The treasurer collector position has been a concern for the Select Board, as the current treasurer collector’s other full-time position in a different town presents a legal conflict. This situation has left the Southampton office in uncertainty, delaying the hiring process for a replacement and affecting the town’s financial operations. Without a definitive resignation date from the treasurer collector, who has been infrequently present at the office, public transaction capabilities and responses to taxpayer inquiries have been hindered.

The board explored various legal avenues, including declaring the position vacant, which would allow them to appoint a new treasurer collector. However, they recognized the potential for legal complications if the current treasurer collector refused to relinquish her responsibilities. Proposals included sending a formal letter requesting a resignation date and seeking legal guidance on declaring the position vacant. The board also considered notifying the Department of Revenue and the Department of Local Services about the operational concerns impacting the town’s financial processes and the audit timeline.

The board expressed a need for a more formalized approach, recognizing the urgency of resolving the treasurer collector’s status. A special meeting was proposed to address this issue exclusively, tentatively scheduled for July 14th. The board unanimously agreed on drafting letters to the relevant authorities.

In addition to the treasurer collector discussion, the meeting featured a detailed presentation on Southampton’s stormwater management program. The program, which complies with the EPA’s small MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit, involves various control measures, including public education, pollution prevention, and good housekeeping. The town faces challenges with impaired waterways, particularly concerning nitrogen and E. coli levels in Peekquat Pond and the Manhan River.

The presentation highlighted the town’s efforts in public education, such as participating in the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission’s initiatives and hosting a national prescription drug take-back day. These efforts align with the program’s goals of reducing water pollution by educating residents on proper waste disposal and lawn care practices.

The board also discussed anticipated changes in the new draft MS4 permit for 2024, which will incorporate updated urbanized area data and require more interactive public education efforts. Despite these challenges, Southampton is meeting its current permit requirements, with plans to continue public education and maintenance activities into the next permit year.

The meeting also touched on the public safety building committee’s need for further direction following the rejection of a proposed $27 million project by voters. The committee, responsible for assessing the needs of public safety facilities, faced uncertainty about whether to pursue separate facilities for police and fire services or to combine them. Concerns about costs and efficiency were raised, with members expressing skepticism about reducing the projected costs to a more acceptable figure.

The board recognized the need for a new public safety building and the importance of aligning the project with other community initiatives. They emphasized the need for strategic planning and effective communication with residents to garner support for future proposals. Potential alternative funding sources, possibly from state or regional support, were considered to alleviate the financial burden on local taxpayers.

In other matters, the board discussed the necessity for select board members to serve as liaisons to various committees. They reviewed committee member assignments and agreed to revisit the topic in their next meeting to formalize roles and responsibilities. The board also approved the purchase of new chairs for the conference room, addressing concerns about the current furniture’s inadequacy for long meetings.