Okay, welcome to the town of Deerfield Select Board Board of Health Sewer Commissioners meeting for January 21st, 2026. The time is 6 p.m. This is a hybrid meeting both on Zoom and in the main meeting room at 8 Conway Street, South Deerfield, Mass. This meeting will be held in a hybrid fashion with the
opportunity for both in-person and uh attendance and remote participation. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting or hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcasts unless otherwise
required by law. Members of the public with a particular interest in any specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person versus virtual attendance accordingly. The meeting will be held in person in the main meeting room of the Deerfield Municipal Offices in course with in accordance with Mass
General Law Chapter 3A. Anyone intending to record the meeting must identify themselves to the clerk and provide their name and address for the record. So, I'll call the meeting to order. We're going to juggle the agenda around uh just for a couple of quick things
while we have Ned um here from our building. Our board of health agent is here to uh do a couple of pieces of business. Um, first I'm going to go for an update on the
um update on 9197 Still Water Road. I know this is a parcel of property that we've been working with the attorney general's office on and um just curious where we're at. It's been a while. >> Uh yes. So last week um the attorney
general's office went to court and filed a mo uh to enforce the receivers's motion um authorizing sale of the properties. So I'm I haven't heard back as to how that went, but I I'm assuming that it went
through okay and that shortly the um the properties will either be auctioned or purchased separately. Do you happen to know uh last um year when I was attending the court um proceedings um in the beginning of the process they were
hunting for heirs all over the world actually trying to find that's complete >> that's complete did they did find some and they're they're okay so that's that's >> that portion of um the process was complete so >> and I know that uh >> that's what was holding it up >> yes it was taking a long time and then
and the uh the receiver u who had been cleaning up the property kind of did his work and was going to take no other action until it kind of we got further along in that process. >> Yep. >> Okay. So, um >> so I anticipate um the receiver
Oair will purchase the properties and >> hopefully develop. >> Yeah, it' be great for the tax base for sure. >> Okay. Any other further work that needs to be done on our behalf or we're just waiting to hear from the >> Just waiting to hear anything that's aware of.
>> Great. Um the next item is um that we'll knock out while while you're here and Alex uh Goway's here as well um is the uh sanitary sewer hearing for fats, oils, and grease regulations. So I'm going to read that notice so we can open
open that hearing and take take uh take evidence on that. Um notice is hereby given pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 111 section 31. The Deerfield Select Board acting in its capacity as board of health will hold a hearing on
Wednesday uh January 21st at uh 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Deerfield Municipal Offices, 8 Conway Street, South Deerfield, Mass. um in uh regarding the adoption of regulations to protect residents, businesses, and the environment from blockages of the town's
sanitary sewer system caused by fats, oils, and grease, fog uh discharged from food service establishments. A draft version of these regulations with a proposed effective date of February 1st, 2026 provides for standards of practice,
prohibitions, inspections, variances, and penalties for violations and may be viewed at www.arfieldmma. us. Um, this here be this hearing is being held in a hybrid fashion with the opportunity for both in-person attendance and remote participation. Um,
all the same jargon I used before. So, I'll call the meeting call the hearing to order and love to hear from you or Alex on where we're at. I saw the copy of the regulations. You >> You should have a copy a copy of the
regulations before you. Um, just a little background. So, this was, you know, an item that came up in discussions with Eric Meals, our chief wastewater operator. Um, as well as Matthew Morris, our DBW superintendent. um you know they're just noticing just that there was some some grease and
grease bergs I believe even forming in some of the wastewater treatment plant uh treatment areas um and so we wanted to address it and really you know with these rags the first year or so is really just an education situation and so we're reaching out to restaurants making sure they're aware of these
regulations so that they can be you know checking their grease traps making sure they're not sending anything down the pipes that shouldn't be going down there. So >> great. Um and uh I think we have an effective date of February 1st on these. >> Yes. >> And um I don't know, Alex or Ned, if you
want to mention any other items. These are I would just say fairly standard. A lot of other communities have identical uh quote unquote fog regulations to this. >> Yeah. >> You want to hit anything or no? I
reviewed the regulations and they are consistent with uh most other towns in Massachusetts particularly uh I watched a presentation from the board of health in Plymouth and they just updated their regulations last year and they're uh
very very similar. Um, so I plan to reach out to them and see what they're uh if they had any issues or anything they would do differently. But >> okay, >> everything looks good to me. >> Sounds good. Um,
with no other no other comments or I can close the hearing. >> The only other thing I would mention, I will I'll print you out a copy. Um the the Mass General law for whatever reason does require the board to make a statement about why you're adopting the
regulations. Um so I'll I'll print you out a copy. >> Should I read the purpose or is there something else? >> There's there's something additional. So I'll I'll print that out for you. All right. >> Um >> you want me to read that while we're in the hearing or close the hearing and read it after? Yeah, I think um
it's it's uh ambiguous, but um yeah, you you could close the hearing and then uh read it out. >> Entertain a motion to close the hearing. >> Um motion to close the hearing. >> Second. Any further discussion? >> Um I've reviewed these then they look to
be comprehensive and very standard in nature. >> Yep. I'm not an fog expert, but um so >> Okay. All those in favor? >> Tim Hilgi. >> Trevor McDaniel. I Okay. So um
>> and Trevor, yeah, I would just mention so you just need to provide a statement about the local conditions which exist um for exceeding the minimum requirements um under state law. And I think you know what what I alluded to with um you know
the challenges for a wastewater treatment plant would suffice. >> Oh yeah. I I remember many days of seeing like this just foam and oh I don't even know what you call it but froth on top of their aation tanks. Um just the way we airate it's a little
different now but um down at the plant. But it it yeah it's been it's been tough. And then many many times I would get pictures of Kevin. and he would open up a manhole and just go, "WHOA, LOOK AT THIS THING, you know, almost proud of it, but also angry at the same time."
