Select Board/Finance Committee
Town Hall/remote
A meeting of the Selectboard
The Selectboard is meeting in person and making this meeting available via Zoom for the convenience of the public. Since we are meeting in person, we will not be responsible for any technical difficulties, so if you would like to be sure of participating, please attend in person.
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Meeting Agenda:
Protocols for Public Address to the Board: During meetings, the Selectboard will attempt to find a balance between hearing from members of the community and conducting required business. All public address is at the discretion of the Chair.
When speaking, please identify yourself by name or the company/institution you represent. Please make your comments are concise (less than 2 minutes); avoid repeat statements made by others; address your comments to the Board Chair.
Audience members may not interrupt a recognized speaker nor the discussion of the Board. Please be cordial and respectful of others.
The Selectboard will generally listen to comments rather than respond immediately. If a topic comes up that is not on the agenda yet further action is required by the Board, the Chair will add the matter, as appropriate, to a forthcoming agenda. Depending on the comment, the Board may, if they are able within the confines of the Open Meeting Law, respond with information as opposed to needing to deliberate on the matter.
This meeting agenda is being posted in compliance with Massachusetts’ Open Meeting Law. The agenda may change to reflect unforeseen business.
Meeting of Selectboard
Members: (Quorum)
- Present: Tom Hankinson, Chair, at 7:00 PM
- Present: Jed Proujansky, at 7:00 PM
- Present: Patricia Duffy, at 7:00 PM
Also Present:
- Tom H.
- Pat D.
- Jed P.
- Margie M.
- and Lisa S. for the Select Board. Present for the Finance Committee: Isaiah R.
- Phil C.
- Nancy G.
- Bethany S.
- Liz K. (both remote) Also present: Tilman W.
- Maureen I.
- Tanya C.
- Carol H.
- Richard N.
- Don R.
- and George B. for the Montague Reporter.
Final Minutes
Meeting opened: 7:00 PM
Meeting closed: 10:00 PM
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Meeting Preliminaries
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Meeting Opened / Attendance Taken (see above).
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Minutes Approved: Tue, Feb 25 - Select Board/Finance Committee
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Appointments (open to the public after initial conversation)
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7:00 : Finance Committee - Special Article Review, budget averages list, prep for Budget Hearing, Childcare at Town Meeting
General Discussion...
Tilman Wolff stopped by to give and update on his way to the Regional School Committee meeting. The said that the committee is discussing changing the assessment method which could mean a 13% increase for Leverett. He also said that the region cut $1.2 million from the budget. The are discussing changing the assessment formula again and removing the guardrails. At the last 4-town meeting Leverett had offered a 6.5% increase which was generous. Select Board and Finance Committee members told Tilman that a 13% increase is a nonstarter and that yes, another look at the assessment formula may be in order but changing it now, at the last minute is not the time. It was also stressed that funding the school in its current management style is untenable.
The two boards reviewed the special articles list for Annual Town Meeting. The school has added repairs to the sprinkler system for $250,000 to be paid from the Capital Fund. Additionally Pat reported that she has done some research and spoke with the vendor about the school sprinkler system. There is a technology available called Vapor Sheild that could be helpful for the long-term of the system. It costs about $25,000 and is what the school’s request would pay for.
The mosquito control program was discussed at length for a cost of $11,000 for the year. The board would like to conduct some research this year but for now voted not to put it on the warrant.
The concrete stairs at the school will not be put on the warrant. It was suggested that instead of replacing them they could be removed and plant grass instead. There is already a ramp to that entrance.MOTION, moved by Patricia Duffy, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion: To put all the special articles on the warrant except: the overly of buildings on the GIS; the school stairs repair; and the mosquito control program. Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Pass: Aye: Patricia Duffy, Tom Hankinson, Jed Proujansky.
MOTION, moved by Patricia Duffy, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion: To reduce the COA Events Coord. Position to 10/hours/week. Unanimous, both boards. Rate to be determined later.
Motion: To increase the COA expense line by $800 instead of adding $1,600. Vote: Fin Com: 4-1 in favor, SBd: 3-0 in favor.
Motion: To eliminate the Asst. Treasurer position. Vote: Sbd: 3-0 in favor, Fin Com: 4-1 in favor.
Motion: To reduce the Fire Dept. budget request from 15% to 8.8%. Fin Com: 5-0 in favor, Sbd: 2-1 in favor.
Motion: To add $300 to the line item for Town Meeting expenses, bringing it to $500 for 2 employees, so childcare can be paid for by the town during Town Meeting. Vote: unanimous for both boards.
.Pass: Aye: Patricia Duffy, Tom Hankinson, Jed Proujansky.
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7:30: Complete Streets Final Plan
General Discussion...
Laurie made changes to the draft plan as recommended by the board and brought the final plan. The board reviewed it and Laurie answered questions.MOTION, moved by Patricia Duffy, seconded by Tom Hankinson: Motion: To approve the list as presented for submittal to MASSDOT. Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Pass: Aye: Patricia Duffy, Tom Hankinson, Jed Proujansky.
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8:00: Field Building Ad Hoc Committee
General Discussion...
Field Bld. Committee (Silas B., Maureen I., Ann F., Don R.)
Maureen updated the board on the progress of the committee. She hoped that there would not be an article on the ATM warrant concerning the building because more time is needed. Maureen reported that Danielle B. from the CPC attended their last meeting to discuss what the committee would be looking for to approve a project from them. Mareen outlined what the committee plans to do ahead of holding public forums and she stressed the difficulty of getting feedback from the forums when information needed depends on what the public wants. The board approved $1,000 for oil to heat the building for FY ’26, the Historical Society will continue to pay the electric bill.
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Business (public participation is at the discretion of the chair)
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Approve minutes of Feb. 25
General Discussion...
Approved. -
EV charging stations
General Discussion...
The Board will ask the library and the school to identify 2 locations at each building for EV charging stations. Some discussion ensued. The installation is free and the town could make some money. -
One-Stop Project ideas
General Discussion...
Margie requested ideas for the new round of One-Stop Expression of Interest (EOI). She will prepare up to 2 full applications but there is no restriction on EOI. Ideas generated: Town center study; affordable housing production plan, a bridge study, the southerly right-hand turn off Cave Hill Rd., Dudleyville Rd., and an ADA compatible boardwalk into Leverett Pond. -
Process for Dudleyville Rd surface choice
General Discussion...
Tabled until next meeting.
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Mail
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- Danielle Barshak resignation letter, Brennan Mailoux resignation letter, Chapter 90 funding letter, Div. Fish and Wildlife rare species in Energy Improvement Project ROW
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Meeting Wrap-up
- Next Meetings:
- Tue, Mar 25, at 7:00 PM "BUDGET HEARING Select Board/Finance Committee" -- Town Hall/remote
- Tue, Apr 8, at 7:00 PM "Select Board" -- Town Hall/remote
- Thu, Apr 10, at 7:00 PM "Town Forest Committee" -- Town Hall/remote
- Tue, Apr 22, at 7:00 PM "Select Board" -- Town Hall/remote
- Sat, May 3, at 9:00 AM "Annual Town Meeting" -- Town Hall/remote
- Tue, May 6, at 7:00 PM "Select Board" -- Town Hall/remote
- Next Meetings:
Minutes prepared by Lisa Stratford
Minutes approved on Thursday, Apr 10, 2025