SB Meeting Notes, Nov 9, 2021

 My notes, my errors and ommissions.
​
Public Comment: none
 
Axon Properties/Crucial: Host Community Agreement

• Host agreement is not back yet.
• Heath lawyer is doing the final review. Since there are multiple farmers  and the possibility of adding more, all HCAs will be between the town and each individual farmer. 
• The Heath lawyer proposed a development agreement laying out the the potential growth with the land being leased to multiple farmers. 
• Hoping for a final draft by the end of the week.

COVID-19 Municipal Protocol, Concerns

• Request to open Sawyer Hall bathroom to public use. Employees in the building are not comfortable with this.
• There has been a request to have the library and post office hours overlap. Trustees are not comfortable with this as well. If it was decided to overlap, they would likely go back to window service.
• These requests would require a COVID policy change.  Brain said it may be time to revisit and  relax some restrictions. 
• The BoH would like to meet with the Select Board and other stakeholders on Next Steps for COVID so that everyone is on the same page and we move forward together and be consistent.  Many surrounding towns are dropping some restrictions.
• Office relocation—there are suggestions for final layout of the financial room into 4 quadrants.

Click on Read More for remaining notes

 Burrington Rd. Culvert Replacement

• Majority of costs for engineering are covered by grant. Max grant per year is $100,000. Chapter 90 funds could cover the balance of engineering costs. [VHV Construction?]
• we are looking for another grant to pay for construction costs next year.
• Select Board approved proposal for professional services.

Route 8A/Branch Brook Bridge

• Jeff Johnston had a construction firm out of Greenfield come up for measurements.
• Firm did some investigations and said a plate repair is not doable.  
• Bridge inspection was done some time ago and that should be reviewed for load bearing capacity. Town needs to respond to the inspection report..

Mohawk Trail Regional School Capital Bonding Plan

• MTRS is asking for feedback on the bonding plan.
• Should MTRS do a 5-, 7-, 10-,  or 15-year plan.
• Select Board feedback is to go with the 7-year plan.

Jacobs Road Generator - fairly extensive discussion

• Osterman came out to Heath to discuss the site for the  propane tank
• Option proposed by Osterman: The town would not have to pay a lump sum for installation of underground tanks and line, rather the addition of an additional 80 cents per gallon would be included in the cost of propane for a 7-year agreement. Two 1000-gallon tanks are needed for extended use. The other option would be to pay $15,000 outright for purchase and installation of tanks the and town would own the tanks.
• Select Board voted to accept the 7-year proposal pending legal review.
• Grant money for the generator needs to be spent by November 30.

​Board of Health member appointment

• Loraine Berger expressed interest in the 2-year appointment.
• Select Board approved her appointment.

Committee Charges

• Need to start looking at committee charges
• Will start with Parks & Rec charge.

Fire House

• Need letters committed by departments that are going to reps regarding the need for a new firehouse.
• Brian did a drawing of the firehouse and sent to an structural engineer in preparation for a visit. 

Green Communities update

• Need to complete the quarterly report.

Estimate to Replace the Compressor and Cooler in the Kitchen at Jacobs Road

• Estimate is $850 with funds to come from School revolving account.
• Kitchen has been rented to a caterer who could have made use of the cooler.
• Select Board approved.

BoH

• Seeking support from the Select Board for a letter to the state about a virus program.
• Discussed the plan for the joint summit mentioned in the COVID Protocols section above.

Heath Historical Society

• Site Markers - Needs discussion with Jeff Johnston
• 5 Ledge Road - Request to put climate controlled building on town property. Brain spoke in favor, but expressed that disposition of town property is complicated. Select Board will seek legal advice on a proposal favorable to nonprofit use.

Free Cash--account has $221,492

Standing water on Flag Hill Road —Robyn to discuss Jeff Johnston letter to homeowner regarding standing water.

Safety Grant

• New OSHA requirements may be covered by a grant.
• Jeff Johnston said they could use helmets, chaps, and a communication set which is especially important when cutting trees..
• Hilma put in an application for $2875 fro 4 sets of equipment.

Office Assistant—Hilma posted ad

Grants

• Heath received a grant of  $735,000 for work on 8A.
• As an FYI Charlemont received a grant to straighten out the bad curve on 8A at the former Sherman property.
• A handful of people in Heath have been doing a lot of work getting grants for considerable savings to the town.
• Hilma has been working with individuals, boards and committees helping with grants applications.. 

Executive Session 
Select Board adjourned and went into went into executive session  for deliberation and strategy for entering a long-term lease of space at the 18 Jacobs Road municipal building with Hilltown Youth Recovery Theatre.