And I'm going to tell posterity that this is the board of health meeting of March 4th, 2026. And we are all here, myself, Katherine Hilton, Whim Lavine, Garrett Simson, Norin Peas, Arlene Reid,
and as our guest and future board member, Claire P. Hi you guys? Everybody good? Very good. Thanks. >> Excellent. >> Um,
there isn't really much of anything on the agenda. Let's Let's vote for the minutes. >> I did. I mean, can't even remember when we had a meeting last, but >> I'll move to approve. >> Second.
>> All in favor? Arlene? >> Yes. Uh, who's next? Garrett, >> yes. >> Uh, Norin, >> yes. >> Whim, >> yes.
>> Yes. And so, whatever those were, they are good. Um, as I was about to say, we don't we didn't really need much of a meeting tonight, but I wanted to try to get us back on our regular schedule and just just have a check-in because we
haven't been we haven't been meeting as often as we are supposed to be. >> So, I wonder if anybody has anything to report. >> I read that article you sent, Arlene. >> Oh, yeah. That was >> now I've forgotten what article I sent.
>> It's become a nimi issue about >> Oh, yes. Right. Got it. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Right. Um I don't know if you guys know about this. Maybe I've sent it to you or not, but apparently they're bringing in a a a sort of unified permitting process
for various solar things. And it's a a single permit that all the town boards that are implicated have to sign off on. And I guess such a permit has to be has to be created. Um so I don't and that has to happen
sometime during this year. I'm not sure exactly when. Possibly July 1st. So I don't know if we're going to need to get back to our battery storage. um regulation before that um or not.
I'll I'll try to find out more about that. I personally have not done anything about the battery storage regulation for many weeks. Um I've been really swamped with other things, but this was probably a good time to get back to it.
>> Is that Kat is that um unitary approval? Um, does that apply to individual homeowners like with an array on their roof? >> I don't know. I don't I don't think that
was the point of it, but I >> for these big projects. >> I That's what I think. I'll find There's something from Michael Dier um that I I'll send around to everybody so maybe you can get a better sense of it.
But my guess is it's for the big projects. >> Yeah. >> And the state already regulates the maximum that a residential can do. >> I don't remember what the to I think we're at the maximum with our solar.
>> Uhhuh. And it's it's in that's measured in kilowatt hours >> I think. So yeah. Okay. Yeah. In any case, we don't have to regulate that kind of stuff. There's plenty of regulations
for that without us. Um, Norin, we were talking a while back about my working more closely with the collaborative and although I have I have
um dealings with them all the time, I'm always asking them to do things for us. Um uh I haven't gone to any meetings or anything like that. Are those meetings that are on a regular basis or are they announced? Have I missed some or?
>> Uh, you are now on the list, Cat. You should be getting the U memos along with everybody else. And as I recall, I recommended it to you because uh you would meet >> it didn't sound like you knew all of your counterparts in the other towns and
thought it might be useful at least for you between now and the time perhaps that I leave to get acquainted with some of those people because there's common >> um problem solving that can come out of these particular units and and to let let Clare know the um Valley Health
Collaborative started I don't know help me here. Three years ago now perhaps. >> Yeah, I think it's three three or four >> three or four years ago. >> And for the for the first time really in the history of Massachusetts, there is a
fair amount of money or some money, let's say, put into public health programs in towns through throughout the state. And uh we we applied along with Greenfield, Monagu, Lever, Shootsberry,
Sunderland, and Deerfield to be part of uh it's the Eastern we don't call it that, but it's really the Eastern Franklin County Health Collaborative. And we've we've received funding uh for the last three years for this. And members of boards of health meet once a
month to discuss what's going on. And for example, the reason we have public health nurses in all of the towns right now is because we've had this money available. Um so we worked on some really um I think helpful collaborative
kinds of projects and it's um it's a good opportunity to get to know our neighbors and what issues they're dealing with and perhaps they've just updated their regulations on something and uh you know they can help us, we can help them.
