The Select Board meeting began with a noteworthy discussion about the contracts for the Hatfield Elementary School Boiler and Roof Project. Although the contracts were absent from the meeting packet, board members were reassured that these were form contracts aligned with Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) guidelines. A provisional vote was taken to approve these contracts pending review. The engineering firm BLW Engineers from Littleton, Massachusetts, was selected for the boiler project due to their experience and commitment to fast-tracking the timeline. For the roof project, So Sooch, based in Charles Town, Massachusetts, was chosen for their expertise in school building systems. The board unanimously approved the contracts with these firms, contingent upon their review.

Beyond school facilities, the board turned its attention to an update of the town’s by-laws. The by-laws, described as outdated and difficult to navigate, include terms like “awful,” which refers to animal entrails, and address irrelevant issues such as the prohibition against walking naked on sidewalks, now covered by state law. The proposal to use Ecode 360 to make the by-laws more accessible was discussed, emphasizing the creation of a searchable database for residents. Financial implications revealed that the cost to convert the by-laws into a new format would range between $10,000 and $12,000, with potential annual maintenance costs of $1,000 to $1,500. The board plans to seek resident approval at the upcoming town meeting to move forward with this project, which aims to retain the substance of the by-laws while improving their accessibility.

The board also addressed ongoing concerns related to the town’s wastewater treatment plant project. A change order was approved, allowing for the installation of an outdoor electrical cabinet, a modification required by Eversource. The board was proactive in conditionally approving this change to maintain project momentum, despite delays. The project has remained within budget, thanks to a financial structure that allows for additional expenditures for substantial improvements.

Additionally, the board tackled a pragmatic issue involving snow storage. A license agreement with Our Neighborhood LLC, owned by Peter Grandonico, formalized the town’s use of his property for snow storage, with a license fee set at $4,750 for the winter season. While beneficial for both parties, concerns were raised about the town’s agreement to plow Grandonico’s driveway, which prompted a debate about the appropriateness of using public resources for private benefit. The board agreed to a one-year term for the license, allowing for future evaluation and renegotiation.

Further discussions included sewer and water abatement requests, with the board unanimously approving several requests stemming from misread meters and repairs. A notable approval involved a significant abatement of $38,586.34 for a property on North King Street, attributed to a meter reading error. Other abatements were processed smoothly.

The meeting wrapped up with updates on various town initiatives. The board received positive feedback on the new town administrator and the Department of Public Works director, and they acknowledged the community’s historical interest in the DF Riley Grismill Dam. A donation of a pickleball equipment storage container by resident Kristen Marie was accepted with gratitude. The board also highlighted the awarding of a $96,000 grant from the state’s rural development fund, intended to support comprehensive zoning review efforts.