Warwick, MA

2026-04-06 Selectboard Minutes

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Town of Warwick
Minutes of Hybrid Meeting of the Warwick Selectboard
Warwick Community School
Monday, April 6th, 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; Signe Friedrichs, Finance Committee; Bruce Kilhart; Nancy Kilhart
Others Present via Zoom: Claudia Lewis; Eve Newman from The Recorder

  1. Call To Order – Snell called the meeting to order at 6:04pm
  2. Appearances
    1. Janice Kurkoski, Buildings and Energy Committee  – Kurkoski shared the recent Greenfield Recorder article announcing that Warwick has achieved Climate Leader Status. The group discussed two errors, but celebrated being on the front page. This new status enables us to apply for grants up to 1 million dollars in a three year period.
    2. Nancy Kilhart – Proposal to change Town Meeting Venue – Kilhart suggested using the Town Hall as the venue for the annual town meeting instead of the school gym, citing capacity and acoustics concerns, as well as the Town Hall being the center of Town government. The group discussed the process of providing childcare during the town meeting. The school district is working on this, and would take responsibility for necessary background checks and legal/educational regulations. The Board suggested that childcare could be provided either at the school or at town hall, regardless of where the meeting takes place. Lewis emphasized that providing childcare could help increase participation, particularly from parents of school-age children. In addition, Lewis expressed that the school gym is a better location for Town Meeting for her needs, due to concerns about disease spread and closeness to others at the Town Hall. Lewis also opined that childcare should be provided at the same location as the meeting. The Board will discuss this and make a decision at the next Selectboard meeting.
      • Genovese MOVED to open the warrant this evening for the annual Town Meeting, and will close the warrant on April 20th at 4pm. Snell SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
    3. Janice Kurkoski, Buildings and Energy Committee and Signe Friedrichs, Finance Committee – Kurkoski and the Friedricks report that the Finance Committee discussed building maintenance and energy projects, and Kurkoski presented a comprehensive spreadsheet tracking town buildings’ condition and schedule of maintenance, including age, square footage, and systems status (e.g. date of roof replacement, date of septic maintenance). Young emphasized and clarified that $5,000 set aside in stabilization funds was specifically allocated for a building assessment and maintenance tracking, separate from (and not to be used for) the broader energy projects and Buildings and Energy Manager. The committee reviewed plans for a Climate Leader grant application due August 1st, which would include energy conservation projects like heating system improvements at the police station, solar panels, battery storage at the fire station, and weatherization improvements potentially adding up to around $300,000 in grant funds. There was enthusiastic discussion of what other projects we can apply for to get more grant money, with Board expressing a desire to maximize as these grants are one-time opportunity. Kurkoski emphasized the importance of acting before December 2027 to benefit from federal solar rebates and net metering incentives. The discussion touched on the need to balance project costs with available rebates, though specific decisions were not made during the meeting.
    4. Fiscal Year 27 Building Maintenance – Noble reminded the group that any projects to be included in the F27 budget, must be added asap. The Board discussed building maintenance needs for fiscal year 27, particularly focusing on the police station’s roof, domestic hot water tank, and handicapped ramp, as well as the highway department’s equipment shed roof. Friedrichs expressed FinCom’s uncertainty about whether building maintenance should be funded through department budgets or the town’s operating fund, with some suggesting this distinction needs clarification. The conversation highlighted a broader issue about defining capital expenses versus routine maintenance. The conversation ended with plans to return to the coordinator’s report after addressing these building maintenance concerns.
  3. Chapter 268 Section 20C and 20D Ethics disclosures or exemptions – none
  4. Minutes of previous meeting – none
  5. Citizens’ concerns and suggestions for future agenda items – None
  6. Discussions and reports
    1. Town Coordinator Report: 
      1. Sen. Markey “member item” grant request – Andrea Woods is preparing a grant submission due this Friday to Ed Markey under the congressional directed spending program. The request supports fire and police needs and includes infrastructure improvements at the Meetinghouse, specifically a water system utilizing the mountain spring and a potential connection to the former school septic system.
      2. Question of override to fund contribution to Stabilization Fund for FY27 key date 4/13 – Young is not recommending this.
      3. Young met with DEP, EPA regarding the McKnight Leno Road property; SAM.gov federal registration was renewed.
    2. FY27 Town Budget –
      1. Noble presented an update on the FY27 budget situation, describing the current budget year as particularly challenging. The Finance Committee (FinCom) has worked to involve departments and identify savings, resulting in some improvements since earlier projections. The school budget has decreased slightly due to lower enrollment, and the Highway Department has helped offset a snow and ice deficit by reallocating funds from its salary line. Additional small reductions have been made across departments. Despite these efforts, the budget remains tight. It is currently within the levy limit, but still reflects an estimated tax increase of roughly 14.7% to 15%. Excess levy capacity is minimal—around $30,000—raising concerns about the town’s ability to absorb unexpected costs or state-required adjustments.
