Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, April 01, 2021 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairman Robert Marshall, Selectman Michael Borden, Selectman Mason Parker
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Brian Giammarino, Police Chief
Public:
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. Mr. Mason is at the Town Office 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.
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: Police Chief Brian Giammarino
The Chair welcomed Chief Giammarino to the meeting. The Selectboard and the Police Chief discussed the Police Department’s budget for Part-Time Wages. The Chief noted that the budget is 71.4% spent year-to-date. The Chief provided background on the hiring process to fill the open position that was left after a retirement in 2020. As a result of COVID, the Police Academy has been shut down and there are far fewer applicants available. Town Administrator Patt stated that with the amount of time needed for field training, even if a person were hired in the near future, there would continue to be a need for part-time wages. The town has not held its Town Meeting and technically does not have a budget. The question will be whether to add funds to the police department budget for part-time wages on the floor of Town Meeting in May or, after the budget is voted to move funds from the Full-Time Wage line. Chief Giammarino will be away for two weeks in April, and it was agreed that on return, the Town Administrator and the Chief would work on the budget numbers prior to Town Meeting, and then present findings to the Board.
5:45 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting
The Chair noted that the Consent Agenda has several items that require a vote. The Chair noted that the Emergency Order that allows for virtual meetings requires a roll-call vote for each item. Selectman Borden moved the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Selectman Parker. On a roll call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of accepting the Consent Agenda: Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
The Chair stated that the Consent Agenda includes an Accounts Payable (AP) Check Manifest in the amount of $117.91 to mail the Spirit newsletter. Selectman Borden made a motion to accept the AP check manifest and to release the funds therein. Selectman Parker seconded the motion. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 in favor: Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
The Chair noted that the Consent Agenda has a Payroll Check Manifest in the amount of $27,959.36. Selectman Borden made a motion to accept the AP check manifest and to release the funds therein. Selectman Parker seconded the motion. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 in favor: Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
Next, the Selectboard reviewed the Minutes of 3/18/21. Selectman Borden made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Selectman Parker seconded the motion. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 in favor of accepting the minutes: Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
The Selectboard reviewed an Abatement application for V5-7 requested by the Tax Collector in the amount of $40.87 that resulted from misallocation of interest to one property; following a single payment for multiple properties. Selectman Borden made a motion to approve the application. Selectman Parker seconded the motion. On a roll-call vote of 3-0 the Board voted in favor of the motion; Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
Next, the Selectboard reviewed an Intent to Excavate gravel from R1-1-3 GRVL. After a brief discussion, Selectman Parker made a motion to approve the Intent to Excavate and to sign the document with electronic signatures. The motion was seconded by Selectman Borden. On a roll-call vote of 3-0 the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion; Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
At 6:03pm, the Chair stated that the Board should hold a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II, a, and asked for a motion. Selectman Borden made a motion to enter into a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II,a. The motion was seconded by Selectman Parker. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion; Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
At 8:32pm, Selectman Borden made a motion to enter into the public session. The motion was seconded by Selectman Parker. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion; Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
While in the public session, Selectman Borden made a motion to seal the minutes according to RSA 91-A: 3, III to protect the privacy of individuals other than the public body and to preserve the discussions effectiveness. The motion was seconded by Selectman Parker. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion; Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
8:38 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting (Contd.)
Chairman Marshall took up other items of business.
The first is a request for an approval of a Notice of Tree Cutting. The notice is a NHDOT template that NHDOT provided to the Town Administrator. The notice has been formatted into a template for Greenfield and provides the contact information for the current foreman of the DPW. The front side provides information to the landowner and the back side of the form has the relevant RSAs. Selectman Borden made a motion to approve the notice of tree cutting, which will be used as part of the DPW’s process for maintaining trees in the Right of Way (which also includes Planning Board public hearing and approval). The motion was seconded by Selectman Parker. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion; Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
Next the Selectboard reviewed a request to fund Music on the Common from the Recreation Revolving fund. After a brief explanation of the fund and how it works, the Board agreed to provide funding for 2021 and noted that without adequate fund raising that next year the funding may have to come from the budget. On a motion by Selectman Borden and a second from Selectman Parker, the Board voted by roll-call voted 3-0 in favor of funding Music on the Common for the 2021 season; Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.
Next, the Board reviewed a request from property owner Ray Cilley for permission to dump loam from the parking lot of the Greenfield Town Office onto property behind 788 Forest Road. The Selectboard discussed and Selectman Borden stated that as long as the property owner agrees to fix any damage that occurs to the paved parking lot and drive behind the Town Office that he would agree to the permission. Selectman Parker agreed. The Board agreed by consensus to provide the permission requested, subject to any damages as outlined.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 9:01 pm, Selectman Borden made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Selectman Parker. The motion carried 3-0 in a roll-call vote: Selectman Borden, Aye; Selectman Parker, Aye; Chairman Marshall, Aye.