Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, September 14, 2023 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairman Michael Borden, Selectman Tom Bascom, Selectman Mason Parker
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Dave Thimmel, Planning Board Chair
Conservation Committee Members: Karen Day, Tom Bregani
Recreation Dept. Members: Kayla Kokal, Recreation Director; Kara Atherton and Liz Griswold, Greenfield Baseball Coordinators
Public: J.B. Mack, Southwest Regional Planning
Documents for Review / Approval
- Payroll Check Register dated 9/01/2023 in the amount of $32,439.47
- A/P “ACH” Check Register dated 9/25/2023 NH Retirement
- DPW STD Worksheet
- DPW Re-Hire Worksheet – DPW Snowplowing
- Request for Change of Vendor – Town Credit Card
- Invoice – Wired Electric New PD / balance due $4000.00
- Oak Park Rental – Soccer Fields ConVal Soccer Club
- Selectboard Minutes of 9/07/2023
Other letters/ items for Review/Discussion/Signature:
- Vacation Roll-Over Request
- Zephyr Lake Policy Request – relative to storing private property at the beach
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 for the public forum. The Board began reviewing and signing Consent Agenda documents.
6:00 PM: Conservation Commission and Southwest Regional Planning
At 6:00 pm, the Chair recognized Karen Day and Tom Bregani of the Conservation Commission (ConComm). Ms. Day introduced J.B. Mack from Southwest Regional Planning. The Conservation Commission has been discussing a possible clean-up of the wooded area behind the Forest Road Parking lot next to the Blacksmith’s shop. The area is currently of concern to the ConComm because there are a number of tanks and old white goods abandoned at the site from when the property was a residence. The Board discussed the project and Selectman Bascom stated that he remembers that the house on the lot burned down. The lot is known informally as the Winnie Russell parking lot. Southwest Regional Planning can provide help with a Brownsfield clean-up that would remediate the area and any contamination found there. Mr. Mack outlined the various ways that Southwest Regional Planning could help apply for grant funding. Mr. Mack outlined the process for a Brownsfield grant and indicated that more information is available on the Southwest Regional Planning website. The Board indicated their interest in having the ConComm work with SWRP to determine the best grant to apply for in order to clean up the lot. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board thanked the ConComm and Mr. Mack for their time.
6:30 PM: Recreation Committee and Greenfield Baseball
At 6:30pm, the Chair welcomed Kayla Kokal, Recreation Director; Liz Griswold, Baseball Coordinator; and Dave Thimmel, Chair of the Oak Park Committee and Chair of the Planning Board to the meeting. Ms. Griswold provided the Selectboard with an overview of the baseball field review that was completed. The baseball field dimensions and distance to the rear fence are fine, which alleviates a number of concerns that the Baseball Coordinators had prior to the meeting. There were some issues that were noted, including the need to move one of the foul poles and for both poles to be painted. The fences in front of the dugouts need a fence guard installed along the top. The pitching mound distances are different for minors vs. majors. The base paths need to be weeded to ensure a 3’ width uniformly. During the season, the grass grows back and the paths shrink. Finally, Ms. Griswold requested that the town mow the diamond and field more frequently. Selectman Parker acknowledged that it has rained a great deal this year.
Next the Selectboard and the Recreation Department discussed purchasing a new electronic scoreboard for the baseball field. The town has received unanticipated donations from individuals for the scoreboard and the Oak Park Committee is willing to provide a donation from their fundraising account. The total inclusive of shipping for a scoreboard according to the Baseball Coordinators is approximately $4,463. Of which $1,300 has been donated, the Oak Park is providing $1,000 and the balance will come from funds raised by the Greenfield Baseball coordinators and placed in the Recreation Revolving fund. No amount will come from the operating budget. Selectman Parker made a motion to accept and expend the donations totaling $1,300, and the use of Oak Park Committee funds, with the balance to come from the Recreation Revolving fund. The motion was seconded by Selectman Bascom. The Selectboard voted 3-0 in favor of the motion. The Chair thanked the Recreation Department and Oak Park Committee for their hard work.
Selectboard Work Session
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 was of consensus to rehire K.A. for seasonal snowplowing.
There being no further business, the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 7:22 pm, Selectman Bascom made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Chair. The motion carried 2-0.