Selectboard Minutes

Minutes

Town of Greenfield

7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047

Selectboard’s Minutes

Thursday, May 14, 2020 – 5:30 PM

Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Rick McQuade, Fire Chief, DPW B&G; David Martin, EMD; Diane Boilard, Deputy EMD; Katherine Heck, Treasurer; Brian Giammarino, Police Chief

Public:

Documents for Review/Approval:

1. A/P Check Register – 5/06/2020
2. Selectboard Minutes – 4/30/2020

Items for Discussion/Signature in the Public Session:

1. Emergency Responder Stipends – State of NH GOFERR
2. CARES ACT – Reimbursements for COVID-19 expenses
3. FEMA Reimbursement
4. Revised LLA – Stephenson Memorial Library          

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 virtual Selectboard meeting. Chairwoman Charig 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 selectperson noted that they were alone. EMD David Martin is home alone. Chief Giammarino is in his office at the Police Station joined by Rick McQuade, Fire Chief and they are practicing social distancing.

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.”

5:35PM: Brian Giammarino, Police Chief

The Selectboard held a discussion with the Police Chief on the impact of COVID-19 and the Stay-at-Home order. The Board asked whether the Police Department has encountered any issues relative to enforcing current ordinances, or the guidelines that stem from the Governor’s Emergency Orders, such as Social Distancing, and the size of groups of people gathering. Chief Giammarino reported that there are not that many enforcement issues to date. He is currently following guidance from the Attorney General’s office to inform people of the guidelines and request compliance, and to give warnings in instances of non-compliance. Chief Giammarino stated that his department is utilizing powers of arrest and taking people into custody as a last resort. 

The Selectboard asked questions about Oak Park and heard that there are not many law enforcement issues at Oak Park or at the beaches to date. The Selectboard discussed putting up signs at Oak Park and the beaches. The Board conferred with DPW Buildings & Grounds Manager Rick McQuade on the language for such signs.

The Board has received letters of concern regarding enforcement of the “Residents Only” ordinance at Zephyr Lake, and questions about safety protocols at the beaches in general. The Board discussed a request from a resident for a leash requirement at Oak Park for pet dogs. The Board discussed the concern about dogs being off-leash in Oak Park. The Police Chief stated that he referred the resident to the Selectboard, partly because the current ordinance does not address the leash issue. He then noted that incidents at Oak Park are low to none relative to pet dogs from the department’s perspective. Selectwoman Day stated that people that walk the track encounter loose dogs and that it’s uncomfortable for many people.

The Board heard a request from Selectwoman Day to update the Oak Park Ordinance to include that owners must clean-up after their dogs and that Carry-in/Carry-out should pertain to dog waste.  The Board discussed signage with DPW Manager McQuade relative to this issue.

The Board outlined a request from Uplift Music Festival to hold a “drive-in” concert at Oak Park. This was discussed with the Police Chief. He stated that he would have concerns about a drive-in festival where alcohol would be present in vehicles. This is very problematic from the Department’s point of view. The impact of vehicles on the grounds of the park was discussed, which is significantly different from use of the parking lot for vehicles during festivals of the past. The layout of the park is not conducive to such a festival due to the congestion of buildings and playground area with the ball field, which is fenced in; the need to restrict parking on certain areas of the grounds such as the football field; and the fact that the pavilion is closed down with snow fencing. The governor’s orders currently do not allow for gatherings of any size such that a ‘festival’ could be held. The Board denied the request for a drive-in festival at Oak Park.

EMD David Martin stated that the EMRT has a recommendation for the Selectboard that all social gatherings be cancelled until further notice.

At the conclusion of the discussion the Selectboard agreed that signs be ordered or made for Sunset Lake Beach, Zephyr Lake, and Oak Park.

The Board voted on a roll-call vote to keep Sunset Lake Beach closed until further notice. The motion included no lifeguards, no dock, and installation of the buoys to delineate the deep water swim area for people/children who swim at their own risk. The Board agreed to have ‘swim-at-your-own-risk’ signs installed, and signs on the lifeguard chair noting No Lifeguards on Duty.  The vote passed unanimously.

The Selectboard heard a second request from the Girl Scouts to allow families to refurbish the Oak Park picnic tables. The Board’s previous decision was that permission could not be granted until the Stay-at-Home order is lifted. The Board heard that there are additional steps needed from DPW to make the tables ready for painting, and, the pavilion is currently off limits and wrapped in snow fencing. At the conclusion of the discussion the Board denied the request from the Girl Scouts and noted they are disappointed that this community service cannot take place at this time.

The Selectboard discussed the cancellation of Music on the Common and other social gatherings. The Board was asked by Town Administrator Patt if the Board was assigning a timeline to the cancellations. Residents may ask about the cancellations and want to know if there will be summer programs once the Stay-At-Home order is lifted. The Selectboard discussed and agreed that the message will be that programs are “Cancelled until Further Notice”.

