Erving Select Board mandates masks in town buildings, hires per diem plow driver

ERVING -- January 3, 2021, Erving Select Board unanimously adopts mask mandate and hires per diem plow driver at its January 3 meeting. Chair Jacob Smith opened by citing a sharp rise in local COVID-19 cases, 11, 13, and then 23 over three consecutive weeks, before the board voted to require face coverings in all common spaces of town buildings and vehicles, effective January 5, 2022, until further notice. The board also appointed retired highway employee Jim Paulin at $26.21 per hour for emergency snow clearing through the end of the fiscal year 2022 winter season, citing potential COVID-related staffing shortfalls. In a lengthy joint session with the Finance Committee, municipal advisor David presented four financing scenarios for the Arch Street sewer force main, ranging from a 20-year general obligation bond of roughly $1.57 million at approximately $541,000 in total interest, to a hybrid approach drawing $1 million from stabilization that could save the town roughly a quarter of a million dollars in carrying costs; no vote was taken. The board also accepted a $10,000 First Light public art grant and a $13,000 ADA improvement grant, and voted to continue the Highland Avenue road layout public hearing to January 24 pending a title search over a disputed 247-square-foot parcel.