Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, May 2, 2019 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chair Margaret A. Charig Bliss, Selectman Robert Marshall, Selectwoman Karen Day
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Todd Mason, DPW Road Manager; Leah Fiasconaro-Conway, Welfare Director
Public: Gary Russell, Mary Ann Grant, Mark Daniels
Documents for Review/Approval:
- Payroll Check Register – 05/03/2019
- 2nd Q Sewer Tax Levy
- Change of Employment Worksheet – ConComm
- Employee Vacation Request – (1) DPW
- Selectboard Minutes – 04/25/19
- Welfare Voucher
Items for Discussion in the Public Session:
1) HMP 50% matching grant
2) Highway Block Grant pmt.
3) Gravel Road Maintenance Manual
5:30 PM: Public Forum
At 5:30 pm, Chairwoman Charig Bliss opened the meeting and noted several people on hand for the public forum. The Chair recognized Gary Russell. Mr. Russell is the President of the Sportsmen’s Club. Mr. Russell asked permission to hire a licensed nuisance trapper to remove wildlife that is encroaching on the George Proctor Recreation Area pond. The pond is the site of the Sportsmen’s Club annual fishing derby. After a brief discussion the Board reached a consensus that a live-capture trap and relocation of the wildlife was preferable, if possible; however, the Board agreed and supported the request with the understanding that the trapper would have to pick the most appropriate trap based on the location and wildlife. Mr. Russell thanked the Board and indicated that he would ask the trapper to look at capture and release as the first option.
Next Mr. Russell reported that the Sportsmen’s Club participated in the Roadside Round-up and cleaned up a total of 2.5 miles of road. The Chair asked Mr. Russell about the groundskeeper contracts in Bennington where Mr. Russell is the head of DPW. Mr. Russell reported that he believes that the work is broken out across four different groups, including Bennington DPW.
Next the Chair recognized Mary Ann Grant. Ms. Grant explained that the GIVers will not be able to provide the hanging flower pots for the Town Common this year. There aren’t enough volunteers to water the flowers on a regular schedule. A discussion followed with the Board. Ms. Grant stated that she cannot tend the town sign planters this year. The Board expressed their heartfelt thanks for the years of volunteerism by Ms. Grant and the GIVers.
Next the Chair recognized Mark Daniels, CEO of Reagent Realty group. Mr. Daniels is the new owner of the Greenfield Meeting Place. Mr. Daniels reported that he was in town to show the restaurant space, and that he is making progress on renting out the space. There followed a discussion about Mr. Daniel’s interest in a fieldtrip with the Selectboard to walk the wastewater plant field to discuss possible solar installation opportunities, and to walk the Town’s property at 12 Slip Road. Mr. Daniels would like to discuss options to make the 12 Slip Road lot a parking area for the restaurant. The Selectboard asked that Mr. Daniels work with Administrator Patt to set-up a time for the walking field trip.
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: Todd Mason, DPW Road Manager
At 6:05pm the Selectboard Chair recognized Todd Mason, DPW Road Manager. Mr. Russell stayed for the discussion. Mr. Mason outlined the paving project in 2019 is phase 2 of East Road. Phase 2 is a difficult section of the road with a number of culverts that need replacement. Originally Mr. Mason had planned to reclaim the road (grind the asphalt, reshape and add gravel, and then pave the road). However, Mr. Russell and Mr. Mason looked at portions of Mountain Road that were paved using a sandwich of new gravel over existing pavement. The portion of Mountain Road where this application* was applied has held up much better than other portions of the road where the road was reclaimed. A discussion on the sandwich paving treatment was held; the existing road is left in place, gravel sufficient to provide the correct pitch and shape to the crown is applied, then pavement is applied over the gravel. The application of gravel is based on the minimal amount to reshape the road stated Mr. Russell. The Selectboard asked several questions about the paving project. The discussion outlined the culverts (1- 48” culvert, 1- 36” culvert, and 6 smaller culverts) that need to be replaced. A discussion on building a road file with comments from Selectman Marshall was held. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Selectboard reached a consensus that DPW Manager Mason should proceed with the paving using the sandwich treatment.
Mr. Russell outlined his thoughts on the town’s gravel needs. He suggested that the town investigate purchasing land adjacent to an old gravel pit on Forest Road. The current sand and gravel site next to the cemetery is ideal for winter sand, but does not contain the type of gravel suitable for road base. A discussion on the gravel roads was held. The cost of re-construction was outlined. The cost of rebuilding gravel roads is significant. There are several high traffic gravel roads in town where the base is coming up through the top layers because of the difficult mud season this year.
* The “sandwich” treatment is outlined in the 2014 NH Highway Design Manual on the NH.GOV DOT website.
Next, Mr. Mason discussed the possibility of hiring a contract grader operator. A discussion on the best type of employment classification was held. Generally, unless it’s a seasonal position, such a position would be a part-time position within the DPW. The Selectboard suggested posting a part-time position.
6:45PM: Leah Fiasconaro-Conway, Welfare Director
At 7:15pm the Selectboard welcomed Leah Fiasconaro-Conway, Welfare Director. Ms. Fiasconaro-Conway provided an update on the budget year-to-date. There followed a discussion on budget drivers, comparison with last year’s expenses, the process for qualifying individuals and support provided by Pat Murphy, the President of the NH Local Welfare Administrators Association and Merrimack Welfare Director. This year Greenfield has expanded the list of opportunities for welfare recipients by helping applicants apply for Federal Housing Choice Voucher Program (section 8) housing. There followed a discussion by the Welfare Director on low income housing and how to service applicants that have significant long-term housing issues. Lastly, a discussion on the current guidelines and the application was held. The application has several areas of redundancy, which Ms. Fiasconaro-Conway is working to streamline. A review of the guidelines indicate that they are still relevant and do not require updating at this time.
At 7:55 pm the Selectboard thanked Ms. Fiasconaro-Conway for her time and the update on the welfare department.
7:55 PM: Selectboard Work Session
The Selectboard discussed the upcoming May 4th Meeting House Preservation Kick-off meeting. The Selectboard accepted an offer of donation from Carele Mayer for cups, drinks, and plastic-ware at the meeting. The Selectboard requested that the Buildings & Grounds Manager set up the Meeting House and outlined a configuration of tables and chairs, including two buffet tables for the pot-luck luncheon. The Selectboard provided a list of items required for the meeting and requested that the Administrator pick them up at Staples. The Selectboard requested a projector and screen and the PA system be set-up.
Next the Selectboard requested that the Administrator contact Pheasant Wood Nursing center to finalize a donation from a resident.
The Selectboard reviewed a request from Hometown Heroes and after discussion indicated that they were not comfortable with the request. The Selectboard reached a consensus to not support the request.
Selectwoman Day requested a separate email for the Greenfield Spirit. The Selectboard discussed Music on the Common. There followed a discussion about hosting a Facebook page for certain recreation type events.
At 9:20 the meeting ended.
Adjournment
At 9:22 pm Selectman Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded by the Selectwoman Day, the motion carried 3-0.