Notes Tue, Apr 8 2025

5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda
5:05 p.m. Highway Road Signs—Highway Supt. & Parks & Recreation chair, Mike Cucchiara

• Mike C. to work with Tyson Howard, Ken Gilbert, and Hilma on the placement of road signs. Mike to use grant money appropriate for this purpose.   
• P &R business: Mike seeking permission to hire a firm to cut a trail thru Trowbridge land and Jamie Gay to cut trees.​

 Long Hill Road Beaver Dam

• The highway dept spent part of Sunday getting the road visible and Monday the water was back  over the road. Tyson called beaver control for a solution.  Some type of deterrent will be installed, not sure if beaver family will be removed.

 Salt Shed Update

• Cleaning out the old EOC building has started.  Only a little fire dept. equipment is left to bring over to Jacobs Road. 
• There is a quote of  approx. $1650 for taking down the EOC and doing an env sample from Hoosic Environmental.  Hilma is waiting on asbestos testing  before the  EOC can be taken down.   SB voted to accept the quote from Hoosic.
• Fuel tanks will not need to be moved for the salt shed demolition.  Tyson is changing from Osterman to George for propane for highway and fire. Osterman is not providing the services we need and charging two separate prices for the fuel. There are several propane tanks in town, some under contract with Osterman which may be changed if possible.
• Ledge behind the shed has been hammered out, trees still need to be taken down.

Review Minutes: 4/1/25
Public Comment

• Bill Fontes: Surging of the lights in Sawyer Hall generator may be a regulator problem.  

6:30 p.m. FY 2026 Budget Discussion with Finance Committee
Other Business
Sawyer Hall—repair update and discussion - repair is covered by insurance

• Heat  is fixed and back on.
• Hilma to purchase new carpet and walk-on mats
• Drywall repairs are needed
• There is a significant cleanup needed on all floors, Robyn wants a dumpster brought in to get rid of rubbish, and then the building needs a thorough cleaning.

Proposed Changes to Zoning Bylaws—vote possible

• ​Bylaws for new "Street" designation, accessory dwelling units, wireless. More detail in March 18 notes.  The ZBA voted to remove the the WiFi changes from the warrant at this time.

Hilma - NGRID

• NGRID has a plan to go up Avery Brook Road which they will present to a small town group before having a public meeting.
• NGRID heard of or saw an unflattering article in the recorder and will meet with designated persons from Heath, Rowe, and Charlemont.

​ATM Warrant Discussion
The Finance Committee made some recommendations discussed with the SB
1. Dept 151 - Legal Fees - $35,000  - amt the SB had already set
2. Dept 760 –  Broadband Debt - $100,000 -  Up this amt by $5000.
3. Dept 914 & 915 – Health Insurance and FICA/Medicare Empl. Match

• Ensure this is budgeted enough for new hires to choose family plan; good to budget for an extra family plan in case of more turnover

4. Add a warrant article to get a loan for a new F550 truck; we cannot use Chap 90 money if it will be used for road maintenance.  Chapter 90 money will be used for roads.
5. Add a warrant article to raise and appropriate $15,000 for Town Coordinator position transition (anticipating Hilma's retirement).
The SB reviewed  Article 3 (the budget) and the remaining articles in the Warrant.

• A lot of time was spent on the Highway Dept salaries.
• It is premature to send out Article (3) and the other warrant articles, but the recording is available if you wish to hear the discussion. I found it pretty dull.

Mail

• Much already covered above
• Resignation from the 8T2D School Sustainability study
  

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