2025-10-07 Selectboard Minutes

Selectboard Members Present: Alan Genovese, Vice-Chair; Keith Ross, Clerk
Selectboard Members Not Present: Brian Snell, Chair
Others Present: David Young, Town Coordinator; Joe Larson, Fire Chief;
Carole Learned-Miller, School Superintendent; Jess Marshall, School Director of Operations; Ryan Mailloux, Town Treasurer; Diana Noble; Bruce Kilhart; Nancy Kilhart; Tonia King; Tyler (last name unknown)
Others Present via Zoom: Claudia Lewis

1. Call To Order – Alan Genovese called the meeting to order at 6:05pm
2. Appearances
   1. Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Susannah Whipps attended the meeting. The group discussed challenges with emergency services access to state-owned land, particularly in Warwick, where there is a significant disparity between town-owned and state-owned land. Chief Joe Larson highlighted the need for funding to acquire equipment like UTVs. Keith mentioned a Mohawk Trail Association that has data on emergency responses to state lands. The importance of adjusting the PILOT program to account for ecosystem services and infrastructure needs in small towns was discussed. The group agreed to gather data on emergency service deployments on state-owned land.
   2. Rural education issues were also discussed including the need for one time funding for the Six Town Regional plan to move forward, and advocacy for re-opening the Chapter 70 formula. Senator Comerford mentioned the 21st Century Fund as a possible source of support for the Six Town plan.
   3. On-going issues with Spectrum’s failure to serve all despite assurances was mentioned.
   4. Next Steps Include:
      1. Chief Joe to send data on emergency service deployments on state-owned land over the last 5 years to Senator Jo and Representative Susannah’s offices. He will also send requests for UTV equipment and ballpark prices.
      2. Superintendent Carol to send a letter to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor advocating for higher rural school aid in the fiscal year 27 budget.
      3. Alan to coordinate a meeting with legislators (including Representative Blais), DESE, and planning board members regarding the six-town regional plan.
   5. Town Treasurer Ryan Mailloux joined the meeting about 6:20pm to discuss HCGIT health insurance. He recommends staying with HCGIT for fiscal year 2027 and creating a committee to study options. He left the meeting shortly thereafter.
3. Warwick Police updated policies
   • Ross MOVED to approve the updated Warwick Police polices effective October 1, 2025. Genovese seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
4. WSD request Superintendent Learned-Miller – Early Childhood Playground visioning – Carole Learned-Miller in to request support for an initiative to fund-raise and design a new playground for younger students located outside the JK and K classrooms. The Superintendent does not anticipate asking the town for funding.
5. Chapter 268 Section 20C and 20D Ethics disclosures or exemptions – Warwick rents space from Lisa Vander Stelt, the tavern at the inn, and she will be one of the six paid digital literacy employees.
   • Ross MOVED to grant an ethics exemption for Lisa Vander Stelt to be paid $20 per hour as an employee for this program. Genovese seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Minutes of previous meeting – postponed to the next meeting
7. Citizens’ concerns and suggestions for future agenda items – Bruce Kilhart brought up the idea of the town using electronic voting devices at town meetings. He feels voters should be able to vote in private. Ross asked that Kilhart bring a examples of devices and cost estimates to the board for further discussion.
8. Discussions and reports
   1. Town Coordinator Report – The board discussed the need for a new Selectboard secretary and approved David continue discussions with the current secretary in case she could be enticed to continue.
   2. Charter Spectrum’s failure to serve all despite assurances and marketing claims.
   3. Chapter 70 aid for schools / formula regional meetings
   4. Gale Rd Bridge Abutments – Keith Ross asked that the Selectboard meet with the Highway Commission to discuss the Gale Road bridge.
   5. Selectboard Reports – Keith Ross brought up the Wheelock property including the related funds and tax bill. To be discussed at a future meeting.
9. Actions
   1. Fall Special Town Meeting
      • Genovese MOVED that a Special Town Meeting date be set for Tuesday November 7, 2025 at 7pm. Ross seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
   2. Freitag Conservation Restriction minor Amendment
   3. Town Coordinator search committee next steps – Alan Genovese mentioned a conversation with a Royalston Selectboard member about the possibility of sharing a Town Coordinator. Brian Snell was volunteered to reach out to the Royalston board member.
      • Ross MOVED that the position of Assistant Town Coordinator be created and designated as a Special Municipal Employee. Genovese seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
   4. ZBA Appointments (one reg and two alternate positions are open) – possible interested citizens discussed
   5. Highway Commission requests (note heavy truck bid opening 10/29) – David pointed out the department is now open to acquiring trucks with manual transmissions
10. Approval of administrative actions taken
    • Ross MOVED to authorize the chair to sign the MBI Digital Literacy contract amendment. Genovese seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
11. Items unanticipated at time of posting
    1. A buyer of land on Northfield Road named Tyler in to request the Selectboard release the Chapter 61 lien on the Northfield Road property he is trying to buy. Keith Ross said the location of the property is not significant in terms of conservation value or abutting any other protected lands. It is recommended that Tyler communicate with the Conservation Commission about whether work is located in a protected area.
       • Ross MOVED the Selectboard release the Chapter 61 lien on that property and let it be sold. Genovese seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
    2. Keith Ross brought up the Nyman property on Route 78 close to the NH border. Warwick has been asked to release the Chapter 61 lien, however that property has not been classified for more than 10 years, regular taxes have been paid so there is nothing to release. No action taken.
    3. Chief Joe Larson in to report that the older fire truck had been in an accident and deemed unfit to repair. He presented a plan to replace the fire truck using insurance money. No action needed.

Meeting Schedule: Next meeting Monday November 3
Then 11/17; 12/1/25

Adjourn – Ross MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 7:51pm. Genovese seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted by Diana Noble