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Date: 11/27/2023
WESTHAMPTON — In a winning outcome for both the town and resident Christopher Alexander, the Selectboard authorized the local man to take advantage of an internship with the town’s Highway Department, available through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Co-op Reimbursement Program.
Alexander, a Reservoir Road resident, was excited about the chance to gain experience in roadwork as he gets his licensing paid for by the state.
“What they’re giving me now is getting my CDL paid for and my hoisting license paid for,” Alexander said. “It seems like a win-win. I’m still getting paid and the town is getting reimbursed.”
Alexander first went to the local Highway Department because the town benefits. The town will be reimbursed for the wages he gets paid while in the internship program. The program requires he be in good academic standing and that his teachers agree to his participation. He anticipates no problems and will begin working through the internship program in January.
Alexander is excited about working in the cold months. “I would like to begin working right away,” Alexander said. “I would like to see the winter side of stuff.”
Administrative Assistant Douglas Finn replied, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Discussion turned to setting up two new committees, a master implementation committee and a real property and maintenance committee. The implementation committee follows upon the recent adoption of the town’s Master Plan. The group will work to ensure the findings of the Master Plan are used to guide future decisions.
“The implementation committee is a group of people who will oversee the implementation of the comprehensive master plan,” Finn said. “The master plan was just approved by the Planning Board. The implementation committee’s duty will be to see that the plan is actually put into action.”
Teri Anderson, former member of the Selectboard and current member of the Municipal Vulnerability Planning Committee, was a driving force behind the writing and adoption of the master plan. Anderson told the board the implementation committee needed a representative from each body in town. Board members were uncertain that was a good idea.
“I personally think 17 people is large,” said Selectboard member Scott Johndrow. “It’s going to be difficult to deal with. I think a smaller group would be easier.”
Selectboard Chair Maureen Dempsey suggested each group be prompted to appoint a representative as a liaison to the new committee. Selectboard member Susan Bronstein suggested a core group of six or seven members be the initial focus. Finn said the town is a little behind in setting up the group for a January start, considering the Selectboard has two meetings in December, two chances to establish the committee with a vote.
Anderson also informed the board the Master Plan won an award from the American Planning Association. The consultant on the plan, Weston & Sampson, nominated the plan. Anderson and Bronstein will accept the award for the town.
The board also discussed setting up a committee for maintenance of town buildings and property. Finn said a real property and maintenance committee addresses needs that a capital investment committee does not.
“In lots of towns and cities the capital investment committee does not look at real property, real assets, things like schools or town hall, or components or sub-assemblies of those buildings, like roofs and heating systems,” Finn said. “That’s what we’re trying to do, put together a plan that addresses our buildings and our real property, [that] develops a plan for their maintenance and, when necessary, their replacement.”
Former Selectboard Chair Phillip Dowling suggested the time is ripe for a property and maintenance committee. He’s been involved in town maintenance efforts for some time.
“I’ve been doing it for eight or nine years, but I could let it go if someone else wanted to do it,” Dowling said. “It needs a meeting now. This is the sweet spot in time to pull the numbers together.”
Finn said the property and maintenance committee will be a small group of people tasked with looking at the buildings owned by the town. The committee will develop a schedule for specific repairs and anticipated maintenance needs. The schedule, Finn said, will have to take into account funding sources, which may involve bonding, borrowing or free cash. A work schedule may depend on timing for grants, when the money is received and reporting requirements.