6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 5/7/24, 5/11/2024, 5/21/2024
Public Comment - 4 Mohawk Estates members concerned about the cost of broadband connection, One resident asked about Community Solar [Will to look into the status of the project] and resident expressed appreciation to Hilma for her assistance.
6:15 p.m. Parks & Recreation Committee — Mike Cucchiara, Chair

• Perpetual Public Trail Easement - paid for by Woodlands Partnership, The property at 47 Vincent Road is a key piece to connect the Heath trail system to Rowe public land, The  SB signed the easement agreement.
• Center Fence — Friends of Parks & Rec has raised money to put in a fence to stop balls from going into the brush on the tree line by the pickleball court.  SB accepted $1049 to put up the fence- 6 ft high black vinyl coated.

6:45 p.m. Building Use Committee
Jacobs Road

• Proposed a reduced fee schedule for kitchen to be more competitive
•  Exclusive use of all spaces would be a single charge rather than broken down by particular spaces.  And I believe charged by 4 hour blocks.

Community Hall

• Reduced fees to more affordable amounts.

Changes to Charge - there were several including:

• Remove requirement for a member of COA to be on the committee as CH is no longer a shared space with the Sr Center.
• Add oversees use of  Licensed Kitchen

Select Board Appointments:
Accepted SB volunteers for Heath Representation for FRCOG programs and as SB Liassons to Boards and Committees.

• Robyn Provost-Carlson: SB Chair, FRCOG Extension Program, FRCOG Alternate Planning Bard Rep, Local Emergency Planning Rep, FRCOG Counselor
• Will Emmet: FRCOG Planning Board Rep, Regional Dog Kennel Rep, Tri-Town Landfill Committee Rep [closed site on Avery Brook Road that has to be mowed and monitored],  FRCOG Transit Authority Rep, Licensing Board, Highway Dept Liasson.
• Elissa Viarengo: SB Secretary, BoH Liasson, Alternate Regional Dog Kennel Rep, Solid Waste Management Rep, Heath Herald Correspondent, Community Hall Fund Raising Committee Liasson
• Boards & Committees: reviewed vacancies and discussed advisory committee status. Reviewed vacancies and potential volunteers.

Other Business
ATM Continuation: MTRSD proposed agreement changes

• SB to send a reminder to Sheryl Stanton, Superintendent of MTRSD,  concerning the continuation meeting.
• SB will determine if Sunday, June 9 meeting called by School Committee Rep, Budge Litchfield,  will still take place. Budge plans to vote against the amendment due to how capital costs are allocated  in relation to the number of students attending their district school. [Colrain]
• Schedule for continuation is June 17 at 7 pm. A quorum is 56 people. 
• SB plans to read their statement prepared for the ATM as it is still relevant.

Use of town email

• How to determine what gets sent. Maybe the subject  line of "Public Service Announcement" could be used. Or a disclaimer of some sort.  Many ides were discussed.

Boards Clerk

• Reviewed and updated charge, Hilma to revise.

Community Hall Windows Fundraising

• There is a confirmed sum of $18152.34 raised, with more to be recorded.
• The committee will stay in effect past original end date, charge to be rewritten.
• Robyn expressed concern about how to speak to fund raising that may continue after the goal has been reached.

Project Updates

• CH - Hartnet Plumbing is coming on Wed, Jun 5 to hook up the plumbing. 
• Tim will verify that all needed work has been completed so that CH can be opened.
• Highway - Jeff and Hilma are working on a grant to complete work on Number 9 Road.  Will said ditching went a long way to saving Number 9 Road over the winter. 
• Work to include 20 culverts replaced, reclaiming and resurfacing the upper part, and all work needed for finish the road. 