      2. Friedrichs emphasized that much of the financial pressure stems from factors beyond local control, including reduced state aid and sharply rising insurance costs. Participants noted that these trends make the current situation difficult and potentially unsustainable. It was also acknowledged that some capital needs, such as repairs to the police station roof, have been deferred and will need to be addressed in future budgets.
      3. The town is using all available free cash to offset the levy for the first time in recent years, prompting discussion about whether to also draw from stabilization funds or preserve them for the future. Concerns were raised that higher tax rates could lead to increased delinquencies, which would further limit available resources. Clarification was provided on the budget process: the school budget must be approved or rejected as a whole, while other departmental budgets can be amended at Town Meeting. If a budget is not approved in time, the town may need to operate under a temporary “1/12 budget.”
      4. The Board and FinCom members expressed concern about the impact on residents, particularly those on fixed incomes facing both revaluation increases and higher taxes. The importance of clearly communicating the reasons behind the increase was emphasized. Available tax relief options, including the Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, were discussed, with a recommendation to better inform residents about these programs.
    3. Selectboard Reports
      1. Town Coordinator Search Committee – Ross shared the need for a $1,000 advertising budget for hiring a new town coordinator. It was decided this will be funded from this current year’s coordinator’s salary line. The Committee plans to advertise the position and establish an interview committee, though the Board will need to help set interview criteria due to limited volunteer availability. Bruce Kilhart reminded the committee to use the fire station signage.
      2. Six Town Regionalization Planning Board Update – Genovese reports Senator Comerford introduced a bill loosely titled An Act to Provide Equal Opportunity for Voting and a Ballot in All Six Towns. The bill’s hearing is scheduled for this Wednesday before the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. If the bill is approved, it allows for a ballot vote on the regional agreement in all the towns. The Regional agreement has not yet been finalized for public distribution but is nearing completion. The agreement will soon be available at town halls, libraries, and on the town website. Special Election Date: If the agreement is approved, a special election will be scheduled for the fall. It is planned to coincide with the primary election to avoid additional costs, though it will need to be a separate ballot.
  7. Actions
    1. Vote and sign small contract for driver physicals with Athol Hospital – Requested by the school.
      • Genovese MOVED to sign the contract for drivers’ physicals to be completed by Heywood Medical Group. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
    2. Appoint Adrian Paul to Meeting House Committee – Paul is the clock-winder, and has an interest in the building.
      • Genovese MOVED to appoint Adrian Paul to the Meeting House Committee, and provide an exemption, recognizing that he is also the clock-winder. Snell SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
    3. Appointment of Jeannette Fellows, former town clerk, to temporary Coordinator Office position though the end of July to assist in the transition to the next Town Coordinator, and to assist with Annual Town Meeting.
      • Genovese MOVED to appoint Jeannette Fellows to a position entitled “Office Manager”, for approximately 8 hours per week, at $25/hr . Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
    4. Vote to authorize the Chief to sign the Firefighter Equipment Grant
      • Snell MOVED to authorize Fire Chief Joe Larson to be the grant manager and to sign with respect to the Firefighter Equipment Grant. Genovese SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
    5. Vote to authorize electronic signatures (needed for registry of deeds)
      • Ross MOVED to authorize electronic signatures to be accepted from Warwick by the registry of deeds. Snell SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
    6. Highway Commission- The Highway developed a form to smooth and facilitate communication between the Highway Commission and the Selectboard. Young brought up concerns about whose authority is being used for signing. Noble reported how the Highway Commission addressed these concerns. Noble read aloud from one of the two Highway Commission forms submitted to the Selectboard for review: “Each proposed signatory below confirms that their authority relies on an authorized vote by the Highway Commission for every official action.”
      1. Assign three signatories to DOT Chapter 90 with Tracey as primary
        • Genovese MOVED to authorize three signatories to DOT Chapter 90 with Tracey as primary signatory. Snell SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0. 
      2. Authorize and sign Chapter 90 project completion forms – all 3 Selectboard members signed
    7. Vote to request a one-year contract extension for the Community Compact Grant from Lt. Governor’s office for our work to address elder isolation
      • Snell MOVED to request a one-year contract extension for the Community Compact Grant. Ross 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 7:39pm. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.

The next meeting will be Monday, April 20th, 2026.

Respectfully submitted by Heather Berlin, Town Secretary

Documents consulted at this meeting:

*Meeting agenda dated April 6, 2026
*coordinator report April 2 2026.pdf
*athol hospital contract warwick.pdf
*20260331 DRAFT Budget FY27 dn DY highway WCSD adj.xlsx
*20260331 budget increase explanation dn.xlsx
*202602 FEB 2026 SPECIAL REVENUE SUMMARY REPORT.pdf
*202602 FEB 2026 GENERAL SUMMARY REPORT.pdf

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