SB Notes March 1, 2022

Board of Health COVID Policy Update

• Downward trend in cases nationally, statewide, and in Franklin County.
• Heath has high percentage of cases as of mid-Feb counts, number 3 in the state. No recent cases since.
• Looking to lifting mask mandate in Heath in mid-March.
• Robyn: after mandate is lifted it needs to be clear that masks are still an option and persons should not be harassed for continuing to  wear  them.
• Rapid antigen tests are available on a volunteer basis for town employees thanks to the efforts of Claire Rabbitt and Sue Gruen.
• There is no requirement to wear masks outdoors, just inside town buildings which would include the highway garage.

 
Upcoming Town Report

• Dedication:  Hilma to compile suggestions that come in.
• Select Board Town Report: Robyn agreed to write it after Brian kindly reminded her that it was one of the perks of being the chair. 😊
• Due March 18

 
Review of February 22 meeting with Finance Committee

• Brian wants to get the salt shed moving.
• Robyn and Jeff Johnston hope to have numbers next week’s meeting.
• MTRSD School committee to come in next week to talk about FY23 budget.
• Need to make a decision by next week on 18-year vs 15-year broadband loan period. FinCom recommendations was 18-year.

 
MTRSD FY22 assessment reported error of $90,000 [MTRSD, Mohawk Trail Regional School District]

• Now has been reduced to a $44,000 debt.
• Select Board to draft a letter with questions about how this error happened.
• Ned Wolf has emails documenting his discussion to verify the FY22 budget amount presented at ATM.
• The contractor, TMS, hired by the district is at fault, not Heath, and Heath should be responsible.
• But if Heath is required to pay, the town needs to figure out a payment plan.

 
Town Buildings—Professional Assessment for Use & Structural Condition

• Hilma to contact an agency that does ADA compliance assessments.

 
Job Classification overview

• Need to finalize the Senior Program Director and Board of Health Clerk job classifications.
• Trying to use the FRCOG report to do job comparisons, but it is hard to find comparable jobs. COLA increase this year could cause a jump in salary.
• If an employee takes classes, adds additional job-related skills, licenses/certifications then a raise within grade would be justified.
• There is support on the Select Board for a shared board clerk position. Many area towns have such a role for certain boards.
• Most towns don’t have a separate Board of Health clerk.

 
Special Town Meeting possibility – Legal Council has agreed to wait for payment on fees so there is not a need for a STM.
 
Green Communities – no update, waiting on responses

• Brian, our FRCOG Council representative for Heath, has contacted Alison {FRCOG liaison with DOER?] 
• Alison is currently working on other proposals for DOER [Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources].

​Regional Animal Control [Sue Lively is Heath’s representative to the Regional Animal Control Committee, Robyn is alternate. ]

• The Sheriff’s office  has approved New Salem’s request to join the current seven member towns.
• More towns want to be involved in sharing this service which will require a part time assistant  [Kyle Dragon is the Regional Animal Officer.]

 
Branch Brook bridge update

• Took less time than expected – both lanes are open.
• There is a bump from added asphalt.
• The bridge is scheduled to be replaced in 2024 or 2025.

 
Broadband

• Approved two invoices that were within budget for broadband —$10,343 and $45,139.
• Tech school is interested in doing a CAT5  upgrade to CAT6 cable in buildings if this becomes a project in the future.

 
US Treasury ARPA Final Rule – Hilma provided a summary for the Select Board [ARPA, American Rescue Plan Act]  Excerpt from the website link:
The final rule – which takes effect on April 1, 2022 – provides state and local governments with increased flexibility to pursue a wider range of uses, as well as greater simplicity so governments can focus on responding to the crisis in their communities and maximizing the impact of their funds.

The State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program final rule provides additional clarity and flexibility for recipient governments . . .”
 
Office relocation cost

• Cost to move offices should not come out of  a committee or board budget.
• Need to understand what the costs are.
• Need to recognize the volunteers who previously helped with office moves.  

 
Request for road improvement on Flag Hill Road

• Jeff Johnston working on cost estimate.
• Hilma: “Even the price of dirt has gone up.”
• May require long term financing.

 
Tim Lively vacation coverage

• Hilma was able to get coverage for essential work while Tim was out.

 
Town Zoom account purchase not possible

• Municipalities have strict rules about spending which prevent towns from purchasing a Zoom account.
• Select Board members purchased personal accounts to use for meetings.
• Remote meetings may be required to stop in a few months if the Special Act ends on July 15.