So, um yeah, so it Yeah. Um we you know, there are u you there again the first year we're going to be um just educating people on on what this is about. Most most people recognize it already, have have grease traps, that
kind of thing, but it just kind of sets out what they need to be and and the practice for them. And then you know later on if there's a first offense it's a written warning. Second offense within 36 it's a $100 fine. Third within 36 months 250. And the fourth and
subsequent offenses in 36 months is $500 fine. There are hearings um that people can have for ways to um you know appeal that. Uh but I think that's it. Do you did you print something out you wanted me to read or
just >> you could just make a statement? >> I will make a statement. These are needed. Uh the statement of the purpose the purpose of these regulations is to protect residents, businesses, and the environment within the town of Deerfield from blockages of the town sanitary sewer system caused by fats, oils, and
grease uh discharged from food service establishments. All new and existing facilities that generate and discharge fog in the wastewater flow of the town sanitary sewer system shall install, operate, and maintain a fog pre-treatment system as further defined
herein. The requirements uh the requirements of this regulation shelf supplement and be in addition to the requirements of the town of Deerfield sewer use regulations, Massachusetts state plumbing code and the Massachusetts state sanitary code.
So, I will um >> just wanted to ask a question, please. Um, and I'm not sure whether it's Ned or somebody else, but um, this directly references food service establishments, but in the past um, well, I'm Berkshire Brewing does
serve popcorn and stuff, but >> um, by the nature of their business, they generate byproducts from the manufacturing of beer that used to contribute to problems with our sewer uh, system because it got the uh,
microbes that take care of waste out of balance. Um so >> yeah. So to to answer that, we have a separate regulations that we're working on right now um for >> our industrial waste permit which is in development.
>> Yeah. >> And in general, this wouldn't impact um residents who are on the sewer system. >> This is a food ser it's specific to businesses. >> Right. Right. >> Yeah. Just wanted to clarify that for depending on what you're cooking who cuts and puts it down the drain. Don't
ever do that. You don't want to do that. >> And even for people who have septic private septic systems, you don't want to be putting these things into your septic system because it will over time degrade the system. >> And because I never want to pass up the
opportunity, no wipes. Do not put flushable wipes in. >> No matter what the manufacturer tells you. >> Exactly. They are not. Why? They lie to you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. So, um I made a motion to uh I'll make a motion to approve the board of
health regulations on fats, oils, and grease management. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> Tim Hilchi. I >> Trevor McDaniel. I >> Okay, great. All right. Those were the couple of items I think
we needed to address. Thank you very much for staying and >> helping and thank you Alex. Um so we'll just uh bump back to the beginning of the meeting. We have public comment and I understand there we have public here today. So, please come come on up and
public comment is your time to kind of give the board and >> comment and we don't really deliberate on it, but we just take it in. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Just in introduce yourselves for the people online. Thank you. It's good to see you again.
>> Uh my name is Ma Swedland. I live at the Sugarloaf Condos 22A, Snowberry Circle. >> And I am Marcia Martin and I live at the Sugarloaf Condo 23A. >> Welcome. >> Thank you.
>> So, um, I will continue to remind myself to speak into the microphone. >> Yes, >> I will try very hard. >> We normally do like we normally do a twom minute, but I'm, you know, I'll let it go longer if you need. I think most of the people here are residents of the
condos. >> Um, we want to thank you for hearing us. >> Um, I want to thank the residents uh for bringing up their com bringing us Marcia and I um their comments and we have sort
of um consolidated them to save time. Um we are here tonight representing the residents of Sugarloaf Condos and we want to press home the point that the increase in all of
our tax bills from 25 to 26 was between 35 and 40% which was somewhat shocking to us. Um we are aware that the role of the select board and the role of the assessors
uh is is very different and tonight we will not be talking about individual condos uh or questions which would be better dealt with by the assessors. >> Thank you. >> Go ahead. >> I would say that when I first read the
Whoops. >> The microphone. >> Okie dokie. I would say that when I first read the article um in the Greenfield Recorder in December and saw 6.2% or whatever it was, 6.5%. I thought, okay, that's certainly fine.
>> And then I got my bill and it was 39% more. And that's shocking to me. And I don't and we're an outlier. And we're an outlier for a very good reason, I think. But um because we're older and we're
going to constantly be turning over our real estate um we're this is at the last stop, right? We're going to >> I hope not >> three other different places. >> We're old. >> We Yeah. So anyways, I just have to say
we're very I get your point. >> Yeah. We're very different >> and um and that's what we want to to uh go go over with you tonight. Now, I know we h we sent you some information and um in that information was a um assessment
versus square footage um analysis that I did and it's um it's pretty shocking. You know, we're at average of the six or seven um properties I said 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, um $33.85.
