Select Board Meeting Minutes

Community Room, Town Hall

39 South St, Hinsdale MA

 

 

At 7:00 pm, Chairman Scialabba called the meeting to order, asked if anyone else was recording this meeting, and asked if everyone could silence their phones. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Bart motioned to approve May 25, 2022, meeting minutes as presented, and Earl seconded it. All said, Aye.

 

 

     • Shaun Galliher (Finance Committee)

o Some accounts will be over at the end of the fiscal year, and the finance committee will discuss this matter at next month’s meeting.

     • Monic Montferret (Lake Management Committee)

o Monica said she is now the committee chair, and Duane Bruce is the secretary. 

o She asked who does the order of conditions. TA Graves says it would go through the Conservation Commission.

o She asked about the copper treatments because they need recommendations. Graves suggested the less controversial option. 

o Bob Graves mentioned the best line of communication would be to go through the Conservation Commission. TA Graves recommended a joint meeting between the Board of Health, Conservation Commission, and Lake Management to discuss goals.

     • Robert Graves (Town Administrator)

o Mass Works grant was submitted.

o There will be an MVP workshop on June 28, 2022, to discuss the three areas identified as hazardous to the Town. The workshop will include other Towns in the area to go over long-term planning. After the plan is finalized, it will be posted for public comment.

o The bid for the transfer station should go out within the next couple of weeks. We are trying to reconfigure the compactor/trash area, and there are some wetland concerns.

o There is a possible grant opportunity through MEMA and Homeland Security to relocate the propane tank and generator.

Next, the Select Board brought up Old Mill Trailhead for further discussion. They signed a letter for their support of going ahead with the filing process. Bart Collins motioned to appoint Matthew Goggins to Lake Management Committee, and Earl Peck seconded the motion. All said, Aye. Then, Bart Collins motioned to appoint Shaun Galliher to Finance Committee for one year, and Earl seconded it. All said, Aye. 

 

Then, the board went on to discuss the grave digger fee increase. Currently, the fees are low compared to other Towns, and the Town of Hinsdale takes $100 of the costs. Dan Kaufman, on the Cemetery Committee, suggests we take $50 out of the fees and give it to Gary. TA Graves mentioned that Gary’s crew is there all day because it is a long process. Shaun Galliher said that the funds go into a revolving fund, and if the Town increased the fee, then we would have to increase the cap on the account. Ultimately, the Select Board decided to table the discussion. 

 

Lastly, Chairman Scialabba announced that he does not want to be the chair, effective July 13, 2022. Earl Peck noted that he would not be opposed to being chair, and Bart Collins said he doesn’t mind. Dick Scialabba motioned to nominate Earl as chair; Collins seconded it. All said, Aye. Town Clerk Dawn Frissell said the Town could hold a Special Town Election to fill the open board seat. Chairman Scialabba motioned for the Town to have a Special Town Election to replace a board member. Bart Collins seconded it. All said, Aye. 

 

At 7:47 p.m., Dick made a motion to go into Executive Session for Exemption 2: To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel and not reconvene into regular session. Bart seconded it. All said, Aye. Motion: Move into executive session to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel and to not reconvene in open session. 

 

Respectfully submitted, 

Clarissa Mitchell 

 

 

 

____________________________ __________________________

 

Richard B. Scialabba-Chairperson Bart Collins

 

 

_______________________________

Earl Peck