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SB Notes Tue May 16

5/16/2023

0 Comments

 
6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 5/1/23, 5/6/23
6:15 p.m. Appointment: Calvin Carr—MGL ch. 30A, sec. 20 (g), [Meetings of a public body to be open to the public]
  • Cal expressed concern about people not being allowed to speak at "meetings." [The meeting in question as called was an executive session for an employee exit interview where the employee waived his right to have a closed meeting .   The meeting was frequently interrupted by shouting and noise directed at town officials present from  residents attending.
  • Sue Lively pointed out that  the executive session was following MGL ch. 30A, sec. 21 .
 "If an executive session is held, such individual shall have the following rights:
 i. to be present at such executive session during deliberations which involve that individual;
ii. to have counsel or a representative of his own choosing present and attending for the purpose of advising the individual and not for the purpose of active participation in the executive session"
  • Cal pointed out that it is not the law ( MGL ch. 30A, sec. 20g)  that persons cannot speak,  the chair has the discretion to let people speak or not speak, and the Select Board should give people an opportunity to speak.
  • Cal agreed with Robyn that comment should be respectful and not get aggressive. Robyn said  Public Comment will resume now that the work of Town Meeting is done, but would not be held on those occasions when there was too much to cover or too many appointments.
  • Cal felt the meeting would have gone better if people had felt listened to.
Annual Town Meeting Review
Truck Vote
  • The SB expressed concern that the truck was voted down, Robyn felt there was a lot of emotion in that vote.
  • We have to replace a truck or we may only have 2 reliable trucks this winter. The  2012 truck is in constant need of repair and the 2004 is only suitable as a backup.
 Jacobs Road
  • Robyn brought up residents' concern that costs of maintaining Jacobs Road are not clear.
  • [My understanding of the discussion]: Rent money from the Recovery Theater goes into a revolving account established at the 2021 ATM from which expenses can be paid.  There are also line items for Town buildings on the budget for maintenance and utilities including Jacobs Road.   We need to know the actual cost of operating the building.
Low Attendance at town meeting. 
  • Robyn expressed concern about low attendance and proposed a study committee on how to better do the warrant, see what other towns do.
  • We need to simplify the warrant and get it to the residents sooner
Other Business
Cartographic Associates, Inc. contract (Assessors mapping expense) 
  • ​SB voted to approve​
Liaison to Salt Shed study
  • Brian DeVriese was appointed as liaison to the engineering firm consulting on the salt shed
Fire Alarm Systems—need for repairs, review quotes and vote
  • Systems in all buildings were inspected
  • SB approved money for repairs out of existing accounts
Community Hall—floor repair update
  • We have an estimate of $7324 to replace tiles damaged by a water pipe break this winter. 
  • The insurance check will cover the main floor and kitchen. Robyn will check with the bidder to determine if the bathrooms are included in the estimate.  Tiles are coming up in the seam between  bathroom area and the main floor.
  • SB would also like an estimate for epoxy, Robyn to get the estimate.  
  • There were pros and cons discussed about tiles vs epoxy with Tim Lively expressing some concerns that epoxy floors can be slippery without additives, but additives make a floor harder to keep clean. 
Trailer Complaint—status update
  • The trailer on Bray Road is in disrepair, but is on private property in an agricultural and residential district, not historic.
  • From a zoning standpoint, the trailer is a job site trailer, so it does not fall under Heath zoning bylaws, therefore the SB does not have jurisdiction over this issue. It's not clear what public body does.  From a health and safety standpoint there are many trailers in town in the same or worse condition and one resident can not be singled out.
Special Town Meeting—discuss need and set date
  • Not sure if there is  a need, no date set . An STM has a cost associated.
Select Board Meeting and Public Comment Policy
  • Legal has reviewed the updated Public Comment policy for meetings and the SB voted to approve it. Hilma to post on Select Board page of Town   website,   https://townofheath.org/g/46/Select-Board
  • Public comment will continue to be held except when there is a agenda too full to support it.
  • Discussed time limits, and possible signup for public comment (which may determine order to speak)
11 Bellor Road, Cannabis Farmers—update [Farmers are not in compliance with zoning bylaws and host agreements]
  • FRCOG update: 
    • Two cease and desist orders have been issued  
    • ​Farmers dispute the orders and say they have not abandoned the project
    • No further notice is needed prior to enforcement litigation being enacted
    • Farmers have not made any promised payments to the Town
Telephone System—review
  • We have several Verizon accounts, one Crocker account
  • We need to add 2 to 3 more extensions
  • Hilma and Bill Fontes have met with Intermedia United and Granite Communications
  • Current phones are too old to be updated to current technology.  
  • May be able to get rid of Verizon line costing $100/month
  • SB voted to proceed with Granite Communications for our phone system
Review of appointed Boards and Committees-- planning
  • Hilma to send out appointment list to SB and research committee  charges
  • Sb will keep this on the agenda doing an ongoing review
  • Barbara Gordon raised issue that Conflict of Interest recertification is not happening
Transfer Station Bag Sticker Fee
  • FCSWMD recommends an increase for bag stickers
  • Most towns charge $2 a sticker, Heath charges $1.50
  • Hilma to report on revenue and expenses
Summer Meeting Schedule
  • May 30, June 13, June 20. July 11, July 25, Aug 8,  Aug 22, Sep 5, Sep 19
New Business
  • Fuse Energy Company contacted Hilma regarding giving the town shares of existing and to-be-built solar arrays.  
  • Sponsored by  DOER (Dept of Energy Resources) to lower carbon footprint.
  • Heath would get a 10% credit on electric bill.
Broadband
  • Broadband wants to know how to turn over  funds to the Town.  
  • We need to understand Mass General Law. Is all broadband money under the authority of the SB?
  • What is the role of Wired West?
Mail
  • Parks & Rec participation waiver form for race on Sunday of fair
  • Palmeri Electric donated time and lift for lighting work at Jacobs Road
  • Long term financial planning is needed
  • Notification from National Grid Vegetation Management Plan regarding work taking place now​
  • Police Chief, John McDonough, applied for a grant and received a mobile speed sign worth $7000.   Avery Brook Road, Number 9 Road, and Route 8A were enthusiastically nominated for initial placement.


































