I was unable to attend this meeting so these notes are from a substitute note taker.  
6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 10/17/23
​Public Comment—none
Historical Society rental of former assessors office  in Sawyer Hall
 The Select Board has repeatedly expressed a desire to make this happen, but there are some legal restrictions. The SB has to hire appraiser to determine value of 10 year lease. The SB will get back to the HHS about way forward.
6:38 Bellor Road update
 One farmer requested a special permit, but there is no movement on this.  The farmers haven’t answered questions which the SB requires before granting any further permissions
 Town-owned properties
 [My note: There had previously been discussions about tax taking and also about selling town owned property. There was discussion this meeting, but no decision made.}
Community Hall Window Committee
  There will be a committee of a minimum of 3 members  to work on raising t$17,000 for a matching grant to repair the Community Hall windows. 
 Community/Sawyer Hall
 There were  discussions regarding:

•  mold remediation in both buildings
• closing for the winter
• highway dept took down a tree by Sawyer Hall

Avery Brook road tree project
 Northern Tree is doing the work to the extent of available money.    
Mohawk Trail Amendment to the District Agreement
The SB discussed the need for a joint meeting with the SB, FinComm and Mohawk Trail representative(s) to try to get an understanding of the difference  in the numbers between the district and Ken Rocke's.
Some Shelburne persons were glad that Heath turned down the request for a STM because they weren’t happy that the request  passed in Shelburne.
Apparently Plainfield hasn’t voted yet, but they don't need to now that Heath has voted not to have an STM. It only takes one town to 
The Heath SB will pursue a meeting with Mohawk.
Special Municipal Employees
 The SB voted to approve all persons holding positions in sections 1-5 of the agenda,  https://townofheath.org/files/2023-_10-30_SB_Agenda_.pdf, as Special Municipal Employees. This allows people in Heath to be on more than one committee (which is an exemption status for Towns with small populations).

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 10/10/23
Public Comment - none
6:30 p.m. Appointment: Police Department

• Recognition of Lee Lively's 18 years of service with commendations from the Massachusetts government."
• Chief McDonough played a recording in recognition of Lee Lively. Excerpt:  "The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy, and a gentleman.  And, of course, he'd have to be a genius... For he will have to feed a family on a policeman's salary." --Paul Harvey , Journalist,  PAUL HARVEY’S “POLICEMAN” 

Other Business
11 Bellor Road LLC—update on renewal of HCA; building commissioner oversight

• There was communication from the lawyer for Greg and Barbara Rodes (who are abutters) to Jim Haskins at FRCOG. 
• SB needs to get feedback from our counsel before taking any action. 

Heath Historical Society: Sawyer Hall Room Lease - Review Response from Town Counsel

• Legal has responded that there is a difference between a license and a lease.​
• What the SB previously agreed upon is not valid.
• A license would be easier but would not provide the guarantees the HHS wants.
• The SB would like to get the HHS in the building as soon as possible and a license would do this.
• No vote could be taken since it wasn't on the agenda.

MTRSD Proposed Assessment amendments—discussion and possible vote on holding an STM

• Decision is whether or not to hold an STM per the district's request. 
• SB Comments: We have two sets of numbers with different end results. To have an STM now would be rushing things. We need to understand why there are different sets of numbers. STMs do not have enough residents in attendance at STMs for this issue.  We need more time and this decision needs to brought to a larger audience than normally at STMs.
• SB needs to abide by what they said at ATM that this would be brought back to ATM. They did not come by this decision easily.  SB is not sitting idle but rather spending a large amount of time trying to understand the issue. 
• This is not meant as resistance but a way to educate ourselves. We dealt with the closing of the  Heath school, trying to regionalize with Hawlemont,  choosing between Colrain and Buckland- Shelburne as our district school, and now being faced with this amendment without the time to process the long term implications.
• After much deliberation and discussion the SB voted not to hold an STM.

Special Municipal Employees—review of positions

• The designation of Special Municipal Employee is so that people can serve on more than one committee which the law would normally allow.
• This allows for some flexibility in the Conflict of Interest law.

