Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, November 05, 2020 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Rick McQuade, Buildings and Grounds; David Bridgewater, Library Director
Public: Diane Boilard
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 Mr. Giammarino is in his office at the Police Station, and EMD David Martin is 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: Rick McQuade, DPW Buildings & Grounds
The Chair welcomed Mr. McQuade to the meeting. Mr. McQuade gave a brief update on the MT Trackless sidewalk machine. The machine is running well, DPW has replaced the brakes and a number of hoses as part of the reconditioning. The snowblower attachment needs attention and may need to be replaced.
Mr. McQuade provided an update on the Library’s interest in having a company cut down and remove the tree in front of the library. Mr. McQuade provided an overview of the quotes that the Library received. A review of the Library RSAs followed, including RSA 202-A:6 and RSA 202-A:11. A brief statement was made by Diane Boilard, Library Trustee Chair noting that the Trustees had reached consensus to remove the tree, which is dying and to forward the recommendation to the Selectboard in order to use funds from Library Capital Reserve funds (Selectboard as agents to expend). This statement was followed by a conversation with David Bridgewater who heard from Selectwoman Day that the tree was likely a gift and notice should be provided to the donor. It was agreed that Mr. McQuade, acting for the town would meet with Mr. Bridgewater and that Mr. McQuade would provide a recommendation to the Library based on review of the quotes.
Selectwoman Day made a motion to support the tree removal maintenance at the Library in an amount not to exceed $1,500.00, with funds to come from the Stephenson Memorial Library Buildings and Ground Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund. The motion was seconded by the Chair. On a roll-call vote, the Selectboard voted 3-0 in favor of the motion.
Next, Mr. McQuade provided an update on a plumbing issue at the Meeting House, which has required that the water be shut off until the downstairs bathroom is repaired.
The Chair opened the meeting up to additional questions. David Bridgewater stated that the Library would like to provide a wildlife rescue show on the Meeting House lawn in January. He stated that the show would be socially distanced with a limited number of families and children. He asked if the Board were willing to let the show take place indoors in case of inclement weather. The Board discussed and advised that all requests to use the building have been turned down due to the pandemic, but the Board members were in agreement that an outdoors show was possible. Mr. McQuade stated that the Library staff could look at using the Oak Park Pavilion if the weather was poor. Selectwoman Day made a motion to allow an outdoors wildlife rescue program with limited attendance at the Meeting House, and/or at Oak Park dependent on the weather. The motion was seconded by the Chair. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of an outdoor only event at the locations named, by the library.
6:00 PM: Selectboard Business Meeting
At 6:12pm, the Chair asked for an update on the tax rate setting process. The Board heard from the Town Administrator that the ConVal School district received more State Education Aid than anticipated, and as a result the School tax rate is lower than last year. A discussion followed and the Board reviewed the tax rate setting process. The rate was set at $27.15, which is lower than the last year’s rate of $27.27. There is sufficient fund balance to potentially look at revisiting the 2020 Capital Reserve fund contributions, which were reduced to off-set the impact of COVID-19. There followed a discussion on what the 2021 year might have in store and how the budget process will unfold. A review of revenues to date provided detail on some funding that may come in before the end of the year. The ability to revisit the 2020 Capital Reserves will not be certain until after the year ends in January.
Next the Selectboard discussed a Primex/NH Municipal Association guidance document for employers, which includes a health questionnaire for employees to use daily. The Board discussed the questionnaire, and while in agreement to adopt the tool for use by employees, as has been done in other municipalities across the State since the start of the pandemic, were unable to agree how to integrate the document into the town’s policies or procedures. Selectwoman Day stated that the document should be included in the Workplace Policy that the Selectboard voted in at the beginning of the pandemic. Selectman Marshall stated that he did not feel that the questionnaire was a good fit for a policy, or as a policy document. Selectman Marshall suggested that the Board vote on a motion for adoption and depending on the wording of the motion, the motion could be amended or followed by another motion. At the end of the conversation, Selectwoman Day made a motion to adopt the Employee Health Screening Questionnaire as part of the Workplace Policy. Selectman Marshall seconded the motion. On a roll call vote the Board 2-1 for the motion with Selectman Marshall opposing the motion. Selectman Marshall then made a motion to support the document as part of the workplace policy as a unanimous vote to show that the Selectboard is unified in its support of the document. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion.
Next the Chair outlined the items on the Consent Agenda. The Board agreed to move the items and voted by roll-call vote 3-0 in favor of the A/P Manifest of $277,261.54 and release of the funds and, acceptance of the Selectboard Minutes of the 10/29/2020 meeting.
The Board then discussed and approved an Intent to Cut for R7-5 and R7-25.
The Board discussed and approved a Land Use Change Tax and requested that the form be updated with electronic signatures.
The Board reviewed and approved a request to defer mapping updates until 2021.
The Selectboard discussed the recent elections and discussed whether a vote scanner would be a good way to support the election officials. The Board discussed meeting with the Town Clerk and the Moderator to debrief on the elections and to determine if a scanner would be a helpful addition to the elections process.
The Board heard that a grant was available for the elections expense similar to the GOFERR funds, although the amount of grants was small. There was general agreement to apply for the grant and to support any paperwork necessary thereto.
The Selectboard discussed several additional items including:
- The Meeting House lost power from 11AM-1:20PM during the elections and everything went well despite the loss of power.
- The generator connection at the Meeting House is for powering the furnaces and does not provide any lights or provide power to appliances.
- The Friends of the Greenfield Meeting House have provided a Spirit article.
- Selectman Marshall would like to craft an article to congratulate people and officials on how well the elections turned out.
- As part of the 2021 budget season, there is a need to include the Old Town Office in the budget. A tour of the building is needed to assess costs to take over the building from Crotched Mountain.
- An update was requested for a recent financial transaction that is pending review
- A review of policies provided by the Treasurer is underway
- A discussion on the Emergency Operations plan and its annual adoption was held
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 8:38 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.