0:00The meeting opened with a significant topic: property use and housing regulations on HK Road. Concerns had been raised about an individual reportedly living in a tent on a property there. A report detailed the inspection findings, which included a tent and a small camper on land classified as unusable for residential purposes. The board heard from Amanda Rice, a descendant of the property owners, who expressed her desire to use the land for recreational camping with her children. She emphasized that the tent was not for permanent living.

Valerie, a health agent, clarified that the new housing code allows temporary camping for up to 30 days with a permit, but strict safety requirements must be met. Winter camping, in particular, was flagged as unsafe without proper permits for heating methods. The board underscored the necessity of adhering to local laws to ensure public safety, acknowledging Rice’s intentions while stressing compliance with regulations.

34:46Attention then turned to financial matters, specifically the approval of utility billing measures. The board reviewed and approved a commitment to collect $1,317,725 from 972 water usage bills, alongside service fees and a sewer fee contributing to a total sewer consumption this cycle. Additionally, they authorized blanket abatements for sewer accounts that exceeded 125% of winter consumption, amounting to a $7,795 abatement for fiscal year 2022.

The meeting also addressed the renewal of various business licenses, including those for breweries and automotive dealers. Notably, the board postponed the approval of the entertainment license for Treehouse Brewing Company due to ongoing noise concerns from their concerts. A public engagement meeting was scheduled to further address these issues, with the board agreeing to revisit the license approval after the hearing.

A maintenance contract for the town clock was another topic of importance. The board discussed a proposal to ensure the clock’s functionality and upgrade its lighting to LED. While the budget for this work appeared sufficient, the board decided to confirm the status of funds before proceeding.

54:56Additionally, the board considered lifting a lien on a property on HK Road to facilitate its sale, which could help collect outstanding taxes. The motion to lift the lien under chapter 61a was unanimously approved.

1:14:19In terms of infrastructure, the meeting covered the Deerfield Rural Development Fund contract, which involves examining connections between two industrial parks. A grant of $100,000 had been secured, and the Town Administrator was authorized to sign necessary contracts. Construction estimates for connecting the parks ranged significantly, prompting the board to seek additional contractor assessments.

Another financial discussion revolved around cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for town employees. A 3% COLA recommendation was approved, based on regional consumer price index data, to guide budget discussions.

The board also tackled the issuance of an entertainment license for Treehouse Brewing, acknowledging community concerns about noise. While initially considering conditional approval, the board decided to issue the license, emphasizing ongoing cooperation with the brewery to address noise issues.

Further updates included progress on the Still Water Bridge replacement, the landfill solar project, and the installation of EV charging stations on the L lot. The board also planned to participate in screening committees for several town job openings, including positions for a planning and economic development coordinator and a superintendent of public works.