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Date: 8/8/2022
BRIMFIELD – The town of Brimfield will host their first annual Community Appreciation Day on Aug. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. on the town green.
Anthony Soto, Select Board member, informed the public during their Aug. 1 meeting that the event will have live music, among other activities, in an effort to bring the community together.
Soto said they will be soliciting nominations for involved members from the community to be recognized that day, along with businesspeople. As this year is the statewide election, he shared that they have invited several candidates who are running for office to attend the event.
“We ask that you bring a lawn chair and a non-perishable item so we can donate it to the food pantry,” added Soto. “Come on down and have a good time.”
The first 50 attendees will receive a free t-shirt along with the volunteers.
Voting
A public hearing is set to take place on Aug. 15, during the Select Board meeting, to decide on whether the town will have mail in voting. Regardless of the outcome, Town Clerk Debra Fagerstrom assured that absentee ballots will still be available.
On Aug. 24, a caucus will take place at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall.
The town elections will take place on Oct. 1 at the Town Hall, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grant writer position
Martin Kelly, Select Board chair, shared that Melanie Acobe applied for the grant writer position. “She’s outstanding. She does it for the city of Springfield,” he said. Kelly noted that Acobe is asking for $65 an hour.
As this position is paid through American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] funds, Suzanne Collins, vice-chair, said she does not think the town has the time to fill out all the paperwork required.
However, Collins made a motion to accept Acobe as a grant writer for the town from APRA funds, for 184 hours at $65 an hour.
The motion was unanimously approved by the board.
Police Chief Search
Kelly explained that they are working to put together a job description for the police chief position.
He went on to say that he has spoken to local chiefs and retired troopers who have assisted with gathering information. Although it was not his personal decision to bring in a search committee, Kelly said, “I’d like the blessing of the board to involve these folks and [kind of just] have them as consultants so if we have questions, issues, or concerns, they can answer stuff that we wouldn’t necessarily know.”
At the next Select Board meeting, Kelly said he will bring some names forward and allow members to decide who will be utilized in the search for a new police chief.
Appointments
Police Chief Charles Kuss was reappointed through Nov. 30, 2022.
Laura Foster was appointed as treasurer-collector clerk. This is a 10 hour per week position.
Bob Datz submitted a letter of resignation from his position as Public Access Cable TV clerk/assistant. The Select Board accepted the resignation.