Print
Share page with AddThis

Selectboard Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, August 5, 2021

Town of Greenfield

7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047

Selectboard’s Minutes

Thursday, August 05, 2021 – 5:30 PM

 

Selectboard: Chairman Robert Marshall, Selectman Michael Borden, Selectman Mason Parker

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;

Public: Catherine Shaw, Sheldon Pennoyer

Documents for Discussion/Signature

  1. A/P Check Manifest dated 8/02/2021 in the amount of $117.91
  2. A/P Check Manifest dated 7/28/2021 in the amount of $109,763.13
  3. Payroll Check Manifest dated 8/06/2021 in the amount of $25,243.10
  4. Payroll Check Manifest dated 7/23/2021 in the amount of $25,763.98
  5. Appointment to Oak Park Committee – (7)
  6. Sewer Tax Levy – 3rd Quarter
  7. Welfare Department – Request Letter
  8. Employee Health & Dental Insurance Co-Pay Worksheet – ’21-‘22
  9. New Hire Worksheet – DPW
  10. New Hire Worksheet – Police PT
  11. Employee Vacation Request – Recycling Center
  12. Employee Vacation Request - DPW
  13. Meeting House Rental – Oktoberfest 10/02/2021
  14. Minutes of 7/15/2021

Other letters/ items for Discussion/Signature:

1. 2021 Highway Block Grant Notification of Grant Aid Total for FY 2022

2. Permit to Trap Beaver

3. State of NH Housing Appeals Board - Notice of Hearing

4. Overdue Dog Registrations – Town Clerk

5:30 PM: Public Forum

The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairman Marshall. There were no members of the public. The Selectboard began working through the Consent Agenda documents. Selectman Parker joined the meeting at 5:40pm.

5:45 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting

The Selectboard held a brief discussion regarding the Crotched Mountain School facility and properties. The Board heard that Legacy by Gersh is expected to complete transfer of the property sometime in September. It was noted that the Planning Board has not received a request for a subdivision or other meeting so it is presumed that the properties securing the loan to TD Bank were lots of record and match the property records on file (no subdivision necessary), otherwise the new company would need to subdivide the property prior to having a deed finalized.

Next, the Board held a discussion about the request for appointments to the Oak Park Committee. The Board discussed the bylaws and charter of the Oak Park Committee and the Recreation Committee and how the two differ. It was agreed that the Board would review the bylaws of the Oak Park Committee with the applicants prior to making the appointments.

The Board agreed to send out the Recreation Survey provided by Ms. Kokal as an EDDM to all residents and property owners on record with the Post Office EDDM postal routes.

6:30 PM – Public Hearing – American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

The Selectboard Chair opened a public hearing at 6:30pm. There were no public in attendance. The Chair read the public hearing notice:

“The Greenfield Selectboard will hold a public hearing pursuant to the provisions of RSA 31:95-b, to authorize acceptance and expenditure of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) up to the amount of $193,362, with 50% of the funding expected in 2021, and 50% distributed after June 1st 2022.  The meeting will be held at the Town Office Meeting Room Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 6:30 pm.”

At the conclusion of the notice, the Chair asked for any questions relative to the ARPA funding. There were no questions. The Chair asked for a motion and Selectman Borden made a motion to authorized the Selectboard to accept and expend up to $193,362 with 50% of the funds to be received in 2021 ( $96,690.89) and the remainder to be received in 2022. The motion was seconded by Selectman Parker. The Selectboard voted 3-0 in the affirmative and the motion passed.

There followed a discussion on the use of funds for COVID-19 mitigation or other authorized purposes. The Board discussed the challenges and issues that arose during the preceding year during the height of the pandemic. The Board agreed that there are a number of issues that should be address. A discussion on the use of the Old Town Office ensued. At the conclusion of the discussion, Selectman Parker made a motion to designate the Francestown Road property as an Emergency Services Building and to adapt the building for use by the Police Department and the Emergency Management Department. The motion was seconded by Selectman Borden. The Selectboard voted 3-0 in favor and the motion passed.

Next the Selectboard discussed the Emergency Services Building and adaptations needed to allow the Emergency Management Department to use the upstairs for an Emergency Operations Center. At the conclusion of the conversation, the Board authorized Selectman Borden to reach out to local contractors who can make suggestions and help plan for the adaptations needed in the Emergency Services building.

7:00 PM – Friends of the Greenfield Community Meeting House

At 7:00PM, the Chair welcomed Sheldon Pennoyer of the Friends of the Greenfield Community Meeting House. Mr. Pennoyer outlined the Friends interest in having an architecture firm partner with several types of engineering companies to form a design team. The design team will establish costs for the restoration. Mr. Pennoyer stated that he would help develop an RFP to send out to attract a qualified team. He stated that such a team would likely have LCHIP capable architects. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board indicated consensus with having Mr. Pennoyer create a request for proposal (RFP) to be reviewed and approved by the Selectboard. A discussion on the timeframe associated with the RFP process was held. This was followed by a discussion about the cost. Mr. Pennoyer suggested that the cost would be based on the normal architectural fees for design, but he estimated that the town would be basing its budget on a 60% of design cost rather than 100% of design cost. The RFP will include the winning architectural team providing meetings with the public to provide information on the design of the restoration and receive feedback from the public on design elements. The Selectboard noted that they have capital reserve funds to contribute to the design fee, and Mr. Pennoyer stated that the Friends of the Meeting House would likely match those funds. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Selectboard thanked Mr. Pennoyer for his time and willingness to provide his expertise on the project.

7:45 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting (Contd.)

Board members reviewed and signed the Consent Agenda documents. The Chair read the Consent Agenda and requested a motion. Selectman Borden made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of the Oak Park Committee appointments. Selectman Parker seconded the motion. On a vote of 3-0, the motion was approved.

The Selectboard discussed the Oak Park Committee and the interest from residents in joining the committee, and then finalized the expected process for working with the volunteers.

The Selectboard heard that there is an IT investigation within the ConVal School District that the Town of Greenfield, as a member of the district, may have to participate in along with the town’s IT company. The IT investigation involves a series of financial issues. It is not clear whether this involves another town, but the Board heard that Greenfield’s IT company has stated that Greenfield is not involved.

Next the Selectboard discussed hosting an employee appreciation day on August 17th at 2pm at the Fire Station.

There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.

Adjournment

At 8:33 pm, Selectman Borden made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Selectman Parker. The motion carried 3-0.