Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, August 08, 2019 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Katherine Heck, Treasurer
Public: Robert Wachenfeld
Documents for Review/Approval:
- A/P Check Register – 07/31/2019
- A/P “ACH” Register – 08/23/2019
- Payroll Check Register – 08/09/2019
- Revised ConVal Pmt. Schedule
- Selectboard Minutes – 07/25/2019
- Meeting House Rental Agmt.
- Oak Park Rental
- Welfare Voucher – (1)
Items for Discussion in the Public Session:
1) NH Dept. of Safety Bulletin – State Building Codes updated to 2015 standards
2) Revised ConVal School District Payment Schedule
3) Primex Premium Holiday Letters – Workers Comp. & P/L
4) Town Clerk’s Office – List of future office and IT needs
5) Request for Meeting House Rental waiver– Town Official
6) Class VI Road Building Permit Application – FD Assessment
7) Inquiry regarding East Road material stockpile
5:30 PM: Public Forum
At 5:30 pm, Chair Charig Bliss opened the meeting. Noting that Robert Wachenfeld was in the audience during the public forum, the Selectboard welcomed Mr. Wachenfeld with an update on the Selectboard’s process to adopt a no-through-trucking bylaw for all Town Roads in general and Old Bennington Road in particular. A discussion followed about Old Bennington Road, County Road, the paved portion of Old Bennington Road and the need to schedule a public hearing in order to adopt the bylaw under RSA 41:11. After a brief discussion, the Selectboard agreed to hold a public hearing on September 19th for public comment regarding a No-Through-Trucking bylaw.
The Selectboard began working through the Consent Agenda items.
5:45 PM: Carol Burgess, Recycling Center Supervisor
At 5:45 pm, the Selectboard noted that Recycling Center Supervisor Burgess was delayed. The Board continued to work on the Consent Agenda. On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectwoman Day, the Board voted 3-0 to accept the Consent Agenda.
The Selectboard reviewed a complaint regarding stockpiling of DPW gravel on private property prior to paving a portion of East Road. The complainant stated that the town’s sand and gravel site is within driving distance of East Road and therefore there is no need to stockpile large quantities of sand and gravel close to the road. It was reported that the DPW Road Manager met with the complainant and explained that the gravel is a product coming from the D.H. Hardwick’s gravel pit in Bennington and that the gravel needs to be stockpiled because there is a limited amount of time to load and spread the gravel on East Road prior to the paving company’s arrival. The gravel product is also significantly different than the sand product that is available from the town’s property next to the Greenvale cemetery.
6:15 PM: Tori Plant & Shelley Weeks, Property Owners
At 6:15 pm, the Selectboard heard a request for a non-public meeting from Ms. Plant about a tax issue on a property in Greenfield. After a brief discussion, Selectwoman Day made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II c, reputation. The motion was seconded by Selectman Marshall. On a roll call vote of 3-0, the motion passed and the Selectboard entered into non-public session. At 7:13pm, the Selectboard voted 3-0 to enter into the public session. While in the public session, the Chair made a motion to seal the minutes in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 III to ensure the effectiveness of the deliberation. Selectman Marshall seconded the motion and the vote passed 3-0 to seal the minutes.
7:15 PM: Chad Murray, Property Owner
At 7:20 pm, the Selectboard met with Chad Murray. The Selectboard heard a request for a non-public meeting from Mr. Murray about a tax issue on a property in Greenfield. After a brief discussion, Selectman Marshall made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II c, reputation. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll call vote of 3-0, the motion passed and the Selectboard entered into non-public session. At 7:51pm, the Selectboard voted 3-0 to enter into the public session. While in the public session, the Chair made a motion to seal the minutes in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 III to ensure the effectiveness of the deliberation. Selectman Marshall seconded the motion and the vote passed 3-0 to seal the minutes.
7:52 PM: Carol Burgess, Recycling Center Supervisor
The Selectboard met with Carol Burgess, Recycling Center Supervisor. The Selectboard discussed the transition at the Recycling Center given that Ms. Burgess is leaving to take another position in a larger town. Ms. Burgess provided an outline of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ requirements for a facility operator. A Principal Operator can run the facility with a minimum of 8 hours of training and by passing the Solid Waste Operator test. Ms. Burgess is considered a senior operator with over 50 hours of class time / training. A discussion on the annual convention and Annual Report that is due every March was held. A discussion followed on the maintenance schedule for the facility’s Bobcat. A discussion was held about transitioning the town’s phone and PC. The Selectboard requested that the IT provider scrub the Recycling Center’s cell phone and PC. The Selectboard and Ms. Burgess held a discussion about the Recycling Center’s needs. The Recycling Center needs more parking spaces, and the deck to the compactor window needs to be replaced. At 8:15 Ms. Burgess left the meeting.