the um the most I think the most um well another let me just say I'm going to say it the Crestio area is 291.8 about 15% less than us. Um the King Phillip area which is very close to us
is 233 42% less and um Lee Road 36% less and um Valley View because I wanted to kind of look all over um 41%. And we're an
outlier and we don't understand that. >> So did you want to talk about Go ahead. >> So that's, you know, we believe that needs to be addressed somehow, some way. So we sent you an
article um that the Senate has just passed a bill basically saying that seniors in the in the Massachusetts need tax relief >> from their tax bills. So, um, it basically,
uh, I mean, you know, it's it's, um, it hasn't passed the House, but it would give municipalities tools to ease property tax burdens for certain groups, including seniors, on fixed incomes, and
that it also gives communities uh, ways that they can address um, some of the inequities that we're pointing out. Um, so I'm not going to obviously read that whole bill. >> I I Yeah, but I >> I did read it. Uh, thank you for sharing it with us. I assume you shared it with
the assessors. >> Uh, it went to the assessors and all of the residents. >> Great. >> Um, >> how about Well, Natalie and Joe. >> Did you send it off? >> No, I didn't. I haven't taken it there yet, but certainly pushing the House to
do that. >> Natalie, >> you don't have to send it to Natalie anymore. >> I know. That's what I was going to say. I was just going to point >> the 19th. Oh, the 19th. Okay. I didn't I thought we maybe keep her for another couple days, but >> two days ago. >> Her staff certainly is still working. >> I I would They're going to stay helping
us until the end of the year. >> Oh, good. Because being totally left alone would be sad. >> Yes, it would. Um, then there was also a document that refers to other ways of addressing the tax relief issue, which again, if you looked at it, I won't
bother going over >> because that was significantly different than the the Senate bill. >> It just says that their homestead um exemptions, property tax abatements. Some municipalities provide tax abatements which lower the amount of um
of the property tax owed. These are often used to encourage development in in certain areas. Um and and the um exemptions and then there's a deferral program certain tax uh certain states
and communities allow seniors to defer property taxes until their home is sold. Mhm. >> Um and and that community ownership model uh they talk about condominium ownership owners typicers typically pay
taxes on their individual units while common areas which is true for us um and um uh are are taxed collectively but that's already in place. And then local tax laws each state and locality has different rules regarding property
taxes. uh property tax exemptions for seniors. Uh some areas may have specific programs aimed at helping seniors in retirement communities again where we are >> for the very reason that we're going to have more always going to have more
sales than any other community. And so when you base it on the sales and you know that are nearby that's going to hit us every year. So that's that's that another document we sent you. Um and then
uh we sent you a couple of letters. Shirley Howard sent a letter which you may have read which I think addresses sort of the broad concerns of of the and then >> um >> I don't know do you have any comments or do you want to we have one one more
document we were going to go over. >> You happy to go over them at public comment. We don't really comment back. We just take the information in. >> Okay. So, um, we hope that we will hear from you soon. Um, but Marcia, you want to read your letter?
>> I'll read my letter. I think most people have seen it. >> Eat your mic. >> Yes, ma'am. On December 12th, 2025, 2025, the Greenfield Reporter reported that Mr. Soi said the new tax rate would
bring the average tax bill for single family homes in deer deerfield to $6,283 a roughly $382 or a 6 and a.5% bump from fiscal year 25. According to Mr. McDaniel, the value of
the average single home in Deerfield has risen 37% since FY22, raising tax bills by 22%. Yet the con Sugarloaf condominium community assessments were based on sale in 2025 and taxed at 100% of those tax of those
sale prices. Our community is the only 55 plus neighborhood in Deerfield. As I say, this is our last stop. We've already had homes that we've lived in for 40, 50 plus years, and we'll be fortunate to be in that neighborhood for 10 years. In five years, we've lost 9%
of our owners. Our average age is in the upper to mid to upper 70s and we will always have higher real estate turnover >> than any other neighborhood making it the most expensive neighborhood to live
in the our community tax- wise. Yeah. Our community will not survive with these inequities of these assessments and tax burdens. You know who's going to come in and and buy a house at these levels? People want to get in there because they
know it's a safe neighborhood. We're a good community, but these taxes are are putting us at at jeopardy. The value of my single home rose 36.75% in one year, not four years. My tax bill
is 9,38720. Tax bill is three quarters. Exactly $2,772.13 or a 39.038201. 0382013%. It's a big bump. Significantly more than
$382 or 6 and a half% bump. This discrepancy is concerning seems um I can't even say this word anymore. >> Prejuditial and based on our age and turnover of our homes. The data
presented in this square foot assessment clearly shows the discrepancy in our neighborhood. And we want to understand why are we the outliners? And one other thing I thought about is if we weren't included in this 6 and a half%
how much lower would everybody else's taxes be >> in the in the field because our because our $334 bumped everything up in on average if that's really the average.
>> So um I know a lot of this has to do with the assessors. this is really an assessor issue. Yeah. >> Um and so I'm curious to see how they weigh in on that. Um >> my just understanding of this in the
background was that a lot of the values of those homes were in the 300 range before 3 to 400 range before. the values have gone up >> and then they went up be because I think well the last time they valued it was
one or two houses or so had sold at that time and then five sold like just in the and they were in the five range or something um which yeah which it just your houses are worth a lot more so they're taxed more and but I don't I
don't again lot to learn from the fin >> it's very likely to be repeated next year >> and the year after and >> do you think they're going to go up again another >> I don't know >> couple hundred,000 I can't imagine they 209
I guess but my assessment went up like I said this that >> this is yeah this went up one year but one year right because you had houses to compare it to versus before there was >> and other communities have not had that so their assessments stayed within the range that you all were talking about
>> but ours didn't and >> but I can't imagine that I mean I keep if your houses don't sell for 700,000 in the next year they're not going to keep going up at that rate right or am I missing the formula I'm not sure
>> we will be ours where other communities for instance Crest View theirs didn't go up at all they sold they definitely sold a house in fact it was to somebody from our neighborhood who moved over there >> um but that >> but that didn't drive their value up
right because they're all already up at a high value, right? So, I mean, it's the value of the houses that are around you, right? That really drives the the you know, when when people come in and buy a house for 500 and a couple years ago it was three, now all of these
houses are worth a lot more, >> right? So, they're assessed at a higher rate, right? I mean, but I wouldn't see that happening again next year >> because I don't know. Well, unless you're going to have seven, you know, five houses sold at 700,000 or 600,000.
