Leverett Town Seal

Massachusetts

Leverett

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/Finance Committee

Tuesday, April 13, 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm
Remote meeting
A meeting of the Select Board

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://www.gotomeet.me/townleverett/selectboard-meeting

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123

Access Code: 502-625-813

Join from a video-conferencing room or system.
Dial in or type: 67.217.95.2 or inroomlink.goto.com
Meeting ID: 502 625 813
Or dial directly: 502625813@67.217.95.2 or 67.217.95.2##502625813

Meeting of Select Board

Members: (Quorum)

  • Present: Tom Hankinson, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Julie Shively, Chair, at 7:00 PM

Also Present:

  • Present by video: Julie S.
  • Tom H.
  • Margie M.
  • Lisa S.
  • for Finance Com: Ann D.
  • Phil C.
  • Jed P.
  • Steve N.
  • others: Shannon
  • Sofia
  • Josh
  • Melissa
  • Ray
  • Craig
  • and others by phone

See original Agenda Approved Meeting Minutes

Meeting opened: 7:00 PM

Meeting closed: 8:08 PM

  1. Meeting Preliminaries

  2. Business

    • Approve minutes of April 6, 2021

      General Discussion...
      Approved as written.

    • Award Fy'22 Landfill monitoring contract

      General Discussion...
      One bid was received for landfill monitoring.

      MOTION, moved by Julie Shively, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion: To accept the bid from ATC for landfill monitoring if it is clear that monitoring can be stopped once the houses being monitored are connected to the Amherst water line. Vote: 2-0 in favor. .

      Pass: Aye: Julie Shively, Tom Hankinson.

    • Cook/Ingram- Accreditation

      General Discussion...
      Chief Ingram and Deputy Chief Cook were congratulated on their accreditation by the state.

    • Proposed Town center enhancement

      General Discussion...
      Tom had proposed a town center enhancement project in conjunction with some volunteers from the Congregational Church. Steve W., Chair of the Church Trustees, participated and gave his unwavering support. Ray Bradley also spoke in support. The group would like to clear the brush from the stonewall across the street from the LCA and Town Hall to provide a scenic vista of the pond in time for Leverett’s birthday. Matt B. offered town-equipment (and personal time and equipment) towards the project.

      MOTION, moved by Julie Shively, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion: For the town to collaborate with the Congregational Church to clear between the King lot and Montague Rd. Vote: 2-0 in favor.

      Pass: Aye: Julie Shively, Tom Hankinson.

    • Town Meeting format

      General Discussion...
      Margie reviewed the physical set up for Town Meeting. As such it will be similar to fall town meeting last year—held in the school parking lot but with audio provided by the person who did it at last ATM. Everyone was in agreement that that was the best option. Board of Health has lifted its restrictions on Town Meeting. The Social Justice Committee (SJC) asked if the board would consider closing the Transfer Station on the morning of town meeting so that employees could attend and residents could attend and still get rid of their trash later. The board suggested moving the hours to later in the day so people could still go to the Transfer Station in the afternoon. The compromise was accepted by all. Signs will be made to inform residents of the change. The SJC would like this to be a permanent change.

    • with FinCom: Talk to reps; vote on budget; sign Reserve Fund Transfer Request

      General Discussion...
      The Select Board and Finance Committees met to finalize the FY ’22 budget for Annual Town Meeting. The adjustments made at the last meeting were reviewed. All were in favor of leaving reduced or eliminated budget items except Phil. Phil argued for keeping the turn-out gear in the budget and raising the salaries of the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief. Craig C. of the school committee was asked about the $15,000 reduction in the school budget and if the circuit breaker from the out-of-district placement could be used to absorb the reduction. He said that it was not the best way from a bookkeeping strategy but that they would make it work. Chiefs Minckler and Ingram said they would work around the reductions to their requests.

      MOTION, moved by Julie Shively, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion: To approve the proposed budget for the Town Meeting warrant. Vote: Unanimous in favor.

      Pass: Aye: Julie Shively, Tom Hankinson.

      MOTION, moved by Julie Shively, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion (from FinCom): To approve the Reserve Fund Transfer for Town Counsel expenses. Vote: 4-0 in favor.

      Pass: Aye: Julie Shively, Tom Hankinson.

    • 8:00: Code Hearing: Dog MGL

      General Discussion...
      Julie called the hearing open at 8:00 pm. Margie stated that Peter had told her that the MGL concerning the town dog bylaw had been repealed and replaced by new section Chapter 140, Section 173. Since it is referenced in the town bylaw (it allows towns to create their own dog bylaws) the new section will need to be accepted by town meeting. Donna reviewed the change and suggested a wording change to the article on Town Meeting warrant for clarity. There were no questions or discussion.

  3. 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 prepared by Lisa Stratford

Minutes approved on Thursday, May 6, 2021

Posted to: Select Board