Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
Greenfield Town Offices, 7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, September 20, 2018 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chair Robert Marshall; Selectwoman Margaret A. Charig Bliss;
Selectwoman Karen Day-absent
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;
Public: David Martin
Documents for Review/Approval:
- A/P Check Registers dated 9/18/2018
- Payroll Check Register dated 9/21/2018
- Employee Vacation Request – Recycling Center
- NH Dept. of Revenue – Cyclical Monitoring Results
- Selectboard Minutes – 9/13/2018
- Welfare Letter
Items for Discussion:
1) EMS Rules – Re-adoption Letter
2) Spirit Articles - ConVal Tax Impact 2018, LCHIP Grant Community Meetings
3) IAFC FLSA Guide for Volunteer Fire Departments
5:30 PM: Public Forum
At 5:30 pm Chairman Marshall opened the meeting and noted that there were no members of the public in attendance for the public forum. The Selectboard began working on the Consent Agenda items. David Martin arrived in advance of the meeting with the fire department officers.
5:45 PM: Robert Grunbeck, Owner Greenfield Properties LLC
Mr. Grunbeck attended the meeting to discuss a culvert running between the Long Block and the Greenfield Meeting Place. Mr. Grunbeck expressed frustration that the Town of Greenfield was taking so long to respond to issues with the culvert. He explained that his deed expressly references the easement to the Town for the culvert pipe. Town Administrator Patt explained to the Selectboard that the property file had a plan from Sandford Engineering, but the file did not include any of the documents and easements from 1964 that the plan references. The research on the culvert was further complicated by DPW’s conversations with the State Department of Transportation. Patt stated that the research was ultimately successful at the Registry of Deeds. Patt provided document copies and a letter from Town Counsel indicating that the Town has responsibility for the culvert. Patt explained that all of the data that was discovered as part of the research will be placed in the property file along with the letter from Town Counsel so that it will be available for future Selectboards. Mr. Grunbeck informed the Selectboard that he has struggled to make the Meeting Place profitable and that he recently decided to put the property up for sale. The Board thanked Mr. Grunbeck for his patience. The Chair stated that they were aware that the town’s DPW was in the process of responding once DigSafe was notified.
6:30 PM – Police Chief Brian Giammarino
At 6:30 pm, Police Chief Brian Giammarino came before the Selectboard and introduced part-time candidate Nick Weeks. Chief Giammarino asked the Board to enter into non-public session. After a review of the RSA, Chairman Marshall motioned to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II, A personnel. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Charig Bliss. On a roll call vote the Board voted 2-0 in favor of holding a non-public session as indicated.
At 6:59 the Selectboard voted 2-0 to enter into public session. While in public session Selectwoman Charig Bliss made a motion to seal the minutes under RSA 91-A:3 III. The motion was seconded by Chairman Marshall. The Board voted 2-0 to seal the minutes. It was noted that the Board had voted to have Chief Giammarino continue the hiring process with Mr. Weeks. On a report of favorable background check, the Town will move forward with the process to hire Mr. Weeks as a part-time officer.
7:00 PM – Greenfield Fire Department Officers
At 7:00 pm, Officers from the Greenfield Fire Department met with the Selectboard. In attendance were Michael Borden, Fire Department Captain; Lieutenant David Simmonds; Deputy Chief Jeff LaCourse; Emergency Management Director David Martin; and Fire Warden Eugene Hennessy. Chairman Marshall made opening statements regarding the need to have a Fire Chief Search process that works for the town, now that Chief Hall is retiring.
Deputy Chief LaCourse described the Fire Department in light of the hard work that Chief Hall has invested. He stated that there is a structure in place; the department is much more organized; the vehicles are in better shape; the bunk-in program has been contributing to the call responses; there is significant teamwork amongst the members. He stated that previously the position had been an elected position and now it was an appointed position with the Selectboard making the appointments. As such the Officers want to communicate with the Board the need to continue these accomplishments and maintain the teamwork at the department.
Mike Borden provided some background to a recent call and used the call to illustrate the high level of teamwork that is in place at the department. Each firefighter is committed to the team. He explained that in today’s environment it’s very difficult to run a fire department from part-time position. He provided examples of Deering and Dublin, where the Chiefs are hired part-time. He outlined how the Chief is liable for each call.
Deputy Chief LaCourse provided background on certain pieces of equipment that continue to need upgrades to be serviceable.
Captain Borden explained the role of the Chief in more detail. Rules are deciphered and decided by the fire chief so the administrative and management capability of the chief is important. He stated that people with full time jobs are not likely to have the time necessary to be a fire chief.
