5:30 p.m. Call Meeting to Order (This meeting was recorded.)
TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING-- The Selectboard is required to hold a public hearing pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40; Section 56. The Selectboard will vote on whether to have a split or single tax rate. If a split tax rate is voted, there will be a different rate set for commercial, industrial and personal properties than for residential property.   Select  Board approved a single tax rate.
Following the Hearing:
Review Agenda
Public Comment - 2. Kudos  for the highway dept which despite  truck breakdowns  managed to clear the roads in a reasonable period of time.   Ned Wolf of the Finance Committee asked about the repairs/breakdowns. Robyn and Will detailed the repair issues 
Review Minutes: 11/21/2024, 12/3/2024
Other Business
Art Show Request 

• For use of Community Hall for the Heath Art Show 
• SB waived the fees for use of the CH for  Aug 28 through Sep 26

Salt Shed Project Update

• Cudnohufsky Assocs.  responded to the proposal and Hilma to make some minor changes.
• SB approved for $9600 for continued engineering services on the salt shed.

Appraisal Update

• None

Hilltown Youth Performing Arts (HYPA)  license

• SB would like a summary proposal on the lease from HYPA by the Jan 23 SB meeting

Mail

• Energy Advisory Committee:  Brian had a meeting regarding Jacobs Road and looking into grants for heat pumps which in turn will require solar.
• Letter regarding winter road treatment.
• Robyn cautioned residents to adapt to snow storms by driving slower, being patient, and  staying home when possible. 

CH Windows

• Hilma sent out the RFP to 3 sources.  One response was they will not be bidding. Will suggested that companies out side the area may be possible.  It is sometimes better to remove  windows, cover with plywood,  and take them to their shop rather than try to repair in place.

5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order (This meeting may be recorded.)
Review Agenda, Public Comment
Review Minutes: 11/19/2024, 11/21/2024
Other Business

• Library Trustee & Zoning Board of Appeals member appointments—votes anticipated
  • Trustees - Gale Hubley appointed until next town election
  • ZBA - Ken Gilbert appointed to vacant seat
• Franklin County Solid Waste Management District—transfer station inspection report—vote
  • Transfer station undergoes a yearly inspection which passed this year
  • SB voted to approve the inspection report
• School transportation reimbursement programs advocacy letter—vote anticipated
  • SB voted to support the program to obtain vocational transportation reimbursement
• MLP Manager Search Update
  • Position was advertised twice in the Recorder, on our website, and on postings around town.
  • No response to date
• Community Hall Windows Project Update
  • Proposal is ready to go out for restoration of windows and storms.
• Salt Shed Project Update—vote anticipated
  • RFP is with the consultant and they will have a proposal by next SB meeting
• Relocation from EOC building to Fire Garage and updating of fire equipment
  • Quote for labor and materials has been submitted by Fire Equipment Inc
  • SB approved the quote to be paid by ARPA 
  • Tim has contacted an electrician to complete outlets needed for fire equipment relocation
  • Storage containers for the FD equipment have been purchased and located at Jacobs Road.
• Appraisal Update
  • Appraiser requested pictures of Jacobs Rd and Sawyer Hall. o further progress.
• HYPA (Hilltown Youth Performing Arts) License Review—vote anticipated
  • SB approved the license to be sent out to HYPA  this week. 
• FY 2024 Final Financial Report
  • Hilma and Robyn worked to clean up and reorganize the accounts
• ARPA update
  • $109,970 available on July 1. Since then we paid for storage containers, committed wing plow, fire alarm movement for FD, electrician for new outlets in highway garage, remediation testing, moving the internet from the EOC.  Balance is approximately $30,900.