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SB Notes Monday May 1

5/1/2023

0 Comments

 
Agenda Items
  • 6:05 p.m.—6:20 p.m. Appointment~Sam Lane re: formation of new committees: salt shed & community co-op
    • Proposed a ​Salt Shed Committee to work on the best way financially to work on buildings.
    • Would like to start a Community Coop at Community Hall.
    • The SB would need to discuss and agree to create a charge for each committee. Would be done after new SB member is in place.
  • Review Minutes: 4/25/23, 4/27/23
  • Annual Town Meeting Preparation: Joint meeting with Finance Committee
    • FY24 Budget and ATM Warrant. The warrant is posted.
  • Transfer Station update & review of job posting
    • Change wording on some items from required to preferred to open the position up to as many people as possible.
    • to be advertised on the website and Jacobs Road, Sawyer Hall around, post at the transfer station.
    • Interview Committee possibilities: Jeff Johnston, Hilma, Steve Thane. Backup Will Emmett
  • Town Nurse position description—update to reflect hours`
    • Job description and number of hours do not agree.
    • 'Job description will need to be reviewed and update in next fiscal year.
    • SB voted to change hours on job description from 7 to 8.
  • Update from engineers on salt shed
  • Bray Road Trailer
    • Not in the historic district, is in the agricultural and residential area
    • Is a job site trailer, not under the jurisdiction of the SB
Brian's last meeting
A reception followed for Brian ending his 24 years of service as a Select Board member. He was awarded an oil painting done by local artist Fred Burrington from grateful Heathans.
0 Comments

