Verified as 3/18
5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda
5:05 p.m. Appointment: MTRSD Administration Officials & School Committee presentation of 2D8T
The presentation was well attended by Heath residents, and Colrain school committee members, and the Colrain Town Administrator.   The proposal seeks to be proactive in enriching the school experience of our students and creating cost savings for the districts.  There is a link to the presentation on the Town Mohawk Trail School Committee Page as well as more info and links to the 
6:30 p.m. Proposed Changes to Zoning Bylaws—discussion with Planning Board, votes possible
Streets:

• Starting with 3.4.2 the board is recommending  defining a street to be a public way, a private way or a statutory private way in all sections going forward.

Section 4.7 Standards for Multi-Family Dwellings:

• Add a definition: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). A self-contained housing unit, inclusive of sleeping, cooking, and sanitary facilities on the same Lot as a Principal Dwelling, subject to otherwise applicable dimensional and parking requirements, that maintains a separate entrance, either directly from the outside or through an entry hall or corridor shared with the Principal Dwelling sufficient to meet the requirements of the Building  and Fire Code for safe egress. ADUs may be detached, attached, or internal to the Principal Dwelling. [General references to ADUs in this by-law include both Protected Use ADUs and Local ADUs.]
• Raise the required square footage from 800 to 900 to comply with new state requirements.
• Remove the requirement that the property owner must reside in one of the two residences to comply with new state requirements.

​Wireless Bylaw Draft

• This draft  contains significant updates to SECTION 6.3 – PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITIES and 6.10 FIXED WIRELESS BROADBAND FACILITIES.  

Review Minutes: 3/4/25
Public Comment - None 
Other Business
FY 2026 Budget Discussion

• Robyn  created a spreadsheet showing the effects of a 3% COLA on current salaries. 
• The grading system itself is antiquated and needs to be reviewed
• Robyn to send out an updated Highway Dept spreadsheet showing step by step how to complete the Salt Shed project.
• Some salary adjustments started last year are still needed to bring people to mid-grade based on job performance and longevity

Appointment to Board of Health—SB voted to appoint Jason Erali to vacant position
New Business

• Request for a Town Conservation Commission email and a Town Planning Board email.
• Hilma can reassign the FinCom and Library email accounts.

5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 3/4/25
Public Comment 
5:10 p.m. Kurowski/Wecker Dog Hearing deliberation

• Elissa has recused herself from the dog hearing due to a potential conflict of interest.
• The Kyle Dragon, Animal Control Officer,  responded by email to Robyn's questions to clarify different scenarios.
• The  Animal Control Officer attending the meeting expressed that a nuisance dog should be physically restrained at all times.
• SB decision is that Shamus is  a nuisance dog and must be on property at all times unless being walked on a leash by a responsible adult.

6:00 p.m. Proposed Changes to Zoning Bylaws—discussion with Planning Board, Doug Mason, Chair

• The proposed wireless  bylaw changes are in the PDF below, but the state is making changes that may impact these.
• The changes involve Section 4.7 (Accessory Dwelling Unit), Section 6.1.2.1 (Private Ways), Section 6.3 (Personal Wireless Facilities) and Section 6.10 (Wireless Broadband Facilities), Section 9 (Definitions)

7:00 p.m. Appointment: Greg Rode—Agreements with 11 Bellor Road entities

• Hilma to write a letter to the parties that the agreements are terminated due to non fulfillment of the agreement.
• SB voted to terminate both the developer and the farmer agreements.

Other Business
Sawyer Hall water/heat issues—vote anticipated - An insurance rep has visited the hall and the Town will file a claim.
Rental Space RFP/Appraisal Update - 
FY 2026 Budget Discussion

• Robyn is working on a spreadsheet to cover all the financial regarding the highway department will include equipment and building maintenance. 
• Responsibility levels must be factored into any increases.
• The method used for salary increases is now outdated
• It is  becoming  increasingly  difficult and costly to get a CDL to drive heavy equipment which makes it hard to find a person with the license willing to work for the salary advertised.
• Robyn to look at the salary structure.
• Hilma: Utility expenses are convoluted due to trying to allocate these costs to each building and/or department. She would like to  consolidate  all the utilities in one account. 
• The Building Use Committee is looking into how to promote short term rentals.
• Need to look carefully at Town Coordinator transition when Hilma retires. How much time is needed for an office assistant.

