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Selectboard Minutes

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PDF icon consent_agenda_signed_april_18_2019.pdf
Meeting date: 
Thursday, April 18, 2019

Minutes

Town of Greenfield

Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH

Selectboard’s Minutes

Thursday, April 18, 2019 – 5:30 PM

 

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

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator

Public:

Documents for Review/Approval:

  1. Payroll Check Register – 04/18/2019
  2. A/P “ACH” Register – NH Retirement
  3. Current Use Application – (2)
  4. Intent to Cut – R3-2-1, R3-6
  5. Selectboard Minutes – 04/11/19

Items for Discussion in the Public Session:

            1) Auditor Questionnaire - Selectboard

            2) Resident Inquiry

            3) ConVal Student Enrollment Data

5:30 PM:  Public Forum

At 5:30 pm, Chairwoman Charig Bliss opened the meeting. Craig Pettigrew from Old Bennington Road asked to speak about the gravel roads. The Chair recognized Mr. Pettigrew. Pettigrew stated he had some questions about the roads not related to the recent mud season. Mr. Pettigrew asked the Board if the town has adequate staffing for the DPW road crew. In speaking with the DPW Road Manager, Mr. Pettigrew is under the impression that DPW is limited in staff and budget. Mr. Pettigrew outlined several issues with the roads; including ditching, tree trimming to allow more sunlight, and the need for material. He stated that other municipal roads are not as bad as Greenfield. Greenfield’s roads need to be rebuilt. He asked the Selectboard, “where do we go from here?” The Chair outlined her thoughts on the long-term planning for the roads. Selectman Marshall stated that as a board member, he is interested in having a plan in place before the Selectboard goes out to appropriate money. He stated, “We need a solid plan”. A discussion followed regarding the needs of the gravel roads. Mr. Pettigrew stated that there is a lot of traffic on Old Bennington Road. Selectman Marshall outlined his interest in addressing a number of questions in next year’s budget. This year the Selectboard is tracking the budget and will make a determination on whether the department needs more staffing, or, whether an increase in funding for contract services is warranted.

Next, the Chair recognized Michelle LeBlanc. Ms. LeBlanc has an issue with her neighbor on Cart Lane. The Selectboard heard her description of the issue and determined it is a civil issue.

The Selectboard voted on a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectwoman Day, 3-0 in favor of the Consent Agenda. 

5:45 PM: Selectboard Work Session

At 5:45pm the Selectboard took up a work session. The Board agreed that providing adequate service to the residents is paramount for the DPW department. The Selectboard discussed the steps needed to create a workable gravel-road plan. Selectman Marshall stated that the spreadsheet DPW uses outlining the cost of adding gravel to gravel roads is not sufficient as a plan. The Selectboard discussed their interest in having a gravel road plan that carries more detail. The Board outlined their interest in expert opinions and data. The Board outlined several resources for gravel road data. The Board made a determination that they needed to find engineering expertise as part of a long-term plan. The Board asked the Administrator if there is a format for a plan from other towns. The Board requested that the gravel road plan action item be added to Old Business on the agenda so that the Board can track progress on creation of the plan.

7:00 PM: Sheldon Pennoyer, Resident

At 7:00pm, the Selectboard welcomed Sheldon Pennoyer, Kathy Seigars, and Carele Mayer. Mr. Pennoyer explained to the Selectboard that they are part of a group that is filing to become a 501(C)3 non-profit organization in order to fundraise for the Meeting House restoration project. The group is called the Friends of the Meeting House, and it has a five member board that consists of Ms. Seigars, Ms. Mayer, Ray Cilley, Jesseca Timmons and Mr. Pennoyer. Mr. Pennoyer explained that the group met recently and, after a thoughtful discussion, reached the conclusion that they should maintain their independence and not be appointed a town committee. Instead the group would like to support the Selectboard by helping with the logistics and planning of the Meeting House restoration. Mr. Pennoyer explained that the group is interested in providing support and being a part of the May 4th kick-off at the Meeting House.

There followed a discussion about the roles of the 501(C)3. Ms. Siegars stated that the group hopes to encourage a wide range of participation. She stated that a liaison from the Selectboard could attend the meeting. Following a lengthy discussion, an outline of the May 4th meeting was agreed upon. The Selectboard is looking to engage a moderator for the kick-off. The role of the moderator would be to help the attendees outline their vision for the Meeting House restoration. Mr. Pennoyer explained that the town has to arrive at a consensus about the vision.

The Chair stated, “we need to find a way to reach out to people”.  A discussion about surveys, joint communications, press releases, letters and mailings was held. The Board outlined their interest in creating an Every Door Direct Mailer (EDDM) that could be mailed to every resident and property owner in town. The EDDM could be a joint communication from the Selectboard and the Friends of the Meetinghouse. The Board agreed to finalize an EDDM coming from both parties.

At 7:47 the meeting ended.

7:50 PM: Selectboard Work Session

The Selectboard took up a review of an elderly deferral application. The Board concluded its review and indicated that they would approve the application, with updated tax and interest information, at their next meeting. The Board indicated for the future that applications need to be correct in order for the board to act.

The Board held a brief discussion about the Friends of the Meeting House proposal. The Board re-affirmed the meeting time for the 25th (4:30-6:30). The Board confirmed the summer schedule, with an additional day off on August 29th. The Board requested that the schedule be posted.

Selectman Marshall went through a list of old business items and the Board discussed solar infrastructure.

Adjournment

At 9:30 pm Selectman Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded by the Selectwoman Day, the motion carried 3-0.