6:00 p.m. Board of Health—CPHS (Cooperative Public Health Service)  Regional Opioid Settlement Project

• Gene Garland reviewed the FRCOG plan for cooperative use between 15 hilltowns  including Heath, of the regional funds from the National Opioid Settlement.  Cooperative use will mitigate the imbalance in the distribution numbers provided by the government per town.  Background: 
  • Attorneys General negotiated with pharmacies and drug makers
  • $900 million coming to MA
  •  60% to the state to be sent out in grants
  • 40% to cities and towns
  • All has to be spent on prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programs. 
• Heath has been granted two air quality monitors. The BoH (Board of Health) would like to install them.  The SB approved the installation of the 2 monitors, 1 at Jacobs Rd and 1 in the center.

Mail

• Some items already covered previously. Other items of interest: Question on ​stainability study from resident,  notification from resident that they are contracting with consultants regarding accessibility of Sawyer Hall, info from Cannabis Control.

Robyn  asked about double poles

• Verizon is responsible for the removal of the double pole as the last attacher.
• National Grid alone is pushing this project. NG says: Heath is receiving insufficient reliable power.
• Why do poles have to be 45' tall? Ng SYAS:  Shorter poles are not allowed for 3 phase power.
• Heath is responsible for reattachment costs. Can NG help with this cost? ng SYAS: No one-off financial assistance for Heath.
• What is happening on Avery Brook Road? ng SYAS: Looking at an alternative design, not an additional project.

Attendees Questions and Comments

• Wanda Mooney asked the SB to deny the petition for poles on Burrington Hill Road where they never were before.
• Phil Pless, a Realtor from Ashfield, commented on the value of the Mooney property. Estimated a $250,000 loss of value  if the view is obstructed.
• An abutter to Wanda asked that the project not be approved as it stands.  Brought up Green Mountain Power which is burying their power lines.
• Doug Mason said we don't know our costs,] and there seems to be no alternatives. Felt we have no choice but to turn down the permit.
• Bill Fontes: 86 poles on Burrington Hill Rd requiring reattachment of our fiber network, 46 coming up Avery Brook. Felt like this was jammed down our throat. Response was that NG just became aware of how dire the situation is.
• David Gordon:  Utility is required to remove poles in 90 days but there is no enforcement. We should try to get a commitment from Verizon and NG  to remove poles with 90 days per MAss General Law.
• Ned Wolf asked about the work on the intersection of Bray Rd and Colrain Stage Rd. The response was that the work is independent of this project but will help with the project.
• Tony Bocaccio commented that he Bray Rd work is a critical part of the project suggesting that to say it is not part of this project is disingenuous.
• Devon Clark: How many people will this help? Response was only 1 feeder comes out of Bear Swamp substation. Response: Phase 1 effects Charlemont and Heath, Phase 2 happens in Rowe. Once done there will be 2 feeders coming out of the Bear Swamp substation.
• Will Emmet: Have they done a tradeoff of burying on Burrington Hill or going up Avery Brook Rd?  Response was the the crew that works on buried lines comes out of Worcester, the other crew comes from No Adams. NG is looking at Avery Brook Rd as an alternate , but may not have numbers until late Dec of early Jan.  
• Tom Lessor: Wandy Mooney lawyer. Green Mountain Power in VT is burying the lines.  Clearly burying is safer for line workers and burying is more reliable.  DPU confirmed that the SB has the power to decline the Burrington Hill permit request.  Mooney's hired JS Rae to give an estimate for burying  which came to $139,000. 
• Bob Burrington: NG has to do the right thing.  
• Art  Schwenger: Do these MG representatives at the meeting have the authority to make the decision? Response: No they can just escalate
•  Wanda's sister:  Eversource just buried the lines without contesting it. If Eversource can bury without a problem, why can't National Grid?  Why can't NG with all its money, just bury the lines without a problem.   There needs to be some kind of a compromise. 
• Barbara Gordon: Why are we discussing Burrington Hill Road when NG is looking at Avery Brook Rd. Response: NG  was being pro-active.
• Briell Gibson:  Recently moved to town on Burrington Hill Rd and is concerned that we may have to this again. if "Smartgrid" comes along.  Response is that the term is too ambiguous. What is being done now is in line with greater efficiency. 
• Robyn asked for justification as to why we have to pay to reattach to these poles when we are still paying for new poles for our fiber project. She said she did not want to hear the answer that we signed a contract.  There was no way to anticipate this project.

