Warwick, MA

2026-01-12 Selectboard Minutes

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Town of Warwick
Minutes of Hybrid Meeting of the Warwick Selectboard
Warwick Community School
Monday, January 12th, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Selectboard Members Present: Brian Snell, Chair; Alan Genovese, Vice-Chair; Keith Ross, Clerk
Others Present: David Young, Town Coordinator; Diana Noble, Assistant to the Town Coordinator; Janice Kurkoski, Buildings and Energy Committee; Anthony Cammalleri, Greenfield Recorder

  1. Call To Order – Snell called the meeting to order at 6:01pm
  2. Appearances
    1. Janice Kurkoski, Buildings and Energy Committee  – Kurkoski presented a draft job description for a part-time Building Energy Manager to pursue and manage grants, among other duties. The Board discussed ideas for funding this position, including solar energy savings and existing grant funds, and agreed to revisit funding options at the next meeting. In addition, Kurkoski will present this at the upcoming Finance Committee meeting.
  3. Chapter 268 Section 20C and 20D Ethics disclosures or exemptions – none
  4. Minutes of previous meeting
    • Ross MOVED to accept the minutes from December 29th, 2025. Genovese SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
  5. Citizens’ concerns and suggestions for future agenda items – None
  6. Discussions and reports
    1. Town Coordinator Report: 
      1. Highway Contract Dispute and Highway Commission – Genovese discussed the town’s legal dispute with Northeast Paving regarding highway department contracts. The Highway Commission rejected the Board’s request for a joint meeting. The Board decided to attempt to join the next Highway Commission meeting, with the goal of sending a letter to exclude Northeast Paving from next year’s bids. Noble reported that the Highway Commission is planning to apply for a $250,000 grant for a new road grader.
      2. Local Technical Assistance priorities through FRCOG – Young requested the Board’s feedback on this year’s request for technical assistance from FRCOG The Board agreed that we need assistance with local capacity building, and will get back to Young at a later date with other feedback.
    2. Assistant Coordinator Report – Noble noted that there are new faces on various committees, including Jill Delisle, who is stepping up as the new Finance Committee chair.
    3. Selectboard Reports
      1. Town Coordinator Search Committee Facilitation – Ross volunteered to join residents Bill Lyman and Dawn Magi to comprise this committee. Ross proposed that the three will meet to create draft job descriptions for both a Town Coordinator and an Assistant to the Town Coordinator, and will present these to the Selectboard for review.
      2. CHARTER SPECTRUM’s failure to serve all despite assurances and marketing claims. – The Board addressed ongoing issues with Spectrum internet service in town, where three households remain unserved despite previous promises. Ross summarized for the reporter present: When Spectrum was contacted, they responded that their contract stipulates that they don’t need to act until 2028. As it is not cost-effective for the town to sue the company, Ross wondered if other towns have similar issues, and the hope is that a nonprofit may take this on.
      3. National Grid Refurbishment Project – Snell attended a recent National Grid meeting, and reported that the proposed new stanchions will increase three-fold in capacity. Snell discussed the historical wire capacity established in the 1920s and the current plans for upgrades and replacements, including the company’s willingness to work with landowners on a cleanup at a particular property. Snell also raised concerns with National Grid about smart meters and their potential interference with town-owned internet services. Young will follow up with the project liaison.
      4. Snell attended a Pioneer Valley Regional School Committee meeting, where they reviewed the status of a master plan for a new school project, noting delays and budget implications. There was debate and concern with millions of dollars in deferred building maintenance.
      5. Six Town Regionalization Planning Board Update – Genovese discussed various potential legislative routes forward for the proposal, as well as increased estimated transitional funding costs. Genovese continued conversation with legal counsel about whether two ballot questions – one 5-town and another 6-town – would be possible. Noble expressed concerns about delaying the vote and conflicts regarding timing of Warwick’s town meeting. The Board discussed the possibility of holding a special town meeting for this vote. Genovese was committed to holding a vote this spring, and the Board expressed agreement.
  7. Actions
    1. First Parish Meeting House Advisory Committee
      • Ross MOVED to declare the First Parish Meeting House Advisory Committee as a special municipal position. Genovese SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
      • Ross MOVED to appoint Dave Beach to the First Parish Meeting House Advisory Committee. Snell SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
    2. Transfer Station 3rd party inspection report
      • Ross MOVED to authorize the chair to sign the third party inspection report of the Transfer Station. Genovese SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
    3. Adopt Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Policy including sustainability
      • Ross MOVED to accept the Sustainable Purchasing Policy. Genovese SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
  8. Approval of administrative actions taken – none
  9. Items unanticipated at time of posting – none

Snell MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 7:29pm. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.

The next meeting will be Monday, January 26th, 2026.

Respectfully submitted by Heather Berlin, Town Secretary

Documents consulted at this meeting:

*Meeting agenda dated Jan. 12, 2025
*2025-12-29 Selectboard Minutes DRAFT
*Coordinator Report Jan 8 2025
*DLTA 2026 Request Form
*Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy Template (002)

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