>> I mean, I don't know how many how many years. I mean, these are questions obviously for the for the assessors. I don't know how often they evaluate if it's every year, every two years or something like that. But >> it's a fiveyear cycle, I think. But >> I always hear these quintennial things
and five and 10 year cycle. And um if there is a silver lining in this, um if all of your sales, future sales are in this price range, um then the the comps
are the comps and you know, so something that sold for 500,000 and it sells again for 500,000 is not going to drive up. Um you guys uh that bought in at the beginning probably had a great you know obviously the value of the property the
project was started at COVID and built through COVID and a lot of people bought before they were finished and I'm not making I'm not making the case that that this isn't shocking it's shocking to me >> very shocking very shocking >> and I've actually you want to be thankful that the select
board's not the assessors you know um it we need a separation of these kinds of powers. We have nothing to do with I'm independent. My value is whatever the assessors tell me it is. I have the option to seek abatement and right I think I spoke with one of the neighbors
and before I fully understood what was going on um and said look you should cons definitely seek an abatement if you believe that your >> your tax bill is and all of you if you feel you're being treated unfairly absolutely >> you should do that >> right >> um and some of the things that you've
suggested would involve the town looking at the implications of setting up a senior abatement policy etc which is not uh something you can do overnight. >> No, no, no, no, no. We're not looking for change. >> But I think it's a good idea that we
>> we realize that, but what we don't want >> is to be to be the community that >> does this all the time. Yeah. I can't imagine that happens. >> I understand what you're saying, Trevor, but I also >> um I mean I they're talking about it
statewide, you know, for seniors. Sure. if we build senior housing um that again is something that you know it may be affected by this. I I don't know but >> yeah I yeah >> um you know so I just think that we that
it would be nice for the town to sort of think about >> and also we're all aging. This is this town this town is not getting younger. >> No right at a fast rate. >> No. I'm I'm gonna be a year older in two months and um I'm on a fixed income and
I understand all the concerns of you know that you're raising tonight. >> Um and my wife's on a fixed income because she still lives with me. >> Um so we're on a fixed income together. Um and we understand. >> Yeah. So that we just I wasn't we
weren't sure how much this had been pointed out to the town >> and so that's why we came to you all first is to just establish this but we've sent everything to the assessors also and we will definitely go and talk to them also >> because they'll have better answers. You
know, I think the the long-term thing would be if we could come up with something that would work without losing the town a ton of money with seniors. Somehow figure something like that. >> Sure. Sure. Sure. >> Yeah. Sorry, got a visitor. >> Um,
>> I think that's all. Okay. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you all for coming out and and voicing your concern and >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm curious to see what answers come from the assessors. >> I understand that there might be a vacancy on the assessors this year. So,
anybody out there want to run, you know? >> Oh, that's all. >> Maybe there's somebody in the condos who's a former assessor and >> Yeah. Or >> I know of one >> accountants or I know of one >> as I pointed as as Marcia pointed out,
our average ages were around 75. Maybe not the best. >> It's a work off. work. I don't know. >> Oh no. Well, you bring a good perspective though. >> Yes. Thank you all. Thank you for coming. >> Stay warm. >> Yes, please.
>> Careful on the ice. >> Yes. >> Good night. >> Good night. >> So, let's see. So, >> yeah, we've got Josh on. >> Oh, Josh is here. Okay, great. So, that's our next uh hearing appearance.
uh would be Joshua Sparks, our EMS chief regarding position goals and objectives for FY27. Um >> welcome. How are you? >> Hi there. Good evening. Can everybody hear me? Okay.
>> Yes, we can. Thank you. >> Great. So, we've got your print out. >> Yeah. And Trevor, if I could just set the table here. >> Yep. >> Yep. Um, so, um, Josh has, you know, some, uh, within his contract an obligation to for the board to set goals
and objectives for the position, uh, by which to evaluate him. Um, this didn't happen in the initial year of the contract. We're we're getting to it now. >> Okay. >> Um, so the idea here is that these goals would be for the period between March 1st, 2026 and March 1st, 2027. Okay.
>> Um, and that would give us some time to evaluate his performance. um you know prior to the expiration of his his uh contract with the town. >> Um so and these were you know these have been discussed for off and on for about a year. Um I think Josh and I last year
kind of brainstormed some ideas around you know smart goals so things that are measurable that have time constraints etc. Yeah. >> Um and you know we have goals around clinical excellence, workplace safety and quality um you know the fiscal aspect of scams. Y
>> um management, human resources and and monthly reporting and then also our intermunicipal agreement. Um which I think many on this board feels is uh it's time for an update on that. Um so beyond that, you know, I'd happy to hand it over to Josh if he has any, you know,
comments or questions for the board uh regarding these goals, but uh you should have them before you. >> Yeah, thank you. Do you want to hear? >> No, thank you everybody. Um, I mean, basically I I think, you know, I hope you've all had some time to take a peek
at this. Um, just to reiterate what Christopher was saying, uh, we we've gone over these and, uh, you know, I think they align with uh, what the select board is looking for with my position. I'm happy to answer
any specific questions uh, about any of these items. Uh one of the issues uh because this has taken uh longer than we had anticipated was that the initial set of goals that
uh you had perused uh last year uh a majority of those had been completed already. >> Uh so so I'm very pleased uh with how things have gone on track thus far. Uh but there's always more work to be done. So, uh, basically if there are any
specific questions, I'm I'm happy to, uh, speak to them. >> Well, I, uh, thank you. I I hadn't had a chance yet to, uh, go over these, so I'm going to just take a second and read them. I, unless you wanted to highlight on anything that you're excited about
working on this year. I love the um the idea of the the community EMS and like you know maintaining C CPR training partnerships with local schools and that kind of thing. It u that excites me. Um but if there's any areas that you're
interested in kind of talking about that'd be great and I'll I'll just kind of go through them quick myself. >> Yeah. So I I can speak to a couple of those. So the community EMS project is really um all about performing an assessment of uh you know the community
EMS itself is uh fairly nuanced and very dependent on specific community needs. Um so there are as many definitions as there are programs um like so many things and
uh sometimes these turn into revenue sources sometimes they do not. Uh sometimes they meet um they fill gaps in healthcare. >> Um we're in a fairly decent scenario um
in in our three communities. So that's good news, but like I said, there's always room for improvement. So, uh, that project is really all about conducting a deep dive into community
risk, um, and how, uh, scams may be able to mitigate some of those risks and fill any gaps in healthcare. >> Great. >> So, that's the first part. The second thing um that you brought up that I'm
really interested um in pursuing is the financing and funding or not financing the funding uh piece of this. >> Yeah. >> Uh which is the establishment of a um
uh a capital fund uh which is something that shockingly SKMS does not have. Um, and so what I'd like to do is get to a point fairly quickly where we can stop the kind of peaks and valleys budgets um
that SKMS has submitted over uh the past several years and we can put an end to the idea of asking for additional monies for capital uh improvements uh beyond the assessments and use some of our service
revenues um to to fund those things instead. >> So, uh these are goals that I would like to get on the uh warrant for the uh upcoming town meeting. >> Um and it's going to mean a lot of work with uh the board of oversight, myself,
and uh of course with uh the town of Deerfield accountant Holly um who will be establishing a lot of these funds. So, uh, that piece I'm perhaps most excited about because, uh, the goal really is, uh, sustainability.
