Greenfield public meetings in 2023

City Council Meeting

The City Council will hold public hearings on several large-scale transfers from Free Cash to various municipal funds. The agenda also includes decisions on filling a vacant Precinct 8 Councilor seat and affirming multiple mayoral appointments to local boards.

• Transfer $1,500,000 from Free Cash to Capital Stabilization
• Transfer $466,000 from Free Cash to Debt Service for principal and interest
• Transfer $199,993 from Free Cash to Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund
• Transfer $100,000 from Free Cash to FY24 City Attorney Services
• Approval of MOU with Salary Schedule Employees Association and $43,600 transfer

City Council Meeting

The City Council will review the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification, including residential and small commercial exemptions. The meeting also includes discussions on opioid settlement survey results and several proposed transfers of funds from Free Cash.

• Repurpose $289,000 from Police Station Upgrades to Dispatch Communication System
• Approval of FY24 Tax Classification orders
• Transfer of $1,500,000 from Free Cash to Capital Stabilization
• Transfer of $466,000 from Free Cash to Debt Service
• Transfer of $199,993 from Free Cash to Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund

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The City Council will conduct a public hearing to determine how the property tax levy is distributed across different property classes. The session includes a presentation from the Assessor and Finance Director regarding the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification.

• Public hearing on Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification
• Vote on Minimum Residential Factor (Order No. FY24-033A)
• Vote on Residential Exemption (Order No. FY24-033B)
• Vote on Small Commercial Exemption (Order No. FY24-033C)
• Presentation of the FY 2024 Tax Classification by Assessor Randall Austin and Finance Director Diana Schindler

City Council Meeting

The City Council will review communications from the Mayor regarding Lunt Cleanup, the status of immigrants at Days Inn, and recycling grants. The agenda also includes a public hearing on an interfund transfer and the selection of a Council Attorney.

• Interfund transfer of $7,650 from Executive Administration Salaries to Accounting Salaries
• Assignment of Police Officers for 2023 Elections
• Mayor’s appointment of Lance Smith to the Human Rights Commission
• Discussion of proposed Ordinance 2079 regarding Home Equity
• Review of DEP Notice of Conditional Approval for Lunt Cleanup Phase II

Executive Session

The City Council held an executive session to receive reports on a police union grievance, a public records appeal, and the Lunt Property cleanup. No substantive policy decisions were made during the session.

• Voted to adjourn executive session at 7:14 p.m. (10-0)

City Council Meeting

The City Council will review several mayoral appointments to various boards and commissions. The agenda also includes a proposal to create an Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund and a first reading for a $7,650 salary transfer.

• Creation of an Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund for substance use disorder resources
• Approval of mayoral appointments to the Planning Board, Human Rights Commission, and others
• First reading of a $7,650 interfund transfer from Executive Administration Salaries to Accounting Salaries
• Update on the retirement of Superintendent of Schools Christine DeBarge effective June 30, 2024
• Executive session to discuss strategy regarding pending litigation

The City Council voted to waive rules of procedure and enter an executive session to discuss litigation strategy. Mayor Wedegartner provided updates on storm damage costs, new grants, and the construction progress of the new Fire Station.

• Voted to waive rules of procedure to allow agenda items out of order (10-1)
• Voted to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining or litigation strategy (11-0)

City Council Meeting

The City Council will discuss exempting the positions of Chief of Police and Chief of Fire Department from Civil Service Law. Other items include approving budget reserves for various Community Preservation Fund purposes.

• Approve payment of $24,509.88 to GTR Greenfield Millbrook Solar LLC
• Exempting the positions of Chief of Police and Chief of Fire Department from Civil Service Law
• Reserve funds for Community Preservation Fund purposes

The City Council unanimously approved the removal of the Police Chief and Fire Chief positions from Civil Service coverage. The Council also approved a charter amendment regarding the Board of Assessors and a union memorandum of understanding.

