Town of Warwick Selectboard November 21, 2016 Minutes Members present: Dawn Magi, Lawrence Pruyne Member via Remote Participation: James Erviti Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary and Town Clerk Rosa Fratangelo, Buildings and Energy Committee member Janice Kurkoski, Broadband Committee members Tom Wyatt and Scott Seago, Finance Committee member Steve Ruggiero, Jon Calcari I. Call to Order Chair Magi called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm in the Town Hall. II. Minutes Pruyne MOVED to approve the minutes of November 7, 2016 as printed. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0: Magi - AYE; Pruyne - AYE; Erviti - AYE. III.Presentations and Discussions 1. Green Communities and Energy Update --Young thanked Buildings and Energy Committee member Janice Kurkoski for taking the lead on the report on the Green Communities grant which is due by December 2nd to the Department of Environmental Resources (DOER). Kurkoski explained that the seventeen-tab spreadsheet constitutes the report that is due annually to DOER. She said that since 2014 $88,000.00 of the Green Communities grant money has been spent, mostly on weatherization of all Town buildings and the heat pump in the Police station. Kurkoski said that Warwick had agreed to reduce out town-wide energy use by 20% in five years, beginning in 2013. She said that since 2013 energy use is down by 21.5% in the municipal buildings, noting an overall reduction in energy usage of 45% since 2007. Kurkoski pointed out that vehicle fuel usage is figured in as well, so the energy usage in buildings needs to be further reduced to offset this. Ways to reduce fuel consumption in Town vehicles was briefly discussed, including the suggestions to consolidate trips taken in the vehicles, eliminate idling, having items delivered rather than driving to pick them up, and possible use of more private contractors for plowing snow. Kurkoski said that one home has been built since the Town adopted the Stretch Code in 2014, and noted that there are less complaints from contractors about the code as they become more used to working with its requirements. She also pointed out that residential use of solar systems has increased to about 10% of all households. Kurkoski concluded by saying that installing air source heat pumps for the four Town Hall offices and the Highway office are the next step towards further reducing energy usage. This will be paid for with remaining grant funds. Pruyne MOVED to accept the Green Communities Report given by Janice Kurkoski and to authorize the Board Chair to sign the document. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0: Magi - AYE; Pruyne - AYE; Erviti - AYE. 2. Warwick Net Meter Host--Young showed the Board photos of the solar project in West Brookfield that is under construction but expected to meet the completion deadline of January 1, 2017. He said that in February of 2017 we will be getting a 22% discount on our electric bills because WCS and municipal buildings are contracted under a net meter credit purchasing agreement for 78 cents on the dollar. 3. Broadband--Young said that the Selectboard has yet to vote their approval of the employment of Jason Cook for Warwick Broadband. He said that Cook has been a valuable asset in documenting the network. Pruyne MOVED to accept the employment of Jason Cook for Warwick Broadband at the starting pay rate of $16.00 per hour Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0: Magi - AYE; Pruyne - AYE; Erviti - AYE. 4. Broadband Committee-- Tom Wyatt said that the committee met last week to discuss its role going forward. He said that the primary role had been focusing on research of internet service options but since that is not a current priority the committee needs to figure out in what direction to go next. Wyatt suggested advising the Selectboard on policy issues such as pricing tiers, low income pricing and out of town subscribers. He also suggested assisting with communication with subscribers if the system goes down. Wyatt said that Young had brought up cell service as a possible priority for the Broadband Committee. He noted that with the current upgrade and the installation of more poles that could be used for cell service it seems timely to look into this. Wyatt asked the Board to what extent, if any, they want the committee to monitor the Broadband staff. Erviti said that at a minimum, he wanted quarterly financial reports for Warwick Broadband. Magi said that cell phone coverage is important and she would like the Broadband Committee to pursue possible options. Young said that a special permit or variance needs to be granted by the ZBA for all poles higher than 60 feet, which would be required for cell service. Young and Scott Seago concurred that higher poles would benefit broadband by clearing the tree line and allowing for better signal. Pruyne said that a former Broadband Committee member suggested to him that a halftime managerial position be created to take over some of Young's broadband responsibilities and allow him more time for his Town Coordinator position. Young said that they won't find one person who can do what he, Jason Cook, David Koester, John Bradford and Ray Lemek do now, especially at their collective current pay rates. Finance Committee member Steve Ruggiero suggested putting something in the newsletter for those with internet experience as a way to gauge interest and qualifications. Wyatt said that he had put something in for the next newsletter inviting people to attend the December 12th Broadband Committee meeting as the topic will be cell service. 5. Broadband Financial Update -- Young explained in great detail the financial reports for Warwick Broadband. He covered both expenses and income. Young said that to date $83,096.09 has been spent on parts and labor for the upgrade. Accrued income was $39,989.45, actual expense totaled $25,560.55 and net income was $13,989.45. Because all figures were not calculated to the same date, Erviti said that a date had to be picked and a full report given up to that date for all expenses and income; Young concurred. 6. Report on Grants--Young said that he applied for a grant from MIAA for Police Department dash cams and body cams as well as an equipment maintenance survey. He said that he has not yet heard, although a decision was expected by November 18th. The Town received a $3,000.00 grant from the DEP to create a recycling shed for products containing mercury. Young said he will meet with the Transfer Station Commissioners. Warwick also received a Cultural Council grant of $4,400.00. 7. Selectboard Reports-- There were no reports given this meeting. 8. Coordinator Report--Young said that the Planning Board has submitted a draft of recommendations on hazard trees, which will be on the next agenda. He said that former Tree Warden Sharon Matthews is interested in filling the current vacancy. Magi asked about taking action on abandoned properties. Young noted that FRCOG has environmental site remediation funding for clean-up of such properties, and said that he needs to confer with the Treasurer to establish how long taxes must be in arrears before commencing to foreclose, as all properties must be treated equally. 9. Public Comment--None. 10. New and Other Business Unanticipated at Time of Meeting Posting --Pruyne asked Erviti for an update on his recovery. Erviti said that he does not know when he will be able to attend meetings in person again, and that he has been told that it will take one year for him to return to his pre-accident condition. IV.Adjournment At 7:32 p.m., Pruyne MOVED to adjourn. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0: Magi - AYE; Pruyne - AYE; Erviti - AYE. Documents consulted at this meeting: *Draft Minutes of Selectboard meeting of November 7, 2016 *Coordinator Report dated November 17, 2016 *Coordinator Report on Broadband *Photos of solar project in West Brookfield, MA *Sub Account History by Month: Town of Warwick Broadband dated November 14, 2016 *Income Statement for Warwick Broadband from 7/1/16 to 10/31/16 *Town of Warwick FY 2017 Other Funds Expense Report dated November 11, 2016 *Town of Warwick FY 2017 Other Funds Revenue Report dated November 14, 2016 *Sub Account Expense Detail for Broadband Expenses dated November 2, 2016 *Sub Account History by Month (revenue) Town of Warwick FY 2017 dated November 9, 2016 *Letter to Sharon Matthews from David Young Re: Tree Warden vacancy *Emails between Henry H. Williams III and David Young, dated November 16, 2016 and November 17, 2016 Re: free cash