The meeting began with the Shutesbury Police Department’s Chief Purges presenting a significant incident involving Sergeant Peltier. The sergeant responded to an urgent situation involving a man from Danvers, Massachusetts, who had expressed suicidal intentions. Although not dispatched to the call, Peltier took initiative upon hearing the situation on the police scanner. His proactive efforts led to successfully locating the individual in a wooded area, thereby preventing a potential tragedy. Chief Purges praised Peltier’s actions, describing them as an exceptional demonstration of commitment and initiative, and awarded him a certificate of commendation. The board unanimously approved this commendation.

Following the commendation, the board discussed the appointment of Kathy Salvador to the Town Administrator’s search committee. The Personnel Board had previously endorsed her candidacy, and the Select Board ratified this decision. A board member reconsidered their involvement in the committee due to scheduling conflicts, leading to a nomination and unanimous approval of Eric to replace them. The board emphasized the importance of promptly organizing the committee’s first meeting and discussed logistical challenges, such as scheduling, and the need to advertise the Town Administrator position.

In another notable discussion, the board addressed concerns from local residents about planned tree cutting by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). A letter was drafted to DCR, enhanced with photographs illustrating the cutting techniques on Beville Road. Discussions revealed a potential conflict of interest for a board member who was an abutter to the affected property, prompting them to exclude their signature from the letter. Despite this, the board agreed to send the letter to the commissioner after correcting a typographical error, a move aimed at voicing community concerns more effectively.

Budgetary issues were also a focal point, particularly regarding the administrative secretary position. The Personnel Board had approved the job description, but discussions revealed a potential budget increase ranging from $13,000 to $177,000, depending on the candidate’s experience. This increase is based on a 32-hour work week, with health insurance costs already factored in. The board planned to solicit community opinions on the proposed budget increase.

The meeting also covered logistical concerns related to town email systems. Technical difficulties with setting up email accounts for town officials were discussed, highlighting issues with the current system that allows only two email addresses. Members expressed dissatisfaction with the technical support process, which added to the frustration. The board acknowledged the need for official email addresses for town officials to streamline communication and address complications related to public records requests. The potential costs of switching to different email platforms, such as Outlook, were also explored, with considerations about functionality and pricing.

Additionally, the board discussed a contract amendment with the consulting firm GZA, relating to work on the Lake OA Dam. Financial constraints led to a decision to prioritize the most critical tasks, such as a dam inspection evaluation report and grant application preparation. The board considered potential funding sources, including the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, given the dam’s historical significance. Members agreed to contact Mato, the land use clerk and chair of the Community Preservation Committee, to explore CPA fund eligibility and criteria.