Selectboard Minutes

Minutes

Town of Greenfield

Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH

Selectboard’s Minutes

Tuesday, July 25, 2017 – 5:30 PM

Selectboard: Chair Margaret A. Charig Bliss, Selectman Robert Marshall, Selectman Stephen Atherton Jr.

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;

Public: Roger Lessard, Gary Russell, Karen Russell, Ken Paulsen

Documents for Review/Approval

1. A/P Check Register (2)
2. Waste Water Check Register
3. Payroll
4. Department of Revenue Form RS 232-R
5. Minutes of Selectboard Meeting
6. Sewer Tax Levy
7. Trustee of Trust Funds Transmittal Letter
8. Employee Vacation Request (2)
9. Oak Park Rental –Music Festival
10. Welfare

5:30 PM: Public Forum

At 5:30 pm Chairwoman Charig Bliss opened the meeting. Gary Russell, President of the Sportsmen’s Club, along with Karen Russell came before the Board during the public forum to request permission for the ability to kindle fires for cooking at the Proctor Recreation Area. The Selectboard asked about the club’s recent request to build two bridges over stream crossings. Mr. Russell explained that the club had intended to use the specifications used by snowmobile clubs to build the bridges and donate them to the recreation area at no cost to the town. After discussion, the Selectboard was in agreement that the bridges could be installed as outlined by the club. On a motion by the Chair and a second from Selectman Marshall the Board voted 2-0 to allow the installation of two bridges as outlined by the Sportsmen’s club. One bridge to cross Hardy brook and the one bridge to cross Rand brook.

The Board took up the question of the permission for fires at the recreation area. Mr. Russell explained that the club has an annual permit from the fire warden but wanted to ensure that they have a letter of permission from the “land owner”. The Selectboard discussed the request and on a motion by the Chair and a 2^nd by Selectman Marshall voted to allow the Sportsmen’s Club to kindle fire for cooking, and to direct the Town Administrator to write a letter of permission for the Club from the Town of Greenfield. The motion passed 2-0 with Selectman Atherton being absent at the time.

The Selectboard discussed a recent email from the Attorney General’s office in response to a question from the Trustees of Trust Funds. The discussion was joined by Ken Paulsen, Chair of the Trust Fund Trustees. It was agreed to have the Town Administrator reply to the email from Terry Knowles in order to seek clarification on her original response.

Roger Lessard, Chair of the Conservation Commission requested that the Selectboard allow him to meet with the Town Administrator and the Interim DPW Manager to discuss the town’s waste dirt policy and how it could be improved from the commission’s standpoint. The Selectboard thanked Mr. Lessard for his offer and requested that the Town Administrator provide the Conservation Commission with the opportunity to strengthen the town’s waste dirt policy.

The Selectboard began working through the Consent Agenda. Selectman Atherton joined the meeting.

6:10 PM: Selectboard Work Session

The Chair motioned to accept the Consent Agenda. Selectman Marshall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously 3-0.

The Board reviewed the list of old business items. These included the question of website policy and training, the ConVal payment schedule which has increased by approximately $30,000 each month, and the need to meet with the interim DPW Manager regarding road signs and road names.

The Board held a discussion about the need for a salary and wage program for employees. A lengthy discussion was held about the wage study that was conducted in 2016 based on the raw data received from the Town of Hancock during their wage study update. The Board discussed the need to institute a program, to address the needs of beginning and mature employees, to understand the economic impact to the town, and to ensure that employees are retained and continue to provide value to the town. Selectman Marshall has provided a draft copy to the Administrator for updating. The Board discussed the wage data that they would like to see in the study. This included wage scales with minimum and maximum thresholds with the recognition that the study would need to be updated at regular intervals to ensure that the salary ranges are in keeping with the market.

There followed a discussion about employees that had left for larger towns, which can afford to pay higher salaries. The conversation included a discussion about the culture of Greenfield and its effect on employees. The conversation concluded with the Selectboard agreeing that Greenfield can promote a culture where employees are valued and choose to stay for the work environment.

The Selectboard discussed the August schedule. It was noted that the Chair would not be available on the 29^th. The Selectboard plans to meet on the 8^th, the 22^nd and then again during the first full week of September.

Adjournment

The time being 9:00 pm, Selectman Marshall moved to adjourn. The Chair seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.

The minutes are final when approved and signed by the Selectboard. A signed copy is on file in the Selectboard’s office.