New Ashford Select Board appoints tax collector, fills Board of Health vacancy and approves early voting hours

The New Ashford Select Board on Sept. 16 appointed Lori Jayko to fill the town’s vacant tax collector post and unanimously approved a nomination to fill a Board of Health seat, while also authorizing the early voting hours the town will offer for upcoming elections.

Mark Phelps, Select Board member, moved to appoint Lori Jayko as tax collector to fill Brandy Jaro’s position and to invoke the rule of necessity allowing Chair Jason Jayko to vote in the absence of Ken McInerney; Chair Jason Jayko seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The board noted that the motor-vehicle excise portion of the Vadar system should be active this week, Jason Jayko said, and that the town received a second extract from Catalis; as of Sept. 3 nothing had been entered into Collect Pro.

The change to the Board of Health came during public comment when resident Richard George asked whether the vacancy would be filled before an Oct. 10 orientation. Mark Phelps nominated Helen Majchrowski to complete Kurt Singer’s term; Jason Jayko seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Town Clerk Susan Supranowicz told the board she is organizing election staffing and is awaiting confirmation from the Lanesboro police chief about providing an officer for election-day coverage (the position would be paid from a grant). Supranowicz said state rules require at least four hours of early voting on one weekend, four hours on another weekend and that 25% of the clerk’s worked hours be made available for early voting; the Select Board voted to approve the hours needed to meet those state requirements.

The board also appointed Mary-Teresa Forstati to the Board of Registrars and then appointed her as constable on motions by Jason Jayko and Mark Phelps; both motions passed unanimously.

On infrastructure and maintenance, Keith Lacasse, the road commissioner, reported a beaver-related blockage on Ingraham Road that has filled the north side of the brook with debris and mud at the fire department’s drafting site; Lacasse said he will clear the debris by the end of the week. Lacasse also said he will fill potholes on town roads, have Donovon finish a section of Ingraham Road, clean swales on Beach Hill Road and coordinate tree and brush removal near the Salt Shed after Eversource sends a crew to cut back trees near wires. Lacasse said he can run a water line and open space for the gas company to run a propane line to the church and that he can install or replace exterior doors at the church and the fire station; door work will be on the next meeting agenda.

Chair Jason Jayko said he will prepare the warrant for a special town meeting and add the door-repair item; resident Robert Lyon volunteered to paint the fire station if the town supplies paint and Select Board member Mark Phelps will verify the cost.

Separately, the board reviewed a planned upgrade to the town’s internet/backhaul equipment set for Sept. 25 between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m., during which internet service could be down for up to half an hour. The upgrade will increase backhaul speed and will reduce the monthly cost to $1,600. Board members also noted town records need organizing and said a grant may be available to help.

The warrant was reviewed and signed. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.; the next Select Board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m.