HEATH CONNECTS
  • Home
  • SB Notes
  • Talk Around Town
  • Get Email
  • Links
  • Break Time
  • Shop Local
  • Get Involved
  • Home
  • SB Notes
  • Talk Around Town
  • Get Email
  • Links
  • Break Time
  • Shop Local
  • Get Involved
Search

Select Board Meeting Notes

1/1/2027

 
DISCLAIMER
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Town of Heath. It is solely maintained by me and done for the benefit of the community.  
 Keep in mind that there can be errors and omissions in what I post. 
I have retired from going to Select Board meetings but will try to continue to be informative.  Always check the minutes when they come out or email the [email protected] if something needs clarification.
​—Pat McGahan

Agenda Items for Tue, July 28 2026

7/28/2026

0 Comments

 
SB Agenda items
Open the meeting, review agenda, etc
➢ Appointments 

o 4:30PM: Tyson Howard, Highway Superintendent – Number Nine Road; Guardrail on
Route 8A; Flagg Hill Road Branch; Town Center Kiosk; General Discussion

 5:00PM: Corinne Coryat, Candidate for State Representative, 1st Franklin District -
Problems Faced by Rural Communities; Question & Answer

6:00PM: Walter Cudnohofsky Associates, Inc. – Accessibility Plan Proposal for Town
Center: Presentation & Discussion

➢ Public Comment - resident issue with the contractor who was cleaning up tree work on Avery Brook Road
➢ Select Board Discussion/Decision Items
o National Grid 3-Phase Project – Complaints, Progress, & Smart Meters
o Western Franklin County EMS Regionalization Initiative – Updates on Progress from
Regional Meetings; Review Options Provided by FRCOG
o Heath Salt Shed Retaining Wall Contract – Review/Consider Contract &
Commencement Date from W. R. Hillman, LLC for Approval – Vote Anticipated
o FY ’27 Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) for All District Services: Franklin
County Solid Waste Management District (FCSWMD) – Review, Approve, & Sign –
Vote Anticipated
o FCSO Regional Animal Control & Dog Shelter Services – Review/Approve FY ’27
Agreements – Vote Anticipated
o New Mileage Reimbursement Rate from the IRS: 76 Cents/Mile – Review/Approve –
Vote Anticipated
o September/October Meeting Schedule – Review & Set
o Town of Colrain Surplus Police Cruiser – Updates & Discussion
➢ Town Coordinator Updates
➢ Mail
➢ New business that could not be anticipated 48 hours prior to the meeting
➢ Meeting Adjournment
--
0 Comments

Agenda Tue Jul 14 2026

7/14/2026

0 Comments

 
Agenda Items for July 14Call Meeting to Order – THIS MEETING MAY BE AUDIO RECORDED
Call to order, review agenda, minutes
o Accounts Payable/Payroll Warrants
➢ Appointments
o 5:00PM: Budge Litchfield – Mohawk Trail Regional School District (MTRSD)
➢ Public Comment
➢ Select Board Discussion/Decision Items
o FY ’27 Appointments – Make Additional FY ’27 Appointments as Necessary – Vote
Anticipated
o MLP Manager & Senior Program Coordinator – Vote to Apply COLA (2.8%) for FY
’27 – Vote Anticipated
o ADA Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan – Discussion; Progress Updates
o Town Nurse Position – Discussion/Updates
o Burnt Hill-Catamount Trail Enforcement Order – Review/Approve REVISED
Restoration Plan – Vote Anticipated
o Heath Historical Society – Review/Approve REVISED License to Enter and Use Real
Property – Vote Anticipated
o CodeRED – Review/Approve New Three-Year Contract – Vote Anticipated
➢ Town Coordinator Updates
➢ Mail
➢ New business that could not be anticipated 48 hours

