Select Board Notes Tue April 30 2024

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Public Comment (none), Review Minutes: 4/23/24, 4/24/2024
6:30 p.m. Annual Town Meeting—planning and review with Moderator, Town Clerk

• SB voted to approve the warrant articles. FinCom may add  final recommendations, but the articles are set.
• Moderator had input on Wheeler Road articles 26 and 27. If 26 is voted down then 27 becomes questionable.
• Discussed issues around where refreshments would be held so as not to interfere with the meeting.
• Moderator said he would put forth a motion to move all the school articles to the front of the meeting.   Sue Lively was concerned that it may take up too much time that would need to go to Town business.

Road side mower repair removed as not cost effective.  Chose to use ARPA money to buy a used mower/tractor combination.  Will Emmet and Jeff Johnston went to RI to look at a piece of equipment which they chose not to buy.  Will Emmet and Tim went to NY to look for another piece of equipment while Jeff stayed online at the auction site and won the bid for $12,200.
Other Business

• Accountant Position - 2 resumes have come in.  Discussed whether to have a town employee or work through an agency.
• Accountant Software Purchase—target for going online is July 1, money to come out of ARPA
• Salt Shed—Robyn and Jeff met and size was reduced from Cudnohufsky design, but larger than existing. Location to be current site with as few site changes as possible.
• Personnel Policy Updates
  • cannabinoids  have added complexity to the policy, Hilma added a section for this
  • SB voted to approve changes done to date
  • Review will continue after Town Meeting
• HYPA (Hilltown Youth Performing Arts) Lease of space at Jacobs Road
  • ​Modifications continue to be made while the tenant continues without a final lease. There is a verbal agreement on the rent amount of $24,000 [need to verify amt]
• Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update
  • Concert to raise funds to be held on Fri July 26 at Charlemont Federated Church
  • $1000 came in this week for a total of  $15,300
• Community Hall ceiling over the stage is done
• Political flyer policy - is handing out flyers at the transfer station allowed. There needs to be a consistent policy for any kind of soliciting on Town property whether political or not.  SB agreed with the Highway Superintendent  that for safety reasons and  efficiency people can not be  approaching others for non business purposes while vehicles are coming and going. 

Mail

• Stones at North cemetery need to be repaired and there is some money available in cemetery accounts from sales of plots and donations. There was a recent donation of $2,200.