Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Minutes
Tuesday, November 14, 2017 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chair Margaret A. Charig Bliss, Selectman Stephen Atherton, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;
Public:
Documents for Review/Approval
- Payroll Check Register
- New Hire Paperwork – Library Assistant
- Minutes of Selectboard Meeting
- Welfare
Other Items:
1) 2017 NH Department of Revenue Final Tax Rate Documentation
2) Eversource Pole License Agreements (3):
3) News Articles for Review – Sportsmen’s Club / Sam Proctor
4) Notice to Abutters – Town of Pelham 150’ Monopole American Towers Application
5) Avitar Associates Letter re: 2017 Sales Ratio
6) Avitar Associates Contract through 2019
5:30 PM: Public Forum
At 5:35 pm Chairwoman Charig Bliss opened the meeting. The Chair noted that there was no public at the public forum session.
The Selectboard began working through the Consent Agenda. The Selectboard voted on the Consent Agenda 2-0 in favor.
DPW Interim Manager Todd Mason came before the Selectboard to request the ability to stockpile gravel at the Meeting House on Thursday, November 16th for placement alongside Slip Road on Friday the 17th as the final step in the paving program. Mr. Mason explained that the company that provides the shoulder machine was booked up through the summer directly after the paving was completed. The recent storm then caused DPW to focus on numerous road issues, which has resulted in a later schedule for the shoulder machine on Slip Road and Knotwood Road. Mr. Mason assured the Selectboard that the gravel would be gone by Friday afternoon. He explained that the gravel would be placed in the parking lot, off to the side, and cordoned off from any event traffic.
5:45 PM: Sam Proctor, Property Owner
At 5:45 pm, Sam Proctor, a property owner came before the Board and asked for a non-public session. On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectman Marshall, the Board voted with a roll-call vote 2-0 to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A: 3 II c. At 5:49 pm the Selectboard entered non-public session.
At 6:27 pm the Selectboard voted 2-0 to enter public session. On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectman Marshall the Board voted 2-0 to seal the minutes.
6:30 PM: Stephenson Library Trustees – 2018 Library Budget
At 6:30 pm the Selectboard welcomed the Stephenson Memorial Library Trustees and their Library Director, Beverly Pietlicki. Library Trustee Chair Dodge introduced Ms. Pietlicki to the Selectboard. Chairman Dodge made some opening remarks regarding the 2018 library budget and then turned the budget explanation over to the Library Director.
Library Director Pietlicki provided a brief outline of the budget. Increases to the budget are primarily in the form of an increase to the Director’s salary line representing a full year of wages. Wages in 2017 were calculated on a partial year – prorated due to the late hiring of the new director. Other increases include the electricity line, sewer fees line, computer support and maintenance.
7:30 PM: Greenfield Trails Association
At 7:37 pm the Trails Association met with the Selectboard. The Trails Association was represented by John Hopkins, Judy Surdam, and Sheldon Pennoyer. After introductory remarks were made, the Town Administrator outlined recent conversations with other outside organizations based on discussions with Primex, the town’s risk management pool (insurance company). A discussion on insurance and risk management followed. Mr. Hopkins explained that the trails association is a 501C3 non-profit corporation, which meets the definition of an outside third-party organization, not working under the umbrella of the town’s policy. Mr. Hopkins explained that in the past, whenever the group was working on a trail that could intersect with town owned property, the group went and received permission from the town for extending the trail through the town’s property. This includes any foot bridges built by the Association. Mr. Hopkins explained that over the years the regulations such as those mandated by the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) have become more and more stringent. Now whenever the Association is working near wetlands, the group pulls a permit with DES.
Selectman Marshall reviewed with the Association a project sheet that the Selectboard recently adopted that will help the Selectboard and outside organizations track projects that the organizations are interested in performing on Town property. Mr. Hopkins indicated that the Trails Association would use the document for future projects on town property. Then Selectman Marshall explained that he has an interest in cultural heritage sites that are located throughout the town in the form of little know cemeteries, cellar holes, and mill sites. These are located out in the woods. Selectman Marshall is interested in the possibility of combining the trails in town with these sites of interest, and asked if the trail system included access to some of these areas. Sheldon Pennoyer explained the work that the Association has been doing on certain properties and that interesting sites include habitats of certain types of animals, birds, etc. Mr. Pennoyer outlined the success of Burke Mountain, Vermont where 55 landowners created a significant economic development opportunity for Mountain Biking and walking trails.
At 8:25 pm the discussion with the Trails Association ended. The Town Administrator would discuss the findings with Primex for more clarity on whether insurance releases are needed by the town for these types of activities.
8:30 PM: Selectboard Work Session
The Selectboard reviewed old business items. The Board discussed an interest in providing merit bonuses to employees. The Town Administrator was requested to review the IRS policies on gifts and taxation and provide this information with the Board at their next meeting.
Adjournment
The time being 8:55 pm, The Chair moved to adjourn. Selectman Marshall seconded. All were in favor, and the motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.
The minutes are final when approved and signed by the Selectboard. A signed copy is on file in the Selectboard’s office.