Greenfield Select Board discusses town vision and storm damage

Heath Mitchell spoke to the Greenfield Select Board at their meeting on Thursday on behalf of 775  Forest Road LLC, comprised of a small group of people who purchased the downtown Greenfield property.

The LLC had initially inquired about purchasing connected town-owned property and were proposing a lot line adjustment in exchange for finishing the stormwater system there. Select Board Chair Mason Parker said after some research it’s “not so cut and dry”— in part, because it includes wastewater property. The board suggested an easement from the town as an alternative.

“We’re all in favor of seeing that property being improved,” said Parker, and the discussion veered towards bigger goals and what improvements the town hopes to see in downtown Greenfield. 

“Does the board have a vision for what it wants in downtown Greenfield and what is the town willing to do to accomplish that vision?” asked Mitchell.

Selectman Michael Borden said a big part of the town’s focus is on restoration of the Meeting House. “There’s so much money out there now for restoration,” he said.

“[The town] owns so much of the downtown,” said Parker. “I like to think we’re a board that gets stuff done. A forward thinking town now. I certainly think all of us would like to spruce that back area up,” he said. 

Town Administrator Aaron Patt brought up extending the sidewalk. “There are sidewalk grants,” he said, and the sidewalk doesn’t extend to all downtown locations. 

Department of Public Works Director Jim Morris also updated the Select Board on storm damage to the town, including that snow sliding off the DPW building roof took off the chimney. 

In discussing how snow is moved around after a storm, Patt said, “The DPW snow and ice policy probably ought to be one of those policies that gets revisited.” He said it’s about 20 years old. “This particular storm was difficult enough,” he said, “It gets confusing who’s putting snow where.”

Emergency Management Director for the Greenfield Fire Department, Dave Martin, asked the Select Board about using the Meeting House as an emergency shelter. The board responded positively.

“It’s fluid [with the restoration project] and it would be a good time to talk about it,” said Selectman Tom Bascom.