20:30The meeting commenced with public comments that highlighted community concerns about noise pollution from the Treehouse concerts. Residents voiced frustrations regarding the frequency and volume of these events. Matt Tuttle, a resident, articulated his struggles with the noise, stating it interfered with his ability to sleep and work from home. He criticized the board’s previous dismissive response to complaints and underscored the impact of holding 31 concerts annually. Another resident echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the noise was disruptive to her workday due to afternoon sound checks and would be unacceptable if it occurred at a residential level.

In response to these concerns, the board members discussed their efforts to address the issue, including attending concerts to evaluate sound levels and collaborating with the police chief to monitor decibel readings. They acknowledged the variability in noise across different events, complicating the assessment process. A health agent reported on ongoing communication with the event coordinator to manage the complaints and implement sound mitigation strategies.

14:33Following the public comment period, the board transitioned to administrative matters, beginning with discussions on the Mohawk Area Public Health Collaborative (MAFCO). Board members emphasized the importance of improving public health planning to better respond to emergencies such as pandemics and natural disasters. Updates on the town’s emergency preparedness response plan were shared, with a focus on refining management strategies for incidents like flooding or train derailments.

32:21The board also tackled infrastructure projects, approving contracts crucial for the town’s development. They entered into an agreement with DPC Engineering for $75,450 to conduct a wastewater road connection study between Deerfield and Whately, funded by a $100,000 state grant. A companion contract with VHB for a traffic study, priced at $23,500, was likewise approved. These projects, previously stalled, are set to move forward, addressing essential infrastructure needs in the area.

35:17Attention turned to grant opportunities from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) for wastewater and drinking water asset management plans. The board discussed applying for further funding to address stormwater infrastructure, emphasizing the necessity of identifying potential problems before they escalate. Motions to contract DPC Engineering for project evaluation form grant applications related to stormwater and sanitary sewer collection systems passed unanimously.

29:59The meeting also covered routine administrative tasks, such as the approval of a backlog of meeting minutes dating back to May 2020 and the signing of a three-year contract for Police Chief John Purik. Additionally, the board allocated $4,500 from ARPA funds to address unforeseen labor costs in a DPW dump body project.

46:21In a move to address community service appointments, the board unanimously approved recommendations for police and EMS personnel for the upcoming term. An alternate electrical inspector was appointed, and reappointments were made to the Deerfield Economic Development and Industrial Corporation.

51:46The board received updates on the 1888 building project, noting that WJ Mountford submitted a bid under the anticipated budget. This positive development allows the board to proceed with finalizing a contract for a $4 million USDA earmark. Additionally, repairs to the Bloody Brook Monument were completed, with discussions on implementing preventative measures to avoid future damage.