Selectboard Meeting
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, January 15, 2020 – 2:00 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;
Public: Sheldon Pennoyer, Ray Cilley
Documents for Review/Approval:
- A/P Check Register in the amount of $300,345.45
- Change of Employment Worksheet – Health Officer
- Payroll Worksheet – PILO Insurance
- Vacation Request – Executive
- Meeting House Rental Agreement – Winter Carnival
- Trustee of Trust Fund Appointment
- Welfare Voucher
Other letters/ items for Discussion/Signature:
1. NH Emergency Notification System Assignments
2. Annual Report of Tax Collection / Past Due
2:00 PM: Selectboard Budget Work Session – No Public Forum
The meeting was called to order at 2:05pm. The Chair, welcomed Caleb “CJ” Hall to the meeting. Mr. Hall is the Recycling Center Supervisor. Mr. Hall provided an overview of the 2019 budget and projections for the 2020 budget. Mr. Hall noted that recycling charges for mixed paper are increasing. Greenfield has been selling the paper in order to offset the cost to haul the paper away. There had been a small amount of revenues for the mixed paper. In 2020 there is now a cost to dispose of the paper as well as the hauling fee. Mr. Hall has combined fluorescent bulbs under the account for the electronics recycling in order reduce hauling fees on the light bulbs. The Selectboard reviewed the budget proposal and discussed the larger recycling market with Mr. Hall. Mr. Hall explained the requirements for glass disposal and outlined some changes that are necessary to the way that the Recycling Center handles glass. A concrete pad is needed under the glass. At the end of the discussion the Selectboard noted that the increase to the budget is 4%.
At 3:15, Richard “Rick” McQuade, DPW Buildings & Grounds Manager and Fire Chief joined the Selectboard to discuss the 2020 budget requirements for the DPW B&G and Fire Departments. The first budget discussed is the Fire Department. Chief McQuade outlined recent improvements in the building and an interest by the Department to apply for Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant to purchase SCBA equipment. This is the breathing apparatus required to enter buildings during a fire. Chief McQuade then outlined that the department is applying to host an Explorer program. An Explorer program will mentor young people to become firefighters. There are annual dues and an insurance requirement stated the Chief.
Chief McQuade stated he would like to see a Dry Hydrant Maintenance line for maintaining dry hydrants. Lastly, the Selectboard and the Chief discussed the Fire Fighter stipend line and whether there should be a cap on stipends for fire fighters, in accordance with RSA 508:12-b. Chief McQuade suggested that the discussion would make a good training for the fire fighters and that he would call Primex to see if the town’s risk consultant could provide a training. The Selectboard discussed the difference between the immunity outlined in RSA 508:12-b and the requirement to indemnify volunteers under RSA 154:1-d.
At the conclusion of the discussion the Board noted that the requested budget is .005% over the previous year.
Next the Selectboard discussed the DPW Buildings & Grounds budget with Mr. McQuade. Mr. McQuade provided a detailed overview of budget lines for each building. The baseline maintenance for each building was provided as well as costs for repairs and maintenance. The Selectboard discussed the Town Office, Meeting House, Oak Park, Library, beaches, grounds and cemeteries, Wastewater plant, and the Recycling Center. Mr. McQuade explained a number of line item changes and asked for a new Part-Time line item to account for help with numerous projects during the year. He stated that he is unable to use the DPW staff outside of the 40 hour workweek without incurring overtime in the DPW Roads budget.
Selectman Marshall outlined a number of projects that have been discussed with Mr. McQuade throughout the year. Mr. McQuade stated that the sidewalks past the Library on Forest Road are so poor that he is not sure that they are passable even if the town clears the snow. He would like to see the sidewalks closed altogether or replaced so that they can be maintained. Mr. McQuade then gave an update on the MT Trackless sidewalk machine, which is undergoing a refurbishment. Lastly the Selectboard discussed the 2020 increases and noted that the budget request is up 10.6% over the previous year.
Next the Selectboard heard a request to have a Yoga class under the recreation department. The Board requested that the instructor come to see them for a discussion.
At 5:18pm Sheldon Pennoyer, representing the Friends of the Meeting House came in to provide a brief report on the Friends’ review of the LCHIP Meeting House Assessment, which has been posted on the Town website. Mr. Pennoyer is an architect by trade. He stated that he tried to realize cost savings over the proposed assessment renovations, but at the end of the exercise was not able to find a significant savings. He called the LCHIP assessment a good, basic, no frills plan with an appropriate budget. Mr. Pennoyer stated that the gist of the review suggested that there were no significant changes (plus or minus) to be made to the plan. There followed a discussion with the Board. Mr. Pennoyer stated that while different people or groups of people may have differing opinions about specifics in the project, the assessment overall is sound. He stated that while there could be some discussions about stabilizing the basement, the best practice is to do the project all at once. In order to maximize the grant potential in the future, Mr. Pennoyer suggests that the Board look at a Capital Reserve Fund savings of $50,000 this year, versus the $25,000 that was put aside last year.
Adjournment
At 6:24 pm Selectman Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The motion carried 3-0.