Regular Meeting (06-28-2021)
Selectmen Present: Suzan Rudnicki, Douglas Small, Jared Fitts, Isaac Raymond and Daniel Frye
Town Manager/CEO: Kevin Howell
Rec. Secretary: Coreen Sylvester
Guests Present: Mike Hodgins of Eaton & Peabody PA, Fire Chief Ralph Shaw, Glennis McSorley and Toby Pelletier
8:03 PM: Suzan Rudnicki called the Selectmen’s meeting to order.
MINUTES: Douglas Small made a motion to accept the minutes of June 14,2021 as written. Daniel Frye seconded. Five voted in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
Turnout Gear: Fire Chief Ralph Shaw explained the Fire Department is in need of additional turnout gear as a result of newly certified firefighters and said he would like to purchase four more sets. The Town Manager said we have plenty of money in the reserve fund to pay for them, and we do have a grant from MMA to offset some of the cost. After discussion, Suzan Rudnick made a motion to authorize the Fire Department to purchase four sets of turnout gear from the Fire Equipment Reserve account. Jared Fitts seconded. Five voted in favor.
Special Town Meeting: There was discussion regarding having had to table Article 2 (to adopt a moratorium ordinance) at the special town meeting held tonight. Attorney Mike Hodgins explained that after further research he had learned that we need to have a public hearing before voting on it at a town meeting.
Northern Light EMS Contract: Daniel Frye made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to sign the renewal contract for EMS coverage with Northern Light. Jared Fitts seconded. Five voted in favor.
Treasurer’s Report: Town Manager Kevin Howell gave the treasurer’s report as of June 28, 2021.
2021 Tax Commitment: Kevin stated he is meeting with the assessor tomorrow morning at 8:00 am to commit 2021 real estate taxes, and said he expects the mil rate to go down.
Junior Fire Fighter Program: Kevin let the Board know he met with Superintendent Mark Turner to discuss integrating the junior fire fighter program with the school curriculum. Kevin said he would like to integrate local history and government into the schools as well and discussed that with the superintendent and principals.
Consideration of purchase of additional zero-turn mower: The Town Manager asked Selectmen to consider purchasing another zero-turn mower. Having a second one would help the public works crew finish mowing the recreation fields a lot faster, and if one is down for a time they could still get the mowing done. After discussion, Daniel Frye made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to spend up to $7,500.00 to purchase a new zero-turn mower. Isaac Raymond seconded. Five voted in favor.
WARRANT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of June 21, 2021 in the amount of $6,952.25. Daniel Frye seconded. Five voted in favor.
WARRANT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to accept the payroll warrant of June 28, 2021 in the amount of $6,900.77. Daniel Frye seconded. Five voted in favor.
WARRANT: Isaac Raymond made a motion to accept the accounts payable warrant of June 28, 2021. in the amount of $261,713.23. Daniel Frye seconded. Five voted in favor.
ADJOURNMENT: Suzan Rudnickimade a motion to adjourn. Daniel Frye seconded. Five voted in favor. Meeting adjourned at 8:51 pm.