SB Notes Tue April 25 2023

4/25/2023

1 Comment

 
 6:30 p.m. Annual Town Meeting Review with Moderator
  • ​Logistics discussion on which articles to move forward
  • The final article needs clarification as to what is allowed. It reads, "To see if there is any other business for discussion to come before the Town Meeting, or take any action related thereto." There was some confusion last year at the end of the meeting  for which the moderator apologized. 
7:00 p.m. Joint Meeting with Finance Committee - not held due to late meeting notice
Budget and Warrant
  • Robyn recused herself on line items that referenced the highway department.
  • SB voted to approve Article 3 (budget) and the rest of the warrant pending FinComm meeting on Wednesday.
  •  SB to meet on Thursday for Finance Committee Recommendation of Art. 3 for the Warrant.
Other
  • Trailer removal on Bray Road - discussion of whose authority it falls under and weather it is a camper or a trailer. Hilma to check.
  • Elissa Viarengo has resigned from BoH
  • Municipal Light Board internet troubleshooting document was discussed. The troubleshooting contact is the MLP Manager, Sheila Litchfield, but a backup name is needed. Elissa said there has been a contact list on the hub in the past with a list of contact names.
  • Transfer Station update - tabled to next week
  • COA would  like to create a patio outside the Senior Room. SB voted to have the COA create a planning group to create a report on the proposed project.
  • Nurse's hours were corrected to 8 and the job description will be updated with the correct number.
  • Public Comment Policy
    • KP Law has sent out a policy document on Public Comment
    • Public Comment period is not required by Open Meeting Law
    • Robyn recently attended a Zoom meeting on Open Meeting Law
Salt Shed
  • Walter Cudnohufsky and Kim Berringer from Walter Cudnohufsky Associates, Inc, walked the Bray Road site  and the current site with Brian.
  • They will create a plan for Bray Road if feasible for the salt shed. Would  require a retaining pond.
  • They also looked at the current  site where there is  concern about how to handle runoff.
Separation Agreement for Mike Shattuck
  • Robyn recused herself.
  • [Mike Shattuck's benefits will continue to July 1: this includes all vacation, all wages, all currently enrolled insurance. If Mike chooses to accept a job before July 1, the above benefits will still continue to July 1.]
  • Voted on and approved
MTRSD—4 proposed articles one of which is to amend the regionalization agreement.  This will remain on warrant but the SB and FinComm have not had time to understand the implications of the amendment. 
MTRSD Assessment Amendment, Budge Litchfield and Ken Rocke
Discussion of the Regional agreement amendment which the district requested be on the warrant:
  • Students are assessed in different ways depending on whether they are a charter school student, a choice student, or a resident student (lives in the district where they go to school).
    • Towns that would benefit from the amendment have highest number of student attending in-district schools.
  • A regional agreement amendment can only be approved if every town votes it in at town meeting.
  • The proposed agreement amendment could have us paying up to $65,000 per student in 5 years and every year after.
  • The current year is a $13,000 increase in our assessment.
  • We need to slow the amendment process down so the implications can be understood.
----------------​--------------------
[Added info]
DESE
​

Chapter 70 Program
"The Chapter 70 program is the major program of state aid to public elementary and secondary schools. In addition to providing state aid to support school operations, it also establishes minimum spending requirements for each school district and minimum requirements for each municipality's share of school costs." Chapter 70
 Charter School
"
Charter schools are independent public schools designed to encourage innovative educational practices. Charter schools are funded by tuition charges assessed against the school districts where the students reside. The state provides partial reimbursement to the sending districts for the tuition costs incurred."  Charter Schools
Choice School
"The inter-district school choice program under G.L. c. 76, § 12B, allows families to enroll their children in schools in communities other than the city or town in which they reside. Tuition is paid by the sending district to the receiving district."   School Choice 
Resident public students attending District Schools
Towns pay both a Minimum Local Contribution and an Above Minimum Contribution.
Average MLC and AMB are both about $8,000. Interest of
​
Estimates on MTRSD may just be one fifth of the assessment. If this is true and the assessment is incremental, then the assessments for the next 5 years would be $13,000 in FY24, then $26,00 in FY25, $39,000 in FY26, $52,000 in FY27, and $65,000 in FY28 and level off at $65,000 every year from then on. In some case the interests of the various towns and the interests of the district are not going to coincide, there are winners and losers. 




