Russell Police Chief Kevin Hennessey meets with selectmen Wayne Precanico and Thomas Kulig on June 23.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
RUSSELL — During the Russell Board of Selectmen’s meeting on July 24, Thomas Kulig and Wayne Precanico reviewed highway and police updates, proposed usages of the former Russell Elementary School and approved an expenditure of American Recovery Plan Act funds. Member Gloria Farrell was not present at the meeting.
On a report from the Highway Department, a tentative date of Aug. 12 was given to shut down General Knox Road for anticipated work. According to the June 11 minutes, General Knox Road realignment project bids were evaluated by Tighe & Bond, which recommended awarding the contract to Rifenburg Contracting Corp. in the amount of $750,420, which passed on a motion of 3 to 0. The project is expected to last for three to four months.
Police Chief Kevin Hennessey reported that the new police garage at the public safety complex in the former Russell Elementary School is 99% complete, and just needs some final work, including sealing the floors and adding electrical components not in the original plan. A formal opening of the garage will be scheduled with state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) in attendance.
Hennessey said a candidate for a part-time police position was interviewed. He said the candidate had been in the department before and wants to return, and he would like to bring him before the board. The new officer would work on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hennessey said the department is planning the sixth annual Russell Police Department Family Fun Day and Car Show in Strathmore Park on Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is looking for volunteers to help. He said the police would like local businesses to become involved.
The Selectmen approved the expenditure of $24,000 in ARPA funds for a fence in the town cemetery. Administrative assistant Nancy Boersig said the fence is ready to go and will be light gray. She said the cost should be less than the full $24,000.
Kulig reported that representatives of the Hilltown Community Health Center met with him to look at the possibility of renting a classroom in the former school for the Hilltown Family Center. He said they liked the space, but have not gotten back to him regarding their interest in pursuing it.
There was a discussion about whether police bringing prisoners in and out of the building would conflict with the health center hosting public programs there. Kulig said the classroom under consideration is on the other side of the building from the police entrance, and the organization liked having the Police Department on site. He said Hilltown Community Health Center also liked the playground.
Boersig said the rental would be for one classroom. Previously, the organization had looked at renting a suite of classrooms. She said Hilltown Family Services has to move out of its building at 9 Russell Rd., Huntington, which is slated to be sold.
Precanico said the fourth quarter report from the Hilltown Community Ambulance for Russell shows the ambulance corps responded to 31 calls out of 34 at a paramedic level. He said he is going to ask the director to provide the report for the entire district and not just for the town of Russell.
