Town of Otis
Waste Water Treatment Plant Meeting
May 23, 2007
The Waste Water Treatment Plant Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
Present: Donald Hawley, Andrew Pyenson, Clayton Chaffee, Donald Chaffee, Peter Kolodziej, Gail Palmer, Christopher Bouchard and Larry Gould.
Don said all was working well. Still dealing with the grinder pump at the church where one side has collapsed and he will not know the extent of damage until it is removed. Discussion ensued as to solutions including connecting the church to the grinder pump at the Recreation Center, raising the pump, moving the pump, etc.
Don said the plant is running well. Permit is okay. Next month Don has to do VOC’s.
Chairman Hawley discussed the rumors that he has heard regarding issues between the highway department and the maintenance department. Don said that this winter, Peter had asked the highway department to sand the [transfer station] yard and Chris refused. Chris noted that the only time he was asked, it was 2:30 on a Sunday afternoon and he told Peter that the highway department had left a load of sand at the yard just for such an occasion. Chris noted that he could not deal with the problem at that specific time, there was only one spot that needed attention, and that Peter could have rectified the problem by using the sand that was there. Chairman Hawley said that whatever issues there are between the two of departments, that they need to be left at the door and each department must work
together. Selectmen Pyenson and Chaffee concurred.
The Waste Water Treatment Plant Meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
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Town of Otis
Selectboard Meeting
May 23, 2007
The Selectboard meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
Present: Donald Hawley, Andrew Pyenson, Clayton Chaffee, Howard Levin, Barry Weinstein, Peter Kolodziej, John Cox, Linda Cox, Annette Cable, Richard Cable, David Vogel, Linda Nolau, Dawn Brake, Christopher Bouchard, Larry Gould, Gail Palmer, Peter Dubourg and Dawn Van Ness.
Selectboard minutes from May 8, 2007 Selectboard Meeting and Executive Session were approved unanimously.
Andrew Pyenson was elected as the new chairperson.
Peter Kolodziej introduced John Cox who made a presentation regarding the septic system upgrade at his property at 392 Lion Hill Road. The current system is not compliant and due to current setbacks and regulations and he was told to have a tight tank system. According to the paperwork that he must file with the Commonwealth of MA, he did not feel that the Board of Health explored all options. His presentation included information about the Presby system as well as showed different scenarios of setbacks – using setbacks from the property lines – to surrounding wells, septic systems, etc. After the presentation, Peter indicated that Mr. Cox has addressed many of the issues but he would like to discuss the matter further with the septic installer and homeowner before giving
further consideration on this new proposal. Peter did note that the Presby system has been recently approved by the State. Selectman Chaffee indicated that it is too close to everything – property lines, two wells, and a foundation. It’s not just one variance – everything is being compromised. The neighbors in attendance approved of this system and the setbacks he proposed, and Peter noted that the property next door (owned jointly by Cox and the neighbor) would have to be surveyed, he would need to see all plans and setbacks. Gail Palmer [from the Conservation Commission] asked about the system and Peter said there was no way to fully measure the performance of the system since there is no data of the quality of the effluent. The Selectboard will go with Peter’s recommendations after he reviews all plans and materials.
Peter also discussed Ed Socha’s property at 42 North Street. Mr. Socha requested a letter be sent regarding his Title 5 compliance and Peter has drafted one for the Selectboard’s review.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Chris Bouchard discussed the progress the Department has made on the damaged roads since the storm. There is a meeting on June 4th that he, Selectman Hawley and Heather Venne will be attending regarding MEMA/FEMA monies for the storm damage. There has been over $47,000 expended to date has been spent most of the funds from the Road Improvement account and some from General Highways and Bridges account. If necessary, some suppliers said they would wait for FEMA funds. He would like to purchase a trailer as well as some hitches for the trucks with the excess funds from the backhoe account that has over $32,000 in it. He spoke with the Accountant who said if it was “raise and appropriate” or came from free cash at a town meeting, you could
re-appropriate the funds without a special town meeting. The Selectboard would like to wait on this until they can make sure more monies would not be needed from the storm.
