Select Board Meeting Minutes

Community Room, Downstairs, Town Hall, 39 South Street, Hinsdale MA

​Posted at 1:18pm on 4/13/2022

Members: 

Shaun Galliher                     Chris Pike                         Bob Graves, Town Administrator                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Mary Rice                                                                                 Ray Bolduc, Select Board    

Russ Parks                                                                                Dick Scialabba, Select Board Chair (remote)                                                                                  

Heather Brown                                                                       Susan Rathbun, Chief of Police

Bonnie Conner                                                                        Monica Montferrett

Jim Chivers                                                                               Viv Mason

Chris Pike                                                                                  Barth Collins

The meeting was opened at 6:34 pm.

Bob Graves also reported that the Police officers contract is about ready to be signed and that negotiations went very well.  We now have four (4) full time officers and no longer any part time.

Chief Rathbun presented her budget requests.  Bob and Chief Rathbun went through the requests and explained each item.  She also reported that she does not think the unmarked cruiser needs to be replaced this year, although it is in the Capital Plan to do so.  Cruiser 651 recently had an oil leak repaired and has over 100K miles on it.  That one should be replaced next year.  Cruiser 652 has about 80K miles on it.

The Chief explained her request to promote one officer to a Sargent position.  The Committee and the Chief discussed the possibility of merging with another department to provide better coverage.  She also reported that the State is giving grant money of 25K to do a feasibility study on this issue.

Bob Graves reported that there are eight (8) Vocational students, 5 to Smith Volk and 3 to McCann Tech. We have not yet received the cost of Tuition, but the transportation bid has been received for $79,626.

The Committee discussed the Fire Department request for a new Tanker at the cost of approximately 475K.  Chairman Galliher asked if they had looked into any other options and also said it is highly unlikely that we could afford it, especially with all the other projects that need to be addressed. The current tanker was assembled in the department from a chassis and an old oil truck.  Although it is in relatively good condition, it is an 8 speed transmission and only a few Firemen can drive it.  The Committee discussed the age and condition of the other trucks and the need to start replacing them. 

Bob reported that the funding for the Maple Street Bridge has now been pushed out to 2027.  We will most likely have to keep replacing the plate covering the hole, until funding becomes available. Chairman Galliher and Bob went through some of the other accounts, and noted others that we are still waiting quotes for.

CBRSD School Committee members and our Representatives have been invited to attend out Finance Committee meeting and will do so on April 7, 2022.

The Committee discussed the Highway Department, the shortage of help, and the concern from John Murray, Road Superintendent, about compensation for all the extra hours he is putting in during storms.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 8:17 pm. The motion passed unanimously  The next Budget meeting of this Committee is Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 6:30 pm in the downstairs Community room at Town Hall.  The next regularly scheduled meeting is April 7, 2022 at 6:60 pm also in the downstairs Community Room at Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted, Mary A. Rice, Secretary