Town of Warwick
Minutes of Hybrid Meeting of the Warwick Selectboard
Warwick Community School
Monday, May 18th, 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; Dawn Magi; Brian Gale; Mike Mankowski; David Shoemaker, Police Chief; Jill DeLisle, Finance Committee; Joe Larson, Fire Chief; Ryan Bradford
- Call To Order – Snell called the meeting to order at 6:00pm
- Appearances
- Playground and Pavilion Update – Carole Learned-Miller will join the next meeting. An informal meeting regarding the pavilion and playground project will be held, including a visit to the Village School playground. Learned-Miller will provide additional information on Phase 1 of the playground project at the next Selectboard meeting after further discussion with Owen, the project designer.
- Department of Energy Resources Notice of Intent – Janice Kurkoski presented a Notice of Intent for proposed energy projects to be submitted to the Department of Energy Resources. The Board discussed project costs, long-term benefits, and battery storage safety considerations.
- Ross MOVED to authorize the chair to sign the Department of Energy Resources Notice of Intent. Genovese SECONDED.
- Further discussion followed the motion. Fire chief Larson expressed concerns about battery storage, citing fire risks and water runoff issues, particularly given plans for a generator in the same location. Kurkoski responded that she added a timeline for 2027 requiring fire department approval of battery storage plans. Upon request, Kurkoski summarized the letter of intent for climate leader initiatives including photovoltaic systems, infrared heating, and weatherization for town buildings. The conversation ended with agreement to allow the Chair to sign the letter of intent, with further discussion about battery storage to be addressed before the August 1st grant deadline, making sure to include Chief Larson in the conversation and provide him with documents in advance.
- Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
- Highway Department Safety Concerns – Police Chief Shoemaker raised concerns regarding safety and communication issues related to Highway Department road work on Athol Road. Concerns included inadequate traffic control, lack of flaggers, insufficient signage, and failure by some workers to wear required safety gear. Selectboard members discussed prior conversations on the issue and agreed that improvements had not been made since similar concerns were raised the previous year. The Board emphasized the importance of addressing the matter before someone is injured. Board members also discussed attending an upcoming Highway Commission meeting to follow up on the matter.
- Genovese MOVED that the Selectboard notify the Highway Commission regarding safety concerns raised by Chief Shoemaker and request that the issues be addressed immediately. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
- FRCOG Appointments – The Board discussed appointments to the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG).
- Snell MOVED to reappoint Howard Matheson and John Bradford as Warwick representatives to FRCOG. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 2-0-0. (Genovese had stepped out and was not present.)
- WCS Foundation Fundraising Event Road Closure – The Selectboard discussed a fundraising event planned by the Foundation for the School on June 13th at the Barn Owl, considering two options: using the Barn Owl with potential road closure, or moving to Town Hall, where they would not be able to serve alcohol. The Board authorized closing Store Road to thru-traffic between both ends near the Parsonage driveway, pending approval from the Highway Department and Police Chief. Young agreed to draft a note to the Highway Commissioner and notify public safety departments about the road closure, and the Board decided not to address the alcohol licensing issue due to regulatory constraints.
- Old Home Days Recognition – Snell proposed including recognition of David Young and former public safety officers, as well as Post Cane oldest resident, during Old Home Days, and requested that Noble contact the organizers about this addition.
- Chapter 268 Section 20C and 20D Ethics disclosures or exemptions – none
- Minutes of previous meeting – none
- Citizens’ concerns and suggestions for future agenda items – None
- Discussions and reports
- Town Coordinator Report:
- Beaver Culvert Management Issues – Young brought up issues with beaver activity and culvert problems, expressing disappointment about a plugged culvert that required cutting down a $1,000 broadband pole. DeLisle discussed the need to outsource beaver debris removal, noting that this service was previously handled by someone who is no longer available. Discussion reiterated communication challenges between town departments and the suggestion that the next Town Coordinator might help address these issues.
- Assistant Town Coordinator Report:
- Noble was asked about plans for surplus vehicles. Options were brought up to either auction them through Auctions International or scrapping them depending on value. There was also discussion about the newly acquired police vehicle, and whether it complies with the town’s new vehicle fuel efficiency policy.
