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Selectboard Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, July 26, 2018

Minutes

Town of Greenfield

Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH

Selectboard’s Minutes

Thursday, July 26, 2018 – 5:30 PM

 

Selectboard: Chair Robert Marshall, Selectwoman Margaret A. Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; David Martin, EMD

Public: Deb Waldinger, Beth Simpson, Mary Ann Knox

Documents for Review/Approval:

  1. A/P Check Register dated July 18, 2018
  2. A/P Check Register dated July 25, 2018
  3. Payroll Check Register dated July 13, 2018
  4. A/P “VOID” Check Register
  5. Appointment – Budget Advisory Committee Member
  6. Groundskeeper Budget – Advisory Notice
  7. Employee Vacation Request –  DPW
  8. Public Safety Allowance – Fire Chief
  9. Selectboard Minutes – 7/2/2018
  10. Meeting House Rental (2)
  11. Oak Park Rental
  12. Welfare Letter (3)

5:30 PM: Public Forum

At 5:30 pm Chairman Marshall opened the meeting and noted that there are members of the public in attendance for the public forum.  The Selectboard began working on the Consent Agenda items.

Chairman Marshall acknowledged Deb Waldinger, an intern working at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center (CMRC). Beth Simpson, the CMRC Farm School coordinator joined the meeting part-way through. A discussion about a CMRC Farmer’s Market was held. The CMRC market is part of the Crotched Mountain Farm Program. The market is looking to move downtown in order to increase its customer base. A discussion followed regarding spots to hold a farmer’s market. The Selectboard asked if the parking lot at the Old Town Office had been considered. The Old Town Office is currently rented by CMRC and they provide an insurance certificate for the town’s files. As such it might be easiest to approach the CRMC program using the Old Town Office. Ms. Waldinger and Ms. Simpson agreed to approach the CMRC adult day program and discuss use of the Old Town Office parking lot for a CMRC sponsored farmer’s market. 

The Selectboard continued working on the Consent Agenda. The Chair recognized EMD David Martin. Mr. Martin outlined a recent grant opportunity that was brought to his attention by Mapping and Planning Solutions (MAPS). MAPS was the grant coordinator for the Greenfield Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). At the conclusion of the discussion, the Chair made a motion to have the EMD pursue a grant for the Hazardous Mitigation update in conjunction with MAPS. The motion includes the authority of the EMD to apply for the grant. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The motion passed 3-0 in favor.

Mr. Martin thanked the Selectboard for their support.

5:45 PM: Selectboard Work Session

The Selectboard members received a copy of the report from the Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour audit. There were a small number of violations within the Youth employment segment related to time cards, and protective legislation, including the age of lifeguards. The Department of Labor also ordered the town to pay two previous library employees a small amount of wages, due to changes on time cards that the employees did not initial. The Town Administrator explained that none of the violations were intentional and all were minor issues that were rectified directly after the audit concluded. The town is waiting on the final letter of determination from the DOL and expects to have an informal meeting with the DOL staff to discuss the results of the audit.

Next the Selectboard reviewed a culvert issue brought forward to the Town Administrator by DPW Road Manager Todd Mason. The Road Manager has been contacted by the management company that oversees the Greenfield Meeting Place. A culvert between the Long Block and the Meeting Place has failed and the ground around it is eroding. The culvert is exposed due to the water erosion. Mr. Mason explained to the Town Administrator that there is a question regarding the ownership of the culvert. The State believes that the Town took it over; however, there are no records on file that outline the town’s ownership. Town Administrator Patt stated that the town office will continue to research the ownership issue and will report back when that issue is resolved.

7:15 PM: Mary Ann Knox, Resident

The Selectboard was joined by Mary Ann Knox, formerly Waterhouse. Ms Knox explained that she has taken her maiden name since her divorce in 2015. Ms. Knox asked for a non-public session. Chairman Marshall, noting that there was a need to enter into non-public session to continue discussion about a personal issue, asked for a motion. Selectwoman Charig Bliss made a motion to enter into Non-Public session under RSA 91-A:II c, reputation at 7:16pm. The Chair seconded the motion. The motion passed on a roll call vote 3-0.

At 8:15 pm the Selectboard voted 3-0 to enter into public session. While in the public session, Selectwoman Charig Bliss made a motion to seal the minutes pursuant to RSA 91-A:III. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The motion passed 3-0 in favor.

It was noted for the minutes that the Selectboard had not reached any decisions and no actions were taken in the non-public session.

8:15 PM: Selectboard Work Session

The Selectboard reviewed the Uplift rental agreement and insurance certificate, and then signed the rental agreement for their concert at Oak Park. The Selectboard reviewed several department budgets, specifically those that were in excess of 70% of the budget spent for the year. These include the Welfare budget, the Groundskeeper budget, and the Lifeguard budget. The Selectboard provided direction for an email to department heads regarding the groundskeeper’s contract.  The Board then discussed the Sunset Lake Lifeguard Program. The lifeguard budget is 81.5% spent for the season before August. The remainder of the budget will not support more than one full week of lifeguards at capacity including weekends. Selectwoman Day noted that the swim lessons were advertised through August 17th. The Board discussed and agreed that they would prefer to support swim lessons through the end of the advertised swim lesson period, rather than have lifeguards on the weekends. The Board reached a consensus that there would be no lifeguards on the weekends and the lifeguard budget would be utilized to support swim lessons. The Board asked that the Head Lifeguard and DPW Buildings & Ground Manager be informed.

Next the Selectboard discussed the upcoming Spirit. A discussion regarding the Selectboard’s article was taken up. The Board then discussed whether the edition should be printed in color. After some discussion it was agreed that the Greenfield Spirit August/September edition would be printed in color.

The Chair asked for a motion on the Consent Agenda. Selectwoman Charig Bliss made a motion to accept and approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The motion passed 3-0 in favor.

Lastly, the Selectboard noted that they have not heard from Midwest Fire about the delivery of the tanker chassis. The Board asked that the Town Administrator follow up with Midwest Fire to double check on the approximate chassis delivery date.

 Adjournment

At 8:47 pm Selectwoman Charig Bliss made a motion to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day, the motion carried 3-0.