​Update
​Community Hall - window work will start within the next 2 weeks.
Mail

• Per request by Harry Hallman, the SB voted to close the road in front of Community Hall  for the art exhibit

 Agenda Items
5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes:  2/25/25
Public Comment - none
5:15 p.m. Kurowski/Wecker Dog Hearing deliberation—vote possible

• Meredith Wecker wrote a letter to the SB which was forwarded to Kyle Dragon, the Animal Control Officer.
• Kyle's recommendation remains as it was last week that Shams be labeled a nuisance dog due to an escalation in aggression.
• To not label the dog a nuisance opens up the Town to liability.
• The SB is going to continue deliberation until next week until further questions can be asked of animal control.

Budget Hearings & Discussion held jointly with Finance Committee
[I did not have copies of the individual department budgets so the discussions were hard to follow so there may be mistakes.  If anyone requests a particular budget or budgets I will try to get a hold of them.]
5:40 p.m. (started at 5.47 PM) MTRSD School Committee Representative—Budge Litchfield, update

• Budge went over the budget for the district: FY26 Mohawk Trail District Budget
• Heath had a decline in the Total Operating Assessment:  HEATH   $1,018,085   $998,725   -$19,360 -1.90%
• The Town will need to set aside money in case the money coming from the state and federal contributions are not known at the time we vote on our budget.

6:00 p.m. (6:24 p.m. start)  Fire Department Budget Hearing—Chief Nick Anzuoni

• Nick was concerned that the state was not aware of the severity of the recent situation where Towns were without power for up to 3 days.  Nick has done a write up for Natalie Blaise.
• National Grid kept saying the power would be on in a short period of time so many people stayed in their homes. 
• The effort by National Grid to get the power back  on was not managed as well as it could be.
• There is a communications issue in the building that needs to be addressed.

6:20 p.m. (6:45 start) Highway Department Budget Hearing—Supt. Tyson Howard
Equipment

•  Two pieces of equipment are in need of replacement: 2002 International Dump Truck and 2016 Dodge 5500 (not dependable  and cost more overtime as it was down for maintenance). Cost $5500 in maintenance this winter.
• A  5500 is a non CDL truck which removes a limitation allowing outside drivers so should be an equal replacement not a smaller truck.
• The 2002 truck  is not fixable because parts are not available.

​Paving

• Costs may go up, and how much paving depends on Chapter 90 money.
• Tyson has difficulty getting quotes

Preservation
Garage and trucks have been neglected in the past so Tyson is playing catch up.

• If something is not done the building will have to be replaced.​

Signage

• Many roads do not have signage which is a safety issue for emergency vehicles that come to help  from other towns to help.

​7:15 p.m. (7:30 p.m. start) Library Budget Hearing—Library Trustees and Library Director

• ​Kate Barrows went over the budget and is willing to answer any questions. 
• Budget has appeared to decrease, [but again, I could not follow].
• Library usage has regained  from COVID 

7:40 p.m. (7:47 p.m. start) Police Department Budget Hearing—Chief John McDonough

• May need more hours to get out into the town.
• Expenses are not increasing too much.

State of Emergency (unanticipated topic)

• A question was raised by Wendy Whalen of the Finance Committee about communication during the state of emergency in Heath.  Hilma attended a meeting in Conway with the governor regarding transportation.  She raised the issue of the tremendous cost of our state of emergency.  The governor was there to listen so took in the information, but did not provide feedback at the time.

• The internet did not go down so a backup battery would have provided access to the internet.

Other Business 
Sawyer Hall water/heat issues

• Still no heat and no water.
• A number of pipes have pinholes, slices, or valves that need replacing.
• New valves are needed as the old valves are not replaceable. New valves have a 2 week lead time and have been ordered.
• Hartnet Plumbing will move forward with the known problems and once those fixes are done  they will see if there are more issues.
• Sawyer Hall will need to be cleaned once the work is done.
• Hilma has filed for insurance and an appraiser has been contacted.
• SB passed the motion to accept the Hartnet estimate of $14,389

Community Hall Windows Project Update—vote anticipated

• The committee was disbanded with many thanks.

Rental Space RFP/Appraisal Update 

• No updates

HCA with True Cannabis—vote possible 

• A resident requested the Select Board to declare the HCA with True Cannabis  null and void.
• The HCA has no value given changes in the government regulations.  The SB is willing to terminate the HCA.
• SB wants to look at the developer agreement. 

Mail not previously discussed

• There is concern by the property owner about the use of their property without permission by the bridge construction company.
• Distribution of Chapter 90 money is determined by population  rather than roads.

