Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to the town of South Select Board meeting for March 30th, 2026. It is 6 PM. We are in the land use hearing room at town hall and also remotely via Zoom and on channel 15. This open meeting is being recorded.
And if anyone else is reporting, please advise sir 40 virtual road audio and video. >> Thank you. >> And I assume we have clip Clark, but we may not. Uh, and let's start with
attendance. Roll calls to the left. >> Nicole Parker, >> Diane Gail, >> Doug Moley, Russ Anderson, >> Nine Signi. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all and we will move to public comment. Is there anyone in the room with public comment this afternoon? >> Hello. >> Hi. I I'm on Zoom. >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> Okay. We'll get to you in a second, sir. >> Good evening. >> Come on. Sit up here. >> Whatever you like, sir. >> Thank you for the opportunity to come to board and speak tonight. My name is
Keith De. at 152 road. I'm the vice chair of Friends of South Dog Park. I need glasses. We become aware there were concerns raised by other parties at your last meeting regarding the availability of the land from the 32 acre parcel that
was gifted to Friends of South Dog Park and the use of this property for among other things the extension of Hudson Drive to Sam West Road. Unfortunately, uh that discussion was not listed on the agenda prior to the meeting. As a result, we were not present. Certainly would have welcomed the opportunity to
be part of that discussion and allay any speculation with our own words and facts. I want to I want to uh begin by addressing the question that's been raised regarding the future road construction and access through this property. Let me be very clear. Friends of Friends of South Dog Park fully
supports the town having access to this property for a future road. That has been part of this project from the very beginning. The land donated by Tilcon was based on a proposal and survey that included all the benefits proposed to the town. That proposal illustrated the future road
connection and that access was considered at in the earliest stages of planning. There have been no attempts to bypass the town. The intent has always been to preserve the opportunity while creating something of a broader community value. What we're presenting is not simply a parcel of land, but a
complete project. 32 acres preserved, a fully funded dog park, additional rail trail park, and solar energy, uh solar generated electricity credits to offset costs, and a clear pathway for a future road connection. We understand the concerns about uh long-term access. So,
I want to state clearly, we have no intention of ever preventing the town from completing the roadway in any way. What we're asking is this project be considered as a whole. It was designed that way to deliver the greatest overall benefit to the town. Additionally, as
noted in our follow-up to the board on February 27th, this gift includes the unencumbered corridor reserved for the road connection. We have also given assurance that the transfer will be in collaborative manner to the town satisfaction in accordance with terms be finalized by
the town's council. These are detailed planning matters and we believe they're best worked out uh together to ensure alignment as a project moves forward. We want to be sure that the public is
fully aware of the facts and intentions of the friends of do south dog park. As we move through this process, we're open to working with the board and town council as a on a framework to provide clarity around the future access while allowing the full project to be
evaluated in its entirety. We are completely open to all questions and concerns uh that the select board may have. As of this date, we have not heard uh of any other than what I've seen on the uh on
the town on the uh the meetings. I respect I respectfully ask that you contact us directly and closing this project provides multiple benefits to Southwick and we're committed to working with the town to ensure it is implemented in a way that serves the community well. My information for public record is Keith Deo at
comcast.net and my phone number is 561-3462564. And again, we're open to any questions or any concerns that the board or any residents may have. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Oh,
>> I just want to clarify uh the story in today's Westfield News with Cliff and I like Cliff I dearly and I really do. What he did not mention is I was referring to commercial people
being at the dump. They're the ones who are filling everything up. It was mentioned about the Connecticut plates. I'm not an idiot. I've lived here 45, 50 years. I know all you got to do is show documentation to that you're a part-time
sufficient. We're not talking that. We're talking about people crossing the borders and just going there. Now, I had somebody on the select board last Tuesday who went up there and said they were up there for a few minutes and saw
two people up there. Stop it. No stickers, no nothing. Uh, that's what I'm talking about. So, I just want to clarify that along with no dump stickers, it's the commercial people that were up
there and some of the trucks are overloaded and over the side they're so heavy. Two guys are on the back trying to pull a bag off. What do you think's in the bag? It's not kitchen waste. Those are the
examples I wish was mentioned in the story, but none of that was mentioned. So, I don't know whether the people Cliff interviewed wanted to talk about that or not, but I wanted to
clarify that's what I was referring to. Thank you. Yep. >> Anybody else in the room online? Yes. >> Yes, sir. Your name and address, please.
