Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, October 08, 2020 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;
Public: Tom Bascom, Nannette Perrott
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, which has been extended for the 9th time, this public body is authorized to meet virtually.
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. Bill Nichols is at his home 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: Tom Bascom, Volunteer – Broadband Committee
The Chair welcomed Tom Bascom to the meeting. Mr. Bascom reported to the Selectboard that the town has received at least two suitable proposals from qualified companies that are interested in expanding Broadband access town-wide in Greenfield. Mr. Bascom explained that the next step is to review the information, determine if there are any questions that require answers, and then the volunteers will make a recommendation to the Selectboard for one of the proposals. Mr. Bascom stated that the process will take a couple of weeks but would likely be concluded at the end of October. There followed a conversation about various aspects of the proposals, and the Selectboard asked a number of questions about the current DSL service and what would happen if Broadband was installed. Mr. Bascom stated that he believes that the current DSL will continue to be supported. The Board and Mr. Bascom discussed the network (fiber vs. copper), maintenance thresholds, migration timeframes, business terms, references and the overall cost of the project. At 5:50pm, the Selectboard thanked Mr. Bascom for his help with the proposals and stated that they would look forward to the recommendation.
6:00 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting – Appropriations and Consent Agenda
The Chair opened a discussion on the Consent Agenda. The Board reviewed the A/P Check Manifest dated 10/07/2020 in the amount of $275,022.40 and on a motion by Selectwoman Day and a second from the Chair, the Board voted by roll-call vote to accept the manifest and authorize expenditures therein, 3-0 in favor.
Next the Chair requested that the Board review the Minutes of 10/01/2020. On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectwoman Day, the Board voted by roll-call vote, 3-0, to accept and approve the minutes.
The Selectboard discussed the receipt of two letters from Crotched Mountain noting that a letter regarding the PILOT agreement between the two organizations should go to Town Counsel for review. Selectman Marshall stated that the Board may benefit from a meeting with Town Counsel in order to better understand the request in light of the PILOT agreement on file. The Board was in agreement and it was suggested that several dates and times be forwarded to Upton & Hatfield with the aim of scheduling a meeting. The date/time(s) were agreed upon and provided to the Administrator.
Next the Selectboard discussed a recent inquiry and request for the installation of speed bumps on Zephyr Lake road. It was noted by the Board that a recent decision to install speed bumps on Slip Road has not had time to provide any data on whether the decision is warrantable on other town roads. As such the request is tabled until there is sufficient data to make such a determination. The Board requested that this be relayed to the person making the inquiry.
The Selectboard discussed sending out an EDDM regarding Halloween and Trick or Treat activities. The Board agreed that an EDDM would be beneficial and asked Selectwoman Day to pull together the layout for an EDDM using information from other flyers, including a flyer from the town of Durham, NH. The Board reviewed a request from the Firefighter’s Association to allow an event at the Firehouse for Trick or Treaters. The Board agreed to send out a draft to the EMRT for their feedback at their meeting next week.
7:00 PM: Kathy Valliere, Tax Collector
The Chair welcomed Kathy Valliere to the meeting. The Tax Collector outlined a number of issues that are occurring with the technology platforms in the tax office. The office’s All-in-One printer, which provides print/scan/copy/fax capabilities, has reached its end of life. A replacement toner drum is not working or installing correctly and the Tax Collector requests a replacement be purchased. The technology issue is concerning; the Tax Collector reports that “she does not have the tools to work here” as a result. In addition to the stand alone printer in the tax office, there is an issue with printing to the network copier. There followed a discussion with the Selectboard about several items that are held up as a result of these issues.
At the conclusion of the discussion, the Selectboard agreed to replace the stand-alone printer with a new unit and asked the Town Administrator to follow through on that task and to contact the IT Company regarding the network printing issue.
Next the Selectboard held a brief discussion on election planning.
Selectman Marshall had several items for discussion including:
- Re-opening of town buildings – status request and the need for employee feedback
- A status request for a walkthrough of the Old Town Office
- Request for updated wage information from surrounding towns
- A request for an update on the closure of the landfill
- A question relative to the status of proposed Fire Department training facility at the Recycling Center
- A request for a status on the Recycling Center layout plan that was discussed in 2019
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn
Adjournment
At 8:50 pm, Selectwoman Day made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Selectman Marshall. The motion carried 3-0 in a roll-call vote.