0:02The meeting commenced with the acknowledgment of Irma W. Donis’s 100th birthday, a milestone for the community. The Select Board honored her with the Boston Post Golden Cane Award, a tradition recognizing the oldest resident of Hatfield. Details of Donis’s life journey, from her birth in Kentucky to her contributions during World War II in Washington, D.C., were shared. Her family, including four children and soon-to-be ten great-grandchildren, joined in the celebration. The community’s participation in the event underscored the town’s appreciation for its history and residents.

Transitioning to pressing municipal matters, the board delved into the police department’s staffing issues. The fiscal year budget was presented as level-funded, with no increases in salaries except for a contractual raise for the Chief. The department currently operates with limited staff, complicating the management of both police calls and pistol permit processing. Concerns were voiced about the adequacy of police coverage, particularly following reforms that led to the loss of part-time staff. The Chief explained the difficulties in predicting demand for officers and managing the balance of police presence during different times of the day.

The lack of sufficient staff during peak times was a recurrent theme, with the Chief noting that administrative tasks during the day often require more personnel than nighttime patrol duties. This staffing model’s limitations have implications for the department’s ability to effectively manage resources and respond to community needs.

32:48Parallel to the police department’s issues, the fire department’s budget presentation revealed financial requirements for transitioning to a proposed 24/7 staffing model. The Chief detailed a budget that would essentially double current expenses, projecting nearly $900,000 for the shift to continuous operations. This increase includes substantial salary hikes for full-time employees, offset partially by ambulance revenue. The financial strain associated with this transition was underscored, with the Chief suggesting an override as a potential funding solution.

51:52The board also discussed the fire department’s staffing, noting a vacancy for a full-time firefighter EMT position. Efforts to fill this role with a paramedic are underway, with an expectation that several current employees will soon qualify as paramedics, potentially easing staffing challenges. The Chief shared the need for improved scheduling and staffing to reduce missed calls, which have increased due to simultaneous emergencies and equipment servicing.

17:26Beyond the public safety departments, the meeting touched on the Council on Aging (COA) budget, with discussions on a modest increase request tied to rising participation and successful community events. The COA’s programming and external fundraising efforts were acknowledged, as were the contributions of volunteers supporting the center’s activities. The board recognized the COA’s role in fostering community interaction and its strategic budgeting approach.

1:24:14Attention was also given to the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the potential restructuring of staff roles. The absence of a DPW director prompted discussions on the division of responsibilities among superintendents and the feasibility of reallocating funds. The notion of the school department hiring its facilities person was proposed as a cost-saving measure. This idea aimed to address financial efficiencies by reducing reliance on the DPW for facilities management.

The board further discussed the possibility of forming a committee to implement the comprehensive plan. The establishment of this committee aimed to enhance coordination and execution of the town’s long-term goals.

Concerns over potential instability in federal funding for grant projects were raised, with the town administrator committed to maintaining open communication with congressional representatives.