Mail
Items not already covered above
Resignations from Boards and Committees

• Kerrie McNay, Conservation Commission
• Jenna Day, Parks and Rec

There was a period of silence for the loss of Victoria Burrington, Chair of the Council on Aging.​
Notes
6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 5/7/24, 5/11/2024
Public Comment - None
Welcome to new Select Board member [Will Emmet]
Annual Town Meeting—Wrap-Up 

• Went well, too long, all purchases went through.
• One item was pulled: filling vacancies with SB members, Hilma to provide list of committee and board vacancies.
• Discussed possible ways to shorten meetings.
• Discussed the various ways of communication to address transparency concern of some residents.  Robyn listed the many ways to learn what is going on:
  • All meetings are open, [agendas are published 48 hours in advance]
  • All the meetings are available on audio tape
  • Meeting minutes are available on the Town website once reviewed
  • Letters go out to residents  periodically
  • The SB has a regular article in the Heath Herald
  • There is a Facebook page, All Around Heath
  • There is a website, Heath Connects, which is open to all [HeathConnects.org]
  • [The Select Board does not have any new ideas beyond this and would welcome suggestions.]

Other Business

• MTRSD Amendment: There will be a Presentation, "What Every Heath Resident Should Know about the Changes to the MTRSD Agreement" by Ken Rocke given on three dates: May 29, Jun 5, June 12 from 6:30 to 8:30.  

Office of Accountant-- [not sure what was said, but was very brief.]
Finance Committee vacancy

• Two persons expressed interest, Karen Brooks and Wendy Whalen. SB appointed Wendy Whalen.
• Both are qualified candidates. SB liked the idea of getting someone new involved with the Town and also welcomed representation  from Mohawk Estates. Wendy heard the call for volunteers at ATM and stepped up.  
• Karen is an appointed member of the Community Hall Windows Fund Raising Committee and, as a farmer, hope of her being appointed to the Agricultural Commission as well.

Application for Age and Dementia Friendly Community status - SB Approved joining.
Boards Clerk for BoH, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals

• SB members to update charge, review at next meeting, and then appoint

Center Fence Installation

• Tabled as there was no update.

Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update

• Approx. $700 plus has been added since last meeting so the matching grant amount has been filled and certification of the grant can begin.
• There will be a concert in July at the Charlemont Federated Church through the generosity of David and Barbara Gordon that will add more money to the fund.

Project List Discussed

• Salt Shed
• Ethics Training for boards and committee
• Will Emmet is investigating ways to get $348,000 for Fire Station building alone. This does not include  site work, plumbing and electrical. We have a shovel-ready plan done by Brian De Vriese
• School District proposed amendment
• Need a figure for the balance of ARPA funds (estimate $100,00 to $150,000)
• Finalize Policy for Code of Conduct
• Address trailer and unregistered vehicle rules and regulations
• Mohawk Estates culvert ownership determination
• Cannabis Control Commission Equity Program  needs to be addressed
• Need to designate what Heath's park areas are
• Need a mailbox replacement policy if damaged by Town trucks.
• ATM improvements needed to shorten meetings
• More to be added at next meeting 

New Business

• Colrain was one of only five municipalities that won the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
• The Colrain librarian is a Heath resident, letter of congratulations to go out.

Fuel Bids have come in and been approved

• $3.54 per gallon for gas
• $3.44 for gallon for diesel 
• $3.48 for heating oil from Sandri who will come and repair in emergencies

Summer Meeting Schedule of every other week was set​
Mail

• Many items were covered previously
• Letter from True Cannabis regarding wish to add processing to agreement
• There was a formal complaint regarding the trailer on the 8A property of the Sessions. The residents are working on stripping the trailer to make it lighter, hopefully to make it easier to move. SB to send a letter. 

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order
Review Agenda
6:05 Appointment for Accountant Position—Ben Gelb

• Has been working with our current accountant for about a year
• Has treasurer experience
• Mention he has availability with short term notice

Feedback from SB:

• Flexible in making changes and meeting with  Town officials
• Confident in discussion of what he can do
• Has some banking connections
• Experience with our accounting system
• Expect a smooth transition from current accountant

SB voted to hire the candidate for the accountant position.
SB to offer permanent Boards position to the other candidate for accountant.
6:45 p.m. Appointment with School Committee Representative—Budge Litchfield

• Questioned as to whether the SB will move the district's articles forward
  • The Town moderator has said he will ask the Town to vote on whether or not they wish to move the article forward.
• Looking for a feel for support for the Rowe late bus 
  • Budge expressed that the late bus is important and could be a hardship for some students and parents if not funded,
  • This is a tough financial decision given our budget. 
  • Budge said there's an average of 21 students using the bus depending on what is happening at the schools —sports, band, theater.

