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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, August 27, 2024, 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm
Town Hall/remote
A meeting of the Selectboard

The Selectboard is meeting in person and making this meeting available via Zoom for the convenience of the public. Since we are meeting in person, we will not be responsible for any technical difficulties, so if you would like to be sure of participating, please attend in person.

Join Zoom Meeting

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

Meeting ID: 944 6027 6391; Passcode: 650146

Meeting Agenda:

Protocols for Public Address to the Board: During meetings, the Selectboard will attempt to find a balance between hearing from members of the community and conducting required business. All public address is at the discretion of the Chair.

When speaking, please identify yourself by name or the company/institution you represent. Please make your comments are concise (less than 2 minutes); avoid repeat statements made by others; address your comments to the Board Chair.

Audience members may not interrupt a recognized speaker nor the discussion of the Board. Please be cordial and respectful of others.

The Selectboard will generally listen to comments rather than respond immediately. If a topic comes up that is not on the agenda yet further action is required by the Board, the Chair will add the matter, as appropriate, to a forthcoming agenda. Depending on the comment, the Board may, if they are able within the confines of the Open Meeting Law, respond with information as opposed to needing to deliberate on the matter.

This meeting agenda is being posted in compliance with Massachusetts’ Open Meeting Law. The agenda may change to reflect unforeseen business.

Meeting of Selectboard

Members: (Quorum)

  • Present: Tom Hankinson, Chair, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Jed Proujansky, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Patricia Duffy, at 7:00 PM

Also Present:

  • : Tom H.
  • Pat D.
  • Jed P.
  • Margie M.
  • and Lisa S. for the Select Board. Also
  • many residents

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 7:00 PM

Meeting closed: 9:47 PM

  1. Meeting Preliminaries

    • Meeting Opened / Attendance Taken (see above).

    • No minutes to approve.

  2. 7:00-7:15 Public Comment

  3. Appointments (open to the public after initial conversation)

    • 7:15: Age-friendly Action Plan

      General Discussion...
      Pheobe Walker, from FRCOG, along with Council on Aging (COA) members gave an overview of the Age Friendly Action Plan. Phoebe walked through each section of the plan and Leverett has been doing a good job of staying on top of age-related issues with the guidance of the COA.

    • 7:45: Planning Board/Juggler Meadow Rd. project

      General Discussion...
      (Present from the Planning Board: Swan Keyes, Kim Van Wagner, Rich Nathhorst with Greg Tuzzolo, Tim Shores and Molly Daniell remotely)
      The Select Board invited the Planning Board to a joint meeting to discuss the Kitteridge property. The Select Board has drafted and sent a letter asking for a business plan, asking who the developer is and who is financing the project.
      The Select Board was hoping to sort out which board wanted to take the lead and how the two could be helpful to each other. Both boards agreed that more information from the developer is required and that input from the town would be helpful. Margie will draft an MOU between the boards. More information from Amherst about their side of the project would be helpful. The Planning Board suggesting looking to the recently completed Comprehensive Plan for guidance. The town has hired legal counsel for the project.
      Both boards agreed that they can’t really strategize until they have more information from the developer.

    • 8:00: Rattlesnake Gutter Rd. restoration project

      General Discussion...
      Steve gave a lengthy report about the progress on the Rattlesnake Gutter Rd. trail project including the removal of dead trees; repair and expanding of drainage; and rebuilding of walls. They have received 3 estimates (not bids) from construction companies after site visits. The are preparing a draft proposal for CPC funds by September 17.
      Eva and Steve have met with police and fire and are considering getting automatic gate openers for quick access for them.
      They have applied for a Request for Determination from the Conservation Commission; the Town will be the applicant. The Rattlesnake Gutter overlay will be discussed with the Planning Board.

  4. Business (public participation is at the discretion of the chair)

    • Appoint new fire fighter

      MOTION, moved by Patricia Duffy, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion: To appoint William Hesslink to the Fire Department pending CORI and physical. Vote: 3-0 in favor.

      Pass: Aye: Patricia Duffy, Tom Hankinson, Jed Proujansky.

    • Approve minutes of July 30 and August 13

      MOTION, moved by Patricia Duffy, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion: To approve the minutes of July 30 and August 15 as written.

      Pass: Aye: Patricia Duffy, Tom Hankinson, Jed Proujansky.

    • Electric vehicles charging station idea

      General Discussion...
      Margie gave the board an update about research she has been doing on charging stations for Leverett. Because there is no 3-phase power at the library or school, quick charging stations aren’t an option. A level 2 charge takes 5-6 hours with the school, for school employees, being the most obvious choice. The board was not especially moved to install at this time, but told Margie to keep them updated if she finds out anything new.

    • Set Special Town Meeting date

      General Discussion...
      A date of October 15 was chosen for Special Town Meeting.

    • Sign Tech and Civic Life Grant

      General Discussion...
      The Tech and Civic Life Grant for $5,000 for elections was signed.

  5. Executive Session

    To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. Selectboard will reconvene in Open Session after the close of Executive Session.

  6. Executive Session

    To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. Selectboard will reconvene in Open Session after the close of Executive Session.

    0 Vote(s) taken, which Passed
    0 Vote(s) taken, which Failed
    Voted to leave Excutive Session

  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 prepared by Lisa Stratford

Minutes approved on Thursday, Dec 12, 2024