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.