>> Yes. Yep. >> Right. Great. Um, >> I am actually would just like to say I've worked on >> I did I can't hear you, Tim. I'm sorry. I I just like to say that as a member of
the SKM's board of oversight, I've actually worked on several iterations of this and these look these newest goals um look like they've been well thought out. Um one that I'm excited about is the uh intermunicipal agreement review
and revision process. Um and I think you know the SKMS is now in more than more than 10 years old. it's almost a teenager and um I think it's it's proven to be a great service for the
communities that are part of it and um it's time to make sure that the the language that was in place for creating the organization is modified and adapted to the reality of what we now know has
been a successful enterprise. and um and then to look at should other communities want to join, what is the process for doing that. So um I I'm looking forward to that exercise. >> Yeah, these look great. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thank you for that, Tim. Uh
regionalization is certainly a hot button topic um you know across all number of departments and disciplines right now and uh I think we're in a really good position being that we already are regionalized.
>> Yeah. >> Um you know and you're correct the service certainly has matured substantially uh over the last several years and uh I I think it's time to do just that. It's great.
>> Do Do you need an adoption for from this board for these? Do we need a a motion and approval or just consensus? >> I I put a motion before you, but >> Oh, you did. >> Yeah. >> Where am I finding those? >> They went walking. >> I didn't see I had that one motion, but
I don't see any others. >> Uh, let me make sure they got printed out for you. Give me one moment. >> I could have bypassed them here somewhere, too. I can just make one up. >> Yeah, that's fine, too. >> Um, I make a motion that the select
board approve the goals and objectives uh as presented um and authorize the town administrator to sign on behalf of um Deerfield. >> Second. >> Thank you. How are you, Blake?
>> Good. Good to see you. Uh yes. Uh great. All those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore. I Tim Hilchi. I >> Trevor McDaniel. Hi. >> And I'd like to thank uh Christopher for helping out uh pulling this together and yeah >> um be glad that the boo will be glad to
have this in place. >> Yeah, sounds great. Those good goals and um achievable and um yeah, thank you very much for your service. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. I appreciate it everybody. >> Anything else you want to add or you How's everything going over there?
Everybody good >> for me? Oh, things going great. Um, okay. >> Good. >> Josh, I still haven't gotten over to see your ambulance yet. >> I thought you were going to make it. Well, stop on by. >> I saw I signed the I signed a warrant. Had it had a big number in there for an
ambulance, so it showed up. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's It's beautiful. So, we're hoping to get that licensed uh through the state uh through DPH and get that on the road in the next uh several weeks uh because we certainly need it. Is this the one that we kind of just
approved or the one we had been waiting on forever? >> This is the one we had just approved that I placed the order for just a few months back. It's in our station. It's lettered. >> It's been rebranded a little bit. It's really good looking. So, once it's uh
all set to go, we'll we'll do a debut and uh maybe we can do a nice little event. >> We'd love that. I I I loved uh seeing the new one when it came 10 years ago now. But um >> Yeah. Yeah. So, that'd be >> we can crack some sparkling grape juice on it.
>> That's right. >> Um I was just curious, is is the color scheme changing? Are people going to have to get used to seeing a different color scheme? >> Yeah, that's right. So, uh, we wanted to project an image that was
not dismissive of the service's legacy, but certainly, um, you know, our our current uh, design really looks like a fire department ambulance. And, uh, nothing at all against our good friends in the fire service, but we're we're not them.
>> And I don't want to go cosplaying as a firefighter, for sure. So, uh, we're a unique independent third service EMS agency and we wanted a look that would, uh, project that. So, uh, we've changed
it. It's very, uh, gray and yellow and, uh, conspicuous, we'll say. Um, but it's very professional looking. It's >> yeah, >> you know, it just it's unre it's very recognizable as an
emergency vehicle and uh we're all pretty pleased with it. >> Great. The lights and siren usually do that. >> Yeah. Also, I I want to say that uh the turnaround has been fabulous. I mean, we we start talking about this in August or
September. I forget which month, but >> um we were >> quick off the mark and um >> the other company should be a >> pretty excited. >> It's been a long haul. >> Yeah, it's it certainly is a great um method. I mean, I think we found uh a
trusted vendor. I went out to uh Syracuse, New York last week just to take a peek at uh the vehicle before we took delivery on it and uh had the opportunity to tour their shop and speak with everybody there and uh what a
fantastic operation. So, I'm hoping we can keep them as a uh a great partner um in the future. >> Great. >> All right. Well, thank you so much. >> Have a great night. Thank you. >> Yeah, have a great night. Thank you. Um, I'll move that we uh the select board
approve the executive session minutes for January 7th, 2026 and further approve the regular meeting minutes for January 7th, 2026 as presented. >> I'll second that. >> Any further discuss? >> I didn't get that. >> Oh, you didn't get the minutes yet?
