SB Notes Tue May 16

6:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order, Review Agenda, Review Minutes: 5/1/23, 5/6/23
6:15 p.m. Appointment: Calvin Carr—MGL ch. 30A, sec. 20 (g), [Meetings of a public body to be open to the public]

• Cal expressed concern about people not being allowed to speak at "meetings." [The meeting in question as called was an executive session for an employee exit interview where the employee waived his right to have a closed meeting .   The meeting was frequently interrupted by shouting and noise directed at town officials present from  residents attending.
• Sue Lively pointed out that  the executive session was following MGL ch. 30A, sec. 21 .

 "If an executive session is held, such individual shall have the following rights:
 i. to be present at such executive session during deliberations which involve that individual;
ii. to have counsel or a representative of his own choosing present and attending for the purpose of advising the individual and not for the purpose of active participation in the executive session"

• Cal pointed out that it is not the law ( MGL ch. 30A, sec. 20g)  that persons cannot speak,  the chair has the discretion to let people speak or not speak, and the Select Board should give people an opportunity to speak.
• Cal agreed with Robyn that comment should be respectful and not get aggressive. Robyn said  Public Comment will resume now that the work of Town Meeting is done, but would not be held on those occasions when there was too much to cover or too many appointments.
• Cal felt the meeting would have gone better if people had felt listened to.

Annual Town Meeting Review
Truck Vote

• The SB expressed concern that the truck was voted down, Robyn felt there was a lot of emotion in that vote.
• We have to replace a truck or we may only have 2 reliable trucks this winter. The  2012 truck is in constant need of repair and the 2004 is only suitable as a backup.

 Jacobs Road

• Robyn brought up residents' concern that costs of maintaining Jacobs Road are not clear.
• [My understanding of the discussion]: Rent money from the Recovery Theater goes into a revolving account established at the 2021 ATM from which expenses can be paid.  There are also line items for Town buildings on the budget for maintenance and utilities including Jacobs Road.   We need to know the actual cost of operating the building.

Low Attendance at town meeting. 

• Robyn expressed concern about low attendance and proposed a study committee on how to better do the warrant, see what other towns do.
• We need to simplify the warrant and get it to the residents sooner

Other Business
Cartographic Associates, Inc. contract (Assessors mapping expense) 

• ​SB voted to approve​

Liaison to Salt Shed study

• Brian DeVriese was appointed as liaison to the engineering firm consulting on the salt shed

Fire Alarm Systems—need for repairs, review quotes and vote

• Systems in all buildings were inspected
• SB approved money for repairs out of existing accounts

Community Hall—floor repair update

• We have an estimate of $7324 to replace tiles damaged by a water pipe break this winter. 
• The insurance check will cover the main floor and kitchen. Robyn will check with the bidder to determine if the bathrooms are included in the estimate.  Tiles are coming up in the seam between  bathroom area and the main floor.
• SB would also like an estimate for epoxy, Robyn to get the estimate.  
• There were pros and cons discussed about tiles vs epoxy with Tim Lively expressing some concerns that epoxy floors can be slippery without additives, but additives make a floor harder to keep clean. 

Trailer Complaint—status update

• The trailer on Bray Road is in disrepair, but is on private property in an agricultural and residential district, not historic.
• From a zoning standpoint, the trailer is a job site trailer, so it does not fall under Heath zoning bylaws, therefore the SB does not have jurisdiction over this issue. It's not clear what public body does.  From a health and safety standpoint there are many trailers in town in the same or worse condition and one resident can not be singled out.

Special Town Meeting—discuss need and set date

• Not sure if there is  a need, no date set . An STM has a cost associated.

Select Board Meeting and Public Comment Policy

• Legal has reviewed the updated Public Comment policy for meetings and the SB voted to approve it. Hilma to post on Select Board page of Town   website,   https://townofheath.org/g/46/Select-Board
• Public comment will continue to be held except when there is a agenda too full to support it.
• Discussed time limits, and possible signup for public comment (which may determine order to speak)

11 Bellor Road, Cannabis Farmers—update [Farmers are not in compliance with zoning bylaws and host agreements]

• FRCOG update: 
  • Two cease and desist orders have been issued  
  • ​Farmers dispute the orders and say they have not abandoned the project
  • No further notice is needed prior to enforcement litigation being enacted
  • Farmers have not made any promised payments to the Town

Telephone System—review

• We have several Verizon accounts, one Crocker account
• We need to add 2 to 3 more extensions
• Hilma and Bill Fontes have met with Intermedia United and Granite Communications
• Current phones are too old to be updated to current technology.  
• May be able to get rid of Verizon line costing $100/month
• SB voted to proceed with Granite Communications for our phone system

Review of appointed Boards and Committees-- planning

• Hilma to send out appointment list to SB and research committee  charges
• Sb will keep this on the agenda doing an ongoing review
• Barbara Gordon raised issue that Conflict of Interest recertification is not happening

Transfer Station Bag Sticker Fee

• FCSWMD recommends an increase for bag stickers
• Most towns charge $2 a sticker, Heath charges $1.50
• Hilma to report on revenue and expenses

Summer Meeting Schedule

• May 30, June 13, June 20. July 11, July 25, Aug 8,  Aug 22, Sep 5, Sep 19

New Business

• Fuse Energy Company contacted Hilma regarding giving the town shares of existing and to-be-built solar arrays.  
• Sponsored by  DOER (Dept of Energy Resources) to lower carbon footprint.
• Heath would get a 10% credit on electric bill.

Broadband

• Broadband wants to know how to turn over  funds to the Town.  
• We need to understand Mass General Law. Is all broadband money under the authority of the SB?
• What is the role of Wired West?

Mail

• Parks & Rec participation waiver form for race on Sunday of fair
• Palmeri Electric donated time and lift for lighting work at Jacobs Road
• Long term financial planning is needed
• Notification from National Grid Vegetation Management Plan regarding work taking place now​
• Police Chief, John McDonough, applied for a grant and received a mobile speed sign worth $7000.   Avery Brook Road, Number 9 Road, and Route 8A were enthusiastically nominated for initial placement.