Review Minutes: 4/29/24, 4/30/2024
Annual Town Meeting—planning and review with Finance Committee
       The main discussion was about the MTRSD Amendment to the district agreement

• It has been implied that Heath is not paying for its students. This is not true. 
• We will  pay  $1,123, 701  this year for our students and do it willingly as we have always done.[Articles 4-10]
• The district has an operating budget and there is no compelling to reason to adopt this amendment at this time. 
• Heath is open to change once the current sustainability study is complete.
• The district is one community and all members should be treated fairly.  This amendment does not achieve that.
• The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) does not require the use of this methodology.  It favors towns that have a school. 
• We can’t approve an amendment before all the financial implications are known and understood. They are not.

Warrant Articles
Operating Budget (Article 3)
Other Business
Center Fence Installation— for the Pickleball court to keep balls from going into the brush
Accountant Software Purchase--
HYPA Lease—Approved
Town Nurse Job Description—review, vote possible

• Input from BoH, COA, Town Nurse.
• Approved

Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update

• Money still coming in, getting close to goal

Jacobs Camera not working

• Company came to replace the camera and learned the newer camera is not compatible with the old recorder.
• New recorder is $1075 including old installation and will work with existing cameras
• Cost will come out of the revolving fud.
• Northeast Security Solutions
• Total cost of $2150​

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.

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Public Comment (none), Review Minutes: 4/16/24
Select Board waived the rental fee at Jacobs Road for a Meet the Candidates event
6:15 p.m. BroadBand Update—MLP Manager, Sheila Litchfield, with MLB members

• Funds received from Wired West $78,821
• MLP Contribution to the Town $30,000
• Transfer from Buildout $40,000
• CAF II (Connect America Fund Phase II)
  • ​$168,000 is due in July of 2024 from this fund. MLP would like it to be used for broadband debt. This decision falls under the purview of the Select Board per DLS Bulletin 2024-3
• Discussion of pros and cons of Wired West versus going directly to Westfield Gas & Electric
  • There is a  benefit of shared administrative cost

7:06 p.m. MTRSD Agreement Articles—discussion with Finance Committee & Ken Rocke, vote possible

• The meeting with the district tomorrow is Heath's meeting even though taking place at the high school in Shelburne.
• Ken's Position on the response from the district:
  • We presented our questions in October, but now it's close to Town Meeting when the district finally responded.
  • Felt the district response was argumentative. Feel we have very different agendas for this meeting.
  • Heath wants to be able to tell residents how much the amendment will cost them.
  • "If we can't agree on the method for getting the numbers and the numbers themselves then there is not much to talk about."
  • Ken has not been able to set up a meeting where he can go over the numbers on the district spreadsheets.
  • Ken' s Goal: (1) It would be helpful if it was settled that Ken and Bill can sit together to go over their spreadsheet together.  Their spreadsheet does not contain formulas so Ken can does not have what he needs to do all the calculations.  (2) Would like to address the fairness issue. Rather than have winners and losers, Ken would like to a broader view. (3) Ken would like to see one district and not three.  We need to redirect our energy.  (4) Ken would like to vote it down at Town meeting. Dislikes how the Town has been characterized as only looking out for themselves.
  • There is a sustainability study taking place now  that should be completed before there is an amendment.

