Notes from the Select Board, February 9, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Patrick White, Chair
• Chuck Cardillo
• Jamie Minacci
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator
• Others present via Zoom — named as they speak

1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Minutes of January 12 approved as written.
3. Beachwood-Lenstock Association Maintenance Agreement passed. Art Kreiger, President of Beachwood-Lenstock Association, thanked SB
4. Sign Bylaw moved to PB to hold public meeting.
5. White asked for reports from the Police Chief, Fire Chief and Highway Superintendent
6. Police Chief Darrell Fennelly said the department is attending to general public safety issues.
   1. Anticipate both Tanglewood and Mercy Sunday will be back to full strength after break from COVID. (Last year on Mercy Sunday only 1/2 the number of buses came as are anticipated this year)
   2. White asked about scams — Fennelly cautioned not to respond to solicitations from those identifying as police of sheriff's office. They do not solicit contributions by phone. The Chief mentioned other scams — such as email from a bank asking to give information and more recently scams via text — he referred folks to his article in the February 1 issue of Stockbridge Updates.
   3. White asked how recruitment for new position is going. Fennelly said it once was easy because there was a reserve force to pick from and Stockbridge was great place to work. Now Fennelly fears "not attracted to the job anymore."
7. Chief Vincent Garofoli reported new code from the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). Working on code enforcement.
   1. Emergency responses this time of year include alarms tripped by fireplaces. Remember to always open the flue
   2. White asked the Chief what to carry in the car as an emergency kit this time of year. Garofoli said blanket, spikes for shoes, extra gloves, charger for phone and weather radio. (Not water as it freezes)
8. Hugh Page reported working with Parks and Rec and Cemetery Commission — beautification of cemetery and Town Beach.
   1. White asked if heavier traffic on Rte 183 and Hawthorne degrade the roads faster. Page said they are "main hubs" and are 12 feet wide so traffic is concentrated — "you can see the truck tracks."
   2. Cardillo complimented Page on how the dump looks. Page passed the compliment on to Mark Buffoni "who is doing a great job" Cardillo suggested an Open House at the dump when all work is completed. White said that was a great idea.
   3. Laura Dubester thanked Page for a return phone call when she needed information.
   4. White asked if anything could be done about cost of disposing of certain items, for example, mattresses.
9. White asked Canales for project reports.
   1. Canales said preliminary work on both Tuckerman and Averic Bridges is complete. Estimated that work on both would commence summer 2025.
   2. New lights will be installed. There will be a difference in how they look and how light itself looks but it will be great savings to Town. If any concerns, please call Canales and please read more details in last issue of SU.
10. White was concerned Pinewoods, low-income housing, Is underfunded. Has requested an engineer's report, so SB can "work from a position of knowledge."
11. White said Heaton Court had a pipe burst during a cold snap. Cost to repair is $20,000. They are requesting $5000 from the Town to cover the deductible. They are also requesting an additional $5000 for a topographical survey necessary for a parking lot redesign with more spaces. Motion — grant Heaton Court $10,000 from American Rescue Program (AROA) funds. Passed
12. White asked SB member for comments? Minacci said the Mini transit — transportation on demand — delayed again.
13. White called for Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining for police — SB will not return.

Meeting adjourned.

Photo: Patrick White