Select Board
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Meeting Minutes
Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Kathy Scott, Andrea Hodson
Attendees: Jeff Cady, Anne Havill, Cathy Lovas, Ben Hoy, Jillian Miner
The meeting opened at 7:00 pm.
Agenda, Minutes of 2-13-2025 – With the addition of an update on the cybersecurity project, the board approved the agenda as drafted. A vote on the minutes of 2-13 was deferred.
2nd Hearing on the 2025 Proposed Operating Budget and Warrant – The board reviewed the minor changes made to the proposed operating budget, based on comments and questions at the first budget hearing on February 13. One change is the reduction in the miscellaneous highway budget line from $5,000 to $1,000.
The board reiterated that the $12,500 in cost-of-living adjustment for eligible employees is separated out in the proposed budget to show the overall impact, but will be allocated to the individual department budgets following a vote on the budget. The board also explained why the Administrative Pay line includes multiple Select Board Office positions, in the same way several other departments paylines are collapsed.
One of the biggest increases in the proposed budget is the insurance policy lines, not a controllable cost. The ambulance service expenditure is based on scheduled, contracted rates.
For the Recycling Center, the Town faces an increase in state inspection and reporting requirements on closed landfills; the solid waste removal line remains the same as last year as, thought the amount to be removed is anticipated to go down with more material being recycled, the removal costs are increasing.
The SB discussed and agreed on a proposed fireworks budget of $6,000. Old Home Days costs are expected to decrease slightly.
Warrant – The board made no changes to the draft Warrant other than to insert the final proposed operating budget number. The Warrant was reviewed by the DRA and town counsel.
Correspondence and other business
– The SB acknowledged receipt of the letter from Rosemary Cifrino and will discuss the matter at a subsequent meeting.
-The SB signed the pay warrant in the amount of $835.18.
-On the DOE grant for the HeatSmart+ program for private property owners and renters, Andrea Hodson noted that 34 Harrisville expressed interest and 32 are eligible to apply for a rebate for electrification projects.
-IT/cybersecurity project – Ryan Whitworth met with the IT vendor for a debriefing on the town’s IT systems. Mr. Whitworth recommends installing a unit to map any deficiencies, after which he can make any system recommendations. Andrea Hodson will confirm the budget requirements and specifics of installing such a unit. She also will contact Southwest Region Planning Commission about their interest.
-The SB signed the oath of office for Jessica Zander for HCC membership.
-On the prospective application from the County Sherriff’s Department to install a public safety radio tower on Cobb Hill, the board discussed whether a bond should be posted as protection against any damage to the area of upper Prospect Street due to heavy vehicles traveling up to the work site. The board will research further.
-The next meeting of the Select Board is Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 9:00 am to sign the 2025 Warrant and MS-626, the proposed Operating, for official posting. The board will not meet Friday, February 28.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.