Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard Minutes
Thursday, December 10, 2020 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Fire Department members: Jeff LaCourse, David Simmons, David Martin, Michael Borden; Diane Boilard, Library Trustee Chair; Rick McQuade, Fire Chief
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, 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. EMD David Martin is home alone. Diane Boilard is home alone. Jeff LaCourse is in attendance, Rick MCQuade is at the DPW Building, David Simmons is attending, Mike Borden is at home.
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: Selectboard Business Meeting
The Chair opened the meeting and requested that the Fire Chief present his stipend request, which has come before the Selectboard because the request is greater than the line item remaining in the budget. Chief McQuade explained that with the number of volunteers at home during the early part of the pandemic, the call attendance was outstanding. As a consequence of the increased attendance, the point system used the entire budget available prior to accounting for meetings and officer pay. The result, including officer pay, is a request that is $9,385.00 more than the remainder in the line item (16,615.00 remaining). A discussion followed. Town Administrator Patt provided a brief overview of RSA 508:12-b, which is a State law that provides immunity for firefighters who receive less than $5,000.00 a year in pay/stipend. Town Counsel has provided feedback that the RSA is for the protection of the volunteer fire fighters against personal liability in the case of a law suit. The Fire Department and the Selectboard may want to ensure that the volunteers understand this protection and determine whether they are comfortable with the risk associated with exceeding the limit outlined in the RSA. Selectman Marshall suggested that the Fire Chief recast the stipend to fit within the budget and think creatively about how the town can provide payment to the firefighters in light of the difficult circumstances that first responders serve in today. Such payment could be in the form of a bonus for the year.
Next the Selectboard met with Mike Borden, Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Borden explained that a property owner with a cabin in the woods has approached the town with an interest in fixing up the current structure, expanding the structure, and installing a septic. Mr. Borden explained that the structure is accessed by a private driveway and that he believes that the town will need to have a release filed at the Registry of Deeds as provided by RSA 674:41. A discussion followed. At the conclusion of the discussion, Mr. Borden stated he would review the town zoning regulation and determine if the request needs to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals.
At 7:25, David Martin, Emergency Management Director joined the Selectboard and notified the Board of several items he will be forwarding via email from the State regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Next the Selectboard reviewed a resignation from Kathy Valliere, Tax Collector. Selectman Marshall moved that the Board accept the resignation. The motion was seconded by the Chair. On a roll-call vote, the motion was approved by a vote of 3-0 in favor.
The Chair took up the Consent Agenda and reviewed the Payroll Manifest of 12/14, the A/P Manifest of 12/9, and a new hire worksheet for a seasonal hire at DPW. The Payroll Manifest in the amount of $29,738.31 was moved by Selectman Marshall and seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 in favor of releasing the funds.
The A/P Manifest, in the amount of $4,696.22 was moved by Selectman Marshall and seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote the Board voted 3-0 in favor of releasing the funds.
The new hire worksheet for B.S. to work as a seasonal hire at DPW was approved with Selectman Marshall providing a motion, Selectwoman Day providing a second, and by roll-call vote the motion passed 3-0 in favor.
The Selectboard discussed the January version of the Greenfield Spirit. This town newsletter will carry the Town Meeting agenda. Recent guidance from the State of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) has been provided for holding a virtual Town Meeting. The Selectboard discussed the guidance and indicated that they would like to invite the Moderator and the Town Clerk to a meeting to discuss how to handle Town Meeting.
Next, the Selectboard reviewed their calendars, as the holiday falls on a Thursday this year. The Selectboard agreed to reschedule their meetings to the 22nd and the 29th (Tuesdays), starting at 5:30 pm.
The Chair outlined the need to enter into Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:II, a and c. Selectman Marshall made a motion under the RSA to enter into non-public session. The motion was seconded by the Chair. On a roll-call vote, the Board entered into non-public session at 7:45pm.
At 8:33 pm the Chair made a motion to enter into the public session. The motion was seconded by Selectman Marshall. The motion passed 3-0 in favor.
While in the public session, the Chair made a motion to seal the minutes under RSA 91-A:III due to privacy concerns. The motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The motion passed on a roll-call vote of 3-0 in favor.
The Selectboard agreed to hold a meeting on Monday, December 14th at 2pm. The meeting will be a non-public session.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 8:37 pm, Selectman Marshall made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Selectwoman Day. The motion carried 3-0 in a roll-call vote.