5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 2/11/25
Public Comment - praise for the wellness checks done by the fire dept, Tim, and other volunteers
5:15 p.m. Nuisance Dog Hearing—Kurowski and Wecker

• Purpose is to determine if Shams, dog owned by Kurowski and Wecker,  is a nuisance or danger. 
• Kyle Dragon report: Two year old male.  Dog wanders , 11 reports filed that the dog was at large,  2 citations were received. A Mohawk Beach Drive owner asked the dog owner to pick up the dog, but was asked the to bring the dog to them [the owners car was not available at the time]. When Mohawk Beach Drive resident took him by the collar  to put him in the car, the dog bit down on the person's arm. No injury resulted.   A work crew had to stop working because of the dog's aggressive behavior.
• Michele Cutter at 10 Royer Rd reported that the dog had approached her. Her concern is that the dog is out on cold nights and is often on Royer Road.  One neighbor had a dog in heat which was a concern and had actually driven the dog home. 
• Andrew: grew up with labs which didn't wander. In the beginning Andrew and Meredith  had their guard down because the dog had initially not wondered.  They are now trying to keep him leashed or in the house or with them at all times, but he does bolt.  The person nipped insisted that it was not an issue.  They are working with a shock collar trying to make him come when called and plan to have him neutered within the next month.  SB requires that the dog be retained in the owner's control at all times effectively immediately until the SB makes a decision at the next meeting.

6:00 p.m. Nuisance Dog Hearing—owner Casey Clark (Mobey's owner)

• When Murphy (complainant's dog) was being walked, Mobey ran across the street, picked up the dog,  and shook him causing bites that required antibiotics and pain killers. Vet bill was $250 plus.
• Murphy was attacked by Mobey a second time, grabbed and shook several times.
• One walker's hand was punctured when try to separate the dogs.
• Mobey does not have another complaint and normally wears a collar for an invisible fence. On both occasions the dog got out before the collar was put on (he doesn't wear it in the house).  The incident happened in the same place both times . The walkers were on the far side of the street on both occasions.
• The Dog Office said that the SB can make a determination of either a  nuisance or a dangerous dog. 
• SB made a motion that the dog be deemed a dangerous dog and be humanely restrained using a leash, trolley system, or a physical fence, effectively immediately.

Other Business
Salt Shed Project Update—vote anticipated

• SB awarded contract to Iron Horse for $147,000

Community Hall Windows Project Update

• The process of getting the grant money is moving forward.
• Hilma to get a quote for the storms.
• Contractor to receive a deposit of $4000.

Rental Space RFP/Appraisal Update

• No updates

Mail

• Email re sustainability study forwarded to Budge Litchfield.
• Request from Board of Health to write a letter of support  for Mosquito Control funding.
• A $10,000 grant was awarded to the Fire Dept for equipment.

This meeting was canceled due to power outage.
5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Orde, Review Agenda , Review Minutes:  2/11/25
Public Comment
Other Business 

• Community Hall Windows Project Update—vote anticipated
• Rental Space RFP/Appraisal Update 

5:30 p.m. Appointment: Accountant & Finance Committee

• new expense report explanation; 
• FY26 budgeting, particularly in relation to Free Cash

6:30 p.m. Appointment: Fire Department Budget Hearing
 6:45 p.m. Appointment: Highway Department Budget Hearing with capital requests, 

• ​Salt Shed Project Update—vote anticipated 

​Mail

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda , Review Minutes:  2/4/25 
Public Comment - None
Other Business  
Salt Shed Project Update 

• For 52' x 70' shed there were 2  bid prices $147,000 (Ironhorse)  and $175,000  

Community Hall Windows Project Update 

• Need to give the contractor the completion date  required by the grant.
• Robyn has started to work on storm window cost. Has 2 sources that she will see about quotes.  

Rental Space RFP/Appraisal Update

• Robyn contacted Mark Reich at KPLaw to ensure that the SB is doing the RFP process the right way. 
• The RFP process allows for more than a one-year lease. 
• It will cover 3 rooms in Jacobs Road, and I believe two rooms in Sawyer Hall   (large room upstairs and the former library).
• Checked on what restrictions municipalities have on who they can lease to. As a municipality the Town can not subsidize non profits.
• Robyn has communicated with HYPA making them aware of the RFP process.

Employee Reviews

• Some reviews are behind and need to be done.
• One approach Robyn uses is to get together with the person and do the review process together.
• Assignments were made to cover persons needing reviews.

