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

Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm
Remote meeting
A meeting of the Selectboard

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Meeting ID: 502 625 813
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Meeting of Selectboard

Members: (Quorum)

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

Also Present:

  • Present: Julie Shively and Melissa Colbert from the Selectboard
  • Margie M.
  • Administrator
  • George from the Montague Reporter
  • and several others by video and/or phone.

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 7:00 PM

Meeting closed: 8:30 PM

  1. Meeting Preliminaries

  2. Appointments

    • 7:00: Assessors: Appoint member

      General Discussion...
      Jim Staros and Sam Black joined the meeting to request that the Selectboard vote to appoint Cat Ford to fill the vacant position on the Assessors.

      MOTION, moved by Julie Shively, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion made to appoint Cat Ford to the Assessors Vacant position. Since the position is elected, a roll call vote of both boards present must be made: Shively, Aye; Colbert, Aye; Staros, Aye; and Black, Aye.

      Pass: Aye: Julie Shively, Tom Hankinson, Melissa Colbert.

    • 7:30: Teawaddle Hill Rd. Neighbors

      General Discussion...
      Pat Duffy was the only neighbor present. Margie informed the Board that she and Melissa met with Pat and Virginia Goodale on Monday June 7th to hear the neighbors’ concerns about the release that the town expects the neighbors to sign in return for the construction of the water line. The Board asked Margie to set up a meeting with Town Counsel to go over the neighbors’ concerns. Margie also shared that the town has not yet received DEP SRF approval to proceed with our contract with the low bidder on the project.

  3. Business

    • Appoint Josh Barber as Reserve Police Officer

      General Discussion...
      Police Chief Scott Minckler was present to request that Josh Barber be appointed as a reserve Officer. Officer Barber is a full time firefighter in Belchertown and a trained paramedic. He also is trained as a part time officer and was recommended by a member of the Wendell Selectboard. He lives in Millers Falls.

      MOTION, moved by Julie Shively, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion made to appoint Josh Barber as a Reserve Police Officer at $19.00 per hour. Voted 2-0 in favor.

      Pass: Aye: Julie Shively, Tom Hankinson, Melissa Colbert.

    • Approve minutes of May 25

      General Discussion...
      Approved.

    • COVID Issues: Back to in-person meetings? Building Use?

      General Discussion...
      The Board discussed changing the restrictions on town hall use as the State has eased its COVID restrictions. Agreed to follow state regulations regarding public building use.

      Changing back to in person meetings also was discussed with several options for continued remote participation suggested. As of June 15th remote participation by board members is no longer allowed unless a new law is passed. For the next meeting, the Board agreed to have the Selectboard members meet in person at town hall with a video link for remote viewing and participation. Also agreed to look into technology improvements at town hall that would make the remote experience better and to use available town hall building funds to pay for it.

    • Dog Officer Update

      General Discussion...
      Julie informed the Board that she and Margie met with the current Animal Control Officer, Roberta Bryant, who has agreed to work with Police Officer and Wendell ACO, Meghan Gallo, to share Leverett’s animal control position and pay. Meghan agreed to meet with Roberta to figure out how the division will work. This way the public will have additional phone numbers to call when a problem arises and the two can cover and support each other and the town’s kennel on Roberta’s farm can continue to be used when needed.

    • Final CARES money expenditures

      General Discussion...
      Margie informed the Board that she estimates about $40,000 is still available in CARES funds. She has reached out to both schools to see if they need any of it. Board agreed that she should give the schools a couple more weeks and then reach out to other departments to see if they have any ideas for spending the funds. Aaron Buford suggested that technology upgrades for town hall for meetings could be completed with these funds.

    • Police policies

      General Discussion...
      The Police Chief had emailed the Selectboard several policies for review and adoption. Since there were so many no one had a printed copy. Both Julie and Melissa noted errors that they had found in the draft policies. Scott requested that changes be sent to him by email. Several residents had questions about the policies presented. Scott explained the new police review board created by the State, named POST. It was agreed that Scott would review each policy at the next meeting.

    • Sign Contract with Baltazar

    • Library

      General Discussion...
      Lisa Werner from the Trustees joined the meeting to ask the Selectboard to approve the Trustees’ plan for getting through the summer since the new Director, Misha Storm, has resigned. Lisa had previously sent an outline of the plan for review. The Library will be closing on Sundays and the current Library Assistant and employee will both work additional hours to cover the needed time in the building. Misha has agreed to come back and do the director’s tasks.

      Lisa said that she is starting a process of meeting with the Personnel Board to restructure the Library Director’s position in such a way as to keep employees longer.

      MOTION, moved by Julie Shively, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion made to accept the plan as presented, including paying Jill Palmer for up to 11 hours a week at $15/hour and paying Misha Storm hourly at $25/hour. Voted: 2-0 in favor.

      Pass: Aye: Julie Shively, Tom Hankinson, Melissa Colbert.

    • Margie: Employee update

      General Discussion...
      Margie gave an update: the Conservation Commission Agent has resigned; John Kuczek, Facilities Manager, plans to leave in October; she and Matt Boucher, Highway Superintendent, did the six-month check that was requested.

  4. 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 Tuesday, Jul 27, 2021