Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, October 21, 2021 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairman Robert Marshall, Selectman Michael Borden, Selectman Mason Parker
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Brian Giammarino, Police Chief
Friends of the Greenfield Community Meeting House: Sheldon Pennoyer, Jesseca Timmons
Documents for Discussion/Signature
- A/P Check Register dated October 20, 2021 in the amount of $52,293.70
- New Hire Worksheet – DPW Seasonal Plowing
- New Hire Worksheet – Deputy Treasurer
- Change of Wage Worksheet – DPW FT
- Purchase Order – Police Department
- Minutes of 10/14/2021
Other letters/ items for Discussion/Signature:
1. Broadband Contract – Completed
2. NHDES – Permit by Notification R6-8
3. Letter to Selectboard – RE Zoning Ordinance
4. Letter to Selectboard – Zoning Minutes
5. Request for Qualifications – Meeting House Renovation
5:30 PM: Public Forum
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairman Marshall. The Selectboard began working through the Consent Agenda documents. Chairman Marshal noted that there were no members of the public present for the public forum.
The Chair requested and received the following:
- Motion by Selectman Borden and Second from Selectman Parker to accept the Consent Agenda. Vote 3-0 in favor.
- Motion by Selectman Borden and Second from Selectman Parker to approve two New Hire Worksheets, one for Deputy Treasurer, and one for DPW Seasonal Plowing. Vote 3-0 in favor.
- Motion by Selectman Borden and Second from Selectman Parker to approve a change of wage for a new hire in the DPW following a 90 day review. Vote 3-0 in favor.
- Motion by Selectman Borden and Second from Selectman Parker to approve a Purchase Order for the Police Department for the purpose of purchasing supplies from Old Glory Guns and Ammo. Vote 3-0 in favor.
- Motion by Selectman Borden and Second from Selectman Parker to approve the minutes of 10/14/2021. Vote 3-0 in favor.
A discussion on an Intent to Cut on parcel R6-8 was held. It was noted that the timber cut would take place on sixty acres and include cutting in a wetlands area. A permit from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was received.
5:45 PM: Selectboard Work Session
Selectman Borden provided a presentation on the bids received for updating the Old Town Office / Emergency Services Building. As part of the continuing COVID-19 mitigation effort within town government, this building could house the police department, but needs to be brought up to code. There are several areas that need to be addressed. Selectman Borden outlined the ADA access requirements for the building. He provided a presentation on the needs of the building entrance and elevator access area, as well as the need for updated bathrooms on each floor, electrical wiring, and concrete work. The building entrance will require a secure door that separates the department from foot traffic accessing the upstairs meeting room via the elevator. Selectman Borden outlined several options for the entranceway. A discussion with Chief Giammarino followed relative to the needs of the department. Other needs for the police department include a secure access door to an interview/booking room for offenders, an interview room for victims and witnesses, and separation of offices from the booking/holding room.
Other options for the building include the possibility of adding a separate meeting room addition, over the one story section of the building, which could be used by the Emergency Management Department as an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). At the conclusion of the discussion, the Chair noted that the presentation on the use of space in the building was very helpful.
6:30 PM: Non-Public Session
At 6:40pm, the Chair requested a motion under RSA 91-A:3, II a Personnel. Selectman Borden made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II a for the purpose of discussing personnel evaluations. The motion was seconded by Selectman Parker. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 in favor. The Board entered into non-public session at 6:42pm.
At 7:16pm, Selectman Borden made a motion to enter into the public session. The motion was seconded by Selectman Parker. On a vote of 3-0 the Board entered into the public session. While in the public session, Selectman Parker made a motion to seal the minutes under RSA 91-A:3, III to protect the reputation of employees or others not a member of the public body. The motion was seconded by Selectman Borden. On a vote of 3-0 in favor the motion passed and the minutes were sealed.
7:00 PM: Friends of the Greenfield Community Meeting House
Sheldon Pennoyer and Jesseca Timmons of the Friends of the Greenfield Community Meeting House joined the Selectboard. The Chair welcomed Mr. Pennoyer and Ms. Timmons to the meeting. Mr. Pennoyer stated that he has finalized a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Meeting House restoration project. A discussion on funding sources followed. Ms. Timmons announced that the Friends have received a Moose Plate Grant in the amount of $8,300 that will pay for renovations of the access stairs to the bell/clock tower to make that safe before the rest of the work starts. The Selectboard reviewed the RFQ. It was noted that the contract between the town and the selected architects should be reviewed by Town Counsel. Mr. Pennoyer outlined that the Friends are interested in interviewing the respondents to the RFQ, and then anticipate providing a recommendation to the Selectboard. The Selectboard agreed to this strategy noting Mr. Pennoyer’s strength and background as an architect. At the conclusion of the review, Mr. Pennoyer asked the Selectboard if the RFQ was ready to send out. The Board agreed and offered to have the Town Office mail out the documents. Mr. Pennoyer stated that almost all communication in his industry is via email but that it could be put on the website. The Board reached a consensus to have Mr. Pennoyer send out the RFQ and for the town to pay for any advertisements associated with the notice. Mr. Pennoyer stated he would send a copy of the contract to the Town Administrator for review by Town Counsel. At 7:55pm, the Chair thanked Mr. Pennoyer and Ms Timmons for their support and help with the project.
7:55 PM: Selectboard Work Session (Contd.)
The Board heard from Selectman Borden regarding the AAC meeting. A conversation followed regarding the potential increases to the Wilton Ambulance budget in 2022 based on comments provided at a recent Ambulance Advisory meeting (10/19/2021). Selectman Borden outlined the potential for a 12% increase in the 2022 Wilton Ambulance budget. Greenfield’s call volume is lower than last year, so the town’s share of the program’s budget should be reduced. However, the increase in budget due to lower than projected revenues, could still mean a significant increase in the town’s share for next year. Selectman Borden stated that Greenfield’s share of the program’s budget could be as high as $135,000 next year. A conversation followed regarding the upcoming Ambulance Advisory Committee meeting on November 16th.
The Board discussed a recent presentation by Peterborough Ambulance to the Fire Department. It was noted that the cost for ambulance service from Peterborough was quoted significantly lower than the cost for the current year. A discussion followed. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Selectboard requested that the current contract with Wilton Ambulance be reviewed and shared with the Selectboard for further discussion prior to November 16th.
There followed a brief discussion on the Board’s process for setting agendas. Selectman Parker prefers that agendas be set a full week in advance and any supporting materials provided at the meeting prior to the next scheduled meeting. Selectman Parker also suggested a “rolling idea box” on the agenda so that Board members could have input into each week’s topics.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 8:55 pm, Selectman Parker made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Selectman Borden. The motion carried 3-0.