Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, August 06, 2020 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Chief Brian Giammarino; EMD David Martin; Tom Bascom, Broadband Committee
Public:
Documents for Review/Approval:
- A/P Manifest dated 8/06/2020
- Payroll Check Manifest dated 8/07/2020 in the amount of $28,286.67
- Intent to Cut – R3-3
- Selectboard Minutes – 7/30
Items for Discussion/Signature in the Public Session:
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. The Selectboard members are each home and alone, EMD Martin is home in his office and 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.”
5:30 PM: Police Chief Brian Giammarino
The Selectboard Chair welcomed Chief Giammarino to the meeting. The Chair opened a discussion about the Selectboard’s workplace policy that requires masks in the public areas of town buildings. The conversation broadened to the subject of the September primary, and, November elections. The Selectboard outlined their discussions with Town Counsel relative to the enforcement of the requirement for wearing masks and the expectation that the Police Department and its officers will enforce the policy. Chief Giammarino agreed and a discussion followed on staffing for the elections. Chief Giammarino requested that the elections and town buildings have adequate signage posted to ensure that the public knows that masks are required. Chief Giammarino will contact the Town Clerk and the Moderator and discuss the staffing needs at the polls. Selectwoman Day said that her understanding is that more than one officer is required at the polls. Chief Giammarino stated this would be difficult with the current staffing but he would check with the Moderator for more direction on that front.
Chief Giammarino outlined the current climate towards police in general is difficult but is not having an impact in Greenfield as much as some other parts of the country. The morale of the department is still good and people in Greenfield continue to treat the officers with respect.
Chief Giammarino discussed the retirement of Sergeant Roberge with the Selectboard. He advocated for hiring an officer to fill the position when it opens. Sergeant Roberge has over 20 years of part-time and full-time work with the town. Given the time frame (the Sergeant retires at the end of September) the Chief will revisit the position in about two weeks time. Chief Giammarino stated that he would like to have the Selectboard’s blessing to promote Officer Shea to Sergeant and to hire another officer to replace that patrol officer position. Chief Giammarino stated that the current climate and COVID-19 have made hiring part-time officers practically impossible. The State of NH Standards and Training has closed the part-time police academy during the pandemic.
Selectwoman Day made a motion to promote Officer Frank Shea to Sergeant when Sergeant Roberge leaves his service to the town. Selectman Marshall seconded the motion. On a roll call vote the Selectboard voted 3-0 in favor of the promotion.
Chief Giammarino thanked the Selectboard for their support for his department.
At 6:22, the Chair noted that there are several minutes to the next meeting. As such she stated she would like to have the Board vote on several regular business items. These are the Payroll Manifest, an A/P check manifest, an Intent to Cut authorization form and the minutes from the 7/30 meeting. Selectman Marshall moved that the Board approve each of the items as stated, and as they appear on the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The Board voted by roll-call vote for each agenda item and all of the items on the Consent Agenda passed 3-0 individually.
The Chair stated that she would like to discuss the possibility of canceling the meeting next week (August 13). It was agreed that the Board would reconvene on the 20th.
A discussion followed on the progress at the Town Office in segregating the work spaces from the public areas. Selectman Marshall stated that the Board needs to make decisions about how to deal with air quality in the building before opening, and that the Board needed to make these decisions soon.
6:30 PM: Tom Bascom, Broadband Committee
At 6:30pm, the Selectboard heard from Tom Bascom of the Greenfield Broadband Committee. Mr. Bascom provided an update on the survey results and then asked about the RFP for Broadband Services. The Selectboard had agreed to send the RFP to Town Counsel for review. The RFP has not been returned by Town Counsel so the Town Administrator will follow-up with the firm and try and have it turned around. Mr. Bascom thanked the Board for their time and left the meeting.
7:00 PM: David Martin, EMD
Mr. Martin joined the Selectboard and brought them up to date on discussions by the Emergency Management Response Team (EMRT) regarding several purifiers that they have been researching. The discussion that followed ranged over several types of purification and sanitization products on the market that may help mitigate COVID-19 in enclosed spaces. The discussion included spray mist devices, UVC for hot air ducts, and purification systems for air handlers. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Selectboard thanked Mr. Martin for his contribution. Selectman Marshall noted that the Recycling Center Supervisor had asked how and when part-time help could resume at the center. Mr. Martin suggested that part-time work with appropriate PPE such as masks and gloves, along with social distancing with the public and/or working on days when the public was not present was something the EMRT could support. Mr. Martin stated he would help coordinate providing the PPE.
Next the Selectboard requested that the meeting notice for the following week be posted to let people know that there will be no meeting. Selectwoman Day stated that the Board should vote to cancel and the Chair made a motion to that effect. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day and passed 3-0 on a roll-call vote.
The Board discussed recent requests for clarification by department heads on the budget freeze. DPW has several projects that require spending funds. The Board discussed the requests and provided guidance on how the budget should be handled.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn
Adjournment
At 8:33pm, Selectwoman Day made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Chair. The motion carried 3-0 in a roll-call vote.