So, um, that's a little bit of background and I I'll report um now on um you know what came out of the last meeting and I don't know if you remember Athena Bradley but she used to be the grants writer for for the collaborative
and now she's the grants writer for um Greenfield and one of the qu questions last time I reported on the collaborative was how are we going to sustain ourselves into the future? So I have two semi answers to that question
now. One is Athena and um folks in Greenfield are applying for a grant. It's uh health and aging funds grant to be coordinated with village neighbors in
our six towns. And it would be a three to fiveyear grant and it's uh Athena who's an excellent grant writer was very optimistic that there was a good chance that we would get funding and she uh has written all
of the public health nurses into that particular grant. Um, and the the money would go to locals for training, for promotional information, for monitoring. Um, some
uh again the the public health nurses. Um, it's been a month since this meeting, so forgive me if I don't remember everything. uh and some of the programs would be working through senior centers and the
libraries. Uh and this grant would start uh as soon as July 1st. So um everybody there was pretty enthusiastic about it and pretty um optimistic that that would be something that would come through and
might even in fact supplement some of the funds that we have through the collaborative. The second piece of news was that um Mara Healey has placed in her budget a request for $15 million for the continuation of the program. Now, of
course, just because it's in her budget doesn't mean that it's going to um it's going to happen, but uh that would continue the funding um you know from the state for the program which doesn't
end until June of 27. So anyway, we look at it, we have at least another whole year and four months uh of of funding uh as we are now. Um I think that's all I have to uh
report. Um we didn't decide on it. Wait a minute. Do we have an upcoming No, we don't have an upcoming coming meeting date. But help me. We meet the second Thursday. I think it's the second Thursday. >> Second Thursday of every month. Cat, as
I said, you are you are now on the list. >> So, you'll be getting that notice. >> So, that should be next week. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. I don't know who I am, where I am, or what I am, but thank you. >> It's typically at 8:30 in the morning. >> I do know I'll be another year older
next next week, and and that might make things worse or better. >> No prediction. I have no prediction on that count. >> All right. Um, you know, there's something that I'm a little bit confused
about and that's this whole business of supplementing the the grant. Now, it was explained to me that we can get health agent services from the
collaborative partly because we are members of it and and any any share of money that came to our town went to the collaborative. I assume that that's how that works. but
that basically we can only get supplemental services from them and so we have to have something on our budget that is that shows we're spending money on public health ourselves.
>> Yes. Basically another way to put it is we cannot um supplant any money that we are already spending for public health. uh by using collaborative funds. So that
if we already have money we're paying for public health services, which we do, then those have to continue to be spent on public health services on behalf of Shutesberry, which is why they want to set up the separate a se an account
separate from those funds that come in uh to fund the collaborative cap. And let's say Deerfield for example also put has money that it spends on public health. So does Leverette. So uh I think the what we're envisioning is down the road we would pull those monies in a
separate account and those monies would be used to purchase a uh a health agent to serve our counties when we already have health agents that are through the collaborative and those are the ones that are helping us out now
>> when ours isn't when we don't have one. Right. >> So that's how we get both. And it it it is confusing, but the law very clearly stipulates that we cannot supplant any services that are already in existence and have been for some time
for public health. >> I see. Okay. Okay. >> Was I pretty on right on about that? >> Yeah. So, so for example, if we were already funding a public health nurse with shoots dollars,
the grant dollars couldn't go to cover any of that. >> I see. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I I get it now. I wasn't sure how that worked. So So if there are towns in the collaborative that aren't spending
anything on public health, does that mean they can just get all their services from the collaborative? That's a good question. >> Or is it a good point >> there? You know, I think there might I don't know about Sunderland.
Sunderland's been talking about sharing services with, you know, like they do kind of Tri County on their ambulance and so forth. So, um I don't know. That's a good question. think that provided that they're
>> that they've signed on to the shared service agreement >> Yeah. probably >> that the community has signed on that they they would be eligible to receive those services >> by way of the grant. So,
so we spend something like $30,000 a year on the on the district, our share of what used to be a help agent and now is sort of a
a nothing. Um, and the way I've been thinking about this is that in the future, if we can have a separate account, we could turn that, if the collaborative has a separate account, we could turn that money over. Suppose we
>> Yes. >> Suppose we stopped funding the district, what would happen? Would we not be eligible to get services from the collaborative? >> I believe that is true. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, and just I I think every town
perhaps with the exception of Sunderland has money set aside. I know every other town does and I'm not sure about Sunderland. >> Okay. Suppose >> suppose the district
went out of business. Suppose we voted this year to discontinue the district so that we wouldn't have access to a health agent.
