Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, September 19, 2019 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;
Public:
Documents for Review/Approval:
- Payroll Check Register – 09/20/2019
- A/P Check Register – 9/18/2019
- NHDRA – MS-1
- NHDRA – MS434 report of Revenues
- Highway Safety Grant /GPD - $4,160.00
- Selectboard Minutes – 09/12/2019
- Oak Park Rental
- Welfare
Items for Discussion in the Public Session:
1. NHSaves – Municipal Smart Start Program
2. 2020 Gravel Roads – Material List
5:30 PM: Public Forum
At 5:30 pm, Chair Charig Bliss opened the meeting. The Selectboard began working through the Consent Agenda items.
5:45 PM: Mark Stetson, Avitar Associates
At 5:45 pm, the Selectboard welcomed Mark Stetson, Senior Assessor for Avitar Associates. Mr. Stetson reported that Avitar has completed the town’s 2019 revaluation. The assessed valuation of the town is now reported on the Department of Revenues MS-1 form as $168,432,000, which is an increase from approximately $140M. The town has experienced approximately 20% increase overall since the last revaluation in 2014. Mr. Stetson explained that the assessed valuation dropped in excess of 14% at the last revaluation in 2014 as a result of the recession. Property values have gained ground and now exceed the valuations prior to the recession so the housing market has come full circle as the economy has strengthened. There followed a discussion with the Selectboard about the revaluation process. Mr. Stetson explained that Avitar sent out letters to all Greenfield property owners with the updated valuations and held meetings with 39 different property owners to answer questions and respond to concerns. Avitar had staff on hand to visit properties as the interviews were held. There followed a discussion on the valuations with the Selectboard. For 2019 there were over 60 sales in the two year period leading up to the revaluation. This provides a high level of confidence in the valuations. Mr. Stetson explained that valuations are driven solely by sales data. Mr. Stetson explained that the properties valued at $175,000 - $325,000 represent the ‘hot market’ for single family homes. During the discussion, Mr. Stetson explained that he has noticed that surrounding towns served by Avitar also had a significant number of sales, so the increase in sales is not unique to Greenfield. The housing market has been active. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Selectboard thanked Mr. Stetson for his time.
6:30 PM: Selectboard Work Session
The Selectboard were updated on the Ambulance program’s issues with the building that the program occupies in Wilton. A recent newspaper article was discussed.
Next, the Selectboard heard a report on the Hillsborough Registry of Deeds instituting fees for printing deeds starting on January 1, 2020. The town was not notified by the Registry or by the vendor of the software regarding the new fees. The fees have not been calculated but are thought to be significant and will be a part of the 2020 budget.
The Selectboard heard an update on the LCHIP Building Assessment. The assessment has been finalized and is being mailed to LCHIP by the architectural firm that led the project.
The Selectboard heard that the title for the DPW 10 wheel dump truck has been received from the bank after final payment.
The Selectboard reviewed a list of old business and items of interest from Selectman Marshall.
The board heard about an Eversource program called the municipal Smart Start program. The Smart Start program is a free energy audit performed by an outside vendor who calculates how much electricity can be saved by switching to LED lights, and making changes in other areas. Eversource will work with the municipality and depending on the findings can provide a 50% grant for installation and a 0% interest payment plan paid for by the monthly savings.
The Board discussed the September 12th Selectboard minutes. At the conclusion of the discussion, Selectman Marshall stated that the minutes needed to be revised to accurately report that Katherine Carpenter had complained about the Ex-Officio member of the Planning Board and explained to the Selectboard that the treatment she received made it difficult for her to be an effective Chair. The board agreed that the minutes needed to be revised in line with Selectman Marshall’s comments. Selectman Marshall stated that the minutes should accurately reflect Ms. Carpenter’s concerns so that the Board is fully transparent. Selectman Marshall is the Ex-Officio member of the Planning Board.
The Selectboard discussed revisions to a waste dirt policy for DPW.
Adjournment
At 8:55 pm The Chair made a motion to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded by Selectman Marshall, the motion carried 3-0.