Notes for Tue Jan 7

Agenda Items
5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Minutes: 12/30/2024, Review Agenda
5:05 p.m. Appointment: Budge Litchfield, MTRSD School Committee Representative - unable to attend
5:30 p.m. Appointment: Susan Lively, COA Chairperson, survey results report

• The survey had 205 responses.
• The  response by  gender was about even, the 65 and older age group had the largest number of responders (92). 
• The split between employed and unemployed was about even.

5:45 p.m. Appointment: Art Schwenger, FCTS School Committee Representative
Two new FCTS Programs have been added using  $9 million in competitive grants: Aviation Maintenance and Veterinarian  Assistant.

• Scholl enrollment is 640 students (590 are within the school district). There are  13 from Heath at $8700 cost per pupil.
• FCTS has been approved for a new building or renovation.  The current 50 year old building has required extensive maintenance, no longer cost effective to continue repairing. 

Public Comment

• Bob Gruen has done extensive research on installers.
• One of the  issues is that some persons do not do storm windows so Hilma will separate the storms from the window restoration.
• Hilma contacted a Mass Historic Preservation group looking for restorers. Many were far away, no results to date. 

Other Business
Salt Shed Project Update 

• Two quotes to demolish shed— both equivalent in work, chose $6,400 Richard Hillman.
• Electrician - has upgraded  the panel in fire station needed for alarm equipment 
• Internet - WhipCity  is due Jan 16 to run new  cable from EOC to Highway dept.   Northeast IT will move and reconnect the equipment on Jan 17.

Community Hall Windows Project Update

• Deadline reached, no bids yet. Robyn to call bidders to find out why they are not bidding.

Appraisal of Town Buildings Update

• One appraiser wanted to come  up to visit, but has not scheduled it with Hilma.
• Robyn - we may need to create a request for rental proposals and allow HYPA to respond to proposal.
• Need to decide whether leasing in this building makes sense. We should still continue with the appraisal process depending on the cost.
• Select Board feels that it makes good business sense to continue leasing.

HYPA License - there was a general discussion regarding leasing/licensing. There had been hope that an appraiser could help determine the rental value, but we have been unable to get that so far.
Mary Sumner, Town Clerk, will be sending out the street list to all residents and wanted to know if the SB would like to include a letter.