TOWN OF SUTTON
Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall
93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH
Sutton Mills, NH 03221
Select Board

October 12, 2020

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Robert Wright, Jr., Chair. Selectman Wright made the following announcement:

 

Due to the COVID 19/Coronavirus Pandemic and in accordance with Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order #12, pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04, this Board is authorized to meet electronically. The public has access to contemporaneously listen and participate in this meeting by telephone by calling 978-990-5000 and entering access code 112820.

 

Present at the meeting were: Robert Wright, Jr., Selectman; William I. Curless, Selectman; Dane Headley, Selectman; Robert DeFelice, Budget Committee Chair; Diane Lander and Marcy Vierzen, Library Trustees; Carol Merullo, Town Clerk/Tax Collector; and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator. Attending by teleconference was Jon Korbet, Police Chief.

 

 

APPOINTMENTS:

Carol Merullo, Town Clerk/Tax Collector met with the Board to present the Town Clerk 2021 Proposed Budget for Financial Administration and Election Registration. Ms. Merullo advised that the budget was reduced as there will be only one election in 2020. Ms. Merullo noted that she had retained funds in the 2021 Budget for Supervisor of the Checklist training for the two new Supervisors. Postage and envelopes specifically for this function will need to be purchased in 2020. Other line items were increased based on inventory. Ms. Merullo reviewed the Financial Administration budget. Most of the items remained at the 2020 level or were decreased. More detail will be provided regarding historical spending for professional services. Phillips and DeFelice will review history.

 

The minutes from October 5 and October 8, 2020 were approved as written. The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST: $ 11,785.92

VENDOR MANIFEST:  $ 49,589.55

 

The Board approved a building permit for Charles and Emilie Bolduc, Map 06-458-230, Newbury Road for a detached shed.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The Board discussed adopting a Temporary Travel Policy During the COVID-19 Pandemic.   Chief Korbet was in attendance through teleconference to provide feedback and seek guidance on this topic. Chief Korbet had previously provided a sample travel policy and response matrix for the Board’s consideration. The travel policy had been provided to Town Counsel for review. Counsel felt the policy was sound but recommended that additional language to add the quarantine/test requirement to travel within New England if such travel is on public transportation, including locally within New England. Counsel further agreed that FFCRA leave time should be available to allow employees to be paid during the quarantine period. If FFCRA leave and other forms of leave (vacation, sick) are exhausted, the leave would be unpaid.

 

Chief Korbet recommended that the Town adopt a travel policy and update the FFCRA policy to provide guidance to Department Heads for Covid-related leave. Chief Korbet emphasized the need for a policy that included leave related to exposure from household members. Chief Korbet had provided the Board with a copy of a matrix from the Town of Plaistow that covers the many Covid-related scenarios that local governments face. Chief Korbet reiterated the recommendation to the Board to develop both a travel policy and an expanded Covid-policy.

 

Selectman Wright discussed the Town’s adopted FFCRA policy.

 

Selectman Curless read the following statement into the record:

 

“There is a fine line between protecting the general population and protecting individual rights. I air on the individual rights’ side. It was what and how our country was conceived. While it feels good to mandate testing to come back to work, it doesn’t tell us a thing. It just means that there is not enough of the virus in the person to be detectable at the time of the test at best. Quarantining sounds good if you think the person doesn’t have the same rights as you, but where do we draw the line? Should we quarantine if leaving the Northeast?, The State?, The Town? There is no scientific data to suggest leaving Sutton causes any significant increase or decrease in contamination if the person uses common sense.

 

I suggest if an employee leaves the northeast and goes to a State with higher positive numbers than NH, they should be able to return to work with a mask and have a temperature check every day for two weeks as Specified in the paperwork from the NH Bureau of Infectious Disease.

 

Therefore, we should do nothing as to adopt new rules for the town as this has already been set by the Governor.

 

We do not have any right to restrict other people’s rights. What other people or groups of government officials want to do to restrict other peoples ares are their business and their demons that they will have to deal with. If government officials above us, i.e., governor, president, we have to honor their wishes due to our swearing in to this office.

 

Again I stress we should do nothing but adhere to the infectious disease paperwork for our town’s employees.”

 

Selectman Curless was emphatic that testing was an effective measure to prevent the virus.

 

Phillips noted that the NH Bureau of Infectious Disease (NHBID) indicated that travel is safe within the Northeast region. Other States have higher infection rates, so the Bureau recommends that if you go out of the New England region that you quarantine. Phillips discussed the added risks of infection to vulnerable employees and citizens and noted that one infectious employee could expose the other employees threatening the level of services provided by the Town.   Phillips noted the mechanism for compensating quarantining employees through FFCRA, sick, vacation as well as short-term/long term disability insurance.

 

Selectman Headley agreed that testing was not conclusive. Selectman Headley discussed the Board’s responsibility for public health for both citizens and employees which supercedes certain individual rights.