The hearing was continued into January so that NG can get answers to questions that were asked at the meeting. 

Agenda Items
5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 11/12/2024
Public Comment - 3 
5:10 p.m. Highway Superintendent & Department Update—Tyson Howard
Review of Pole Hearing requests - [Highway Dept input into pole placement]

• Poles need to be 4' off the road (any road), but some are marked fairly close.  Putting in poles may require some tree removal. Some trees to be taken down are dangerous trees anyway. 
• Avery Brook Road—The Town has no information from National Grid regarding the work being done  there.
• Cutting of asphalt and patching is a concern for potential buckling.  Two culverts will be effected.
• Burrington Hill Road - two poles are still marked as being in a ditch after request by Highway Dept to move them out.

Salt Shed updates

• Salt Shed structure: Robyn will try to have the plan for the structure by the first week of December. On the site plan the shed needs to be updated to reflect raising the shed by a foot from the base to mitigate a water issue.
• EOC (Emergency Operations Center) demolition: The quote for 2 storage containers  20' in length  is $8023 including delivery. The purpose is to provide a place to store what is in the EOC building which will be demolished. SB voted to accept the proposal. ARPA money will be used. 
• Salt Shed and EOC: Buildings must have a  hazardous inspection before demolition, Quote for inspecting both buildings of $1770  to be paid for from ARPA funds was approved by SB.

6:00 p.m. Municipal Light Board & Municipal Light Plant Manager
MLP Manager Job Description—review of recommended changes-vote anticipated

• Sheila is retiring from the position
• Hours actually worked now are less because much of the work has been done. Keeping the  5 to 10 hours a week even though it is not usually needed.
• There are 2 or 3 meetings a month that need to be attended

Review of Pole Hearing requests - [MLP]

• Bill Fontes counted the number of poles that would require transfers.  Burrington Hill Road ​- 86 pole transfers, Avery Brook Road  - 46 pole transfers. By contract the Town has to pay for these transfers.

7:00 p.m. Mohawk Trail Regional School District—meet with officials to discuss latest 2D8T sustainability
study report. Official comments:

• Dawning among towns that we are all in this together
• Realization among towns that something has to happen with flat state aid
• There is a need to continue to spread the word 
• Need housing in the area to attract families.
• Other discussions: transportation costs, home schooling, Berk12  modeling completion in December, district needs to pick a model once the Berk12 job is done.
• Towns need to spread the word that a decision point is coming up.

Other Business

• Salt Shed bid documents— votes detailed above
• Rental Licensing & Appraisal—update
  • No updates on appraisals for Sawyer Hall and Community Hall
  • Working on updates for the Hilltown Youth lease
• Community Hall Projects--update
  • Windows: Three bidders have been identified 
  • Doors: Quote from Donelson for new double doors was $6500. SB voted to accept the quote.
• Approved a new library substitute request by Kate Barrows.
• Hilma attended a webinar given by the MMA (Massachusetts Municipal Association) regarding holiday decorations.   Presentation
• Town is accumulating a significant amount in  legal fees due to a lawsuit filed by a land owner against an abutter  regarding Vincent Road access.  The plaintiff's lawyer has pulled the Town into the suit.
• Hilma will be getting quotes on changing the sign on the Jacob's Road entrance from Heath School to Heath Municipal Center.

