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Hamilton Select Board prioritizes cell coverage, town hall move and digitization in 2025 goals
Summary
In a wide-ranging workshop the Select Board identified three near-term infrastructure priorities: move into the renovated town hall next year and use the relocation to modernize operations; pursue a second public cell tower within 12 months; and scope a records digitization plan and a new website for better public communications.
The Hamilton Select Board used its Aug. 13 workshop to highlight a short list of infrastructure and service priorities members want the manager to turn into measurable goals. The top items were securing improved cell coverage, finishing the new town hall move and establishing a realistic digitization plan for town records and the website.
Cell coverage and tower siting: Board members said obtaining a second public cell tower is actionable within the next 12 months. Manager Joel reported carrier Everest is preparing a special-permit application for a site on public safety property but that underground drainage and buried infrastructure require a new site selection process and a site walk ("sidewalk") before formal filings. Members asked for RF coverage maps and an updated permitting timeline prior to permitting filings.
Town Hall move and operations: Construction milestones reported included drywall and interior framing; members expect occupancy within roughly a year and asked the manager to use the move as an opportunity to improve internal workflows, digitization and public-facing services. The manager proposed a public color poll for interior accent colors and asked for a budget estimate to digitize stored records.
Digitization and website: The town owns records-management software but lacks staffing and a defined scope; manager said a pilot using interns or short-term contractors to scan existing, centrally stored records would be feasible and asked the board for budget direction. The board also discussed moving to a modern municipal website platform (e.g., CivicPlus) to host a simple project tracker and enhance public access.
Other priorities noted: sidewalks and targeted Complete Streets funding, upgrades to Pat Park facilities (bathrooms, gazebo) through phased work and potential community partnership, and near-term negotiations for trash-hauling contracts before the next contract expiry.
Next steps: The manager will return with cost estimates, a recommended timeline for the cell-tower application and proposed digitization budgets so the board can fold the items into its prioritized goals for Sept. 8.
