November 9, 2021

“MOTION made by Mr. Kitchin, seconded by Mr. Heim to approve the open session meeting minutes dated October 26, 2021. ALL IN FAVOR - MAJORITY Release Executive Session Minutes of August 24, 2021 MOTION made by.” (Motion: Kitchin, second: Heim)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

“MOTION made by Mr. Kitchin, seconded by Mr. Carreiro to release the Executive Session meeting minutes dated August 24, 2021. ALL-IN FAVOR - MAJORITY Town Administrator's Report Town Hall Annex Ms. Aronstein discussed some of the recent issues with the Town Hall Annex, including parts of the ceiling falling in, and the Town conducting an asbestos test, which was negative; as well as an air quality test which reported a concerning amount of mold. She discussed one of the actions that have been taken was moving the Veterans Office to the Council on Aging building. She stated the Town Hall Annex being closed November 9, 2021 and November 10, 2021, for mold remediation services, and said the Town Hall Annex Departments are working remotely during this closure. Ms. Aronstein discussed some additional issues regarding the Town Hall Annex which are not being repaired, such as the foundation and the sub pumps, making the building not worth saving. She discussed and presented the idea for the Board's approval of modular buildings to house the Town Hall Annex department, stating the Town received a waiver from the Division of Capital Assets Management due to the emergency status of the building. She stated she received three quotes for the modular buildings, and chose to move forward with William Scotsman, Inc. She 2 discussed the initial costs for the delivery and set-up, and stated the monthly leasing costs for the modular units will require a transfer from the Advisory and Finance Committee, Mr. Kitchin inquired how long the modular units would need to be utilized for the Town Annex Departments. Ms. Aronstein discussed the term of the proposed lease is three years, stating that would provide enough time to determine the next steps for the Town Hall project. Mr. Kitchin stated the Town does not have much of a choice but to move forward with the plan for modular units, Mr. Carreiro discussed not wanting to have the modular units as a long-term remedy to the current issues of the Town Hall Annex, and discussed modular units usually being used for temporary housing of offices for construction projects, and should not be used as a long-term solution. Mr. Carreiro stated he would like to limit the commitment term as much as possible, requesting a shorter lease term; and discussed the idea of possibly leasing a space temporarily. Mr. Heim discussed the Town Hall Annex building failing over the last several years. He stated he also does not want these modular units to become a long-term remedy, and that these modulars would be a temporary solution. He discussed the three-year timeline for the modulars proposal being the amount of time it may take to finalize a plan for a new Town Hall building. Ms. Aronstein discussed the option of issuing a Request for Proposal for leasing of office space to house the Town Hall Annex department, and lessening the term of the lease for the modular units. Mr. Carreiro inquired if Ms. Aronstein could request quotes for a yearly lease, a month-to-month lease, and the renewal cost. Ms. Aronstein agreed to provide additional quotes for shorter lease terms. Mr. Carreiro discussed the idea of long-term leasing of office space for the Town, and discussed there could be additional spaces that would be available for leasing, rather than building or purchasing a space. The decision was made to postpone this vote until the next Board of Selectmen's Meeting, in order to review additional options for the proposal. Vote to Authorize the Town Administrator to Execute Purchase & Sales Agreement - Rousseau Farm.” (Motion: Kitchin, second: Carreiro)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)