4:07 p.m. Call Meeting to Order - Meeting recorded
Review Agenda
Public Comment - 1 comment
4:10 p.m. Highway Superintendent & Department Update—Tyson Howard

• Beaver dam issue remediated
• Leaves have been cleared from all the roads
• Patched a sink hole on Number 9 Road
• Plows are ready to go, still working on nailing down winter plowing contractors
• Started tree work along the road to eliminate trees that are encroaching or dangerous 
• Planning
  
  • Have a construction plan for paving Sumner Stetson Road
  • Have a plan for Number 9 Road to do culverts work and some road repair
  • Working on quotes for spring truck maintenance

Past issues needing attention

• Lower parking area of Community Hall icing up
• Water in the Sawyer in the basement

Other Business
Demolition of Salt Shed & former EOC office, review of Bid Document—vote anticipated

• Fire Department needs to be moved so the EOC building can be demolished, but the Fire Department doesn't  have money for storage containers.  
• The Highway Department may be able to do some or all of the demo depending on other needs.

Salt Shed Progress & Review of Bid Document for Construction—vote anticipated

• Town received an ​invoice of  $1578 as a final payment on the design phase. The total project design cost is below the $20,000 budgeted.
• The Town needs to move forward with the next stage of the project to use ARPA funds which expire, rather than Chapter 70 funds.

Indoor Pickleball Court Proposal—vote anticipated

• SB voted to approve pickleball courts in Jacobs gym

Appointment of Veterans’ Representative—vote anticipated

• Gene Garland was appointed to be veteran's representative

Rental Licensing & Appraisal--update

• ​HHS license is all set, but have not received payment yet. 
• Lease by contractor of Assessors office is in place
• Still working on refining Hilltown Youth lease going forward

Review Minutes: 10/22/2024
Community Hall Windows

• CH Fundraiser has reached $22,879.
• Committee is working on getting bids.

Business Not Anticipated

• ​Tech school has completed their work  on lighting.
• Brian contacted Palmieri to get a quote on replacing the high lights which will require a lift, cost to be covered by a Green Community Grant.  Quote is for $50,600 for 15 new gym fixtures, 14  atrium fixtures, lift and installation.
• Green Communities Report - annual report required to show savings in energy consumption done by FRCOG with info from the Town. SB approved the summary for FY24.

Mail

• 2Districts8Towns update
• Pole hearing notice to abutters, letter from resident
• Info from BoH, Town Nurse, Lifepath, FCSWMD​

4:30 p.m. Call Meeting to Order at Colrain Municipal Building,  55 Main Road (Meeting will be audio-recorded.)
Meet jointly with the Colrain Selectboard to hear presentation of findings from the 2 Districts 8 Towns Sustainability
Study.
5:30 p.m. approximate, meeting adjourned for Select Board to reconvene in Heath at:
6:00 p.m. Reconvene Heath Select Board meeting, Jacobs, Review Agenda, Public Comment, Review Minutes: 10/8/2024
Resignations with regrets:
Dennis Peters from the Veterans Memorial committee after many years of service.
Don Freeman, a long time volunteer in many roles,  from library Trustees.
6:15 p.m. Police Department: Police Chief John McDonough, mid-year update

• Administrative tasks handled: tasks associated with distribution of pay from National Grid for details, resident calls, firearms renewals, fair detail went well, training started in September in-service training, working with Rowe in sharing  training costs such as firearms training, police car is in good shape.
• Had break-ins on South Rd and Avery Brook Rd, but it doesn't appear anything was taken. Both were vacation homes and break-ins found by care takers.  R
• Trunk or Treat at Jabobs Road
•  Robyn remarked that there is too much speeding in town, unregistered vehicles
• Call John if you have noticed times in particular when there is speeding, seems t people going to and from work
• Route 8A is a particular problem

6:30 p.m. Trail Easement—vote anticipated

• Working to achieve a Deerfield River to Hoosic River, multiday trail
• All trail work is funded through grants, Trowbridge land will enable public access to connect existing trails.