Deputy Chief LaCourse stated that the day crew in Greenfield is made up of three people, one of which is Chief Hall. He also stated that the department does not make a distinction between fire and EMS calls. He went on to explain that the EMS certified people require training throughout the year in order to keep their certification current. With a certified trainer on staff the training can take place on a monthly basis. In previous years there were three weekends a year devoted to training in order to maintain certification.
Lieutenant Simmonds explained that we have to attract more young people.
Emergency Management Director David Martin asked the Selectboard to provide an idea of what they are looking for in a new chief.
The Chair provided a background of the citizens’ volunteer committee, which included supporting the Chief’s stipend and supporting the many changes that the fire department had put forth over the past several years. The Chair explained that the Selectboard does not want to lose the teamwork that is become so essential to the department. He stated that the Esprit de Corps under Chief Hall within the fire department has been exceptional. The Chair stated that the Board is interested in identifying the characteristics that Chief Hall has exemplified to see if there are other candidates that have some of the same, or other characteristics that are important to maintain the teamwork and gains that the fire department has so clearly made.
Selectwoman Charig Bliss stated that four years ago, the department needed a “profound infusion of enthusiasm, money, equipment, and wages”. The Selectboard put that into motion to have the department we have now.
There followed additional discussion on the Selectboard’s intentions, and the fire department members stated that they would like to hear from the Board as to their vision for the department and the chief’s position.
EMD David Martin stated that the department needs a high level leader. He stated that a 20 hour per week position doesn’t cut it. He further stated that he doesn’t want to see the department lose ground when the Chief retires.
Captain Borden stated that “we’ve raised the bar in the department”.
Fire Warden Hennessy stated that it takes a special person to work for free. He stated that there are ten people that are dedicated to the town and the threat if we get the wrong person is that it’s possible 80% of the members will leave if the officers are not on board with the new person. He requested that the Board define the parameters of what they want from the department.
Deputy Chief LaCourse discussed the past warrant article and the question of part-time employee versus volunteer. He said that there has been the impression that the town does not want to pay for the position.
There followed additional discussion regarding part-time vs. volunteer.
The Chair asked if it were possible to divide some of the requirements of the position among the officers and staff so that “its not all borne by the chief?”
Captain Borden stated that each officer currently has a night of the week when they are part of a team of three covering the town. He stated that the hours that need to be covered during the day are 6am-6pm. The way the nights are covered by teams of other firefighters the town really needs to cover the day shifts.
The Chair said that he thought the conversation was about part-time employment and now “I’m hearing that the discussion is about full-time, is that right?”
Fire Warden Hennesy stated, “Day time response is the critical issue and one where we need out of the box thinking to create coverage.” He stated that volunteerism is a local community effort.
There followed a discussion about regionalization.
Captain Borden then stated that “we are on the same team”, [as the Selectboard] and that it was necessary to “regroup” the conversation. He clarified that the anchor for the town is a daytime chief on the 6am-6pm day shift. He further stated that the department needs a good manager during the day; the department does not have an issue at night.
The Chair stated that he would like to see a new chief on board while Chief Hall is still chief so that could work on next year’s budget and orient the new chief so that on January 1 the year can start with a new team member.
Deputy Chief LaCourse stated that membership is a necessity.
The Chair suggested that the position be posted internally first, followed by interviews with a committee if possible. He stated that having a good process is essential.
The meeting with the Fire Department Officers ended at 9:00pm.
9:00 PM – Selectboard Work Session
The Selectboard reviewed a letter from Town Counsel regarding the PSNH lawsuit against the town over its valuation. After review of the contents, the Chair made a motion to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 IIe, discussion of pending litigation. Selectwoman Charig Bliss seconded the motion and on a roll call vote the Board voted 2-0 to enter into Non-public meeting.
At 9:13 pm the Board voted 2-0 to enter into the public session. While in the public session, Selectwoman Charig Bliss made a motion to seal the minutes according to RSA 91-A:3 III. The motion was seconded by the Chair. On a vote of 2-0 in favor, the Board sealed the minutes of the non-public meeting.
The Board then reviewed a communication from Midwest Fire regarding the tanker build schedule. The Board requested that the Town Administrator contact Midwest Fire to ensure that the build and delivery schedule was still coinciding with the December 1st time frame.
Next the Board reviewed the Consent Agenda. On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectwoman Charig Bliss the Board voted 2-0 to accept the Consent Agenda.
The Board voted to end the meeting at 9:25pm.
Adjournment
At 9:25 pm Selectwoman Charig Bliss made a motion to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded by Chairman Marshall, the motion carried 2-0.