Hatfield Select Board Approves Conservation Restrictions, Tax Title Spending Increase

HATFIELD — February 16, 2021 — Hatfield Select Board votes to double tax title spending cap and approves conservation restrictions on two parcels. At the February 16 remote meeting, the board unanimously raised the annual spending limit on the town's tax title revolving account from $25,000 to $50,000, after Treasurer-Collector Sharon Strzewski reported collecting $339,000 in delinquent tax title funds through February 3, with $647,000 still outstanding. The board also approved conservation restrictions on a 2.362-acre Old Stage Road parcel owned by Michael Toole and a 1.907-acre parcel on the Jog owned by Michael and Isabelle Marantz, both open to the public for hiking. Auditor Tony Roselli of Melanson and Heath reported the town's unassigned fund balance reached nearly $2.2 million — roughly 20 percent of expenses — while identifying approximately $500,000 in correctable deficits and variances that depressed free cash, including a $210,000 accounts receivable discrepancy he said should be resolved before the next audit cycle. The board appointed Nick Hebert to the Recreation Committee and Luke Longstreeth to the Conservation Commission, and accepted a Class 1 dealer license name change from Gander RV to Camping World RV Sales.