Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, January 21, 2021 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairman Robert Marshall, Selectwoman Karen Day
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator
Public: Michael Borden
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. Mr. Borden is in his 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 Mr. Borden to the meeting.
The Chair stated that the Board has a Payroll Manifest in the amount of $31,251.56, dated January 22nd to approve. Selectwoman Day made a motion to approve and release payroll. The motion was seconded by the Chair. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 2-0 in favor of approving and releasing payroll.
Next the Chair stated that there is an Accounts Payable Check Manifest in the amount of $6,266.47. Selectwoman Day asked a question about one of the vendors. The vendor works for the Cemetery Trustees. Selectwoman Day made a motion to accept and release the A/P Checks. The Chair seconded the motion. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 2-0 in favor of releasing the A/P checks.
The Selectboard reviewed the Minutes of January 13th and the Minutes of January 14th. The Board reviewed the corrected minutes of January 7th. On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectwoman Day, the Board voted by roll-call vote to accept the minutes, 2-0 in favor.
Selectwoman Day stated that the Board has not officially accepted Selectwoman Charig Bliss’s resignation. She made a motion to formally accept the resignation; the motion was seconded by the Chair. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 2-0 in favor of accepting the resignation of Margaret “Margo” Charig Bliss with regrets.
Selectwoman Day stated that Mr. Borden has joined the meeting and agreed to be an interim member of the Board and the appointment paperwork with electronic signatures has been forwarded to the Town Clerk and is part of the agenda. She made a motion to appoint Mr. Borden to the Selectboard with a term to coincide with the coming Election Day. The motion was seconded by the Chair. On a roll-call vote of 2-0 the Board appointed Michael Borden to an interim Selectboard position.
Mr. Borden thanked the Selectboard members for the appointment. He stated that he completed the swearing in process with the Town Clerk prior to joining the meeting based on the electronic signatures on the appointment paperwork provided to the Clerk by the Board members. The Board thanked Mr. Borden and agreed to his participation in an official capacity given that the swearing-in has been completed.
The Selectboard took up a conversation about Broadband and explained the warrant article that will be before the voters at Town Meeting to the new Selectboard member. The Board outlined the meeting schedule in the next two weeks for the Broadband Bond Hearing (s) and the annual Budget Hearing.
Next the Selectboard discussed the 2021 budget. Several spreadsheets were provided to Selectman Borden. The Board discussed their target of a $9.25 tax rate for the town portion of the tax rate. This is due to the need to replace the Capital Reserve Funds that were reduced last year, and, to provide investment in the gravel roads and complete the final portion of East Road.
The Selectboard discussed the increase in the ambulance budget. The 2020 cost for the Wilton Ambulance service was $57,800. The proposed budget for 2021 is $104,895. A difference of $47,095.00. Selectwoman Day stated that the budget has nearly doubled in one year and she feels that the Board needs to explore ways to reduce this cost. She suggested that the Board reach out to Lyndeborough to see if their Selectboard would be willing to have a conversation with the Town of Wilton about the costs. The alternative is for Greenfield to look at the breach of contract by Wilton with respect to Addendum C and see if that provides Greenfield the opportunity to leave the agreement and work with another provider. Selectman Borden agreed that the cost is too high for the value of the service provided. Selectwoman Day made a motion to have the Town Administrator reach out to Lyndeborough to see if there is any interest in a robust discussion to drive down the cost, and, to discuss with Town Counsel the fact that Wilton has admitted to violating Addendum C, which covers the service contract to see if it is possible to leave the contract. The motion was seconded by Selectman Borden. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion.
Next, the Selectboard took up a request from the acting foreman of the DPW Roads crew for several winter / safety related purchases. The Board agreed to support the purchases. This includes fixing a broken exhaust pipe on the older F550 to prevent exhaust from entering the cab, ordering a side wing mirror to ensure the side wing is visible on the new plow truck while plowing, and replacing the pintle hook on the back of the John Deere Grader.
At 6:15pm, Chairman Marshall made a motion under RSA 91-A:II a, and, c to enter into non-public session. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 to enter into non-public session.
At 9:35pm, 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 Chair 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 Selectwoman Day and passed on a roll-call vote of 3-0.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 9:37 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.