Board of Selectmen
February 20, 2008
Minutes
Members present: William Cavanaugh, Doug Walter, John Murray
Others Present: Richard Furlong, Colleen O’Connor, Kathryn Darrow
7:00 PM Meeting opened. Reviewed minutes. John motioned to accept minutes of January 16, 2008 Doug seconded. Motion passed. Doug motioned to accept minutes of February 6, 2008, Bill seconded. Motion passed.
The Selectmen reviewed the letter from David Marsh regarding his current assessment. Richard advised that Mr. Marsh cannot understand that the Selectmen cannot do anything about his assessment. He needs to apply for an abatement and if he is not granted an abatement, then he needs to appeal to the state Appellate Tax Board in Boston.
Public Input: Colleen O’Connor said she found the minutes of January 3, 2007, that she referred to at the last meeting, where Richard made a comment about her never testing her water and also that there is no legal easement and the attorneys suggest that the town take the easement by eminent domain. Colleen advised that if a name is included on the Unfit for Human Habitation Code from the State regarding her water then that person will be charged or sued for racketeering which if convicted, carries a jail sentence.
The Selectmen reviewed dog complaint from Catherine and Leo Owens at 220 Captain Whitney Road. Richard advised that the Selectmen will need to decide what to do about this issue. He feels that the dog is being used as a pawn in the ongoing problem with the neighbors at 212 Captain Whitney Road. He advised that there have been issues for approximately two years now. First the Owens’ complained about Mr. Chichester working on cars in his garage and then they complained about his dogs coming on their property. Bill asked what the Selectmen should do about this issue. Doug feels that Mr. Chichester has been sent a letter from Animal Control about keeping his dogs restrained to his property and he should be doing that. He asked if there have been any fines assessed to him.
Richard was not sure. He will speak with Bert about this and then the Selectmen will need to decide if they want to schedule a hearing on this issue. Richard explained that it is hard for the animal control officer to catch the dogs on the Owens’ property because by the time he gets there the dogs have already left. Colleen suggested that the Owens’ videotape each incident to prove that the dogs are coming over frequently.
The Selectmen reviewed the monthly report of the Board of Assessors.
Any other business: Richard advised that the Finance Committee would like the Selectmen to increase the amount the employee currently pays for health insurance from 20% to 25%. Richard was going to have the Selectmen vote on this tonight but some of the employees would like to attend this meeting so the Selectmen will vote on this at their next meeting on March 5, 2008. Richard advised that about half the towns in Berkshire County are at the 25%-75% rate.
Richard advised that the ambulance department was inspected by the state and there were no deficiencies found. He advised that this has been the third or fourth year in a row that the ambulance had a perfect inspection.
Board of Selectmen
February 20, 2008
Page 2
Richard advised that Foresight Land Services has come up with two options for Yokum Pond Road bridge repair. One option would be to fix the bridge itself which would cost $170,000-200,000. The other option would be to fix the bridge and the abutments which would cost $200,000-230,000. Richard explained that if they went with option 2, it would cost approximately $60,000 more but the bridge would last approximately 30 years. If you went with option 1, in order to eventually replace the abutments, the deck would need to be removed and he and Lenny thought they should go with option 2 and repair the entire bridge. Richard discussed with the Finance Committee the possibility of going for a debt exclusion for this purpose. He would like the Selectmen to keep this in mind.
Richard advised that there will be an award ceremony on May 2, 2008 for the partners of the Ballou Dam removal. He wanted to know if the Selectmen would be interested in attending this meeting. He needs to know who will be attending by mid April. The Selectmen will get back to him at a later date.
Richard advised that the Brooker Hill Road repair is out to bid. The town needs to get going on this or it may lose the $180,000.00 grant.
Briefly discussed the letter that was sent to BRPC regarding a Becket turnpike entrance.
Reviewed correspondence.
7:40 PM Doug motioned to adjourn, John seconded. All in favor.
Reviewed payroll/expense warrants.
Respectfully submitted, _______________________________
Nina Weiler, Secretary William F. Cavanaugh, Chairman
| 