0 Comments

Agenda Items for Tue Jun 30  2026

6/30/2026

0 Comments

 
SB Agenda Items for June 30
o Accounts Payable/Payroll Warrants
➢ Appointments
o 5:00PM: Ashley Sparks, Charlemont School Sustainability Review Committee–Heath Elementary School Students & Hawlemont
[Notes from tape:
  •  The presentation addressed the possibility of Hawlemont and Heath having their own district.  Other towns would be possible, but the focus was a Hawlemont-Heath District. The possibility of a Rowe inclusion was raised, but with it the past issues of being burned by Rowe.
  • The issue was raised regarding a previous problem that Heath had with the weight and/or the number of School Committee votes.
  • One town can vote down the single campus concept, so what would be the backup plan.]
o 5:45PM: Board of Health – Town Nurse Position; Accessibility & Town Buildings; General Discussion
[Notes from tape, 42 minutes in:
Nurse
  • There are 2 applicants, possibly one more.  The BoH is ready to move forward with interviewing the second candidate.
  • The Rowe town nurse would not be available until September.
  • The hourly rate that Heath has for the position is not sufficient.  Options discussed: (1) regrading the position, (2) possibly make the position per diem/contractor rather than salaried, (3) Work with Rowe on a joint/shared position for the nurse (Rowe nurse works 20 hours a week)
  • We need to let Claire know if she is to continue in July if she wants to.
Heat Emergency
  • There are cooling center hours available in the Senior Room on Thursday afternoon—1 to 5.  Dogs on a leash are allowed. The building may not be open on Friday. 
West Nile Virus
  • Surrounding towns don't belong to the mosquito testing program so the BoH does not have data from them.
  • Susan Gruen visited Mohawk Estates and the BoH has put up signs on town buildings , and Susan gave posters to the Charlemont Federated Church  warning about the virus]
➢ Public Comment
➢ Select Board Discussion/Decision Items
o FY ’27 Appointments – Make FY ’27 Appointments – Vote Anticipated
o ADA Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan – Continue Discussion on Priorities, Next Steps, & Funding
Notes from tape, 1 hr and 28 minutes in:
  • ​​Mia, Robyn, Brian met with the design team from the Salt Shed Project
  • Proposal due to SB on July 14 
  • Tyson has someone coming in to help with the ramp
  • Susan Gruen raised the issue of the faded stop signs and the no idling sing has gone missing.
  • Status of the lift: the Town has submitted an insurance claim. An adjuster came out to look at the lift and the damaged, actually melted, part. There must have been an electrical event.
  • Now have two quotes on the storms.  Mia and Robyn to determine if quotes meet the grant requirements.
=========================================
Haven't listened to this part yet
​

o Tri-Town Landfill – Possible Wetlands Protection Act Permitting & Site Visit
o Burnt Hill-Catamount Trail Enforcement Order – Review/Approve Restoration Plan– Vote Anticipated
o Heath Historical Society – Review/Approve License to Enter and Use Real Property –Vote Anticipated
o Town of Colrain Surplus Police Cruiser – Review/Discuss Email from Fire Chief
o Town Center Kiosk – Confirm Next Steps
➢ Town Coordinator Updates
➢ Mail
➢ New business that could not be anticipated 48 hours prior to the meeting
➢ Meeting Adjournment
​
0 Comments

Agenda Items for June 16 2026

6/17/2026

0 Comments

 
Public Comment
➢ Select Board Discussion/Decision Items
o Town Nurse Position

Note: This was a lengthy discussion due to the potential financial tradeoff of hours vs hourly rate vs. budget. The SB will see if the Rowe nurse has an interest in the position.
​o FY ’27 Appointments – Make FY ’27 Appointments; Vacant Positions & How to
Advertise – Vote Anticipated

Note: The review of vacant positions led to a discussion of the responsibility of the appointee to (a) accept the position, (b) take the conflict-of-interest training and (c) get sworn in by the Town Clerk.
o Retail Power Supply Pricing [Electricity] 
Note:  Another lengthy discussion. The SB can review the rates that the Town can opt into from 3 different suppliers.  NGRID owns the transmission, but the Town can choose from different suppliers. The current rate is 0.15 per kwh.  The recommendation is that the Town doesn't lock into more than 18 months when and if a supplier is chosen.  Individual owners can opt out of this program.
o Authorize Town Coordinator as Signatory for Rate Acceptance 
Note: Mia was authorized to accept the rate when it is finalized.

