Notes for Tue Jan 21 2025

Agenda 
Robyn absent.
5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order (Meeting was recorded.)
Review Agenda
5:05 p.m. Appointment: Finance Committee—FY 2026 Budget Planning Scheduling & Review

• An introductory meeting to talk about focus and objectives of FinComm.
• ​Discussion of tax rate and property values.
• CAF II Funds ($58,000) are due and must be used for broadband. Could prepay on broadband loan principal or loan payment.
• FinComm was given read-only access to Town financial reports

6:00 p.m. Appointment: Art Schwenger, MLB chair, for final meet and review of Bailey Cole, for MLP Manager position

• Had two good candidates, Baily was appointed.
• Baily has broad experience, software and computer skills, BA, has sensitivity to customer needs, a flexible schedule, currently a residential case worker. Lives in Heath and is ready to start immediately.

Public Comment - 1 general comment on stabilization accounts
Reviewed Minutes:  1/14/2025, 1/16/2025
Other Business
Letter to Residents 

•  Discussed the letter to the residents on Town business to be  sent out with the tax bills​

​Salt Shed Project Update

• RFP was sent out to potential bidders
• Tyson has produced a checklist on what needs to be done to prepare 
• Site visit scheduled for Thursday at 10 PM

Community Hall Windows Project Update

• Contractor Don Haywood to update a proposal following a visit to CH next week

Appraisal Update

• No updates since last week when Hilma showed an appraiser the spaces
• Appraiser said there is difficulty getting comparables due to Heath location
• Hilma  has found some RFPs  as examples

DLTA (District Local Technical Assistance) survey
​Items in brackets are my additions

• ["Thanks to the Healy  Administration and the Legislature, the FRCOG is pleased to once again be able to offer member towns technical assistance on a wide variety of priority issues. Among the priorities that can be addressed using these DLTA funds are the Massachusetts Community Compact Best Practices."   https://frcog.org/project/municipal-resources/​ ]
• FRCOG survey looking for feedback on technical needs to assist in putting together FRCOG programs for towns.
• Barbara suggested (1) ways to assist with communication such as a  better way to record meeting, and (2) ways to monitor speeds on our roads.
• Will and Elissa  voted priority order of  (1) Municipal Succession Planning,  (2) Shared Services, and (3) Regional Sheltering and Heating. 

HYPA list of talking points

• Still waiting for feedback from Jonathan Diamond on the new lease agreement.
• Rental amount will remain the same until the new lease is signed and the new agreement will not be retroactive.
• The next meeting with HYPA will be a dedicated meeting.

​New: Tucker Jenkins was appointed to Mohawk  District School Committee
No mail not previously discussed.