Select Board approves curbside contract, transfer-station furnace and tables proposed Taser purchase

The Select Board met at the town office and approved a curbside-collection contract with Somerset Disposal Service, accepted a bid to replace the transfer‑station waste‑oil furnace and approved several routine appointments and licenses, while tabling a proposed five‑year Taser procurement for further clarification.

The board voted to approve the curbside contract after staff and board members agreed to two edits: move the start/end time window for curbside pickup one hour later for early operations, and add language allowing non‑mechanically discharging vehicles for outlying areas if approved by the town manager or their designate. Staff said Somerset will have seven days after signing to provide routes and schedules. The contract sets weekly trash pickup and biweekly recycling pickup, per the board’s motion to approve the contract with the noted updates.

On equipment, the board approved the recommended larger replacement for the transfer‑station waste‑oil furnace at a bid of $18,381.93, noting that the installation will require a new 240‑volt/30‑amp circuit and potentially other incidental costs such as chimney work. The board moved and approved purchase of the larger unit plus installation costs.

In other business the board approved multiple routine items: appointment of Jennifer Lynch to the planning board, appointment of ‘‘Bruce’’ to the Spruce Mountain board of directors, and renewals for VFW Post 3335’s special amusement and liquor licenses. The board also approved putting two police cruisers up for bid “as is, where is.”

Police equipment discussion and Taser proposal A police representative briefed the board on gaps in current Tasers (described as legacy equipment no longer fully supported) and presented a vendor bundle for replacement. The presenter said the bundled offer covers cartridges, batteries and holsters and includes replacement of expended cartridges. The initial vendor quote covered 10 units and was described in the meeting transcript as $64,998 for taser hardware plus a $6,400 add‑on for instructor permits and a virtual‑reality training package, totaling $71,398 for five years (about $14,279.60 per year). The presenter said, “That quote right there is for 10.”

Board members pressed for clarification on how many units to purchase, whether to buy all at once or phase purchases over years, and whether the expense should be charged to a regular operating account or a capital account because the equipment has a multi‑year lifespan. One member asked whether the five‑year contract requires explicit board approval; staff noted that a multi‑year contract does require board approval. After discussion, a motion to table the procurement until the next meeting passed.

Paving contract and pending legal review The board approved a paving contract (vendor name spoken in the meeting) but agreed to approval pending the town attorney’s review of a new standard terms and conditions section that was added this year. The motion was approved with the understanding that legal review remains outstanding.

Grants, staffing and next steps Staff updated the board on pending grant applications for infrastructure and for culvert construction on Alden and Davenport and said an energy‑efficiency grant application is due June 5 for insulation work at South Station. Several upcoming town hiring actions were noted, including openings in police, public works, the transfer station and town offices. Dates of interest listed at the meeting include a June 8 select board meeting and local events such as a Rock of Ages concert.

Votes at a glance - Minutes from May 11 and May 26: approved. - Planning board appointment — Jennifer Lynch: approved. - VFW Post 3335 special amusement permit: approved. - VFW Post 3335 liquor license renewal: approved. - Spruce Mountain board appointment (Bruce): approved. - Two police cruisers: motion to put out to bid approved. - Proposed Taser 5‑year contract (vendor bundle quoted at $71,398 for 10 units with $6,400 training add‑on): tabled for more information. - Transfer‑station furnace replacement: approved at $18,381.93 plus installation costs. - Somerset curbside collection contract (with edits): approved. - Paving contract: approved pending legal review.

The board adjourned after listing upcoming meeting dates; the next regular select board meeting is listed in the meeting notices as June 8.