Hatfield Select Board Approves ARPA Carryover and Boosts First Responder Insurance

HATFIELD -- July 12, 2022, Hatfield Select Board approves ARPA carryover, insurance boost, and year-end transfers at packed July meeting. The board unanimously voted to carry forward roughly $9,000 in unspent American Rescue Plan Act funds for fire department ambulance staffing beyond the original June 30 deadline, and approved an increase in accidental death and dismemberment coverage for career police and fire employees from $50,000 to $689,000 at an added annual cost of $723. Sitting jointly with the Finance Committee, the board approved $73,490.14 in fiscal year 2022 end-of-year budget transfers, the largest share being $37,105.50 for facilities costs including utilities and a new handicapped-access door. Black Birch Vineyard received expanded entertainment license hours, indoor and outdoor music from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, consistent with a February 2022 Planning Board site plan approval. Residents Terry and Jeff Barnes presented a roughly 48-household petition opposing a proposed fire training facility near town wells, a proposal Fire Chief Bob Flaherty said remains in early stages and has not yet been formally submitted to the board.