Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard Minutes
Thursday, April 2, 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:
- Payroll
- A/P Check Register - Spirit
- Permit to Trap – Zephyr Lake
- Selectboard Minutes – 3/16, 3/26
Items for Discussion/Signature in the Public Session:
1. COVID-19 Leave Policy
2. Lot Line Adjustment – Stephenson Memorial Library
5:30 PM: Virtual Meeting Open
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm. Chairwoman Charig Bliss welcomed everyone to the second virtual Selectboard meeting. Chairwoman Bliss 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, this public body is authorized to meet electronically.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 person noted that they were alone, except Selectwoman Day, who stated that her husband Roger Lessard was in the room.
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 prohibits gatherings greater than 10 people. 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
5:45 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting
Stephenson Memorial Library Trustee, Diane Boilard announced that the Trustees have hired David Bridgewater as the new Library Director for the Library. Trustee Boilard stated that she has been elected Chairperson of the Trustees for the upcoming year. Trustee Boilard requested that the Selectboard sign a purchase and sales agreement for a strip of property that borders the Library parking lot, and which is currently part of the Greenfield Inn property. There followed a brief discussion and then the Board determined that there are EMD and First Responder issues that need to be heard.
EMD, David Martin provided some background on discussions with local organizations to provide first responders with a place to quarantine away from home if there is a COVID-19 exposure. A lengthy discussion was held on the protocol for quarantine, liability coverage from Primex (the town’s insurance carrier), provision of meals, cost of meals, whether medical professionals are providing protocol or are checking on quarantined individuals, and other COVID-19 issues related to quarantine. At the conclusion of the discussion, the EMD was tasked with contacting the State EOC to find out whether the State plans to open a quarantine facility in the Monadnock region, and to see if local organizations are eligible for FEMA reimbursement if the organization elects to provide facilities.
Next, the Selectboard and Fire Chief McQuade discussed a telephone message from a resident relative to the Playground equipment and the Pavilion at Oak Park. After discussion, it was agreed that the playground represents a high contact area for children and the Pavilion and picnic tables cannot be monitored for contact cleaning. On a motion by Selectwoman Day, and a second by Selectman Marshall, the Board voted 3-0 in a roll-call vote to close the playground and pavilion areas. It was advised that snow fencing be wrapped around the playground equipment, and the pavilion if possible to ensure that the contact surfaces be limited. The walking track is seen as a benefit for residents and will remain open.
At 7:07pm, Trustee Boilard stated she has an engagement and must leave the call. She asked the Board to take up the Purchase & Sales agreement in the next meeting.
At 7:11pm, Treasurer Heck requested time with the Selectboard. She stated that it is in the best interest of the municipal government to institute a spending freeze on all non-essential expenditures, in part because there are so many unknowns regarding the State of Emergency. She stated that there will be a significant impact on revenues and as such, in order to protect the residents from a significant tax increase, the Board may want to look at budget cuts. After additional discussion with the Town Administrator providing background on revenues, Selectman Marshall made a motion to institute a spending freeze, which will be reconsidered no later than July 15th. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The motion passed on a roll-call vote of 3-0 in favor.
At 7:50pm, the Board took up a discussion on the Temporary COVID-19 Leave Policy discussed in the emergency meeting on March 14th. After review of the policy and discussion that the policy provides more to employees than the Families First Coranavirus Response Act provides, the Board voted on a motion by Selectman Marshall, and a second by Selectwoman Day, 3-0 in a roll-call vote in favor of adopting the temporary policy.
At 8:00pm, the Selectboard took up a discussion regarding the purchase & sale agreement brought forward by the Library Trustees. After a brief discussion, the Selectboard reached a consensus to send the agreement to Town Counsel for review and comments.
At 8:05pm, the Selectboard took up the Consent Agenda. For this call the Board concluded that they would vote on the agenda as a whole, citing the few items on the agenda. On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectwoman Day, the Board voted in a roll-call vote 3-0 in favor of the items on the Consent Agenda.
At 8:07pm, the Selectboard revisited the resignation of Dee Sleeper from the Town Clerk’s position. It was noted that the Board, in responding to the pandemic has not sent a letter in reply to the former clerk. The letter was requested for the next meeting.
Adjournment
At 8:18 pm Selectman Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The motion carried 3-0.