o Transfer Station Rules – Advertisement/Posting of Transfer Station Rules
Note: Start is 1:22;15 minutes into the tape.   There may be some challenges at the transfer station.  Some folks may not know all the rules and have expectations that are not in line with the rules. One option is to put up a sign with the rules or handout the tri-fold pamphlet. Some folks want to buy stickers and permits at the Transfer Station, but this has not worked out in the past. The PO manager is bonded and can accept cash. 

o Salt Shed – Progress Update; Retaining Wall
o ADA Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan –Priorities, Next Steps & Funding
o Citizen’s Petition Letters – Vote to Sign & Send – Vote Anticipated
o Tri-Town Landfill – Review & Accept Vegetation Clearing Quote - Vote Anticipated
o Town Center Kiosk – Possible Locations; Update from Planning Board
o Deerfield River Watershed Association – Wild & Scenic Initiative – Vote Possible
➢ New Information/Updates
o Tax Title/Taking – Update from Treasurer
o Highway Department – Taylor Brook Road Bridge; Number Nine Road; Roller;
Roadside Mower
o Route 8A (Jacksonville Stage Road) Over Underwood Brook Culvert/Small Bridge
o Town Buildings – Elevator & Storm Windows (Community Hall); Heating System
(Sawyer Hall); Roofing, Signage, Mini Splits (Jacobs Road Municipal Center)
o End of Fiscal Year
o Boards Clerk Position
o Carpenter Award
o Town of Colrain Surplus Police Cruiser
➢ Mail
0 Comments

Notes from Audio Tue June 2, 2026

6/4/2026

0 Comments

 
Hi Folks,
The Meeting Audio for June 2 is posted at: Audio Recordings - Town Of Heath
 June 2 audio: I listened to about half of the tape and the SB spent quite a bit of time on the four items I listened to:
  •  Ken Gilbert, E911 Coordinator: street addresses of 0 are problematic for E911 calls. The current process for permitting does not include notification for to all concerned. SB or Mia will be contacting FRCOG about the process.
  •  Behl-Amter Conservation Restriction:  The SB voted to approve the restriction—while it slightly lowers taxes on the unbuildable portion of the land (already under conservation restriction), it leaves a cottage that has the potential for improvements adding more to the tax base.
  • Town Nurse Position:  How to fund this is difficult. What I gathered (I confess to zoning out a little) was that the position would have to be regraded to provide the salary requested by the only applicant and it isn't clear the hours provided by the current budgeted amount at that rate would be sufficient for the Town needs.
  • ADA Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan:  Robyn, Brian DeVriese, Tyson, looked at the front of Sawyer Hall where the porch, the ramp, and a drain are a priority. The mason is to provide a plan for timely remediation of the ramp and porch issues.
  • Robyn, Brian, and Tyson looked at the center as a whole not piecemeal. They looked at drainage, parking, and accessibility.  They particularly looked at the Sawyer Hall ramp with a mason to see what could be done  to correct the lip which is a trip hazard. Brian and Tyson to work together on a comprehensive plan for a project that will address all the center issues and then seek funding.
There was more, but that was as far as I got. The rest of the agenda items:
o Route 8A (Jacksonville Stage Road) Over Underwood Brook Culvert/Small Bridge – Continue Discussion on Easements, Funding, and Project Status
o Tri-Town Landfill – Review Invasive Species Mgmt. Quote & Award Contract
o Highway Department – Continue General Discussion; Updates on Taylor Brook Road
Bridge; Number Nine Road, Sumner Stetson Road, Colrain Stage Road, & Roller; Salt
Shed Retaining Wall – Vote Possible
o Town Center Kiosk –Continue Discussion on Possible Locations
o Deerfield River Watershed Association – Continue Discussion re. Wild & Scenic
Initiative – Vote Possible
➢ New Information/Updates
o Town Buildings – Elevator & Storm Windows (Community Hall); Heating System
(Sawyer Hall); Heating System, Roofing, Signage, Heat Pumps/Mini Splits (Jacobs Road
Municipal Center)
o End of Fiscal Year
o Boards Clerk Position
o Carpenter Award
o Town of Colrain Surplus Police Cruiser
0 Comments

