Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, June 14, 2018 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chair Robert Marshall, Selectwoman Margaret A. Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator
Public: Marcia Davis, Adele Hale, Karen Russell
Documents for Review/Approval:
- Payroll Check Register – June 15, 2018
- Minutes of Selectboard Meeting – 6/7
- Welfare
5:30 PM: Public Forum
At 5:30 pm Chairman Marshall opened the meeting and welcomed members of the public to speak to the Board. Adele Hale asked the Selectboard if a mini-market could be held on the same evenings as Music on the Common, on the Meeting House lawn. She envisions a market similar to the one in Francestown and explained that she is interested in promoting community spirit in Greenfield. A discussion followed and the Chair suggested that an event like Ms. Hale describes could be better served using the parking lot at the Town Offices. At the end of the discussion the Board reached a consensus that Ms. Hale should make a proposal to the Selectboard using the project worksheet.
Next, Karen Russell said that she appreciates the flower planter at the Recycling Center. She stated that people rarely share positive thoughts with the Board and she wanted them to know that the planter was a nice addition. She then followed up on a submission to the Greenfield Spirit from the Sportsmen’s Club, which was not printed in the recent Spirit. She pointed out that this is the second time that a submission from the Sportsmen’s Club was not printed. Selectwoman Day stated that she did not receive the email.
5:45 PM: Fire Chief David Hall
At 5:45pm the Selectboard welcomed Fire Chief David Hall. The Selectboard discussed the Public Safety Allowance and provided direction to the Chief regarding the submission of the mileage allowance expense reimbursement. The Board directed the Administrator to draw up and make available for signature the expense reimbursement form for the Chief.
Next the Board discussed background checks for the bunk-in program volunteers, and discussed the frequency of in-state versus out-of-state volunteers. Chief Hall stated that 90% or better of the prospective volunteers have been from NH. There have been two applications from out of state. The Board reviewed the language of RSA 41:9-b. At the conclusion of the discussion the Selectboard agreed to provide the Administrator with the directive to research the RSA and the legal issues associated with next steps for out-of-state background checks.
Next the Selectboard discussed the burn building and possible site location. The discussion covered the need for a proposal from the Fire Department. The Board also discussed smoke impact, security, zoning ordinances, and building codes.
6:45 PM: Selectboard Work Session
The Selectboard discussed record retention and the digitization of public records. The Board discussed the old tax and town clerk records. There followed a discussion on proper storage for the records, services to remediate or restore the older records, and whether the town should look at working with a consultant to digitize the town documents that are currently in long term storage.
The Chair outlined a recent conversation with the Chair of the Conservation Commission regarding the Department of Environmental Services (DES) municipal water guidelines during drought conditions. The Board agreed to look at drought notifications proactively this year rather than wait for DES to issue a state-wide warning letter.
There followed a discussion on the wastewater treatment system. Code Enforcement Officer Borden sent an email outlining the number of booth seats at the Harvester Market and advising of twelve booth seats.
The Selectboard discussed a recent notification from the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC). The EDAC Chair has requested that the EDAC be put on hold for the summer as she is currently the acting chair of the Planning Board, and there are only three members on the EDAC.
The Selectboard discussed a letter from Selectwoman Charig Bliss that is meant for the next Spirit publication.
The Selectboard discussed the minutes of June 7th. Selectwoman Day expressed that she was uncomfortable with how the conflict of interest discussion was written. The Chair reviewed the language of the minutes but no changes were forthcoming from the Board.
The Selectboard discussed the welfare budget and requested the Welfare Director Conway meet with the Board. The Board is concerned that there may be a need to allocate more funds to the welfare budget.
The Selectboard asked that DPW Road Manager Mason meet with the Board to discuss the culvert on the ClassVI portion of Savage Road. It was noted that this is a historic culvert. The Board would like to talk about the bridge on School House Road as well.
Adjournment
At 8:41 pm Selectwoman Charig Bliss made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Chairwoman Day, the motion carried 3-0.