Select Board 2024 Annual Report/Town Report Dedication 

• Elissa and Robyn will draft the SB part of the annual report due March 14.
• Dedication needs to be determined.  SB members to send in recommendations.

Preliminary Discussion of Transition Options in Town Coordinator Office 

• Hilma plans to retire sometime in the next fiscal year.
• ​Budget considerations are involved— we need money for overlap and training of new person.
•  Need to determine how much time is needed for that overlap and training and budget that.
•  There are salary considerations  for the person coming in.

7:00 p.m. Appointment: Hilltown Youth Performing Arts—rental license discussion 

• Now that the RFP process (which is a lease) is  going to take place there is less need for a  license discussion
• Although the SB needs to get a license in place to bridge the gap between Jan 1 and the RFP.
• Jonathan was not aware that the license is not retroactive and the rent amount will be $2000 until the RFP.  Owes $2000 a month for Dec, Jan, and Feb.. Dec check for $2000 was paid following the meeting.
• Lease will end with the RFP process.
• Hilma stated that nothing will disrupt Jonathan's end of March performance.
• He may only seek an RFP for one room and use rental blocks for the summer and winter programs.  Jonathan wants to retain the storage closet in the gym and keep the storage container on the grounds.

Mail

• Kyle Jarvis has submitted his resignation.
• Fire Chief report
• MTRSD assessment errors that don't affect Heath.

5:05 p.m. Appointment: Tyson Howard, Highway Superintendent— 3-month performance report and wage consideration

• Good review, SB was pleased with performance, especially given the challenges of this winter so far.
• $1 per hour wage increase was approved.
• Tyson would like to know the sources of the full funding for the salt shed. Chapter 90 money can be used, but FinComm and the SB need to know more about costs.

5:30 p.m. Appointment: Planning Board—initial discussion of possible zoning bylaw change proposals 
Doug Mason outlined 3 bylaw changes the Planning Board wants to bring forward to ATM

1. Revisit solar bylaws in light of new regulations.
2. Update bylaws to include 5G.
3. Look at back lot road frontage - need to change the number for this. 

• Clarification is needed regarding road frontage. Hilma needs to consult with Town Council on statutory private ways.  The county discontinued roads they were maintaining thereby creating statutory private ways.
• Currently there is no new pole hearing is scheduled at this time.  It was noted that Charlemont has found that even old poles need pole hearings if there is a major change. Charlemont has a letter from a lawyer regarding this, and if so, this gives town's more leverage.

Public comment: Roads have been great. You can see the improvement when you enter Heath.
6:15 p.m. Appointment: Finance Committee—FY 2026 Budget Planning Scheduling & Review

• FinComm would like to know when they will see the budgets. Hilma will send them along.
•  FinComm will look at the SB recommendations for raises and  have input.
• The accountant will come on Feb 18 and will give a tutorial on reading the reports based on the new accounting system.  Budget meetings will also start that day with various departments.
• During this discussion Robyn mentioned that the Town may have to seek new legal council as the KPLaw hourly rate is notably hire that what other Towns were paying for legal.

Review Minutes:  1/7/2025, 1/21/2025
Other Business:
Salt Shed Project Update:  

• A bid is coming in on Monday for the structure, Brian DeVriese was a significant help with the bid proposal. 
• Site work and demolition has been an ongoing discussion as to how much the highway dept can do. 
• Superintendent Tyson and Foreman Kyle feel the Highway Dept can do some of the site work and are working on finalizing how much they can do.
• The EOC (Emergency Operations Center) building demolition and associated requirements such as moving oil tank and electrical are in process.  Richard Hillman is scheduled to do the  demolition.

Community Hall Windows Project Update

• Don Heyward provided a proposal of $29,050 for replacing the windows. This does not include the storms. The costs may increase if he finds problems.  SB voted to accept the proposal.
• There is approx. $40k  between fundraising and the grant which may leave some money for storm windows as long as no costly issues are found when replacing the windows.

​Rental Space RFP/Appraisal Update

• SB has a received a proposal for the appraisal of rentable space in Sawyer Hall and Jacobs Road.  Could be done by April 1 for $3350.  There is a lack of comps which will make an appraisal difficult.
• It was agreed that the Town  should do an RFP for the 3 rooms that are currently being rented and one room in Sawyer Hall and not pay for an appraisal.

