Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, January 14, 2021 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairman Robert Marshall, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectwoman Margaret Charig Bliss
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator
Public: Tom Bascom
5:30 PM: Virtual Meeting Open – Dial In 1+717-275-8940
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm. Chairman Marshall welcomed everyone to the virtual Selectboard meeting. Chairman Marshall 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
The Chair welcomed Tom Bascom to the meeting. The meeting was opened at 5:30pm. The Board reviewed the requirements for the Broadband bond with Mr. Bascom, the Chair of the Volunteers working on the Broadband project. Mr. Bascom outlined the need for two (2) Public Benefit Hearings, which require 24 hour notice, and one (1) Public Hearing on the Broadband Bond so that the community has an opportunity to learn about the Broadband bond, its cost and timeline, and have questions answered. The Board discussed the timeline for these meetings and Town Administrator Patt noted that the town has to hold a Public Budget Hearing in the same time frame. The Board reviewed their calendars and chose the following dates for the hearings:
January 27th at 6:30PM – Public Benefit Hearing
January 31st at 2PM – Public Benefit Hearing
February 3rd at 6:30PM – Public Hearing
February 4th at 5:30PM for the Budget Hearing
The Board discussed and approved mailing out an EDDM townwide. The Board requested that the mailing go out on January 20th. Tom Bascom offered to host Zoom practice sessions for Board members. The Chair thanked Mr. Bascom for his participation and help with the Broadband hearings.
Next the Selectboard reviewed the Consent Agenda and vote to approve each of the items individually by roll-call vote. Each item was moved and seconded and via roll-call vote, approved 3-0 in favor. These include the A/P manifest in the amount of $36,920.93; A/P Check Register for payment to NH Retirement; Timber Tax Levy for R7-5 & 25; Transfer request from the Recreation Revolving Fund to the General Fund in the amount of $35.22; and two hourly wage increases for the part-time officers in the Police Department.
Selectwoman Charig Bliss made a motion to have the Selectboard open the Meeting House for the March Election Day, March 9th for the purpose of holding the municipal elections and the vote on the School budget. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day and passed 3-0 in favor by roll-call vote.
The Selectboard held a discussion on when to hold Town Meeting for the business meeting portion of the annual meeting. After a lengthy discussion, in which the Board received advice from Town Counsel, Selectwoman day made a motion to hold the 2021 Business Meeting at Oak Park at 9AM on May 1st. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Charig Bliss. The Chair called the vote and via roll-call vote the vote passed 3-0 in favor.
Next the Selectboard discussed the 2021 budget and made changes and edits to the draft budget. The Selectboard reviewed the Building Inspector and Fire Chief Stipends and agreed to provide a 2.8% increase to the stipends.
The Selectboard held a discussion about 2021. Selectwoman Charig Bliss stated that while she was originally going to resign at the end of the month, if the Board found a suitable candidate she would be willing to step down earlier. A conversation followed and the Chair shared that the two candidates he has talked to have reached a conclusion and one of them is willing to step forward prior to Town Meeting and be an interim board member. A discussion followed and it was agreed that the Board would bring the appointment paperwork for Michael Borden to the next meeting for a vote as interim selectboard member.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 8:20 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.