Other Business
Highway Department Update

• The new superintendent will be at the Highway Dept tomorrow to meet with Steve and crew. Will and Robyn will also be there to greet him.
• Elissa took items to bulky waste day for the highway department, Steve said it was a big help.
• There is a beaver creating a problem with a culvert on Rt 8A, a professional has been brought in.
• Plows are ready, things are in great shape.

Salt Shed Progress Update

• Floor has been patched
• Have 100 tons of salt, 250 tons of sand
• We have a site plan from the architect
• Robyn's recommendation is to get a proposal for the shed itself, and a separate one for the site work to help determine how much the Highway Dept can take on.
• Will be using ARPA money, the $100,000 already set aside, and other sources.

FY 2024 year-end financial reports

• Hilma and Robyn are still putting this together, and there are no significant issues yet
• Making sure money has been posted and in the right category in preparation for moving to a VADAR reporting system, https://vadarsystems.com/solutions/fund-accounting/

Community Hall Projects—vote anticipated

•  Painting is preceding well
• Hilma to get quotes for replacing the doors.
• Window replacement - waiting on Mass Historical Commission approval because it's an historical building

Mail

• Don LeBreux wrote a letter expressing his interest in being on the Parks & Recreation Committee. The Select Board voted to appoint Don.
• Looking into cemetery repairs
• Robyn attended a meeting last week at FRCOG and expressed her support for a Regional Zoning Enforcement Officer.  Erving got a grant to update their Zoning Bylaws, Robyn asked Hilma to find out more and would like Heath to be able to do the same. At a minimum Heath could review Erving's zoning laws for to see what might be helpful to the Town.

Agenda Items
5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order (Meeting will be audio-recorded.), Review Agenda
5:05 p.m. School Committee Update: Representative Budge Litchfield
Budge Update:
School Safety

• all external doors are locked during school hours,
• video cameras are at the main entrance, persons must state business before access
• all classroom doors have locks and shades,
• here video cameras in "unsupervised spaces.
• besides fire drills there are now lockdown drills: doors get locked, shades go down.
• there is a meeting place in the event that the building needs to be evacuated
• there is a sweeper in the event of an evacuation to ensure that all persons are out of the building
• staff meets with the Resource Officer in order to know how to work together
• all critical staff are carrying walkie-talkies
• all classroom phones now can call 911 directly
• build a social and emotional community where there is an awareness if someone is having a hard time. Social media can be a catalyst for problems. 

Public Comment - none
Review Minutes: 9/24/2024
6:00 p.m. Meeting Municipal Costs of Fiber Cable Relocation: Charlemont Select Board, Heath & Charlemont Municipal Light Plant Boards. Charlemont Representatives:  Bob Handsaker, Cheryl Handsaker, Val Reed. Heath MLP Representatives: Art Schwenger, Sheila Litchfield. Estimated cost due for Whip city to attach wires to new poles: $23,000.  Also National Grid is replacing poles that already have  three-phase wire. A question was raised about residents paying for poles twice since we already replaced approx. 242  for broadband.   Robyn from Heath and  Val Reed from Charlemont will lead an effort to contact the Department of Public Works (DPU) and Paul Mark regarding the justification for the process and the costs. Both Municipal Light Boards will be engaged with them.
[My comment:  Eversource does not require towns to pay for poles and  is sensitive to such things as the marring of an exceptional view we enjoy going down Burrington Hill Road.
It would be worthwhile to listen to the clip of the tape that covers that meeting:
National Grid portion: SB_2024-10-08_Audio_NGridPortion.mp3
National Grid has a page for the Heath to Charlemont.
Heath to Charlemont Improvement Project. It's light on information, but does list the route that will be taken.]
7:30 p.m. Highway Superintendent Interview: Tyson Howard, applicant—from Colrain, interested in community involvement, has been a fireman, has a lot of experience.  SB voted to make an offer to Tyson Howard for the Highway Superintendent position, Tyson accepted the offer.
Other Business