The Selectboard asked that the Police Chief contact Katherine Heck, School Board representative as to the ConVal signs for graduates and to see if the Police and Fire Departments can support the ConVal graduates in some way.

The Selectboard requested that the Police Chief and Fire Chief coordinate a simple commemorative Memorial Day service, with photographs on the website so that residents can take part from home.

Selectwoman Day noted that many people have keys to the Meeting House and there should be signs that denote that the Meeting House is reserved for the Planning Board and Zoning Board only at this time.

6:35 PM: David Martin, Emergency Management Director

At 5:35pm, David Martin, EMD came forward regarding a recent meeting of the Greenfield Emergency Response Team (EMRT). EMD David Martin reported that the EMRT and the Health Officer are working with Harvester Market. The Health Officer has requested that Harvester Market limit the number of people in the market to 30. The EMRT is supplying masks for the employees of Harvester Market to wear.

The Selectboard discussed re-opening phases with the EMD and heard from the Town Administrator regarding the guidelines for Stay-at-home 2.0 and Primex, relative to best practices currently in place at the Town Office. The Board discussed the EMRT’s recommendation that staff wear masks in the common areas. The EMD has stockpiled masks received from the State to provide to staff members that do not have their own cloth face coverings once the Selectboard opens the town office to staff.

The Board discussed the First Responder Stipend program and noted that the Fire Chief has submitted the Fire Department roster and the Police department has submitted their signed paperwork to the town.

The Selectboard held a discussion on an EDDM that the EMRT has created. There were several comments about the professional look of the flyer. Selectman Marshall commented that this was the best looking flyer to date. Town Administrator Patt outlined that the data provided on the State website NH.Gov/covid19 shows two maps. One shows cumulative cases to date, and one shows the current number of cases. The flyer states that there are 15 cases in Greenfield and that they are ‘essentially residents’. Administrator Patt stated that the maps from the State show that there are no current cases in Greenfield and that there have never been more than 1-4 cases based on the color values that the State assigns to these maps. It was noted that there were 11 cases with staff members of Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center that were in the newspaper and on WMUR, but those staff members worked in Greenfield. A discussion followed and EMD Martin stated that the EMRT discussed this at length and decided that the message they wrote was the message that they wanted to send so that people did not become complacent. Mr. Martin was asked if the EMRT received notification from the State as to whether the staff members are residents at the Center, or whether they commute to work. Mr. Martin stated that the EMRT did not receive that information and doubted that the information would be available without contacting the Center directly; however, he said, its well known that many of the staff live at the Center. After discussion it was agreed that the EDDM would be mailed out. The EMD department will supply the paper.

7:15PM: Selectboard Business Meeting

The Selectboard reviewed a quote for paving the final portion of East Road.  Selectman Marshall made a motion to cancel the paving contract for FY2020 in consideration that the end of East Road is low traffic, the pandemic has put revenue for the year into question, and the Board may need to offset losses of revenue in order to not overburden the residents (through taxation). The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor. Following the vote, the Board discussed the budget issues for 2020 in more detail. It was noted that Town Meeting has approved of the expense. The Chair stated that the Selectboard cannot vote to defund the Capital Reserve Fund warrant article because there is an RSA outlining how such funds must be paid. She wondered if the same were true for regular warrant articles. It was noted that the Paving Warrant Article is not a Special Warrant Article and cannot be voted into next year. The Selectboard deliberated whether to rescind the vote on the Paving Project. At the conclusion of the discussion the Board decided to request feedback from Town Counsel on the use of warrant article funds. Selectman Marshall stated that the Board could rescind the vote at a future meeting if it finds it needs a Special Town Meeting to have voters approve changes to the budget. The Selectboard discussed the potential need for a Special Town Meeting to adjust the overall budget given that the State has provided some guidance that revenues will be reduced as a result of the pandemic. It was noted that the Governor may issue an Emergency Order that could allow Selectboards to reduce the budget this year given that every town will be struggling with loss of revenues.

The Selectboard discussed the next Spirit Article. The Chair committed to writing the draft report for the Board to review for the June/July issue.

The Selectboard discussed upcoming elections and will reach out to Dorene Adams and Linda Dodge to discuss.

The Board noted that the GIVers have disbanded and a new MOU is needed with the Greenfield Gardeners for use of the Community Gardens. Administrator Patt will reach out to Linda Nickerson.

The Selectboard voted to approve Payroll dated 5/15. 3-0 in favor

The Selectboard voted to approve an Intent to Cut for R9-39-1. 3-0 in favor

The Selectboard voted to accept the minutes of 5/7/2020. 3-0 in favor

It was noted that the Meeting on the 21^st will need to start at 4:00PM to allow Selectman Marshall to attend a meeting of the Selectmen’s Advisory Committee for ConVal that evening.

Adjournment

At 8:48pm, Selectman Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Chair. The motion carried 3-0 in a roll-call vote.