FY 2025 Budget Planning—with Finance Committee
Operating Budget (Article 3) -  FinCom approved Article 3 with 1 small change amounting to $1000 on Community Hall Maintenance & Utilities
Capital Expenses - Part of the Warrant
Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles—vote possible

• Articles in questions are 4, 11, 13, all having to do with the school district.
• Article 4. FinCom did not recommend articles related to MTRSD at this time as there seem to be problems  related to how it is calculated.
• Article 11 Late Bus, not recommended by FinCom until we know how many average Heath students use the bus. No recommendation by the SB.
• Article 13 MTRSD Assessment Error payment. FinCom would like to split it from 1 to 2 payments.

Other Business
Grants --Approved by the Select Board

• Heath Woodlands Partnership—grant application support letter
• Woodlands Partnership--EOEEA grant application support letter
• Deerfield River Watershed Assoc.—grant application support letter

FRCOG--MVP grant application support letter, vote possible
Town Nurse Job Description—Not done
Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update: $14,302 on donations so far
New Items
Accountant has submitted a letter of resignation.  
Marie Forester resigned from the BUC due to a change in her schedule.
Heath Arts Exhibition requested to close the road in front of Community Hall for the Sunday of the Exhibition. SB approved.

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Public Comment, Review Minutes: 4/2/24, 4/9/24
6:15 p.m. Parks & Recreation Committee—Mike Cucchiara, warrant article, current projects

• Working with Rowe on the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership (MTWP) Project
• Mapping Grant: $45,00 to flesh out a trail route. Completed.
• Implementation Grant: $50,000 to start talking to landowners for access. FC Land Trust has been hired. Need to spend the money as fast as possible as grant ends on June 30.
• Warrant article of $15,000 for perpetual trail easement for key property on 4 Vincent Rd.

Town Nurse Job Description—updates suggested, will require more modifications
FY 2025 Budget Planning

• $160,000 available for offsetting broadband debt (anticipated revenue).

Operating Budget (Article 3) 
Capital Expenses 
Employee Wages - salary changes are part of the latest budget
Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles 
Budget Discussion with Finance Committee, as needed.

• FinCom to meet on Friday with their final recommendations

Other Business
MTRSD Agreement Articles:

• Meeting is unlikely as the district has not provided the numbers need to make a decision

Hilltown Youth Performing Arts—review of lease status, Tabled 
Community Hall Windows Fundraising

• Benefit Concert on July 26 at Federated Church in Charlemont
• Donations to date: $12,492

Community Hall/Sawyer Hall —Mold Remediation update

• ​Donnelson Contractors are currently working to replace the stage area ceiling in CH
• Elevator in CH needs repair, needs new battery/battery pack 
• Painting is done in Community Hall

Select Board and FinCom left as friends despite some hotly discussed items.

Items
6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 3/26/24

6:05 p.m. FY 2025 Budget Planning—with Finance Committee and Accountant
Operating Budget (Article 3)

• Proposal to payoff tractor notes from free cash 
• Proposal to reduce Special Projects from $15,000 to $5000

Capital Expenses
There was a lot of discussion about how to fund these expenses and below have not all been finalized.

• Add money to stabilization accounts: IT ($10,000), Audit ($5,500) Accounts -  account leaving remainder of Free Cash to go into General Stabilization to go towards the Salt Shed.
• Truck $100,000 
• Road Side Mower - take out of Free Cash
• Leaf blower - approx. $4000:  take from Free Cash
• Storage container - suggest hold until next year
• New school phone safety system:  Raise and appropriate (school item)
• Ambulance - separate article for discussion
• Accounting software - come out of ARPA
• Late bus - Raise and Appropriate approx. $6000. Rowe has been paying the full cost and now would like Charlemont and Heath to share.  The payment is for the service not the number of students served. 
• Salt Shed - FinCom and SB suggested to set aside $100,000 of Free Cash, Chapter 90, or ARPA funds in an account for the salt shed.  Money is needed in an account right now to start the planning process—create an RFP.  Recommendation to spend the ARPA money first.