Notes for Tue, May 19 2026

5/19/2026

0 Comments

 
—➢ Call Meeting to Order – THIS MEETING MAY BE AUDIO RECORDED ➢ Review Agenda ➢ Consent Agenda
o Meeting Minutes: 05/05/2026; 05/09/2026
➢ Appointments
o 5:30 PM Liam Cregan, Franklin Land Trust – Discuss Behl-Amter Conservation Restriction; Vote to Approve Conservation Restriction – Vote Anticipated
  • Betsy Behl and Steven Amtur have 12 acres on South Road in Heath that they wish to put under conservation restriction. They have set aside 3 acres where they have a cottage and hope to renovate in the future. There does not seem to be an impact on the tax base.  Agreement with the Franklin Land Trust.
o 6:30 PM Board of Health – Discuss Town Nurse Position; Vote to Approve Job Description; Vote to Approve & Post Job Advertisement – Vote Anticipated
  • Gene Garland and Sheila Litchfield attended for the BoH.
  • ​Current rate is to low compared to responsibilities and other towns.  
  • Priority items of essential duties:
  • "Promotes health of individuals, families and the community through teaching, counseling and appropriate preventive and rehabilitative measures. Promotes early intervention, illness prevention and management. Encourages wellness, health, and safety of Town employees. Provides health education and serves as a resource person in the community. Performs screening services for members of the community; holds clinics for immunizations, blood pressure, etc. Advise when follow-up care is deemed necessary."
  • Job will be posted on the town website tomorrow. BoH planning to do nurse interviews at their next meeting.
➢ Select Board Discussion/Decision Items
o Reorganization of the Select Board – Elect Select Board Chairman & Secretary; Appoint and/or Elect Liaisons & Representatives as Necessary – Vote Anticipated
o Annual Town Meeting – Review/Discuss
  • All members felt it went well, praised the Finance Committee for their work and their participation.\ in the meeting.
  • Feedback indicated that some do not like it on Mother's Day weekend and others do not like it on Saturday. SOme towns hold it in the evenings.
  • Robyn would like to meet with Eric Sumner, the moderator, early next year to discuss the format of Town Meeting.
o FY ’27 Appointments – Initial Discussion & Planning
  • Vacancy on the ZBA, 1 vacancy on the required number of members, but the HCC would like more.  The Cultural Council has a recommendation.
o End of Fiscal Year – General Discussion & Transition Planning
  • Mia is working on improving reports from accounting.
o Office Assistant Position – Review/Discuss Recommendation from Interviewers & Job Description; Vote to Offer Position to Recommended Candidate – Vote Anticipated
  • Four interviews were held, Olivia Girard was recommended. Other applicants will be contacted.
  • SB voted to make an offer
o Boards’ Clerk Position – Review/Discuss Statements from the Board of Health re. Board of Health Clerk; Review/Discuss Job Description & Future of Position
  • No applicants, posting was pulled
  • SB is not sure how to move forward on this position. The BoH needs a clerk and wants to retain Cindy Garland for 5 hours a week while figuring out how to staff the other boards. The Planning Board needs a clerk. SB needs to know if the PB needs an STM.  Robyn to contact Doug Mason to determine needs.
o Town Center Kiosk – Review/Discuss; Approve NEW Proposed Location – Vote Possible
  • Potentially move it between the current location and Community Hall. Will and Pat McGahan to speak with homeowner whose view is impacted by the sign.
o Jacobs Road Municipal Center Sign – Review/Discuss Design & Timeline – Vote Possible
  • Reviewed the design and discussed the lettering and possible lower signs.
o MTRSD Enrollment Calculation Error – Review/Discuss Request from Charlemont Select Board
  • FY20/21 school year error where Heath underpaid due to the calculation of the number of students.  Charlemont is currently does not appear to be including Charlemont.
  • Request from the town of charlemont, From Wilder Sparks,  Date Sat 5/9/2026 6:49 PM
