Notes Tue Sep 10

Notes:
4:30 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda
4:30 p.m. School Committee Update: Budge Litchfield

• Discussed enrollment numbers, Berk 12 study—too many details to capture. A lot of the info can be found in Superintendent Stanton’s Fall 2024 Report.
• Solar panel installation is creating a significant savings at MTRHS (I believe he said $3000/month).

Public Comment - none
Review Minutes: 8/27/2024, approved
Other Business
Landfill Mowing—vote to award bid for mowing

• Two bids: WR Hillman $2900, Saladino $5172
• SB voted to award bid to WR Hillman

Salt Shed Progress Update

• Waiting on plan from contractor
• Highway Department continuing to work on the floor of the shed 
• Steve Thane, acting Highway Superintendent, assured the SB that they will be ready for demolition of current shed in the spring.

Community Hall Windows Fundraising—Update

• Matching Grant has been certified by Mass Cultural Council, a form needs to be filed with the Mass Historical Commission for approval.
• Committee has been assigned a contact from Mass Cultural Council to assist with moving forward.

Rental Licenses
HHS 

• 12 month lease at $1200 per year with open termination by either party approved unanimously by the SB.
• Lease was signed by Ned Wolfe and Select Board members

Hilltown Youth Lease Review

• Continuing to work on the lease agreement which is significantly changed from previous rental contract.

Town Building Appraisal Project Update

• Still in need of an appraisal report
• Robyn to speak with Tim Grader of Cohn & Co

National Grid—recap and review of 8/27 meeting

• Robyn has written a letter to National Grid with several questions such as (1) why do poles that already have there-phase wire have to be replaced, (2) what will happen to the existing poles, will they be removed at National Grid cost (3) what is the height requirement of the Dept of Public Utilities for three-phase wire.
• She is also contacting the DPU regarding height requirement for three-phase wire.
• Robyn stated that the SB does not have the power to stop pole replacement.

Unregistered Vehicle Letter

• Discussion draft letter from the SB to residents regarding unregistered vehicles.
• Still determining if it should be (1) town wide, (2) by complaint, or (3) if nuisance such as vehicles too close to the raod for plowing.
• SB member, Elissa Viarengo, asked about enforcement.

Excerpt from Town By-Law on Une=registered Vehicles
"8.5.2 The keeping of more than two (2) unregistered vehicles except by a person licensed under M.G.L. Ch. 140, § 59, on any premises shall not be permitted. 
8.5.3 A special permit to keep more than two (2) unregistered vehicles, on any premises, may be granted by the Select Board. All such permits granted shall not run with the land or be granted in perpetuity. (amended November 5, 2019) "

6:00 p.m. Appointment: Wanda Mooney re: National Grid project

• Request that National Grid bury the lines in front of their property
• Never had power lines in front of her house (owned since 1984)
• Poles will significantly reduce the value of the property
• The type of cables being put in will produce a glare 
• Eversource has buried power lines in Ashfield and it is a common thing to do. National Grid could do the same.
• While the Select Board does not have the power to stop existing poles from being replaced or moved within 3 feet of an existing pole, Wanda pointed out that this is an installation of a pole where none has existed.

Mail
Police Chief, John Doherty
Co-Responder program: Ashfield obtained a grant from the Dept of Mental Health. The program has a clinician go along with a police officer on a call with the goal of avoiding potential arrest for problems that can be handled with the aid of a clinician.  John is looking for a signature to continue to be part of the agreement. Select Board will sign the agreement.