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Select Board Meeting Minutes 10/12/22

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Meeting date: 
Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Minutes of the meeting of 10/12/22

Meeting date: Wednesday October 12, 2022

Meeting Opened at: 6:00pm

Select Board Members Present: Justin Makuc, Chair, Susan Cooper,                              

Select Board Members Absent: Scott Jenssen

Also Present: Terry Walker, Melissa Noe, Adam Chait, Laurie McArthur (secretary)

Also Present remotely: Pam Johnson, Rebecca Wolin

Call to Order 6pm

6pm: Meet with Adam Chait for a Fiber Connect update

Adam reported that all remaining make ready work has been approved and is paid for.  This make ready work is being completed on the following roads: Beartown Mtn., Mt. Hunger, New Marlboro, Wellman, Gould, Brett, Sandisfield, and Swann.  Asplundh and National Grid have been installing poles, moving wires, and removing trees where necessary.  Once complete, Verizon will come in and do their part.  Adam reported that they will start to light up the area between January and February 2023, and will hopefully be done by spring of 2023.  Justin inquired if Fiber Connect has ever considered offering discounts for users who are away for months at a time and do not use their fiber; Adam replied: there will be no dormancy rates offered at this time. 

Old Business

  1. Draft policy: anti-discrimination and harassment

Justin went over this policy with Sophia today.  He will make edits and Sophia will review the policy again next week.  It was agreed that Donna (Town Counsel) should review the document after the Select Board has completed their edits and come to agreement. 

  1. Responsible use of Town Hall memo

Justin had made some edits to the document Susan drafted.  Susan strongly supported having a point person in regards to policies, then that individual can manage concerns or problems.  Justin agreed to include that portion.  Motion to approve memo regarding town hall meeting room responsible use, as amended.  Susan votes yes, Justin votes yes: motion carries. 

New Business- reviewed at 6:20pm

  1. Town Administrator items:
    1. Winter Recovery Assistance Program reimbursement request for fog sealing and crack sealing

Motion to approve a reimbursement request in the amount of $91,863.12 for the Winter Recovery Assistance Program.  The money was spent on fog sealing.  Justin votes yes, Susan votes Yes: motion carries.

  1. Review and approve full time officer schedule, job description, and interview plan

There are two full time positions available beginning in January.  The ad has been signed off by the chief and sergeant and will be reviewed and signed by Select Board members.  Advertising for available positions begins as soon as the Select Board approves the ad. 

Justin pointed out that the Police Chief job description should be amended to include the roles of harbor master and animal control officer. 

  1. Getting rid of remote meeting format for Select Board meetings

This item was tabled till next week when Scott returns. 

  1. Request from building department to raise inspection fees and payment to inspectors

This item was tabled until next week to consider a written proposal. 

  1. 911 Coordinator appointment: Jim Hunt

Motion to appoint Jim Hunt to 911 coordinator role as an indefinite appointment.  Justin votes yes, Susan votes yes: motion carries.

  1. Review early voting hours for State election

The Board agreed to updated early voting hours as recommended by the Town Clerk to offer hours for two weekends, as required by new State Law changed by the VOTES Act.  Hours are as follows:

Sunday, October 23rd                    8-12

Wednesday, October 26th     10-7

Friday, October 28th              11-7

Saturday, October 29th         9-5     

Wed, November 2nd              10-7

Friday, November 4th           11-7

The topic of Board of Registrars came up.  Justin said that he needed to read more about the topic and will place it on next week’s agenda.  

State election warrant must be posted by 11/1/22.  The Board will add this to next week’s agenda.

124 ballots for voting in the state election have been mailed thus far. 

Correspondence, minutes, public comment

  1. Review mail & correspondence received or to be sent

No mail or correspondence. 

  1. Approve minutes of 9/28/22 and 10/6/22

Tabled till next week when Scott returns

  1. Unanticipated business

The Board is looking into contesting the bill from Jeremia Pollard for the Hume Appeal based on how he represented the estimated cost in May.  Now, the Board has learned that an opposition brief must be filed this month.  Donna Brewer recommended that the Board ask Jeremia to file the opposition brief, but with a limit on his price.  The Board agreed to attempt to get a commitment from Jeremia to do this opposition brief for a firm monetary amount.  Justin will follow up with Donna. 

Clickers for electronic voting at Town Meeting.  The clickers were just received this week in the mail.  Justin recommended that we hold off using the clickers for Saturday’s Special Town Meeting until there is adequate time for training and set- up, Susan agreed. 

  1. Comments & questions from the public

No comments or questions from the public

  1. Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c.30A, § 21(a)(7), to comply with or act under the authority of G.L. c.30A, §§ 22(f),(g), to review and approve executive session minutes of 9/21/22 and 9/28/22

Tabled till next week when Scott returns. 

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 7:04pm

Documents used at the meeting:

  1. Approved responsible use of Town Hall memo
  2. Winter Recovery Assistance Program reimbursement request
  3. Full time officer interview plan
  4. Full time officer advertisement
  5. Email concerning early voting hours for State election
  6. Email regarding opposition brief from Donna

 

Submitted by: Laurie McArthur, select board secretary

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