All Boards Meeting
November 24, 2008
The All Boards Meeting was called to order at 6:35pm.
Present: Clayton Chaffee, Donald Hawley, Andrew Pyenson, Chris Bouchard, Richie Phair, Arlene Tolopko, Sandy Pinkham, Robert Rocke, Diane Dyer, Bill Dyer, Karen Fink, Howard Levin, Bob & Joann Austin, Hank Wingate, Barry Weinstein, Joel Morris, Charles Harner, Ernie Hood, Larry & Terry Gould, Lyn & BJ O’Brien.
TREASURER: Karen Fink stated that everyone has been doing great on getting turnovers to her. Karen reminded everyone that she would like to receive turnovers every week or every two weeks. Everything else is going very well.
ZBA: Everything going very well.
Donald Hawley stated that December 1st , the Town Hall will be shut down Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It will reopen on Mondays. This is an effort to conserve energy. The Police Department will be the only department accessing the building.
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE: Robert Rocke was present to represent the Technology Committee. He stated that due to the Conflict of Interest Laws, he could no longer be Chairman of the Technology Committee and Computer Technician for the Town of Otis. However, he can be a voting member. Bob believes that Southern Berkshire Technology Group is ahead of any other technology group in Massachusetts and they are setting some of the policies. The goal is to put fiber optic networks throughout all of Massachusetts. This will definitely mean high speed internet by 2010.
PLANNING COMMITTEE: Howard Levin stated that it was pretty quiet. Making progress in the A&R area. Someone came to the Planning Board with an A&R for nine lots, two of the lots were what was typically called a “goat path”. Planning Board informed them that this was not an A&R because the town was not servicing the road. They came back a month later with .
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT: Joann Austin stated that the Southern Berkshire Regional District applied for a grant from the Department of Education and the Department of Ed is looking to create “super districts”. Unfortunately, when the article came out last week, the Superintendent from Berkshire Regional used Farmington River, Lee, Lenox, Richmond and a couple of other schools as example districts that might be called to meet with them once they got this grant. Joann has already spoken to the School Committee and wanted everyone to know here that she has not spoken to these people and that this is a rumor she would like to clear up. She stated that she is not even remotely interested in becoming another district with another district. Joann also stated that she spoke to the
Superintendent of the Berkshire Regional and asked her to be a little more careful about that type of communication she has with the press.
The Book Fair was a big success. Senior lunches have been moved to Tuesdays. They offered free computer classes to Sandisfield and no one has taken advantage of this. After the holidays, she will send out fliers to see if anyone in Otis would like to continue. The instrumental music classes have been successful. There are over 25 students who took advantage of this class.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles visited Joann. They do not like the rust on the van. This is one big budget issue she may be looking at this year. It will not pass inspection next year.
Jane Gleason, Joann and School Committee Members have been invited to meet with the Sandisfield Selectboard and Finance Board for a preliminary budget meeting on December 8th. Anyone else is welcome to come. Their first budget draft will be ready in January.
MCAS Scores were amongst the highest in the state.
SMART GROWTH: Terry Gould stated that a letter was sent to Selectmen regarding a master plan for By-Laws. They would like a consultation with Atty. Ed Partyka. Don Hawley asked if there was that much work to be done to the Town By-Laws. Terry stated no, it is just clarification of the wording and cleaning up some of the conflicting language. This would be invaluable to both Zoning and Planning.
LIBRARY: Bob Austin was present to discuss funds for Library. The Children’s room will be getting a makeover. The pancake breakfast was very heartwarming, it was on Sunday, November 9, 2008. There was over 170 people. There were estimated 54 veterans. The veterans were not charged for their breakfast. Ken Packie donated a wood carving of a bear. The overall cleared cost was $1,600.00. There was a steady stream of people. Many thanks to all.
MUSEUM: Hank Wingate wished to thank the Library for all their help with the museum. Hank went on with a lengthy discussion regarding the six grade boys who have had interests in the historical commission and the museum. He also discussed the map collection and he is looking into preserving the maps for future use.
HISTORICAL: Lyn Minery stated that the Historical Committee is at a standstill right now. Only two members were at the last meeting.
