Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, February 18, 2021 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairman Robert Marshall, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Michael Borden
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;
Public: Kathy Seigars, Ray Cilley
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 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.
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: Friends of the Greenfield Meeting House; Ray Cilley
The Chair opened the meeting. At 5:35, Ray Cilley and Kathy Seigars joined the meeting and updated the Selectboard on the progress of the Friends of the Meeting House. At the conclusion of the update, Mr. Cilley explained that the Friends of the Greenfield Meeting House would like to hold tours on the last Saturday of every month to show potential donors the building and explain some of the issues that the restoration project will focus on. The Selectboard discussed and agreed to provide one Saturday a month for the Friends of the Greenfield Meeting House to host a tour of the building. Chairman Marshall made a motion to allow the Friends to provide donor tours of the Meeting House, on the last Saturday of every month, following CDC guidelines for safety, including social distancing and wearing of masks in the building. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion: Selectwoman Day, Aye; Selectman Borden, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
Mr. Cilley outlined a request by the Friends to create a ‘donation thermometer’ using a format of their choosing to highlight the progress toward completion of the group’s fund raising goals. A motion from the Chair in support of this effort was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote of 3-0, the Board voted in favor: Selectwoman Day, Aye; Selectman Borden, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
At the conclusion of the discussion, Mr. Cilley thanked the Board for their time and support. Ms. Seigars stated that she would provide a copy of the organization’s fundraising brochure for the Town Office.
6:00 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting
Next the Chair stated that he would like to deal with the Consent Agenda. 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 $26,387.61 for abatement refunds to PSNH dba Eversource Energy. Selectwoman Day made a motion to accept the A/P check manifest and to release the funds therein. Selectman Borden 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 Payroll manifest of $29,631.66. Selectwoman Day made a motion to accept the payroll manifest and to release the funds. 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 noted that the Board has vacation requests from the Selectmen’s office. Selectwoman Day made a motion to approve the vacation requests. The motion was seconded by the Selectman Borden. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor: K.Day – Aye, M. Borden – Aye, B Marshall - Aye.
Next, the Selectboard reviewed the Minutes of 2/11/21. Selectwoman Day made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Borden. 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 Selectboard discussed a recent report from Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI). At the conclusion of the discussion the Selectboard determined that it should move to a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3,II, a and c. On a motion by Selectwoman Day, and a second by Selectman Borden, the Board voted by roll call vote to enter into non-public session at 6:10pm: Selectwoman Day, Aye; Selectman Borden, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
At 6:49 PM, the Board voted by roll-call vote to exit non-public session, on a motion by Selectwoman Day and a second by Selectman Borden, 3-0 in favor; Selectwoman Day, Aye; Selectman Borden, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
While in the public session, Chairman Marshall made a motion to seal the minutes under RSA 91-A:3, III in order to preserve the Board’s discussion and decisions regarding personnel matters. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor: Selectwoman Day, Aye; Selectman Borden, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
The Board discussed a request from the Department of Public Works to replace a seasonal plow truck operator. The second plow truck operator is unable to give up his plow route and this necessitates that the town find a second seasonal operator. The Board reached a consensus that this is an open position, having been hired for in the past, and as such the Board can move forward with an immediate posting. It was noted that the position may overlap with mud season.
Next the Chair discussed a request from the Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding the applicability of RSA 674:41 for a recent ZBA applicant. The Board reviewed the request and issued an opinion that a private road agreement is not necessary. The question about the expanded use is outlined in the zoning regulations and is therefore, solely the purview of the zoning board to adjudicate, unless the ZBA requests otherwise.
Next the Selectboard took up a request from the coordinator of Music on the Common to allow music concerts on the common during the summer months. The Selectboard discussed the request and agreed that they were in support of providing the community with programs in the coming months, as long as they conform to the prevailing CDC guidelines for social distancing and wearing of masks. The Chair suggested that the Board should look at applications for use of town facilities starting on July 1st and depending on the state of the health emergency, the Board could look at applications on a case by case basis.
As a preliminary step, the Board agreed that the outdoor Music on the Common concert series would receive their support (subject to prevailing guidelines, and final review after July 1st). Selectwoman Day made a motion to support Music on the Common. Selectman Borden seconded the motion. On a roll-call vote of 3-0 the Board voted: Selectwoman Day, Aye; Selectman Borden, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
The Selectboard discussed the question of hiring lifeguards for the summer months. In line with the July 1st review date, the Board agreed that they would support summer lifeguards at Sunset Lake Beach. Selectman Borden made a motion to have the Building and Grounds Manager post life guard positions (2) and to follow CDC recommendations to open the beach to swimming. The motion received a second from Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion: Selectwoman Day, Aye; Selectman Borden, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
Next the Selectboard discussed a request from Connor Jennings of Eversource that the Board appoints an emergency contact for the town that Eversource can liaise with during emergent and emergency situations. The Board agreed that the appropriate person would be David Martin, Emergency Management Director.
Next the Selectboard discussed a recent visit with resident Kent Vincent. Selectman Borden stated that he has done a review of the issues and spoken with the staff of DPW. It was acknowledged that the issue the Mr. Vincent brought forward about fill along the side of the road would have to wait until Spring, when the snow was gone to review further. Regarding the issue of the parked vehicle, the decisions by the Greenfield DPW and Police Departments to allow the parking while the vehicle was waiting for repair were appropriate. In addition, Selectman Borden stated he researched the open hours for Zephyr Lake Beach and found them on the website (6AM-10PM), as such the complaint was not upheld by the Board. The Selectboard went over these points and then asked that Mr. Vincent be provided an update on the conversation.
Next, the Selectboard discussed the Wilton Ambulance program. It was agreed that Selectman Borden would be the liaison with the Ambulance Advisory Committee. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board agreed to send a letter to the Town of Wilton affirming the relationship of the town of Greenfield under the Inter-municipal Agreement. Selectman Borden made a motion to maintain the relationship with the Wilton Ambulance Service through the end of the current contract (2021). The motion received a second from Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion: Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectwoman Day, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
Next, Chairman Marshall noted that February 25th is the date for the Selectman’s Advisory Committee meeting at ConVal School District. As the SAC meeting starts at 7pm on Zoom, the Chair would like to start the Selectboard meeting earlier. It was agreed to post the meeting for 5pm.
Next the Selectboard reviewed a request from Adele Hale, for the town to hold a candidates night. The Board was very enthusiastic about the idea. After discussion the Board was unable to support the request due to the public health crisis, the amount of time before Town Meeting, and the feeling that it would be very difficult to keep such an event safe.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 8:46 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.