Coordinator Report June 16, 2016

Following a meeting between new MBI staffer Bill Ennen, Tom as chair of
Broadband Committee, and David; the Broadband committee met and voted to
request that the Selectboard proceed with full MBI grant funding now and
engage in MBI's financial stress test now not later. The committee
discussed and then voted that wireless is our affordable option and
Warwick should not wait to access funding. Ennen will try to get forward
funding so that our borrowing is last in and to the extent needed.
The Planning Board has offered clarification with respect to zoning and
its impact on poles on private land which says up to 60' they are not
regulated. Finally we got a legal opinion that when placing poles in the
town road right of way we don't have to follow the procedure used by
non-town utilities and can simply show where we intend to plant and hold
an informal hearing before constructing. I'd like the board to set date
of July 11 at 7 pm for an informal hearing on town poles to be installed
in the right of way.

We got legal notice of the sale of NMH forest land to MA DCR. Warwick
parcels comprise two parcels of 37 and 34 acres and the taxes $766 and
$704 respectively per year. When shifted from the tax role to state aid
PILOT, we will do a little better than currently remunerated. Towns have
first right of refusal on Chapter lands and can refuse to allow a grant
of a conservation restriction but this is drinking water protection and
we are in no way harmed.

Senator Rosenberg wrote to say that S2311 Zoning and Housing bill is not
moving forward this session. I wrote Representative Lee who thanked us
and said, "I'm sure many of my other rural towns feel the same way.   I
will watch for this as it progresses" The Planning Board sent a nice
letter. When this gets cooking next year I will propose a tiny town
exemption such as there is for the law that says you may not hold more
than one job.

Not much to report on the phone service update as I've gotten few or no
additional reports. I did advocate for a resident to assert the 911
requirement that 911 service be maintained on a cancelled land line and
discovered that unlike cellular regulation, this does not apply in MA
except while a bill is in dispute.  If you shut off your service they
can take away your dial tone. That lowest cost measured service is close
to $30 per month.

I'd like folk to take a few moments and review the MIT bike race because
they liked us and would consider a repeat next year if we are agreeable.


Highway we can discuss a Chapter 90 update if available and I request
the board authorize transfer of $4,000 per Chapter 44 Section 33B from
highway expense to highway wages (requires Fin Com approval also and
must be not be more than the lessor of $5k of 3% of department budget. I
have concern regarding readiness of town's rolling stock in terms of
maintenance and repair and would like to hear a plan ahead.

Notwithstanding wimpy editorial in the Recorder and Chairman Magi's
cogent letter to its editor, I offer this brief report on Pioneer
District. Over the past ten years many the unionized workforce, teacher
and aid, was pink slipped late every spring because the District didn't
have a budget. In FY15, 47 employees were noticed with reduction in
force notices. Most years three or four employees got notice. This year
no blanket RIF (reduction in workforce) notices were issued at Pioneer.
The superintendent personally handed each employee their new employment
contract. She has demonstrated with data that there is measurably lower
staff turnover than in previous years. The superintendent is responding
to bloated administrative, instructional, and support staffing. It is
within her power to deal with administrators who are not performing, not
supporting policies or being insubordinate. This is the underlying trend
she is addressing which is at root of many resignations. The Recorder
editorial is laughable as nobody was fired and the majority of school
committee is knowledgeable and support "what is going on". Repeat: The
School Committee is supportive of our new Superintendent. The few school
committee members who are confused may not be paying attention. That
never worked and it is going to become harder for them to remain
unprepared and make wishfully based judgement.  I suggest the Recorder
ask their newspaper carriers to approve all staffing changes at the
Recorder and name the paper's editor, and maybe write their editorials.

There was a final Ambulance meeting and I did not attend. The agreement
presented in advance is for three years. There is 90 day notice
requirement to terminate the agreement. A bill for the assessment must
be paid within 30 days of its postmark. From Warwick's perspective we
want a one year agreement. We can't sign a three year agreement except
subject to TM funding the bill each year. Finally, when we say warrant,
it is in the case of a Town Meeting Warrant a WARNING. However in the
case of paying the town's bills, it is a warranty that the bill is
legitimate and that goods or services have been rendered. Instead of
wasting my or anyones time, I will alter the contract to read one year.
If it is returned to us and we have to sign for three years we will add
a signing statement and each March 31 notice will be given Orange that
we haven't had our TM and are writing to give notice of termination
which may be rescinded following our TM vote. We paid the FY16 Ambulance
Donation last week. This agreement is designed to have the other town's
pay a part of Orange's fire department costs. I have an opinion of legal
counsel that we can't prepay them so if their invoice come for payment
in July we plan to pay 1/12 the annual amount at conclusion of each
month.

Here is something to think about. We now have more firetrucks than
qualified drivers of firetrucks. Should we be joining the discussion
going on around us seeking to meet the shortage of firefighters? The new
to us Fire Engine from Northfield passed review and purchase is on a
July 1 payment warrant. I almost let it fly this week and it would have
put our free cash down by the $25k purchase price.

Green Communities grant I have engaged Guardian for expediter services
for air source heat pumps for Town Hall. I note that FRCOG is offering
limited Technical Assistance for next phase of GC. We got notice most
recently on 6/15 and they want an answer by 6/20 so no time to go to
committee. I'll see what the time range for service under this award is
and if it makes sense to seek assistance for Round II now will move this
ahead.

Our Seaboard Net Meter Hosting Contract is being sold and split by
amendment. We don't get to buy credits from our project but that doesn't
matter to us because we are under another contract already. End of
December is still the light up date.

Solid waste district submitted almost $90k in grant requests to DEP on
behalf of member town's. Warwick is about $2,000 and include a 10,000#
scale for bulky weighting for Warwick.

So long to the Sachs family and our bicycle shop. They have moved to CT
to be able to help elderly family more easily. Thank you Dawn for
helping to perfect a loan release that was satisfied under a former
owner by not recorded and holding up their closing. In other real estate
news, the big new, long-empty house on Hastings Heights has been sold.