  • To Robyn Provost ; Elissa Viarengo ; [email protected] ; BOS 1 attachment (37 KВ) Earmark letter of support.docx; To the Members of the Heath Select Board, I'm reaching out on behalf of Charlemont regarding the assessment error the Mohawk Trail Regional School District identified during the FY26 budget process. As you know, corrected enrollment data was applied to prior years, showing that Charlemont overpaid from FY21 through FY25. This analysis was completed and presented by William Lataille and shared with all member towns, and the underlying figures are not in dispute. We've looked into possible ways to address this, and there isn't a path through DESE or the district to correct past assessments. The alternative would be asking towns to consider reimbursing Charlemont through local appropriations. Given the scale of the overpayment and its impact on a small town like ours, we're pursuing a one-time earmark as a more practical way to resolve this without placing that burden on individual communities. We've drafted a short joint letter for towns to sign in support of this approach, and we'd really appreciate your town adding its name. Happy to talk more or connect you with William Lataille, Martha Thurber, or Sheryl Stanton if helpful. I'd also be very happy to come and discuss this or any other matter of mutual interest or concern with your board at your convenience. I've included a copy of the letter to be sent to the senator below for your consideration. Thanks for your time, Wilder Sparks Select Board Member Town of Charlemont
o Deerfield River Watershed Association – Questions re. Wild & Scenic Initiative
  • SB has questions on how this will impact property owners
  • "From Christopher Curtis Date Wed 4/15/2026 9:38 PM To BOS ; BOS 1 attachment (17 KB) Sample letter of support for DRWA 2026 Woodlands Partnership Grant.docx; Hello Selectboard members, The Deerfield River Watershed Association (DRWA) is working on an application for a 2026 Woodlands Partnership Grant for their initiative to continue working toward National Wild and Scenic River designation for the Deerfield River and its tributaries. DRWA received a Woodlands Partnership grant in 2024 and used it to successfully develop a study of the Deerfield River's eligibility for Wild and Scenic designation. This 2026 Woodlands grant application would maintain the momentum created by the 2024 grant and provide the funding needed to craft and adopt regional actions and river management strategies to protect the Deerfield River in support of the initiative to designate it as a National Wild and Scenic River. Funds would be used to work with communities on action strategies for local and state Deerfield River protection. DRWA originally submitted this grant application last year, but just missed receiving funding. Your community was not involved in the 2024 Woodlands grant or the Wild and Scenic Study. However, the completed study does recommend that waterways in your community (Mill Brook and North River, West Branch) should be protected as part of the overall designation package. Consequently, we would very much like to have your community engaged in this process as we move forward. We would greatly appreciate it if you would consider approving and signing the attached letter of support for our Woodlands Grant and becoming a partner in this initiative. Thanks very much for considering this, Chris Curtis"
o Highway Department – General Discussion; Taylor Brook Road Bridge; Colrain Stage
  • Highway Dept was able to acquire a roller through an unpaved road grant
  • Colrain Stage Road has been paved.
Road Paving; Chapter 90 Funds; Number Nine Road & Sumner Stetson Road
  • Number 9 Rd will be chip sealed in August, culvert work will be complete.
  • Mia to check on status of Sumner Stetson Road. 
➢ New Information/Updates
o Community Hall – Elevator, Cupola, & Storm Windows--No updates
o Sawyer Hall – Heating System --No updates
o Jacobs Road Municipal Center – HVAC; Interior Security Cameras; Roofing
  • Security cameras have been installed.
  • Roofing —almost done with the section needing repair.
  • HVAC—no update.
o Tri-Town Landfill – Clearing of Vegetation; Invasive Species Eradication
  • Knotweed area is bigger than first noted and there is an additional invasive species, Russian Olive.
  • Still waiting on quotes.
o Town of Colrain Surplus Police Cruiser—No update
o Route 8A (Jacksonville Stage Road) Over Underwood Brook Culvert/Small Bridge
  • 8A Bridge work: Waiting for concrete to cure to move forward
  • Culvert: Applying for a STRAP grant (small town grants) to fix the culvert
New Information Updates
o ADA Transition Plan
  • The transition plan funded by a grant has been received. 
  • All the town buildings have prioritized recommendations.
  • There is only a small window to apply for the accessibility grant which is only award once a year.
  • Sawyer Hall ramp needs to be replaced. BoH feels it is dangerous. Robyn to try to get an architectural plan.​
  • Community Hall—lower door/entry is too narrow, elevator remains an issue. 
  • Transfer Station —no handicapped parking, not really accessible at all.
➢ Public Comment—resident commented that the new swing seats are installed at Community Park
➢ Mail
➢ New business that could not be anticipated 48 hours prior to the meeting
➢ Meeting Adjournment
0 Comments

