Town of Otis
All Boards Meeting Minutes
June 28, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm.
Present: Chairman Andy Pyenson, Chris Morris, Don Hawley, JoAnn Austin, Bob Rocke, Barry Weinsein, Anita Weinstein, Howard Levin, Roberta Sarnacki, Russ Loring, Hank Wingate, Chris Bouchard, Bill Dyer, Diane Dyer, Lisa D'Orazio
The Select Board commended everyone on the Bicentennial - it was a hell of a weekend and everyone did a GREAT job.
School: Last Friday was the last day of school for students for the year. All of the positions left open due to retirements have been filled with licensed personnel. Chris Vreeland's Energy Audit now needs engineering help to become a Request for Proposal (RFP) so it can go out for bids for fixing the problems. The driveway has a drainage problem at the bottom of the drive - the drain for the catch basin is not gathering the water overflow. New carpeting is going in on the second floor. Surplus computers have been donated to someone who will reuse the components.
Technology: The new anti-virus software has arrived and the specifications for the five new computers are set for ordering right after the first. The new computers will come in at around $2500.00. Lisa reported she attended the Wired West meeting, which was the first for all town delegates. The main point of information from this meeting is that Wired West now will begin to organize itself into a separate governing body so contracts with the towns can be developed which will then enable the delegates to vote for each town as a viable governing entity for passing of bylaws, etc. EC Fiber from Vermont was also present at that meeting to guide Wired West through its next steps. Bob Rocke reported that Massachusetts Broadband Institute was still waiting to hear if round two of the
federal funding for the middle mile fiber installation will be awarded. Don Hawley requested the committee look into getting a good sound system for the town, hopefully with one wired microphone and three wireless mikes. Don's looking for a quality portable system.
Assessors: The group is getting everything together to set next year's tax rate. No one has had any problems with anything.
Bicentennial: Now that it is over, they are finalizing their actual budget and paying off some bills. Don Hawley wanted to know if they had considered planting a time capsule for the town's 250th birthday, or another future event? All present decided this should be a town thing, not a school thing.
Fire Dept: It's been kind of quiet with only a few minor calls. They've been invited to Tolland's Bicentennial.
Highway Dept: Potholes have been patched. Their "go to" guy for road work has retired so they rented a tractor and have been doing the graveling themselves - it was more cost effective than finding a new contractor. The reclamation project for the cemetery is just waiting for a date to be set. The new truck (leftover 2009) will be coming in with a stainless steel sander, extended warranty, and a roll-off body. The dump body has to be built. Don Hawley wanted to know if Highway had time to dig the frost wall and slab for the new transfer station building, or should the town put that out for bid? Chris said he had the manpower and certification to handle that job. They are also planning to do the septic there as well and are getting their certification for that. They hope to have
it done by fall and will discuss it when the Energy meetings begin again.
Historical: Hank mentioned the town did a heck of a job with the trails and the whole Bicentennial. Regarding the status of designating the Knox Trail as a scenic way, Chris Bouchard says Mass. Highway and Bay State Roads suggested we do sections, because we won't be able to maintain roads if the whole trail is designated as a scenic way, and state roads cross the trail also. But it may prove to be an all or nothing situation. Recreation is ready to go on the "65 Mile Marker" work. They are putting in a car parking area nearby with graveled paths to the scenic walkway. The walking path will extend about a half mile from Algerie Road at the Blandford line, past the marker, and on to the brook.
Library: They received their new shelves and new desk and got rid of the old desk that was falling apart. They are moving forward with CWMARS. The Going Green program for kids begins July 15th, there is a field trip to Williams Stone Quarry to learn about the wind turbine, and other events. The July Library Fair is coming up - they've been inundated with calls from vendors after advertising on Craig's List. Chris Morris is to get permission from the Congregational Church to work as their agent so we can move forward with designating the group of buildings as a public water supply. The library needs to make the board aware of getting appraisals for the museum's pieces to keep the items properly insured.
Planning Board: The list of currently maintained town roads was presented to the Board and the currently maintained roads were approved by the Planning Board. This meeting was also attended by the Highway Supervisor and the Select Board. The remaining roads (not currently maintained by the town) still need to be addressed.
Police: The CHiPs program at the Bicentennial was a great success, the July 4th weekend is coming up and they're gearing up for that. Then there's the Library Fair, the Tolland Bicentennial, and the ORPOA fireworks the following weekend. Then there is the Otis Arts Festival in July, and Public Safety Day at Papa's in August. Andy reminded the Chief that the old cruiser needs to be parked at the Town Garage. Barry Weinstein also noted that the Tannery Road egress from the Bicentennial fireworks was phenomenal - vehicles were moved out of there quickly, people had walkways to get back to their cars, and there were no problems or incidents. Don Hawley agreed - he said it was better than leaving a professional game. Howard Levin wanted to know how emergency services are dispatched to the
Woodlands for the Sandisfield residents. Chief Sarnacki responded that Sandisfield would be notified, but with mutual aid, it would more likely be an Otis responder because of proximity. Chief Sarnacki also discussed an ongoing incident at the Izaak Walton field. Andy requested the old cruiser be taken off the road, parked at the Town Garage, and the plates taken off.
Recreation: They are ready to begin working on the Knox Trail. Due to the Town Hall renovations and the school being unavailable in August, the Recreation activities will be at Mountain View Campgrounds clubhouse for August. The abatement should begin in three weeks, Salco should be able to begin a week later, then the HVAC will be done - the town is still hoping we'll be able to meet the September 1st target completion date for the renovations. Bill then asked what do we do with boat moorings, how do we handle this? They are beginning to encroach on the swimming area at the Town Beach and they are supposed to be 75' away from any designated swim area. Recreation asked the Selectmen to handle this because Rec. has no authority. Chris Morris said he'd get in touch with DCR about
this. Don Hawley recommended we put a second rope line around the swim area line to visibly show where the 75 foot boundary is.
Scholarship: Donation monies were given to the Library for their children's reading program. The school couldn't take it because the donation was for Otis only and the school can't segregate how the money is utilized.
School Committee: Things are going along well - great job with the hiring of new teacher's.
Town Accountant & Treasurer: Lisa D'Orazio reminded everyone of the deadlines set by the Accountant and Treasurer for submitting Fiscal Year 2010 bills and monies. Highway Dept. praised both positions for the discovery that not all funds had been received for the ice storm. The discovery was made in early May, which gave Chris Bouchard time to recover the missing reimbursements by the end of June.
Zoning Board: No meeting for July - there hasn't been a meeting since May - no one is coming before us. There will be an August meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:58 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa D'Orazio
Selectmen's Secretary
Town of Otis
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