• Approved Order FY 24-001 to exempt Police and Fire Chief positions from Civil Service Law (Unanimous)
• Approved Order FY 24-002 to amend City Charter Article 6 regarding the Board of Assessors (Unanimous)
• Affirmed appointment of Diana Schindler to Greenfield-Montague Transportation Area (Unanimous)
• Approved Order FY 24-004 for the United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) Local 424M Memorandum of Understanding (Unanimous)
• Approved Order FY 23-161 for $24,509.88 payment to GTR Greenfield Millbrook Solar, LLC (Unanimous)
• Accepted minutes from April 19, May 17, May 18, and June 21, 2023 (Unanimous)

City Council Meeting

The City Council will discuss several motions including the sale of surplus property at 29 Washington Street and a zoning amendment for French King Highway. The agenda also includes various fund transfers, mayoral appointments, and the termination of a TIF agreement with Ford/Toyota of Greenfield.

• Authorize Mayor to sell city-owned land at 29 Washington Street
• Rescind acceptance of property gift at 0 Bungalow Avenue
• Terminate Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Agreement with Ford/Toyota of Greenfield
• Proposed rezoning of French King Highway parcels from General Commercial to Planned Industry
• Transfer $100,000 from Workers Compensation to General Fund for Fire Department

The City Council approved rezoning several parcels on French King Highway from General Commercial to Planned Industry. The Council also authorized the sale of 29 Washington St. and terminated a TIF agreement with JimBob Realty, LLC.

• Declared 29 Washington St. as surplus property and transferred it to the Mayor for sale (Unanimous)
• Authorized Mayor to sell 29 Washington St. per City Council policy (Unanimous)
• Rescinded Order no. FY 22-003 regarding a property gift at 0 Bungalow Avenue (6-4-2)
• Terminated TIF agreement with JimBob Realty, LLC for Ford and Toyota of Greenfield (Unanimous)
• Approved petition to Massachusetts Legislature for an additional alcohol license for Greenfield Garden Cinema (Unanimous)
• Approved rezoning of French King Highway parcels R04-31, R04-33, R04-41, R04-44, and R05-23 to Planned Industry

City Council Meeting

The City Council is reviewing the FY2024 operating budget, including funds for the General Fund, Water, Sewer, and GCET enterprise funds. The agenda also includes several public hearings regarding Community Preservation Act (CPA) appropriations for local projects and historical preservation.

• FY2024 General Fund Budget of $61,627,584
• FY24 Water Enterprise Fund appropriation of $2,231,889
• FY24 Sewer Enterprise Fund appropriation of $3,404,557
• FY24 GCET Enterprise Fund appropriation of $2,431,535
• CPA funding for CSO-Wells Street Shelter Expansion Project ($100,000 total)

The City Council approved the FY2024 General Fund Budget of $61,627,584 and several enterprise funds. The Council also approved multiple Community Preservation Act (CPA) appropriations for park improvements, historic resources, and school accessibility. A request to fund a police department vehicle was defeated.

• Approved $61,627,584 for the FY2024 General Fund Budget
• Approved $2,231,889 for the FY24 Water Enterprise Fund
• Approved $3,404,557 for the FY24 Sewer Enterprise Fund
• Approved $2,431,535 for the FY24 GCET Enterprise Fund
• Approved $750 CPA grant for Greenfield High School Track ADA Access
• Approved appointments of Daniel Piasecki and Heather Valenta to the Recreation Commission
• Denied $62,180 appropriation for a Police Department vehicle (4-7)
• Denied motion to combine CPA appropriations into a single group vote (4-8-1)

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The City Council is meeting to consider the FY2024 General Fund Budget and several enterprise funds. The agenda also includes multiple funding requests through Community Preservation Act (CPA) allocations for local projects.

• $61,627,584 appropriation for the FY2024 General Fund Budget
• $100,000 transfer from OPEB Stabilization to reduce the General Fund budget
• $100,000 total for the CSO-Wells Street Shelter Expansion Project via CPA
• $75,500 for the Beacon Park Improvements Project via CPA
• $50,000 total for the Greenfield Pickleball Court Expansion Project via CPA

The City Council approved the FY2024 General Fund Budget for $61,627,584. To meet this appropriation, the city will transfer $250,000 from parking meter receipts and $50,000 from free cash.