Joel Morris was present and passed out information regarding the Watson Pond herbicides that the Association wants to put in the water to control the weeds. His concern was that Big Pond and the Reservoir may be interested in doing the same.
POLICE: Chief Harner stated that the new officers are still in training and working out well.
RESCUE SQUAD: Rich Phair discussed the fact that the Rescue Squad is still working on the Waiver. Rich spoke to Chris Morris regarding the Waiver. They state came in to do an inspection today, The state official said they had not received all of the waiver request documents. However, in a follow up phone conversation the official stated that he recalled seeing them after all. The states biggest concern was lack of EMT’s.
HIGHWAY: Chris Bouchard stated that the Chapter 90 money is secured through 2010.
Highway Department has been busy with grading and the weather has not cooperated. Beavers were a problem this fall. They have fixed culverts on Lee-Westfield Road. They are finishing up the patchwork now. Two trucks are ready to sand. Chris stated that the new hire, BJ O’Brien, is working out well.
FIRE DEPT: Sandy stated the Fire Department is seeing an increase in Chimney fires this year. Most of the fires are from pellet stoves. Pellet stoves should be maintained more frequently than wood stoves. Sandy has obtain the new fire safety vests for each member.
Don Hawley stated that he signed contracts with WMECO for the incentive program that the town had through the WMECO energy audit for new lighting for the Otis Fire Department and Town Hall.
Howard Levin thanked the Fire Department for a call that was at the Otis Woodlands. He stated that Chris Bouchard showed up before the big truck and Howard thanked him for being available so quickly.
Don Hawley suggested reminding the public to clean their chimney. This reminder could go on the Fire Department website.
TOWN CLERK: Lyn Minery indicated that the election was a great turnout. The Clerks office is quiet now. She is working on 2009 census.
BUILDING INSPECTOR: Larry Gould stated that the inspections are quiet. He is working on liquor license inspections for the local establishments.
ASSESSORS: Russ Loring was present and stated that Klondike has all been assessed. This assessment allowed the town to pick up 74 new personal properties. Lee Marcella and Elaine Thomas did a great job on the new filing system.
Cultural Council: Arlene Tolopko stated that the Cultural Council reviewed 46 applications. They have accepted 24 of the 46 applicants with the condition that no funds can be finalized until they find if there are going to be any cutbacks from the state. The Cultural Council will be meeting at Broadway Pizza on December 7th at 9:00A.M.
RECREATIONAL COMMITTEE: Bill Dyer was present to discuss the Recreation Department. He announced that the Recreation Center will be open Tuesday-Friday through the winter months. He would also like to get programmable thermostats. Chairman Chaffee said the Maintenance Department will take care of that for him. Bill also wants to leave the skate park equipment out this year, as they are not planning on having the ice rink this year. Each year the Maintenance Department has to take it apart and it weakens the equipment each time it is moved.
Bill Dyer also would like to straighten out the beach testing this year. He would like to know who is testing it and how often. The Selectmen are going to discuss this with Peter Kolodziej and Donald Chaffee.
Don Hawley expressed concerns about the back door of the Recreation Department. He would like to see the door secured better. At this time, the door is being propped open so anyone can enter at any time of night. Bill will speak with Lee-Audio to see what can be done.
Discussion ensued regarding another solution to the card swipe system at the Town Hall. Chairman Chaffee stated, “that it needs to be fine-tuned.” Karen Fink expressed concerns with the system not working the way it should and there must be another alternative to propping the doors open.
Scholarship Committee: Nothing to report at this time.
Bicentennial Committee: Lyn Minery stated that they now have eleven flag design applications. They are currently looking for cookbook recipes for the Town of Otis Bicentennial Cookbook. Andrew Pyenson suggested asking the children at the school to come up with recipes. Discussion ensued regarding bicentennial parade and possible fireworks.
Richard Phair would like to have a plaque made in memory of Bob Clark, one of their most dedicated members for 30plus years. Chairman Chaffee suggested putting Bob Clark on the monument stone that they have been working on. The Fire Department will discuss further at their next meeting.
Meeting Adjourned 7:45 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Heather Venne
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