Warrant and ATM Handout for May 8 2026

5/8/2026

0 Comments

 
Town Warrant including the budget (article 3).

ATM Handout on the warrant articles.   Provides notes on budget line items and warrant articles.



0 Comments

Notes for Tue, May 5 2026

5/5/2026

0 Comments

 
Agenda Items​➢ Call Meeting to Order – THIS MEETING MAY BE AUDIO RECORDED
➢ Review Agenda➢ Consent Agenda.➢Meeting Minutes: 04/28/2026 - approved as amended
➢ Appointments
o Jason Clark, Clark’s Custom Paint – Jacobs Road Municipal Center Sign Progress & Layout
  • ​Jason  showed the lettering style and discussed the wording for the sign.
➢ Select Board Discussion/Decision Items
o Annual Town Meeting – General Discussion; Review Final Draft Hand Outs; Approve Hand Outs for Distribution at Annual Town Meeting
  • This dead horse was beaten.  I know it is necessary, but it's week 3 for me and I have started to zone out.  I'll send the final approved version as soon as it comes out.
  • There will be a supervised area for children to play.
o Office Assistant & Boards’ Clerk Positions – Review/Discuss Next Steps; Job Descriptions
  • Office Assistant: Had 3 interviews so far, and 1 more is scheduled for tomorrow.
  • Boards Clerk: So far there has been no response to the posting. There are emails in support of keeping a BoH clerk which has been very valuable to the board. Currently only 2 boards are using the clerk. Elissa feels that the position needs to be reimagined so the BoH can retain their clerk. ZBA and ConComm do not use a clerk.
o Town of Colrain Surplus Police Cruiser – Review/Discuss Vehicle Information, Memorandum of Understanding, and Bill of Sale
  • Mia to meet with Colrain admin to go over a number of items regarding the cruiser.  Radios and light bar cost is est. at $7000.  Nick has provided a quote for work to be done.
o Route 8A (Jacksonville Stage Road) Over Underwood Brook Culvert/Small Bridge – Discussion re. Easements, Progress, and Project Funding
  • DOT in Boston has said that they are creating a Metes and Bound plan. 
  • Community One Stop for Growth - consolidated grant applications. Mia has signed up to apply.
 o Deerfield River Watershed Association – Questions re. Wild & Scenic Initiative
  • ​They are seeking a letter of support regarding conservation land.
o Highway Department – General Discussion; Street-Sweeping; Taylor Brook Road Bridge; Colrain Stage Road Paving; Chapter 90 Funds
  • Electrical work to connect the Salt Shed to the Highway Garage is happening now.
  • Taylor Brook Road bridge repair is in process- posts are in.
  • ​Milling on Colrain Stage Road will start next week.
  • Tyson has sent his latest worklog to the SB
➢ New Information/Updates
o Community Hall – Elevator & Cupola
  • Elevator: Part was returned as unfixable
  • Cupola: Colrain Fire Dept removed the final two adornments from the cupola to prevent accidental fall.
o HVAC – Sawyer Hall & Jacobs Road Municipal Center
  • Sawyer Hall: Heat stopped and Harnett had to come on Saturday to repair.  Harnett said the system needs replacement at some point.  SB wants a reason as to why this is necessary.
  • Jacobs Road: JMROC was to look into the whole heating system and create a report, not done yet.
​o Tri-Town Landfill – Clearing of Vegetation; Invasive Species Eradication
  • ​Waiting on contractors getting back to Mia on cost of clearing invasive species.
  • We have a mowing contractor for approx. $6000.
➢ Public Comment
  • Resident thanked the Highway Dept for their help with the Community Hall cleanup.
  • ​FinComm member requested the latest warrant.
➢ Mail
​Part 1

