Warwick, MA

2026-03-09 Selectboard Minutes

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Town of Warwick
Minutes of Hybrid Meeting of the Warwick Selectboard
Warwick Community School
Monday, March 9th, 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; Nancy Kilhart; Bruce Kilhart; Dawn Magi, Town Coordinator Search Committee

  1. Call To Order – Snell called the meeting to order at 6:01pm
  2. Appearances
    1. Nancy Kilhart – Emergency Notification System Improvements – Nancy discussed the need for better notification about the dump closure, suggesting a phone tree or improving communication systems like Code Red. The Board considered using the Warwick Facebook page and email list for communications. It was decided that the Transfer Station Commission would be tasked with establishing policies and procedures for such notifications, with the assistant coordinator or coordinator potentially following up on the Code Red system implementation.
    2. Janice Kurkoski, Buildings and Energy Committee
      1. The Selectboard Chair will serve as signatory for the purpose of moving forward with $3,000 rebate through Energy Tax Savers.
      2. The Buildings and Energy Committee recommended hiring two candidates, Jared Woods and Heather Berlin, at a salary of $25,000, for the Building and Energy Manager to be funded through the Solar Evolving Fund and CBDG grant. The Selectboard approved this recommendation.
        • Ross MOVED to authorize the Buildings and Energy Committee to offer the position of Buildings and Energy Manager to be split between Jared Woods and Heather Berlin, at a salary of $25,000 combined. Genovese SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
        • The Board discussed that this new position will be funded in the future through capturing savings from energy efficiency projects, and agreed that these savings would not be retained by individual town departments but would go toward reducing the tax levy.
  3. Chapter 268 Section 20C and 20D Ethics disclosures or exemptions – none
  4. Minutes of previous meeting
    • Snell MOVED to accept the minutes from February 9th, 2026 with a few typos to be corrected later. 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. Wireless Network Interference Concerns – The discussion focused on concerns about potential interference from a new National Grid smart wireless network on existing town broadband services. Young and Snell expressed concerns about the National Grid’s responsiveness and prioritization, noting they appear to be focusing on poles rather than addressing interference issues.
      2. Highway Contract Dispute – no updates
      3. Gale Road – Young is planning to address foundation issues within a 2-year window, and noted that FinCom and Young would further review the budget later in the week.
    2. Assistant Town Coordinator Report – Noble noted many fiscal year 2027 budget concerns, with significant upward pressure on expenses due to factors including health insurance costs, school budget increases, and a snow and ice deficit. The town is examining ways to reduce spending, including reviewing unspent budgeted amounts and using free cash. Ross shared the Assessors Committee may request a part-time position to help Secretary, Tracy Stiles.
    3. Selectboard Reports
      1. Property tax deferrals – Ross, as representative on the Assessors, discussed two tax relief programs: a property tax deferral program for low-income seniors and a work program where residents could perform town duties in exchange for reduced property taxes. Tracy Stiles (Assessors Secretary) is researching how other towns implement these programs and exploring ways to create a funding pool to replace lost revenue. The discussion highlighted rising property values in the area and concerns about affordability for local residents.
      2. Six Town Regionalization Planning Board Update – Genovese shared that the 5-town and 6-town region agreements are nearly complete, with plans to submit them to the attorney for review. The ballot question for these agreements will likely be delayed until September’s primary election to save costs, though there’s a possibility of voting in June if approved earlier. The Planning Board hopes that Warwick will vote first in order to enable other towns to focus in on the 5-town agreement in the event that Warwick votes “no.”
      3. Town Coordinator Search Committee – Snell recused himself. Ross and Magi are looking for more members on the committee. They discussed drafting a job description for a full-time (35 hours) and part-time (15 hours) position, with a total budget of around $80,000. They agreed to explore advertising in various local publications and through professional networks rather than expensive newspaper ads. Noble expressed interest in continuing in a part-time capacity.

Genovese MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:10pm. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.

The next meeting will be Monday, March 23rd, 2026.

Respectfully submitted by Heather Berlin, Town Secretary

Documents consulted at this meeting:

*Meeting agenda dated March 9, 2026
*20260209 Selectboard Minutes DRAFT.pdf
*coordinator report 3.5.2026.pdf
*Coordinator Report Feb 19^J 2026.pdf
*Smart Meters are DUMB.pdf
*Warwick Meeting House SOI 2026.pdf

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