Leverett Town Seal
Leverett
Massachusetts
Town of Leverett
9 Montague Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Town Clerk: (413) 548-9150
Tax Collector: (413) 548-9666
Assessor: (413) 548-4945
Town Hall Fax: (413) 548-1035
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Select Board

Tuesday, August 8, 2017, 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm
Town Hall, 9 Montague Rd
A meeting of the Selectboard

Meeting of Selectboard

Members: (Quorum)

  • Present: Peter d'Errico, Chair, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Tom Hankinson, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Julie Shively, at 7:00 PM

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 7:00 PM

Meeting closed: 9:30 PM

  1. Meeting Preliminaries

  2. 7:00 School Committee, School Facilities

    • - Discussion

      General Discussion...
      School Committee (also present: Margot L., Sarah D., Audra G., Bruce Turner, Craig C.
      School Committee members, the principal and Finance and Operations Director for Union 28 came in to discuss what constitutes a half-time employee as they are entitled to benefits. They define a full-time teacher as working 42-52 hours/week making a part-time staff person eligible for benefits at .56 FTE. The board suggested that next time there is a contract negotiation they may want to clean up the language a bit so it is not so ambiguous. As far as the board was concerned a time sheet showing 20/week of work makes a person is eligible for benefits. The school will work out with the union how that is reported.
      Motion: To allow the school to offer benefits to employees working hours to .5 FTE for 20 hours/week. Vote: 3-0 in favor.
      The water report from DEP in July caused discussion and confusion. The school has two wells. One is the water supply for the school, PSC, and library, the other serves to water the greenhouse. DEP has asked that lead and coliform be tested monthly and reported to them and that the well used for the greenhouse be decommissioned. The questions were did both wells need to be tested and that the one used watering the greenhouse may not be suitable for drinking as it is not used for such. The board said they would be willing to defend not decommissioning the extra well. Margie will clarify what is being asked by DEP and coordinate John, the contractor, and Board of Health or Health Agent to discuss and resolve.
      Margot asked if a board member would be on the hiring committee for a new custodian for the school; Julie agreed.

  3. 7:30 Gregg Woodard, driveway

    • Discussion

      General Discussion...
      Gregg took the board out to the driveway to explain the reasoning behind the barriers and paint. He has had issues in the past with the way the town plowed the driveway. Last night, he told the board that he needs to build a new loading dock for Amazon deliveries; depending on where he puts it will impact the configuration of the Town Hall driveway. He may need a variance/special permit depending on the location of the loading dock as well. In that case a survey would need to be completed since no one is sure where the boundaries really are. Gregg was asked to stay in touch as plans develop.

  4. 8:00 Zoning Board

    • Appoint new member

      General Discussion...
      The Zoning Board was asked to come in so the Select Board could get a clearer understanding of their membership and organizational plans. In the last year there has been a change in leadership; the board lost the member who served as their clerk and they have a new chair. Some strategies they shared that they thought would be helpful: when an application comes in, copies are emailed to the whole board and some clerical help on the side of preparing and mailing the abutter’s list, notifying the newspaper of the hearing dates, and mailing decisions. They estimate that the total time required would be about 3 hours/month. Lisa seemed to be the obvious person to perform these duties since she is the one to accept the application and fee and email the application to the Zoning Board. Board agreed to pay Lisa the hours as needed for her to provide support to the ZBA.

  5. New Business

    • Appt. Michael Vishienski as Firefighter

      General Discussion...
      John Ingram and Brian Cook came in to tell the board that two firefighters are being promoted to Captain. They would like a swearing-in ceremony. Motion: To appoint Michael Vishienski as a firefighter pending a satisfactory physical at the rate of $17.74 per hour. Vote: 3-0 in favor.

      MOTION, moved by Julie Shively, seconded by Peter d'Errico: To appoint Michael Vishienski as a firefighter pending a satisfactory physical at the rate of $17.74 per hour.

      Pass: Aye: Julie Shively, Peter d'Errico, Tom Hankinson.

    • EMPG Grant Projects

      General Discussion...
      Margie reported on the EMPG grant: police and fire would like updated antennae/radios at the North Leverett Fire Station with a match of $2,460 which will be paid from Emergency Planning Dept. budgets. The police also requested keyless entry to station, to be studied.

    • MMA Essay COnstest

      General Discussion...
      Margie will send the MMA contest document back, school may participate.

    • Review draft Audit - Sign engagement letter

      General Discussion...
      The draft audit was reviewed. Margie will check with the Treasurer and Accountant about remaining questions to make sure all have been resolved.

    • Sign Assessing Services Contract - What to do about Keys for Associates

      General Discussion...
      The assessing services grant was signed for RRG for $33,000 for 11 months. Re-keying of the Assessor’s office and other offices was discussed. Margie will research.

    • Sign LUCA agreement for Census 2020 participation

      General Discussion...
      The LUCA agreement for Census 2020 was signed by Peter.

    • Sign Massworks Support Letter for Amherst

    • Town Hall Chairs for Emerson Garden Wedding

      General Discussion...
      The board decided not to allow the chairs from Town Hall to be used at the Emerson Garden for a wedding as is already stated in the Town Hall Use Policy.

    • Update on meeting with Congressman McGovern

      General Discussion...
      An update was given on the Q and A session with McGovern.

  6. Mail

    • CBBG funds remaining

    • Community Solar Projects To Benefit Public Entities

    • DHCD New Community Block Grant Awarded

    • DPU Notice of Public Hearings

    • Emails from Beth Adams

    • Gregg Woodard, letter resignation from Finance Committee

    • Response from MCGovern re: Town Meeting, Impeach Trump

    • Zoning enforcement letter, Montague Rd.

  7. Meeting Wrap-up

The listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.

Minutes approved on Monday, Sep 25, 2017