Select Board
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Andrea Hodson, Kathy Scott
Attendees: Police Chief Steve LaMears, Fire Chief Wayne Derosia, Cheshire County Administrator Chris Coates, Cheshire Co. EMS Chief Mark Kramer, Cheshire Co Commissioner Claudia Stewart, Cheshire Co EMS EMT Emily Shaw, Cheshire Co EMS Deputy Chief Edward Atkins, Cheshire Co Commissioner Skip DiBernardo, Cheshire Co Commissioner Terry Clark via zoom, Don Scott resident
The meeting opened at 7:00 pm.
Agenda, Minutes of 1/2/2025 – The SB moved and voted unanimously in favor to approve the agenda and the meeting minutes of January 2.
Cheshire County EMS – County, EMS and town officials discussed the status of staffing, training and emergency response, now that the county’s service has been in operation for more than one year. Harrisville recently raised concerns with the county about planned training for Harrisville volunteers that has not panned out, about turnover in the EMS Chief position and about EMS drivers’ lack of familiarity with Harrisville’s roads, leading to longer transport times.
On training, County officials explained their lack of satisfaction with the training vendor and their current search for a replacement and exploration of other options. They’d like to contract out the instruction to keep Chief Kramer and EMS staff freed up for calls. Chief Derosia stressed the need for basic EMR classes for volunteers, and the need to budget for needed training if it can’t come from the County. The County aims to have a training plan in place by the end of February.
On staffing, the County currently has 20 full time EMTs, making them close to full capacity, with lots of applicants and great responses to their job postings. Regarding the departure of 2 chiefs in 2 years, the commissioners heard the town’s request to fully support the new chief in order to prevent burnout and another departure.
Chief Kramer shared that County EMS responded to 64 calls to Harrisville in 2024 with an average response time of 18 minutes. The average transport time was 23 minutes 18 seconds. The County is working to improve these times and will encourage drivers to heed suggested routes of travel from Harrisville officials on the scene.
The SB reiterated that community residents are interested in CPR training. The County asked the board to let them know when the town has a group ready. (12 is recommended as a good class size.)
Finance/2025 Budget – The board signed the pay warrant for $8616.49.
The board tentatively agreed to incorporate a 2.5% COLA for the proposed operating budget for 2025 and will consider other potential increases as appropriate.
The board approved the draft consultant contract for calendar year 2025 for Mr. Hoy for 80 hours/month at $30.45/hour.
Recycle Center – The board reviewed Don Scott’s conceptual plan focused on parking improvements, increased storage space and a modified loading dock. The SB recommended and will coordinate a site visit by the Road Agent, Police and Fire Chiefs, EMD, Building Inspector and Transportation Committee representatives for Wed 1/15 at 9 AM.
The SB noted the First Budget Hearing will be Thur February 6 at 7pm. The draft agenda for Thur 1/16 includes details of Warrant Articles and updates to the 2025 budget.
In response to state legislator Jim Gruber’s request to meet, the board will propose for after Town Meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.