SB Meeting Notes Tuesday, June 7

6:30 p.m. MLP Backhaul Cost Sharing Agreement
David Gordin reported on the work of the MLP (Heath Broadband) to provide redundancy for the broadband network. The towns of Heath, Rowe, Charlemont, Colrain, and Leyden have worked together on a 5-town agreement and obtained $400,000 from the state to build the infrastructure.  Sheila Litchfield and Sue Lively gave Dave Kudos for guiding the MLP  so well through the process.  The $400,000 grant is the second highest awarded in the state.
7:00 p.m. Public Information Meeting about Library Relocation 
This was an hour and a half where people were able to ask questions and express their feelings about the relocation of the library operations to Jacobs Road.  Some of the discussion points are in the bullets below, but interested persons should listen to the audio tape starting at about the 2:10 position on the tape.

• We have known Sawyer Hall has had ADA compliance issues for years, why move now?
  • We never had an alternative location before.
•   Why only evaluate Sawyer Hall? What about the rest of the buildings?
  • All town buildings will be evaluated  The timeframe for this was driven by a specific need of the library trustees to understand what issues would be faced for strategic planning if the library remains in Sawyer Hall.
• Isn't the Post Office also  in non compliance and does that put us in jeopardy of losing it?
  • Yes, and is one of the reasons that it has been difficult to move forward on the non compliance issues.
• Has grant money been sought?
  • Not for the specific issues in the ADA report. Grant money has been spent on elevators in both Sawyer Hall and Community Hall, and making the bathrooms in Sawyer Hall ADA compliant.  
• When was the ramp built?
  • Over 18 years ago on land donated by the Gruens.  It is non compliant because it exits into the road and there is a lip caused by wear over time.
• What about maintenance and ADA  issues at Jacobs Road. The handicapped parking is too far from the building,  sidewalks and berms are in need of repair.
  • Yes, but these issues are less egregious than what we face at Sawyer Hall.
• What ADA needed modifications will be required at Jacobs Road?
  • The building was ADA compliant when built and does not have additional legal requirements. The fire chief would like a second egress from the library, which would require replacing a window with a door and putting in a walkway.  He plans to consult the fire marshall and could insist this be done. 
• Why haven't we been maintaining these building right along?
  • I didn't catch a definitive response to this. [My Comment: I do know that (1) obtaining   grant money and bids takes time, and the alternative is to raise taxes, (2) at ATM we voted in a $4,000,000 broadband project and to loan $200,000 in the stabilization fund to broadband.  It's a matter of choice how we spend out tax dollars.]
• There was questioning of the integrity of the Select Board in the matter
  • ​The only response I noted was that this was a library trustees decision driven by their long term strategic plan for the library. [My comment: The ongoing personal attacks on the Select Board by a group unhappy with how the town is being managed continues.]

Other business

• CDBG grant was extended . This grant was mentioned last meeting as a possibility for accessibility funding.
• Jeff Johnston, highway department superintendent,  will submit fuel bid.
• WRAP Contract: SB signed contract for Bray Road repair.
• Ned Wolf analyzed the MTRSD assessment error giving the Select Board clear data.