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Board of Selectmen
January 16, 2008
Minutes
Members present: John Murray, Doug Walter
William Cavanaugh-absent
Others Present: Richard Furlong, Colleen O’Connor, Kathryn Darrow, David Bonney, Bill Brownhill, Rob Gorden, Mike Falk, Don Munger, Julie Maynard, Alice Briggs, Josh Lombard, Bill Toomey, Mark Touponce, Jacob Touponce, Rebecca Marcus, Stanley Marcus, Martin Schlanger, David Giannini, Barbara Stuhlmann, Richard Pryor, Jeremy Dunn, Joan Kaiser, Kathy Vsetecka, Richard Grillon, David Bacon, Mercedes Gallagher, and others, David Giannini, Barbara Stuhlmann, Richard Pryor, Jeremy Dunn, Joan Kaiser, Kathy Vsetecka, Richard Grillon, David Bacon, Mercedes Gallagher, and others
7:02 PM Meeting opened. Selectmen could not approve minutes because Bill was not in attendance and John did not attend the meeting on January 2, 2008.
Richard advised that Donald Munger has expressed an interest in being appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. John motioned to appoint Donald Munger to the Zoning Board of Appeals term to expire June 30, 2008, Doug seconded. Motion passed.
The Selectmen reviewed letter from David Marsh regarding his tax assessment. Mr. Marsh feels that his assessment has gone up too much and he thinks the assessors made a mistake. Doug does not think the assessors made a mistake because all of the assessments are approved by the Department of Revenue. The proper procedure, if you think your assessment is too high, would be to apply for an abatement. The Selectmen would like a letter to be sent to Mr. Marsh explaining this procedure. Richard advised that he could send a letter advising him that the Selectmen do not have anything to do with assessing property and he should go to the Board of Assessors with any questions regarding his assessments. Doug thought they could invite him to a meeting and they could explain the procedure in which
the assessors go through to come up with values of real estate.
Public Input: none.
The Selectmen reviewed email from Ann Krawet, resident on Captain Whitney Road, regarding the Town of Chester’s proposed wind turbine(s). Briefly discussed wind turbines and how the Town of Chester would be able to erect the turbines. Richard explained that they would need to go up Captain Whitney Road with the wind turbines because they would be too heavy to fly them to the site by helicopter. The truck traffic on Captain Whitney Road could severely damage it. Ms. Krawet is also concerned about the noise that the wind turbines create. Richard advised that her house is over a mile away from the site and he does not believe that she would be able to hear the noise from her house. Richard will check with Town Counsel to see if the Town has any authority to stop another town from
doing something like this.
The Selectmen reviewed the report of the Board of Assessors.
Any other business: Richard advised that he received the Ambulance Department Write-Off report but wants to hold off on approving the write-offs because he wants it to go to the collection agency first. The Selectmen need to initial report before it can go to the collection agency. The Selectmen initialed the report.
Richard gave an update on the horse issue. He advised that the woman sold one of the horses and will use the money to put up a sturdier fence. However if this still becomes an issue, the Selectmen would need to appoint a field driver to pick up any horses or cows that get loose. Briefly discussed this issue.
Richard advised that the Finance Committee sent him an email regarding the FY2009 warrant. He gave each Selectman a copy to review. Briefly discussed the FY2009 budget.
Reviewed correspondence.
7:25 PM The Selectmen reviewed the letter from Rob Gorden regarding the Lee Area Traffic Study Group meetings and the possibility of a Becket turnpike exit. The attached letter with Mr. Gorden’s was a copy that was sent to BRPC by the Towns of Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge and was dated August 1, 2003. Richard asked if there was any plan drawn up for proposed sites. Rob advised that there are no plans at the moment; they are just on the table. He does not think there is any funding available to do anything right now but he thinks that the Town should take a stand and let BRPC know what the consensus is here in Becket. Rob advised that according to the minutes of May 21, 2003, the Selectmen voted to send a letter to BRPC opposing a Becket Interchange. He thought that it may be a good
idea to send another letter to BRPC opposing a Becket Interchange. Dick Grillon, Selectman from Washington, advised that the Town of Washington is opposed to having a Becket Interchange. Discussed who should get a copy of this letter. The consensus was to send a copy of this letter to the towns of Hinsdale, Dalton and Otis. Jeremy Dunn asked if the members of the Lee Area Traffic Study Group from Becket should be instructed to represent the interests of the Town. He heard that Steve LaBelle, who is currently a member of the Lee Area Traffic Study Group, is in favor of some of the possibilities for a Becket turnpike exit. Mike Falk suggested that the Selectmen make it known to Steve LaBelle that the consensus of most Becket residents is to not have a Becket turnpike exit and if he is not in favor of this he should resign. Richard Pryor feels our area representatives should receive a copy of this letter. John motioned to send
a letter of opposition to having a Becket turnpike exit to BRPC and send copies to the Selectmen of Otis, Hinsdale and Dalton and to our State representatives, Doug seconded. Motion passed. The Selectmen would like a letter sent to the Becket members of the Lee Area Traffic Study Group advising them that they need to represent the town’s wishes while attending those meetings.
8:00 PM John motioned to adjourn, Doug seconded. Motion passed.
Reviewed payroll/expense warrants.
Respectfully submitted, _______________________________
Nina Weiler, Secretary William F. Cavanaugh, Chairman
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