Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, July 09, 2020 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; David Martin, EMD; Diane Boilard, Chair Library Trustees, Raymond Cilley, Library Trustee Alternate
Public: Pelagia and Kent Vincent
Documents for Review/Approval:
- Payroll Manifest – 7/09/2020
- A/P Check Manifest – 7/01/2020, 7/09/2020
- Selectboard Minutes – 6/25/2020, 6/29/2020
Items for Discussion/Signature in the Public Session:
- 792 Forest Road Properties, LLC – Permission Letter
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. DPW Manager Rick McQuade is at the DPW building 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.”
5:35 PM: Kent & Pelagia Vincent, residents
At 5:35pm, the Selectboard heard from Kent and Pelagia Vincent regarding several concerns about Zephyr Lake. Pelagia Vincent stated that the lake is very high and that certain landmarks on shore and in the lake are currently underwater due to the high levels of the lake. This is believed to be caused by beaver dams. The town has attempted to mitigate the beaver dam by placing culverts within the dam structures, which allow for water to pass through; however the culverts need to be cleaned out or lowered. There followed a discussion on Zephyr Lake beach, the town policy regarding animals on the beach, police patrols, and out of state visitors to the beach. The Vincents made several suggestions regarding signage needed; including a NO Animals sign. The Vincents noted that the State has dropped water testing of lakes and beaches and they request that the town take on the testing or request volunteers from the community to collect samples. A discussion about facility stickers was held and the Vincents had questions about gravel added to the boat launch next to the beach area.
6:00 PM: Diane Boilard, Stephenson Memorial Library Trustee Chair
At 6:02 pm, the Selectboard took up a conversation with Trustee Chair Boilard regarding the recently approved Lot Line Adjustment between the Greenfield Inn and the Library. It was noted that the next step was for the Selectboard to sign the Purchase & Sale agreement with the Inn. A discussion on the timing of payment from the town was held. It was decided that Mr. Adams would request that an escrow account be set-up at his bank so that the Library could have ‘earnest monies’, as outlined in the purchase and sale agreement, transferred to the escrow account to be held until the town pays their portion and a deed is exchanged. After some discussion with the owner of the Inn, Jarvis Adams V, the Selectboard voted on a motion by Selectman Marshall and a second by the Chair to sign the purchase & sale agreement with funds from the town to be transferred to the Seller before December 31st. The motion passed 3-0 in favor, on a roll-call vote, with each Selectboard member voting “Aye”.
Following the discussion with Mr. Adams, the Selectboard and Library Chair agreed to a public signing of the Purchase & Sales agreement at the Library on Monday, July 13th at 1pm. The Chair of the Selectboard requested that this meeting of the Board be posted and noted that this was not a business meeting and was likely to be concluded in a brief amount of time.
6:30 PM: David Martin, Emergency Management Director
At 6:33pm, the Selectboard heard a report from Mr. Martin regarding discussions by the Emergency Management team with respect to COVID-19 planning. Mr. Martin stated that the EMRT had held a meeting with Town Clerk, Dorene Adams and held a discussion on absentee ballots. Mr. Martin noted that the State had recently announced that it would be supplying PPE (personal protective equipment) such as masks for voting days. Mr. Martin announced several new developments that were discussed at a recent State Emergency Operations Center call. These included updated guidance from the NH DHHS regarding non-compliant Covid-19 patients who fail to isolate after notification of infection.
Mr. Martin discussed the need for a DSL line installed at the Meeting House.
Mr. Martin outlined recent acquisitions of PPE, including 2000 masks, 4 gallons of hand sanitizer, and 500 Large gloves.
At the conclusion of the discussion, Selectman Marshall noted to the other Board members that the Fire Chief had sent an email request to be allowed to expend fire department funds for turn-out gear and equipment repair. The email was read. The Selectboard, on a motion by Selectman Marshall and a second from Selectwoman Day, voted 3-0 in a roll-call vote to authorize the expenditures as outlined. The total for the expenses is $5,700.
7:00 PM: Tom Bascom, Broadband Committee
At 7pm, Mr. Bascom provided an overview of SB170 to the Selectboard and requested that a letter be sent to Consolidated Communications requesting information on internet services provided in Greenfield. After a brief discussion, the Selectboard agreed to have the letter sent out. On a motion by the Chair and a second from Selectwoman Day, the Board, in a roll-call vote, voted 3-0 in favor of sending out a request for information to Consolidated Communications.
The Selectboard discussed a survey that Mr. Bascom requested be sent to residents as an EDDM mailer in order for residents to provide feedback on their internet access capabilities and challenges. The Board voted on a motion by the Chair, and a second by Selectwoman Day, in a roll-call vote, 3-0 in favor of sending out the EDDM survey.
Mr. Bascom thanked the Board for supporting the initiatives of the Broadband Committee.
7:30 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting
At 7:30, the Selectboard turned to several business items. The Chair reviewed the Consent Agenda. On a motion by Selectman Marshall and a second by the Selectwoman Day, the Board voted by roll-call vote to approve the Payroll Manifest, and A/P Check Manifests of 7/1 & 7/9, and the Minutes of 6/25 and 6/29, 3-0 in favor.
The Selectboard reviewed a corrected letter to 792 Forest Road Properties, LLC. On a motion by Selectwoman Day and a second by Selectman Marshall the Board voted on a roll-call vote to sign the letter electronically and have the letter sent as a follow-up to the request by Ray Cilley for permission to work from the Town owned parking lot on the drainage ditch alongside the Old Greenfield Auto building. The work to include installing a culvert and backfilling the drainage ditch.
The Board discussed whether to install DSL at the Meeting House. The Board reached a consensus that this should be done because the router currently serving the Meeting House is across the street.
The Board reviewed a letter to all employees and officials in the Town of Greenfield relative to a workplace policy that went into effect on July 6th. The policy requires masks in the common areas of the town buildings and sets out enforcement protocols and expectations by the Board relative to the policy. Changes were suggested by the Administrator and the Board agreed that once the changes had been made and the draft had been circulated for review, the letter could go out to employees and officials.
The Board discussed the changes envisioned for the Town Office building to create a manageable space for the public waiting area. This would allow for cleaning and possible sanitization as discussed with the EMD in previous meetings. The Board was in agreement that these building changes be completed as quickly as possible and ideally by August 1. In support of the initiative, Selectman Marshall made a motion for DPW Buildings & Grounds Manager Mcquade to work with a member of the DPW to finish the building projects and to authorize overtime if required. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day and on a roll-call vote, passed 3-0 in favor.
Selectman Marshall re quested permission of the Board to be appointed to the ConVal Re-opening Committee in addition to his role as liaison to the Selectmen’s Advisory Committee (SAC). The Board agreed to the appointment. Mr. Marshall requested that the meeting of July 23rd be moved to 4:30pm so that he could attend the SAC meeting at 7pm. The Board agreed.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn
Adjournment
At 8:59pm, 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.