Conway

  • Town of Conway Massachusetts
  • 32 Main Street
  • 413-369-4235
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Select Board

Monday, March 11, 2024, 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm
Town Hall
A meeting of the Select Board

Meeting of Select Board

Members: (Quorum)

  • Present: Christopher Waldo, at 6:00 PM
  • Present: Philip Kantor, Chair, at 6:00 PM
  • Present: Erica Goleman, at 6:00 PM

Also Present:

  • Jan Warner
  • John Craine
  • Tim Fortier
  • Jason Silverman
  • Roy Cohen
  • Alan Singer
  • Tom Donavan
  • Veronique Blanchard and Adam Reed

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 6:00 PM

Meeting closed: 8:00 PM

  1. Meeting Preliminaries

  2. Warrants

    • - Vote to approve the Accounts Payable Warrant W24-20 in the amount of $196,354.50; the Payroll Warrant PW24-20 in the amount of $$123,049.53, and the Payroll Deduction Warrant PDW24-20 in the amount of $30,220.25.

      General Discussion...
      There was a question regarding the amount of stone delivered over a 2 day period of time. This is because it is cheaper for the town to pick it up rather than having it delivered.

      MOTION, moved by Philip Kantor, seconded by Erica Goleman: .

      Pass: Aye: Philip Kantor, Christopher Waldo, Erica Goleman.

  3. Meetings Attended by Select Board Members

    • General Discussion...
      All members attended the Frontier budget meeting and an informational meeting about grant options for flood damage repair. Chris met with department heads regarding contracts. Phil had an Emergency Management meeting.

  4. Public Comments. None

    • Public

  5. Unfinished Business.

    • - Discussion and possible vote(s) regarding the July 2023 rain events on steps Town is taking to remediate town damages; obtain Town compensation; alleviate and address resident concerns; remediate Town infrastructure which worsened flood damages; assist private individuals and non profits in remediating damages; and to help obtain compensation for losses to private residences and property.

  6. New Business

    • - 15 minutes: Discussion with Tim Fortier about moving the Fortier memorial bench.

      General Discussion...
      Tim Fortier discussed the bench that he donated in memory of his parents. Because the tree on the common has grown over the years, the bench isn't accessible to the public. Tim will be coming in April to move the bench to a better space. The town will be looking for a better place and provide Tim with some assistance.

    • - 15 minutes: Discussion with COA regarding SCSC membership.

      General Discussion...
      There are some questions that haven't been answered for the Conway Council on Aging to feel comfortable moving forward with joining SCSC. There is also not enough time to meet with the other 3 towns involved to iron out an agreement to be discussed at the Annual Town Meeting. This proposal will be discussed further next year.

    • - 5 minutes: Discussion and vote: Jason Silverman, haying contract.

      MOTION, moved by Philip Kantor, seconded by Erica Goleman: Approve the haying contract consistent with the previous agreement.

      Pass: Aye: Philip Kantor, Christopher Waldo, Erica Goleman.

    • - 5 minutes: Discussion and vote: Parks & Recreation request for approval on pickleball court in-house cost estimates and payment.

      General Discussion...
      The plan for the new pickleball court is moving forward. $10,000 for the overtime needs to be addressed. The sum includes money for the Highway staff and money for the Highway Superintendent. The overtime for a department head needs to be investigated as to its legality. It may be better to offer a stipend as compensation for time spent on this special project.

    • - 5 minutes: Discussion and vote to sign Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District contract.

      MOTION, moved by Philip Kantor, seconded by Erica Goleman: Move to approve Selectboard Chair sign the contract on behalf of the Selectboard.

      Pass: Aye: Philip Kantor, Christopher Waldo, Erica Goleman.

    • - 5 minutes: Discuss and vote to set the time for ATM.

      MOTION, moved by Christopher Waldo, seconded by Erica Goleman: To set the time for Annual Town Meeting at 10:00 a.m.

      Pass: Aye: Philip Kantor, Christopher Waldo, Erica Goleman.

  7. Items Not Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of the Meeting

    • - The Festival of the Hills is asking permission for their UnTagsale on May 18th in Pumpkin Hollow; rain date May 19th.

      MOTION, moved by Philip Kantor, seconded by Erica Goleman: .

      Pass: Aye: Philip Kantor, Christopher Waldo, Erica Goleman.

  8. Town Administrator update

    • General Discussion...
      It was agreed by the board that there will be fewer pulls of the dumpster at the Transfer Station.

      MOTION, moved by Philip Kantor, seconded by Christopher Waldo: To ask the state about the handicap parking that was removed from the front of the Town Office.

      Pass: Aye: Philip Kantor, Christopher Waldo, Erica Goleman.

  9. Selectboard member comments/concerns

    • General Discussion...
      Erica would like to strike the old business regarding the flooding. Chris agreed and the chair agreed. The topic will be addressed by updates on the grant applications or under new business it further concerns arise.

      Chris would like to look into more grant funding for projects around town. The roof of the library was one example.
      Phil then mentioned that the roof is not as bad as some people think and Howard Boyden will be will be fixing the problem himself very soon.

  10. Mail

  11. Announcements

  12. Joint Selectboard and Finance Committee.

    • - Budget Review: 231 Ambulance, 543 Veterans, 300 Conway Grammar School, 310 Frontier Regional School.

      General Discussion...
      Finance Committee was called to order at 6:48 and adjourned at 7:34. The following were discussed.

      231 Ambulance. The increases in some lines were due to an increase in calls which leads to an increase in fees the department must pay and an increase in the salary line for more hours worked. The ambulance is in good shape but will still need replacing in 2 to 3 years.

      543 Veterans. Same with no concerns.

      300 Conway Grammar will be discussed next week.

      310 Frontier was voted on and shows an increase of 4.64% for Conway.

  13. Meeting Wrap-up

The listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.

Minutes approved on Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024

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