>> Not coming in. You got to speak up a little bit. >> A little bit louder. All right. So I move the select board approve the executive session minutes for January 7th, 2026 and further approve the regular meeting minutes of January 7th, 2026 as presented.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I got it that time. >> All right. All those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore I. >> Tim Hily I. >> Trevor McDaniel I. Thank you. Um okay. So, let's just hit on um
the select board uh reports and announcements. I just wanted to thank um Tim Hilchie and the and the crew here for giving us a nice show and tell of the 1888 building last Friday or so. >> That's right.
>> Not a whole lot of hard hats going around. >> Whole lot of hard hats, >> except some of us didn't wear them. >> Yeah, it was it was very nice. I really enjoyed um getting to see the space and standing in the new meeting room, getting a feel for the size and layout
and then, you know, just seeing seeing the um progression of construction on site. It it really looks amazing. Um it's nice to kind of just see where people are going to be. So, um yeah, very exciting. So, thank you for putting that together for us all. And another
exciting thing was that we won't need microphones in the meeting room, right? >> Because it's a modern system that uh actually does what it's supposed to do. >> Woohoo. >> Um the the last item that uh for select
board announcement, I just make the town aware. This is our annual trek to Boston. So, uh, tomorrow and Friday and a little bit of sun Saturday morning, there's a, um, our MMA conference, Massachusetts Municipal Association pulls everybody together from, uh, 351
towns. Um, we go to Boston and kind of learn what's new. We get to hear the, uh, from the governor and hopefully senators and, uh, hopefully she will be releasing her budget. Um, so we'll get to see first look at that and um, a lot of great workshops, a lot of trade show
stuff. So, a lot of vendors are there. We touch base with our attorneys and try to look for any grants or any programs or anything going on, learn from other communities. Great workshops to learn about what's up, what's new in municipal law, um, and different cases that are going around and different ways that we
can learn and be better um, better select board members, planners, whatever else. uh whoever else goes. Um so really excited to to do that. We'll be leaving tomorrow maybe around 11 or so and spend the night Thursday night, Friday night,
be back on Saturday. So just want to touch on that. Anything else anybody else wants to add? >> It's going to be fun and we're going to be >> saving >> asking people to increase state funding
to our rural school districts. There are 67 of them and um we'll see if that goes anywhere. >> All righty. We need it. We definitely need it. Okay. Um
so let's see. A first read of our citizen petition deadline policy for annual town meeting. I hadn't. Yeah. >> Yeah. If I >> read on that. >> Yeah. Trevor. So um
Really quiet. >> Yeah, these are very quiet now. Can you still hear us, Blake? Okay. >> Not well. >> Not well. And we can't hear you very well either. >> Might need to fix that. >> All right. >> Thanks, Greg.
>> Check. Check. Check. Check. >> That's all right. >> He'll here. Check. Check. >> Yeah. Um, >> testing. So, uh, first reading might be a little bit of a misnomer because we don't have a written policy yet,
>> but just wanted to bring it up with the board. So, this is something we had talked to Cassie Sanderell, our town clerk about. Um, some communities have a deadline for citizen petitions prior to annual and special town meetings. This is really just to give the clerk time to actually certify the signatures and do
that paperwork. >> That's a lot of work. >> Yeah. And so, um, obviously our warrant closes right up front >> front row. Yep. >> Yeah. Our warrant closes 30 days before town meeting our annual town meeting at
least. Um and so I think one of the ideas was just to say 30 days before that, you know, we need citizen petitions in so we can certify signatures, etc. Um so currently looking with Cassie at a couple different towns policies. Um and it's it's possible this
needs to be adopted as a bylaw. We'll see. We're still looking into it, but just wanted to float it by the board today, put it on their radar, and then we'll come back at a later meeting with an actual policy to to adopt. >> No, it sounds good. Yeah, defin you know, obviously there's a lot of work leading up to meetings and elections are
shortly after, so there's just a lot of work that needs to get done. So, yes, that would be great. Um, if we could have some sort of policy. >> Just a quick question. Um, does the clerk's office have um the ability to write a per, you know,
like a personnel manual or a a policy manual that doesn't have to go to the legislature for approval or >> Well, yeah, it just depends what they're they're doing. Some things have to be a bylaw and then they're going to have to go to the attorney general for approval. >> Trying to avoid that, but yeah. Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. So, it's a question for Lisa currently if we're able to just do this as a policy or if it's got to be adopted at town meeting as a bylaw. >> Okay. I've um make a motion to move the select board approve a one-day all
alcohol license for Yankee Candle Village for its annual Valentine's event on February 14th, 2026 contingent upon all departmental approvals and receipt of required documents and fees. >> Second. >> Second.
>> Thank you. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor? >> Lick Gilmore I. >> Tim Hilchi I. >> Trevor McDaniel I. And there's a spot to sign it. It looks a little different because um this is now with permit eyes. So we don't have that normal thing that
we normally do. So we'll sign that in a minute. Um, we also have uh um for Douglas auctioneers, we uh we have their annual license for 20 um this is 2026, but yes, 2026. Um I move
the select board approve the 2026 auction license for Douglas Auctioneers LLC at 241 Greenfield Road as presented subject to all applicable local and state requirements. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor?