 

Mr. DeFelice agreed that a policy should be developed noting a recent outbreak in Warner.   Selectman Wright opened the discussion to the public. Ms. Vierzen and Ms. Lang indicated that they would support the decisions of elected officials. A lengthy discussion regarding compensation ensued.

 

Selectman Curless discussed the distinction between those working with the public and essential functions like public works. Selectman Curless expressed concerns about taking away people’s individual rights.

 

Selectman Wright emphasized the need to have the same rules for everybody and felt the town needed a system.

 

Chief Korbet said that the situation was more than about individual rights, you are talking about people’s health, safety and welfare. Chief Korbet said that if people do go on vacation they should know what to expect upon return. The State’s recommendation is a 14-day quarantine. Chief Korbet said that the EOC has a policy that first responders shall quarantine upon their return and many do not allow a negative test to alleviate the 14-day quarantine requirement.   As it is, Chief Korbet stated that he has to go with his recommendation. If an employee challenges his decision, they would appeal to the Select Board. Guidance would help everyone as whole.

 

The Board agreed that all employees would be treated the same whether considered essential or non-essential. Selectman Wright asked for the Board’s opinion regarding quarantine for any employees who go outside the New England region. Phillips recommended adopting the Travel policy as drafted and vetted and amended by Town Counsel and felt that the departments would benefit from adopting a policy and reference exposure matrix.

 

Mr. DeFelice recommended that the policy include volunteers. Selectman Headley noted that Board members could attend through virtual options.

 

Selectman Headley said that the job of the Select Board is first and foremost the safety of the Town and its employees. Selectman Curless recommended that the Town do nothing. Selectman Curless felt further investigation was merited.

 

Selectman Headley made a motion to Amend the April 7, 2020 Covid policy to include a travel policy that anyone that travels outside the New England area is subject to 14 day quarantine period. Selectman Wright seconded the motion.

 

Selectman Curless felt the Board should arrive at a policy that all three members could agree to. Selectman Wright noted that the policy could be amended at a future date. Selectman Wright opened the discussion to those in attendance. Mr. DeFelice felt that the town should adopt a temporary policy now so that people can make plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Selectman Headley called the question. Selectman Curless asked for clarification that this was a temporary policy. Selectman Wright reiterated that the question could be revisited at any time at any formal forum.

 

The motion passed with Selectman Wright and Selectman Headley voting in the affirmative and Selectman Curless voting in opposition.

 

The Board will take an opportunity to review the matter further, look at the materials provided and include the Department Heads in the discussion. Mr. DeFelice advised that KRSD will be going virtual for two weeks after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

 

In response to the Board’s question to Counsel as to whether the Town must advise the Warner River Local Advisory Committee (WRLAC) with notification of land use activities within the designated corridor, Counsel has responded that under RSA 483:8-aII(a) Municipal officials, boards, and agencies shall inform such committees of actions which they are considering in managing and regulating activities within designated river corridors.

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board received notification of the 2021 HealthTrust Renewal Rates. Selectman Wright noted that there was a 6.4% increase in premium rates. Selectman Wright also noted that the Town will be eligible for a return of surplus for FY2020.

 

A citizen concern regarding Blaisdell Hill Road was noted and will be reviewed with Adam Hurst, Road Agent and the next regularly scheduled Select Board Meeting.

 

The Board considered a request to reschedule November 2nd Select Board meeting to November 4th in order to make the Hall available for election preparation. Election logistics were discussed. It was suggested that the Town Clerk’s Office be closed on November 3 to facilitate social distancing during the election.

 

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:

The Board noted the following item of correspondence:

DES Extreme Drought (D3) Expansion

 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS:

Phillips conveyed a concern conveyed by a citizen regarding lack of direct access to the Select Board. The Board agreed to establish an email address for the Select Board. Selectman Headley will be ombudsman for the email address and will bring citizen concerns to the attention of the Board. Selectman Wright noted that members of the public are welcome to schedule an appointment to appear at Select Board meetings and that there is a public input section at Select Board meetings. Phillips also advised that there appeared to be a misunderstanding regarding school funding that was disseminated on social media. The Select Board does not determine school funding. Citizens who would like to be involved in KRSD funding issues should attend KRSD School Board/Budget Committee meetings. The Board has established a quarterly meeting with Emilio Cancio-Bello, KRSD School Board Member to facilitate enhanced communication.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

Selectman Headley advised that there was additional equipment that he is researching to help boost sound for the teleconferencing unit. Mr. Headley will follow up with Cedar House regarding these components.

 

The Board discussed entering into an agreement with Muster Field Farm to store the hearse. Phillips will consult with Don Davis and Counsel.

 

PUBLIC INPUT:

Mr. DeFelice asked about site work on the Stevens lot. Phillips will follow up with the Conservation Commission.

 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:53 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator