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Date: 7/25/2023
WARE — The Selectboard hosted its July 18 meeting at Town Hall to discuss the recent request for proposal results for the water and wastewater facilities, Americans with Disabilities Act self-evaluations, public records policies, building maintenance, and new appointments to commissions.
Board member Kieth Kruckus began the meeting by mentioning that those who want to start a new business or have an existing business in the town should “reach out to the [Selectboard] if you are feeling discriminated against. All of our information is on the website and we want to be business-friendly.”
Mike Kennedy and Jim Mazik then presented the ADA plan. The main point was to provide solutions for citizens with disabilities in public areas. Issues covered included the proper width of door frames, emergency preparedness for people with disabilities, the heights of grab bars in restrooms, sidewalk obstructions, and more.
“We want to have accessible routes of travel within facilities,” said Mazik. He mentioned that the funding for these improvements would come from a planning grant provided by the Massachusetts Office of Disability. The plan would include starting on facilities that are used by the most people and pose the highest safety threat.
Next on the agenda was the updated public records policy, presented Human Resources Director Justine Caggiano.
Kruckas brought up concerns that certain private records were being handled improperly.
“This new policy would make rules about handling these materials clearer,” said Caggiano. The plan was passed with a unanimous vote.
The request for proposal results regarding the water and wastewater facilities in the town were discussed next. The town is looking to solve water and sewer problems with the sale of its water and wastewater assets, and began its search for a private utility to assume management of these systems through the RFP. The impetus behind this initiative is to unburden the town financially of water and sewer costs, along with greatly improving the safety, reliability and reducing the cost to residents and businesses for water and sewer services. However, the town only received one bid.
“Even though the board feels one option isn’t enough competition, one is all we have at this point,” said Town Manager Stuart Beckley.
While a public forum related to the RFP took place in June, Beckley suggested that the board hold another one soon to allow the public to ask questions regarding the current proposal.
A general discussion regarding a new Building Maintenance Department was next.
“The board came up with a $50k to $52k salary for this position but the current budget only allows for $20k a year,” said Kruckas.
He also asked what the new hire would use for a vehicle, tools, a shop space, and how the town would pay for these expenses.
“The new hire would have a desk located at the DPW office and use their personal vehicle as a method of transportation. The mileage would be covered by the town,” answered Beckley.
He said while the town should provide the new hire with tools, they would have to assess what would be needed after hiring.
“There are smaller improvements that you can do with a screwdriver. Those types of upgrades would be first,” said Beckley.
A motion to appoint four new members to three committees was next at the meeting. Kathleen Deschamps, Shayne Pedercini, and Denise Blodgett’s request for Community Development Authority was passed along with Pedercini’s request for Agriculture and Youth Committee and Robert Krasnecky’s request for Conservation Commission.
The meeting ended with the town manager’s report.
Beckley mentioned that he had viewed the Hardwick Board of Selectmen meeting and taken notes on their recent presentation regarding the expansion of a landfill.
“This relates to Ware because it’s a long-running brook that leads into our main water supply. While it would be a three-year process to get approval, it’s something very much worth paying attention to in terms of protecting our drinking water,” said Beckley.
Finally, Beckley explained that the abandoned properties on West Street, Aspen Court, and Main Street will be dealt with in the foreseeable future.
“We’re persuading the owners on Main Street to take it down themselves and the property on West Street is still in Land Court. The owner of Aspen Court will be asked to put up a fence and the others will be removed or auctioned off,” said Beckley.
“I want to remind everyone that the next meeting was pushed to Aug. 8 due to National Night Out that is happening on Aug. 1. I encourage everyone to come out from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Grenville Park,” said Beckley.