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Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, August 15, 2024

Town of Greenfield

7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047

Selectboard Minutes

Thursday, August 15, 2024 – 5:30 PM

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

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

Public: Mark Goldstein, Matt Beaulieu, Sheldon Pennoyer

Documents for Review / Approval

  1. Payroll Check Register dated 8/16/2024 in the amount of $39,030.44
  2. A/P “ACH” Check Register for NH Retirement
  3. Sewer Tax Levy – 3rd Quarter
  4. Employee Vacation Request - DPW
  5. Selectboard Minutes –8/08/2024
  6. Welfare Voucher

Other letters/ items for Review/Discussion/Signature:

  1. Cornucopia Project Letter – Funding Request
  2. Recreation Revolving Account Worksheet
  3. Park Architecture Invoice
  4. Abatement Request Letter – R4-19
  5. Meeting House Community Center – Project Scope

5:30 PM: Public Forum

The Chair opened the meeting at 5:30pm and noted that there is no one present for the public forum. The Selectboard began working through the Consent Agenda: signing documents and reading letters.

5:45 PM: Milestone Construction, Construction Manager

At 5:45pm, the Chair welcomed Mark Goldstein and Matt Beaulieu from Milestone Construction Inc. The Selectboard heard preliminary pricing for the Greenfield Community Center Meeting House restoration project which is being funded through a New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (NHCDFA) Community Center Investment Program grant. Initial estimates for the scope included in the grant application are greater than $1.6M and the grant funding and match from the town is closer to $1.4M. A discussion followed about the likelihood that the scope of the project would have to be reduced. This will require acceptance by the NHCDFA. Milestone provided project pricing for several of the primary project components. A discussion followed. Milestone outlined structural requirements of a full-sized elevator, which requires an 8-foot excavation below the basement. A less expensive solution is a Limited Use/Limited Application (LULA) elevator, which requires a 2-foot excavation and provides a cost savings of $50-70,000 over the cost of a full elevator. A LULA elevator reduces risk to the Meeting House Steeple footings. The Board indicated Milestone should review and price a LULA as a potential solution. Additional discussion on electrical upgrades, scope of work associated with the handicap entrance, and potential upgrades to the heating system followed. At the conclusion of the discussion, Milestone indicated that they were ready for a discussion with the project architects to determine the scope of the drawings needed. The Board thanked Milestone for their diligence.

6:45 PM: Kayla Kokal, Recreation Director

At 7:15pm, the Selectboard discussed the July 4th festivities with the Recreation Director. Ms. Kokal provided an overview of the events throughout the day, attendance at the events, feedback received, and outlined several areas where the town might make changes for next year. The Selectboard stated that the Meeting House will be closed during much of 2025 and Ms. Kokal stated she has been making plans to move Music on the Common to Oak Park for all of 2025. The Selectboard and Ms. Kokal discussed the lifeguard program, upcoming programs for Fall ’24, and winter into 2025. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Selectboard thanked Ms. Kokal for her hard work.

8:00 PM: Selectboard Work Session

At 8:05pm, the Selectboard discussed an abatement request. The abatement request follows an approved application for 100% veteran’s property tax exemption under RSA 72:36-a for R4-19. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board voted on a motion by Selectman Borden, and a second by Selectman Bascom, 3-0, in favor of abating three months of taxes in 2023. The Board also approved a revision to a previously voted abatement of tax for the first half of 2024.

The Board discussed their upcoming meeting schedule and agreed to meet at 5pm on August 22nd for a brief administrative meeting.

The Board voted on a motion by Selectman Bascom and a second by the Chair to approve the Consent Agenda by a vote of 3-0.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mason Parker, as a resident, outlined that he currently rents the sanctuary at the Meeting House on a weekly basis. As a result of the Meeting House restoration project, the building is anticipated to  be closed during some or all of the winter in 2024 and into 2025. Mr. Parker asked the other board members if they could think of a suitable rental alternative that could accommodate up to 40 people. After some thought, the Board suggested that an arrangement might be made for Mr. Parker at the Town Office upstairs gym. The Board noted that the space is not normally for rent, but as an accommodation to an existing rental the Board may be willing to make it available. It was noted that the heating unit is not functioning due to its age. The Administrator was asked to follow up on the request for accommodation.

Adjournment

At 8:47 pm, Selectman Bascom made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Selectman Borden. The motion carried 3-0.