2026-09-28 Selectboard Minutes

Town of Warwick
Minutes of Hybrid Meeting of the Warwick Selectboard
Warwick Community School
Monday, September 28, 2026, at 6:00 pm

Selectboard Members Present: Alan Genovese, Chair; Keith Ross, Vice Chair
Selectboard Members Present via Zoom: Brian Snell, Clerk joined at 6:05 pm
Others Present: Lizzie Alwan, Town Coordinator; Diana Noble, Assistant to the Town Coordinator; David Shoemaker, Police Chief; Jill DeLisle, Finance Committee Chair; Bruce Kilhart; Dawn Magi; Todd Dexter, Highway Commission
Others Present via Zoom: Signe Friedrichs, Finance Committee

CALL TO ORDER – Genovese called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm

1. Announcements and introductions
   1. 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.
2. Chapter 268 Sections 20C and 20D Ethics disclosures or exemptions – none
3. Public Comment 
   1. Use of Force Policy and new radar signs
      1. Chief Shoemaker presented the updated Police Department Use of Force Policy for its second reading. He explained that the existing policy already met most requirements, but additional detail was added in areas such as restraints and crowd control to bring it fully into compliance with POST standards. The Board voted unanimously to approve the updated policy.
         • MOTION: Ross MOVED to accept the updated Police Use of Force Policy. 2nd Snell. Ross – aye; Genovese – aye; Snell – aye. Motion passed unanimously
      2. Shoemaker reported that the town received two new radar signs through a MassDOT grant, including one installed near the school and another mounted on a trailer. The signs can collect traffic counts and speed data. The Selectboard and Chief also discussed concerns about large trucks traveling through the center of town, including speed, noise, and engine braking. Shoemaker encouraged residents to report concerns directly to the Police Department and said the department is taking steps to address the issue.
   2. Jill DeLisle reported that she is continuing to work on putting together a capital plan for the town. She and Town Coordinator Alwan plan to attend a training workshop in October, where DeLisle hopes to get feedback on the preliminary materials she has prepared and continue developing the plan.
4. Approve Minutes from 8/17, 8/31, 9/14
   • MOTION: Ross MOVED to approve the Selectboard meeting minutes from 8/17, 8/31, 9/14/2026. 2nd Snell. Ross – aye; Snell – aye; Genovese – aye. Motion passed unanimously.
5. Set Halloween Trick-or-Treating hours
   1. The event will include use of Town Hall for preparation, snacks and pizza beginning around 4:30 pm, trick-or-treating from approximately 5:00 to 7:00 pm, and a candy swap and cleanup afterward. Board members thanked Amber Holloway, her daughter, and others, as well as Chief Shoemaker for traffic control along Route 78. Snell noted that volunteers are welcome to help with the event.
      • MOTION: Snell MOVED to set Halloween hours from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Saturday, October 31 in the Town of Warwick. 2nd Genovese. Snell – aye; Genovese – aye; Ross – aye. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Surplus
   1. The Selectboard reviewed a list of 13 surplus Highway and Town vehicles and pieces of equipment, including a Ford Explorer, dump truck, generator, plows, buckets, sander, scrap materials, and a Highway Department printer. During discussion, questions were raised about a previously surplused vehicle that appears to have already been removed from town property. The Board asked for follow-up to determine what happened to the vehicle and make sure there is appropriate documentation of its disposal.
      • MOTION: Ross MOVED to declare the thirteen vehicles and equipment on the 9/28/26 Surplus Declarations list as surplus and ready to sell. 2nd Snell. Ross – aye; Snell – aye; Genovese – aye. Motion passed unanimously.
7. Highway Commission Update
   1. Genovese thanked the Highway Commission for providing minutes to the Selectboard. Dexter updated the Board on Highway Department work, including recent work on Chestnut Hill, Flower Hill and Kirk Road, ongoing drainage work, and plans for additional road work using screened millings. The department continues to deal with mechanical problems from aging equipment, particularly the grader and a 2012 one-ton truck, both of which the Commission is working on replacing. A recent oil spill on Hastings Pond Road was also discussed. The spill was cleaned up with Fire Department assistance, and the Highway Commission is working to formalize its procedures for responding to any future spills.
   2. The Town was awarded a $250,000 grant that can be used for unpaved-road maintenance, materials, or equipment. The Highway Commission plans to put the funding toward replacing the town’s more than 40-year-old grader, which has become increasingly difficult to maintain. Preliminary quotes and pricing were discussed, with additional funding expected to come from available Chapter 90 funds.
      • MOTION: Ross MOVED to authorize the Chair to sign the Highway form for unpaved roads grants. 2nd Snell. Ross – aye; Genovese – aye; Snell – aye. Motion passed unanimously.
8. Discussions and reports
   1. Coordinator Report 
      1. Alwan reported that the school requested permission to remove yew bushes because they are toxic and children like to play in them.
         • MOTION: Ross MOVED to remove the yew bushes. 2nd Snell. Ross – aye; Genovese – aye; Snell – aye. Motion passed unanimously.
      2. Alwan followed up on the discussion from the previous meeting regarding Brian Gale’s proposed development. After speaking with members of the Planning Board, Alwan confirmed that Gale can submit a preliminary plan rather than a more costly definitive plan, provided it meets Warwick’s subdivision and zoning requirements. Alwan said she would pass that clarification along to Gale.
      3. Alwan requested Snell’s signature on the DCR Notice of Interest and Land Acquisition. The Board continued discussing DCR’s planned acquisition of the Whipple property on Richmond Road. Ross expressed concern that state ownership will remove additional property from Warwick’s tax rolls and that state PILOT reimbursement does not make up for the lost revenue. Members discussed the value of keeping conserved land in private ownership when possible and Ross agreed to share Warwick’s concerns with Senator Comerford and other state officials.
   2. Assistant Coordinator Report
      1. Noble brought up upcoming state listening sessions on the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) program for state-owned land. Members again raised concerns about the low valuation of state-owned land in Warwick and other rural communities compared with communities in eastern Massachusetts. Board members plan to participate in the sessions, and the Board discussed preparing written comments outlining Warwick’s concerns.
      2. The Board discussed planning a Special Town Meeting following the October 6 election and before the tax rate is set. The Board tentatively discussed November 9 for the meeting, subject to confirming timing requirements and availability, with a short Selectboard meeting beforehand if needed. Proposed articles include rescinding the previous $87,257 appropriation for the FY26 snow and ice deficit, using RAP grant funds to cover that expense, appropriating $87,257 into stabilization, and paying prior-year bills.
   3. Selectboard Reports
      1. The Board discussed the recent public forum on Six-Town regionalization and the Franklin Tech building project. Members felt the format helped keep the meeting focused while allowing residents to ask questions about complicated and sometimes emotional issues. Regionalization will remain as a standing item on future agendas.
      2. Ross reminded the group that communications involving Selectboard business should include all Selectboard members. Members and those present also noted the need to avoid deliberation by email or text outside of a posted meeting.
9. Actions – none
10. Citizens’ concerns and suggestions for future agenda items – none
11. Items unanticipated at time of posting
    1. Friedrichs shared that the Council on Aging is meeting next Tuesday, October 6, at 1:00 pm.
12. Review topics for future meetings
    1. Meeting schedule: Tuesday, 10/13/26 at 6:00 pm (due to the holiday on 10/12), Monday, 10/26/26 at 6:00 pm

ADJOURNMENT: Snell MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 pm. 2nd Ross. Genovese – aye; Ross – aye; Snell – aye. Motion passed unanimously

Respectfully submitted by Heather Berlin, Town Secretary.

Documents consulted at this meeting:

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