Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, October 03, 2019 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Linda Dodge, Checklist Supervisor; Kathy Siegars, Checklist Supervisor
Library Trustees: Ray Cilley, Alternate; Bruce Dodge, Chair; Mary Ann Grant, Trustee; Kathy Seigars, Trustee; Valli Hennings; Beverly Pietlicki, Director
Documents for Review/Approval:
- A/P Check Register – 10/01/2019
- Payroll Check Register – 10/04/2019
- Selectboard Minutes – 10/03/2019
- Meeting House Rental – (1)
- Welfare Vouchers – (2)
Items for Discussion in the Public Session:
1. Letter from Stephenson Library Trustees – Appointment of Alternate
2. Letter from Senator Jeanne Dietsch
5:30 PM: Public Forum
At 5:30 pm, Chair Charig Bliss opened the meeting. The Selectboard began working through the Consent Agenda items. The Chair recognized Kathy Seigars and Linda Dodge, Checklist Supervisors. The Supervisors reported that they haven’t made any progress on finding a new moderator. There followed a discussion on the elections for 2020. Linda Dodge explained that they have called the Secretary of State’s office. That office had a number of suggestions, which the Supervisor’s have tried, but without any success. This included contacting former selectboard members, canvassing and advertising, contacting former officials from other boards and committees, and indentifying people with legal backgrounds that may understand some of the State laws required for the position. The Supervisor’s concluded that time was growing short in order to appointment someone and they have run out of ideas.
5:45 PM: Selectboard Non-Public Session, RSA 91-A:3, II(e)
At 5:45pm, the Chair made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3,II(e) to discuss a settlement offer from Eversource. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll call vote the Selectboard voted 3-0 to enter into non-public session.
At 6:37 the Selectboard voted 3-0 on a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectman Marshall to enter into the public session. While in the public session, the Chair made a motion to seal the minutes. The motion was seconded by Selectman Marshall and passed on a vote of 3-0. It was noted that the Selectboard would hold a meeting on Tuesday, October 8th at 2PM.
6:30 PM: Stephenson Memorial Library Trustees
At 6:38pm, the Library Trustees came before the Selectboard to discuss the potential of approaching the Greenfield Inn with a proposal to increase the parking lot area, and, a capital improvement to the new wing of the library, in the form of changes to the handicap ramp and the addition of terraced areas outside the building on the lawn closest to Slip Road. After some discussion, the Selectboard indicated that they would support the Trustees’ interest in expanding the parking area and could use the provisions of RSA 80:80, III to help further future discussions.
The Trustees outlined their interest in holding an informational meeting in November to bring a plan for the handicap entrance and terraces for people interested in the proposal at that time. The Trustees have the authority under RSA 202-A:4, c to accept unanticipated donations for such a project according to a town vote in 1997. The Trustees advised that they do not anticipate needing tax dollars to fund the project.
7:40 PM: Selectboard Work Session
The Selectboard approved the Consent Agenda on a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectwoman Day, 3-0.
There followed a discussion on the 2020 budget process, Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), and funding for the Meeting House restoration. The Selectboard discussed the recent Planning Board CIP presentation, noting several areas where there are capital equipment purchase needs over the course of the next five years. This includes the three major pieces of equipment at the DPW; the grader, the loader, and the backhoe. It also includes the six wheel dump truck. Lastly, the CIP presentation strongly recommended a steel storage building to house the equipment, which the Planning Board suggested should be included on the 2020 warrant. The Selectboard discussed the long term budget process and the possibility of incorporating some of these purchases into a new bond.
The Selectboard discussed the historic building assessment provided through a grant from LCHIP. The assessment has been finalized and sent to LCHIP for final review. There followed discussion on sealing the foundation and connecting the building to the town wastewater plant. A discussion on how the efforts of the Friends of the Greenfield Meeting House (Friends) will unfold was held. The non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the restoration of the Meeting House is holding its first fund raising event on Saturday. Selectman Marshall suggested that the Selectboard work closely with the Friends as the town needs to determine the order of projects, prior to the fund raising efforts, as outlined by the Treasurer in her presentations to the Selectboard. Selectwoman Day stated that some of the architects’ suggestions should be looked at before deciding how to move forward. She stated that the elevator location doesn’t sit well with her. Before the foundation project is started, this has to be finalized so that basement design is understood and they know where the kitchen and bathrooms will be located.
Adjournment
At 9:37 pm The Chair made a motion to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded by Selectman Marshall, the motion carried 3-0.