Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, January 07, 2021 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairman Robert Marshall, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectwoman Margaret Charig Bliss
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Dorene Adams, Town Clerk; Kathy Seigars, Checklist Supervisor; Linda Dodge, Checklist Supervisor
Public:
5:30 PM: Virtual Meeting Open – Dial In 1+717-275-8940
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm. Chairwoman Charig Bliss welcomed everyone to the virtual Selectboard meeting. Chairwoman Charig Bliss opened the meeting and read a statement provided by the Attorney General’s office regarding virtual meetings. “As Chair of the Selectboard, I find that due to the State of Emergency declared by the Governor as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with the Governor’s Emergency Order #12 pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04, which has been extended for the 9th time, this public body is authorized to meet virtually.
Please note that there is no physical location to observe and listen contemporaneously to this meeting, which was authorized pursuant to the Governor’s Emergency Order. However, in accordance with the Emergency Order, I am confirming that we are providing public access to the meeting by telephone. We are currently working on providing additional access possibilities by video or other electronic means, however, we are a small town and that is not feasible for tonight’s call.
We are utilizing Freeconference.com for this electronic meeting. All members of the Board have the ability to communicate contemporaneously during this meeting through this platform, and the public has access to contemporaneously listen and, if necessary, participate in this meeting through dialing the access number posted online or by following the directions on the Meeting Instructions link from the Selectboard’s page on the website. The Website address is greenfield-nh.gov.
We previously gave notice to the public of the necessary information for accessing the meeting, including how to access the meeting telephonically. If there are problems with access, please email the Town Administrator and he will attempt to help you in real time. In the event the public is unable to access the meeting, the meeting will be adjourned and rescheduled.
Please note that all votes that are taken during this meeting shall be done by roll-call vote.
Let’s start the meeting by taking a roll-call attendance. When each member states their presence, please also state whether there is anyone in the room with you during this meeting, which is required under the Right-to-Know law.
Each selectperson noted that they were alone. The Selectboard members are each home and alone, the Town Administrator is in his office at home and is alone.
The Chair stated: “at this point I would ask that everyone mute their phones by pressing * (star) 6 (six). If there isn’t time for your questions tonight, you can email the Town Administrator and request to be on the agenda during the next meeting. If you have technical difficulties on your end with your computer, laptop, or other electronic device email the Town Administrator if you having trouble connecting in real-time and we’ll try to be of help.
Gov. Sununu’s Emergency Order #16 has been lifted however, given the headlines where other States are pulling back from re-opening and the virus appears to be surging in many areas, there is a risk that the Selectboard cannot ignore. For the foreseeable future the Board will continue to meet by conference call as a result. We'll ask that - to the extent possible - you submit your questions/concerns/comments to the Town Administrator via email in advance so we can have answers ready. Remember to charge whatever device you are using in advance of the meeting. I can assure you everyone in your town government is doing everything in their capacity to ensure your safety, their safety and Greenfield's future. With that said, I would invite participants to bring issues before the Board.”
5:30 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting – Town Meeting Discussion
The Chair welcomed Dorene Adams, Town Clerk to the meeting. The Chair opened a discussion about Town Meeting elections and the business meeting. Town Clerk Adams explained the amount of time required to hold a meeting under the proposed HB1129 and the number of poll workers needed for the drive-thru scenario that the Bill outlines. A discussion followed. Town Clerk Adams expressed her interest in maintaining the traditional meeting. Checklist Supervisor Kathy Seigars stated that with a bond on the warrant, interest in attending the meeting would be high. Linda Dodge, Checklist Supervisor asked a question about the ConVal deliberative session and the school ballot. The Selectboard discussed whether the Board could postpone the election day or just the business meeting. The Board directed Town Administrator Patt to work with Town Counsel to determine if one or both of the postponements under the law was possible. A discussion on postponing the meeting until a day in May was held. Town Clerk Adams stated she would call the Secretary of State’s office for guidance.
7:00 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting Contd.
At 7:01pm, the Chair read through the Consent Agenda. The Chair made a motion to accept the A/P manifest. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The motion was advanced via roll-call vote and the motion passed in favor 3-0. Next the Selectboard reviewed an abatement request from the Tax Collector to correct a posting error. The Abatement request was moved by Selectman Marshall and seconded by Selectwoman Day. The Chair called the vote and the Board voted by roll-call vote 3-0 in favor. The Selectboard agreed to support a Fire Department grant application for SCBA equipment and to sign a letter in support. Next the Chair asked for a motion on the minutes and the motion was provided by Selectman Marshall. Selectwoman Day seconded the motion. On a roll-call vote the motion passed on a vote of 3-0.
The Chair took up a proposal from Townline Auto to purchase the Ford F250 on an as-is basis for $1,600. The Chair noted that there is a pandemic and that under RSA 21-P the Board may want to limit the exposure of staff and visitors to the DPW department to inspect the truck. A discussion was held and the Board reached an agreement to sell the truck with the failed cylinder to this company, as recommended by Hillsborough Ford. The motion was provided by Selectwoman Day and a second was made by Selectman Marshall. The vote was called and held and by roll-call vote the motion passed 3-0 in favor.
The Selectboard discussed the ambulance program and noted that the Wilton Ambulance and the Town of Wilton have asked that the Town of Greenfield Selectboard sign a new Addendum C, which would have the effect of curing the breach of the current service agreement by Wilton Ambulance. The Selectboard agreed to have the addendum reviewed by Town Counsel.
Next, the Chair announced that with Town Meeting fast approaching that she would like to resign from the Chairmanship in order to focus on some personal issues. A discussion followed. The Chair nominated Selectman Marshall to be the Chair of the Selectboard. Selectwoman Day announced that she was not going to run again. She seconded the motion. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of Selectman Marshall to be the Chair of the Selectboard effective immediately.
Chairman Marshall made a motion under RSA 91-A:II a, and, c. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 to enter into non-public session.
At 8:25pm, the Selectboard voted on a motion by Chairman Marshall and a second from Selectwoman Day to enter into the public session. The vote passed 3-0 in favor. While in the public session the Selectwoman Charig Bliss made a motion to seal the minutes under RSA 91-A:III to preserve the effectiveness of the discussion and prevent damage to anyone’s reputation. The motion was seconded by Chairman Marshall and passed on a roll-call vote of 3-0.
The Selectboard agreed to hold a meeting on January 13th to discuss the 2021 budget. The meeting will be held at 1PM. Materials were requested for the budget meeting.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 8:42 pm, Selectwoman Day made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Chair. The motion carried 3-0 in a roll-call vote.