Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, March 26, 2020 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; David Martin, EMD; Rick McQuade, Fire Chief, DPW B&G
Public:
Documents for Review/Approval:
- A/P Manifest dated 3/25
- Payroll dated 3/20
- Intent to Cut – R4-27-2
- Intent to Excavate – R1-1-3GVL
- Appointment – EMD Public Information Officer
- Selectboard Minutes 3/12, 3/14
Items for Discussion/Signature in the Public Session:
1. None
5:30 PM: Virtual Meeting Open – Dial In 1+717-275-8940
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm. Chairwoman Charig Bliss welcomed everyone to the first virtual Selectboard meeting following the guidelines outlined in the Governor’s Emergency Order #12 and #16. Chairwoman Bliss opened the meeting with a statement regarding the meeting.
Good Evening, everyone, and welcome to Greenfield's first-ever teleconference meeting. At this point I would ask that everyone mute their phones by pressing * (star) 6 (six). We will take questions in a few minutes, but I want to take this opportunity to explain the protocol for our meetings. This meeting is being held under the State of Emergency measures outlined in Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order #12. A link to that order is posted on the website under COVID-19 Information. Our goal after tonight is continue to hold regular business meetings, so if there isn’t time for your questions tonight, we will post a dial-in to the next regularly scheduled meeting, and 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 you can dial into the meeting using the dial-in number and pin. You can email the Town Administrator if you having trouble connecting in real-time and we’ll try to be of help.
The Greenfield Selectboard is committed to meeting the highest standards we can for Covid-19 security. On March 5th we adopted a Pandemic/Epidemic policy. Directly after Town Meeting on the 14th we held an emergency meeting and were possibly the first town to close town offices. Tonight we continue with our protective measures. You're in your homes, and we're in ours. Over the years the Selectboard has been driven to provide the highest standard for public access and transparency of your government. Tonight’s meeting isn't perfect, but we must not let perfect be the enemy of good. Greenfield is forging ahead. Despite being one of the smallest communities in the region we were among the first on the block to recognize the imminent danger we are all in and to take action to stem the spread of the pandemic.
We are being vigilant about keeping our employees, elected and appointed officials, and volunteers safe. Your town offices remain closed, but we are working at top speed to make essential services available.
Gov. Sununu’s Emergency Order #16 prohibits gatherings greater than 10 people. So in this telephone meeting, we have to work harder to convey the congeniality we enjoyed as neighbors. As always, we'll never knowingly shut you out of a public meeting.
In order to keep the meeting reasonable for you and us, we will limit meetings to one hour. 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. We promise we will get better with the technology as the meetings progress.
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.
I will now open the virtual floor to public comment for 15 minutes.
Town Administrator Patt explained that people having an issue with the call can use the dial-in numbers posted on the website. He said that if anyone has an issue connecting to the meeting, or hearing the members on the call, they can send an email for technical help. Email is being checked in real-time.
Selectwoman Day outlined recent discussions among the Emergency Management team. There was a short discussion on measures that the Emergency Management team may take in the future, including a possible assist from DPW. Emergency Management Director (EMD) David Martin and Fire Chief McQuade are in attendance to discuss Town preparations in light of COVID-19. EMD David Martin discussed the question of First Responders quarantining away from their homes in order to reduce possible exposure to their families. The discussion outlined recent communication from Provident Insurance and Primex, the town’s risk-pool insurance carrier. Town Administrator stated he would follow-up with Mr. Martin outside of the meeting for further discussion.
There followed a discussion about dispatch services and whether information is being shared about possible COVID-19 cases when Police and EMS calls are dispatched.
Next Selectwoman Day outlined some protective measures for the EMS responders in the form of UV lights to disinfect masks that the Fire Department could look into. It was agreed that the cost was below the purchasing policy threshold and the Fire Chief could move forward as needed.
This concluded the conversations with Chief McQuade and EMD Martin.
6:00 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting
The Selectboard took up a discussion about the Consent Agenda. For this call the Board concluded that they would vote on a roll-call vote for each individual item so that the vote is clear.
The first item of business is the Accounts Payable manifest in the amount of $60,303.54. On a motion by Selectman Marshall and a second from Selectwoman Day, the Board voted 3-0 in a roll-call vote.
The next item of business is the Payroll Manifest in the amount of $32,976.13. On a motion by Selectman Marshall and a second from Selectwoman Day, the Board voted 3-0 in a roll-call vote.
The Selectboard held a brief discussion on the Public Information Officer (PIO) appointment. The PIO position is a volunteer position within the Fire Department and was forwarded to the Board in a meeting held on March 16 by EMD David Martin as part of the Greenfield Emergency Operations Plan. The Board appointed David Hall. The appointment paperwork is before the Board tonight in the meeting. At the conclusion of the discussion the Board voted to approve the appointment paperwork on a motion by Selectman Marshall and a second from Selectwoman Day, 3-0 in a roll-call vote.
Next the Board voted on an Intent to Cut on R4-27-2 with a motion to approve by Selectman Marshall, subject to review by the Town Forester, and a second from Selectwoman Day, 3-0 in a roll-call vote.
Next the Board discussed an Intent to Excavate on R1-1-3GVL. This is a yearly submission for property that is grandfathered under the statute. Selectman Marshall motioned to approve the Intent to Excavate. Selectwoman Day seconded the motion. The motion was voted 3-0 in favor in a roll-call vote.
Lastly, the Selectboard voted on a motion to approve Minutes from 3/12 and 3/14 from Selectman Marshall. Selectwoman Day seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0 in favor with a roll-call vote.
Adjournment
At 6:37 pm Selectman Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The motion carried 3-0.