Selectboard Minutes

Minutes

Town of Greenfield

Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH

Selectboard’s Minutes

Tuesday, September 26, 2017 – 5:30 PM

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

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Matt Miller, Wastewater Supervisor; Katherine Heck, Treasurer

Public:

Documents for Review/Approval

1. A/P Check Register
2. A/P Void Check Register (lost check voided) – (3)
3. St. Jean Auctioneers – Single Auction Site Proposal
4. Request for Payment – Auction Proceeds in Excess of Taxes Owed
5. New Hire Worksheet – Library PT
6. Land Use Change Tax – R7-5-2-4
7. Minutes of Selectboard Meeting
8. Welfare

5:30 PM: Public Forum

At 5:30 pm Chairwoman Charig Bliss opened the meeting. There was no one present for the public forum. The Selectboard began working through the Consent Agenda. The Chair motioned to accept the Consent Agenda. Selectman Marshall seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0.

5:45 PM: Matt Miller, Wastewater Supervisor & Katherine Heck, Treasurer

The Selectboard welcomed Katherine Heck, Treasurer to the meeting. Matt Miller, Greenfield’s Wastewater Supervisor joined the meeting. Selectman Steve Atherton joined the meeting.

Treasurer Heck outlined the current financial condition of the wastewater fund. The fund was started with more than $100,000 and after many years has dropped below $80,000, due in part to expensive repairs that have occurred with the aging of the equipment, and because the rates have been the same since the plant was built in 2002. A discussion followed regarding the historical revenues and expenses associated with the plant. Expenses have outstripped revenues for each of the last five years.

The Treasurer recommends that the Selectboard increase the wastewater rates gradually over a 4-5 year period in order to stabilize the account and potentially grow it back toward a target of $100,000. The Treasurer outlined the need for such a target balance because significant repairs can deplete the fund very quickly. A running balance in excess of $100,000 is prudent given the replacement cost of plant equipment. Supervisor Miller explained that much of the equipment on site has been rebuilt or replaced in the last several years. He also stated that increases in the use of flushable wipes and the continued flushing of grease and grease products will increase the rate at which the plant has to be pumped. This will increase costs significantly compared to if the users take better care of the wastewater plant.

The Selectboard discussed the need to hold a public hearing in order to educate the users on the need to increase the rates, as well as a need to decrease the introduction of grease and certain products into the system. The Selectboard asked the Town Administrator to schedule a public hearing in late October or early November to communicate with the public.

6:40 PM: Selectboard Work Session

The Selectboard discussed the October/November Spirit. A draft was provided by Karen Day for review in advance of printing.

The Selectboard discussed the schedule of the police chief applicant interviews. It was agreed that an additional interview period would be provided on October 10^th for an applicant that has a conflict with the October 5^th meeting.

Selectman Atherton left the meeting due to eye trouble at 6:50pm.

The Selectboard discussed the employee wage program and made the determination that the Town Administrator’s job description should be updated to reflect the new requirement to provide employee interviews on behalf of the Selectboard.

Next the Selectboard discussed old business items, which included a discussion on roads and signage.

Adjournment

The time being 8:20 pm, Selectman Marshall moved to adjourn. The Chair seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.

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