Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, August 27, 2020 – 4:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Moderator Bill Nichols; EMD David Martin
Public:
4:30 PM: Virtual Meeting Open – Dial In 1+717-275-8940
The meeting was called to order at 4:30pm. 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.”
4:30 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting
The Chair noted that the first appointment is scheduled for 5:30 pm. The Selectboard business meeting is scheduled early so that Selectman Marshall can attend the ConVal Selectmen’s Advisory Zoom meeting later in the evening. The Chair stated that the Board shall take a vote on the business items; these are the Accounts Payable Manifest dated 8/26/2020 in the amount of $35,115.77. On a motion by Selectman Marshall and a second by Selectwoman Day, the Board voted by roll-call vote 3-0 in favor of accepting the A/P Manifest and releasing the funds. Next the Chair noted that there were two sets of minutes for review. The first set are from the regularly scheduled meeting on 8/20/2020 and the second minutes are from 8/26/2020. Selectwoman Day has not reviewed the 8/26/2020 minutes and proceeded to do so. Following a brief period, Selectwoman Day announced satisfaction with the minutes of 8/26, and then moved the minutes of 8/20. The motion was seconded by Selectman Marshall. The Board voted by roll-call vote 3-0 in favor. The Chair requested a motion on the minutes of 8/26. The motion was offered by Selectman Marshall. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The Board voted by roll-call vote 3-0 in favor of accepting the minutes of August 26, 2020.
Next the Chair asked for input on the recent meeting with Granite State Plumbing & Heating for air purifications systems in town buildings. A quote has been received by the town. The Board examined the quote and discussed the application of ionization purifiers in town buildings. It was noted that the quote provides for AC/Heat pumps for individual rooms and also for stand -alone purification units. The board members did not remember discussing AC/Heat pumps with the salesman. Selectman Marshall stated that the quote was problematic not only due to the way it was presented but also due to the cost per unit. A lengthy discussion ensued. At the conclusion of the discussion it was agreed that the Selectboard would entertain a visit from another company with a different platform that includes ionization. The key take-aways from the discussion were the decibel levels (loudness) and high cost of the platform provided by Granite State Plumbing & Heating. It was noted that the hepa-filter fans sell on Amazon and are advertised for construction sites and for contractors. Selectman Marshall stated that the units did not appear to be suitable for the town’s offices and library.
5:30 PM: Bill Nichols, Moderator
The Selectboard Chair welcomed Moderator Nichols to the meeting. The Chair explained that the Selectboard has been reviewing the elections guidance (relative to the pandemic) published by the Secretary of State’s Office in conjunction with the NH Attorney General’s office. The Chair asked the Moderator if there was anything that the Selectboard could provide for the upcoming elections. A discussion followed outlining the issues that are highlighted by the published guidance. The Selectboard has voted to require face coverings in town buildings. While this is a permissible mandate according to the Department of Justice, the Moderator stated that the towns that have such a mandate are required to provide alternate voting arrangements for people who refuse to wear masks. The issue of enforcement of face coverings was discussed. It was noted that the Police Department has been informed of the Selectboard’s vote and the Chief has stated that they will help enforce the requirements. A lengthy conversation followed. The Moderator reports that Greenfield does not have enough volunteers to fully staff an alternate voting location for non-mask wearing individuals. It was noted that the Moderator is in charge of the polling location, which is the advice of the Attorney General. The Selectboard outlined an opinion from Town Counsel that their authority over the use of the buildings is upheld by RSA. The Selectboard and Moderator discussed at length the options available to the town regarding the upcoming elections and it was agreed that the buildings would remain posted and the Moderator would field questions and handle issues with wearing masking in the polling location with members of the public.
At 6:18 the Board thanked the Moderator for his time.
6:00 PM: Emergency Management Director David Martin
At 6:22, the Selectboard welcomed EMD Martin to the meeting. Mr. Martin informed the Selectboard that the Hazard Mitigation Plan is completed and requires signatures by the Board. The Selectboard agreed to sign the document and the Town Administrator inquired if the plan could have electronic signatures. Mr. Martin stated he would have to ask June Garneau of MAPS to see whether she had an answer. Mr. Martin noted that the EMRT ozone generator has gone back out for repair.
6:30 PM Selectboard Business Meeting (Contd.)
Next the Selectboard discussed the recent meeting with the Moderator. Selectwoman Day stated that as the Board has voted to close the town buildings to the public, the Board should vote to open the buildings for the elections. On a motion by Selectman Marshall, and a second by Selectwoman Day, the Board voted by roll-call vote to open the Meeting House to the public for the purposes of holding elections on Sept. 8th for the Primary, and on November 3rd for the elections. The motion passed 3-0 in favor
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn
Adjournment
At 6:49 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.