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Selectboard Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, October 15, 2020

Town of Greenfield

7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047

Selectboard’s Minutes

Thursday, October 15, 2020 – 5:30 PM

 

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

Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;

Public: Andre Wood, Diane Boilard, Susan Paradise

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.

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: Susan Paradise, Resident

The Chair welcomed Susan Paradise to the Meeting. Ms. Paradise explained that she recently became aware, through the Greenfield Spirit, that the town is installing speed bumps on Slip Road. Ms. Paradise states that she has contacted a number of her neighbors that live on Slip Road or directly off the road and no-one was aware that this vote had taken place. Ms. Paradise asked why the Board did not use a radar speed sign instead. She stated that she has researched the price and felt that a portable radar speed sign would have worked well and allowed the police department to transport the sign to other trouble spots in town when needed. She stated that with the increase in taxes every year that she is not in favor of installing speed bumps in the road. She stated that everyone else she spoke to thinks it’s a bad idea, and she stated that there appeared to be little effort to communicate with the residents on the road prior to the vote happening. Selectman Marshall explained that the Selectboard has been made aware of vehicle speeds on the roads time over time and that the Board has reached a point where the members felt that something needed to be done. The Board discussed the solution with the DPW Road Manager and sought input from the Police Chief. The Board has been assured that speed bumps will not complicate plowing or cause any damage to the town’s vehicles. The Police Department understands the need to slow traffic down. For these reasons, Selectman Marshall explained, the Board voted to move forward. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Chair asked the Board members if there were any additional input. Selectwoman Day stated that she would like the Board to take some time before completing the installation. The Chair stated that she was appreciative of Ms. Paradise coming forward as it underscores the need to ensure that the community is informed of the Board’s decisions. The Chair stated that she would look at this closely the next time the Board has a decision of this type before them.

6:00 PM: Diane Boilard, Library Trustee Chair

Diane Boilard asked the Selectboard to start the process of finalizing the purchase of the land next to the Library parking lot from the owner of the Greenfield Inn. A discussion followed on the process and Ms. Boilard asked that the Selectboard assign the task to the Town Administrator and to work out the process with the help of Town Counsel. At the conclusion of the conversation, the Board agreed to the request of the Library Chair.

6:30 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting – Old Business and Consent Agenda

The Chair took up a discussion on the preparations for the General Election on November 3rd. The Board discussed plans by the Town Clerk to procure a 20x20 tent outside the Meeting House, which will have a propane heater installed. There followed a discussion on the need for a permit and the Chair agreed to forward that to the Town Clerk with a request she check with the town’s Building Inspector.

Next the Board discussed the Halloween holiday, and trick or treating. The Board agreed to send an EDDM to everyone in town with the CDC’s  recommendations for holding a safe Halloween. The EDDM will be finalized by Selectwoman Day, and the Board assigned the authority to print and mail the EDDM, with the help of Town Office staff, to her.

The Board discussed a finance article for the December Spirit.

The Chair opened a discussion on the Consent Agenda. The Board reviewed the Payroll Check Manifest dated 10/16/2020 in the amount of $27,771.49 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.

The Board reviewed an A/P Void Check Manifest dated 10/14/2020 in the amount of $55.99 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 re-authorize expenditures therein, 3-0 in favor.

Next the Chair requested that the Board review the Minutes of 10/08/2020 and a Used Oil Collection Grant authorization of the Recycling Center Supervisor. 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 and authorization.

The Selectboard heard a report from the Town Administrator on the following items:

  • The Appropriations letter (approval) has been received from NHDRA
  • The Lease Purchase Agreement for the new MACK Truck has been finalized and payment authorized for the Chassis.
  • The 2014 MACK truck issue has been finalized by Primex and will be partially covered by insurance
  • The GOFFER funds have been approved for the remaining amount of funds
  • The Hazard Mitigation Plan has been finalized and the consultant paid
  • The 2021 Budget Season has begun and all departments and Board Chairs have received budget worksheets and budget season calendars
  • Wage data is in the process of being received from surrounding towns

Selectman Marshall had several items for discussion including:

  • Next Thursday is the ConVal Selectmen’s Advisory Committee meeting – Selectboard meeting requested to start at 4:30 - approved
  • A request for the total of the Capital Reserve Funding after reduction of appropriations – $106,500- the amount is based on the worksheet that Selectman Marshall originally submitted to the Board
  • Master Plan work plan review – implementation schedule for the Board, Town Administrator and others
  • The conference call has especially poor acoustics tonight – noted

There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn

Adjournment

At 7:50 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.