Selectboard Minutes
Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, August 20, 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;
Public: Mark Stetson, Avitar Assessing
Documents for Review/Approval:
- A/P Manifest dated 8/25/2020 - NH Retirement System
- A/P Manifest dated 8/20/2020 – replacement check
- Payroll Check Manifest dated 8/21/2020
- Change of Employment Worksheet – Library
- Purchase Order – DPW Winter Sand Equip. Rental
- Selectboard Minutes – 8/06
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: Mark Stetson, Avitar Assessing
The Selectboard Chair welcomed Mark Stetson, a representative of Avitar Assessing, to the meeting. The Chair stated that the Selectboard has been informed by the CEO of Crotched Mountain that they will be closing their Greenfield campus at the end of the year. The Selectboard would like to understand the process for how the assessment of the property may change once that occurs. Mr. Stetson outlined the background of the assessing work in Greenfield relative to CMRC and explained that the town is required to assess non-profit entities, and they are included in the five-year revaluation, in the same way it does all properties in town. Assessments are based on the value established as of April 1 of each year. Currently the CMRC property cards carry about $55M in value, which is likely to change once Crotched Mountain is no longer occupying and using the property. Mr. Stetson explained that the town will want to revisit the assessment of the property in the January 1-March 31 time frame. It was noted that the property has been recently listed at $12.5M. Mr. Stetson explained that the value of the property could be challenged depending upon the purchase price by new owners. However, if the property were sold in a hardship sale, then the sale price is probably not going to be a basis for a valuation. A discussion followed about the properties that are currently owned by CMRC, including the land under conservation easements. At the conclusion of the conversation, the Selectboard thanked Mr. Stetson for his time.
At 6:02, the Chair noted that there are several minutes to the next meeting. The Selectboard discussed the Old Town Office, which is currently leased by Crotched Mountain. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board suggested that a tour of the building should be arranged as the end of the year approaches.
6:15 PM: David Martin, Emergency Management Director
At 6:15pm the Selectboard welcomed David Martin, Emergency Management Director to the meeting. Mr. Martin stated that the ozone generator purchased from Genlantis has gone back out for service. Mr. Martin updated the Selectboard on recent advice from FEMA regarding COVID-19 reimbursements. A discussion followed on several fronts including the need for more information on environmental mitigation of COVID-19 in the interior of town buildings. The Chair provided a report on a conversation with Monadnock Community Hospital. The vendor to MCH is Granite State Plumbing & Heating and MCH has a variety of solutions in place at the hospital. The Town Administrator will follow up with MCH’s vendor.
6:30PM: Brian Giammarino, Police Chief
At 6:25pm. Chief Giammarino joined the meeting. Seeing that the subject of the meeting is requested by the Board and there are no other callers, the Chair stated that the Board would begin with a report from the Police Chief. Chief Giammarino thanked the Chair and stated that he was in attendance to provide the data from Hillsborough County Dispatch on the number of calls to Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center over the past three years. Chief Giammarino stated that the calls for service that are recorded by the dispatch center are not the total number of calls, because there are any number of calls directly to the Police Station that go direct and that are answered by telephone or by an officer at the building.
In 2018 there were 125 Calls for Service to CMRC
In 2019 there were 144 Calls for Service to CMRC
In 2020 there have been 30 Calls for Service to CMRC
Chief Giammarino stated that in any given year, he felt that the total number of all calls to the station, through dispatch, and handled as walk-ins to the station for CMRC could be up to 2X the number of calls logged by Hillsborough County Dispatch.
There followed a brief discussion regarding the Old Town Office and Chief Giammarino stated that he has had plans drawn up in the past to use the Old Town Office building as a police station. Chief Giammarino expressed a keen interest in using the building as a base for the police department once CMRC vacates the property.
7:00PM: Selectboard Business Meeting
Next, the Board voted on several regular business items. These are the Payroll Manifest, two A/P check manifests, a Change of Employment authorization form and the minutes from the 8/06 meeting. Also a purchase order for rental of the winter sand screening equipment that is needed every year; the rental fees are now greater than the amount that department heads can authorize on their own. Selectman Marshall moved that the Board approve each of the items as stated, individually, 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 asked if the contract with McGurty Maintenance was in effect. A brief discussion followed. Selectwoman Day stated that the recent cleaning document that Rick McQuade provided was intended as the basis for a quote from McGurty, which is still in the works.
The Selectboard reviewed potential vendors for air quality mitigation in town buildings. The goal being to re-open to the staff once effective measures have taken place. Selectman Marshall stated that in his research he has found several items at practical price points that are potentially candidates for the town office. He provided links to the products, which are produced by a company out of Massachusetts.
The Chair reported an issue with a cemetery deed, which is being researched.
The Selectboard turned to recent advisories published by the Department of Justice in conjunction with the Secretary of State’s office on the upcoming elections. The Board requested that invitations be provided to the Moderator and Town Clerk so that these new publications could be reviewed. The Selectboard would like to provide support for the elections and offer the support to the Moderator. Selectwoman Day suggested that Town Counsel provide guidance on the Selectboard’s face covering requirement policy for Town buildings as it relates to elections.
Selectman Marshall stated that the Friends of the Greenfield Meeting House would like to hold a Birthday Party for the Meeting House in the fall. The Friends envision a gathering on the lawn, ringing of the bells and social distancing while singing ‘happy birthday’ to the Meeting House. After some discussion the request was put to a vote. The request was moved by Selectman Marshall and seconded by the Chair. The Board voted in a roll-call vote with Selectman Marshall voting Aye and Selectwoman Day voting Nay. The Chair also voted Nay and the motion was defeated.
Selectman Marshall requested that the Selectboard meet at 4:30pm on the 27th as he has a ConVal Selectmen’s Advisory Committee meeting at 7pm. All were agreed and the meeting will be posted for 4:30pm.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn
Adjournment
At 8:12 pm, 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.