SB Meeting Notes for April 6, 2021

These are my own notes. Check the website for approved notes when they become available.
Facilities Committee Interim Report on 4 Months Work
• Focused on safety related repairs and upgrades
• Developed a prioritizing scale to target most important issues. The priority list starts at page 8 of PDF [I could not find the report on the website, but will check with Hilma and post a link on our site.]
• A subcommittee has begun to secure pricing for anything that is 8 points or above on a 1 to 10 scale.
Quotes
• $2,500 paving jobs behind CH (extension of stairway), JR gym exit
• $3,500 to regrade by CH door by Tom Danick
• $3,450 for electrical service upgrade at fire department/Eoc building Flammable liquids are in fire building and need to be moved to flame-safe storage.
• No quote yet for EOC eye wash station, portable stations are available.
o CDBG (Community Development Block) grant program will cover some of the accessibility issues.
▪ Chapter 149 has limit of $10,000
▪ Chapter 30 Construction has limit of $30,000
Finance Committee
• Recommends 1.5% COLA and adjustment for minimum wage, come to 2.06%
• Budget worksheet – tech support for town hall, $10,020 (12 month support fees for NEIT) – does not include anything about equipment for internet hookup. FinCom asked if can we use CCG (Community Compact Grant) to pay some connection costs.
• Jacobs Road – total utilities expense to date=$32,382 (8.5 months). Estimated remaining cost is $10,000 for this fiscal year. $41,382 needed? [Not sure why this is not $42,382].
• Line item for JR = $48,382 on budget for school. $5030 currently in JR revolving fund from rental income, $10,000 left in Mohawk money. FinCom recommendation = $48,000 - $15,000.
• The cost of a Cat6 cable upgrade at Jacobs Road is estimated between $7,500to $10,000. Existing Cat5 cable is sufficient for now but need to plan for the upgrade.
Budget Line Items
• $66,500 – There is a Mohawk capital assessment in addition to the approx. $900,000 assessment.
• It was said that Mohawk assessments will raise levy. [broadband will as well, but was not noted ]
Town Coordinator
• Recommends 2 separate warrants to make is easier to postpone TM if on a separate warrant.
o 1 for elections
o 1 for town meeting
• Police Office door: laminate is separating. Contractor to include in his estimate.
• Internet Hotspot: Hilma asked if we could open up to neighboring communities. Approved.
• There will be an article on warrant to reimburse the Town of Colrain for $11,523 for A Heath student transfer from Mohawk to Franklin County Technical School that was included in Colrain’s assessment. DESE would not adjust assessment.
• Wi-Valley: pole placement application. Florida has not signed non-disclosure agreement. Hilma to contact Town of Florida.
• Green Communities: Brian met to talk about approval for engineering design costs for HVAC at Community Hall which is a major issue right now.
• Sawyer Hall sign – Hilma to contact company that made and installed sign to do re-installation.
• There is a complicated registration process for DOE regionalization study grant which Hilma is working through.
• Attended Planning Board Mtg –
• The PB received an application to construct a 180-foot mono-pole off Rowe Road. Program called First-net —wireless coverage for emergency services. Would also provide cell service. Cal Carr thinks it may mean consulting with town counsel.
• Pollinator plan – high pollination growth areas in town may prompt changes to bylaws so that has to be considered in zoning.
• Citizens’ petitions for town meeting
1. to have all meetings in ADA compliant buildings
2. to require the Select Board to keep all town offices in the two center buildings.