1 Comment

SB Notes Tue April 18

4/18/2023

0 Comments

 
Notes
Salt Shed Update

​Study of two sites for salt shed—current or Bray Road—will start next week.  Brian has offered to continue to work on the Salt Shed project as a volunteer after retiring from the SB.
Downsizing
Mike Shattuck benefits will continue to July 1: this includes all vacation, all wages, all currently enrolled insurance.
If Mike chooses to accept a job before July 1, the above benefits will still continue to July 1.
New Computer for Treasurer
SB voted to get new computer from Northeast IT

FY 24 Budget
The budget and warrant are reaching a final state and the Finance Committee will vote next week on their recommendations.
  • The accountant agreed to accept $5000 rather than his requested $10,000
  • Nurses hours were reduced from 8 to 7 to agree with the job description.
  • Winter Temp help was adjusted from $4000 to $5000. 
​
Community Hall
  • Next week the flooring contractor will take measurements  and submit an estimate for repair.
  • There was discussion whether or not to use epoxy flooring rather than tile. This was looked on favorably as less likely  to be affected by water leaks.
0 Comments

SB Notes Tue April 4

4/4/2023

0 Comments

 
There was a lot of discussion about the highway department as that is our biggest expense after the $1,000,000 plus  Mohawk School District assessment.

Alice Wozniak of the finance committee compared the Mohawk budget to another like district whose budget was $10,000,000 less than Mohawk.  Did I get that right? Holy smoke! 
​Some Select Board Humor: A tongue-in-cheek comment was made that we could hire a bus and send our kids to Deerfield Academy or Northfield Mount Herman as day students for less money that it costs to send them to Mohawk.  


Meeting Notes
Budget discussion with Finance Committee
FinComm recommendations to try to mitigate the increased financial burden the town faces next fiscal year:
  • Decrease highway department staff from 4 to 3  
    • Reports by FinComm members research indicates this is viable and necessary due to our rising tax  rate. Research of other towns was done by Will Emmet and Alice Wozniak.
  • Do not replace leaf blower, repair the old one instead. Will Emmet to assist in repair.
  • Take $20,000 from free cash towards Mohawk School District $40,000 plus assessment error.
  • Avery Brook Road cutback of brush and trees.  FinComm suggestion was to take $34,329 from the Flag Hill improvement fund (the extension of Flag Hill Rd may not take place) to do what cutting can be done within budget. Leave the rest of cutting for later.
  • Truck: Need $94,512, one suggestion from SB was to not use Chapter 90 money as it is needed for roads—take approx. $30,000 from free cash and finance the rest.  FinComm leaned toward using the Chapter 90 money rather than incur more debt.
o FY24 Budget— discussion
  • Hilma and Robyn created a list of concerns with the way our accounting is done. Needed to check with FRCOG regarding their accounting services. 
  • FinComm suggests to move to a supported accounting system rather than what we are currently using. A Community Compact grant may fund new software.
  • Sue Lively had a discussion with Claire Rabbitt, our Town Nurse. 
    • Claire spends 8 hours per week, the job is more technical then in the past. Young persons are not using her services. She has no immediate plans for retirement. The biggest need in Heath is the in-home services area. FRCOG can do some of the work that Claire does.  Claire's Bones and Balance class is volunteer time. Discussed whether this is still a valuable position for our town.  Barbara Gordon pointed out that FRCOG charges for additional services and does not always have the personnel to fulfil community needs.
  • Smith school student is returning to Mohawk eliminating $30,000 from the budget for 2024.
MLP
  • Will pay for the manager's salary
  • Anticipates returning $39,000 to the town by July 1, 2023, maybe more
  • Takes seriously their commitment to repay the $200,000 from General Stabilization. $100,000 has already been returned to the town.
o Review of ATM articles
  • Mainly an elimination of some articles no longer relevant (Smith Vocational) and the tweaking of others.  Hilma to update and send to legal for review.
o Phone service—presentation of research and options
  • Hilma would like to find a less expensive solution for town phones.
  • Bill Fontes, MLP member, is assisting.
  • Hilma to attend a presentation from an alternative company
Items unable to complete
Review of Minutes: 3/21/23, 3/28/23
Votes to be done at next meeting (due to posting error):
o Joining Age-and Dementia-Friendly Communities recommendation from COA 
  • Hilma to draft acceptance letter pending the vote by the SB next meeting
o Renaming Jacobs Road building

