Laurie Bartkus

The meeting included discussions on several key items. The Select Board reviewed a request regarding the reissuance of a deceased firefighter's helmet number, where the Fire Chief outlined practices and plans for a memorial wall; no formal action was taken. Funding of $1,670 from the Norcross Account was approved for a grant writer to determine fiber optic strand availability for connecting to the Tantasqua Data Center. Planning for the Tri-Town meeting with Brimfield and Wales was finalized, covering topics such as contract negotiations for Action Ambulance Service, CDBG applications, and animal control services. Town meeting dates for the caucus, annual meeting, and elections were reviewed. The board approved an administrative invoice ($2,675.32) from PVPC for the FY22/23 CBDG program. A motion was passed to halt the writing of a letter drafted by the Chair to state legislatures concerning DAM/Lake Maintenance, following discussion on pursuing a different avenue with state departments. Warrant payments for payroll and accounts payable were approved. Liaison reports covered ongoing business including bylaw committee progress, master plan review for the Planning Board, health concerns regarding the Board of Health, and rising costs for town employee health insurance.

The meeting included a public hearing for the Black Rose Realty, Inc. project at Mashapaug Road (184-0471), where discussions centered on plan revisions addressing local bylaws, vernal pool certification, road stabilization, and the need for cross culverts. The applicant agreed to keep the permit open for two growing seasons for stabilization review. The hearing was closed, and the Order of Conditions was accepted. A second public hearing was opened and closed for 46 Over the Top Road (184-0472), resulting in the issuance of an Order of Conditions. A Request for a Certificate of Compliance for 36 Massaconnic Trail (184-0442) was tabled. A formal complaint was made regarding recent illegal dumping near the lake basins, which was assigned for follow-up. Tree Removal applications were also reviewed and signed.

The Select Board meeting included multiple agenda items. Discussions and approvals related to the Union Road Project involved several invoices, a change order, and the final certificate of completion. A public hearing regarding remaining Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) funds for the Union Road Project was scheduled for November 4, 2025. The Board approved a proposal from Seaman Engineering Corporation for an engineering study on the Town Hall HVAC system upgrades, utilizing ARPA funds. Updates on grants were provided, including status on the Marcy Place bridge, receipt of a $300k guardrail replacement grant, an upcoming Expression of Interest for a stormwater planning grant, and a pending Department of Justice grant for a community resource officer. The status of the Dam drawdown and lake surveys was reviewed. The Board tabled the Cable Commission job description and compensation until feedback from the Collins Center study was received on November 4, 2025. Three Special Use Permit requests for lake activities in 2026 were tabled until January 2026 pending lake treatment schedules. Discussions were held regarding Select Board leadership roles. The Board approved three bi-weekly warrants for payroll and accounts payable. Updates were given on liaison reports, and the Board provisionally approved entering into a contract with Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) for IT Services collaboration, pending negative feedback. Progress on the Collins Center compensation and classification study was reviewed, and the Board signed off on finalized job descriptions to advance the study.

The Select Board meeting addressed several agenda items. Approval was granted for the Holland PTO Trunk or Treat event. Decisions were made regarding the Union Road Project, including approval of an invoice and a contract extension. A driveway permit for 306 Mashapaug Road was approved. The Board authorized a drawdown of Hamilton Reservoir for weed control, set to commence on October 14, 2025, and subsequently voted to dissolve the previously established Dam Sub-Committee, electing to keep dam oversight as a regular agenda item. A letter was authorized to address a dispute regarding stump removal at 17 Union Road. The discussion on the Cable Commission Job Description was tabled for further review. Motions were passed to recall a previous motion setting a Special Town meeting date, and to rescind a motion for a subsequent Special Town meeting. The Board received updates on Town Landfill Monitoring Status, where non-compliance with state testing requirements was noted, and addressed brush dump fee turnover. Approval was granted to request temporary support from Eastern Hampden County Veteran Services for 60 days. Three new firefighters were appointed. Warrants for payroll and accounts payable were approved. Ongoing business included liaison reports on PVPC activities and Hamilton Reservoir maintenance, updates from the Town Administrator on HVAC, IT services via PVPC, Collins Center job descriptions, and the awarding of a $300,000 One Stop Grant for guardrails, while noting the denial of the Stormwater Management MVP action grant.

The Select Board meeting included discussions on various topics. A presentation was given on the Cox/Charter merger, and a decision on the vote for consent was placed on hold. The board reviewed and discussed Alcohol Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) license renewals, as well as business license renewals for multiple establishments. Re-programming of remaining funds for the Community Development Grant was addressed, focusing on revisions to infrastructure delivery, general administration, and engineering projects. Lake maintenance was a significant topic, including weed treatment, a lake walk, review of the lake draw down, and budget considerations. The board also discussed bi-weekly warrants, liaison reports, updates from the Town Administrator, Select Board communications, and upcoming meeting topics.