• Approved FY2024 General Fund Budget of $61,627,584
• Reduced Short Term Interest Line Item by $200,000 (9-4)
• Reduced Worker’s Compensation Line Item by $25,000 (unanimous)
• Reduced Employees’ Health Insurance Line Item by $619,000 (10-2)
• Increased Greenfield Public Schools Line Item by $1,175,594 (13-0)

City Council Meeting

The City Council will review 18 orders for the FY2024 Capital Budget, including funding for an ambulance, police station upgrades, and vehicle replacements. The agenda also includes several fund transfers to support Greenfield Public Schools salaries and wages.

• $470,000 appropriation from borrowing to purchase an ambulance
• $575,000 appropriation from borrowing for Police Station upgrades
• $375,000 transfer from Contract Stabilization Fund 8403 to Greenfield Public Schools salaries and wages
• $206,850 transfer from Free Cash to Greenfield Public Schools salaries and wages
• Proposed zoning amendment for portion of French King Highway from GC to PI

The City Council unanimously accepted the minutes from February 15 and March 15, 2023. The council held a public hearing regarding several proposed fund transfers and the FY2024 Capital Budget, though the record ends before the final votes on those items were recorded.

• Accepted City Council minutes of February 15 and March 15, 2023 (Unanimous)

City Council Meeting

The City Council will consider various capital budget appropriations, including funds for police vehicles, an ambulance, and water infrastructure. The meeting also includes a discussion on the Downtown Revitalization Plan and current projects overseen by the Community and Economic Development Department.

• Appropriate $470,000 from borrowing to purchase an Ambulance
• Appropriate $575,000 from borrowing for Police Station upgrades
• Appropriate $186,238 from borrowing for three replacement Police Department vehicles
• Appropriate $300,000 from borrowing for Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Repairs and Replacement
• Transfer $400,000 from FY23 Water Retained Earnings for Water Main Replacement

The City Council corrected and approved a $16,865.78 transfer to the library's building and grounds maintenance account. The council also approved a small invoice payment for veterans' paper products and affirmed two appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals. A $200,000 appropriation for lead service line inventory was withdrawn by the Mayor.

• Approved $16,865.78 transfer from Reserve Fund to Library Building & Grounds Maintenance (Unanimous)
• Approved $104.00 payment to Connecticut Business Systems for FY23 Veterans Various Paper Products (9-0)
• Affirmed appointments of Victor Moschella and Mark Maloni to the Zoning Board of Appeals (Unanimous)
• Rescinded Order no. FY 23-077 due to incorrect library account number (Unanimous)
• Accepted City Council minutes from January 18 and January 25, 2023 (Unanimous)

City Council Meeting

The Greenfield City Council will hold a public hearing and second reading on paying a $10,507 legal invoice and transferring $100,000 from OPEB Stabilization to the OPEB Trust. The council will also consider a first reading to borrow $200,000 for a lead service line inventory and replacement plan, accept FY2022 COPS grant funds, and vote on several mayoral appointments.

• Appropriate $200,000 from borrowing for Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan Program
• Approve payment of $10,507 invoice to Egan, Flanagan & Cohen PC from FY23 City Attorney Services
• Transfer $100,000 from OPEB Stabilization to OPEB Trust
• Accept FY2022 COPS Hiring Program Grant Funds
• Proposal to start full City Council meeting at 6:00 pm

The City Council approved a multi-year federal grant to hire additional law enforcement officers. The council also authorized several fund transfers, approved multiple board appointments, and amended its rules for requesting legal opinions.

