Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, January 28, 2021 – 4:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairman Robert Marshall, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Michael Borden
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator
Public: Abbe Hamilton, Ledger Transcript Reporter
4:30 PM: Virtual Meeting Open – Dial In 1+717-275-8940
The meeting was called to order at 4:30pm. 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 14th 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. Abbe Hamilton from the Ledger Transcript is present and 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.”
4:30 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting
The Chair opened the meeting. The meeting is an hour early to accommodate the ConVal Selectman’s Advisory Committee meeting at 7pm, which Selectman Marshall will attend following the Selectboard meeting. The Chair welcomed the Board members and stated that he would like to deal with the Consent Agenda items prior to the business meeting. Selectman Borden moved the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of accepting the Consent Agenda: M. Borden – Aye, K. Day – Aye, Chairman Marshall – Aye.
The Chair stated that the Consent Agenda includes an Accounts Payable Check Manifest in the amount of $48,457.19. The Chair read those items that were larger than the $1,500 limit imposed by the Board as part of the Purchasing Policy on Department Heads. At the conclusion of the outline the Chair asked for a motion. Selectman Borden made a motion to accept the A/P check manifest and to release the funds therein. Selectwoman Day seconded the motion. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 in favor: M. Borden – Aye, K. Day – Aye, B. Marshall – Aye.
Next the Chair noted that the Board has a Change of Wage document for the Planning Board Clerk, which will be retro-active to January 1st once the budget passes on May 1st. Selectwoman Day made a motion to change the wage as requested by the Planning Board. The motion was seconded by the Selectman Borden. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the 2021 pay change: K.Day – Aye, M. Borden – Aye, B Marshall - Aye.
Next the Chair stated that there is a Intent-to-Cut for R3-3. Selectman Borden made a motion to approve the Intent-to-Cut form. Selectwoman Day seconded the motion. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of approving the Intent to Cut for R3-3: M. Borden – Aye, K. Day – Aye, B. Marshall - Aye.
The Selectboard reviewed a correction to the Building Permit fee schedule. Chairman Marshall asked Selectman Borden to recuse himself as the Building Inspector. Mr. Borden agreed. Mr. Borden explained that the correction is to fix the price, which could be read as 2.5 cents, instead of Twenty Five Cents (per square foot). On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectwoman Day, the Board voted by roll-call vote to correct the pricing as outlined on the building inspection fee schedule, the motion passed 2-0 in favor: B.Marshall – Aye, K. Day – Aye.
Next the Board reviewed the Returned Check Fee schedule, noting that the postage has changed in 2021, and the fee schedule is updated to reflect the additional cost. As this is a normal course of business, Selectwoman Day made a motion to accept the fee schedule as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Borden. By roll-call vote the Board approved the fee schedule 3-0 in favor: K. Day – Aye, M. Borden – Aye, B. Marshall – Aye.
The Selectboard reviewed the Minutes of 1/21/21. Selectman Borden made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected and presented. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 in favor of accepting the minutes: M. Borden – Aye, K. Day – Aye, B. Marshall – Aye.
The Chair was notified that Abbe Hamilton of the Ledger Transcript has forwarded questions to the Town Administrator via email. Ms. Hamilton is attending the call but does not have an appointment with the Board. The Town Administrator stated that the questions could be answered by him first thing on Friday morning if that was acceptable to Ms. Hamilton. Ms. Hamilton agreed and will call Mr. Patt in the morning.
Next, the Selectboard discussed the Broadband Public Benefit Hearing scheduled for Sunday. The Chair apologized and stated that he has a previously scheduled engagement and will be unable to attend. The Chair requested that Selectwoman Day run the meeting on Sunday. The Chair will forward the Department of Justice preamble for Selectwoman Day to read at the opening, and then the meeting can be turned over to the Broadband volunteers and Consolidated Communications. Selectwoman Day agreed. Selectman Borden stated he would be in attendance.
At 4:55pm, Chairman Marshall made a motion under RSA 91-A:II a, c, and l, 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: M. Borden – Aye, K. Day – Aye, B. Marshall - Aye.
At 7:10pm, 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 in a roll-call vote: M. Borden – Aye, K. Day – Aye, B. Marshall - Aye. While in the public session the Chair made a motion to seal the minutes under RSA 91-A:III to preserve the privileged information and prevent damage to anyone’s reputation. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day and passed on a roll-call vote of 3-0: M. Borden – Aye, K. Day – Aye, B. Marshall - Aye. It was noted that the Board has provided an interim wage adjustment to J. Morris of DPW for additional duties while the manager is on leave.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 7:10 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: M. Borden – Aye, K. Day – Aye, B. Marshall - Aye.