>> Blake Gilmore. I >> Tim Hilchi I. >> Trevor McDaniel I. Great. And okay. Um there is a environmental environmentally
preferable purchasing policy. An EP. >> We have an EP. Okay. This is procurement >> sustainability purchasing policy. Um >> go ahead. >> Yeah. So, so in the past, uh, the town and and all towns, I I believe that are involved with the Franklin, uh, solid
waste management district, um, as part of their grant program that they get, uh, the funds from D for, um, we've been required to adopt a buy recycled policy. Yes. >> Um, essentially what's happening is D is having communities just update those. So, it's not specifically recycled, but
it's it's prefer environmentally preferable products. So, it's it's a wider range. Um, it doesn't necessarily have to be recycled, but it has to meet some other criteria. Um, so we have a a draft policy that essentially mirrors the one um that Jan held up as kind of a
um template from uh our neighbors in Bernston. >> Great. Okay. Um, >> is there a deadline for when this needs to be acted on? >> So, tonight. Yeah. All right. Easy enough. It looks pretty straight.
>> Unless you want to meet next week. just uh scope got to prioritize prioritize the purchase of environmentally preferable products and services defined as those who have a reduced effect on human health and and the environment when compared to competing products and
services uh incorporate life cycle. So this is all in and it's also kind of um where where it makes sense like >> Yeah. And and so I'll tell you about a
couple ways this might be, you know, uh implemented. Uh so so one, there are specific state contracts that use environmentally preferred products, janitorial services, for example, um that that the town could potentially use. Yep. Um and then for certain RFPs
or or RFQS that we put out, um you know, you might include this as well, um if we're looking for goods and services, for example. >> Okay. Yep. Um, all right. So, uh, let's see. I'll make a motion here. Um, I move the select
board adopt the environmental preferable procurement EP and/ sustainable purchasing policy as presented, replacing the town's former buy recycle policy notification requirement and direct the town administrator chief procurement officer to implement the
policy. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore I. >> Tim Milgy I. >> Trevor McDaniel I. Great. >> And do do we sign this? I mean I see on
this that we do but >> there should be an adoption date. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think there's stuff in here. Yep. >> Thank you. Now we have a third amendment to lease agreement and amended and restated ANR notice of lease with
Deerfield Renewables for landfill solar clerical items. >> Yes. Uh so Nexamp um came back and just said whoops we accidentally uh I think were off by a few minutes and degrees on one of the meets and bounds on the
survey. >> Um so we just need to make that correction. And so they resubmitted um a couple exhibits that were attached to the lease that had to do with the description of the surveyed area um and the lease area. And so they just said if you could ratify that, we'd much
appreciate it. >> Uh let's see. So, I move the select board approve the uh third amendment to the lease agreement and the amended and restated notice of lease with Deerfield Renewables for the landfill solar project and authorize the town administrator to execute all related
documents and take necessary actions to effectuate the same. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore I. >> Tim. >> Trevor McDaniel. I priorities for the district
uh the DTLA district local technical assistance from Franklin Regional Council Governments. Um I usually look at that. Do I don't remember seeing it anywhere. Is it >> was it was in a packet at a previous meeting?
>> Yeah, on the 7th. >> Can I just take a second and look at that real quick? >> So that would be seventh would have been at the end. >> Oh, yeah. There it is. Yep. Yep. I you we usually kind of go over that at a meeting and kind of all pick what we
think makes sense. Did you guys have And then we leave it up to the town administrator to say, "This is what I really want. Any any thoughts on your end where where you're >> So, just in the last couple weeks, we've been talking about scams a lot. Um and in particular, it's come up in
discussions with the the board of oversight that there's an interest in kind of digging into the data around mutual aid and you know the assistance we provide to other communities like Conway and Hatfield um and whether there's a way to kind of structure things um so that you know we're getting
a benefit as well. Um, and so I reached out to FURCOG to find out if some kind of study around those numbers as well as a review of our existing intermunicipal agreement might be within their wheelhouse and something they could cover through DTA. Um, then Jessica
Atwood, their director of planning, got back to me and said, "Yep, absolutely. And um, here's our uh, emergency management point person who would be involved in the study." >> Okay. Um, and so talking to Chief Sparks about it, um, you know, he would
certainly love to see, uh, you know, someone with a a deep actuarial background take a look at the numbers as well. So I think this is kind of just a starting point. um you know hand over the the data that we have to FURCOG potentially um and you know have them at
least take a look and and see if there's some thoughts around you know whether it's uh updated service agreements with some of these communities or you know even you know updating the membership of South County EMS um you know just kind of looking to start the conversation there and I've
reached out to um you know my counterparts in weight and Sunderland as well and they're certainly interested said that um we did also have a conversation with Verane, the town administrator in Conway. Yeah. >> Um and kind of touched on some opportunities um you know to to make
better use of scams there as well. So that conversation is ongoing. But um in general, we thought this was a a good potential priority to include. Um and then Alex, I know you had some thoughts as well on other potential priorities, so I'll pass to you. >> Great.
