Select Board Notes Tue May 7 2024

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order
Review Agenda
6:05 Appointment for Accountant Position—Ben Gelb

• Has been working with our current accountant for about a year
• Has treasurer experience
• Mention he has availability with short term notice

Feedback from SB:

• Flexible in making changes and meeting with  Town officials
• Confident in discussion of what he can do
• Has some banking connections
• Experience with our accounting system
• Expect a smooth transition from current accountant

SB voted to hire the candidate for the accountant position.
SB to offer permanent Boards position to the other candidate for accountant.
6:45 p.m. Appointment with School Committee Representative—Budge Litchfield

• Questioned as to whether the SB will move the district's articles forward
  • The Town moderator has said he will ask the Town to vote on whether or not they wish to move the article forward.
• Looking for a feel for support for the Rowe late bus 
  • Budge expressed that the late bus is important and could be a hardship for some students and parents if not funded,
  • This is a tough financial decision given our budget. 
  • Budge said there's an average of 21 students using the bus depending on what is happening at the schools —sports, band, theater.

Review Minutes: 4/29/24, 4/30/2024
Annual Town Meeting—planning and review with Finance Committee
       The main discussion was about the MTRSD Amendment to the district agreement

• It has been implied that Heath is not paying for its students. This is not true. 
• We will  pay  $1,123, 701  this year for our students and do it willingly as we have always done.[Articles 4-10]
• The district has an operating budget and there is no compelling to reason to adopt this amendment at this time. 
• Heath is open to change once the current sustainability study is complete.
• The district is one community and all members should be treated fairly.  This amendment does not achieve that.
• The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) does not require the use of this methodology.  It favors towns that have a school. 
• We can’t approve an amendment before all the financial implications are known and understood. They are not.

Warrant Articles
Operating Budget (Article 3)
Other Business
Center Fence Installation— for the Pickleball court to keep balls from going into the brush
Accountant Software Purchase--
HYPA Lease—Approved
Town Nurse Job Description—review, vote possible

• Input from BoH, COA, Town Nurse.
• Approved

Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update

• Money still coming in, getting close to goal

Jacobs Camera not working

• Company came to replace the camera and learned the newer camera is not compatible with the old recorder.
• New recorder is $1075 including old installation and will work with existing cameras
• Cost will come out of the revolving fud.
• Northeast Security Solutions
• Total cost of $2150​