Employee Wages

• Discussion as to how to recognize employees above the cost of living bump which is not really a merit raise.
• Discussion on how to include the value of benefits in calculating salary  increases

Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles

• DRAFT reviewed

Other Business
MTRSD Agreement Articles & possible meeting

• So far the SB has been unable to get the numbers they need to make a decision despite asking for many months. Without the numbers there is no point meeting.

Mail
Sue Lively attended a meeting of a newly forming group, A Coalition for Rural Community Stability.  This is an important effort focused on bringing the issues facing rural communities to the state legislature.  [Add a draft letter]

To be verified
​Left in accounts to use:
$164,000 ARPA
$60,00 Free Cash
$200,000 Chapter 90

These notes are skimpy, I recommend listening to the audio, or at a minimum to the Natalie Blais portion. SB 2024-04-02 N BlaisSectionofAudio.mp3
Full meeting audio: SB 2024-04-02 Audio.mp3
​
6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 3/26/24
6:00 p.m. Meeting with State Representative Natalie Blais
​​

• Sue expressed concern that Mass does not consider ambulance an essential service
• When Colrain bills insurance, they only get what the insurance wants to give. This causes  financial hardship that impacts the ability to keep people.

Natalie's Initiatives/focuses

• educational aid for rural communities
• transportation: https://www.mass.gov/northern-tier-passenger-rail-study​
• ​more involvement by younger people in community service

Issues raised by FinCom and Select Board with Natalie

• educational costs
• infrastructure costs
• rural communities can not do what is dictated by the state, we can not be treated the same by the State Legislature as non-rural communities.

7:00 p.m. FY 2025 Budget Planning—with Finance Committee
Recommendations:

• Fund salary increases
• Fund Colrain ambulance service, $22,000
• Fund replacement truck from stabilization
• Fund new leaf blower rather than repair existing as that would not be cost effective (made in Italy, expensive repair, not a long term solution.)
• Fund storage container

Other Business

• ​MTRSD Agreement Articles & possible meeting: no response from the district
• Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update:  $10,677,
• Community Hall/Sawyer Hall—Mold Remediation update: Tim continuing to paint in CH. When done he will call Hartnet to reinstall plumbing. Contractor to get back to Tim with quote on replacing the ceiling. Current ceiling tiles are no longer available. SH to be painted next.
• CH Repairs needed: facia boards, cupola repairs
• Town Report Dedication:  Hilma did not have time to write

New Business

• COA wants to do a bake sale at ATM, SB voted to approve.

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 2/19/24
6:15 p.m. FY 2025 Budget Planning  (FinCom  requested to wait until next week for mtg).
Went over the draft budget worksheet.
Discussed building maintenance in relation to rising fuel costs.
Salaries: Expressed concern that some employees are below the median, many had not received COLA in some past years so there is a need to catch some people  up.
Items planned to be discussed with FinCom

• Highway Department Capital requests, Salt Shed, Building Costs, Employee Salaries

Other Business
MTRSD Agreement Articles & possible meeting

•  SB indicated that we can't set a meeting until we have answers to our questions. Budge Litchfield indicated this was passed on to  the district.

Highway Department--summer work schedule

• A four 10-hour-day schedule as was done in the past was discussed.
• Two employees preferred the five 8-hour day schedule and one preferred the four 10-hour-day.  Jeff Johnston felt they could accommodate both with a hybrid schedule.
• Jeff Johnston felt they would be able to have a hybrid schedule meet the Town's needs.
• The SB agreed to try the hybrid arrangement.

CEC Revised Agreement—revision to add PFAS testing, vote possible [Commission for Environmental Cooperation]   It will be an increase to the Town budget of $1150.
HilltownYouth Performing Arts—review of requests, vote possible

• Contract for $2400 a month was accepted by HYPA.

CommunityHall Windows Fundraising—update

• Over $8000 raised

Community Hall/Sawyer Hall —Mold Remediation update.

• Remediation is done, Tim to start painting.
• Tim has contacted a contractor to replace the Community Hall ceiling,
• Tim has started to move furniture from second floor down to the first.

Town Report Dedication 

• ​SB has 4 recommendations to review.
• They were a bit secretive about it trying to main a surprise.

