6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 2/13/24
6:15 p.m. Budget Hearings—with Finance Committee
6:15 p.m. Fire Department—Fire Chief Anzuoni: requested budget, yearly update,

• Level funding this budget year, good on equipment, could use more people.
• Repairs have been taken care of with minimal expense, department has been staying on top of maintenance.
• The ambulance agreement is private and not under the fire department.

6:30 p.m. Police Department—Police Chief McDonough: requested budget, yearly update.

• Needs an $1800 increase for expenses. There are increases in the cost of software, CORY access, and equipment maintenance.
• Heath has 2 officers in addition to John.
• John would like a salary  increase after 5 years of service.

Discussion of Finance Committee Analysis/Recommendations to Date

• FinComm recommended a $ 6667 increase to cover sharing the cost of the late bus with Rowe and Charlemont.
• FinComm recommend a 3.2% COLA increase for an  estimated budget increase of $17,153.  
• MTRSD amendment to the existing agreement was discussed. It is not clear that the amendment will be pursued this budget year while the 2 districts/8 towns sustainability study is taking place.
• MTRSD Budget Materials were mentioned briefly and it was emphasized that Heath can not accept a final budget two weeks before ATM.  That does not allow enough time for review.

7:30 p.m. Highway Department—Superintendent Jeff Johnston:

• Requested operating budget - material costs have gone up 7%, adding that amount would bring costs to $92,000. Jeff is not requesting that increase at this time. 
• Capital requests (see file below)
  • Replacement truck: $90,000 for used truck to replace truck 1 (21 yrs old) , release from stabilization fund.
  • Leaf blower: $7350 for purchase of a new leaf blower.
  • Storage Container: $4500 plus shipping for purchase of a 40" storage container for items that don't fit in the highway garage.
  • Roadside mower repair: $9300
• Town lawn mowing
• Salt Shed
  • Robyn presented numbers for the current location and for Bray Road. The numbers were higher for Bray Rd but they would be leveraged if the site is used for other budlings in the future.
  • Looking long term, building a fire station and a new highway garage at Bray Road could be as economically feasible as the current location.

Other Business

• STAM (Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts) Legislative Priorities—vote possible
  • SB voted to support the STAM priorities
• Hilltown Youth Performing Arts—review of requests, vote possible
  • An expense spreadsheet to be sent out to 
• Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update, review of letter—vote possible.
  • Discussion of a letter to be sent out soliciting funds for the project. Suggestions were made for improvements in the content. 
• Community Hall and Sawyer Hall--Mold Remediation update.
  • Remediation is done, now sheet rock is being hung. Tim Lively to do the finish work on the sheetrock.
• Town Report Dedication​: Discussed
• Veteran's Services:  SB voted to extend veteran's services for another 2 years

4:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order
Review Agenda
4:05 p.m. Budget Planning Discussion—with Finance Committee & Town Accountant
Review Minutes: 1/23/24, 1/26/24
5:30 p.m. Community Hall Windows Fundraising Committee—Discussion of Fundraising Plans and Progress

• Bob Gruen and Jan Carr represented the committee.
• The committee would like to move the giving the deadline for a more advantageous giving opportunity.
• Would like to have a visual barometer in the Town center as an indicator of progress,
• $5202 has been raised so far which was considered very impressive.
• Select Board supported the efforts and made suggestions.

6:00 p.m. MTRSD Sustainability Study—Phase II—presentation and discussion presented by Jake Eberwein,  [email protected], project manager and lead  researcher. Elizabeth Finn is the Heath representative to the study committee.

•  The presentation is at https://www.2districts8towns.org/
• The study committee charge: To support ongoing study and analysis of the operating and organizational structures of the two Regional School Districts: Mohawk Trail & Hawlemont.
• Click here to fill out a survey of 8 questions that anyone can fill out. The see the questions before starting the survey, the questions are listed below.

— 1. What are the strengths of the districts and/or schools (what the districts and schools do well and what you highly value and appreciate)?
— 2. What would you protect at all costs and could not do without (your non-negotiables)?
— 3. What are the challenges and/or weaknesses of the districts/schools (tension points, gaps, and/or things
you'd like to change/improve)?
— 4. What options and potential solutions should be considered to build upon the district's/school's strengths while addressing challenges/gaps?
— 5. What is your vision for the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont districts in 10 years?
— 6. Is there anything the research team should know and take into consideration as the Sustainability Study is launched? Advice and suggestions are welcome.
— 7. Are there any particular questions you have for the research team and/or topics you'd like to see addressed in the future
— 8. What is your connection to the school districts? 

Flag Policy—review—vote anticipated

• missed this part but will update from audio

Hilltown Youth Performing Arts—review of lease and requests, vote possible

• Brian DeVries provided an updated floor plan for Jacobs Road. 
• Robyn made inquiries regarding leases  in Greenfield and spoke with a realtor.
• The SB approved the requested light bar in the atrium.
• The lease amount is to remain at $30,000 for 3 rooms, or $20,000 for 2 rooms. The additional benefits of use of the grounds and storage; and the scheduled use of the building open spaces remains the same. 

Community Hall and Sawyer Hall —Mold Remediation update​

• Progressing

Jacobs Road Municipal Center—heat and break-in updates

• Break-in was through the Town Coordinator office window
• Went through the Town Coordinator's, Town Clerk's, and Treasure's offices. A small amount of cash was taken.
• There were tow people one of which was captured on camera
• They are not local people and are known for break-ins  in southern VT. Warrants have been issued for arrests.

Roadside Mower Repair—vote possible

• Cost is $9,400, this is something that requires periodic repair  and needs to be budgeted.

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