SB Meeting Notes, Nov 16, 2021

​COVID
Employee who has come in direct  contact with someone who has tested  positive for COVID.: That employee can return to work if tested at least 5 days  after exposure with a negative result,  (2) has no symptoms, and (3) is fully vaccinated, If not, employee needs to stay out of work for 14 days. 

Council on Aging (COA) Meeting with SB {approx 35 mins]
COA Survey
The COA surveyed all persons 60 years of age and older to determine wants and needs. The survey had a 70% response rate. One outstanding response was seniors want more interaction with all age groups.  There were also many offers to volunteer.

Senior Program Coordinator 
The COA would like to revamp this position to make increased use of this position. Need to understand the role regarding supervision. If the position is funded by the town and it needs to go to town meeting next May to be voted on.  If the position is funded by a grant ,then the COA  can advertise the position for the length of the grant. A town employee ultimately reports to the SB, but some level of supervision can be granted to others.   The COA and BoH need to coordinate efforts for services for seniors.

Axon Properties,  Alchemy Cannabis, Inc. [approx. 1 hr]
Mark James - Atty for Axon
Nicole Costanzo - Atty rep for town
The contract on the Bellor Road property expires next Wednesday, November 24.  Axon is seeking a signed Developer Agreement and Host Agreements by then in order to move forward on the purchase. 

This was a lengthy discussion. The Select Board had limited time to review a Developer agreement that was introduced this week. The agreement would allow the developer to enter into additional host agreements using the same terms and conditions as the first four without having to go back to the Select Board. The Select Board felt this should not happen without restrictions and not be open ended

The Select Board agreed to meet Friday at 10 AM to review updated documents from the discussion. They may schedule a meeting for Monday if needed, hoping for agreements that they can vote on by Tuesday at the latest.  

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Community Impact Fees

• HCA will  include a community impact fee for the host community which is a percentage of gross annual sales of the ME or MT, ( Marijuana Establishment (ME) or Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MTC),
• Developer agreement is 1.5% annually.
• Each HCA is 1% annually.

Community Outreach

• The Community Outreach meeting to explain the cannabis operation is scheduled for November 29. Sue Lively expressed concern about how to reach the community as a whole to avoid misunderstanding or misinformation regarding the cannabis operation.

Office Partitions
Quote requested, waiting for response.
 
Generator
Propane tank installation – town legal said town could not enter into proposed long-range contract for installation, so town is now seeking quotes for installation.  One company has already come to look and more quotes anticipated next week.
 
8A Bridge
Jeff Johnston waiting for response from state engineer as to when they will be back to reinspect. Hilma crafting a letter to Mass DOT to express the urgency of the bridge repair. Jeff will be putting up signage to make bridge one way to prep for plowing. Sue would like signage to be more visible.
 
Burrington Bridge
Brian spoke with Carl Ayers who said a Notice of intent is coming. Brian will need to schedule a Conservation Commission site visits.
 
Green Communities
Community Hall: Brian meeting Roger Harris and two contractors on Thursday, November 18. Energy Advisory Committee is posted for Thursday night, but may not have a quorum.

Post Office Substitute
Need more substitutes to cover Charlene's time away. Bill Fontes was appointed.

Email 
Letter from a concerned citizen regarding Bellor Road land sale and cannabis  operation demonstrating the need for the upcoming Community Outreach. SB needs some kind of a statement and it should start with the town meeting vote two years ago to allow for  a cannabis business in Heath. This led to more discussion about communication with the community.

Communication with Community 

• Sue expressed that there is significant misunderstanding and misinformation of many issues in town and thought perhaps a mailing would be helpful.
• ​In addition to the need for information on cannabis Sue mentioned that the town has many important issues that should be communicated such as  the pole hearing, green communities, Hilltown lease, 
• Information can grow and change and misrepresent what is happening.
• SB could have monthly mailings, but would need someone to provide content.
• Robyn mentioned the effort to provide more information on the website and added that people also need to make some effort to educate themselves on town issues.

Recycling Dividend 
 SB voted to accept $4200 as required.
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Executive Sessions:

1. AT & T Mobility
2. Hilltown Recovery Theater lease