2025-09-23 Selectboard Minutes

Selectboard Members Present: Brian Snell, Chair; Alan Genovese, Vice-Chair; Keith Ross, Clerk
Others Present: David Young, Town Coordinator; Matthew Dorgan, Highway Superintendent; Phil Harris, Bruce Kilhart, Nancy Kilhart, Brad Compton, William Lyman, Jason Cooke, Betsy Alkins, Nancy Putnam
Present via Zoom: Amanda Carey, Selectboard Secretary; Diana Noble, Finance Committee Chair; Tracy Styles, Board of Assessors & Highway Commission Clerk

1. Call To Order – Brian Snell called the meeting to order at 6:01p.m.
2. Appearances
   1. Building Inspector Appointment – Town Coordinator Young reported that Justin Gale had resigned as Building Inspector. Building Commissioner Brian Gale recommended Phil Harris to fill the position, noting that Mr. Harris has already been conducting inspections for the fire station.
      • Genovese MOVED to appoint Phil Harris as Building Commissioner. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
      • Harris addressed the Board, explaining that he has found permit processing is faster if the permits are mailed directly to his home, as is already being done in Phillipston and New Salem. Ross noted that the Assessors’ Office has requested that a spreadsheet be maintained to track all permits issued for their records.
   2. Charter Spectrum’s failure to serve all despite assurances, letter to Charter to support legislature’s efforts – The Board discussed correspondence from Senator Warren and Senator Comerford’s offices regarding residents without internet service. The senators suggested that those without access should be subsidized and that Spectrum should be encouraged to partner with other providers until full service is available.
      • Genovese MOVED to authorize the Town Coordinator to draft and send a letter to Spectrum, with copies to the senators, proposing that Spectrum arrange for alternate providers to deliver immediate service at a discounted rate, and to provide written assurance that service will be available town-wide by 2028. Snell SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
   3. Highway Commission pay increases – The Highway Commission recommended rate increases for employees Tracy Styles and Kyle Buckley. Alan noted that Ms. Styles also performs work at the Transfer Station alongside Young, and her compensation should remain consistent when she does that work as well.
      • Genovese MOVED to increase the hourly rate of Tracy Styles to $20.50 and of Kyle Buckley $28.39 effective with the next pay period. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
   4. Brad Compton and affected residents regarding Gale Rd Bridge repair window – Residents Highway Superintendent Dorgan appeared to discuss the repair needs at the Gale Road Bridge. Matthew Dorgan reported that the waterway beneath the bridge is obstructed with debris, rocks, and sticks, requiring excavation. He suggested hiring Don Matthews to perform the work while the water level remains low. Betsy Alkins, speaking for her husband, supported the request for immediate repair. Genovese questioned the Highway Commission’s project priorities but acknowledged that the bridge repair is pressing. Bruce Kilhart was at the Highway Commission meeting where project priorities were discuss, and the only things he recalls the Commission putting as a high priority is cleaning of culverts.
      • Genovese MOVED to strongly urge the Highway Commission to reconsider this Gale Road Bridge project as a top priority and be done as soon as possible by an outside contractor while the water level is low. Genovese RESCINDED this motion.
      • Ross MOVED to repair the abutments to the Gale Road bridge with or without the highway Commission’s assistance, as soon as possible, due to the safety concerns and certain weather conditions that exist now and with the urging of citizen’s that attended the meeting tonight. Snell SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
   5. Richmond Road auto/junkyard and incomplete vehicle zoning violations – Young reported no significant update other than a brief conversation with the landowner, but noted that once foliage has dropped in the fall, the site will be easier to assess. The matter will remain on the agenda.
3. Chapter 268 Section 20C and 20D Ethics disclosures or exemptions – none at this time
4. Minutes of previous meeting
   • Genovese MOVED to approve the minutes of the June 23, 2025; July 10, 2025; and August 18, 2025 meetings as presented. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
5. Citizens’ concerns and suggestions for future agenda items – None
6. Discussions and reports
   1. Selectboard Reports
      1. Ross proposed forming a citizen committee to review the Town Coordinator job description and assist in interviewing candidates. He suggested that including residents would promote transparency and community involvement. He further noted that Diana Noble and David Young have expressed interest in sharing the role on a part-time basis, but the Board should consider whether this arrangement is sustainable long-term. Snell recused himself from this portion of the discussion. Ross identified Bill Lyman as a volunteer for the committee and indicated he would also reach out to Dawn Magi and other residents. The committee would consider both a shared and a single-coordinator model, including salary ranges, and report back at a future meeting. Ross also requested that the Board consider appointing Diana as a special town employee, which would allow her to serve in this part-time Town Coordinator capacity while continuing on the School Committee. This will be placed on the next agenda.
      2. Snell noted that the School Superintendent has reached out to seek community input on funding options and grants for a new playground structure. This will also be placed on the next agenda.
      3. Coordinator Report – David reported that the state is rolling out several new road grants, and he has shared the information with the Highway Commission.
7. Actions
   1. Vote to continue membership in Greenfield Veteran’s District for two more years
      • Snell MOVED to continue membership in the Greenfield Veteran’s District for two more years. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
   2. Certify that the first right of refusal on former Chapter 61 land is no longer applicable Neiman; and first reading of request by Coelho – Styles reported on the Neiman property, noting that the last recorded renewal under Chapter 61B was in 2013. The owners now wish to sell the land and require a clear title. Ross requested that documentation be reviewed before making a recommendation. The matter will be placed on the next agenda, and Tracy will deliver the paperwork for both the Neiman and Coelho properties to Ross.
   3. Cultural Council appointment – Ross indicated that a member of the Cultural Council approached him and requested the Board appoint a new member, Nancy Putnam.
      • Genovese MOVED to appoint Nancy Putnam to the Cultural Council. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
        • As Ms. Putnam also serves on the Conservation Commission, the Board addressed the need for an ethics exemption.
      • Ross MOVED to grant Nancy Putnam an ethics exemption under Chapter 268, section 20d for her appointments to the Conservation Commission and the Cultural Council. Genovese SECONDED. Motion CARRIED.
   4. Lori Perkins, one day wine license for Holiday Fair, 11/29/2025
      • Genovese MOVED to approve a one day liquor license for Lori Perkins for the Holiday Fair, November 29, 2025. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
   5. Discuss Six Town Regional Agreement draft and a date for Fall Saturday Special Town Meeting to consider creating Six Town New Regional District and folding Warwick municipal district into it – Genovese reported on upcoming presentations regarding the six-town regional planning effort, scheduled for October 2, at 6:00 p.m. at the school and October 7, at 1:00p.m. at Town Hall with the Women’s Guild. He noted that Montague requires a ballot vote, which will take place in November. The Board discussed scheduling a Special Town Meeting for either Saturday, November 15 or Tuesday, November 18, with preference expressed for the Saturday date. The Board agreed that staggered meetings would allow STRPB representatives to attend each town’s meeting and provide accurate information.
   6. Charter/Spectrum letter follow up
      • Genovese MOVED to authorize Chair, Brian Snell, to sign the letter to Charter Spectrum. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
8. NEXT MEETING DATES – The Board scheduled upcoming meetings for October 7 (with Senator Comerford and Representative Whipps), October 20, November 3, and November 17. Topics for discussion with Senator Comerford will include the Spectrum issue, the First Parish Meeting House, increased maintenance funding for state forests, school funding, food security for elderly residents, and support for local police and fire services, particularly volunteer departments

Ross MOVED to adjourn at 7:42pm. Genovese SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
The next meeting will be Monday, December 1, 2025.

Respectfully submitted, Amanda Carey
Selectboard Secretary