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, July 29, 2025, 7:00 pm until 8:00 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, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Jed Proujansky, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Patricia Duffy, Chair, at 7:00 PM

Also Present:

  • : Tom H.
  • Pat D.
  • Jed P.
  • Margie M.
  • Lisa S. for the Select Board. Also present: Rich N.
  • Scott M.
  • Shelly H.
  • Mike D.
  • Jeremy R.
  • Laura M.
  • and 4 unidentified individuals via zoom. George B. from the Montague Reporter also present

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 7:00 PM

Meeting closed: 8:47 PM

  1. Meeting Preliminaries

  2. 7-7:15 Public comment

    • - Margie also commented that the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust announced that it may have to increase its rates again by another 18-20% by October 1 which would be another $108,000 from the town. A STM would be required. Ryan would like permission to research other insurance companies. Motion: to give the Treasurer permission to investigate other options for health insurance coverage. Vote: 3-0 in favor.

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

    • 7:15: Pole Hearing for North Leverett Rd.

      General Discussion...
      Pole Hearing for North Leverett Rd.
      Representees from Eversource were present online to outline the 2026 plan to install 12 jointly-owned poles and relocate 7 poles in order to upgrade the wiring on said poles. The old poles are in poor shape and undersized. Concerns raised by the board and the audience included making sure that the old poles are removed once the project is complete; making sure that the Village Coop is provided with generator power or rewired temporarily so that their business and supplies are not negatively impacted; to make sure that individuals with medical needs requiring electricity are provided with alternative electricity; make sure the Con Com reviews the plans to replace the poles.
      Additionally, liaison contact information was requested for questions during the project. And a request was made for maps used during the presentation which will be emailed.

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Jed Proujansky: Motion: to approve and sign off on the joint pole location on North Leverett Rd. pending Con Com approval. Vote: 2 in favor, 1 abstention.

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

    • 7:30 : COA employee appointment

      General Discussion...
      The COA interviewed 3 candidates and recommended Johanna Hall. They said she was an excellent listener, had done lots of volunteer work with seniors including for Village Neighbors and has some grant writing skills.

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Jed Proujansky: Motion: to appoint Johanna Hall as COA Coordinator for 15hours/week, at $20/hour with funds coming for 10/week from the town appropriation and 5 hours/week from the COA grant. Vote: 3-0 in favor.

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

    • 7:40: Fire Chief Candidate Interviews

      General Discussion...
      The Board interviewed Tyler Bryant for the position of Fire Chief. He was one of two recommended by the hiring committee. Tyler told the Board about himself and why he was interested in the position. Questions were asked and answered.

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

    • Appoint Kate Rice to CPC as Rec. Com. representative

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Jed Proujansky: Motion: to appoint Kate Rice to the Community Preservation Commission as the Recreation Commission representative. Vote: 3-0 in favor.

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

    • Appoint Solomon Goldstein to Energy Committee

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Jed Proujansky: Motion: to appoint Solomon Goldstein to the Energy Committee. Vote: 3-0 in favor.

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

    • Approve minutes of July 15

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Jed Proujansky: Motion: to approve the minutes of July 15 meeting as written. Vote: 3-0 in favor.

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

    • Award construction work on the Rattlesnake Gutter Conservation Area

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Jed Proujansky: Motion: to award the Rattlesnake Gutter Conservation Area construction bid to Davenport Construction for $299,325 as low bidder. Vote: 3-0 in favor.

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

    • Award sprinkler repair work at School

      General Discussion...
      The sprinkler repair project only received one bid, which was from Everon, a company the town has worked with before. Their bid came in at $297,715 of which the town has appropriated $250,000 for this work. Everon said they would do the job if they could begin immediately and be done in August before school starts saving the cost of working while school is in session.

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Jed Proujansky: Motion: to award the sprinkler repair bid to Everon for $250,000. Vote: 3-0 in favor. .

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

    • Change public comment time on agenda?

      General Discussion...
      Decided to keep as is.

    • Fire Department appointment correction

      General Discussion...
      Accidentally Tyler Shute was left off of the list of active fire fighters.

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Jed Proujansky: Motion: to add Tyler Shute to the list of active fire fighters. Vote: 3-0 in favor.

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

    • Transfer Station Appointments

      MOTION, moved by Tom Hankinson, seconded by Jed Proujansky: Motion: to appoint Iris Everrill as Transfer Station supervisor on a temporary basis and appoint Rowan Howe as Jr. Attendant. Vote: 2-0 in favor (Pat recused herself).

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

  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 approved on Wednesday, Sep 24, 2025