>> Hello. My name is Lawrence Cohen. I'm a Southwick resident. I live at 21 Grove Street in Southwick. It's right off of uh Point Grove Road. Um for 11 years prior to this address, I lived at
Lakewood Village, right off Point Grove Road. Uh I often commute through that area, so I'm very familiar with the road. Um I did note uh in the last meeting that I saw online uh you folks were talking about the roadways. Uh so
this relates to that. Um what I've often noted along Point Grove uh is all times of year uh winter, summer, all kinds of weather, I very often see people walking up and down Point Grove
Road. um parts of the road does not have much of a shoulder. So, it's impressed me he's being kind of a dangerous thing to do, but I often see people walking up and down the road. Um you know, I know there's many businesses
there, restaurants. Um there's a liquor store. Uh the uh the uh biking trail goes under um Point Grove Road with a bridge. Um there's a gravel walkway uh
next to um the ale house that goes down and connects um the Point Grove Road area to to the rail trail. Um personally I I use the rail trail regularly. Um despite the lack of a shoulder on
occasion, uh I myself have walked along Point Grove Road to to get to the gravel trail and go down to the uh to the bike trail. Um but basically you know my my comment and and I it and what I and I'll
note that I have discussed this with uh John Gddard with the Department of Public Works and um he seemed to think that it was a uh decent idea. That's my impression anyway. And he made some suggestions about how to move forward including perhaps participating in this
meeting. But, you know, my my comment or my idea is that, you know, simply that there should be uh a sidewalk or maybe a a wider area section of the road to accommodate bikes or pedestrians
um along Point Grove Road. Uh again, it's just that it's it's it's commercial. There's a lot of businesses. Uh there's the bike trail. There's a there's a sidewalk at the end of Point Grove Road along Depot Road. And it appears to me anyway that there's a real
need for a pedestrian walkway simply because I see people walking up and down there all the time. And it does impress me as being somewhat dangerous thing to do because of the lack of a shoulder and the fact that, you know, as we know, cars often drive a little faster, a
little over the speed limit, you know, more than they should. Um, so I just wanted to share this comment or this idea. Uh, you know, I'm just a resident here in Southwick. Like I said, I live in the in that vicinity. Um, and I'm hoping someone in in a better position
with the town might be able to take the idea and move it forward. I was told that there's an option to get a petition and that requires a 100 signatures. Uh, to be frank, I don't know that I'm willing to put that much time into it. Uh, but I did want to share my my idea
with the board. >> Thank you, sir. Anybody else online? None. Okay, moving on. All right, we have a discussion and a
reading with Brian Manard to the master plan implementation committee. Want to come on up? Do you do you have anything you want to add? Sure. You can just state your name and address for the record, please.
>> Brian Menard, 11 Jared Lane, >> Norm Chver, 100 Berkshire. >> So, you have uh applied for the master plan implementation committee. easier to say emphat. What's your interest in it?
>> Um, just, you know, I've lived in town now for 13 years. I have kids in schools and thought it would be a way to get in and, you know, try to help out and have my voice heard if, you know, and see what um, what good I can do, what I can help out the town with.
>> What's your background? >> Uh, my background is in the trades. I'm I'm an electrician by trade, but I've worked for the last 12 years uh for solar developers. So, I have a vast wall about solar wind, you know, different renewable energy projects uh that have been done throughout uh the state of
Connecticut and Massachusetts. >> Okay. >> Questions? >> It's an easy process. Do we have a motion to appoint Brian Manard to the master plan implementation committee? >> What's the time? It would be uh March
30th, 2026 through June 30th, 2026 and then we reappoint again after that. >> So move >> for another second. >> Roll call vote. Diane Gala Doug Mlin. Yes. Most Anderson. Yes. >> Great. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
>> Okay. And then we're going to acknowledge park and recck commission resignation of Richard Haramman. This is an elected position and similar to one we did recently um would need to be an interimm appointment to the next regular
election with it being too late for this spring. This would be an interim turn through 51727. the park and recck commission um has the opportunity to make a recommendation for a joint appointment
within 30 days of their notification. If they don't, it falls on us to appoint solely. Um and I did notify the chair of this today. So, he's working on that. Anybody got any prospects? Push them
forward. Then we have to discuss and vote on the lake management recommendation request for proposal. Uh this is an RFP they did for uh lake treatment contract for a three-year period, similar to the ones
they've done in the past. Uh this also has an option to renew in years two and three. The total estimated value of these treatments is $30,000 per calendar year and that spans fiscal years. These are covered under lake management
the lake restoration budget lines and by the DCR three-year hydrillaa grant. In addition, Sufffield and Citizens Restoring Congam also share in this cost. Any questions on that?