 DRAFT April 21, 2026, Select Board Minutes (4 pgs.)
 N. Thane re. Signage at Jacobs Road Municipal Center Driveway (1 pg.)
 T. Miller re. Childcare at Annual Town Meeting (4 pgs.)
 DRAFT Warrant & Budget Notes from the Select Board (4 pgs.)
 Boards’ Clerk Job Description Approved June 18, 2024 (3 pgs.)
 S. Litchfield re. Board of Health Clerk (1 pg.)
 S. Gruen re. Board of Health Clerk (2 pgs.)
 Office Assistant Job Description Approved October 26, 2021 (2 pgs.)
Part 2
 Town of Colrain Surplus Police Cruiser Transition Information (8 pgs.)
 C. Curtis (Deerfield River Watershed Association) re. Wild & Scenic Initiative (4 pgs.)
 T. Howard re. Taylor Brook Road Bridge (3 pgs.)
 T. Lively re. Community Hall Lift (1 pg.)
 C. Rabbitt re. Town Nurse Position Update (1 pg.)
 C. Rabbitt re. April Town Nurse Monthly Report (1 pg.)
 M. Cahill (MDAR) re. Inspector of Animals Appointment (2 pgs.)
 P. McGahan re. Grant Committee (2 pgs.)
 L. Cregan re. Behl-Amter Conservation Restriction (1 pg.)
 J. Rush re. 2D8T Steering Committee Meeting Date (1 pg.)
 J. Eberwein re. April 2D8T Update (2 pgs.)
➢ New business that could not be anticipated 48 hours prior to the meeting

