Town of Warwick
Minutes of Hybrid Meeting of the Warwick Selectboard
Warwick Community School
Monday, July 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Selectboard Members Present: Alan Genovese, Chair, STRPB Chair, WCSD School Committee; Brian Snell, Clerk
Selectboard Members Present via Zoom: Keith Ross, Vice Chair
Others Present: Diana Noble, Assistant to the Town Coordinator; Janice Starmer; Janice Kurkoski, Buildings and Energy Committee; Thomas Ratte; Jared Kain-Woods, Buildings and Energy Manager; Wendy Wirth; Danielle Marie; Clyde Perkins Sr., Finance Committee; Signe Friedrichs, Finance Committee
Others Present via Zoom: Gregory Brodski (joined at 7:36 pm)
CALL TO ORDER – Genovese called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm
- Announcements, and introductions
- This meeting is noticed under legacy OML so requires a quorum of the board in the room and if the remote aspect fails the meeting may continue.
- Chapter 268 Section 20C and 20D Ethics disclosures or exemptions – none
- Appearances for Requests and Updates
- Building & Energy Committee and Manager – Janice Kurkoski and Jared Woods, the Town’s new Buildings and Energy Manager, presented the Climate Leader Accelerator grant application, which requests $827,100.44 for weatherization projects (minus a $10,000 incentive she earned by attending a National Grid summit), solar installations at three municipal buildings, and infrared heating systems for the Highway Department. They explained that the Town’s local contribution would be minimal, currently $652 from the Cemetery revolving fund. Although the state prefers to see a 10% local contribution, federal tax credits and National Grid incentives totaling approximately $112,000 satisfy that requirement without requiring additional local tax dollars. federal tax credits and utility incentives satisfy the state’s preferred local match. Kurkoski explained that the grant program is funded through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). If the application is approved, the town would receive 25% of the grant funding upfront, with additional reimbursements made quarterly as project invoices are submitted. The state will retain the final 10% of funding until all projects have been completed and inspected. Woods said he will oversee project implementation, coordinate reporting requirements, and work with Noble on grant administration and reimbursement requests.
- MOTION: Snell made a recommendation to authorize the Chair to sign the Climate Leader Accelerator Certificate of Application. 2nd Ross. Snell – aye; Genovese – aye; Ross – aye. Voted unanimously.
- Review Energy Tax Savers’ Agreement (ETSI) – Kurkoski presented an agreement with Energy Tax Savers to prepare federal tax credit applications for three future municipal solar projects. The total cost is $4,000, which the Town expects to recover through a state reimbursement program. The consultant previously assisted with the Fire Station solar project.
- MOTION: Snell moved to authorize the Chair to sign the Energy Tax Savers Service Agreement for processing the Federal Income Tax Credit. 2nd Ross. Snell – aye; Genovese – aye; Ross – aye. Voted unanimously.
- Council on Aging and update to Annual Town Appointments – Perkins Sr. recommended Danielle Marie, Signe Friedrichs, Wendy Wirth, and David Koester for appointment to the Council on Aging. Noble also presented an updated committee appointments list, which include the changes proposed to the Council on Aging.
- MOTION: Snell moved to approve the updated Annual Appointments list, including the appointments to the Council on Aging listed above. 2nd Ross. Snell – aye; Genovese – aye; Ross – aye. Voted unanimously.
- Lily Pond at WCS and potential observation platform – Janice Starmer presented a proposal to develop a narrow boardwalk/catwalk and an accessible observation platform at Lily Pond to support environmental education at Warwick Community School. She explained that the original proposal had expired and would require a new Notice of Intent. Starmer shared letters of support from Harvard Forest and paleoecologist Dr. Wyatt Oswald. Starmer said the revised design would minimize environmental impacts while allowing teachers and small groups of students to safely collect water samples and observe the pond. Ross expressed concern that increasing access could lead to greater public use and degradation of the pond in the future. Genovese proposed a site visit before making a decision, and Ross asked for updated maps and construction plans. The Selectboard agreed to revisit the proposal after a site visit and review of additional project details.