The Selectboard held a brief discussion on the replacement ad and included the Chair in a conversation about whether the position should be full-time versus part-time. Selectwoman Day highlighted the difference between the DPW and the Recycling Center cultures as a key component in the past success of the Recycling Center. The Board discussed several different ways to provide coverage of the facility, including the use of part-time workers, management by DPW, and the possibility of sharing the position with a groundskeeper for the Buildings and Grounds department. The Selectboard examined the needs of the DPW Roads crew for plowing, and the B&G department for grounds keeping, which has become very expensive in the last few years. Selectman Marshall observed that DPW needs additional people from March to November because the snow plowing routes have adequate coverage. There followed a discussion on the state of the recycling markets, which have been under pressure due to a drop in demand internationally. The conversation included a short discussion on the revenues that the center brings in. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Selectboard agreed that the position should remain a full-time position and discussed whether to advertise for a Supervisor or a Manager position. The Board decided to advertise for a Supervisor, who can manage the day to day operations and vendor contracts, with an interest in training the individual to a management level so that they can effectively design the layout of the site for the future. On a motion by the Chair and a Second from Selectwoman Day, the Board voted 3-0 to advertise for a full-time supervisor. The Board requested that the advertisement be sent out on Friday.
8:25: Selectboard Work Session
The Selectboard took up the request to build on the Class VI road portion of Gulf Road from applicants Shantell and Garrett Curtis. The application includes an advisory opinion from the Planning Board per RSA 674:41, and a report of road condition from the Fire Chief. The Planning Board opinion indicated that the application is consistent with the Vision statement of the Master Plan, and with the promotion of rural agricultural activity and open space values of the Master Plan in the district that the applicants are applying. The report highlights a number of concerns regarding Class VI roads and outlines a series of considerations for the Selectboard to incorporate into their decision. After a review of the application materials, the Chair opened the discussion by stating that for years, the discussion in Greenfield in its tone and tenor has been for the preservation of the town’s rural character. The applicants have brought forth an application that is right for Greenfield. She asked the other board members, “When was the last time that someone applied to bring a farm to town?” She further stated that the application deserves serious consideration. There are waivers, and potential road issues that require upgrading to town standards for access, but on the whole the application is something that the Board should support. Selectwoman Day stated that she understands how the Chair feels. She stated that the difficulty comes from the access to the driveway location, which is at least a thousand feet in on the Class VI Road. Selectwoman Day feels that this is a long way and that she worries about the town’s equipment if there is ever a call for emergency services. She stated that despite the waivers, the emergency responders would try to reach the property. The Selectboard reviewed a report on the Class VI portion of the road from the Fire Chief. The road is not currently passable for emergency vehicles and there is significant risk due to water crossings at certain times of the year. At certain times during the year the road will not support emergency response vehicles. Selectman Marshall stated that it would take a substantial investment to upgrade the road and minimize that risk. He stated that he supports the applicant’s goals 100%, but feels that there are other properties for sale in Greenfield that comply with zoning (i.e. are located on class V roads). Selectman Marshall pointed out that the town’s past practice is to not allow building permits on Class VI roads. He listed several properties where the application for Class VI road building permits were turned down, or, were problematic because the building permit and lot were from an adjacent town with access on Greenfield’s Class VI roads.
The Selectboard reviewed the tax maps and noted the significant distance from the Class V portion of the road to the property and then to the designated driveway location. A discussion about the requirement in zoning for 350’ of frontage on Class V roads (in the rural agricultural zone) was held. A discussion on the proposed driveway and the need for a turn-around was held. Selectman Marshall stated that the town made a decision not to maintain the road and it reverted to Class VI after five years. The Chair stated that all of the properties that abut the road were once building lots and they lost their buildable status. A conversation about the zoning ordinance followed. Selectwoman Day stated she is concerned about the risk to fire department personnel and equipment. She further stated that she is in agreement that the town wants to attract farms and solar installations, but it should come on a Class V road (to comply with zoning). The Chair held a discussion on the waiver process and on the zoning regulations. Selectman Marshall stated that it is his feeling that this is “a case of premature development”. At the conclusion of the discussion, Selectman Marshall made a motion to deny the building permit. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The Chair called the vote and it was 2-1 in favor of the motion. The Selectboard stated that the reasons that the building permit was denied include the following:
- The Planning Board does not recommend building on Class VI roads in general, and did not find this road to be a good candidate for future growth and expansion
- The Planning Board noted that such a permit could potentially impact the quality and cost of emergency services to the town
- The application will result in premature development and is not accessible to emergency responders
- The application is contrary to the zoning ordinance, which requires frontage on a Class V road
Therefore, notwithstanding the process outlined in RSA 674:41, and the waiver available to the town for any liability, the property location for this permit is not a good candidate for a permit as it would require a variance, substantial road upgrades, possibly significant cost to the town (both due to the provision of emergency services, and the possible future request and expense for the town to take over maintenance of the road), as well as the risk of premature growth. As there are other suitable lots in Greenfield that will support the applicant’s desire for a farm and solar home, the Selectboard voted to deny the permit.
Adjournment
At 9:48 pm The Chair made a motion to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded by Selectman Marshall, the motion carried 3-0.
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