14:43The agreement with Brunell, who was displaced by a federal mandate, was a notable interaction in the meeting. The county had initially proposed a rate of $500 per month, but after negotiations, settled on the reduced rate. Brunell expressed willingness to maintain the space himself, minimizing the county’s obligations.

Another important topic discussed was the health insurance increase of 6.75%. The health insurance steering committee supported this adjustment, which is considered one of the lowest rates in the state. The meeting welcomed two new members to the Mayflower Municipal Health Group, including the Town of Situ and Tech. Their immediate ability to afford the buy-in fee was positively highlighted. The discussion also covered national insurance rate expectations, which are projected to rise by 10% to 13% annually over the next five years. The commissioners expressed hope to stabilize local rates between 5% and 7%.

Renovations on Belmont Street were also on the agenda. Updates included work on the building’s facade, new windows, and doors, along with hazardous material remediation. The ongoing project aims to ensure the building’s functionality for the next 30 years, with expected completion in May. The renovations have unveiled unexpected issues related to the old structure built in the 1970s, but progress continues with plans for tenant acquisition in the coming months.

0:01The meeting also addressed the American Recovery Plan, with Treasurer O’Brien providing updates. She highlighted the county’s successful revenue generation of nearly $83,000 from parking projects, exceeding budget expectations. A new payment website now allows various payment methods, potentially benefiting underbanked consumers and lowering operational costs. O’Brien also introduced a permit management portal for towns to handle parking permits without additional costs.

The commissioners approved a payment of $4,125 to Clifton, LW, and Allen LLP for administrative support related to the American Recovery Plan. Additionally, there was a discussion on disseminating remaining funds, with a decision to distribute checks to towns present at the meeting and schedule additional presentations for those unable to attend.

Furthermore, the meeting included updates from the Extension Office, introducing a new employee, K. Roberts, who will focus on underserved communities. An upcoming event was discussed, expected to draw approximately 75 attendees, including students from agricultural schools. Legislative issues like the protection of fairgrounds and a new lottery system for agricultural schools were on the agenda, along with broad participation in agricultural education programs.

14:43Finally, the board discussed several upcoming events, including the Indian Head Reservation Day on May 24th, featuring trail hikes, paddleboard and kayak tours, and historical updates at the Waterman’s Tackle Factory. The meeting also confirmed a series of leadership and executive council events scheduled for early April, including dinners and meetings with legislative delegations and selectmen.