A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to managing brush disposal at the DPW headquarters. Concerns were raised about a growing brush pile intended for residents’ yard waste, which might be exploited by contractors. The board discussed implementing strategies to ensure the facility is used appropriately. Suggestions included limiting access times to align with transfer station hours and potentially monitoring the site to confirm that only residents were utilizing this service. Members debated whether staff should oversee these times or if a camera system would suffice, with the goal of preventing misuse.

The board considered imposing penalties for illegal dumping to deter contractors from exploiting the service. A flat fee of $300 was proposed, alongside additional charges based on the volume of illegally dumped materials. It was suggested that researching local disposal rates could help determine appropriate charges.

Video monitoring was also discussed as a tool to enforce proper use of the DPW site. Members agreed on the importance of quality cameras to provide clear images, joking about the ineffectiveness of “blurry pictures.” This step is part of a broader effort to update DPW rules and regulations.

Another topic was the disposal of surplus property, emphasizing the need for a standardized procedure. The board reviewed a draft policy aligned with Massachusetts General Law (MGL) 30B, which governs the disposal of surplus items. This policy outlines procedures for items valued over and under $10,000, including sealed bids for higher-value items and less formal processes for others. It allows for surplus items to be posted on the town website and auctioned, retaining the option to use the municipal bidding system.

The board addressed specific surplus items, such as the police department’s request to declare a 2018 cruiser surplus for trade-in towards a new 2025 model. The police chief was authorized to declare the vehicle surplus once ready for disposal, though the timeline for acquiring the new cruiser was uncertain pending a quote.

Additionally, the board discussed a 1929 Fire Buffalo Antique Vehicle proposed as surplus. Gifting the vehicle to the Hatfield Firefighters Association requires a town meeting vote due to the transfer of property below market value. With the vehicle’s market value assessed at $1, the board agreed to declare it surplus, pending the necessary town meeting vote.

In organizational matters, the board engaged in a reorganization, electing a chair and assigning department liaisons. Ed was nominated and unanimously approved as chair. Board members took on various liaison roles, with assignments including the building inspector, Council on Aging, and DPW. Luke, a firefighter, was assigned to the DPW but would recuse himself from fire department-related matters.

The board also discussed the hiring process for the DPW, with a screening committee reviewing 11 résumés and selecting candidates for public interviews. A tentative date of June 10 was proposed for these interviews, with plans to standardize questions for fair evaluation. Transparency was highlighted, with the possibility of filming the interviews considered.

Regarding meeting schedules, the board proposed meeting once a month during the summer, discussing specific dates while accommodating members’ availability. The idea of a board retreat to discuss goals and work dynamics was also considered, though integrating these discussions into summer meetings was suggested as a more immediate approach.