• Appliance Disposal Permits—Lee would like to sell special permits for appliances rather than send people down to the PO to get the permit.  SB voted and approved.
• Highway Department Update with Review of Temporary and Modified Positions— 
• Highway Superintendent Position Update - Grading is done for the year, ditching has been successful. New leaf blower is working well, plow truck is being outfitted for snow.  Steve Thane has been extended for three months or less depending on status of of potential hire.  They are anticipating a grant due in October. Every culvert on No. 9 Road ( 42) has been inventoried. 
• Rental Licenses—vote to approve a license to rent a room in Sawyer Hall to C D Davenport Trucking for office use while they are constructing a bridge on Cyrus Davis Road in Rowe. Lease cost is $400 a month. SB approved a license to rent the former Accessors office. Potential 2- year license. 
• Hilma met with Wanda Mooney who agreed to write up a statement of value for Sawyer Hall.
• State Election Warrant—review warrant for November 5th state election—Mary Sumner has a warrant ready to be signed. There are 5 questions. SB approved the signing of the warrant. 
• Police Chief, John Doherty, said a check came from the County Opiate Task Force.  John would like to know how the money should be applied.
• Community Hall - is being painted by the Sheriff's Department, interior work is completed.  

Mail

Other business that could not be anticipated 48 hours in advance.

5:00 p.m, Review Agenda, Public Comment-Deb Porter concerned about library move happening so fast without planning  in order to facilitate the proposed Vermont Natural History Museum rental.
Review Minutes: 9/10/2024 3:00 pm, 9/10/2024 4:30 pm, 9/18/2024
Other Business
Highway Department Update
​​Superintendent Position: A candidate was offered and did not accept the position. Robyn, Hilma, and Will all reached out to him to let him know the SB was open to discuss any concerns  he may have. Robyn will speak with the Colrain administrator about the possibility of sharing resources. The SB also discussed having a part time clerical person with the skills that may be appropriate for the administrative requirements of the position vs the mechanical requirements.  The skill combination required is  not easy to find in a single individual.
Plowing: A  person in Colrain with a CDL is interested in plowing.  Nathan Clark is also expected to plow again this year.
Schedule: SB member, Will Emmet, has been informally acting as highway  superintendent while Steve Thane is away.  Will and Jason Lively will be weed whacking on Friday.

Salt Shed Progress Update

• Remaining ARPA funds need to be transferred within the next two months most likely to the salt shed account.

Rental Licenses & Review Appraisal Process—votes possible

• Vermont Museum of Natural History lease which was time sensitive fell through. Unfortunately, the library space in Sawyer Hall was emptied quickly in anticipation of the lease. The shelves and books will be placed in the room off the current library. 
• The Hilltown Youth license is still under review.
• The Heath Historical Society has their signed license, Tim has cleaned the former Police office at Sawyer Hall, and Hilma will be providing Ned Wolf with keys.

National Grid Project 1109W1 Review and Discussion

• Robyn communicated with National Grid with a number of questions, some of which were answered.
• Elissa would like to see the evaluations of alternative routes  from more than one person at National Grid. 
• There was discussion by SB Members and Wanda Mooney about alternatives to placing a new pole that is intrusive to their unique view. This is not a replacement, but a new pole.
• National Grid has stated that they will not bury the power lines nor will they consider alternative routes. 
• Link to Robyn's questions and responses in reverse chronical order.

Town Finances/Accounting Update

• Hilma and Robyn went over the accounts. Robyn went back 3 years reviewing payroll accounts.  Payroll may not fall into account work so going forward when the current accountant resigns, this will be an issue. 
• Current accountant reports are not adequate. 

Other business that could not be anticipated 48 hours in advance
Email Requests

• There were requests for Board/Committee email addresses: Planning Board and Conservation Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Each email address will cost an additional $20 per month . Hilma recommends this to retain history and allow others to follow the email thread.  
• SB reviewed the groups that have Town email addresses and evaluated the need. Robyn feels any group supported by a clerk should have a Town email address.
• Our contract includes 13 email addresses, all of which are currently being used.
• SB approved the  Planning Board, Conservation Commission and ZBA Town email addresses.

