SB Notes, Feb 15

Brackets [ . . . ]  indicate my comments or information outside of the meeting.
 
Discussions about next week’s finance committee meeting:

• The need for a Special Town Meeting to pay for legal fees that have exceeded the budgeted $10,000 due to the AT&T lawsuit.
• MLB recommendations about finances.
• Board of Directors of the Historical Society on lease/use of 5 Ledges Road
• Need to appropriate funds for salt shed project
• Overages on culvert grant and bridge project. Hilma to check if there are extra monies available from the state.

 
Town buildings professional assessment—fairly lengthy discussion:
Robyn:

• We have evaluations from town groups and committees regarding repairs and use of the buildings. Robyn discussed the possibility of having a consultant pull together all that information, all the ideas generated on building use,  and  expand on it to look at our buildings and properties on a larger scale and advise as to the best use, a big picture approach.
• All the information we have needs to be pulled together. An outside entity could bring in ideas not previously thought of.
• Just an idea at this point. Taking care of all our town properties is a daunting task.

Sue:  We don’t want  just a band aid approach, the Facilities Task Force Committee just looked at immediate needs. Town needs a more holistic and long term approach.
Brian: This sounds like a feasibility study which would include the physical condition assessment  and  what should best be housed in various building.  It is a professional discipline and would be beneficial. Need to look at cost of effort.
 
The Board needs help from the Building Facilities Committee if they are willing to pull back together. The Select Board can’t do all that is needed.  The Building Facilities Report  is on the town website.  The Board needs help:

• Looking at grants for needed work that are available (accessibility projects are eligible for grants)
• The salt shed project
• Track down persons to hire for required work.

 
Open meeting law complaint - KP Law has responded
Robyn is working on a  Summary of AT&T lawsuit pulling together public documents into one.  Click on this link for the Select Board Public Statement on the town website.  
 
Job Classification discussion in relation to these positions

• Senior Program Director
• Board of Health Clerk
• Assistant Assessor letter in regards to position title, no financial implication at this time

Need to look at the broader picture of all positions, look at surrounding towns,  and discuss with the finance committee.
Wages to be discussed at future FinCom meeting.
.
Should Heath have a clerk position for other boards, the Plnannng Board has requested one.  Should there be a Clerk of the Boards?  The ability to combine the positions might make for an attractive position. Would help getting minutes in order and posted. Hilma to check with other towns and group for a position description. Hilma requested a task list from the Planning Board for the position.
 
COVID 19
No update from BoH on how to move forward on masking.
Hilma reports school testing indicates fewer cases.
 
Green Communities
No updates, meeting coming up with FRCOG
 
Town Coordinator

• Sent out numerous notices on Branch Brook closing as well seeing that there is signage.
• Bill Fontes worked with Tim running cable and installing connections for Fax at Jacobs Road  for which Hilma is very appreciative.
• Lining up substitutes for cleaning and snow shoveling the week of Feb 20 while Tim is away, if needed
• Lee lively filling in for Police Chief John McDonough who is away Feb of Feb 20
• There is a significant increase in the FY23 Mohawk Budget. [The Feb 9 draft budget shows an increase of $1, 132,316]

Some of the Mail

• Recognition by Sheila Litchfield of work done by Jan Carr over the years on broadband.
• Five letters on AT&T tower
• COA sent updated survey in relation to request for use of Rm 135 at Jacob's Rd. There is also a request by the MLB for a room.
• Contract amendment to extend time frame for spending the CDBG grant . SB voted to approve the extension.
• Request by Special Commission on Rural Schools for support on initiatives which the SB will respond to with their support..