>> She's looking to award it, right? >> Yeah. >> Yes. They've reviewed it and uh indicated that the they received two bids. the from Solitude and the other long name one that failed to actually meet the conditions >> and they've worked with Solitude for
many periods already. >> You looking for a motion? >> Yes. To approve Solitude being awarded the three-year invasive plant and algae management service contract. >> So moves. >> Second. Roll >> call vote. Dian Gale I. Doug Mglin. Yes.
Russy Anderson. Yes. Then would there discussion to amend the intermunicipal regional dispatch services agreement and you have something to add to this? >> I just sent it over to legal counsel and I haven't heard back. So if we could
defer it a week when we hear back from them. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Discuss. >> Do we know what the premise of it? What changed? Uh well there's an executive body which consists of you know us in Westfield and they'd like
to change it to advisory and I just would like to know the impact of being advisory versus executive because they're adding a new town. So, you know, either they'd amend the executive committee or as an advisory committee, I don't know. They have to do
anything. Just want to hear back from legal counsel about the language. >> Okay. Good. Okay. And discuss and vote the veterans intermunicipal agreement for veteran services.
>> Yeah. This is just to formalize the agreement that all the towns have. there hasn't been an intermunicipal agreement thus far. So, uh this year at our annual meeting um it was presented and
um sent to everyone's legal council for comment and if nobody sent anything back, we were going to vote by the end of this month. So, hence it's on your agenda today. So this is um covering the towns of Southwick,
Granville, Tallland, Russell, and Awan who administers the veteran services. So looking for a motion to adopt. >> Second >> and to have the chair sign. >> Yeah. >> Great.
>> Okay. Good with that. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Roll call vote. Dan Gale. I >> Morgan. Yes. >> Anderson. Yes. and then discuss and vote on issuing two seasonal liquor licenses, one for Edgewood Golf Course and one for
New England this fall. >> So move. >> Did all the inspections get completed? >> Do we know that? >> I don't know that. >> I don't know how we can prove them without an inspection. You can
>> conditional. They don't give them out until they they complete all that stuff >> because they do have to show the licenses to purchase the um alcohol. So you can approve it conditional on inspections complete. >> I make a motion approving conditional
inspections and appropriate agencies. >> Second roll call Dale. I Doug Mo. Yes. And Henderson. Yes. Next item is to re reappoint Lzanne Bennett as inspector of animals. Um
regardless of whether this is included in her job description, the Commonwealth of Mass requires an appointment to the position of inspector of animals. >> Um >> she wasn't before. Well, it may be in her job description and we appointed her
locally, but um according to the chief, the state requires this official appointment and this is for a term of 4126 to 33127. >> So, I'll I'll second that. Roll call vote.
Tyang Gale I Russ Anderson. Yes. >> Okay. And then the next item, discuss the bodywn camera grant for Southwick Police Department. This has been withdrawn for tonight. Correct, Chief?
>> Okay. Not ready for discussion. discuss and vote to issue non-renewal notice to Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust for Municipal Group Health Insurance effective July 1st, 2026. Hm. I move that the select board vote to
withdraw from the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust and authorize the appropriate officials to take all necessary actions to implement this decision, including providing formal written notice in accordance with the trust agreement with an effective date
of June 30th, 2026. >> Uh, you're recusing. I'll second that. Roll call vote. Dian Gail I. >> Doug Mogan. Yes. >> President Anderson abstain. >> 10. Acknowledge and approve $250 donation to be deposited into the
Southwick Fire Department gift account from Avery and Tracy Root of Southwick. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. Vote. Dang. I. >> Doug Moin. Yes. >> Anderson. Yes. and acknowledge and approve 275 total donations to be
deposited into the Southwick Animal Control Gift and Medical Gift Fund. A donation from El Fijal for $100 and separately in the memory of Marilyn Young from S. Aspenol of Granville, from M. Ferris of South Royaltton, Vermont,
and from A Best of Northwood, New Hampshire. >> So moved. >> Second. Roll call. >> Vote. Dang, I Doug Moin, yes. Bill Sanderson. Yes. >> And then other new business, we had none listed.
