Sb Notes, Tuesday April 12, 2022

[These are  a little crude and are not yet checked against the meeting audio.]
Infrastructure study. MLP - Dave Gordon

• Just received a proposal from Whip City Fiber for providing redundancy and reducing cost.
• Partner towns are Charlemont, Colrain, Leyden, and ????, 
• Working on Community IT Grant with partner towns. Hope to get enough from grant to cover the costs of redundancy.

MLP - Sheila Litchfield

• There is $300,000 in three accounts. Received $214,00 in drop subsidies.  Another $400,000 is available.
• $180,000 in excess revenue is expected.
• Closeout of the state grant portion of the project certifies that Heath construction is complete. Have 352 active customers.  In 2015 Town voted at Town meeting to do the borrowing.  We will be able to declare 100% complete. Closeout document provides total project cost and list of milestones.  Total cost for Heath was $3,986,043.  The $200,000 from stabilization is not added into the cost. Take rate was 68.46%, MLP was targeting 70%.  Project was able to make broadband available to 99.6% of residents.   [Without having the closeout document in front of me this was difficult to follow,]

Mask Mandate

• SB voted to continue mask mandate for at least another two weeks.

BoH

• The process for opting out of mosquito spraying is clearer. Heath may be able to opt out  of aerial or have more targeted spraying.  Process requires public meeting with public comment and a certified vote.  Only date that works for SB is May 17.  BoH will recommend to opt out only from aerial spraying, not targeted ground spraying (which will only be down if determine necessary)

MTRSD error
A letter will be sent out with caveat that more questions may come later.
Budget
Need an amount for special projects

• CH- replace steps and rail - $5000
• CH- replace doors
• Repair two windows deemed repairable  with major work
• Hilma to check what is in various accounts to use on projects

Free cash

• Need money for plow
• Need $4336 for unpaid vacation for retired library employee
• Need $6800 for unpaid vacation for retiring highway employee 
• Boards Clerk - 10 hrs a week at $16/hr
• Unpaid legal fees so far are $15,00 for Jan and Feb, no data yet for March and April

ARPA Funds
Infrastructure study: Can we get ARPA funds for consulting for plans for salt shed and to look at all properties and advise Town on best way to solve pressing repair issues. The possible cost may be $25,000.  Question was asked if  part of this study could be addressing accessibility Issues.  Hilma feels there may be grant money for this. Could utilize a CDBG grant for accessibility.
Highway Dept
Jeff Johnston wants a significant amount of money moved from free cash to highway stabilization so that he can be working towards getting the needed highway vehicle.
CH Window Repair
J Mortimer, Hartford Window Restoration, to meet with Hilma and Tim to look at windows that may need smaller repair than others—sash cord repair and handles.
Green Communities
Agreement signed with Tech school to do outdoor lighting. at Jacobs Road. There is not enough  money  to replace  interior lighting with LED lighting and tech school does not do this type of work.. . Brian is awaiting a contract agreement for air sealing and insulation work at Jacobs Road.
July 2021 storm reimbursement,
Senator Hines was able to get partial money. Heath is listed at approx. $12,000 which is 1/3 for what was spent.
MVP Workshop was  April 13 in cafeteria of Jacobs Road.