Then I think one of your new jobs and the board's new job would be to talk to the collaborative and experiment with how we set up this account. So we could, if we decide to turn our money over to the collaborative and they could hire a
uh a public health a health agent for >> and it might involve something like what we've been doing is maybe they've hired somebody halfime and that would allow that person to be full-time and get full-time benefits and it would be, you know, a big advantage to the person
they've hired and and to us as well, >> right? So it's that kind of thinking that uh benefits us to be part of the collaborative and and they seem to have more draw I have to say in terms of finding people who might be interested
to work. It's a collaborative setting where there are people every day that you can bump into that teach you new things and um you know delve into some creative ideas and think about writing new grants and you know I think it's it
it's more interesting possibly. Well, yeah, there's there's that plus because of the scale they're um the I think the collaborative is basically um attracting all the all the re all the good candidates, right? Whereas the district
is just too small to really attract any actual talent. >> Well, and let's face it, our collaborative really represents the majority of the population in Franklin County. Mhm. >> Yeah. I um I've talked with Megan about
this a little bit. Um and she she indicated that we would basically have to go along the way we are for another fiscal year. >> She did. Okay. Um but that after that
she thinks that we will be able because the end of the well because it would be the end of the grant as it exists. >> Oh, that's right. Yeah, that's right. >> I don't know if if I seem I think it's
very dubious that we're going to get this $15 million from the governor's budget. >> Yeah. >> Um but if we were to get it, I wonder if if the stipulations would be the same or
if we would be able to put money into the collaborative from our from our talent from our budget line. >> Uh I believe this legislation was written intentionally to create collaboratives. We're not the first
collaboratives in the state. There are collaboratives in the eastern part of the state that existed before we did. So, I think this legislation has been in place for more than three years. >> Um, and that doesn't mean it can't be changed and modified, you know, of
course. >> But yeah, that I think you're you're right about that, Kat. It's because we do have funding for another essentially a little another whole fiscal year. >> Right. Right. But, you know, um it's making me nervous because I don't want to get
stuck in a place where we don't have the district and we don't have access to the the the collaborative services because then we'll be in a in a pickleball, >> right? Yeah. I I I don't know how to answer
that, >> but you know, we've been we've been without the services through the district for how long's it been since Claudia left? Over a year, right? >> Yeah. It's been about a year and a half. >> So, and we've relied on the collaborative. >> Yeah.
>> You know, who knows? >> Yeah. >> I don't know what's going on in this world even though I'm going to be older next week. >> That may be why I think we're too old. too old to understand the world anymore. >> Possibly. >> Yeah. >> And that may be fortunate as well. Maybe
fortunate as well. >> Maybe. >> Maybe. >> Could be. >> Could be. >> Right. We'll leave you poor young people to figure things out. >> Um yeah, just for your information, the co the district hasn't met. We were
supposed to meet a few weeks ago and uh somebody failed to to um post the meeting in a timely manner and uh so I was asked to say some other times it would work and I haven't heard another word since and it's just
it's just ridiculous. But >> we'll have to say those are the things that worry me about the district and it's been like that while >> Yeah. Yeah. You know, if if if we could just slide right into the collaborative, I would drop the district in a hot
minute. It's just completely nonfunctional. Not to say dysfunctional at this point. And there's no further word about the so-called health agent if we're if he's going to be terminated or he maybe even has been terminated because they don't tell me anything.
Nothing. So, but I don't want to go into the meeting where we were supposed to be voting on next year's budget um and say this is it. This is the last budget I'm going to vote for because we're going to we're going to walk out of the district at the end of the year because I'm
afraid that somehow that might clear the pitch. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I understand. >> Yeah. So, so it's a little bit nerve-wracking, but what can you do?