Howard Levin discussed the meeting on June 4th, and that they Association will have representation there. Chris noted that he was told that only state and local governments would be reimbursed, but he will forward a name and number to Howard so he can get more information.
FINANCE BOARD: Irene Rowley was unanimously appointed to fill Bob Serra’s vacancy on the Board.
TREASURER: Rhonda LaBombard submitted her resignation as Treasurer effective July 1, 2007. The position will be posted. Gail asked if the Board considered making this an appointed rather than elected position, and the Board has discussed this and has not made a decision yet.
GIS/GPS: Larry Gould discussed the GIS system and how the system could be used, and what type of data that would be entered. He has received proposals for hardware, software, setup, license fees, etc., and at some point, a scanner would be necessary. The current copier could have software installed to allow for scanning. The University of Minnesota has created a program – called Garmin DNR – which can be downloaded from their website for free. Another program cost would be necessary – Building Professional Acrobat – which would help create forms, collate them, prepare packages, etc. Larry would like the Board to approve the expenditure of funds in order to purchase the hardware to begin this process. Larry also spoke about the University of
Minnesota’s program – called Garmin DNR – which can be downloaded from their website for free. Hand-held units were also discussed. The Planning Board has indicated that they are satisfied with this system and the proposals presented to them. Chairman Pyenson would like to see an itemized proposal of the discussed items. Selectman Chaffee would like to all departments that will be using this system to sign off on the project and give their okay.
Larry said that Anthony Middleton – was approved to be an intern from Westfield State College [for the GIS/GPS program] and he will start this Friday. Anthony does have to pay an $800 fee to the college for this course, and Larry suggested the Town reimburse him for this fee.
The Selectboard unanimously approved the expenditure for a computer to begin this project – up to $2,000 – and $800.00 for Anthony’s internship.
KITCHEN: Chairman Pyenson discussed the kitchen, and Maintenance will be asked to put codes on the breakers for those who use the kitchen so they will be able to turn off the proper breakers. He also discussed replacement of the current stoves in the kitchen with two gas stoves as part of emergency management, and the Selectboard would like prices on two six-burner stoves.
TOWN COUNSEL: The Selectboard unanimously approved Jeremia Pollard as the new town counsel who works with the firm of Hannon, Lerner.
MASONRY REPAIRS: Allegrone Masonry discovered some more problems than anticipated with the original bid, and the additional cost will be about $7,500. There will be a reduction in the original contract due to the fact that 100 concrete blocks were supposed to be replaced, and they are being sanded and patched instead.
RECREATION COMMISSION SECRETARY: The Recreation Commission would like their secretary to be on town payroll rather than receiving payment as a vendor. The Selectboard will discuss the matter when a representative from the Commission is in attendance at a meeting.
DOG COMPLAINTS: Linda Nolau had a complaint regarding the dog officer. She was contacted by the dog officer because her dogs were barking. She indicated that the dog officer said she would have to place a bark collar on the dogs or enroll them in dog obedience class. She said that her dogs are in the house during the day, but they do bark at the loud vehicles entering and exiting the transfer station that is across the street. The Selectboard will table the issue until the next Board meeting when the dog officer can be in attendance.
SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION: The contract with the Southern Berkshire Household Hazardous Waste Collection was extended for FY08. Peter Dubourg discussed the paint collection, and Selectman Chaffee said that we couldn’t collect paint at the transfer station. There are mini site collections that take place during the year and people must dispose of their paint at those sites only.
SEWER: The Selectboard unanimously voted to increase Maplewood Bed and Breakfast to 4.5 EDU’s because they have many apartments and another building on the premises.
OPEN BUSINESS: Howard Levin reminded the Board of the Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, May 30th. He also indicated that the Smart Growth Committee will continue to meet and review the town’s bylaws.
Howard also asked if he could re-do the town seal and the Selectboard agreed.
The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Piacquadio
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