Selectboard Announces Areas of Focus for FY21
The following are the areas where the Selectboard intends to focus during FY21. Please note that these are not in any particular order.
New Public Safety Building: Continue to work with Caolo & Bienek on a set of 3 preliminary designs for the new public safety building. Work with team to inform residents about the options and their costs, answer questions, prepare for a town meeting vote to fund design and construction documents. Continue seeking alternate funding sources. Selectboard Lead: Karen Cruise
PFAS: Continue working with team to move forward per Immediate Response Action Plan filled with MassDEP. Focus on consistency and fairness with attention to safety and cost. Particular attention will be paid to communication with affected residents and townspeople. Selectboard Lead: Karen Cruise
Communication: The Selectboard will continue its efforts to improve communications with residents, with other boards/committees, and internally. Attention will be paid to written/emailed communication, website updates, and information sharing meetings. Selectboard Lead: Karen Cruise
Sale of Mechanics Hall: The Selectboard will negotiate both and Host Community Agreement and a Development Agreement with Red Cardinal. If the sale to Red Cardinal falls through, the Selectboard will determine appropriate next steps for Mechanics Hall. Selectboard Lead: Karen Cruise
Improve Sharing of Knowledge Throughout Board: The board will continue to discuss areas where knowledge sharing can be improved and will make improvements when possible. Selectboard Lead: All
Investigate the Abandonment/Discontinuation of Certain Town Roads: The Selectboard, working with Town Administrator, Road Advisory Committee, and Highway Superintendent, will develop a list of road (segments) that they recommend discontinuing. The Board will present that list to the TA for inclusion in an article for an upcoming town meeting warrant. Selectboard Lead: Karen Cruise
Improve Road Safety for Pedestrians and Cyclists: Control speeding and loud vehicles. This may include crosswalks, signage, traffic calming measures and enforcement. Selectboard Lead: Richard Bisk
Review and revise (and create if necessary) committee charges. Clarify the role of alternates and consider increasing the term of alternates. Selectboard Lead: Richard Bisk
Review and clarify the chain of command in town government: Specify a backup person when someone is unavailable. Selectboard Lead: Richard Bisk
Review and Update Stipends: The Select Board, working with the Advisory Committee, will undertake a comprehensive review of annual stipends allocated to Select Board members, the Planning Board Chair, School Committee members, the Town Meeting Moderator, and others. Selectboard Lead: Matthew Moncreaff
Formally Change Name Board of Selectmen to Selectboard: The Selectboard will prepare an article for town warrant, seeking permission to petition the state legislature, for approval to legally change the Board of Selectmen to the Select Board. This is the first step of a three-step process. Selectboard Lead: Matthew Moncreaff
Open Space Plan Implementation: The Select Board will continue working with the Open Space Committee to implement the Open Space Plan. Selectboard Lead: Matthew Moncreaff