Mr. McGill came before the board to share concerns about a drainage ditch that is emptying sediment onto his property. Mr. McGill stated that he drove out to the property today and found that DPW has placed erosion control in the ditch. The erosion control has reduced Mr. McGill’s concerns substantially. He stated that he was “hot” when he first witnessed the drainage issue, but seeing the work that DPW has done to mitigate silt flow, his temperature has come down significantly. He stated that he would still like to explain his concerns to the Board. He held up a large piece of cardboard with a sketch of the road and the drainage ditch. He addressed himself to Selectman Bascom who has not met with Mr. McGill before. Mr. McGill explained the issue with the culvert. DPW has forwarded pictures of the drainage ditch with before and after pictures of the the erosion control that was installed. The Board and Mr. McGill discussed whether RSA 231:75 pertained and both parties agreed that it did not pertain to this situation as far as damages were concerned. There followed a discussion about the photos. Selectman Parker noted that the DPW photos showed a cinder block inside the culvert. Mr. McGill stated he put the cinder block there to mitigate some of the runoff and that he had “no malicious intent” associated with the placement of the cinder block. The Chair stated that every property owner needs to maintain their own property as they see fit. Selectman Parker pointed out that this did not extend to putting foreign objects into the town’s culverts. He stated that this poses a risk of collecting twigs, sticks, and leaves in a heavy rain, which could cause severe damage to the road or blow out the culvert. It was noted that DPW removed the cinder block and Mr. McGill stated he put it back. Mr. McGill stated he promised to remove the cinder block and reiterated that he put the cinder block there but without any malicious intent, but to protect his property. Selectman Parker stated that Mr. McGill is on notice not to put anything in the town’s culverts.  At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. McGill thanked the Selectboard for meeting with him.

5:45 PM: Selectboard Work Session

At 5:45, the Chair recognized Robin Mose to the meeting. Ms. Mose is the Trustee of the Robin S. Mose Trust and the trust is the owner of property in Greenfield. Ms. Mose provided a waiver of liability to the town regarding a building permit under RSA 674:41 and 674:53. The Board discussed the application. The Chair stated that the Board has received notice from the Planning Board (Planning Board Advisory Letter – R1-33) on the Consent Agenda, and that the Planning Board does not have any issues with the application. After a discussion, the Chair stated that the Board has all the necessary items for the process to go to the next step. The Chair requested a vote of the Board. Selectman Bascom made a motion to approve the building permit under RSA 674:41 pursuant to the advisory letter from the Planning Board, and the letter received from the Town of Bennington Selectboard, and the waiver of liability provided by Trustee Robin S. Mose. The motion was seconded by Selectman Parker. The Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion.

The Chair explained to Robin Mose that the Board will sign the waiver, and send it to the registry. The Chair explained that the process leading up to the vote of the Board to authorize a building permit has been concluded. A building permit can now be issued by the Building Inspector. Ms. Mose thanked the Board for their time.

7:00 PM: Selectboard Work Session Contd.

The Selectboard reviewed the Consent Agenda. On a motion by Selectman Bascom and a second from Selectman Parker, the Board voted 3-0 in favor of accepting and approving the Consent Agenda items.

The Board held a discussion on Oak Park and the possibility of installing underground cisterns that could be accessed by the Fire Department for fire fighting, and for use in irrigating the fields in the summer months. The collection cisterns would help offset the slower recovery of the wash well that is the current source of water at the park.

Selectman Parker outlined an interest in bringing in consultants to review Oak Park and the playground to help as “park architects”. Selectman Parker is interested in generating an RFI to see what kind of help is available to help with the layout and design of the park. He stated that he believes that the town needs a concrete plan. The Board was of a consensus to pursue an RFI to share with the town.

The Board agreed to promote a training by Town Counsel for the Boards and Committees.

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

Adjournment

At 7:13 pm, Selectman Bascom made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Chair. The motion carried 2-0.