0 Comments

SB Notes Tue March 28

3/28/2023

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Meeting Items
Added to agenda
  • State requires there be a right of way before the Branch Bridge replacement can start. The work is being done with government money. Abutters must be notified and there needs to be a hearing.
6:05 p.m. Joint Meeting with Finance Committee/FY24 Budget— discussion
  • Accountant: requested $10,000 increase, suggestion is to give him a $5000 increase.  We have an issue with proprietary software that needs to be addressed.
  • Added 5 hours a week for building maintenance.
  • Animal inspection stipend, need to increase stipend as more work has been added, taking over rabis duties.
  • Vehicle gas & oil stays at $40,000.
  • BoH overpaid Mosquito Control by $4000, so the BoH expense line should be reduced by $1000 as this year is considered pre-paid, also the next 3 years. Attempts to get the overpayment have run into administrative problems.
  • Discussion of highway department workload, better time tracking is needed, possible reduction of 1 crew member to reduce expenses.  Other towns with more roads have fewer crew.  It may mean adding contract labor at certain times, but should be a savings overall if done.
  • Discussion of the expense for broadband MLP manager position which was supposed to be finite. There is a concern that Heath broadband overhead is higher than comparable  towns.
  • Discussion of FRCOG payment of approx. $5000 for nursing services which are not fully utilized and how to better manage this.
o Financial picture—present and immediate future outlook
  • With the significant increases in education costs, broadband payments coming due, and the normal increases in costs of everything, the Finance Committee and the Select Board are looking at some hard decisions to cut expenses.
o Review of ATM articles—amend legal posting locations, creation of new revolving fund.
  • Jacobs Road added as posting site.
  • There was a lengthy discussion on the revolving account and I am not sure of the outcome.
Other Business
o Highway Foreman position—evaluate and regrade for additional duties
  • Regraded with a salary increase.
 Mail
  • ​KP Law rate increase of $10/per hour
0 Comments

SB Meeting Notes, Tue March 21

3/21/2023

4 Comments

 
Robyn absent.
Meeting items
There was high praise from the SB, Hilma, and meeting attendees for the work of the highway department on the recent storm.
6:05 p.m. Appointment: Age- and Dementia-Friendly Initiative presentation with Meg Ryan, Mngr.
  • LifePath is the lead on this project
  • 65 plus population is escalating
  • LifePath Movement targets: safe, walkable streets; access to needed to services; age friendly housing and transportation options; opportunities to participate in community life
  • A survey done by LifePath had only 37 responses from Heath residents.
  • COA members at the meeting  were Margaret Freeman, Cathy Talen, Victoria Burrington, Sue Lively and Coordinator, Lyra Johnson-Fuller
  • COA and SB did not commit to joining the initiative at this time as they  (1) did not feel that the survey was representative, (2) some offerings were not relevant to Heath seniors, and (3) some offerings are already being provided in Heath through the Town Nurse and the COA Senior room.
o CEC Change Order to Continue Monitoring Tri-Town Landfill—vote on 3-yr. agreement
  • ​SB voted to continue agreement
o Smith Vocational School—student tuition and transportation
  • Awaiting on invoice from Smith vocational for student switching there mid year.  [Heath will have to pay Smith for the half year without any indication that MTRSD will reimburse for 50% of the  full year already paid to the district  for this student.]
o Annual Report—review written report
  • No review, the report is currently in process
o FY24 Budget—general discussion
  • The Broadband principal payment is approx. $104,000 and interest $45,000, which is about $70,000 more than last year. Discussed whether broadband MLP [Municipal Light Plant]  could help.
  • Discussion of auditor's request for additional compensation. Robyn planned to discuss with him.
  • The Town may need to increase building maintenance hours by 5.
  • FRCOG owes the Heath BoH $4000 which needs to be credited to future invoices.
  • Discussed an increase in hours for the Town Coordinator assistant position with a plan toward training for succession in future years.
o Financial picture—present and immediate future outlook
  • $1,018,000 Mohawk assessment for Heath for next year
o Proposals for ATM articles—amend legal posting locations, creation of new revolving fund
  • Proposal to add Jacobs Road to the legal posting locations
  • Community Hall Function Fund should be redesignated as a revolving fund
o Meeting Public Attendance & Public Comment Period Policy—update
  • An updated policy is to be sent to legal for review. [I believe initiated by a recent personal attack on the SB in the guise of public comment.]
  • The advice of legal at KP Law has continually been to not hold a public comment period [email and letters are other means for residents to communicate].
o Community Hall—update on water damages & insurance claim
  • Insurance adjuster emailed asking for price estimate on floor repair and testing for asbestos
  • Square dance took place in the hall and was attended by approx. 40  people
o Farmland of Local Importance—review and vote for acceptance​
  • No clear need for this designation
  • SB voted not to accept
o  Naming Jacobs Road 
  • Postponed until Robyn is available
o  SB voted in favor of  2 requested road closings in front of CH for events in May and September.
o  Discussed possibility of random drug testing 
4 Comments

