There was a period of silence for the loss of Victoria Burrington, Chair of the Council on Aging.​
Notes
6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 5/7/24, 5/11/2024
Public Comment - None
Welcome to new Select Board member [Will Emmet]
Annual Town Meeting—Wrap-Up 

• Went well, too long, all purchases went through.
• One item was pulled: filling vacancies with SB members, Hilma to provide list of committee and board vacancies.
• Discussed possible ways to shorten meetings.
• Discussed the various ways of communication to address transparency concern of some residents.  Robyn listed the many ways to learn what is going on:
  • All meetings are open, [agendas are published 48 hours in advance]
  • All the meetings are available on audio tape
  • Meeting minutes are available on the Town website once reviewed
  • Letters go out to residents  periodically
  • The SB has a regular article in the Heath Herald
  • There is a Facebook page, All Around Heath
  • There is a website, Heath Connects, which is open to all [HeathConnects.org]
  • [The Select Board does not have any new ideas beyond this and would welcome suggestions.]

Other Business

• MTRSD Amendment: There will be a Presentation, "What Every Heath Resident Should Know about the Changes to the MTRSD Agreement" by Ken Rocke given on three dates: May 29, Jun 5, June 12 from 6:30 to 8:30.  

Office of Accountant-- [not sure what was said, but was very brief.]
Finance Committee vacancy

• Two persons expressed interest, Karen Brooks and Wendy Whalen. SB appointed Wendy Whalen.
• Both are qualified candidates. SB liked the idea of getting someone new involved with the Town and also welcomed representation  from Mohawk Estates. Wendy heard the call for volunteers at ATM and stepped up.  
• Karen is an appointed member of the Community Hall Windows Fund Raising Committee and, as a farmer, hope of her being appointed to the Agricultural Commission as well.

Application for Age and Dementia Friendly Community status - SB Approved joining.
Boards Clerk for BoH, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals

• SB members to update charge, review at next meeting, and then appoint

Center Fence Installation

• Tabled as there was no update.

Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update

• Approx. $700 plus has been added since last meeting so the matching grant amount has been filled and certification of the grant can begin.
• There will be a concert in July at the Charlemont Federated Church through the generosity of David and Barbara Gordon that will add more money to the fund.

Project List Discussed

• Salt Shed
• Ethics Training for boards and committee
• Will Emmet is investigating ways to get $348,000 for Fire Station building alone. This does not include  site work, plumbing and electrical. We have a shovel-ready plan done by Brian De Vriese
• School District proposed amendment
• Need a figure for the balance of ARPA funds (estimate $100,00 to $150,000)
• Finalize Policy for Code of Conduct
• Address trailer and unregistered vehicle rules and regulations
• Mohawk Estates culvert ownership determination
• Cannabis Control Commission Equity Program  needs to be addressed
• Need to designate what Heath's park areas are
• Need a mailbox replacement policy if damaged by Town trucks.
• ATM improvements needed to shorten meetings
• More to be added at next meeting 

New Business

• Colrain was one of only five municipalities that won the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
• The Colrain librarian is a Heath resident, letter of congratulations to go out.

Fuel Bids have come in and been approved

• $3.54 per gallon for gas
• $3.44 for gallon for diesel 
• $3.48 for heating oil from Sandri who will come and repair in emergencies

Summer Meeting Schedule of every other week was set​
Mail

• Many items were covered previously
• Letter from True Cannabis regarding wish to add processing to agreement
• There was a formal complaint regarding the trailer on the 8A property of the Sessions. The residents are working on stripping the trailer to make it lighter, hopefully to make it easier to move. SB to send a letter. 

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order
Review Agenda
6:05 Appointment for Accountant Position—Ben Gelb

• Has been working with our current accountant for about a year
• Has treasurer experience
• Mention he has availability with short term notice

Feedback from SB:

• Flexible in making changes and meeting with  Town officials
• Confident in discussion of what he can do
• Has some banking connections
• Experience with our accounting system
• Expect a smooth transition from current accountant

SB voted to hire the candidate for the accountant position.
SB to offer permanent Boards position to the other candidate for accountant.
6:45 p.m. Appointment with School Committee Representative—Budge Litchfield

• Questioned as to whether the SB will move the district's articles forward
  • The Town moderator has said he will ask the Town to vote on whether or not they wish to move the article forward.
• Looking for a feel for support for the Rowe late bus 
  • Budge expressed that the late bus is important and could be a hardship for some students and parents if not funded,
  • This is a tough financial decision given our budget. 
  • Budge said there's an average of 21 students using the bus depending on what is happening at the schools —sports, band, theater.

Review Minutes: 4/29/24, 4/30/2024
Annual Town Meeting—planning and review with Finance Committee
       The main discussion was about the MTRSD Amendment to the district agreement

• It has been implied that Heath is not paying for its students. This is not true. 
• We will  pay  $1,123, 701  this year for our students and do it willingly as we have always done.[Articles 4-10]
• The district has an operating budget and there is no compelling to reason to adopt this amendment at this time. 
• Heath is open to change once the current sustainability study is complete.
• The district is one community and all members should be treated fairly.  This amendment does not achieve that.
• The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) does not require the use of this methodology.  It favors towns that have a school. 
• We can’t approve an amendment before all the financial implications are known and understood. They are not.

Warrant Articles
Operating Budget (Article 3)
Other Business
Center Fence Installation— for the Pickleball court to keep balls from going into the brush
Accountant Software Purchase--
HYPA Lease—Approved
Town Nurse Job Description—review, vote possible

• Input from BoH, COA, Town Nurse.
• Approved

Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update

• Money still coming in, getting close to goal

Jacobs Camera not working

• Company came to replace the camera and learned the newer camera is not compatible with the old recorder.
• New recorder is $1075 including old installation and will work with existing cameras
• Cost will come out of the revolving fud.
• Northeast Security Solutions
• Total cost of $2150​