7:30 p.m. Review and possible award of truck bid with Highway Superintendent
Mail
Slate repair on Sawyer Hall roof

• Titan Roofing made a bid for $2700.
• SB voted to accept the bid.​

Heath Cultural Council was awarded a $17,000 matching grant for window repair (through major effort by Barbara Gordon and Hilma Sumner). Need a set fund raising committee. 
Truck Bid

• Jeff Johnston presented a bid for a used highway truck using ARPA funds.
• It has had low salt usage, mainly used on black top.
• The truck that is decommissioned will be traded in for approx. $5000 and taken off the cost of the purchase.
• SB voted to approve the purchase.

HRA (Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority) 

• 13 house in Heath have benefited from repairs and renovations

"It is the mission of the Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to enhance the quality of life for the residents and communities of rural Franklin County and the North Quabbin region by accessing and delivering resources to address their housing, community development, municipal infrastructure, public facilities, economic, and social service needs. Further, HRA strives to promote environmental awareness and to be respectful of the unique characteristics of our rural region."

5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 9/19/23
Public Comment - none
Other Business 
11 Bellor Road LLC—update on renewal of HCA (Host Community Agreement).

• Received a formal request from the lawyer for  True Cannabis for an extension on the host agreement .
• New state regulations will change how communities will be compensated for Community Impact Fee.  There will  not be any more percentages or standard fees.
• Community will need to show actual impact, and farmers could question it.

Heath Historical Society; Sawyer Hall Room Lease - Review Letter of Response from HHS

• HHS made modifications to wording  regarding depreciation, and 90 day notice for ending the lease prematurely.
• Robyn has hesitations about a 10 year lease, she would prefer a 5 year lease. Previously, residents  had insisted on 1-year-use leases for the Hilltown Recovery Theatre so that lease is renewed yearly. It creates a question of fairness.
• Bob Viarengo indicated that a 10 year lease would have the effect of potentially making the leased space a permanent home, anything less would not give this assurance.

6:00 p.m. Executive Session to discuss a concern regarding Chief McDonough while dealing with activities at the Mohawk Estates Labor Day fireworks. He waived his right to executive session.
Concern from a Mohawk Estates resident:

• There was a letter regarding a golf cart stop in Mohawk Estates. where the resident was concerned about the approach by the Chief.  The incident involved two carts coming out of  Waterfall Drive without lights which caused a vehicle to jam on its brakes.  The Chief pursued the carts as he felt the the operators were driving dangerously. Voices were elevated, there was a question of alcohol.
• The Chief indicated that he goes to the estates during  the Labor Day fireworks celebration as there are many people and vehicles which creates a potentially unsafe situation.  Several golf carts and  ATVs without lights were not confronted as they were driving responsibly.  Two pickup trucks with people in the back were stopped. People  exited the back without issue. 
• The Chief reports that residents want his presence.

Passengers in Town vehicles:

• There is a town policy which states that there can not be any non town employees riding in town owned vehicles. Robyn would like to make sure that all employees are aware of the policy.

7:00 p.m.—MTRSD Proposed Assessment Amendments – Joint meeting with Finance Committee. Ken Rocke presenting.  

• There are many steps in how the assessments are calculated.
• Countless hours have been spent by the district on the process. Ken expressed his respect for the school committee, Budge Litchfield and others working hard to make the best possible choices. Ken is at the meeting simply as a Heath resident. 
• Ken expressed that his work is still a work-in-progress.
• What I took away from the presentation (and I may  be wrong so don't quote me):
  • There is no hurry to vote on this amendment. The budget can continue to be calculated as has been done in the past.
  • Closing the Heath school saves the district $500, 000 annually [which does not appear anywhere as a benefit to Heath taxpayers.]
  • Continuing to do the budget as the district has been doing it will benefit Heath.
  • Switching to the new method of calculation potentially has a disastrous effect on Heath.

Mail

• Recycling dividend was $4550
• Statement from the highway on a requirement of 4 feet space between a vehicle and a cyclist.
• Reports from nurse and fire department.
• Community Hall floor and roof work are done. Gutters are done. Plumbing work is still needed.