​
0 Comments

SB Notes for Tue, April 28 2026

4/27/2026

0 Comments

 
Call Meeting to Order – THIS MEETING MAY BE AUDIO RECORDED➢ Review Agenda ➢ Consent Agenda
o Meeting Minutes: 04/21/2026 - Approved
o Accounts Payable/Payroll Warrants
➢ Appointments
o 5:30PM – Sabra Billings, Candidate for State Representative – Discussion re. Challenges with State Funding
  • Understands the issues of Chapter 70.
  • Bundling of amendments makes it impossible to have discussion on a specific amendment.
  • Rural education funding is of great concern to Sabra.  Brought up State Pilot Programs:  ["Overall, pilot programs can hurt rural communities by failing to address their specific needs and challenges. Instead of enhancing educational opportunities, they may inadvertently undermine the resources and support systems that are crucial for rural students' success."]
  • Addressed energy initiatives that often create financial challenges.
  • Top third in the county with percentage of state owned land but we are not getting our fair share of state money.
  • Rapid discussion of many topics. [I recommend listening to the tape.]
➢ Select Board Discussion/Decision Items
o Select Board Annual Town Meeting Hand Outs – Review Final Draft Handouts: still requiring changes
  • Robyn and Elissa recommended changes to the format to make it more readable.
  • No recommendations for the content of the notes themselves
  • Waiting until next week to sign off on the notes
o Lease Agreement, Hilltown Youth Performing Arts – Approve & Execute One-Year Lease 
  • A signed lease was returned from HYPA.  Payments are up to date.
o Office Assistant & Boards’ Clerk Positions – Review/Discuss Next Steps; Job Descriptions
  • Boards Clerk: Only two boards are using the clerk- Planning Board and Board of Health. Need to re-envision the position. No applicants for the position yet
  • Office Assistant: Interview scheduled
o Town of Colrain Surplus Police Cruiser – Review/Discuss Vehicle Information, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and Bill of Sale  - no updates​
➢ New Information/Updates
o Community Hall – Elevator & Cupola
  • Elevator: part was fixed and will be shipped back to Florida, but we do not have an install price yet. 
  • Cupola: Two of 4 decorative pieces have fallen. Colrain has a bucket and we are working on getting use of it to take down the last two.
o Highway Department – Salt Shed; Taylor Brook Road Bridge; Street-Sweeping; Colrain Stage Road Paving
  • Salt Shed:  Tyson is renting a trencher to get the electrical work done to tie the salt shed into the Highway Garage.
  • Street sweeping: may need some finishing up. So far have not rented a street sweeper, still assessing
  • Colrain Stage Road: starts on May 7, Tyson would like to close the road while some work is being done.
o HVAC – Sawyer Hall & Jacobs Road Municipal Center
  • JRMC: seems to be working
  • Sawyer Hall: need more input on how to correct the heating there.
o Tri-Town Landfill – Clearing of Vegetation; Invasive Species Eradication
  • Still waiting for additional mowing and removal of invasive species quotes.
  • A contractor is doing a walk around on Wednesday, April 29.
➢ Public Comment:
  • Resident has an issue with the sand road cleanup. The blower has been used in front of resident's homes.  The sand and salt mix coated windows and lawns.  We need a better plan for next year about what we use and how to clean up. "Blowing is not sustainable as a remedy for putting sand on the roads."
  • Resident expressed concern about high cost listed for the light bar on the Police Cruiser
➢ Mail
Part 1
  • DRAFT Annual Town Meeting Warrant &  Budget Notes (7 pgs.)  
  • Hilltown Youth Performing Arts Lease Agreement FINAL (16 pgs.)
Part 2
  • Office Assistant Job Description, Approved October 26, 2021 (2 pgs.)
  • Boards’ Clerk Job Description, Approved June 18, 2024 ( 3pgs.)
  • Town of Colrain re. Surplus Police Cruiser Information (7 pgs.)
  • W. Lattrell re. Taylor Brook Road Bridge (1 pg.) - Insurance company forgot and is now taking action
  • B. Kovacs re. Property on Bray Road (1 pg.) - Town cannot take any action if there is no violation
  • C. Curtis (DRWA) re. Letter of Support for Waterway Designations (3 pgs.)
  • L. Cregan (Franklin Land Trust) re. Behl-Amter Conservation Restriction (1 pg.) - Liam will be in attending a future SB meeting.  Elissa to meet with him on Thursday.
  • FCSWMD re. April Recycling Costs (2 pgs.)  
➢ New business that could not be anticipated 48 hours prior to the meeting
  • JRMC Signage  - needs to be paid for before the end of this fiscal year (beginning of June)
  • 8A culvert: there are no landmarks for right of way. Engineers said it would be $10 to $20,000 for the Engineering & Design, to have it surveyed and to make a Metes & Bounds plan.  [Metes and bounds is a system used to describe land boundaries by referencing physical landmarks, directions, and distances, starting from a specific point known as the "point of beginning."]
➢ Meeting Adjournment
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture
    Acronyms & References
    .​
    ADA Accessibility  of Sawyer Hall

    ​Facilities Task Force Report
    ​

    Archives

    January 2027
    July 2026
    June 2026
    May 2026
    April 2026
    March 2026
    February 2026
    January 2026
    December 2025
    November 2025
    October 2025
    September 2025
    August 2025
    July 2025
    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    August 2020

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • SB Notes
  • Talk Around Town
  • Get Email
  • Links
  • Break Time
  • Shop Local
  • Get Involved