- Noble gave a budget update. She will meet with Ivan and the library trustees about budget issues. She also noted that the school district’s budget had no irregularities. The Board authorized a $7,000 budget transfer from highway wages to highway expenses to address budget shortfalls, particularly for snow and ice removal costs. FinCom is open to a reserve fund request to pay the last fuel delivery of the year.
- Genovese MOVED to transfer $7,000 in highway wages and leave to highway expenses. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
- Supplemental Budget Letter – The Board discussed a draft letter regarding the state’s FY26 surtax supplemental budget, particularly funding for snow and ice reimbursement.
- Ross MOVED to authorize Diana Noble to write a letter on behalf of the Selectboard regarding the state’s supplemental budget. Genovese SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
- Selectboard Reports
- Town Coordinator Search Update – Ross and the Search Committee presented their recommendations for the Coordinator position, suggesting 30 hours per week, and recommended that Diana Noble continue in her role as Assistant Town Coordinator during the transition. Applications were received and reviewed, and DeLisle recommended that the Selectboard reach out to candidates to schedule interviews. The group also clarified that the new Coordinator would oversee the custodian at the school and town hall, while other staff would report through the Coordinator to the Selectboard. Two candidates were discussed: Lizzie Alwan and Dillon Maxfield. The Board agreed to interview both candidates. The position will start at the beginning of the fiscal year, though specific salary details were not finalized during the discussion.
- Ross MOVED to interview Lizzie Alwan and Dillon Maxfield for the position of Town Coordinator, and that Diana Noble continue as Assistant Town Coordinator. Genovese SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 2-0-0. (Snell recused himself.)
- Candidate Interview Scheduling – The Board discussed scheduling a meeting with two candidates for Thursday the 21st at Town Hall, with one candidate meeting at 1 PM and the other at 2 PM. They agreed that references would be contacted, and Noble would coordinate with the candidates to finalize their schedules.
- Six Town Regionalization Planning Board Update – Copies of the 6-Town Regional Agreement, 5-Town Regional Agreement, and Long-Range Agreement were distributed and will be made available at Town Hall, the library, and the tax office. The Board also discussed posting digital copies on the town website. Snell expressed concern about Genovese being Selectboard Chair as well as Six Town Regionalization Planning Board Chair. He proposed that Ross become Selectboard chair for 6 months and then reassess. Genovese opined that the Selectboard should weigh in on whether they support the efforts of the 6-Town Regional Planning Board. Snell responded that he had only just received copies of the agreements and thus, don’t yet have a complete picture.
- Genovese MOVED that the Selectboard support the 6-town regional planning board’s initiative to form a new school district. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. Genovese – Aye; Ross – Aye; Snell – Nay.
- Snell opposed the motion and Noble and Young expressed concern that the vote had not appeared on the posted agenda.
- Town Coordinator Search Update – Ross and the Search Committee presented their recommendations for the Coordinator position, suggesting 30 hours per week, and recommended that Diana Noble continue in her role as Assistant Town Coordinator during the transition. Applications were received and reviewed, and DeLisle recommended that the Selectboard reach out to candidates to schedule interviews. The group also clarified that the new Coordinator would oversee the custodian at the school and town hall, while other staff would report through the Coordinator to the Selectboard. Two candidates were discussed: Lizzie Alwan and Dillon Maxfield. The Board agreed to interview both candidates. The position will start at the beginning of the fiscal year, though specific salary details were not finalized during the discussion.
- Town Coordinator Report:
- Approval of administrative actions taken – none
- Items unanticipated at time of posting – none
Snell MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 7:35pm. Ross SECONDED. Motion CARRIED. 3-0-0.
The next meeting will be Thursday, May 21st, 2026 for Town Coordinator Interviews.
Respectfully submitted by Heather Berlin, Town Secretary
Documents consulted at this meeting:
*Meeting agenda dated May 18, 2026
*Warwick support for Supplemental Budget May 2026
*Budget report 3rd quarter
*Coordinator Report 5.19
*Highway Expenses 5.14.25
*Highway Funds transfer
*Jo Comerford 4.22 letter
*Warwick Traffic Control Guidelines