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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, January 31, 2023, 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm
Town Hall
A meeting of the Selectboard

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94460276391?pwd=N294R3hyQzlyMUtsZ1ZkMTBjL3BPdz09

Meeting ID: 944 6027 6391

Passcode: 650146

Meeting of Selectboard

Members: (Quorum)

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

Also Present:

  • For the Select Board: Tom H.
  • Melissa C.
  • Pat D.
  • for the Finance Committee: Phil C.
  • Ann D.
  • Nancy G.
  • Jed P.
  • others present: Chief Cook
  • Chief Minckler
  • Isaiah R.
  • Richard N.
  • Hannah P.
  • Lisa W.

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 7:00 PM

Meeting closed: 9:11 PM

  1. Meeting Preliminaries

  2. Appointments

    • 7:00: Library Budget Hearing

      General Discussion...
      Hannah presented a budget with a 5% increase. The materials line item must be kept at or above 20% of the total appropriation to the library to receive state aid. The Library Trustees approved the budget. When asked if she thought the 5% was adequate, she stated that she’s seen increases in everything and that she has to pay shipping now on book purchases. Building expenses are not in this budget.
      She also had a capital request to replace the fire alarm system.

    • 7:30: Fire Dept. Budget Hearing

      General Discussion...
      Chief Cook also presented a budget within the 5% guidance. He reported that the department has a very high number of EMTs and that there was an increase in the training line item representing their biannual refresher course. He also increased the line item for brush/wildfire supplies and increased his line item for emergency medical supplies so he can refill the needs of the police department for EMS supplies.
      He has a capital request for @ $63,000 for a new brush truck.
      The Fire Department has a new Senior Safe Program that has allowed them to provide 35 smoke alarms and 25 CO2 alarms for seniors. The program also supports fall prevention; home visit/assessment; and ice mitigation supports. The program is not limited to seniors. Interested parties can call the Fire Department.

    • 8:00: Rep. Natalie Blais

      General Discussion...
      Natalie Blais attended the meeting to give a legislative update and answer questions. Unpaved roads, equity as it applies to the Quabbin area and the Rural Schools Commission were discussed.

  3. Business

    • Appoint David Rice to Capital Planning

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Melissa Colbert: Motion: To appoint David Rice to the Capital Planning Committee: Vote: 3-0 in favor.

      Pass: Aye: Tom Hankinson, Melissa Colbert, Patricia Duffy.

    • Approve minutes of January 17

      General Discussion...
      The minutes of January 17 were approved.

    • Comprehensive Plan Contract Awards

      General Discussion...
      Margie reported that only one proposal was received for part two of the Comprehensive Planning project. Luckily the Planning Board is happy with Emily Innes of Innes Associates and has recommended her.

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Melissa Colbert: Margie reported that only one proposal was received for part two of the Comprehensive Planning project. Luckily the Planning Board is happy with Emily Innes of Innes Associates and has recommended her. .

      Pass: Aye: Tom Hankinson, Melissa Colbert, Patricia Duffy.

    • Financial Management Team

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Melissa Colbert: Motion: To create a Financial Advisory Team to meet monthly consisting of the Town Administrator; Treasurer/Collector; Assessing staff member; Accountant; and a Select Board member (Tom volunteered). Vote: 3-0 in favor. Motion: To appoint Tom to the Financial Advisory Team. Vote 2-0 in favor.

      Pass: Aye: Tom Hankinson, Melissa Colbert, Patricia Duffy.

    • Highway Board

      General Discussion...
      The board would like to create a Highway Board (Matt agreed) to help with planning and prioritizing with the Highway Department. Will be advertised in the Newsletter.

    • Mosquito Next Steps

      General Discussion...
      Melissa gave a report on the mosquito pilot project which suggest a price tag of $20-30,000 for an expanded program next year. The other board members thought that the program was advantageous and supported it but wondered if the price would pass at Town Meeting. Melissa offered to meet with the program director or have him attend a meeting to flesh out a program.

    • Personnel Board update

      General Discussion...
      Margie gave a Personnel Board update. The board approved a new social media policy; has not set a COLA yet; and would like to re-instate performance evaluations again. The made no decision on the library sick/overtime policy and voted to pay the Facilities Manager 10 hours/week, up from 7 hrs/week.

    • Two Mile Rd. calming traffic calming measures

      General Discussion...
      Two Mile Rd. speeding is still an issue. Speed humps have been requested. Neighbors present stated that children play freely in the road causing a dangerous situation and provided push back to speed humps suggesting parental oversight instead. Some board members suggested trying to use paint to define the area better as a possible next step. Pat agreed to draft a graduated plan for the next meeting.

  4. Mail

    • FLP : Application for dredging permit

    • PVTA assessment

  5. 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 Monday, Feb 27, 2023