SB Meeting March 7, 2023

3/7/2023

0 Comments

 
6:00 p.m. Meet with State Representative Natalie Blais
  • Blais asked to hear from the town as to what it needs from the state.  Among things mentioned was the cost of Broadband, the need for building maintenance, the residents' tax burden.
  • She spoke about working on rural schools and infrastructure.
  • Introduced a bill to establish an Office of Rural Policy staffed with a full time person to assist towns.
  • To know when there is a hearing on the bill, signup for alerts at: https://malegislature.gov/
  • Link for Blais sponsored bills 
Municipal Light Plant Backhaul Agreement, Appendix 2—SB voted to approve
Other Business
o Auditor’s Report (Tom Scanlon)
  • FinComm reviewed the report and had some concerns, some of which Robyn is already addressing.
  • SB voted to create a subcommittee  with one SB member, one FinComm member, and Hilma for  setting benchmarks to respond to weaknesses found by he auditor's report.
o FY24 Budget—general discussion with Finance Committee
  • Missing budget for Planning Board, Treasurer to update insurance number as rates have gone up, final figures from FRCOG, the accountant wants a $10,000 increase over 12 months (claims Heath does not pay for software update expenses).
  • Need to allow for MTRSD $44,000 assessment in the budget, need to determine how to pay.
  • MTRSD operating budget to increase by $30,000
o Highway Department
  • SB approved updated position descriptions
  • Robyn is drafting a letter to summarize meetings she has had with Jeff J. on highway department functions. 
o Community Hall
  • No update on water damages, waiting on insurance adjuster estimate.
  • March 18 event scheduled, second floor is ok, but lower floor is not. SB feels the square dance can be held if tiles on lower floor tiles that have come up can be covered.
o Donation for Community Hall Window Renovation
  • SB voted to accept $180 for CH Window Renovation and and  the establishment  of an account for this purpose.
o Farmland of Local Importance—Robyn to contact promoter
o Naming Jacobs Road property
  • Eliminated  names with words Campus, People's names, School, Branch, Jacobs, Serenity, and possibly a late comer, Heath Hub at Jacobs Road.
o ​Smith Vocational School—Superintendent Stanton, said a Heath student at MTRSD was over looked when vocational schools were chosen. The student was allowed to switch mid year in which case Heath owes all charges.  Transportation cost is $4554, tuition for full year is $20,000 so Heath would be responsible for the  $10,000 remaining.
o Salt Shed
  • Feedback on independent study for salt shed—Bray Road has enough room. Heath should not spend money on existing salt shed location if rebuilding is not feasible.  [Walter Cudnohufsky Associates, Inc?]
  • Letter to McGovern to include Salt Shed, Broadband, shared services with other towns, highway dept needs, and 2 items more I didn't catch.
0 Comments