HYPA list of talking points

• Jonathan Diamond has stated that the current lease amount  is not sustainable for HYPA.
• The SB understands where Jonathan is coming from, but the Selecyt Board needs to write an RFP (Request for Proposal) for the spaces.
• Robyn stated that the license SB has sent needs to be agreed upon and signed.  [I believe this would make HYPA a tenant at will].
• The SB will send out RFPs and HYPA can respond.
• It was mentioned that  being in the rental business requires oversight and may not be manageable.  

​Mail 

• Need to do appointment for the new School Committee meeting rep, Tucker Jenkins

Agenda 
Robyn absent.
5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order (Meeting was recorded.)
Review Agenda
5:05 p.m. Appointment: Finance Committee—FY 2026 Budget Planning Scheduling & Review

• An introductory meeting to talk about focus and objectives of FinComm.
• ​Discussion of tax rate and property values.
• CAF II Funds ($58,000) are due and must be used for broadband. Could prepay on broadband loan principal or loan payment.
• FinComm was given read-only access to Town financial reports

6:00 p.m. Appointment: Art Schwenger, MLB chair, for final meet and review of Bailey Cole, for MLP Manager position

• Had two good candidates, Baily was appointed.
• Baily has broad experience, software and computer skills, BA, has sensitivity to customer needs, a flexible schedule, currently a residential case worker. Lives in Heath and is ready to start immediately.

Public Comment - 1 general comment on stabilization accounts
Reviewed Minutes:  1/14/2025, 1/16/2025
Other Business
Letter to Residents 

•  Discussed the letter to the residents on Town business to be  sent out with the tax bills​

​Salt Shed Project Update

• RFP was sent out to potential bidders
• Tyson has produced a checklist on what needs to be done to prepare 
• Site visit scheduled for Thursday at 10 PM

Community Hall Windows Project Update

• Contractor Don Haywood to update a proposal following a visit to CH next week

Appraisal Update

• No updates since last week when Hilma showed an appraiser the spaces
• Appraiser said there is difficulty getting comparables due to Heath location
• Hilma  has found some RFPs  as examples

DLTA (District Local Technical Assistance) survey
​Items in brackets are my additions

• ["Thanks to the Healy  Administration and the Legislature, the FRCOG is pleased to once again be able to offer member towns technical assistance on a wide variety of priority issues. Among the priorities that can be addressed using these DLTA funds are the Massachusetts Community Compact Best Practices."   https://frcog.org/project/municipal-resources/​ ]
• FRCOG survey looking for feedback on technical needs to assist in putting together FRCOG programs for towns.
• Barbara suggested (1) ways to assist with communication such as a  better way to record meeting, and (2) ways to monitor speeds on our roads.
• Will and Elissa  voted priority order of  (1) Municipal Succession Planning,  (2) Shared Services, and (3) Regional Sheltering and Heating. 

HYPA list of talking points

• Still waiting for feedback from Jonathan Diamond on the new lease agreement.
• Rental amount will remain the same until the new lease is signed and the new agreement will not be retroactive.
• The next meeting with HYPA will be a dedicated meeting.

​New: Tucker Jenkins was appointed to Mohawk  District School Committee
No mail not previously discussed.

5:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda
CAF II (Connect America Fund Phase II) Certification—vote anticipated

• [ Through CAF Phase II, the FCC provides funding to service providers to subsidize the cost of building new network infrastructure or performing network upgrades to provide voice and broadband service in areas where it is lacking.]
• SB approved the certification. 

Approval for placement of new kiosks—Pat McGahan, Parks & Recreation Committee.

• Placement of kiosks  in the center of town and Jacobs Road was approved.  [Kiosks similar to  the kiosk on Flag Hill  Road. Will have maps showing Heath trails]
• A third kiosk mentioned was one just outside HO Cook forest which is under the purview of the Highway Dept. 
• P&R to work with Hilma and Tim on placement in Town Center and Jacobs Road

National Grid Pole Hearing Information—review information
[The pole hearing with National Grid is scheduled for Thursday, Jan 16 form 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm]

• ​Robyn would like to know how many poles will be effected on Avery Brook Road vs Burrington Hill Road as this will be a cost to the town to move the fiber.
• Will felt the outages were not crucial enough to justify the three phase power.
• Ned pointed that the agreement to pay for the cost of putting the fiber on the pole was part of the broadband buildout only, not a subsequent project. Ned agreed with Will that the $70,000 between the two routes is not a significant amount for National Grid.
• Wanda Money made a good case for burying the power lines in the Heath Historic area.

HYPA License Comments—Discussion  

• No notes/comments received from HYPA on the license yet, so the discussion and meeting is postponed.