Bulky Waste Day - Oct 19
Library Move - Thank yous to Tim Lively, Highway Dept, and Kate Barrows
East-West Rail Study - SB agreed to sign on in support 
No executive session.

Notes:
4:30 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda
4:30 p.m. School Committee Update: Budge Litchfield

• Discussed enrollment numbers, Berk 12 study—too many details to capture. A lot of the info can be found in Superintendent Stanton’s Fall 2024 Report.
• Solar panel installation is creating a significant savings at MTRHS (I believe he said $3000/month).

Public Comment - none
Review Minutes: 8/27/2024, approved
Other Business
Landfill Mowing—vote to award bid for mowing

• Two bids: WR Hillman $2900, Saladino $5172
• SB voted to award bid to WR Hillman

Salt Shed Progress Update

• Waiting on plan from contractor
• Highway Department continuing to work on the floor of the shed 
• Steve Thane, acting Highway Superintendent, assured the SB that they will be ready for demolition of current shed in the spring.

Community Hall Windows Fundraising—Update

• Matching Grant has been certified by Mass Cultural Council, a form needs to be filed with the Mass Historical Commission for approval.
• Committee has been assigned a contact from Mass Cultural Council to assist with moving forward.

Rental Licenses
HHS 

• 12 month lease at $1200 per year with open termination by either party approved unanimously by the SB.
• Lease was signed by Ned Wolfe and Select Board members

Hilltown Youth Lease Review

• Continuing to work on the lease agreement which is significantly changed from previous rental contract.

Town Building Appraisal Project Update

• Still in need of an appraisal report
• Robyn to speak with Tim Grader of Cohn & Co

National Grid—recap and review of 8/27 meeting

• Robyn has written a letter to National Grid with several questions such as (1) why do poles that already have there-phase wire have to be replaced, (2) what will happen to the existing poles, will they be removed at National Grid cost (3) what is the height requirement of the Dept of Public Utilities for three-phase wire.
• She is also contacting the DPU regarding height requirement for three-phase wire.
• Robyn stated that the SB does not have the power to stop pole replacement.

Unregistered Vehicle Letter

• Discussion draft letter from the SB to residents regarding unregistered vehicles.
• Still determining if it should be (1) town wide, (2) by complaint, or (3) if nuisance such as vehicles too close to the raod for plowing.
• SB member, Elissa Viarengo, asked about enforcement.

Excerpt from Town By-Law on Une=registered Vehicles
"8.5.2 The keeping of more than two (2) unregistered vehicles except by a person licensed under M.G.L. Ch. 140, § 59, on any premises shall not be permitted. 
8.5.3 A special permit to keep more than two (2) unregistered vehicles, on any premises, may be granted by the Select Board. All such permits granted shall not run with the land or be granted in perpetuity. (amended November 5, 2019) "

6:00 p.m. Appointment: Wanda Mooney re: National Grid project

• Request that National Grid bury the lines in front of their property
• Never had power lines in front of her house (owned since 1984)
• Poles will significantly reduce the value of the property
• The type of cables being put in will produce a glare 
• Eversource has buried power lines in Ashfield and it is a common thing to do. National Grid could do the same.
• While the Select Board does not have the power to stop existing poles from being replaced or moved within 3 feet of an existing pole, Wanda pointed out that this is an installation of a pole where none has existed.

Mail
Police Chief, John Doherty
Co-Responder program: Ashfield obtained a grant from the Dept of Mental Health. The program has a clinician go along with a police officer on a call with the goal of avoiding potential arrest for problems that can be handled with the aid of a clinician.  John is looking for a signature to continue to be part of the agreement. Select Board will sign the agreement.