- Building & Energy Committee and Manager – Janice Kurkoski and Jared Woods, the Town’s new Buildings and Energy Manager, presented the Climate Leader Accelerator grant application, which requests $827,100.44 for weatherization projects (minus a $10,000 incentive she earned by attending a National Grid summit), solar installations at three municipal buildings, and infrared heating systems for the Highway Department. They explained that the Town’s local contribution would be minimal, currently $652 from the Cemetery revolving fund. Although the state prefers to see a 10% local contribution, federal tax credits and National Grid incentives totaling approximately $112,000 satisfy that requirement without requiring additional local tax dollars. federal tax credits and utility incentives satisfy the state’s preferred local match. Kurkoski explained that the grant program is funded through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). If the application is approved, the town would receive 25% of the grant funding upfront, with additional reimbursements made quarterly as project invoices are submitted. The state will retain the final 10% of funding until all projects have been completed and inspected. Woods said he will oversee project implementation, coordinate reporting requirements, and work with Noble on grant administration and reimbursement requests.
- Discussions and reports
- Update from Six Town Regional Planning Board – Genovese provided an update, including the finalized regional agreement, pending legislation, and planning for a possible special election. The Commissioner of Education expressed support for maintaining local elementary schools and indicated the state would partner with the district if the proposal is approved. The next major step is determining the vote timeline. The Board will decide ballot logistics once the Regional Planning Board submits its request. Genovese reiterated that he still plans to put together a presentation to respond to citizens’ testimonials about the Regional plan.
- Selectboard Reports – none
- Coordinator Report – Noble summarized Young’s report, beginning with highway safety concerns. Young recommended requiring highway staff to acknowledge the town’s flagger policy after reports of equipment operating without flaggers. The Highway Department also received a $250,000 Unpaved Roads Grant for a new road grader. Discussion followed regarding capital planning, including the transfer station trash compactor, which has required repairs and may eventually need replacement. Members discussed the need for the Transfer Station Committee to resume meeting, particularly to address composting requirements after losing our composting service. Updates included the Meetinghouse, where the tracker organ is operational and will be demonstrated during Old Home Days. Committee members continue to evaluate insurance needs and potential conservation opportunities involving development rights on adjacent land. Noble shared Young’s updates about facilities improvements.
- Assistant Coordinator Report – Noble noted ongoing approval of FRCOG highway contracts and execution of agreements with Franklin County Solid Waste Management and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for regional animal control. Noble initially planned to work 12-14 hours per week through September, but she shared she expects this period may extend later due to a vacation. After this transition period, Noble will continue working 8-9 hours a week. Noble reviewed plans for Old Home Days, including recognition of several retirees and the Boston Post Cane recipient. Additional details will be provided before the event.
- MOTION: Snell moved to approve the actions listed above taken by the Town Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator. 2nd Ross. Snell – aye; Genovese – aye; Ross – aye. Voted unanimously.
- Actions
- Citizens’ concerns and suggestions for future agenda items
- Speaking as a citizen, Noble asked that if the Six-Town Regional Planning Board holds a public informational meeting, it include opportunities for both supporters and opponents of the regionalization proposal to present their perspectives. She also requested updated information on transportation plans and proposed school start times. Genovese explained that a new transportation study was not pursued because student enrollment and bus routes change annually, making projections unreliable. He added that school bell times would ultimately be determined through negotiations between district leadership and employee unions. Noble noted that both the Warwick and Pioneer School Committees have voted against the proposal and reminded the Board that the Warwick School Committee is exploring additional collaboration options with neighboring districts.
- Minutes of previous meetings
- MOTION: Snell moved to accept the minutes from June 29, 2026 as amended. 2nd Ross. Snell – aye; Genovese – aye; Ross – aye
- MOTION: Snell moved to approve the minutes from July 13, 2026 with the missing information on page 2 provided by the Assistant Coordinator. 2nd Ross. Snell – aye; Genovese – aye; Ross – aye
- Items unanticipated at time of posting.
- Review topics for future meetings
- Meeting schedule: Mondays at 6pm: 8/17/26, 8/31/26, 9/14/26, 9/28/26
ADJOURNMENT: Snell MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 pm. 2nd Ross. Snell – aye; Genovese – aye; Ross – aye. Voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by Heather Berlin, Town Secretary.