SB Notes Tue Feb 22

2/23/2023

0 Comments

 
Budget Hearings with Finance Committee
Municipal Light Plant Manager & MLB,- Sheila Litchfield, Dave Gordon, Ned Wolf spoke
  • Heath currently has 344 subscribers
  • a note [of $44,000? ] is due and will be in Article 3  for Town Meeting.
  • Brian expressed concern regarding the scheduled outage for Feb 22.  People who switched to internet phones have no way to contact emergency services during the outage.
  • Dave Gordon pointed out, that while there is no recourse now, there will be once the redundancy system is in place,
Fire Department
  • there is a need for organizational change for towns around shared resources particularly  needed is a full time chief.
  • volunteers are harder to find or sustain for a number of reasons
Highway Department
  • Highway Dept needs 2 new trucks to replace aging trucks where repair is no longer feasible.
  • SB acknowledged that at least one will need to be added to the budget this year and another next year.
Other Business
MTRSD assessment
  • SB Voted to pay the $44,000 assessment for the MTRSD to avoid more costly litigation
o Auditor’s Report of FY2021—review and discussion
  • some accounting changes for the highway dept were recommended by Alice W.
  • how some accounts are being handled need to be addressed with the accountant
o Community Hall—update on water damages
  • the building is closed until, at a minimum, the floor is replaced
  • insurance adjuster was scheduled for Wed, Feb 23
o Regional Through-Trail Feasibility Study—vote on agreement with FRCOG for work 
  • SB approved the study which is covered by a grant
o Open Meeting Law Complaint regarding Select Board - Jesse Weigand (February 2, 2023)
  • SB  acknowledged receipt and KP Law will respond 
  • Approx. cost for the response normally is about $1000
Postponed Items:
  •  Farmland of Local Importance—review and vote for acceptance possible - postponed
  • Free Cash for 2023


0 Comments

SB Notes Tuesday Jan 17

1/17/2023

0 Comments

 
6:05 p.m. Appointment: Greg Rode regarding construction by cannabis farmers
  • Concern about violations at 11 Bellor Road.
  • Flagrant ignoring of zoning bylaws—presence of the storage containers, not properly setback, fencing, electric.
  • Concern about inaction on the part of FRCOG inspector, the Planning Board, and the Select Board.
  • SB needs to consult legal and consult with the Planning Board.
Other Business
  • Community forums follow-up
    • The SB has received some harsh communication from supporters of this effort that were characterized as divisive and not a good way to begin  dialogue.
    • Mick Comstock and Neil Stetson have offered to facilitate at the Heath Union Church and this was looked on favorably by the SB.
  • Request for tax abatement on new town property
    • SB voted to abate tax for land purchased to extend the Shapiro trail off Flaghill Rd
  • Excess equipment disposal
    • SB approved a request by Hilma to have the freedom to dispose of unused equipment valued under $1000. 
    • A resident requested the publicly be informed known so that residents would have an opportunity to take excess items if wanted. 
  • Mileage [Reimbursement ] Rate—SB voted on an increase [missed the amount]
  •  FRCOG materials bid service—SB voted to accept FRCOG bid [approx. $4000]
  • HHS request for room in Sawyer Hall—no update from HHS. They may need to install climate control equipment.  Brian to contact Ned.
  • Council on Aging—CORI checks
    • All person dealing with seniors must have a CORI check,
    • The town must implement a policy and provide a secure computer 
    • Victoria Burrington will administer 
  • Salt Shed
    • There is money left in Chapter 90 ($200,000)  for surveys of salt shed, highway dept, and Bray Rd.  Need a topo survey.
  • New Year’s letter to residents—completed and to be sent out to residents
I left the meeting at this point due to the executive session and did not return for the remainder of the meeting.
  • Highway Foreman position
  • DLTA Survey
Town Finances availability
Town Coordinator’s Report
Mail
7:30 p.m. Executive Session to discuss MTSD assessment error.
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