• Approved FY22 COPS Hiring Program federal grant (7-3-2)
• Approved $10,507 payment to Egan, Flanagan & Cohen PC (Unanimous)
• Approved $100,000 transfer from OPEB Stabilization to OPEB Trust (Unanimous)
• Affirmed appointment of Margo Townley to Council on Aging (Unanimous)
• Affirmed appointment of Matt Abbey to Historical Commission (Unanimous)
• Affirmed appointment of Ed Jarvis to Public Safety Commission (4-8)
• Defeated appointment of Karen Wessinger to Public Safety Commission (3-9)
• Affirmed appointment of Mary Chicoine to Sustainable Greenfield Implementation Committee (Unanimous)

City Council Special Meeting

The City Council will hold a working session with the executive, police chief, and finance director to address the proposed elimination of the Greenfield Police Department's 3rd shift (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.). An alternative plan includes a union agreement to cover overnights at $300/week per officer, State Police coverage from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m., hiring two new officers by March 1st via a COPS grant, and using ARPA funds for remaining gaps.

• Proposed elimination of 3rd shift (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) of Greenfield Police Department
• Union agreement to waive overtime and shift-bidding rights for $300/week per officer to cover overnights
• State Police to cover 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. shift
• COPS grant to hire two new officers by March 1st and one more by May 1st
• Mayor commits ARPA funds to close remaining budget gaps

The City Council held a working session to review a temporary police staffing plan effective March 1 through June 30, 2023. The plan eliminates Greenfield Police coverage from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m., with State Police notified to cover as needed. No formal votes were taken on the staffing plan itself during this session.

• Approved waiver of rules of procedure (majority, 1 no)
• Failed to table motion to waive rules due to lack of a second
• Adjourned meeting at 8:45 p.m. (unanimous)

City Council Meeting

The Greenfield City Council will hold public hearings and second readings on three financial items: transferring $16,865.78 for library maintenance, appropriating $3,585,000 for a sewer dewatering system project, and repurposing $727,287.66 from dredging to water main projects. The council will also reconsider a vote on rezoning French King Highway and consider a resolution of no confidence for Police Chief Robert Haigh and Mayor Roxann Wedegartner.

• Public hearing to appropriate $3,585,000 for a Sewer Dewatering System Project
• Public hearing to repurpose $727,287.66 from Leyden Glenn dredging to Water Main Projects
• Reconsideration of vote on proposed amendment to rezone French King Highway
• Resolution for declaration of no confidence for PC Robert Haigh and Mayor Roxann Wedegartner
• Appropriate $100,000 from OPEB Stabilization to OPEB Trust

The City Council approved a declaration of no confidence in Police Chief Robert Haigh but defeated a similar resolution against Mayor Roxann Wedegartner. The Council also approved several funding transfers and a $3.58M appropriation for a sewer project, while denying a rezoning request for French King Highway.

• Approved declaration of no confidence in Police Chief Robert Haigh (7-6)
• Defeated declaration of no confidence in Mayor Roxann Wedegartner (5-8)
• Approved $3,585,000 appropriation for Sewer Dewatering System Project (unanimous)
• Approved $727,287.66 repurposing from Leyden Glenn dredging to water main projects (unanimous)
• Approved $16,865.78 transfer from Reserve Fund to Library Building & Grounds Maintenance (unanimous)
• Defeated rezoning of French King Highway parcels from General Commercial to Planned Industry (7-5)
• Approved scheduling a special meeting to discuss police budgetary issues (12-1)
• Accepted City Council minutes of December 21, 2022 (unanimous)

City Council Organizational Meeting

This is a procedural organizational meeting. The Council will elect a President and Vice-President, and receive orientation from the Clerk’s Office and Finance Director. No substantive legislation or public hearings are scheduled.

• Election of Council President and Vice-President
• Waiver of rules to allow agenda items out of order
• Orientation with Clerk’s Office and Finance Director per Rules of Procedure §565-1F

The City Council held an organizational meeting to elect its leadership for the year. Daniel Guin was elected President, and Christine Forgey was elected Vice President. The Council also discussed future orientation topics regarding municipal finance and procedures.

• Waived rules of procedure, order and disposition of business (unanimous)
• Elected Councilor Daniel Guin to the Office of City Council President (unanimous)
• Elected Councilor Christine Forgey to the Office of City Council Vice President (7-5)