Selectboard Minutes
Town of Greenfield
7 Sawmill Road, Greenfield, NH 03047
Selectboard’s Minutes
Thursday, June 9, 2022 – 5:30 PM
Selectboard: Chairman Mason Parker, Selectman Michael Borden, Selectman Tom Bascom
Staff: Aaron Patt, Town Administrator;
Public:
Documents for Discussion/Signature
- Payroll Check manifest dated 6/10/2022 in the amount of $28,616.23
- Fire Department Stipend Schedule
- Vacation Request – Executive, Recycling
- Welfare Voucher(s) – (2)
- Minutes of 6/2/2022
Other letters/ items for Discussion/Signature:
- Holiday Schedule
- July Co-Pay Holiday Request
5:30 PM: Selectboard Meeting
The Chair opened the meeting and took up the Consent Agenda for review. There were no members of the public present. The Selectboard signed documents on the consent agenda.
5:45 PM: Leah Fiasconaro Conway, Welfare Director
The Selectboard met with the Welfare Director to discuss the budget and the impact of inflation on residents in town. After some discussion, the welfare director requested a non-public meeting under RSA 91-A:3, II, C. On a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectman Bascom, the Board voted by roll-call vote 3-0, to enter into non-public session. At 6:34 pm the Board voted 3-0 in favor of a motion by the Chair and a second by Selectman Borden, to exit non-public session. While in the public session, the Chair made a motion to seal the minutes. The motion was seconded by Selectman Bascom. The Board voted 3-0 in favor of the motion according to RSA 91-A:3, III to preserve the reputation of members of the public receiving welfare aid. It was noted for the minutes that the Board had heard that they need to update the rental guidelines for the Town of Greenfield welfare handbook. The Chair thanked Ms. Fiasconaro Conway for her service and hard work for the community.
6:45 PM: Selectboard Work Session
The Selectboard discussed the need for updated IT resources and filing system for the welfare department. After some discussion the Board was of a consensus that the Town Administrator shall purchase a laptop for the welfare department and an updated locking file cabinet. The network equipment line item in Other General Government will go over budget as a result and the Board directed the Town Administrator to provide recommendation of where to find the funding in the budget, which the Board will review and approve.
The Chair took up the Consent Agenda and requested a motion. Selectman Borden made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, the motion was seconded by Selectman Bascom. On a vote of 3-0 the Board approved the motion.
Next the Board discussed the recent request for funding of Music on the Common. The Chair stated that in 2021 it was the Board’s intention that Music on the Common be a self-sustaining program run by donations as it has in the past. The coordinator for the program has written to the Town Office and indicated that there were no donations received this year. The cost to fund the program is $2,000 based on a number of bands and their fees. The Board stated that the funding was purposely not put into the budget because the expectation was that the program would solicit donations sufficient to cover the cost. The Board asked that the background of the discussion be brought forward with the requests for payment on June 16th for further discussion.
The Selectboard received a request from the Town Administrator for a co-pay holiday for the month of July for those employees enrolled in the town health insurance. This is an annual request that coincides with a Premium Holiday provided by the health insurance provider under their charter filed with the State of New Hampshire. NH law requires the provider return surplus funds accumulated. This year the returned funds (premium holiday) will likely equal the amount of the monthly invoice in July. The Selectboard discussed the request and after consideration of the increase in inflation for all goods, food, and fuel prices, voted on a motion by Selectman Bascom and a second by Selectman Borden 3-0 in favor of extending the co-pay holiday through the end of the year.
The Selectboard discussed a recent request from property owner Michael McGill for a meeting. The Board reached a consensus that the meeting shall wait until the Conservation Commission has received a finding from NHDES regarding their concerns of potential wetlands violation on the McGill property. It was noted that the ConComm has to request the information in the same manner as any individual or organization – through the NHDES information portal.
The Board took up a conversation about an Employee Appreciation Day in July and outlined several possible days and times, finalizing on July 19th at Oak Park. Catering arrangements are under review.
The Board reached a consensus to cancel the meetings on July 28th and August 25th due to member schedule conflicts.
Selectman Borden outlined recent conversations with the Fire Chief and NHDES regarding potentially hazardous material in totes purchased by the Firefighter’s Association. NHDES has reported that the material is not hazardous and the totes were cut up and disposed.
The Board discussed two complaints from residents regarding the location of the porta-potty at Zephyr Lake. The Board agreed with the complainants and requested that the potty be moved to one side.
There being no further business the Board voted to adjourn.
Adjournment
At 8:28pm, the Chair made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by the Selectman Bascom. The motion carried 3-0.