>> Yeah. Um, so I mean these are just kind of like conceptual things I've heard from some of our other committees and you know just comments we've heard kind of ancillary projects that we have going on. >> Um, so I think one of them on like page two is business and industry assistant
>> assistance. And so um, one of the things that's come up a few times is maybe like a signage plan or some sort of like comprehensive branding for our downtown for our municipal assets. Um, you know, we have the library, our 1888. We hope to, you know, we're rehabbing 1821
through CPA and, um, you know, the Liry lot parking lot could have some better signage just, you know, to attract some more downtown businesses. So, >> um, some sort of like a signage branding, promotional thing. Also, our open space committee's asked about, you know, somewhat publicizing more of our
open space assets, too. >> Um, so that could be kind of an easy tourism downtown development kind of aspect. We could look at um we could also look at I think some of the redevelopment um assistance for a
specific site on page three there's um technical assistance to promote a site available for redevelopment um or just you know looking at underutilized properties obviously 1821 is sitting vacant and we are kind of going through some of the motions but um you know with
the CPA funding that'll significantly help but then there's going to be you know further visioning and after we do some of the engineering, what does that reuse of that space look like? Um, so that could be another potential priority. >> And then, um, I do think the continuing
education workshops are pretty interesting and and helpful for sure and just provide, you know, a regional connection to other staff. So >> I I one thing that I and we may be doing this some, but I I do feel like um you
know cyber security preparedness, cyber security preparedness for municipal employees. I know we talked about that at one point. Um I know we've done some training on that too. Um but towns definitely get taken advantage of. And I mean all of a sudden I sent out an email
somewhere. I don't know. In my email, I got an email from myself and I'm like, this doesn't look right. Uh, so I don't know. There's there's stuff that, you know, I know those are lowhanging fruits. Sometimes you don't want to add a lot of that because they put all the money there and then you're kind of left not doing the EMS thing. So, there's
definitely a >> triple stars on that EMS. I think that's a really great great way. We have been talking about it regionally and and together here in town. So, that makes sense to me. So, um, and your your ideas, Alex, are are very good, too. I I think I'm I'm good with
any of those. Um, yeah, and just a word on the 1821 building. Um, the local community group, Engaged Deerfield, has been doing conversations periodically in this space. Um, I believe their next one, I
don't know the date, February 8th perhaps. Mhm. >> Um I know that several of the members were in cleaning out the fellowship hall space. Um and it >> it's shiny and beautiful. >> Um so it's another opportunity for the
community to go over there and see that space and you know give us ideas about what they'd like to see happening there. Um >> those events for sure. >> So I'm sure there'll be a lot of information about when that event's going to take place. >> Great.
That's good. Okay. So, um I don't think we need a vote, but I would just leave it to our our staff to decide where where best to put put the money and and our thoughts. So, I think all those are great ideas. Um >> well, next one's me. I think
>> there was a motion here, but I don't think we need it. You guys can run with it. Good. All right. Sounds good. Um let's see. Next item. We're getting through this. >> Bruce, we're getting to you. >> Do we have what is there? >> He's an appointment.
>> Oh. Oh, jeez. Why? If I had known that, we would have done him first. >> He only lives just around the corner. >> Oh, man. They got totally >> We're just crackling with wit here. Let's just do this. >> Peter can attest.
>> I did >> I did see an application here somewhere. A letter of something or other. Oh, yeah. >> This is the energy conservation committee. >> Okay, great. So, uh where is Okay. Um,
so make I move that the select board appoint Bruce Dolan to the Energy Conservation Committee for a term to expire June 30th, 2026 contingent upon approval by said committee. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Any further discussion? Thank
you for serving. All those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore I. >> Tim Hilchie I. >> Trevor McDaniel I. Thank you so much. Yeah. Thanks for >> one request. Can you find some more young people to come and you know look look to get involved in uh helping the
town >> on a volunteer basis? >> Get involved. Yeah, that's awesome. That's >> Oh, data governance. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Oh, I did. I just >> Well, love it. Love it. Thank you so
much. I really appreciate it. Yeah. >> Well, thank Yes. You too. I wish id known that sooner. I'd have gotten you out of here sooner. So, thank you, Bruce. I look forward to working with you. >> Good night, Bruce. >> Good night. >> Good night. >> Okay. Uh, we have a letter of support
for the Mass Trails uh grant resubmission. I move the select board approve and sign the letter of support for the resubmission of the town's mass trails grant application as presented. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion on that? We're just second time, right? Rolling
through. >> Yep. Yeah, it's just a resubmission of the same grant that was approved for CPA funding at annual town meeting. So, just a resubmission almost in full. >> All those in favor? >> Blake Gilmore. I >> Tim Hilchi I.
>> Trevor McDaniel. I Um, any town administration updates or anything else we want to talk about? I think we're pretty much done. >> We're good. >> No, unless the board has any questions on any ongoing projects or anything. >> Oh, no.
>> I do not look forward to uh seeing everybody out at out at MMA and um getting some learning going on. >> Yeah. I will just mention that I did meet with um a solar vendor, a local solar vendor today to to look at the
library roof um and also to point out where the uh roof on the new addition to the 1888 building will be. and he's in possession of architectural drawings and um sorry architect architectural
drawings and uh you know this will give us some idea about what an RFP might look like for the library and um and whether we need one for the 1888 building. >> Great. Yeah. And we're meeting with Beth, I think next week to just talk
about that a little bit as well. So >> good. >> Should have some options soon. It's just Tim impatience, you know. I want to feel like I'm doing >> No, I get it. We We had a little back and forth with Beth about when to schedule things. So, >> yeah, it's all good.
>> Yeah. >> So, the Nexamp and Deerfield renewables would be your signature, right? I think on both of these. >> Yeah, I think there's a space for my signature. >> I think there are on both of these documents. So those are yours and um
we'll you could sign right under that. That's the um >> is red. Okay. >> Here's your name. Hey, I just want to also just uh give a a quick thanks again to the people that volunteered to clean up the 1821 meeting house because uh great.
>> They've been in contact with me and been, you know, very good about um just, you know, communicating and and we need more volunteers in this now, you I mean we to do that that kind of work it's wonderful and it just takes some of the burden off our DPW and us and and so
just very much appreciate it. >> Great. Thank you for mentioning that. >> Any uh anything else? We're all good. >> Um >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll second that. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Blake Elmar I. >> Tim Eli I.
>> Trevor McDaniel I. Thank you all so much. Appreciate all you do.