Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard Minutes
Thursday, March 14, 2024 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairman Michael Borden, Selectman Tom Bascom, Selectman Mason Parker
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Jeffrey LaCourse, Fire Chief
Public: Stephen Wrenn
Documents for Review / Approval
- Payroll Check Register dated 3/15/2024 in the amount of $33,759.46
- A/P “ACH” Register for NH Retirement in the amount of $14,066.55
- Greenvale Cemetery Deed – Lot 6 Row 17
- Welfare Voucher – (3)
- Selectboard Minutes
Other letters/ items for Review/Discussion/Signature:
- Assessor’s Recommendation – R6-29-4
- Capital Reserve Fund – YTD
- Property Tax Summary Data
- Lease Purchase Application – 2024 Grader
- Fast Facts – 2024 Town Meeting guide
- Town Clerk – Konica Copier Quote
5:30 PM: Public Forum
The Chair welcomed Stephen Wrenn to the Meeting. Mr. Wrenn explained that he is following up on an abatement application related to a camper on his property on Cornwell Road. A discussion with the Board followed. The Board reviewed the recommendation from the Assessor and took notes from Mr. Wrenn’s conversation. At the conclusion of the discussion the Board appeared satisfied that a full abatement of camper tax was warranted. On a motion by Selectman Bascom and a second by Selectman Parker, the Board voted 3-0 in favor of abating the camper tax that had been assessed on R6-29-4.
5:45 PM – Jeffrey LaCourse, Fire Chief
The Chair welcomed Chief LaCourse to the meeting. Selectman Parker and Selectman Bascom outlined the reason for the meeting, which is to discuss the Fire Department warrant articles in advance of Town Meeting. Selectman Bascom suggested that the Ambulance budget will likely receive scrutiny due to the significant increase. Chief LaCourse stated that the head of Wilton Ambulance will attend the meeting and respond to budget questions. The Board and the Chief discussed the number of ambulance calls for the year and the number of calls to Crotched Mountain School, which had ballooned under a previous owner. Chief LaCourse stated that the number of calls to Crotched Mountain has dropped since Seven Hills New Hampshire took over the facility. He noted that the Town of Wilton provided a subsidy of the ambulance program last year, which contributed to a lower annual cost. He stated that Wilton Ambulance has outlined a number of increases including costs for insurance and for staffing paramedics. Additionally, there is no subsidy from Wilton this year. The Board and Chief LaCourse discussed the medical training needed by members of the department and the Chief noted that medical training is now being provided by Wilton Ambulance as part of their fee, which frees up the department’s budget to focus the training line on fire training and ensuring that Greenfield’s responders are reimbursed for EMT training and licensing. The Board discussed the department’s operating budget and their decision to add funding to the stipend line item. It was noted by the Chief that he turned in a flat budget and that the discussion at the Budget Hearing in February clearly targeted the department budget due to the addition of funds by the Board. The Board communicated their intent to stand behind the department and explain their rationale to voters if questions are raised. At the conclusion of the discussion the Board thanked the Fire Chief for his hard work.
6:30 PM – Selectboard Work Session
At 6:40pm, the Board reviewed a plat map of the Kennebec Lumber Company site located at 315 Sawmill Road. Selectman Bascom stated that Kennebec put the lot up for sale. The lot is approximately 11.5 acres and the Selectboard may be asked for input on the property’s use. The Selectboard reviewed the map and tax card associated with the parcel and held a discussion. At the close of the discussion, the Administrator stated that the ConComm is interested in surveying the town’s property downtown which is adjacent to the Town Office and the Fire Department. ConComm is interested in building a new trail behind the buildings.
At 7:25pm, the Chair requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Selectman Bascom made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Selectman Parker seconded the Motion. On a vote of 3-0 in favor the motion was approved.
The Selectboard heard from the Administrator relative to the meeting schedule after Town Meeting, including the need to elect a new Chair, the need to establish a PILOT agreement with Seven Hills New Hampshire, and the need to set goals for 2024.
Adjournment
At 7:47 pm, Selectman Bascom made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Chair. The motion carried 3-0.