Selectboard Meeting - Nov. 25th, 2024

Agenda

1. Open meeting
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Vote on selection of Animal Control Office
4. Discuss how and where to advertise/search for new Town Administrator
5. Set the Town Tax Rate (if ready)
6. Discuss and or approve 22D real estate exemption with Assessor
7. Adjourn

Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting 11.25.24 

Chair Robert Norcross opened the meeting at 5pm

Present were Selectboard members Dan Haskins, Colton Andrews, Clebe Scott, Charles Lewitt, Kyle Hurlbut, Susan Brandon, Kelly Haskins, John & Carla Fosser, Tammy Daniels of iBerkshires & Peter Gentile of Northern Berkshire Community Television.

The pledge was recited

Animal control officer:  The board has not received clarification on use of a holding facility.  The board is going to table the animal control officer till they receive more information.

Search for a new Town Administrator:  The Selectboard held an executive session last Monday.  The board came to a decision they are going to post the job.  The board informed Carl he can apply for the position.  Several members from different committees were presented from different boards concerned with the board’s decision.  John questioned if Carl could be temporarily in the position till they could find someone.  Dan informed him that Carl refused to work with the board on several options.  Colton spoke regarding the requested increase in salary to level with other municipalities.  With the increase discussed would open opportunities & increase the pool of applicants.  Clebe questioned if there’s an employee performance review system.  Clebe asked if Carl was doing a bad job, not doing what the board told him to do.  Robert said they do not have a review.  The 1^st yr Robert felt like it was in a mess.  When Carl notified the board that his contract was coming up Robert told him his good/ bad points.  Robert said he’s very dedicated, knows the history of the Town, and works for a fair price.  Robert touches base with him twice a week.  Robert voted not to end his contract.   Dan likes Carl and is just frustrated with inaccurate information.  He is not comfortable with a 3yr contract and recommended a 1yr contract.  Clebe feels like an employee review system is needed for problems & improvement.  Clebe doesn’t want this to happen to other employees.  Robert is unaware of any review system.  Clebe said laws need to be followed in these circumstances.  Robert said human beings have a right to know how they are doing & the town is lacking in that area.  The review system is meant to review a person’s job. Robert has had better communication with Carl.  Charles serves on the finance committee.  He informed the board how helpful Carl was during budget season.  He & Carl communicated with all the departments.  He asked if Carl was the supervisor.  Robert verified he is, but he cannot fire anyone without the Selectboards approval.  Carl’s last day of employment will be 12/26/24.    Charles recognized that Town Hall has good staff but not a lot of experience.  Whoever is brought into the position needs to communicate with employees.  Colton said the Town needs a representative that can go to the state for grants.  He feels strongly it’s the town’s best interest to move forward to pursue the issues aggressively.  Colton’s consensus is Carl’s status with governing bodies was not held in high regard.  He believes the school is not going away with the issues that need to be addressed.  He believes an outside perspective/ new approach is needed.  Clebe referenced Briggsville Water and the several grants Carl obtained.  Clebe wanted to know who is going to oversee those grants. Robert informed Clebe that eventually the Town Administrator.  In the meantime, it will fall on the Selectboard.  The board will have to discuss who can go to the meetings & take over.  Robert can make sure Courtney Morehouse lets nothing fall through the cracks. Robert stressed time is of the essence with proceeding with advertising.  Anyone that feels Carl should be the Administrator should persuade him to apply for the position.  Robert doesn’t want to postpone & have no replacement at the end of December.   Clebe asked if the interview be open to the public.  Robert said usually they are open to the public unless the interviewee requests executive session.  Robert will check into the legal logistics.  Robert said the select board & officials cannot discuss anything outside of the meeting.  Robert felt that the current salary is not compatible with other towns.  Robert feels 75 thousand is not unreasonable depending on experience. He would like to see the position go to 35 hours due to the meetings the Administrator has to attend.  Dan agreed with the position posted for 35 hours per week.  He did some research on the position’s responsibilities.  Colton agrees on the 75-thousand-dollar salary in hopes it attracts serious interest.  Robert explained that raising the tax rate by $1 raises 150 thousand dollars.  Dan would like the administrative position posted on Indeed & Berkshire Jobs.  Colton agrees to 35 hrs./ week. $70-75 thousand for the position.  Robert would like the job description condensed.  Dan agreed 35 hours a week was sufficient.  Dan researched what other towns were offering for Administrators and several different job descriptions pertaining to the position.  The board can use the information to compose the advertisement.   Colton asked if the residency requirement could be overlooked.  Dan said that could be taken out. Robert informed the board the state is making the grant process easier to navigate.  Chuck questioned the increase in the salary, if the money was budgeted.  Dan informed him it was budgeted last year.  Susan asked what Carl’s hours were.  Currently on the books he works 32 but Robert informed the board Carl works more than that.  Clebe questioned the budgeting of $75 thousand dollars.  The board informed him the Administrators salary increase occurred in May during negotiations.  Robert thanked everyone that attended the meeting.

Emily thinks the tax rate should be pushed out one more week.  Not next week, the week after.    John asked if the re assessing will affect the setting of the tax rate.  Emily said the entire town has been re assessed.  Every house in Clarksburg went up due to the market.  The new tax rate is what residents will be assessed on.  John asked about the property record card.  Property cards are available at Town Hall.  Emily explained all the details on the card.  The assessments will not be on the cards till after the 1st of the year.

Emily explained the 22D property tax exemption.  It is an exemption for Veterans surviving spouses (who have never remarried) of (1) military personnel (including members of the National Guard on active duty) who went missing in action during active duty and are presumed to have died, or (2) military personnel (including members of the National Guard on active duty) or veterans who died as a proximate result of an injuries sustained or illnesses contracted during active duty service.  Only one resident currently qualifies.  This is for an exemption for real estate taxes.  Colton motioned to approve, Dan second, motion carried.

Robert motioned to adjourn the meeting at 5:41pm.

A TRUE RECORD ATTEST,

Rachelle Bleau, Administrative Assistant

SELECTBOARD,

__________________________     ____________________________    ____________________________

   Robert Norcross, Chair                           Dan Haskins                                Colton Andrews