SB Notes

SB Notes Tues Feb 27

2/27/2024

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 2/13/24
6:15 p.m. Budget Hearings—with Finance Committee
6:15 p.m. Fire Department—Fire Chief Anzuoni: requested budget, yearly update,

Level funding this budget year, good on equipment, could use more people.
Repairs have been taken care of with minimal expense, department has been staying on top of maintenance.
The ambulance agreement is private and not under the fire department.

6:30 p.m. Police Department—Police Chief McDonough: requested budget, yearly update.

Needs an $1800 increase for expenses. There are increases in the cost of software, CORY access, and equipment maintenance.
Heath has 2 officers in addition to John.
John would like a salary increase after 5 years of service.

Discussion of Finance Committee Analysis/Recommendations to Date

FinComm recommended a $ 6667 increase to cover sharing the cost of the late bus with Rowe and Charlemont.
FinComm recommend a 3.2% COLA increase for an estimated budget increase of $17,153.
MTRSD amendment to the existing agreement was discussed. It is not clear that the amendment will be pursued this budget year while the 2 districts/8 towns sustainability study is taking place.
MTRSD Budget Materials were mentioned briefly and it was emphasized that Heath can not accept a final budget two weeks before ATM. That does not allow enough time for review.

7:30 p.m. Highway Department—Superintendent Jeff Johnston:

Requested operating budget - material costs have gone up 7%, adding that amount would bring costs to $92,000. Jeff is not requesting that increase at this time.
Capital requests (see file below)
- Replacement truck: $90,000 for used truck to replace truck 1 (21 yrs old) , release from stabilization fund.
- Leaf blower: $7350 for purchase of a new leaf blower.
- Storage Container: $4500 plus shipping for purchase of a 40" storage container for items that don't fit in the highway garage.
- Roadside mower repair: $9300
Town lawn mowing
Salt Shed
- Robyn presented numbers for the current location and for Bray Road. The numbers were higher for Bray Rd but they would be leveraged if the site is used for other budlings in the future.
- Looking long term, building a fire station and a new highway garage at Bray Road could be as economically feasible as the current location.

Other Business

STAM (Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts) Legislative Priorities—vote possible
- SB voted to support the STAM priorities
Hilltown Youth Performing Arts—review of requests, vote possible
- An expense spreadsheet to be sent out to
Community Hall Windows Fundraising—update, review of letter—vote possible.
- Discussion of a letter to be sent out soliciting funds for the project. Suggestions were made for improvements in the content.
Community Hall and Sawyer Hall--Mold Remediation update.
- Remediation is done, now sheet rock is being hung. Tim Lively to do the finish work on the sheetrock.
Town Report Dedication: Discussed
Veteran's Services: SB voted to extend veteran's services for another 2 years