Select Board Meeting Notes, Feb 23, 2021

​Public Comment
Doug Mason spoke regarding a personal donation of a commercial stove for the Community Hall. The Select Board in a later part of the meeting approved the donation. There will be some costs associated with installation which will be covered by available grant money.
 
Betsy Kovacs informed the Board that every Thursday night a reverse 911 call will go out that identifies private links to the FRCOG website where available vaccinations are available in Franklin County.
 
Robyn reminded attendees about the rules for Public Comment period and noted that community members can schedule time for longer discussions than are allowed during Public Comment.

Rentals
Board wants the Building Use Committee (BUC) to provide fee recommendations for long term use. BUC already has fees for short term use.
 
COVID-19 Municipal Protocol, Concerns, Updates
Hotspot is open to Heath residents, taxpayers, and their guests.
 
Northeast IT
Extensive discussion about hardware upgrades of desktops and laptops covered by Part 1 of a Community Compact IT Grant.  Questions was asked if  any CARES Act funds were left for computers.  Need to check all accounts and contracts to determine finding. Part 2 is a software Office 2019 upgrade and licensing on town owned computers. There will be improved compatibility and performance when connected to high speed internet The Select Board approved both proposals of $6137.79 and $8034.00 with funding to be taken from Community Compact Grant.
 
Parks & Rec Land Purchase
Wants to move forward on purchase of land abutting the Shapiro land on Burnt Hill, all expenses to be covered by a grant.  It’s not clear from the map provided that the parcel abuts  both the Shapiro land and the Catamount State Forest in which case an easement woold be needed to provide that desired link.  The discussion will be moved to the net Board meeting to allow for some investigation.
 
Green Communities Update
Community Hall insulation was discussed, and tech school will be installing LED lighting at 18 Jacobs Road. Solar on hold due to governor veto.
 
Municipal Light Board
Making an effort to get people to sign up for Broadband by March 12 is ongoing.
Two openings on MLPac committee and there are four possibilities. Brain would like to see qualifications for each of four possible candidates.  Vote will be next week when all qualifications come in.
 
Town Coordinator  Report

• Most items covered in NE IT report and land acquisition discussion.
• Hotspot: Approximately a half dozen users, a town wide email was sent out notifying availability and how to request.
• Email: Working some glitches in getting town emails established. Fire Chief and Town Nurse now have Town of Heath email addresses.
• Vaccine: Thanks go to Sue Gruen, Sheila Litchfield, and Betsy Kovacs for their hard work to make sure Heath residents have correct information on the opportunity to be vaccinated.
• Attended BUC and reported on status. USDA ad discussed and determined not feasible for Heath committee working on policy and requirements documents.

 
Mail & Email

• Most already covered previously.
• Paper compactor saving the town money.
• Information on new salt sheds—unsolicited I assume.  To be sent on the Facilities Committee.
• Request to use 18 Jacobs Road kitchen and cafeteria on March 24 for Grab N Go lunch for seniors. Need to get stove hood fixed before that date, estimate from Tom Wyman for $500 to $700  to fix hood repair.  Approved the repair and the use.
• Tom Wyman also to put in an estimate for a transfer switch for a generator to be installed at 18 Jacobs Road.
• Need to let a resident know that the Board cannot legally have a post meeting discussion.