Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Monday, June 29, 2020 – 1:00 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; David Martin, EMD; Rick McQuade, DPW B&G;
Public:
1:00 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. The Town Administrator is in his office at home and is alone.
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 has been lifted however, given the headlines, where other States are pulling back from re-opening and the virus appears to be surging in many areas, there is a risk that the Selectboard cannot ignore. For the foreseeable future the Board will continue to meet by conference call as a result. 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.”
1:00 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting
At 1:04 pm, the Selectboard took up a conversation about Oak Park that was not brought forward at the last meeting. There has been a request from a renter on whether the Park will be open for rentals. The Selectboard discussed the request and noted that there are a number of reports in the news that COVID-19 is surging in many areas. Selectman Marshall outlined his thoughts relative to the town sanctioning a social event in which people will congregate and the risk associated with such events given the pandemic. The Chair voiced agreement with Selectman Marshall. Selectwoman Day provided a dissenting opinion that people locally are being responsible, and the event is outdoors, which lessens risk. Selectwoman Day outlined a request from the coordinator of Music-on-the-Common to allow concerts on the common during the remainder of the summer. The concerts will require funding from the budget in the amount of $1,200. At the conclusion of the discussion, Selectman Marshall made a motion to not allow the Tractor Show at Oak Park or Music-on-the-Common at the Meeting House. The motion was seconded by the Chair. On a roll-call vote Selectman Marshall voted “Aye”, the Chair voted “Aye’ and Selectwoman Day abstained from the vote. The vote passed 2-0 with one abstention.
It was noted by the Administrator that the Firefighters Association was to hold a footrace on the same day as the Tractor Show. It was agreed by the Board that the vote applied to the Association sponsored footrace as well as the annual Harness and Draw Bar Tractor Show.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn
Adjournment
At 1:28pm, 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.