Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard Minutes
Tuesday, December 22, 2020 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairwoman Margaret Charig Bliss, Selectwoman Karen Day, Selectman Robert Marshall
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator; Rick McQuade, Fire Chief and DPW Buildings & Grounds 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, 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: Selectboard Business Meeting
The Chair opened the meeting. There are several items on the Consent Agenda for review. The Board discussed the minutes of 12/17/2020 and made two sentence structure corrections. Selectman Marshall moved the minutes as corrected. The minutes were seconded by Selectwoman Day. On a roll-call vote, the Board voted 3-0 in favor of accepting the minutes.
On a motion by Selectman Marshall and a second by the Chair, the Board voted, by roll-call vote, 3-0 in favor of the Payroll manifest dated 12/25/2020 in the amount of $55,386.05, to accept the manifest and to release the funds.
The Selectboard reviewed an Accounts Payable (A/P) Manifest in the amount of $4,270.52. On a motion by Selectman Marshall and a second from Selectwoman Day, the Board voted 3-0 in favor by roll-call vote to accept the manifest and release the funds.
At 5:58, the Selectboard opened a discussion on the recently received 2021 budget for the Wilton Ambulance. At 6:05pm, the Board was joined by Fire Chief Rick McQuade. The Ambulance budget is quoted at $102,284 for 2021, compared to $57,800 in 2020. Chief McQuade explained that there have been some issues where Wilton Ambulance did not have sufficient level of training during calls, and Greenfield staff with A-EMT level training were unable to hand off to Wilton staff, and as a result Greenfield’s responders were required to transport with the patient to the hospital. This suggests that staffing levels of A-EMT and Paramedic level responders at Wilton Ambulance could become an issue.
Next, Mr. McQuade, for the DPW department requested “walk at your own risk” signs for the Oak Park track for the winter months. The Selectboard held a discussion and on a motion by Selectman Marshall and a second by Selectwoman Day, the Board voted by roll-call 3-0 in favor of signage at Oak Park to limit liability.
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 6:57pm.
At 8:19 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.
Next the Selectboard discussed a three items from Selectman Marshall:
- Merit bonuses to staff for their work during difficult year during the pandemic. The Board agreed to revisit the proposal at their next meeting.
- A tour of the recycling center was scheduled with a visitor from the Antrim Selectboard
- A Zoom meeting is scheduled with the Friends of the Greenfield Meeting House leadership to discuss donation strategies
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 8:28 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.