Selectboard Minutes

Town of Greenfield

7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047

Selectboard’s Minutes

Thursday, September 10, 2020 – 5:30 PM

Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Todd Mason, DPW Roads Manager

Public:

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, the Town Administrator is in his office at home and is alone. Todd Mason is at the DPW office 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: Todd Mason, DPW Manager

The Chair welcomed Mr. Mason to the meeting. Mr. Mason outlined several areas of expense that he needs to address with the Selectboard. The first is a need for new tires on the 10-Wheel MACK dump truck. The truck will not pass inspection with the current tires. New tires are available at State Bid specifications and cost. Due to the spending freeze in place, Mr. Mason is informing the Board that this cost is necessary. Next Mr. Mason stated that the same MACK truck has an issue with the dump body that needs repair. The insurance company has not been able to pinpoint a cause. DPW has received a quote from a company nearby that can fix the issue for approximately $6,000 and return the truck within two weeks. Given that the cold weather is approaching, Mr. Mason stated that his preference is to pay for the repair and return the truck to service as quickly as possible. Mr. Masons stated that they are using the 6-wheeler but have to rely on the dealership to force DPF regeneration. The new MACK 6-wheel truck is on track to be built by the end of September. The town can only rely on the 10-wheeler at this time for road work and winter sand transport. Mr. Mason stated that he will run the 6-wheel dump truck as much as he can but he can’t predict how long the truck will last without major repairs. Given that a replacement is on the way, his preference is to continue to coach the truck along until its replacement arrives. Next, Mr. Mason outlined an expense that is required to fix the brakes on the sidewalk machine (MT Trackless). The rest of the MT is running perfectly after an extensive overhaul, but the brakes need servicing before winter. The Board reviewed the cost for the truck tires, the dump body alignment, and the brakes on the MT.

On a motion by Selectwoman Day, and a second by Selectman Marshall, the Board voted by roll-call vote 3-0 to support the expenditures outlined in order to complete required State inspections for all DPW vehicles, ready the MT for winter, and ensure that the alignment of the 10-wheeler dump body is completed before winter.

The Chair thanked Mr. Mason for his time and hard work on behalf of the community.

6:00 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting

The Chair noted that there no other meetings scheduled and asked for an update on several town business matters. The first was a report by the Town Administrator on conversations with Crotched Mountain School and the prospective buyers of the property. The prospective buyers are looking to acquire only 120 acres out of the 1400 or so acres. This amounts to the primary campus and buildings. The Board heard the report and asked that Town Counsel be informed regarding the change of ownership and the fact that there will be a transition from a non-profit charitable organization to ownership by a for-profit school program, Gersh Autism.

Next the Chair outlined the Accounts Payable check manifest in the amount of $271,221.24 with $251,554.03 as the ConVal School District monthly payment. 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 manifest and releasing the funds.

Next the Chair outlined an Accounts Payable check manifest in the amount of $11,764.36 to the NH Retirement System. 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 manifest and releasing the funds.

Next, the Chair announced that the Selectboard has received a letter signed by a number of residents outlining an issue with people speeding on Slip Road in the downtown village area. The letter explains that the issue has been ongoing for a long time and that residents are seeking help from the Board to mitigate vehicle traffic on the road. The letter asks that the Board consider installing permanent speed bumps similar to those on the main street in Wilton. The Selectboard discussed the letter at length and then requested that the letter be forwarded to the Police Department and the DPW Roads department for review and recommendations.

Next the Chair requested that the Board review the Minutes of 9/03/2020. On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectman Marshall, the Board voted by roll-call vote, 3-0, to accept and approve the minutes.

Lastly, Selectwoman Day requested that the Selectboard discuss a recent complaint received by the town involving the Building Inspector. The Board discussed the complaint and requested that the Building Inspector be contacted and a meeting arranged with the Board.

There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn

Adjournment

At 8:23 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.