SB Meeting Notes Nov 21, 2023

​6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 11/7/23
6:05 p.m. Pole Hearing—State Farm Road

• Replacing 3 poles with 8 to provide better service 
• Neighbors were consulted about placement and do not have any issues
• SB voted to accept the plan

6:15 p.m. Tax Classification Hearing

• SB voted to have a single classification as has always been done.

Public Comment - 2 comments 
Exit Interview—Alice Wozniak, Boards Clerk

• ​Information on the Board of Health was outdated when Alice took over.
• Information missing from the Planning Board.
• Boards should not change the job description.
• Temporary occupancy permits must be better monitored. Alice recommended that FRCOG take this on and collect the fees.
• Having to attend meetings to take minutes is not a good use of the 8 hours allowed for the job and not realistic given the times various meetings are held.

Other Business
 Boards Clerk Position 

• Alice's resignation was accepted and  boards have been notified.
• Questions arose regarding possible changes to the job description.
• The job may need to be extended to the Highway Dept and the hours increased.
• Delay posting for new applicants while the position is being reviewed.
• Salt Shed—review of feasibility study
  • Study indicated that it is possible to locate the salt shed on the current site but the consultants don't recommend it.
  • Access to the Bray Rd site would have to be on Bray Rd, not Colrain Stage due to conservation restrictions.
  • All the buildings (Hwy Dept, Fire Station, salt shed, etc.)  could fit on the Bray Rd land.
  • There are disadvantages to both sites.
  • The question arose regarding the logistics to moving the salt shed while the highway dept stays where it is.
  • There was a discussion on a previous plan to build a metal structure for the fire dept at  Jacobs Road which already houses the fire chief office plus meeting and training room.
  • Robyn proposed that we need to list all options and the associated costs and tasks for at least (1)  fire  station at Jacobs Road, (2) Salt Shed at Bray Road, (3) Fire Station at Bray Road. Robyn offered to start on Excel spread sheet to look at the possibilities and cost.

11 Bellor Road LLC—update of HCA extension possibility—vote anticipated

• The current HCA (Host Community Agreement) will end Nov 23 if the SB chooses to do this.  Otherwise it continues in effect until such time that the SB selects to end it.
• The agreement no longer has any value with the new CCC (Cannibis Control Commission) rules. The community does not benefit under them. There is no longer any point in having an HCA.

Community Hall - gutter replacement

• ​​The job has been quoted by Mr. Gutter to replace the gutter and facia boards on the north side of Community Hall.
• Robyn posed the question of what happens if there is rot behind the facia boards. This is not part of the the gutter work and a carpenter would need to be hired.
• There was a question as to whether or not it is too late in the season for the gutter work. Tim to consult with Mr. Gutter and also check into an "on call" carpenter if rot ifs found.
• It was said that the money voted on at town meeting for maintenance has already has been used up or will be when this work is done. Robyn to look for any unused funds from previous projects to offset these costs.

Community Hall Window Fundraising

• In addition to Bob Gruen, Karen Brooks, and Elissa Viarengo (Ex-Officio), three new members were added, chosen in the order of email requests received—Jean Gran, Gloria Fisher, and Jan Carr.  All other volunteers/sub-committee members are welcome.
• Bob Gruen raised an issue as to where previous $180 window funds were stored. Hilma to check with accountant and to set up a fund for new donations and include this money as well.

Community Hall winterizing for Jan, Feb, March

• The savings for the 3 months would be approx. $2700 for oil plus $650 for electricity, less $500  offset by the the cost for draining the pipes and restoring the water service in the spring. This was based on last year's expenses.
• Concern was expressed about the health of a building completely shut down and any issues around the new tiles.  Sue Lively noted that many summer homes in Heath winterize and reopen without a problem.
• Hilma noted that the pipes have frozen a number of times.
• One suggestion was to winterized the pipes, but keep the heat on in the building.
• There is only one meeting scheduled for Jan, but Elissa commented that there could be others to be held by the Community Hall Windows committee and others.

Mold Remediation

• Needed in both Sawyer Hall and Community Hall. 
• The SB currently has 2 quotes and is waiting on a third.
• Robyn again to look for any unused project funds to do this work. 

MTRSD Proposed Agreement Changes

• SB to set a date in Jan to meet with the Mohawk Trail School Committee to understand the difference in numbers presented.
• MTRSD seek a determination on whether or not the towns that have already agreed to the amendment need to revote on it.

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I left because of snow before these two items
Zoning Bylaws
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