Under old business, just a reminder, if there's any status updates or projects going on that need an update, this is where they should be submitted for discussion and action, etc. And then
next item, discuss Comcast contract or franchise agreement. We're talking about the franchise. >> Yeah, we um when I had been talking with them previously in some of our technical stuff that's been going on, I he
acknowledged that the contract expires July of 27, I believe. Um and he said if we look to accomplish some technical goals more than any kind of financials we can um there are they allowed to
reopen it and extend it up to five years if that's something we wish to do. So what would it require is Nicole to send a letter saying we're wishing to start talking about it explore. >> We're it expires when? July
>> 27 but we can open it >> July 27, >> right? >> So we're a year ahead but >> we're just a couple of months ahead of that renewal then. >> No 27 >> calendar is 27. >> 27 but there's a process that takes like a year of public hearings and stuff, right? uh
>> to a point. I don't know on the extension it you seem to think that it was um it it doesn't need to go through the full realm that it went through before. I could be wrong. >> Okay. >> Um I know one of the things that um I'd
like to see is with technology wise is a high definition. Our our channel now is not high definition. So you can barely read the the flyers that are put on um things like that. So that's something that may be able to be negotiated. Um there could
be other things too as well that >> Okay. >> Are you looking to spearhead that project? >> I don't mind spearheading it, but we we would need a vote to to allow Nicole to ask about the the contract. >> Wouldn't we have to rec re reconstitute
the cable advisory? >> Well, that would be us, I think. No, it was a separate subcommittee of the select board that in previous contract years. We could change our mind on that, but that's how it was done previous >> and um they they have a they have to review the contract. They I think
there's some public hearings. I don't know if you extend it because it seems to me logic. >> Well, that would that would be the renewal part of the renewal process, but you you just said this is an extension, not necessarily any >> correct. I think it lessens the need a lot of that. >> I used to want to hear.
>> Yeah. I mean, yeah, if you extend it, it seems like it could be viewed, you'd want to go through that process anyway, just because you'd have to go through it for a new contract even if an extension. I don't know how long it would be, a year or two or three. I don't know.
>> I don't know. I'd like to explore it. >> Oh, absolutely. No, it's a good idea. >> Explore it by Nicole asking those questions. >> Yes. See what's involved legally and etc.
Do you need a motion to do that or do you just want to just say we're going to do that? >> I think doesn't need a motion. It's just authorizing Nicole to do that. >> Ask a question of that. Yeah. Yeah, I think it's fine. >> Back with what we need.
>> Okay. Um and other old business, we didn't bring any up. Minutes acknowledge and approve open session meeting minutes for March 16, 2026.
>> So move second. >> Roll call vote. Dian Gi. >> Doug Moone. Yes. >> Russ Anderson. Yes. >> And miscellaneous correspondence. I just want to mention we did receive a notification from Eversource beginning sometime in April. They did
not clarify. Um they and their contractors will begin using helicopters and bucket trucks to upgrade the optical ground wire located on the transmission poles.
Um it'll include a temporary road closure of 10 and 202 in the vicinity of their substation which is about 105 I think um College Highway at some point for approximately one day and their work hours will be 7:00 a.m.
to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They expect to be completed by the end of May. So the timeline's pretty vague except for their hours of operation and they will have helicopters. So people will be wondering what's going on.
>> We should send him a correspondence to make sure that they don't close the road on election day and or town meeting day. >> I did ask uh Margaret to make sure that fire and PD were aware of this too so they could coordinate such business.
Um, and then we can say something in old business. >> I just want to say please um the citizen leadership academy um deadline is coming up this week and we only have two
applicants. So, um I'm afraid that if we don't get more, we're going to have to postpone this and maybe do it in the fall. And maybe the spring isn't really the best to do it. I don't know. But we're not really getting a lot of applicants. So, if anybody's out there and they'd really like to hear about town business, hopefully tomorrow there
will be a small article in the Westfield News. Um, but please call our office at 569-5995 if you're interested in the Citizen Leadership Academy. This should be starting up in a couple of weeks. >> Thank you.
>> On Wednesday evenings. >> Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30. Okay. >> Or seven weeks. >> Okay. Uh then to acknowledge payroll warrant number 2623 dated March 23rd, 2026 in
the amount of 281,543 and66. And that's motion tojourn. >> No second. >> Have no executive session. No executive session. >> Miracle.
>> It's 6:30. >> Yes. Do you want to do this? Did you see how concise that was? That was crazy. >> So moved. Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call vote. D I >> Doug movement. Sure.
>> Sanders. >> And it's still daylight. Yeah. >> Thank you everybody.