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Massachusetts

Leverett

Town of Leverett
9 Montague Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Town Clerk: (413) 548-9150
Tax Collector: (413) 548-9666
Assessor: (413) 548-4945
Town Hall Fax: (413) 548-1035
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Select Board/Energy Committee

Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm
Town Hall
A meeting of the Selectboard

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https://zoom.us/j/94460276391?pwd=N294R3hyQzlyMUtsZ1ZkMTBjL3BPdz09

Meeting ID: 944 6027 6391

Passcode: 650146

Meeting of Selectboard

Members: (Quorum)

  • Present: Patricia Duffy, at 7:00 PM
  • Present: Melissa Colbert, at 7:00 PM

Also Present:

  • Tom H.
  • Melissa C.
  • Pat D.
  • Margie M.
  • Lisa S.
  • for the Select Board. For the Energy Committee: Richard N.
  • Portia W.
  • George L.
  • Seth H.
  • and Brook and Shirley T. Also present George for the Montague Reporter

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 7:00 PM

Meeting closed: 8:42 PM

  1. Meeting Preliminaries

  2. Appointments

    • 7:00 : Newsletter distribution

      General Discussion...
      The COA asked that the Newsletter be mailed to all households or to individuals they are concerned about being out of the loop due to the Newsletter being sent digitally. Lisa reviewed the reasons that it is sent this way and reminded the board that there has always been an option to have the Newsletter hand delivered, by volunteers, if needed and no one has ever asked. The board suggested that the COA come up with a list of people they think would benefit from a paper copy and get in touch with Lisa to coordinate delivery. Isaiah Robison offered to deliver Newsletters to homes.

    • 7:10: Appoint Highway Dept. employee/appoint custodian

      MOTION, moved by Melissa Colbert, seconded by Patricia Duffy: Motion: To appoint Jake Purington to the Highway Department pending satisfactory physical, at $25/hr. for 6 months with an increase TBD after a performance review. Vote: 3-0 in favor.

      Pass: Aye: Melissa Colbert, Patricia Duffy, Tom Hankinson.

    • 7:15: Energy Committee/decarbonization

      General Discussion...
      Tom gave an introduction/welcome to the Energy Committee and outlined a workshop he attended by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership on Decarbonization. He ultimately wanted to know if the Energy Committee was interested in helping the Select Board try to achieve decarbonization of the Town of Leverett by a date certain. They enthusiastically said, yes. Richard reminded everyone about the program that the Energy Committee is working on with UMASS Extension Service to get solar in Leverett. The municipal complex microgrid was discussed and used as an example of what could become the next MLP using solar cooperatives in clusters in town to provide town-wide solar. Also of particular interest is the recent announcement by Eversource that the utility has ended its membership with the American Gas Association, reportedly to focus on decarbonization. On the surface, at least, this appears to bode well for communities like Leverett who wish to participate in the global decarbonization effort.
      Enthusiasm abounded questions were asked and answered and it was agreed to host a community informational event, contact legislators and an Eversource representative.

  3. Business

    • Approve minutes of August 1

      General Discussion...
      The minutes of August 1, 2023 were approved.

  4. Meeting Wrap-up

The listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.

Minutes approved on Wednesday, Nov 22, 2023