Anything else you guys want to tell me or each other? Apparently not. So, the next thing coming up is the pancake breakfast on March 14th. And um and the that is the
only reason I bring that up is that's where we're going to get signatures on um nomination papers for Garrett and Claire. And uh I'm planning to go I have another meeting at 10:00, so I'm planning to get to the pancake breakfast
at 8. Um, if one or both of you are going to come, that's excellent. And if you're not, make sure I have your nomination papers and I'll take them and get them signed. >> Very good. Yep. >> Okay. So, it's the 14th, and the papers
are due the following week, the 21st. So, just keep me informed. Okay. Um, do we have any unanticipated business? >> Yeah, things are Yeah, >> I'm sorry. Can I It's not It's back to a
subject. What is going on with the battery storage systems? Do we need to move on our regulation before town meeting, Kat, or what what's our time frame? No, originally I had thought we could do a before town meeting, but I don't I don't think that we can do that.
>> Okay. And it doesn't really have any bearing on um what the planning commission is going to be proposing either. >> No, not really because theirs is data centers. >> Okay.
>> And um Right. And because we didn't meet and talk about it, I just responded. >> I just responded to that myself. And I and I didn't go to the meeting when they discussed it. I I figured I I said what what I had to say. >> Okay.
>> But when we if and when we do want to pass a regulation, we are not subject to a town meeting vote on that. Am I right? >> That is correct. And we can implement a uh or we can write a regulation and as
long as it is approved by the state attorney general's office as a valid that it meets whatever criteria they have then then it is a regulation. Right. >> That's right. That's the difference between a regulation and a bylaw.
>> Right. We have to have a public hearing. >> That's right. >> But we don't have to have a vote. Only we get to vote. So, so, um, it seems it seems pretty much impossible. I mean, here we are in
March already. I can hardly believe it. Um, and town meeting is May 9th. There's no there's no way we're going to be done with this before that. >> The town meeting is May 9th. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Uh, I have one more thing to say. I'm
going to be away for 3 weeks starting March 30th, returning the 21st of April. >> Okay. So, you're going to probably miss both or at least one meeting in April and
possibly the second one as well. 21. No, you should be back for that. Let me >> Well, I'm flying back. So, I'm flying back. Who knows? Who knows? You know, we got a crazy world out there. Well, yeah, there's that. So, our first meeting in April, our meetings in April are going
to be the 1st and the 15th. >> Okay. So, I'll miss both. >> Oh. So, you're going to miss them both. >> Claire, you're up. >> I'm going to miss both May meetings. >> Okay. Anybody else have travel plans that I should know about?
>> How far out do you want to know about it? >> Well, I guess I guess just this fiscal year probably. >> Okay. I'm I'm gone. I guess it's technically the next fiscal fiscal year.
We're gone for 3 weeks from June 19th through July 9th, but I guess that does not affect it. just affects the first meeting in July, >> right? I think that's so >> technically the next fiscal year
>> and I will miss March 18th. >> Okay. >> And Arlene, you were saying the first the first meeting in July, >> correct? I think I I just closed my other my online calendar, but um >> which is the first
>> the first of July will be out of town. Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Well, we should manage to uh to get to pull together a quorum. >> Mhm. >> Good. >> All right. If we don't have anything else to say to each other, I don't I
wonder if maybe Claire has any questions about things or observations she wants to make or anything like that. I don't think so. Um, I'm planning on attending the pancake breakfast. >> I got the nomination paper, so I have
it. Um, and yeah, >> thank you for >> Yeah. to do this. >> Yeah. >> And and we didn't scare you away last meeting, so >> No, there's still time.
No, Claire, it's a good crew. You're you're in very good hands. >> I believe it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We managed to actually have fun, too. >> Yeah. >> All right. Well, I suggest that we adjourn. >> I agree.
>> Can I just declare that? Can I just use my executive powers and say the meeting's over? Go home. >> I'll say the so moved. >> Second. Okay. So, that was for adjournment. All
right. In favor, Garrett, >> yes. >> Moren, yes. Garrett, yes. Lim, >> yes. >> Arlene, yes. Cat, yes. >> All right. We are done. Thanks you guys. >> Thanks. >> Some of you in two weeks. And Garrett, I
hope you're going someplace good. >> Haven't figured it out yet, but it's that that week we're doing spontaneous. Good. >> Oh, nice. Well, have a wonderful time. >> Good. >> All right. Thanks. Bye-bye everyone.