Members Present: Rob Browne and Lauchlin Titus

Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, John Melrose, Dick Phippen, Bill Brown, Town Clerk Cathy Coyne, Charlie Hartman (1:03) and Larissa Batchelder (1:05)

1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. The special meeting was called to fill the vacancy on the Select Board, created by the recent passing of Board Member and Chairman Phil Haines. A motion was made by R. Browne to nominate Lauchlin Titus to serve as Chairman. The motion was seconded by L. Titus and voted unanimously by the Board.

2. Process to fill vacancy on the Board – Chairman Titus asked Sabins to explain the process to fill the vacancy. Sabins explained that the Board has three options: 1. Do nothing now and wait for the regular election nomination paper cycle to begin in March.  This means the two remaining Selectmen would have to attend every meeting between now and June to conduct town business, or cancel the meeting for lack of a quorum.  2.  Call a regular election now with the full 85 days for the process (like what is done in March, only it would be done now with an election likely in late December requiring a minimum of 125 votes cast for a special town meeting election). OR 3.  Call for an election now with a shortened nomination process (RECOMMENDED).  Both options 2 and 3 are to fill the position until Phil’s term would have expired in 2018, and then we will have another regular election cycle that will begin in March for this position for the full three year term. Discussion was then given about each option before a motion was made by R. Browne, seconded by L. Titus, and voted unanimously to choose Option 3 with the shortened nomination process so that the election can be held on November 7th, the same day as the State Referendum Election. The Board then signed the Notice of Shortened Nomination Process that is required and that will be posted in the places about town where notice of town meetings are posted. Sabins reiterated to the audience that nomination papers will become available on Monday, October 2, 2017, at 8:00 a.m., with a filing deadline of Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.

3. Municipal Election Warrant – On a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to sign the warrant calling for the Municipal Election to be held on November 7, 2017.

4. Treasurer’s Warrants – On a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to approve warrant #21.

5. Other – 1. On a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by L. Titus, the Board voted unanimously to make a $100 donation to the American Lung Association in Memory of Phil Haines. 2. Sabins informed the Board that a request for financial assistance may be requested by members of the public in the near future to dispose of debris in a room at the woolen mill to make room for a community clothing closet where free clothes will be distributed. More information will be forthcoming. 3. Sabins informed the Board that the Town has been notified that we have won first place in the MMA Town Report Competition again this year. 4. Sabins informed the Board that possible changes in services and interest rates may be forthcoming from the Credit Union where we are doing business now. 5. The Board approved the purchase of delivered flowers for a public works staff member who is recovering from surgery.

6. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 1:17 p.m.

/mss

These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 10/19/17 with the following amendments: None.