Mail

• Items already covered

8:20 7:50 6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 3/12/24,
​Public Comment - none
6:05: Community Hall/Sawyer Hall—Mold Remediation update

• CH: All equipment removed; drywall partially done; ceiling above stage has been removed because of contamination, but did not replace as it was not part of the original quote; Tim to do painting; Tim to contact contractor to replace ceiling. SH: Ready for painting

6:12  Personnel Policy: review and update sections regarding drug testing, hiring requirements—vote

• Update needed to drug/alcohol section, needed terminology for marijuana related substances (cannabinoids)
• Need wording to ensure anyone driving town vehicles are fully licensed, whether Town employee, contractor, or volunteer.
• Extensive review found obsolete data.

6:21 Town Nurse Job Description: review changes—vote possible

• Job description as written not possible in an 8 hour weeks
• Hilma to rework and give to an RN for review.

7:55 Office Clerks: analysis of town and departmental clerical needs

• Role of a Boards clerk is different from Office Assistant.
• Boards Clerk - Now 8 hrs /wk. Currently working for BoH. SB would like to extend this to Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeal and make this 10 hrs/wk. (5 hrs for BoH, 1 hr for each of the others.)
• Office Assistant - Now 2 hrs/wk.  Robyn wants to push to 2 hrs/day. Current 2hrs/wk is not adequate.

8:13 FY 2025 Budget Planning: review of salaries & stipends, operating budget, capital requests

• Robyn feels everyone should be at least in the middle of their grade.
• Persons below middle are to be reviewed for possible adjustment above COLA. Several were identified. 
• Review of potential increase in building manager's hours.
• Robyn to produce numbers to make these adjustments.
• Robyn recused herself for Highway Dept. discussion. Increases were recommended by Sue and Elissa and the dept. was praised for the work accomplished despite reduced personnel.

Other Business:
8:58 MTRSD Agreement Articles & possible meeting

• March 27 is the best date for the district for a meeting. SB feels they can't schedule a meeting unless we have the numbers ahead of time.
• SB goal is to understand why the numbers from the MTRSD are different from Ken Rocke's.
• Heath is already paying for it's students and we need the numbers to understand the impact on Heath of the agreement amendment.

9:19 Letter to encourage increased rural aid for education

• Reviewed and accepted

9:21 Municipal Aggregation for Electric—vote possible

• Aggregation is a way to reduce electricity cost to Heath residents.
• Residents can opt not to join the aggregation.
• SB voted to accept 2 yr. contract through Colonial Power
• Workers we see around Town lately work for National Grid  are are doing a pole survey and many poles will be replaced. They are also building in redundancy. 

9:39 Hilltown Youth Performing Arts—review of requests, vote possible

• Jonathan sent a letter of thanks. Hilma to send the new lease with the option to sign or go with existing lease.

9:41 Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update

• Donation letter has gone out
• Have $7817 in donations five of which were online donations.

9:42 Animal Inspector--appointment,
["The primary duty of the Animal Inspector has recently become rabies control in the domestic animal population. Municipal Animal Inspectors are also responsible for barn inspections and may be called to assist with domestic animal disease quarantines in the event of an outbreak."
--https://www.mass.gov/info-details/municipal-animal-inspector-resources​ ]

• Amy Jarvis is the current inspector and wishes to continue in the position.
• She has completed the "Barn Book" which records  the number  and type of all farm animals at each location in the coverage area.
•  She does an inspection of the premises for state requirement for care—adequate food, water, and shelter.

9:51 2023 Town Report

• Draft introduction completed. SB voted to accept with corrections which Sue L will make.

9:53 Town Report Dedication

• Sb members to send recommendations to Hilma who will compile a list for review.

9:55 List of Items from Past SB Meetings to Consider

• How to make Town meeting easier on folks
• How to present the budget in a user friendly way
• How to shorten the time to go through the warrant. Hilma presented an alternative used by other towns.

Mail

• items were already discussed