SB Meeting Notes, Tuesday June 21

Woodlands Partnership, mohawktrailwoodlandspartnership
Lisa Hayden, MTWP Administrative Agent provided an update on the work. This is a locally controlled partnership with the state and the federal government. About: 
"Initiated in 2013, the MTWP is a collaboration between the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Franklin Land Trust, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, a US Forest Service Liaison, and the MTWP Advisory Committee. The formation of an Advisory Committee to help oversee the project was a key recommendation from a series of community meetings held in 2014 to gather public input on the project. The MTWP Advisory Committee has met regularly since 2014 to craft a project plan, the State legislation, and a draft business plan and governance structure. The Committee is comprised of representatives from 19 of the 21 towns and regional organizations representing land conservation, economic development, forestry, regional planning and the environment."
Mike Cucchiara spoke about gains from grants:

• Shapiro trail project off Flag Hill Road
• Acquired Davenport land 
• Trail expansion project to Catamount State Forest
• Submitted a grant with Rowe to create a regional trail that includes Rowe (Rowe contact is Hannah Poplawski)

COVID & Mask Wearing

• The Select Board, based on Mass government policy, made a motion to change the mask mandate to a mask advisory pending a recommendation of the BoH. The motion was tabled to have time to investigate any legal issues and to get a recommendation from the BoH.
• Franklin County  is now in the low risk area.
• Question arose whether  individuals or committees can require masks even if the mandate is lifted.

Appointments
Existing Select Board roles will not change:
Sue Lively:  Landfill Rep, Regional Kennel Rep, Council on Aging
Brian: ​FCCIP Rep, FRTA Rep, FRCOG Rep, Licensing Board, Heath Herald Correspondent, Conservation Commission, Energy Advisory Committee.   FCCIP (Franklin County Cooperative Inspection Program to share inspection resources),
Robyn: HWY Liaison, Emergency Planning Rep, SB Chair
Other positions were reviewed for appointment and openings.

Some discussion on following committees and positions:

• Senior Center Coordinator - for this year this is just a stipend position.
• Ag Commission:  ​For promoting agriculture. currently, no members.
• Building Use Committee: change from 7 to 5 members, Elissa Viarengo appointed as a member.
• Building Facilities Committee:  has become inactive since report was produced but charge was to continue their work,
• Other: Letters will be sent out to committee appointees who are continuing and openings on committees to be announced on the website.

Town Buildings & Offices—public information meeting recap

• There was confusion between Mass Office of Disability (advisory role only) and the ADA.  There were two separate pieces: (1) the Select Board moving forward on investigating accessibility in all the buildings and (2)  the library trustees need to understand accessibility issues for library strategic planning.
• Brian contacted Jeff Dougin from the Mass office of Disabilities who is coming on June 30 to go through Community Hall and  Jacobs Road, and Jeff will also walk through Sawyer Hall for which he has already done a report.
• Nick Anzuoni , Fire Chief, will not require a second egress in the JR library during this transitional time, but would be a consideration if the library were to move permanently.

Shared Space Policy

• Hilma to be the liaison for any potential conflicts for shared space.
• SB approved what was presented.
• Outdoor space not being used by Hilltown Theater is available for drop-in use 
• Interior public spaces (atrium, gym, cafeteria ) are available for use when not scheduled when the building is open for municipal use.

​Salt Shed

• Will look at potential site work for moving the salt shed to the Bray Road property

Interview Teams

• Boards Clerk Interview Team: Elissa Viarengo, Brian DeVriese,  Hilma
• Highway Employee Advertisement & Interview Team: Hilma, Jeff Johnston, Will Emmet (Highway liaison from the Finance Committee).

MTRSD FY22 Assessment Error

• Request from FinCom that we need clarification of the assessment error.
• Information provided from MTRSD is not complete and not adequate .
• SB will not authorize payment until the error is understood.

Green Communities Update

• Chris Collins from ECI  to send Brian a contract this week
• Tech School finished replacing lighting fixtures in all short outdoor lighting.  The tall ones won't be done until next fall. They need a lift for these.  They have a 10 week wait time for the outdoor entry light fixtures so that won't be done until the fall. They will be able to do interior fixtures next fall as they will have new students.

Mail

• SB voted to allow closure of the road in front of CH for the art show in the fall