Steven J. Benjamin

The meeting included a public hearing regarding an application for a new annual on-premise all alcohol beverage license from Food For Strength LLC d/b/a Leo's Table, proposing service hours from the earliest possible time (8 a.m.) until 11 p.m. The applicant emphasized that the establishment is primarily a food-focused restaurant intending to offer simple craft cocktails utilizing local spirits. The Board also held a public hearing concerning an Eversource petition for installing four new overhead utility poles on North Street to increase reliability and service capacity for Yankee Candle and Millatx, following the rejection of a more complex underground looping design. Concerns were raised about placing poles near drainage infrastructure, leading the Selectboard to continue the hearing to allow Eversource to re-examine underground or alternative overhead designs.

The meeting commenced with the approval of minutes from the December 17th and January 14th meetings. Key discussion points revolved around the review and discussion of vendor payroll warrants, which received no comments. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to an update on the Center School Reuse Feasibility Study. The committee presented four potential use options developed by McCabe Enterprises, funded by a National Trust grant and local historic preservation funds. The structural engineer's report noted that the attic floor could not be used as is due to outdated codes. Roof repairs were initiated with financial assistance from the CPA. The committee expressed a preference for the mixed-use option featuring a community kitchen, citing greater community engagement and better grant prospects compared to the residential housing options, which were deemed less likely to secure funding due to the small number of units proposed. The committee requested guidance on zoning confirmation for commercial kitchen and childcare uses within the municipal bylaws and noted that they would investigate a US EDA disaster relief grant related to prior flooding.

The meeting addressed warrant review and recommendations for the upcoming town meeting. Discussions involved potential funding sources, specifically the use of ARPA funds versus free cash, for several articles, including the Sunderland Elementary School retirement/sick buy back and a phase two needs assessment for the senior center. The board recommended approval for the operating budget (Article 3) and made recommendations on Articles 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Article 8 concerned funding for a walk-in cooler replacement for the Frontier Regional School District. Article 11 involved transferring funds to the town's conservation trust for land acquisition. Article 12 was housekeeping related to statutory reserve funds like the Historic Resource Reserve and Community Housing Reserve.

The Selectboard meeting addressed the approval of prior meeting minutes, including revisions. Key discussions focused on the next steps for replacing the highway garage, involving research into designer selection laws, modular pre-engineered buildings, and the potential need for an Owner's Project Manager (OPM) if construction costs exceed $1.5 million. A proposal from Weston and Samson engineering for a preliminary programming and feasibility study, estimated at $24,500, was presented for approval, to be funded from the Building Stabilization Fund. Separately, the board discussed feedback from a public session regarding zip code changes and the potential impact on the local post office closing, noting the division in the community and the importance of retaining local postal services.

The meeting focused on discussing the allocation and eligible uses for Coronavirus Relief Funds, totaling $468,000, which are available through December 31, 2024. Discussion covered eligible expenditure categories outlined by Treasury guidance, including public health, economic impact recovery (such as household and small business assistance), services to disproportionately impacted communities (like education assistance), premium pay, infrastructure projects (clean water, broadband), and revenue replacement. Several committee members suggested prioritizing funds for addressing educational shortfalls resulting from COVID-19, potentially through programming rather than capital expenses. Additionally, proposals were discussed for providing gestures of support, such as bonuses for town employees (specifically transfer station workers) and potential compensation for survivors of residents who passed away due to COVID-19. The proposed process for allocating funds involves putting out a project solicitation with eligible activities and setting up a review and prioritization process by the committee before making recommendations to the Select Board.