Blog Archives

SB Notes for Tuesday, October 11

10/13/2022

Brian was unable to attend so some items needing his input were not discussed.

Community Hall 150th Anniversary Celebration—recap

Well attended and went very well.
Horse & carriage ride was especially enjoyed and in keeping with the event.
Community Hal will be open from 1 to 4 for those who missed the event this past weekend.

Town Buildings & Offices

Salt Shed – need guidance from FRCOG on a request for a proposal for evaluation purposes.
Meet & greet at the transfer station is coming up this Saturday with Natalie Blaise, state rep.

Jacobs Rd. office assignments

waiting on responses regarding posted office hours, due next SB meeting

treasurer and accountant moves are upcoming

COA is ready to advertise for the coordinator position, a 3-person interview team was selected.
AT&T v. Town of Heath

Communication has been ongoing between intervenors and AT&T.
AT&T is not interested in other properties.
AT &T responded positively to some of the intervenor’s requests regarding what the tower will look like, how access road is finished off, and a sound barriers around the generator.
If intervenors cannot agree as a group to AT&T responses by Friday, then AT&T will move forward with the suit.
Concessions previously negotiated by the Select Board such as a height limit are no longer in play.

Town Coordinator’s Report

Most of work was administrative.
FCTS is coming to Jacobs Road Thursday to work on lighting.

Mail

Heath is now MVP eligible which provides disaster benefits.
MTRTS needs a town representative for a contract negotiations team with the teacher’s union
Dog issue

7:00 p.m. Heath Historical Society—Ned Wolf, Bob Viarengo

The HHS has a $15,000 grant to fix windows in the old town building on the common
Loss of $1300 in income this year mainly due to COVID
Do not have many active members, 5 board members.
The society has $45,000 in cash, out of which $20,000 was raised from 3 people to build a climate-controlled building (indicated this was no longer a viable option).
Still Interested in climate-controlled storage and looking at the former assessor’s office in Sawyer Hall to store items such as documents, textiles, some artwork.
Would need to put in a mini split with separate meter.
Since the use would not be open to the general public, Bob felt ADA compliance would not be an issue.

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SB Notes Tuesday, October 4

10/11/2022

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Public Comment:
A question was asked about Green Community Grant money spent on Community Hall. Brian listed insulation and LED upgrades as some of the projects done at Community Hall. He noted that the $200,000 estimated cost for the heat pump project was not affordable.
Community Hall 150th Anniversary Celebration

Updates on all the many activities taking place
Praise for Jean Gran who did the work preparing the old photos.

Town Buildings & Office

Deadline to submit name suggestions for Jacobs Road is Oct 15.
Jacobs Rd. office assignments –
- Hilma sent out an email to employees , need to hold office hours and what those hours are, and that their office is officially at JR. Hilma will work with individuals regarding where their offices are.
- Room off the library will be for small meetings or individual use.
- Nurse’s office – now that th lack of a generator is no longer an issue the nurse should be available for events sponsored by the COA. I t makes sense that office hours should be at Jacobs Road. The chair of the BoH did not see any issue with the move and it will go on agenda
- Need to get rid of excess furniture at Jacobs Road – small chairs have been advertised.
Winterizing Community Hall
- There was confusion by residents as to what winterizing meant. This was described as keeping the thermostat at a low level and the ladies room door closed to prevent pipes that feed Sawyer Hall from freezing.
- The Select Board decided not to winterize the building and to look at measures to mitigate the cost, and monitor the expenses.
- There was a discussions of costs—the 2017 – 2018 winter months used $2000 gallons of oil and the current price of oil is $4.44 per gallon for an estimated cost of $8,880 out of the $13,000 plus voted at Town Meeting for maintenance & utilities.
- Robyn expressed concern that there is no rental income from the building and that would have to be revisited.
Annual maintenance contract for all 5 town generators
- Level 1 – voted to contract out for a total $1155
- Level 2 – Jeff Johnston said this could be done by the highway dept.
Emergency Shelter designation
- Voted to be Jacobs Road.
- Brian would like to turn one bathroom into a shower with this use in mind.

AT&T v. Town of Heath

Update – intervenors have reached out, wanting to have a meeting with SB, and AT& T. Robyn went and there has been communication back & forth. The mtg was appreciated, useful, off the record, and gave more flexibility.
Intervener concerns – clear cutting of access road, sound suppression and they suggested an alternate site. AT&T is still looking at current site. Intervenors have some shared and some diverse concerns. Robyn felt they need to have a common goal. If intervenors are going to prevent a legal route, a decision must be reached soon.

Town Coordinator’s Report

Discussions continue on the MTRS assessment error. Persons involved are now researching minutes and the agreement with the district when the school closed.
All fire alarms at JR are old and need to be upgraded. The quote to replace all detectors is $6238 which includes the cost of the lift to reach the lights in the gym.
MTRS Superintendent Stanton is initiating monthly meetings with admins, primary purpose is to keep Select Boards better informed on the budget process and plans in the district.
Jeff Johnston and Hilma met on highway project
A section of 8A will be closed for 2 months for the Brook Bridge project which is completely covered by grants. The work to start before school gets out. Detour will be up thru VT or down thru Colrain.
A culvert replacement project is also covered.

Mail

HHS wants to speak re use of space in Sawyer Hall for controlled storage
MLP – $100,000 to be transferred back to the town to repay the stabilization fund
Letters from citizens on CH

Upcoming Meeting

Salt shed needs attention- Robyn feels relocation may be inevitable

Executive session on Mohawk assessment error

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